WARNING: COMIC BOOK NUDITY BELOW.
By now, I’m sure all of our comic book fans have heard about the new Batman comic entitled Batman: Damned #1. It has literally been the talk of the comic book world over the last few days for a number of reasons. It has received critical praise for its stylized and very detailed art (we’ll get to that) as well as its original approach to the mythos of Batman. It also includes an appearance by fan favorite British supernatural detective John Constantine. On those terms alone, you would think the comic would be discussed as being a strong start to DC’s Black Label imprint. However, that is not what the public is debating about. Instead it is two specific panels that dare to show that the Dark Knight is anatomically correct. Yes my friends, Batman has a male appendage.
I know this might come as a shock to some and an offense to others. But contrary to popular belief, all male superheroes are not eunuchs. The difference here was artist Lee Bermejo chose to include said private parts in his drawing. It was in the shadows and pretty much non-descript but you could tell if you were looking what it was. Considering he was stripping down to have his medical scanners look for damage, one might expect that his “male parts”would be exposed. I thought it was as tastefully done as you could while still showing he was normal. It was apparently offensive enough however that DC has already said that the digital versions will not include those panels and future physical reprints will also not include Batman’s “Junk.” You can see one of the panels below…if you dare.
The matter was important enough that even the late night comedians felt the need to chime in. You know then that the apocalypse is upon us. “Dogs and Cats, living together…total chaos!”
First Stephen Colbert chimes in on Twitter:
I’m old enough to remember when it was a big deal to see Batman’s nipples. pic.twitter.com/C3r9AB65wF
— Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) September 21, 2018
Then Seth Meyers joined the party. You will need to go to around the 2:29 mark to see his comments.
Pretty much anyone and everyone has weighed in on this, including current DC writer Scott Snyder who will himself be penning a Black Label story with his long time artistic partner Greg Capullo entitled Batman: The Last Knight on Earth. Snyder commented on Twitter:
Lol. Folks who work with my wife at the hospital asking about this comic book that shows Batman's junk. Had no idea it was this big a deal. Still don't get it, but hey
— Scott Snyder (@Ssnyder1835) September 22, 2018
So I guess it comes down to your sensibilities. The comic is clearly stated as being for mature audiences. If you believe that DC has stepped over the line, don’t buy it. If you do purchase it, choose to read it and find yourself offended, throw it away. Better yet, give it to someone who might appreciate it for what it is…a future collector’s item (especially if DC puts out no more printed versions including the two “offensive” panels.) In the end, you have the power of choice. You can either read it or not read it, but I would urge you to not let two panels in which the whole point of debate is barely seen, stop you from enjoying a well written and drawn comic. The call is yours.
How about it GVNation? Would or did the two panels in question change your opinion one way or the other about Batman or comics in general? Share your opinions on the great “Batman toolkit” controversy.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
