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| "Robin" #180 on sale this month, series concludes with February's #183 |
When DC Comics releases its solicitations for February, 2009, “Robin” #183, “Nightwing” #153 and “Birds of Prey” #127 will all be tagged with those most ominous of words: FINAL ISSUE.
While it is yet to be revealed what’s in store for the heroes of those three books, the cancellations of the titles is no doubt tied into “Batman” writer Grant Morrison’s “Batman R.I.P.” storyline.
CBR News checked in with the writers of “Robin” and “Nightwing,” veterans Fabian Nicieza and Peter Tomasi, respectively, to talk about what this means for their leading men Tim Drake and Dick Grayson in the hotly rumored and soon-to-be-hotly contested “Battle for the Cowl” storyline.
Fabien Nicieza is of course disappointed to see his run on “Robin” come to an end but said he was aware of the plans from “the moment he was offered the assignment.” “Everything I’ve done was to prepare Tim Drake for the end of his series and the beginning of the next phase in his life,” Nicieza told CBR.
The writer added that he’s not leaving the Batverse come March. “I am confident you’ll see my name in the credits of a Bat-Family title the month after the ‘Robin’ series ends,” confirmed Nicieza.
Peter Tomasi, who is also writing January’s “Batman and the Outsiders Special” #1, revealed he will be taking over ongoing writing duties for “Outsiders” as well, following his last issue of “Nightwing.”
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| "Nightwing" #150 on sale this month, series condludes in February's #153 |
The long-time editor turned writer told CBR he’s not disappointed about the end of “Nightwing,” because, as was the case of Nicieza, he knew this was in the works for some time. “I don’t think the word ‘disappointment’ factors in for me, since everyone here at Bat Central knew that this was in the works,” Tomasi said. “I’ve had a blast writing ‘Nightwing’ and really enjoyed being able to contribute a small part to his 153-issue run. Dick Grayson is a great character and my only real ‘disappointment’ comes from not being able to tell more stories about him.”
“But just remember, from endings come beginnings, so all you Wingnuts take heart.”
Asked which of the two characters deserved to be the next Batman, Nicieza teased, “Who says either one will be the next Batman?”
Tomasi put it this way, “Does Dick, in my mind deserve to be Batman? As my buddy Clint Eastwood would say, ‘deserves got nothin’ to do with it.’ Being Batman is not a party, it’s not something anybody in their right mind would want to do with their life. It’s about having to do it, about serving the common good, putting others before you. Does Dick Grayson fit that bill? Of course he does, without question. But will it be his face under the cowl when all is said and done? Therein lies the bigger question and the answer to that is several months away.”
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Keywords: robin, nightwing, birds of prey, peter tomasi, fabian nicieza