Summary
WARNING: Potential Spoilers ForBatman / Dylan Dog#3!
Batmanhas officially disowned another title that fans have used for decades to describe The Dark Knight. However, Batman also reveals what he actually considers himself to be, and it’s not a ‘crime-fighter’ or even a ‘hero,’ but something profoundly poetic that also highlights Gotham City as his one true love.
DC’s Dark Knight and Nightmare Investigator once againunite inBatman / Dylan Dog#3 – by Roberto Recchioni, Werther Dell’Edera, Gigi Cavenago, and Giovanna Niro – for the series finale. This issue sees the dynamic duo going up against both Joker and the newly resurrected serial killer Christopher Killex.
However, the high-stakes narrative takes a detour when Dylan offers Batman a slice of pizza atop a Gotham rooftop.It’s here that the Nightmare Investigator refers to Batman as a “vigilante,” only for Bruce to correct him, saying, “I’m not a vigilante,”before revealing what he truly is.
Batman Disowns “Vigilante” Label and Declares Himself “Protector” of Gotham
After Batman declines a slice of Dylan’s offered pizza, the Nightmare Investigator quips back that he bets the Dark Knight is a “gym rat,” before continuing to say, “I imagine staying in shape is a basic requirement for a masked vigilante.” However, instead of remarking on his gym routine and eating habits, Batman corrects Dylan’s assumption that he is a vigilante.When Dylan asks what Batman is, if not a vigilante, the Dark Knight succinctly responds, “A protector.”In one swoop, Batman both disowns a decades-long established title and also reveals how he sees himself.
However,this isn’t the first instance of Batman distancing himself from a well-established title. InBatman: The Audio Adventures#7, Bruce essentially disavows the ‘Caped Crusader’monikeras he reflects on the implications of being a “crusader,” stating, “Crusades are terrible things… when you commit your life to the destruction of an enemy, destruction is the inevitable result.” Hence, it is evident how Batman views his Caped Crusader title. While his rejection of his vigilante title isn’t as profound, it still suggests that Batman may be developing a tendency to distance himself from commonly held titles.
The Dark Knight’s ‘New’ Title Is Just Another Tribute to His Greatest Love–Gotham City
Batman’s assertion that he’s “a protector” isn’t merely a self-assigned label; it also mirrors the Dark Knight’s profound attachment to Gotham City. Initially, when Bruce proclaims himself a protector, Dylan is puzzled, asking, “Of what…?” However, he promptly finds the answer as he gazes out over Gotham City. This is far from the first occasion where the Dark Knight has expressed his devotion to Gotham. InBatman: Off-World, Bruce reveals thatGotham will always be his true love. Therefore,Batman’s identification as a protector, above all else, resonates deeply with the character, reflecting his unwavering devotion to his self-claimed city.
BATMAN / DYLAN DOG #3 (2024)
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
