The loss of Damian Wayne was devastating. Batman had an incredibly rough time as he went through the five stages of grief and, even though the tragedy is something he'll never fully recover from, he was finally able to start moving forward once again. Well, so much for emotional progress because the chance to bring his child back to life has presented itself yet again! Damian's body has been taken to Apokolips and an object called the Chaos Shard allegedly holds the potential to resurrect him. The Dark Knight has stepped into a spiffy new armor and he's going to stop at nothing to get his son back. We're anxious to see what'll happen next, but in the meantime, we were fortunate enough to chat with writer Peter J. Tomasi about the story.
COMIC VINE: We'll begin with a very important question. If the Chaos Shard does not bring Damian back, can you please use it to bring back Nobody? He was such an awesome character!
PETER TOMASI: *laughs* Let's just say this... we're thinking alike. Let's just leave it at that.
CV: Fair enough! So, how long have you been putting this story together?
PT: Probably close to 3 years; it's been awhile. We knew the plans as they were coming with Robin. So once we knew that was happening, it was time for Pat [Gleason] and I to work out the way we wanted to deal with the loss and obviously keep the book running. Even though it may not say "Batman and Robin" on the cover for a few issues, his presence was always omnipresent. Robin didn't have to be there on the page to feel that he was making things happen; making Batman do what he was doing and all that kind of stuff.
CV: Yeah, the silent issue was absurdly powerful. I have no issue admitting the panel of Batman clutching Robin's costume made me tear up the first time I saw it.
PT: Yeah, it made me tear up when I saw the art come in. Pat just drew the hell out of it, captured everything I wanted him to, and just did an awesome job. Like I've said before, I've had a lot of people literally start crying at tables. Even today, they were choking up talking about that issue, so it's pretty cool to be able to move people. Over the last couple of years, I feel like I've gotten this rep for making people cry when they read books. I did this thing in [FINAL CRISIS:] REQUIEM with Martian Manhunter where Batman places the Oreo cookie. People were like bawling at my table. And then with issue 18 of BATMAN AND ROBIN it was one of those same things that really moved people. As a writer, when you're all by yourself all day and you get that reaction from people, there's nothing better!
CV: The last time we saw Batman he was in his armor and bringing the fight to Apokolips. I know you obviously can't reveal too much about the story, so if you had to tease fans about what's coming up in 5 words or less, what would you tell them?
PT: A
CV: We've seen Batman wear a lot of different armors before. I know you can't reveal any special surprises this one may have in store for us, but what helps this stand apart from the rest? Is this thing going to allow him to take on Darkseid?!
PT: That's a good question, I guess you'll just have to wait to see! As we showed, it was forged in the sun by Supes, the other JL guys helped, but yeah, we kept saying, "what can this suit do? Let's go crazy!" We wanted it to be big and epic and go Grant Morrison on it!
CV: What's the collaboration process like with Gleason?
PT: I hired him as an artist when he was a kid many, many years ago. We're in tune, man. Like, when you're in sync with an artist, you just are. We get on the phone, we riff, we have fun. We talk about story, I ask him what he wants to see and I tell him about cool stuff I want to do. We're Batman and Robin. I'm Batman, of course.
CV: Which Robin would he be?
PT: I would say he's Damian! It's a really great working relationship. That book wouldn't be anywhere near as good if I didn't have Pat Gleason drawing it.
CV: Not including your work, what's your favorite Damian scene?
PT: I like that bit in BATMAN AND ROBIN when he had a crowbar and him and Joker went at it. I love that scene.
CV: Let's end this with a fun one. If you had the opportunity to write a crossover with Batman and Captain America and the two just couldn't see eye-to-eye and had to duke it out, how would you make it play out? They're beyond talking, standing in a city street and it's go time.
PT: Batman will win. I love Cap though, but it'll be a very trying fight. I think there will be tricks and trades here and there, but I think it would be an awesome fight and Batman would have to pull it out in the end. I think Batman would take him out. Unfortunately, Cap would be on the ground in the end.
CV: Thanks, Peter!
BATMAN AND ROBIN #35 goes on sale 10/15.