'Batman Eternal #38' Post-Game: Will Bane Break The Batman... Again?
Each week, MTV News is breaking down the big moments in DC Comics' "Batman Eternal," the weekly series that is redefining Gotham City as we know it.
This week, we talked to writer Tim Seeley about the fall of Bane, the rise of Catwoman... And how Batman is stuck right in the middle:
MTV News: There’s a pretty clear theme running through this issue of villains – and even Batman – underestimating each other. Why was this important?
Tim Seeley: We want the readers to be surprised by the villains, and a good way to do that is to see them through the eyes of these other characters. "Eternal" is all about upping the stakes, and as we go along, that means we have to reinforce to the people reading it how dangerous these creeps are.
MTV: At this point, Batman has taken down his rogues so often.. Is there anyone left who scares him?
Seeley: Does anything scare Batman? I mean, even if it did, would he show it? But, these are smart, unpredictable people. He can never get complacent.
MTV: Gordon is also dealing with some big moves – both with The Lion and Bard. Where’s he at, at this point, emotionally?
Seeley: He's teetering on the brink of losing his faith in the system.
MTV: And Croc is in a very different position by issue’s end. Is his new position as Selina’s lackey his happy place? Is that where he wants to be? Or does he have further plans down the road?
Seeley: I think he's traded some degree of autonomy for being part of a "winning" side. He's lost a lot, but he's clever enough to be loyal when in suits him.
MTV: Selina’s plan, meanwhile, seems like a way to turn back to the clock to the time before the freaks. Is it even possible, after, to quote a certain movie, Batman "changed things?"
Seeley: I think Selina is more concerned about managing the gangs then she is "freaks." And she knows that organized crime is, well, organized, and that at least theoretically, the motivations are simpler to control, since they're purely financial, and not "crazy."
MTV: And is Bane off the board now? Or does he have a last move to play?
Seeley: I think he's gotten what he deserved. But he's a clever guy... He's never out unless he's dead.
