Comic books like to shake up the status quo, and will often have another character step in and take up the mantle of a hero from the traditional character. For example, when Bruce Wayne was believed dead Nightwing became Batman for a time. Of course Azrael became Batman when Bruce’s back was broken. When Superman was dead, there were four others out trying to take the Man of Steel’s place. Two were spun off into permanent heroes. And there’s Cassandra Cain and Stephanie Brown who were both Batgirl for a time while Barbara Gordon was paralyzed. Course the fact the two were popular, and Barbara was awesome as Oracle, didn’t stop DC from finally restoring Barbara to the Batgirl role. But still.
Usually the replacement is temporary, if not an all out failure (Artemis as Wonder Woman anyone?) and the status quo is returned. Sometimes however the new character really clicks, and becomes just as popular if not more popular than the original. Here are five examples of what I mean :
Dove Dawn Granger
Hawk and Dove were created by the late, great Steve Ditko and never really took off. They had their own series, and appeared in Teen Titans, but were always B list. Hank Hall as Hawk was angry and his brother Don Hall as Dove was the pacifist. There was brother vs brother stuff but that was all. When Don was killed in Crisis, Dawn Granger would pick up the mantle and was just such a better character. I really liked the book before it was cancelled and DC screwed the two characters over for Armageddon 2001.
Green Lantern Jon Stewart
Way back in the 70’s in Green Lantern comics, it was decided a back up was a good idea. So the Guardians selected architect (this was later changed) Jon Stewart to step up and fill in when needed. And for awhile, that was his role appearing in GL and Justice League of America. However during the 80’s as Hal Jordan began to relinquish his role, Stewart started to step up and shine. Stewart had more personality and character, so was pretty popular. In fact when the animated JLA series came around it was Stewart in the GL role and often is in the DC animates universe.
Yes yes Guy Gardner counts and I know about Kyle Rainer. But while Guy made a name for himself it was for being a jerk, and as for Kyle he was popular I don’t think he achieved the cult status that Stewart did.
The Flash Wally West
So Barry Allen was The Flash, until he died in Crisis on Infinite Earth’s. You would think DC would have brought him back, but instead the death stuck for awhile. Why? Because Wally West took over the mantle and became very popular. In fact, for a whole generation Wally West WAS The Flash. I actually enjoyed his series for a good while because of the angst around the character. Barry was pretty boring to be honest, Wally had real issues he needed to work out. He needed to learn how to be a man and a hero, and his powers evolved over time. And I even liked his relationship with his wife Linda a lot more than Barry and Iris. Much like with Stewart a lot of the DC animated shows use West as The Flash rather than the more traditional Barry.
Ted Kord Blue Beetle
Yeah any excuse to talk about this character. I loved The Blue Beetle, but not the police cop/archeologist (depending what you’re reading). No I’m talking about the Ted Kord, who was just awesome. He took the Blue Beetle mantle and turned it into something. Yeah Garrett wasn’t a complete unknown but I think it’s Ted Kord that people think of first. Or Jaime Reyes who was the third Blue Beetle. He was fine too but for me, Kord was awesome even if he wasn’t always written very well. It’s no surprise that when DC finally killed him it was a big deal, with major implications. He never really returned even after the reboot but his legacy will endure.
Tim Drake Robin
I talked a few weeks ago about how Drake came to be Robin. What I didn’t mention was how damn popular the kid was! So when Jason Todd was killed (and Dick Grayson was popular as Nightwing) it was decided that it was time for a new Robin. As I mentioned previously, DC did a beautiful job with the character introduction. Rather than just throw the new character at us, we get to know him over time. Also rather than just make him a carbon copy of Dick Grayson (like Todd was pre-Crisis), we got a new character who was interesting. He was smart, agile, and even had a still living parent to worry about. He was just a good character! Drake would become Robin slowly, and once he did he got an improved costume and was badass. So much so he quickly got two mini-series and then a regular title. That’s how popular he was. He even survived the New 52 as Red Robin. Unlike the others listed here, the animated universe tends to flip between Drake and Grayson as Robin, or just combine them, but I think its safe to assume there a lot of people out there who when they think Robin they think Tim Drake.
Yes I know of Damian Wayne, that’s another story.
Plenty of others, in Marvel too of course, did I miss your favorite? Comment and let me know. By the way I never read anything from when Dick Grayson was Batman so I can’t say if he was better or worst in the role, please feel free to fill me in.
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