Batman and Robin #5 hits stores a little over a week ago and more history was revealed of the character NoBody. And with the relationship between Bruce and Damian being on the brink of nonexistence Batman and Robin will also be part of the Night of Owls crossover. Newsarama talked with writer Peter Tomasi on what is coming up in the series.
Newsarama: I know Damian left Titus behind in the last issue, but there's something very compelling about a boy and his dog. I get the feeling Damian's urge to kill animals like bats and fireflies will end up being overcome by the companionship of this dog. Am I guessing right? Will the dog come to represent more than just something to annoy Pat Gleason because he has to draw it?
Peter Tomasi: You are guessing right in that regards. Damian and Titus will definitely be growing more attached to each other. Pat's annoyed, really? I thought he liked drawing Titus. Is he yapping behind my back?
Newsarama: No, I just figured you were trying to annoy him. But maybe I'll ask him about it.
Peter Tomasi: And a little tidbit for the readers, I originally was going to call the dog Ace, but it was decided that it was best not to drop it in at this point in the New 52.
Newsarama: When will we find out what Bruce is keeping from Damian about Morgan? And is there anything you can tell us about that?
Peter Tomasi: We'll find out what Bruce is keeping from Damian in Batman and Robin #6. There's not much I can say about it; it plays into the book's tone, keeping the personal stuff very grounded. It's not some earth-shattering secret. It's primal. It's real. And it's simple.
Newsarama: We got a bit of Morgan's back-story as Bruce recorded a message to Damian, and some other books have highlighted new elements of the New 52 past. Will we see more of Batman and Robin's past revealed in the coming issues?
Peter Tomasi: As much as I'll be trying to add new elements, I'll also be looking at other ways I can riff on what's come before. I'm not going to put myself in a box when there's such a rich history to draw from if need be. If something from the past can help make a story better or if I can find a way to make it work organically, then I'm all for it.
Newsarama: Before the first issue was released, you promised even more new villains. What kind of things can we expect in the future of Batman and Robin? What can we expect from Batman and Robin as it continues in 2012?
Peter Tomasi: Starting in issue #10, I'll be keeping that promise with a whole bunch of cool and weird ass new villains. I'm a man of my word, damn it! Regarding the future, well, there's something so crazy coming up in a few months that it'll melt your eyes in your head once it gets announced!
Newsarama: How is Batman and Robin going to be tying into the "Night of the Owls" crossover later this year, and what role in particular does Damian take in the conflict with the Court of Owls?
Peter Tomasi: In Batman and Robin #9 we tie into Snyder's epic Night of the Owls story with an adventure I came up with that takes us to the outskirts of Gotham. If I ended up saying anything more, it would cause Scott to turn into a Talon and pay me a visit in the wee small hours of the morning. I just saw the cover by Pat today and it's awesome, and all I can say about Damian and the Court of Owls story, is that he has his hands full in issue #9 and leave it at that.
For the entire interview, including more about Morgan Ducard's past, head over to Newsarama. Batman and Robin #6 hits stores next month.
Posted by Dustin Fritschel
