Nightwing Becomes Batman! | Batman: Prodigal

Buy Batman: Prodigal! amzn.to/2N6jcif Barely recovered from the wounds he received in battle against Bane during the bestselling Knightfall series, the Dark Knight asks Dick Grayson, now the hero known as Nightwing, to take his place while he recovers and reexamines his quest for justice in this companion to Knightfall. And never miss an update by subscribing! bit.ly/2WYvgkt #batman #nightwing #dccomics
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[@comicpop]

If you wanna buy Batman: Prodigal, you can! amzn.to/2N6jcif

[@SpiralSine6]

Listening to most Batman villains’ backstories: “That’s just giving in to your id, you fuck.”

[@captainvimes6079]

Thats my thing, I flip a coin, and then I just do whatever I want. I'm MISTER FLIPPANT

[@kenlsten4651]

Batman: Battle for the cowl would be awesome to see you guys talk about someday (if you haven’t already).

[@TevyaSmolka]

I love Tim drake robin he’s my all time favorite robin of all time and him teaming up with dick grayson as Batman is really awesome and badass

[@CptCrash21]

Wait. 38:05 .... is that "barely an inconvenience" a nod to Pitch Meeting???

[@cullenn2100]

Checked to see if anyone else caught this!

[@gustavobolivar5691]

Catching that reference was Super Easy!

[@OwenLikesComics]

Great timing, I just finished reading the Knightfall saga for a video!

[@M62003]

Hey I just saw your video, great work.

[@OwenLikesComics]

@@M62003 thanks!

[@Insane-Howl-Cowl]

This was at the tail end of my Batman run. I got into him around Knightfall, and then read monthly issues through this storyarc. I thought Grayson was a great successor to Bruce, but we all know it was not meant to last.

[@kfizzle5086]

You had me at Nightwing

[@hadesshivabuddhachrist8573]

I'd love to see No Mans Land as well as the next major arc after, Bruce Wayne Murderer/ Fugitive.

[@benhansen9164]

Please do Dark Victory

[@Insane-Howl-Cowl]

I still want to see a Knightfall where Bruce called Flash and asked for help when the breakout started. Then in one panel, all the prisoners are back in their cells. Then he makes a mini-tornado to crash Bane's helicopter and captures all his cronies.

[@dmavs13]

39:20 - Fun fact: Pretty sure in this continuity (post-crisis only) Jim is not Barbara's father but her Uncle and then adopted by Jim and Sarah Essen after Barbara's parents die in an accident.

[@SpiralSine6]

It still feels so weird without the marquee

[@DurktheDiggler]

"Barely an inconvience" I understood that reference lol

[@HM-uj2cv]

Its a blast revisiting these old comics! Thanks!

[@radiak55]

21:47 Sal, so easy for you to say. Any Italian kid can dish out pizzas like it is nobody's business

[@BatFan1]

the "peaks" on the shoulders started with McFarlane.

[@Spurs319]

Was the “The literally no trouble, barely an inconvenience” a pitch meetings reference? Lol

[@stickskywalker7365]

About the two face hating robins is cause he can tell that there's been 3 robins and he can't stand 3s cause how is he gonna make that a 2 unless he kills one

[@domgeek5632]

Funny thing is that Rat Catcher II is gonna be in The Suicide Squad.

[@Sqoobthedude]

I remember reading this years ago in my dad's collection and i liked it alot!

[@joelmartinez835]

46:52 - 48:30 lol this is why i love back issues

[@ChristopherZubin]

You could do an episode of No Man's Land from the perspective of every major character or is that too much?

[@moeman813]

Wooooo just in time for my shift

[@jollyrouger2945]

Could you do no mans land in a four part mini kind of like How you break up ultimate spidey

[@jollyrouger2945]

And do we really need the azrael bits

[@galacticemperorsheevpalpat8257]

Its Bat issues now

[@tcx1208]

Pleaseee no man lands ?!??

[@georgeking4276]

Mise are cute. Rats are scary and grose.

[@austinmeghu]

YESSSSSSSS

[@fredrikgranstrom6743]

lol

[@adamhubert7701]

Now. Do No Man's Land. k?

[@kylearkham1569]

I like batman forever sue me😂

[@Sicod79]

Batman: Jim Gordon is one of my greatest allies. I also think he has a severe learning disability or some sort of mental trauma which will somehow prevent him from realizing Dick Grayson Batman and Bruce Wayne Batman are two different people. Gordon: Do you think I am an idiot? Batman............No.

[@nerdking1019]

Gotta respect the work ethic Sal has! This went up on patreon at around 1 in the morning I believe

[@FloorTankMain]

The editing for Ben and Ethan’s “always two, there are” was just *chefs kiss*

[@PowerPackers90]

I'm convinced Ethan just processes everything Sal says as "can I mention the prequels here?"

[@camsenses5140]

If you ever did do No Man’s Land, I’d be fine with you just hitting beats of the story you liked. There’s too many stories that’re not connected or disjointed, that you could omit

[@Just_Some_Guy_with_a_Mustache]

*Batman and Tim put on their Gliders, Tim:* “...I...I don’t know, man. I really don’t want to do this. Especially not with these things.” *Batman:* _puts hand on his shoulder_ “Listen, man. I hear ya. I wouldn’t want to put these things on, again, either. I got this.” _”Augmented reality training activated.”_ *Batman:* _siiiiiiiiigh_

[@PurpleColonel]

Ok but really who thought putting superman 64 in a batman game was a good idea

[@michaellabonte6390]

@@PurpleColonel well tbh it was at least difficult and more engaging with the glide mechanic.

[@priceyyeti4058]

New channel goal: Every 10 episodes of Back Issues, the guys do a third of a No Man's Land trade.

[@nikcantsnipe]

We need more Dick Grayson Batman stories.

[@mouse3872]

Completely agree! They should definitely at least throw some elseworld Grayson Batman stories out there like a Elseworld where New 52 never happened and Grayson continued being Batman and fought the Court of Owls (like what the Original plan was)

[@Omar-wq9dz]

From Dick becoming Batman here, hopefully you guys can do a Back Issues for Batman: Dark Victory, which showed Robin’s origin and becoming partners with Batman

[@TheClownWithSwagger]

I read dark victory and I was surprised how little robin was in the story. Still a very good read!

[@STOCKOUP]

I think they did ????

[@joshuaharper1206]

@@STOCKOUP Nope, just Long Halloween

[@Sherifelsherif14]

Do Battle for the Cowl and Grant Morrison's Batman & Robin, would be a PERFECT follow up to this ❤️❤️ Come on Sal, you wanna do the book by Ol' Grant 😄😄😂😂

[@willrussell4998]

Agreed! The yellow Frank Quietly cover to Batman and Robin #1 is my favourite comic cover of all time. Morrison's run is a really divisive time for Batman fans but I loved when Dick was Batman for that time- and it would be great to see that and/or Batman Incorporated on Back Issues.

[@HollowGolem]

Re: skipping stuff in _No Man's Land_ I bet NOBODY would mind if you completely ignored the Azrael/cult stuff, and gave all but a cursory mention to Tim/Titans stuff. Do GCPD/Intro to Renee (especially if you eventually do bits of Rucka's run or Gotham Central), broad overview of gang-war stuff (Penguin/Two-Face is the important bit), Joker's part, and Batgirl shenanigans. It's still a pretty long episode, but some of that can be summarized pretty quickly. In fact, a good way to do it might be to give a broad, super-condensed summary of all the plot threads and let the guys pull you into directions they're interested in.

[@Qolumbo926]

Yeah, the Azrael issues are straight up not important at all

[@architeuthis3476]

@@Qolumbo926 I'll agree that most of the Azrael stuff is a waste, but _No Man's Land_ puts a huge emphasis on Azrael's relationship with Cassandra Cain, and I'd argue that she's the best part of the whole thing.

[@Qolumbo926]

@@architeuthis3476 Don't get me wrong, I like the Azrael stuff, but aside from Cassandra "Best Girl" Cain his story doesn't intersect the overarching plot of NML much - he just fights that guy with the weird face and gets a new suit. It's similar to the Tim stuff which I don't remember much of except he spends most of his time in a sewer and gets extracted by a swat team out of Gotham. But yeah, I agree - the Cass stuff is the best part of Azrael's story.

[@architeuthis3476]

@@Qolumbo926 Now that I think about it, I don't actually remember anything Azrael did in NML unless it was related to Cassandra Cain. I suppose I shouldn't have called it a "waste", "forgettable" was probably a better choice of words. And as far as CC is concerned, I don't just think she was the best part of Azrael's story, I think she was the best part of NML altogether (and there's a lot I like about NML - for example, Joker). The big problem with NML is that its great for people who are into Batman comics, and probably not great for anyone else. And I mean specifically fans of the comics, people who are only fans of Batman movies probably wouldn't like it. It might be a good segue for some fans of BTAS into the comics though.

[@joshuaharper1206]

Definitely this. Completely ignore Azrael and Catwoman (except for mentioning that she stole the thing Batman needed). Tim had some fun reads but ultimately doesn't build to anything too important. Maybe just mention a few things for him. So yeah, just the Bat books, most of Nightwing, some mentions of Tim. I don't think it'd be longer than, say, the HOXPOX episode. Or do it in multiple parts, fuck it

[@yfullman]

There would have been no drama if when Gordan asked "which Batman are you?" Dick just said "The one who used to be Robin."

[@rasputinsbeard3899]

Yeah, like "You've known me for years, too."

[@someonewhocommentsonyoutub3779]

That would've been a perfectly valid answer and idk why he didn't go with that

[@architeuthis3476]

That's definitely better than not saying anything, but Gordon could always come back with, "Which Robin? There have been at least three, and one of them always struck mee as kinda shady."

[@jaimeruiz7837]

The writers just dropped the ball

[@kakyointhemilfhunter4273]

That's the 1st thing I thought, Gordon probably would've been annoyed but not outright pissed off if the new Batman was someone he already knows and also knows is close with the 1st Batman

[@barraki6706]

Fun fact, Harvey Kent was the original name of Two-Face, but they changed his surname to Dent in the Silver Age, probably because of a surname version of the "One Steve Limit." tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/OneSteveLimit

[@LOREWITHBLAZER]

Grayson is most logical choice to be Batman

[@comicdog5097]

Except for the fact that he does not want it

[@Udgrasil13]

@@comicdog5097 Probably what would make him the greatest batman. But it makes more sense, that he wants to be his own man.

[@cubencis]

@@comicdog5097 just had Jon Snow flashbacks.. "I dun wan it"

[@LilBitDistributist]

@@comicdog5097 many people don’t know their destiny simply because they don’t want it. At times, not wanting the power and responsibility for a role makes one fit for it in the end. Not all the time but sometimes

[@TheShockVox]

Eh. I argue Tim. He’s the most like Bruce, and has the most potential to surpass him on an intellectual and detective level. There’s a reason Bruce commented they may all end up working for him. Plus keep in mind that Tim was pretty much the only one who knew Bruce must be alive after Darkseid “killed him”. That being said, Dick IS my favorite Batman.

[@ItsOver9000Productions]

You could treat No Mans Land the same way you do for Ultimate Spider-man. Make it a mini series type thing you do once in awhile. Speaking of USM, its been awhile.

[@Depthcharge2030]

I love the period of Batman comics from Knightfall to No Man's Land, if you just condense it down its just a continuous story of events just getting thrown at Batman and his extended family having to deal with it. I really can't wait for you guys to get to No Man's Land

[@blunteastwood]

I agree. It was great right up until Hush when it stopped being an interconnected story.

[@ryanpidgeon1083]

I think it's Harvey Kent because wasn't that Two-Face's name during his first appearance? But then they changed it so people didn't think he was connected to Superman. At least that was my understanding. Still, loved this episode!!

[@Martin_TheCollector]

No Man's Land! No Man's Land! No Man's Land! C'mon Sal, you can do it.

[@TheShockVox]

Dick Grayson is my favorite Batman. That being said, Tim is the most logical choice to being Batman. But Tim doesn’t want to be. In fact that was a defining trait of his (then they gave it to Dick Grayson)

[@rabl3535]

Dick Grayson won the Battle for the Cowl, Tim Drake got beat the hell up by Jason Todd

[@sheeshking2584]

i need that socko vs scarface back issue 😂

[@joshuaharper1206]

It's in various issues of Knightfall but it's great

[@architeuthis3476]

If the Ventriloquist is Mr. Garrison and Scarface is Mr. Hat, then Socko is Mr. Twig.

[@gugadelunardo4737]

Ok, now we *have* to have a No Man's Land. Make it a Back Issues 1 out of 12

[@rorygroth8517]

Hats off to Ben for the Sommelier joke, I didn't die laughing but it was clever as hell.

[@KalCzarGaming49]

Alright, lets go Episode 400 No Man's Land... 400 episodes of back issues 4 hours of pure content :3

[@cubencis]

I was collecting batman comics in the late 90s and basically quit because of No Man's Land. I thought it was epic but it was so much story I couldn't afford to keep buying it and just gave up...

[@comixproviderftw_02]

>"I gotta deal with Alfred". Alfred: Don't be Batman anymore. *crying* I forgot the last video they used that joke but its underrated.

[@architeuthis3476]

While its true that _No Man's Land_ proper is 4 volumes, there's a volume that comes before it called _Road to No Man's Land_ (containing _Cataclysm, Aftershock,_ and _Mr Wayne Goes to Washington)_ that's basically part of the story as well. So yeah, I totally get not wanting to do a 5 volume review. ...Gotta say though, there's some great stuff in _No Man's Land_ including something that is probably in the top 3 greatest Joker moments ever.

[@architeuthis3476]

...hmm, though now that I think about it, ComicPop covered all three volumes of _Knightfall_ in about a half hour - including certain parts that, for some reason, aren't collected in those volumes. Granted, far less happened in _Knightfall_ compared to _No Man's Land,_ but even so...

[@bergerchicken]

9:05-9:20 Ben: *I'm gonna do my badass Batman voice* Ben's throat: *stop doing that I'm dying drink water*

[@CptCrash21]

I'm a simple man. I see "Nightwing" in the title, I click.

[@salvatoreocello]

I didn’t know these videos were a thing until last week and I love them

[@Qolumbo926]

Seeing No Man's Land on the Back Issues set gave me palpitations

[@christianndukwe8994]

You’re building up to No Man’s Land 😂 Hox and Pox was 2 hours, Doomsday Clock was 3 hours, and its time to go for 4 😈

[@LogantheSloth]

I would say follow the structure of the No Man's Land Novel/Audiobook by Greg Rucka. It streamlines the story for only the most important or memorable sections. Like all the Robin, Nightwing, & Azrael tie-ins and the smaller villain stories are either discarded or summarized

[@ctl6985]

YESS! I love Dick Grayson and have been wanting more Back Issues featuring him

[@loograt]

I guess calling it “Prodigal Father” was too much on the nose

[@jeromejoseph2534]

Comicpop back with another banger

[@majorsmind]

I would watch a 4hr video on comic pop... just saying

[@JoshMunroe]

Jim Gordon being over Batman's nonsense is the hero that Gotham deserves.

[@Tomdawg89]

No Man's Land is definitely the best Batman megacrossover. Come on boys, review it!

[@thanashskokkinhs6237]

Great work. I would love to see a No Man's Land episode.

[@ToonGal12]

That whole conversation about Scarface had me on the floor laughing. XD

[@fl8m76]

just do no man's land in a series, a 4 part back issues sounds amazing.

[@meggrotte4760]

Dick Grayson is a great choice for that man he was trained by right now. He's practically his equal if not in some ways better

[@AseannaesA]

I’d say No Man’s Land should be a Watchmen level milestone at the end of the year.

[@rorygroth8517]

skip the fluff! skip the fluff!

[@thegreyinitiate3680]

Ratcatcher is actually going to be in the new Suicide Squad movie this year right? At least I think I remember them announcing that.

[@LogantheSloth]

Ratcatcher 2, looks like he had a daughter who took the name.

[@liamgibbons5266]

"these ain't no normal cage rats"

[@ninja1man4u]

Sweet!!! Also 4 hour long video of back issues...oh please let it be the 500th episode...pretty please with sugar and azbat on top

[@ericmolesworth6370]

Moreeeeee battmmmaannnnn #nomansland #freebatland

[@sandywest4977]

Morrison did it better

[@chrisdaily2077]

Bruce: Now that my back is broken, Gotham needs a Batman, someone strong, trustworthy, and who will honor my legacy. Tim: You mean Dic- Bruce: The dickish cult warrior who was brainwashed and who I just met? Brilliant! Tim: Maybe you shouldn't make these decisions while on painkillers. Bruce: Of course I'm fine Alfred, here have some money. Tim: I'm Tim, and that's a tissue box. Bruce: Let's not tell Gordon. I'm sure he will never tell the difference.

[@shadowanderson2004]

I feel like this book was like a back door pilot into the Nightwing mini series that came out after nightfall and eventually lead to the first Nightwing run

[@Ultimataco]

Listen I loved the 3 hour episode you did on doomsday clock, so I dont think anyone is going to complain about an episodes length on an audience side. If it's to much of a hassle to edit such a long episode I completely get that, but I'll never complain about longer episodes, I enjoy listening to back issues

[@jclombardi8471]

So the whole basis for this story is that Batman broke his back fighting Bane, got better, took back the mantle from some religious nut with a spike fetish, became Batman again, and then decided to get rid of the mantle again and then gave it to his first (and best) ward? Yeah sounds about right.

[@architeuthis3476]

Disagree with the idea that Dick Grayson is the best of Batman's wards. I'd say that honor goes to Tim Drake.

[@jclombardi8471]

@@architeuthis3476 That's fair. Dick does work better as Nightwing anyway.

[@architeuthis3476]

@@jclombardi8471 Definitely! Likewise (and since _No Man's Land_ is being discussed a lot in the comments to this video) I think Cassandra Cain is the best Batgirl, partially because she kicks so much ass, but also because Barbara Gordon works better as Oracle (the latter has a Master's degree in library science and has years of experience as a superhero, she's the perfect "guy in the chair" character)

[@jclombardi8471]

@@architeuthis3476 That's not even a debate! Cass will always be best Batgirl!

[@codym5596]

21:45 don't know why but this had me laughing for a good 5 min

[@twohundredandfour]

i always thought that bane’s declaration of running gotham was a product of his being raised in a prison. he was just repping his culture

[@richardedgell]

Dick Grayson is the best Batman besides Bruce. My personal favorite DC character. Robin, Nightwing, and the only good successor Batman. Ever consider covering some of his solo run by Chuck Dixon for back issues? Also No mans Land is my personal favorite period in Batman History. Gotham becoming even more of a hellscape, upped the stakes and made for compelling storytelling.

[@dlvnmedia]

I agree about the Chuck Dixon run and No Mans Land - though I suspect it will likely be the either the newest run in comics or New World Order next

[@Cashmoneez]

Honestly, I would love to see the story where Gordon becomes Batman

[@shiningnight12]

When I saw nightwing becomes batman I thought this was Batman reborn: Batman &Robin by Grant Morrison

[@ChristopherZubin]

Fireman from the year 3000? Sign me up!

[@zoinksscoob7020]

Killer croc: hello Dick: *visible confusion*

[@patricklawson]

Great job Sal. Really enjoying these shorts of comic knowledge

[@mysteryent]

I gotta get this comic book

[@karl_alan]

No man's land seems interesting. I am intrigued. I dug prodigal. Thanks for this

[@loganshirley9058]

59:16 Bruce: "I guess that's how things are... between fathers and sons." Cue "The Living Years" by Mike and the Mechanics

[@dancalcagno]

I’m very eager for you to do No Man’s Land. I’d be totally fine with you just doing the major highlights.

[@SonGoku-TheJapaneseLion]

oh maaaaaaan is "No Mans Land" Coming? :D :D :D

[@shannonking6711]

Only new to the channel but just wanted to say genuinely love the content and would be extremely interested to see an episode about No Man's Land : )

[@multifan1644]

Great episode, I really want you to do No Man's Land, maybe split it up between the 4 books? Maybe you won't have the views for a 4 parter though, I would watch it for sure.

[@ericmorgan3981]

Give em the corkscrew 🤣