Bruce Wayne: The Boy Wonder

I've only caught one episode of GOTHAM so far. But I actually liked it. A lot more than I thought I would. Good cast and an interesting take on how Bruce Wayne would ultimately decide to become Batman.

Robin Lord Taylor's performance as Oswald Cobblepot, the man who would ultimately become that fowl... I mean... foul fiend The Penguin is a particular favorite of mine. I also really enjoy Sean Pertwee as Alfred Pennyworth.

The series has some of the grittiness of the Christopher Nolan trilogy without being too "real". One of the things I think was a weak spot in the trilogy for me... that and the Christian Bale Batman voice. I missed many of the villains like the Riddler and the Penguin which were apparently too "lightweight" for the Nolan films.

Its also nice to see the series focusing on the origins of some lesser utilized Batman villains like Hugo Strange. A character I really like and someone I'm surprised none of the films have featured in some capacity.

The series focuses on Jim Gordon before he was the commish and a Bruce Wayne barely out of Jr. High School. Along with a few vigilante type character that came before the Batman. I does make me wonder if they might go in this direction.

Bruce Wayne becoming the first Robin: The Boy Wonder.

Some of you out there might not be familiar with one of the older continuities in the DC Universe which introduced Bruce Wayne as the very first Robin. 

It was originally used in a Batman story from the 1950's and later recounted in THE UNTOLD LEGEND OF THE BATMAN illustrated by John Byrne and Jim Aparo (seen above) in the early 1980's. Bruce would create the costume in order to meet Harvey Harris, detective he idolized, and learn the basics for detective work. It should be noted to Bat-Fans out there that the color scheme and domino mask of Robin's costume were actually originally intended for Batman.

Yep! If you didn't know that before, you read that right!!

The purpose for the secret identity was so Harris learning Wayne's true motives (avenge his parents death most likely) which could potentially lead to the detective discouraging Wayne from pursuing this obsession. Wayne ends up saving  Harris's life in the process of trying to meet him and in gratitude for the good dead, the detective agrees to train the lad and even gives him the moniker Robin since his costume resembles a robin redbreast. 

Many years later when Bruce Wayne would become the Batman, he would pass the Robin guise to his ward Dick Grayson.

This continuity has long since been retconned. Which I think is kind of a shame because I feel the whole idea of a young restless Bruce Wayne donning a mask long before he was Batman is a great idea.

Actually, I think it would work really well in the context of the series GOTHAM. Mock me as you may, but I think it would be great. Especially considering they are creating this bond between Wayne and Jim Gordon. Perhaps it's time to dust off that old story-line and substitute Jim Gordon for Harvey Harris...

...the detective Wayne idolizes.