Should There Be Three Batmen?

One of my favorite things about DC's Dark Knight is how varied his appearances can be. One minute he's the shadowy agent of vengeance who stalks the night, the next minute he's all smiles and hand-shakes with the Gotham City Mayor. One second he's the moody loner who can't help but hurt the ones he loves, the next he's a father of four, mentor to many, founding member of The Justice League and Superman's best pal! But just because this is all the work of one man, doesn't mean it has to stay that way. So, What If There Were Three Batmen?

I've always thought the majority of Batman canon was a bit screwy. When I'm reading a Batman comic I'm supposed to believe he's vulnerable, clever, and resourceful. But over in the Justice League comics he's flying spaceships and outsmarting super-computers. There's always been a strange shift between the grittier, more grounded Batman, and the high-flying, superhero hijinks Batman. Spider-Man is able to pull off the street level/super level over in Marvel, but that's because he not only has powers, but has a personality that favors different groups of characters. Spider-Man can have a battle of morals with Punisher one day and then high hive Thor the next. Batman-on the other hand-is in his element when he's being a crime-solving ninja soldier in Gotham City, but when he's around The Justice League he needs to be a team player and is usually given the tech-work. Not to mention that one annoying moment in every Justice League story where someone has to say, "Why is Batman even here? He doesn't have any powers". Only for Batman to outsmart them or make a sly remark or do something cool that makes everyone shut up.

Among a million other things, Geoff Johns is working on a comic called "The Three Jokers" which is about-wait for it-three Jokers. Yes, as it was first revealed at the beginning of DC Rebirth two years ago, there have been three different men calling themselves The Joker over the course of Batman's career. One is the original Golden Age Joker, the second is similar to Alan Moore's Joker from "The Killing Joke", and the third is Scott Snyder's version of The Joker from his Batman run throughout the New 52. Three Jokers, but not three very different Jokers in my opinion. In fact, if there was to be a division of a Batman character, I think it should have been Batman. 

The Caped Crusader

Consider this to be the most superhero part of Batman. The Batman of the 60's and 70's, chipper, friendlier, he makes puns. This is like "The Brave & The Bold" version of Batman. This Batman makes public speeches, this Batman operates in the daytime, this Batman wears the goddamn blue and grey and yellow costume! This is like Adam West Batman with a bit more elbow grease. This is a Batman who wants a Robin by his side, a Batman who is happy to work alongside The Justice League. If we were to put one Batman character in each of these positions, I could see Dick Grayson becoming this Batman. However, if the circumstance was something a bit more comic book-like, and Batman was hit with a "duplication beam" and this was one of the Batmen who's pop out, he's be a great Batman for those who miss campier adventures with Batman and Robin. In fact, that's the book you put him in. "Batman & Robin".

The Dark Knight

People love a dark and gritty Batman. That "Killing Joke" shit, that "Dark Knight Returns" shit, a grizzled, aged, psychologically broken man who turned himself into a lethal weapon shit. This Batman breaks bones, this Batman might kill once and a while. Use a gun once and while. If Zack Snyder can make Batman a killer, and if "Titans" can make Batman a killer, and if people love the idea of Red Hood so much, make a Batman who kills. This is a Batman who thinks Robins are a mistake, who thinks the Justice League are just bombs waiting to go off, this Batman would rather wipe out crime than worry about his business, his family, his health, or anything else. But, when those few moments of humanity and vulnerability shine through, they remind you that this Batman isn't a monster like the criminals of Gotham. This Batman is simply standing on the edge. If someone were to be put into this Batman's position, it'd make sense for it to be Jason Todd. And you'd be wise to revive the title "The Dark Knight" just for him.

The World's Greatest Detective

And finally, the Batman we know today. This Batman is a jack of all trades, he's a martial artist, he's a detective, he's a man of the world. One of the best parts of splitting Batman into three people is allowing the brutal side and the campy side of Batman to shed off the modern Batman, allowing him to be a dedicated crime-fighter and a balanced man. This Batman can be on teams, but can also work alone. This Batman adapts, but can still work in traditional stories. Obviously, this would be Bruce Wayne, and he'd star in "Detective Comics", and the "Batman" title could revolve around the three Batmen responding to one another or taking part in their own adventures.

So, what do you think? Should DC split Batman up for a little while? Or can the character continue to switch gears?
Let me know and thanks for reading!