"SPOILER" WARNING - IS A RETURN IN THE OFFING?

[MattBrady]

by Troy Brownfield

If you’re even peripherally close to the DC Universe’s Batman titles, you’ve probably heard the name Stephanie Brown. If you’ve followed a link to Project Girl-Wonder , not only do you know who Stehpanie Brown is, you also know that as a character, she’s engendered a lot of passion in her fans.

And now, according to a handful of clues in recent DC titles, it looks as if somehow…she may be returning?

Let’s get everyone up to speed, then.

Who was Stephanie Brown? These things are true: She was a super-villain’s daughter. She was Tim Drake’s girlfriend. She was the Spoiler. She was a Robin. She initiated a gang war. She died.

Wait . . . is that true? Though we see a memorial for her in the future Batcave in Action Comics #859 (preview here), we also see what appears to be a very-alive Spoiler in the cover previews for the forthcoming “Gotham Underground” mini-series. Who was Stephanie Brown? How did she achieve prominence in such a short time? And what really happened to her?

Stephanie first appeared in Detective Comics #647 fifteen years ago. We first met her as the teen daughter of minor recurring Batman foe, the Cluemaster. Cluemaster missed most of his daughter’s young life due to either incarceration or palling around with Justice League Antarctica, among other bad decisions.

Finally fed up with dad’s repeated returns to crime, Steph designed her own costumed identity, the Spoiler, and participated in his capture. It was during this adventure that she met Robin III, Tim Drake. From that point, Robin and Spoiler began a turbulent relationship. She didn’t know that he was Tim Drake, but he knew about her checkered family past.

Stephanie eventually had another surprise for Robin. She revealed that she was pregnant by a boyfriend that split after the Gotham earthquake. Using a secondary civilian disguise (an identity dubbed “Alvin Draper”), Robin became her Lamaze coach. Stephanie later gave the child up for adoption.

Over time, many complications fed into the Spoiler/Robin relationship. Tim would disappear for missions or get moved into boarding schools and cracks in the bond would develop. None of this was made any easier by Robin’s persistent refusal to reveal his real name.

Eventually, that decision was taken out of his hands. Batman agreed to help guide Spoiler’s training, and actually revealed to her that Robin was Tim Drake. Robin was infuriated by this, and carried some anger toward Batman for quite some time. Batman later discontinued Stephanie’s training, believing that she wasn’t ready for the job, but Stephanie continued adventuring anyway. Around this same time, her father, the Cluemaster, died while serving with the Suicide Squad.

Before long, Tim Drake’s finally discovered that his son was Robin, and demanded that his son cease his crimefighting in the interest of personal safety. Tim complied, and Stephanie returned to Batman and asked to become the new Robin. Batman acquiesced, but quickly removed her from the job for insubordination. This is when the fit, as they say, really hits the shan.

Death and Controversy

Stephanie decided that she would demonstrate her value to Batman by taking and running one of his long-range scenarios that he had posited for taking care of the disparate crime families of Gotham. When Stephanie attempted to enact the plan, minus critical knowledge and crucial personnel (for example, Batman himself, who should have been involved in his Matches Malone disguise), things exploded. During the chaos of gang war that followed, Stephanie found herself the captive of Black Mask.

The sadistic villain, previously guilty of torturing Catwoman’s sister (even forcing her to eat her husband’s eye), went to work on Stephanie to get information on Batman. She escaped and sought medical treatment. During the final hours of her life, she spoke to Batman at her bedside in Batman #633.

She asked, “Was I ever really Robin?”

Batman answered, “Yes.”

Subsequently, it was revealed that long-time associate of Batman Dr. Leslie Thompkins could have saved Stephanie, but opted not to. Though many fans were outraged by this supremely out-of-character move (one could almost imagine a long-shot in the issue, showing a shedded Hippocratic Oath in the foreground, Thompkins holding a pillow over Brown’s face in the background…extreme image, but it gets the point across), the rationale coming from the character’s words indicates that the intentional loss of Stephanie was meant as a warning to young heroes and a wake-up call to Batman. Anyone who’s read Batman books since the early ‘70s doesn’t buy it either.

After Stephanie’s demise, she began to take on a totemic significance to many female fans, particularly vocal segments of the fanbase represented by various blogs and websites, notably Women in Refrigerators and Girl-Wonder.org. Aside from the obvious bit that many female supporting characters die as a plot device to motivate the hero, the central issue relates to the treatment of Stephanie with the DCU after her death. Notably, Batman maintains a tribute case in the Batcave that features the Robin costume of Jason Todd, who was killed by the Joker (but got better). Stephanie has no such memorial, despite Batman’s on-panel assertion that she was indeed a Robin.

DC Editorial has indicated in panel discussions at conventions that the official stance is that Stephanie wasn’t really a Robin. This would seem to run contrary to a) the fact that she operated as a Robin, and b) the fact that Batman told her that she was. An argument could be made that Batman was sparing her feelings, particularly since part of his intent at giving Stephanie the role was to motivate Tim to return (a dirty trick that Wally West once employed by naming Jesse Quick as his Flash successor rather than Bart Allen during the “Terminal Velocity” storyline). Still, many fans were eager to accept her as Robin and believe that the lack of a case for her outfit in the Batcave is a huge injustice.

But Wait . . .

In the latest issue of Action Comics, #859, which shipped this week, we get a glimpse of a future Batcave. Very clearly, we momentarily see a trophy case for Stephanie’s costume; it is then promptly smashed during a brawl between the Legion founders and the Justice League of Earth. Still, there’s a tacit acknowledgement of the situation, even though it hasn’t been addressed in present continuity.

And Yet . . .

There are also the solicitation covers for the forthcoming Gotham Underground that have to be taken into account. A Spoiler is very visible on the cover. And then there’s the solicitation for the February issue of Robin, #171 (written by Chuck Dixon) – which shows a spectral Spoiler on the cover, and carries this in its solicitation text:

His all-nighters are sending his relationship with Zoanne off the rails — literally — and his visions of Stephanie around every corner have to be just that…right? Meanwhile, two of Gotham's finest want to get in on the super-hero racket with Robin's help, when Robin likes it or not!

Does that mean that the character is set to return? There’s a slim possibility that Thompkins pulled a switch on Batman, but you’d think that Batman would have figured that one out.

You also have to recall the “deathly appearances” that the character has made in visions for such characters as Batgirl (Cassie Cain), not to mention the scene in Birds of Prey where Oracle shows Misft Stephanie’s autopsy photographs as a scare tactic. The first could simply be a hurdle to overcome with a quick rewrite (such as the notion that Cassie’s visions were an expression of her subconscious), or, as in the case of the robotic Maxwell Lord, to be ignored. The second could have been faked, though one would wonder about Oracle if she devotes a portion of her free time to scrapbooking fake autopsy photos.

So . . .

Stephanie Brown was an admittedly minor character, but one that nonetheless touched a chord with many fans. If she does return, one wonders if it would undermine her significance as a rallying point. If it’s a new character in the Spoiler outfit, she’d do well to watch her back, be skeptical of Dark Knight promises, and find a good doctor.

[Sesshomaru]

I feel she was one of the worst robin , with jason .... but it doesnt change a thing for her haters , if she get a memorial ....

The haters are still free to think she was crap , and given a place holder out of pity (and fans whining) .... and the lovers can be giddy inside knowing that "YAAAAYYY she was an official"

But now can we please leave her dead ?

[nwspencer]

Woooot! Victory!

[nwspencer]

Originally Posted by Sesshomaru

But now can we please leave her dead ?

Not gonna happen-- spoiler warning:

Stephanie will be Robin to Jason Todd's Batman, post Final Crisis. It's time for the revenge of the abused sidekicks.

And I support that.

[Uchiha_Prodigy]

I really hope not. I bought all those War Games tie-ins for nothing if she comes back. I pray DC is smart enough not to retcon this so fast.

[CitC]

I don't buy the Dr's reason either, but then I'm watching the new show "Life" and I get to thinking. Wouldn't it be interesting if we go a couple seasons with the main guy trying to figure out exactly who framed him and why only to find out that it really was him and was only playing along to find the girl he missed killing.

Point being, maybe Leslie was a little off all along. I don't buy it either, but still something I thought about.

[KirkWarren]

It's a shame what DC did with Spoiler. I'd be all in favour of a retcon punch return of Spoiler or any other reason they could come up with it.

[VinnyPic]

Bring em all back.

[Sesshomaru]

Originally Posted by nwspencer

Not gonna happen-- spoiler warning:

Stephanie will be Robin to Jason Todd's Batman, post Final Crisis. It's time for the revenge of the abused sidekicks.

And I support that.

Well i kinda dig it . My only complains would be if she becomes again one of Bruce's kids

[NIGHTWING!!]

Originally Posted by nwspencer

Not gonna happen-- spoiler warning:

Stephanie will be Robin to Jason Todd's Batman, post Final Crisis. It's time for the revenge of the abused sidekicks.

And I support that.

actually your wrong

[Skyrider]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

If it’s a new character in the Spoiler outfit, she’d do well to watch her back, be skeptical of Dark Knight promises, and find a good doctor.

Or simply do well not to start a gang war in some foolish and obsessive attempt to get Batman's attention.

[Evan Waters]

Originally Posted by Uchiha_Prodigy

I really hope not. I bought all those War Games tie-ins for nothing if she comes back.

Except, you know, entertainment value.

[b-rad]

The entire spoiler story line was another case of DC killing a female character for no good reason. The Leslie Thompkins complication was some of the worst writing to ever happen in comics but really only reflected the general character confusion and bankrupt creativity that has plagued the Bat books for the last ten years. The Bat universe is in need of a huge shake-up and hopefully the final crisis will do it.

[KatarHol]

Actually I hated what they did to Leslie Thompkins. If all of this was fake so Leslie could take Steph away from Batman, I wouldn't mind.

[SageShini]

Originally Posted by KirkWarren

It's a shame what DC did with Spoiler. I'd be all in favour of a retcon punch return of Spoiler or any other reason they could come up with it.

I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. To this day I don't get why Spoiler died. There are a lot of...sillier fans that think she died to motivate the hero, but...who? Tim has mentioned her twice since her death, IIRC, and it hasn't pushed him to do anything, really. Batman won't even give her a memorial in the Batcave.

The only thing that would make me happier than Spoiler coming back is Spoiler coming back and Jason Todd dying again.

[BornToRun]

Originally Posted by nwspencer

Not gonna happen-- spoiler warning:

Stephanie will be Robin to Jason Todd's Batman, post Final Crisis. It's time for the revenge of the abused sidekicks.

And I support that.

If that happens, not only will I eat my hat, but I'll eat it with a side of "Green Lantern/Green Arrow" #76. Because I'll know it's truly time to give up comice completely.

[BornToRun]

Originally Posted by Evan Waters

Except, you know, entertainment value.

BUT, given that we're talking about War Games? His original statement stands. Your objection is overruled.

[skaly]

I liked Spoiler in Chuck Dixon's prior run on Robin. She was one of his stronger supporting characters. I'm glad that she is at least being acknowledged in-story (unlike that unstable guy who used to be Batman... Az... Az-something), and I'd be happy to have her back in the fold.

[Kevin T. Brown]

Originally Posted by NIGHTWING!!

actually your wrong

Hm.

Well then, prove it.

I don't think someone giving an opinion on what they hope might happen makes them wrong..... though they did present as a "fact".

BUT if you have the proof, don't just say, "you're wrong," without backing it up.

[cncoyle]

Great article, Troy! I'm not a big follower of Batman titles, so I appreciate the in-depth look at Spoiler's history (and the cool cross-reference to Wally's treatment of Jesse Quick).

[CodeGuy]

not to mention the scene in Birds of Prey where Oracle shows Misft Stephanie’s autopsy photographs as a scare tactic.

I just double checked that issue. The only picture that we see is of a foot with a toe tag on it. There's also a picture of Spoiler when she was alive, but in the only corpse picture you can't see anything other than the feet.

[deri]

I think it's probably not that hard to explain things from a "Why hasn't Batman set a memorial up yet?" point.

The memorial in the future would imply that Batman or someone who succeeds him before Stephanie dies does consider her a Robin worthy of a memorial. But it's in the future so it doesn't mean she's dead now.

And if she is alive, then the only reason Batman asked Leslie to leave was because she lied to him and therefore, he can no longer trust her. And he knew it. That way, Leslie didn't let Stephanie die, she merely lied about it to make a point. But Batman can tell when even good liars are lying (as seen in Blue Beetle... over the phone.)

And that means he knows Stephanie has been alive all this time. And, additionally, letting Leslie believe he believed her meant Leslie could now spend her time taking care of Stephanie outside the country - which is good for Stephanie as she'd now be forced to recuperate and have to deal with Gotham.

And that also means that Batman only didn't put up a memorial because she's not dead and has never been dead to him. Jason Todd, at least, he thought was dead.

And it could even be that not putting up a memorial was a subtle clue for Tim. A roundabout way of telling Tim that Batman at least thought/knew that Steph was alive. Except Tim probably thinks he's just being a jerk.

... Also - and this is even more far fetched - DC's official stance has been a lie and they've planned this since way back when.

[kamikazi]

For the love of God, leave somebody dead.

[CaptainTemerity]

The whole War Games story was a mess. Killing Stephanie... actually making Stephanie go and start the whole scenario, was just stupid, in my opinion. It was a low moment for the Bat-Books, and there's a reason why there hasn't been a huge Bat-crossover in so long.

The Leslie Thompkins thing was worse, but I thought I remembered Dan Didio saying (on this board, in fact) that he retconned that out after Infinite Crisis, and Leslie did not let Steph die in the new continuity. He still refused to give her a memorial.

I would expect that a) If anyone would throw a Stephanie memorial into their book, it would be Geoff Johns (in Action), and b) Steph coming back may've been part of the deal made with Dixon when he signed back onto the books. He spent a long time establishing her character, just to have it destroyed in a matter of months after he left. Frankly, the killing of Steph seemed like a slap in the face (to Dixon) when I read it. Like, "You don't want to write our books any more, fine. We'll kill off your baby." I'm probably (hopefully) reading too much into it, but as someone who was witnessing the thing from this end, that's what it seemed like to me.

Spoiler deserves to come back. We deserve to have her back. Tim deserves to have her back as well.

I'd love to see what she has to say about the lack of a memorial though. Hopefully they don't go all Cassandra with her and make her villainous. That would be almost worse than leaving her dead.

[Sunspot_616]

Originally Posted by kamikazi

For the love of God, leave somebody dead.

Uncle Ben
Barry Allen