Just saw The Batman and Matt Reeves wasn’t kidding when he said Bruce’s arc in the film was inspired by this book. Batman learns that he cannot just be the scary vigilante fueled by vengeance who’s feared by criminals and that he had to evolve into a symbol of hope for the innocent people of Gotham. Good stuff. Wish Darwyn Cooke could’ve seen it.
If any book was gonna be called Batman Ego it should have been All Star Batman and Robin. Cause you need a real swelled head to call yourself the "goddamn Batman"
MHM, technically the book you are referencing should be All star batman and robin the boy wonder by Frank miller, All star batman is a book by Scott snyder in which the titular character doesn't say that line.
This story is basically Batman having all this stress, and Bruce assuages his fears by putting a comforting hand on his shoulder, and telling him "Leggo, my Ego." W-why are you looking at me like that? Why do you look like you're looking at some sort of pitiful creature?
I love that Cooke uses Freud’s concepts of id, ego, and superego to explain Batman’s psyche. The “fear” persona represents id, the primal selfish nature of bruce wanting vengeance for his parents. The superego represents the “humanitarian” persona, that is Bruce’s best self of accepting the loss of his parents and moving on without Batman. The ego is the middle ground of the two personas that give us the actual Bruce Wayne/Batman. This allows his fear persona to exist but also allows Bruce to hold on to a code and do good as a humanitarian too. That’s my interpretation anyway.
Regarding the Catwoman design that you mentioned at the end, I seem to recall an interview where Cooke said that he never would have put that zipper at the front of her costume if he knew nobody would zip the thing up. That design came from the Ed Brubaker Catwoman run, which Cooke did art for, and started as backups in Greg Rucka's first run on Detective Comics.
I mean...had he seen comic book art...? If there's a justification for sleaze (however threadbare), they'll take it. With certain artists, even if there ISN'T, they still might. Sexy Dead, Not a Zombie, Scarlet Witch in Ultimates 3, anyone...?
Oh, I've never heard of this. "This is a pure Batman story by Darwyn Cooke." And now I'm going to pause the video, buy the book, and skip Back Issues this week to read it unspoiled. Edit: Read it, loved it, love the episode just as much.
@@Just_Some_Guy_with_a_Mustache Haven't really thought of anything interesting to say for a while now. Just been hanging on the sidelines, waiting for that wit to occur once more.
Really interesting, now that we’re on the other side of The Batman being released, that Reeves was able to use this as the foundation for Bruce’s/Batman’s revelation that he must be a symbol of hope rather than represent vengeance in its most brutal form. Kinda funny how Sal mentioned they never would incorporate anything from Ego’s “story” into the movie (I know you mean literal plot points), but somehow the most important piece of Bruce’s growth takes seemingly direct inspiration from this.
Back issues is something I look forward to every week. Seeing this reminds me so much of how I would hang out with my friends years ago and talk about comics like this. Thank you Comic Pop for another year of great stories, and the inspiration it has given me to work on my own projects. You've made 2020 so much better.
One thing I appreciate with Batman: Ego is that Darwyn Cooke considers it “an earnest yet flawed first effort.” He was willing to be critical of his own work and I also miss him calling out other artists for not getting work out on time. He is the best cartoonist in comics history and you can’t change my mind.
Bruce Wayne’s psychology exploration is my favorite part about Batman. It’s so reliable how we separate ourselves from things and attach ourselves to other things to find strength in tragedy. Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stranger
EGO is in my top 3 favorite Batman stories. The discussion between Bruce & the monstrous Batman is by far the best psychological exploration of the character ever. It's also just really well written and the artwork is beautiful, it flows so well that I need to see it animated!
Absolutely, the Batman was more of an interpretation of this story. When Batman is helping people out of the flood with the first responders, it’s the same as Batman calling Gordon at the end of this story. Acknowledging what he has to be to continue this journey
Me starting this: neat Darwyn Cooke. This is just going to be like the Animated Series "He kills his family to save them from the Joker's wrath and then kills himself" Me: perhaps I should have read the comic before letting my little brother watch this
Happy anniversary Sal and Tiffany! Love getting Back Issues early in the day so I can watch and listen before work! Thank you to the whole ComicPop! crew for all that you all do! Grateful for all your hard work.
Excellent, a Darwyn Cooke story. Just curious, any future Back Issues on Darwyn Cooke stories? I would be interested in seeing you do one on his comic adaptation of Richard Stark's The Hunter
I wonder if that's where this whole concept of "escalation"(batman begins) or batman inspiring his villains originated.. possibly in The long Halloween?
I think people took it too literally thinking beat for beat. *EGO* was Matt Reeves’ influence for Batman/Bruce Wayne’s characterization rather than the plot and story of the film. The main and major theme and idea of this book is Bruce confronting his shadow self, his one rule to not murder, and how he learned that he had to transform from just being a scary vigilante who hunts criminals to a symbol of hope for the innocent people of Gotham. It’s more about how Pattinson’s character was written and his arc in the film instead of the plot of the book.
Honestly I love self contained stories. I feel like there’s a safety to them for writers and artists and if I had a choice I’d make a label strictly for stand alone stories. (What black label could’ve been) great video guys keep up the GREAT work
Batman: Ego was heavily influenced by the great film, My Dinner with Andre. I would recommend that interview Darwyn Cooke did in 2007 for The Comics Journal when he spoke about it. “That’s really the idea: What if these two guys could sit and have a conversation? Are they the same person, just with a mask, or are they really two different personalities within the same person.” www.tcj.com/the-darwyn-cooke-interview-by-markisan-naso/
The closest adaptation we will ever get to Batman: Ego is honestly Birdman which still isn’t a great comparison besides just watching My Dinner with Andre as the main influence.
Literally just finished reading Ego (haven't finished the other stories yet) and it's such a brilliant dive into the Batman and Bruce Wayne dynamic. Essential reading, in my opinion, alongside Year One and The Long Halloween + Dark Victory.
That looks like a really great book. The art is great; it says something interesting; most importantly, it avoids the bloat so often associated with comics.
I've been listening and watching for a few years. So happy to see this episode. I love this story so much. Thank you guys. Big massive love to the 4 horsemen/woman of the comicpopalpse
I read this after that Reeves interview about it being an inspiration for the movie and thought it was good, I really like it more after watching you guys talk about it. Discussion really helps with a trippy book like this.
I don't know what this is but it looks like the animated series. so instant love. I hope the animated series stuff gets moved to HBO max, i've only heard that the movies are. losing them all / having to purchase through VUDU or amazon would really suck. I got DCU for them to begin with
I read this comic today, and it's fantastic. I love the psychological conflict between Bruce and Batman. We've never seen the two persobas have a heart-to-heart conversation over their roles in Gotham and whether their accomplishments matter. Darwin Cook's BTAS style is also fantastic and helps draw in the atmosphere. Overall, Batman: Ego's probably one of the character's best comics and should be recommended to all.
ive been sick as a dog these past few days and ever since this dropped ive been feeling 10000000x better! is it the medicine finally kicking in or is it the sweet, sweet back issues giving me life? I think we all know the answer.
I've had this book for a while now but have never even opened it. It was fun to listen to you talk about it though! I have suggestion for another Batman book to cover. Kings of Fear. Real fun, especially if you like Kelley Jones' work. All the best!
This was my first superhero comic, picked it up in trade at my local library when I was... 12? I think? Needless to say, it blew my mind, and now, here I am.
After picking up the trade, I think that reeves and Pattinson might have been informed by the cat woman and Batman stuff cooke did that also included in the paperback
This is a great story I love watching this show to get some ideas of books to add to my collection I had this on my list of books to buy. I don't know why or how but I found a copy of the original paperback edition of Batman Ego and Other Tails, not the deluxe at a dollar store near me today so I bought the only copy that was there and it only cost me $4. I guess you get lucky sometimes with where you find comics.
You know what’s funny. Mention of the animated series and the writers association makes it ironic that it would be talked about on the couch seeing the death of the Wayne’s from the bullets perspective as that was an idea regarding following at least the gun that killed the Wayne’s
As this referenced Three Jokers and being a Batman story that only involves the Bat family it made me think, would DC ever go with more than 1 Batman because Bats can seem different in crossover stories and Bat only stories.
Honestly its a shame the new Batman movie isn't adapting this book. It could have been such a new and intrinsic look at Batman that we have never seen before onscreen. To be fair, it would probably be impossible to adapt this anyway, but still, one could dream.
@Chandler Burse Well the movie will be a detective story and not reliant on action. Reeves has discussed that often while talking about Ego influencing the story.
Well Reeves did say he took inspiration from it for his film and it wouldn’t be hard to adapt if you went shot for shot. The general audience wouldn’t buy in.
I can’t believe Sal forgot the best part of that episode of Batman the animated series, the one with the three vignettes. There’s a scene where the kids telling the stories pass by another kid who is rather “flamboyant“ who insert himself into the conversation, saying he had seen Batman and that he loved Batman with all the leather and the capes. The three children look at him with a funny look and one of them says “whatever Joel.” Which is a big dig at Joel Schumaker and his Batman films.
Just saw The Batman and Matt Reeves wasn’t kidding when he said Bruce’s arc in the film was inspired by this book. Batman learns that he cannot just be the scary vigilante fueled by vengeance who’s feared by criminals and that he had to evolve into a symbol of hope for the innocent people of Gotham. Good stuff. Wish Darwyn Cooke could’ve seen it.
In the fandome interview Matt reeves mentions this book has one of his favorite Batman books.
Everyone knows that. It's literally where we know it from in the episode. The point is it's not exactly something you can translate on screen.
@@comicpop yeah but you said you were trying to find it
@@aurahoneydew9607 ego is considered obscure
@@aurahoneydew9607 i mean that’s when reeves was brought on so I guess it is credible?
@@aurahoneydew9607 my friend, Ego is obscure, rarely will you find it any top 10 stories. I’m happy that Reeves read this.
If any book was gonna be called Batman Ego it should have been All Star Batman and Robin. Cause you need a real swelled head to call yourself the "goddamn Batman"
MHM, technically the book you are referencing should be All star batman and robin the boy wonder by Frank miller, All star batman is a book by Scott snyder in which the titular character doesn't say that line.
@@uglynerd8764 I have corrected my error, thank you
This story is basically Batman having all this stress, and Bruce assuages his fears by putting a comforting hand on his shoulder, and telling him "Leggo, my Ego."
W-why are you looking at me like that? Why do you look like you're looking at some sort of pitiful creature?
wow buddy never thought I'd see you on this side of town, I see you appreciate the western side of picture based books as well.
I always found it weird that I see you on very popular sometimes meme videos but your also on Comic Pop.
I have seen this guy on basically every video i have ever watched
KEK!
I love that Cooke uses Freud’s concepts of id, ego, and superego to explain Batman’s psyche. The “fear” persona represents id, the primal selfish nature of bruce wanting vengeance for his parents. The superego represents the “humanitarian” persona, that is Bruce’s best self of accepting the loss of his parents and moving on without Batman. The ego is the middle ground of the two personas that give us the actual Bruce Wayne/Batman. This allows his fear persona to exist but also allows Bruce to hold on to a code and do good as a humanitarian too. That’s my interpretation anyway.
Nice way to look at it.
I’m starting to see it like that, too.
14:57
Silly sal. It’s December. The entire MONTH IS CHRISTMAS
Regarding the Catwoman design that you mentioned at the end, I seem to recall an interview where Cooke said that he never would have put that zipper at the front of her costume if he knew nobody would zip the thing up.
That design came from the Ed Brubaker Catwoman run, which Cooke did art for, and started as backups in Greg Rucka's first run on Detective Comics.
I mean...had he seen comic book art...? If there's a justification for sleaze (however threadbare), they'll take it. With certain artists, even if there ISN'T, they still might. Sexy Dead, Not a Zombie, Scarlet Witch in Ultimates 3, anyone...?
Oh, I've never heard of this.
"This is a pure Batman story by Darwyn Cooke."
And now I'm going to pause the video, buy the book, and skip Back Issues this week to read it unspoiled.
Edit: Read it, loved it, love the episode just as much.
Yeti! It's been a while!
@@Just_Some_Guy_with_a_Mustache Haven't really thought of anything interesting to say for a while now. Just been hanging on the sidelines, waiting for that wit to occur once more.
My favorite Batman comic. I will never not miss Darwyn though.
me too, bud. me too. may he rest in peace.
Really interesting, now that we’re on the other side of The Batman being released, that Reeves was able to use this as the foundation for Bruce’s/Batman’s revelation that he must be a symbol of hope rather than represent vengeance in its most brutal form. Kinda funny how Sal mentioned they never would incorporate anything from Ego’s “story” into the movie (I know you mean literal plot points), but somehow the most important piece of Bruce’s growth takes seemingly direct inspiration from this.
Back issues is something I look forward to every week. Seeing this reminds me so much of how I would hang out with my friends years ago and talk about comics like this.
Thank you Comic Pop for another year of great stories, and the inspiration it has given me to work on my own projects. You've made 2020 so much better.
I remember picking up this book years ago, and finding it interesting but weird all the same.
Ben's idea of the Batman creature being out of breath and worn out after the big display, cracked me up SO hard!
So funny. I love this damned channel.
One thing I appreciate with Batman: Ego is that Darwyn Cooke considers it “an earnest yet flawed first effort.” He was willing to be critical of his own work and I also miss him calling out other artists for not getting work out on time. He is the best cartoonist in comics history and you can’t change my mind.
Bruce Wayne’s psychology exploration is my favorite part about Batman. It’s so reliable how we separate ourselves from things and attach ourselves to other things to find strength in tragedy. Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stranger
Darwyn is the ultimate comic book writer and artist. And Ego, like the New Frontier, is just another immaculate example.
EGO is in my top 3 favorite Batman stories. The discussion between Bruce & the monstrous Batman is by far the best psychological exploration of the character ever. It's also just really well written and the artwork is beautiful, it flows so well that I need to see it animated!
the symbol of hope thing is what i think robat battinbat was talking about where he got his inspiration for the character
Absolutely, the Batman was more of an interpretation of this story. When Batman is helping people out of the flood with the first responders, it’s the same as Batman calling Gordon at the end of this story. Acknowledging what he has to be to continue this journey
Me starting this: neat Darwyn Cooke. This is just going to be like the Animated Series
"He kills his family to save them from the Joker's wrath and then kills himself"
Me: perhaps I should have read the comic before letting my little brother watch this
Happy anniversary Sal and Tiffany!
Love getting Back Issues early in the day so I can watch and listen before work! Thank you to the whole ComicPop! crew for all that you all do! Grateful for all your hard work.
Wait they are married?
2:00 Wait. So you're telling me that we're witnessing the murder of the Waynes at the beginning of every James Bond film?!
Year 4 is "My best friend is an alien"
Imitates M bison from the street fighter cartoon:
"YES !!!!!"
I remember reading this when I was 9 at the library and it blew my mind and changed my perception of the Batman character outside of the TAS version.
Excellent, a Darwyn Cooke story. Just curious, any future Back Issues on Darwyn Cooke stories? I would be interested in seeing you do one on his comic adaptation of Richard Stark's The Hunter
The problem is that it wouldn’t do well no matter how great it was.
@@DanV900 @omar94 I would love to see his DC Conics run of the Spirit covered.
Darwyn Cooke is always a plus. RIP.
This is such a great story. So that means next week you should do Batman Odyssey to remind us comics are crap sometimes too lol
Have you been told that the bullet perspective has already been taken in one shot of Batman Gotham Knight episode "Deadshot" from 2008 yet?
Always loved this book. Rip Darwyn Cooke
I wonder if that's where this whole concept of "escalation"(batman begins) or batman inspiring his villains originated.. possibly in The long Halloween?
I think people took it too literally thinking beat for beat. *EGO* was Matt Reeves’ influence for Batman/Bruce Wayne’s characterization rather than the plot and story of the film. The main and major theme and idea of this book is Bruce confronting his shadow self, his one rule to not murder, and how he learned that he had to transform from just being a scary vigilante who hunts criminals to a symbol of hope for the innocent people of Gotham. It’s more about how Pattinson’s character was written and his arc in the film instead of the plot of the book.
K
31:10 BRUCE WAYNE I'M NOT SOME CONJURER OF CHEAP TRICKS!!
That perfect cut of "eh eh eh sure"
Honestly I love self contained stories. I feel like there’s a safety to them for writers and artists and if I had a choice I’d make a label strictly for stand alone stories. (What black label could’ve been) great video guys keep up the GREAT work
I would love to see this happen in the movie. I would also want to see a proper robin introduced in a batman movie
Batman: Ego was heavily influenced by the great film, My Dinner with Andre. I would recommend that interview Darwyn Cooke did in 2007 for The Comics Journal when he spoke about it.
“That’s really the idea: What if these two guys could sit and have a conversation? Are they the same person, just with a mask, or are they really two different personalities within the same person.”
www.tcj.com/the-darwyn-cooke-interview-by-markisan-naso/
It’s close enough to Christmas to consider this a Christmas edition episode
God, these Batman deconstruction comics always blow my mind. Never heard of this one, thanks so much guys!
RIP Darwyn Cooke.
I know about this book because it’s by Darwyne Cook, who will forever be one of the greats. He’s just a monster with every page.
The closest adaptation we will ever get to Batman: Ego is honestly Birdman which still isn’t a great comparison besides just watching My Dinner with Andre as the main influence.
No one correcting you here, just a fan who has lots of fun watching you guys and appreciates your work.
Keep making what you do comic pop crew!
Literally just finished reading Ego (haven't finished the other stories yet) and it's such a brilliant dive into the Batman and Bruce Wayne dynamic. Essential reading, in my opinion, alongside Year One and The Long Halloween + Dark Victory.
"Not a shred of this will be in the movie."
Oh man. He was CLOSE.
That looks like a really great book. The art is great; it says something interesting; most importantly, it avoids the bloat so often associated with comics.
I've been listening and watching for a few years. So happy to see this episode. I love this story so much. Thank you guys. Big massive love to the 4 horsemen/woman of the comicpopalpse
Batman is basically Green Goblin now
Such a great story!! R.I.P. Darwyn.
I LOVE DARWYN COOKE!! Thank you for finally getting around to Batman:Ego!
I read this after that Reeves interview about it being an inspiration for the movie and thought it was good, I really like it more after watching you guys talk about it. Discussion really helps with a trippy book like this.
Nth Man, the Ultimate Ninja… so ‘90s but I loved how insane his stories were.
12:13 This is exactly what I’m like at every social event
Lol I have a friend me and him watch this show all the time it’s like his dream to be on that couch with y’all talking about this stuff🤣🤣🤣🤣
The artwork reminds me of Batman: year 1 - it is beautiful
I don't know what this is but it looks like the animated series. so instant love. I hope the animated series stuff gets moved to HBO max, i've only heard that the movies are. losing them all / having to purchase through VUDU or amazon would really suck. I got DCU for them to begin with
this reminds me of both the dark night returns and the immortal hulk, with the being a deeper, darker side to Batman separate from Bruce.
Just wanted to say thanks guys .Back issues always makes a day better .
I read this comic today, and it's fantastic. I love the psychological conflict between Bruce and Batman. We've never seen the two persobas have a heart-to-heart conversation over their roles in Gotham and whether their accomplishments matter. Darwin Cook's BTAS style is also fantastic and helps draw in the atmosphere. Overall, Batman: Ego's probably one of the character's best comics and should be recommended to all.
Great show! Thank you!
It’s been so long since I’ve watched one of these 👀 fantastic!
This story sounds really interesting and honestly if Matt Reeves does take inspiration from this story I would be all for that.
One of my favourite comics ever
22:55 - What's funny is you could've made Ben disappear with the same level of editing trickery they did in Excalibur.
I want a James Bond opening gunshot style death of The Waynes.
This book makes more excited for the Batman movie, Great video!!!
1:11 Me trying to explain comics to non comic readers. I feel seen, Sal.
I completely zoned out for this entire episode so I'll have to return and watch it in the future but still wanted to leave comment engagement
Darwyne Cooke, man... gone way too soon.
Thanks for this one. Darwyn is my fav
ive been sick as a dog these past few days and ever since this dropped ive been feeling 10000000x better! is it the medicine finally kicking in or is it the sweet, sweet back issues giving me life? I think we all know the answer.
Idk why this is a part of the The Batman essential reads. it takes more inspiration from zero year and earth one
I've had this book for a while now but have never even opened it. It was fun to listen to you talk about it though!
I have suggestion for another Batman book to cover. Kings of Fear. Real fun, especially if you like Kelley Jones' work.
All the best!
We've got it!
I reeeeeeally like this book. Excellent art and a very unique take on the character.
This was my first superhero comic, picked it up in trade at my local library when I was... 12? I think? Needless to say, it blew my mind, and now, here I am.
I had this book at one point, now I'm inspired to find it again
Really dig this ep, great work guys!
Can't watch because I'm at work, so imma just leave a thumbs up for now.
boys, this is what i watch the channel for. fuck yes batman solo stories.
Awesome I’ve been waiting for this
After picking up the trade, I think that reeves and Pattinson might have been informed by the cat woman and Batman stuff cooke did that also included in the paperback
Yesss I’ve been waiting for this one for a long time!
Super underrated story.
This is a great story I love watching this show to get some ideas of books to add to my collection I had this on my list of books to buy. I don't know why or how but I found a copy of the original paperback edition of Batman Ego and Other Tails, not the deluxe at a dollar store near me today so I bought the only copy that was there and it only cost me $4. I guess you get lucky sometimes with where you find comics.
Batman bat-issues I’m in!! 🦇 ❤️
Great video guys! Sal, you are a true bard with your storytelling skills
Not 100% sure, but I BELIEVE that Frank Quitely may have done the bullet POV shot in We3.
You guys should do Minutemen by Cooke. A great story overshadowed by the before watchmen reception.
Top 5 Batman story
I would love to see vol 2 of IDW tmnt the fist video was great
Darwyn Cooke was Canadian. 16:40
Gotta get that correction in there.
You know what’s funny. Mention of the animated series and the writers association makes it ironic that it would be talked about on the couch seeing the death of the Wayne’s from the bullets perspective as that was an idea regarding following at least the gun that killed the Wayne’s
As this referenced Three Jokers and being a Batman story that only involves the Bat family it made me think, would DC ever go with more than 1 Batman because Bats can seem different in crossover stories and Bat only stories.
Batman’s grave is a pretty solid solo story
Buster Snibbs is a classic name XD
Honestly its a shame the new Batman movie isn't adapting this book. It could have been such a new and intrinsic look at Batman that we have never seen before onscreen.
To be fair, it would probably be impossible to adapt this anyway, but still, one could dream.
@Chandler Burse Well the movie will be a detective story and not reliant on action. Reeves has discussed that often while talking about Ego influencing the story.
Well Reeves did say he took inspiration from it for his film and it wouldn’t be hard to adapt if you went shot for shot. The general audience wouldn’t buy in.
30:58: "Russian vodka, poisoned by Chernobyl!"
I wouldn’t put the photo in the batmobile, just because those things get blown up.
I would like to mention that DC stands for Detective Comics and Batman is the headliner on the book sooooooo
I can’t believe Sal forgot the best part of that episode of Batman the animated series, the one with the three vignettes. There’s a scene where the kids telling the stories pass by another kid who is rather “flamboyant“ who insert himself into the conversation, saying he had seen Batman and that he loved Batman with all the leather and the capes. The three children look at him with a funny look and one of them says “whatever Joel.” Which is a big dig at Joel Schumaker and his Batman films.
Yeeeees! Love me some Darwyn Cooke!
I also love hyrule