WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for Batman: The Brave and the Bold #13!
Welcome to Green Lantern’s Roast of Batman, wherein a single breath, Guy Gardner manages to both compliment himself and bestow upon Bruce Wayne one of his most insulting nicknames to date. Guy’s latest moniker for Gotham’s protector is a stark departure from the esteemed titles of Dark Knight and Caped Crusader, setting the stage for what will undoubtedly be one of the most hilariously entertaining team-ups in recent comics.
Joshua Hale Fialkov, Lisandro Estherren, and Patricio Delpeche’s Batman and Green Lantern-centric tale, The Invader, Part 1, is one of the five must-read stories featured in Batman: The Brave and the Bold #13. This installment sees Batman investigating a UFO crash landing and getting the mystery-solving partner he never wanted—Green Lantern Guy Gardner.
In true Guy Gardner fashion, he immediately makes himself insufferable, greeting Batman as “Batsy” (a nickname usually only used by the Joker). After referring to himself by the title of the ‘Jade Centurion,’ Guy christens the Dark Knight with a new nickname that makes “Batsy” look respectable—”Winged Rat-Guy.”
‘Winged Rat-Guy’: Green Lantern’s New Nickname for Batman Is Hilariously Insulting (And It’s Not Inaccurate)
While “Winged Rat-Guy” may be a total affront to everything Batman has accomplished and embodied in his heroics, it’s undeniably humorous and even somewhat accurate. Bats (the mammal, not Bruce Wayne) have long been referred to as ‘winged rats,’ making “Winged Rat-Guy” an apt, if exceptionally rude, synonym for ‘Batman.’ Although Bruce doesn’t directly respond to the name-calling, his distaste for Guy is apparent when he promises retribution against Green Lantern Hal Jordan for sending Guy instead of coming himself to help with the investigation.
Guy calling Batman ‘Batsy’ is also noteworthy, as this nickname is usually associated with the Joker, who often refers to Batman as such. This raises the question of whether Guy is aware of the connection ‘Batsy’ has to the Joker. If he is, it opens up a can of worms regarding his motivations for using this nickname for Batman. The obvious reason would be to get under Bruce’s skin. However, if Guy is knowingly using a nickname associated with the murderer of Batman’s son, it would be an exceptionally cruel move, although not entirely out of character for him.
Related
Green Lantern Guy Gardner is Back, And Finally Getting The Mission He’s Always Deserved
The rowdiest Green Lantern of all steps into the spotlight with a new backup feature that sees Guy Gardner on a new mission to apprehend a DC menace.
Guy Gardner’s Nickname for Batman Promises Highly Entertaining Interactions Ahead in Batman: The Brave and the Bold
Despite featuring Batman and Guy Gardner together for only the last three pages of The Invader, Part 1, their humorous and antagonistic interactions make the upcoming installments even more promising. Bruce Wayne and Guy Gardner share an amusingly contentious relationship, highlighted by moments like Guy mooning the Dark Knight in front of the Justice League in Green Lantern: Rebirth #1 and dating one of Batman’s ex-girlfriends. Hence, this initial interaction in The Invader sets the stage for what promises to be one of the most entertaining Batman and Green Lantern stories yet.
Batman: The Brave and the Bold #13 is available now from DC Comics!
BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #13 (2024) | |
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Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
Green Lantern
Green Lantern is the name given to several characters in the D.C. Comics canon, centering on individuals who dispense intergalactic justice. Green Lanterns can harness the power of willpower and can create unique spectral objects to face off against their enemies. Though some Green Lanterns have assisted with the Justice League, they primarily belong to the Green Lantern Corps.
