Apologies plus Watchmen, Final Crisis, Battle for the Cowl, Nolan for Batman 3?

Okay, okay. So it's been a while since I actually wrote anything with some proper analysis in here.

So to answer your emails, yes I have been busy, no I haven't read Kevin Smith's Cacophony yet (still waiting on my signed order from Jay an Silent Bob's Secret Stash), I didn't get to a Watchmen preview screening, Batman's fate in Final Crisis did suck and Nolan HAS to direct the third Batman.

I have to apologise for my lack of blogs, things have been extremely busy at work and home. So sorry and thanks for the emails.

Now let's look at Batman in Final Crisis- Grant Morrisons's RIP was, in restrospect, a decent fate for The Dark Knight, it should have ended there and for me it will.

First off the Scots scribe completely places Batman in one of Darksied's uber scifi dungeons, gives him an gun, makes him fire it and attempt murder. The fanboys are saying "Wow! Complete full circle for the The Dark Knight, created with a gun and a bullet, ended with a gun and a bullet. Awesome!"

Newsflash. That isn't Batman of 70 years past. That's a common thug with a gun, just like Joe Chill. Say what you want, but the fundamental elements are the same. You know what really hacks me off though, the fact it didn't even murder Darksied. It wounded him in the shoulder!

So not only does does Batman break his fundamental oath he swore on his murdered parents grave, get fried alive, sent out of DC continuity.............he's a bad shot aswell.

What's next Batman and Fred Flintstone team up/cross over?

I enjoyed Mr Morrisons run on Batman and I thought it was some of the best stuff in recent memory- three ghosts of Batman, club of heroes, the black glove, issue 666-
and maybe this will turn out good in the end. But the whole RIP/Final Crisis feels as if it's been a huge PR stunt of the back of the success of The Dark Knight.

Now onto the Dark Knight sequel. There shouldn't be one unless Chris Nolan or Zack Snyder's involved. Chris Nolan could finish of his planned trilogy or if push comes to shove and he backs down, the third batman would be a great excuse to make The Dark Knight Returns, hence Snyder.

Set it 20 years after the events of TDK and cast an aged Christian Bale. Have a flash back montage to sum up the past two decades- death of the joker, justice league years, the robins-and bam, you have a platform for The Dark Knight Returns.

Having read the Battle for the Cowl preview over at IGN, I have to say I am really excited about Tony Daniel's upcoming mini-series. It's got a lot of hype to live up to, but if his writing is any good as his art, well, it's gonna rock.

Whose the next Batman gonna be check this out....http://i.livescience.com/images/BATMAN676-01.jp

Probably Nightwing, Tim Drake or Alfred Pennnyworth. No one else. Alfred is the obvious choice :P

And to answer other questions,, yes I am looking forward to Watchmen and no I don't consider it thee defnitive graphic novel of all time :)