This is “Point/Counterpoint in the Blogosphere…” where we take a look at what has YOU talking. Twice a week, I’ll be showcasing two related discussion points about a particular topic, to help you keep up with some of the hot topics in comic fandom.
When a popular character undergoes a drastic change of character, the results can be very complicated and messy. In the case of Cassandra Cain, since her reappearance in Robin, One Year Later, her change has gotten a largely negative reception.
The interesting thing though, comes of what happens after. When the writer of the issues in question comes forward to explain the motivations and thoughts behind the character change. Recently, Adam Beechen, the writer of Robin, gave a couple of interviews to CBR, addressing this change.
Point:
David Brothers at 4th Letter points out a particular part that he liked from one of the interviews.
Counterpoint:
Diamondrock from Title Undetermined is less happy about a quote from the other interview and explains why.
Today’s P/CP is less about a direct contradiction/opposition as it is an attempt to relate a couple of different responses to related issues. They’re very interesting to read, take a look!
November 7th, 2006 at 3:41 pm
Honestly I think Beechen is just taking the fall for one of Geoff John’s ideas. She IS a member of Titans East after all. Which brings up a question, what is the head of the League of Assassins doing joing a team of teenagers under Deathstroke? Doesn’t she outrank him now?
November 7th, 2006 at 4:59 pm
Cass Cain’s descent into crazyness can be easily remedies. It’s known that being resurructed by a lazarus pit tends to make people wonky. Every villainous act she’s done so far can be redeemed as “she was crazy, all she needed was therapy.”
November 7th, 2006 at 6:10 pm
Aw! You would link me when I’m light on original content. Muchas gracias regardless, however.
I still like the heel turn, though I do agree with Beechen that he could’ve taken more time with it.
I would disagree with the C/P’s idea that Cass hates her father, though. She may not like him much, but she’s let him go on a couple different occasions (once early in the series when he was caught stealing something, I believe) and I think that she loves him deep down, but hates what he tried to do to her. I think that their relationship is a little more complicated than that, to be quite honest, but that’s another post entirely. Actually, that may not be a bad write-up…
November 7th, 2006 at 9:33 pm
This simply filled me with hate. Must make sure to never pick up an issue of Robin or whatever Beechen is writing. Must now take out hate on dirty bathroom!
November 8th, 2006 at 3:10 am
Well, the relationship between Cass and her father *is* VERY complicated. Though I stand by the statement that she hates him. She hates him because he doesn’t love her, I think. Not really. Not the way a father should love his daughter. He has pride in her like the way a man might take pride in in his customized motorcycle.
And any love she did have for him was lost when she found what she needed with Batman (though they’ve ignored *that* relationship for a damn long time).
Cassandra let him go so many times becauses (until recently) the idea that a person COULD CHANGE was at the very heart of her character and personality. For Cass, it was all about second chances.
That, of course, has been destroyed.
November 8th, 2006 at 3:31 am
Upon further reflection, I believe my last comment may have been a tad hasty. Upon further consideration, I think the above poster is correct: Cassandra doesn’t really hate her father.
I think she’s really incapable of hating anyone. She doesn’t like him much. And she’s very, very angry at him because he could never give her what she need.
But no, she doesn’t hate him as such.
November 8th, 2006 at 9:29 am
Cassandra’s relationship with her father is basically that of an abused child to his/her abusive parent. You know what they’re doing/did is wrong, but you also know that they’re your parent. So there’s some cognitive dissonance there.
Anyway, the change made no sense. Read the most recent Batgirl trade paperback, as well as “Death Wish” for that matter and compare it to RObi #150-151. NO SENSE.