Side-kicked!

Heroes are getting side-kicked by their sidekicks. As writers zap Captain America and others capes away for a time-out, their temporary replacements seem up for taking on their respective mantles permanently.

A decade ago, fans would be less forgiving about a change of character underneath the mask. Hate mail and controversy would pile up like the abrupt introduction of artist Kyle Ryner to take over fighter pilot Hal Jordan as Green Lantern. Today, readers have more respect for writers and wait to see where the new successor takes the series, in effect, creating a new mythological legacy. If this trend continues, we might see a Batman movie with a Dick Grayson instead. X-Men cartoons will establish Cyclops as the leader with the younger audience asking “Professor X who?” Generations will be split on who should be protecting Metropolis.

Some stand-ins work and some don’t though. Yet, the comic world is opening new chapters. As Batman Inc. scribe Grant Morrison relates this week that the bat insignia in the costume will be about branding, the upcoming cape crusader title will be on Bruce Wayne training an army of Batmen around the world, making us anticipate who will follow suit and the original heroes taking on new responsibilities. For now, let’s see sidekicks who are doing justice to their predecessors’ legacy and others who find their mentors' tights too tight.

Captain America

Steve Rogers side-kicked by Bucky: Bucky didn’t die in the 1960s but was found by Soviet Operatives frozen in ice and turned into a brainwashed and violent Winter Soldier. Yet, he soon got back his memories. When Steve Rogers is sent to the past and believed dead, his last wish was that Bucky become Captain America to save his sidekick from his former ways. Steve Rogers does return to the present but lets Bucky keep the shield.

New Weapons: Bucky carries a pistol and knife aside from the famous shield. He also sports a bionic arm that can disrupt machinery.

Where’s Steve Roger?: Rogers may not be Captain America but he is the captain of superhero universe as the head of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Secret Avengers.

Batman

Bruce Wayne side-kicked by Dick Grayson: After years of wearing the wannabe Nightwing costume, Dick finally becomes Batman. His Robin is Bruce’s son Damian who has been trained since birth to be an assassin.

New Dynamic: Grayson’s biggest improvement is that he is a Batman that smiles and has a Robin who does all the brooding. Also, everyone, including Commissioner Gordon, know that he isn’t Batman but is someone who is acting the part. It is a tough job to prove but fans can’t wait till he gets the credit he deserves.

Where’s Bruce?: Still in the past and coming back in November, there is a lot of speculation that Dick will still be Batman past Bruce’s return. One big hint is that Justice League’s Batman will still be Dick. Another is Bruce will be out of crime-ridden Gotham when he comes back.

X-Men

Professor X sidekicked by Cyclops: Charles Xavier kept some mistakes hidden like the Danger Room being a killer robot or failed missions with some fatalities. Cyclops finally had enough to boot his mentor out. He took the reigns as the mutant leader with the whole x-universe taking note.

Evolving species: Cyclops builds the team as a proactive army for mutant rights. He even moves the whole team to San Francisco where all freaks are more accepted. His biggest achievement is that Magneto gets on board with the X-Men and sees things their way.

Where’s Charles?: Serves as a mentor to the X-Men in their west coast island asteroid called Utopia

Superman

Clark Kent almost sidekicked by Mon-El and a bunch of Kryptonians: When Clark Kent moves to space in New Krypton where 100,000 Kryptonians live, Metropolis is left unguarded. Mon-El, a daxamite alien with identical powers, becomes the city’s protector. Kryptonian and General Zod’s son Lor Zod also flies in to save the day. Unfortunately, the dynamic doesn’t fly as these characters zoom away as Superman returns.

Piece of Kryptonite: The writers realized that a replacement needs years to build rather than a month. The result is that Superman does return to Earth but decides to walk across America instead. This leaves Metropolis still without savior but writers won’t risk making another one.

Retroactive

Although there have successful replacements, there have also been successful comebacks thanks to writer Geoff Johns. Green Lantern Hal Jordan was out of the industry for ten years. The Flash Barry Allen was out for 20 by Wally West. Yet, they are back in their respective titles because of Johns. So, if you are longing for a more familar face, you just need to wait for a decade or two before they come back.

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