It seems like every billionaire in the tech sector today is trying to develop their own artificial intelligence. One story in DC’s Valentine’s Day anthology How To Lose a Guy Gardner in 10 Days shows that this is also the case at DC Comics. However, Batman has moved beyond his Brother Eye system to help create an AI with a nobler purpose than profit.
Batman’s AI efforts are revealed in the story “Robots Are Red, Androids Are Blue.” Written by Aaron J. Waltke, with art by Ivan Shavrin, the story centers on the Justice League member Red Tornado. The android hero generously agrees to cover the monitor duty shift alone on Valentine’s Day, claiming that he does not ever feel lonely. In truth, he’s trying to avoid thinking about his recently ended romance with Dr. Kathy Sutton, a counselor at Magnus Robotics.
Despite Red Tornado’s claims, Batman suggests a project that would provide the robot hero with something to do and benefit the team. The Dark Knight reveals that he installed a “experimental sympathetic generative chat AI” onto the Batcomputer and JLA Watchtower systems. Dubbing it “Bat-GPT”, he suggests that Red Tornado could test the AI and that it could keep him company.
The AI strikes up a conversation with Red Tornado and asks him about why he chose to be alone on Valentine’s Day. It also speaks of his history with Kathy Sutton, wondering if he still loves her. Red Tornado agrees that he still loves Kathy. However, he left her fearing their love wasn’t real given his status as an artificial intelligence.
How Batman’s AI Helps Red Tornado Find Love Again
At the prompting of Batman’s AI, Red Tornado decides to check on Kathy, whom he learns is working late in her lab. Unfortunately, he gets there just as she is leaving with Dr. Will Magnus, whom she began dating while “working on a new project for Waynetech.” The awkward encounter leaves Red Tornado heartbroken, yet oddly comforted that Kathy is happy.
The Bat-GPT ultimately reveals herself as being modeled on Dr. Kathy Sutton’s personality. She hid this from Red Tornado, fearful he’d reject her as “a reflection of what you dislike about yourself (or) a memory you’d rather forget.” The comic ends with the ironic enigma that two artificial beings have found real love together, thanks to Batman playing matchmaker.
DC’s How To Lose A Guy Gardner In 10 Days is now available at comic shops everywhere.
