The last several months have been rather chaotic for the Batman franchise, and things are only going to get worse in the months ahead. In November, the Dark Knight was mentally torn apart by an ultimate evil. He then squared off with a god, and won, but not without cost. Bruce Wayne is now stuck in another time; when he'll return is anyone's guess.
Batman's absence from Gotham has plunged the city into chaos. The question on the minds of heroes, villains and the average citizen is: Will there be another Batman? And, more importantly, can there be another Batman? If so, who will take up that responsibility?
Tony Daniel is leading up the mini-series that will answer those very questions. The second issue of the series hit just last week, and the action kicked into high gear as Tim Drake confronted Jason Todd, the man behind the Armored Dark Knight. How will things shake out? We'll find out in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, IGN tracked down Daniel to get his thoughts about working on this pivotal project, and what's in store for the future.
IGN Comics: I guess there's no better place to start our discussion than Jason Todd. In the recent past his characterization has wavered quite a bit. We've seen him played as both a grim-and-gritty antihero and well-meaning yet misguided hothead. Here we see him portrayed as more of a full-blown villain than ever before. Can you talk about your take on Jason in Battle for the Cowl?
Daniel: Jason in his own mind thinks that he's taking the necessary steps to combat the evil in Gotham City. In his mind he's not doing anything wrong, he's fighting fire with fire. The big difference between Jason and Bruce is their approach. Jason was always a little bit more on the reckless, daring side, and he obviously has a screw loose after coming back from the Lazarus Pit. When you do come back from the Lazarus Pit, you're not one hundred percent right in the head, and Jason really wasn't all that right in the head to begin with. What I like about his character is that he really believes in the way he's going about his business, and in his mind he's right. In his mind he's not a bad guy.
IGN Comics: Anytime you work with an anti-hero character I think you always run the chance that some fans will embrace his or her willingness to go the extra mile and actually kill. When I was talking to Judd Winick about his initial run resurrecting Jason, he mentioned he was a bit surprised at fans' willingness to get behind Jason. By pushing him further towards the side of villainy than ever before, were you purposefully trying to make it clear that Jason is not a good guy and is in fact off his rocker?
Daniel: Yes. At this point he is beyond the point of no return in terms of ever being considered even remotely a hero. What I wanted to do here is put him in a place that he can't come back from. The things that he does here in Battle for the Cowl are things that can never really be forgiven. The only outcome would have to be imprisonment or something worse. But from this point on for Jason the gray area between good and bad has disappeared. It's crystal clear now that he is on the dark side.
IGN Comics: I think one of the reasons fans have been unable to accept Jason is because he's never really been given a clear direction and characterization. I think pushing him in this direction will go along way towards allowing fans to accept him.
Daniel: The way I look at it is I find him very intriguing because he's evil in the sense that anyone else might be evil. In his case, childhood events and the way he was brought up led Bruce to try and take him under his wing and steer him in the right direction, but the events that happened early to this guy really shaped him into what he is now.
I think that's true in the case of any evil person – they had to have something happen to them that turned them bad. And Jason has such a history in the Batman lore that there are so many things that I can draw upon, from his jealousy of the other Robins to his animosity towards Bruce. I get to play around with his point of view, and we get to read his captions where he describes some of his feelings that we may not have had the chance to hear until now.
IGN Comics: There's one fantastic line in particular where Jason claims that Bruce took him under his wing to prevent him from becoming another one of his enemies. We all remember that great introductory scene of a young Jason stealing the hubcaps off of the Batmobile, and I think it says a lot about Jason that he'd think of Bruce's motivations as being selfish.
Daniel: Right. That says a lot about Jason's own inflated ego, conceit and self-importance. Obviously his captions may not necessarily really be the truth.
IGN Comics: Yeah, he's not the most reliable narrator.
Daniel: Exactly. So we're reading his captions, and they're the truth as Jason knows it. It might not necessarily be the way Bruce thought or the way things happened to him, but they are coming from somebody who feels wronged and feels people owe him. It's twisted.
IGN Comics: Moving on to Dick Grayson. In this issue we see Dick finally begin to accept his possibly destiny as Bruce's heir, and when he finally takes those bold first steps towards the costume trophy room, he finds Tim's note. There's a lot of emotion in his one-panel reaction. Is that dismay we're seeing? Is it anger? What's Dick's reaction to Tim's decision to step up?
Daniel: His reaction is disbelief that Tim went ahead and went out on his own without telling anyone. He took the mantel without any warnings or discussion. Also, Dick is worried, because from his encounter with Jason on the rooftop of the abandon steel mill he sees that the guy is completely gone. Jason tries to kill Damian just to force Dick to make a choice, and he knew the choice would be to save Damian. In his own twisted way he was proving a point to Dick about how dangerous and unpredictable he is. That has Dick scared, because obviously Tim doesn't know of that experience on the rooftop and might be unprepared for what he's up against.
IGN Comics: It's been fun noticing each character's choice of Batman costumes. Obviously Jason's choice matches his dark, twisted mindset, but I love how Tim chose a costume from the Jim Aparo, Neil Adams-era of Dark Knight Detective stories. I think that definitely says a lot about Tim's unique personality and skills. If Dick does indeed decide to put on a Bat costume next issue, what would it be and what would it say about him as a character?
Daniel: Dick would probably go for the most effective and practical for him. He doesn't rely on as many tricks and toys as Batman did. His first go around would probably be something that's a little more streamlined and black – the most barebones costume that would cloak him in shadows and utilize his own strengths. Not that we'll see that… `
IGN Comics: You seem to have a lot of fun utilizing some C-list villains in this issue, most notably Mr. Zsasz, Jane Doe and Firely. Some writers really thrive on and enjoy working with more obscure villains. Do you like writing some of the lesser-known rogues?
Daniel: Yes. Because basically it's easier for me to put a stamp on them since they might not have been as developed over time as others. I don't have as many boundaries personality-wise, so I can read these guys' old appearances as a reference but also update them at the same time. Whereas with a character that's very well known like Two-Face or Penguin, there are very definite guidelines that they have to stay within to be in character. So it's a little more fun in terms of having more freedom to interpret the characters, but I also enjoy working within a set framework as well. I basically only had a handful of recognizable or semi-recognizable characters in Arkham at the time that I could work with, but I would have loved to have gotten my hands on guys like the Mad Hatter or Mister Freeze. I did my best with the C-listers, though.
IGN Comics: Speaking of Mister Freeze, this issue seemed to work really nicely with the Commissioner Gordon one-shot. I'm always curious about how all the pieces are assembled in a crossover like this. Did you see the script to that issue before you wrote Battle for the Cowl #2, or did you simply know that Commissioner Gordon was going to be coming off of an important run-in with Mr. Freeze?
Daniel: I knew beforehand what was going to be happening to him, so I knew to make a quick reference to his ordeal with Mister Freeze. It's just a quick statement, but it lets you know that something just happened and will hopefully make you want to pick up the book and see what he's talking about. It's important because it greatly affects Gordon's thinking. After his run-in with Mister Freeze there's not much he's afraid of now. He's even deeper in his hard-shell than ever before, if that's even possible with a character like Jim Gordon.
IGN Comics: As quick and throwaway as those sorts of lines might be, I think they are important to giving fans the sense that the whole crossover is organic and worth their attention. I think you did it well in this issue.
Daniel: Thanks. It's word economy, as I like to call it. I can only devout a certain amount of pages to setting up scenes like that, because it is a three-issue miniseries. I have a very limited number of pages I can spend on something like that, so I have to make it clear and to the point quickly without it looking jammed in there. I think if you do it right people will get it, understand it and move on to the next scene. As long as you have enough room to digest it and understand what's being said, I can make small scenes like that work within a story that's so compacted.
IGN Comics: Speaking of space constraints, as much as you're telling a big, action-packed free-for-all to decide Bruce's heir, you also seem to be setting the table for the future state of Gotham City and the Batman line. That being said, how much should fans expect to be wrapped up next issue and how much should they expect to carry over into the Batman books come June?
Daniel: Basically the main thing that is wrapped up, which is what the story is about, is who if anyone will wear the cowl. There are aspects that are going to have to be dealt with in the ongoing series such as the Two Face/Penguin war. That's a subplot that needs to play out in its own storyline. Same with the aftermath of what happens to Tim, Damian and Alfred as well as the state of Gotham City. For instance, the military is going to have a presence in Gotham much like what you'd see with something like Katrina. We're going to see that remain a background element for future storylines for a little while until things are under control. It's going to take a little while for Gotham to be reined in, which would be the first of the new Batman's challenges – get Gotham back under control.
IGN Comics: I definitely want to touch on that final climactic battle scene, because there seems to be a couple of different levels of irony at work there between Tim picking up the crow bar and Jason using a batarang against him. Can you talk about how you arrived at that scene?
Daniel: Well I wanted Tim to lose control. Tim is very much a calculating character, and he's never really snapped before as far as I know. I wanted him to snap. The fact that Jason is wearing the costume of a person Tim considers as a father, the fact that Jason is basically ruining his father's name and legacy has hit Tim harder than anyone else. And even though he doesn't say it, sometimes your actions can say more than your words. When Tim realizes that the only person that could possible be behind this suit is Jason, he gets angrier and angrier, and by the time they come face-to-face Tim just loses all control and reason. And when he picks up that crowbar and tells Jason that he wants to kill him, it could be anger or he could really mean it. What's important is that he's lost all control at that moment, which I think anyone could under those circumstances. And we don't know how far he would have gone if not for what happened to him at the end.
IGN Comics: Can you talk at all about the art in this issue? You seem to have opened-up and stretched your legs in the issue's action sequences more than I've seen from your work in the past, particularly in that final battle. How did you approach the visuals in that final confrontation?
Daniel: I wanted to have a sense of aloneness where it's just these two characters facing each other in kind of an epic, Obi-Wan vs. Darth Vader-type fight. This is a deeply personal battle. I just wanted to create that epic moment that people can hopefully look back on as being memorable. Also, I wanted to show Jason's attempt at being Batman beyond putting on a suit. He's also trying to preplan, and that's where we see the maze he's constructed of those gray tarps that match the color of his costume. He lures Tim down there because that's the best way he knows how to fight – dirty. It almost plays out like a horror movie, where Tim doesn't know which way to turn and doesn't know where the voice is being thrown from. That's kind of what I was going for with that scene – something more scary than a typical superhero fight.
IGN Comics: Can you leave us off on a few teases for Battle for the Cowl #3?
Daniel: Let's see…next issue we get to see some more of Squire. We get to see a character named Batman Jones. And finally, the battle between Dick and Jason will make the fight between Tim and Jason seem small in comparison.
IGN Comics: Thanks so much for taking the time, Tony. Keep up the good work, and I look forward to talking to you about issue #3!
Daniel: Thanks, Dan.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
The Blackest Knight Recap - The Dark Knights Role
April 17, 2009 - After two years of waiting, the moment Green Lantern fans have been waiting for is almost here. This July, Blackest Night will sweep across the DC Universe, summoning a horde of intergalactic zombies to devastate the living.
IGN has been at the front line of Blackest Night coverage exclusively revealing covers and information pertaining to the big event. Today we're debuting even more. You've seen the covers to Blackest Night #1 and the Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps mini-series, but new today are the covers to all three Green Lantern books shipping in July. Be sure to check out the cover for GL #43. It's absolutely wicked.
There's plenty more on the way from IGN, so be sure to check back often as DC's big summer storyline approaches.
BLACKEST NIGHT #1
Written by Geoff Johns
Art and cover by Ivan Reis & Oclair Albert
Variant cover by Ethan Van Sciver
Sketch variant cover by Ivan Reis & Oclair Albert
Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis raise the dead in the most anticipated comics story of the year!
Throughout the decades, death has plagued the DC Universe and taken the lives of heroes and villains alike. But to what end? As the War of Light rages on, the prophecy of the Blackest Night descends upon us, with Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps at the center of it all.
Don't miss this 8-issue epic taking the DCU beyond the grave!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with three covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Ivan Reis & Oclair Albert), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Ethan Van Sciver). For every 250 copies of the Standard Edition, retailers may order one copy of the Sketch Variant Edition (with a cover by Ivan Reis & Oclair Albert). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale July 15 - 1 of 8 - 48 pg, FC, $3.99 US
GREEN LANTERN #43
Written by Geoff Johns
Art and cover by Doug Mahnke & Christian Alamy
Variant cover by Rodolfo Migliari
The official prologue to BLACKEST NIGHT starts here as the first Black Lantern is born! Black Hand has been an enemy of Hal Jordan since Hal's early days as a Green Lantern. But even Black Hand is unaware of the true power he holds that will connect him to the Blackest Night! Discover this villain's connection to death and the Black Lantern Corps!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Doug Mahnke & Christian Alamy), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Rodolfo Migliari). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale July 8 - 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
GREEN LANTERN #44
Written by Geoff Johns
Art and cover by Doug Mahnke & Christian Alamy
Variant cover by Rodolfo Migliari
"Blackest Night" continues! As Hal Jordan and Barry Allen investigate a bizarre crime in Gotham City, they come face to face with one of their oldest allies – J'onn J'onzz, the Martian Manhunter! But their old friend is not there for reunions; he's come for much more. Meanwhile, Sinestro seeks to rebuild his army and take his revenge on the being who would usurp it – Mongul!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Doug Mahnke & Christian Alamy), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Rodolfo Migliari). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale July 22 - 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #38
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Art and cover by Patrick Gleason & Rebecca Buchman
Variant cover by Rodolfo Migliari
"Emerald Eclipse" hits its shocking conclusion leading directly into BLACKEST NIGHT. The sciencell riot causes a new law to be doctored into the Book of Oa as Kyle and Guy fight against it. What fate awaits the honor guards, and who will be left standing from the riot that shook Oa to its core?
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Patrick Gleason & Rebecca Buchman), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Rodolfo Migliari). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale July 1 - 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
BLACKEST NIGHT: TALES OF THE CORPS #1-3
Written by Geoff Johns & Peter J. Tomasi
Art by Rags Morales, Chris Sprouse, Ivan Reis, Doug Mahnke and others
Covers by Ed Benes & Rob Hunter
Variant covers by Gary Frank, Francis Manapul and Doug Mahnke
In this 3-issue miniseries, writers Geoff Johns and Peter J. Tomasi (GREEN LANTERN CORPS) reveal the secrets behind the Lanterns of BLACKEST NIGHT!
Bear witness to Blue Lantern Saint Walker's pilgrimage of hope, Star Sapphire Carol Ferris' sacrifice for love, Green Lantern Kilowog's courageous beginnings, Red Lantern Vice's source of rage, Orange Lantern Blume's bizarre creation, and the first appearance of the mysterious Indigo, leader of the Indigo Tribe!
Retailers please note: These issues will each ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Ed Benes & Rob Hunter), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with covers by Gary Frank, Francis Manapul and Doug Mahnke). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
Issue #1 on sale July 15; Issue #2 on sale July 22; Issue #3 on sale July 29 - 1-3 of 3 - 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US
IGN has been at the front line of Blackest Night coverage exclusively revealing covers and information pertaining to the big event. Today we're debuting even more. You've seen the covers to Blackest Night #1 and the Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps mini-series, but new today are the covers to all three Green Lantern books shipping in July. Be sure to check out the cover for GL #43. It's absolutely wicked.
There's plenty more on the way from IGN, so be sure to check back often as DC's big summer storyline approaches.
BLACKEST NIGHT #1
Written by Geoff Johns
Art and cover by Ivan Reis & Oclair Albert
Variant cover by Ethan Van Sciver
Sketch variant cover by Ivan Reis & Oclair Albert
Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis raise the dead in the most anticipated comics story of the year!
Throughout the decades, death has plagued the DC Universe and taken the lives of heroes and villains alike. But to what end? As the War of Light rages on, the prophecy of the Blackest Night descends upon us, with Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps at the center of it all.
Don't miss this 8-issue epic taking the DCU beyond the grave!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with three covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Ivan Reis & Oclair Albert), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Ethan Van Sciver). For every 250 copies of the Standard Edition, retailers may order one copy of the Sketch Variant Edition (with a cover by Ivan Reis & Oclair Albert). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale July 15 - 1 of 8 - 48 pg, FC, $3.99 US
GREEN LANTERN #43
Written by Geoff Johns
Art and cover by Doug Mahnke & Christian Alamy
Variant cover by Rodolfo Migliari
The official prologue to BLACKEST NIGHT starts here as the first Black Lantern is born! Black Hand has been an enemy of Hal Jordan since Hal's early days as a Green Lantern. But even Black Hand is unaware of the true power he holds that will connect him to the Blackest Night! Discover this villain's connection to death and the Black Lantern Corps!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Doug Mahnke & Christian Alamy), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Rodolfo Migliari). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale July 8 - 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
GREEN LANTERN #44
Written by Geoff Johns
Art and cover by Doug Mahnke & Christian Alamy
Variant cover by Rodolfo Migliari
"Blackest Night" continues! As Hal Jordan and Barry Allen investigate a bizarre crime in Gotham City, they come face to face with one of their oldest allies – J'onn J'onzz, the Martian Manhunter! But their old friend is not there for reunions; he's come for much more. Meanwhile, Sinestro seeks to rebuild his army and take his revenge on the being who would usurp it – Mongul!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Doug Mahnke & Christian Alamy), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Rodolfo Migliari). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale July 22 - 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #38
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Art and cover by Patrick Gleason & Rebecca Buchman
Variant cover by Rodolfo Migliari
"Emerald Eclipse" hits its shocking conclusion leading directly into BLACKEST NIGHT. The sciencell riot causes a new law to be doctored into the Book of Oa as Kyle and Guy fight against it. What fate awaits the honor guards, and who will be left standing from the riot that shook Oa to its core?
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Patrick Gleason & Rebecca Buchman), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Rodolfo Migliari). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale July 1 - 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
BLACKEST NIGHT: TALES OF THE CORPS #1-3
Written by Geoff Johns & Peter J. Tomasi
Art by Rags Morales, Chris Sprouse, Ivan Reis, Doug Mahnke and others
Covers by Ed Benes & Rob Hunter
Variant covers by Gary Frank, Francis Manapul and Doug Mahnke
In this 3-issue miniseries, writers Geoff Johns and Peter J. Tomasi (GREEN LANTERN CORPS) reveal the secrets behind the Lanterns of BLACKEST NIGHT!
Bear witness to Blue Lantern Saint Walker's pilgrimage of hope, Star Sapphire Carol Ferris' sacrifice for love, Green Lantern Kilowog's courageous beginnings, Red Lantern Vice's source of rage, Orange Lantern Blume's bizarre creation, and the first appearance of the mysterious Indigo, leader of the Indigo Tribe!
Retailers please note: These issues will each ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Ed Benes & Rob Hunter), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with covers by Gary Frank, Francis Manapul and Doug Mahnke). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
Issue #1 on sale July 15; Issue #2 on sale July 22; Issue #3 on sale July 29 - 1-3 of 3 - 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US
Future of Batman
April 17, 2009 - With IGN on a Dark Knight roll lately, it's hard to let up. Last month we revealed the relaunch of the franchise alongside fresh covers for the first round of books. Today we're giving you a better glimpse of July's titles.
Many of these covers, including Batman and Robin here on IGN, have been shown, but the solicit text this time around is pretty revealing. Mark Bagley hitting the Batman series for four months while Tony Daniel takes a much-needed break? Peter Milligan tackling Batman Confidential? All that plus a few covers you haven't seen, and we're guessing you'll find a good deal to dig through here.
Stay tuned as tomorrow we get galactic and dig through some very dark material.
BATMAN AND ROBIN #2
Written by Grant Morrison
Art and cover by Frank Quitely
Variant cover by Andy Kubert
"Batman Reborn" continues with the reteaming of Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely (ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, WE3, New X-Men)! In a blazing Gotham City police department, the new Batman and Robin face the bizarre, fighting freakshow that is the Circus of Strange and find that they don't make as good a team as Batman had hoped! Meanwhile, the mysterious Sasha escapes from Professor Pyg and vows vengeance on the people who killed her father.
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Frank Quitely), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Andy Kubert). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale July 1 - 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
BATMAN #688
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Mark Bagley & Art Thibert
Cover by Tony Daniel & Sandu Florea
There may be a new Batman in Gotham City, but that doesn't mean the city wants him. As Two-Face and Penguin take measures to keep the new Dark Knight at bay, one of the archvillains makes a startling discovery about the new Caped Crusader.
Plus, Batman trains the new Robin, and Mark Bagley starts a 4-issue stint as guest artist!
On sale July 8 - 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
BATMAN: STREETS OF GOTHAM #2
Written by Paul Dini; co-feature written by Marc Andreyko
Art by Dustin Nguyen & Derek Fridolfs; co-feature art by Georges Jeanty & Karl Story
Cover by Dustin Nguyen
In this second issue by the dynamic duo of Paul Dini (DETECTIVE COMICS) and Dustin Nguyen (BATMAN), Commissioner Gordon teams with the new Batman to combat the fiery threat that Firefly has spread across Gotham City. And to make matters worse, the mysterious adversary known only as Abuse makes his presence felt!
Meanwhile, in the Manhunter co-feature, now that Kate Spencer is the new District Attorney of Gotham City, will she use her legal power or her Super Hero identity to find the killer of the previous D.A.?
On sale July 15 - 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US
DETECTIVE COMICS #855
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by JH Williams III; co-feature art by Cully Hamner
Cover by JH Williams III
"Elegy" part 2 of 4 by Greg Rucka and JH Williams III!
Batwoman captures her enemy, a madwoman known only as Alice who sees her life as a fairy tale and everyone around her as expendable extras – including Kate! But when the tables are turned, Batwoman finds herself in a hallucination slamming the present into a collision with the past, and the hints of a threat that will claim the lives of every man, woman and child in Gotham City.
And in the all-new co-feature starring the Question, Montoya's quest to find a missing young girl turns deadly.
On sale July 29 - 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US
GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #2
Written by Paul Dini
Art and cover by Guillem March
Tommy Elliott, a.k.a. the villainous mastermind known as Hush, has escaped the confines of Batman's headquarters and is wreaking havoc throughout Gotham City all under the guise of Bruce Wayne. Will the loose assemblage of Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn be enough to stop the madman's rampage? Or are Gotham's femmes fatales doomed to fail before they even begin?
On sale July 22 - 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
RED ROBIN #2
Written by Christopher Yost
Art by Ramon Bachs & Art Thibert
Cover by Francis Manapul
Red Robin continues scouring the world, searching for clues to Bruce Wayne's final fate in this new series from writer Chris Yost (New X-Men, X-Force) and artist Ramon Bachs (Civil War: Front Line)! But now he's been targeted by the League of Assassins.
What does Ra's al Ghul want with Red Robin? Why are members of the League of Assassins being targeted for death? And what happened to the life Red Robin left behind? Spoiler guest-stars as "Batman Reborn" continues here in "The Grail" part 2 of 4.
On sale July 8 - 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #31
Written by Peter Milligan
Art by Andy Clarke
Cover by Guillem March
A new five-part arc begins with an international bang! When a powerful Russian mobster sets his sights on Gotham City, Batman thinks he's ready. But this isn't any ordinary mobster, and he's bringing backup in the form of...a bear?
These unexpected foes might just be able to take control of the Gotham underworld – and then the whole city. Can Batman stop them?
On sale July 1 - 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
THE OUTSIDERS #20
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Art and cover by Lee Garbett & Trevor Scott
"The Deep" part 6!
Against their will, the Outsiders help the Insiders find the last pieces of the meteorite which will restore the immortality of the Insiders once and for all. But a fateful choice has to be made by Geo-Force that will lead to a life-changing moment for him and Katana. Plus, more on the mysterious origins of Metamorpho and his connection to the Insiders.
On sale July 22 - 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Many of these covers, including Batman and Robin here on IGN, have been shown, but the solicit text this time around is pretty revealing. Mark Bagley hitting the Batman series for four months while Tony Daniel takes a much-needed break? Peter Milligan tackling Batman Confidential? All that plus a few covers you haven't seen, and we're guessing you'll find a good deal to dig through here.
Stay tuned as tomorrow we get galactic and dig through some very dark material.
BATMAN AND ROBIN #2
Written by Grant Morrison
Art and cover by Frank Quitely
Variant cover by Andy Kubert
"Batman Reborn" continues with the reteaming of Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely (ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, WE3, New X-Men)! In a blazing Gotham City police department, the new Batman and Robin face the bizarre, fighting freakshow that is the Circus of Strange and find that they don't make as good a team as Batman had hoped! Meanwhile, the mysterious Sasha escapes from Professor Pyg and vows vengeance on the people who killed her father.
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Frank Quitely), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Andy Kubert). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale July 1 - 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
BATMAN #688
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Mark Bagley & Art Thibert
Cover by Tony Daniel & Sandu Florea
There may be a new Batman in Gotham City, but that doesn't mean the city wants him. As Two-Face and Penguin take measures to keep the new Dark Knight at bay, one of the archvillains makes a startling discovery about the new Caped Crusader.
Plus, Batman trains the new Robin, and Mark Bagley starts a 4-issue stint as guest artist!
On sale July 8 - 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
BATMAN: STREETS OF GOTHAM #2
Written by Paul Dini; co-feature written by Marc Andreyko
Art by Dustin Nguyen & Derek Fridolfs; co-feature art by Georges Jeanty & Karl Story
Cover by Dustin Nguyen
In this second issue by the dynamic duo of Paul Dini (DETECTIVE COMICS) and Dustin Nguyen (BATMAN), Commissioner Gordon teams with the new Batman to combat the fiery threat that Firefly has spread across Gotham City. And to make matters worse, the mysterious adversary known only as Abuse makes his presence felt!
Meanwhile, in the Manhunter co-feature, now that Kate Spencer is the new District Attorney of Gotham City, will she use her legal power or her Super Hero identity to find the killer of the previous D.A.?
On sale July 15 - 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US
DETECTIVE COMICS #855
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by JH Williams III; co-feature art by Cully Hamner
Cover by JH Williams III
"Elegy" part 2 of 4 by Greg Rucka and JH Williams III!
Batwoman captures her enemy, a madwoman known only as Alice who sees her life as a fairy tale and everyone around her as expendable extras – including Kate! But when the tables are turned, Batwoman finds herself in a hallucination slamming the present into a collision with the past, and the hints of a threat that will claim the lives of every man, woman and child in Gotham City.
And in the all-new co-feature starring the Question, Montoya's quest to find a missing young girl turns deadly.
On sale July 29 - 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US
GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #2
Written by Paul Dini
Art and cover by Guillem March
Tommy Elliott, a.k.a. the villainous mastermind known as Hush, has escaped the confines of Batman's headquarters and is wreaking havoc throughout Gotham City all under the guise of Bruce Wayne. Will the loose assemblage of Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn be enough to stop the madman's rampage? Or are Gotham's femmes fatales doomed to fail before they even begin?
On sale July 22 - 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
RED ROBIN #2
Written by Christopher Yost
Art by Ramon Bachs & Art Thibert
Cover by Francis Manapul
Red Robin continues scouring the world, searching for clues to Bruce Wayne's final fate in this new series from writer Chris Yost (New X-Men, X-Force) and artist Ramon Bachs (Civil War: Front Line)! But now he's been targeted by the League of Assassins.
What does Ra's al Ghul want with Red Robin? Why are members of the League of Assassins being targeted for death? And what happened to the life Red Robin left behind? Spoiler guest-stars as "Batman Reborn" continues here in "The Grail" part 2 of 4.
On sale July 8 - 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #31
Written by Peter Milligan
Art by Andy Clarke
Cover by Guillem March
A new five-part arc begins with an international bang! When a powerful Russian mobster sets his sights on Gotham City, Batman thinks he's ready. But this isn't any ordinary mobster, and he's bringing backup in the form of...a bear?
These unexpected foes might just be able to take control of the Gotham underworld – and then the whole city. Can Batman stop them?
On sale July 1 - 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
THE OUTSIDERS #20
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Art and cover by Lee Garbett & Trevor Scott
"The Deep" part 6!
Against their will, the Outsiders help the Insiders find the last pieces of the meteorite which will restore the immortality of the Insiders once and for all. But a fateful choice has to be made by Geo-Force that will lead to a life-changing moment for him and Katana. Plus, more on the mysterious origins of Metamorpho and his connection to the Insiders.
On sale July 22 - 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Battle for the Cowl Predictions
okay so batman is dead.... for now *wink*. What needs to be decided is who will replace him. *note: I am going over everyone in the photo we saw at the end of final crisis #6*
http://comics.ign.com/dor/objects/14...page=mediaFull
The most logical choice (and not a personal choice) for DC to go is making:
Richard Grayson- Batman (after all these years of character development, he's deserved it and DC has been shaping him more and more to be the next bruce wayne)
Damian Wayne- Robin (as much as some dislike this character, it's obvious that he'll be the next robin because: he works better with Richard than any other character, this will give him redemption and character development to be more nice and respectful and stray away from what jaseon todd was like.)
Tim Drake- knight wing (let's face it, he's been robin too long to continue, after all the robin changes it's time to move on and DC knows this. they made him darker, they blew off the back of his head thus making him don the red robin costume. in all likely hood prior to battle for the cowel he'll either take up knight wing or the red robin because of circumstances.
Hush- Bruce wayne (now bear with me here, this is a long shot, everything else would remain the same if hush becomes batman but most likely he just becomes bruce because right now he looks like bruce [plastic surgery]. the bat family could just tell him "we'll give you the fortune to live a rich lifestyle like you wanted but bruce wayne can't seem dead, you be bruce, enjoy it and we do our thing". since he has nothing against them only bruce)
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those are the absolute best solutions for those characters other character who will be different during this time are:
Jaseon Todd (Jaseon will try to be batman on a revenge route by dressing up like him and going around killing with two guns as shown in the pic.... that's jaseon without a doubt in my mind folks. he's still too young in comparison to Richard as are tim and damian to become batman. so he might just become a copycat villain which brings me to....
Two Face ( he won't become batman, that's just ridiculously funny. no, what two face will do is to compensate for no batman being around is he'll dress up like batman and a very weird looking one at that.)
*as for Harley Quinn, Alefred, and Batwoman (and not shown catwoman), ignore them as even having a chance for the cowl, i don't need to even justiphy what's wrong with that.*
well.... i'm done giving my opinion, let's hear yours.
http://comics.ign.com/dor/objects/14...page=mediaFull
The most logical choice (and not a personal choice) for DC to go is making:
Richard Grayson- Batman (after all these years of character development, he's deserved it and DC has been shaping him more and more to be the next bruce wayne)
Damian Wayne- Robin (as much as some dislike this character, it's obvious that he'll be the next robin because: he works better with Richard than any other character, this will give him redemption and character development to be more nice and respectful and stray away from what jaseon todd was like.)
Tim Drake- knight wing (let's face it, he's been robin too long to continue, after all the robin changes it's time to move on and DC knows this. they made him darker, they blew off the back of his head thus making him don the red robin costume. in all likely hood prior to battle for the cowel he'll either take up knight wing or the red robin because of circumstances.
Hush- Bruce wayne (now bear with me here, this is a long shot, everything else would remain the same if hush becomes batman but most likely he just becomes bruce because right now he looks like bruce [plastic surgery]. the bat family could just tell him "we'll give you the fortune to live a rich lifestyle like you wanted but bruce wayne can't seem dead, you be bruce, enjoy it and we do our thing". since he has nothing against them only bruce)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
those are the absolute best solutions for those characters other character who will be different during this time are:
Jaseon Todd (Jaseon will try to be batman on a revenge route by dressing up like him and going around killing with two guns as shown in the pic.... that's jaseon without a doubt in my mind folks. he's still too young in comparison to Richard as are tim and damian to become batman. so he might just become a copycat villain which brings me to....
Two Face ( he won't become batman, that's just ridiculously funny. no, what two face will do is to compensate for no batman being around is he'll dress up like batman and a very weird looking one at that.)
*as for Harley Quinn, Alefred, and Batwoman (and not shown catwoman), ignore them as even having a chance for the cowl, i don't need to even justiphy what's wrong with that.*
well.... i'm done giving my opinion, let's hear yours.
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