SDCC: Batman- The New Dynamic

July 30, 12:42 PMSF Comic Books ExaminerJoey Pangilinan

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For intents and purposes, Bruce Wayne is dead within the realm of the DC Universe. It really should not have come to anyone’s surprise that by the end of the Battle for the Cowl mini-series that it would be Dick Grayson that would take on the mantle.

Batman & Robin #1 cover by Frank Quitely

Obviously, this is a big change for DC’s Bat-titles. Titles like Birds of Prey, Robin, and Nightwing were cancelled earlier this spring, and new titles like Batman & Robin, Red Robin, Streets of Gotham, Gotham City Sirens, and the upcoming new Batgirl series are being created alongside kick–starting Batman and Detective Comics with new creative teams.

For a look into Greg Rucka and J.H. Williams’ first issue on Detective, check out my review of issue 854.

At Comic-Con last Friday, DC assembled most of the writers and artists who will usher in this new direction for the Bat-family sans the departed-billionaire playboy.

Here’s a quick rundown of a few interesting notes, announcements, or comments made at the Bat-panel:

• Phillip Tan will follow Frank Quitely on Batman & Robin, with issues 4-6, and calls the scripts so far “crazy, crazy.” No further details other than to expect a new Red Hood and Scarlet to be introduced.
• Paul Dini said that Hush will return, and in both Sirens and Streets. Also, that Mr. Zsasz will be appearing in Streets.
• Marc Andreyko expressed great enthusiasm to be writing the Manhunter back-up features in Streets, considering how big an influence Dini’s work on Batman: The Animated Series was on him while still in college.
• The panel was absolutely mum on giving away any details about the Batgirl title. Writer Brian Q. Miller was able to only say that “there are waffles in the first issue.” But he did say that Bette Kane is not the new Batgirl.
• Rucka was very enthusiastic talking about his collaborator, J.H. Williams’ work in upcoming issues, saying “that you haven’t seen anything yet,” and noting that William’s ability to change up his style of line-work so seamlessly.
• Rucka also confirmed that Williams has already finished work on Detective through issue 860, and the remaining five issues on their run together will come after Jock (The Losers) comes in to do issue 861-863 and Question backups moving to the front of the book with either Williams or Jock drawing a 10-page Batwoman Second Feature. Then Williams (and Kate Kane) will come back to the front of the book following Jock’s three issues.
• Chris Yost expressed how difficult Tim Drake has had the last few years, and teased that it isn’t likely that things will be getting any better for the new Red Robin any time soon.
• Fabian Nicieza will be writing the new on-going Azrael book beginning in October with Michael Lane underneath the costume.
• During the question and answer part of the panel, someone asked that although DC wasn’t going to give away who is the new Batgirl, if they would be able to say what kind of tone the series would take. Miller then responded that for the most part it be mostly light, but it would also have it’s serious points as well.
• Asked if there would be new costume Batman costume along the lines of Batman Beyond, editor Ian Sattler answered that “you might see more Batman Beyond than you might expect.”
• One of the highlights of the Q&A by far was the question of whether or not Elongated Man Ralph Dinby was a better detective than Bruce Wayne, Marc Andreyko joked, “Bruce Wayne is Sherlock Holmes, Ralph is Jessica Fletcher.”
   

SDCC: DCU Editorial Panel