NYCC 2012: DC Comics: Batman - Death Comes to Gotham
Probably the most lauded family of books since the New 52 reboot, DC presents news on the Batman titles in the months ahead. From Vertigo's blog:
The Night of the Owls may be over, but if anything, things are only getting darker for Gotham's guardians. Unfolding in the pages of nearly every Bat-title, "Death of the Family" promises to have Batman fans talking for months...at least when they're not turning pages nervously, perched on the edge of their seat. The Joker has returned, and tragedy may once again be in store for Bruce Wayne and his friends and allies. But when will it strike, and to whom? The only thing we know for certain is that Gotham will never be the same.
Seated alongside moderator John Cunningham in room 1E13 is a full team of Bat-talent ready to discuss what awaits us, including Scott Snyder (Batman), David Finch (Batman: The Dark Knight), Gregg Hurwitz (Batman: The Dark Knight), Grant Morrison (Batman, Incorporated), Kyle Higgins (Nightwing), Peter Tomasi (Batman and Robin), James Tynion IV (Talon), Scott Lobdell (Red Hood and the Outlaws) and more.
The first topic of discussion was the big Batman story arc, DEATH OF THE FAMILY. Snyder thanked the fans for their support of the story, which he says they've been working on for a long time. The idea behind DEATH OF THE FAMILY is that the Joker sees Batman has a whole new family, and he feels his duty is to serve as Jester to Batman's King. There will be a lot of other villains in the story as well, and the Joker has a big secret about Batman that will eventually come out in the story. Also, each of the Bat titles involved will have huge moments coming up.
The creators gave each other praise throughout the discussion. Snyder said he was inspired by Finch, Hurwitz and Capullo. Capullo, also on the panel, said he loves reading Snyder's stories and gets a whole wave of emotion in that Snyder is quiet in person, but can create these twisted, scary things. Higgins jumps in to agree on the point.
Talon was discussed next, but they weren't able to reveal much of what happens to Calvin Rose. We will find out in the wake of the Court of the Owls though. There will also be brand new characters and places to explore in upcoming issues.
Higgins then chimed in on Nightwing, saying the reaction to the book is overwhelming. Nightwing is his favorite character too. The book is in full throttle and the Joker's going to attack all the Bat family's greatest weaknesses. The way he attacks Nightwing results in a huge fallout that will change the series in a lot of excitung ways.
The covers to Batgirl #16, Red Hood and the Outlaws #16, Teen Titans #16, Batman & Robin #16, Catwoman #16, Batman Inc. #7, Batman: The Dark Knight #15 & 16 and the Batman & Robin Annual were then shown:
Very ominous with the cracked helmet and Joker smile shining through, wouldn't you say?
Tomasi said this cover with Batman and Robin facing each other, sporting their own Joker smiles is indicative of what is to come.
A far less ominous look for the Batman & Robin Annual.
The Batgirl cover also featured the titular character with the Joker smile, and the Teen Titans cover showed Red Robin with the smile and holding two very bloody knives.
No Joker smile, but a very in your face kick, so that's cool to look at.
Morrison jokes as the cover to Batman Inc. #7 was shown that while it's not tied into to DEATH OF THE FAMILY, there would be death and there would be family.
Scarecrow and Batman playing chess. Hurwitz said they've "done some really perverse things," and "next issue they'll go down into the cellar that Crane has been put down into. It's crazy, and this arc will just blow Gotham wide open."Finch added that this would be his last issue of the title and "that it'll be this huge, huge issue." Ethan Van Sciver then takes over the book on a Mad Hatter story in issue #16:
And that's a wrap on that one. Are you excited about what's coming up in the Bat books? Let us know below!
Find more NYCC news in Comic Related's NYCC Archive here.
blog comments powered by Disqus