In 1993, a year after DC Comics killed Superman, the comic book publisher also destroyed Batman, probably their second most beloved character. Emotionally and physically exhausted from a long stretch of villainous activity in Gothem, Batman is literally broken when a villain named Bane breaks the back of Bruce Wayne. Hobbled by Bane and having to work through intensive physical therapy, Bruce Wayne handed the mantle of Batman over to another. Life just isn’t easy for ole Bats. Just as they did with Superman, DC proved they were willing to do the darkly imaginative when it came to their best characters. No comic book character was safe if DC could take out Batman for a year.
Well, it is happening again to Batman in February and March 2009!
Author Neil Gaiman, who is one of my favorite comic book and fiction writers, was asked to write the "last" Batman story, Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? It is purported to be the "last" Batman story in the wake of severe psychological trauma that Batman endures within the Batman R.I.P. story, and his ultimate fate in Final Crisis. Andy Kubert, one of my favorite artists, was asked to pencil the two-issue story; Scott Williams, one of the cleanest inkers in the business, will be adding his depth to Andy's pencils. It is a powerhouse creative team, one I couldn't be happier about.
Now, we all know Bruce Wayne will return one day to take up the mantle of Batman again. That is the nature of comic books. But it is stories like this that make for great comic book reading and I simply cannot wait to read it!
Here is the listing for Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? which will be featured in Batman #686, Detective Comics #853 and later compiled in a July 2009 hardcover:
Written by Neil Gaiman; Art by Andy Kubert and Scott Williams; Covers by Andy Kubert and Alex Ross; Variant sketch cover by Andy Kubert
"Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?" part 1 of 2! Best-selling author Neil Gaiman (THE SANDMAN) and superstar artist Andy Kubert (BATMAN, Marvel 1602) join forces for a special 2-part BATMAN event! "Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader" is a captivating and mysterious tale the likes of which Batman and friends have never experienced before. Delving into the realms of life, death and the afterlife, Gaiman leaves no stone unturned as he explores every facet and era of Bruce Wayne's life.
Batman | 48pg. | Color | $3.99 US
 |
 |
 |
"What can I tell you about the Batman thing?" Gaiman mused. "It is a two-parter, it's being written by me, it's being drawn by Andy Kubert... I've seen the first thirteen pages so far, and the artwork is absolutely lovely, making me feel almost guilty for putting word balloons on it. And my favorite bit so far is the conversation between Selina Kyle and Joe Chill."
"It's one of those things where they phoned me up and said, 'This is what we'd like you to do,'" Gaiman started to say. "It wasn't even 'This is what we'd like you to do,' it was, 'This is what's going to be happening with Batman. Would you like to write the last issue of Batman and the last issue of Detective Comics?' And when they make an offer like that, you say yes."
I just love the old style Catwoman in that image, handcuffed and obviously being hauled to jail, and the playful banter between her and Batman. Love comic book writing like that!
Batman #686 will be released to comic book stores on February 11, 2009. Detective Comics #853 will be released on March 18, 2009.
So, what do you think? A good move to create a bit more tension in the Bat-Universe? Can this even compare to the breaking of the Bat in the mid-90's? Could this be better? Are you going to read this?
I will be!
I am giddy with fanboy glee over this.
Me too. It takes a special storyarc in comic books to get me this interested. When great art is coupled with great writing and are placed upon a great story idea... I'm there!