Here we go again, Newsarama continue their bi-weekly Q&A spot with DC Executive Editor Dan DiDio. Not much regarding the Batman titles this time around, but the burning question on every ones lips was surrounding the cancellations of Robin, Nightwing and BoP...

1: Let’s start with the big news from last week, that is, the cancellation of Nightwing, Robin and Birds of Prey. Looking at the sales estimates on those three, they’re not the lowest selling titles DC has going, and they serve a purpose in the DC Universe and Batman’s world, so what’s the deal? There are rumors and thoughts that they are going to be replaced, so is there any hope to be offered?

Dan DiDio: What we see on those particular books given where Batman is heading and the stories in the Batman universe are going, the stories that were taking place in Robin, Nightwing and Birds of Prey have all run their natural course, and have definite conclusions as part of the “Last Rites” stories following Batman R.I.P. That’s one of the reasons why those books came to an end.

Needless to say, and to put everybody’s minds at ease, that does not mean we will no longer be telling stories with Barbra Gordon, Dick Grayson or Tim Drake. As a matter of fact, we’re about to increase the level of prominence they have and their importance within the Bat-universe, if people can believe that they can get even more important, which they will. And more importantly, they’re going to be featured prominently in a number o f miniseries that will be following their cancellations. Tim and Dick are front and center in all that happens in Battle for the Cowl, and Barbra Gordon will be moving into an Oracle miniseries immediately following the cancellation of Birds f Prey.

What follows those miniseries though, will have to be left for another discussion.

We’re still locking down the writer on the Oracle miniseries, but Battle for the Cowl will be written and drawn by Tony Daniel, which we’re very excited about. This is the first time Tony’s written in a while, and he’s just champing at the bit to be able to do this, and we’re excited that he’s on the series.

"Battle for the Cowl promo art "

12: Another question that came up from the readers – what’s going on with Greg Rucka? He has Final Crisis: Revelations going on...and there’ve been comments that he has stuff in the works. But that’s been said for a while...

DD: We’re going to see Greg Rucka’s return to the Batman family post Battle for the Cowl.

13: The male side of the Batman family or the female side of the Batman family?

DD: Well, you don’t have to be the world’s greatest detective to figure that one out.