It's been a fantastic 2008 for Batman fans, with the release of "The Dark Knight" and the amazing success it has achieved. Also the comic book universe has been turned upside down with Batman R.I.P. along with Batman: The Brave and the Bold.

So much has happened, and for me it's been an end to a great year. I'd like to thank everyone who has commented on the site and all the kind, wonderful words I've received. I've got some big plans for 2009 and hope everyone continues to visit and enjoy the site as much as I've had scanning the networks for all things Batman to keep everyone up to date.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE...

Finally some news for today, I was beginning to think nothing was going to happen! CBR has posted an interview with writer Fabian Nicieza, regarding his involvement with the upcoming mini-series "Azrael: Death's Dark Knight" and "Gotham Gazette: Batman's Dead".

Very in depth interview but a good read into why Azrael is comng back.

“This Az is a little more street level,” Nicieza continued. “I described it to Frazer as ‘The Name of the Rose’ meets ‘Da Vinci Code’ meets ‘Bourne Ultimatum.’ Don’t you love those stupid Hollywood hook-lines? In going for tone and feel, there is a lot more that is ‘down to Earth’ in our approach, though the Suit of Sorrows that the new Azrael wears might very well have some creepily supernatural elements to it. And his backers have a dustier, believable ‘back room to boardroom’ feel to them. The Order of Purity uses cars and planes to travel, not hovercrafts.”

Asked point blank if this new Azrael was in serious contention for the cowl apparently vacated by Bruce Wayne, Nicieza deadpanned, “There may be no one left to assume the cowl by the time he is done with them all.”

Nicieza said in post-“Batman R.I.P.” issues of “Robin” and “Nightwing,” Gotham City starts to come undone. “This could be a concerted effort to take advantage of a missing Batman, or a concerted effort to foment trouble in order to force a Batman out of hiding – but it’s also a perfect opportunity for the Order of Purity to put their new Azrael in the field to see what he can do,” teased Nicieza.

“But once the Suit of Sorrows makes its debut, there are parties with a vested interest in the ancient armor who would like it back – namely Talia and the League of Assassins.

“If the new Azrael can survive his debut story, he is the winner of an armor that will eventually drive him crazy and kill him. The only way to redeem himself is to triumph over the demons the Suit of Sorrows brings out, but those demons only come out because the suit gives him the power to keep fighting. That which does not kill you makes you stronger, but that which makes you stronger will eventually kill you. And so the fun begins.”

For the entire interview click here and head on over to CBR.com

(Source - CBR.com)

On Christmas Eve, DCU Executive Editor Dan DiDio gave Newsarama readers a holiday surprise with a new teaser image for the March mini-series from writer/artist Tony Daniel.

"If you're a Batman fan, the primary story that you need to read is Battle for the Cowl, pure and simple," DiDio said. "In those 30-page issues that are coming out, it will feature mostly every character that has ever fought, or been inspired by Batman, all converging on Gotham City.

"Newsarama asked Daniel what he could tell us about the teaser, and he wasn't saying much. However, he did say that the image, which shows four individuals wearing the Batman cowl and a few supporting characters standing at the ready, took him about 16 hours to draw over two days.

For the enitre article head on over to Newsarama.com...

(Source - Newsarama.com)

Eartha Kitt, better known amongs't the Batman community as Catwoman from the 1966 TV series, who also purred and pounced her way across Broadway stages, recording studios and movie and television screens in a show-business career that lasted more than six decades, died on Thursday 25th. She was 81 and lived in Connecticut.

The cause was colon cancer, said her longtime publicist, Andrew E. Freedman.

Her career has often been said to have had “nine lives.” Appropriately, she was tapped to play Catwoman in the 1960s TV series “Batman,” taking over the role from the leggier, lynxlike Julie Newmar and bringing to it a more feral, compact energy.

(Source - New York Times)

Well all the presents are wrapped and under the tree (where would I be without my amazing wife), anyway maybe my last present for today is the following video clips of Batman: The Brave and the Bold Episode 5 “Day of the Dark Knight” guest starring David McCallum from NCIS as Merlin airs Friday, January 2 on Cartoon Network at 8:00 PM.

The synopsis:
In this episode, the evil Morgan Le Fey has taken over Camelot and turned everyone to stone! To thwart her plans, Merlin transports Batman and Green Arrow back in time to retrieve Excalibur, defeat Etriga, battle dragons and return King Arthur to the Throne! In the teaser, Guy Gardner teams up with Batman to stop a criminal riot at Green Lantern Corp.

It's like the Batman community has lighted up like a Christmas tree... All the forum's and sites are now a buzz with theories, speculation and answers. Tony Daniel has also provided the fan community with a pencil sketch over at his blog.

Even on Christmas Eve the new's just keeps coming and this time around its definatly a holiday surprise. Newsarama have posted today their 20 Q&A with Dan Didio,again I've consolidated all the Batman questions here for everyone's ease. Along with a fantastic Batman: Battle for the Cowl Teaser Image...

15. With changes in Batman and Superman going into space, what’s going to become of the Superman/Batman title?

DD: The two books that exist, as I like to say, on the “side” of continuity are Superman/Batman and The Brave and Bold. In both those cases, we really want to keep with the high concept of those series, and keep the high energy, and more importantly, allow for the open sense of storytelling that people would expect in those two books. So even though we’re making chances to Superman and Batman in their own series and in satellite series, Superman/Batman will stay true to form and just go with the biggest, wildest, craziest ride we can offer.

NRAMA: Was there a temptation to put the “replacements” in there for even an arc? That is, whoever wins Battle for the Cowl and say, Nightwing and Flamebird?

DD: There was a temptation, but it’s been pushed aside. We want to stay true to the form of the series that was established in the very firs issues of each.

18. The March solicitations showed the mini-explosion of the Batman titles. Can you give a thumbnail sketch of what goes where and whether or not they’re all parts of the Battle for the Cowl story?

DD: It depends on who you’re following. If you’re a Batman fan, the primary story that you need to read is Battle for the Cowl, pure and simple. In those three thirty page issues that are coming out, it will feature mostly every character that has every fought, or been inspired by Batman, all converging on Gotham City.

The support books – the one shots and The Gotham Gazette are helping to enrich the world of Batman so everyone can get a bigger Batman fix during the three months that the other books have been stopped. The Oracle miniseries plays into the world of post-Final Crisis, so naturally it does play off of Battle for the Cowl, but really, it is Barbara Gordon’s story, following up on a series of events from Final Crisis, and more importantly how they affect her life. The Azrael miniseries – I really can’t talk too much about that, other than to say that when a Batman seems to be missing, an Azrael always seems to pop up.

19. While we’re still on the Batman universe, we’ve spoken with Peter Tomasi about the new direction for The Outsiders. This goes back to the topic of scheduling and placing the books – but why continue that at its current number with a title change and creative team change, as well as other #1s happening throughout the world of Batman?

DD: Because we’ve just done a #1 on that series, to tell the truth. Realistically, a change of direction is something that every book has happen, and if we renumber a book every time a series changes direction, we’ll be putting out #1s every few months. I’d much rather prefer just to stay on course with the series as it is in regards to numbering, and more importantly, I think Pete’s take on the series flows very nicely from all the events prior to this. It builds on what existed beforehand, it builds on the Special, and it puts a team together that most fans of the Outsiders will be very comfortable seeing.

DD:As for my question this time, we wanted to give DC readers and Batman fans a holiday gift – and I saw that there were some questions in the thread about another teaser image like we did for Infinite Crisis and Countdown. The answer is yes, and we’re debuting it here at Newsarama. This is our teaser for the upcoming Battle for the Cowl miniseries by Tony Daniel, and it ties right in to my question for all of you: can you find all of the clues hidden in the picture?

For the enitre article click here...

(Source - Newsarama.com)

IGN.com is always a good site to keep a watchful eye on especially in regards to the upcoming Batman: Arkham Asylum game.



They have posted some additional images from the game. This time focusing on combat side of Batman.

(SOURCE - IGN.com)

DC Comics posted in their news today that the Award-Winning Console Game, "LEGO Batman: Gotham City Games" is Now Available on iTunes, Features 16 Fun Mini Games That will Take Fans Deep within the Heart of Wayne Manor.

Warner Bros. Digital Distribution today announced "LEGO Batman: Gotham City Games," an iPhone / iPod Touch application based on Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment's award-winning and best-selling videogame title "LEGO Batman." Available now from the iTunes Application Store for $5.99 (a limited time holiday price; http://tinyurl.com/lego-batman-itunes-game - you must have iTunes for this link to work), casual gamers take on a variety of challenges presented by the Heroes and Villains of Gotham City through 16 fun mini games.

"LEGO Batman: Gotham City Games," was developed by TT Games, the same studio behind the critically-acclaimed console title. Players put their skills to the test through 16 classic, stylized mini games that lead them deep within Wayne Manor. Along the way, players pilot the LEGO Batwing and solve some of The Riddler's most mind bending puzzles. Each challenge is linked together by a brand new story, shown through stunning, hand rendered cut scenes, backed by a full orchestral soundtrack.

Some of the challenges include:

• Batarang Skill Shots: Players master the Batarang and take out as many villains as possibl
• Batwing Pursuit: In this third person vertical shooter mini-game, players pursue the Scarecrow's bi-plane using the Batwing.
• Bane Boxing: Bane loves training hard and likes nothing better than a good workout on his beloved body. In this game players memorize a sequence of attacks to the bag and replicate them through tapping their finger on each area of the bag at the right time.
• The Riddler's Maze Game: In this game players select where The Riddler will end up. A number of exits are presented and only one is correct. Players then touch the one they think is correct to see if they can escape!

(SOURCE - DC Comics.com / iTunes)

Only missed by a month as these would have been a fantastic Christmas present to open, but none the less it's like xmas has come early...

I've been very lucky to be given an exclusive look at the upcoming action figure's for the new animated series Batman the Brave and the Bold.

8 figure's in total complete wave one which includes:
BATTLE SLAM BATMAN
BUG ZAPPER BLUE BEETLE (Deluxe Figure)
HANG CLIMBER BATMAN
SEA SPEAR AQUAMAN
CYCLONE SPINNER RED TORNADO
SKIFF RIPPER BLACK MANTA
RAY BLASTER KANJAR RO
BLUE BEETLE vs. KANJAR RO (Two-Pack)
BATMAN vs. ALIEN CLASH IN THE COSMOS

This exciting new line hits stores in the United States this January.

Each figure includes dynamic Snap and Switch™ technology letting you reconfigure each figure's accessories into multiple gadgets on different plug in points. Batman's jet pack becomes his battle armor, or instead, plug it into Blue Beetle to arm an ally for adventure! Snap and Switch™ features even work across the line letting you reconfigure vehicle parts as well!

Ok, busier than I thought... Newsarama have posted an interview today with writer and artist of Batman: BFTC Tony Daniel.

Newsarama: Tony, how did the opportunity come about for you to write Battle for the Cowl?

Tony Daniel: I didn’t pursue it right off. I was casually talking to [editor] Mike Marts about the story and my thoughts on how great it could be. I consider myself a storyteller, so in my mind I guess the wheels of the story were naturally spinning. And in this case, you couldn’t shut me up.

I mentioned how this could be something really great and not just a stop gap before Grant’s or my return to the title. That we can really get behind the feelings and motivations behind the characters with this. But at the same time thinking this should be “John Woo” style, crazy, epic action. Which is exactly my cup of tea. I love action movies but only a rare few can pull off great action and a great story. I’m approaching this story the same way. To have the best of both worlds here.

So after spilling my guts for about 10 minutes about the ideas that were pouring out of my head, I jokingly told Mike that I would gladly accept the invitation to write Battle for the Cowl. Only he hadn’t done that and we both laughed. But I emailed him later after thinking about it more and it was too late. I was ramped up on my second cup of Starbucks and there was no turning back. I asked him to consider it.

Dan DiDio called me after speaking with Mike, and he had liked what he heard. So by then I had been thinking over the weekend more about the story, and at that point, it started to really come together as a story. So I relayed some of the same ideas I told Mike, but much more in depth since I had the advantage of the 48 hours of the story percolating.

But I knew it was a risk/reward situation for Dan and Mike to hand me the keys and offered to break it all down for them so they could make a decision they wouldn’t have to second guess. I knew they could’ve picked anyone to do this – a more experienced writer. So I turned around and gave them a basic first draft. But I made sure to portray all my strengths, like dialogue and pacing. So that pretty much sealed the deal after they read it.

For th entire interview click here...

(SOURCE - NEWSARAMA.COM)

CBR today posted an interview with current writer of “Superman and Batman vs. Vampires and Werewolves,” and horror writer Kevin VanHook, on his contribution to Batman: BFTC mini-series "Oracle".

The three-issue series launches March 18 with art by Don Kramer and Jay Leisten and covers by Guillem March.

As a long-time fan of Batman, VanHook told CBR News what made the project truly “awesome” was he got to see behind the curtain and find out exactly what’s going on with the Dark Knight and the rest of the Batman line in 2009. “I was able to sit down with [DCU Executive Editor] Dan DiDio and get the lay of the land as far as where all the Bat-Books are going. There’s a really terrific storyline unfolding,” said VanHook.

For the entire interview click here...

(Source - CBR.com)

I was expecting it to be s slow week for Batman, but to my surprise Newsarama have done it again and managed to get another exclusive... This time a first look at a page from Neil Gaiman and Andy Kubert's Batman #686.

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.

Also Newsarama mention to visit the site first thing on Wednesday (December 24th) morning, as they unveil something that will keep you up at nights in regards to the coming year for Batman.

(Source - Newsarama.com)

I just wanted to say a massive thank you and a Merry Christmas to everyone who has visited Gotham Knights Online, since its launch this year. I really appreciate all the great feedback and kind emails from everyone who has been enjoying the site.

Merry Christmas everyone and I hope you get all the Batman gifts you ask for...

I've known about this for a while now, but publisher Eidos Interactive and developer Rocksteady Studios have officially announced that famed movie star Mark Hamill and stage actor Kevin Conroy will reprise their respective roles as The Joker and Batman in the upcoming action-adventure game Batman: Arkham Asylum. Hamill and Conroy previously collaborated on the beloved cartoon show "Batman: The Animated Series." The two actors have been highly praised for their iconic portrayals of the famed comic book characters.

It's been a good week for IGN Comics.com, earlier today they scooped an exclusive with writer Fabian Nicieza, and now they've sat down with Batman: Battle for the Cowl, concept writer and artist Tony Daniel before anyone else to discuss his career and high profile job as the mastermind behind DC's first major storyline of 2009. It's a can't miss conversation for any Bat-fan, and the first in-depth look into the highly anticipated Battle for the Cowl mini-series.

IGN Comics: When I spoke with Mike Marts, he mentioned that you were writing full scripts, and then working off of those with your art. To me, that implies you're basically putting on your writing hat, and then taking it off and replacing it with your artist hat. Still, there have to be some inherent differences between drawing someone else's script and drawing your own. How has your experience working on Battle for the Cowl differed from your experiences drawing someone else's script?

Daniel: I think I'm a visual person, obviously, so when I'm writing a script, I see it in my head. I'm not consciously doing it, but just naturally I'm writing only scenes and character moments that I think will be interesting visually. But I'm writing it the same way I'd write if someone else is drawing it. Not just so DC can see it clearly but also so that I remember the spontaneity of the moment when I was writing.

IGN Comics: As a writer, you're up against a pretty monumental task in two regards: the first is that you're the writer tasked with following up directly on Grant's RIP story, and the second is that because you drew RIP, it'll be even easier for fans to compare the two works. How are you going about continuing Grant's Batman saga while making sure to bring your own strengths and sensibilities to the work?

Daniel: Well I'll be bringing my own strengths mainly because it's a different kind of story. Whereas Grant's story was a very long mystery, and he had room – two years – to develop plot points that he could begin one issue and then five issues later have a pay off. My story is a lot more straightforward and happens over a shorter amount of time. Of course there's some mystery, but not on the same level as RIP. Fans, I hope, shouldn't expect too much of what Grant did to have rubbed off on me, even though I learned a lot while working with him. But he and I were very much in synch after the initial few issues. He's a very unique writer with his own voice.

Again IGN have hit the interview on the head and given Bat-Fan an awesome insight into the much anticipated world of Batman...

For the entire interview, click here...

(Source - IGN Comics.com)

Since it's announcement last week, one of the title's I'm looking forward to out of the BFC arc is "AZRAEL: DEATH'S DARK KNIGHT".

For me Azrael was my first introduction into the Batman comics was with Knightfall. Created by Marvel Comics Chief Editor Joe Quesada and DC editor/writer Denny O'Neil, this marks his return since the title's cancellation in May 2003 with issue #100.

IGN Comic.com has tracked down writer Fabian Nicieza and get the lowdown on Azrael's return to the DCU, his exploration of a Gotham City without Batman and the creative process behind one of these major line-wide events.

IGN Comics: Let's start with Azrael. I realize the project is still three months away, but can you give fans a general idea of what to expect from the three-issue mini-series?

Fabian Nicieza: In a broad sense, DC wanted to do something different with Azrael. Editor Mike Marts had been thinking about it for a while, and hadn't been able to come up with the right package, as it were. And as Robin was winding down, Mike wanted to keep working with me, and I wanted to keep working with Mike, and he said, "What do you think about Azrael?" And I said, "That's Denny O'Neil, not me! That's a hundred-plus issues of Denny!" And he said, "We know that, but the concept is great. We want to do something with the concept, but not necessarily with Jean Paul Valley or even Azrael as you know him." I had to think about it for a while, because it's a minefield to walk into - almost a no-win when you step into those situations.

So I thought about it, and one of the main questions became, "Who's in the armor?" I had a great lunch with Mike and Michael Siglain, and we bounced ideas around as to who could be in the armor. We had lots of varied and valid ideas, but we just hooked on one thing that we thought would really work. I don't want to say who it is yet. He's known and not really known, but it's a character that spins out of his introduction to the Bat-books in a very interesting way. Wearing this armor and the responsibility it brings – and what he hopes it means for him – all become part of a very logical process . The three-issue mini-series really serves as an introduction to the man and as a launching pad for the character's future.

The new approach is very similar in many regards to the original concept. A splinter group from the order of St. Dumas called the Order of Purity, which was introduced in Detective Comics #842 from last year, is looking for an avenging angel of justice to serve their calling. They possess a suit of armor called the Suit of Sorrows, which very well may have some magical properties to it, but it also combines with tech-related aspects to create a formidable weapon.

The suit has historically driven whoever has worn it mad, because no one is pure enough to be able to bear the burden. And even if you are pure enough going in, the minute you start acting as Azrael, you become impure as a result of your actions. So we have a character that desperately seeks redemption, has a lot of sins to atone for and had great wrongs done to him for which he seeks justice, but not just for himself, also for others who have suffered as he has suffered.

In essence he's been given, as far as urban warfare is concerned, the keys to an atom bomb. And he's been told to ride it like Slim Pickens in Dr. Strangelove and "good luck to you!"

It's early in the ballgame as far as writing goes, but there're some very cool, interesting things with this character that are well worth exploring. The Suit of Sorrows is a very interesting concept whose very existence creates great character conflict. There's a lot of potential to develop a very unique kind of hero. I wouldn't exactly call him a good guy, but I wouldn't call him a bad guy either.

This is a fantastic interview with Fabian Nicieza and has laid all my fears to rest at the reasons for the resurrection of "Azrael", not Jean-Paul Valley...

For the entire interview click here and head 0n over to IGN Comics.com

CBR have continued their historical coverage of the Batman Universe. This time round is Dick Grayson. This first part focuses on Dick's first 44 years as the Boy Wonder and the different incarnations, through TV up till the 1997 Batman movies.

Part 2 will then look at his progression into the Nightwing role. For the full article click here...

(Source - Comic Book Resource.com)

The complete list of nominations for the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards follows, has been annouced today, with TDK up for the following:

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role:
JOSH BROLIN / Dan White - "MILK" (Focus Features)
ROBERT DOWNEY, JR. / Kirk Lazarus - "TROPIC THUNDER" (Paramount Pictures)
PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN / Father Brendan Flynn - "DOUBT" (Miramax Films)
HEATH LEDGER / Joker - "THE DARK KNIGHT" (Warner Bros. Pictures)
DEV PATEL / Older Jamal - "SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE" (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture:
THE DARK KNIGHT (Warner Bros. Pictures)
HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY (Universal Pictures)
INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL (Paramount Pictures)
IRON MAN (Paramount Pictures)WANTED (Universal Pictures)

(Source - sagawards.org)

Superherohype.com have posted a UK tabloids has struke again (unsure, which one). One, who shall remain unnamed, is claiming that Eddie Murphy is playing The Riddler in the next Batman movie, that Shia LaBeouf will play Robin and that Rachel Weisz is up for the role of Catwoman. Not only that, but the tabloid says the movie will come out in 2010, and that the movie "will end on a cliffhanger over whether Batman survives a blast at Wayne Towers."

Absolutely none of them are true as yet--Collider had a chance to talk briefly with Alan Horn, the President of Warner Bros, and probably the one man who would know more than anyone else about anything going on with this highly-anticipated project.

Collider.com Landed a brief interview with Horn on the red carpet for the premiere of "Yes Man", we were able to get him about talking the Dark Knight, Superman, Green Lantern, and Justice League. No rumors, no innuendo--just facts directly from the man at the top.

I ask when does he think we might hear rumblings of another "Dark Knight" movie… he says “We’ve been talking to Chris Nolan and what we have to do is get him in the right place and have him tell us what he thinks the notion might be for a great story, but Chris did a great job and we’d love to have him come back and do another one.”

I ask if he’s the type of filmmaker that they wouldn’t rush and that he wouldn’t have to meet a certain release date. Basically, the story is more important than a release date. He says, “Yes. The story is everything and we are very respectful of Chris. We have a wonderful relationship with him and we are going to be respectful of his timing and we want to get it right. Also, I think the fans expect that – they want us to make a terrific movie – we have to give them another great movie.”

You can watch the interview video over at Collider.com

(Source - Superherohype.com / Collider.com)

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group has released the following announcement stating that The Dark Knight has sold over 1.7 million Blu-ray Discs worldwide, including over 1 million domestically:"The Dark Knight" took the world by storm on Blu-ray and DVD, breaking records for 2008. The blockbuster hit from acclaimed director Christopher Nolan became an instant must-own classic with Blu-ray sales of over 1.7 million units and total DVD and Blu-ray sales of 13.5 million worldwide*, including consumer sales and rental sales, in one week. Brisk consumer sales – totaling over 10 million with one week of sales reported - are expected to continue through the holiday season. "The Dark Knight" is the best selling Blu-ray title in history and will become the best selling 2008 title overall this week. The response to the digital copy offering included on the Blu-ray and Special Edition DVD has been remarkable with the number of consumers activating their digital copies approaching 300,000. "The Dark Knight" is already the number one movie for the year on the iTunes 2008 Chart.

* The Dark Knight figures included sales data from US, UK, Canada, Japan, Benelux and Australia.

(Source - Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group)
-------------------------------------------------
Original Post 12.12.08
The Dark Knight is a Blu-ray Disc superhero, selling a record 600,000 copies on the new format in the U.S. on its first day of release on Dec. 9, or about 21% of its total units, according to Warner Home Video.

The studio believes U.S. Blu-ray sales could hit 1 million high-def copies in week one—a format milestone—according to WHV president Ron Sanders.

“We think we will hit 1 million this weekend,” said Sanders. “What’s really encouraging about it is that the Blu-ray version did exceptionally well across the board. It wasn’t just selling in Best Buy or Wal-Mart, but also it did well in grocery and game stores. It was surprising to us just how well it did.”

(Source - Video Business)

DC Comics have updated their site today, which includes a down loadable checklist for next year's "Faces of Evil" publication month.

Batman title's included in January are:
Batman #685
Detective # 852
Robin #182
Nightwing #152
Birds of Prey #126

WB have passed me another advanced sneak peak of Batman: The Brave and The Bold, which introduces Guy Gardener and ht Green Lantern Corp. in "Day of the Knight"...

The main story line is a time traveling piece, with partner Green arrow, but also feature's the "Demon Etrigan".

Batman looks fantastic in his medieval armor and is sure to be fine episode.

Fantastic post over at Tony Daniel's blog right now, showing the sketch, ink and final art stages to Batman: Battle for the Cowl #1.

Tony Daniel starts of with a few hint's of who's going to appear...

I'm very honored to be entrusted with this responsibility and will be working hard to ensure everyone stays in character, as well as adding to their characters as well. So I have lots of reading I've been catching up on since there are a lot of peripheral characters in the book. Basically almost anyone that has had anything to do with Batman, allies and enemies alike, makes an appearance.

Also the sketch design shows the character progression and who will be added to each cover to show, as Tony Daniel puts it a poster images of all three covers together.

The cover you see is still in progress. A character or two will be added to the first one, either Black Canary or Man-Bat or both, as well as background elements from the 2nd cover will overlap into the first. So the 3 covers put together will make a large poster image.

Also revealed is the promotion art that will be appearing in the lead up to Batman: BFTC...

We have a crazy 2 page BFTC promo teaser piece that will appear in every DC comic in January coming up and I'll be posting that as soon as they're printed. Perhaps a step by step as well, where we go from sketch, to pencil, to Sandu's inks and Ian's colors. So be on the lookout for that.

For the entire post click here and head on over to Tony Daniel's Blog.

(Source - Tony Daniel Blog)

Wizard analyzes the crazies from the upcoming digital Dark Knight adventure that is set to give players a chance to combat each classic rogue that inhabits the famous asylum.

For the full rundown, head on over to Wizard Universe.com

Newsarama have posted an interview with writer Peter Tomasi, and as announced a couple of weeks back, DC’s Dan DiDio revealed that Peter Tomasi would move into the writer’s chair of Batman and the Outsiders, beginning with January’s Batman and the Outsiders Special with art by Andy Kubert.

It's been a great year for Batman, but for me the news, that Nightwing was going to get cancelled was (for me), one of it's downfalls, as its if one of my favorite DC titles. Thankfully Peter Tomasi's, switch over to Batman and the Outsiders has made up for it.

NRAMA: Can you explain your direction a little? As Dan has said, a large part of what’s driving the team now is a contingency plan that Batman put into place should he ever go missing, or die, correct? And as the cover to the special clearly spells out, each of the team-members are “pieces” of Batman?

PT: Obviously not wanting to give too much away, yes, Batman being Batman is always ten steps ahead of everyone else, so while everyone is trying to see the forest for the trees, Batman has his eye on the big picture. His main war will always be in Gotham, but that doesn't mean there are not significant battles to be fought that have far-reaching implications to the common good, which this particular first story arc will examine. The short answer is simply that The Outsiders were formed so that no matter what, there'll always be a Batman outside of Gotham, taking the fight to evil wherever it is. What we'll learn is that there was a specific reason for this team to be brought together that wasn't always clear at its formation, but will slowly come to light as the first story moves along.

For the entire interview, head on over to Newsarama.com...

(Source - Newsarama.com)

As IGN put it, DC's full solicitation isn't available until later this afternoon, but they have managed to get an exclusive first look at Batman: Batman: Battle for the Cowl...

BATMAN: BATTLE FOR THE COWL #1

Written by Tony Daniel

Art by Tony Daniel & Sandu Florea

Covers by Tony Daniel

"Batman: R.I.P." and FINAL CRISIS saw the end of Batman. Now, months following the disappearance of her protector, Gotham City sits at a precipice and it may be too far gone for Nightwing, Robin, Commissioner Gordon and the rest of the city's heroes to save the day. Amid the fires, rioting, looting and gang warfare, one question rings out from the souls of Gotham's desperate citizens: Where is Batman? With guest-stars galore, the destruction of a sacred Gotham City institution and an ending that will have everyone talking, this 3-issue miniseries event written and drawn by Tony Daniel (The Tenth) features the battle to take on the Mantle of the Bat. Who has earned the right? Who thinks they deserve it? Robin? Nightwing? Jason Todd? Two-Face? Catwoman? Batgirl? Who will ultimately win the BATTLE FOR THE COWL?

BATMAN: BATTLE FOR THE COWL – COMMISSIONER GORDON #1

Written by Royal McGraw

Art by Tom Mandrake

Cover by Ladrönn

Gotham City is in a state of emergency. Crime runs rampant, commerce is at a standstill, and gang warfare is on the rise. Through its darkest hours, one man has stood firm against the criminal element in Gotham – Police Commissioner James Gordon. Now, in the aftermath of "Batman: R.I.P.," Gordon and the GCPD will have to reclaim Gotham and take down Mister Freeze without the assistance of Batman. But with evil on the rise, will this be the beginning of the end of law enforcement in Gotham City? The battle has just begun in this all-new one-shot.

GOTHAM GAZETTE: BATMAN DEAD? #1

Written by Fabian Nicieza

Art by various
Cover by Dustin Nguyen

A city looking to kill itself. A population without its dark avenger, without answers, without hope. A cop looking to save Gotham from its own madness. A reporter looking to reclaim her career by revealing that it's no coincidence the city's top billionaire and its urban legend are missing at the same time. A doctor seeking to regain her soul by stepping back into Hell. One hero who can't quite get it right no matter how hard she tries. Harvey Bullock. Vicki Vale. Dr. Leslie Thompkins. Stephanie Brown. What do all these people have in common? Without Batman, Gotham City continues to fall apart, and these extraordinary "ordinary" people try to mend the city's wounds, looking into a dark night for answers. This one-shot special explores the effect a missing Batman has on the citizens of Gotham City.

AZRAEL: DEATH'S DARK KNIGHT #1

Written by Fabian Nicieza

Art by Frazer Irving

Cover by Guillem March

He was a husband and a father. A brother and a friend. A cop and a dark knight. But he had all that taken away. And in return, he was given a suit of sorrows, a quest for redemption and a new name. He is Azrael, avenging angel for the Order of Purity and a new protector for Gotham City's troubled times. But who will protect the citizens from him? Guest-starring Robin, Nightwing, Talia and the League of Assassins, this miniseries runs alongside BATTLE FOR THE COWL and features the dramatic presence of a strangely familiar, troubled hero with two things on his mind: crazed vengeance for the wrongs he has suffered and salvation for the sins he continues to commit!

ORACLE #1

Written by Kevin VanHook

Art by Don Kramer and Jay Leisten

Cover by Guillem March

Part 1 of 3-part story that will change the life of Oracle forever! Barbara Gordon, after disbanding the Birds of Prey, returns to Gotham City as a recluse only to lose herself to her Oracle identity entirely. But when the evil Calculator seeks the remnants of the Anti-Life Equation to save the life of his daughter, Oracle will be caught in the crossfire, and Barbara Gordon will pay the ultimate price!

(Source - IGN Comics.com)