The Blackest Night plot thickens? I've just finished a post over at Green Lantern Online in regards to some new upcoming action figures line based on the Green Lantern: Blackest Night event that DC Direct are producing, and one thing that needs noting is the Black Hand figure comes with a Batman Skull?

Will we still see a Batman Black Lantern rise (the corpse featured in Final Crisis #6), or will this be the moment the DCU realise Bruce isn't dead... We shall see?

(Source - IGN Comics)

If you can't get enough of the Superman/Batman Pubic Enemies news today then be sure to check out VoicesFromKrypton.com, who have an exclusive behind the scenes look at the upcoming DCU Animated movie.

Executive Producer Gregory Noveck notes that their desire was to “play the contrast between the two characters. In a lot of ways, I think it’s a more mature approach in that we’re going in with the attitude that our audience, at the very least, has a strong idea of who Batman and Superman are as icons and characters, and if we can play to that and kind of go from there, it gives us room to maneuver and handle the character interactions not only with each other, but with the other characters in the DC universe.”

“What’s different about playing Batman in this,” he adds, “is that what usually makes the character interesting is that he’s a lone hero. He’s very much an isolated character and audiences really relate to that. That’s part of the appeal. In this, he’s teaming up with Superman and they’re helping each other, which is not something the character did a lot of in previous series. So it was unique in that I was working with Superman and, I might add, saving Superman.”

For the full article including never before seen images click here...

(Source - VoicesFrom Krypton.com)

Our friends over at the Batman Universe.net have reported on an new exclusive Hot Wheels Batman 3 Pack, which features 1:50 scale diecast Batman, Batcyle and never before released Batgirl Cycle.

On the official Hot Wheels Collectors site the following description with additional images of the products:

Missed the big show at the San Diego Comic-Con this year? We know what’s driving you bats -- you didn’t get your Hot Wheels® Batman™ 3-pack in 1:50 scale. Well, here’s your chance -- don’t miss it this bat-time!

This eye-popping set will have you drooling like a thirsty creature of the night. First, the set includes the debut of the 1:50 Batgirl™ cycle, with amazing detail that includes lace and fringe. Then, check out the 1:50 Batcycle™, ready to rev up and reel in the bad guys. Finally, the set includes a 1:50 scale version of the collector-favored 1966 TV Series Batmobile™ -- based on the classic design by George Barris.

The three vehicles are headquartered in a Batcave™ themed diorama package. Produced in quantities of no more than 7,000 pieces. All together, this set is a showpiece that no collector should turn a blind eye to!

There is a purchase limit of ONE vehicle per RLC™ membership on the first day of availability. If quantities remain after the RLC™ 24-hour Priority Window, it will be available to all standard HWC™ members and RLC™ members may purchase one more.

(Source - The Batman Universe.net / Hot Wheels Collectors.com)

Well after a weekend of back breaking gardening, I was pleased to see Warner Bros. Animation had mailed me to confirm some of the voice actors who will be appearing in this fall's Superman/Batman Public Enemies animated movie. Kevin Conroy will again reprise his role as Batman, Tim Daly as Superman and Clancy Brown as Lex Luthor... all the origin voice actors for the 90's DC animated series...

For those who enjoyed this weeks release of Detective Comics #854 featuring Batwoman, don't forget to download Gotham Knights Online podcast #8, where I had the pleasure of interviewing J.H.Williams III to talk about the new title, Kate Kane as a Character, working with Greg Rucka and the design style of the series - Gotham Knights Online Podcast #8

Here is the review I did of the issue - Detective Comics #854

Also to round up some more of the hype this week from Greg Rucka, with various interviews especially the fantastic interview over at WordBalloon.

IGN Did an in depth interview with Greg Rucka. Click here to read the interview.

Also one of my favorite interviews was with J.H. Williams III over at newsarama, where he talks in depth about the design of Batwoman and Kate Kane, click here to read.

Its been reported in Toyfare Magazine the next wave of DC Universe Classics will be exclusive to Walmart. The line will include six figures altogether including Joker, Man-Bat and a Bob Kane version of Batman?

Other figures appearing in this line include:
DCU ROBOT MAN
DCU BEAST BOY
DCU POWER GIRL

(Source Toyfare Magazine)

It's been a little quiet on the Batman: Arkham Asylum front over recent weeks, but I did spot this over on the Batman: AA forum. Now the video is in Russian I think, but it does give an awesome 10 minute game play and just makes you wish you had the game in your hands!

WB Animation have passed me some more details regarding the upcoming San Diego Comic Con, which will be premiering the musical episode titles “Mayhem of the Music Meister!” on Friday, July 24th at 10am in Room 6DE" with Q&A.

Gotham takes over San Diego as Diedrich Bader (Surf's Up), the voice of Batman, returns to Comic-Con alongside executive producer Sam Register (Teen Titans), producer James Tucker (Justice League Unlimited), actor John DiMaggio (Futurama), producer and story editor Michael Jelenic (The Batman) and voice director Andrea Romano (Superman Doomsday). Fans can catch the world premiere screening of the upcoming “Mayhem of the Music Meister” episode – featuring the voice of Neil Patrick Harris (Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog) as the Music Meister – and enjoy a lively discussion and Q & A with the show’s dynamic creative team.

From Warner Bros. Animation, Batman: The Brave and The Bold airs Fridays at 8:30 p.m. ET /PT on Cartoon Network. Batman: The Brave and The Bold - Volume 1 will be released on DVD August 25.

Also Bat-Mite masks will be handed out during the panel so you guys lucky enough to go get an extra treat!!!

Some more artwork from Tony Daniel, this time he's posted an idea he was toying with when doing the art on Batman R.I.P.

(Source - Tony Daniel Blog)

I'm glad to say that the buzz surrounding Batwoman's appearance in Detective Comics has been a positive one so far. I've read loads of great reviews and more people have given it a shot and are pleased with what Greg Rucka and JH Wiliams have done on #854.

Well if your like me and are keen to follow what's happening with this title, then head on over to Dallas Voice, who have recently interviewed Greg Rucka... now I've been very silent of the media's incessant focus on Kate Kane being a lesbian and personally I'm getting a little tired of it now!!! So Batwoman's a lesbian, how does that stop her from kicking arse!!!

It also forced DC and Rucka to ramp up the development of the character.

“I don’t recall anyone saying ‘We are going to do a Batwoman book and you are going to write it,’” Rucka says. “There was lots of concept work done by another writer, so I reworked it into something that made sense for me. It was a two-year process to get it to where it was going to go.”

For Rucka — who is also a novelist and graphic-novel author — that meant taking the character very seriously. (“The term ‘comic-book-y’ is used pejoratively, but I reject that,” he says.) He wanted to create something unique. He spent two years putting together a 100-page bible that only he and one other person, DC editor-in-chief Dan DiDio, have ever seen. Ink on the first issue is barely dry, and Rucka already has more backstory than a season of “Lost.”

“You can’t write the character if you don’t know their origins. We’ve got the first 18 issues [written] and of those, seven are pretty much done. That puts us reasonably ahead of the game for a monthly [book],” he says.

And, he promises, there are surprises in store.

For the entire interview click here...

(Source - Dallas Voice)

On Wednesday night, the Academy of Science-Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films held their 35th annual award show, where The Dark Knight cleaned out the show picking up five awards:

Title: Elegy Pt1
Written by: Greg Rucka
Art by: J.H. Williams III, Cully Hammer
Cover by: J.H. Williams III
Variant Cover: J.G. Jones
Release Date: June 24th, 2009
Price: $3.99

Official DC Comics Synopsis:
"Elegy" part 1 of 4! A new era in the history of DETECTIVE COMICS begins as Batwoman is unleashed on Gotham City! Marked by the blood-red bat, Kate Kane is a soldier fighting her own private war – one that began years ago and haunts her every waking moment. With a script by Greg Rucka and breath-taking art by JH Williams III, you've never seen anything like this!

Featuring the debut of a new co-feature starring The Question written by Rucka! Odds against you? Alone and nowhere to turn? Willing to fight, but you don't know how? When you're searching everywhere for an answer, sometimes all you need to do is ask the right Question. Renee Montoya again dons the faceless mask to help those in need, all the while searching for her own answers in this new adventure with art by Cully Hamner (BLUE BEETLE).

REVIEW BY: Bob Tilley

Absolutely outstanding!!! I've been eagerly awaiting this issue and I wasn't disappointed. If there is one thing Greg Rucka can do well its pace a story and give you enough to be happy with and not to over saturate the character or plot, but just holds back making you want to know more. I'll get to the artwork at the end as I can't wait to rave about J.H. Williams.

The issue starts off with Batwoman chasing down a crook (or informative), called Rush. What I love about this scene was the seduction Batwoman uses to get the answer from him instead of beating to crap out of him straight away. After he spill the beans, we move into yet another great moment between Batwoman and Batman, whose been watching in the shadows. Here we learn that the "Religion of Crime" have increased some of their activity over the last year and are gathering together very soon to meet a new leader... what I loved about this scene is that Batman knows Batwoman is already operating in Gotham (see below in a mo), and after she correctted him on the number of crime covens, you can see his level of respect is there and says to her "This one's yours. I'll be watching if you need help". This builds on the relationship Batwoman and Nightwing had during "52" back in 2006. Also Batman quickly says to Batwoman before he swings off "Do something about the hair. One pull and the fights over for you".

Now the issue takes its u turn here and we start to get down to the character driven element of Kate Kane. She meets up with her partner Anna, (looking very Gothic I might add), but the tension is already there between the two and Anna seemingly ends the relationship telling Kate she needs to grow up.

Now some of Kate Kane's background is touched upon when we see her back at her house with her father she refers to as General. Now he is sat at the computer going over a transcript Batwoman has done during the night so he's up to speed what is happening. WOW!!! She's working with her dad and he knows she a crime fighting vigilante. He asks her who she was talking to as her GPS shows she stop at one point, this elevates the level the operation is at. Kate tells him Batman, again showing the level of trust in the relationship.

During this scene with her dad, Kate is in some discomfort and they talk about her stab wound she received in "52", and it a miracle she's still alive. Kate doesn't hold back telling how much it still hurts and how helpless she felt during the whole ordeal so again another great character building moment.

Now we move onto a real cool moment in the issue... Batwoman's Batcave (sort of), and her dad gives her a new experimental gun (top secret stuff), so we know he's either still in the forces or still has a lot of contacts. Kate suits up and continues her hunt for the "Religion of Crime" as this is the night they are due to meet up.

Greg Rucka doesn't waste anytime with introducing the new leader of the Religion of Crime who is calling her self Alice. This looks like there might be some references to Alice in Wonderland maybe, but one interesting element is that Alice refers to Batwoman as "Your Majesty", which again continues the Religion of Crimes interest in Batwoman with the Crime Bible. Here the issue ends with Batwoman pulling the gun on Alice...

J.H. Williams art is amazing... I can't fault it, after talking with him (click here to listen to the podcast), I love the color and how rich the reds look against Kate's pale complexion. The issue is filled with eight double page splash panels all magnificently laid out out to capture some of Batwoman's movement and action scenes. I particularly liked the scene between Batwoman and Batman.

The new feature in this issue is with The Question, and we continue to see Renee Montoya's adventures. This time she's started looking for a missing girl and comes across what might be a ring of slave trafficking. The art by Cully Hamner is very fitting for this kind of crime nior story telling and I love that Greg Rucka has continued to write Renee Montoya as The Question since "52" and Final Crisis Revelation. He seems to have an affinity for this character and has always done her justice and has made her one of my favorite characters to follow in the DCU.

We'll today's the day I've been waiting for!!! The release of Detective Comics featuring Batwoman and The Questions.

We'll to top it off John Siuntres has another "Greg Rucka Debrief" over at Word Balloon to talk about Batwoman and various other projects.

John Siuntres: How did Greg and JH Williams wind up on Batwoman?

Greg Rucka: "The team was put together by Pete Tomasi it was one of the last things he set before getting into the self flagellation job know as writing ...at that point he was going to be editing me in a book we thought would be surprisingly titled Batwoman...He said forgive me for saying this but I think you've been under served by your artists lately so I was thinking how about JH Williams? and I said "YES PLEASE!!" ...JH and I talked and I realized I would be writing in a very different way...one of the things about JH is abundant from the first issue, it hits you in the face...he is really playing with this storytelling...there is so much on each page and so much subtlety hidden beneath the overt image and what you think you're getting...I honestly feel he has made me a better comic writer."

Click here to listen to the episode.

(Source - Newsarama)

DC The Source has just posted an exciting image of Batman and Starfire embracing each other, but nothing has been released in regards to what comic this will be appearing in and who the artist is? Finally Dick Grayson and Koriand'r together again!!!

(Source - DC The Source)

DC The Source has released the below variant cover to Batman and Robin #2 by Andy Kubert...

(Source - DC The Source)

First off it's been confirmed by Cartoon Network that Batman: The Brave and the Bold has been postponed until later on this year, with no new air dates confirm. So this weeks episode "When OMACS Attacks!," will now be part of the delayed episodes. One reason for this is because "Mayhem of The Music Meister!," the musical episode of Brave and the Bold, will premiere at Comic-Con International in San Diego.

I received an email from Dynamic Music Partners, who are the composers for the show, who announced the musical episode is now complete with the following press release:

Dynamic Music Partners is excited to announce completion of their latest project, a full-blown animated musical episode of Batman: The Brave And The Bold entitled "Mayhem Of The Music Meister!" The production included several independent sessions with over 30 of L.A.'s finest studio musicians and culminated in a day of scoring at Warner Bros. Eastwood Scoring Stage.

The musical features the vocal talents of Neil Patrick Harris, Grey DeLisle and James Arnold Taylor along with Dee Bradley Baker, John DiMaggio, Kevin Michael Richardson, Tom Kenny, Jeff Bennett and Diedrich Bader, and will premiere on July 24th, 2009 during the "Batman: The Brave And The Bold" panel at Comic-Con International in San Diego.

I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Batman composers Kristopher Carter, Lolita Ritmanis and Michael McCuistion at the beginning of the year - click here to read or listen to the podcast.

Red Robin is to appear in Adventure Comics #3 as shown on the below cover by Francis Manapul... very nice art work and I might just pick this one up as the relationship between Tim Drake and Conner Kent was always very strong!!!

(Source - DC The Source)

Writer Christopher Yost has recently spoken with examiner.com to talk more about Red Robin and Tim Drakes crusade for Bruce Wayne!

Examiner.com: Is Tim searching for his own identity as well as Bruce Wayne?

Christopher Yost: Absolutely, probably even more so. If Tim isn't Robin, then who is he? Who is Tim Drake without Batman? As fans, we know. But look at everything Tim has gone through in the last few years, the loss, the descent into darkness, his entire world falling apart. It's easy to lose yourself.

And of course, it's always darkest before the dawn. :)

Examiner.com: Assuming he completes his mission, do you feel Red Robin the sort of role he can continue in? What do you see as Tim's role?

Christopher Yost: Bruce Wayne told Damien that he already had a partner... Tim. If Bruce Wayne were to be found, I'd expect that partnership to continue.

If Bruce isn't found, Tim could easily remain Red Robin. Taking on a new identity worked pretty well for Dick. After all, whatever he may call himself, Tim Drake is a hero. And Gotham needs heroes.

For the full interview click here...

(Source - Examiner.com)

Gotham Knights Podcast #8 is now available to download. This week we have an interview with comic book artist J.H. Williams III to talk about his upcoming run on Detective Comics with Greg Rucka.

CLICK HERE TO GO OVER TO THE PODCAST PAGE INCLUDING SCHEDULE DETAILS.

Big apologies but there were some recording difficulties this week and the overall sound quality wasn't great so I decided it was best to scrap this weeks recording as just leave the interview with J.H. Williams III, which is nearly an hour long and give some great insight into the upcoming Detective Comics title (so hopefully that's some conciliation). There is some general news overview at the end of the interview and fingers cross the next podcast will be back on track.

Bob.

Tony Daniel has posted a sketch for a possible Batman cover? He also mentions he's just finished planning the next half of year with my work at DC and things are about to get rolling again. Big news in the weeks ahead and is very excited to share it!

(Source - Tony Daniel Blog)

The following has been posted on the Batman: Arkham Asylum boards relating to down loadable demos on the PS3 and 360 networks:

PLEASE! HELP! WILL THERE BE A DEMO FOR BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM?

Is there a God? What is the meaning of life? Is there life on another planet? Why does Noel Edmonds still have a career? Some of humankind's greatest minds have wrestled with these age old questions for centuries. But one mystery, above all others, burdens humanity's collective conciousness...

Will there be a Batman: Arkham Asylum demo available for download and if yes what will it contain?

Friends, the answer is.... YES.

It gets better: the demo will be available for 360, PS3 and PC. Zing! However, we haven't announced when yet. We're planning to announce the date and content of the demo in the first half of July - if you want to hear the news first keep it locked on to the Official Forums.

(Source - Batman: Arkham Asylum Forum)

Newsarama have an interview with voice action John DiMaggio who has plays the role of Aquaman on Batman: The Brave and the Bold and also plays Gorilla Grodd, who is making an appearance on next tonight's episode of Batman titled "The Last Bat on Earth".

“It was kind of both at the same time,” he admits. “The voice director of the show, Andrea Romano, has won multiple Emmys for her work. I’ve worked with her bunch of times and she’s just wonderful. At first, I auditioned to be Batman. They said I did fine. Then I find out I didn’t get it. So I asked who did, and she told me Diedrich Bader. Now, that’s great! He’s perfect for the role.

"Then they said they wanted me to be Aquaman, the guy who controls the whales,” and DiMaggio starts doing a dead on imitation of the psychic noises Arthur has made since his Filmation days. “The King of Atlantis and all the oceans!” he shouts. “I was actually quite shocked. Then when we went in and they explained to me what kind of tone the show would have, that it wouldn’t be as dark, I realized that it would a fun take to do. I was all over it.”

Then DiMaggio switches gears, his enthusiasm starting to build like a runaway train.

“I think I did Grodd before I even did Aquaman,” he says. “That was the episode where he was up against Plastic Man and turned everyone into big monkeys, even Batman. Now I’m not quite as familiar with Grodd as I am with other DC characters. The good thing, Andrea was. She said this is the way I wanted to play it. When I got that we just dived in and I just hit it. That character is so much fun. She’s one of the main reasons I’m involved in the show anyway. She brought me in.

For the entire interview click here...

(Source - Newsarama)

Our friends over at The Batman Universe.net have posted a cool article relating to some new clothing items that will be coming out from WB and Washington Shoe Company. Click here to read the post...

More from Paul Dini over at CBR this time the topic of conversation is Gotham City Sirens...

CBR: The solicitation for this new series teases: “These tough ladies have a new agenda that's all their own, and they'll use any means necessary to pursue it.” What’s the new agenda?

Paul Dini: Gotham is a more dangerous place these days. It’s a trick just to stay alive. Catwoman, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy have been both allies and enemies over the years, but at this point they realize there is safety in numbers. Ivy is on the loose thanks to the destruction of Arkham and she’s not looking to be taken back into custody. Harley was actually released on Bruce Wayne’s say-so when he was a member of the Arkham parole board and has been having a variety of adventures throughout the DC Universe.

Catwoman has been dealing with the loss of her daughter and recovering from having her heart removed by Hush. She’s obviously feeling vulnerable. So their agenda is really to carve out a place for themselves in the darker, dirtier city Gotham has become and mine it for all its worth. Anyone crosses them, they get scratched.

For the entire interview click here...

(Source - CBR)

DC The Source have just announced the new creative team for Justice League of America as writer James Robinson and artist Mark Bagley... will BATMAN be back on the roster??? Fingers crossed...

(Source - DC The Source)

More interviews on Green Lantern Online, this time WB Animation have sent me an interview conducted with legendary animation producer Bruce Timm, who praises the production team on an animated movie that is sure to be another raging success!

Dustin Nguyen has posted an amazing image on his blog, which he's called "Hell Freezes over", showing Batman, Hellboy, Mr Freeze and Poison Ivy in a Mike Mignola scape... bloody gorgeous it!

(Source - Dustin Nguyen Blog)

With the release of Batman: Streets of Gotham and Gotham City Siren's next week, the comic industry turns its attention away from Grant Morrison at the the man who is perhaps one of the most prolific an influential people connected with Batman to date. CBR have published an interview with Paul Dini to talk about his work on Batman: Streets of Gotham...

CBR: You’ve been writing Batman in “Detective Comics” for some time now. How are you enjoying putting words in the mouth of the new Batman, Dick Grayson?

Paul Dini: It's a challenge. I had not planned on doing a lot of out-of-costume scenes with Dick and [new Robin] Damian, but in the first issues especially, it made sense to explore that dynamic and some new threats to the Bat-family.

CBR: He obviously has a different one than Bruce Wayne but how would you best describe Dick’s “voice?”

PD: He’s a little more “good cop” than Bruce Wayne’s Batman. He still has to come off pretty well the same with criminals the old Batman has fought before. But he’s still learning the ropes and he’ll encounter plenty of new villains that will be his alone.

CBR: What we’ve heard about “Batman: Streets of Gotham” is that stories will be told primarily from the perspective of some of the supporting characters in and around Gotham City. Can you share who we will be hearing from in the early issues? And who else might be featured in the title’s cast?

PD: Each issue will cut around Gotham very fast. We’ll follow Commissioner Gordon, cops, villains, random Gotham citizens, anyone who might have an encounter with Batman and Robin in the course of the book. We’re telling one story through a number of different perspectives.

Its that time again were Dan Didio answers fan questions over at Newsarama... here are the Batman related ones:

2. Speaking about upcoming and writers coming in – designer Chip Kidd is working on a Batman story. Anything you can say about that?

DD: God bless Twitter? (laughs) It’s funny – Chip was actually doing a panel discussion with Neil Gaiman several months back. He’s been so involved in designing the looks of our high-end projects over the last few years and as we were sitting there talking, just through casual conversation, I brought up the idea that it would be fun if he had a chance to write something with us, particularly with Batman. He said he’s love to do it, but I never really thought he’d have the time because he’s in such high demand, but he was excited about it and got right into it, so it’s a lot of fun for us. I can’t wait to see what he comes up with.

NRAMA: Any ballpark on when it might come out?

DD: I would say more towards next year. Mark Chiarello will be editing it, and he’s been buried alive under Wednesday Comics right now, so I’m sure once he starts to come out of that, we’ll be able to see how Chip’s project is moving.

3. A question about Batman and Robin, now that they have made their debut – a question came up of when they will be making their way around ht rest of the DC Universe? Will it be soon, or do you feel that they need time to establish themselves in terms of Gotham City and the surroundings?

DD: I think they need time to establish themselves, and their story, and their own relationship. We have a lot of new characters and new villains entering those stories as well. There are a lot of things going on right now that require Batman and Robin’s attention in their own series, but that being said, we did announce the World’s Finest book where you’ll see the new direction of the Batman Family meeting the new direction of the Superman Family. So I’m sure Batman and Robin will get in the mix there and meet some of the folks from Metropolis.

Past that, based upon what’s happening in the DC Universe next year, there’s a good chance we’ll be seeing Batman interacting with some very familiar faces.

4. While we’re still talking about Batman and his world – the first issue of Detective Comics is coming up next week. Is there a...well, concern or effort to mute the fact that Batwoman is a lesbian this time out? After all, with her introduction, that became the element that defined her to the mainstream media and to many fans...

DD: We’re not trying to mute anything. We’re trying to establish all aspects of who Batwoman is in terms of her character and in her story – that is a part of her personality and a part of her drive.

NRAMA: Sure, but still, at the time she was outed – literally and figuratively, Greg Rucka expressed his frustration that her being a lesbian overtook all other elements of the character – that was the hook and seemingly, that was what was important about her.

DD: That’s one of the reasons why we went to great lengths to use her as a strong supporting character in 52 and other projects, because we wanted to establish her as a hero first – to establish who she was and her place within the DC Universe as a costumed character. Now, what we’ll see in her first solo adventure, we’ll delve into more of her personal side and her past.

So, from my standpoint, there’s no hesitation with anything of the character – it’s just a simple roll out of a character that we hope makes people want to keep coming back and learn more about them because they’re excited about who they are and learn more about what her story is. You don’t want to go and put every aspect of the character on the table right from the start – we are in the business of telling periodical stories. So you want to roll things out slowly, and build adventure from that, and that’s what we think we did with Batwoman in that we built her up slowly, and now, it’s time to get into her past and her personal story.

The bottom line is that there is no hesitation to portray the character, nor are we looking to mute any aspects of Batwoman. My only hesitation was to make sure that Greg and J.H. Williams were ready to go so that we could put out a consistent body of work on a monthly basis, because once that first issue hits, we know how excited people are going to be, and we want to make sure that book is there month-in and month-out. I wanted ot make sure that we were there, and we are.

17. We’ll touch on this one again...but to continue with some reader’s questions, there were comments from folks about the tone of Batman and Robin #1, that it was wide-eyed wonder at the world of superheroes, that it was a “fun” book...which left some wondering why there can’t be more like it – books like Power Girl and Booster Gold rather than the darker feel that many books seem to have?

DD: We put out a lot of product, and we can balance it in many ways and many voices. One size does not fit all in the DC Universe. The thing that Grant really latched on in the Batman franchise is that if you take Dick Grayson and put him in the Batman suit, it doesn’t change who Dick Grayson is. So with that, the lighter, more flippant Dick Grayson is being played against the much grittier, angrier little Damian Wayne. There’s a lot of potential for fun in those stores. Power Girl’s story has a great sense of fun, as does Booster Gold’s. That does not mean that those are light books – it means that these characters find humor in their situations, but every situation that they’re in is dire and dangerous. That’s the fun of the story that they’re in.

And besides that – did everyone miss the horrible mutilation at the end of Batman and Robin #1 of the man in front of his daughter? And also – if anyone things we’re softening up...Blackest Night #1 is coming. That should clear up any concerns people may have about us being happy and fun. (laughs)

For the full run of question click here...

(Source - Newsarama)

Writer Christopher Yost has recently spoken to CBR regarding his first work with DC Comics on Red Robin:

Teaming with Yost on the series, artist Ramon Bachs said he's gearing up to bring an older edge to the hero while keeping his teen age intact. "For some reason, when I started doing the book, I had some difficulties drawing Robin without making him look an adult like Batman, because in the series he's 'doing what Batman does,'" Bachs told CBR. "But step by step, I've been able to make him look like a believable teenager. His suit reminds you of Batman's, in a certain way, and the cape makes it even more similar. The readers will be the judges, I guess."

The first issue of Tim Drake's solo career saw a falling out with former best bud Dick Grayson and an uneasy alliance with one of Batman's greatest foes. But if that wasn't enough of a tease, Yost promised the future of "Red Robin" would take the character through an emotional gauntlet, most of which he'd face alone. "I don't know how people are going to react to this, but I've written some pretty grim stuff in the X-Men universe and Robin to me was always the balance to Batman," the writer said. "And Tim has said this before, but Batman needs a Robin. The great thing about Grant Morrison’s 'Batman & Robin' right now is that that dynamic is flipped on its head. Dick is a fairly upbeat guy, and Damian is a psychotic ten-year-old killer. But with Tim Drake, he was and is in a lot of people's minds Batman's partner. He was the light to Batman's dark. Now it's almost a position where Tim Drake needs his own Robin because he's so grim.

For the entire interview click here...

(Source - CBR)

I spotted this over on IGN but apparently a trusted industry source for Batman-on-Film claims that it is going to take a herculean effort on the part of Warner Bros. to sell Nolan on doing a third Bat-film, confirming an old rumor that the studio has indeed complied a short list of replacement candidates. So why is Nolan reportedly iffy on directing the film?

"The death of Heath Ledger in January of 2008 rocked Mr. Nolan hard. So hard that Chris was convinced that TDK was going to be it for him and Batman on film," according to BoF's source, adding that the Joker was envisioned as the villain in the third film.

The source also informed the site that BoF is "correct in reporting that (Nolan) is developing story ideas with [Jonathan Nolan] and David Goyer, but it will be until AT LEAST 2012 before we see the Caped Crusader back [in theaters]. And that is only an EARLY ESTIMATE at best right now. They are even saying it might not be until 2013."

BoF's source went so far as to say that, as of now, there is no story for Batman 3.

(Source - IGN / BoF)

Last week DC The Source reported that Batman and Robin #1 sold out and a second printing was on its was... well today they posted the color variant replacing the yellow background with red...

(Source - DC The Source)

Oh my god!!! February 2010 is going to be merchandise heaven... and just in time for my birthday :) DC Direst have also released along with September solicitations merchandise that will be available February next year!!!

SUPERMAN/BATMAN: PUBLIC ENEMIES DVD BATMAN MAQUETTE
Sculpted by Derek Miller

This hand-painted cold-cast porcelain maquette of Batman is based on the art from the highly anticipated Warner Home Video made-for-DVD animated original movie, Superman/Batman: Public Enemies!

Based on the DC Comics graphic novel from Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness.

Measuring approximately 9.5” tall x 4.5” wide x 6” deep, the maquette includes a 4-color Certificate of Authenticity and is packaged in a 4-color box. Limited edition of 4000!

BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE: BATMAN BY MARSHALL ROGERS
BASED ON THE ART OF MARSHALL ROGERS
SCULPTED BY RAY VILLAFANE

One of the greatest of all Batman artists, Marshall Rogers’ groundbreaking work in DETECTIVE COMICS, collected in the BATMAN: STRANGE APPARITIONS trade paperback, helped create the foundation on which the Batman of today is built.

In this statue, Rogers’ haunting portrayal of the Dark Knight captures the intensity of Batman in a classic style.

The statue measures approximately 7” high x 6.5” wide x 5” deep, is painted in monochromatic tones, features a Bat-logo-shaped base and is packaged in a black and white box.

AME-COMI HERO SERIES: BATMAN PVC FIGURE
SCULPTED BY JONATHAN MATTHEWS

Batman gets the AME-COMI treatment!

With the popularity of the AME-COMI HEROINE SERIES, the line extends to the AME-COMI HERO SERIES to include the men of the DC Universe!

Looking more menacing than ever before, Batman is the underworld’s worst nightmare and Gotham City citizens’ darkest savior.

Packaged in a 4-color window box with J-hook, this limited-edition, non-articulated PVC statue measures approximately 8.75” high and is manufactured to order.

AME-COMI HEROINE SERIES: ROBIN PVC FIGURE
DESIGNED BY ELSEVILLA
SCULPTED BY JONATHAN MATTHEWS

Spry and sassy Robin sports a brand-new look, expanding the AME-COMI HEROINE SERIES into 2010! Wielding a traditional round staff, she blocks and counters any nasty moves her foes might pull.

The limited-edition, non-articulated, approximately 7.5” high PVC statue comes with a base, is packaged in a 4-color window box with J-hook and is manufactured to order.

BATMAN: MAD LOVE COLLECTOR SET
Featuring Harley Quinn and The Joker!

This special collector set is based on one of the most popular and award-winning graphic novels of all time, Paul Dini and Bruce Timm’s BATMAN: MAD LOVE!

Included in this set are action figures of Harley Quinn and The Joker, both boasting new color schemes and sculpts as well as the 64-page reprint of the award-winning BATMAN: MAD LOVE comic, which defined the complicated and cracked relationship between cute ‘n’ crazy Harley Quinn and her puddin’, The Joker.

JLA CLASSIFIED: CLASSIC SERIES 2 - BATGIRL
The JLA CLASSIFIED: CLASSIC line expands with four all-new figures! Consistent in style and scale to Series 1, Series 2 features some of the most requested characters from DC Comics.

Each figure features multiple points of articulation and a base. 4-color blister card packaging.

Newsarama have release Septembers full solicitations for September. Loads of titles out including Brave and the Bold, Vigilante and Blackest Night...

BLACKEST NIGHT: BATMAN #2
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Art by Adrian Syaf & John Dell
Cover by Andy Kubert
Variant cover by Bill Sienkiewicz

The Dark Knight continues his journey into BLACKEST NIGHT! Will the new Batman join his predecessor in the grave? Will Red Robin's reunion with his father be bitter and bloody? Can anyone escape the horror of the Black Lanterns? Find out in this new installment of the 3-issue miniseries from writer Peter J. Tomasi (GREEN LANTERN CORPS, THE MIGHTY) and up-and-comer Adrian Syaf!

BATMAN #690
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Mark Bagley & Rob Hunter
Cover by Tony Daniel

Penguin ups the ante in his bid to become Gotham's top crook and enlists a few of Arkham's finest to keep Batman busy. Meanwhile a mysterious presence enters the scene to aid the Penguin – or is there another motive at play? And Two-Face takes a massive leap forward in uncovering one of Batman's greatest secrets.

BATMAN AND ROBIN #4
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Philip Tan & Jonathan Glapion
Cover by Frank Quitely
Variant cover by Philip Tan

Meet the Red Hood and his sidekick Scarlet, Gotham City’s vicious new “protectors,” in the start of a new arc! This dangerous duo is out to destroy the very reputation and legacy of the Batman by replacing it altogether. Writer Grant Morrison (FINAL CRISIS) teams with hot new artist Philip Tan (GREEN LANTERN) to bring you what’s sure to be the new Batman and Robin’s biggest challenge yet!

DETECTIVE COMICS #857
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by JH Williams III; co-feature art by Cully Hamner
Cover by JH Williams III

“Elegy” part 4 of 4! Batwoman faces off against Alice in an attempt to stop the villainess from unleashing a toxic death cloud over all of Gotham! But Alice has more up her sleeve than just poison, and Batwoman’s life will never ever be the same again. Plus, The Question’s search for a missing girl leads Renee to a human trafficking ring, and the Question suddenly finds herself in way over her head.

RED ROBIN #4
Written by Christopher Yost
Art by Ramon Bachs
Cover by Francis Manapul

“The Grail” part 4 of 4! In this explosive conclusion to the debut arc, Red Robin's search leads him to the deserts of the Middle East with the League of Assassins by his side. How many lines will he cross to prove that Bruce Wayne is alive? One journey ends, but a far deadlier one begins as Red Robin learns the truth – although he may not survive to tell anyone, because back in Gotham City, Red Robin faces off with the one man who could stop his quest: Batman!

BATGIRL #2
Written by Bryan Q. Miller
Art by Lee Garbett & Trevor Scott
Cover by Phil Noto

As the new Batgirl continues her nightly mission, the mystery of her secret identity intensifies. Now she has become the target of both Gotham City’s heroes (who don’t take kindly to a new person wearing the cape and the cowl) and its villains (who want to see the entire Bat-family six feet under)!

BATMAN: STREETS OF GOTHAM #4
Written by Paul Dini; co-feature written by Marc Andreyko
Art by Dustin Nguyen & Derek Fridolfs; co-feature art by Jeremy Haun
Cover by Dustin Nguyen

With Batman’s recent “Bruce Wayne” problems barely contained, Gotham City’s new Dark Knight must now deal with the most lethal arm of Black Mask’s growing empire – Victor Zsasz! And in the Manhunter co-feature, now that Kate has Jane Doe under arrest, what does Jane have to say about why she killed the former DA? Will she flip on her actual leader, the Black Mask – or will she continue to point the finger at Two-Face?

GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #4
Written by Paul Dini
Art and cover by Guillem March

Bruce Wayne has always been considered the quintessential ladies’ man. But he’s never faced ladies quite like this before! Has Gotham City’s playboy prince finally met his match?

OUTSIDERS #22
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Art by Fernando Pasarin
Cover by Tom Mandrake

“The Hunting” continues as Metamorpho, Black Lightning and Geoforce scour the globe to track down Clayface. But when tensions rise, Lighting and Geoforce will find themselves at odds over the control of the team. Plus, the Creeper and Man-Bat head down to the bayou to catch themselves a Killer Croc!

BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #33
Written by Peter Milligan
Art by Andy Clarke
Cover by Jock

Batman learns that appearances can be deceiving in Moscow in part 3 of this 5-part story! Every mobster in Russia seems too terrified of the Tsar and his Bear to talk about the crime kingpin. But is Bear having doubts about his mission and his boss? Who can Batman trust in this unfamiliar city where nothing is as it seems?

SUPERMAN/BATMAN #64
Written by Joe Casey
Art and cover by Rafael Albuquerque

Batman makes a shocking discovery with possible Kryptonian origins that places the duo in certain doom - unless Superman makes the ultimate sacrifice...

VIGILANTE #10
Written by Marv Wolfman
Pencils by Rick Leonardi & John Stanisci
Cover by Walter Simonson

Now Vigilante finds himself on the run and living on the mean streets of Gotham City where he must now avoid the FBI, the mob and the Bat. But Vigilante has a few tricks up his sleeve and a few Gothamites in his sights!

BATMAN: WIDENING GYRE #2
Written by Kevin Smith
Art by Walter Flanagan & Art Thibert
Cover by Bill Sienkiewicz
Variant covers by Gene Ha

Kevin Smith’s newest Batman adventure has only just begun and already the surprises are pouring in! This issue has more guest-stars, more twists, more turns and more Batman than you can handle. Don’t miss the sensational second issue from Smith — the fan-favorite creator behind GREEN ARROW and Daredevil — and artist Walter Flanagan (BATMAN: CACOPHONY)!

BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #9
Written by Landry Walker
Art and cover by Eric Jones

Batman teams up with a mysterious figure to stop the Penguin and The Riddler, but is this anti-hero a friend or a foe? Be here for all of the cataclysmic catastrophes in “The Tale of the Catman!”