Who's drawing BATMAN AND ROBIN next? Plus some BRUCE WAYNE news...

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Speculation's been bouncing around for a while now as to who's going to take over the artistic reins after artist Andy Clarke's stint on the series comes to an end, and we're happy to confirm that the next artist is none other than Frazer Irving, who's no stranger to collaborating with BATMAN AND ROBIN writer Grant Morrison, having teamed for the KLARION THE WITCH BOY mini-series during the SEVEN SOLDIERS event.

But what hasn't been talked about much is just how integral Irving's upcoming arc is to Grant's other Bat-series. Namely, BATMAN: THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE. In fact, Irving will be pulling a bit of double-duty, as he'll be handling art on the second issue of the six-issue mini-series. We checked in with Bat-editor Mike Marts to give us the lowdown on Irving's artwork:

"Frazer’s a unique comics creator in that he handles all aspects of the art chores—pencilling, inking and colors—which gives him the best creative control an artist could ask for. And with fantastic results! Readers will drool when they see Frazer’s amazing pages to both BATMAN projects he’s working on."

Thanks, Mike. And because we're in a generous mood, we managed to put together a list of the artists contributing to each issue of RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE. So, here goes:

#1: Chris Sprouse

#2: Frazer Irving

#3: Yanick Paquette

#4: Cameron Stewart

#5: Ryan Sook

#6: Lee Garbett

Pretty impressive lineup, no? We'll have art to show from each issue as we get closer, but in the meantime, enjoy Frazer's variant to BATMAN AND ROBIN #13 above and the variant to BATMAN: THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE #2 right here:

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READ BATMAN AND ROBIN #10 and JL: RISE AND FALL SPECIAL with Jim Lee and Geoff Johns

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It’s that time again, folks.

We had such a fun time talking FIRST WAVE #1 on Twitter last week that it was a no-brainer to do it again. This time, there are two issues on the table: Writer Grant Morrison and new artist Andy Clarke’s BATMAN AND ROBIN #10 and the JUSTICE LEAGUE: RISE AND FALL SPECIAL, by writer J.T. Krul and artists Diogenes Neves, Mike Mayhew and Fabrizio Fiorentino.

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So here’s the deal: Swing by your local comic shop, pick up those two comics (and anything else that strikes your fancy) and sign in to Twitter today at 6:30pm EST to chat with Jim Lee and Geoff Johns about the issues as we all read ‘em together. Don’t have a Twitter account? No worries. Signing up is easy.

And don't forget to hashtag your posts with "#DCreader" to help everyone keep tabs on the conversation.

See you then!

Welcome to Batman VERSUS Robin

Rising star artist Andy Clarke joins writer Grant Morrison just in time to see the new Dark Knight face off against the new Boy Wonder -- thanks to the manipulations of Ms. Talia al Ghul. But is everything as it seems? Probably not. Hopefully the pages below can serve as a bit of a clue. And did I mention this issue ties in directly to THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE? Well, it does.

BATMAN AND ROBIN #10 hits 3/10.

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More April 2010: Batman solicits

Why stop with BRIGHTEST DAY, right? Click below for a look at all the Batman-related titles shipping in April, including BATMAN AND ROBIN, STREETS OF GOTHAM, BATGIRL and OUTSIDERS.

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BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM — MADNESS HC

Advance-solicited • On sale June 23 • 112 pg, FC, $19.99 US

Written by SAM KIETH • Art and cover by SAM KIETH

An original Batman graphic novel set in Arkham Asylum from Sam Kieth, creator of THE MAXX!

It is the most feared house in all of Gotham City. It contains the worst that the city has to offer. It is the place The Dark Knight’s most dangerous and psychotic foes call home. Writer/artist Sam Kieth, creator of THE MAXX and artist of the acclaimed miniseries LOBO: HIGHWAY TO HELL, invites you to spend 24 hours in Arkham Asylum – the most unsettling house in the DC Universe.

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BATMAN AND ROBIN #11

On sale APRIL 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Written by GRANT MORRISON

Art by ANDY CLARKE & SCOTT HANNA

Cover by FRANK QUITELY

1:25 Variant cover by ANDY CLARKE

“Batman vs. Robin” part 2 of 3! The Dynamic Duo fight it out in the ultimate duel to the finish. Meanwhile, Robin’s mother, Talia al Ghul, sends an old adversary of Dick Grayson’s to complete the job that her son may not be able to stomach!

Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.

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BATMAN: THE WIDENING GYRE #6

On sale APRIL 28 • 6 of 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Written by KEVIN SMITH

Art by WALTER FLANAGAN

Cover by BILL SIENKIEWICZ

1:25 Variant cover by GENE HA

Kevin Smith and Walt Flanagan’s Batman tale comes to its startling end! Thanks to Silver St. Cloud, Bruce is trying to learn how to trust people. But Batman is an integral part of who he is, so how can he really trust anyone? Batman even has a run-in with Catwoman because of his relationship with Silver. And when he decides to put all of his trust into someone, will he be rewarded...or punished?

Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.

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BATMAN #698

On sale APRIL 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Written by TONY DANIEL

Art by GUILLEM MARCH

Cover by TONY DANIEL

Only two months until BATMAN #700! As the landmark issue nears, Dick Grayson’s life as The Dark Knight heats up in a big way. With Black Mask out of the way for good, the Falcone crime family attempts to fill that void – with no regard for the safety of Gotham City’s citizens! And what’s going on with the Riddler?

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DETECTIVE COMICS #864

On sale APRIL 28 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

Written by DAVID HINE

Co-feature written by GREG RUCKA

Art by JEREMY HAUN

Co-feature art by CULLY HAMNER

Cover by CLIFF CHIANG

The inmates of Arkham Asylum have taken over DETECTIVE COMICS in “Beneath the Mask” Part 1 of 2! It’s Black Mask verses Jeremiah Arkham for control of the asylum. But what of the enigmatic Three Beauties, and how does Batman fit into the mad plan? Everything that was set up and teased in BATTLE FOR THE COWL: ARKHAM ASYLUM and ARKHAM REBORN is at last revealed, but the answers to the mysteries just might drive everyone – including Batman – mad!

Then, in the co-feature, the spotlight is shone on Renee’s personal life. But just who knows about her secret identity, and what will they do with that information? That is the question...

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BATGIRL #9

On sale APRIL 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER

Art by LEE GARBETT & TREVOR SCOTT

Cover by Stanley “Artgerm” Lau

The conclusion to “Batgirl Rising” begins here with part one of the four-part “Flood” storyline! A string of bizarre, technology-based “suicides” gets the attention of both Batgirl and Oracle, but for very different reasons. And the two heroes will soon realize that they’re the real targets of a nefarious madman Hell-bent on revenge…

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BATMAN: STREETS OF GOTHAM #11

On sale APRIL 21 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

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

Batman, Robin and Abuse join forces to combat the frightening strength of Victor Zsasz’s army! Can Batman and his allies save Gotham City’s kidnapped children? And what happens when Abuse spirals out of control?

Meanwhile, in the Manhunter co-feature, the odds are stacked against Kate as she goes up against a new adversary in the courtroom. Her increased frustration with the proceedings gets taken out on every thug in Gotham – but is Manhunter making too many enemies for her own good?

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GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #11

On sale APRIL 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Written by PAUL DINI

Art and cover by GUILLEM MARCH

As Gotham City swirls in a maelstrom of evil and villainy, three of the most unlikely candidates – Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn – step forward to bring some light to the situation. But will their efforts enough to stem the tide of madness and mayhem?

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OUTSIDERS #29

On sale APRIL 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Written by DAN DIDIO

Art by DON KRAMER & MICHAEL BABINSKI

Cover by PHILIP TAN & JONATHAN GLAPION

When Looker returns, her bloodlust is strong – and so is the vampire-hunter hoping to drive a stake in her heart. Her only hope for survival is The Outsiders, who are still stranded in Markovia and struggling to determine whose side they’re really on…

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RED ROBIN #11

On sale APRIL 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST

Art and cover by MARCUS TO & RAY MCCARTHY

“Collision” races to its conclusion as Ra’s al Ghul’s endgame for Red Robin begins. The Men of Death are on the move in Gotham City, and Red Robin, Batgirl and Prudence set out to stop them from killing everyone Bruce Wayne ever cared about. But before he can take on Ra’s, Red Robin has to get past Gotham City’s own protectors...

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AZRAEL #7

On sale APRIL 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Written by FABIAN NICIEZA • Art by RAMON BACHS & JOHN STANISCI

Cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA

His sanity starting to crack, Azrael tracks down Hide ‘n’ Seek, a pair of kidnappers whose actions bring back some very painful, fractured memories for Michael Lane. Can a psychiatrist assigned by the GCPD help Lane keep it together before Azrael goes berserk?

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BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #43

On sale APRIL 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Written by SAM KIETH • Art and cover by SAM KIETH

The “Ghosts” storyline comes to a thrilling close! Batman and Callie continue battling their internal ghosts and the external foe who is preying on them. But when they realize they can’t even trust the police, what can they do? Can Batman survive another loss?

DCU IN 2010: WE KNOW WHO THE NEXT ARTIST ON BATMAN AND ROBIN IS

And, if we know, you’ll soon find out. Usually.

But before we go ahead and give you the news, we want to remind you that superstar artist Cameron Stewart is locked and loaded as the artist on BATMAN AND ROBIN for three issues, the first one of which hits next month. We’ve been super-careful about showing any art until the perfect time – now.

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Can’t wait? I know. It’s tough. But you’re welcome to revisit these images as often as you like, ok?

As some of you loyal SOURCE-ers know, this week is all about announcements, pointing to the big stuff happening in the DCU in 2010. It’s hard to argue that there’s a bigger title than BATMAN AND ROBIN, which has been rocking the new Dark Knight’s universe with regularity. So, who’s the next artist that’ll pair with the hyper-talented Grant Morrison?

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None other than Andy Clarke, coming off a spectacular stint on R.E.B.E.L.S. with writer Tony Bedard. What’s the arc about? Who does Andy get to draw? Too early to say, folks. But we did snag some of Batman Group Editor Michael Marts’ time to give us his two cents. Take it away, Mike:

“After Andy’s recent work on R.E.B.E.L.S. And BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL, we were dying to get him on to one of the main BATMAN titles. And this storyarc of BATMAN & ROBIN is the perfect fit for him—Grant Morrison actually tailored the script toward Andy’s artistic strengths.”

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And to hear more about the move from Mr. Marts and Andy himself, stroll over to AOL’s COMICS ALLIANCE blog.

On sale today: R.E.B.E.L.S. #8

Writer Tony Bedard and artist Andy Clarke continue on their R.E.B.E.L.S. hot streak, as word of Starro's invading horde and Vril Dox's rebellion reaches the masses, and sides are drawn. Plus, the mighty Khund fleet enters the battle against Starro. Too bad for them. Plus: The all-new, all-dangerous Omega Men. Need more? Well how about a few pages to get your legs a-walkin' to your local comic shop?

R.E.B.E.L.S. #8 hits today.

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Can a bat beat a bear? BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL has the answer

Writer Peter Milligan and artist Andy Clarke continue their five-part Batman story, with a second installment that finds the Tsar threatening to take over the Gotham mob. But how far will Batman go to protect not only the city, but the nation? And can Batman survive a Moscow excursion? Check out some of the pages below to get an idea and for some ultra-detailed and eye-pleasing art.

BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #32 hits 8/5.

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Cap off the day with some BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #31

Writer Peter Milligan teams up with R.E.B.E.L.S. artist Andy Clarke to kick off a new five-part arc in the pages of BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL, with an international twist. When a powerful Russian mobster sets his sights on Gotham City, Batman thinks he's ready. But this isn't any ordinary mobster, and he's bringing backup in the form of...a bear? These unexpected foes might just be able to take control of the Gotham underworld – and then the whole city. Can Batman stop them?

BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #31 hits on 7/1.

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R.E.B.E.L.S: Claude St. Aubin steps in

Part of the fun that comes with working on The Source is the chance to see cool art pop into my inbox from the hardworking DCU editors. As I was wandering around the sixth floor earlier this week, R.E.B.E.L.S editor Brian Cunningham let me know that artist Claude St. Aubin will be stepping in for regular artist Andy Clarke on R.E.B.E.L.S, with writer Tony Bedard. Instead of just rephrasing what Brian told me, I've decided to quote him directly. It's like live-blogging, except not at all:

An artist of Andy Clarke’s caliber needs help on a monthly book. The level of detail in his work takes time. Thankfully, we can spot Andy with Claude St. Aubin, who is doing the strongest work of his career. Joined by inker Scott Hanna, Claude’s work ramps up with issues #5 and #6. Andy returns in issue #7 and #8 — which I'm sure you'll see pages from right here on The Source.

Well said, Brian. Check out St. Aubin's handiwork below.

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