The first time we did this, it went over so well, it made perfect sense to extend the invite to Dustin to discuss the process behind another BATMAN: STREETS OF GOTHAM cover. So, take it away, Dustin:

1- Thumb #2 of the 5 approved involved showcasing Robin as well. Robin has always been tough for me, every time i drew Tim Drake, he was too young, but now- Damien is young, so this works well for me. This one was very Toppi inspired as well and a bit more experimental than i normally do, but i felt the grit was important.

2- Knowing i will soak this paper up a bit, i also opted to go with the 300lb hotpress, it's smooth enough for the quill and can take a beating from my pencils. The rough basically lays down the more simple elements, making way for placement of logo, bar code, etc. In next stage,i do add on quiet a bit and change many things when i start to finalize for painting.

3- unlike going in digitally for coloring like in the previous cover, i lay down paint before i go in with inks. This is done mostly because watercolor usually paints itself and painting first helps me decide where to laydown holding lines and any rendering i'd like to add. this also helps keep the ink from getting faded or bleeding when washes are layered down. Sometimes, i do reverse the process to get fades and certain effects, but in this cover i wanted more textures in the colors while having crisp black lines.

4- finally, the inks are put down using a variety of quills and brushes, scanned in and then adjusted to bring in the right amount of saturation and hues.

Very cool. Thanks again, Dustin!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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...

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…

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?

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?

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…

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...

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?

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?

Well, a ton, dear Source reader. Too much to capably sum up in one blog post. It's also way too early to give too much away. But, we can showcase some of the lovely artwork gracing the covers of the Bat-titles hitting in February, featuring the talents of Frank Quitely, Dustin Nguyen, Phil Noto and many more. So, take another bite of your lunch and look 'em over.

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Damian behind bars? Red Robin surrounded? Batman facing off against two new foes? This batch of covers, featuring the artistic stylings of J.H. Williams III, Tony Daniel, Dustin Nguyen and Marcus To, is light on answers but big on questions. But isn't that what they're for?

Take a few minutes from your day and peruse the January covers for BATMAN: STREETS OF GOTHAM, DETECTIVE COMICS, BATMAN and RED ROBIN, won't you?

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