paul dini | DC Comics

BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY comic book miniseries announced!

Batman: Arkham Asylum was one of the most successful video games of 2009, and earned a Guinness World Record for the “Most Critically Acclaimed Superhero Game Ever.” This May, find out what happened between Batman: Arkham Asylum and its highly anticipated sequel in BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY, a six-issue miniseries that bridges the gap between the two games, and leads into the game’s release this fall.

Written by Batman: The Animated Series writer Paul Dini (who also penned both Arkham games) and drawn by Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City concept artist Carlos D’anda, BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY picks up one year after the original game, where former Arkham Warden turned newly elected Mayor of Gotham City Quincy Sharp has decided to close down the infamous institution. In its stead, he establishes “Arkham City,” the new maximum security “home” for all of Gotham City’s thugs, gangsters and insane criminal masterminds. Set inside the heavily fortified walls of a sprawling district in the heart of Gotham City, inmates can roam free and do whatever they want as long as they don’t try to escape. To run this urban prison, Sharp has appointed Dr. Hugo Strange, a man who knows that Bruce Wayne is Batman.

Each issue of the miniseries will be available day-and-date digitally worldwide for $2.99 each. These releases will alternate with 8-page digital-first interludes that will expand on the story included in the miniseries. Written by Dini and drawn by a variety of artists, these digital stories will focus on The Dark Knight’s many enemies as they vie for power in this new city within a city. Each eight-page digital-first interlude will be available for .99 cents, releasing in between issues of the miniseries, and will later be included in print in the BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY collected edition.

“The digital first stories offer a unique incentive for fans to experience interesting and exciting stories beyond the pages in the printed comic,” said Jim Lee, DC Comics Co-Publisher, “The additional pages will serve as interludes within the regular issues and won’t be necessary to follow the main story of the miniseries. Fans will also be able to read these interludes in print later, when we publish the collected edition.”

Read the comic before you play the game, and keep an eye out for the issue #1 variant cover, utilizing in-game graphics.

BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY will double-ship in its first month, with issues 1 & 2 landing in May.

Batman: Arkham City #1 cover by Carlos D'Anda

Tags:

Batman, batman: arkham asylum, batman: arkham city, carlos d'anda, hugo strange, paul dini

Cliff Chiang talks about drawing Zatanna (and a sneak peek at an epic puppet battle)

Next week's ZATANNA #9 is part 2 of Paul Dini's "Pupaphobia" story arc - with art duties covered by the always-terrific Cliff Chiang.

Cliff shared a few words with The Source about his experience working with Paul Dini on the Zatanna comic:

"It's easy to fall back on the obvious stuff when you've got a woman in fishnets and thigh-high boots, but Paul writes Zatanna with so much personality and humor. It's been a pleasure and a challenge to bring that character to life. I'm really glad to hear people are enjoying my work on it."

In case you need a sample of that humor that Dini injects into his books, here are four pages of Zatanna fighting a ventriloquist dummy.

ZATANNA #9 is on sale next Wednesday.

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Tags:

cliff chiang, paul dini, zatanna

Bat-Mite Presents: Batman's Strangest Cases!

Emmy award winning writer Paul Dini has penned an episode of BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD that should certainly appeal to SOURCE readers when the show returns with new episodes in a few weeks. It's called "Bat-Mite Presents: Batman's Strangest Cases!" and fans of the series have been salivating for it since details first emerged.

So, OK, Paul Dini's writing it and Bat-Mite returns to host a series of Batman's most bizarre adventure. You're already excited, right?

Well, check out this image of the Mad Magazine-inspired Batboy and Rubin.

Still not convinced?

How about an adventure of the Batman of Japan?

Can I watch this episode now? And can I watch it with Grant Morrison? I mean how amazing would that be? (Sometimes you have to ask for what you want...)

Tags:

bat-mite, batboy and rubin, Batman, batman of japan, batman: the brave and the bold, dcu in 2011, grant morrison, paul dini

A final post to leave you in the holiday Spirit (pun intended)

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I'd run Mike Ploog artwork on here every day if it were up to me, but the holidays gave me the perfect excuse to post this piece. (This particular splash is from his backup story with Paul Dini in The Spirit #9.)

The DC Comics offices are closed from the 24th through the 31st while we all take a much-needed break, and the Source will be temporarily shutting down for that week. Have no fear, however: The Source will be back in January and we've got a ton of cool stuff planned for you. So, until then, folks...

Happy new year!

Tags:

david hine, mike ploog, moritat, paul dini, the spirit

What is pupaphobia, and why does Zatanna suffer from it?

After clowns, puppets are the most unnecessarily terrifying thing on the planet. Fear of puppets is so common that the phobia has a scientific name: "pupaphobia". It turns out Zatanna also suffers - but why should a sorceress be afraid of little wooden men in cheap suits?

Paul Dini and the always-sensational Cliff Chiang kick off "Pupaphobia" -- a three-part story beginning in ZATANNA #8, on sale Wednesday.

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[Editor's note: Ventriloquist dummies are amongst the most evil of all puppets. See: The Ventriloquist, Willie, Fats, Sid, Stevil, Carlsbad. Our pop culture is just rife with evil ventriloquist dummies.]

Tags:

cliff chiang, paul dini, zatanna

Pardon me while I gush over The Spirit for a moment

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I eagerly anticipate the next issues of Green Lantern, Action, Detective and Brightest Day each month as much as the next guy, but I'll take a few paragraphs here to talk about a book that's quietly snuck its way to the top of my read pile each week it's been released.

For the past nine issues of the series, David Hine and Moritat not only created a comic that captures the spirit (no pun intended) of what makes the The Spirit fun, but also a series that's very accessible to comic fans who haven't been lucky enough to read all of Will Eisner's original Spirit (I'm about 1/3rd of my way into that epic undertaking myself, courtesy of a pile of The Spirit Archives volumes tracked down around the office.)

And if that weren't enough, I'd be remiss not to talk about the great black & white co-features by guest creators that make up the back of each issue.

I mean, we had a Harlan Ellison and Kyle Baker co-feature story a few issues back. HARLAN ELLISON. Really, the talent they round up to do those second stories is pretty sick. Walt Simonson and Jordi Bernet. Joe Strnad and Richard Corben. Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso. David Lapham and Michael WM. Kaluta. Marv Wolfman and Phil Winslade. Denny O'Neil and Bill Sienkiewicz. Michael Uslan, FJ DeSanto and Justiniano. This issue's co-feature is by Paul Dini and Mike Ploog. That's a group of creators that you'd be really hard-pressed to beat in just one year's worth of a single monthly comic title.

Et tu? Are you reading The Spirit? Which co-feature's been your favorite?

THE SPIRIT #9 is in stores today.

Zatanna and Zachary take a demonic gamble

Writer Paul Dini and artist Chad Hardin present a tale of family in the fifth issue of the series. Zatanna and her cousin Zachary might have their differences – and get on each other’s nerves with regularity – but if they don't stick together, they'll be down for the count against some of Hell’s Finest. And they’re betting the house on Zatanna’s soul. And if you know anything about Vegas, you know odds are they house wins.

ZATANNA #5 hits Wednesday.

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Tags:

chad hardin, paul dini, zatanna

It’s Las Vegas – Zatanna-style

Zatanna loves Vegas, and Vegas loves her – but should Zee be wary of the attentions of a handsome, well-connected casino owner? She can hold her own against the most ridiculous Royal Flush Gang ever assembled, and she can just about cope with her cousin Zachary's immature antics, but how about a horde of fire demons?

ZATANNA #4, courtesy of writer Paul Dini and artist Chad Hardin, hits 8/11.

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Tags:

chad hardin, paul dini, zatanna

It really IS the BRIGHTEST DAY

We shared some nice WONDER WOMAN #600 news with you guys yesterday, but why stop there? It seems like the sellout craze is spreading across the DCU, with ACTION COMICS #890, BATMAN BEYOND #1, BATMAN: THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE #1-2, BIRDS OF PREY #1, THE FLASH #1, GREEN ARROW #1, JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST #1, LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #1, SUPERMAN/BATMAN ANNUAL #4 and ZATANNA #1 flying off the shelves.

And with stellar talent like Geoff Johns, Francis Manapul, Gail Simone, Ed Benes, Paul Levitz, Yildiray Cinar, J.T. Krul, Diogenes Neves, Judd Winick, Keith Giffen, Aaron Lopresti, Paul Cornell, Pete Woods, David Finch, Paul Dini, Stephane Roux, Renato Guedes, Eddy Barrows, Adam Beechen and Ryan Benjamin, how can you go wrong? The fans have spoken. But fear not – second printings are on the way for these, in case you were late in swinging by the shop.

And this is only the beginning, folks. Stay tuned right here for more.

A look at BATMAN in September

September marks the conclusion of BATMAN: THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE — but what does that mean for the Dark Knight? We’re not telling, but click below for a few clues.

BATMAN #703

Written by PETER MILLIGAN

Art and cover by TONY DANIEL

1:10 “DC 75th Anniversary” Variant cover by KEVIN NOWLAN

Celebrating the “Return of Bruce Wayne”! Those closest to The Dark Knight look back on the legacy he has created. Featuring appearances by Alfred, Dick Grayson, Tim Drake, Damian Wayne, Selina Kyle and more!

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

On sale SEPTEMBER 8 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

BATMAN: ODYSSEY #3

Written by NEAL ADAMS

Art and cover by NEAL ADAMS

1:25 Sketch variant cover by NEAL ADAMS

Batman legend Neal Adams returns to The Dark Knight! In the third chapter of Adams’s epic Batman tale, Bruce Wayne and Alfred strategize the next steps on The Dark Knight’s odyssey…but appearances by both The Riddler and Talia al Ghul might spoil their plans!

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

On sale SEPTEMBER 1 • 3 of 6 • 40 pg, FC $3.99 US

DETECTIVE COMICS #869

Written by DAVID HINE

Art by SCOTT MCDANIEL & ANDY OWENS

Cover by PETER NGUYEN

“Impostors” continues here! Madness and mayhem face off against law and order for control of Gotham City, and not even the Batman is safe! With The Joker Impostor leading the charge of chaos and filling the streets of Gotham with his army of Jokerz, the ranks of the Batman Impostor’s army grow thanks to regular citizens choosing sides and taking up arms. But what is Impostor Joker’s ultimate goal – and what does it have to do with the real Dark Knight and Clown Prince of Crime?

On sale SEPTEMBER 29 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

BATMAN: STREETS OF GOTHAM #16

Written by PAUL DINI

Co-feature written by IVAN BRANDON

Art by DUSTIN NGUYEN & DEREK FRIDOLFS

Co-feature art by RAMON BACHS & JOHN LUCAS

Cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN

With Bruce Wayne soon to return to Gotham City, the secret past lives of his parents, Thomas and Martha, have come back to haunt the family legacy in chapter three of this 6-part sequel to “Heart of Hush”! What bizarre experience in their past is connected to a horrible plan that Tommy Elliot has set in motion?

And in the co-feature, Two-Face’s desperate grab at power continues as he and his gang hold an entire subway train hostage! But how could he possibly escape capture with the FBI waiting for him at the next stop?

On sale SEPTEMBER 22 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

BATMAN: THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE #6

Written by GRANT MORRISON

Art by LEE GARBETT & WALDEN WONG

Cover by ANDY KUBERT

1:25 variant cover by LEE GARBETT

Grant Morrison and BATGIRL artist Lee Garbett deliver the final chapter of this time-spanning epic! With Bruce Wayne just steps away from returning to present day Gotham City, the timestream might have a few more surprises in store for The Dark Knight! Do not miss this issue, as it paves the way for the shocking future era of Batman!

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

On sale SEPTEMBER 1 • 6 of 6 • 40 pg, FC $3.99 US

BATMAN AND ROBIN #16

Written by GRANT MORRISON

Art by CAMERON STEWART

Cover by FRANK QUITELY

1:25 variant cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER

Don’t miss this fantastic finale as BATMAN AND ROBIN’s storyline connects with THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE! The climactic showdown between Batman and the Black Glove is finally here. It’s payback time for The Dark Knight as Batman and Robin face the ultimate evil. Will Damian betray his father’s legacy? Will Bruce Wayne return just in time to see Dick Grayson die? Plus, The Joker and Professor Pyg!

This is only the beginning of a startling new status quo for the Batman…

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

On sale SEPTEMBER 15 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

RED HOOD: LOST DAYS #4

Written by JUDD WINICK

Art by JEREMY HAUN

Cover by BILLY TUCCI

Jason Todd’s journey has taken him all over the world in search of those who can help him train for his revenge on Batman. But something has begun to change inside him, and the blood and destruction he leaves in his wake is becoming far too risky. Now, he finds himself in London, learning at the feet of an expert bomber. But when Jason learns that the pyrotechnic genius is planning “something big” for the city, it may be something Jason’s better nature won’t tolerate...

On sale SEPTEMBER 1 • 4 of 6 • 32 pg, FC

$2.99 US

BATMAN BEYOND #4

Written by ADAM BEECHEN

Art by RYAN BENJAMIN and JOHN STANISCI

Cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN

This is it! The mystery killer is unmasked! The secret of the new Catwoman is revealed! Gotham City is under siege! Terry McGinnis and Bruce Wayne are at odds! And Batman is torn between duty, doubt, and a vengeance-crazed super-villain!

On sale SEPTEMBER 15 • 4 of 6 • 32 pg, FC $2.99 US

AZRAEL #12

Written by DAVID HINE

Art and cover by GUILLEM MARCH

In “The Killer of Saints” part 3 of 4, truth and faith come into conflict when Azrael risks everything to save the life of the keeper of the True Shroud. If he fails, the secret of the shroud will be lost forever. If he succeeds, he must face the fact that everything he ever believed in is a lie.

On sale SEPTEMBER 15 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #16

Written by TONY BEDARD

Art by ANDRES GUINALDO

Cover by GUILLEM MARCH

Secrets involving the “Return of Bruce Wayne” affect all three Sirens and set the girls against each other in a brutal display of their villainous roots! Guest-starring Zatanna and Talia al Ghul.

On sale SEPTEMBER 29 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

RED ROBIN #16

Written by FABIAN NICIEZA

Art and cover by MARCUS TO & RAY MCCARTHY

The new Anarky has his own version of Red Robin’s Hit List! Ulysses Armstrong has made a record of Gotham City teens who could be Red Robin – and he’s murdering them one by one. With an incapacitated Tim Drake crossed off his list, can Red Robin stop Anarky before the villain attacks his next target? And with the deaths of innocents weighing on his conscience, how far will Red Robin go to cross Anarky off his own Hit List?

On sale SEPTEMBER 8 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

BATGIRL #14

Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER

Art by LEE GARBETT & TREVOR SCOTT

Cover by STANLEY “ARTGERM” LAU

It’s terror in the third dimension starring Batgirl, Supergirl and Dracula…and Dracula, and Dracula! When Supergirl decides to get away from it all and visit Stephanie Brown on the campus of Gotham City University, a quiet, relaxing weekend turns into a monster movie mash-up! After a science experiment goes horribly wrong, 24 black-and-white Draculas are brought to life, and Batgirl and Supergirl are forced to become vampire hunters in order to stop an army of the celluloid undead!

On sale SEPTEMBER 8 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

OUTSIDERS #33

Written by DAN DIDIO

Art and cover by PHILIP TAN & JONATHAN GLAPION

The mystery of the vault is revealed as the horror of Geode is set loose on the streets of Markovia. And while the country prepares for war, Geo-Force must choose between protecting his armies from the might of The Olympian or re-uniting with a lost love.

Plus, discover why Simon Stagg is doing all those horrible things to Black Lightning...

On sale SEPTEMBER 29 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #48

Written by KEVIN VANHOOK

Art and cover by TOM MANDRAKE

It’s Batman and Superman vs. the undead! The Dark Knight and The Man of Steel join forces with a vampire and a werewolf to stop the nefarious Professor Combs from unleashing a vile Voodoo spell upon the world. But will even the combined might of the World’s Finest be enough to stop the powers of Hell? Be here to find out!

On sale SEPTEMBER 1 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US