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September's BATMAN Solicits

BATMAN #1

Written by SCOTT SNYDER

Art by GREG CAPULLO and JONATHAN GLAPION

Cover by GREG CAPULLO

Variant cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER

On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Be here for the start of a new era for The Dark Knight from writer Scott Snyder (AMERICAN VAMPIRE, BATMAN: GATES OF GOTHAM) and artist Greg Capullo (Spawn)! A series of brutal killings hints at an ancient conspiracy, and Batman learns that Gotham City is deadlier than he knew.

DETECTIVE COMICS #1

Written by TONY S. DANIEL

Art by TONY S. DANIEL and RYAN WINN

Cover by TONY S. DANIEL

On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

DC’s flagship title is relaunched for the first time ever, with new Batman adventures from acclaimed writer/ artist Tony S. Daniel!

A killer called The Gotham Ripper is on the loose on Batman’s home turf – leading The Dark Knight on a deadly game of cat and mouse.

BATWING #1

Written by JUDD WINICK

Art and cover by BEN OLIVER

On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Africa, a land of beauty – and of great horror. A land of creation and conflict. It is in desperate need of a defender, and from the ranks of Batman Incorporated comes a soldier to carry on the legacy of The Dark Knight in the most tumultuous region on Earth. Meet Batwing, the Batman of Africa!

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #1

Written by DAVID FINCH

Art by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND

Cover by DAVID FINCH

On sale SEPTEMBER 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

The Dark Knight struggles against a deadly – yet strangely familiar – foe in this phenomenal debut issue from superstar writer/artist David Finch (BRIGHTEST DAY, ACTION COMICS)!

As a mysterious figure slinks through the halls of Arkham Asylum, Batman must fight his way through a gauntlet of psychos, and Bruce Wayne faces the unexpected legal ramifications of Batman Incorporated!

BATMAN AND ROBIN #1

Written by PETER J. TOMASI

Art and cover by PATRICK GLEASON and MICK GRAY

On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Battling evil with his son, Damian, at his side, Batman now realizes that the hardest part of the job may be trying to work together!

As Batman and Robin try to adjust to their new partnership, a figure emerges from Bruce Wayne’s past: His name is NoBody, and he’s not happy that Batman Incorporated is shining a light on his own shadowy war against evil...

BATGIRL #1

Written by GAIL SIMONE

Art by ARDIAN SYAF and VICENTE CIFUENTES

Cover by ADAM HUGHES

On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Yes, it’s really happening!

Barbara Gordon is back as Batgirl – and she’s going to have to face the city’s most horrifying new villains as well as the dark secrets from her past. You won’t want to miss this stunning debut issue from fan-favorite BIRDS OF PREY writer Gail Simone!

BATWOMAN #1

Written by J.H. WILLIAMS III and W. HADEN BLACKMAN

Art and cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III

On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

At last! Batwoman’s new series begins, from the multiple award-winning creative team of J.H. Williams III and Haden Blackman!

In “Hydrology,” part 1 of 5, Batwoman faces deadly new challenges in her war against Gotham City’s underworld – and new trials in her life as Kate Kane.

Who or what is stealing children from the barrio, and for what vile purpose? Will Kate train her cousin, Bette Kane (a.k.a. Flamebird), as her new sidekick? How will she handle unsettling revelations about her father, Colonel Jacob Kane? And why is a certain government

NIGHTWING #1

Written by KYLE HIGGINS

Art and cover by EDDY BARROWS and JP MAYER

On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Dick Grayson flies high once more as Nightwing in a new series from hot new writer Kyle Higgins (BATMAN: GATES

OF GOTHAM)! And as he embraces his destiny, Haley’s Circus, the big top where Dick once performed, returns to Gotham City – bringing with it murder, mystery and superhuman evil. Nightwing must confront his past, among former friends and enemies from his circus days, while uncovering a much greater evil!

CATWOMAN #1

Written by JUDD WINICK

Art and cover by GUILLEM MARCH

On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

Meet Catwoman. She’s addicted to the night. Addicted to shiny objects. Addicted to Batman. Most of all, Catwoman is addicted to danger. She can’t help herself, and the truth is – she doesn’t want to. She’s good at being bad, and very bad at being good. Find out more about what makes Catwoman tick in this new series from writer Judd Winick (BATMAN: UNDER THE HOOD) and artist Guillem March (GOTHAM CITY SIRENS)!

BIRDS OF PREY #1

Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI

Art and cover by JESUS SAIZ

On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

One is wanted for a murder she didn’t commit. The other is on the run because she knows too much. They are Dinah Laurel Lance and Ev Crawford – a.k.a. Black Canary and Starling – and together, as Gotham City’s covert ops team, they’re taking down the villains other heroes can’t touch. But now they’ve attracted the attention of a grizzled newspaper reporter who wants to expose them, as well as a creepy, chameleon-like strike team that’s out to kill them.

Don’t miss the start of this hard-hitting new series from mystery novelist/comics writer Duane Swierczynski (Expiration Date, Cable).

RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #1

Written by SCOTT LOBDELL

Art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT

On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

No sooner has Batman’s former sidekick, Jason Todd, put his past as the Red Hood behind him than he finds himself cornered by a pair of modern day outlaws: Green Arrow’s rejected sidekick Arsenal, the damaged soldier of fortune, and the alien Starfire, a former prisoner of intergalactic war who won’t be chained again.

As a loner, Jason has absolutely no interest in this motley crew of outlaws. So what’s he going to do when they choose the Red Hood as their leader? Find out in this hot new series from writer Scott Lobdell (WILDC.A.T.S, Uncanny X-Men), featuring art by rising star Kenneth Rocafort (ACTION COMICS)!

Batwoman Takes Flight with New Series - check out a preview of the first issue!

Haven’t made it to the comic shop yet today? Fret not! For those of you who won’t haven’t seen the special sneak preview of BATWOMAN #1 that’s running in the back of today’s issues, you can see it here!

BATWOMAN #1 is the new series that places Katy Kane in the starring role of an ongoing series. Written by J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman with art by J.H. Williams III and Amy Reeder, this premiere issue will be one that you won’t want to miss.

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amy reeder, batwoman, J.H. Williams III, w. haden blackman

BATMAN Solicits for May

Excited about today’s earlier post, announcing BATMAN: GATES OF GOTHAM? Well, that’s not all, May’s going to be a major month for BATMAN – here’s your first look at May’s solicits, after the jump.

BATMAN INCORPORATED #7

Written by GRANT MORRISON

Art and cover by CHRIS BURNHAM

1:25 Variant cover by FRAZER IRVING

Man-of-Bats and his protégé, Red Raven, continue to aid the Dark Knight in tracking down a shadowy, sophisticated killer. Will these two members of The Club of Heroes become the newest additions to BATMAN INCORPORATED? Or will they die before they can even be offered the chance?

On sale MAY 25 • 32 pg, FC $2.99 US • RATED T

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #4

Written by DAVID FINCH

Art by DAVID FINCH & SCOTT WILLIAMS

Cover by DAVID FINCH

1:25 Variant cover by ANDY CLARKE

Etrigan the Demon’s loyalties are stretched to their breaking point, and when he chooses sides, an epic battle ensues with Batman! The victor can only be decided with the help of a new friend, but there’s no time to spare for infighting, because Gotham City is being overrun by a demon horde…

Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information. This issue is resolicited. All previous orders are cancelled.

Resolicit • On sale MAY 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

DETECTIVE COMICS #877

Written by SCOTT SNYDER

Art and cover by JOCK

Batman plunges deeper into the mystery surrounding the brutal murder of a young woman whose body was found in the belly of a killer whale. But his detective skills lead him into a deadly trap set in motion by some of the Gotham Underworld’s newest and most fearsome players. Don’t miss the finale of “Hungry City!”

On sale MAY 25 • 32 pg, FC $2.99 US • RATED T

BATMAN #710

Written by TONY DANIEL

Art by TONY DANIEL & RYAN WINN

Cover by TONY DANIEL

Two-Face is back! As an unknown villain targets Two-Face and other Gotham City crimelords for extermination, Batman discovers that Kitrina Falcone, a.k.a. “CATGIRL,” is next on the hit list! Can he save the junior mobster in time? And will helping Kitrina force Catwoman to get involved?

On sale MAY 18 • 32 pg, FC $2.99 US • RATED T

BATMAN & ROBIN #23

Written by JUDD WINICK

Art and cover by GUILLEM MARCH

1:10 Variant cover by GENE HA

Jason Todd - Batman’s one-time sidekick, currently the anti-hero known as Red Hood - has been imprisoned in Arkham Asylum for the past several months. But after a period of good behavior, will a transfer to a lower-security prison mean reformation for Jason Todd . . . or is trouble waiting in the wings for Batman and Robin? Don’t miss “The Streets Run Red” part one of three!

On sale MAY 11 • 32 pg, FC $2.99 US • RATED T

BATWOMAN #2

Written by J.H. WILLIAMS III and W. HADEN BLACKMAN

Art and cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III

1:10 Variant cover by AMY REEDER

Horror! A terrifying new villain stalks the innocent children of Gotham City.

Intrigue! A threatening government agency is hot on Batwoman’s trail.

Romance! Kate Kane’s new relationship is heating up.

It’s all here for our heroine! Can Batwoman stop the new evil rising from the damp back alleys of Gotham’s barrios and overcome the many challenges she faces as both Batwoman and Kate Kane? 2011’s most anticipated new ongoing series intensifies in this exciting second installment of the 5-part “Hydrology” storyline!

Resolicit • On sale MAY 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

RED ROBIN #23

Written by FABIAN NICIEZA

Art and cover by MARCUS TO and RAY MCCARTHY

The “7 Days of Death” begin with assassination attempts on Bruce Wayne and Lucius Fox by the international assassin Scarab – but isn’t she in jail? To find the killer, Red Robin may have to spring the real Scarab from prison! Is this an assault on Wayne Enterprises, or do the first two days of death signal the start of a deeper conspiracy?

On sale MAY 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #23

Written by PETER CALLOWAY

Art by ANDRES GUINALDO and LORENZO RUGGIERO

Cover by GUILLEM MARCH

Breakout at Arkham! With Harley Quinn in danger, can Catwoman and Poison Ivy put aside their tumultuous history and work together to save Harley? Guest-starring The Joker, Clayface and Jeremiah Arkham!

On sale MAY 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

BATMAN BEYOND #5

Written by ADAM BEECHEN

Art by RYAN BENJAMIN and JOHN STANISCI

Cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN

Rioting workers are threatening to close down Wayne-Powers Industries and send stock prices spiraling down the tubes! There’s only one thing Batman can do in this situation: Track down Paxton Powers, just released from prison, and see what he knows about it! “Industrial Revolution” begins here!

On sale MAY 4 • 32 pg, FC $2.99 US • RATED T

BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #40

Written by DAN DIDIO

Art by KEITH GIFFEN and SCOTT KOBLISH

Cover by PHILIP TAN

Batman arrives in an attempt to unite Black Lightning’s team with Geo-Force’s for the final battle against Veritas. But as one teammate is lost and others leave, Batman must determine if it’s time to disband The Outsiders forever.

On sale MAY 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • FINAL ISSUE • RATED T

BATGIRL #21

Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER

Art by DUSTIN NGUYEN and DEREK FRIDOLFS

Cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN

When the Grey Ghost puts himself in harm’s way to save Gotham City from the Reaper’s sound-wielding Harmony, it’s up to Batgirl to save the day. If Batgirl has her way, her first team-up with the Grey Ghost will be her last with the Grey Ghost – assuming they both make it out alive.

On sale MAY 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

BIRDS OF PREY #12

Written by GAIL SIMONE

Art and cover by JESUS SAIZ

They’ve had the growing pains, the split-ups and the reunions. Now it’s time to see the Birds of Prey do the dirty jobs no one else can. When a mysterious yet familiar villain threatens to organize all East Coast criminal activity, from loan sharking to illegal arms trading, Oracle is forced to test the limits of the Batman Incorporated strategy, using her own operatives as pawns in a battle for the soul of Gotham City!

On sale MAY 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

DC COMICS PRESENTS: BATMAN – DARK KNIGHT, DARK CITY #1

Written by PETER MILLIGAN

Art by KIERON DWYER, TOM MANDRAKE and DENNIS JANKE

Cover by MIKE MIGNOLA and GEORGE PRATT

In these thrilling tales from BATMAN #452-454, The Riddler goes on a crimepsree – but when he has the chance to kill Batman, he let The Dark Knight live. What strange game is The Riddler playing? Plus, in a story from DETECTIVE COMICS #633, Bruce Wayne returns to Wayne Manor to find no trace of the Batcave, and Alfred without any knowledge of his master’s crimefighting career. Has Bruce Wayne gone insane?

On sale MAY 18 • 96 pg, FC, $7.99 US

DCU IN 2011: Gothic horror, action and BATWOMAN in 2011

2010 was a big year for Batwoman, with the publication of the beautiful hardcover of BATWOMAN: ELEGY and issue #0 of generating flat out rave reviews in the press. 2011 promises even bigger and better things with the launch of the eagerly anticipated BATWOMAN ongoing series.

For insight into what’s in store for Kate Kane, we reached out to J.H. Williams:

“We're very excited over the things we've come up with for Batwoman. Many layers to the story will unfold as the series progresses, and we'll be going for a genre bending approach to things. We're starting things off very much in a gothic horror type of story, and this will dovetail into more of a classic spy espionage plot with a touch Tarantino like structure, that in turn dovetails into more of a fantasy epic. The interesting thing about this genre bending plot movement is that these stories will be interconnected by an overall arcing plot. And while doing so, some of our main goals are dealing with the fall out between Kate Kane and her father Colonel Jacob Kane over the lies about her twin sister's death from when they were children. This is stemming from events in the BATWOMAN: ELEGY book. We are also going to be creating a rogues gallery for Batwoman. Right now she really only has Alice and the Religion Of Crime. While those elements are great, we feel that Batwoman's longevity as a strong character will be greatly enhanced by building her a mythos of villains that she can call her own, and we've got some very mean gruesome ones on the way. Detective Maggie Sawyer will also have a major role in the series as we explore the possibilities in Kate's personal life and how they relate to her being Batwoman. We're going to explore Batwoman's relationship with Flamebird (Bette Kane, Kate's cousin) in some very interesting ways. And while all of this is going on, a very powerful governmental agency is going to be breathing down her neck. As the series rolls out you can expect horror, action, intrigue, fantasy, heroism, and a whole lot of villainy.”

The collaborative process on comic books is always notable and never more so than with the new series. J.H. and W. Haden Blackman are co-writing the series and J.H. and Amy Reeder are re-defining the very concept of artistic collaboration with amazing visuals, along with award winning colorist Dave Stewart.

What’s that writing process like? Take it away, Mr. Blackman.

“The writing process is pretty organic. We usually start with a bunch of disconnected ideas – scenes, snippets of dialogue, a villain, a big set-piece, the fate of a specific character – and work together to put those into a coherent structure with an actual character arc. We go back and forth between being very freeform and creative, and then knuckling down and focusing on nuts-and bolts structure; I’ve actually been really pleasantly surprised that as a team, we’ve been able to transition back and forth so easily. Then for any given issue, we both write first drafts of different scenes – but again, it’s a very organic process. If one of us has a strong vision for how a panel or sequence plays out, or can hear a particular conversation in our head, then we run with that scene. We then compile these scenes into a draft for the entire issue and spend hours on the phone hashing out choreography, rewriting dialogue, and smoothing out all the little details.

“When we first starting working on this title, I thought I’d be most excited about writing all the big superhero moments. And those are certainly a lot of fun to write, but the more I get to know these characters, the more I enjoy the quieter, more personal moments – the complexities of Kate’s relationships with her father, Bette, and Maggie all allow for a lot of great scenes and exchanges.”

And here’s what Amy Reeder had to say about the art for the series:

“JH had the idea to collaborate on the interiors of the 0 issue, something to involve me in the tease of the sort of art that's to come on the series. Starting with issue 1, we will be trading off arcs as you might usually expect. He will be drawing issues 1-5 and I'll be drawing 6-11. In addition, we'll each be doing a cover for the issues. I'll be drawing the variants for JH's issues, and he'll be drawing the variants for mine! I'm so happy to be involved to this degree and hope that the end product is a seamless collaboration.”

Readers who picked up BATWOMAN #0 got an early sneak peak at JH Williams’ uncolored art from the first issue of the ongoing series. In case you missed it, here are those amazing pages, along with another page of art by JH and Amy Reeder’s stunning variant cover to issue 1.

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amy reeder, batwoman, dcu in 2011, J.H. Williams III, kate kane, w. haden blackman

Who is BATWOMAN?

Today, BATWOMAN #0 hits, featuring an all star creative roster that includes writer/artist J.H. Williams III, co-writer W. Haden Blackman and artist Amy Reeder. Springing out of a best-selling, Eisner and GLAAD Award-winning arc in DETECTIVE COMICS, BATWOMAN #0 sets the stage for the ongoing BATWOMAN series slated to launch in February – and it’s a perfect primer. The issue follows the Dark Knight as he ponders the very question we kick this post off with. Can Batman put the clues together and confirm Batwoman’s identity? My money’s on yes, but the fun’s in how the story unfolds. Trust me on this one.

By now, you’ve probably seen pages at Newsarama, IGN – along with a great interview with Williams – and COMIC BOOK RESOURCES (not to mention an excellent roundtable interview with the entire creative team), but why not take another look? Consider this a gentle reminder that today is an epic new comic day. Just take a look at those pages below. And stick around for a spotlight on another must-buy Bat-book.

BATWOMAN #0 hits today.

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Tags:

amy reeder, Batman, batman incorporated, batwoman, J.H. Williams III, w. haden blackman

NYCC 2010: Are you ready for Batman in November?

You should be after you look over these promo images. And with NYCC in full swing, expect lots of BATMAN-centric chatter over the weekend. See you at the booth!

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amy reeder, Batman, batman incorporated, batman: the dark knight, batwoman, david finch, detective comics, grant morrison, J.H. Williams III, jock, scott snyder, Tony Daniel, w. haden blackman, yanick paquette

Some BATWOMAN news to close out the week

To say anticipation has been high for the launch of the new BATWOMAN series would be an understatement. The character of Kate Kane instantly connected with fans, and her initial solo adventures in DETECTIVE COMICS (which you can read in the BATWOMAN: ELEGY HC – see what I did there?) cemented the character as a lasting part of the DC Universe and the cultural landscape. Not only was she the first major gay DC superhero, she was a compelling and unique character.

A lot of that goes back to the source material, namely the story crafted by ELEGY writer Greg Rucka and the beautiful, lush work of artist J.H. Williams III. And, as we announced in this very space not long ago, Batwoman’s story would continue in the pages of her own series, co-written by Williams and W. Haden Blackman and featuring alternating artistic arcs from Williams and Amy Reeder.

Well, now we’ve got some details to go with that news.

This November, fans will see BATWOMAN #0, a one-shot primer that brings together the new creative team for a special tale that sets the tone for the upcoming ongoing series, which will hit in February 2011. The #0 issue features an artistic collaboration in the truest sense, as both Williams and Reeder will be splitting the work on almost every page, and working off a script from Blackman and Williams. As previously revealed, the ongoing series will kick off with Williams on art duties for the first arc, followed by Reeder.

That image you see above? The variant cover to BATWOMAN #0 by Reeder. Let’s touch base with the creative folk putting the issue together.

"BATWOMAN #0 has been a great experience in that it's a real combination of everyone's efforts due to the nature of the story and how it's constructed. It has been a real pleasure.,” Williams said. “This special ‘bridge’ issue straddles between what came before and what is to come, but manages to be it's own unique thing. It's unusual construction allows two threads of content to run simultaneously, building to a greater whole, hopefully creating an interesting reading experience."

"The element I'm most excited about with our run of BATWOMAN is the way we're trying to balance the big action with a more personal story. This has been a challenge because we didn't want to just have one action-oriented plotline for Batwoman and a separate personal story for Kate Kane -- we've really tried to weave the two together, and show how one impacts the other,” Blackman said. “The first arc is very much a superhero horror story, but we're hoping the horror elements are made even scarier because it's all happening to characters the reader cares about.

"The #0 was very rewarding to write because it re-introduces

Batwoman through the eyes of Batman. It gave us a chance to compare and contrast Batwoman with a character everyone knows very well -- and I think that it's all the ways she is different from Batman that make her a really compelling and honest character."

And Amy does a nice job of summing the whole shebang up:

"BATWOMAN #0 is going to be stellar. J.H. and Haden's script is very cool and it's set up in a way that's truly meant for collaboration. What a great project to be involved in!"

Indeed. Stay tuned for a few more news items this week and next.

Tags:

amy reeder, Batman, batwoman, detective comics, Greg Rucka, J.H. Williams III, w. haden blackman

A first look at the new BATWOMAN series

It’s almost time for the doors to open at the San Diego Comic-Con, so we figured it’d be the ideal moment to unveil some never-before-seen artwork. How about a first look at some art from J.H. Williams III’s new BATWOMAN series? Well, here you go. Hope to see you soon!

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batwoman, J.H. Williams III, w. haden blackman

IT'S OFFICIAL: BATWOMAN ONGOING SERIES

Last week, artist J.H. Williams III was nominated for two Eisners -- best penciler/inker and cover artist -- for his much-acclaimed run on Batwoman in DETECTIVE COMICS. His art was praised and recognized not only by the Eisners but across the mainstream and comic trade press for its fluid and versatile look in presenting Kate Kane and helping define her as a lasting character. J.H.'s distinctive style and creative page layouts were a key part of the book's success.

Don't expect that to change. In fact, J.H.'s role is about to be expanded. In the coming months, Batwoman will settle into more permanent digs of her own -- namely, an ongoing series both written and drawn by Williams. He'll be getting a co-writer in W. Haden Blackman, a writer known for his work in the Star Wars universe, including the Star Wars: Galaxies MMO and The Force Unleashed video game. Additionally, MADAME XANADU artist Amy Reeder will be stepping in to handle the art for the second arc in the series. More on that later.

After her debut in the pages of 52, Batwoman became one of the most widely-discussed heroes of the modern era, due to her new role in the Batman family of characters and because of her role as one of the first openly-gay characters in the DC Universe. She's both a hero and an icon.

Now, coming out of a monumental run in the pages of DC's flagship title, she's finally taking over her very own ongoing series. What can readers expect? Let's all remember that this isn't J.H.'s first foray on the writing side, having co-plotted a majority of the much-loved CHASE series in the 90s. But let's check in with Mr Williams and Mr. Blackman, shall we?

"Our goal is to tell a riveting action adventure tale with some heart and drama to it," Williams said. "We want the reader to learn even more about who Kate Kane is as Batwoman -- showing why she is an important addition to the Bat Family of heroes beyond what has already been addressed. We are also wanting to really make sure we start building additions to her own "rogues gallery." Just how will Kate deal with the fallout between her and her father, Jacob? Will Kate be able to find love other than Renee Montoya, a.k.a. The Question? And as far as flavor -- there will be a sprinkle of creepy beings, myth and legends, government agency intrigue, and a surprise return of a fan-favorite character.

"This is going to be an amazing opportunity for Haden and I. To say we're excited about this prospect is a bit of an understatement. In addition to this, having the chance to work with Amy will be a real pleasure, her work is fantastic, and I've thought so ever since first encountering it sometime ago.”

“I’m very excited to be working on BATWOMAN," Blackman said. "I have a real affinity for the character. Jim [Williams III] and Greg [Rucka] have done an amazing job of establishing her as a premiere character in the DC Universe and I’m looking forward to using that as a launching pad to tell all-new stories with her. The opportunity to work with Jim is something we’ve been talking about for a long time and for me it’s really the best job in comics – getting the chance to work with someone who is truly one of the top talents in the industry.

"The thing that really attracts me to Batwoman as a character is her combination of a really strong, personal story and a dark, superheroic one. She has that perfect combination and I’m looking forward to the chance to take some of the classic aspects of vigilante comics and reinterpret them through the lens of this character.”

Excited yet?

As noted, not only will Williams be writing and drawing the first arc of the new ongoing, but he'll be continuing on as writer for the next arc after that, paired with artist Amy Reeder, who comes to Gotham City after a stint as the artist on Vertigo's MADAME XANADU. Reeder's clear storytelling and realistic and fluid artwork makes her a perfect choice for the gig. What do you think, Amy?

"To say I'm excited is an huge understatement! J.H. Williams has very much inspired me with his ability to rethink the medium, and his work on Detective Comics has left me awestricken. When I heard I'd get to be involved with the new Batwoman series, I felt overwhelmed but excited at the challenge of working alongside him on this newly-beloved character. So I'm sure you can imagine how thrilled I was when it turned out he would write the series as well. This leaves me with no choice but to step up my abilities beyond any natural progression. And I can't wait."

Thanks, Amy! And last, but certainly not least, we checked in with DC Comics Co-Publisher Dan DiDio for his thoughts on the character finally landing her own ongoing.

"We're all extremely proud of what Batwoman stands for -- both as a compelling character and as an icon representative of the diversity we strive for in the DC Universe," DiDio said. "We’re grateful to Greg Rucka for the excellent work he put into introducing the character. J.H. did a masterful job on the art side during her stint in DETECTIVE COMICS, so it made this the perfect time to have him step into the dual role of writer and artist. Needless to say, we’re very excited to see what this new creative team has in store for the character.”

Tags:

amy reeder, batwoman, Dan DiDio, J.H. Williams III, w. haden blackman