Batman Reborn Relaunch: an Inside Look at IGN

[RonnieThunderbolts]

IGN gives us a look at the upcoming Batman titles in an interview with Mike Marts (http://comics.ign.com/articles/988/988283p1.html).

Looks interesting. The picture of the Wall was accurate when they showed it to us during Battle for the Cowl, and it seems like the new picture of the Wall (http://comicsmedia.ign.com/comics/image/article/988/988283/inside-the-relaunch-of-batman-20090529034805940.jpg) reveals some information.

It seems like:

Spoiler may indeed be Batgirl. The idea that there may be more than one Batgirl seems more plausible than ever to me, although certainly not really spelled out or indicated per se, but with the possibility left open. It would also seem the theory that the "red hooded vigilante" in Morrison's Batman is the Red Hood is correct, and he is possibly (probably?) Jason. Not a guarantee, Marts says they are assuming he died, but he uses the word assume, and it still seems like a possibility.

I really am hesitantly excited for the relaunch/focus on the Bat-titles this summer. Each one sounds somewhat promising to me, and I really look forward to seeing where all the titles take us as readers.

[Armless Penguin]

Do they seriously expect us to think Tim is not Red Robin? A former protegé of Batman who uses a bo-staff and is a master detective? Really?

[Quinnhop]

Do they seriously expect us to think Tim is not Red Robin? A former protegé of Batman who uses a bo-staff and is a master detective? Really?

lol

And he outright said in Gotham Gazette that he's leaving Gotham for a while.

[RonnieThunderbolts]

Do they seriously expect us to think Tim is not Red Robin? A former protegé of Batman who uses a bo-staff and is a master detective? Really?

lAnd he outright said in Gotham Gazette that he's leaving Gotham for a while.

Yeah, I will be supremely shocked if it isn't Red Robin. The fact that Spoiler isn't a cast member on Red Robin, and that the picture on the Wall isn't OF the Red Robin costume, but is of Tim in the cowl from the final arc in the Robin series... I don't know, I don't want to eat my words later, but I highly doubt it is anyone but Tim. I certainly hope it isn't, to leave out Tim would be a mistake in my view.

[Armless Penguin]

Not to mention there was that post-BFTC Newsarama interview with Tony Daniel where he basically said it was Tim.

I don't know. It just seems really disingenuous to be playing the "I wouldn't be so quick to assume . . . " card this late in the game, with everything that has been released. I don't even understand the point of trying to keep it a mystery anyway. I can't imagine sales would skyrocket because people were desperately eager to find out who's behind the Red Robin mask.

[Will.S]

I'm surprised to see Jason Todd/Red Hood in Morrison's Batman more than anything since I expected Winick to run with that character but that's an interesting organization of characters.

[Retro315]

I'm actually surprised Morrison's going to be using Red Hood. But excited.

So it seems Winnick will be delving into the three-way battle between Two-Face, Penguin and the new Black Mask, with some various icons and heavies thrown into the mix and he'll be picking up on the Arkham stuff as well. It's good to know the ramifications of that "gang war" will still be going on quite strong.

I get the vibe that Gordon and Bullock are the main characters in Streets of Gotham, from that board ... naturally Dini'll still be playing with Hush. Taking on lower C-Listers like Zsasz ... and Manhunter going after Jane Doe is no surprise, it's already been solicited. Still, if that book is ultimately Gordon & Bullock co-starring Manhunter it may be excellent.

Ra's al Ghul and Vicki Vale in Red Robin? Not where I expected them to pop up at all.

Sirens and Azrael give no new information. Detective gives zilch. Batgirl looks an awful lot like "Birds of Prey". Outsiders, nothing new again.

[Frisky Dingo]

Hmm.... Some interesting stuff on that wall.

I'm wondering for "Batgirl" if they just tossed all of those pictures up there to throw us off or what.

Also find it interesting that Vicki Vale is going to be in "Red Robin". I wonder if she's the female pictured on the cover of issue #3 (the graveyard one). That threw me off at first, but she should be a interesting supporting character in that book.

I'm bummed that Huntress isn't being featured in a particular book though. Was hoping she'd be a major player in "Streets of Gotham". Hopefully she'll show up somewhere frequently. Seems like from the interview that they don't have any really solid plans for her, just guest appearances here and there.

[Frisky Dingo]

http://comicsmedia.ign.com/comics/image/article/988/988283/inside-the-relaunch-of-batman-20090529034805940.jpg

[Armless Penguin]

I'm wondering for "Batgirl" if they just tossed all of those pictures up there to throw us off or what.


I kind of thought that at first too, and he does say that one of those pictured will become Batgirl. I wouldn't be surprised, though, if that book didn't take a more Birds of Prey-esque tone and all of those characters really are featured.

[Frisky Dingo]

Yeah, but what Marts was saying and what the picture shows us, doesn't really jive with the solicit for "Batgirl #1"


In the wake of "Batman R.I.P." and BATTLE FOR THE COWL, a new heroine has emerged in Gotham City, and as she begins her nocturnal crusade to take back the night, she will truly learn what it means to wear the mantle of the Bat. But who is this young woman, and why has she donned the cape and cowl?

I guess I'm just stuck on the word new, but I apparently DC is going to be liberal with that term. Still interested to see who ends up as Batgirl and a "Birds of Prey" type book like you see forming would be an interesting take.

[Will.S]

I guess I'm just stuck on the word new, but I apparently DC is going to be liberal with that term. Still interested to see who ends up as Batgirl and as "Birds of Prey" type book like you see forming would be an interesting take.
I wouldn't get too excited for the new Batgirl given their previous attempts with the character.

[lepeos]

Why is Gordan under 'Batman' twice? And I really hope there isn't gonna be a Battle for the Cowl-ette

[Frisky Dingo]

Why is Gordan under 'Batman' twice?

Probably the same reason Batwoman isn't under "Detective Comics", just a mix up by someone.

[Spiffy]

Is that a picture of a racoon under Holly? Huh?

Really it seems to me like this is all about splitting up the Bat players to avoid too much duplication, and to "reserve" the right of certain writers to use them primarily, but there are a bunch of notable undecideds. Huntress being a big one. Bane another (although maybe he's being left for Secret Six now). Clayface. Mr. Freeze. I guess those are all "free agents" and not reserved right now by any specific writer.

I'd bet Gordon is under "Batman" twice for the very simple reason that originally three pictures of him were printed out and its undecided if he'll appear in a third title. So his extra pic is just being stored under Batman pending it moving elsewhere or being torn up.

Spoiler being at the "TOP" of the Batgirl column is interesting. It might almost be TOO obvious. It could of course equally just be that they didn't expect this picture to be picked over.

[Captain Jim]

Is that a picture of a racoon under Holly? Huh?

Marts said someone put the racoon there as a joke, because he hates racoons.

[RonnieThunderbolts]

Marts said someone put the racoon there as a joke, because he hates racoons.

How does that relate to my thoughts on Tim as Red Robin?

[HopeLantern]

Okay, I guess this kills my theory that

Hush is the new Black Mask....

Rats.

[Captain Jim]

How does that relate to my thoughts on Tim as Red Robin?

Oops, quoted the wrong post. Must be past my bedtime. :redface:

[RonnieThunderbolts]

Oops, quoted the wrong post. Must be past my bedtime. :redface:

It makes INFINITELY more sense now that you've edited. Thanks :)

[CYOTI]

Okay, I guess this kills my theory that

Hush is the new Black Mask....

Rats.
Isn't the new Black Mask, BLACK?

[CYOTI]

Clayface. Mr. Freeze. I guess those are all "free agents" and not reserved right now by any specific writer. No they are grouped under the Outsiders header along with Slade and the Insiders so presumably they are under the aegis of that book (which makes sense since they are already tying Rex in with Savage's meteor, all the Clayfaces are probably fair game too).

Spoiler being at the "TOP" of the Batgirl column is interesting. It might almost be TOO obvious. It could of course equally just be that they didn't expect this picture to be picked over. Good point. And since she is one of Didio's favorites, good chance of her being Batgirl.

[numberONE]

I was hoping Jayson Todd would appear in BATMAN. It'll be interesting to see what Morrison does with him, though.

[Armadillo]

DC released an image which I think featuring the main characters of the 8 Bats titles-
http://media.comics.ign.com/articles/988/988283/img_6804022.html
Im happy that the Joker isnt featured in any specific title and is in the 'at large' section.
Wilson is in Outsider and not in Batman as some speculated.

[ProdSlash]

Well, the image seems to confirm TIm Drake as Red Robin, considering they used the image of him wearing the Red Robin cowl from his regular title. In addition, it seems to suggest that Cassandra Cain will return as Batgirl. Poor Spoiler, left all on her own again.

[numberONE]

This picture has already been posted in another thread.






edit: threads merged - Captain Jim

[Frisky Dingo]

Yeah, already a thread on this. Located here:
http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=271590

[smoothjokes]

I honestly think that the Red Hood in Batman & Robin will be the Joker, the story-arc that Marts mentioned is called "The Return of the Red Hood". I am personally assuming that the Black Mask is Jason Todd. It makes sense to me given the writer of "Batman". Jason Todd is a sociopath who steals other people's identity's for his own benefit. Red Robin is Tim Drake, though it's stupid he's taken up THAT costume of all things, really forced and probably be canceled rather quickly.

[AiyokuSama]

Poor Spoiler, left all on her own again.

I hope not. While I'm all for Cass being Batgirl, I would love to see the best friend relationship between Cass and Steph again.

[carabas]

Meh. I'm fed up with DC's increasingly ludicrous attemps at getting us to buy a cat in a bag.
I'm not even considering pre-ordering a Red Robin or Batgirl book when I have not even a clue about what the book is about,especially given the creative teams involved.

[Ravel]

It might just be me, or the artists, but I do think there will be 2 Batmans.

Didio said that the new Batman and Robin duo were not Dick and Damien.

You go back onto the last issue of battle for the cowl and you see Damien saving Tim, with a Batman's suit.

Next you see 2 periferic visions, on one you see Damien, the other you see Alfred in front of the new batman.

It looked to me like it was the vision of 2 different persons, instead of one. Even if just one was narrating.

Plus, from previous indeed it looks like one batman is bigger than the other and Red Robin is too pumped up to be Tim.

So to me, I guess we will indeed have 2 batmans.

Dick will be the solo Batman, while Tim will act as Batman tagging along with Damien.

There was also another hint from previews that gave me this idea. 2 different panels where there are 2 bat belts, one has Nightwing's logo, the other has Batman's. And the batmobile from Batman and Robin does look like the old Red Bird Robin-mobile. Or at least a little bit.

Then again who is Red Robin? Ask Jason Todd.

[carabas]

I think that what you're really seeing is Tony Harris being a awful artist.

Everyone involved has stated that there is only one Batman and Dick Grayson is his name.

[RonnieThunderbolts]

I think that what you're really seeing is Tony Harris being a awful artist.

Everyone involved has stated that there is only one Batman and Dick Grayson is his name.

Tony Harris is from Ex Machina, Starman, etc. you must have meant Tony Daniel.

But yeah, Ravel: there is only one Batman, most definitely.

[carabas]

Tony Harris is from Ex Machina, Starman, etc. you must have meant Tony Daniel.

But yeah, Ravel: there is only one Batman, most definitely.
Eh, yes, obviously. Embarassing error, as Harris is one of my favourite artists.

[ProdSlash]

I hope not. While I'm all for Cass being Batgirl, I would love to see the best friend relationship between Cass and Steph again.

That could be cool, but I'd like to see her paired up with Tim again. She and Tim made one of the best teams.

[ProdSlash]

I think that what you're really seeing is Tony Harris being a awful artist.

Everyone involved has stated that there is only one Batman and Dick Grayson is his name.

Well, it's not like these people don't lie to us on a semi-regular basis...

[carabas]

Well, it's not like these people don't lie to us on a semi-regular basis...I think you're confusing them with Quesada. I can't offhand recall any big, bold-faced lies from DC.

[HopeLantern]

I honestly think that the Red Hood in Batman & Robin will be the Joker, the story-arc that Marts mentioned is called "The Return of the Red Hood". I am personally assuming that the Black Mask is Jason Todd. It makes sense to me given the writer of "Batman". Jason Todd is a sociopath who steals other people's identity's for his own benefit. Red Robin is Tim Drake, though it's stupid he's taken up THAT costume of all things, really forced and probably be canceled rather quickly.

Maybe I misread BFTC #3... but I got the impression that Black Mask was congratulating himself for his victory alone in his room, with his Mask off, while J.T. was fighting Nightwing? Plus, J.T. I thought was going to be used by Morrison in Batman and Robin for an arc.

I do agree with you... I'm still not sure why Tim wouldn't either pick a brand new identity instead of using Jason Todd's old get up.

[marvelprince]

I think you're confusing them with Quesada. I can't offhand recall any big, bold-faced lies from DC.

Um, how bout just a while ago when Didio "strongly implied" Dick and Damien weren't going to be the new dynamic duo.

And by "strongly implied" I meant lied

[F1uke]

Um, how bout just a while ago when Didio "strongly implied" Dick and Damien weren't going to be the new dynamic duo.

And by "strongly implied" I meant lied

Wasn't even a while ago, it was May 18th:

DiDio expressed some surprise that nobody appeared to have worked out the identity of the new caped crusader and his trusty sidekick in “Batman and Robin,” despite it being quite obvious to him – the implication being the new dynamic duo is not Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne, as surely that is what most people have suspected.

Complete bs I guess

[Captain Jim]

Well, it's not like these people don't lie to us on a semi-regular basis...

Oh, not that again. Haven't heard that since people were insisting that Gatman was Azrael, not Jason Todd. :rolleyes:

[jdwrocks]

Why no pic of Squire on that wall, dammit?!

[carabas]

Um, how bout just a while ago when Didio "strongly implied" Dick and Damien weren't going to be the new dynamic duo.

And by "strongly implied" I meant liedI don't recall reading that. Link please?

Edited to add:

Nevermind. But saying that noone has been able to figure out who Batman and Robin will be is not a direct lie. That would be saying Jaosn tod and Tim Grayson will be Batman and Robin.
Not on the order of saying repeatedly that there will be years of unmasked Spider-Man stories and that there will absolutely be no "Bobby Ewing steps out of the shower" moment when in fact the magical reset had been planned more than a year before the unmasking.

[RonnieThunderbolts]

I don't recall reading that. Link please?

There was a line in a con report from Bristol, it didn't relate his tone at all. He said that he was somewhat surprised that no one had guessed the identity of the new Batman and Robin. The article adds that it would seem to imply that it wasn't Dick and Damian. Without tone and context, the paraphrasing of his wording in the article makes the claim that this was an outright lie unproven. What did Dan Didio mean when he said no one had guessed? No one at all? No one at Bristol? The people in attendance of the panel at Bristol?

The guy is deceptive at times, but I don't think it is exactly the same as lying.

[Captain Jim]

There was a line in a con report from Bristol, it didn't relate his tone at all. He said that he was somewhat surprised that no one had guessed the identity of the new Batman and Robin. The article adds that it would seem to imply that it wasn't Dick and Damian. Without tone and context, the paraphrasing of his wording in the article makes the claim that this was an outright lie unproven. What did Dan Didio mean when he said no one had guessed? No one at all? No one at Bristol? The people in attendance of the panel at Bristol?

The guy is deceptive at times, but I don't think it is exactly the same as lying.

Well said. These con reports are subject to interpretation and can sometimes be ambiguous or confusing. I'd like to see someone point out a direct lie in one of the interviews which is inscribed verbatim, such as one finds on Newsarama, for instance.

[NeoStar9X]

I saw this picture over at ComicBloc and though it was pretty interesting. It seems to show the character break down for the various books from Batman & Robin to Outsiders. It's originally from IGN.

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/1222/batmanrelaunchh.jpg

[Choppa]

Not new. The cat is the new Batwoman :tongue:

[Spiffy]

Been posted here before, in 2 or 3 previous topics.

[Libaax]

Makes me wonder where Azrael fit. I like the new one and hope he get supporting role in one of the many bat comics.

[mr. batman]

Why isn't Batwoman under 'tec?

[RonnieThunderbolts]

Why isn't Batwoman under 'tec?

It fell off the board, the image came from an interview with Mike Marts at IGN.com where he said that the Batwoman image fell off by accident and the raccoon in Gotham City Sirens was his assistant playing a joke on him, as he hates raccoons.

[Frisky Dingo]

Already a thread about this here:

http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=271590