Judd Winick leaving Batwing

**FHIZ** · 08-25-2012, 07:45 AM

His full statement:

"It’s with a heavy heart that I announce that I’ll be leaving the DC monthly Batwing, I’ve had a terrific time on the title and have loved crafting this adventure with some phenomenal people. Artists Ben Oliver, Marcus To, and Brain Reber have made these stories come to life. I will miss telling the tales of David Zavimbe, the Batman of Africa in many ways, but I’m proud of the work we’ve done. My departure is simply a time issue, I’m pursing a few other projects that make it impossible for me continue doing a monthly book."

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/judd...s-batwing.html

Well, that sucks (and terribly timed, as people will probably associate it to similar reasons for another rather public crapstorm stew going) but what are we gonna do? Who takes over now? In my opinion, it really needs to be a young/new writer. Batwing doesn't really come with a whole lot of strings attached, which could allow some new blood to really take risks and potentially thrive.

**InformationGeek** · 08-25-2012, 08:12 AM

I got the first volume of this title last month and it was very good. This really stinks since he was doing such a good job on it. I hope to see him again in the future on another DC project whenever he can.

**weeks** · 08-25-2012, 08:29 AM

I hope the title returns to the feel of the first arc, felt like somethimg different from the other bat-books. Not really sure who could be a good fit.

**Patroklos** · 08-25-2012, 08:38 AM

I think this series has lost some of it's quality and appeal after the first arc. Mostly due to the loss of Ben Oliver's art (how has he not gotten a new gig at DC?!) but also due to Batwing constantly being entangled with Batman, Nightwing, JLI and Gotham City. Any new writer has to get out of that particular editorial mandate, otherwise this series will suffocate from not being allowed to explore it's own settings and characters.

**Desean101101** · 08-25-2012, 08:39 AM

I Love that he is going all In on getting His All Ages Graphic Novels out of the gate and I hope to see him back on some books in the future and Wish Judd more Work in the future.

**new_onslaught** · 08-25-2012, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by RedliwNala

I think this series has lost some of it's quality and appeal after the first arc. Mostly due to the loss of Ben Oliver's art (how has he not gotten a new gig at DC?!) but also due to Batwing constantly being entangled with Batman, Nightwing, JLI and Gotham City. Any new writer has to get out of that particular editorial mandate, otherwise this series will suffocate from not being allowed to explore it's own settings and characters.

Haven't checked Batwing's sales, but how did the participation in the Night Of The Owls, the visit to Gotham and the appearance of Nightwing affected its sales?

**Rakzo** · 08-25-2012, 08:53 AM

Goddammit, I thought he would at least keep working on Batwing!.

This is a damn shame, I love Winick's superhero work, he's an author that really understands and love the genre. Anyway, I wish him the best luck of the world on his creator owned book.

I hope DC does'nt cancel Batwing and find a good writer to replace him.

**LoneNecromancer** · 08-25-2012, 08:56 AM

Yeah, I'm gonna agree with that it lost quality after the first arc. As much as I like seeing Marcus To drawing Nightwing and Damian, but I think this book has really suffered from the guest appearances and not just being allowed to focus on its own unique aspects.

What the book really needs is a bit more of an untested writer. The sales are gonna drop after Winick leaves anyway, and you may as well just let some young gun have a shot and see if they can turn it into a quality and creative book to compensate for that. Cos honestly, I don't really see how much life this book has left.

**DragonPiece** · 08-25-2012, 09:15 AM

I am guessing it may get one more 2 part story for issues 15 and 16 and then will get canned in time for the fourth wave.

**MajorHoy** · 08-25-2012, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by FHIZ

. . . Well, that sucks (and terribly timed, as people will probably associate it to similar reasons for another rather public crapstorm stew going) but what are we gonna do? Who takes over now? In my opinion, it really needs to be a young/new writer. Batwing doesn't really come with a whole lot of strings attached, which could allow some new blood to really take risks and potentially thrive.

I don't know about a young/new writer for Batwing . . . unless they really knock it out of the park with his (or her) first issue, the title could suffer even further loss of sales because3 some people follow creators instead of characters.

**Xarcon** · 08-25-2012, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by new_onslaught

Haven't checked Batwing's sales, but how did the participation in the Night Of The Owls, the visit to Gotham and the appearance of Nightwing affected its sales?

From Comichron:

March: 18,952
April: 18,336
May: 35,731
June: 20,724
July: 20,047

It's sad to see Winick leave. I was really enjoying Batwing. It may not be the lowest-selling book, but I think Winick leaving increases the chance of Batwing being cancelled for the fourth wave.

**DarkKnghtJared** · 08-25-2012, 11:12 AM

Awww. :(

I hope they get someone good to replace him--I've really grown to like David from this book.

**FHIZ** · 08-25-2012, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by MajorHoy

I don't know about a young/new writer for Batwing . . . unless they really knock it out of the park with his (or her) first issue, the title could suffer even further loss of sales because3 some people follow creators instead of characters.

Well, I said with not much confidence in Batwing's long term staying power. I don't think it'll get axed in wave four, but I won't be surprised with five. So while we've still got what's left, I'd like to see a young/new talent do their best and really step up to the plate.