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DC Celebrates 125 Issues with Batman with Variant Covers, a New Creative Team, and New Story Arc

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To celebrate the debut of fan-favorite writer Chip Zdarsky and the return of artists Jorge Jiménez and Tomeu Morey, DC has revealed an incredible selection of covers for their debut issue, Batman #125, on sale July 5.

Featuring a main wraparound cover by series artist Jiménez, these variant covers are rendered by some of the most celebrated and dynamic artists in comics, including:

  • Open to buy variant cover by DC Publishing and Chief Creative Officer Jim Lee
  • Open to buy variant cover by InHyuk Lee
  • Open to buy variant cover by Gabriele Dell’Otto
  • An acetone variant cover by Simone di Meo
  • A 1 in 25 black and white variant of the main cover by Jorge Jimenez
  • A 1 in 50 variant cover by JOCK
  • A 1 in 125 foil variant cover by Alex Garner
  • A 1 in 250 variant cover by series writer Chip Zdarsky
  • A 1 in 500 black and white variant cover of Jim Lee’s open to buy variant

Zdarsky, Jiménez, and Morey take The Dark Knight into uncharted waters this summer with their debut story arc, “Failsafe.”  Bruce Wayne is at a turning point, haunted by dreams of a dark future, while Gotham City billionaires are being gruesomely murdered. With the discovery of an archenemy’s involvement and a tragedy unfolding, the Dark Knight’s nightmares are just beginning. Batman has a plan for everything, but can even he plan for the horror that is Failsafe?

And in the backup story, there’s chaos in Gotham as the underworld fights over one of its crown jewels…and Selina Kyle is caught in the middle. Can she stop the bloodshed and maybe even make a little money in the process?

Batman: The Knight – Compendium Edition Collects the First Three Issues and Teases Batman #125

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Batman: The Knight, Chip Zdarsky and Carmine Di Giandomenico’s unique take on an orphaned Bruce Wayne’s path to becoming Gotham City’s guardian, has released to incredible critical and sales acclaim, with March’s issue #3 selling out completely.

Now, all three issues are heading back to press as DC announced plans to publish Batman: The Knight – Compendium Edition. This 96-page, $7.99 comic book arrives is available for pre-order now and arrives in stores and on participating digital platforms on Tuesday, May 10.

Featuring a new cardstock cover by series artist Di Giandomenico, Batman: The Knight – Compendium Edition combines issues #1 – #3 of the series, but also includes a special bonus: a preview of part one of “Failsafe,” Zdarsky’s debut story arc in Batman #125 (on sale July 7). The preview also spotlights the return of superstar artist Jorge Jiménez and colorist Tomeu Morey, joining Zdarsky as the ongoing talent team for the series.

Batman: The Knight – Compendium Edition

Review: Batman #122

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Batman #122

With a new creative team coming in a few months, Batman is at an interesting point. After an opening story arc that got the character out of Gotham for a bit, he’s back in the US and roped into “Shadow War“, the event that pits Deathstroke against the League of Assassins. Ra’s has been murdered and it looks like Deathstroke is the assassin. It’s a clash of titan villains as war has begun. Batman #122 is the second entry in the event that has Batman attempting to figure out the who, what, and why of it all as the upcoming clash promises to escalate.

Joshua Williamson delivers a good entry to the story that has Batman being a detective. He’s been pulled into the assassination to figure out who did it and why and uses his cool tech tools in an attempt to do so. For a character that has gone low-tech in previous issues as he’s lost his fortune, the use of these particular tools stand out as they feel a little beyond is current means and a bit like the “old” Batman with the bottomless fortune and unlimited R&D. Beyond that, it’s a good entry in the event. For those that missed the opening issue for “Shadow War”, Batman #122 does a good job of catching up readers as to what’s going on and what it all means. It also moves around the various puzzle pieces as battles play out. It moves the story along really well.

Howard Porter handles the art with Tomeu Morey‘s color and lettering by Clayton Cowles. The art is good though at times doesn’t quite feel like it totally fits Batman. I’ve loved Porter’s work elsewhere as it has a certain kinetic style that really fits characters that involve a lot of movement and action. Here, with a character being more of a detective, it doesn’t quite fit those particular scenes. But, it does work for fights throughout. It’s an interesting style that I generally like but not all the way here.

The issue also features a back-up story from Williamson, art by Trevor Hairsine, color by Rain Beredo, and lettering by Willie Schubert. The story is supposed to be the first meeting between Batman and Deathstroke. Deathstroke is hired to kill Robin which of course leads to a clash between the two. I don’t know the history enough of these two to really nail it all down for continuity but the comic has a nice retro feel to it all. There’s also an intriguing twist at the end where I want to read the next chapter and see where it goes.

There’s nothing inherently bad or wrong about Batman #122 that makes it a “read”. The comic is part of a mini-event that spans different series, so unless you’re really invested in the story, it’s an issue whose value really comes from that. There’s some interesting aspects to Batman’s actions but overall, unless you’re into “Shadow War”, this is an issue you can probably skip.

Story: Joshua Williamson Art: Howard Porter, Trevor Hairsine
Color: Tomeu Morey, Rain Beredo Letterer: Clayton Cowles, Willie Schubert
Story: 7.85 Art: 7.85 Overall: 7.85 Recommendation: Read

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology/Kindle – Zeus Comics

Review: Batman #121

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Batman #121

Batman’s European adventure comes to an end with Batman #121 that has Batman and Lex Luthor going up against Abyss and Batman, Inc. It’s a satisfying conclusion for a short arc that is entertaining though mostly forgettable (not meant as an insult). After such earthshattering arcs over the recent years, getting a somewhat standalone arc feels like a nice change and a bit more of the pop entertainment comics are associated with.

Written by Joshua Williamson, Batman #121 is full of action as Batman and Lex must face Abyss and his accomplices. We get an explanation of what’s going on and a lot of “just roll with it”. The explanation generally works but there’s absolutely some things that are glossed over, like Batman getting his sight back. None of it makes for a bad read and instead gives the finale a bit of a popcorn sense about it.

Where the comic, and the arc, stumbles mostly is its villain Abyss. There’s something there that’s really interesting and well worth exploring but the origin and what comes after feels a bit compacted and rushed. Abyss, and the revelation, creates a lot of directions for Batman and Batman Inc. to go in to and hopefully we get more from it all. But, Abyss and what’s revealed feels like a plot that’ll likely be forgotten for years until someone comes along and decides to play in that sandbox even further. There’s a lot of cool potential there.

The art looks good. Jorge Molina and Mikel Janín present the action in a style that feels more grounded like the story itself. There’s some great panels and moments but this is a look that has everything dialed back a bit. Tomeu Morey‘s colors and Clayton Cowles lettering are all solid. The comic overall looks really nice with some great panel layouts (the splash page with the Bat as panels is very cool).

Batman #121

The comic gets the final bit of its backup feature by Karl Kerschl with colors by Dave McCaig. Featuring Maps, everything is explained, sort of, with a nice conclusion. There’s a lot like the main story you just need to roll with but as a short story, it’s entertaining. Maps is definitely a character we need to see more of and this story makes that case.

Batman #121 is an entertaining issue and finale to an entertaining arc. It dialed things back after what feels like a decade of ever increasing threats. It feels quaint and grounded in a way but also makes things bit boring because of that. It’s driving 30 after going 100 for a while. But, it’s exactly what’s needed before the next big storyline, “Shadow War.”

Story: Joshua Williamson, Karl Kerschl Art: Jorge Molina, Mikel Janín, Karl Kerschl
Color: Tomeu Morey, Dave McCaig Letterer: Clayton Cowles, Karl Kerschl
Story: 7.5 Art: 8.0 Overall: 7.6 Recommendation: Read

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comixology/Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW

Chip Zdarsky and Jorge Jimenez Send Batman on His Next Adventure Starting in July

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DC has announced the next creative team for the Dark Knight, Chip Zdarksy and Jorge Jimenez. Along with Tomeu Morey the team will begin their adventures with the oversized Batman #125 which will be released on July 5.

The team debuts with “Failsafe”. Bruce Wayne is having nightmares of a future he can’t stop. But he may not make it to that future, as a startling enemy from Batman’s past has one relentless goal. To end Batman, no matter what it takes.

Batman #125 features a main wraparound cover by Jimenez with variant covers by InHyuk Lee and Simone Di Meo.

Batman #125

Daniel Johnston covers Batman #121

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An upcoming issue of DC’s Batman comic book series, Batman #121, will feature three limited-edition variant covers featuring original pieces of art by the late singer-songwriter and visual artist Daniel Johnston. The comics will be released by the award-winning comics retailer Austin Books & Comics on March 1 and sold in cooperation with the world-famous Electric Lady Studios and The Contemporary Austin.

Johnston, whose cult status earned him early, outspoken support from the likes of Matt Groening, Kurt Cobain, Sonic Youth, and David Bowie, was the subject of the acclaimed 2005 documentary The Devil and Daniel Johnston. The first ever museum retrospective of the artist’s work, Daniel Johnston: I Live My Broken Dreams, is on view at The Contemporary Austin in Texas through March 20.

Daniel Johnston’s art and music have featured globally in films, commercials, museums, and galleries, but it’s in Austin, Texas where he has become most ingrained in local culture. It is, after all, the city where in 1985 he excitedly shoved himself in front of MTV’s cameras to gain a national audience and where today his drawings and music displaying heroic victory and quiet heartache are proudly on display at the downtown art museum, The Contemporary Austin.

The exhibition’s curator, Robin K. Williams, noticed a letter Johnston had written in the 1990s or 2000s addressed to his friend Marie Javins, now Editor-in-Chief at DC, requesting her help getting his artwork into comics.

Electric Lady Studios, which manages the Daniel Johnston art catalog on behalf of Johnston’s surviving family, selected the images to be used for the variant covers.

Batman #121 with the Daniel Johnston covers will be available for preorder on February 14. Limited quantities of the trade-dressed Johnston cover featuring Batman will be sold individually while sets of all three covers, featuring Batman, Superman, and DC’s New God Orion, will be packaged in unique folios and sold in limited quantities at The Austin Contemporary, Electric Lady Studios, Austin Books & Comics, and hihowareyou.com. Each partner will have an exclusive colorway for the folio.

On Wednesday, March 9 at 5:30pm, The Contemporary Austin will host a launch event with DC’s Editor-in-Chief Marie Javins in conversation with Curator Robin K. Williams. The Contemporary’s colorway set of Batman #121 with the Johnston variant covers will be available on site. Tickets and information will be available soon.

Austin Books & Comics has served the Central Texas comic book fandom since 1977. It was not by coincidence that Daniel frequented the store for many years, trading his own original artwork as currency for comics. The store, in turn, sold the artwork to local fans, making them one of the earliest supporters of Daniel’s visual works. Though those pieces have long since found their way into private collections, Austin Books & Comics has since featured comics, prints, and even T-shirts showcasing Johnston’s artwork.

Daniel Johnston: I Live My Broken Dreams at The Contemporary Austin offers visitors a window into Johnston’s elaborate iconography, including an idiosyncratic cast of characters and symbols engaged in a perpetual struggle between good and evil. The exhibition includes more than two hundred drawings along with handmade fliers, home-recorded cassette tapes with hand-drawn covers, photographs, notebook pages, Super 8 mm home movies, archival video and audio, and Johnston’s vintage white piano. Visitors witness the evolution of Johnston’s work over four decades, from early drawings on the backs of his homework assignments to works created in 2018.

Batman #121, by Joshua Williamson, Jorge Molina, Mikel Janín, Tomeu Morey, and Clayton Cowles, including a backup story by Karl Kerschl and Dave McCaig, is available in comic shops everywhere on March 1.

Review: Batman #120

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Batman #120

Since the recent arc launched, Batman has gotten back to basics. Gone are some of the over-the-top epic stories that span dozens of issues. Instead, we have a more grounded take where the stakes are lower and the story feels a bit more intimate in ways. Batman #120 keeps things rather focused as Batman has lost his eyesight and we get more hints about the deadly villain Abyss.

Writer Joshua Williamson has delivered a solid take on Batman so far. The character feels much more like the street level hero he is as opposed to the multiverse spanning superhero that can take on gods. Broke and now blind, this is a Batman where you can feel the frustration as he attempts to figure out his next steps and deal with his current situation.

Williamson has done a fantastic job of grounded the character. After years of ever escalating stories, there’s a back to basics aspect to this storyline. There’s also a brilliance about it as it goes back to storylines long forgotten and put to the side.

What Wiliamson absolutely nails is the emotions of the story. There’s a frustration exuding from Batman as he doesn’t have the tools he once did, this new villain is a tough one, and he must dealt with Lex Luthor who has taken over Batman Inc. A lot of that emotion is conveyed through the art.

Jorge Molina and Mikel Janín handle that along with Tomeu Morey on color and Clayton Cowles on lettering. The art nails the body language of Batman. His frustration can be felt in how he slumps a little or the way he places his head. It all comes together for visuals that drive home what Batman is thinking and experiencing. There’s also a darkness to it all that fits so well for the villain Abyss but doesn’t overwhelm the series.

Karl Kerschl and Dave McCaig continue to deliver an interesting back-up story featuring Maps. The adventure is interesting and has a dark tone about it that fits the main story well. It feels like a bonus that adds to an already solid comic to start.

Batman #120 is another issue that just nails down the fundamentals of this character so well. It also delivers some nice twists and turns building to that last page reveal. While a lot of the comics’ reveals aren’t surprising, they still nail the moment in their delivery. To do that when it’s expected is impressive. For those who might have been turned off by Batman’s recent escalation of events in recent years, now is a time to give this series a new look.

Story: Joshua Williamson, Karl Kerschl Art: Jorge Molina, Mikel Janín, Karl Kerschl
Color: Tomeu Morey, Dave McCaig Letterer: Clayton Cowles, Karl Kerschl
Story: 8.15 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.3 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW

Review: Batman #118

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Batman #118

With “Fear State” over, a new creative team has taken over Batman with Batman #118 starting an all-new story arc and all-new direction. Gotham is celebrating the end of Scarecrow’s plan and end of the Magistrate leaving Batman in a very awkward position. One, there’s just not a ton going on but also, the town is celebrating his work. He’s being metaphorically hoisted over the heads and on the shoulders of Gotham’s citizens. It’s an odd spot for him to be in. Luckily, a case involving Batman Inc. has come up forcing him to leave the city for matters outside of it.

Writer Joshua Williamson takes over the writing duties and delivers a debut issue that feels so grounded compared to the last who knows how many issues. What’s presented is the start of a murder mystery and Batman trying to figure out what to do next. In a series that has so recently dealt with the Joker declaring war and Scarecrow sowing fear, city wide attacks, the focus on something so basic feels like a breath of fresh air. It also dives in a bit to Batman Inc., a concept which has been shelved for some time. What has that been up to, especially since Bruce Wayne lost all his money? Williamson ends the issue with a tease of an answer and one that’s beyond intriguing.

The art is pretty solid. With art by Jorge Molina and Mikel Janín, the issue lacks a lot of splash to so many others rely on. That’s not a bad thing at all. It delivers a grounded take to a more grounded story. The art really fits what Williamson is going for. But, the duo also use Batman’s theatrics well especially in an opening sequence involving robbers. It’s simple, yet works so well for what makes Batman tick as a hero. There’s also plenty of humor and fun as Batman must save partygoers from a robbery. The less said about that scene, the better. The two are joined by Tomeu Morey on color and Clayton Cowles on lettering and the group together delivers a solid visual transition that fits the narrative transition.

Batman #118 is a new beginning that pumps the breaks from world shattering events. There’s a grounded sense of it all that feels like it brings Batman back to basics in many ways. Here’s hoping it stays that course delivering something classic in many ways.

Story: Joshua Williamson Art: Jorge Molina, Mikel Janín
Color: Tomeu Morey Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW

Review: Batman #116

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Batman #116

“Fear State” continues in part 5 that has everything coming together as Batman and Miracle Molly confront the Scarecrow. Batman #116 is fully of action and drama with some fantastic moments.

James Tynion IV does an excellent job of bringing so much together in Batman #116. There’s really dramatic and “cinematic” moments that highlight an issue that at times feels epic at scale. Balanced well are Batman and Miracle Mommy taking on Scarecrow, some more on Magistrate-01, Ivy, and so much more. It’s an issue that’s bursting from the seems with so much packed in. So, lets take each moment at a time.

Saint’s forces have invaded Ivy’s lair. Standing against them is Ghost-Maker who brings a swashbuckling classic style to the fight. For a character that was a shrug to start, he’s grown into one I really like delivering an over the top style in everything. But, this is all going on in Ivy’s lair. She’s not too happy with it all and the series has hinted that we should expect something big for her in the future. That begins here in a moment that feels like it should be on a movie screen. Epic is an understatement and could be an entire issue and event by itself.

Batman and Miracle Molly’s adventure has them confronting Scarecrow. Tynion delivers a lot of emotion with that as Scarecrow does his thing. But, it also turns into a rather shocking moment as well. It leads to a new confrontation between Magistrate-01 and Batman and a double-page spread of action that’s fantastic. One panel in particular is amazing as a blade gets a bit close to Batman. This has summer popcorn film all about it.

And that’s just a small bit of an issue that feels like a popcorn flick on the printed page.

The art by Jorge Jimenez is fantastic. With color by Tomeu Morey and lettering by Clayton Cowles, the issue’s visuals are everything you’d want from a comic book. It pops in every sense with amazing colors and a great flow to it all. What’s great is that the team gives us some visuals that feel like “traditional” Batman while putting on their own spin. Magistrate-01 confronting Batman is fantastic with two moments really standing out visually. Scarecrow’s mask being taken off feels terrorizing for a brief moment, the madness unleashed. The series has a style that’s all its own blending the past with the neon manga-inspired style of “Future State”.

We also get a backup story by Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad with art by Jorge Corona, color by Sarah Stern, and lettering by Becca Carey. Stephanie and Cass are in the tower with Barbara long gone. They’re confronted by Simon Saint’s team who do the unthinkable. It’s a sliver of a story but the impact feels like it’s one that’ll reverberate for years to come. It also sets up an intriguing dynamic for everything to come. It also again shows the extreme that Saint and his forces will go.

Batman #116 is another solid chapter of “Fear State”. There’s an epic scale to it all yet also feels like so much is packed into the issue. None of it feels shorted at all. It’s an impressive balancing act and a highlight of one of the best Batman storylines in years.

Story: James Tynion IV, Becky Cloonan, Michael W. Conrad Art: Jorge Jimenez, Jorge Corona
Color: Tomeu Morey, Sarah Stern Letterer: Clayton Cowles, Becca Carey
Story: 8.75 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.75 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW

Review: Batman #114

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Batman #114

DC’s Batman line of comics has been on a hell of a roll. Post “Future State”, the comics have had a shared focus and vision of where they’re all going while each having their own personality. Batman has been at the center of them all taking us through a build up to “Fear State” the current storyline that connects so many dots and brings so many pieces of the puzzle together. Batman #114 is an issue neck deep into the story as the two Peacekeepers battle it out and we get a clue as to how far Simon Saint will go to cover up his crimes.

James Tynion IV has hit his stride with “Fear State” delivering one of the best Batman storylines in years. Scarecrow is whipping up the people of Gotham while manipulating others to get the result he wants. It’s a giant experiment with the city as his test subjects. It’s a flip from where the story began as Simon Saint was using Scarecrow to get his Magistrate program up and running, striking fear into Gotham so its leaders would turn to Saint for protection. Now, Saint’s Peacekeepers threaten to bring it all down as Peacekeeper-01 is dose by the Scarecrow and killing Gotham citizens in his hallucination while Peacekeeper-X is tasked with stopping the rampage. Stuck in-between is Batman who can only do so much to stop everything going on.

Tynion has done an excellent job of building to this moment as the two Peacekeepers battle it out and we get to see that Saint really will do whatever it takes to gain control. But, what’s more impressive is we really get a sense that Batman is a bit outmatched. The tech Saint has brought not only has an edge but there’s so much of it that there’s little Batman can do. He can slow things down but not stop it. For once Batman is overwhelmed and it feels like it could happen and makes sense.

Batman #114 packs a lot of action with some amazing art by Jorge Jimenez. The fights are brutal. The explosions are huge. There’s so much raw emotion thrown about it’s hard to not feel it looking at the character literally frothing at the mouth. Tomeu Morey‘s colors continue to be amazing delivering a slight step towards the neon-infused Gotham of the future. Clayton Cowles‘ lettering adds so much personality to everyone, especially Scarecrow and Peacekeeper-X. Small details like that adds a lot to the reading experience.

Brandon Thomas, Jason Howard, and Clayton Cowles also deliver a back-up story featuring Clownhunter as he deals with Scarecrow himself. It’s all ok with an ending that leads us to other series. This back-up has been a bit so-so though the visuals are pretty solid. Overall, it just feels like something we’ve seen a lot before (a character tripping because they were dosed by Scarecrow) dragged out over three issues.

Batman #114 is summer blockbuster worthy. There’s a hell of a fight and a lot of surprises in the issue as the Peacekeepers battle it out in Gotham and Batman’s caught in-between it all. This is some of the best additions to the Batman myth in a long time giving opponents who feel worthy to take on Batman and his entire time and also feel grounded in many ways. Where this is going to go remains unknown but it’s a journey I’m all in for. It’s one hell of a ride so far and hoping it to continue to be.

Story: James Tynion IV, Brandon Thomas Art: Jorge Jimenez, Jason Howard
Color: Tomeu Morey Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 8.35 Art: 8.7 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology – Amazon – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW

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