Interview: Brett Booth talks Batman/Superman

I recently caught up with DC Comics artist, Brett Booth, to talk about his new project, Batman/Superman, written by Greg Pak. Check out the interview below and enjoy!

 

The first thing to ask about is your upcoming project, Batman/Superman. What's it like to be drawing two of the greatest comic book characters of all time at the same time?

 

A lot of fun! I wasn't sure how it would go. I usually have problems when I first start working on the more iconic characters. And I did, but after that it's been mostly smooth sailing. I'm really enjoying Superman, I don't have to hold back, I can go as big as I want!

 

Batman/Superman #5 Cover

Your first issue on the series is horizontal, why was this decision made?

 

Right before I started the first cover, [editor] Eddie Berganza called me up and pitched me the idea. I thought it was a fun idea so I said cool. When I started the issue wasn't sure. After the first Double Page Spread I hated it, but after that I started to love it! It's like drawing 22 double page spreads in miniature! 

 

And to let you know ALL 3 are this way. I liked working this way so much it seemed odd to just do one this way so the whole arc is now sideways! 

 

What are the advantages of drawing an issue that way?

 

The big one is it's easier to read, you naturally read from left to right so you automatically follow the flow of most of the pages. Also, for some reason vertical panels are faster to draw... I have NO idea why, but they are, so I save a bit on time which I needed for 6 and 7, holiday deadlines are killers!

 

Batman/Superman #6, with Mongul

Is there a particular villain for your arc, if so what can you say about them?

 

Mongul! He's trying to take over the world! OK, not exactly, but I don't want to spoil it!

 

If you could draw any other duo of characters, who would you pick?

 

It would be a toss-up. Wally West Flash and Nightwing OR Blue Beetle (Ted) and Booster Gold.

 

What's your favourite part of drawing this series?

 

Bruce and Clark’s relationship... It's not exactly what we've seen before but it feels quite real, Greg's done an excellent job with them! And of course the action!

 

Which of the two characters do you think is more challenging to draw?

 

Superman. When in doubt you can simply cover Bats with his cape, close him off. With Clark, he needs to be open, larger than life. So it's big and bold, you can't skimp and toss him in a shadow.

 

What can you tell us about what's to come for the series?

 

From what I've been told it will be about exploring the greater DC U so expect lots of guest stars! Eddie and I had talked about doing an undersea arc with sea monsters.. only time will tell!

 

When both characters are together do you have to exaggerate an aspects of them separately to make them both stand out in different ways?

 

Nope, they are basically opposites so they seem to automatically do that. 

 

Batman/Superman #1 cover, by the second
series artist, Jae Lee

You've said in a previous interview that you and your fellow Batman/Superman artist, Jae Lee, would be taking turns with the art duties for this series, is that still happening and if so, what will be the difference between your two arcs, apart from the obvious?

 

Yes and no, I can' really say more. The arcs will be more tailored to the artist so the ones I'll be doing are action oriented. 

 

If you had to sum up this arc of Batman/Superman in one word, what would it be?

 

3-D. Not sure if that's one word or not. But it's the feel I'm trying to give the pages.

 

The last time we did an interview it was on Justice League of America, the time before that it was Nightwing, can it be refreshing have short runs on loads of different projects?

 

Batman/Superman #7 cover

Yep, it's fun to draw lots of different characters, that way you never get bored with anything. BUT I do miss the longer run, getting to really know the character/s!

 

Can we expect to see some other projects after this?

 

Since I'm not doing the next arc, I'll be doing a few issues on another book then back to Batman/Superman! 

 

Brett Booth took over the art duties on Batman/Superman ( along with Inker, Norm Rapmund and colourist, Andrew Dalhouse ) with #5, which is in stores now! You can also check out his blog and his twitter page.

Batman: Eternal, the new Batman weekly from Scott Snyder, Jason Fabok and more

The 75th anniversary of the comic that first introduced the Dark Knight to the world, Detective Comics #27, is coming soon, March 30th of next year to be exact, and DC are commemorating it in a big way.

Starting some time next year is "Batman: Eternal", a new weekly Batman series, mostly written by current "Batman" writer, Scott Snyder, with art from Jason Fabok. As well as Snyder, some other writers will be on board with the book, with contributions from writers James Tynion IV, John Layman, Tim Seeley and Ray Fawkes.

Snyder told USA Today about the series, including the fact that it's going to have some pretty important moments:

"You'll see some humongous newsworthy stuff in it, I promise,"

As well as a Year-Long weekly series, DC are also making the 27th issue of the current Detective Comics run memorable as well, with a 96-page special issue, with work from creators such as Paul Dini, Gregg Hurwitz, Neal Adams, Frank Miller and Francesco Francavilla.

I think it's pretty safe to say the Caped Crusader's 75th anniversary isn't going to be disappointing.

(Just a quick side note here, I'm not sure if anybody else has noticed, but Nightwing doesn't appear on Jason Fabok's Batman: Eternal artwork above... Beginning to wonder just how much the events of DC's current event, Forever Evil, are going to impact him...)

DC Comics' 'Batman' solicits for December 2013

Here are DC Comics' solicits for all of the Batman group books being released this December, but I would lower your expectations of Christmas Spirit in these stories if I were you, this is Batman, after all...

FOREVER EVIL: ARKHAM WAR #3
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by SCOT EATON and JAIME MENDOZA
Cover by JASON FABOK
1:25 B&W Variant cover by JASON FABOK
On sale DECEMBER 11 • 32 pg, FC, 3 of 6, $2.99 US • RATED T As the battle for control over Gotham City escalates, a new protector rises. But first, it’s the face-off you won’t want to miss: Killer Croc vs. Bane!










BATMAN/SUPERMAN #6
Written by GREG PAK
Art and cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND
1:25 Variant cover by CLIFF CHIANG
1:100 B&W Variant cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND
On sale DECEMBER 4 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
Throughout the cosmos, one name commands respect and fear above all others. That name is MONGUL, and the world-conquering despot has his eyes set on Earth! And unless Batman and Superman can take down the mad, monstrous might of Mongul, the whole world will suffer! This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.





HARLEY QUINN #1
Written by AMANDA CONNER and JIMMY PALMIOTTI
Art by CHAD HARDIN
Cover by AMANDA CONNER
1:25 Variant cover by ADAM HUGHES
On sale DECEMBER 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
 Harley is set to begin her new life, but she needs a job first! Enter the Coney Island Roller Derby! It’s game time as Harley sets out to destroy her competition—literally!










DAMIAN: SON OF BATMAN #3
Written by ANDY KUBERT
Art and cover by ANDY KUBERT
1:25 Variant cover by PATRICK GLEASON
1:100 B&W Variant cover by ANDY KUBERT
On sale DECEMBER 31 • 32 pg, FC, 3 of 4, $3.99 US • RATED T
 Damian Wayne has been bruised and beaten to a pulp…but nothing before will compare to his latest confrontation with the horde of villains in this issue. When pitted against Professor Pyg, DC villain’s month darling Jakanapes and other baddies, how will Damian survive—especially when he finds a certain clown waiting for him at the finish line?

BATMAN #26
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art by GREG CAPULLO and DANNY MIKI
Cover by GREG CAPULLO
1:25 Variant cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
1:100 B&W Variant cover by GREG CAPULLO
On sale DECEMBER 11 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
 ZERO YEAR continues! With Gotham City thrown into total chaos by The Riddler, Batman and Jim Gordon must learn to work together!
This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.







DETECTIVE COMICS #26
Written by JOHN LAYMAN
Art by AARON LOPRESTI
Cover by JASON FABOK
1:25 B&W Variant cover by JASON FABOK
On sale DECEMBER 4 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
 Batman works to contain a swarm of genetically altered killer bats, as well as She-Bat and other humans who have been mutated into bat-people. This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.



BATGIRL #26
Written by GAIL SIMONE
Art and cover by FERNANDO PASARIN and JONATHAN GLAPION
Cover by ALEX GARNER
On sale DECEMBER 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
 The shocking conclusion of “Batgirl: Wanted”! Can Barbara save her father’s life without compromising the truth about her brother’s death?

BATWING #26
Written by JUSTIN GRAY and JIMMY PALMIOTTI
Art by EDUARDO PANSICA and JULIO FERREIRA
Cover by DARWYN COOKE
On sale DECEMBER 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Luke’s journey to Italy gets him deeper into the criminal underworld – unfortunately for him, that means fighting superpowered villains in a death tournament where he can’t use the Batwing armor!










BIRDS OF PREY #26
Written by CHRISTY MARX
Art by ROMANO MOLENAAR and JONATHAN GLAPION
Cover by JORGE MOLINA
On sale DECEMBER 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
 The Birds strike back! Canary cuts loose against Regulus! Condor cuts loose on Tsiklon! Batgirl and Strix cut loose on everybody! Will it be enough for them to escape with their lives?











NIGHTWING #26
Written by KYLE HIGGINS
Art and cover by WILL CONRAD
On sale DECEMBER 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
 With the events of FOREVER EVIL looming, Nightwing enters the final stages of life as he knows it!














CATWOMAN #26
Written by ANN NOCENTI
Art by RAFA SANDOVAL and JORDI TARRAGONA
Cover by TERRY DODSON and RACHEL DODSON
On sale DECEMBER 31 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
Catwoman’s adventure in the Gotham Underground comes to a deadly end as she tries to pull off a heist by pitting Doctor Phosphorus, Warhog and The Joker’s Daughter against each other!










 BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #26
Written by GREGG HURWITZ
Art by ALEX MALEEV
Cover by CHRIS BURNHAM
1:25 B&W Variant cover by CHRIS BURNHAM
On sale DECEMBER 31 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
 A sweeping visual tale of Gotham City’s forgotten citizens: the abused and the voiceless. Will these desperate souls find their angel in The Dark Knight? Find out in this special mostly silent issue.









 BATMAN AND TWO-FACE #26
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art and cover by PATRICK GLEASON and MICK GRAY
On sale DECEMBER 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
 It’s double trouble as Batman investigates Harvey Dent’s past to try to find him in the present—but is he ready to face the dark truth behind Two-Face’s origin?












 BATWOMAN #26
Written by MARC ANDREYKO
Art by JEREMY HAUN
Cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III
1:25 Variant cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III
On sale DECEMBER 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
 Kate Kane's life has always been one of intrigue and adventure, but since she took on the mantle of Batwoman, things have been in overdrive with no sign of slowing down! Join us as Batwoman starts her next chapter and faces a threat that might just have her rethinking her career as a hero!








TALON #14
Written by JAMES TYNION IV
Art by EMANUEL SIMEONI
Cover by EMANUEL SIMEONI
On sale DECEMBER 31 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
 The Court of Owls’ machinations threaten to tear Gotham City apart, and no one but Calvin Rose can take them down once and for all!












RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #26
Written by JAMES TYNION IV
Art by JULIUS GOPEZ and RAY McCARTHY
Cover by STEPHEN SEGOVIA
On sale DECEMBER 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
 The last stand of Jason Todd? Ra’s al Ghul is back and more powerful than ever! The Outlaws are being held captive and Jason Todd has lost his memories…can things get any worse for the team?










No, not looking very Christmassy, not Christmassy at all...

So, Zero Year's still going, and I'm really hoping that by the point it's reached in December I won't be tired of it, I do think eleven months of Batman's origin is a bit of a risk, but Snyder and Capullo are a good creative team, so I'm sure they'll manage it...

Also, I've noticed that DC have grouped Andy Kubert's 'DAMIAN: SON OF BATMAN' as a New 52 book, rather than "Beyond the New 52", which I guess implies it's part of main continuity, since most of the elseworlds stories are in the beyond group...

And Harley Quinn looks like quite a fun book, glad there's going to be at least one comedic book in the New 52, unless DC editorial have demanded the tone to be changed by the release date...

Finally, I'm expecting a cover change for Batwoman #26, after JH Williams III ( along with Haden Blackman ) walked off of the book after DC denied them the chance to write a story containing Batwoman's marriage to her girlfriend, causing a lot of controversy, and I'm assuming DC are going to want to bury any trace of problems when the new writer comes aboard with issue 25, which is why I'm expecting a different cover to the one shown above...

( Source: DC Comics)

DC Comics' Dark solicits for November 2013

Yesterday, DC Comics released the solicits for all of their New 52 books coming out this November. I've already posted the Batman group solicits, but here are the solicits for DC's "Dark" group:







JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #25 Written by J.M. DeMATTEIS
Art and cover by MIKEL JANIN
1:25 B&W Variant cover by MIKEL JANIN
On sale NOVEMBER 27 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for more information.
A FOREVER EVIL tie-in! Alone in a world where Super-Villains reign, John Constantine must enlist the aid of Swamp Thing in order to turn the tide.







TRINITY OF SIN: PANDORA #5 Written by RAY FAWKES
Art by FRANCIS PORTELA
Cover by JULIAN TOTINO TEDESCO
On sale NOVEMBER 20 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Following the shocking events of TRINITY WAR, Pandora can now physically harm the Seven Deadly Sins! But by going after Greed and Sloth at the same time, she may have bitten off more than she can chew. Plus: A surprising new player takes the stage, determined to end the immortal Pandora’s life!









CONSTANTINE #8 Written by RAY FAWKES
Art and cover by EDDY BARROWS and EBER FERREIRA
On sale NOVEMBER 13 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
Caught in a twisted romance with the sadistic Sargon the Sorceress, John Constantine must make a painful choice: lose everything or join forces with his greatest enemies!












TRINITY OF SIN: THE PHANTOM STRANGER #13 Written by J.M. DeMATTEIS
Art by FERNANDO BLANCO
Cover by GUILLEM MARCH
On sale NOVEMBER 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Months ago, The Question came close to ending the Stranger’s life—and now the Stranger wants some payback!












ANIMAL MAN #25 Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art and cover by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE
On sale NOVEMBER 20 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
Buddy Baker invades Hollywood to battle Brother Blood—and that’s before things get really weird!












SWAMP THING #25 Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art and cover by JESUS SAIZ
On sale NOVEMBER 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
The evolution of Swamp Thing that began in SWAMP THING ANNUAL #2 is complete! But is it enough to defeat Seeder, who is so much more than he seems? Plus: A twist ending that will reshape Swamp Thing’s world!



(Source: Newsarama)

DC Comics' Batman solicits for November 2013

Below are the solicitations for the Batman group of books being released this November, I'll be posting all of the groups in the New 52 soon, so keep checking back here for more!




BATMAN #25 Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art by GREG CAPULLO and DANNY MIKI
Cover by GREG CAPULLO
1:25 Variant cover by KEN HUNT
1:100 B&W Variant cover by GREG CAPULLO
On sale NOVEMBER 13 • 40 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $5.99 US
Retailers: This issue will ship with four covers. Please see the order form for more information.
BATMAN: ZERO YEAR reaches a new level as The Riddler sends Gotham City into total darkness! “Dark City” begins in this issue that features an embossed cover.
And the ZERO YEAR blackout spreads into other titles this month, affecting heroes across the DC Universe!
This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.





BATGIRL #25 Written by MARGUERITE BENNETT
Art by FERNANDO PASARIN and JONATHAN GLAPION
Cover by ALEX GARNER
On sale NOVEMBER 13 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
A BATMAN: ZERO YEAR tie-in! Barbara Gordon is forced to protect her brother and her homestead in anticipation of the upcoming storm—but it’s here that she learns the true meaning of “home” and “hero.”





BATWING #25 Written by JUSTIN GRAY and JIMMY PALMIOTTI
Art by EDUARDO PANSICA and JULIO FERREIRA
Cover by AMANDA CONNER
On sale NOVEMBER 6 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
A BATMAN: ZERO YEAR tie-in! As Gotham City descends into chaos, young Luke Fox is the only one who can stop one of his classmates from causing more destruction—but he didn’t count on his friend being so… VENOMOUS!





BIRDS OF PREY #25 Written by CHRISTY MARX
Art by ROMANO MOLENAAR and JONATHAN GLAPION
Cover by JORGE MOLINA
On sale NOVEMBER 20 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
BLACK CANARY: ZERO YEAR?! Well, it’s definitely a BATMAN: ZERO YEAR tie-in issue as we look into a pivotal moment in Black Canary’s history! Don’t miss assassins, mystery men and an ancient evil in Gotham City!




CATWOMAN #25 Written by JOHN LAYMAN
Art by AARON LOPRESTI
Cover by TERRY DODSON and RACHEL DODSON
On sale NOVEMBER 27 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+
An untold tale of Catwoman in this tie-in to BATMAN: ZERO YEAR! Journey back to Selina’s early days as a thief, and find out why she’s always worked alone!









NIGHTWING #25 Written by KYLE HIGGINS
Art and cover by WILL CONRAD
On sale NOVEMBER 13 • 40 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T
A BATMAN: ZERO YEAR tie-in! Dick Grayson frantically tries to find Haly’s Circus—and his parents—as Gotham City is plunged into total darkness!






DETECTIVE COMICS #25 Written by JOHN LAYMAN
Art and cover by JASON FABOK
1:25 B&W Variant cover by JASON FABOK
On sale NOVEMBER 6 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for more information.
A BATMAN: ZERO YEAR tie-in! James Gordon confronts the corrupt elements in the G.C.P.D.—and the vigilante known as Batman!
This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.




RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #25 Written by JAMES TYNION IV
Art by JULIUS GOPEZ and RAY McCARTHY
Cover by GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI and CAM SMITH
On sale NOVEMBER 20 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
A BATMAN: ZERO YEAR tie-in! There’s a dark force of nature that’s forming in Gotham City...A face laughing in the dark that will one day tear Jason Todd’s life apart. What are his plans for the Red Hood Gang? And who else will rise out of the shadows to guide Jason Todd one step closer to his destiny?




BATMAN/SUPERMAN #5 Written by GREG PAK
Art and cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND
1:25 Variant cover by JON BOGDANOVE
1:100 B&W Variant cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND
On sale NOVEMBER 6 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
Retailers: This issue will ship with four covers. Please see the order form for more information.
When the new Toymaster uses a secret, potentially deadly element in his new video game, the characters created by players manifest in real life! The ultimate fighting game results—and a world-wide network of players must team up to create the most powerful, skilled Super Heroes imaginable with one goal: To kill Batman. Can Superman come to the rescue before the game claims its victim? Find out in this amazing issue that’s printed in a special horizontal storytelling format.
This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.


HARLEY QUINN #0 Written by AMANDA CONNER and JIMMY PALMIOTTI
Art by DARWYN COOKE, SAM KIETH, TONY S. DANIEL, PAUL POPE, WALTER SIMONSON, ART BALTAZAR and others
Cover by AMANDA CONNER
1:25 Variant cover by STEPHANE ROUX
“WE CAN BE HEROES” Blank variant cover also available
On sale NOVEMBER 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with three covers. Please see the order form for more information.
This bombastic debut issue features art by award-winning illustrators including Darwyn Cooke, Sam Kieth, Tony S. Daniel, Paul Pope, Walter Simonson, Art Baltazar and others—but will any of them measure up to the exacting standards of the Clown Princess of Crime? Don’t miss the thrilling return of Harley Quinn in her own monthly series!




DAMIAN: SON OF BATMAN #2 Written by ANDY KUBERT
Art and cover by ANDY KUBERT
1:25 Variant cover by CHRIS BURNHAM
1:100 B&W Variant cover by ANDY KUBERT
On sale NOVEMBER 27 • 32 pg, FC, 2 of 4, $3.99 US RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with three covers. Please see the order form for more information.
Damian Wayne faces the most important decision of his adult life after a dangerous confrontation with someone dear to him. Plus, a soul-searching journey into the madness of Arkham Asylum!








BATMAN AND CARRIE KELLEY #25 Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art and cover by PATRICK GLEASON and MICK GRAY
1:25 Variant cover by BRIAN BOLLAND
1:100 B&W Variant cover by PATRICK GLEASON and MICK GRAY
On sale NOVEMBER 20 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with three covers. Please see the order form for more information.
As Two-Face continues his rampage through Gotham City, more light is shed on his past. Who is Carrie Kelley and how can her mysterious connection to Harvey Dent help Batman?




BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #25 Written by GREGG HURWITZ
Art and cover by ALEX MALEEV
1:25 B&W Variant cover by ALEX MALEEV
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for more information.
On sale NOVEMBER 27 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Time and time again, Clayface has proven to be one of Batman’s most elusive adversaries. On the loose once more, it’s time for the Dark Knight to call in some back-up! Guest starring Black Canary and Condor!







BATWOMAN #25 Written by J.H. WILLIAMS III and W. HADEN BLACKMAN
Art by TREVOR McCARTHY and JEREMY HAUN
Cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III
1:25 B&W Variant cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III
On sale NOVEMBER 20 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US RATED T+
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for more information.
The no-holds-barred battle between Batwoman and Batman threatens to kill them both!


TALON #13 Written by JAMES TYNION IV
Art by EMANUEL SIMEONI
Cover by KEN HUNT
On sale NOVEMBER 27 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Sebastian Clarke’s endgame for the Court of Owls is unleashed upon Gotham City, with thousands of lives in the balance. How can Talon stand up and finally become the hero he never wanted to be?





( Source: Newsarama)

I'm particularly excited about the new Harley Quinn series, especially the fact that Art Baltazar and Darwyn Cooke are among the artists for the first issue! ( But does this mean DC has do meanings of "#0" now?)

Howard Porter replaces Kevin Maguire on Justice League 3000, Maguire speaks about the change

Yesterday, Kevin Maguire sent out a tweet announcing that he'd been fired, and taken off of the Justice League 3000 series he was doing with Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis, which was due for release in October. In the following hours, discussions took place over twitter about possible new offers for Maguire, before he later spoke out on his facebook page.

Today, it's been announced that DC have already found a replacement artist for Maguire, Howard Porter.

Porter's Superman design for
Justice League 3000

You'll probably know his work from the character designs that he did for the series a few months ago, featuring future counterparts of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash and Green Lantern.

This also comes with the news that Justice League 3000's release date has been pushed back from October to December, to accommodate for the big changes on the art side of the series.

Also, today, Maguire took to the Bleeding Cool forums to speak a bit more about his current situation:

Well, I don’t want to make any big deal about it but I suppose I should say something. This is, as I tweeted, very humiliating. Obviously, I was looking forward to working on a fairly high profile book. I haven’t had a top ten book since the 80s and I thought this would finally be my shot at doing one. But it’s DC‘s book, it’s their property, they can do whatever they want with it. They don’t owe me anything. I’ve been told they wanted a book that was “dark and gritty”, so I’m perplexed as to why they chose us for that. We did exactly the kind of book you would expect from us. Lots of action and humor. AND I turned down a Bendis X-Men project to do JL3K.


As for my doing other projects with DC, they offered me a four page story and a 10 page digital first story. They’re paychecks, so I’m grateful for that, but they’re no Justice League #1. I really don’t want to do back ups and fill-ins for my career. So, right now, I’ll do the four pager and then I think that’ll be it for me and DC for a while. I’ve received some interesting offers from other companies. Marvel generously offered me an issue of a cool book, so I’m going to do that for now, then see what happens.


I was supposed to do Baltimore Comic Con next month with Giffen and DeMatteis, but I’ll be canceling that for obvious reason. Apart from the fact that I no longer have a project to promote with them, Giffen’s Newsarama quote, which I’m certain had no intended malice, still kinda stung.


That’s it. That covers all I have to say about this. It’ll be forgotten news by next week and we all move on with our lives.

I have to say, I was looking forward to seeing Maguire's art on this series and the original idea of what it would've been like seems to have changed since I interviewed writer, Keith Giffen a few months ago. It's a bit of  a shame, really...

(Sources: Bleeding Cool and Newsarama)

Crime Syndicate confirmed as villains for DC's Forever Evil

In an interview with IGN, Geoff Johns discussed the upcoming DC Comics Universe-wide event, Forever Evil, and revealed some new information about the story, including confirming the "true" villains of the event, the Crime Syndicate, from Earth 3.

The characters in the poster above are ( on the left hand side, from top to bottom ) Black Adam, Sinestro, Black Manta, Captain Cold, Bizarro, Catwoman, Batman, Lex Luthor and ( on the right hand side ) Power Ring, Superwoman, Deathstorm, Owlman, Johnny Quick, Ultraman.

Of course, there's still a lot of mysteries to be solved for this series, such as why Batman is in the same group as the usual villains...

Johns has described this story as "Forever Evil is [his] love letter to DC supervillains" and has also teased that "as far as the world knows, the Justice Leagues are dead"

To read the whole interview, head over to IGN.

The Flash comes to Gotham for Zero Year

Over the last two days, DC Comics have been releasing details of the books that will be tying into Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's "Batman: Zero Year" story.  So far, I've posted about them here and here. Now, DC have added to the list of series with a new tie-in, in the form of "The Flash"

The issue takes place in Gotham City, and features Barry Allen before he becomes the Scarlet Speedster that he is today, and it apparently solidifies his decision to become a forensic scientist for the police force.

The Flash #25 will be written by Brian Buccellato and Francis Manapul with art by Chris Sprouse and Karl Story, it'll be released sometime this November.

I also think this cover might give some clues to what the key moment in Zero Year that links all of the tie-ins together is, possibly a breakout in Arkham Asylum, or more likely, Blackgate prison?

There's still one more Zero Year tie-in to be revealed sometime soon, but I think this is the last non- Batman related series in the event.

(Source: MTV Geek)

Action Comics and Detective Comics join November's "Zero Year" tie-ins

Earlier today, I wrote a post rounding up all of the titles we knew would be tying into Zero Year this November, we now know two more! Both "Batman: Detective Comics" and "Superman: Action Comics" will be involved in the event, here are the covers for the issues and some information about them:

Superman: Action Comics #25 will be the first issue by new creative team, Greg Pak and Aaron Kuder, it's a return to the T-shirt and Jeans version of Superman who starred in the series towards the start of the New 52, and the one currently in Pak's Batman/Superman series. I'm pretty much certain that this issue is set in Metropolis, rather than Gotham, but it will take place around the same time as the other Zero-Year tie-ins. I'm quite looking forward to Pak and Kuder's run on this series ( just look at that cover! ), this issue is also said to debut a female character that DC say readers will recognise from before the New 52 was launched.                                                                            Action Comics #25 will be released on November 6th.

 

  Detective Comics #25 will be focusing on Jim Gordon six years before the New 52 started. It's Gordon before his first meeting with Batman and this issue has been described as "the warm-up to their meeting and the prelude to their inevitable partnership." by writer, John Layman.                                                                              This issue is written and drawn by series regulars, the aforementioned John Layman and Jason Fabok. I'm glad this issue isn't going to be another just focused on what Batman's doing ( as the series was in previous crossovers, "The Night of the Owls" and "Death of the Family"), and that it's surrounding another major Gotham character. Batman: Detective Comics will also be released on November 6th.

 

So far, we've been told of nine books taking part in the crossover, and I remember reading that there'll be eleven in total, I'm also pretty sure that The Flash will be one of the remaining books still to have it's cover revealed.

 

I also remember reading that the crossovers take place during a pivotal moment of the main Zero-Year story, and I'm still trying to guess what it might be...

 

(Source: Comic Book Resources)

 

DC Comics' Zero Year tie-in solicits ( so far )

This November, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's "Zero Year" story will be affecting a number of other series throughout the DC Universe. The tie-ins are mostly Batman related books, but there are a few exceptions. Here are all of the solicits released so far:

BATGIRL #25Written by MARGUERITE BENNETT
Art by FERNANDO PASARIN and JONATHAN GLAPION
Cover by ALEX GARNER
On sale NOVEMBER 13 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
A BATMAN: ZERO YEAR tie-in! Barbara Gordon is forced to protect her brother and her homestead in anticipation of the upcoming storm—but it’s here that she learns the true meaning of “home” and “hero.”


(Source: The Mary Sue)

 

BATWING #25Written by JUSTIN GRAY and JIMMY PALMIOTTI
Art by EDUARDO PANSICA and JULIO FERREIRA
Cover by AMANDA CONNER
On sale NOVEMBER 6 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
A BATMAN: ZERO YEAR tie-in! As Gotham City descends into chaos, young Luke Fox is the only one who can stop one of his classmates from causing more destruction—but he didn’t count on his friend being so…VENOMOUS!   (Source: ComicVine)

 

Catwoman #25
Written by John Layman
Pencils by Aaron Lopresti
Cover by Terry and Rachel Dodson
(No Solicit available)

(Source: IGN)

Green Arrow #25
Written by Jeff Lemire
Art and Cover by Andrea Sorrentino
( No solicit available, but we do know it has something to do with Killer Moth and an inexperienced Oliver Queen)

(Source: MTV Geek)




 

 Green Lantern Corps #25
Written by Robert Venditti and Van Jensen
Pencils and Cover by Bernard Chang
(No Solicit Available)

(Source: IGN)

 



NIGHTWING #25Written by KYLE HIGGINS
Art and cover by WILL CONRAD
On sale NOVEMBER 13 • 40 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T
A BATMAN: ZERO YEAR tie-in! Dick Grayson frantically tries to find Haly’s Circus—and his parents—as Gotham City is plunged into total darkness!

(Source: Newsarama)















RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #25Written by JAMES TYNION IV
Art by JULIUS GOPEZ and RAY McCARTHY
Cover by GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI and CAM SMITH
On sale NOVEMBER 20 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
A BATMAN: ZERO YEAR tie-in! There’s a dark force of nature that’s forming in Gotham City...A face laughing in the dark that will one day tear Jason Todd’s life apart. What are his plans for the Red Hood Gang? And who else will rise out of the shadows to guide Jason Todd one step closer to his destiny?  (Source: ComicVine)

We know that DC will be releasing more of these solicits soon, so I'll be sure to report on them as they're revealed!