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Batman has officially changed hands. Following "Batman: Rebirth," "The Vision" scribe Tom King has taken the reins of the "Batman" solo title from longtime writer Scott Snyder ("All-Star Batman") -- and this isn't the only major shakeup for DC Comics' Bat-titled. Julie and Shawna Benson have launched an all-new "Batgirl and the Birds of Prey" book, while James Tynion IV helms "Detective Comics." Together, these Bat-writers took the stage at Comic-Con Internation in San Diego to offer fans an exclusive first look at the Dark Knight's future. "Batman" group editor Mark Doyle introduced the writers as they took the stage.

"I was working on 'Batman' with Greg [Capullo] -- he says hi -- and... he wanted to sort of try something different for a bit before he comes back to do stuff with me... So I came up with this idea where I investigate all the villains I never got to use," Snyder said of "All-Star Batman." "There are some superstars like John Romita, Jock... and some newcomers, like Afua Richardson."

"I was left to do something that was more like off-roading with Batman in the Batmobile," he continued. "Our version of Two-Face... looks at you with this sort of blood red eye." He explained that Two-Face will be a secret-keeper of Gotham.

"I read a lot of scripts... and 'All-Star Batman' #1 is the best script I've ever read," King shared. "Honestly."

"This is a series where every weird villain [shows up]," Snyder added. "A big villain in this is KGBeast."

"We had this argument over whether Batman is funny or not. I think he's just mean!" he said as he explained his first issue of "All-Star Batman." "I just got to shout out John Romita on this book... We're having such a good time. Dean White -- the colors are out of control."

"Another part of the book is the backups about Duke Thomas. It's like the secret life of Robin," he revealed, praising Jordie Bellaire's work on it.

Doyle then handed the microphone over to King. "Mikel [Janin] is my brother -- we did 'Grayson' together... so when I think comics, I think Mikel in my mind. We're doing something unique with 'Batman' with the double-ship... and when we stepped up to the double-ship, we committed to... giving you the quality without missing one deadline," King promised. "David Finch is doing five issues, and Mikel is doing five issues [for the next story arc]. At the end of the year, you will have three complete trades with three complete stories."

He also revealed that Cyborg and Flash will show up in "Batman," though he offered no details about what they would be doing in the issue.

"The idea behind Batman that I wanted to do -- I grew up with the animated series -- so David and I got on the phone," King said, explaining that they both wanted to do a classic Batmobile based on "Batman: The Animated Series."

"So Scott and I were at a con drinking scotch from a bottle, and we literally played like a game show because we're crazy nerds. And we were like, 'What hasn't been done with Batman?'" King recalled. "It was a challenge. The thing with mine is that... when a writer gets Batman, they introduce a villain." He went on to explain that he wanted to take the opposite route and introduce a hero instead, and thus Gotham and Gotham Girl were born.

As to "Detective Comics," Tynion praised the return to the series' original number as a way to honor the title's legacy. "It means the world, especially because it's a tremendous honor to take part in that legacy and also because it's a challenge... you have to try to do something new and different and exciting," he shared.

"The biggest thing I wanted when I was a kid was a Batman team book," he said. "There are a lot of incredible 'Detective' stories that have always been the 'other' 'Batman' title... I wanted to do something about how he relates to each other characters in the Batman family."

He went on to describe why Batwoman was so central to the series, referencing her relation to Bruce Wayne and why they function of the nucleus of the title.

This book is my dream book. This is what I've wanted to do with Gotham city since I was a teenager," he shared. "I'm just so excited -- and just look at this art! [Eddie Barrows] is doing the work of his career... I'm just so honored to be a part of this team... it's passion on every page."

King praised Tnyion's work, comparing it to the "soap opera feel" of the original "Uncanny X-Men" series.

"Clayface is one of the most fascinating villains to me. He serves so many purposes... you want a character who's striking on a cover next to everyone," Tynion shared, adding that Clayface can perform "Black Ops"-esque missions due to this shapeshifting abilities. "The heart of the character is a man who went down the wrong path."

"Clayface will be one of your favorite Batman characters for the rest of your lives when you're finished reading this series," he concluded.

"Batgirl and the Birds of Prey" came up next. "Who is Oracle? Well, Oracle is a big part of Barbara's background... We wanted to get her focused on a mission that would be personal," said Benson. "Having that being the focus felt organic to what already happened in the past. It's so cool to go back to the original three [Batgirl, Huntress and Black Canary]... It's been really, really fun... [Batman] may or may not show up."

"Claire Roe is so rock-and-roll," she said of the artwork. "She's just killing it... It really is a good marriage between the art and what we're trying to do."

"All three of these characters are coming from their own individual books... so getting to bring all those women together into one book is a lot of fun," Benson shared. "We kind of just took the ball that was going and just running with it."

Steve Orlando, who had been sitting in the audience, then joined the stage to discuss "Batman: Night of the Monster Men."

"The first scene with Hugo [Strange] is he's completely naked," Orlando said. "Hugo is like Batman without the tragedy. He want to perfect his body and mind; he thinks he's the only sane person in Gotham... They perfectly contrast each other."

"It's always amazing reading Steve's script... like what I could accomplish in three issues, he gets in one," Tynion said. "We wanted to go with the biggest, funnest, craziest things we could give you guys, and I think we got it."

Asked if Batman will meet Midnighter, Orlando said, "I would do all those things in a second... As you saw 'Midnighter and Apollo,' there's a plan for these characters. If you raise your voice enough, anything is possible. Keep letting us know you want this."

"If you are a Tim Drake fan, you are going to be very excited," Tynion teased.

As to whether Spoiler and Orphan will join "Birds of Prey," Benson said, "We would love to add more characters to the Bird of Prey... If we can steal them from James!"

"These woman just happen to do a lot of punching," Benson said of "Birds of Prey." "It's important to make these woman sexy without being sexualized, to make sure they don't fall into things like cat-fighting... that's not who they are."

"They respect each other," Benson added. "I think that's how women usually react. We might disagree, but we totally respect that opinion."

"What I love about DC is that they're totally behind this. The opportunity to give them a voice is unreal... I think people are ready for this."

SPOILER WARNING: This article contains major spoilers for "Batman" #51, on sale now.

The superstar creative team of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo draw the curtain on their best-selling "Batman" run this week, but it has to be asked -- why stop at the 51st issue rather than #52, especially since it's the flagship title of DC Comics' historic New 52 initiative?

The dynamic duo not only shared the reason with CBR News, they also discussed the closing salvo of their opus, including what Gotham means to them both as creators now that they have completed a run largely considered the crown jewel of the publisher's massive 2011 relaunch.

They also revealed details about their next projects as Snyder is set to launch "All-Star Batman" with an all-star roster of artists as part of DC Comics' Rebirth, while Capullo is illustrating a new series for mega-writer Mark Millar.

Snyder also teased what's next for the Court of Owls, including the hope that when he returns to Gotham's secret society, Capullo will join him for the ride.

Snyder and Capullo bid "Batman" farewell with Issue #51

CBR News: I love James Tynion IV and Rafael Albuquerque's work, but something has been nagging at me since the solicitations for May 2016 dropped. Why aren't you finishing your run with the series' final issue, "Batman" #52?

Scott Snyder: [Laughs] We didn't know that there was going to be a Rebirth. And really, it boiled down to schedule. James and Rafael are going to kill it. I know that story up and down, I talked it through with James. He's, obviously, one of my closest friends, as is Rafael. Greg and I talked about the ending of our run a long time ago, and "Batman" #50 was going to be our extravaganza. Then we had one more coda issue before we even realized that DC was going to do Rebirth or any of this kind of stuff. It was long in the cards.

"Batman" #51 is beautifully done. You're right, it lacks the action of #50, but this is really a love letter to Gotham and your entire run. Let me ask you the question that you ask readers to answer, and finish this sentence: "Gotham is… "

Snyder: Gotham is them. It's them, as readers. That's what we were trying to say in the issue. As much as Gotham is this fictional place, it's powered by all of the people that love Batman and read "Batman" and love the mythos.

Growing up in New York, the funny thing that you realize is that the city is the city at the moment that you live in it with the people that you live in it with. And then you all move, or you die, it changes, and it's new stores and new people. You might come back to visit, or you might move out of your neighborhood, but it existed because you guys were together at that moment in that place.

And Gotham is us. It's me and Greg and that fanbase all at the same moment, feeling the same way about Batman. Trying new ideas, trying to make him modern, trying to make him be a hero for right now and face things that we are afraid of right now, as opposed to 10 years ago, 20 years ago, 30 years ago, or even 10 years from now. It's all of us, together.

Greg Capullo: For me, after five years of living in it, Gotham is home.

Though they love Gotham, both creators agree -- the city deserves its reputation

We've talked a lot about the near-symbiotic relationship of Batman and the Joker in the past, but what abut Gotham. What's Batman without Gotham and vice versa?

Capullo: They are definitely linked. They're attached at the hip. I'd say that they are one and the same at this point. It's not to say that Gotham won't survive should Batman perish -- we tried to show in the last arc that it wouldn't be the case. Someone would rise up and be that symbol. But certainly, I would say that Batman is Gotham City, and Gotham is Batman. They are two lungs in one body.

Snyder: Gotham, to me, is this imagined landscape or All-American city that then gets a hero that faces off against the problems of its population. For us, the Red Hood Gang represented gun violence. Riddler was an über-terrorist. Gotham is the place where you get to go where a hero faces off against your biggest fears. Batman is essential to Gotham in that regard.

Source : CBR

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When Warner Bros first announced that "Man of Steel 2" was going to introduce Batman and pave the way for a Justice League two-part movie, the move looked like the fastest way to catch up with Marvel's strategy of moving in Phases.

Now, the idea of featuring superhero teams without stopping for individual origin films looks like a full-on strategy for how to make the most of the DC properties. Will Smith, who recently wrapped his part as Deadshot in David Ayer's "Suicide Squad," is psyched about being part of a massive superhero cinematic universe. Since he signed on for multiple appearances as Deadshot, the rumble behind the scenes is that he wants to be an ongoing part of Warner's and DC's plans. Right now as per my sources

IF things pan out Will Smith may join Ben Affleck in his solo Batman movie, which might not end up being so solo. If Deadshot joins the Bat in the movie, it will be for a "major role" for a "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" scenario. Nothing's locked down completely, but most of the involved parties seem enthusiastic. Getting Deadshot and Batman to join forces in a movie isn't nearly as hard as landing two A-list actors like Smith and Affleck in one movie (that Affleck will likely direct), and could be another Batman V Superman sized event instead of just another entry into the canon of Batman films. Batman and Deadshot teamed up in the comics as recently as this year's Batman: Arkham Knight comics (starting with issue 23). Read more at: https://tr.im/DJYhg

Source : Latino Review

                                  
 

"Batman: Arkham Knight," a blockbuster game that's already sold upwards of 5 million copies, has one final trick up its sleeve before its wave of "season pass" content finishes up; it's setting its sights on the Dark Knight's next big screen outing, 2016's "Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice."

As reported over at Superhero Hype, Rocksteady Games has announced that the Batsuit worn by Ben Affleck as well as the new Batmobile will be released as downloadable content as part of the "Batman: Arkham Knight" season pass this November.

 You can check out the final months of "Arkham Knight's" content below.


OCTOBER

Batman Classic TV Series Batmobile Pack

Batmobile Track #1: Batcave Set

Batmobile Track #2: Penguin’s Dockyard

Classic TV Series Catwoman Skin

Classic TV Series Robin Skin

1970s Batman Themed Batmobile Skin

Crime Fighter Challenge Pack #3

AR Challenge: Chemical Reaction

AR Challenge: Stage Fright

AR Challenge: Cauldron Speedway TT

AR Challenge: Guardians

AR Challenge: Precinct

AR Challenge: Vertigo

Free Updates

Character Selection in AR Combat Challenges

Optional Hard difficulty in AR Combat and Batmobile Combat Challenges

NOVEMBER

2016 Batman v Superman Batmobile Pack

2016 Batman v Superman Batman Skin

2016 Batman v Superman Batmobile

Wayne Tech Pack

Track #1: Proving Ground

Track #2: Waynetech Loop

Arkham Episode: Catwoman’s Revenge

Includes 1 story mission and 2 AR challenge maps

Arkham Episode: A Flip of a Coin, starring Robin

Includes 1 story mission and 2 AR challenge maps

Arkham Episodes AR Challenge Update including maps from GCPD Lockdown

Robin and Batmobile Skins Pack

Robin Themed Batmobile Skin

Original Tim Drake Robin Skin

Riddler Themed Batmobile Skin

Crime Fighter Challenge Pack #4

AR Challenge: Clockwork

AR Challenge: Credit Crunch

AR Challenge: High Flyers

AR Challenge: Quarantine

AR Challenge: Wild Cat

AR Challenge: Divine Intervention

Free Update

Character Selection in AR Invisible Predator Challenges

DECEMBER

Season of Infamy: Most Wanted Expansion

Mission: Beneath The Surface (Killer Croc)

Mission: In From the Cold (Mister Freeze)

Mission: Wonderland (Mad Hatter)

Mission: Shadow War (Ra’s Al Ghul)

2008 Movie Batman Skin

Original Arkham Batmobile

Crime Fighter Challenge Pack #5

6 TBC AR Challenges

Gotham season two kicked off Monday night with a new, more serial nature and the much-hyped subtitle to the season, “Rise of the Villains.” That rise was shown right off in the first episode, SPOILERS AHEAD, with an Arkham breakout, new characters introduced, and a death designed to show folks who exactly is giving the orders around Gotham City nowadays. Meanwhile, Penguin is the king of the underworld, and even Nygma is seeing his dark side quite literally trying to break out of him. END OF SPOILERS

But those new villains in particular, the Galavan siblings, struck our interest. When the first image of Theo Galavan and the man who turned out to just be a bit of a loon in a costume cropped up, it made us start thinking about the Court of Owls. Coupled with the fact that Jessica Lucas and James Frain told me during a set visit that they were on “a mission of revenge” and had “a long family history in Gotham City,” it seemed like this relatively new part of the DC Universe might be getting a live screen adaptation sooner than later.

During a phone conversation with executive producer and showrunner Bruno Heller, he candidly talked about fan theories, telling ComicBook.com, “everyone’s opinion has been valid and has to be listened to,” expounding on the fact that the characters and concepts they’re playing with are “about the interplay between what we’re doing and what the audience would like to see and how they react.”

In that vein, I asked, well, what about the theory that the Galavan siblings’ long history in Gotham means the Court of Owls is coming, or is that at least something he’s interested in exploring?

“Yeah, absolutely, [I'm interested]. I won’t say that it’s part of – I don’t even want to say that, because I don’t want to spoil part of the story,” Heller said after a bit of a chuckle. He continued, “The Court of Owls is deep, deep, deep Gotham mythology. The comic book fans know about it, but I would suspect the larger audience is not so familiar. We sometimes have to make a distinction between the ‘Nolan-era Batman movie fans’ and the comic book fans. It’s not that they’re two separate audiences, just that there are two levels of engagement. Court of Owls is very much deep DC mythology.

“We are absolutely going to explore that world down the line. Looking at the longevity of the show, we have to hold some cards back, we can’t just throw all of the elements, all of the story at once,” he explained - he even noted earlier during the conversation that he felt they made a mistake trying to throw too much into season one. Heller didn’t mince words, though, and did say definitively, “The long arc of the show is Bruce Wayne’s journey of discovery down into the depths of the physical and meta-physical world of Gotham. The Court of Owls is a brilliant conceit that will absolutely be part of our storytelling. I just won’t tell you when.”

The Court of Owls debuted in the “New 52” era of DC Comics that saw every issue relaunched in a new, modern version of their universe. In the Batman comic book by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo, they revealed that Gotham City has had a secret society behind it for generations known as the Court of Owls. Populated by some of Gotham’s oldest families, the Court uses their assassins known as Talons (think slightly less-trained and more-psychotic versions of Batman) to alter the course of the city’s history.

Will the Galavans be the entry into the Court, with their century-old grudge against the city and its families? Perhaps, but one way or another, Gotham fans, the Court of Owls is “absolutely” on its way.

Stay tuned to ComicBook.com for much more from Bruno Heller on Gotham season two, lessons learned, and what's to come, soon.

Source : CBR

After a highly successful dedicated day to the Dark Knight last year -- celebrating the character's 75th anniversary -- DC Comics' is bringing back Batman Day on September 26 for another cross-country event filled with exclusive comics, retailer giveaways and comic book creator signing.

Fans that swing by their local comic book shop, library or bookstore will received a free copy of "Batman Endgame: Special Edition" #1, which includes an 8-page preview of the upcoming "Batman and Robin Eternal." But what's a comic without a variant these days? Not only will select comic retailers carry a variant edition of the title but also some unlikely sources both physical and digital, including Best Buy, Hot Topic, ComiXology, Google Play and more.

The day also coincides with Baltimore Comic-Con where creators Scott Snyder, Greg Pak, Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner, Peter Tomasi and more will be signing. However, along with these creator signings at the show, other creators will be signing across the U.S. and in Toronto, ON, at various outlets, including Jim Lee in Los Angeles, Greg Capullo in Guilderland, NY, Tim Seeley in Chicago and more.

Retailers will also have their own special celebratory events and giveaways and contests going on. Visit your local comic shop for specific retailer details and check out the Official DC Comics Batman Day website for more details.