Batman Crossover Revealed

Heading into 2012, it's clear that big things are in store for the books of DC Comics' New 52. Frankenstein and O.M.A.C. are on a collision course, Animal Man and Swamp Thing are converging, and Superboy and the Teen Titans continue to overlap. However, perhaps this is all nothing compared to Scott Snyder's plans for Batman.

DC Comics revealed today that beginning in Batman #8, a 10-page back-up feature will launch in the back matter of Batman and Detective Comics (a total of 40 pages, leading to a jump in price to $3.99 for both titles) with his American Vampire co-creator Rafael Albuquerque and co-writer James Tynion IV. Update: We originally reported that Snyder's back-up would alternate chapters between Batman and Detective, but Snyder himself confirmed this to be untrue via Twitter, saying that the Batman back-ups will be "completely self-contained."

More importantly, this back-up that explores the history of the Court of Owls, will have series implications on "The Night of the Owls," a big crossover story that DC says in a blog post will "span the Bat-books and reveal the full breadth of their master plan."

"The first backup, in issue eight will give a sense of the terrifying scope of the Court of Owls' attack on Gotham. This really will be the first shot in a war for the soul of Gotham City," said Snyder. "And then, starting in issue nine, we'll begin a three part story called 'The Fall of the House of Wayne' that will investigate the secret history of the Court of Owls and its relationship to the Wayne family – particularly to Thomas and Martha Wayne, Bruce's parents. The story will be told from the point of view of Jarvis Pennyworth, Alfred's father, and offer some big surprises and shocks about the forces that shaped the bat-mythology as we know it. Can't wait for you all to see these stories!

"I'm also excited to be co-writing with my friend, James Tynion IV, a young writer I'm extremely excited about. Especially in the spirit of the New 52, it's a real thrill to get to give someone new and talented a chance to get his foot in the door, and James is a writer to watch and expect great things from!"

"And of course, I'm over the moon about getting to work with my good friend and American Vampire co-creator Rafael Albuquerque on the some of the very first ones!"

DC also revealed some of Albuquerque's Batman sketches, seen below.





Update 1/10: DC revealed their plans for the Detective Comics back-up story, which will be focused on the classic Batman rogue Two-Face. Written by Detective scribe Tony Daniel, the back-up will feature art from Penguin: Pain and Prejudice's Szymon Kudraski.

"I'm really looking forward to working with Szymon Kudraski, who'll no doubt capture the dark mood and tone I'm reaching for in Detective Comics," said Daniel. "I'm going deep into the character of Harvey Dent and the inner conflicts and demons he must confront. I'm approaching the characters and story the way I would a multi-layered psychological thriller, one that covers a man at the losing end of a battle within himself."

"Readers who have enjoyed the twists, turns and surprises of Tony's run on Detective so far will love this special story featuring Two-Face," said Mike Marts, Batman group editor. "This is Harvey Dent as we've never seen him before—a new threat, a new troubled soul for DC Comics - The New 52!"

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