Batman is headed to Blighty.
DC Comics has officially announced Batman: The Dark Knight, a new six-issue limited series from writer Tom Taylor (DCeased) and artist Andy Kubert (Flashpoint) set to launch on April 13. This "thrilling overseas adventure" takes the Caped Crusader to the United Kingdom, where he will meet new allies... and new enemies.
Batman: The Dark Knight will "take a seasoned Batman -- a lifetime of broken bones but not a broken spirit -- out of Wayne Manor and on a harrowing, action-packed European quest." This new story begins when a "horrific tragedy in the United Kingdom sends a very personal and deadly message to the Dark Knight -- one that will draw Batman out of Gotham City to investigate! From the moment he lands in Europe, Batman will face a challenging investigation, unheard-of adversaries, and find the assistance of a partner once more -- all in the hunt for the villain known as Equilibrium! And what does 'BATMAN 147' mean to Bruce Wayne when it appears after a deadly plane crash -- is it a clue, or a riddle? Or just another trap for the Batman?"
“This series is a different take on the character than I had done before. Every story that I have done with Batman has been different in tone, and the art takes on a life of its own as the story dictates," Kubert said in a statement. "Batman and Son, Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader and Dark Knight III-The Master Race along with Flashpoint Batman, had their own look and feel for that particular story. Batman: The Dark Knight is no different.”
"I will leap at any chance to tell a Batman story at any time, but teaming up with a legend like Andy Kubert for a Batman tale is a dream and an honor. I have Andy's Dark Knight statue sitting on my desk, so I can see exactly how his Batman is larger than life," Taylor shared. "When editor Ben Abernathy and Andy came to me with an idea for a world-weary Batman leaving Gotham for Europe, I immediately thought of the great stories I'd read of an older, cynical Batman. But the challenge was finding the call to adventure for a Batman who's a little more jaded."
The writer continued, "Fortunately, I already had something up my sleeve. I actually pitched a Batman idea to Ben Abernathy all the way back in 2012 and, nine years later, we were able to find a place for this in Batman: The Dark Knight. The idea was about taking something away from Batman that no one's ever tried to take before. And from that, a new, unique Batman villain was born. It's all about Equilibrium."
As for Batman's aforementioned partner, DC implies Knight and/or Squire from Batman Incorporated could make a comeback to help him solve this case. Still, it remains to be seen if an aging Bruce Wayne will be able to keep up. However, Taylor says you shouldn't count the Dark Knight out just yet. "Andy's Batman never skipped leg day," said Taylor. "His legs are like tree trunks. He's a bit older, he's a little slower, but he's efficient. He's muscle and bulk and power and he moves like a battering ram. He interacts a little like a battering ram too. He's singularly focused. He has a mission, and he won't be pushed off track by hordes of attackers… or even Andy's terrifying Gentleman Ghost. While this is about an older Dark Knight, we also had an opportunity to flashback to his past, to see a younger Bruce Wayne in training in a way never expanded on before."
Batman: The Dark Knight #1 features an extra-sized 26-page story. The issue will feature a main cover and a card stock variant cover by Kubert and Brad Anderson, as well as a 1:25 card stock variant by Riccardo Federici.
Written by Tom Taylor and illustrated by Andy Kubert, Batman: The Dark Knight #1 goes on sale April 13 from DC Comics.