Batman comics are getting ready to kick off "Joker War", the next major storyline in the Dark Knight's life that will see the Clown Prince of Crime coming after his caped arch-nemesis with a new level of ferocity. The arc will also introduce a mysterious new character from Bruce Wayne's past called 'Ghost-Maker'.
"Ghost-Maker is a character who we'll see a little bit of right at the end of Batman #100," writer James Tynion IV stated in an interview, "but will come in in a big way in November and beyond." Tynion went on to explain his excitement regarding Ghost-Maker, who is meant to be an adversary to Bruce Wayne without being a full-fledged villain.
According to the writer, Bruce had first met ghost-Maker years ago during his travels around the world since the age of 15 while training to become Batman. Now Ghost-Maker has returned to Gotham and is unimpressed with Bruce's attempts to clean up the city. Tynion describes the core conceit of the idea behind the creation of Ghost-Maker as, "creating this rival from youth that we're going to see come in in a big way in the present."
In the same interview, Tynion revealed that "Joker War" will see the titular character gain control of Batman's vast personal resources and a gang of loyal criminals, while Bruce Wayne has been systematically drawn away from his usual allies. Thus, the stage is set for a particularly dangerous battle between the two arch-enemies, whose effects will be felt for years to come.
The official description for "Joker War" describes the upcoming event as:
It was always going to come to this. The Clown Prince of Crime and the Dark Knight Detective go head-to-head for the last time. The Joker has never wanted to win before, he's never wanted his battle with Batman to end, but now his motivation has shifted. He has decided that one way or another, this will be the final chapter to their story. "Joker War" begins here!
Written by James Tynion IV, with art and a cover by Jorge Jimenez, the first issue of "Joker War" — Batman #95 — will hit shelves on July 21.
( via SYFY WIRE )