On Saturday at New York Comic Con, DC Comics Co-Publisher Dan DiDio announced John Romita Jr. will provide art for a 48-page one-shot prequel written by Frank Miller and Brian Azzarello to the original "Dark Knight Returns."

"So what John's going to be doing is a 48-page special for February celebrating the 30th anniversary of 'The Dark Knight,' which is actually a prequel for 'The Dark Knight' book, and then we have plans for John following that," DiDio told CBR News.

"Greg [Capullo] is taking a break [from 'Batman']," he added. "Everybody's focused about Greg leaving. I just want to celebrate the fact he did this incredible run for fifty issues! Not only that, he's just taking a break and looking to come on back."

As announced at the "Heroes To The Core" panel, "Dark Knight III: The Master Race" will take a break in February after its first three issues, where it will instead be replaced by a special one-shot prequel to the original "Dark Knight Returns" for its 30th anniversary. The issue will be written by Miller and Azzarello and drawn by Romita. "I just found out right now. I didn't know it was a prequel," the artist said.

"Dark Knight III: The Master Race" #1 will be available at retailers on December 9.