BATTLE FOR THE COWL

[All Star Batman]

www.newsarama.com/comics/080726-comiccon-dcu-guide.html

DiDio then turned to "Batman R.I.P.," rhetorically asking the audience what they thought would happen at the end. He then brought up "Batman R.I.P." writer Grant Morrison to discuss the story.

"'Batman R.I.P.' ends with quite a big shock," said Morrison, saying the ending will be followed by a two-issue story that is effectively the last Batman story. A slide was shown of Batman: Battle for the Cowl with Nightwing, Jason Todd, Robin, Hush and Catwoman appearing on the image.

[jlavaia]

none of the above in the poll is my vote. Bruce Wayne will still be Batman and isnt changing. he might not be Batman for those 2 issues, but that's occured before (Knightfall, Prodigy). it's been said that it's Batman isnt changing in Detective Comics, so it's probaly just another bad arc from Morrison. also Bruce is going to be in the last issue of Final Crisis as Batman and R.I.P. takes place alittle before, sort of during Final Crisis. R.I.P. ends before Final Crisis too i believe, so it's just DC trying to boost slipping sales.

[batman1973]

Jul 27, 2008 1:41:16 GMT -5 jlavaia said:

none of the above in the poll is my vote. Bruce Wayne will still be Batman and isnt changing. he might not be Batman for those 2 issues, but that's occured before (Knightfall, Prodigy). it's been said that it's Batman isnt changing in Detective Comics, so it's probaly just another bad arc from Morrison. also Bruce is going to be in the last issue of Final Crisis as Batman and R.I.P. takes place alittle before, sort of during Final Crisis. R.I.P. ends before Final Crisis too i believe, so it's just DC trying to boost slipping sales.

Amen to that. Besides everyone knows that Cassandra Cain is gunnin for the role of the Bat.(WHOOOOOO!)

[arkhaminmate]

I'm thinking it's gonna be Dick again. He definately deserves it, but I want to see Jason take up the mantel, he's (i hate to use this term) more Batman-ish than Grayson.

[jasontodd2]

Jul 29, 2008 2:55:24 GMT -5 arkhaminmate said:

I'm thinking it's gonna be Dick again. He definately deserves it, but I want to see Jason take up the mantel, he's (i hate to use this term) more Batman-ish than Grayson.

I have to respectfully disagree with your last statement about Jason being more Batman-ish. Now don't get me wrong I am a huge Jason Todd fan, but the one thing that makes Jason nothing like Batman is that he has killed and very wreckless

[All Star Batman]

Jul 29, 2008 8:16:17 GMT -5 @jasontodd2 said:

Jul 29, 2008 2:55:24 GMT -5 arkhaminmate said:

I'm thinking it's gonna be Dick again. He definately deserves it, but I want to see Jason take up the mantel, he's (i hate to use this term) more Batman-ish than Grayson.

I have to respectfully disagree with your last statement about Jason being more Batman-ish. Now don't get me wrong I am a huge Jason Todd fan, but the one thing that makes Jason nothing like Batman is that he has killed and very wreckless

I agree with Techno.

[jlavaia]

Jason has the focus to be Batman, but lacks everything else. he just doesnt fit, and he's a killer. Dick cant be Batman. he's Nightwing. that's he is and that's who he wanted to be. he never wanted to be Batman, and really he cant be Batman. neither one of them are really Batman-ish, as you said. the only person capable enough in all areas to replace Batman is Cassandra Cain, but even she cant yet. Batman has her groomed to take his place though, and we can easily assume that she is still learning from Batman while with the Outsiders.

[jasontodd2]

Jul 29, 2008 13:05:30 GMT -5 All Star Batman said:

Jul 29, 2008 8:16:17 GMT -5 @jasontodd2 said:

I have to respectfully disagree with your last statement about Jason being more Batman-ish. Now don't get me wrong I am a huge Jason Todd fan, but the one thing that makes Jason nothing like Batman is that he has killed and very wreckless

I agree with Techno.

=)

[jlavaia]

Morrison and DC have said that this is the arc that ties into Final Crisis. seeing as Batman is a captive in Infinite Crisis, and he may stay that way, this could be why a temporary replacement is needed.

[All Star Batman]

MAJOR RUMORS CONCERNING THE FUTURE OF BATMAN! POSSIBLE SPOILERS!

www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=17496

San Diego announced the Neil Gaiman/Andy Kubert two-part Batman story "Whatever Happened To The Caped Crusader." Now, we know that the original "Whatever Happened To The Man Of Tomorrow by Alan Moore, Curt Swan, George Perez and Kurt Schaffenberger capped the end of the pre-"Crisis" Superman, telling his final tale, before John Byrne revamped the character with the "Man Of Steel" mini-series. So what can we expect from the Batman after such a career capping tale?

Well this one rumour rocketed from the San Diego convention floor before anyone’s hangover could stop it. Apparently it was all the talk of certain Batman cognesti after a particularly heavy night in the bars on Sunday night with certain DC creators.

I understand that following the events of "Batman RIP," both main Batbooks will be put on hiatus for a short period, replaced by a new title, "Battle Of The Cowl" by Grant Morrison.

We’ll see a struggle for the legacy of the Batman after the events of the "Batman R.I.P" storyline, between the likes of Robin, Jason Todd, Nightwing, Damien and who knows, maybe Azreal and Bat-Mite while they're at it.

So "Nightwing" will be renamed "Red Robin" while "Robin" becomes… "Batman And Robin."

It looks like Nightwing will be the new Batman with Jason Todd becoming Red Robin.

remember last time I had a Batscoop this strong, about half was bang on the money (Morrison to write a Batman death story, a replacement to takes his role, Alex Ross to design the new character and covers) with about half being off (Bruce Wayne becoming a New God and fighting Darkseid in hand to hand combat).

Let’s see if I have a better strike rate this time.

[raphaeltmnt]

At the end of this battle for the cowl, Bruce better pop out of no where and snatch it up. No one can take his place. Tim Drake might be a smart guy, but he is no Batman. He should stick to staying as Robin.

[SuperPa]

It wont be Tim Drake,he's to young,it can't be Jason Todd because he just really became the Red Robin,having Catwoman there is just silly lol,the smart money's on it being Dick Grayson,faliling that it could be a hook to Hush throwing off the bandages and picking up the cowl but i doubt it,Dick Grayson all the way.

[havedunter74]

I can see Dick wearing the suit and posing as Batman,its what he has been trained for but he will never "be" Batman. That title is Bruce Wayene's, always has and always will be.

[blackmask]

Jul 27, 2008 1:41:16 GMT -5 jlavaia said:

none of the above in the poll is my vote. Bruce Wayne will still be Batman and isnt changing. he might not be Batman for those 2 issues, but that's occured before (Knightfall, Prodigy). it's been said that it's Batman isnt changing in Detective Comics, so it's probaly just another bad arc from Morrison. also Bruce is going to be in the last issue of Final Crisis as Batman and R.I.P. takes place alittle before, sort of during Final Crisis. R.I.P. ends before Final Crisis too i believe, so it's just DC trying to boost slipping sales.

I agree.

[anthonywayne]

Aug 9, 2008 16:08:05 GMT -5 blackmask said:

Jul 27, 2008 1:41:16 GMT -5 jlavaia said:

none of the above in the poll is my vote. Bruce Wayne will still be Batman and isnt changing. he might not be Batman for those 2 issues, but that's occured before (Knightfall, Prodigy). it's been said that it's Batman isnt changing in Detective Comics, so it's probaly just another bad arc from Morrison. also Bruce is going to be in the last issue of Final Crisis as Batman and R.I.P. takes place alittle before, sort of during Final Crisis. R.I.P. ends before Final Crisis too i believe, so it's just DC trying to boost slipping sales.

I agree.

Ditto

[All Star Batman]

Dan Didio answers questions on Post-R.I.P. Batman:

7) We’ll get back to the generational heroes in a moment, but first, earlier, when you were talking about Brave and the Bold - Batman in those stories will be Bruce Wayne, which somewhat flies in the face of what’s been teased, or what readers have been led to believe is coming at the end of “Batman R.I.P.” Let’s talk about post “R.I.P.” – you’ve dropped the hint about “The Battle for the Cowl...” That seems to indicate that Bruce Wayne is not around, or the role of Batman is up for grabs...

DD: Let’s put it this way: the cowl is there, and people are battling for it. [laughs] I never said that Bruce isn’t fighting for it. The “battle” aspect of it seems to suggest that there are other people who are interested in the mantle of Batman...and at this particular point, we’re addressing what the cowl stands for, and what the name stands for. Is it just the person? Is it an ideal? Is it an icon? Is it something that needs to continue, or is it something that goes away with the man who is with it?

We’ve examined a lot of the importance of who Bruce Wayne is in “R.I.P.” We’ve examined what motives him, and what motivated him to be Batman. In Final Crisis #6, which follows directly after the “R.I.P” storyline – again, that’s one of the reasons why we had to make the artistic changes we did – there is a definite conclusion to Batman’s story.

8) Seen in that light, there is an argument to be made given Bruce’s condition in the latest “R.I.P.” that members of his family wouldn’t think he was fit to wear the cowl...not to mention, it’s often been said that Bruce will one day end up in Arkham himself...

DD: It’s either that or...there’s so much about generations and legacy in the DCU and the passing of the mantle. The question becomes, “Is it the person that matters, or is it he cowl that matters?” There are a lot of stories you hear about someone having to take over the family business, and always what adds the drama to those stories is the questioning – does the person who has to step up want to go their own way, or are they trapped in a destiny that they didn’t create? That’s one of the issues we’re addressing, and of course, we’re also addressing the makeup of the DCU and the importance of certain characters and what their roles are – not just what they do by themselves, but how they affect others.

9) Let’s go down that road for a minute – the generations and the “passing of the cowl.” At one time Dan, you were a big proponent of arresting the development of the sidekicks in order not to have them age while their mentors have to remain a certain age. In fact, your example of this gone amuck, and where DC was headed was that sooner or later, Nightwing, the original Robin, would be older than Bruce Wayne. Aren’t you going back toward by what you once argued against by having things move towards a passing on of the mantle?

DD: Not at all. What I did say was that I was against consistent reboots of the character – where you erased everything and started all over again. My two biggest conceits are, for a number of our characters: who is the most recognizable character in that costume? What is the one most people gravitate towards and the most people address as the definitive version of the character. The other is that I hate how we keep on erasing things and starting over. What I like to do is if there is a natural path to the story, to follow that story.

With Batman in particular, and in some cases with Superman, both of them are bigger than who they are. They’ve affected not just themselves and their respective cities, but so many other characters have been inspired by them, taken on their mantle, taken on their emblem. They operate on the assumption, for instance, that they are achieving what they believe that Batman thinks is right. That’s what we’re really exploring here. We have so many characters that are built off of who Batman is – not just his sidekicks, but so many other characters that inhabit his world, that I think there is a potential here to tell an interesting and compelling story, not just about Batman, but what Batman means to everyone that he’s touched throughout his life. That’s why we’re doing this.

10) So you’re seeing what you’re doing more as a lateral expansion rather than a forward chronological expansion?

DD: More importantly, we’re not going to be coming in with a brand new character, and he’s becoming a brand new thing. This – what we see in “R.I.P.” and afterwards for Batman is a natural expansion of who he is and the people that inhabit his world. That’s what we’re going to be focusing on.

[All Star Batman]

BATMAN: BATTLE FOR THE COWL #1
Written by Tony Daniel
Art by Tony Daniel & Sandu Florea
Covers by Tony Daniel
"Batman: R.I.P." and FINAL CRISIS saw the end of Batman. Now, months following the disappearance of her protector, Gotham City sits at a precipice and it may be too far gone for Nightwing, Robin, Commissioner Gordon and the rest of the city’s heroes to save the day. Amid the fires, rioting, looting and gang warfare, one question rings out from the souls of Gotham’s desperate citizens: Where is Batman?
With guest-stars galore, the destruction of a sacred Gotham City institution and an ending that will have everyone talking, this 3-issue miniseries event written and drawn by Tony Daniel (The Tenth) features the battle to take on the Mantle of the Bat. Who has earned the right? Who thinks they deserve it? Robin? Nightwing? Jason Todd? Two-Face? Catwoman? Batgirl? Who will ultimately win the BATTLE FOR THE COWL?
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 10 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Tony Daniel), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Tony Daniel). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale March 11 • 1 of 3 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US


BATMAN: BATTLE FOR THE COWL – COMMISSIONER GORDON #1
Written by Royal McGraw
Art by Tom Mandrake
Cover by Ladrönn
Gotham City is in a state of emergency. Crime runs rampant, commerce is at a standstill, and gang warfare is on the rise. Through its darkest hours, one man has stood firm against the criminal element in Gotham – Police Commissioner James Gordon. Now, in the aftermath of “Batman: R.I.P.,” Gordon and the GCPD will have to reclaim Gotham and take down Mister Freeze without the assistance of Batman. But with evil on the rise, will this be the beginning of the end of law enforcement in Gotham City? The battle has just begun in this all-new one-shot.
On sale March 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US


GOTHAM GAZETTE: BATMAN DEAD? #1
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by various
Cover by Dustin Nguyen
A city looking to kill itself. A population without its dark avenger, without answers, without hope. A cop looking to save Gotham from its own madness. A reporter looking to reclaim her career by revealing that it's no coincidence the city's top billionaire and its urban legend are missing at the same time. A doctor seeking to regain her soul by stepping back into Hell. One hero who can't quite get it right no matter how hard she tries. Harvey Bullock. Vicki Vale. Dr. Leslie Thompkins. Stephanie Brown. What do all these people have in common?
Without Batman, Gotham City continues to fall apart, and these extraordinary "ordinary" people try to mend the city's wounds, looking into a dark night for answers. This one-shot special explores the effect a missing Batman has on the citizens of Gotham City.
On sale March 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US


AZRAEL: DEATH’S DARK KNIGHT #1
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Frazer Irving
Cover by Guillem March
He was a husband and a father. A brother and a friend. A cop and a dark knight. But he had all that taken away. And in return, he was given a suit of sorrows, a quest for redemption and a new name. He is Azrael, avenging angel for the Order of Purity and a new protector for Gotham City's troubled times. But who will protect the citizens from him?
Guest-starring Robin, Nightwing, Talia and the League of Assassins, this miniseries runs alongside BATTLE FOR THE COWL and features the dramatic presence of a strangely familiar, troubled hero with two things on his mind: crazed vengeance for the wrongs he has suffered and salvation for the sins he continues to commit!
On sale March 18 • 1 of 3 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US


ORACLE #1
Written by Kevin VanHook
Art by Don Kramer and Jay Leisten
Cover by Guillem March
Part 1 of 3-part story that will change the life of Oracle forever! Barbara Gordon, after disbanding the Birds of Prey, returns to Gotham City as a recluse only to lose herself to her Oracle identity entirely. But when the evil Calculator seeks the remnants of the Anti-Life Equation to save the life of his daughter, Oracle will be caught in the crossfire, and Barbara Gordon will pay the ultimate price!
On sale March 18 • 1 of 3 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

[All Star Batman]

Interview with Tony Daniel
www.newsarama.com/comics/081222-tony-daniel-battle-cowl.html

[batman1973]

And then there’s the cape and cowl, the focus of the story. Should it be retired or should someone take the mantle? Will it make a difference either way? Batman was much more than just a costume, you know; putting it on doesn’t make you Batman. There you have it. Tony hits the nail on the head. No-one can be Batman, with the exception of Batman.

[All Star Batman]

New teaser poster! Can you find the clues?


Some things I've noticed:
Look at Bruce's leg. It's tied to a rope held by Damian.
There's an arm hanging out under the Wayne Enterprises Box.
The Batman with the staff is Tim.
The Batman who actually looks normal is probably Dick.
The Batman with the red/black costume reminds me of Deathstroke.

Can you guys see anything else?

[All Star Batman]

Upon further inspection, it seems I've made a few mistakes. The Batman in the red and black appears to actually be Two-Face. Just look more closely, you can see the side of his mouth that isn't covered is a little darker than the partial part of the mouth that is. Plus, the coin in the back is scratched just like his.
Also, I forgot that Hush had plastic surgery to look like Bruce, so that could be him beside Damian with the rope actually his bandages.

[Batlaw]

Its clearly a "bandage" not a "rope" around his leg.
The left side of the black and red "Batman's" face is clearly scared (Two-Face). (the giant penny is also half scared).
The Batman with the staff would certainly appear to be Tim for several reasons.
The Batman in the center does appear to be Dick for several reasons.
The batman with the guns reminds me of Deathstroke (but unlikely). Possibly a robot.
Alfred's "militant" attire?
The arm?
The presence of Harley in the picture?
The backwards "J" on the Joker card?

Most are just teases but some could yield clues...

[All Star Batman]

Dec 24, 2008 16:46:16 GMT -5 Batlaw said:

Its clearly a "bandage" not a "rope" around his leg.
The left side of the black and red "Batman's" face is clearly scared (Two-Face). (the giant penny is also half scared).
The Batman with the staff would certainly appear to be Tim for several reasons.
The Batman in the center does appear to be Dick for several reasons.
The batman with the guns reminds me of Deathstroke (but unlikely). Possibly a robot.
Alfred's "militant" attire?
The arm?
The presence of Harley in the picture?
The backwards "J" on the Joker card?

Most are just teases but some could yield clues...

That Batman with guns is most likely Jason. He has been shown to do things lethally if necessary. Guess it's a Batman/Punisher hybrid.
The Joker card and Harley must mean Joker will definetly get involved in the battle somehow.

[All Star Batman]

Well, I think I've noticed something else. Harley is looking at the Tim Batman with a "He's so dreamy" look, while Alfred is looking at the Dick Batman with distaste.

Tony Daniel comments on the poster and confirms the Batman with the staff is indeed Tim.:
www.newsarama.com/comics/081226-tony-daniel-battle-for-the-cowl.html

[Doomsday]

Dec 24, 2008 15:12:03 GMT -5 All Star Batman said:

Upon further inspection, it seems I've made a few mistakes. The Batman in the red and black appears to actually be Two-Face. Just look more closely, you can see the side of his mouth that isn't covered is a little darker than the partial part of the mouth that is. Plus, the coin in the back is scratched just like his.
Also, I forgot that Hush had plastic surgery to look like Bruce, so that could be him beside Damian with the rope actually his bandages.

Two-Face is definitely in there. That does look like Two-Face, plus there's a Two-Face coin in the background

[/\/\att]

I'm guessing the 'robot' looking Bats w/ the two guns represents Jason Todd or Thomas Elliot

also, its worth noting this from the newsarama interview too....

Although Daniel would confirm the identity of Tim Drake on the left, he wasn't confirming the identity of the other three cowl-wearers. So we asked: Are these actual designs we'll be seeing in the Battle for the Cowl comic? Or are they just representations?

"Just representations for the most part. Though it would be nice to see the yellow oval return, wouldn’t it?" Daniel said.

[Eric]

Hmm. Thats an interesting quote you posted there Matt. It really gets me wondering to. I have been hearing "grumblings" that when Bruce returns from whatever hiatus DC has planned, that not only are they going to, once again, take Batman in a "new" direction, but it may also reflect in his costume. Alot of speculation has been a return to the more old school suit. I would love to see the yellow oval return.

[All Star Batman]

Okay, I'm all for Tim becoming Batman, but to be honest, I'd rather not see the yellow oval return. I know it's iconic, but the big bat works better for me.
Besides, didn't the Batman we see from the beginning of R.I.P. have a big bat?

Dec 26, 2008 16:42:39 GMT -5 /\/\att said:

I'm guessing the 'robot' looking Bats w/ the two guns represents Jason Todd or Thomas Elliot

It's very likely it's Jason, since the "Bruce Wayne" we see is probably Hush who had plastic surgery to look like Bruce.

[All Star Batman]

Meet the other contenders to the cowl:
blog.newsarama.com/2008/12/29/battle-for-the-cowl-the-minor-leagues/

Trust me, it's quite funny.

[All Star Batman]

BATMAN: BATTLE FOR THE COWL #2
Written by Tony Daniel
Art by Tony Daniel & Sandu Florea
Covers by Tony Daniel
With the destruction of Arkham Asylum and dozens of Gotham City’s most lethal villains rioting through the streets, it would seem that Nightwing, Robin and their allies have their hands full. But they hadn’t counted on the return of Batman himself! But is it really The Dark Knight? If so, why is he acting so strangely? And if not, is this a threat that could mean the destruction of Gotham?
This 3-issue series continues to shock and surprise as the battle shifts to the next level with a face-off and ending that will have everybody talking. Who has earned the right to be Batman? Who thinks they deserve it? Robin? Nightwing? Jason Todd? Who will ultimately win the BATTLE FOR THE COWL?
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 10 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Tony Daniel), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Tony Daniel). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale April 8 • 2 of 3 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US


BATMAN: BATTLE FOR THE COWL – MAN-BAT #1
Written by Joe Harris
Art by Jim Calafiore
Cover by Ladrönn
Spinning out of the events in BATTLE FOR THE COWL, Gotham City is in chaos and the villains of Arkham Asylum are running amok. One such villain is the evil Doctor Phosphorus who seeks out another scientist in this one-shot to help him grow even more powerful. But when that scientist is Kirk Langstrom, a.k.a. Man-Bat, Doctor Phosphorus – and all of Gotham – will get much more than they bargained for!
On sale April 1 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US


BATMAN: BATTLE FOR THE COWL – ARKHAM ASYLUM #1
Written by David Hine
Art by Jeremy Haun
Cover by Ladrönn
Gotham City has become a place of nightmares and madness. At its poisoned heart lies Arkham Asylum. For decades the lunacy has been kept under control by Batman and contained within the walls of Arkham. But with Batman gone, what happens once the walls come tumbling down? In this one-shot, will the Asylum’s administrator Dr. Jeremiah Arkham fall prey to the madness that has plagued so many of his inmates? Or will he seize this opportunity to usher in a new era for Gotham’s most haunted institution?
On sale April 22 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US


BATMAN: BATTLE FOR THE COWL – THE UNDERGROUND #1
Written by Chris Yost
Art by Pablo Raimondi
Cover by Ladrönn
With Batman gone, the villains have descended on Gotham! A who's who of Bat-villains star in this one-shot including Catwoman, the Riddler, Harley Quinn, Two-Face, Poison Ivy, The Penguin and Ra's Al Ghul. What kind of havoc will these villains wreak on a city that's already on the verge of implosion? Who will oppose them? And could they all work together to take down Gotham City – or will they just destroy each other? Find out when THE UNDERGROUND rises!
On sale April 29 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US


AZRAEL: DEATH’S DARK KNIGHT #2
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Frazer Irving
Cover by Guillem March
The Suit of Sorrows worn by Azrael grants the power of wrathful vengeance. It magnifies the wearer's sins of imperfection. It is a death sentence waiting to be exacted. So then why do so many people want it? And why does Azrael, the new soldier for the Order of Purity, refuse to give it up even when he knows it will eventually kill him? With Gotham City torn apart by BATTLE FOR THE COWL, the new Azrael seeks to fill the void left by Batman's absence and redeem his tainted legacy, but the League of Assassins wants the suit for Talia and her own heir to The Dark Knight's mantle. And through it all, someone watches, waiting to snatch the prize from the winner...
On sale April 22 • 2 of 3 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US


ORACLE #2
Written by Kevin VanHook
Art by Don Kramer & Jay Leisten
Cover by Guillem March
The Calculator will go to any lengths to save the life of his daughter Wendy – even if it means using remnants of the Anti-Life Equation to do so! But when Oracle intervenes, she soon finds out that the Calculator has been killing Internet hackers from across the globe to get his hands on the Equation, and the final name on his list is hers!
On sale April 15 • 2 of 3 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US