A new 1st for Batman, twice no less

[June 07, 2011]  PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Holy first issues, Batman!

DC Comics is taking its flagship "Detective Comics" back to No. 1 at the end of the summer, part of its push to renumber all of its superhero titles and give the characters new looks, new attitudes and a contemporary feel.

"Detective Comics" has been published monthly by DC since 1937 and is currently at issue 877.

The title is where Batman, created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, made his debut in May 1939 and his eventual sidekick and ward, Robin, in issue 38 in April 1940. Other key characters in the Batman mythology were introduced to readers in the magazine, including villains Penguin, Two-Face, the Riddler and Clayface.

The new series will be written and drawn by Tony Daniel.

DC said Monday that it also will renumber its ongoing monthly "Batman" comic at No. 1, and that it will be written by Scott Snyder and drawn by Greg Capullo. One of the changes to that series will be that the only man wearing the cowl will be Bruce Wayne, a change from previous story lines where former Robin Dick Grayson sported the bat suit.

The two titles won't be the only ones to feature Batman and Gotham City, either.

Also coming is "Batman and Robin," by writer Peter Tomasi and artist Pat Gleason, which sees him joined by his son, Damian, as Robin; and "The Dark Knight," by David Finch and Jay Fabok that will see Wayne plumb the twisted depths of the Arkham Asylum.

Other Batman-related titles announced by DC include "Batwoman," "Catwoman," "Batgirl" and "Birds of Prey."

DC is launching 52 titles at No. 1 in September featuring scores of its characters ranging from Wonder Woman to Green Lantern to the Justice League.

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Online:

http://www.dccomics.com/

[Associated Press; By MATT MOORE]

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