Well this is certainly one way to kick off DC’s Year of the Villain: legendary artist Neal Adams will write and illustrate a new six-issue miniseries titled Batman vs. Ra’s al Ghul. Along with the equally legendary Denny O’Neil, Adams is, of course, co-creator of Ra’s, who has become one of Batman’s most respected and notorious enemies. Batman vs. Ra’s al Ghul sees the Demon’s Head offer his own private security force to protect Gotham City from a terrorist threat.
I’m sure Batman will be a-ok with this and will appreciate some nice time off.
What’s more, to celebrate the release of the miniseries, DC will release what they are calling a “Facsimile Edition” of Batman #232, the issue that introduced the world to Ra’s. These sound kind of like Marvel’s “True Believers” issues, where noteworthy comics are reprinted for a buck so new readers can bone up on some classic stories. No word on a price yet, but it’s a cool idea no matter what.
Check out the details below.
Per DC:
Ra’s al Ghul, aka the Demon’s Head, Returns in Six-Issue DC Miniseries
Neal Adams to Write & Draw Batman’s Arch-Nemesis During DC’s Year of the VillainBURBANK, CA – (May 13, 2019) – Ra’s al Ghul, leader of the League of Assassins, grandfather of Bruce Wayne’s son and the only person in the world capable of going sword-to-sword with Batman, returns this August during DC’s Year of the Villain in a new six-issue mini-series, BATMAN VS. RA’S AL GHUL, written and drawn by Ra’s al Ghul’s co-creator himself, legendary artist Neal Adams.
Neal Adams has produced some of the most memorable DC comics ever, but none more memorable and known worldwide than 1971’s BATMAN #243 and #244, in which Ra’s al Ghul co-creators Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams built to one of the most iconic images in the history of the Dark Knight, a swashbuckling Batman fighting for his life in the desert!
Kicking off BATMAN VS RA’S AL GHUL in August, Adams shows a Gotham City under siege by terrorists, with Batman determined to find the source. But when Boston Brand, aka Deadman, tries to intervene, he discovers an even more disturbing and deadly truth: the terrorists are led by an inhuman monster! Ra’s al Ghul volunteers his own private security force to aid the GCPD, and now they are the saviors standing between nuclear terror and the townspeople!
But al Ghul’s true goal is hidden from everyone’s eyes. He will destroy the city and kill Batman—this time for good. Watching in horror is…Bruce Wayne?
To coincide with the debut of Adams’ new mini-series, DC will also offer fans BATMAN #232 FACSIMILE EDITION. The story that introduced Ra’s al Ghul will be reprinted in its original format in the first of several facsimile edition comics. In the now-famous story “Daughter of the Demon,” Ra’s reveals that he knows Batman’s secret identity—and that he needs the Caped Crusader’s help to save his daughter, Talia. It’s a tale that established Ra’s al Ghul as one of Batman’s most cunning and unpredictable foes!
Batman vs. Ra’s al Ghul #1 and Batman #232 Facsimile Edition will hit comic shops and digital retailers on August 21.
This post was originally published on Comics Now.
