With Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee's six-issue Batman: H2SH starting in March, DC has officially announced who will be replacing them as the ongoing creative team for Batman. This September, writer Matt Fraction (Hawkeye, Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen) will be joined by artist Jorge Jiménez (Batman) in launching a brand new run with Batman #1. This renumbering comes with a new costume, new Batmobile, and a new look for Gotham City.
Fraction spoke to the importance of the character to both fans and himself:
I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Batman. It was the first comic I ever read. Jorge and I have a very superhero-forward kind of take on Batman. We’ve got a new Batmobile, we’ve got a new costume, we’ve got new characters, and we’ve got a lot of old ones too—good and bad; all the stuff that makes Batman the coolest character in comics. We want to celebrate it all. [...] Part of the reason Batman has lasted as long and has resonated as loudly as he has as a character is that he’s incredibly resilient. He can be all kinds of things to all different people all at the same time — whether that’s in the comics or in animation or in movies.
Jiménez described how his style has evolved over time, with this being his third run on the title:
As a DC artist, I have to say this is something I’ve always dreamed of, and getting to do it alongside someone as amazing and talented as Matt is just incredible for me. As for my work on Batman, the artistic side, I’ve poured years of hard work into this series. Over time, I’ve had to adapt to different styles and paces alongside James and Chip, learning and enjoying every step of the way. I’ve explored Gotham City from multiple angles, but more importantly, I’ve gradually built up more and more artistic tools that have led me to the current synthesis of my style.
For this new chapter, we’re crafting a revamped aesthetic, bringing back Batman’s blue suit in a definitive way. It’s a small shift meant to feel both classic and fresh, subtly evolving while staying true to the original design we’ve used in recent years. At the same time, I’m working on Gotham City’s visual identity, giving it a fresh approach that sets it apart from my previous takes. I’m aiming for a slight pop influence, something that subtly nods to classic stories while keeping the dark and ominous feel of contemporary Batman.
Batman #1 hits shelves in September, with more details to come soon.
