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The stunning art and writing of Rafael Grampa gives us the end of Bruce Wayne… but the beginning of Batman in September.
By Paul Dunne
16th June 2023
Batman Day 2023 will give you more than one reason to celebrate: Dynamic artist Rafael Grampa will launch Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham on 16th September!
The series will run for four issues, bi-monthly, on DC's Black Label imprint and feature a new, darker beginning for the Dark Knight. This Batman has completely abandoned the Bruce Wayne identity. DC’s press release had this to say: Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham brings Grampá’s twisted vision of both the Dark Knight and the city of Gotham to life in a tale that reaches its icy black tendrils into the deepest and darkest corners of human nature to leave you gasping for breath—and begging for more!
In this bleaker version of Gotham, where each day grows darker than the last, Batman decides that Bruce Wayne is someone he can do without. Batman embraces the streets of Gotham, but when a serial killer is let loose on Gotham's streets, Batman discovers that he doesn't know himself as well as he knows Gotham's dark places. With each clue and each murder drawing Batman closer to a truth, the connection between all the victims as a new rogues gallery of depraved villains begins to emerge from the depths of the city, Batman has to face the true nature of evil, including the darkness building in his own soul...
Grampa discussed the themes and ideas behind the book on DC's site: “When his origin was introduced in Batman #1 in the 1940s, Bruce Wayne swore revenge by the spirits of his murdered parents and—driven by his belief in an omen—became Batman,” said Grampá. “For me, this subtle aspect of Bruce’s belief system has always been the fundamental core of Batman, and through that lens, I recognized this untold story. Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham explores ‘who he is and why he came to be.’ It makes my dream of bringing my own interpretation of Batman to life a reality as I delve into the darkest corners of his essence. I sincerely hope readers enjoy the ride.”
Grampa, whose art has impressed many of us away since his Mesmo Delivery days, right up to his recent success with Brzrkr, is bringing his best work to the series, as you can see from our preview. But Grampa won't be the only breathtaking artist on the book, as the first issues' variant covers are set to blow us away: Jim Lee will be providing a variant cover with colours by series colourist Matheus Lopes), with additional variants from comic book icon and Golden Child collaborator Frank Miller and renowned Batman artist David Finch. A black-and-white version of Lee’s cover will be available as a 1-in-25 “ratio” variant, along with a 1-in-50 variant cover by Priscilla Petraites (Chariot, Rat Queens), a 1-in-100 variant cover from Paul Pope (Batman: Year 100), and a 1-in-250 black-and-white variant cover by Miller, also based on his cover art.
In addition to this, the debut issue of the series will also be available in a Black and White 'Gotham Noir' edition, available from select stores. The series debuts Saturday 16th September in the United States and Internationally. Although no UK date has been given yet, it's safe to assume that the book will be available the following Wednesday, 20th September, although DC has not responded to our request for clarification on this at time of writing.
