It looks like the Batman has a new force directing him through the streets of Gotham: Scott Snyder.
DC’s blog, the Source, has a post announcing the American Vampire writer will be taking over the title, presumably after current writer David Hine. In addition, the blog has announced that Snyder is now a DC exclusive writer.
“I want to play things pretty close to the vest for now, but I can tell you that it’ll star Batman, and will focus heavily on his CSI work and hardcore mysteries set around Gotham,” Snyder said on the blog, about his upcoming work. “The back-up will center on Commissioner Gordon and involve a certain case – and a dark figure – from his past that comes back to haunt him in present day Gotham. The feature and back-up will be stand-alone, but will affect and inform each other.”
Now, this announcement interests me in a couple of ways. First and foremost, considering the number of exclusives that DC has been racking up this year — including people like Jeff Lemire, Paul Cornell and David Finch — it feels like DC is really upping its game in terms of getting some “different” voices onboard (as opposed to the more simpatico voices of the ever-popular Geoff Johns, Peter Tomasi, Sterling Gates and James Robinson).
And perhaps even more important — this is DC really utilizing the creative potential of its Vertigo crew members. Years ago, it looked like Jason Aaron was seen only as a Vertigo guy — now he’s one of the big fish over at Marvel, and I imagine DC is kicking themselves over it. But considering Vertigo is one of the biggest high-concept houses in comics, this could be the beginning of DC really remembering where its cutting edge lies. What do you think, ‘Rama readers? Are you excited to see the American Vampire scribe sink his teeth into Gotham City? Sound off!
July 14th, 2010 at 7:40 am
Overall, I like seeing the Vertigo writers get a chance. And I am liking (though not loving) American Vampire.
But I am taking a wait and see approach about the Batbooks. There are so many of them, and as much as I love that sub-company, I don’t want to buy everything. I will stick with Red Robin, and with whatever Morrison is writing, and with Streets of Gotham on the assumption that Dini is still there. I might be getting Batwoman. Have to say that a mystery-based Batbook with a Jim Gordon feature will rate higher than something written by an unproven David Finch, though.
Have to add that while I get a little tired of the Batbooks being shaken up every two years, I have been happy with them for a long while now. Or at least with the ones I buy every month.
July 14th, 2010 at 8:05 am
I love Snyder’s work. He’s really had a great year.