Well, now we know what one of the upcoming DC minis will be, as Denys Cowan spilled some beans on the latest Word Balloon podcast:
I’m doing a Batman story, it’s called Batman: Mortality, where we discuss the five stages of death… Paul Levitz is the writer. Paul Levitz is writing it, and it’s a six issue mini-series, or a six issue series within the Batman [titles], the new Batman… And I didn’t know this, too. Let’s back up. Paul and I are planning to do this series. Unbeknownst to me, but probably he knew, DC is planning to do this big thing. I finally get this script after months of delay and wondering what’s going on with this thing, and all of the script – Mike Marts is the editor – and all over the script is red type over the script going “Denys, use Batman: Year One costume,” “Denys, there’s specific reference for this stuff,” “Denys, place everything in this era.” And I’m looking at this thing going, “Why am I placing everything in the 1980s or whatever it is?” Well… Because they were revamping everything. So when this comes out, it’ll be that same era Batman, that’s coming out in that first issue… It’s reflecting all that stuff. So, I’m part of this thing and I didn’t even know it until I got the scripts.
The whole interview is well worth listening to – you can find it here or on iTunes, if that’s your bag – but I can’t help but wonder if “Batman Year One” + “Five Stages of Grief” = “Story about Batman dealing with losing his parents.” If so, color me fascinated (especially with Cowan art)… as long as we don’t get another Fallen Son: The Death of Captain America.
(Thanks, Xurxo!)
June 24th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
I’m always in for Cowan work!
June 24th, 2011 at 1:47 pm
Don’t see how there’s a market for this, but good luck.
June 24th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
There’s just not enough Batman books out there.
June 24th, 2011 at 2:46 pm
Some of these older pros should just retire. That art is flat out terrible.
June 24th, 2011 at 5:05 pm
@Jose
You’re an ageist a-hole. Neal Adams is still turning out art that shames artists 40 years younger. The late Gene Colan won an Eisner in his 80s for drawing Captain America.
Hopefully, when you’re decrepit, someone won’t call for you to retire because you suck at whatever you do. And judging by your comments, you not only will, but likely already suck at your “job.”
POS.
June 24th, 2011 at 6:08 pm
How little lead time and planning went into DCnU, anyway, if people are just finding out books they’ve done are going to be appearing in the new line?
June 24th, 2011 at 8:27 pm
@whynot
You know if you were going to use 2 examples for old artists who still have it, I’m not sure you could’ve picked 2 worse examples. Sadly Colan’s artistic skills were clearly deteriorating when he drew that issue. And frankly, have you seen that neal adams captain america cover? or his batman odyssey thing? Those were terrible.
June 24th, 2011 at 8:29 pm
Not that an older artist can’t produce great work, even if some of them are pretty out of touch with modern sensibilities. But those were some really bad examples.
June 25th, 2011 at 12:09 am
Why are you people bad mouthing these classic pros? Don’t you have any respect for your elders? Most of these classic pros have turned out more great work in their heyday than any would-be artist could ever aspire to. They deserve respect. Even the recently deceased Gene Colan.
June 25th, 2011 at 1:37 am
In their heyday Neal Adams & Gene Colan produced some fantastic work & they also met their deadlines unlike some of the young artists of today, so show a little respect, idiot.
June 25th, 2011 at 8:55 am
Well, Neal Adams was quite slow. That’s why you would see one Batman story from him for every three or four a guy like Irv Novick did.
Colan was an amazing master that put out quality work month in and month out for decades. One of the most recognized stylists in comics.
Cowan has always been an acquired taste, in my mind, harkening back to his earliest days on Power Man and Iron Fist. His work on the Question in the late 80s should earn him a certain level of respect. And I guess if 50 is considered “old,” than, wow, we are stretching the definition.
June 25th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
@ micheal e…
I think we’re allowed to have our own opinions on an artist no matter how old he is. respect has to be earned. even from ‘elders’.
June 25th, 2011 at 1:33 pm
I’d have to see more from Cowan to form an opinion on him though.
June 25th, 2011 at 8:58 pm
putting aside quality, there’s just no demand for this. The creators aren’t in demand, the character is overexposed, the concept sounds hokey (could be executed well, but that’s how it sounds) and there’s no hook for DC’s publicity team to go about promoting it. It just sounds DOA.
June 25th, 2011 at 9:28 pm
I’ve never understood the love for Cowan’s work… It’s always looked ugly to me, but the picture shown here is even worse than I usually came to expect from him. Pass.
As for Zach’s claim that Batman is “overexposed,” I find that kind of humorous. If there’s a lot of Bat-books out there, it’s probably because they sell. Personally, he’s my favorite character of them all. I just haven’t bought many Bat-books lately because I’ve hated the direction they’ve taken Batman, and his supporting cast, the past few years. I’ve just taken solace in Nolan’s Bat-movies, as well reading older stories, picking up older trades that I missed originally, etc.
Anyhow, I might keep an eye out for this series… I’ll wait and see how it turns out, and then maybe pick up the trade if the DCnU Batman turns out to be pretty decent. Given the mindset at DC the past few years I’m not expecting much, but I’ll wait and see.
June 26th, 2011 at 10:14 am
Shaun, check out the sales charts when you get a chance. Batman’s various ongoing series sell fairly well, but Batman minis sell like crap. Check out Orphans or the Batman Classified anthology series.
June 26th, 2011 at 1:29 pm
Im down for this. I love when Cowan does Batman.
June 27th, 2011 at 11:03 am
glad that helped!
June 29th, 2011 at 7:13 pm
@Shaun
I’ve never understood morons who can’t appreciate a different style of art