Looks like the New 52 books are about to enter into a little bit of creative flux again. DC announced today that Trevor McCarthy is going to take over the art on Batwoman for three issues, with Ed Benes filling in on Detective Comics for four months while Tony Daniels takes a break, presumably meaning that Benes is taking his own break from Red Lanterns, which he’s been happily illustrating since the first issue. The addition of McCarthy to Batwoman expands that title’s artistic rotation past the announced pairing of JH Williams III and Amy Reeder, potentially risking readers who have already been complaining about Williams’ absence after just one issue (He’s now due back on the book with #12), although McCarthy’s style is likely to merge well with Reeder’s, if not with Williams.
Amusingly, DC Editor-in-Chief Bob Harras’ quote in the blogpost makes him sound unconvinced that the two guest artists will be able to match up to the artists they’re replacing, saying that “Both Trevor and Ed are going to have to bring their A-game to maintain those standards.”
Update: On her Facebook page, current Batwoman artist Amy Reeder reveals that the change is fairly recent:
You found out about it pretty much as soon as it went final, too. It’s definitely regrettable…some real creative differences were going on, to the point that it became untenable.
Developing, as the saying goes.
March 9th, 2012 at 9:56 am
Confusing.
I don’t like it, but I’ll stick with Batwoman. I’m just confused, as JH Williams and Amy Reeder have been working on Batwoman for a long time now, and IIRC, JHW has said in several interviews that he was already doing artwork for issue 9 or 10. I get the sense that something happened (he got sick or was needed for another project, back-up stories or something), and so he and Blackman had to come up with a three-issue arc for McCarthy to Draw, and then the issue that JHW was already working on will become #12.
I don’t know. What I don’t like is the dramatic shift in style. Ed Benes and Tony Daniels are somewhat similar in their style, but McCarthy and Williams? Both great artists at what they do, but what they do is soooo very different…..
March 9th, 2012 at 3:38 pm
BATWOMAN is my favorite DCnU series. With that out of the way….
I’m kind of glad Reeder is off the book. Her work on BATWOMAN 0 was superb and a splendid match to JH’s.
But her work on BATWOMAN 6 was not up to par; it didn’t have the flair and panache that the zero issue had.
I do love McCarthy’s work. I love his page layouts. It’ll be interesting to see where this goes, but I hope it doesn’t damage the book.
March 9th, 2012 at 4:26 pm
Ah. Just reread it. So, McCarthy is going to be subbing in for some of Reeder’s issues, and JHW will be back on the book as scheduled with issue 12 (As Reeder was supposed to supply issues 6-11). I hope it stabilizes sometime soon.
I don’t think we need to worry about the book, saleswise anyways. It’s a batbook, it’s critically acclaimed, it’s undeniably awesome artistically (at least for half the issues, anyways). Hope it doesn’t get thrown off-schedule.
March 9th, 2012 at 5:04 pm
Dear DC.
Please stop screwing up titles by changing artists so frequently. At least finish the current run first!!! GEEZ.
March 9th, 2012 at 5:42 pm
More Amy Reeder!
March 9th, 2012 at 6:11 pm
What a shame, Amy Reeder is fantastic. Though I haven’t felt the same about the character since Greg Rucka left DC. Ah well more money in my pocket I guess. I’ll be looking forward to seeing what Amy has on deck next.
March 9th, 2012 at 7:13 pm
I love Reeder’s work, but I feel like having her on Batwoman set her up for failure because she’s been positioned as “the sub.” That seems to be the underlying positioning DC and the creative team have spoken about the shared art duties or at least it’s how fans have been writing about and responding to it. That is really unfair in my opinion. I would have rather seen someone do something completely different, but similar tonally for a few issues as opposed to reducing Reeder to some sort of understudy.
March 9th, 2012 at 7:28 pm
So, we had unnecesary sequels to COIE, Silver Age 2.0, stupid changes in characters (Martian Manhunter, Question, Blue Beetle, Atom, Spectre) and a complete reboot in the DCU and STILL Didio and his henchmen aren’t able to make up their minds regarding creative teams and can’t keep the #1 sales spot after only 6 months? How long will it take for the Warner execs to realize that Didio has been killing DC since his appointment as editor?
Nothing personal against Didio, just hate the direction that DC has been taking with him at the helm (actually, or should I say “directionS” with all the comes and goes that took place recently?)
March 9th, 2012 at 10:19 pm
Not the first time Tony Daniel has taken a break as artist while continuing as writer on a Batbook. No doubt the four issues will feature Catwoman or Batgirl and play to Ed Benes’ artistic strengths.
March 9th, 2012 at 11:21 pm
@needcomicmoney… Ed Benes has artistic strenghts?
@HellblazerRaiser… you’re absolutely right. Reeder’s work on #6 was sub-par compared to her work on #0.
March 10th, 2012 at 4:01 am
Reading between the lines, it seems this isn’t some editorial mandate to play musical chairs for the sake of boosting sales, but (as Reeder states) “creative differences”… by which, I interpret that to mean differences in direction for the character between Reeder and J. H. Williams. Presumably, since they don’t mention Reeder ever returning to the art chores on Batwoman, she’s done.
March 10th, 2012 at 4:15 am
I’d further interpret those “creative differces” between Reeder and Williams to mean that Reeder was expected to mimic Williams’ style as closely as possible, while Reeder wanted the freedom to interpret the character in her own style (as evidenced by her work on issue 6). Since she’s obviously unhappy being Williams’ clone, she’s moving on.
March 10th, 2012 at 12:00 pm
I honestly love the art so much more than the story on this book, I’m going to keep buying it, but I really don’t like changes like this, I hope they maintain the high standards that the book has already set.
March 10th, 2012 at 8:44 pm
I follow comic bokks not only for the pretty pictures but let’s be honest Batwoman is one of those bokks where the art can make or break the deal so I hope the change is for the best and Williams could come back as soon as planned
March 11th, 2012 at 11:33 am
If Amy Reeder is off Batwoman, I hope she finds herself with a new gig. She’s such a great artist who shouldn’t be forced to emulate somebody else’s style.
I’d love to see her on Wonder Woman! Or a relaunch of Madame Xanadu (hint, hint DC)!
March 11th, 2012 at 5:11 pm
Creative differences could mean anything.
To be honest, this is a book I wish could be bimonthly as I’d rather get every issue by Williams than have other artists work on the book. Since I’m trying to cut back on titles to buy more IDW Artist Editions I think this will be an excuse to drop Batwoman. If Amy’s issues are a complete story arc I’ll jump off at the end of her run. If it’s not complete I’ll just jump off now.
My DC New 52 binge is pretty burnt out now. I can’t afford to buy this many books every month and some of the New 52 changes leave me with a sour taste. The book that are good are really really good. But the rest I’m dropping off of. With Marvel already firing up another event that promises more “deaths” I won’t be going that direction. Is it that hard to get really good comics without all the outer-title continuity distractions?
March 12th, 2012 at 2:37 am
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March 12th, 2012 at 3:32 am
Todd asked: “Is it that hard to get really good comics without all the outer-title continuity distractions?”
Not that hard at all, Todd. Unless you insist on buying DC and Marvel universe titles.