A Batman #1 doesn’t come along very often. Well, unless you’ve been reading comics for the past 15 years, in which case, it’s come along a couple times already. Modern comic books! But even then, in what is about to be eight-and-a-half-decades of Batman that’s still not a lot of relaunches–and DC is going all-in to make this fourth one stand out.
Last night at ComicsPro DC confirmed that the fourth-ever relaunch of the primary, solo Batman book (there are of course, dozens upon dozens upon dozens of other Bat-titles, the publisher has printed in the last 80-odd years, but they don’t count here) will begin this fall, but which point Bruce Wayne will be well and truly into his 85th anniversary year. Batman kicked off in 1940, and would only be relaunched with a new #1 for the first time 71 years later with the dawn of the New 52 in 2011–and subsequently relaunched again for DC Rebirth in 2016, which will now give way to the newest relaunch in September 2025.
The new series will be penned by writer Matt Fraction, and feature art from Jorge Jiménez, as well as colors by Tomeu Morey and lettering by Clayton Cowles, who will usher in the new era with a new visual style for Bruce, the city he defends as the dark knight, and all those wonderful toys he gets to play with. While DC is currently staying quiet on its plans to revamp the designs of the Batmobile and Gotham City itself, the first preview for the series did confirm that Batman will get a new costume refresh: one that firmly brings back the iconic blue, grey, and yellow-accented colors of some of his classic suits, over a modernized design.
“For this new chapter, we’re crafting a revamped aesthetic, bringing back Batman’s blue suit in a definitive way,” Jiménez said in a brief statement during the book’s reveal at ComicsPro. “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.”
As for what Bruce is going to be getting into in the series? DC’s keeping that under wraps for now–but it’s safe to assume the the kind of bat-shenanigans that Bats has been up to for the last 85 years will no doubt be continuing, with a fresh lick of paint, later this year.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.