DC UNIVERSE #0 - THE BATMAN PAGES

[MattBrady]

It hits this week, and today, DC Comics has given Newsarama an exclusive preview of DC Universe #0, the prelude not only to Final Crisis but also to the major storylines that will run throughout the DC Universe this summer, including Legion of 3 Worlds, Final Crisis: Revelation, Wonder Woman: Rise of the Olympian and more.

To give you a feel for the book, the pages below are the Batman section of the issue in its entirety. The story is by Grant Morrison and Geoff Johns with art by Tony Daniel, and points out the direction of the coming "Batman R.I.P." story which will run in the ongoing Batman series.

Click on the thumbnails for larger versions, and be sure to check back tomorrow as we talk to DC's Dan DiDio about the issue and its implications.

[Fabio13]

first post!

what happened to joker's lips?

[Kevin T. Brown]

Oooooo-kay......

[titandeoro]

going to the alan moore "killing joke" intro with the card playing joker in arkham while talking to batman.

[FluxCapacity]

Man this just gets me pumped for tomorrow. I will definitely be picking this up. Oh and The joker's lips are probably the result of grant Morrsion's prose batman story. where he has the scarred smile.

[c_andrew_s]

This looks amazing; I can't wait :-)

[Capt_Piett]

Originally Posted by Fabio13

first post!

what happened to joker's lips?

I'M assuming, since Morrison's writing the story it's a contuiuation of his Joker prose issue where the Joker had a "Perme-smile" as a result of the damage done to this face in Morrison's first arc when he was shot.

Not sure how I like the look, but at least the Joker's talking again....

[Princess_Pea]

Jesus Christ. Finally, we will have some idea what is in this damn book. I have been waiting weeks with almost no clue what this thing is about. Same goes for Final Crisis.

[statnut]

Man, this looks good.

[Kal Lor-Van]

Holy Crap! I'm psyched for this, finally!

[Princess_Pea]

Originally Posted by Capt_Piett

I'M assuming, since Morrison's writing the story it's a contuiuation of his Joker prose issue where the Joker had a "Perme-smile" as a result of the damage done to this face in Morrison's first arc when he was shot.

Not sure how I like the look, but at least the Joker's talking again....

How does this sync up with the Salvation Run mini? Joker looks fine there.

[zincalloy]

i bet the only way to hurt batman that bad. is to make him kill.

[durkadurka]

Hachi Machi! It's about time the Joker showed up again.
I find it weird that DC is going ahead with the Batman R.I.P. storyline just when the movie is coming out. Usually they try to tie in the book at the time with the movie, and whatever villain is featured in it. And they still might.
I'm looking forward to both, at any rate.

[aric_dacia]

Looks interesting. For 50 cents, I'm willing to bet I'll enjoy the issue, even if it is all tease.

[Will44]

Yeah, really how does this sinc up with the Joker in salvation run? DC should either have the courage to say no to some of Morrison's crazy ideas, or see them through all the way to the end.

[durkadurka]

Originally Posted by Princess_Pea

Jesus Christ. Finally, we will have some idea what is in this damn book. I have been waiting weeks with almost no clue what this thing is about. Same goes for Final Crisis.

Final Crisis has been explained a few times. You just have to look.

[batmansgirl]

... *sighs*

I honestly don't know if I'll continue to enjoy Morrison's run on Batman or not. I haven't liked it at all so far, and even with this preview I'm not feeling any more excited for Batman RIP.

[dmarvp]

Tony Daniel's art looks better than ever ! like a 1000th times better !

[caats19]

i think stuff Morrison does won't be seen everywhere. which i think'll be a problem with final crisis.

[Capt_Piett]

Originally Posted by Fabio13

first post!

what happened to joker's lips?

I'M assuming, since Morrison's writing the story it's a contuiuation of his Joker prose issue where the Joker had a "Perme-smile" as a result of the damage done to this face in Morrison's first arc when he was shot.

Not sure how I like the look, but at least the Joker's talking again....

[GenerallZodd]

I think the brass at DC are intimidated as hell of Grant Morrison.

They figure he thinks so far ahead of them that telling him no will ultimately prove how dense they are. However, somebody desperately needed to when it comes to Batman. I enjoy 95% of his work immensely, but some of this Batman stuff is just bad.

[Guicho]

Originally Posted by Fabio13

what happened to joker's lips?

If you mean why aren't they red?
He doesn't wear makeup in prison. Otherwise it's just his regular grin.

This looks great so far!

[HartyPotter]

Looks entertaining.

[turk9]

"Bring it on"? What is he, GW? A subtle political jab from Morrison? If that's foreshadowing, it doesn't bode well for Batman given the complete disaster that followed the last time that phrase was famously uttered. I wonder if that means Batman goes broke as well.

Anyway, looking forward to the Batman part of this storyline. Although that first 9 fingered man got his ass handed to him by Bats fairly quickly in the latest issue of Batman, so not sure how competent this whole Black hand organization is. But Morrison's Batman issues have been superb, IMO.

turk

[Botch]

So, am I the only one then that thinks that Morrison's Batman is the best Batman writing since Brubaker?

And that his prose Joker story was the Best. Joker. Story. Ever?

Morrison's Batman and Joker being involved in Final Crisis is the only incentive I have to even flip through the Crisis-related books.