DC Comics have announced ‘Batman – One Bad Day,’ a series of 64-page specials beginning in August, each pitting the Dark Knight against one of his greatest foes. The books, which derive their name from the Joker’s monologue in “The Killing Joke” claiming “all it takes is one bad day to reduce the sanest man alive to lunacy,” will consist of:
– “Batman – One Bad Day: The Riddler” (August 2022), which will reteam writer Tom King and artist Mitch Gerads (“Mister Miracle,” “Strange Adventures”). The book will see Edward Nygma embark on a random killing spree, forcing Batman to uncover why his usually meticulous enemy has gone seemingly berserk. You can check out some of Gerads’s artwork here.
– “Batman – One Bad Day: Two-Face” (September 2022), by writer Mariko Tamaki, artist Javier Fernandez, and colorist Jordie Bellaire. The synopsis teases Harvey Dent returning to his former life as a heroic district attorney, promising the creative team “will flip that iconic coin… on its head?!”
– “Batman – One Bad Day: The Penguin” (October 2022), by writer John Ridley, artist Giuseppe Camuncoli, inker Cam Smith, and colorist Arif Prianto. It sees Oswald Cobblepot’s criminal empire being “stolen” by an associate, and Batman being forced to contend with both Oswald and “the Umbrella Man.”
– “Batman – One Bad Day: Mr. Freeze” (November 2022), by writer Gerry Duggan, artist Matteo Scalera, and colorist Dave Stewart. The book is set during Dick Grayson’s time as Robin, when Gotham was hit by a winter so cold that Victor Fries could survive without his containment suit. You can check out more of Scalera’s artwork here.
– “Batman – One Bad Day: Catwoman” (December 2022), by G. Willow Wilson, Jamie McKelvie, and Tamra Bonvillain. The plot reads, “A brooch Selina Kyle’s mother once pawned for pennies is now part of a high-bid auction! The stakes are personal, and Catwoman will steal it back at any cost.”
– “Batman – One Bad Day: Bane” (January 2023), by Joshua Williamson, Howard Porter, and Tomeu Morey. The comic will “see Bane’s mind, body and spirit get ravaged” as he seeks his “last vengeance” on the Bat.
– “Batman – One Bad Day: Clayface” (February 2023), by writers Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing, artist Xermanico, and colorist Romulo Fajardo Jr. It will see Batman pursue Basil Karlo to L.A., where he’s apparently killing and impersonating Hollywood stars.
– “Batman – One Bad Day: Ra’s al Ghul” (March 2023), by Tom Taylor and Ivan Reis. Nothing was said about the plot, apart from “You know his name, the Bat will know his wrath!”
You can check out all the revealed covers and title logos (which are designed to reflect each villain) here. Additionally, DC announced the winner of this year’s Round Robin tournament is Kenny Porter and Jahnoy Lindsay’s “Superboy: The Man of Tomorrow.” The pitch will become a six-issue, digital-first series sometime this fall, and follow Connor Kent as he tries to find his place in the universe, now that Earth has Jonathan, Kara and Clark to protect it. DC has also announced some of this year’s losing pitches will become stories in a “DC Round Robin 2022” special, although it is unknown when this will be published.
