While we knew this was coming, DC has now opened up on some of the details of the final issue of Grant Morrison’s Batman Inc.
Originally slated for 24 issues, the book was cut short to the DCnU and never given it’s official ending due to delays. Now, issues #9 and #10 of the original run will be released as this brand new one-shot, featuring art by Chris Burnham and Cameron Stewart.
As featured on DC’s The Source,
“The long-awaited conclusion to season 1 of BATMAN INCORPORATED is here at last!” said Morrison. “For months, Batman and his allies have fought a shadow campaign against the deadly legions of the mysterious Leviathan, but now it’s time for all-out war — a war which Batman may not be able to win. Schoolgirl assassins! Bat-robots! Nazi masterminds with Alzheimer’s! Guest stars galore! Batman and Spoiler team to face the School of Night while Batman Incorporated travels to a sinister Cold War interrogation facility to face the mind-bending menace of Doctor Dedalus for the last time while the true identity of Leviathan is finally revealed, with shocking consequences for the Dark Knight. With incredible artwork from Cameron Stewart (BATMAN AND ROBIN MUST DIE) and Chris Burnham (BATMAN INC.), LEVIATHAN STRIKES! rounds out season 1 and is also the prologue to 2012’s BATMAN: LEVIATHAN — the epic, tragic, final act of a story six years long.”
It’s honestly not entirely clear how much this is in DCnU “canon” or what, especially considering the “cover” of this issue (that was the cover of issue #9) features Batman’s last costume, but at least those two issues weren’t lost in the shuffle of the relaunch. It also appears that Stephanie Brown has been revamped from her role as Batgirl back to Spoiler for the purpose of this one-shot, assuming that Spoiler is Stephanie Brown of course. It’s possible many elements were redone for the purposes of the DCnU. Only time will tell.
The issue is set for release December 21. Knock on wood now.
