December 2019 Tom King finished his run of Batman with his 85th issue, and the series was picked up by James Tynion IV. So far he has had an exceptional take on the Caped Crusader with the introduction to new villains like The Designer and Punchline, as well as his Joker War story. However, around the same time fans of Kings run were given a surprise announcement that King would continue his story of the romance between the Bat and the Cat called Batman/Catwoman.
At the time the comic was announced, there wasn’t much information about what this story would be about. The only details King gave us were “It’s fair to say that on some level I am kind of done with Batman, The Batman that will exist now will be James’ Batman, not mine. If you want good Batman, read James Tynion and Tony Daniel’s run on Batman, because it’s gonna be awesome. That’s where the story goes. What I have to say about the characters, I’ve said it. If you read this 85-issue story and never pick up Batman/Catwoman, you’ll still get my version of Batman. That said, Batman/Catwoman’s gonna be the best book ever! It’s my chance to do a Dark Knight Returns, something that completely stands on its own, a complete testament to who these characters are that defines or redefines them for generations, and is done with complete freedom.”
Since then there has been much anticipation surrounding the project, until DC finally announced the details behind the comics. DC posted on their site that writer Tom King and artist Clay Mann’s 12-issue story will pick up directly where issue #85 left off and will be told in three separate timelines. One taking place in the past where Batman and Catwoman fell in love, which might finally give fans a definitive answer if it was the streets or the boat. The second being in the distant future, picking up where Batman Annual #2 left off as Selina seeks revenge after the passing of Bruce. The third story will take place in the present as Bruce and Selina’s relationship is tested when Andrea Beaumont returns as the Phantasm, who fans will recognize from the 1993 film Batman: Mask of the Phantasm.
The official summary from DC stated “Beaumont’s return calls into question how each character chooses to operate in their costumed, and personal, lives, and any move by Phantasm could change the fate of Bruce and Selina’s future. The only other person besides Bruce and Selina to have been along for the whole ride has been the Joker, and what he did in the past is going to have direct consequences on today and tomorrow. Batman’s greatest foe will intervene any time Batman and Catwoman try to take steps towards peace — he already robbed fans of a Bat/Cat wedding celebration! Any change in the Caped Crusader’s life will be matched with the chaos of the Clown Prince of Crime…”
The comic is set to release December 1, 2020 and will feature an original cover by Clay Mann and series colorist Tomeu Morey. Along with two others covers the second, a variant by Jim Lee, Scott Williams, and Alex Sinclair; and a third from Travis Charest.
