Movie-Inspired “Batman ’89,” “Superman ’78” Titles Coming Summer 2021 From DC Comics
DC Comics has announced it will release two new comic series inspired by the classic Tim Burton-helmed Batman and Richard Donner Superman movies. The titles, Batman ’89 and Superman ’78, will feature new adventures taking place in the same continuity of the acclaimed feature films. Both comic series will be available in digital and in print this coming Summer 2021. Batman ’89 and Superman ’78 follows DC Comics’ recent trend of revisiting previous multi-media interpretations of their biggest characters in comic form, including Batman ’66, Wonder Woman ’77 and Batman: The Adventures Continue. Continue below for press details and early artwork.
Are Heading to Comics in Two All-New DC Digital First Series!
The gothic mentality of Tim Burton’s Batman lurks around every corner in Batman ’89
by Screenwriter Sam Hamm and Artist Joe Quinones!
You’ll believe a man can fly in Superman ’78
by Writer Rob Venditti and Artist Wilfredo Torres!
Beginning in July 2021, decades after both Richard Donner’s Superman: The Movie and Tim Burton’s Batman introduced generations of fans to silver screen versions of DC’s Man of Steel and the World’s Greatest Detective, DC is returning to these beloved properties to tell new stories set within these worlds with the publication of a series of Superman ’78 and Batman ’89 comic books. Writer Rob Venditti and artist Wilfredo Torres will capture imaginations in Superman ’78 while screenwriter Sam Hamm and artist Joe Quinones will immerse readers into Batman ’89.
Continuing the twisted adventures of DC’s Dark Knight from Tim Burton’s seminal classic Batman movies, Batman ’89 brings in screenwriter Sam Hamm (Batman, Batman Returns) and artist Joe Quinones (Dial H for Hero) to pull on a number of threads left dangling by the prolific director. The gothic mentality behind the world, while still rooted in a sense of realism, helped inform many of DC’s global fans’ first impressions on the Dark Knight’s Gotham. In the new Batman ’89 comic, Hamm and Quinones will help usher in the return of Selina Kyle/Catwoman and will debut a new Robin! Plus, Quinones has a vision for Harvey Dent/Two-Face that is as close to movie magic as a comic can get!
And in the vein of DC’s plans for Batman ’89, Rob Venditti (Hawkman) and Wilfredo Torres (Batman ’66) will collaborate on Superman ’78 to tell stories set within the world Richard Donner and Christopher Reeve created in Superman: The Movie. In Superman ’78, bystanders are surprised and delighted by Superman’s abilities, and Lois Lane doesn’t (yet!) know that Clark Kent is secretly Superman. The sheer thrill of seeing a man fly, leap, or stop a bullet will be reflected in this environment where Superman has just been introduced! Inspired by Donner’s classic, timeless style of superhero storytelling, in Superman ’78 Venditti and Torres will show fans that a man can truly fly.
Superman ’78 and Batman ’89 will debut with six digital chapters of each new series on July 27, followed by new chapters of each comic book for the six weeks that immediately follow. The twelve chapters of each new series will also publish as six printed comics between August and October and as hardcover collections in October (Batman ’89) and November (Superman ’78).
In addition to the above press release, DC Comics has also provided details for the first issue of each issue, respectively. Please note the details below were issued after the original press release above and feature updated release date and content details. Continue below for more.
BATMAN ’89 #1
Story by SAM HAMM
Pencils by JOE QUINONES
Inks by JOE QUINONES
Cover by JOE QUINONES
Step back into the Gotham of Tim Burton’s seminal classic Batman movies! Batman ’89 brings in screenwriter Sam Hamm (Batman, Batman Returns) and artist Joe Quinones (Dial H for Hero) to pull on a number of threads left dangling by the prolific director. Gotham becomes torn in two as citizens dressed as Batman and The Joker duke it out in the streets. As D.A. Harvey Dent tries to keep the city together, he targets the one problem tearing it apart: BATMAN! And he’ll get Bruce Wayne’s help in taking down the Dark Knight!
ON SALE 8/10/21
Price: US $3.99 | 32 pages | FC | DC 1 of 6
CARD STOCK OPEN ORDER Variant by JERRY ORDWAY Price: US $4.99
1:25 Design Variant by JOE QUINONES Price: US $4.99
TEAM VARIANT by KEN TAYLOR/TAURIN CLARKE Price: US $4.99
SUPERMAN ’78 #1
Story by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by WILFREDO TORRES
Cover by WILFREDO TORRES
Fly into director Richard Donner’s Superman once more in Superman ’78! Written by Robert Venditti (Superman: Man of Tomorrow) and drawn by Wilfredo Torres (Batman ’66), Superman ’78 tells a brand-new adventure in the world of the beloved film. A bright, shining day in Metropolis is interrupted by a mysterious drone that crash-lands in the city and starts wreaking havoc. This looks like a job for Superman! But where did the metallic menace come from, what is its purpose, and who is Brainiac?
ON SALE 8/24/21
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES | FC | DC 1 of 6
CARD STOCK OPEN ORDER Variant by EVAN “DOC” SHANER Price: US $4.99
CARD STOCK 1:25 Design Variant by WILFREDO TORRES Price: US $4.99
Please note this article was updated with additional comic solicitation details after it was originally published. For more on Batman and Superman: The Movie, check out coverage right here at The World’s Finest, including trailers and imagery. Stay tuned for further news and updates, and click the link below to discuss this news!
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