The third season of Batman: The Adventures Continue continues and final installment of Harley Quinn: The Animated Series – Legion of Bats arrive from DC Comics this March 2023. Batman: The Adventures Continue – Season Three #3 sees the return of Ty Templeton to the comic series’ creative team. Continue below for artwork and further details on Batman: The Adventures Continue – Season Three and Harley Quinn: The Animated Series – Legion of Bats, all provided as part of the March 2023 solicitations from DC Comics.
BATMAN: THE ADVENTURES CONTINUE – SEASON THREE #3
Written by ALAN BURNETT and PAUL DINI
Art by TY TEMPLETON
Cover by BALDEMAR RIVAS
Variant cover by MATTEO SCALERA
Villain variant cover by SWEENEY BOO
1:25 title card variant cover by HAYDEN SHERMAN
$3.99 US | 32 pages | 3 of 7 | Variant $4.99 US (card stock)
The Joker’s right-hand man, Straightman, isn’t quite feeling himself lately. He keeps experiencing moments…flashbacks…of a life he doesn’t remember. After a recent run-in with the Clown Prince and his stoic enforcer, Batman starts to unravel the man’s past, but it lands him smack dab in the crosshairs of Amanda Waller and Task Force X! ON SALE 3/14/23
HARLEY QUINN: THE ANIMATED SERIES: LEGION OF BATS! #6
Written by TEE FRANKLIN
Art by SHAE BEAGLE
Cover by YOSHI YOSHITANI
Variant cover by DAN HIPP
1:25 variant cover by DOMINIKE “DOMO” STANTON
$3.99 US | 32 pages | 6 of 6 | Variant $4.99 US (card stock)
Harley and Ivy’s relationship has been stress-tested in nearly every way over the course of this series, and now, as their adventure comes to a close, we are left with one question: Is their love strong enough to withstand these trials and tribulations? Check out this fanshmabulous finale to find out! ON SALE 3/21/23
Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products has unveiled its merchandise collection to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Batman: The Animated Series. A groundbreaking series, Batman: The Animated Series debuted in September of 1992. Special merchandise includes clothes, statues and prints, with the prints featuring artwork by Batman: The Adventures Continue creators Ty Templeton and Monica Kubina. Continue for press details, with U.S. price points listed below.
DC Shop Releases Exclusive Batman: The Animated Series
30th Anniversary Merchandise and Apparel
New items include exclusive bomber jacket
inspired by crew jacket of beloved animated series
Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products’ DC Shop released the all-new Batman: The Animated Series 30th Anniversary Collection. Available now, exclusive offerings include a bomber jacket inspired by the animated series’ crew jacket, Harley Quinn apparel to celebrate her debut in the animated series, and limited edition fine art prints by illustrator Ty Templeton.
Debuting in 1992, Batman: The Animated Series was a benchmark in modern Super Hero animation. During its groundbreaking run, the Warner Bros. Animation series garnered a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program, along with three additional Emmy wins and 13 total Emmy nominations. The series also featured the debut of DC’s Harley Quinn, now recognizable worldwide across film, television, video games, comics and more. The creative team behind the series was led by the producing quartet of Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, Alan Burnett and Eric Radomski, alongside executive producers Jean MacCurdy and Tom Ruegger.
Highlights from the Batman: The Animated Series 30th Anniversary Collection include:
–Batman: The Animated Series 30th Anniversary Exclusive Bomber Jacket: Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the critically acclaimed Batman: The Animated Series with this bomber jacket inspired by the original jacket worn by the series’ crew. It features an embroidered Warner Bros. logo with Batman Crew ’92 below it on the front top left chest and the series’ logo embroidered on the back. Versatile with a relaxed fit, it can be styled for streetwear, athletic, or semi-formal looks, as well as coming in handy on a cold day. ($100).
-Harley Quinn “Good to Be Bad” Hoodie: It’s good to be bad, and no one knows that better than Harley Quinn. Spun from plush sponge fleece fabric, this exceptionally soft unisex hoodie with its naturally loose fit lends itself to daily wear and year-round layering. Featuring artwork done exclusively for DC Shop by award-winning agency, Phantom City Creative, it features a tattoo-inspired Bud and Lou (her babies) design on the front top left chest, “Good to Be Bad” across the left-hand sleeve, and Harley herself, in a sly pose on the back, based on her original Batman: The Animated Series styling ($89).
-“I am The Night” Exclusive Tee: Inspired by Kevin Conroy’s (Batman) now iconic line—“I am vengeance. I am the night. I am BATMAN!”—spoken during the hallucination scene in the classic Scarecrow episode “Nothing to Fear,” this premium t-shirt captures the series’ seminal style on the front and “I Am The Night” in Dark Deco red on the back ($30).
-Limited edition, fine art prints by comic book artist and writer Ty Templeton, who has brought the world of Batman: The Animated Series to comic books since 1992’s Batman Adventures #1, include three unique designs: Deco Detective, Back in the Shadows, and Modern Hero. Each design is limited to 100 pieces, printed in the fine art giclée process. Each print comes unframed, has been numbered, and includes a Certificate of Authenticity ($250).
-Deco Detective Exclusive Sherpa Throw Blanket: There’s nothing better than curling up and binge-watching Batman: The Animated Series with this sherpa throw blanket. With a fleece-like texture on one side and a smooth knit feel on the other, it features artwork by Ty Templeton of the Dark Knight perched on top of a gargoyle with the “Dark Deco” style of Gotham City behind him ($70).
-Harley Quinn only has eyes for The Joker in this exclusive “Puddin’” design inspired by Batman: The Animated Series. The design is available on a crew sweatshirt ($35) and a t-shirt ($25).
-Based on original references from Batman: The Animated Series comes this 9.4” tall statue by Iron Studios, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the series. Batman stands imposing on a stylized base with the series’ logo decorating the front as his cape flows in the wind ($159).
For much more on Batman: The Animated Series, check out the dedicated The World’s Finest subsite, which features a wealth of exclusive news, content, interviews, images, videos and much more. Click on the link below to discuss the news.
The third season of Batman: The Adventures Continue continues this February 2023 from DC Comics. Batman: The Adventures Continue – Season Three #2 sees acclaimed Batman: The Animated Series director and storyboard artist Kevin Altieri providing the artwork for issue. Continue below for artwork and further details on Batman: The Adventures Continue – Season Three, along with Harley Quinn: The Animated Series – Legion of Bats #5 and more, all provided as part of the February 2023 solicitations from DC Comics.
BATMAN: THE ADVENTURES CONTINUE – SEASON THREE #2
Written by ALAN BURNETT and PAUL DINI
Art by KEVIN ALTIERI
Cover by NICK DERINGTON
Variant cover by DANIEL WARREN JOHNSON
Villain variant cover by BEN TEMPLESMITH
1:25 variant cover by HAYDEN SHERMAN
$3.99 US | 32 pages | 2 of 7 | Variant $4.99 US (card stock)
Bruce Wayne and Harley Quinn don’t have much in common, except for Cassie Kendall. Beautiful and whip-smart, she nearly changed the course of Bruce’s life when she was his high school sweetheart, and shortly thereafter became Harley’s college fling. Now, after a long time away from Gotham, Cassie has returned and immediately has her sights set back on Bruce. But when Harley learns of Cassie’s return, she is all too happy (and manic, and unpredictable) to reconnect with her old college girlfriend. As Bruce’s and Harley’s paths cross, it becomes clear that all is not as it seems with Cassie Kendall… ON SALE 2/14/23
HARLEY QUINN: THE ANIMATED SERIES: LEGION OF BATS! #5
Written by TEE FRANKLIN
Art by SHAE BEAGLE
Cover by YOSHI YOSHITANI
Variant cover by DAN HIPP
1:25 variant cover by CHAD HARDIN
$3.99 US | 32 pages | 5 of 6 | Variant $4.99 US (card stock)
The Bat-Fam, Black Mask, and Lady Marabunta finally face off, while Ivy, Knockout, Bella, Livewire, and Nightfall break Porcelain out of Blackgate Penitentiary! Meanwhile, Harley visits an incarcerated Bruce Wayne for an unscheduled therapy-and-venting session. How much longer will Harlivy keep their secrets from each other before it’s too late? ON SALE 2/21/23
MILESTONE 30TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL #1
Written by CHUCK BROWN, NIKOLAS DRAPER-IVEY, STEPHANIE WILLIAMS, and others
Art by NIKOLAS DRAPER-IVEY, YASMIN FLORES MONTANEZ, DENYS COWAN, and others
Main cover by DENYS COWAN
Variant covers by NIKOLAS DRAPER-IVEY, CHRISTOPHER JONES, and SCOTT JERALDS
1:25 variant cover by BILL SIENKIEWICZ
1:50 foil variant cover by NIKOLAS DRAPER-IVEY
$9.99 US | 96 pages | One-shot | Prestige | (all covers are card stock)
Celebrate 30 years of Static, Icon, Rocket, Hardware, and the rest of the Dakotaverse in this star-studded anthology. From a Static and Batman Beyond team-up harkening back to their adventures in the Static Shock animated series, a grown-up Raquel Ervin inheriting the mantle of Icon, and a reality-warping story where the present-day Milestone characters meet their 1993 counterparts, there’s something for every Milestone fan to enjoy! ON SALE 2/21/23
BATMAN: THE DOOM THAT CAME TO GOTHAM (NEW EDITION)
Written by MIKE MIGNOLA and RICHARD PACE
Art by TROY NIXEY and DENNIS JANKE
Cover by MIKE MIGNOLA
$16.99 US | 160 pages | 6 5/8″ x 10 3/16″ | Softcover
ISBN: 978-1-77952-149-1
Offered again! Gotham City, 1928. Twenty years have passed since a madman slew the parents of young Bruce Wayne, heir to one of the oldest fortunes in Gotham City. Then, Bruce fled the carnage of Gotham and the unearthly voice warning him to prepare for the world to come. Now Bruce Wayne has returned. And hell has followed…A terrible thing from beyond space and time has awakened. The Lurker on the Threshold has called its faithful servants—immortal sorcerers, reptile men, beings of eldritch cold and fungal horror—to feed our world into its gaping maw. Join acclaimed comics talents Mike Mignola (Hellboy), Richard Pace (Robert E. Howard’s Savage Sword), and Troy Nixey (Harley Quinn) as they present Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham, a terrifying reimagining of the greatest heroes and villains in the Batman mythos.Collects Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham #1-3. ON SALE 4/4/23
Fans of Static Shock will want to check out Milestone 30th Anniversary Special #1 when it hits shelves in February 2023. The one-shot special will feature stories and artwork inspired by the fan-favorite animated series. Additionally, a new printing of the Batman: The Doom That Came To Gotham trade paperback collection is being released to tie into the Spring 2023 release of the DC Animated Movie animated adaptation of the same name. Stay tuned for further details on Batman: The Doom That Came To Gotham here in the coming months.
The third season of Batman: The Adventures Continue begins January 2023 from DC Comics. Batman: The Adventures Continue – Season Three sees creators Alan Burnett, Paul Dini, Jordan Gibson and Monica Kubina all returning in various capacities. DC Comics also states Batman: The Adventures Continue – Season Three will be the title’s final volume. Continue below for artwork and further details on Batman: The Adventures Continue – Season Three #1, along with Harley Quinn: The Animated Series – Legion of Bats #4, all provided as part of the January 2023 solicitations from DC Comics.
BATMAN: THE ADVENTURES CONTINUE – SEASON THREE #1
Written by ALAN BURNETT and PAUL DINI
Art by JORDAN GIBSON
Cover by KEVIN NOWLAN
Variant cover by KELLEY JONES
Villain variant cover by STEVE BEACH
1:25 variant cover by HAYDEN SHERMAN
1:50 foil variant cover by KEVIN NOWLAN
$3.99 US | 32 pages | 1 of 7 | Variant $4.99 US (card stock)
Alan Burnett and Paul Dini return once more to the world of Batman: The Animated Series! Someone is targeting the Muscle now that he’s locked up in Blackgate Penitentiary. With his deep ties to the criminal underbelly of Gotham, the worst villains are calling for his head before he turns them over to the police! Batman will need to protect him, but can even the Dark Knight figure out where the next attack will come from? ON SALE 1/10/23
HARLEY QUINN: THE ANIMATED SERIES: LEGION OF BATS! #4
Written by TEE FRANKLIN
Art by SHAE BEAGLE
Cover by YOSHI YOSHITANI
Variant cover by DAN HIPP
1:25 variant cover by RENAE DE LIZ
$3.99 US | 32 pages | 4 of 6 | Variant $4.99 US (card stock) Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy, a.k.a. Harlivy, a.k.a. the DCU’s most favoritest couple.They’re inseparable, right? Right? Well, maybe not. While Ivy focuses onprepping for her new job with the Legion of Doom and Harley dives mallet-firstinto her role as a member of the Bat-Family, the DCU’s most favoritest couple find themselves stretched thin. But are they at their breaking point? ON SALE 1/17/23
SUPERMAN ’78 Publisher: DC Comics Print Collection Release Date: July 19, 2022 Other Formats: Also available as six single comic issues
Description: 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? As Metropolis is invaded by this being and its mechanical drones, Superman must make a life-changing sacrifice and leave Earth once and for all. But once aboard Brainiac’s ship, the Man of Steel finds he might not be the last son of Krypton as he believed.
Superman ’78 Comic Book Review
By James Harvey
After reading Superman ’78, you will believe there’s still a wealth of great adventures to be had in the lush world created in Richard Donner’s Superman: The Movie! Effortlessly landing the tone, charm and humor of the groundbreaking super hero classic (and it’s spectacular sequel), Superman ’78 pays respect to those beloved films while opening up the universe in some pretty bold and big ways. Introducing a new threat while reminding readers what makes this iteration of the Man of Steel soar so high, Superman ’78 makes the legend come to life again in bold, surprising ways.
Superman ’78 opens on a bright, shining day in Metropolis that’s disturbed by a mysterious drone which crash-lands in the city and starts wreaking havoc. Superman steps in to put a stop to the metallic menace and soon discovers the drone was sent by the android Brainiac, and this is only the beginning! Soon, Superman finds he may need to make the ultimate sacrifice, and work with one of Metropolis’ worst, to protect his friends and loved ones from a threat unlike any he’s ever faced before.
Written by Robert Venditti with art provided by the exceptionally skilled Wilfredo Torres, Superman ’78 makes for an inviting read right from the first page. It’s immediately clear Venditti and Torres have a strong grasp of what made Donner’s original Superman work so well. The perfectly-realized characters, the crisp, smart dialogue, and the pacing and humor, all of it feels absolutely on-point. You can almost hear John Williams’ iconic score in each panel. He hits all the right points and gets right to the core of what makes this take on Superman fly, making sure to give just as much attention to the smaller character moments as he does the story’s bigger set pieces.
Acting as a kind-of bridge between Superman II and Superman III, Superman ’78 brings a heaping helping of comic lore into Donner’s created universe and adds some new elements to the mix. Superman ’78 also touches on a couple surprising themes, including dealing with loss and mental trauma, which adds some needed weight to this book’s fun and upbeat escapade. While having seen the Donner movies before reading Superman ’78 is expected, it’s not actually required. Even fans somehow unfamiliar with Donner’s classic films will find this book to be a well-done and fun, self-contained adventure starring the Man of Steel. This story works just as good on its own merits.
Venditti wastes little time taking readers to new territory, using Superman ’78 to introduce comic characters that fans have longed to see Donner’s iteration of the Caped Wonder meet, most notably Brainiac. Serving as the book’s main antagonist, he looks exactly what you’d expect. Here he’s dressed in a tidier version of his classic Silver Age look and resembling actor Yul Brynner with an emerald complexion (his drones also look like the 80s take on Brainiac). Lex Luthor plays a significant role here, and even dons/teases a couple costumes that old-school fans will appreciate.
Brainiac doesn’t come alone, either. Given he’s known as the Collector of Worlds, it’s not really much of a surprise that his vast collection also makes an appearance in Superman ’78, including the bottle city of Kandor. However, what is a massive surprise is the identity of some of the Kryptonian denizens he has in his possession. Venditti makes a pretty big departure from the established movie and comic mythos here and does something really special with it. It all works within the rules and confines established in this world and opens up some neat possibilities for the future.
Perfectly partnered with Venditti for this return to Donner’s Metropolis is Torres, whose clean and clear art-style fits perfectly with this beloved rendition of Superman. Likenesses and mannerisms are spot-on, though with the occasional added flourish inspired by Superman’s comic book history. Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman and Margot Kidder all “reprise” their respective roles here, among others, and look splendid. Everything just looks right from top to bottom, and that applies to really everything about this world. It’s a skilled recreation of Donner’s world, down to the smallest detail.
Torres also has a really great eye for action and creating a sense of pace and flow from panel to panel. Everything just slides along, and there’s never a lull. Torres’ staging is fantastic as well, with choices feeling reminiscent or respectful to what Donner did or would’ve done. Here he’s partnered with colorist Jordie Bellaire, whose smart mix of bright and vivid colors help mimic the soft-focus look of Donner’s films, further adding to Superman ’78‘s successful adaptation of the movie’s visual language.
Superman ’78 is also loaded with Easter Eggs for readers to discover, including background gags and cameos that’ll elicit chuckles from Superman fans (including the return of a certain cellophane ‘S’). Readers will find nods here to classic Superman comics and media appearances, including the Donner films and other Super-movies, plus even some appearances by other WB-owned (and Donner-created) characters. It’s also worth noting there’s an absolutely awesome Easter Egg hidden under the hardcover collection’s dust-jacket that’s easily one of the coolest things DC Comics’ ever done (images below). This especially cool treat can also be found in the Batman ’89 hardcover collection.
Inside and out, Superman ’78 is a loving tribute to the classic movie series that builds on its mythos in exciting and logical ways. Venditti aptly recreates that sense of fun and wonder from Donner’s original films, making it effortless for readers to believe that a man can fly again. There’s even something a little refreshing and comforting about revisiting this particular iteration of Superman after so long, almost coming across an old security blanket.
The creators’ love for the original movies shine through with every page of Superman ’78, re-establishing the strengths of these characters before dropping a few major surprises on their respective laps. Vendetti understands the Donner films not only believed in Superman and what he represents, but gave him challenges that he couldn’t solve with a few well-placed haymakers. Superman’s compassion has always been his greatest strength, and that’s not forgotten here. All of this is supported by Torres’ incredible pencils, layout choices and some career-best work. For anyone aching to return to the world of Donner’s Superman, or just wanting a top-notch adventure starring the Man of Tomorrow, then look no further. Superman ’78 is a Must Own!
Superman ’78 is available now for purchase in both print and digital formats, available as six single issues or as a collected edition, all from DC Comics. Discuss this review here!
