Warning: Potential SPOILERS for Batman #135/#900Thanks to a bit of comic-book-history math, the Batman title is about to celebrate its 900th issue. Despite it being issue #135 of Batman's third volume, which began its new numbering in 2016, Batman has been running continuously for almost 900 issues. DC Comics plans to celebrate in style.
DC announced that Batman would reach its milestone 900th issue in the publisher's solicitation for May's Batman #135. The over-sized issue features the conclusion to the ongoing "The Bat-Man of Gotham" story as main series artist Jorge Jimenez returns to the title. The summary also promises a "wild collection of guest stars" and a "new path" for Batman. Read below for the full solicitation, including some legendary cover artists:
BATMAN #135/#900
- Written by CHIP ZDARSKY
- Art by JORGE JIMENEZ, MIKE HAWTHORNE, and ADRIANO DI BENEDETTO
- Cover by JORGE JIMENEZ
- Connecting variant covers by JOE QUESADA
- Variant covers by GABRIELE DELL’OTTO, STANLEY “ARTGERM” LAU, KAEL NGU, and NEAL ADAMS
- 1:25 variant cover by LEE BERMEJO
- 1:50 foil variant cover by STANLEY “ARTGERM” LAU
- 1:100 B&W variant cover by JOE QUESADA
- Special foil variant cover by JIM CHEUNG ($9.99 US)
- $6.99 US | 56 pages | Variant $7.99 US (card stock)
- ON SALE 5/2/23
- It’s Batman versus Red Mask in a brutal Gotham that’s never known hope! Can the Dark Knight overcome the terrifying infection that Red Mask has unleashed? Only one thing is certain: he won’t be able to do it alone.
- The conclusion to the bestselling “The Bat-Man of Gotham” is so big it could only be contained in an oversize #900 anniversary issue featuring the return of fan-favorite artist Jorge Jiménez and a wild collection of guest stars! Full of wild revelations and a new path for Batman, this is one issue you won’t want to miss!
Batman's 900th Issue Makes DC Comics History
Though Batman isn't DC's longest-running title, this 900th issue is still a major milestone—even while this current Batman title is technically on issue #135. The first Batman volume launched in 1940, during the Golden Age of comics, and ran continuously until DC Comics' controversial New 52 initiative. The New 52 relaunched DC's entire line of comics in 2011, including its longest-running titles: Detective Comics, Action Comics, Batman, Wonder Woman, and more. The publisher's Rebirth era once again saw a line-wide relaunch for many of these titles, though some have since returned to their pre-New 52 numberings, like Detective and Action Comics.
Now Batman gets the best of both worlds—and a play out of Marvel's playbook—as DC celebrates its 900th Legacy issue while retaining its familiar numbering. This is a great opportunity to celebrate one of DC's most popular (and lucrative) characters during a critically-acclaimed run on the title by writer Chip Zdarsky, who shares billing with Jorge Jimenez, Mike Hawthorne, Tomeu Morey, and others. Though Batman often promises a shift in its titular character's status quo, this milestone issue will hopefully follow through on its tease for a "new path," especially while the current creative team has such momentum.
The Batman Title Has Rarely Been Better
There's a reason Batman has lasted for 900 issues, and there's a reason why so many readers connect with the character and his supporting cast, including Robin, Catwoman, Nightwing, and more. Batman's history is lush as both a character and an ongoing title—now is the perfect time to celebrate it.
Check out Batman #135/#900, available May from DC Comics!