After a noticeable absence, the former Wildstorm character Cole Cash aka Grifter will reappear in Batman, writer James Tynion IV confirmed in a recent interview.
The former government operative/superhero/mercenary was last seen during the New 52 in 2011, after a considerable history on his own or as a member of the WildCATS in his Wildstorm or Image days. Grifter was a popular character, Tynion himself being a fan, and he is among one of the few characters within the larger DC Universe that will have a role in Batman following the events of 'Joker War'.
In our interview with Tynion discussing his plans for 'Joker War' and beyond, the successful writer brought up Grifter when he was asked about including non-Gotham characters into 'Joker War' considering the events in the city have remained separate from the overall DC Universe. Tynion admitted he had not, having spent the last few years working along Scott Snyder on Justice League or his own work on Justice League Dark, Detective Comics or Hell Arisen which overall enabled him to work with many different DC characters. While he isn't opposed to creating new characters such as the Joker's new (and extremely popular) girlfriend Punchline or the ominous Clownhunter who'll play pivotal roles in 'Joker War', Tynion had nothing but compliments and praise to say about including Grifter into the already full-dance card.
I will say the one character who’s been announced that we are bringing back in is Grifter, the Wildstorm character who I love, and who is badass. It's one of those things where I was just talking to [Batman Group Editor] Ben Abernathy and I needed this character to fill this beat, and it was just like, 'Oh yeah, we’re totally going to use Grifter. Because Grifter’s freaking cool.
Cole Cash was a member of a military team who gained superpowers due to exposure to an untested military weapon. He learned to control his overwhelming telepathy and telekinesis while putting his other skills as an expert marksman and combatant to good use as a member of WildCATS, a team of humanoid superheroes tasked with protecting Earth from threats such as the shape-shifting monsters called Daemonites. Cole ( along with many other characters) joined DC Comics in the separate Wildstorm imprint before being officially incorporated into the DC Universe in 2011. Despite his popularity, Grifter has been absent until upcoming solicitations for Batman #101 announced his return in Gotham, working security for Wayne Enterprises.
Grifter is an interesting choice, considering he was often the most human among his superpowered peers and that he relies heavily on guns considering Batman's feelings on gun control. Tynion explained that Joker War would bring many changes to Batman, his allies, and Gotham overall and what role Cole will play in this ongoing conflict and its aftermath has yet to be seen. Gotham City has proved to be pivotal nexus point for many superheroes in the DC Universe with almost everybody having a story there at one point or another. What stories Grifter will have now that he's in Batman's sights, as ally or enemy, is unknown but perhaps with Tynion's help, he'll experience his own rebirth and find a better place with the DC Universe.