Warning! Contains a preview for Flashpoint Beyond #0
In his follow-up to the landmark 2011 crossover Flashpoint, Geoff Johns is bringing back one of his most iconic heroes, Thomas Wayne's Batman, in order to tell a tale of timelines gone awry. Merging the worlds of Flashpoint and Doomsday Clock, Johns’ new series Flashpoint Beyond will follow an obsessive Batman bent on revenge as he scours the world alongside Doomsday Clock fan favorites Mime and Marionette in hopes of unravelling the mystery of how his timeline even exists after the apocalyptic end of the previous series.
The series will star Thomas Wayne as Batman, originally seen as a murderous, more revenge-oriented iteration of the classic character, who previously appeared as a villain in the mainline continuity during the storyline “Breaking The Bat” by Tom King. This version of Wayne survived the attempt on his life by the infamous mugger, only to see young Bruce be killed instead. Though originally still a heroic character aiding the Flash in restoring the timeline and saving his son, King’s approach saw him engage in an elaborate plot against Bruce in order to convince his son to give up crime fighting and live a peaceful domestic life.
In new preview art from AIPT Comics it is revealed that Batman’s mysterious quest to discover the intricacies of his timeline’s survival will see him pitted against arguably the most powerful characters in the DC Universe, the Time Masters, on a mission to right the chaos of his misbegotten timeline. The Time Masters are represented in the main universe by Rip Hunter, whose encyclopedic knowledge of history and infinite time travel capabilities essentially give him godlike powers. Though aided by the two lovable stooges, it’s possible this Batman may have met his match. Check out the preview art below:
All and all, it appears that DC is diving back into the world of a vengeful Batman with this six-issue series beginning April 19. Johns’ tale, which kicks off April 5 with a standalone issue #0 with art by Eduardo Risso of 100 Bullets fame, colors by Trish Mulvihill, and letters by Rob Leigh, will combine multiple continuities, including some notable iconography from Watchmen, leading into a full-blown return to the world of Flashpoint, in which Wonder Woman and Aquaman fight a devastating war rife with cruelty and destruction. All the while, it appears Batman will be pursuing the “Clockwork Killer” who remains an enigma.
Will Thomas Wayne's Batman overcome the Time Masters and save his son Bruce from cold-blooded murder? Flashpoint Beyond #0 is out April 5 wherever comic books are sold.
Source: AIPT Comics