As a seasoned gamer and comic book enthusiast with a penchant for the fantastical, I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement at the prospect of DC’s latest Elseworlds offering – Batman the Barbarian. Growing up, I was captivated by the tales of Conan the Barbarian and the mystique of sword-and-sorcery sagas. To see this genre intertwined with my beloved Batman is nothing short of a dream come true.
In various Elseworlds tales, DC Comics has taken Batman out of his usual setting and given him new roles. For instance, he’s been portrayed as a detective in Victorian England (“Batman: Gotham by Gaslight”), a vengeful clergy member (“Batman: Holy Terror”), a ruthless cult leader (“Batman: I, Joker”), a knight of the Round Table (“Batman: Dark Knight of the Round Table”), a sea-faring pirate in the 17th century (“Leatherwing”), and even a vampire (“Batman: Red Rain”). In another twist, he’s been transformed into a sword-wielding, demon-fighting barbarian in “Batman the Barbarian”
As a devoted DC Comics fan, I was thrilled when they announced their relaunch of out-of-continuity comics, bringing back series like the sequel to Gotham by Gaslight, The Kryptonian Age by Andy Diggle and Leandro Fernandez, and Batman: Nightfire by Clay and Seth Mann. But what truly captured my attention was the unveiling of a barbaric new take on Batman – a brutal and extraordinary reimagining of his origin set in a rugged, medieval world. Known as Batman the Barbarian, this six-issue series is penned and illustrated by Eisner Award winner Greg Smallwood, who has impressed us with his work on DC’s The Human Target
In the plot summary, “A barbarian armed with a sword who goes by the name ‘Batman’ continues his father’s legacy of shielding the vulnerable and upholding the land. Yet, an ominous prophecy about a starved demon from the east is rapidly approaching. Will this battle-worn Batman be able to vanquish this supernatural peril?”
In this week’s DC Nation spotlight, Smallwood expressed that Batman the Barbarian was clearly influenced by the timeless Elseworlds stories he cherished growing up. He added, “It’s a remarkable experience to work within the DC universe with characters like Batman while still being allowed to transport them into uncharted territories and experiences. The combination of rich history and creative experimentation is what makes Elseworlds so intriguing.”
In a similar vein to how Jay Kristoff’s works, such as “Empire of the Vampire,” “The Aurora Cycle,” and “The Nevernight Chronicle,” and Tirso Cons’ “Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter” are epic fantasies deeply immersed in Norse mythology, Smallwood’s Batman story draws inspiration from the sword-and-sorcery genre, similar to Robert E. Howard’s Conan the Barbarian and tales found within the pages of “Flashing Swords!”
Smallwood shared, “I’ve been a passionate admirer of sword and sorcery since my teenage years, and what I love most about it is its stunning visual style. As a child, the captivating covers of sword-and-sorcery paperbacks and VHS boxes would grab my attention; they hinted at epic tales filled with mesmerizing visuals and intriguing characters. My aim for Batman the Barbarian is to fulfill that promise.”
As a gamer, I can’t wait to dive into Smallwood’s unique take on Batman’s classic origin tale, promising an intense, gritty, and thrilling experience. The upcoming release of Batman the Barbarian is set for September, joining the fresh Elseworlds lineup. This exciting roster also includes Tate Brombal and Werther Dell’Edera’s post-apocalyptic Green Lantern Dark, and Matthew Rosenberg and Otto Schmidt’s epic battle saga, DC vs. Vampires: World War V
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2024-09-05 04:10