Posted By Dan Greenfield on Aug 18, 2023 | 4 comments

Michael Keaton and Christopher Reeve back on the page — with Metallo, the Scarecrow and… Harley Quinn?

DC this fall is returning to the worlds of Tim Burton and Michael Keaton’s 1989 Batman and Richard Donner and Christopher Reeve’s 1978 Superman: The Movie, with a pair of series following up from the successful Batman ’89 and Superman ’78 minis.

Both kick off in November and here’s the solicitation info, released Friday by DC, along with various covers that will be available:

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BATMAN ’89: ECHOES #1

Main cover by Joe Quinones, in progress

Written by SAM HAMM
Art and cover by JOE QUINONES
Variant cover by RILEY ROSSMO
1:25 variant cover by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
1:50 variant cover by BALDEMAR RIVAS
Blank sketch variant
McFarlane Action Figure variant

You wanna get nuts? Let’s get nuts! After Harvey Dent’s crusade against Gotham and Batman, the Caped Crusader has disappeared without a trace. In his place, ordinary citizens have taken to the streets to root out crime. As innocents get hurt, the question on everyone’s mind is the same: Where is Batman? Sam Hamm, screenwriter of the 1989 Batman movie, and Joe Quinones reunite for another tale in Gotham!

$3.99 US | 32 pages | Variant $4.99 US (card stock)
ON SALE 11/28/23

Rossmo variant

Braithwaite variant

Rivas variant

McFarlane action-figure variant. Why not a Keaton figure? They make ’em!

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SUPERMAN ’78: THE METAL CURTAIN #1

Main cover by Gavin Guidry

Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art and cover by GAVIN GUIDRY
Variant cover by WILFREDO TORRES
1:25 variant cover by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
1:50 variant cover by ADRIAN GUTIERREZ
Blank sketch variant
McFarlane Action Figure variant

When the planet Krypton exploded, its last son was rocketed across the cosmos and came to settle in a small town in Kansas. But what else came with him, and what if a piece of his home landed somewhere we never knew about? As Superman has become a symbol of strength and pride for America, the Soviet Union looks to crush that image with a creation of their own, built by their own might and forged by their own power! Robert Venditti returns to the Man of Steel with new artist Gavin Guidry!

$3.99 US | 32 pages | Variant $4.99 US (card stock)
ON SALE 11/7/23

Wilfredo Torres variant, in progress

Braithwaite variant

McFarlane action-figure variant

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SUPERMAN ’78: THE METAL CURTAIN #2

Guidry main cover, in progress

Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art and cover by GAVIN GUIDRY
Variant cover by MICHAEL CHO
1:25 variant cover by MAX DUNBAR

Superman brings Lois to the Fortress of Solitude for a private interview. Meanwhile, the Russians launch their first assault with their mighty Metallo in hopes of drawing the Man of Steel out into the open. Witness as the power of the people breaks Superman!

$3.99 US | 32 pages | Variant $4.99 US (card stock)
ON SALE 12/5/23

Michael Cho variant

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A few thoughts:

— Neither solicitation says it but I imagine these will be six-issue limited series like the original runs.

— It’s a kick to see more classic villains in these environs. I also love playing “Who did the artist cast?” Well, in Superman ’78, I’m seeing a character on the first cover who looks suspiciously like Lee Marvin. Perhaps he’s “playing” Sam Lane? Great idea, if so! And in Batman ’89, the woman looming over Batman on the main cover certainly has the Joker’s smile… and looks a lot like Madonna to me. Harley Quinn, ya think? (I’m still convinced that Barbara Gordon, as you see in the released, unfinished pages above, is Winona Ryder.)

— The Gutierrez and Dunbar covers were not released by DC.

— So do you think Superman will solve the Cold War like Rocky did? And do you think there’s ever a chance that Reeve’s Superman and Keaton’s Batman will cross over into Mark Waid and Dan Mora’s World’s Finest? How cool would that be?

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MORE

— DC Goes Big This Fall With FIVE Major FACSIMILE EDITIONS. Click here.

— BATMAN ’89 and SUPERMAN ’78 Comics to Get Rad VHS Homage Box Set. Click here.