Summary
The Dark Knight may be deceased in a particularly bloody Elseworlds, but a newBatmanis going to fill the void Bruce Wayne left behind.DC vs. Vampiresshocked comicreaders everywhere with a sudden betrayal that wound up ending the Caped Crusader’s life. But as Matthew Rosenberg points out, the DC Universe can’t be without a Batman for long.
Screen Rant had a chance to sit down withDC vs. Vampires: World War Vwriter Matthew Rosenberg about what was next for his popular and bloody Elseworlds. Eventually, the subject of a new Batman came up, a plot point recently revealed in the solicitation for the series' third issue.
Matthew Rosenberg: …And I think the DC Universe naturally wants a Batman. He’s as crucial to the universe as air and sunlight are to us. Nature abhors a vacuum and when there’s no Batman, the DC Universe will create one and so do we bring Bruce back? Is there a new Batman? We’re gonna reveal what it is. I think people will be shocked, some people will say they saw it coming, a lot of them are liars. Some of them will have seen it coming about but I think it makes sense. We wouldn’t do it if it didn’t make sense. And we wouldn’t do it if it didn’t serve the story.
Roseberg says that nature “abhors a vacuum” and that a new Dark Knight will arise to fill the void. He cryptically teases thatfew will be able to guess the new Batman’s identity, though he does promise that this new hero “makes sense” and will ultimately serve the story.
A New Batman is Coming toDC vs. Vampires: World War V
Of all the Elseworlds in DC Comics' canon, few are as violent or tragic as DC vs. Vampires. In this world, a wave of vampirism spread among the superhuman community, turning hero and villain alike into undead monsters serving at the behest of the Vampire King. The heroes pursued a lead to destroy Joker, the presumed Vampire King, only for Nightwing to be revealed as the true leader. To make his betrayal even more shocking, Nightwing revealed his true colorsby literally ripping Batman’s heart right out of his chest.
Rosenberg plays coy and doesn’t give up the identity of the new Dark Knight yet, though he does contend some may be able to figure it out. Could the new Batman be Bruce? Highly unlikely given the violent way he died. While fans could speculate all day about the new hero’s true identity, it’s Rosenberg’s thoughts on the DCU’s need for a Batman that is far more interesting.The idea that Batman is a concept that can outlive Bruceis a fascinating idea. Things went to hell when Batman died, so maybe this new one can finally bring order back.
Batman is Crucial to Returning Order to the DC Universe
In the same way that Superman is a symbol of hope, Batman is a symbol of order. Whether the DC Universe is actively willing a new Caped Crusader into existence or someone out there figured Batman’s image would do the world good, the tide is finally turning in this horrific Elseworlds. Bruce’s days on this Earth may be done, but someone else sees the value of his identity and is using it to restore stability to the DC Universe. Hopefully, whoever thisBatmanis, they give the world the order it desperately needs.
DC vs. Vampires: World War V #1is available on August 14th from DC Comics.
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
