It’s an event that hardly needs any publicity and hyping up, because we’re all excited for it: Detective Comics hits 1000 issues next year. Yet even if the issue’s mere existence will be enough to sell itself, DC Comics are certainly taking this opportunity to celebrate one of their longest running series and one of their most popular characters.
We’re talking about Batman, if you couldn’t tell. Though if they wanted to sneak in some Slam Bradley then we sure wouldn’t complain.
Anyway, DC have released some official details about the landmark issue along with a slew of amazing variant covers, so if you weren’t already looking forward to this issue then surely you must be by now. The covers alone are worth the $9.99 price tag, with some great work from Tim Sale, Jim Lee (are those finger-stripes I see on Nightwing?!), Jim Steranko, Bernie Wrightson, and Michael Cho. Surprise surprise, I’m partial to the absolute lunacy of the Cho cover, but they’re all winners to be sure.
With the incredible variants, the first in-canon appearance of the Arkham Knight, and so many great creators involved that it almost isn’t fair, Detective Comics #1000 is looking like another winner for DC. Even if it’s just half as great as Action Comics #1000 then we’re in for a great celebration next year. Check out the details below.
Per DC:
LANDMARK DETECTIVE COMICS #1000 TO FEATURE POWERHOUSE LINEUP OF DC TALENT JUST IN TIME FOR BATMAN’S 80TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Debuts New Batman Story Arc and Introduces a New Version of the super-villain Arkham Knight to DC’s Comic BOOK Continuity
Additional Original Stories from an All-Star Collection of Bat-Writers and Artists Including Neal Adams, Brian Michael Bendis, Greg Capullo, Becky Cloonan, Tony Daniel, Paul Dini, Warren Ellis, Geoff Johns, Kelley Jones, Joelle Jones, Tom King, Jim Lee, Kevin Smith, Scott Snyder, and More
A Series of Decades-Spanning Variant Covers by Comics’ Hottest Artists Pay Tribute to The Dark Knight and This Historic Issue #1000 Milestone
BURBANK, CA – (December 18, 2018) – As part of DC’s year-long global celebration of Batman’s 80th anniversary, DC is publishing a momentous 1,000th issue of DETECTIVE COMICS—the series that introduced the world’s most popular Super Hero and the title from which the DC brand was born. This must-have collector’s item debuts March 27, 2019 and includes all-new stories plus a wraparound cover from the powerhouse art team of fan-favorite artist Jim Lee, inker Scott Williams and colorist Alex Sinclair.
DETECTIVE COMICS #1000 is highlighted by an original story from the team of writer Peter J. Tomasi and artist Doug Mahnke that not only launches a new story arc but introduces a new version of the Arkham Knight to DC comics canon. Tomasi is no stranger to this character, having written his video game origins in 2015’s BATMAN: ARKHAM KNIGHT – GENESIS miniseries.
DETECTIVE COMICS #1000 also features a two-page spread spotlighting the current state of the Batman universe by Jason Fabok, plus a treasure trove of original stories from a who’s who of comic writers and artists, all honoring the milestone anniversary of The World’s Greatest Detective, including:
- Kevin Smith and Jim Lee
- Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev
- Warren Ellis and Becky Cloonan
- Paul Dini and Dustin Nguyen
- Denny O’Neil and Steve Epting (a sequel to O’Neil’s 1976 DETECTIVE COMICS story “There’s No Hope in Crime Alley”)
- Christopher Priest and Neal Adams
- Geoff Johns and Kelley Jones
- Tom King, Tony Daniel and Joëlle Jones
- Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo
- James Tynion IV and Alvaro Martinez
“Batman is one of the most enduring characters in popular culture, and his debut in DETECTIVE COMICS represented a pivotal moment in comics and pioneered a new type of superhero that would appeal to every generation,” said DC Publisher Dan DiDio. “Batman continues to have an impact on entertainment worldwide and the 1,000th issue of DETECTIVE COMICS is a testament to the creative genius of Bob Kane and Bill Finger and is a fitting tribute to Batman on his 80th anniversary.”
To further celebrate the Caped Crusader’s 80-year legacy, DETECTIVE COMICS #1000 will offer an extensive retailer variant cover program. Hardcore collectors will want to get their hands on this series of variant covers showcasing the Dark Knight through various decades from iconic Batman artists such as Steve Rude, Michael Cho, Jim Steranko, Bernie Wrightson, Frank Miller, Tim Sale, Jock and Greg Capullo—plus an homage to Jerry Robinson’s cover of November 1942’s DETECTIVE COMICS #69 by Bruce Timm.
Detective Comics #1000 will hit comic shops and digital retailers on March 27, 2019.
This post was originally published on Comics Now.
