I think it’s safe to say that Batman having the best, most recognizable, and diverse rogues gallery isn’t exactly a controversial statement, right? Names like Joker, Catwoman, Riddler, Two-Face, and Penguin are recognizable to even the most casual members of the general audience, and Bane, Ra’s al Ghul, Scarecrow, Killer Croc, and even Polka-Dot Man have some mainstream recognition.
And that’s just his villains. Batman’s supporting cast is just as popular as his stable of foes, as you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t know Alfred, Robin, Commissioner Gordon, Batgirl, Lucius Fox, and Renee Montoya. A strong cast of characters makes a book worth reading, and Batman’s is the best of the best.
That’s what makes a series like the upcoming Batman Secret Files so interesting: it will be an ongoing series of one-shot issues, each focusing on a different member of the Batfamily.
Kicking things off is a story starring Duke “Signal” Thomas, Gotham’s “daylight protector” who finally makes his way back to the city he calls home. Tony Patrick and Christian Duce will send Duke on a quest to take down an arms-dealing ring called the White Market, which Batman hasn’t even been able to bust.
Huntress gets her time in the spotlight a mere two weeks later, as Mariko Tamaki and David Lapham send her after a villain named Vile. That sounds bad enough, but as Helena Bertinelli has been infected with a parasite that literally lets her see the world through the eyes of her prey, will she use this ability to hunt down her quarry… or will it consume her instead?
Each issue will clock in at a robust 40 pages, so check out more details on the DC blog.
Batman Secret Files #1 will hit comic shops and digital retailers on July 6, with the second issue following on July 27.
