When last we saw Batman in issue #134, he’d lost a hand, but that’s not going to stop The Dark Knight from defeating Red Mask for the final installment of “The Bat-Man of Gotham”. On sale May 2nd, issue #135 finds this new multiversal baddie going up against the Caped Crusader in a fight for a Gotham City that’s new to hope.
It’s going to be an epic finale requiring an oversized 56 pages to wrap things up while also celebrating the landmark 900th issue of Batman’s original solo series. And, if that weren’t reason enough to make this a can’t-miss moment, series artist Jorge Jiménez returns to add his signature style alongside artists Mike Hawthorne and Mikel Janín, and reunites with writer Chip Zdarsky.
Red Mask is a dastardly villain who uses a multiversal energy-generating gas to infect the citizens of Gotham City with the intention of traveling the multiverse and becoming this Gotham City’s resident Joker. It’s a convoluted plan that eventually leads Red Mask to aspire to a greater, more lethal role. Batman’s certainly got a lot on his plate: driving back the infection, saving Gotham, but luckily he’s not alone – Selina Kyle, Alfred Pennyworth, and newcomer Jewel (a mysterious freedom fighter) are fighting by his side. That still leaves the fate of the multiverse up in the air…who can help? With a parade of guest stars, mind-blowing discoveries, and a bright future for The Batman, Batman #135/#900 has something for every comic book fan, don’t miss out!
Think this issue is all about the story? Think again! Comics are a visual medium and boy does this issue give the reader a feast for the eyes. Along with Jiménez’s magnificent main cover, there are also two connecting variant covers focused on different takes on The Dark Knight throughout the multiverse by none other than Joe Quesada! Both covers are also available as a wraparound black and white ratio variant cover (1:100). Gabriele Dell’Otto, Stanley “Artgerm” Lau, Kael Ngu, Jim Cheung, Lee Bermejo, provide additional artwork. And, in one of his final DC pieces before his passing, the iconic Neal Adams contributed to this landmark issue.
