Summary
- After the shocking death of Bruce Wayne, a new Batman emerges in DC vs. Vampires, as writer Matthew Rosenberg teases the revelation of his identity to shock readers.
- Rosenberg emphasizes Batman’s crucial role in restoring order to the DC Universe, hinting at a concept that could outlast Bruce.
- Nature abhors a vacuum and demands a new Dark Knight. It promises a new hero who will bring stability to the violent otherworlds.
The Dark Knight may have died in a particularly bloody Elseworlds, but a new Batman will fill the gap left by Bruce Wayne. DC vs Vampires shocked comic book readers everywhere with a sudden betrayal that ultimately ended the Caped Crusader’s life. But as Matthew Rosenberg points out, the DC Universe cannot survive without Batman for long.
Screen Rant had the opportunity to speak with DC vs. Vampires: World War V Writer Matthew Rosenberg asked what’s next in his popular and bloody Elseworlds novels. Eventually, the topic 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 obviously wants a Batman. He’s as important to the universe as air and sunlight are to us. Nature abhors a vacuum and if there’s no Batman, the DC Universe will create one. So are we bringing Bruce back? Is there a new Batman? We’ll reveal what it is. I think people will be shocked, some will say they saw it coming, a lot of them are liars. Some will see it coming, 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 “detests a vacuum” and that a new Dark Knight will emerge to fill the gap. He cryptically hints that Few will be able to guess the identity of the new Batmanpromises, however, that this new hero “makes sense” and will ultimately serve history.
A new Batman is coming to DC vs. Vampires: World War V
Of all the Elseworlds in the 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 heroes and villains alike into undead monsters serving on behalf of the Vampire King. The heroes pursued a lead to destroy Joker, the presumed Vampire King, but Nightwing turned out to be the true leader. To make his betrayal even more shocking, Nightwing revealed his true face. by literally ripping Batman’s heart out of his chest.
Rosenberg is being cagey about revealing the identity of the new Dark Knight just yet, although he does say that some might be able to figure it out. Could the new Batman be Bruce? Highly unlikely, given the violent cause of death. While fans could speculate all day about the new hero’s true identity, Rosenberg’s thoughts on the DCU’s need for a Batman are far more interesting. The idea that Batman is a concept that can survive Bruce is a fascinating idea. When Batman died, everything went to hell, so maybe this new installment can finally put things in order.
Batman is crucial to restoring order in the DC Universe
Just as Superman is a symbol of hope, Batman is a symbol of order. Whether the DC Universe is actively creating a new Caped Crusader or someone out there thought Batman’s image would do the world some good, the tide is finally turning in this terrible Elseworlds. Bruce’s days on this Earth may be over, but someone else is realizing the value of his identity and using it to bring stability back to the DC Universe. Hopefully, whoever that is, Batman is that they give the world the order it desperately needs.
DC vs. Vampires: World War V #1 will be available from DC Comics on August 14th.
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DC vs. Vampires: World War V #1 (2024) |
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Batman
One of DC’s most famous heroes, Batman is the superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Shaped by the tragedy of his parents’ deaths, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective and tactician. Bruce recruits a whole family of allies and henchmen and leads the war against evil as the Dark Knight of his hometown of Gotham City.
