Tom King Will Introduce New Batman Villain

Daniel Mills |

Nov 28, 2017

Welcome, Welcome

Batman series writer Tom King answered some questions on Twitter recently. In doing so, King mentioned he’ll be introducing a new Batman villain into the mythology. King’s newest 4-issue arc titled “Superfriends” begins in Batman #36 and concludes in Batman #40. The arc will showcase Batman teaming up with members of the Justice League. Prompting a fan to ask King why five issues were being allotted for the story.

King then goes on to reveal some exciting news. The first bit is about one of his creative partners, Joelle Jones. The artist for his most recent arc “The Rules of Engagement“ will be returning to the title for the Wonder Woman issues of Superfriends. To do so, King and company added a one-shot story for Batman #38. Here he reveals what that issue could contain…

To make sure @Joelle_Jones could draw the Wonder Woman issues we added a one and done in 38. It's a Batman as dark detective issue and introduces my first original Bat villain who'll play a big role going forward. I kind of love it. https://t.co/20gwtJc0os

— Tom King (@TomKingTK) November 22, 2017

Intriguing. It begs the question: was the villain created because of the need to fill the issue? Probably not. Tom King has been an incredible writer for Batman so far. To create a throwaway villain for a “filler” issue seems out of character for the Sheriff of Babylon creator. Instead, this story is dedicated to the villain’s origin or how that character is first introduced to Batman.

A New Beginning

Just what will Tom King have in store for this new villain? No one knows. It’s quite the mystery. However, the summary for the issue has been released:

THE ORIGIN OF BRUCE WAYNE! If Mattie could grow up to be anybody, he’d grow up millionaire playboy Bruce Wayne. But what would happen if he was forced to relive the worst tragedy of Bruce’s life and his parents were murdered? Batman’s hunt for the killer puts him face to face with a strange mirror version of his own past.

Not the first time a writer has attempted to mirror Batman with characters with similar pasts. Jeph Loeb famously did so in one of the biggest Batman books of all time, Hush. Grant Morrison also did so with multiple Batman rip-offs beginning in Batman and Son.

Whether or not this character will be a legendary addition to DC’s cast or a just another body for Batman to pummel will be revealed in the pages of Batman #38.