Gregg Hurwitz Takes Over Writing Duties on BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT

Batman: The Dark Knight #1

Acclaimed novelist and current Penguin: Pain and Prejudice writer Gregg Hurwitz will take over as writer on Batman: The Dark Knight beginning with issue 10.

Over on DC’s The Source blog, Hurwitz had this to say:

Okay. So this is the job I’ve been waiting to get since I was eight years old. I’m thrilled to be tackling one of the world’s greatest characters with one of the industry’s greatest artists. [David] Finch and I are very fired up to take the Batman into dark and dangerous new terrain, presenting a story that’ll be epic and sweeping and juuust a little bit twisted.

We’re gonna see a cornerstone villain from a whole new angle, too. I’ve always been fascinated by Jonathan Crane—not just what makes him tick, but what could have happened in his past to make him obsessed with fear at the expense of all else. And perhaps that particular obsession isn’t so different from the demons that drive the Dark Knight. As I discovered when writing Penguin: Pain and Prejudice—Batman fits uniquely with the villains in his rogue’s gallery. They are two sides of the same coin, yin and yang, ego and shadow. But in some cases, maybe the match is even closer. Maybe instead of ego and shadow, it’s shadow and shadow. Maybe when Batman looks in the mirror, the Scarecrow’s face is looking out. We’re used to Batman teaching his villains a lesson, but this time the Scarecrow might have something to teach Batman, too. Right now, I’m knee deep in straw and burlap, trying to stitch together a tale I hope you’ll find familiar yet new, a twist on a classic. It’s gonna get bumpy and scary and bit unhinged, so buckle up for the ride.

Batman: The Dark Knight #10 doesn’t hit stores until June so I’ll be waiting until then to jump back on the series that is often, at least around iFanboy HQ, the forgotten Batseries. I’ve been enjoying the heck out of Penguin: Pain and Prejudice so I’m excited to see what Hurwitz will do with his new gig.

Comments

  1. Damn guess i’ll be jumping back on board Dark Knight then. David Finch is alright not really a fan but he’s not bad, however i will be picking this up just because of how mind blowingly good Penguin: Pain and Prejudice has been! Good to see Gregg Hurwitz get moved up the ranks.

    • Agreed. I’m a huge Batman fan, but I never cared for Penguin in any of his incarnations. That is, until I read Hurwitz’s take. Penguin: Pain and Prejudice has revealed how truly cruel and dangerous Cobblepot can be. Hurwitz also expanded on Penguin’s past to really flesh him out. If you haven’t been reading this, you’re missing out. Chase down the back issues or get the trade, you’ll be glad you did. Can’t wait to see how it ends.

      This is very good news for the book, but bad news for my wallet!

    • Totally right mate. Penguin: Pain and Prejudice has been brilliant. Only thing I’ve read that has made me feel sympathy and utter revulsion towards a character.simultaneously

  2. Hmmm. I guess Dan Jurgens and or Keith Giffen were unavailable?

  3. It’ll come down to what else comes out that week, to see if I try it out. I’m carrying too many titles right now.

  4. If it’s anything like the Penguin mini then he’ll really put the Dark in Dark Knight. Really looking forward to it, it can make a 5 star book of what is now a 2.5 star one.

  5. This book has just appeared on my radar. *sound of wallet groaning*

  6. I will definitely check out the issue he writes. I found Finch’s writing to be not my cup of tea, so I’m looking forward to trying this one out with a great writer like Hurwitz.

  7. Typically if I buy a book I’m not that excited about, it’s because I want to see the art. In this case, I’m stoked to read more Hurwitz in the Batman universe. Penguin P&P has been fantastic, and his run on Moon Knight with Opena was excellent.

  8. Hurwitz on a Bat book? IN, IN, IN!!!

  9. Great news to hear that Gregg Hurwitz is taking on this book. Penguin: Pride and Prejudice is a stellar series that took me by surprise.

    Morrison, Snyder, and Hurwitz on these upcoming and current Batman books….it can’t get any better for Batman readers.

  10. I can’t believe they got the guy that wrote Arrested Development

  11. dropped detective will pick this up then

  12. This has been a great book since issue one and I for one think it is the best out of all of the Bat-Books! Like they say if it’s not broken don’t fix it. Well I guess that does not apply to comics; this has been a fun ride since issue one and has kept me on and the artwork has also been very cool. Oh well, I guess we will see what happens next?

    K