The All New Batman and Robin - First Look

As you may or may not know, depending on if you read/follow DC Comics, is that Batman (a.k.a. Bruce Wayne) went missing, then was killed by Darkseid in Final Crisis #6 and has since been subsequently shown reborn in an unknown time and place at the end of Final Crisis #7. With Wayne’s departure from the DC landscape a huge void has been created, a void that obviously must be filled. Enter Battle for the Cowl, a three issue comic book mini-series which will answer the question once and for all who will be the new Batman.


Most people think it will be one of three men: Richard “Dick” Grayson, a.k.a. Nightwing and the original Robin; Tim Drake, the third Robin; or Jason Todd, the recently resurrected second Robin who may or may not be the title character of the new series Red Robin. The Blot has absolutely no clue who will take over the mantle of Batman, but I’d like to see the cowl go to Bruce Wayne’s true successor Dick Grayson. I think as long as it’s not possibly deceased, former Batman replacement Jean-Paul Valley (a.k.a. Azrael) I’ll be a happy reader.


What’s cool though is that after Battle for the Cowl concludes, DC will be reorganizing the Batman family of titles and launching five all new series including what “is being pegged as the ‘flagship’ Batman title” Batman and Robin. While DC will still be producing Detective Comics and Batman, Batman and Robin, written by Grant Morrison and penciled by Frank Quitely, will be where all eyes are focused when it is launched in June 2009. (link)


While we still don’t know who will be under Batman’s cowl when all is said and done, we at least now have our very first look at the all new team of Batman and Robin courtesy of IGN.com (see above). This is the cover for Batman and Robin #1 drawn by Quitely, and after seeing it I am dying to know who the new Dark Knight and Boy Wonder will be.

Head here to read IGN’s interview with author Grant Morrison and to see some pages of art from Batman & Robin by Frank Quitely.

*Potential Spoiler* After reading IGN’s interview with Morrison, does anyone else think the new Robin is without a doubt Damian Wayne, Bruce's illegitimate son with Ra's al Ghul's daughter Talia? Thoughts!?!

Tree Huggr 8 Inch Dunny by Kronk

In exactly one month Kidrobot will be releasing their newest 8” Dunny, Tree Huggr designed by South African illustrator Kronk. This is Kronk’s second production Dunny, the first being the 2007 Gingerbread Man Holiday Dunny. The Gingerbread Man Dunny is not only one of The Blot’s personal favorites, it also has two of the coolest chases every produced (a bitten and a burnt edition were created). On April 9, 2009 you can discover nature’s sinister side by purchasing Kronk’s Tree Huggr 8 inch Dunny.


Surprisingly, the Tree Huggr Dunny will be even rarer than Jesse Hernandez’ Jaguar Warrior Dunny which sold out in just a few days. Kronk’s Tree Huggr Dunny is limited to just 1,000 figures and will have a 1 in 12 super-light and rare chase figure. While I’m in complete shock that Kidrobot has decided to release two 8” Dunnys in a row with such relatively low production numbers, what is not surprising is the vinyl figure’s high price. As with the Jaguar Warrior Dunny, this vinyl figure will retail for $75 each. The Blot is hoping this is just a temporary price hike and not the new standard on Kidrobot 8” figures.

The Blot will be sure to post more pictures of this very cool figure as they become available.