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New Batman comic looks to put a person of color under the cowl, says writer John Ridley
Announced a few days ago, screenwriter John Ridley's first time writing a Batman comic (this time as a limited series with artist Nick Derington) got some details spilled at the DC FanDome -- and it fit right into the event's emphasis on DC's Multiverse and diversity.
Ridley, who has been working on graphic novels like The American Way, spoke to DC Publisher and Chief Creative Officer Jim Lee at his DC FanDome panel, and it was all about Batman. The writer is bringing a brand-new Batman to the comic pages who will exist along the current run of Batman by James Tynion IV and Jorge Jimenez. Only ... Ridley's Batman won't be Bruce Wayne. In fact, in a world where new Batmen seem to be popping up in every movie -- and sometimes multiple Batmen appearing in a single movie -- Ridley's new take on the character will be a refreshing and needed change: a Batman that's not a white guy.
“I think it's a pretty safe bet that if I'm writing Batman, it’s probably a little better than a 47% chance he’s going to be a person of color,” Ridley said wryly.
Fans got to see a first piece of art showing his Batman, done by artist LADRÖNN. Take a look:
To make matters even more interesting, Ridley noted that the Fox family (Lucius Fox is in charge of Wayne Enterprises) would play a part in his series -- a rare Black family in the comics world. “But he [Fox] has a family and this is a family that has secrets, has kept secrets from one another,” said Ridley. “It’s a little bit different dynamic than the Batman that we've always seen.”
Ridley's four-issue Batman miniseries begins in January 2021.
Click here for more of SYFY WIRE’s coverage of DC FanDome.
