With Bruce Wayne currently a caveman in the mainstream DCU -- combined with the fact that I’m not a fan of Batman mixing it up with super-powered beings -- this new “pulp” DCU is something that I’m
very interested in reading.
Writer Brian Azzarello (JOKER) is creating this new world where superheroes – at least ones with fantastical powers – simply don’t exist. It all kicks off on November 11th with the BATMAN/DOC SAVAGE SPECIAL. Here’s the official synopsis from DC Comics:
Doc Savage returns to DC Comics…and comes face-to-fist with the Batman! Superstar scribe Brian Azzarello and the breathtaking art of Phil Noto combine to shine the first light on a shadowy new version of the DC Universe, where the thugs run rampant, corruption runs deep, and even heroes can't be trusted! Doc Savage, the Man of Bronze, hates what he's heard about the connections between a grisly murder and Gotham City's violent new vigilante. But the Batman can't abide do-gooders getting in his way…and his .45 just won't stay in its holster!
Other members of this world (in addition to Doc Savage and The Batman) include The Spirit, The Avenger, Rima The Jungle Girl, Black Canary, Wildcat, and others.
Here’s a bit more in regards to this version of Batman via COMICBOOKRESOURCES.COM:
* Batman is “The Bat-Man,” c. 1939 – guns and all. “You can’t change Batman’s origin. But this is Batman with guns. He was originally introduced with guns, so we’re picking it up where it started.”
* Gotham = LA. “The sun sets in L.A. just like anyplace else. And I’m really kind of focusing on L.A. in the ’40s, when it was a new town in the ‘20s, ‘30s and ’40s. It’s pretty much a new place. There was certainly a bit of lawlessness going on. And there was a huge, huge divide between rich and poor. And I think that really works well for this.”
* Azzarello says he’s trying to stay away from Batman’s famous rogues gallery and would not confirm or deny that a Batman monthly set in this universe is in the works.
Come on DC, you’ve GOT to do the Batman monthly! Anyway...
I’m getting an early look at the BATMAN/DOC SAVAGE SPECIAL, so stay tuned to BOF for more on “Pulp Batman.”
