Batman holds a special place in our heart.  From growing up and racing to the comic book store each week with my friend Larry to the fantastic films of Burton, Nolan and Reeves, the Dark Knight and Gotham has been our dark, disturbing happy place for quite some time now.

Yesterday, DC Comics unveiled a new black label series from Eisner Award-Winning Storyteller Rafael Grampá, “Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham.” The Four-Issue, Bimonthly Series Debuts on Batman Day, Saturday, September 16 in North America, Brazil, Spain, Italy, and Germany. ‘Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham’ brings Grampá’s twisted vision of both the Dark Knight and the city of Gotham to life in a tale that reaches its icy black tendrils into the deepest and darkest corners of human nature to leave you gasping for breath—and begging for more! 

Here is what Rafael had to say about this upcoming release from his Instagram page.

“Who He Is And How He Came To be…

That was the title of the story that presented the origin of Batman in 1940, where Bruce Wayne swore revenge by the SPIRITS of his murdered parents and—driven by his belief in an OMEN —became Batman. For me, this subtle aspect of Bruce’s belief system has always been the fundamental core of Batman, and through that lens I recognized this untold story.

Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham explores ‘who he is and WHY he came to be.’ It makes my dream of bringing my own interpretation of Batman and his origin to life a reality as I delve into the darkest corners of his essence, introducing a brand-new rogue’s gallery and weaving a different perspective on Gotham City.

Batman Gargoyle of Gotham Noir Edition- Rafal Grampá

I’m incredibly proud to team up with the phenomenal colorist Matheus Lopes and lettering legend John Workman. They bring the artistry to a whole new level! Shoutout to my rockstar producer Justin Townsend, my stellar editor Andrea Shea, and the entire DC squad who’s making this the best ride of my career.”

Here is info from DC Comics from their official press release.

In a Gotham City where every day feels darker and more irredeemable than the last, Batman makes a definitive choice—to kill off the Bruce Wayne identity for good and embrace the cape and cowl full-time. But though he knows the streets of Gotham, Batman will soon come to find that he hardly knows himself. A serial killer is on the loose, and while the murder victims seem random at first, every clue draws Batman closer to the terrifying truth—that they are all connected, not just to each other, but to him as well. When an all-new rogues gallery of utterly depraved villains begins to emerge from the depths of the city, Batman will have to contend with the very nature of evil—including that which lurks in the darkest corners of his own heart—to face what is coming for the city he has sworn to protect.

In addition to Grampá’s breathtaking cover and interior art, a who’s who of comic book luminaries lend their talents to this debut issue in the form of some incredible variant covers.

Fan-favorite artist Jim Lee will be providing a variant cover (featuring colors by series colorist Matheus Lopes), with additional variants from comic book icon and Golden Child collaborator Frank Miller and renowned Batman artist David Finch. A black-and-white version of Lee’s cover will be available as a 1-in-25 “ratio” variant, along with a 1-in-50 variant cover by Priscilla Petraites (Chariot, Rat Queens), a 1-in-100 variant cover from Paul Pope (Batman: Year 100), and a 1-in-250 black-and-white variant cover by Miller, also based on his cover art. Visit your local comic book shop for availability and preordering details.

Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham #1 will also be available (at participating retailers) in a “noir” version, showcasing the complete first issue (art and letters) of the story in vivid black and white.

We love Grampá’s art and storytelling so DC may as well take our money now because we will be there on September 16th, waiting in line outside the store before it opens, face pressed up against the grimy window, our breath steaming up the glass as the shop owner just looks at me from the other side of the glass with a mocking gaze.