Batman Solicitations - April 2011

Pride of place in April's Batman solicitations goes to the 3-part crossover story running across Red Robin, Gotham City Sirens and Batman. Written by Fabian Nicieza, Peter Calloway and David Hine with art from Freddie Williams II, Andres Guinaldo and Guillem March the story promises guest appearances from Catwoman and Ra's al Ghul alongside the Angels of Death.

Other highlights include the delayed first issue of Batwoman featuring sisters Kate and Bette Kane, Batgirl #20 featuring the superspeed villain Slipstream and Batgirl's fantastic-looking new car and Birds of Prey #11 which sees Huntress and Catman make their long-threatened first attempt at romance - how can that not be an entertaining read?!

RED ROBIN #22
Written by FABIAN NICIEZA
Art by FREDDIE WILLIAMS II
Cover by GUILLEM MARCH
In the first part of a 3-part crossover with GOTHAM CITY SIRENS and BATMAN this month, Gotham City faces final judgment as the Angels of Death seek to spare the city by finding one person who is without sin. After putting Red Robin through physical and emotional trials, have they found the city’s salvation? What is the one thing they learn about Tim Drake that might change their minds? Guest-starring Catwoman and Batman!
On sale APRIL 13 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US, RATED T

GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #22
Written by PETER CALLOWAY
Art by ANDRES GUINALDO
Cover by GUILLEM MARCH
In part 2 of this month’s 3-part crossover with RED ROBIN and BATMAN, the Angels of Death having sworn judgment on Gotham City, which they see as a modern-day Sodom and Gomorrah – but Gotham’s heroes are fighting back! And when secrets surface – secrets she’d rather kept hidden – Selina finds herself in the middle of a fight for the very existence of Gotham! Guest starring Batman and Ra’s al Ghul.
On sale APRIL 20 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US, RATED T

BATMAN #709
Written by DAVID HINE
Art and cover by GUILLEM MARCH
This month’s 3-part crossover with RED ROBIN and GOTHAM SIRENTS reaches its conclusion as Batman becomes Gotham City’s last hope! Can he help the city avoid a cleansing scourge? Will the Angels of Death find one good man whose soul is pure? And what is the tragic secret in Dick Grayson’s past that might doom Gotham? Guest-starring Red Robin, Catwoman and Ra’s al Ghul!
On sale APRIL 20 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US, RATED T

BATMAN & ROBIN #22
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by PATRICK GLEASON & MICK GRAY
Cover by PATRICK GLEASON
1:10 Variant cover by GENE HA
“Dark Knight, White Knight,” part three of three! As The White Knight makes his final, bright stand against the darkness and corruption of Gotham City, Batman and Robin find themselves trapped in a war of good and evil . . . but no matter who wins, the Dark Knight’s city will surely suffer!
Retailers please note: The contents of this issue were originally solicited for issue #19, but will now appear here. This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the retailer order form for more information.
On sale APRIL 13 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US, RATED T

BATGIRL #20
Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER
Art by DUSTIN NGUYEN & DEREK FRIDOLFS
Cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
Batgirl + Proxy vs. Slipstream – Oracle = disaster! With Oracle out of the picture, Stephanie Brown and Wendy Harris throw everything their newly upgraded firewall has at superspeed villain Slipstream (including Batgirl’s new car). When the dust settles, will Team Batgirl be able to pick up the pieces?
On sale APRIL 13 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US, RATED T

BIRDS OF PREY #11
Written by GAIL SIMONE
Art by PERE PEREZ
Cover by STANLEY “ARTGERM” LAU
It’s the FIRST DATE you’ve all been waiting for as Huntress and Catman make that long-threatened first attempt at romance ... but can two hot-headed, red-blooded hunter-warriors on opposite sides of the law have a simple night out without trying to kill each other? Hint: No. No, they can’t.
On sale APRIL 13 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US, RATED T


BATWOMAN #1
Written by J.H. WILLIAMS III and W. HADEN BLACKMAN
Art and cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III
1:10 Variant Cover by AMY REEDER
The multiple award-winning creative team of J.H. Williams III (DETECTIVE COMICS) and W. Haden Blackman (Star Wars, Force Unleashed) launch the first, chilling arc of the ongoing series fans have been clamoring for! In the 5-part “Hydrology,” Batwoman faces bizarre new challenges in her war against the dark underworld of Gotham and new trials in her personal life as Kate Kane. She quickly finds herself in the deep end facing truths about her past and her future. Who – or what – is stealing children from Gotham’s barrio, and for what twisted purpose? Can she train her cousin Bette Kane (a.k.a. Flamebird) as her new sidekick? How will she handle dark revelations about her father, Colonel Jacob Kane? How is she dealing with the supposed drowning of her sister, the villain known as Alice? And why is a certain government agency suddenly taking an interest in her? The road to the answers begins here!
Retailers: This issue is resolicited. All previous orders are cancelled. This issue will arrive in stores with two covers. See the retailer order form for details.
RESOLICIT • On sale APRIL 6 • 32 pg, $2.99, RATED T

DETECTIVE COMICS #876
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art and cover by JOCK
“Hungry City,” part 2 of 2! When the carcass of a killer whale is discovered in the middle of Gotham City’s financial sector, Batman is thrown into a mystery the likes of which he’s never experienced – a mystery which soon brings the Dark Knight face-to-face with the terrifying new symbol of organized crime in Gotham!
On sale APRIL 27 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US, RATED T

BATMAN INCORPORATED #6
Written by GRANT MORRISON
Art and cover by CHRIS BURNHAM
1:25 Variant cover by FRAZER IRVING
Man-of-Bats is a self-styled hero and community leader who protects his Sioux reservation from crime and disease. His son, Raven Red, can’t seem to keep his father’s often-embarrassing enthusiasm in check – and he dreams of escaping his father’s shadow to become a big time hero. But what happens when this homemade Dynamic Duo become the targets of a sophisticated, well-connected killer from the shadows? Can the intervention of Batman save them before it’s too late?
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale APRIL 20 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US, RATED T

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #5
Written by DAVID FINCH
Art by DAVID FINCH & SCOTT WILLIAMS
Cover by DAVID FINCH
1:25 Variant cover by ANDY CLARKE
David Finch’s brilliant take on Batman continues to explore the darker corners of Gotham City in this penultimate chapter of “Golden Dawn.” As The Dark Knight suffers one of his worst defeats, Jason Blood makes an unexpected move. With a surprise funeral and guest appearances by both Etrigan the Demon and Ragman, this series continues to heat up!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale APRIL 27 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US, RATED T

BATMAN: EUROPA #4
Written by BRIAN AZZARELLO & MATTEO CASALI
Art and cover by JOCK
1:10 Variant cover by LEE BERMEJO
Within the millennia-old walls of the Colosseum, in the ruins of the arena where gladiators fed the sand with their blood, the identity of the mysterious foe who infected Batman and The Joker will at last be revealed.
With his strength abandoning him, Batman must face a threat he may no longer be able to battle. Is Batman ready to pay the price for the cure to the Colossus virus – if it even exists? And what is the true role of The Joker in this sick game?
This grand finale of the all-star miniseries from writers Brian Azzarello and Matteo Casali features spectacular painted art by Jock (THE LOSERS)!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale APRIL 27 • 4 of 4 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US, RATED T

BATMAN BEYOND #4
Written by ADAM BEECHEN
Art by EDUARDO PANSICA and EBER FERREIRA
Cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
Having their secret identity exposed is the worst nightmare of any hero who wears a mask – and that nightmare is coming true for Dick Grayson! Bruce and Terry still think they can put this genie back in the bottle, but only with the help of Max, Terry’s closest confidant and computer wunderkind. But Max has problems of her own – the kind that Terry can’t ever find out about – and Dick has his own ideas about how to protect himself!
On sale APRIL 6 • 32 pg, FC $2.99 US, RATED T

BATMAN: ODYSSEY #8
Written by NEAL ADAMS
Art and cover by NEAL ADAMS
1:10 Black and white variant cover by NEAL ADAMS
Batman’s odyssey has brought him to the underworld, where The League of Assassins has been firmly established for decades! The League is liquidating its enemies to make way for the Sensei to take over his father’s kingdom, and after that, the world itself. But if Batman can’t conquer his inner demons and learn to save lives by taking them, he may forfeit the war to the League!
Retailers, please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the retailer order form for more details.
On sale APRIL 6 • 8 of 13 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US, RATED T

OUTSIDERS #39
Written by DAN DIDIO
Art by KEITH GIFFEN and SCOTT KOBLISH
Cover by PHILIP TAN
As Black Lightning’s team battles Geo-Force’s team, Batman emerges from the shadows. And all are left wondering: Who is Veritas?
On sale APRIL 20 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US, RATED T

SUPERMAN/BATMAN ANNUAL #5
Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art and cover by MIGUEL SEPULVEDA
Picking up where March’s JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #55 left off, “Reign of Doomsday” amps up the danger as Supergirl and Batman are trapped aboard the Justice League satellite with Cyborg Superman and Doomsday — and both villians want to tear them limb from limb! A “who’s who” of the DCU shows up to aid in the battle, but there’s something different about Doomsday — something even the Justice League of America might not be prepared for! The story continues in this month’s SUPERBOY #6!
On sale APRIL 6 • 56 pg, FC, $4.99 US, RATED T

SUPERMAN/BATMAN #83
Written by CULLEN BUNN
Art by CHRISCROSS and MARC DEERING
Cover by TRAVEL FOREMAN
The penultimate chapter of “Sorcerer Kings” finds Batman, Doctor Occult, Detective Chimp and Klarion the Witchboy facing a magical Armageddon in the present as Superman is taken to meet the future Justice League at the Hall of Doom! How did things go so wrong — and can anything be done to stop it?
On sale APRIL 20 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US, RATED T


Full DC solicitations for April 2011 can be found at a variety of sources - this month I found my information from Comic Book Resources with more details available from DC Comics.