Batman Solicitations - December 2011

DC have released their Batman solicitations for December 2011 and, in addition to finding out why Barbara Gordon is wearing Stephanie Brown's Batgirl costume in Birds of Prey, I'm looking forward to learning how many of these first story-arcs develop.

My own highlight, potentially, is actually a one-shot - Batman Inc: Leviathan Strikes written by Grant Morrison. “The long-awaited conclusion to season 1 of Batman Incorporated” features art from Cameron Stewart and Chris Burnham, is told across 80 pages and goes on sale on 21 December.

Further details from DC's The Source and Batgirl to Oracle.

Batman Incorporated: Leviathan Strikes #1
Written by GRANT MORRISON
Art by CHRIS BURNHAM and CAMERON STEWART
Cover by CHRIS BURNHAM
One-Shot • On sale DECEMBER 21 • 80 pg, FC, $6.99 US • RATED T
In this sensational, giant-sized one-shot spinning out of BATMAN INCORPORATED, Batman realizes to his horror that he's been outwitted as the true identity of Leviathan continues to elude him. Is his deadly adversary an old foe with a grudge to settle, a new face of evil…or something completely different? Only one thing is certain: You won't soon forget the shocking ending!

BIRDS OF PREY #4
Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
Art by JESUS SAIZ
Cover by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND
On sale DECEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
The only thing worse than a bomb on a speeding train is three bombs. Hidden inside the skulls of three different people. All on the same speeding train. And the Birds of Prey – Black Canary, Starling, Katana and Poison Ivy – know the names of only two of these walking bombs. Don’t miss the shocking revelation that will rewrite the rules of the team forever! Yes, we know it’s only issue #4! Guest starring Batgirl!

Huntress #3
Written by PAUL LEVITZ
Art by MARCUS TO and JOHN DELL
Cover by GUILLEM MARCH
On sale DECEMBER 7 • 32 pg, 3 of 6, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
The Huntress has vowed to take down one of the most powerful mob bosses in Europe…but who's the even more powerful man behind him? And why is she facing a showdown in the ancient ruins of Pompeii?

NIGHTWING #4
Written by KYLE HIGGINS
Art by TREVOR McCARTHY
Cover by EDDY BARROWS
On sale DECEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
As Haly’s continues to travel the east coast, Dick’s search for answers take him – and the circus – to Miami! But when a case from Gotham City brings Barbara Gordon to Florida, Nightwing and Batgirl must work together to bring a thief to justice. Be here as Nightwing and Batgirl tackle South Beach – and discover the true nature of the circus! The answers start this issue!

CATWOMAN #4
Written by JUDD WINICK
Art and cover by GUILLEM MARCH
On sale DECEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
Catwoman pays a call on Wayne Manor, but those who live there prefer that you call first. Then Selina Kyle says goodbye to an old friend, says hello to an older one, and resolves more firmly than ever to strike out on her own. Only one of those things almost gets her killed.

BATWOMAN #4
Written by J.H. WILLIAMS III and W. HADEN BLACKMAN
Art and cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III
On sale DECEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Blood drenches the back alleys of Gotham City in Part four of “Hydrology” – and Batwoman’s life begins to burn!

BATGIRL #4
Written by GAIL SIMONE
Art by ARDIAN SYAF and VICENTE CIFUENTES
Cover by ADAM HUGHES
On sale DECEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Batgirl’s secret past finally catches up to her as she races to a final confrontation with the deadly sociopath Mirror! All the answers start right here in this thrilling issue!

BATMAN #4
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art by GREG CAPULLO and JONATHAN GLAPION
Cover by GREG CAPULLO
Variant cover by MIKE CHOI
1:200 B&W variant cover by GREG CAPULLO
On sale DECEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Shocking discoveries lead Batman deeper into the mystery of the Court of Owls and its secret and bloody ties to both Gotham City and the Wayne family. But an even deadlier threat awaits Batman: a trap set hundreds of years ago, far beneath his city. The war for Gotham’s soul begins here!

DETECTIVE COMICS #4
Written by TONY S. DANIEL
Art and cover by TONY S. DANIEL and SANDU FLOREA
On sale DECEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
As Batman uncovers a deranged plot with far-reaching tentacles that touch some of the city’s most elite citizens, he finds himself facing off against his newest and most fearsome foes: Dollmaker and his twisted family of killers!

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #4
Written by PAUL JENKINS and DAVID FINCH
Art and cover by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND
On sale DECEMBER 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Batman must race against time to save a friend’s life. But his mission may prove impossible as he reels under the weight of three hundred chemically enhanced super-criminals who stand against him. All clues point to one psychotic criminal, and all roads to a solution that will lead to one secret location… but will Batman arrive too late to stop the rage let loose on his city?

BATWING #4
Written by JUDD WINICK
Art by CHRISCROSS
Cover by BEN OLIVER
On sale DECEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
As Massacre’s bloody reign of murder continues and more heroes fall, Batwing closes in on this mad villain. But with his memories stirring, Batwing’s dark past begins to emerge… At last, the truth of his past will come to light.

BATMAN AND ROBIN #4
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art and cover by PATRICK GLEASON and MICK GRAY
On sale DECEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Batman and Robin are at the mercy of NoBody as he forces them to embrace a new way to battle crime and injustice. But Batman has other ideas! Plus: Don’t miss the origin of NoBody!

RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #4
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
On sale DECEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
The man who has pursued Starfire all the way to the wilds of Colorado has only one thing on his mind: her slow and painful death. His name is Crux – and he’s done some dark and dangerous work on his DNA to reach his goal of ridding the Earth of every alien on the planet! And Kori’s about to learn that Red Hood and Roy Harper have their hands full with the ancient evil known as The Untitled!