DC’s Gotham Panel at San Diego Comic-Con Reveals The Return of Punchline, A Dark, Operatic Look at Gotham City, New Titles from John Ridley, and More!

During today’s Gotham panel at San Diego Comic-Con, fans heard first-hand about what makes Gotham City such a rich background for storytelling, as they were treated to some exclusive reveals of current and upcoming series. Moderator and DC Executive Editor Ben Abernathy spoke with Evan Narcisse, Ram V., Tini Howard, Sean Gordon Murphy and Jock on why Gotham is the perfect setting for a good story.

The panel began with an exclusive announcement of the upcoming comic book Batman: Gotham Knights – Gilded City written by Evan Narcisse and art by Abel, the official prequel to WB Games’ highly anticipated video game. Abernathy spoke with Narcisse about the six-issue limited series and setting the stage for the video game in what becomes Batman’s final case before his mysterious death. Both the series and the video game release worldwide on October 25.

Howard spoke with Abernathy about her current run on Catwoman including the organized crime elements of Gotham with artist Nico Leon, Caitlin Yarsky, and Sami Basri. She then dropped jaws throughout Room 6DE when it was announced that she’s bringing back 2021’s breakout character Punchline, in an all-new limited series. Available October 25, Punchline: The Gotham Game will be co-written by Howard and her husband, writer Blake Howard (Batman: Urban Legends, Vault Comics’ Vampire: The Masquerade) with art by Gleb Melnikov (Robin, Future State: Superman: Worlds At War). All of the fans in attendance received a con exclusive enamel pin of Catwoman.

Writer Ram V spoke to the fans at the panel about what they can expect as he and artist Rafael Albuquerque take Batman on a gothic opera journey with their “Gotham Nocturne” story arc in Detective Comics #1062. Ram talked about how Gotham lends itself to creating a gothic-themed story, how this arc will provide more depth and context to the Arkham family and its ties to the city, and his reaction to the special audio message/sound effect that fans and readers can hear when they see the ad for “Gotham Nocturne” hitting books on sale next week. Detective Comics #1062 arrives in comic book stores and participating digital platforms on July 26.

Writer/Artist JOCK talked with Abernathy about everything from the challenges and opportunities of being a writer and artist to what it was like to create an original story for the Dark Knight. The final issue of the critically-acclaimed Batman: One Dark Knight arrives in comic book stores on July 26, and the hardcover collection hits comic book and mass market retailers on Tuesday, September 20.

DC’s series of White Knight titles written by Sean Gordon Murphy have launched to great critical and fan reception, and the writer was on today’s panel to not only talk about the fun of being the architect of this alternate universe of characters and stories, but to also show fans that he’s far from done! In addition to previewing content from the next issue of Batman: Beyond the White Knight, Murphy spoke about collaborating with co-writer Clay McCormack and artists Simone Di Meo and Dave Stewart on a new two-issue miniseries launching on July 26, Batman: White Knight Presents Red Hood.

Even with all this incredible news, the panel concluded with more can’t-miss Gotham City-themed titles launching in the fall! Abernathy revealed three new series for the first time ever. First was The Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing, a new ongoing series written by Matthew Rosenberg with art by Carmine di Giandomenico launching on October 4. Batman Incorporated spins out of the events of the “Abyss” storyline in Batman and the 2022 Batman Annual and is written by Ed Brisson with art by John Timms, and arrives in comic book stores on October 11. Finally, Academy Award-winning screenwriter John Ridley and artist Stefano Raffaele explore the gritty world of Renee Montoya and the Gotham City Police Department in a new limited series launching on October 18, G.C.P.D.: The Blue Wall.

The last of DC’s must-see San Diego Comic-Con panels, “Comics Are Fun For Everyone,” is scheduled for Saturday at 12:30 in room 6DE. Fans are encouraged to attend for more breaking news about what’s to come from The World’s Greatest Super Heroes.

For the latest information on Batman, visit the DC website at www.dccomics.com and follow @DCComics and @thedcnation on social media. The DC UNIVERSE INFINITE digital subscription service is your one-stop spot for a host of classic and memorable stories featuring Batman and all the superheroes and super-villains that call Gotham City home. For more information and to subscribe, check out the website at www.dcuniverseinfinite.com.