Batman writer Scott Snyder has us on the edge of our seats with his "Endgame" story arc. Is the Joker truly an immortal being, as Snyder hints that he may be? Can Batman stop Joker's plan to destroy Gotham City once and for all? Will Alfred get a new hand?
There are a ton of questions still out there, but we will have to wait for Batman's next issue for the dramatic conclusion to learn the answers. While we don't know exactly how "Endgame" will end, we do know one thing -- what comes next is going to be completely bonkers.
Don't believe me? DC has released the solicitations for the aftermath of its Convergence relaunch event in June, among them the cover of Batman #41. Check it out.
Is that mecha-Batman? The image is striking in an of itself, but the issue's summary is even more mind-boggling.
"The all-new Batman makes his debut! Who is he, and what happens next? Find out here as a new era begins in Gotham City!"
Woah. The whole, "who is he" and "all-new Batman" wording makes it seem like Bruce Wayne might not survive his fateful encounter with the Joker in Batman's next issue. If so, who could this new Batman be?
It's not unheard of for another person to step in the role of the Caped Crusader. Perhaps the most striking similarity is that a mechanized Bat-suit has been used before by a Bruce Wayne replacement. When Bane broke Batman's back during the "Knightfall" story arc, Jean-Paul Valley (aka Azrael) took up Batman's cause, sporting a new, mech-like suit. Valley's violent actions eventually led to him being stripped of the cape and cowl, but it's hard not to wonder if something similar is going to happen here.
Of course, Snyder isn't going to spoil his own story, but for a while now he has said that "Endgame's" conclusion will forever change the Batman status quo. He says so once again in a new interview with Comic Book Resources.
"Literally when 'Endgame' ends, it will have changed the Bat-mythology in a huge way," Snyder says. "When we pick up again in June, I think you'll be stunned to see how far we're taking it, in that regard."
Snyder also talks about "Endgame" and whether or not there is any truth to Joker's claims of immortality. The idea that the Dark Knight's greatest foe may be an immortal being has rubbed some fans the wrong way, but Snyder assures fans they need to keep reading and see what happens next.
"I love the idea that they are trying to decide whether they believe Batman or the Joker," Snyder says about the fans. "But that's how I'd pose it to you: The idea of the story is to terrify you with the possibility that Joker could be this person he claims to be, and if he is, that would be Batman's biggest nightmare -- because he's not killable, and he's not stoppable."
Snyder's take on the Dark Knight has been one crazy ride so far, and the writer now says he will continue bringing his signature bold style to Batman at least through issue #50. That's good news, because it just so happens we like crazy. For more Batman, be sure to check out or review of Batman #39, as well as our list of villains we think Snyder should tackle next.
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