Warning: includes a preview for Batman '89 #2!
DC Comics has released the solicitation and cover art for Batman '89 #2, teasing a huge showdown between Two-Face. Picking up right where Tim Burton's film left off, the series will continue the adventures of Michael Keaton's Batman. Introducing new concepts, re-tooling unused ideas and expanding on already established canon, this miniseries is one for the fans. One major unused aspect that they're fully exploring is Billy Dee Williams' Two-Face, who never appeared in the Burtonverse.
The likeness of Two-Face, obviously, aligns with Williams' likeness. However, it also resembles Quinones' previous attempt at doing a Batman '89 series. Although DC opted to not pick up the project, its influence can be seen here. In 2015, Quinones released his Batman '89 concepts which showcased his version of Two-Face. The official design in the Batman '89 #2 cover art is very similar to that, although with added color.
In the cover art for Batman '89 #2 by Sam Hamm and Joe Quinones, Two-Face attempts to shoot Batman. The Dark Knight's shadow cleverly covers half of Harvey Dent's face, revealing his new double-sided nature. The brighter portion of the cover highlights Harvey's success as the District Attorney. Now, covered in shadow after his transformation, the entire wall shifts to a darker tone. With graffiti covering what used to be a spot for political posters and ments. The solicitation implies that Gotham will rally behind Harvey after his freak accident, whether for better or worse remains to be seen. Check out the Quinones' cover and Mitch Gerad's variant cover below:
- BATMAN '89 #2
- Writers: SAM HAMM
- Artist: JOE QUINONES
- Cover: JOE QUINONES
- Variant Cover: MITCH GERADS
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- A showdown in Burnside leaves both Batman and the Gotham borough reeling. As the community rallies together behind Harvey Dent, can Bruce find a way forward for both Batman and the city?.
Both covers by Quinones and Gerads are astounding. They cover different aspects of the issue's story. Quinones' focuses on Two-Face's fight with Batman, showing the darker side of Gotham. Whilst Gerads' is more aligned with Batman's perspective. Although they are different, they both emphasize Batman's control over the city. As teased in the solicitation, Bruce must find a balance that will allow Gotham to live on, simultaneously with Batman. Two-Face's showdown will occur in Burnside, the borough across the river from Gotham City. The solicitation's wording suggests that Batman will take a heavy beating from Two-Face, which will leave him reeling.
There's a lot of excitement about Batman '89, perhaps even more so than any other DC project. The anticipation comes from fans who have waited a long time to see the Burtonverse expanded, but also because of Keaton's Batman returning in The Flash film. On top of that, the fact that DC has allowed Hamm and Quinones to bring back many of the Burtonverse's highly popularized unused concepts adds a huge amount of hype. Find out what happens as Michael Keaton's Batman and Billy Dee Williams' Two-Face face off in Batman '89 #2 when it releases on September 14.
