Batman Annual 2016 5

The riveting new vigilante known as Clownhunter was a breakout star of “The Joker War”- but what’s the tragic origin of this teenage assassin? How did his parents die at the hands of The Joker, and is there a place for him in the evolving Gotham City? Can there be redemption for the infamous Clownhunter? This epic tale reteams writer James Tynion IV and artist James Stokoe, the storytellers behind the definitive Clownhunter tale from Batman: The Joker War Zone #1!

ÒSILENT NIGHTÓ! A hush of winter snowfall has fallen over Gotham CityÉbut a quiet night in this place is never truly quiet. Batman and his allies-and his many foes-stalk the streets in this icy showcase of top talent.

In this new annual, it’s two unique stories by BATMAN mastermind Tom King! First, King reteams with Lee Weeks, his collaborator on the Eisner-nominated BATMAN/ELMER FUDD #1 to send the Caped Crusader into space in search of the rare element he needs to save a life on Earth. But what terrible gauntlet of tyrants and monsters will he have to go through to reach his objective? Then, it’s back down to Earth and the grimy streets of Gotham City as King and acclaimed newcomer Jorge Fornés task the Dark Knight Detective with a dangerous case only he can solve.

Travel back in time with us to see the early days of the Bat and the Cat. What was Bruce and Selina’s first date? How did this rivalry blossom into romance, and then go right back to being a rivalry again? Tom King reteams with his BATMAN/ELMER FUDD collaborator Lee Weeks to show us a little young love with capes and cowls. And a little crimefighting, too.

ÒTHE OTHER SIDE OF THE PENNY!Ó Alfred Pennyworth has been BatmanÕs most trusted ally and confidant since the Dark Knight first hit the streets of Gotham City. Now, witness BatmanÕs battle for justice from AlfredÕs perspective and learn how harrowing that journey has been as Batman experiences one of the worst nights Gotham City has ever seenÑa night that will push Alfred to the breaking point! Best-selling writer Tom Taylor presents an epic tale that promises to be one of the most Alfred stories ever told!

Superstar artist David Finch (WONDER WOMAN) completes his run on the Dark Knight in BATMAN VOL. 3: I AM BANE, the stunning new chapter in writer Tom KingÕs (THE SHERIFF OF BABYLON) wildly acclaimed Batman saga. He is not a joke. He is not a riddle. He is not a bird or a cat or a penguin, not a scarecrow or a plant or a puppet. He is not a fairy tale or a circus act, a broken friend or a regretful mentor. He is no rich boy pretending to be a knight. He is Bane. The Batman invaded his home, scarred his mind and broke his back. Now Bane has returned to Gotham City for a single purpose: break the Batman once and for all. But first, heÕll destroy everyone the Dark Knight has ever lovedÉor loathed. The young heroes whoÕve worn the mantle of Robin. The cops, crime-fighters and vigilantes who make up BatmanÕs army of allies. Even the madmen and monsters that haunt the halls of Arkham Asylum. Batman will need all of their helpÑand moreÑto fend off this unstoppable challenger. Because both Bane and Batman know one thing: only one of them will walk away from their final confrontation unbrokenÉ Collects stories from BATMAN #16-20, 23-24 and BATMAN ANNUAL #1.

When Catwoman accepted BatmanÕs marriage proposal, she changed more lives than just Bruce WayneÕs and Selina KyleÕs. A union between the WorldÕs Greatest Detective and one of Gotham CityÕs fiercest criminals is a shakeup that will rattle everyone in the Dark KnightÕs lifefrom the young vigilantes who make up his surrogate Òfamily,Ó to his legendary friends in the Justice League, to old demons heÕd long hoped to leave behind. Now Batman and Catwoman are on a quest for redemptiona mission deep into a forbidden desert fortress to evolve into something better before they say, ÒI do.Ó Standing in their way isÉwell, everybody, including BatmanÕs lethal exgirlfriend Talia al Ghul. From desert sands to boardwalk lights, will the Bat and the CatÕs search lead them to happiness at last? Find out in Batman Vol. 5: Rules of Engagement, a major new chapter in the lives of the Dark Knight and his feline fiancŽe from the acclaimed creative team of Tom King (Mister Miracle) and Jo‘lle Jones (Supergirl: Being Super), with guest artists Clay Mann and Lee Weeks! Collects Batman #3337 and the critically acclaimed tale from Batman Annual #2.

Batman #107-111 have featured an epic, brutal tale of Batman’s frenemy Ghost-Maker in the backup stories…and the senses-shattering conclusion to the saga is here! Ghost-Maker has fought his way across Devil Skull Island, and he’s about to face every single villain from his rogues gallery…at once? Can even this legendary warrior survive the onslaught?