Batman pop-up set for NYC
Midweek update: NY fans can snag a “Detective Comics” #27 reprint
DC Comics is gearing up for Batman’s 85th anniversary with a pop-up shop that recreates, somewhat, the experience of buying Batman’s first appearance.
According to a news release, Warner Bros. Discovery and DC will celebrate Batman’s first appearance in comics, and The Caped Crusader’s 85th Anniversary, with pop-up comic book giveaways in New York City.
An 85th anniversary printing of “Detective Comics” #27, Batman’s first appearance, will be given awayone per person, on a first-come, first-serve basis starting at 11 a.m. local time at SoHo News Interational, 186 Prince Street in NYC.
The comic book giveaway of Detective Comics #27 also features a modern retelling of the “The Case of the Criminal Syndicate” from 1939 (originally written by Bill Finger with illustrations by Bob Kane) written by Brad Meltzer with art by Bryan Hitch, according to the news release. The Meltzer-Hitch story was originally created as part of Batman’s 75th anniversary celebration in 2014.
Additional copies of the special Batman 85th edition of Detective Comics #27 issue will also be given away at the following locations throughout New York City starting on March 30th while supplies last:
Action City Comics
Alex's MVP Cards & Comics
Bulletproof Comics and Games
Forbidden Planet NYC
St. Mark's Comics
Midtown Comics Times Square
Midtown Comics Grand Central
Midtown Comics Downtown
This begins DC’s push toward Batman Day in 2024, which will take place on Sept. 21 this year.
In other Bat-news this week, the award-winning team of Mark Russell and Mike Allred follow up their Superman epic, “Superman: Space Age,” with “Batman: Dark Age,” on sale this week at comic shops.
Meanwhile, Max has released a trailer for The Penguin, the follow-up series to Matt Reeves’ “The Batman,” coming to the Max streaming service this fall. It stars Colin Farrell as Bat-nemesis the Penguin.
Batman is also a factor in DC’s plans for Free Comic Book Day on May 4.
A preview of “Barkham Asylum,” from writer and artist Yehudi Mercado, is one of the FCBD books. When super-villains go to Arkham Asylum, their pets are sent to the animal pound known as Barkham Asylum. Jester, the Joker’s dog, meets a tough-talking stray cat named Penny in this middle-grade graphic novel that goes on sale May 7, after the May 4 preview edition.
And DC’s main FCBD title, “Absolute Power,” will star Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman in the kickoff to a story by the “Batman/Superman: World's Finest” creative team of writer Mark Waid and artist Dan Mora.
There will be plenty of Bat-content to enjoy for Batman’s 85th anniversary this year, so even if you can’t make the NYC pop-up shop, expect other opportunities soon, at Free Comic Book Day and beyond!
Matthew Price, matthew@matthewlprice.com, has written about comics, film, and other entertainment topics for more than two decades. He is the co-owner of Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman, Oklahoma.