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Garth Ennis, Liam Sharp, together for first time on upcoming “Batman – Reptilian” project for DC

By John Freeman on March 12, 2021

Comic creators Garth Ennis and Liam Sharp are longtime friends, but have never worked together on a comics project – until now.

US comics publisher DC have just announced DC Presents: Reptilian – a six issue “Black Label” limited mini-series, set to bring a new level of terror to Gotham City, launching in June.

In Gotham City, either Batman or Killer Croc were the two most dangerous things lurking in the city’s shadows.

On 22nd June, that all changes.

A new predator makes Gotham City its hunting ground, courtesy of Garth Ennis, co-creator of Preacher and The Boys and artist Liam Sharp (The Green Lantern, The Brave and the Bold: Batman & Wonder Woman) in an all-new six issue limited series, Batman: Reptilian.

Gotham City is filled with murderous creatures who stalk the shadows – foul villains with murderous impulses who strike fear into the hearts of every man, woman, and child in the city. But what strikes fear into the hearts of those who terrorise the city? It used to be Batman, but something far more frightening than a mere man has begun stalking the shadows – and it’s after Gotham’s villains.

How savage must a monster be to haunt the dreams of monsters?

“Liam Sharp’s breathtaking and moody art is the perfect compliment to Ennis’ haunting and suspenseful narrative,” say DC, “making Batman: Reptilian the kind of series that you’ll definitely want to read with the lights on.”

Batman – Reptilian *#1 variant cover by Variant Cully Hamner!*

*Liam Sharp petitioned hard for a Bill Sienkiewicz variants or* Batman -Reptilian #1, *and DC agreed it was a very good idea. “Look at this beauty!” Liam enthuses*

Issue #1 also features an intense main cover by Liam. Cully Hamner (Batman and The Signal) provides the variant cover, and Bill Sienkiewicz (The Question: The Deaths of Vic Sage, Hardware) provides a 1 in 25 “ratio’ variant (check your local comic book store for availability).

“I petitioned hard for a Bill Sienkiewicz variant, and DC naturally agreed it was a very good idea,” Liam told fans on social media.

DC Black Label, which replaced the DC Vertigo line, is an imprint of consisting of original miniseries and reprints of books previously published under other imprints. It aims to present traditional DC Universe characters for a mature audience with stand-alone, prestige-format series, a project that launched back in September 2018 with Batman: Damned.

“When I was younger a little book called Arkham Asylum came out, and it was beautiful,” says Liam, offering some background to his approach to Batman – Reptilian. I didn’t care about the characters, who was or wasn’t in it, I just thought it was an amazing bit of story craft. This is me trying to do something like that. The characters always come secondary to the story and art for me.

“But I sincerely hope you enjoy it – if you pick it up. I’m not steeped in Batman lore. I wasn’t in Green Lantern, either. But I truly love every book I work on, and that’s what counts, I think.”

• DC Presents: Reptilian arrives in Comic Book Stores and at Participating Digital Retailers Tuesday 22nd June 2021

Variant covers by Cully Hamner and for #1, by Bill Sienkiewicz

• For the latest information on Batman: Reptilian, visit the DC website at www.dccomics.com and follow on social media @DCComics and @thedcnation

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.