An Upcoming Batman Annual Lost Its Writer, But Their Replacement is A+

DC Comics' next Detective Comics Annual loses its all-star writer for the pending assignment, Detective Comics Annual #1, but immediately replaces him with another.

Acclaimed scribe Tom Taylor has officially dropped out of writing Detective Comics Annual #1, with Immortal Thor and Absolute Green Lantern writer Al Ewing stepping in for the job. Taylor explained the situation in a social media post, writing, "Unfortunately, I had to step aside from the upcoming Detective Comics Annual. But the great Al Ewing stepped in to write an awesome story with Stefano Raffaele, John McCrea, and Fico Ossio on art. There's also a backup by Joshua Hale Fialkov and Mike Norton. Have a sneak peek."

Detective Comics Annual #1

• Written by AL EWING and JOSHUA HALE FIALKOV
• Art by JOHN McCREA, STEFANO RAFFAELE, FICO OSSIO, and MIKE NORTON
• Main cover art by MIKEL JANÍN
• Variant covers by JOHN McCREA

Ewing discussed the switch in a social media post of his own, noting that his story will feature "Batman coming to my town to solve a bizarre murder mystery." Ewing added, "It's been a lot of fun taking my first swing at the World's Greatest Detective, so hopefully, you'll all join us to puzzle out why a murder victim would scrawl 'BATMAN! DO NOT SOLVE MY MURDER!' in their own blood…"

As seen in a preview of the upcoming issue, these are indeed the words the Dark Knight finds written with the blood of a man in his final moments. The preview also sees Batman take on a gang of heavily armed mercenaries who appear to be protecting the crime scene.

Per a new synopsis for Detective Comics Annual #1, "Clues are few in this dead man's home, save for a book with the alarming title 'How to End The Universe.' Now, armed only with questions, Batman must set off to England to solve a murder against the deceased's wishes." Apart from Ewing's story bringing Batman across the pond, Detective Comics Annual #1 will also feature a backup story by writer Joshua Hale Fialkov and artist Mike Norton. This second tale will introduce David Rosales, a brilliant seventh grader who teams up with the Dark Knight to take on a whole new mystery in Gotham City.

Taylor's current run on Detective Comics has shaken up Batman's life in a myriad of ways, all while upending the usual status quo in Gotham City itself. Not only has the longtime villain Vandal Savage implanted himself within the Gotham City Police Department, replacing James Gordon as Commissioner, old friends and foes have stepped back into Bruce's life in unexpected ways. On one side of things is Doctor Leslie Thompkins, who is helping Batman get to the bottom of a horrifying murder spree. On the other is Joe Chill, the man who killed Bruce's parents and whose previously unseen connections to the Wayne family have only now resurfaced.

Detective Comics Annual #1 will be available April 30 from DC Comics.

Source: Bluesky