John Dodge is an MTV Writer for CBR who specializes in movies, television, comics, and pop culture. He has a deep knowledge of franchises like Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Marvel, and DC Comics, along with a passion for indie and horror titles. An expert on obscure productions from the ’80s and ’90s, John is known for his encyclopedic recall of cult classics like Beetleborgs.
One of the most unsettling Batman villains of all time is about to make a long-awaited return, and it sounds terrifying.
Per Screen Rant, The Dark Knight is set to take on his oldest recurring villain for the first time in a long time in the pages of Batman #6. Written by Matt Fraction and illustrated by Jorge Jiménez, Batman #6 will see not only the return of the dreaded Hugo Strange, but his even more dreadful Monster Men. Readers can check out the main and several variant covers for Batman #6 in the gallery below.
Batman #6
- Written by MATT FRACTION
- Art by JORGE JIMÉNEZ
- Main cover art by JORGE JIMÉNEZ
- Variant covers by JIM LEE; JULIAN TOTINO; GERALD PERALTA; JORGE JIMÉNEZ; CHRISSIE ZULLO UMINGA; and DAVID AJA
The official solicit synopsis for Batman #6 from DC Comics reads, "After he survives the date night from hell, the long night isn't over for Bruce Wayne. While he juggles multiple needs as Bruce, Hugo Strange's Monster Men attack a petrochemical facility and force Batman into action. Gotham City becomes a powder keg as superstars Matt Fraction and Jorge Jiménez continue their acclaimed run on the Caped Crusader."
Hugo Strange was introduced in Bill Finger, Bob Kane, and Jerry Robinson's opening story from Detective Comics #36, "Batman Meets Professor Hugo Strange" all the way back in 1940. The eponymous villain was the very first recurring foe that Batman ever faced, preceding even the Joker by one month.
A literal genius with profound understandings of chemistry and medicine, Strange used his incredible intellect to carry out a series of brazen robberies, up until the Caped Crusader crossed his path. Soon enough, Strange was experimenting on asylum inmates, transforming them into his hulking, near-unstoppable Monster Men.
Hugo Strange Returns To Batman Comics
Image via DC ComicsHugo Strange has been reimagined dozens of times across various iterations of the Batman franchise. Apart from his many appearances in comic books, novels, and video games, Hugo Strange has been portrayed by nine separate voice actors in different animated films and series, and even made the jump to live-action as portrayed by Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star B.D. Wong on Gotham.
The return of Hugo Strange in Batman #6 marks a major turning point for the series, which has recently revolved around a new generation of villains emerging from the shadows of Gotham City. The most prominent of these is the enigmatic Minotaur, who made his debut in the recently released Batman #4, and immediately set about proving just how serious he is.
Not only did the Minotaur bring together leaders of various crime families to offer them a spot in his new criminal movement known as Torus, he brought their closest loved ones along unbeknownst to anyone else. To drive his point home that much further, the Minotaur executed each of these friends and family members before any of the assembled crime lords could even properly consider his offer.
Batman #6 goes on sale Feb. 4, 2026 from DC Comics.
Created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane
First Film Batman: The Movie
Upcoming Films The Batman – Part II
English (US) · 