Brad Meltzer, while promoting his new book on conspiracy theories, recently shared his thoughts about how excited he is to be one of the writers on Detective Comics #27 with Newsarama.
Newsarama: As long as we're talking superheroes, I wanted to ask you about the Detective Comics story you're doing. I know it's a retelling of Detective Comics #27, where Batman was first introduced to the world. What can you tell us about that story?
Brad Meltzer: You know, I don't really want to reveal anything about the actual story. But I just love that I get to celebrate the 75th anniversary and we get to play around in that universe, and with that history of Batman, in a true, historical context.
And the fact that I get to do it with Bryan Hitch is, to me — I mean, I get to write about JFK and Batman and Abraham Lincoln and Amelia Earhart, all within the same month of each other (or actually, within weeks of each other, since that's when our new children's books launch), I just feel that it proves what I've always believed. This is our American mythology.
I know Abraham Lincoln may be real and Bruce Wayne is not, but they both stand for different parts of the American psyche, and they are vital to the American psyche. When Dan [DiDio] approached me and said, listen, we're celebrating the 75th anniversary of Batman, would you be interested in taking a shot at that history, looking at it from that very first issue and that very first appearance, how could I possibly say no?
Newsarama: Wow, Brad. Retelling the original Batman story sounds daunting alone, but when you start comparing the mythology to Lincoln and all these iconic people from history, it really sounds daunting. You don't find that intimidating at all?
Brad Meltzer: Listen, this has been my dream for 30 years of my life. Anyone who knows me knows my love and passion for these characters. And just to add one little thread in the giant tapestry that becomes comics continuity is an honor.
Newsarama: And particularly with Batman, a character that everyone knows and pretty much everyone loves.
Brad Meltzer: And stands for so much of what we stand for, right? That fight for what's right; that fight for people who need it; that fight for ourselves and our own salvation.
Detective Comics #27 comes out on January 8, 2014 to celebrate 75 years of Batman and will span 96 pages and cost $7.99. The issue will be written by Scott Snyder, Paul Dini, Greg Hurwitz, John Layman, and Brad Meltzer with art by Jason Fabok, Neal Adams, Dustin Nguyen, Guillem March, Frank Miller and others.
Posted by Dane Haji
