DC has revealed new details for an upcoming miniseries that continues the legendary Batman story, Death in the Family. Writer J.M. Dematteis and artist Rick Leonardi will tell the story of Jason Todd’s recovery and revenge in From the DC Vault: Death in the Family: Robin Lives! #1, which goes on sale July 10.
Dematteis and Leonardi’s continuation of the tale of Jason Todd’s untimely death follows the seminal events of 1988’s Batman #428 and 2023’s Batman #428 ‘fauxsimile’ edition. The 2023 issue featured a previously unpublished ending that saw Todd survive the brutal encounter with The Joker. From the DC Vault: Death in the Family: Robin Lives! #1 picks up in the wake of those alternate events. DC unveiled two covers for the upcoming first issue, along with interior pencil artwork showing The Joker and Robin’s brutal encounter that ends with Todd lying in a hospital bed.
EXCLUSIVE: Punisher Writer Delivers Action-Packed Space Ghost Series
Award-winning writer of Punisher and Savage Avengers, David Pepose, has a new comic series about a cosmic vigilante named Space Ghost.
FROM THE DC VAULT: DEATH IN THE FAMILY: ROBIN LIVES #1 (OF 4)
- Written by J.M. DeMATTEIS
- Art by RICK LEONARDI
- Cover Art by RICK LEONARDI
- Variant Cover Art by MIKE MIGNOLA
- On sale July 10
In 1988, DC let fans decide the fate of Jason Todd’s Robin, encouraging them to call a 1-800 number to vote. The fans decided to have Todd die at the hands of The Joker in 1988, but DC printed a facsimile of the original Batman #428 in December 2023 that included an alternate ending where Jason lived. DeMatteis and Leonardi’s story will follow this alternate ending and see Todd plan his revenge on Batman’s most iconic villain.
Robin Lives! Artists Discuss Carrying on Death in the Family’s Legacy
Writer J.M. DeMatteis discussed the upcoming continuation and expressed his admiration for the creators who told the original story in DC’s press release for the new series. “Continuing this classic, and controversial, story and following in the footsteps of Jim Starlin and Jim Aparo — two creators I greatly admire — has been both a challenge and a joy,” DeMatteis said. “This is a great opportunity to tell a story that’s big on action, but also takes a very deep dive into the heads of our main characters as we ponder what would have happened if Jason Todd had survived The Joker’s brutal attack. And having a master like Rick Leonardi bringing it to life visually? I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
The Joker Enlists the Help of One of Batman’s Allies in DC’s New Comics This Week
The Joker is one step closer to destroying Batman — with the help of one of the Dark Knight’s most trustworthy allies in DC’s new comics this week.
Leonardi remarked on the miniseries having the opportunity to show the alternative story had fans voted differently in 1988. “I’m hoping this series will give readers a look down the path not chosen; a glimpse of the alternative to the original fallout from Batman #428. After people read it, maybe this choice made back in the day will seem vindicated, or maybe we’ll see that it was a poor choice after all.”
From the DC Vault: Death in the Family: Robin Lives #1 goes on sale July 10 from DC Comics.
Source: DC
