Bendis (Superman, Man of Steel) recently revealed some fantastic artwork from artist Nick Derrington (Doom Patrol) for their upcoming run on the Wal Mart exclusive Batman book on Twitter.
The artwork features a flying Batman that looks ready to land right on top of some bad guys. Take a look at the tweet:
so here's some amazing news. the year long Batman epic @NickDerington and I are doing for the @DCComics @Walmart project? its being colored by @Dragonmnky here's your new phone screen… 🙂 pic.twitter.com/e3Z0DZ9hTW
— BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (@BRIANMBENDIS) July 30, 2018
The artwork will be featured in issue #3 of the Giant Batman series of books exclusive to Wal-Mart. If you’re not familiar with those books, DC Comics has partnered with the world’s largest retailer to sell a line of exclusive titles. The books feature reprints of other titles from the DC Universe but do include stories exclusive to these books.
Many have wondered why these books are exclusive to Wal-Mart and are not sold at traditional comic book stores. DC writer (excuse me…Eisner winning DC writer) Tom King recently offered some insight into this arrangement:
“My goal in doing the Superman Walmart book is to put new customers into comic shops. You like this Superman, go check out this Batman. Why exclusive then? That was the price we had to pay to get this opportunity. I don’t like it, but I think it’s worth it.”
Basically, exclusivity is the price of doing business with Wal-Mart. It was the only way to get comic books onto their shelves to reach a wider audience than the folks who already go to traditional comic book stores.
These books are an effort to bring new fans, whether young or old, to stores and be introduced to the DC comic book universe. I would strongly suggest that you head over to your nearest Wal-Mart and pick up these books before they are gone.
