Posted in: Comics | Tagged: Batman, Comics, dc, dc comics, entertainment, greg capullo, spoiler

How That Batman Spoiler Began….

So, there was that Batman story the other day. But how did it all go down? There has been lots of lies, speculation and conjecture. So I thought I;d not only pull back the curtain on an industry story, but also how such stories get put together.

It all started over two weeks ago…

31st March – DC Comics sends out complimentary  copies of their titles to creators, which includes the FCBD issue. These go everyone who works for DC Comics, including freelancers who are less than loyal. I get my first e-mails that Jim Gordon is the new Batman. I contact people at DC Comics and am asked if I would hold the story for a couple of weeks, until they get past the launch of Convergence. Nothing is offered in return, but I agree.

1st April – Diamond gets in touch asking if we'd like to see the FCBD titles in advance, but that I will be embargoed until April 24th. I agree but mention that I already have a different agreement for the DC title.

4th April – I am told the end of Batman Endgame that leads up to FCBD. Same applies. And no, I;m not running that one. Yet.

8th April – The FCBD comic arrives in comic stores, to be held until the first Saturday of May.

9th April – Heidi MacDonald runs a report by Torsten Adair on the DC FCBD title on Comics Beat, and follows up on it herself. There is little reaction, but DC Comics people get in touch and both articles are pulled.

13th April – The image first appears on Cosmic Book News then, El Blog de Batman,and then, Lacovacha. The story and artwork are posted on Reddit, 4Chan and Imgur.

14th April –  Bleeding Cool runs the story, choosing not to run the artwork, after DC Comics express specific concern about that. There is significant negative reaction from some folk…

… though Scott Snyder is more subdued.

Shortly afterwards, CBR and Newsarama run the story, including  the artwork on CBR, which they later take down after DC's request – though it is still on the website's servers. None of the objectors to the BC story seem to repeat their objections regarding CBR or Newsarama.

15th April, Capeless Crusaders run this piece.

16th April – I get the FCBD titles through the post… and am now under embargo.

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