Posted in: Batman, Comics, DC Comics | Tagged: 5g, 5g cancellation, Batman, gothamgossip, john ridley, joker, joker war

Will We Get a Glimpse of 5G in Batman: The Joker War Zone?

Published Mon, 29 Jun 2020 14:56:37 -0500

Last updated Thu, 12 Jan 2023 16:52:48 -0600

Once upon a time, Bleeding Cool broke the news that DC Comics was to replace Bruce Wayne with a new individual under the Batman cowl. There was some debate who – just as there was internally at DC – though it had decided it should be a Black character. Soon afterwards we had been told it was decided that Luke Fox, son of Lucius Fox, and currently appearing in the DC Universe as Batwing, part of the 5G initiative, where all DC Universe titles would reflect a new timeline with characters aged up and other characters taking on their legacy. That the death of Alfred was intended to set up a 5G Batman. And that the Batman series, relaunching as a new Batman #1 after Batman #100, would be written by Oscar-winning screenwriter John Ridley.

Then things changed. 5G champion publisher Dan DiDio was fired. The Generations one-shots that would have led up to 5G disappeared from the schedule – even the Free Comic Book Day title Generation Zero. Creators were given a pencils-down order and eventually, we heard that 5G had been curtailed, certainly as a DC Universe jump forward, alongside the new DC Comics Timeline. And James Tynion IV was staying on Batman.

But we also heard that 5G would be published, what had been created, as a mini-imprint all of its own, separate from the main DC Comics Universe continuity. We're getting more details on that now. But could we get a sneak peek in what may have been planned in Batman: The Joker War Zone?

Because it lists John Ridley as one of the writers. And Luke Fox, who hasn't been seen in recent DC Comics Batbooks, getting a story. Might this be a way to use some of the prepared content? To tease what would have been – and may still be?

I look forward to finding out.

BATMAN THE JOKER WAR ZONE #1 (ONE SHOT) (JOKER WAR)
Written by: Various
Art by: Various
Cover Art by: Ben Oliver

Gotham City is a battleground as The Joker takes over the Wayne fortune and wages a street war against the Dark Knight and his allies! Enter the "war zone" with short stories featuring characters like Cassandra Cain, Stephanie Brown, and Luke Fox and see how they're fighting back in a city under siege! Also, the brutal full debut of the mysterious new anti-hero known as Clownhunter!

Release Date: 9/29/2020 $5.99

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