dc comics return to the beloved Gothic Academy campus in February 2024, where fan-favorite character Maps Mizoguchi will help Batman in a new case. Along with fellow student Tristan Grey, the “team” will attempt to uncover the twisted legacy of Kirk Langstrom, aka Man-Bat.
Gotham Academy returns to the pages of DC in February Batman: the brave and the bold #10, which is part of an anthology series featuring Batman and his many allies across the DC Universe. Written and drawn by Gotham Academy (and Maps Mizoguchi) co-creator Karl Kerschl, the three-part story will feature Maps and Tristan in a new mystery with Man-Bat at the center.
BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #10 (2023) | |
|---|---|
| Release date: | February 27, 2024 |
| Writers: | KARL KERSCHL, TORUNN GRONBEKK, DELILAH S. DAWSON and DAN WATTERS |
| Artists: | KARL KERSCHL, FERNANDO PASARÍN and RICARDO LÓPEZ ORTIZ |
| Cover artist: | SIMONE DI MEO |
| Variant covers: | FRANCESCO MATTINA, CHRISTIAN WARD, KELLEY JONES |
Gotham Academy is back in business in the first part of Karl Kerschl’s thrilling three-part Batman adventure, starring Maps Mizoguchi and Tristan Grey. Kirk Langstrom, formerly Man-Bat, now clean of serum for years, is teaching at Gotham Academy. But Man-Bat threatens the city. Has Dr. Langstrom gone astray or is there a deeper, sinister plan afoot? Plus, get ready for a conspiracy only Lois Lane could solve, a fast-paced adventure story starring Artemis, and a Batman Black & White story from Dan Watters and Ricardo López Ortiz! | |
DC’s full solicitation for the issue also includes details on stories starring Bana-Mighdall’s Lois Lane and Artemis. Gotham Academy fans can expect to follow this three-part story in Batman: the brave and the bold until April 2024.
Maps Mizoguchi returns to help Batman once again
Mia “Maps” Mizoguchi is the undeniable breakout star of 2014 Gothic Academy Series by Becky Cloonan, Brendan Fletcher, Kerschl and Babs Tarr. The brave daughter of the Mizoguchi family, her irrepressible curiosity and her love of fantasy and mystery make her a natural part of Gotham’s detective scene. In spite of the Gothic Academy Series which concluded in 2017, Maps has continued to make numerous appearances in the DCU, such as fighting Killer Moth alongside Cassandra Cain in Batgirls #11 by Cloonan, Michael W. Conrad, Neil Googe, Scott Godlewski, Wayne Faucher, Rico Renzi and Becca Carey.
More recently, Maps’ future self, using the superhero identity “Meridian”, has been helping rescue Black Canary’s sister in Birds of prey by Kelly Thompson, Leonardo Romero, Jordie Bellaire and Clayton Cowles. Maps is a much-loved character and has clearly appeared more frequently throughout 2023. Maps’ future in the DCU has been constantly teased on various issues: he sometimes appears as Robin, while his new appearance as Meridian suggests who will eventually carve a new identity for herself.
DC Heralds Map Mizoguchi’s Future as Gotham Hero
All this emphasis on Maps’ future exploits, along with increasingly frequent appearances, strongly implies that DC has not forgotten her popularity and is committed to telling more stories with her in a prominent role.. Gothic Academy laid the foundation for a new generation of Gotham heroes and remains one of dc comics more fertile and attractive environments. Batman’s return to Gotham Academy Haunted Halls is an exciting commitment to further developing this aspect of Gotham, from Tristan Grey’s Man-Bat legacy to Maps’ ever-rising star.
Batman: the brave and the bold #10 is available February 27, 2024 from DC Comics.