Jeph Loeb returns for Batman: The Long Halloween - The Last Halloween to finish off his Dark Knight saga
Writer Jeph Loeb is bringing DC fans Batman: The Long Halloween - The Last Halloween which is set to be released on September 28, 2024. This will be a 10-issue comic book series that will finish off the trilogy that was started by Loeb and his late collaborator Tim Sale in 1996.
Due to Tim Sale unfortunately passing away in 2022, plans for Batman: The Long Halloween - The Last Halloween were put on hold, but revealing the book at MCM Lond Comic Con, Loeb said that he had this "beautiful" story to tell. The issues will once again feature a Halloween setting which will see Batman and Robin's teamwork put to the test with Jim Gordon joining them as well.
Batman: The Long Halloween - The Last Halloween to conclude the classic trilogy
Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale released one of the most important Batman books back in 1996 when the duo teamed up for Batman: The Long Halloween. Telling the origin story of how Harvey Dent became the villainous Two-Face, the story followed Batman as a series of murders terrorized Gotham. The story went on to become a major cultural milestone for the character, and influenced other media as well with films like The Dark Knight and The Batman taking huge inspiration from it.
It was followed up by a sequel Batman: Dark Victory which also introduced Robin into the fold, followed by a spinoff Catwoman: When in Rome. Batman: The Long Halloween - The Last Halloween will now conclude that trilogy which began back in 1996.
For the first issue of Batman: The Long Halloween - The Last Halloween, Jeph Loeb will be joined by artists Eduard Risso, Dave Stewart, and Richard Starkings, with Klaus Janson, Mark Chiarello, and others, who are yet to be revealed also joining for future issues. The book will be penned in the memory of Sale.
"Batman The Long Halloween: The Last Halloween is Tim Sale’s parting gift to me. Tim and I had already decided to tell this last chapter following Batman: The Long Halloween Special, which will serve as the prologue to this 10-part action-packed mystery. Tim’s unfortunate passing put our plans for this series on hold. About a year later, after speaking with Mark Chiarello and Richard Starkings, my partners on the previous Long Halloween titles, we decided the time was right to move this forward as a tribute to Tim, who continues to be with us in spirit," revealed Loeb.
What is Batman: The Long Halloween - The Final Halloween about?
As previously stated, Loeb has revealed that the story will be the conclusion to the saga that began back in Batman: The Long Halloween Special.
"This story concludes the war between the freaks and the crime families forever, as Batman, Robin, and DC’s most infamous Bat-villains face off against Holiday, and secrets dating back to Batman: The Long Halloween Special will be revealed," said Loeb.
As per IGN, DC put out a press release as well that mentioned that the book will also feature the return of the Holiday Killer and that a target will be put on James Gordon's head. This new mystery will test Batman and Robin in a way that's never been seen before.
Fans can check out the first issue when it is released on September 28.