New 'Batman: Black & White' #1 Looks Pretty Cool [Preview]

Originally launched in 1997, Batman: Black & White was an anthology in which DC Comics editor and art director Mark Chiarello got the best people he could find to draw and write new Batman stories with an emphasis on creative vision -- particularly that of the artists, whose contributions were enhanced both by the Dark Knight's compelling visual presence and the book's colorless format. The first run proved to be an award-winning and influential hit, bringing readers the first Batman work of Jim Lee, inspiring DC Collectibles' most popular line of statues, and leading to similarly tasteful, aesthetically sophisticated and critically acclaimed Chiarello-edited books like DC: The New Frontier, Solo, Wednesday Comics and Catwoman: Selina's Big Score.

Then after the last Black & White short story was published as a backup in Batman: Gotham Knights, Chiarello readied an all-new volume of Batman: Black & White that's basically the same deal but with different creators. As with the original, the new roster is a mix of the top artists of today and accomplished masters, including ComicsAlliance favorites like Joe Quinones, Sean Murphy, Neal Adams, Chris Samnee and Michael Cho, with covers by Marc Silvestri and Phil Noto. The book goes on sale this week but courtesy of DC, you can take an early look at some preview pages below.

Writers for Batman: Black & White #1 include Batman: Death by Design's Chip Kidd as well as Maris Wicks, John Arcudi and Howard Mackie, with artist Adams scripting his own installment.

Click here to read our in-depth interview with the DC Collectibles staffers behind the enduringly popular Batman: Black & White statue line, including the products' relationship to Chiarello's anthology. And don't forget to enter our contest to win the latest Black & White statue, designed by Sean Murphy.