Summary

  • Ben Affleck's Batman makes a return in DC Comics' Batman #151, paying tribute to Zack Snyder's live-action film version.
  • The 85th Anniversary variant cover by artist Dell'Otto references Jim Lee's iconic Hush cover, adding an Affleck twist.
  • The comic issue includes a story where Batman and Catwoman face challenges on a remote island with unexpected twists.

As the DCEU pivots under James Gunn's new direction, Ben Affleck's Batman returns for one last ride...in DC's comics. In the latest solicitations for August 2024, Batman #151's special 85th Anniversary variant cover by artist Gabriele Dell'Otto recreates an iconic piece of art, with one notable exception. This time, it's clearly the version of Batman from Zack Snyder's live action movies posing over Gotham.

As Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 in May 1939, the Dark Knight turns 85 in 2024, and DC is rolling out special anniversary variant covers as part of the celebration. Dell'Otto's cover references a classic piece of Jim Lee cover art, taken from the world-changing 2002 Batman story Hush, which introduced an iconic new villain to Batman's rogues gallery, had Bruce Wayne reveal his identity to Catwoman, and even featured an excursion to Metropolis.

BATMAN #151 (2024)

Batman 151 DellOtto Variant Cover: Ben Affleck's Batman standing on a gargoyle in the rain.

Release Date:

August 7th, 2024

Writers:

Chip Zdarsky, Tini Howard

Artists:

Mike Hawthorne, Marianna Ignazzi

Cover Artist:

Salvador Larroca

Variant Covers:

Guillem March, Jill Thompson, James Harren, Stevan Subic, Jason Geyer & Alex Saviuk, Olivier Coipel, Mikel Janín, Gabriele Dell'Otto

A device critical to Amanda Waller’s plans is hidden on a remote, highly protected island. Batman can get there, but only one burglar has a chance of stealing the device and getting it off the island safely. But the device isn’t what they expect, and getting off the island turns out to be the least of their problems! Plus: a backup story reveals the chaos unleashed in Gotham City when Arkham is unlocked and the Bat- family are nowhere to be found.

This awesome cover gives Batman fans a taste of what could have been if the DCEU had been more successful, as it depicts Batman in the Batsuit worn by Affleck in Snyder's Justice League, among other movies.

Ben Affleck as batman in the dceu and ben affleck as superman in hollywoodland
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Dell'Otto's Cover Pays Tribute to the Iconic Jim Lee Cover for the Absolute Edition of Batman: Hush

Absolute Batman Hush Jim Lee Cover: Batman standing on a gargoyle.

Batman: Hush by Jeph Loeb and Lee was 2002's year-long story arc. A new villain called Hush came to Gotham with intimate knowledge of Bruce Wayne and knowing exactly how to strike Batman where it hurt. He also seemed to be masterminding a crime wave across the city, using existing villains to carry out heists that were unusual for their M.O.s, but effective at causing chaos. Hush also sort-of resurrected Jason Todd after he was killed by the Joker. The story first suggested it was Clayface masquerading as Robin, but the iconic story Batman: Under the Red Hood (by Judd Winick and Doug Mahnke) later confirmed that Jason was really there.

Though the story has been re-released many times in special collections, Hush originally took place in Batman #608-619, from October 2002–September 2003.

While the live action movies never let Affleck shine in his own Batman film, had DC's original cinematic universe been more successful, audiences may have gotten a look at a live action Hush. The only movie adaptation of the story that exists so far is a 2019 direct-to-video film from the DC Animated Universe, featuring Jason O'Mara's voice in the lead role. As Affleck's Batman took some inspiration from Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, it would have been an interesting mix to see that version of Batman take on Loeb and Lee's Gotham City and villains.

More Batman Covers Reveal All Sides to the Caped Crusader

All Covers for Batman #151 Are Available for Pre-Order Now

Dell'Otto's Lee & Affleck tribute isn't the only frame-worthy cover coming this summer. Batman #151 will also have a "Super Powers" action figure cover by Jason Geyer and Alex Saviuk, featuring a shirtless Batman with a sword, referencing the many times Batman and Ra's al Ghul have dueled in both the comics and in Batman: The Animated Series. This issuealso includes a cover from DC's swimsuit variant series, featuring Bruce Wayne in his Bat-trunks by the Bat-pool. Whichever cover readers choose, the story within will tie into DC's Absolute Power event, and will be can't-miss for Batman fans.

Batman #151 is available August 7th from DC Comics.