There are seven questions and zero answers with new Batman writer Chip Zdarsky.
The ridiculous and completely made-up name of “Chip Zdarsky” has come to stand for something special in the world of comics. Under other publishers, Chip has earned awards and accolades for his unique insights and exploration of comics’ most famous characters, from Spider-Man to Archie’s Jughead Jones. For thousands of readers, his musings on romance and sexuality have provided a voice to feelings often seemingly impossible to say. Zdarsky is about to take on a challenge worthy of even the most accomplished comic book writer. It was pleasing to Batman fans.
The Dark Knight’s flagship series will begin with Batman #125 and be written by Chip Zdarsky and art by Jorge Jimenez. Batman won’t be alone. Tim Drake, the quintessential Robin to many, will be joining the Caped Crusader as his partner in crimefighting. With this gadabout about to embark on his most ambitious pursuit yet, we carved out a piece of Chip’s laborious schedule for answers to some very serious and respectful questions.
What is the right to be writing Batman and Daredevil at the same time? Do you think you are Frank Miller?
I think I am Frank Miller if you are referring to the brief identity fraud so I could steal some of his Batman millions.
Is Batman dead in this book, after he was killed off in “Death of the Justice League”?
Wait, what?!
Both your Red Hood story in Batman: Urban Legends and Batman: The Knight manage the crack among fathers and children, whether that is Bruce and Jason or Bruce and Alfred. In your Batman series, Bruce has banded together again with Tim Drake. How is that relationship?
It is a fun one to write. I think Tim is the Robin who worked his butt off to be Robin. It was a mission for Tim from the beginning. Bruce is proud of the man he has become even if he doesn’t show it all the time. Tim is the Robin who is most concerned about Batman’s mental state.
Your previous work in Sex Criminals gave a lot of perspectives on queer identities. Over the past year, Tim Drake has been exploring his own sexual identity, opening up to dating boys for the first time. How much of Tim Drake will we see in Batman?
Knowing yourself will reflect in his confidence. It will be a sign for Bruce that the various Bat-Family members deserve happiness beyond the mission.
Batman is thematically connected. Is the Knight going to Batman? Will The Knight give you insight into your Batman intentions?
The Sales team is nodding their heads and looking over at me. Does one of them have a gun?
There are parallels between The Knight and Batman. Bruce is full of youthful arrogance. In Batman, the youthful arrogance catches up to him. He doesn’t know enough to worry about failing in The Knight. Batman is worried about failing because he knows what will happen.
Being able to explore both time periods at the same time has been great. I have been able to get inside Bruce’s head a lot more effectively (I hope!).
The Batman run was written to examine the relationship between Batman and Catwoman. James Tynion IV provided as many new supporting and opposing cast members to Batman as possible in order to define his run. What will be the defining characteristic of your Batman tenure?
There are a hundred issues of new cast members.
I do not want to answer this because A: I don’t like the media and trick questions. And B: I don’t want to give away too much. I want readers to be surprised as we go along and I don’t want to ruin that.
I sometimes confuse you with Sam. Do you ever have a problem?
Both of us love Prince. I get it.