It's difficult to understate the esteem with which The Dark Knight Returns is held: alongside Watchmen, it's generally regarded as one of the best graphic novels of the 1980s. Every 15 years or so, Frank Miller seems to get the itch to return to the dystopian world he created in the original graphic novel: The Dark Knight Strikes Again landed in 2001 to mixed reviews, and The Dark Knight III: The Master Race was announced in April and promises to finish off Miller's story arc when it's published later this year.
Miller won't be alone at the helm this time, though. While he's been assisted with colors and inks in the past on the Dark Knight books, it looks like he'll have a lot more than assistance this time around. In addition to the previously-announced partnership with Brian Azzarello, DC today announced that artists Klaus Janson and Andy Kubert will be joining the project.
In addition, according to the press release, each of the eight issues of The Master Race will include a 16-page insert featuring "a rotating cast of special guest artists and characters" from what's being dubbed "The Dark Knight Universe."
Check out the full preview image and press release below.
DC ENTERTAINMENT PROVIDES NEW DETAILS FOR DARK KNIGHT III: THE MASTER RACE
Icons Andy Kubert, Klaus Janson to Provide Art for Final Chapter of Dark Knight Trilogy, Book to Include Bonus Comic With A Host of Special Guest Artists
SAN DIEGO, CA (July 9, 2015) - DC Entertainment began Comic-Con International: San Diego 2015 with a blockbuster announcement, revealing today that artists Andy Kubert and Klaus Janson will be joining living-legend Batman writer and artist Frank Miller and acclaimed writer Brian Azzarello in bringing the final chapter of the celebrated THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS saga to life.
“THE DARK KNIGHT III: THE MASTER RACE” is the epic conclusion to Miller’s 1986 classic THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS trilogy – heralded by TIME Magazine as one of the 10 greatest graphic novels of all time – and its 2001-2002 follow-up series BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT STRIKES AGAIN.
THE DARK KNIGHT III: THE MASTER RACE will be an eight-issue, comic book periodical, to be published monthly under the DC Comics imprint. Within each 32 page periodical there will be a special 16 page “Dark Knight Universe” comic affixed in the center. Each “Dark Knight Universe” comic will feature a rotating cast of special guest artists and characters.
“We went into this knowing that we had to give fans more,” said Dan DiDio and Jim Lee, Co-Publishers for DC Entertainment. “We’re pulling out all the stops to deliver an amazing conclusion to this exciting body of work. We hope it inspires the next generation of writers and artists, the way it has already inspired us.”
According to Kubert, "Frank Miller and Brian Azzarello have crafted such an incredible story for DKIII, as I am truly honored to be associated with them, this project, and Klaus Janson. We, along with the fans, are in for a great ride!”
"Any opportunity to work with Frank Miller is a happy occasion for me,” said Janson. “When we add the talents of Brian Azzarello and Andy Kubert to the mix, we have the ingredients to achieve something truly memorable. This will be amazing!"
Marking the 30th anniversary of THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS original series, this periodical is slated for publication beginning in late Fall 2015.