So after not appearing in the March solicitations and confusion over whether or not the series was cancelled after PKJ or awaiting a new creative team it looks like DC has finally confirmed that it is ending the B&R series with issue being the last issue and tying up PKJs Quiet Man arc.
Personally, I’m upset. First Green Arrow, then BOP, now this-all my favourites seem to be put on the canned list.
There are some rumours I saw in a forum(League of Comic Geeks) that Shadow of The Bat a new series releasing in 2026- in DC Next Level initiative could possibly be about or including Damian. I know it’s highly not true but still an interesting prediction.
Thoughts?
Whelp, these runs can’t last forever. I’m glad it even made it past the 24-issue mark. Luckily, the characters will still have time to shine, I imagine.
I'm not sure this book was cancelled due to low sales. I think if PKJ didn't sign an exclusive with Marvel the book would have kept going.
I'm guessing DC had the choice of either finding another writer to take over the book or give another status quo to Damian and they chose the latter.
Given the DC Next Level press release talked about a Teen Titans book on the way it's probably that. Unless they meant New Titans but dunno why they wouldn't just call it that.
Probably cancelled because PKJ was leaving and it wasn’t selling wel enough to seek a new team.
From everything I’ve heard it was selling fine, but DC realizes at times they can have too many Bat books out there all at once no matter how well they sell and I’m guessing is swapping this one out for Batwoman, the same way BoP is probably swapping out for whatever the new Barbara Gordon book is.
I think you're right. Even with good sales, you can oversaturate a hero and give people fatigue.
Sucks though, I realky liked this book; one of the better Batbooks, and now the main book Damian is in is Batman, and in my personal opinion, I don’t think Fractions writes Damian super well; though hopefully he gets better at writing Fractions. While Damian is written well and better in Batman and Robin.
Just hoping that Damian gets another book (besides Batman) where he is a big focus and his characterization is good. Also hoping that his characterization gets better in the Batman book.
Seriously, it really sucks that they cancel a good book; one of the better, imo, bat books too.
To be fair he’s barely even in Fraction’s Batman, we’ve only seen him in a couple flashbacks to support Tim’s story. Whereas with Batman and Robin Damian was the main character, even before Batman.
I think other characters characterization are kind off too, not just Damian, in Fractions Batman run.
Saying that, I get your point, but it still sucks anyway. With Batman and Robin cancelled, the boom where Damian was a real main character in is gone, and another book he is appearing in, he isn’t really a main character, has to share Robin page-time with Tim, who is more the main Robin so far in Fractions run, and the stuff we do get of Damian in Fractions run I find his characterization pretty off (I find some other characters characterization pretty off too, imo, but Damian is more up there. Hopefully the characterization improves all around). So all around/either or; it kind of sucks.
Really hoping that Damian gets another good book where he is the main character in soon (like Damian has been doing well, so I hope that continues), and that he gets some more spotlight in the new Batman run (though only preferably if his characterization is good/better).
Don’t think was due to low sales either. But hoping DC makes an official statement regarding why and possibly what will happen next.
My cope is Super Sons is properly returning. Younger Jon is appearing on covers the month this is canceled. Doesnt mean they HAD to cancel Batman and Robin but maybe they just want to establish a new status quo for Damian and Jon first.
We know teenage Jon is joining the Titans though
Concur, I like my floppies collection sorted out into little time-chunks by run anyway, as I have come to realize that sorting by Initiative will yield boxes of "around the Universe sandwiched by these Events". What can ya do but buy what you like, all! ^_^
Crossing my fingers.
This is like the safest cancellation. Batman and Robin will always get books published, and PKJ is leaving anyway.
I know but it still upsetting to see it end.
Oh, I like it, but it’s not like “and that was the last chance”
Would it still be the series you loved without the writer?
Good counter. Honestly, I’ve really liked both Williamsons and PKJs writing so far. There were a few lows here and there but overall-I’ve been loving it.
Definitely wouldn’t say the same thing if the writer had terribly written it.
PKJ exclusively works for Marvel now doesn’t he? Wouldn’t be too surprised if a new run is issued soon enough
I think if the book was going to continue they'd have just found a new writer like they did with Flash and Titans.
I think they will launch another book for Damian in a bunch of months.
Yeah, I think a relaunch or a new book is on the horizon with PKJ’s departure. Not for the advent of Next Level but soon enough. What would be interesting is if it ends up becoming a Robin solo instead of another Batman & Robin book.
Yeah, I meant I don't see it being "Batman and Robin"
Lol does anyone else remember that thread from a few weeks ago asking if Batman & Robin was on the same level as Detective and Batman and would go on forever? That OP must have inadvertently caused a monkey paw to close or something.
I didn’t see that post. I made a post earlier in the week regarding if anyone knew why it didn’t appear in the March solicitation. I don’t this series would be on the same level as Detective or Batman but I feel like it had enough liking to go on for a bit longer.
Literally one of my favorites in my pull list. This is some ass
Completely agree. I have the DC Infinite app but this And Green Arrow(plus a few others) I have been buying physically each month cause I couldn’t wait a month to read it.
Im in the same boat. I’m now incredibly familiar of all LCS’s within 25 miles of me
Which green arrow ?
The current run written by Chris Condon.
Still longer than most Marvel runs, which says a lot about the current state of Marvel
Most impressive given this run didnt even start with PKJ. Marvel would have cancelled and renumbered.
They’ve relaunched Moon Knight I think 4 times now with the same writer.
Marvel and new runs are basically this meme from Pop Team Epic, where one of the characters has a hammer and is patiently waiting next to cuckoo clock, to smash the little bird that pops out, saying "Your life ends 30 minutes from now."
In the case of Marvel, it's "Your run ends 10 issues from release."
Most Marvel runs don’t make it past 10 issues
and honestly?
good! keep things fresh, keep things moving.
no need for titles to stick around treading water forever
Lol they rehash the same story just with a new number one.
Series like this just don't last forever
I know but it’s still upsetting. It was a good and fun title-honestly I was hoping for a possibly longer run.
Darn! I feel like things were getting real good with The Quiet Man. Hopefully they can wrap it up in a good way for the final issue :(
My disappointment is immeasurable, and my day is ruined.
Why does it seem like books get canceled so easily these days? What happened books running for 100+ issues?
Gotta reboot to overcharge for a new number 1. Taking cues from marvel
What the fuck is this weird fucking headline
A riff on a headline that some site wrote about cancellation of "Superman: Son of Kal-el".
it's making fun of a daily mail headline from a couple years ago ("DC CANCELS bisexual Superman: Publisher pulls series about Kal-El's son coming out and fighting climate change deniers after 18 issues as sales plummeted to just 34,000 last month")
Don't you think this is normal, "fighting climate change deniers"?
Were the next villains the anti-vaxxers?
WTF?
He never actually fought climate change deniers, it was just a cover
Thanks Rao :D
Next you'll tell me there's a Superman story where he fights slum lords and domestic abusers
If only
It's a callback to an article that had something like "dc cancels bi sexual superman title" iirc
Rich Johnston is skewering the YouTube commentators who are always screaming about Go Woke Go Broke when characters come out as non-het (like Tim Drake).
They used it before when they talked about Damian’s prior solo getting canceled too. It’s riffing off some previously homophobic headlines
I see
"heterosexual Robin and his Dad" movie when?
Rich calling back to a bit he did after the last Damian book was cancelled, paroding an article about Superman: Son of Kal El the Mail did.
Darn shame, liked this book once PKJ took over a lot more than Tec or even Absolute
*Phillip Kennedy Johnson in case anyone is like “why the initials?”
The article headline sounds like some shit you’d see on r/dccomicscirclejerk
It’s a parody. Daily Mail had made an article in 2022 saying “DC CANCELS bisexual Superman: publisher pulls series about Kal-El’s son coming out…” and essentially blaming the cancellation on him being bisexual as a culture wars thing. When the Robin book got cancelled right afterwards, Bleeding Cool parodied Daily Mail with the same headline and saying it got canceled because of the straight love interest. They still parody it because such homophobic headlines continue to happen.
Assuming this is to make room for Shadow of The Bat
Over at Bleeding Cool, "I'm as close as ever with all the awesome people at DC, and my current runs on Batman & Robin and Adventures of Superman: Book of El will continue through their planned conclusions next year," Johnson said.
So my take is that both books were already slated to end - or at least PKJ had endings in mind before he announced his departure.
https://bleedingcool.com/comics/phillip-kennedy-johnson-signs-exclusively-with-marvel-comics/
PKJ’s Batman and Robin was one of DC’s best ongoing and was a top 3 Batman read for me personally fuck Marvel for this contract.
This does suck. I was enjoying Damian growth and I really liked his relationship with the street kids (I can't remember what they're called).
That being said another writer would probably have destroyed all that work sooo
Anyway...
WHAT THE HELL IS THAT ARTICLE TITLE?!
The title is a parody. Daily Mail had made an article in 2022 saying “DC CANCELS bisexual Superman: publisher pulls series about Kal-El’s son coming out…” and essentially blaming the cancellation on him being bisexual as a culture wars thing. When the Robin book got cancelled right afterwards, Bleeding Cool parodied Daily Mail with the same headline and saying it got canceled because of the straight love interest. They still parody it because such homophobic headlines continue to happen.
Ohhhhh thank you for clarify! I love it either way cause screw the Daily Mail.
Agree, really love Damian’s character progression in this series. Anyways-Scroll down you will find your answer.
I'm enjoying the "heterosexual agenda must die" vibes of the articles... I'm hoping its just satire.
Where did this rumor of Shadow of the Bat come from?
Also… sadly… i did not care for this B&R run and Mementsnore
DC announced it as part of their Level Up lineup
I’ve seen it discussed on some forums like League of Comic Geeks. I know it not official- or very trustworthy but it’s definitely an interesting prediction.
PKJ joining the book killed any momentum it had. Complete snoozefest and just mediocre overall. Great art though
Understandable-everyone has different takes and opinions. I do agree that it sometimes felt a bit dragged on but overall I really like regardless. Also, hard agree on the art-really great.
Personally, I was not that impressed with P.K.J.’s run. The pacing felt slow, and there were too many odd decisions and moments of regression. Damian’s desire to become a doctor initially felt genuinely important, possibly even central to his character in the whole run, but by the second arc it was barely present, more implied than meaningfully explored.
I also think P.K.J. should have made Leslie Damian’s mentor and his entry point into medicine. She actually matters in the larger narrative, not just as a disposable plot device, so any development involving her would have carried more weight and you could have made her mentoring Damian an ongoing thing that's a b or c plot in multiple arcs.
Her history with Bruce also could have led to genuinely moving moments with Damian, especially if she tried to help him build a civilian life and confront his pain in ways she could not with Bruce. That would have strengthened the idea of Damian consciously choosing his own path in the first arc.
Damian himself was barely present in the second arc. Overall, for the first 12 issues it felt like PKJ would rather write Batman than Robin. Maybe he and Taylor should've switched books.
But anyway, I agree with everything you said. It was a perfect way to connect Damian with more if Batman's supporting characters. She was close to Bruce, not just Batman, Damian being his son should meet his somewhat "aunt".
I would argue she would be more of a grandmother in the way Alfred was more of a grandfather.
I think aunt is more fitting for her and Damian's relationship considering their interactions, or rather the lack of.
Alfred as Damian's grandpa, yeah, I agree.
Batman and Robin is a too low-profile book for Taylor (he has an exclusive contract and was coming off a best-selling eisner-winning Nightwing run).
Realistically Taylor could have waited a bit and gotten the main Batman book when Zdarsky left. He could have gotten a better book than Tec.
I think Taylor would've gotten a bigger book already if he could. He could actually get Batman but it doesn't sound like they offered it to him Zdarsky was leaving way earlier then he initially wanted to and they had to convice him to stay for a bit longer. He didn't get JL either which he could. All he ended up with is a secondary Batman series.
I don't think it bothers him that much what he's doing. We know he really wants to do Green Arrow and as it stands, it would be a low-profile series.
Am I crazy or is 2.5 years not that bad for a run like this?
The title for this is taking me out 🤣 like they had to make that distinction and Kill Your Straights… since when has that been a thing 🤣 oh straight people want to be marginalized so bad it hurts
It a jab at a Daily Mail/Guardian article that they made a while back. Scroll down in the comment-there more discussion on it.
I’m not shocked to see its cancellation. I was honestly surprised to see it lasted this long after Williamson left. PKJ run wasn’t bad but it was far too similar to the previous issues. I hope Damian’s next creative team does something other than having unnecessary conflict with Bruce.
Only thought is that's an eye-rolling troll job in terms of how he refers to Damian as Robin.
Damian is Robin...
You misunderstood my comment. It's him calling him "heterosexual Robin and his dad" that's eye-rolling.
I personally think having a separate Batman and Robin book has always been ill-advised. It just becomes a tertiary Batman title. If you want to tell stories about the Dynamic Duo, do it in Batman and/or Detective Comics. If you want to tell Robin stories where Batman is mostly absent or less involved, have a separate Robin solo series.
Isn't that what Matt Fractions and Tom Taylor doing to some extent using Tim and Damian in their books.
Also, I do agree having a solo Robin book. I would like to see Damian being in high-school and developing a supporting cast outside of the Batfamily.
I have only read the first 1 and a half volumes of this current version of Batman and Robin but I really liked the whole father son bonding dynamic the comic focused on.
Can someone please explain the origin of this heterosexual inside joke Bleeding Cool seems to be doing?
Scroll down-you will find the answer in the comments.
Got it, thanks 🫡
There was a website that used a title similar to that for when Superman: Son of Kal-El got cancelled, something like Bisexual Superman title.
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it's literally the exact opposite of that, the site is making fun of MAGA types by complaining about a "heterosexual agenda" getting canceled
Ohhh,really. I will retract or delete my comment.
It's clearly satire, I just wanted to know what silly conservative pearl clutching happened to inspire it
Wow, didn’t know that. Will not visit that site again or post from it.
the comment you replied to is nonsense
I love this series, the way they’re exploring Fatherhood and grief was actually refreshing. You can see Bruce trying to be a Father in the wake of Alfred’s death even the impact of Damian seeing Ra’s die was traumatic after everything especially when he was apparently trying to change.
I like seeing that a teenager still needs a present parent. I thought/hoped they would actually unpack the horrific circumstances of Bruce never seeing Damian as a baby. It’s horrible for both of them and heartbreaking for Bruce it disappoints me that we haven’t seen that actually addressed. He never got to hold him, watch him take his first step, babble or read him a bedtime story. I don’t care what anyone thinks, the Bruce character I have read would be heartbroken by it.
Though they do have a good dynamic in detective comics especially when Damian infiltrated the juvenile detention centre.
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Interesting take. Nothings been confirmed about yet but I would mind if that’s a possibility.
By canceled do you mean they had plans for more but they ended early? Is that what happened to the birds of prey?
Birds of Prey was selling poorly. Many comic shops I went to (in multiple states) didn’t even carry it when I asked/looked. I even tried to pick up the final issue the day after it came out and even with the new stuff my local store didn’t have a single copy which indicated to me that they didn’t even bother ordering it anymore.
Damn, if only they had a critically acclaimed movie to help generate interest in the group 😞
Who knows. Maybe they will do a Nightwing & Robin series?
Who knows.
Why does the link say Robin is heterosexual? Why is that important? Also isn't every Robin hetero?
Tim is the bisexual one and also currently being Robin.
Really? I didn't know that
Yeah, Tim came out bisexual in 2021 even though it wasn't that well received and not handled properly.
Where will Damian go now ?
Honestly, don’t know. Some possibilities…
1) like I said, I’ve seen some rumours/predictions of sites like LOCG-that the upcoming Shadow of The Bat launching in March 2026 as part of DC new initiative Next Level could possibly be about or feature Damian. However this is just speculation and nothing solid has been stated as of yet. Will probably have to wait another month or two for more information.
2) He could be potentially be in the lineup for the new Teen Titans or Titans series coming up-but once again just speculation, nothing confirmed.
3) Most likely-we just might just see him in the current Detective Run or Fractions Batman run. He has appeared in both thus far. Butttt, in Fractions current in stated that Damian maybe going off to university.
Other than that-I really don’t know. We’ll probably have to wait another month month or two before we get updates from someone at DC.
Shadow of the bat sounds like cassandra
The original Shadow of the Bat title was an Alan Grant-written book that had arcs focusing on different various Bat-characters. (Well, when it wasn't tying into big Bat-crossovers.)
Oh so what detective comics should be doing, a chance for Batwoman Duke azrael harvey bullocks to get a little light
Possibly, but she currently also has her Batgirl run which is doing quite well and has really good reviews. Unless that is ending(hope not-another one of my favourite would get the chopping block)-not really sure. Right now it’s just a lot of speculation.
Not cancelled does not = Doing quite well. She is just safe for now.
I was just talking about this after my interview with PKJ. I'm going to hold out hope that Uncle Rich in pulling at strings and wait for an official announcement from DC (or not).
This isnt nearly as bad as Green Arrow, bc we’ll always get a ton of bat books. Still enjoying PKJ run but this current arc isn’t as good as his bigger opening arc, that I think was quite good honestly. Memento was cool, and I like when there’s supernatural stuff in Gotham books from time to time.
True.
Sucks man. That was my monthly dose of Damien, my favorite Robin.
Where did the "respect-the-blood" Bot go...? Oh well, I'll do it -- *Damian
Mine too.
Its a shame because PKJs run was the most I've loved Damian in a while. I really hope whoever tackles Damian next continues some of these threads
eh. not exactly floored by this.
the book was definitely fine, but nothing mindblowing
Is that really confirmation it was cancelled? What if they are taking a month off? And what’s the deal with “heterosexual” robin?
He's heterosexual and his book was cancelled. When a gay or bisexual character's book gets cancelled the headlines mention their sexuality. This is just equality. If your instinct is to say that sexuality shouldn't be referenced during a cancellation announcement because of it's irrelevance? I agree with you.
That's what the deal with heterosexual robin is. He's heterosexual, and some people really care about that.
Lolol 😆
Insane that comic book publishers run a business and when a product does not make more than the cost of producing it, they cancel it. I cannot wrap my head around the concept...
Not to mention PKJ's exclusive Marvel deal.
Aw, I had not heard that -- I will be missing him then =[
I think I saw Batman 163 in the March solicitations…March 2029.
Seems DC is quietly cancelling low sellers to make way for Scott's New Level initiative.Sadly long running titles seem to be a thing of the past and fear that releasing a bunch of new titles without supporting existing titles will only result in a similar fate over the next year.
... what the fuck is that heading?
Scroll further down and you will find the answer.
It was enough of a heading to discourage me from reading on. I'm fine but wasting my time with it
Thinking that new Shadow of the Bat series is definitely sliding into that publishing gap. Not sure what it'll feature, since we haven't really gotten any info on it since it was first teased, but Batman and Robin will never die.
Gotra love BC's bullshit click ' rage bait headlines.
It's an on going bit poking fun at the outlets that would write articles about the cancelation of Tim Drake's and Jon Kent's perspective book with the headline "DC CANCELS BI SEXUAL SUPERMAN BOOK"
That url is wild.
What am I missing? Why is heterosexual Robin in the title? Is the title being canceled because he likes women?
Without PKJ I wasn’t sure how it’d look anyway, so I’m not shocked. He did such a great job it wasn’t going to be the same. It’s only a matter of time before they do ANOTHER issue 1 with a new team anyway. Almost nice to have PKJ’s run wrapped up in a set collection of issues
Give us Batman and Robin: Year Two.
Damn, this is a heartbreaker as I think this might be the first (but far from the last) series that I collected every issue as they released since I got into comics in 2023 (not counting various limited series).
I’m still reeling from Green Arrow.
I can’t act like there aren’t tons of great DC titles to read currently though, so while cancellations are a bummer, I’ve still got tons of DC I’m reading.
Why are new readers so confused when series that don't sell get cancelled?
Pretty sure that's not the reason it got canceled. The writer signed a exclusive deal at Marvel
And sales didn't justify bringing in a new creative team, that's how this works. The shock at Green Arrow surprised me particularly.
It was likely a mix of both. Titans just received its third new creative team instead of getting cancelled. The book was likely on life support from less than stellar sales, and PKJ leaving was the nail in the coffin.
I know itll be unpopular here but with all the Kid Jon popping up I really hope they dont age down Damian too to bring back a SuperSons
This some bullshit... 🤬🤬🤬
This is the reason I don't read comics like I used to I'll rather just wait till it ends then read it all at once.
Smart! Unfortunately I don’t have the patience to wait that long.
The cancelation of hetetosexual Robin! Omg yes. Stop shoving your straight agenda down my throat. Damian is a literal child. Do we need him to be straight at this age?
stop unnecessary romance
How old is Damian Wayne?? I dont understand the point of the url article naming.
Just started pulling it with the new arc. One of my favourite ongoings i was sad PKJ was leaving but i i didn't think they'd cancel the whole series. Oh well that sucks but atleast Shadow of the Bat is back (hope it's good though).
This series had some of the most horrendous, ugly digital, complete lack of talent comic book art I've ever seen.
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Huh?
Holy shit I completely misread that. Goddammit I’m stupid