View source for Batman: Damned


{{Infobox comic book title
<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
| image          = Batman Damned Vol 1 1.jpg
| image_size     = <!-- default 250 -->
| alt            =
| caption        = Cover art of ''Batman: Damned'' #1 (November 2018), art by [[Lee Bermejo]].
| limited        = Y
| genre          = [[Superhero comics|Superhero]], [[Horror comics|horror]]
| publisher      = [[DC Comics]]
| startmo        = September
| startyr        = 2018
| endmo          = June
| endyr          = 2019
| issues         = 3
| main_char_team = [[Batman]]<br>[[John Constantine]]
| writers        = [[Brian Azzarello]]
| artists        = [[Lee Bermejo]]
| subcat         = Batman
}}
'''''Batman: Damned''''' is an [[American comic book]] series published by the comic book publishing company [[DC Comics]]. The three-issue [[Limited series (comics)|limited series]], written by [[Brian Azzarello]] and illustrated by [[Lee Bermejo]], began on September 19, 2018 and concluded on June 26, 2019. The series experienced numerous delays throughout its run, with the third issue being rescheduled a total of five times. ''Damned'' was the first series published under the [[DC Black Label]], an [[Imprint (trade name)|imprint]] allowing writers to present unique takes on DC characters for a [[Adult comics|mature audience]], and Azzarello and Bermejo described it as a loose sequel to their 2008 graphic novel ''[[Joker (graphic novel)|Joker]]''.

A [[Horror fiction|supernatural horror]] story, ''Damned'' is set in [[Gotham City]] outside the [[Canon (fiction)|continuity]] of the mainstream [[DC Universe]]. The series begins shortly after the events of ''Joker'', when the criminal [[Joker (character)|Joker]] seemingly dies during a fight with his archenemy, the superhero [[Batman]], who has no recollection of the event. Batman enlists the help of blue-collar exorcist [[John Constantine]], and the two delve into Gotham's supernatural underworld to solve the mystery. During their investigation, they meet many of DC's magic-based characters, including the [[Spectre (DC Comics character)|Spectre]], [[Etrigan the Demon|Etrigan]], [[Deadman (character)|Deadman]], [[Zatanna]], the [[Swamp Thing]], and the [[Enchantress (DC Comics)|Enchantress]]. ''Damned'' sold well and received positive reviews. Critics praised Bermejo's art, though opinions regarding the story were mixed. The series also became subject to controversy due to a scene in the first issue featuring male [[Nudity|full frontal nudity]], the allowance of which led to editorial shakeups at DC.

==Publication history==
===Development===
{{Multiple image
| direction = horizontal
| align = left
| total_width = 250
| image1 = Brian Azzarello - Lucca Comics & Games 2016.jpg
| image2 = Lee Bermejo DSCF0092.jpg
| footer = [[Brian Azzarello]] and [[Lee Bermejo]], the writer and illustrator of ''Batman: Damned''.
}}

''Batman: Damned'' was written by [[Brian Azzarello]] and illustrated by [[Lee Bermejo]], who had previously collaborated to produce the villain-centric comics ''[[Lex Luthor: Man of Steel]]'' (2005) and ''[[Joker (graphic novel)|Joker]]'' (2008).<ref name="DenKills">{{cite web |last1=Saavendra |first1=John |title=Batman Kills the Joker in Upcoming DC Story |url=http://www.denofgeek.com/us/books/batman/274334/batman-kills-the-joker-in-upcoming-dc-story |website=[[Den of Geek]] |access-date=June 23, 2018 |date=June 20, 2018}}</ref> It was the first title of publisher [[DC Comics]]' [[DC Black Label|Black Label]]<ref name="io9: Interview">{{cite web |last1=Narcisse |first1=Evan |title=The Team Behind Batman: Damned Say They're Going to Fuck With the Dark Knight's Head |url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-team-behind-batman-damned-say-theyre-going-to-fuck-1828263584 |website=[[io9]] |access-date=May 31, 2019 |date=August 16, 2019}}</ref>—an [[Imprint (trade name)|imprint]] designed to allow writers to present unique takes on traditional [[DC Universe]] (DCU) characters for a [[Adult comics|mature audience]]—and was announced alongside the line in March 2018.<ref name="CBNew">{{cite web |last1=Lu |first1=Alexander |title=New DC prestige imprint Black Label promises legendary new stories told by stars like DeConnick, Miller & Romita Jr., free from continuity |url=http://www.comicsbeat.com/new-dc-prestige-imprint-black-label-promises-legendary-stories-told-by-stars-like-deconnick-miller-romita-jr/ |website=[[Comics Beat]] |access-date=June 23, 2018 |date=March 8, 2018}}</ref><ref name="CBRReunite">{{cite web |last1=Jackson |first1=Londyn |title=Azzarello & Bermejo Reunite to Kill the Joker in Batman: Damned |url=https://www.cbr.com/azzarello-bermejo-batman-damned/ |website=[[CBR.com]] |access-date=June 23, 2018 |date=March 8, 2018}}</ref> Bermejo and [[Jim Lee]] contributed cover art.<ref name="DenKills"/> Bermejo said the project came about as a result of ''Joker'': "Every time we do a project, that project leads us to the next project we're going to do together. Even if we don't know it right away".<ref name="io9: Interview"/> Similarly, Azzarello described ''Damned'' as a quasi-sequel to ''Joker''. He said one did not have to read ''Joker'' to understand ''Damned'', but if they read both they would see connections. The series' narrative is a reverse of ''Joker''{{'s}}. In ''Joker'', [[Batman]] was not physically present until the final pages but nonetheless plays a significant role; conversely, in ''Damned'', the [[Joker (character)|Joker]] only appears at the beginning but remains a narrative driving force.<ref name="BookRiot: Interview">{{cite web |last1=Sondheimer |first1=S.W. |title=Azzarello and Bermejo of Black Label's Batman: Damned |url=https://bookriot.com/2018/08/06/azzarello-and-bermejo-on-black-labels-batman-damned/ |website=BookRiot |access-date=May 31, 2019 |date=August 6, 2018}}</ref>

Talks of a ''Joker'' sequel began after the [[graphic novel]]'s release in 2008. According to Azzarello, ''Joker'' sold significantly better than DC expected. This caught the company off-guard, as it "had nothing like it to follow it with".<ref name="DoG: Trip">{{cite web |last1=Buxton |first1=Marc |title=Batman: Damned is a Trip Through the Darkest Parts of the DC Universe |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/us/books/dc-entertainment/283259/batman-damned-darkest-parts-of-dc-universe |website=[[Den of Geek!]] |access-date=September 12, 2019 |date=September 10, 2019}}</ref> Editors Will Dennis and Mark Doyle discussed ideas for a potential follow-up with Azzarello, which soon developed into "Jokerverse" and eventually Black Label, but after the [[Motion Picture Association film rating system#Ratings|R-rated]] DC film ''[[Watchmen (2009 film)|Watchmen]]'' (2009) underperformed at the box office, DC's corporate sibling [[Warner Bros.]] became opposed to producing [[superhero fiction]] for a mature audience, and development halted.<ref name="DoG: Trip"/><ref name="SR: Story">{{cite web |last1=Dyce |first1=Andrew |title=Batman Damned: The Story DC Took TEN YEARS To Tell |url=https://screenrant.com/batman-damned-comic-interview-azzarello/ |website=[[Screen Rant]] |access-date=September 12, 2019 |date=September 10, 2019}}</ref> The project was revived as Azzarello and Bermejo were working on a [[Crossover (fiction)|crossover]] featuring Batman and the [[Justice League Dark]]. Azzarello struggled to write a story when Lee suggested to launch Black Label with it.<ref name="DoG: Trip"/> ''Damned'' was Azzarello's second Batman story that took over a decade to produce, following ''Batman: Europa'' (2016).<ref name="SR: Story"/>

Azzarello and Bermejo sought to restore a sense of vulnerability to Batman in ''Damned''.<ref name="BookRiot: Interview"/><ref name="Inverse: Missing"/><ref name="CS.net: Interview"/> Bermejo noted that modern interpretations of the character depict him as someone who is always ready, which renders his human side absent.<ref name="BookRiot: Interview"/><ref name="CS.net: Interview"/> They had grown tired of this and wanted to reverse what Bermejo called "{{'}}''[[RoboCop|Robocop]]''{{'}}-ification".<ref name="Inverse: Missing">{{cite web |last1=Francisco |first1=Eric |title=Everyone Is Missing the Point About Batman's Dick |url=https://www.inverse.com/article/49167-batman-damned-has-more-to-bruce-wayne-naked-penis |website=[[Inverse (website)|Inverse]] |access-date=May 31, 2019 |date=September 20, 2018}}</ref> Azzarello described ''Damned''{{'}}s Batman as a [[wikt:fish out of water|fish out of water]]; while the story is about him, he has no control over it.<ref name="SyFy: Interview">{{cite web |last1=Estrella |first1=Ernie |title=Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo talk about who's showing up in Batman: Damned |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/brian-azzarello-and-lee-bermejo-talk-an-out-of-control-batman-and-who-to-expect-in-batman |website=[[SyFy Wire]] |access-date=May 31, 2019 |date=September 18, 2019 |archive-date=May 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530232605/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/brian-azzarello-and-lee-bermejo-talk-an-out-of-control-batman-and-who-to-expect-in-batman |url-status=dead}}</ref> The duo wanted Batman to be in a new, unusual situation within the story.<ref name="BookRiot: Interview" /><ref name="io9: Interview" /> He also thought that "if ... someone else has the upper hand on [Batman], it completely changes the dynamic of the story... he's suddenly a way more interesting character".<ref name="Inverse: Interview">{{cite web |last1=Francisco |first1=Eric |title=DC's Horror Comic 'Batman: Damned' Aims to Fix Batman's Biggest "Problem" |url=https://www.inverse.com/article/49063-batman-damned-dc-comics-black-label-wants-to-fix-batman |website=[[Inverse (website)|Inverse]] |access-date=June 1, 2019 |date=September 18, 2018}}</ref> Azzarello realized during the initial discussions for ''Damned'' that [[John Constantine]] needed to be part of the story,<ref name="SyFy: Interview"/> and chose him as narrator because he would leave Batman confused.<ref name="Inverse: Interview"/> The series' depiction of Constantine is more in line with his original portrayal in the [[Vertigo Comics|DC Vertigo]] series ''[[Hellblazer]]'' (1988—2020), in which he was depicted as a foul-mouthed conman, than his recent, family-friendly appearances in the DC Universe.<ref name="CS.net: Interview"/><ref name="SyFy: Interview"/> Azzarello, who wrote many issues of ''Hellblazer'', believed the maturity was an essential part of the character.<ref name="SyFy: Interview"/>

{{Quote box|DC set up this imprint. 'Take our characters, do something mature'. When that opportunity was given to us, we decided, let's not half-ass this. Let's go all the way. We'll either go down in a blaze of glory or we hit the ball.|source=[[Brian Azzarello]]<ref name="Inverse: Interview"/>|width=30em|quoted=1}}

''Damned'' allowed Azzarello and Bermejo to showcase their interpretations of DC's supernatural characters,<ref name="SyFy: Interview" /> such as the [[Spectre (DC Comics character)|Spectre]], [[Etrigan the Demon|Etrigan]], [[Deadman (character)|Deadman]], [[Zatanna]], and [[Swamp Thing]].<ref name="io9: Interview" /> Azzarello said Deadman in particular was fun to write. He changed Deadman's abilities so he could only possess bodies for a short time and, similar to a person suffering from addiction, constantly searches for a new host. With Etrigan, the duo replaced his [[iambic pentameter]] speech rhythm with one inspired by hip-hop music. Azzarello and Bermejo named [[Logic (rapper)|Logic]], [[Nas]], [[Kool Keith]], [[Camp Lo]], and [[Run the Jewels]] as inspiration.<ref name="io9: Interview" /> The characters have their own "visual language" to make it clear when they are present; for instance, in the second issue the color palette changes when Etrigan is present.<ref name="SyFy: Interview" /> The duo said their approach to magic in the story was like 1970s horror or a [[Dario Argento]] film such as ''[[Suspiria (1977 film)|Suspiria]]'' (1977), rather than an effects-driven film.<ref name="io9: Interview" />

Each page took Bermejo around three or four days to complete. Because he colored it himself, it made production longer than the average comic.<ref name="SyFy: Interview" /> Bermejo was inspired by photography, such as the book ''Uncle Charlie'' by Marc Asnin,<ref name="BookRiot: Interview" /> and said that while the art is in his traditional style, he thought it was more colorful than people would expect.<ref name="io9: Interview" /> Azzarello waited to see the finished page so he could write the script,<ref name="BookRiot: Interview" /> as Bermejo's art sometimes inspired dialogue changes.<ref name="CS.net: Interview">{{cite web |last1=Evry |first1=Max |title=CS Interview: Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo Talk Batman: Damned |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/extras/features/983931-brian-azzarello-and-lee-bermejo-talk-batman-damned |website=[[ComingSoon.net]] |access-date=June 1, 2019 |date=September 19, 2018}}</ref> ''Damned'' was printed on wide paper with a matte texture cover, which Bermejo thought was ideal for his style.<ref name="Inverse: Interview"/> The [[letterer]], Jared K. Fletcher, "came up with really, really interesting font" featuring free-floating captions and changing sizes, which Azzarello said helped the series stand out.<ref name="SyFy: Interview" />

===Publication===
The physical editions of ''Damned'' were published as prestige format comics, which are square-bound, larger than normal comics, and have higher-quality paper.<ref name="SyFy: Interview"/><ref name="IGN: #1Review">{{cite web |last1=Schedeen |first1=Jesse |title=Art is King in Batman: Damned (Batman: Damned - Book One Review) |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/09/19/art-is-king-in-batman-damned-batman-damned-book-one-review |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=June 1, 2019 |date=September 19, 2018}}</ref> DC published the first issue of ''Damned'' on September 19, 2018,<ref name="DenKills"/><ref name="IGN: #1Review"/> with a [[cover date]] of November.<ref name="Book1">{{Cite comic | writer=[[Brian Azzarello|Azzarello, Brian]] | penciller=[[Lee Bermejo|Bermejo, Lee]] | title=Batman: Damned | story=Book One | volume=1 | issue=1 | date=November 2018 | publisher=[[DC Comics]] | location=[[Burbank, California]]}}</ref> The following issues experienced numerous delays. The second issue was initially scheduled to be released on November 21, but was delayed to December 5 that September so Bermejo could redraw four pages.<ref name="BC: #2Late1">{{cite web |last1=Johnston |first1=Rich |title=Batpenis Strikes Again – DC Comics Won't Reprint Batman: Damned #1 – and #2 is Late |url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2018/09/27/dc-comics-reprint-batman-damned-1-2-late/ |website=[[Bleeding Cool]] |access-date=June 1, 2019 |date=September 27, 2018}}</ref><ref name="BC: #2Late2">{{cite web |last1=Johnston |first1=Rich |title=LATE: Doomsday Clock #8, Batman Damned #2, Shazam #2 |url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2018/11/21/late-doomsday-clock-8-batman-damned-2-shazam-2/ |website=[[Bleeding Cool]] |access-date=June 1, 2019 |date=November 21, 2018}}</ref> In November, it was delayed again to December 12.<ref name="BC: #2Late2"/> Meanwhile, the third issue was rescheduled a total of five times.<ref name="News: Pushed"/> It was initially slated for release in January 2019, before being pushed to March 13.<ref name="BC: #2Late1"/> In February, DC canceled all orders of the issue<ref name="BC: #3Cancels">{{cite web |last1=Johnston |first1=Rich |title=DC Comics Cancels Orders for Batman Damned #3 |url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2019/02/14/dc-comics-cancels-orders-for-batman-damned-3/ |website=[[Bleeding Cool]] |access-date=June 1, 2019 |date=February 14, 2019}}</ref> before announcing it would release on May 22, but was later delayed to June 19, then again until June 26.<ref name="News: Pushed">{{cite web |last1=Arrant |first1=Chris |title=Batman: Damned Finale Pushed Back On Schedule Again |url=https://www.newsarama.com/43905-batman-damned-finale-postponed-two-months.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214061550/https://www.newsarama.com/43905-batman-damned-finale-postponed-two-months.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 14, 2019 |website=[[Newsarama]] |access-date=June 1, 2019 |date=May 30, 2019}}</ref> A hardcover collected edition was released on September 4, 2019.<ref name=Newsarama1905>{{cite web |url=https://www.newsarama.com/43979-dc-comics-may-2019-solicitations.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220050547/https://www.newsarama.com/43979-dc-comics-may-2019-solicitations.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 20, 2019 |title=DC Comics May 2019 Solicitations |date=February 19, 2019 |website=[[Newsarama]] |access-date=March 19, 2019}}</ref>

==Synopsis==
===Setting and characters===
A [[Horror fiction|supernatural horror]] story, ''Batman: Damned'' is set in [[Gotham City]] in a grim, darker version of the DCU. The series' protagonist is Bruce Wayne, who witnessed the murder of his parents, [[Thomas Wayne|Thomas]] and [[Martha Wayne]], as a child. This inspired him to become [[Batman]], a masked superhero, to fight crime. ''Damned''{{'}}s depiction of Batman is similar to his [[Canon (fiction)|canon]] DCU counterpart,<ref name="CBR: Guide">{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Jim |title=Batman: Damned - A Guide to DC's Newest Darkly-Altered Universe |url=https://www.cbr.com/batman-damned-darkly-altered-dc-universe/ |website=[[CBR.com]] |access-date=June 30, 2019 |pages=1–2 |date=September 20, 2019}}</ref> but he is tormented by the demonic witch the [[Enchantress (DC Comics)|Enchantress]], who visits him as a child and continues to speak to him as an adult.<ref name="CBR: Guide"/><ref name="BC: 5">{{cite web |last1=Johnston |first1=Rich |title=Five Theories About Batman: Damned #1 – Enchantress, Suicide Squad, the Joker and Batpenis |url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2018/09/21/five-theories-about-batman-damned-1-enchantress-suicide-squad-the-joker-and-batpenis/ |website=[[Bleeding Cool]] |access-date=June 30, 2019 |date=September 21, 2018}}</ref> At the beginning of the story, Batman engages in a violent fight with his archenemy, the sadistic [[Joker (character)|Joker]], that ends with Joker's death, and is [[Amnesia|unable to remember]] what happened.<ref name="CBR: Guide"/> Batman is guided by [[John Constantine]], a foul-mouthed con man, exorcist and magician. Constantine is the narrator and Batman's [[Foil (narrative)|foil]], serving as the bridge between what Batman knows and what he does not.<ref name="SyFy: Interview"/>

In addition to traditional [[List of Batman supporting characters|Batman supporting characters]] cast members [[Jim Gordon (character)|James Gordon]] and [[Harley Quinn]], ''Damned'' features many of DC's supernatural characters, such as the [[Spectre (DC Comics character)|Spectre]], [[Etrigan the Demon|Etrigan]], [[Deadman (character)|Deadman]], [[Zatanna]], and the [[Swamp Thing]].<ref name="io9: Interview"/> While remaining faithful to their DCU counterparts, some characters have key differences; Jim Johnson of ''[[Comic Book Resources|CBR.com]]'' wrote that the series takes "unfamiliar approaches to otherwise familiar characters".<ref name="CBR: Guide"/> Recent incarnations of Harley have depicted her as heroic, but ''Damned'' depicts her as villainous. Out of grief over the Joker's death, she adopts aspects of his appearance, including dying her hair green, adorning makeup resembling him and wearing his traditional purple suit. Meanwhile, in the world of ''Damned'', Etrigan is a rapper named J. Blood who performs at a nightclub called the Cavern,<ref name="CBR: Darkest">{{cite web |last1=Webber |first1=Tim |title=Batman: Damned is DC's Darkest Superhero Universe Ever |url=https://www.cbr.com/batman-damned-darkest-dc-universe/ |website=[[CBR.com]] |access-date=June 30, 2019 |date=December 16, 2019}}</ref> and Deadman, the ghost of a man named Boston Brand, communicates by temporarily possessing individuals, leaving them terribly ill when he vacates their bodies. The Spectre, an agent of Heaven, is represented by a rambling homeless man in a green hood, who appears as a figure of judgment.

===Plot===
During a fight (immediately following the finale of ''[[Joker (graphic novel)|Joker]]''), Batman and the Joker fall off the Gotham Gate Bridge. The Joker seemingly dies, while Batman is knocked unconscious and awakens in an ambulance. Batman fights the [[emergency medical technician]]s and runs off, only to collapse in a street. Constantine rescues Batman and brings him to a hotel room. There, Batman learns of the situation from the news. He fears he may have murdered the Joker and Constantine offers to form an alliance. Batman returns to the bridge to investigate, where a homeless man claims to have seen the devil kill the Joker. The man disappears before Batman can question him.

[[Flashback (narrative)|Flashback]]s reveal that when Bruce was a child, his mother, Martha, discovered that his father, Thomas, had had an affair with another woman. While Bruce played outside, Thomas and Martha got in a fight, resulting in Thomas driving away. Bruce fired a cap gun at Martha's face and she made Bruce promise to never point a gun at anyone. Batman's memories of these events become plagued by the Enchantress, who implies that he had a hand in the Joker's death and offers to make a deal to rid him of fear. In the present, Batman goes to the Batcave and hallucinates that his suit is attacking him. While Batman observes Gotham street activity, Deadman appears and warns him of dark forces that plan to oppose him.

Batman and Constantine meet at a church, where a statue of [[Jesus]] has been desecrated with a painting of the Joker's smile. Batman begins to doubt that the Joker really died, while Constantine encourages him to seek out Etrigan for information. Batman finds Etrigan at the Cavern and fights through the crowd to confront him. Etrigan, angry for being interrupted during a performance, orders the crowd to point firearms at Batman. Suddenly, an explosion destroys the building and the [[Bat-Signal]], desecrated with the Joker's smile, lights up the sky. Etrigan saves Batman, but tells Constantine that he only did so in order for Batman to experience more suffering.

It is revealed that the bombing was orchestrated by Harley Quinn, who is unable to cope with the Joker's death. Batman confronts Harley, who beats him with a baseball bat, injects him with a drug that paralyzes him and attempts to rape him. Batman, however, manages to gain the upper hand and, possessed by the Enchantress, strangles her against the Bat-Signal. Later, Batman awakens trapped inside a coffin underground, but is rescued by the Swamp Thing. Constantine arrives and talks to the Swamp Thing before the Enchantress appears and Batman defeats her.

Constantine takes Batman to meet Zatanna at a club for magic-based patrons and she uses a spell to send them into a vision of the night when Bruce's parents were murdered by [[Joe Chill]], where it appears that the young Bruce was also shot in the alley. He seemingly sold his soul to the Enchantress to become the Batman. The Enchantress attempts to seal her deal with Bruce, but Constantine shoots and kills the witch with Chill's pistol. Constantine explains that the dead Bruce represents Batman's past, of which he implores Batman to let go. Batman and Constantine part ways as Batman goes to the morgue, where the homeless man, an incarnation of the heavenly judgment figure known as the Spectre, reveals the truth of the incident on the bridge; Batman was fatally stabbed by the Joker and consciously allowed the Joker to fall to his death, fearing what would become of Gotham if he was not there to stop the Joker. Batman, realising he has been dead this whole time, exchanges places with the body in the morgue and dissipates. A living Joker then emerges from the river underneath the bridge, while Constantine implies that this is the start of a new chapter.

==Reception==
''Batman: Damned'' received positive reviews from critics.<ref name="CBR: Controversy"/> On Comic Book Roundup, a comic book [[review aggregator]], the series holds an average rating of 7.5/10 based on 81 reviews.<ref name="CBRU: series">{{cite web |title=Batman: Damned Comic Series Reviews |url=https://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/dc-comics/batman-damned |publisher=Comic Book Roundup |access-date=September 12, 2019}}</ref> The series sold well; the initial print run of the first issue sold out and the second issue received more preorders than the first, a rarity in the comics industry.<ref name="BC: Rethink"/> The third issue, despite delays and a lack of publicity, was also a bestseller.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Johnston |first1=Rich |title=The Bleeding Cool Bestseller List, 30th June 2019, Batman Damned #3 – "Huh, Didn't Know That Was Out" |url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2019/06/30/bleeding-cool-bestseller-list-30th-june-2019-batman-damned/ |website=[[Bleeding Cool]] |access-date=June 30, 2019 |date=June 30, 2019}}</ref>

===Nudity controversy===
The first issue of ''Damned'' features a scene in which [[Batman]] goes to the [[Batcave]] to analyze injuries he suffered earlier in the story.<ref name="Book1"/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Johnston |first1=Rich |last2=Lamberti |first2=Rod |title=Comic Store In Your Future – How We Sold Batman: Damned #1 |url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2018/09/29/comic-store-future-batman-damned-1/ |website=[[Bleeding Cool]] |access-date=June 4, 2019 |date=September 29, 2018}}</ref> The scene generated controversy because some panels depict Batman's [[Human penis|penis]] for the first time.<ref name="CBR: Controversy">{{cite web |last1=Dominguez |first1=Noah |title=Scott Snyder Surprised by Batman: Damned Controversy |url=https://www.cbr.com/scott-snyder-batman-damned-controversy/ |website=[[CBR.com]]|access-date=June 4, 2019 |date=September 22, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Vox: First">{{cite web |last1=Abad-Santos |first1=Alex |title=Batman's penis is in a comic book for the first time ever — but not for long |url=https://www.vox.com/2018/9/20/17882502/batmans-penis-nude-comic-book |website=[[Vox (website)|Vox]] |access-date=June 4, 2019 |date=September 20, 2018}}</ref> The nudity is only present in physical printings and was [[Censorship|censored]] in the digital version. Around 115,000 uncensored copies were published.<ref name="THR: Censor">{{cite web |last1=Parker |first1=Ryan |title=DC to Censor Full Frontal Nudity In Future 'Batman: Damned' Printings |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/dc-comics-censor-full-frontal-nudity-future-batman-damned-printings-1145794 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date=June 5, 2019 |date=September 20, 2018}}</ref> DC co-publishers [[Jim Lee]] and [[Dan DiDio]] attributed the lack of censorship to production errors; the colors had to be brightened to make the scene more visible, which, in turn, caused Batman's penis to become noticeable.<ref name="BC: Rethink"/> According to Noah Dominguez of ''[[Comic Book Resources|CBR.com]]'', while some readers accepted the scene for humanizing Batman, it left others uncomfortable.<ref name="CBR: Controversy"/> The scene soon became subject to online ridicule,<ref name="Vox: First"/> and late night talk show hosts [[Seth Meyers]] and [[Stephen Colbert]] made jokes about it.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Martson |first1=George |title=Batman's Damned Nudity Has Stephen Colbert and Seth Meyers Cracking Up |url=https://www.newsarama.com/41932-batman-s-nudity-has-stephen-colbert-and-seth-meyers-cracking-up.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921205554/https://www.newsarama.com/41932-batman-s-nudity-has-stephen-colbert-and-seth-meyers-cracking-up.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 21, 2018 |website=[[Newsarama]] |access-date=September 23, 2018 |date=September 21, 2018}}</ref>

While the controversy caused the issue's initial print run to sell out, it was embarrassing for DC<ref name="BC: Rethink">{{cite web |last1=Johnston |first1=Rich |title=Batman: Damned Forced DC to Rethink Who They Were as a Publisher |url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2019/03/10/batman-damned-forced-dc-to-rethink-who-they-were-as-a-publisher/ |website=[[Bleeding Cool]] |access-date=June 5, 2019 |date=March 10, 2019}}</ref> and led to turmoil within the company. DC parent [[WarnerMedia#Time Warner (2003–2018)|TimeWarner]] had just merged with [[AT&T]], and as a result, pursued a "family friendly and corporate" product at the time of ''Damned''{{'}}s release.<ref name="BatForce"/> DiDio said the controversy "really took the attention away from what we thought was quality storytelling".<ref name="Poly: Reasses">{{cite web |last1=Polo |first1=Susana |title=Batman's nudity controversy made DC Comics publishers reassess other Black Label books |url=https://www.polygon.com/comics/2018/10/8/17952834/dc-comics-batman-nudity-black-label-jim-lee-dan-didio |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=June 5, 2019 |date=October 8, 2018}}</ref> DC decided to remove the nudity from future printings,<ref name="THR: Censor"/> causing prices of uncensored copies to skyrocket, and "rethink who they are as a company".<ref name="BC: Rethink"/> Editorial changes following the controversy, out of fear of a repeat,<ref name="io9: Rethink"/> led to development on other [[DC Black Label|Black Label]] titles halting and the cancellation of the religious satire ''[[Second Coming (comic book series)|Second Coming]]''. DC also made the second issue of ''Damned'' returnable,<ref name="BC: Rethink"/> and the controversy led to the series receiving minimal promotion.<ref name="BatForce">{{cite AV media|title=BatForceRadioEp195: Lee Bermejo talks Batman: Damned # 3!|medium=[[SoundCloud]] |people=Bat Force Radio, [[Lee Bermejo|Bermejo, Lee]] |date=June 2019 |url=https://soundcloud.com/batforceradio/batforceradioep195-lee-bermejo-talks-batman-damned-3}}</ref>

DC's rationale that the nudity was unnecessary for the story was met with criticism from journalists, who felt it conflicted with the mature nature of Black Label comics.<ref name="io9: Rethink">{{cite web |last1=Pulliam-Moore |first1=Charles |title=After Revealing Bruce Wayne's Penis in Batman: Damned, DC Is Rethinking Its Black Label Imprint |url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/after-revealing-bruce-waynes-penis-in-batman-damned-d-1829627351 |website=[[io9]] |access-date=June 5, 2019 |date=October 9, 2018}}</ref> For instance, Eric Francisco of ''[[Inverse (website)|Inverse]]'' argued that many ignored the context of the scene,<ref name="Inverse: Missing"/> while Alex Abad-Santos of ''[[Vox (website)|Vox]]'' said the removal "[brought] to mind some of the egregiously risqué female costumes in mainstream comics that don't seem 'additive' to the story beyond providing titillating thrills".<ref name="Vox: First"/> Susana Polo of ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'' criticized the outrage as unjustified and overblown, finding the nudity barely visible.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Polo |first1=Susana |title=Reports of Batman's penis have been greatly overhyped |url=https://www.polygon.com/comics/2018/9/19/17871390/batman-penis |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=September 10, 2019 |date=September 20, 2018}}</ref> Bermejo called the debacle the biggest [[Fear, uncertainty, and doubt|non-controversy]] in comics history.<ref name="BatForce"/> He claimed that DC mistreated him and Azzarello following the controversy, including unusual encounters with other DC employees and Bermejo constantly having to redraw artwork due to editorial interference.<ref name="BatForce"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Batman publications}}

[[Category:Comics by Brian Azzarello]]
[[Category:Batman titles]]
[[Category:Horror comics]]
[[Category:DC Comics limited series]]
[[Category:Hellblazer]]
[[Category:2018 comics debuts]]
[[Category:Obscenity controversies in comics]]
[[Category:Superhero horror comics]]

{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=Batman: Damned|access_date=2026-02-26}}