Batman Finally Debuting in ‘Smallville’…The Comic

Brace yourselves, 'Smallville' fans, all eight of you.  The Dark Knight is about to rise in Metropolis.  But don't celebrate just yet, as you won't be seeing a teenaged Bruce Wayne suiting up in Vancouver.  Rather with 'Smallville' long off the air, this Batman will only make his debut in the comics.  So when should we install a bat-signal next to the Daily Planet globe?

Fans of The CW's longest running series (seriously, it debuted while the network was still The WB) 'Smallville' were elated to learn that the adventures of a young Superman wouldn't end with the show's series closer, and transition into the Man of Steel "Finale," instead continuing on as an original "Season 11" DC comic.  Now, another long-running thread of the series is finally coming to a head, or a cowl rather, as the comic gears up to finally introduce Batman.

For years, it had been impossible (or at least difficult) to adapt any aspect of Batman for the live-action 'Smallville,' given Warner Bros.' death clutch on the franchise with Christopher Nolan's films.  Allusions to the character and his world were occasionally made, but the closest 'Smallville' was believed to have ever come was season three character "Adam Knight" ('LOST' and 'The Vampire Diaries' star Ian Somerhalder), who was speculated to be an early facsimile of Bruce Wayne.

Now, with Clark Kent out and flying the streets of Metropolis in the 'Smallville' comic, so too are the rights and logistics of famous DC characters that much easier.  Debuting in the comic's fifth issue "Detective," Batman's official introduction reads, "The hunt for his parents’ killer puts a vigilante known only as “the BATMAN” on a collision course with The Man of Steel..."

Writer Bryan Q. Miller also debuted the first black-and-white look at the issue's cover, which certainly shows a...unique...Batman costume, and potentially a look at Robin as well!  Check it out below, and tell us what you think in the comments!