Who is Batman holding on the cover of DC Countdown?

[Symphony of Six]

I started talking about this over in one of the Batman forums...but I am now 100% convinced that Batman is holding Blue Beetle on the cover of DC Countdown...If anyone has any agreements or disagreements I'd like to hear why?

Oh, and when it comes out and I'm wrong, I'll be the first to admit it...otherwise if I'm right...then beware evil doers!!!!

[Magnus2k]

My only question is, why would it be Batman holding him? Shouldnt they have someone who used to showing more emotion holding him? Like Superman, Wonder Woman, GL etc. etc.

[Blake Petit]

Yeah, one would imagine that it's someone who means a bit more to Batman than Ted Kord.

Whoever it is, I think the real question is if he's alive or dead. If he's dead, that narrows the suspect list considerably.

[Symphony of Six]

Don't forget that DC Countdown begins the major fallout of Identity Crisis...and who has the most unresolved issues? Batman.

Also Batman could play just a part in the story that leads to this...the cover can have something to do with the story or are just an attention grabber for the overall story.

As far as it being Blue Beetle (without a doubt in my mind), Dan DiDio stated that Blue Beetle is going to be behind most of the events that happen in the DC Universe...as quoted in Wizard.

Then there is the obvious...The costume's obviously Blue...and if you look really closely you can see his trademark yellow bug eyes.

[Blake Petit]

Gee, if they said it in Wizard... :p

(Sorry, I just don't like/care for/trust that magazine anymore.)

Still, I'm not saying you're wrong... just that I'm not convinced yet. Although the next time I see that picture I'll take a closer look for those eyes.

[Symphony of Six]

Alot of the stuff in Wizard is BS...especially when it comes to movie rumors, future comic rumors, etc.

But this came from an interview with DiDio himself...and the last I checked he was the EIC of DC.

All the other conclusions I formed myself.

[Kevin Reeves]

Gee whiz, now I feel like I should start boning up on my Blue Beetle knowledge (especially since he used to flirt around with my girl, Babs!). Does he even appear in a current title right now?

[Blake Petit]

He's gonna be in the next JLA: Classified arc.

[Kevin Reeves]

Thanks Blake! There's like, NOTHING, you don't know.

I wanted to be reading that Classified title since its inception, but funding was too low & it just didn't make the cut. I'll have to jump in once the new arc starts.

What have you thought of that series? Good stuff or what? The prior arcs...are they must-reads for DCU fans?

[Blake Petit]

Well, they're still on the first arc, there aren't any "prior" ones yet. :D

The arc with BB is going to be a sequel to last year's "Formerly Known as the Justice League" miniseries. If you liked that, if you liked the Giffen/DeMatteis run of JLA in the 80s and 90s, you should dig it. Personally, I'm really excited.

[Kevin Reeves]

I loved the Giffen/DeMatteis run of JLA, so this should be just great. Thanks for the tip, friend!;)

[Blake Petit]

That's what I'm here for.

You did get "Formerly Known as the Justice League," right? ;)

[Kevin Reeves]

fo sho!