Okay, so it’s probably daft to write any sort of post speculating about future comics when SDCC has just begun in earnest – there’s probably an announcement about Grant Morrison’s future on the Batman titles just waiting around the corner to make this look stupid and redundant the moment I hit “publish”. Nevertheless, with a number of announcements already made by DC… I’m starting to get a bit worried.

Here, then, is a list of the various titles and their writers so far announced as starting – or continuing – in November, after Morrison finishes his current arc on Batman and Robin and the Return of Bruce Wayne miniseries, and the various Bruce Wayne: The Road Home one-shots (only one of which, Batman: The Return, is being written by The Bald One) have hit in October:

- Batman (Tony Daniel)
- Batman & Robin (Peter J. Tomasi)
- Batman: The Dark Knight (David Finch)
- Batman: Streets of Gotham (Paul Dini)
- Detective Comics (Scott Snyder)
- Batman Confidential (rotating creative teams)

So… whither Morrison? Not counting Confidential (which is out-of-current-continuity), that’s five books that will star Batman as the lead character, and Morrison isn’t writing any of them. Is there really going to be a sixth ongoing for Morrison to write? Or is he – shock horror – leaving after bringing back Bruce Wayne? If so, is it his decision to finish – leaving with his story wrapped up – or is he for some inexplicable reason being pushed? Why on earth is Batman and Robin, a book solely created for the purpose of Morrison telling stories about Dick ‘n’ Damian with an array of superstar artists (and, uh, Philip Tan), being allowed to continue without him?

One thing’s for sure – that lineup hardly inspires much in the way of confidence (David Finch? Writing? A “grim and gritty” Batbook? Please.) It’s clear that the reason the Batbooks are by far the best thing DC has to offer at the moment is for one major reason – Grant Morrison’s overarching story and overall vision and aesthetic for the series and character (and, alright, to a lesser extent the work Greg Rucka’s done with Batwoman). Take him away, and there’s basically nothing worth reading there. I don’t even trust anyone else to write Damian properly.

Is this how it all ends, then? Come on, SDCC. Bring us good news.