Batman And Harley Quinn Is Getting A Comic Prequel And Sequel

Batman and Harley Quinn fans have plenty to look forward to this year, including a new animated film. DC is feeling rather generous though, and have announced a new digital comic prequel and sequel to the new movie.

In Harley Quinn and Batman, Batman: The Animated Series writer Ty Templeton and artist Rick Burchett explore a five chapter prequel to the film, which will include plenty of familiar Gotham characters.

“Batman and Harley, Joker and Ivy, Nightwing and Catwoman. Is there a better cast of characters anywhere in fiction?” says Templeton. “I spent some of the best years of my career working with these icons and could not be happier to be returning to Gotham City and their adventures. And to top it off, I get to work with the incomparable Rick Burchett again! Pinch me, I’m dreaming. We’re getting the band back together!”

The book will adapt the same animated style the series is known for, a style Burchett is quite familiar with.

“I spent quite a few years working with these characters in this art style,” says Burchett. “It’s like visiting old friends. For me, though, the best part is having the opportunity to work with Ty Templeton again. It’s been way too long.”

The prequel will launch on Monday, July 31s, with each new chapter released bi-weekly. That will be followed by the film’s release in August, which will be followed up with a sequel series in October. The sequel will include seven chapters written and drawn by several creators, including Jeff Parker, Craig Rousseau, Luciano Vecchio, Amanda Deibert, David Hahn, Dario Brizuela, Matthew Dow Smith, Sandy Jarrell, Ty Templeton, and more.

You can find the first cover from the new series in the gallery, followed by the description for the upcoming film below.

In Batman and Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy and Jason Woodrue (a.k.a. The Floronic Man) embark on an ecological quest to save the planet – and, unfortunately, eliminate most of humankind along the way. To save humanity, Batman and Nightwing are forced to enlist Harley Quinn to catch Poison Ivy, Harley’s BFF and frequent partner-in-crime. But Batman’s patience is put to the test by the unpredictable and untrustworthy Harley during the twists and turns the reluctant companions face during their bumpy road trip. The result is a thrill ride of action, adventure and comedy no Batman fan has seen before.

The film features a voice cast led by Kevin Conroy (Batman: The Animated Series) reprising his role as the Dark Knight, alongside Melissa Rauch (The Big Bang Theory) making her debut as Harley Quinn. Loren Lester, the voice of Robin in Batman: The Animated Series, returns as Nightwing. Paget Brewster (Criminal Minds) and Kevin Michael Richardson (The Cleveland Show) provide the voices of the villainous duo Poison Ivy & Jason Woodrue, respectively.

Batman and Harley Quinn hits Digital HD on August 15 and Blu-ray and DVD on August 29.

MORE: First Look At Batman And Harley Quinn Movie / Batman And Harley Quinn Official Trailer Released / Batman And Harley Quinn Movie To Premiere At Comic-Con