DC Comics is launching a brand new ongoing digital only comic book series based on their dark knight detective, the Batman. Surprisingly it is set outside of continuity, specifically outside of the 'New 52' continuity, which I find very very odd. DC Comics spent a lot of time and money establishing their new universe. It seems odd to create a new series that ignores it (again... remember Earth 1?).

That said, a series of stand alone stories that feature the caped crusader doing what he does best without the entanglements of the monthly book should attract readers who are frustrated by the monthly market and/or walking into a comic shop. DC has been reprinting some superb previously out of print material lately that are easy to read on one sitting and the more material that encourages that kind of experience, the better (though personally I am hooked on the month-to-month thing).

We announced back in April that an all-new Batman digital comic book would be coming soon.  Today, we're excited to reveal that the first chapter from LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT will be released tomorrow, followed by new chapters out every Thursday. Taking place outside of DC COMICS – THE NEW 52 continuity, the new series features several stand-alone stories by various creators that chronicle different cases handled by The Dark Knight.

Kicking off the first chapter is the all-star line-up of LOST scribe Damon Lindelof with artwork by the critically acclaimed Jeff Lemire.  The line-up for the first six chapters of LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT is as follows:

June 7 – "The Butler Did It" written by Damon Lindelof with artwork by Jeff Lemire

June 14 – "All of the Above" written by Jonathan Larsen with artwork by JG Jones

June 21– "The Crime Never Committed" written by Tom Taylor with artwork by Nicola Scott and Wayne Faucher

June 28 – "Crisis of Identity" Part 1 written by B. Clay Moore with artwork by Ben Templesmith

July 5 – "Crisis of Identity" Part 2 written by B. Clay Moore with artwork by Ben Templesmith

July 12 – "Crisis of Identity" Part 3 written by B. Clay Moore with artwork by Ben Templesmith

Mark your calendars – Thursdays are officially all about The Dark Knight and you can get your weekly fill here for $.99 each.

Via DC Comics

The line-up of creators is impressive. Modeled after the long-running Legends of the Dark Knight series which featured top notch creators (such as Paul Gulacy, Bryan Talbot and more) and stand-alone stories, the new digital comic is built on a solid concept.

Will you be checking it out?