TOP ARTIST JIM LEE SPEARHEADS COLLABORATION FOR MINISERIES
THAT TEAMS BATMAN WITH THE JOKER

DC Comics announces BATMAN: EUROPA, an upcoming fully painted
miniseries spearheaded by Jim Lee and featuring both U.S. and continental
European contributors.

Lee, fan-favorite artist and Editorial Director of DC ' s
progressive WildStorm imprint, recently returned from a year living with his
family in Italy and immersing himself in the Italian comics community.

Says Lee, " I had the chance to meet some fantastic creators
throughout Europe, so it was just natural to try and set up projects
spotlighting some of them who have never worked on DC characters before. "

BATMAN: EUROPA will be cowritten by Brian Azzarello (100 BULLETS,
SUPERMAN) and Matteo Casali (Bonerest, Quebrada). Each issue will be
illustrated by a different artist, showcasing their distinctive styles as
Batman - and his unexpected ally the Joker - track a mysterious
foe through Paris, Berlin, Prague, and, finally, Rome. The debut
issue ' s illustrator is Lee, followed by Giuseppe Camuncoli (THE
INTIMATES, SWAMP THING). Gabriele Dell ' Otto (Secret War) will provide art
for the fourth issue. The third issue ' s artist will be announced
as soon as the choice is finalized.

Lee added more on the genesis of the project. " Giuseppe (or
Cammo as he is better known) and I shared studio space for a year in Reggio
Emilia, and we would sit around and talk about projects at our informal
second 'studio' - the brasserie - and over drinks, we would
talk comics with Matteo. Out of those talks came this idea to do
something involving a diverse and eclectic group of creators. After several
late-night phone calls to Brian Azzarello, we came up with a storyline
which would pit Batman against his greatest villains and best showcase
the individual talents coming together for this unique project.

" What's also cool is that this will be Cammo's first published
painted project. For years, fans have seen his incredible line work on
SWAMP THING, HELLBLAZER, ROBIN and, in November, THE INTIMATES from
WildStorm. What they haven't seen is his painted work, which is just as
fantastic. "

Lee continued about his collaborators, " Another great 'first' to
come out of this project is that it will give Gabriele Dell'Otto his
first chance to work his magic at DC. I have been a big fan of his
stunning work on Secret War and gave him an open invitation for him to do
something... anything for us after his commitments on that project were
complete. His renditions of the Marvel characters are incredible and I
look forward to his take on Batman and his Rogues Gallery.

" There is going to be a friendly one-ups-manship on this project
that is going to bring out the very best in all of us. "

BATMAN: EUROPA will be coedited by Scott Dunbier, WildStorm Executive
Editor, and Mark Chiarello, DC' s Editorial Art Director and an
acclaimed painter himself (BATMAN: HOUDINI). It is currently scheduled
from DC for the third quarter of 2005. DC ' s international publishing
efforts will be offering this project throughout the world.