Well this can’t be good if it is true. Newsarama is reporting Robin, Nightwing, and Birds of Prey will all be ending their series in February 2009.  Is this because of the Morrison RIP Batman title, or something else?  It can’t be sales, because Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, and many other titles sell a lot fewer issues than these big supporting Batman tie-ins titles.

If the rumors of Robin being somehow behind R.I.P., that could explain why Chuck Dixon left the series in a very bizarre fashion, and why the Robin series may be coming to an end.  Nightwing ended up on the operating table in Batman #680, awaiting a lobotomy, so that could point to an end there.  Joker makes a return appearance in Birds of Prey, but I doubt DC would be foolish enough to carry the current storyline out for another three months just to see the torture of Barbara Gordon.  Of course if Batman #666 is any clue, Barbara does eventually become commissioner of Gotham City, so that could be an out for this series as well.

The three series – coincidentally all originally written by Chuck Dixon, fleshed out the world of Batman in the comics, showcasing the original Robin, Dick Grayson, as Nightwing, Tim Drake as Robin and Barbra Gordon in Birds of Prey.

Sounds like DC may be lashing out at Dixon on this one…

Is everything Morrison’s doing?  Will fans react in favor or opposition to these changes if DC has really drunk the Morrison Kool-aid?

Is this the end of all good things Batman, or will we see these series relaunch with new number ones in a few months?

It’s so bizarre…

Robin #183, Nightwing #153, and Birds of Prey #127 will end the Batman-related titles era, leaving only Batman and Detective Comics carrying on DC (and Warner Bros.) top selling property.

Sigh, it’s times like these that make me glad I’m reading more and more indie titles, and why I like what Frank Miller is doing in All-Star Batman and Robin.  Don’t let this ruin your day completely, as we all now reboots are just around the corner following the Battle for the Cowl storyline.

via Newsarama

Surprise announcement yesterday on Chuck Dixon’s message board, where he says he is no longer employed at DC Comics in any capacity.  Both sides have declined to comment on the announcement, and it looks like the August solicitations will be the last we’ll see Mr. Dixon on DC titles for a while.

This is kind of sucky news as I was really liking what Dixon was doing to rebuild the Robin title and bring back Stephanie/Spoiler.

No word on who will replace Dixon on the titles he was writing.

More as it develops…

Dynamic Forces has announced it will offer a copy of Grifter/Midnighter #1 signed by Chuck Dixon.

Grifter and Midnighter - two of the WildStorm universe’s titans - come together for a wild ride of a miniseries by Chuck Dixon (Detective Comics) and Ryan Benjamin (Grifter)! These burned out, hair-trigger bad boys who are down on their luck - and now they’re set on a collision course that will either save the planet or destroy it!

The exclusive issue will be available in March for $29.99.