Batman Officially Replaces Superman As His Primary Ally, New Partner Explained

Published Oct 26, 2026, 10:30 PM EDT

Since 2019, Kevin Erdmann has been one of Screen Rant's Senior Staff Writers, covering all kinds of Superhero and Star Wars media with Easter egg breakdowns, theory pieces, breaking news, and more. A huge Star Wars & MCU fan, Kevin also loves Batman (because he's Batman), but could talk for hours about why Nightwing is DC's greatest hero. 

With 8 years of total experience covering entertainment and pop culture, Kevin has gotten the chance to interview top creatives and talent, and has also attended major media events like Disney's D23 convention.

Majoring in Cinema Studies with a minor in Comics and Cartoon Studies from the UofO, Kevin lives in Oregon with his wonderful wife, adorable dog, and sinister cat who is no doubt currently plotting his demise.

Naturally, Superman's impressive power and enduring optimism make him a truly solid counterpart to Batman's skills, resources, and willingness to prepare for the darkest of outcomes. However, extreme circumstances will soon see Batman having no choice but to seek aid elsewhere when his next case involves a major crime seemingly committed by Clark Kent himself.

As seen in new solicitations for DC's Detective Comics from writer Tom Taylor and artist Mikel Janin, an upcoming storyline will see Clark Kent behind bars and awaiting trial for murder. While Batman himself will naturally be investigating to uncover the truth, it seems the case will be challenging enough that he'll need to call on some exciting backup from a DC hero (who always deserves more spotlight).

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DC's Clark Kent: Murderer Storyline Begins Next Month In Batman's Detective Comics

As has been revealed via solicitations from DC Comics, the upcoming “Clark Kent: Murderer” arc is set to begin with Detective Comics #1115, releasing next month in November. According to the synopsis, Clark Kent will be accused of murder and is awaiting trial behind bars when Batman visits, determined to clear Superman's name. However, it seems the evidence Bruce gathers will do more to condemn Clark rather than exonerate him, turning the investigation deeply personal, with the case potentially set to "redefine the relationship of the World's Finest forever."

Then, December's Detective Comics #1116 will see Clark Kent still behind bars as Batman continues looking for the truth that will set Superman free. However, it seems as though new evidence will force Batman to seriously start asking "one of the most difficult questions of his life: Did Clark Kent really commit murder?" As such, it certainly does seem as though a case tough enough to give Batman pause and second-guess himself more than warrants the World's Greatest Detective to start looking for an assist and fresh new eyes on the case.

This leads to the arc's next exciting chapter with Detective Comics #1117, releasing early next year in January, and is set to reveal Batman's brand-new ally on the case to clear Clark Kent's name.

Batman Is Replacing Superman With The Question

Along with the above cover art, here's the official synopsis for the upcoming Detective Comics #1117, teasing Batman's exciting new team-up with Renee Montoya's The Question:

DETECTIVE COMICS #1117

Written by TOM TAYLOR

Art and cover by MIKEL JANÍN

Variant covers by TONY HARRIS and SETH MANN

Sweater Weather variant cover by DAN MORA

$4.99 US | 32 Pages | Variant $5.99 US (card stock)

ON SALE 1/20/27

The Dark Knight Detective teams up with The Question in his quest to clear Clark Kent’s name. But what they uncover may prove to put both Clark and all of Smallville in mortal danger. Tom Taylor and Mikel Janín’s shocking arc continues and begs the question: How far will Batman go to save his friend?

As seen in the new art and synopsis, Batman's new partner will be none other than former GCPD detective Renee Montoya aka The Question, a masked and gifted investigator known for uncovering all kinds of conspiracies and corruption in the DC Universe.

By all accounts, Renee will undoubtedly be exactly the kind of ally Batman needs in place of Superman, with Clark Kent being locked behind bars. With the case being all kinds of personal for Bruce, Montoya will likely be able to approach the case with a new perspective and more objective analysis. As such, she really does seem to be the ideal partner to help The Dark Knight solve this upcoming case and clear Clark's name once and for all.

With the case taking them to Superman's hometown of Smallville, the synopsis claims that Batman and Montoya will be finding far more than just clues, with the tease that Clark and the entire town will be in some kind of mortal danger. As such, it's going to be fascinating to see this new duo working in tandem to uncover the truth and exonerate Superman, while also hopefully discovering what kind of dark forces set this entire storyline in motion in the first place.

Detective Comics #1117 goes on sale January 20th from DC Comics.

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  Created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger

  First Film Batman

  Latest Film The Batman

  Upcoming Films The Batman Part II

  First TV Show Batman (1966)

  Latest TV Show Batman: The Brave and the Bold

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  Movie(s) Superman, Superman II, Superman III, Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, Superman Returns, Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Superman, Man of Tomorrow

  TV Show(s) Adventures of Superman, Superman, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Smallville, Superman: The Animated Series, My Adventures With Superman

  Comic Superman (2023)

  First Film Superman

  Genres Superhero, Action

  Cast Christopher Reeve, David Corenswet, Brandon Routh, Henry Cavill, Tom Welling, Tyler Hoechlin, Margot Kidder, Rachel Brosnahan, Kate Bosworth, Amy Adams, Gene Hackman, Nicholas Hoult, Kevin Spacey, Jesse Eisenberg