DC Comics is delaying the release of a new Batman comic following the Aurora shootings because it "contains content that may be perceived as insensitive in light of recent events".
Although Batman Inc #3 was to be launched on Wednesday, DC has asked stockists not to sell the comic until 22 August "out of respect for the victims and families in Aurora, Colorado". Last week 12 people died and at least 58 were injured in a mass shooting during a screening of The Dark Knight Rises, the third part of the Batman trilogy. James Holmes, the man suspected of the attack, has appeared in court this week.
The comic is the latest in Grant Morrison's series, illustrated by Chris Burnham, in which the Batman brand is franchised globally "in preparation for a major international threat". The publisher did not specify what the "insensitive" content in the new issue was, but Burnham tweeted: "It's not just a Batman comic with guns in it. There's a specific scene that made DC & the whole Bat-team say 'Yikes'. Too close for comfort."
"Batman Inc #3 is going to be delayed a month owing to some grim imagery that would seem wholly inappropriate given the Aurora killings," he said. "The book printed on time. I'm looking at a copy on my desk right now. This isn't a scheduling excuse, we're trying to do the right thing."
