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One of the most enduring creative teams of DC's 'New 52' era was the combination of writer Brian Azzarello and artist Cliff Chiang on Wonder Woman. Chiang's instantly recognizable art style reimagined the visual schema of Wonder Woman and Themyscira, and the artist also redesigned other DC characters like Orion of the New Gods. And as it turns out, Chiang and Azzarello were set to work on a "pulpy" and "noir" version of Batman before DC shelved the story to make way for the 'New 52.' 

On The Short Box Podcast, Chiang revealed that he and Azzarello were originally set to work on a Batman story before the New 52 wiped DC's slate clean.

"We were supposed to do a Batman book," Chiang began. "So that's what I think of,  you know, if I have to think of one [character I'd like to work on], it's Batman, because we're supposed to do a pulpy noir Batman. And that kind of ended up, those plans were part of like another publishing initiative that DC was doing. And then when that fell apart, we were going to continue with it. But then they had the idea for New 52. And so that ended up getting shelved. So our noir Batman story probably will never be made." 

But not all hope is lost for fans longing for an Azzarello-Chiang Batman story. Chiang also revealed that he and Azzarello have another Batman story in the works.

"We have worked on a Batman oneshot that hasn't been announced. It's not a pulpy Batman with guns, but it does feel like, you know, finally getting to scratch that itch," Chiang said. 

Keep your eyes peeled in the coming months for announcements about Azzarello and Chiang's Batman story. 

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