A recurring enemy of DC’s Batman just received their greatest art in 41 years, as they officially return for a dark new arc. With an iconic design that’s appeared in games and movies, it’s about time this supervillain got a tribute this amazing.
We’re looking at this amazing new art, what makes it so great, and the villain’s visual history across DC history.
Black Mask Returns in Jaw-Dropping Cover Art
BLACK MASK IN BATMAN ARKHAM ORIGINS
New solicit information for Catwoman #87 showcases the best cover art yet of Batman villain the Black Mask, aka Roman Sionis. The stunning cover from Sebastián Fiumara depicts a twisted portrait, as Black Mask sits seated, his eyes glowing and a blood-red knife in one hand.
Catwoman #87 Pre Order Cover A Sebastian Fiumara
Sionis is accompanied by a ghostly figure implied to be Holly Robinson – Catwoman’s closest friend, introduced in the iconic Batman: Year One. The art is a gorgeous, painterly portrayal which, on close inspection, includes canvas texture and brushstrokes.
catwoman 87 cover showing black mask
The image showcases Black Mask’s iconic design, deepens his air of menace, and even references his wealthy upbringing by mimicking the kind of indulgent portraiture that hung on the walls of his childhood home… before he killed his father to inherit everything.
The skull mask he wears is a grisly trophy of the act, made from his father’s coffin and burned to his face during an early confrontation with Batman.
Why Black Mask Is Coming for Catwoman
Catwoman #88
Coming from Torunn Grønbekk, Davide Gianfelice and Patricio Delpeche, Catwoman #87 sees Black Mask return to continue his grudge against Catwoman. Catwoman’s clash with Black Mask is a multi-issue arc, with Fiumara also delivering an awesome cover for Catwoman #88, above.
The rivalry between Catwoman and Black Mask began in the 2000s after Sionis attempted to take over Gotham’s East End – Catwoman’s traditional base of operations. When Catwoman all but dismantled his operation, Black Mask went after her like few villains ever have, capturing and torturing her family, including killing her brother-in-law.
catwoman vs black skull
In response, Catwoman shot him dead. This being comics, Black Mask eventually returned to life, but remains obsessed with making Catwoman pay.
Black Mask’s Greatest Comic Covers of the Past
eqan mcgregor’s black mask in birds of prey and the fantabulous emancipation of harley quinn
Calling Sebastián Fiumara’s cover Black Mask’s best of all time may seem like excessive praise, but it’s deserved. While Black Mask has appeared in media including the Arkham games, the Birds of Prey movie (played by Ewan McGregor), and various TV adaptations including Batwoman and Gotham, he doesn’t appear in comics nearly as frequently as A-list foes like the Joker or Scarecrow.
Because of this, Black Mask boasts far fewer cover appearances than many of his Gotham contemporaries. Some of his best can be seen below in the covers for Batman #386 (Tom Mandrake and Anthony Tollin), Batman #485 (Michael Golden) and Detective Comics #553 (Klaus Janson and Anthony Tollin).
Each of these issues was written by Black Mask co-creator Doug Moench (alongside artist Tom Mandrake), and depict Black Mask before his shift towards a skull-shaped mask. Bombastic and symbolic, they focus on Sionis’ mask obsession and his gangster persona.
More recent entries showcase Black Mask’s skull-and-suit design, including cover art from Black Mask: Year of the Villain #1 (Mitch Gerads), Batman #644 (Jock), and Catwoman #83 (Adam Hughes), the latter of which saw Black Mask return from death as a Black Lantern – part of the Blackest Night event.
Perhaps the most iconic image of Black Mask until now was Matt Wagner’s depiction of the villain, used for the Batman Arkham: Black Mask collection of his greatest stories.
batman arkham black mask cover
As impressive as they all are, Sebastián Fiumara’s new art combines the two eras, utilizing Black Mask’s most iconic design (the one used in pretty much every adaptation) and the surreal, symbolic covers of yesteryear.
It’s Been an Amazing Few Years for Black Mask Fans
black mask redesign in absolute batman
As one of Batman’s more underrated villains, it’s always cause for celebration when Black Mask gets the spotlight. His return in Catwoman follows his use in 2024’s Absolute Batman as the Dark Knight’s first real supervillain, with a radical redesign courtesy of Nick Dragotta and Scott Snyder.
black mask in absolute batman
Black Mask led off the critically and commercially beloved reimagining of Batman lore as the leader of the ‘Party Animals’ gang, plunging Gotham into chaos as part of an overarching plan by Jack Grimm, aka the Joker. Not since 2004’s War Games has Black Mask played such a major role in Batman comics.
New art for Catwoman #87 delivers an all-time best piece of Black Mask art, marking the latest step in his grand return to modern Batman comics.
Catwoman #87 is coming May 20 from DC Comics.
Created By
Bob Kane, Bill Finger
Alias
Bruce Wayne
Alliance
Justice League, Outsiders, Batman Family
Race
Human
Franchise
D.C.