Rich Johnston Comics' Gossip: Bruce Wayne to die

Comic Book Resources: "The last two LITG columns...have covered the death of Bruce Wayne, his ascendancy as a Fifth World New God, and his replacement here on Earth. I can now tell you that the new Batman will be designed by Alex Ross and will see Jason Todd under the cowl."

Ross of course just redesigned Captain America after Steve Rogers was killed to be replaced by somebody else. Is there nothing new under the sun? These stunts are wearisome.