Welcome back to Upcoming Comics! Weeks like this really highlight when DC launches a bunch of new titles at once. Five of the titles coming out are on their third issue or less. I suppose it makes sense given that they tend to launch in waves (often lined up with a SDCC or NYCC announcement). It certainly can make for an interesting time to be a fan, and if you’re lucky, could include some soon to be favorites.
Upcoming Comics
Batman #2
Injured, cuffed, and tossed in the back of a GCPD paddy wagon with a dozen uncuffed and violent criminals, Robin (Tim Drake) will have to use everything he’s learned from the Dark Knight if he hopes to survive his own dark night. Will Batman arrive in time to help him, or will this mission change the way the city and the GCPD view the Dynamic Duo forever?
Written By: Matt Fraction
Art By: Jorge Jimenez
Thoughts: This is the second Batman run in a row that focused on Tim early on. I guess let’s see if it actually sticks this time.
Batman News Critic: Jackson
Absolute Evil #1
The emergence of superheroes has caught the attention of the world and it’s certainly caught the attention of the people who run it. Ra’s al Ghul, Veronica Cale, Elenore Thawne, Hector Hammond, and the mysterious “Joker” have worked at cross-purposes until now, but this growing threat requires new ways of thinking – and new partnerships. An insidious betrayal from within their ranks is imminent, and if they don’t take action, they’ll lose control of a planet that was built to be their playground! Superstars Al Ewing and Giuseppe Camuncoli join forces to kickstart the next era of Absolute Universe stories – with several shocking new character reveals, and one big unmissable twist!
Written By: Al Ewing
Art By: Giuseppe Camuncoli
Thoughts: The Absolute crossover story was inevitable, and I’m a bit hesitant because I’ve felt that the wildly different tones of the Absolute titles have been one of their best strengths.
Batman News Critic: Chip
Gotham Academy: First Year #1
Olive Silverlock has a problem, and it is shaped like Gotham’s favorite hero: Batman. He “saved” her when her mom lost control and got Commissioner Gordon to pawn her off on Bruce Wayne, who promptly shuffled her off to Gotham Academy. Boarding school. With a bunch of awful rich kids! As if she wasn’t traumatized enough already! How will Olive navigate her trauma as a new student? Who will she share her first kiss with? And why are the existing fans talking so much about maps? Fall in love with the fan-favorite characters all over again in this revealing prequel taking readers back to Gotham Academy! Artist Marco Ferrari joins the original team as we return to the hallowed halls for even more mystery, romance, and teen drama. Guaranteed to delight fans of the original series and introduce new readers to the lovable cast; dont miss the year it all began!
Written By: Karl Kerschl, Becky Cloonan, Brenden Fletcher
Art By: Marco Ferrari
Thoughts: I feel personally attacked by that line about fans constantly asking about Maps. Look, I know it wouldn’t make sense for her to be in this since it’s set before she attends the school, but maybe she could show up to visit her brother?
Batman News Critic: Jackson
Justice League: The Omega Act Special #1
A special oversize prologue to DC’s biggest event of the year. Everything since DC All In Special #1 has been building to this moment! Time Trapper is on the run from Darkseid’s Legion. Racing through time to learn how to stop Darkseid’s conquest, he witnesses how the future is already lost and the only hope of survival lies with the Justice League! The Time Trapper has a plan to save the DCU, but it means making an impossible offer to the League!
Written By: Joshua Williamson
Art By: Yasmine Putri, Cian Tormey
Thoughts: You know it’s a “real” event when it starts getting a bunch of prologue tie-ins.
Batman News Critic: Akash
Cheetah & Cheshire Rob the Justice League #3
With the crew assembled, Cheetah and Cheshire’s plan kicks into high gear. The only problem? If they can’t figure out how to gain access to the world’s most secure facility, the heist could be off before it even begins. As team dynamics continue to evolve, it would be a shame if anything went Sideways!
Written By: Greg Rucka
Art By: Nicola Scott
Thoughts: This title is Rucka writing at his best. Easily a highlight right now.
Batman News Critic: Akash
Batgirl #12
An unexpected call from the Bat-Family brings Cass up to speed on the happenings in Gotham and pushes Batgirl to dive head first into a mystery far beyond the streets she knows. What she uncovers is anything but expected. With new allies by her side, Batgirl must lead a dangerous mission to the snowcapped peaks of the Himalayas, where a war is brewing and long-buried secrets are waiting to be unearthed. The truth won’t stay hidden forever… but some answers come at a cost – especially when Nyssa al Ghul is involved.
Written By: Tate Brombal
Art By: Takeshi Miyazawa
Thoughts: The opening to this solicit almost makes it sound like Cass forgot that she was part of the Bat family because she’s been busy with kung-fu abroad.
Batman News Critic: Chris
Poison Ivy #37
Poison Ivy travels back to Gotham City in search of aid, only to be confronted by Batman. Turns out he’s not too pleased about Ivy’s whole “I wound up taking over the terrorist organization I told you I’d dismantle in return for you not arresting me” thing. With the truce between the Bat-Family and Ivy hanging in the balance, who does Ivy have to kill in order to make it all better?
Written By: G. Willow Wilson
Art By: Atagun Ilhan
Thoughts: Between this and Batgirl, I guess everyone is heading back to Gotham this week.
Batman News Critic: Jeremy
Birds of Prey #26
Trying to prevent the Shadow Army’s latest plan from turning into a live-action bloodbath in a bustling Gotham, the Birds of Prey give new meaning to the word undercover as they head inside a game called The Unreality with an ally they cannot possibly trust at their side.
Written By: Kelly Thompson
Art By: Sami Basri, Vicente Cifuentes
Thoughts: Time for some 90s Matrix hijinks. To the information superhighway!
Batman News Critic: Jeremy
Teen Titans Go! #8
Raven’s got a problem: the only way she can save the entire Earth from becoming a playground for her demonic brothers is to win the Azarath Trials by Fire. Her human teammates aren’t the greatest backup, but it all comes down to one last event. If they can scare the demons badly enough, they can save their planet. How lucky are you feeling, Earthlings?
Written By: Amanda Deibert
Art By: Agnes Garbowska
Thoughts: Oh no, the “Titans only have three storylines” curse is infecting TTGO too.
Batman News Critic: None
Beyond the Bat
Welcome to Beyond the Bat, where we take a quick look at the rest of DC’s comics coming out this week.
Graphic Novel Watch
Sometimes you need more than floppies. Sometimes you want something that can sit nicely on your shelf that proudly displays your favorite stories. That’s when you turn to graphic novels. Let’s see what bat collections are coming out this week:
Ratings
Most Excited: Gotham Academy: First Year #1– I know this one is unexpected, but I really thought Gotham Academy was a hidden gem of the DCYou era, and I hope this can live up to it
Least Excited: Teen Titans Go! #8– When Trigon shows up for a Raven story, that’s when the ideas are running low
Wild Card: Absolute Evil #1– This could be a big moment for how the Absolute Universe will work moving forward.
Well that’s it for this week! Let us know in the comments what comics you’re looking forward to.
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