Welcome back to Upcoming Comics (SPOOKY MONTH EDITION)!
So, how about that Squid Game, huh? I literally heard about it yesterday, and the moment I heard about it once, it was suddenly all anyone could talk about. I just finished watching it before writing this up, and I gotta say, I see why it's so popular - no spoilers of course, but let me know if anyone has thoughts on the show in the comments!
In terms of administrative news, we'll be relaunching This Week In Comics very shortly - we're still ironing out some things, but go over to those posts to see our thoughts on any comics we may not have covered (and some we actually have)! On that note, be sure to comment if you have any requests for what you want to see from the site as well.
Now, here's what we have for this week:
Upcoming Comics
Batman #114
Batman is racing against time to stop Gotham City from tearing itself apart as the Scarecrow's long game is revealed. The Dark Knight has bigger problems though, as an insane Peacekeeper-01 is on a murderous rampage through the streets of Gotham! Can Peackeeper-X stop him?!
Back-Up: Clownhunter has been doused with Fear Toxin at the hands of the Scarecrow, and he is living out every anxiety, moment of pain, and heartbreak he's ever had. Will he find his way out and resume his goal of being Gotham's protector from clowns? Or will he succumb to Scarecrow's greatest mind game yet?! See the end of this epic story that will change Clownhunter's trajectory in Gotham City forever!
Written by James Tynion IV
Pencils and Inks by Jorge Jiménez
Back-up Written by Brandon Thomas
Back-up Pencils and Inks by Jason Howard
Cover by Jorge Jiménez
Josh's Thoughts: So far, "Fear State" has been more like "Yawn State." Tynion has a bad habit of liking to talk around his plots rather than actually showcase them, and that makes his stories - especially events - feel way less eventful. I'm hoping for the best, but not expecting much.
The Joker Presents: A Puzzlebox #3
The puzzle gets more complicated…and deadly! The Joker continues story time with two more terrifying tales of this twisted treasure hunt. First, Black Mask is out for revenge, but when he crosses paths with one of the world's greatest assassins, things don't go as planned. Then, Killer Moth must team-up with Man-Bat if he hopes to survive the riddle of Master Engine.
Written by Matthew Rosenberg
Art by by Jesus Merino, Dominike "Domo" Stanton, and Juni Ba
Cover by Chip Zdarsky
Justice League Infinity #4
After being whisked across the Multiverse, Wonder Woman finds herself trapped on a desolate and barren planet with the last person she'd ever expect to find: DARKSEID! What does the former ruler of Apokolips want with the Amazonian warrior? And what lurks in the shadows of this devasted world?
Written by J.M. Dematteis and James Tucker
Art by Ethen Beavers
Arkham City: The Order of the World #1
The Joker's attack on Arkham Asylum left the long-standing Gotham establishment in ruin, most of the patients killed or missing, and only a handful of surviving staff—a few nurses, a gravely injured security guard, and one doctor. In the chaos of the assault, it is believed that several of the asylum's patients escaped and scurried off into the dark nooks and crannies of Gotham City. Now, these Arkhamites walk among us, and it's up to the Asylum's one remaining doctor, Jocasta Joy, to round up her former patients.
Meet these Arkhamites: a woman with no face, a pyggy in search of perfection, a man who feels nothing and burns everything, a woman who must devour life to save herself, a man unfit for the waking world who looks instead for Wonderland, a body with more than one soul, a being unbound from time who lives in the present and the past, a boy who seeks the comfort of vermin, and the twisted man who sees them all for who they are.
And witness the avenging angel who stalks them.
This fall, join writer Dan Watters and artist Dani on an odyssey through the deepest depths and darkest shadows of Gotham City and find all-new reasons to fear the night.
Story by Dan Watters
Pencils by Dani
Inks by Dave Stewart
Cover by Sam Wolfe Connelly
My Thoughts: There was a period of time earlier in the year where it felt like everything was being announced at once - and while I missed out on the chance to review some comics I was curious about, I made sure I was the first to put my hand up for this. Watch this space.
Batman: The Adventures Continue Season Two #5
An old face returns to Gotham when former Mayor Emerson Mayfield steps out of retirement, looking to once again rise to power. But Batman isn't thrilled with the Mayor's homecoming after his run-ins with him during his early years as the caped crusader. Can Batman deduce what Mayfield's plan for Gotham is before it's too late?!
Written by Paul Dini and Alan Burnett
Art by Rick Burchett
Cover by Jamal Campbell
Matina's Thoughts: I just recently sat down and got caught up on season one and two of this series, and I have to say season two has been quite a bit of fun! It’s been a good blend of individual stories mixed with some more plot focused narratives, and I’m interested in seeing where it goes next.
Beyond the Bat
Welcome to Beyond the Bat! Here you can see everything else that DC is releasing this week, beyond the scope of the books we cover on the website.
This week, you know I gotta suggest you check out Wonder Woman's anniversary issue - but while we're here, let's take a moment to appreciate how much horrror DC's giving us right now! Next week I might and try to do something of a horror spotlight, so be sure to keep an eye on the spookier side of this website.
Ratings
Most Excited: Arkham City: The Order of the World #1. This book has a stellar creative team heading the project, and with it looking like a spiritual successor to Morrison's Arkham Asylum, I have high hopes for whatever the hell this thing has to offer!
Least Excited: Whatever the hell is going on in that cover for Justice League Infinity #4.
Wild Card: Batman #114. I'm not as negative towards this book, and I'm kinda curious as to how it plays out - even if Tynion has been a little slow at getting to the meat of the story.
Best wishes, and see you in the reviews!
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Author’s Twitter: @ObnoxiousFinch
