Welcome back to Upcoming Comics!
Hooh boy. A lot of news this week - almost too much to parse, if I'm being honest! Some of the comic book announcements are interesting enough, and I happen to be incredibly excited for the Riddler book coming out later this year. The Batman is my favourite superhero movie of the year (like there's been much competition?), and seeing a tie-in with the movie's most fascinating character is incredibly thrilling. On the other side of things, changing Dark Crisis to Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths does nothing for me. When your book is already clogged with references and derivative storytelling, why did you guys think another reference would suddenly make it better? Sigh. Of course, the biggest tragedy is that we're still no closer to a new Superman movie.
What did you guys like about SDCC? Discuss in the comments while we see what we have this week:
Upcoming Comics
Detective Comics #1062
Gotham Nocturne part 1 of 4: “Overture.” It’s a new era for the detective of the night as we introduce award-winning new series writer Ram V (Catwoman, The Many Deaths of Laila Starr), and artist extraordinaire Rafael Albuquerque (American Vampire, Superman/Batman)! Together, they’ll be turning Gotham into a tragic yet beautiful gothic opera for our eyes and ears to feast on. Something is terribly wrong with Batman. No matter the tests Bruce takes, nor the numbers he counts, the greatest detective in the world can’t pin down the source of this creeping dread-of his own inner demons and a looming mortality. Meanwhile, real demons roam the shadows as an ancient melody haunts the Gotham night. Here now the curtains rise and as the eerie tune streams in…who is human, who is demon, who is to tell? As Batman investigates the songs and the demons of Gotham, he is forced to confront the oldest question…whether there has been a demon within him all along…and if so, what does it want?…and why hasn’t it taken over yet?
Written by Ram V and Simon Spurrier
Pencils and Inks by Rafael Albuquerque and Dani
Colours by Dave Stewart
Cover Art by Evan Cagle
Thoughts: Oh, now THIS I've been waiting for with bated breath! I'd like to remind everyone to look through my interview with Ram V, if you want a primer for what to expect from this series. Looking forward to it!
Batman News Critic: Matina
Batman: One Dark Knight #3
From the sewers under Gotham to the roiling waters of the harbor, Batman’s march toward Blackgate Prison is nearing its end…but far from being a passive prisoner, E.M.P. has his own mission to fulfill-and there’s no way he’s letting the Dark Knight stop him from carrying it out!
Written and Drawn by Jock
Thoughts: I know this is an incredibly shallow thing, but I can't help but repeat how pleasing it is to see one name and one name only on a comic like this. It's very satisfying to see Jock being given his own stomping ground, and his artwork is killing it as much as ever! One of my favourite artists in the world of Gotham.
Batman News Critic: Casper
Batman: Fortress #3
Time is running out after a disastrous first encounter with the invading alien force, and Batman is forced to change his tactics and team up with the last person on Earth he could have expected. The mystery deepens around the absent Man of Steel, as the alien motives become more clear…Could there be secrets to his disappearance at the Fortress of Solitude?
Written by Gary Whitta
Pencils and Inks by Darick Robertson
Colours by Diego Rodriguez
Thoughts: Something about this cover screams "Neal Adams" to me, but it's not specifically the art style. Maybe it's the obnoxious dialogue on the cover?
Batman News Critic: William
Robin #16
Robin’s investigation into Lazarus Island is put on hold as Lord Death Man strikes. Damian and Hawke are called to Tokyo by Flatline to help her deal with her crazed mentor. Which means…killer-bros road trip!
Written by Joshua Williamson
Pencils by Roger Cruz
Inks by Norm Rapmund
Colours by Luis Guerrero
Thoughts: Lord Death Man is great! As for the rest of the series, I've developed some complicated thoughts about Robin. If people are interested in hearing an op-ed from me about comic book relationships, I'd be happy to consider publishing it.
Batman News Critic: Matina
Harley Quinn #17
It’s the moment we’ve been building toward for months! The rumble in the jungle! But actually in Gotham, because we’re not in the jungle. It’s the throwdown showdown between me, your hyper-verbal, semi-reformed former villain, and Verdict, the violent vigilante vowing to have vengeance on…well, everybody! Can I clear my name after being locked up for a crime I didn’t commit?
Written by Stephanie Phillips
Pencils and Inks by Riley Rossmo
Colours by Ivan Plascencia
Batman News Critic: Theresa
Task Force Z #10
The rise of Powers Industries! Red Hood and what remains of his Task Force Z squad are on the run and investigating the secrets of their former benefactor, Powers Industries. What they discover will change Batman history forever. Meanwhile, inside Powers Industries, Mr. Bloom and Man-Bat are hard at work betraying their teammates with no remorse.
Written by Matthew Rosenberg
Pencils by Eddy Barrows
Inks by Eber Ferreira
Colours by Adriano Lucas
Thoughts: Alright, that does it. This series has been consisently on my radar, but I haven't remained current with it for a while - this week, I'm sitting down and catching up with all of it. Will report back with my thoughts!
Batman News Critic: Casper
DC: Mech #1
At the end of World War II, Earth was invaded by giant mechanized parademons from a planet called Apokolips. Earth’s protectors, the Justice Society of America, were devastated, and with them, the age of superheroes came to an end and the era of the Mech began. In the ensuing years, the world has stockpiled colossal battle suits piloted by elite warriors, waiting for the day Apokolips returns. But when Kal-El, the last son of a dying world, crash-lands in Metropolis with his own war suit, he’ll face down two of Earth’s finest Mech fighters, the Flash and Batman. The dawn of a brave new mechanized DCU is here from the rising star creative team of Kenny Porter (The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive, Fearless) and Baldemar Rivas (Robins, Batman: Urban Legends).
Written by Kenny Porter
Pencils and Inks by Baldemar Rivas
Colours Mike Spicer
Thoughts: ...Okay! Why not! We've already done dinosaurs, let's get even weirder.
Batman News Critic: Aaron
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.
Ratings
Most Excited: Detective Comics #1062. The operatic style of this book opens up a world of untapped potential, and to see it even harness a fraction of that will be a treat.
Least Excited: Harley Quinn #17. Nothing personal, just process of elimination. The show looks great!
Wild Card: I mean really, who the hell saw DC Mech coming?
Best wishes, and see you in the reviews!
P.S. Anyone else completely over all the MCU announcements at SDCC? I felt next to nothing for most of them.
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Author’s Twitter: @ObnoxiousFinch
