Welcome back to Upcoming Comics! We managed to get through the tidal wave of comics last week and now we're more or less back to normal. On that front, there isn't a whole lot to say about this week's comic lineup, as it's mostly business as usual. However, we'll be getting some new bat titles early in 2024 such as a Red Hood title and even a team up book with Dylan Dog, a paranormal detective from an Italian horror comic publisher Sergio Bonelli Editore. Say what you want, DC still has the occasional surprise up its sleeve.
Upcoming Comics
Batman - Santa Claus: Silent Knight #3
It’s Christmas EVIL! The nefarious Krampus unleashes a flock of killer harpies on London and it’s time to call in the big guns! Half the Justice League meets a most unusual elf who takes them to Norway to help Santa do battle, but it appears a diabolical trap is being set…
- Written By: Jeff Parker
- Penciled By: Michele Bandini, Trevor Hairsine
- Inks By: Michele Bandini, Trevor Hairsine
- Colors By: Alex Sinclair
- Cover By: Dan Mora
Thoughts: I hate to say this, but this series has possibly committed the worst sin possible for something with its premise: it's just sort of bland. Outside of the fact that they call the new guy Santa, it feels like a fairly generic comic.
Batman News Critic: Cam (Full series review 12/26)
Catwoman #60
“Nine Lives” part two. Somewhere in one of the world’s most beautiful cities, a dance to the death is taking place. The setting? An accursed theater where no matter the play in question, the stakes are life and death, with a prize worth more than its weight in gold. And at the heart of it all stalks the devilishly deviant Flamingo and his latest costar-Catwoman! Can Selina Kyle glide her way through the performance of her lifetime, or will it be curtains for the amoral alley cat?!
- Written By: Tini Howard
- Penciled By: Stefano Raffaele
- Inks By: Stefano Raffaele
- Colors By: Veronica Gandini
- Cover By: David Nakayama
Thoughts: Normally I would be all about a face-off between Selina and a flamboyant villain like Flamingo, but this run being what it is...
Batman News Critic: William
Harley Quinn: Black + White + Redder #6
In this final issue of madcap monochromatic misadventures, Catwoman's own Tini Howard and iconic artist Babs Tarr team up for a night on the town with the Gotham City Sirens! Nightwing superstar Bruno Redondo takes Harley on a dimension-breaking journey of self-reflection! And rising stars Deniz Camp and Fábio Veras put one unlucky couple through an extraordinarily high-stakes session of marriage counseling, courtesy of the renowned (some would say infamous) Dr. Harleen Quinzel!
- Written By: Tini Howard, Bruno Redondo, Deniz Camp
- Penciled By: Bruno Redondo, Babs Tarr, Fábio Veras
- Inks By: Bruno Redondo, Babs Tarr, Fábio Veras
- Colors By: Bruno Redondo, Fábio Veras, Rachael Cohen
- Cover By: Jenny Frison
Thoughts: Fate is a cruel mistress, so of course Tini Howard is the featured writer on Theresa's final review for this site
Batman News Critic: Theresa
Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong #3
Superman and Godzilla have gone head-to-head with devastating consequences in Metropolis as the Justice League scrambles to protect their homes from the monsters-Supergirl encounters Kong on Skull Island and Wonder Woman takes on Behemoth on Themyscira! Lost in the monster mayhem, though, are Lex Luthor and his Legion of Doom… what nefarious connection do they have to everything?
- Written By: Brian Buccellato
- Penciled By: Christian Duce
- Inks By: Christian Duce
- Colors By: Luis Guerrero
- Cover By: Drew Edward Johnson, Romulo Fajardo
Thoughts: After just watching the fairly serious Godzilla Minus One (great movie!), it's a bit jarring seeing him once again being used for ridiculous premises and team ups
Batman News Critic: Jeremy
Nightwing #109
The dramatic conclusion to Nightwing’s pirate quest! Nightwing learns the truth behind the secret pirate society, and his relationship with Bea Bennett changes forever. Plus, an all-new adventure begins in the backups. What’s going on with Beast Boy, and why is everyone turning into animals? The tie-in to Beast World, the thrilling new event of the season, starts here.
- Written By: Tom Taylor
- Penciled By: Stephen Byrne, Sami Basri
- Inks By: Stephen Byrne, Sami Basri
- Colors By: Adriano Lucas
- Cover By: Bruno Redondo
Thoughts: I had so many high hopes for the "pirate" arc, but I was so disappointed. It's a premise brimming with potential, but I never felt Taylor seized on that.
Batman News Critic: Aaron
Batman: Off-World #2
Superstar creators Jason Aaron and Doug Mahnke’s brutal interstellar adventure continues as a young Bruce Wayne has journeyed to space to continue his development as Batman! But when he winds up a prisoner of the War Storm, a massive starship filled with trained killers, can the Dark Knight find new allies to aid in his journey?!
- Written By: Jason Aaron
- Penciled By: Doug Mahnke
- Inks By: Jaime Mendoza
- Colors By: David Baron
- Cover By: Doug Mahnke, David Baron, Jaime Mendoza
Thoughts: I feel like you really need a more interesting hook to your Batman space adventure than "he's doing it for more training"
Batman News Critic: Cam
Batman/Superman: World's Finest #22
Trapped in the universe of Kingdom Come, the World’s Finest heroes encounter skewed versions of their friends-a team calling itself the Justice Battalion! Can Batman and Superman prevent Boy Thunder from fulfilling his destiny and becoming the bloodthirsty Magog?
- Written By: Mark Waid
- Penciled By: Dan Mora
- Inks By: Dan Mora
- Colors By: Tamra Bonvillain
- Cover By: Dan Mora
Thoughts: As much as I love this series, I'm not a fan of "heroes fight due to a misunderstanding" plots, so I hope that aspect wraps up soon
Batman News Critic: Casper
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
There are actually no bat graphic novels coming out this week. I hope you already got your Christmas shopping done early!
Ratings
Most Excited: Batman/Superman: World's Finest #22- I know, I'm just full of surprises, ain't I? Even in an arc that I have issues with, this is still DC's best ongoing.
Least Excited: Batman: Off-World #2- I don't know how you make "Batman goes to space" this boring
Wild Card: Harley Quinn: Black + White + Redder #6- Obviously we already know what to expect from Tini Howard writing Harley Quinn, but it will at least be interesting to see what Bruno Redondo and Deniz Camp bring to the table.
Well that’s it for this week! Let us know in the comments what comics you’re looking forward to.
