Welcome back to Upcoming Comics! Once again we've got a big week for Batman. In fact there are almost twice as many bat titles than non-bat DC books coming out. Maybe counting Suicide Squad is debatable, but let's face it that team's been a "Harley and friends" title since the New 52 started. Last I checked she's from a Batman cartoon so I'd say it counts.
Sometimes I'm not sure if the "DC: the house that Batman built" line from Lego Batman is really a joke anymore. It wasn't always this skewed. I'm pretty sure I've already commented on this in a previous Upcoming, but some weeks it becomes really noticeable.
Upcoming Comics
The Bat-Man: First Knight #2
Monster men continue to terrorize Gotham City, but with the body count rising, the GCPD is no closer to solving the mystery behind these seemingly undead assailants, and the Bat-Man and Gordon are the only ones willing to brave the criminal underworld to crack the case. It’s after a near-death brawl saving the mayor from the monster men that the Bat-Man must face a stark reality…are his fists and willpower enough to save Gotham?
- Written By: Dan Jurgens
- Penciled By: Mike Perkins
- Inks By: Mike Perkins
- Colors By: Mike Spicer
- Cover By: Mike Perkins, Mike Spicer
Thoughts: If there's one thing that this title has nailed so far, it's the atmosphere. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more.
Batman News Critic: Chip
Batman/Dylan Dog #2
The second issue of the bombastic team-up between DC’s Dark Knight and Sergio Bonelli’s Nightmare Investigator is here! Batman hunts through London to find any trace of the kidnapped Catwoman, and all of his clues are turning up smiles…while Dylan Dog must enlist the help of John Constantine to track down a serial killer…a serial killer he already put in the ground years before. Life is hell in more ways than one in this gargantuan issue that will bring you straight to hell (but will it take you back?).
- Written By: Roberto Recchioni
- Art By: Gigi Cavenago, Werther Dell'Edera
- Cover By: Gigi Cavenago
Thoughts: Seeing Constantine show up is a bit surprising. Thematically he fits, but this was already a team-up.
Batman News Critic: Andru
Batman and Robin #8
As Batman finds himself in the clutches of a new cult that worships Man-Bat, Robin continues his own investigation into his High School’s connections to Shush! Can the father and son dynamic duo uncover Man-Bat and Shush’s master plans before Gotham pays the price?!
- Written By: Joshua Williamson
- Penciled By: Nikola Cizmesija
- Inks By: Simone Di Meo, Nikola Cizmesija
- Colors By: Simone Di Meo, Giovanna Niro
- Cover By: Simone Di Meo
Thoughts: Less Shush, more Flatline.
Batman News Critic: William
Red Hood: The Hill #3
All hell comes to the Hill…literally! Jason Todd has gone up against his fair share of monsters and paranormal creatures in his time, but he’s never gone up against anything quite like the demonic creatures that have been unleashed in the streets of his new hometown. Literal monsters roam the city, metaphorical monsters pull the strings in the shadows, and they all have Red Hood in their sights!
- Written By: Shawn Martinbrough
- Penciled By: Tony Akins
- Inks By: Tony Akins
- Colors By: Matt Herms
- Cover By: Sanford Greene
Thoughts: I'll be interested to see if Jason finally becomes the focus of his own title with what the solicitation promises.
Batman News Critic: Akash
Outsiders #6
“THE PLACE BETWEEN PAGES” Welcome, Outsiders. Welcome to a pleasant small town, sitting just outside the periphery of memory. Please, do make yourselves at home—there’s much to do, and all the time in the world to do it. Take a stroll past long forgotten faces, visit places that no longer are, and leave the worries of your endless existence behind. At long last, you have nothing to fear. Welcome to the Place Between Pages. Welcome outside.
- Written By: Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly
- Penciled By: Robert Carey
- Inks By: Robert Carey
- Colors By: Valentina Taddeo
- Cover By: Adriano Lucas, Roger Cruz
Thoughts: A Pleasantville/Truman Show premise is always ground for interesting stories, so hopefully Lanzing and Kelly can deliver.
Batman News Critic: Aaron
Batman and Robin and Howard #2
Having finally met their match, Damian and Howard’s rivalry continues to escalate, both on and off the field. As the boys struggle to work together, Batman begins investigating a series of incidents targeting other soccer teams in the area. Who could it be? And could Damian’s soccer team be their next target?
- Written By: Jeffrey Brown
- Penciled By: Jeffrey Brown
- Inks By: Jeffrey Brown
- Colors By: Silvana Brys
- Cover By: Jeffrey Brown, Silvana Brys
Thoughts: A soccer conspiracy is the exact kind of hijinks I like to see in these all ages comics.
Batman News Critic: Chris
Suicide Squad: Dream Team #2
Dreamer has made her break from the rest of the Squad, and Amanda Waller is pissed. Who will side with the dream-walking precog, and who will kiss the ring of the DC Universe’s premier control freak? The answers will surprise you (except I think we all pretty much know Bizarro will do something “opposite,” though, right?) as the Dream Team shatters!
- Written By: Nicole Maines
- Penciled By: Eddy Barrows
- Inks By: Eber Ferreira
- Colors By: Adriano Lucas
- Cover By: Eber Ferreira, Eddy Barrows, Adriano Lucas
Thoughts: There's an interesting gap between the solicitations which focus on Dreamer finally starring in her own title, and the covers which put Harley front and center.
Batman News Critic: Chris
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: The Bat-Man: First Knight #2- I have some issues with the writing, but the setting has me hooked to want to return to 1930s Gotham ASAP.
Least Excited: Suicide Squad: Dream Team #2- At a certain point "Countdown to Absolute Power" starts to feel like a threat.
Wild Card: Batman/Dylan Dog #2- It's such a weird idea for a team up, but I like weird. Weird is interesting.
Well that’s it for this week! Let us know in the comments what comics you’re looking forward to.
