Welcome back to Upcoming Comics! We're one month away from the Absolute Power event, and you can see it as the solicits of multiple titles starting to allude to it. However, I'm actually less interested in the event itself (which I expect to play out similarly to the other half dozen events from the past few years), and more interested in the supposed Absolute Comics line that's coming after. Nothing's confirmed yet, but rumors of a DC equivalent to Marvel's Ultimate Comics could be a way for DC to have their cake and eat it too in regards to continuity. Of course, it could also blow up in their face. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Upcoming Comics
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age #1
The new era of Elseworlds kicks off with the return of its crown jewel, the mysterious and gothic world originated by Brian Augustyn and Mike Mignola! When a mysterious meteor falls on the wide-open plains of the Midwest, it will unleash a chain of events that find Gotham’s bizarre Batman contending with not just the twin threats of the Catwoman and a mysterious international assassin but also the emergence of superhuman beings beyond all comprehension! This sequel series expands the 19th-century DC Universe beyond the confines of Gotham City, showcasing bold new visions of once-familiar heroes…Do not miss it!
- Written By: Andy Diggle
- Penciled By: Leandro Fernandez
- Inks By: Leandro Fernandez
- Colors By: Dave Stewart
- Cover By: Leandro Fernandez, Dave Stewart
Thoughts: Oftentimes these sorts of Elseworlds were carried more by their concept than their writing, so turning it into a lunching point for new ongoings honestly seems like the perfect idea
Batman News Critic: Chip
Batman and Robin #10
SHUSH RISES! Man-Bat’s plans have been unleashed on Gotham. The only person who can help Batman and Robin save the city is…SHUSH?! Can she set aside her hate for the dynamic duo and help, or will she let her quest for revenge overcome her?
- Written By: Joshua Williamson
- Penciled By: Simone Di Meo, Nikola Cizmesija
- Inks By: Simone Di Meo, Nikola Cizmesija
- Colors By: Rex Lokus
- Cover By: Simone Di Meo
Thoughts: Still waiting for the Shush storyline to end. As a villain she really just doesn't seem to have anything interesting going for her.
Batman News Critic: William
Red Hood: The Hill #5
As Slayer’s murderous machinations come running headfirst into Korlee Jr.’s strange schemes—with Red Hood and Batman stuck in the middle! Strap in, rev your engine, and get ready to come speeding into this penultimate issue of Red Hood: The Hill!
- Written By: Shawn Martinbrough
- Penciled By: Tony Akins
- Inks By: Shawn Martinbrough
- Colors By: Matt Herms
- Cover By: Sanford Greene
Thoughts: I know that it's old news at this point, but this cover only draws attention to how dumb it is that they made Jason's weapon of choice a pair of crowbars.
Batman News Critic: Akash
Outsiders #8
Following the explosive revelations of last issue, Batwoman departs the Outsiders on a solo quest of her own design. In the storied deserts of the American southwest, a dangerous specter stalks the innocent and guilty alike with a vengeance that spans all the way back to those first dark days of the Old West. Anyone with violence in their heart can become the victim…or the perpetrator. Can Kate Kane hunt this monster down before more innocent lives are destroyed…or before it consumes her soul with its violence as well? Guest-starring Young Justice’s Jinny Hex, this issue is a brutal showdown for the soul of the Batwoman!
- Written By: Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly
- Penciled By: Robert Carey
- Inks By: Robert Carey
- Colors By: Valentina Taddeo
- Cover By: Roger Cruz, Adriano Lucas
Thoughts: I guess throwing in a Western issue is one way to address the concern over this series' lack of identity.
Batman News Critic: Aaron
Suicide Squad: Dream Team #4
As the Dream Team’s story reaches its climax, Dreamer and her Suicide Squad take their one and only shot at preventing the future she’s predicted, in which Amanda Waller turns Gamorra into her own personal alien super-prison. Will Dreamer be able to save the day and abide by her superhero code, or will she have to embrace the Wall’s “greater good” philosophy and resolve to change the future by any means necessary?
- 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: With Absolute Power on the horizon, I guess we've started wrapping up all the prelude storylines as well as these tie-in "countdown" comics
Batman News Critic: Chris
Batman and Robin and Howard #4
With Batman still missing, Damian is worried and ready to do whatever it takes to find his dad—including telling his new friend his family’s most guarded secret. Can the boys find Batman before Gotham’s newest villain makes their final play?
- Written By: Jeffrey Brown
- Penciled By: Jeffrey Brown
- Inks By: Jeffrey Brown
- Colors By: Silvana Brys
- Cover By: Jeffrey Brown, Silvana Brys
Thoughts: Well that wraps up this graphic-novel-rereleased-as-a-miniseries. I'm sure that sort of release has happened before, but I can't think of any.
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: Batman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age #1- DC has made a big deal out of this new plan to revisit famous Elseworlds settings, so let's see if it's worth the hype.
Least Excited: Suicide Squad: Dream Team #4- Might as well get this out of the way to get to the actual story next month.
Wild Card: Batman and Robin #10- Hopefully Williamson can turn this plot around and focus on what makes the series work: the characters.
Well that’s it for this week! Let us know in the comments what comics you’re looking forward to.
