Upcoming Comics July 17, 2024

Welcome back to Upcoming Comics! You've probably noticed that a lot of bat books are either wrapping up their runs or ending all together. These all line up for this October, which just so happens to be the solicitations that DC will be announcing at this year's San Diego Comic-Con. I have a feeling that there are going to be some big changes across the publishing line soon. Do you remember that the Batman group editor retired a few months ago? I do. We can also finally stop pretending that we don't know about the Absolute Universe.

Upcoming Comics

Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter #1

The snow falls thick, blood runs black, and color itself is only a distant memory. The legendary assassin Deathstroke stalks a frozen wasteland, killing for coin among a nation of ever-warring jarls. But when our murderer for hire finds himself cast in the role of reluctant guardian, will he fight to end the icy curse destroying his land or be consumed by the sins of his own dark past? The red-hot Dark Knights of Steel epic expands into bone-chilling new territories with new surprises in store!

Written By: Jay Kristoff, Tom Taylor
Penciled By: Tirso, Riccardo Federici
Inks By: Tirso, Riccardo Federici
Colors By: Tirso
Cover By: Tirso

Thoughts: These sorts of alternate universe series certainly seem popular, because DC keeps making more of them.

Batman News Critic: Aaron

Batman/Superman: World's Finest #29

The grand finale to “Impossible” is here, and it…well, it is as insane as you think it would be. First of all, we’ve got this big DOOM-MITE guy over here, check him out…he’s about to eat Batman and Superman! What would that even taste like? Let’s hope our heroes never let him find out, as the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight save the fifth dimension from IMPLOSION or die trying!

Written By: Mark Waid
Penciled By: Dan Mora
Inks By: Dan Mora
Colors By: Tamra Bonvillain
Cover By: Dan Mora

Thoughts: This arc has been a lot of fun, and uses the Mites in a way that keeps things exciting.

Batman News Critic: Jackson

Nightwing #116

Everything Dick Grayson has built is crumbling around him. His life is spiraling out of control and Heartless is at the center of all of it. Now Nightwing must leave his city. Can he take back the power he’s lost? Or will Blϋdhaven and its citizens be lost to Heartless forever?

Written By: Tom Taylor
Penciled By: Bruno Redondo
Inks By: Bruno Redondo
Colors By: Adriano Lucas
Cover By: Bruno Redondo

Thoughts: If Dick Grayson is having a personal crisis, you know that means that Deadman needs to show up at some point.

Batman News Critic: Aaron

Titans #13

As Raven’s powers grow, the jealousy of her surviving siblings grows with them. Will their rivalry lead to doom for all? Do the Titans stand a chance against the spawn of Trigon?

Written By: Tom Taylor
Art By: Daniele Di Nicuolo
Cover By: Chris Samnee, Matheus Lopes

Thoughts: Haven't the Titans heard? There's a totally different global threat going on now.

Batman News Critic: Andru

Catwoman #67

“NINE LIVES” ENTERS ITS PENULTIMATE CHAPTER! Selina’s journey has brought her everywhere, from the deepest reaches of the ocean to the cold vacuum of space, but she’s out of places to hide. With enemies closing in all around her, there’s only one place left to go—home. Prepare for the fight of Selina’s life(s) as the WHITE GLOVE launch their attack on Gotham City!

Written By: Tini Howard
Penciled By: Carmine Di Giandomenico, Ivan Shavrin
Inks By: Carmine Di Giandomenico, Ivan Shavrin
Colors By: Ivan Shavrin, Veronica Gandini
Cover By: David Nakayama

Thoughts: Wait, "Nine Lives" isn't nine parts? Well that's lame.

Batman News Critic: William

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.

Gallery

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:

Gallery

Ratings

Most Excited: Batman/Superman: World's Finest #29- This titles doesn't always blow me away, but it's consistently fun to read and that goes for a lot.

Least Excited: Catwoman #67- Two issues left and this run is over.

Wild Card: Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter #1- Let's see how DC does vikings.

Well that’s it for this week! Let us know in the comments what comics you’re looking forward to.

24 comments

Sara

July 13, 2024

You know DC has gone wrong when the solicitations promise so much more excitement than the ongoings.

I am really looking forward to the next issue of Robin Lives! and I will keep reading The Boy Wonder. Two out of continuity books. That's it. Most of the Bat books I will be elated to see handed over to new writers. Only Ram V will be missed.

I was more interested in Absolute Batman before I saw that hideous design on the t-shirt. That looks like some nineties comic I'd have to force myself to read when the art was telling me to stop. I hope that's just a promotional image and not the comic's art. The head-to-body ratio makes it look like one of those dolls people fill with water until they explode, and some extreminities stay tiny while others swell up massively.

Speaking of alternate Batverses (with art I like better), what ever happened to Gargoyle of Gotham, Rafael Grampa's Black Label comic? This caused so much excitement when it was announced, the first issue got raves, and then dead air except for a few released images. Why is this allowed to be such a big problem with some books?

Wasp14
July 13, 2024
I agree, it’s weird that only two issues came out so far. There’s a trade that’s supposed to come out in April of next year but that’s a long ways away.
1. Sara
  July 13, 2024
  It's doing slightly better than I thought, then, because I forgot a second issue was released. I can't see the trade not having to be pushed back at the rate this is going, though. This shouldn't be a regular occurrence.
Robin MB
July 13, 2024
The delays have been awful with not just that book, JSA, Batman Echoes, & Last Days of Lex Luthor have all had massive delays. Say what you will about DiDio, at least the books came out. Jim Lee was never qualified to be a solo CCO
1. Mr Smith1466
  July 14, 2024
  I quite enjoyed issue one of last days of lex luthor, but issue 2 of a THREE PART SERIES is nearly a year late now. That's just insane.
  1. Robin MB
    July 14, 2024
    I think Mark Waid said DC announced it and shipped issue 1 when the series wasn't ready
    1. Mr Smith1466
      July 14, 2024
      Hitch said that. But hitch said that about 10 months back, and claimed he'd be done around December 2023. Well, we haven't had any updates since then.
Raphael Howard
July 15, 2024
I get that Gargoyle of Gotham is a one-man operation, and those often get hit by delays, but surely there needs to be some oversight in situations like this....
1. Sara
  July 15, 2024
  The abysmal quality of editing in the regular monthly comics is a red flag about failing leadership and overwork across the company. I read once (so this is hearsay) that Sean Murphy said he wouldn't work with DC again until they cleaned up the anarchy among the Bat editors.

Robin MB

July 13, 2024

Batman/Superman: World's Finest #29
Destro #2
Green Lantern: War Journal #11
Incredible Hulk #14
John Constantine: Hellblazer #7
Nightwing #116
Superman #16
Ultimate X-Men #5

I may pick up that Robin Lives in trade but I'm torn. I love J.M DeMatteis and the Elseworld stories have been great, but I've been heavily turned off of Jason Todd by his hostile fanbase(I'm prepared for the consequences of this statement). Also may get Boywonder in trade I'm excited to see what teams are leaving come October so I can know if any of my books will have a dropping off point. Already dropping Nightwing and Detective unless the new team is a super exciting one

I did pick up the Legends of the Dark Night Faith story, excited to read that, as well as the second part of Ventriloquist first appearance

Sara
July 13, 2024
"I'm prepared for the consequences of this statement"
You keep saying this.
Remember when you dropped into a thread during Gotham War to announce that you thought Jason should die or should have stayed dead because he had no good stories after Under the Red Hood? I remember. Imagine hearing that, and similar insults, all the time on Batman forums, as received wisdom about your favorite character and ask yourself if it wouldn't make you bitter.
I also remember wishing you a happy birthday within two or three days of that stunt.
1. Robin MB
  July 13, 2024
  It's a cycle. People don't like Jason(I am not even sure if the news team here does anymore), his fanbase gets super mad, then the people get more annoyed and fed up, then they don't like him more. If it makes you feel better I dislike all the fandoms surrounding each of the Robins, most are toxic. I dislike fandoms in general. Yeah I recall saying that but it wasn't malicious, it was "if they don't know what to do with him why keep him around" thing.
  I did read and liked Cheer so I'm not 100% opposed to reading about him, but that's probably some sorta sacrilege statement to a Jason Fan
  1. Sara
    July 13, 2024
    Oh, but lots and lots of people do like Jason. Andru and Chip have been very fair to him in reviews. But so many of the people who don't like Jason think they have to broadcast the same unsubstantiated or outright false claims, baseless assumptions, and dismissiveness every time they mention him. He has few or no good stories, he is a throwback to edgy nineties anti-heroes, he is one note, he needs to get over it and stop being traumatized since that's cringe, HE CARRIES A CROWBAR OH MY GOD HOW LOW CAN YOU GO. Some writers do it, too. These people are always looking for that last damning piece of evidence to close their close against them. To all else they are blind. It's not even like arguing comics with them.
    It's like arguing about geography with a flat earther who is a dentist and therefore a scientist and therefore cannot be wrong no matter how wrong he is.
    1. Robin MB
      July 13, 2024
      Oh I don't hate him for any of those reasons...I mean some of those things are odd like the crowbars but that's a DC issue. I find him hard to like or get into because of his prickly fanbase. Like if I enjoy the wrong story I better watch out
    2. Sara
      July 13, 2024
      I'm not sure that generalizing about Red Hood fans based on my comments at this site, and then applying your feelings to Jason himself, is a good idea.
    3. Robin MB
      July 14, 2024
      It probably isn't. Something I'd have to deal with, and try better at dealing with(or at least keep to myself.) I've liked what I've read, although I feel like what I've read I may be wrong for liking(Cheer for instance) lol. I may say screw it and find another way to read Task Force Z since I don't have the money for it right now

Madeleine

July 13, 2024

I never read Dark Knights of Steel but I am a little bit interested in this sequel about Deathstroke as a "reluctant guardian." Almost the only Deathstroke story I know is a crossover with Two-Face from the end of Priest's run, Deathstroke: Arkham.

After I read Max Allan Collins' Jason Todd origin I went on to his famous story Road to Perdition published around a decade later by DC under the Vertigo imprint. It's a very good gangster comic that I've heard was inspired by the manga Lone Wolf and Cub which I haven't read but plan to. Road to Perdition is about a man who flees his hometown with his son after they fall afoul of the gangs. The father in the story is a man frighteningly adept at crime and fierce in his vengeance but with a rigid moral code. It's a darker expression of the archetypes that gave us Batman and Robin.

One of the best things about long running comics like Batman is that almost story is potentially a very deep rabbit hole.

Last week's Robin Lives! #1 was the most I've liked a first issue for a new story in a long time. I went in sceptical since Jason's death is telegraphed almost from the time he was introduced as a prospective new Robin. He always was the problem Robin in a phase when DC was mixed on whether bringing back a teen sidekick was the right choice. His stories are intriguing in their ambivalence. But DeMatteis gained my trust for now and I am very excited to see what he does with Jason and Bruce.

Robin MB
July 13, 2024
I read that Faith storyline you mentioned the other day. Great small story. I liked the Bat-Men quite a bit
1. Madeleine
  July 13, 2024
  Glad you enjoyed it! I thought Barr handled the vigilantism and social unrest well.
  1. Robin MB
    July 13, 2024
    The art also made me think, I prefer a dark blue suit/mix of black with blue highlights. So much better that just black

amphiuma33

July 13, 2024

I loved Dark Knights of Steel but I don't really care for Deathstroke as a character, so hmm... probably won't pick up this spinoff.

Mr Smith1466

July 14, 2024

Just wonder woman for me this week. Concerned that they're colliding into absolute power for the next three months though.

Kaingerc
July 14, 2024
I'm not sure how much of change in tone it will be for that series since Diana has been against the Government since issue 1 (I guess it will be against Amazo robots this time?!)
1. Mr Smith1466
  July 14, 2024
  That's my hope. Maybe it will just slide into things already happening.

Sara
July 13, 2024
You know DC has gone wrong when the solicitations promise so much more excitement than the ongoings.
I am really looking forward to the next issue of Robin Lives! and I will keep reading The Boy Wonder. Two out of continuity books. That's it. Most of the Bat books I will be elated to see handed over to new writers. Only Ram V will be missed.
I was more interested in Absolute Batman before I saw that hideous design on the t-shirt. That looks like some nineties comic I'd have to force myself to read when the art was telling me to stop. I hope that's just a promotional image and not the comic's art. The head-to-body ratio makes it look like one of those dolls people fill with water until they explode, and some extreminities stay tiny while others swell up massively.
Speaking of alternate Batverses (with art I like better), what ever happened to Gargoyle of Gotham, Rafael Grampa's Black Label comic? This caused so much excitement when it was announced, the first issue got raves, and then dead air except for a few released images. Why is this allowed to be such a big problem with some books?
1. Wasp14
  July 13, 2024
  I agree, it’s weird that only two issues came out so far. There’s a trade that’s supposed to come out in April of next year but that’s a long ways away.
  1. Sara
    July 13, 2024
    It's doing slightly better than I thought, then, because I forgot a second issue was released. I can't see the trade not having to be pushed back at the rate this is going, though. This shouldn't be a regular occurrence.
2. Robin MB
  July 13, 2024
  The delays have been awful with not just that book, JSA, Batman Echoes, & Last Days of Lex Luthor have all had massive delays. Say what you will about DiDio, at least the books came out. Jim Lee was never qualified to be a solo CCO
  1. Mr Smith1466
    July 14, 2024
    I quite enjoyed issue one of last days of lex luthor, but issue 2 of a THREE PART SERIES is nearly a year late now. That's just insane.
    1. Robin MB
      July 14, 2024
      I think Mark Waid said DC announced it and shipped issue 1 when the series wasn't ready
      1. Mr Smith1466
        July 14, 2024
        Hitch said that. But hitch said that about 10 months back, and claimed he'd be done around December 2023. Well, we haven't had any updates since then.
3. Raphael Howard
  July 15, 2024
  I get that Gargoyle of Gotham is a one-man operation, and those often get hit by delays, but surely there needs to be some oversight in situations like this....
  1. Sara
    July 15, 2024
    The abysmal quality of editing in the regular monthly comics is a red flag about failing leadership and overwork across the company. I read once (so this is hearsay) that Sean Murphy said he wouldn't work with DC again until they cleaned up the anarchy among the Bat editors.
Robin MB
July 13, 2024
Batman/Superman: World's Finest #29
Destro #2
Green Lantern: War Journal #11
Incredible Hulk #14
John Constantine: Hellblazer #7
Nightwing #116
Superman #16
Ultimate X-Men #5
I may pick up that Robin Lives in trade but I'm torn. I love J.M DeMatteis and the Elseworld stories have been great, but I've been heavily turned off of Jason Todd by his hostile fanbase(I'm prepared for the consequences of this statement). Also may get Boywonder in trade I'm excited to see what teams are leaving come October so I can know if any of my books will have a dropping off point. Already dropping Nightwing and Detective unless the new team is a super exciting one
I did pick up the Legends of the Dark Night Faith story, excited to read that, as well as the second part of Ventriloquist first appearance
1. Sara
  July 13, 2024
  "I'm prepared for the consequences of this statement"
  You keep saying this.
  Remember when you dropped into a thread during Gotham War to announce that you thought Jason should die or should have stayed dead because he had no good stories after Under the Red Hood? I remember. Imagine hearing that, and similar insults, all the time on Batman forums, as received wisdom about your favorite character and ask yourself if it wouldn't make you bitter.
  I also remember wishing you a happy birthday within two or three days of that stunt.
  1. Robin MB
    July 13, 2024
    It's a cycle. People don't like Jason(I am not even sure if the news team here does anymore), his fanbase gets super mad, then the people get more annoyed and fed up, then they don't like him more. If it makes you feel better I dislike all the fandoms surrounding each of the Robins, most are toxic. I dislike fandoms in general. Yeah I recall saying that but it wasn't malicious, it was "if they don't know what to do with him why keep him around" thing.
    I did read and liked Cheer so I'm not 100% opposed to reading about him, but that's probably some sorta sacrilege statement to a Jason Fan
    1. Sara
      July 13, 2024
      Oh, but lots and lots of people do like Jason. Andru and Chip have been very fair to him in reviews. But so many of the people who don't like Jason think they have to broadcast the same unsubstantiated or outright false claims, baseless assumptions, and dismissiveness every time they mention him. He has few or no good stories, he is a throwback to edgy nineties anti-heroes, he is one note, he needs to get over it and stop being traumatized since that's cringe, HE CARRIES A CROWBAR OH MY GOD HOW LOW CAN YOU GO. Some writers do it, too. These people are always looking for that last damning piece of evidence to close their close against them. To all else they are blind. It's not even like arguing comics with them.
      It's like arguing about geography with a flat earther who is a dentist and therefore a scientist and therefore cannot be wrong no matter how wrong he is.
      1. Robin MB
        July 13, 2024
        Oh I don't hate him for any of those reasons...I mean some of those things are odd like the crowbars but that's a DC issue. I find him hard to like or get into because of his prickly fanbase. Like if I enjoy the wrong story I better watch out
      2. Sara
        July 13, 2024
        I'm not sure that generalizing about Red Hood fans based on my comments at this site, and then applying your feelings to Jason himself, is a good idea.
      3. Robin MB
        July 14, 2024
        It probably isn't. Something I'd have to deal with, and try better at dealing with(or at least keep to myself.) I've liked what I've read, although I feel like what I've read I may be wrong for liking(Cheer for instance) lol. I may say screw it and find another way to read Task Force Z since I don't have the money for it right now
Madeleine
July 13, 2024
I never read Dark Knights of Steel but I am a little bit interested in this sequel about Deathstroke as a "reluctant guardian." Almost the only Deathstroke story I know is a crossover with Two-Face from the end of Priest's run, Deathstroke: Arkham.
After I read Max Allan Collins' Jason Todd origin I went on to his famous story Road to Perdition published around a decade later by DC under the Vertigo imprint. It's a very good gangster comic that I've heard was inspired by the manga Lone Wolf and Cub which I haven't read but plan to. Road to Perdition is about a man who flees his hometown with his son after they fall afoul of the gangs. The father in the story is a man frighteningly adept at crime and fierce in his vengeance but with a rigid moral code. It's a darker expression of the archetypes that gave us Batman and Robin.
One of the best things about long running comics like Batman is that almost story is potentially a very deep rabbit hole.
Last week's Robin Lives! #1 was the most I've liked a first issue for a new story in a long time. I went in sceptical since Jason's death is telegraphed almost from the time he was introduced as a prospective new Robin. He always was the problem Robin in a phase when DC was mixed on whether bringing back a teen sidekick was the right choice. His stories are intriguing in their ambivalence. But DeMatteis gained my trust for now and I am very excited to see what he does with Jason and Bruce.
1. Robin MB
  July 13, 2024
  I read that Faith storyline you mentioned the other day. Great small story. I liked the Bat-Men quite a bit
  1. Madeleine
    July 13, 2024
    Glad you enjoyed it! I thought Barr handled the vigilantism and social unrest well.
    1. Robin MB
      July 13, 2024
      The art also made me think, I prefer a dark blue suit/mix of black with blue highlights. So much better that just black
amphiuma33
July 13, 2024
I loved Dark Knights of Steel but I don't really care for Deathstroke as a character, so hmm... probably won't pick up this spinoff.
Mr Smith1466
July 14, 2024
Just wonder woman for me this week. Concerned that they're colliding into absolute power for the next three months though.
1. Kaingerc
  July 14, 2024
  I'm not sure how much of change in tone it will be for that series since Diana has been against the Government since issue 1 (I guess it will be against Amazo robots this time?!)
  1. Mr Smith1466
    July 14, 2024
    That's my hope. Maybe it will just slide into things already happening.

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Upcoming Comics July 17, 2024

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