Welcome back to Upcoming Comics! It's another one of those weeks where almost everything is a bat book, so let's just dive right in and see what's in store!

Upcoming Comics

DC vs Vampires: World War V #1

The smash-hit series returns! It’s the dead of winter, and any hope for a fragile truce between the Green Arrow-led human heroes and vampire queen Barbara Gordon’s army has been dashed by Damian Wayne and his guerrilla fighters. He’s the only one fighting back against the bloodthirsty hordes, leaving Green Arrow with a choice: Does he stand and fight or sacrifice the boy in the name of peace?

• Written By: Matthew Rosenberg
• Penciled By: Otto Schmidt
• Inks By: Otto Schmidt
• Colors By: Pierluigi Casolino
• Cover By: Otto Schmidt, Jeff Spokes

Thoughts: Some would say that this concept has run its course, but I guess turning it into a global war is where you need to go to keep escalating things.

Batman News Critic: Akash

From the DC Vault: Death in the Family: Robin Lives! #2

Over 30 years ago, history was made when fans voted to kill the second Robin, Jason Todd. Now, DC continues the alternate story of what would have happened if he had lived…Jason Todd, traumatized after The Joker’s near-fatal attack, struggles to step back into Robin’s shoes—while Batman questions the very need for a young partner by his side. Has Joker “killed” Robin after all? When tragedy strikes again in the form of the mind-bending Scarecrow, how do our heroes find their way back—especially with Copperhead on the loose and The Joker on the run?

• Written By: J.M. DeMatteis
• Penciled By: Rick Leonardi
• Inks By: Rick Leonardi
• Colors By: Rico Renzi
• Cover By: Rick Leonardi, Rico Renzi

Thoughts: I was really happy with the way DeMatteis handled Jason's psychological trauma from the events of Death in the Family. I'm excited to see where he takes the rest of the miniseries.

Batman News Critic: Chip

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age #3

Adam Strange’s understanding of the ancient world is flipped upside down as he’s saved by Diana of Themyscira! Batman searches for the jade ring of Jong Li and goes undercover to confront Selina Kyle for its whereabouts. Little do they know, it’s halfway across the country, on board the same train as a young aerialist named Alan Scott!

• Written By: Andy Diggle
• Penciled By: Leandro Fernandez
• Inks By: Leandro Fernandez
• Colors By: Dave Stewart, Matt Hollingsworth
• Cover By: Leandro Fernandez, Dave Stewart, Matt Hollingsworth

Thoughts: Who needs the Absolute Universe when we've got a full Victorian universe right here?

Batman News Critic: Chip

Batman and Robin #12

Years ago, Bane killed Alfred Pennyworth right in front of Damian. And now, on Dinosaur Island, there is nothing stopping Robin from getting his revenge! Except his father, Batman! And the giant dinosaurs, of course.

• Written By: Joshua Williamson
• Penciled By: Juan E. Ferreyra
• Inks By: Juan E. Ferreyra
• Colors By: Juan E. Ferreyra
• Cover By: Simone Di Meo

Thoughts: If nothing else, I hope this wraps up the whole Bane/Alfred drama. I guess it's good to give him something other than "remember that time I broke Batman's back?", but this has never landed for me.

Batman News Critic: Chris

Absolute Power: Task Force VII #4

Failsafe—the relentless android with all of Batman’s skills and none of his morals—hunts Nightwing and his newest recruits in a chilling issue from acclaimed writer Pornsak Pichetshote (Infidel, The Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives) and artist Claire Roe! On the run from Amanda Waller and her Amazo army, Dick Grayson is gathering heroes to bolster the growing resistance. But even his surprising new allies may not be enough to protect them from brutal consequences when Failsafe finds their hidden lair!

• Written By: Pornsak Pichetshote
• Penciled By: Claire Roe
• Inks By: Claire Roe
• Colors By: Lee Loughridge
• Cover By: Pete Woods

Thoughts: We've had one, yes, but what about a second Failsafe vs the Bat Family story?

Batman News Critic: Aaron

Gotham City Sirens #2

When a violent and highly illegal energy drink-sponsored hunting operation threatens the lives of wildlife and the residents of Gotham City alike, the only ones fit to save the day are the criminal trio of Catwoman, Poison Ivy, and Harley Quinn. Back together again for the first time in years. Sometimes the only way to fight bad is with even worse! With special appearances by White Rabbit, Punchline, and introducing the himbo cowboy henchmen sensation soon to be sweeping the nation known as “The Nasty Boys!” Get your chaps, spurs, and hats out cause it’s hunting season! By the end of story you’ll be covered in guts, goo, and grit! Featuring the talents of Leah Williams, Matteo Lolli, Daniel Hillyard, and more! If you’re not chanting “Hot tubs and headshots and hotties, oh my!” by the end of this four-week-long series, you’re doing it wrong!

• Written By: Leah Williams
• Penciled By: Daniel Hillyard, Matteo Lolli
• Inks By: Daniel Hillyard, Matteo Lolli
• Colors By: Triona Farrell
• Cover By: Rachel Dodson, Terry Dodson

Thoughts: Couldn't even be bothered to write up a separate solicit for each issue, huh?

Batman News Critic: Jack

Outsiders #10

As they grapple with the shocking revelations of the last three issues, the Outsiders race to protect the fabric of reality. Within the Carrier, the Drummer is ready to play her encore—and it’s going to bring the house down.

• Written By: Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing
• Penciled By: Robert Carey
• Inks By: Robert Carey
• Colors By: Valentina Taddeo
• Cover By: Roger Cruz, Adriano Lucas

Thoughts: So many stakes, and so little interest.

Batman News Critic: Aaron

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: From the DC Vault: Death in the Family: Robin Lives! #2- This is doing what a good Elseworlds should: explore the ramifications of a hypothetical alternate timeline.

Least Excited: Outsiders #10- This series never found a good identity for itself, and now it's simply fading away.

Wild Card: Batman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age #3- This series has nothing if not interesting concepts; now we just need to see its execution.

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