Welcome back to Upcoming Comics! Thanksgiving is coming up, which means that time of year where we get to meet up with the extended family that we haven't seen in a while. For some of us, it's a time of excitement to spend time with the people we've missed and look forward to talking to. For others, it's the perfect time to have something else to do. So let's take a look at the comics that might be that something else.
Upcoming Comics
Justice League Unlimited #1
The Watchtower rises! The Justice League is back and bigger than ever! In the wake of Absolute Power and the DC All In Special, Darkseid’s death has triggered a massive power vacuum in the DCU, and Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman must unite like never before and expand the Justice League to encompass every hero championing the forces of good in the face of incredible evil! As our heroes work to uncover the mystery of the dark lord’s successor, Ray Palmer’s Atom Project triggers a race between hero and villain to control the fate of metahuman abilities on planet Earth, which threatens to destroy everything the League has built. Worlds will live, worlds will die, and a surprise is waiting in store on the last page…Do not miss the dawn of the new era of justice—it all begins here!
- Written By: Mark Waid, Jeph Loeb
- Art By: Dan Mora, Jim Lee
Thoughts: What I'm most interested in is how the different characters are going to balance page time in a series where the roster is essentially "everyone". The safe bet will be that they copy the TV show and almost make it a sort of anthology with shifting focuses, but we'll see.
Batman News Critic: Akash
Detective Comics #1091
When we last left Bruce Wayne he was offered a mysterious youth serum, known only as Sangraal, that promises to rejuvenate his body and mind—making him as strong and nimble as he once was. But can he possibly accept this strange gift? Meanwhile, the sinister, scalpel-fingered villain known as Asema stalks the shadows of Gotham, slaying small-time criminals with surgical accuracy. But what is the purpose of these murders, and how do they concern the Dark Knight?
- Written By: Tom Taylor
- Art By: Mikel Janin
Thoughts: I'm all for acknowledging that Batman is no longer realistically in his 30s, but this is the second run in a row where the inciting obstacle is that Batman is old.
Batman News Critic: Jackson
Nightwing #120
With deadly experimental weapons in the hands of the city’s oh-so-corrupt police force, Nightwing must prevent a bloody war breaking out with the gangs of Blüdhaven—which would be easier if someone didn’t keep trying to blow him up!
- Written By: Dan Watters
- Art By: Dexter Soy
Thoughts: So far the story in this has felt pretty standard, but I have high hopes for what Watters can deliver.
Batman News Critic: Aaron
Batman The Long Halloween: The Last Halloween #3
As the noose tightens around Gotham City, Robin seeks aid from an unlikely ally and Batman confronts a deadly specter from the past!
- Written By: Jeph Loeb
- Art By: Mark Chiarello
Thoughts: I think this series needs to quickly find a hook outside of the Holiday killings (again) that can set it apart from its predecessors.
Batman News Critic: Chris
Harley Quinn #45
Attention residents of Throatcutter Hill! Art! Since the dawn of humanity, we have found emotional, spiritual, and even intellectual meaning through the visual arts. But sometimes…even art can suck real, real bad. Is a soulless and aesthetically meritless corporate statue ruining your view of a perfectly good park full of uncollected trash and dead rats? That’s where I come in—Hello, I’m Harley Quinn. Recently, I launched my latest business venture, the Harley Quinn Destructive Agency. My goal is simple: if there’s something you need blown up, if you need somebody clobbered, if there’s anything I can do to make Throatcutter Hill a more dangerous place again—I’ll do it. My rates are reasonable! And for an introductory price of $3.99 you can witness me beat the crud out of a corpo superhero! You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll slap your thigh! So what are you waiting for? Call your local comics store, and be sure to order a copy of Harley Quinn #45 today!
- Written By: Elliott Kalan
- Art By: Mindy Lee
Thoughts: I guess a sort of chaotic mercenary Harley is one direction to take the character.
Batman News Critic: Jack
Batman: The Brave and the Bold #19
Wonder Woman’s Lasso of Truth has been stolen! And when you need to track down a thief, sometimes you need to consult a thief—enter former criminal and current hero Plastic Man! Amazonian royalty meets arrogant rubber in this unlikely team-up! Next, the sinister serial killer Mr. Zsasz has escaped Arkham and is targeting victims who had previously escaped his clutches. But will the hunter find himself the hunted? And last but certainly not least, Batman teams up with an unlikely ally for a supernatural trip through some of Gotham’s darkest shadows.
- Written By: Zac Thompson, Rich Douek, Dave Wielgosz, Michael Conrad
- Art By: Stefano Raffaele, Stevan SUBIC, Nikola Cizmesija, Christopher Mitten
Thoughts: Isn't "Batman teams up with an unlikely ally" the whole premise of the series?
Batman News Critic: Akash
Batman - Santa Claus: Silent Knight Returns #1
Horrors haunt the Christmas season as life-drained bodies litter the countryside, each marked with a strange symbol. The Justice League responds—but it’s a trap! The heroes are pulled from our world, but not before Batman helps Robin escape. Now Damian Wayne must seek out Zatanna and the one and only Santa Claus if there’s any hope of saving their friends and family. Santa comes to the aid of the DCU heroes in the crossover-event sequel you wished for! And you must have been extra good because a wintry mix of DC’s wildest characters arrive this time to face a powerful foe… the Silent Knight!
- Written By: Jeff Parker
- Art By: Lukas Ketner
Thoughts: Last year's series was certainly a big hit, so hopefully this one will be just as popular.
Batman News Critic: TBD
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: Justice League Unlimited #1- Obviously it's the hot new series with all the hype DC has put behind it. Time to see the follow through.
Least Excited: Harley Quinn #45- Nothing this week seems offensively bad, but the new run of Harley never really grabbed me.
Wild Card: Nightwing #120- I think Nightwing can be a deceptively tough character to write for, but I have a good amount of faith in Watters.
Well that’s it for this week! Let us know in the comments what comics you’re looking forward to.
