Welcome back to Upcoming Comics! I'm currently writing this while recovering from a mild coma due to turkey and mashed potatoes, so I'll keep things brief. All In seems to have fallen into its "groove" which is arguably both a good and bad thing. It's good because I think it's successfully established itself as a new era for DC, but the negative is that now the sheen of hype is beginning to wear off. Now they need to sustain themselves on the quality of writing alone. Let's see how they do.
Upcoming Comics
Two-Face #1
After years of internal conflict, both halves of Harvey Dent have reached an uneasy peace. Now Harvey will use his skills as an attorney to resolve the conflicts of Gotham’s weirdest and most dangerous criminals, starting with Victor Zsasz. When Zsasz is accused of murdering a fellow member of Gotham’s underworld contingent, who better to prove a criminal’s innocence than someone who’s been on both sides of the law?
- Written By: Christian Ward
- Art By: Fabio Veras
Thoughts: This honestly sounds like a great premise for one of Gotham's most complex and interesting characters.
Batman News Critic: Aaron
Batman #155
After the shocking events of the last issue, Batman is reeling! But the investigation isn’t over just yet! The Court of Owls is intent on destroying Bruce Wayne’s life, while Commander Star continues to stoke the flames of civil unrest in Gotham City! It all heats up in the unforgettable new chapter of “The Dying City”!
- Written By: Chip Zdarsky
- Art By: Jorge Fornes
Thoughts: Is Hush 2 starting yet?
Batman News Critic: Jackson
Poison Ivy #28
There is something stirring in the world—a primordial force that has been reawakened by the one and only Pamela Isley, and another that is very unhappy about the former’s return. Ivy’s fight against the Order of the Green Knight sends her down a strange and horrifying path where she discovers that her actions have had a far wider-reaching impact than she ever dreamed.
- Written By: G. Willow Wilson
- Art By: Marcio Takara
Thoughts: Maybe this is the Poison Ivy King Arthur crossover fans have been demanding for years.
Batman News Critic: Andru
Batgirl #2
With Lady Shiva gravely wounded and Batgirl refusing to join her mother’s cause, the two seek refuge in the unlikeliest of places while the mysterious Unburied continue to hunt them—just as their deadly leader finally emerges from the shadows. Lives are at stake, but it wouldn’t be a killer face-off without some casualties!
- Written By: Tate Brombal
- Art By: Takeshi Miyazawa
Thoughts: I was sadly not super impressed with the first issue after going in with high hopes, but I'm willing to stick things out for now.
Batman News Critic: Chris
Birds of Prey #16
Did you ever wonder what happens when Small Bat gets big? And whatever will Big Barda have to say about it? Meanwhile, five Amazons’ lives are on the line and oh, the entire Birds of Prey field team is caught in a twist no one could have anticipated.
- Written By: Kelly Thompson
- Art By: Sami Basri
Thoughts: This comic is not to be confused with the other comic with Cass on the cover seen above
Batman News Critic: Jeremy
Batman - Santa Claus: Silent Knight Returns #2
To find the missing Justice League, Klaus, Zatanna, and Robin will brave the greatest terror of the holidays…a Christmas party.You are cordially invited to a winter solstice gathering of the strange and oft-deadly magical community at the Georgetown mansion of Baron Winters, one guest limit. After a performance by sirens and banshees, we will gather in the Baron’s study, where noted demonologist Jason Blood will be giving a reading on the origins of the being called the Silent Knight!
- Written By: Jeff Parker
- Art By: Lukas Ketner, Michele Bandini
Thoughts: Etrigan is such a ridiculous character, especially when writers use the rhyming gimmick, but that's what I like about him.
Batman News Critic: TBD
DC Horror Presents... #2
DC Horror Presents…is a showcase of skin crawling legends focused on our favorite superheroes in the DCU. Written by some of the most terribly disturbed minds in the horror genre today, this anthology will be to die for with horror fans!
- Written By: LaToya Morgan, Aaron Sagers
- Art By: Ryan Kelly
Thoughts: Each issue of this series focuses on a different segment of DC, and this month is Gotham.
Batman News Critic: TBD
DC's Batman Smells, Robin Laid an Egg #1
Jingle bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg, the Batmobile lost a wheel… and you know the rest! Read these six merry tales about characters from the DCU set during the holiday season. Be enthralled by Dr. Midnight’s literally silent night, become captivated by a Deadman story written by Marv Wolfman, and ponder the question: in a world without the Joker’s torment, is it really a wonderful life? Probably not. DC’s Batman Smells, Robin Laid An Egg, is a heartwarming new holiday anthology coming as a gift to you this this holiday season!
- Written By: Calvin Kasulke, Ricardo Sanchez, Marv Wolfman, Dorado Quick
- Art By: Anthony Marques, Aaron Conley, Paul Pelletier, M.L. Sanapo
Thoughts: I wonder how long DC has been sitting on using that lyric for a title.
Batman News Critic: None
The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #12
There’s a Phantasm haunting the Gotham City Opera House! Batman and Mystery Inc. are determined to exorcise this spirit before someone gets seriously hurt, owner “Theatric” Al Perry needs it to happen before his retirement fund gets seriously hurt, and Dr. Leslie Thompkins doesn’t care about anything but acquiring the building to serve as a new neighborhood clinic so she can help residents who’ve been seriously hurt. Who will prevail?
- Written By: J. Torres
- Art By: Dario Brizuela
Thoughts: It's really funny to think that this exists in the same universe as Mask of the Phantasm
Batman News Critic: None
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: Two-Face #1- Christian Ward did a great job with Batman: City of Madness, so I'm excited to see what he does here.
Least Excited: Batman #155- This last arc seems to have all the problems that have plagued Zdarsky's run so far, and only stretches it past the logical, climactic ending point.
Wild Card: Batgirl #2- It got off to a rocky start, but I still have hope for this title.
Well that’s it for this week! Let us know in the comments what comics you’re looking forward to.
