Welcome back to Upcoming Comics! It’s another one of those weeks where almost everything revolves around a Bat-book, so let’s just dive in and see what’s in store!
Upcoming Comics
DC vs Vampires: World War V #1
The hit series is back! It is the dead of winter and any hope of a fragile truce between the human heroes led by Green Arrow and the army of the vampire queen Barbara Gordon has been destroyed by Damian Wayne and his guerrilla fighters. He is the only one standing up against the bloodthirsty hordes and Green Arrow is faced with a decision: should he keep fighting or sacrifice the boy in the name of peace?
- Written by: Matthew Rosenberg
- Drawn in pencil by: Otto Schmidt
- Inks from: Otto Schmidt
- Colors from: Pierluigi Casolino
- Cover by: Otto Schmidt, Jeff Spokes
Thoughts: Some would say this concept is outdated, but I guess you have to turn it into a global war to escalate the situation further.
Batman News Critic: Akash
From the DC Archives: A Death in the Family: Robin Lives! #2
History was made over 30 years ago when fans voted to kill the second Robin, Jason Todd. Now DC tells the alternate history of what would have happened had he survived… Traumatized by the Joker’s near-fatal attack, Jason Todd struggles to step back into Robin’s shoes – while Batman questions the need for a young partner at his side. Did the Joker “kill” Robin after all? When tragedy strikes again in the form of the mind-altering Scarecrow, how do our heroes find their way back – especially with Copperhead on the loose and the Joker on the run?
- Written by: JM DeMatteis
- Drawn in pencil by: Rick Leonardi
- Inks from: Rick Leonardi
- Colors from: Rico Renzi
- Cover by: Rick Leonardi, Rico Renzi
Thoughts: I was really pleased with how DeMatteis handled Jason’s psychological trauma from the events of Death in the Family. I’m excited to see how he handles 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 turned upside down when he is rescued by Diana of Themyscira! Searching for Jong Li’s jade ring, Batman goes undercover with Selina Kyle to learn its whereabouts. Little do they know that he is across the country, on the same train as a young aerialist named Alan Scott!
- Written by: Andy Diggle
- Drawn in pencil by: Leandro Fernandez
- Inks from: Leandro Fernandez
- Colors from: Dave Stewart and Matt Hollingsworth
- Cover by: Leandro Fernandez, Dave Stewart, Matt Hollingsworth
Thoughts: Who needs the Absolute Universe when we have a complete Victorian universe 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, nothing is stopping Robin from getting revenge! Except his father Batman! And of course, the giant dinosaurs.
- Written by: Joshua Williamson
- Drawn in pencil by: Juan E. Ferreyra
- Inks from: Juan E. Ferreyra
- Colors from: Juan E. Ferreyra
- Cover by: Simone DiMeo
Thoughts: At least I hope this wraps up the whole Bane/Alfred drama. I guess it’s good to give him something other than “Remember when I broke Batman’s back?” but that never sold me.
Batman News Critic: Chris
Absolute Power: Task Force VII #4
Failsafe – the relentless android with all of Batman’s abilities but none of his morals – hunts Nightwing and his newest recruits in a chilling installment 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 rallies 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 hideout!
- Written by: Pornsak Pichtshote
- Drawn in pencil by: Claire Roe
- Inks from: Claire Roe
- Colors from: Lee Loughridge
- Cover by: Peter Woods
Thoughts: Yes, we had one, but how about a second story about Failsafe against the Bat-Family?
Batman News Critic: Aaron
Gotham City Sirens #2
When a violent and highly illegal energy drink-sponsored hunt threatens the lives of Gotham City’s wildlife and residents, the only ones who can save the day are the criminal trio of Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn, back together for the first time in years. Sometimes the only way to fight evil is with worse! Featuring guest appearances from White Rabbit, Punchline and the introduction of the himbo cowboy henchman sensation who will soon sweep the nation as “The Nasty Boys”! Get out your chaps, spurs and hats because it’s hunting season! By the end of the story, you’ll be covered in guts, grease and dirt! Featuring the talents of Leah Williams, Matteo Lolli, Daniel Hillyard and more! If you’re not chanting “Hot tubs and headshots and hot chicks, oh my!” by the end of this four-week series, you’re doing it wrong!
- Written by: Leah Williams
- Drawn in pencil by: Daniel Hillyard, Matteo Lolli
- Inks from: Daniel Hillyard, Matteo Lolli
- Colors from: Triona Farrell
- Cover by: Rachel Dodson, Terry Dodson
Thoughts: You didn’t even bother to write a separate call for proposals for each issue, did you?
Batman News Critic: Jack
Outsider #10
As they grapple with the shocking revelations of the last three issues, the Outsiders try to protect the fabric of reality. At the Carrier, the Drummer is ready to play her encore – and she’s going to bring the house down.
- Written by: Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing
- Drawn in pencil by: Robert Carey
- Inks from: Robert Carey
- Colors from: Valentina Taddeo
- Cover by: Roger Cruz, Adriano Lucas
Thoughts: So much is at stake 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 the DC comics coming out this week.
Graphic Novel Clock
Sometimes you need more than floppy disks. Sometimes you want something that will sit nicely on the shelf and proudly display your favorite stories. That’s when you turn to graphic novels. Let’s take a look at what bat collections are coming out this week:
Reviews
Most excited: From the DC Archives: A Death in the Family: Robin Lives! #2– This is what a good Elseworlds should do: explore the implications of a hypothetical alternate timeline.
Least excited: Outsider #10– This series never found a good identity for itself and is now simply disappearing.
Wildcard: Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age #3– This series definitely has interesting concepts, now we just have to see how it is implemented.
That’s it for this week! Let us know in the comments which comics you’re looking forward to.
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