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Welcome back to Upcoming Comics! It’s the holiday season, and comic day even happens to land squarely on Christmas this year. Sadly this means a lot of people will have to miss spending Christmas morning with their families in order to head to the comic shop instead. I’m sure they’ll understand. Similarly, those comic store employees will have to spend the entire day delivering comics to all the good little girls and boys. I understand that some might not like it, but it’s tradition.
Upcoming Comics
Justice League Unlimited #2
As the Justice League grapples with the ramifications of the Atom Project, a strange alert brings the team to the jungles of South America…and a horrific discovery. Can the elite Justice League strike force save a village from total slaughter? Plus…the mystery of the Darkseid heir deepens, and dissension in the ranks forces Batman’s hand.
Written By: Mark Waid
Art By: Dan Mora
Thoughts: The first issue, while very pretty, didn’t do a lot to wow me. However, it’s still early and has plenty of time to build up.
Batman News Critic: Akash
Detective Comics #1092
The streets of Gotham run red with blood—blood that the mysterious villain known only as Asema has taken quite an interest in. Who is this scalpel-fingered creature collecting the plasma of young men, and what is Asema’s connection to Bruce Wayne? Tom Taylor and Mikel Janín continue their exploration of the darkest corners of Gotham City!
Written By: Tom Taylor
Art By: Mikel Janin
Thoughts: Walking on thin ice when mucking around with well established characters’ backstories.
Batman News Critic: Jackson
Batman The Long Halloween: The Last Halloween #4
With a life hanging precariously in the balance, the Boy Wonder decides to take matters into his own hands!
Written By: Jeph Loeb
Art By: Cliff Chiang
Thoughts: Every artist does their own thing, but Robin just looks straight up 6 years old on this cover.
Batman News Critic: Chris
Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham #3
“May the hour of the devil begin…”The harrowing journey through the dark heart of Gotham reaches a fever pitch in this penultimate installment of Rafael Grampá’s visionary series! Batman’s investigation leads him into the deadly lair of Doctorgeist—where his presence is not only expected…but welcomed. Their savage fight for the soul of Gotham—and the soul of Bruce Wayne himself—will send shock waves through the city from which it might never recover. And elsewhere, the fugitive Crytoon makes a twisted acquaintance that finally gives him something to smile about…
Written By: Rafael Grampa
Art By: Rafael Grampa
Thoughts: I sure hope they were going for creepy with that cover, because boy did they succeed.
Batman News Critic: Aaron
Batman: The Brave and the Bold #20
Zatanna and Bat-Mite’s unexpected history is revealed in a time-hopping feature story from Ty Templeton! Plastic Man and Wonder Woman have infiltrated the Mirror House in search of the stolen Lasso of Truth, but will they ever make their way out? Animal Man’s unexpected team-up reaches its stunning conclusion! Batman awakens to find himself with a tattoo…but why is it spreading? Find out in this thrilling final issue!
Written By: Ty Templeton, Simone Di Meo, Michael Conrad, , HASSAN OTSMANE-ELHAOU
Art By: Ty Templeton, Nikola Cizmesija, Tom Derenick, Travis Mercer
Thoughts: Give it a minute and I’m sure they’ll bring back a Batman anthology under a new title.
Batman News Critic: Akash
Batman/Santa Clause: Silent Knight Returns #5
At year’s end, every choice made will affect lives around the world. Seven heroes stand before the monstrous hordes of the Silent Knight. Seven heroes enter the mysterious castle hold of the Hollow Kingdom to face a test of true spirit and will. Ask yourself: Which team would you be on? What skill, power, or knowledge would make the difference against this existential threat? What does solstice mean, anyway? Did this series maybe just go a bit harder than you expected from your holiday special? Good. Whatever the yule brings, please have a happy New Year from the DC Universe!
Written By: Jeff Parker
Art By: Bernard Chang, Michele Bandini, Lukas Ketner
Thoughts: Curious to see how they’ll up the ante next year. Maybe there’s a Santa multiverse.
Batman News Critic: None
Harley Quinn #46
Laddies and Gentlegirls, are your engines burning for violence, malfeasance, and mayhammery? Look no further than this issue of Harley Quinn (available for preorder right now)! I, Imperator Harleyiosa, acting as the agent of the Council of Aggrieved Local Retailers of Throatcutter Hill, have placed an embargo on all internet purchases in our disgusting little corner of Gotham City henceforth. No more will convenient internet retailers flood our streets with their express-mail trucks and fill our recycling bins with empty cardboard boxes! Embargoed! Watch out, ’cause I got some serious road rage I can’t wait to unleash! Set wheel in here, and I’m gonna blow up your truck!
Written By: Elliott Kalan
Art By: Mindy Lee
Thoughts: Between this and Absolute Batman, it’s the winter of Mad Max pastiches over at the bat offices I guess.
Batman News Critic: Jack
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: Batman The Long Halloween: The Last Halloween #4– Maybe I’m being overly optimistic given that the series so far hasn’t lived up to its predecessors, but I’m hopeful Loeb can deliver the finale it deserves. If not, then that’s a bad sign for H2SH.
Least Excited: Batman: The Brave and the Bold #20– Maybe the last stories will go out with a bang, but this series seems to have used up all its best talent early and has sort of just puttered out.
Wild Card: Justice League Unlimited #2– This has the opportunity to be a huge hit.
Well that’s it for this week! Let us know in the comments what comics you’re looking forward to.
“}]] Welcome back to Upcoming Comics! It’s the holiday season, and comic day even happens to land squarely on Christmas this year. Sadly this means… Read More