Welcome back to Upcoming Comics! It seems that DC Comics set out to make me look a fool. Last week I made such a big deal about the fact that comics would be coming out on Wednesdays, only for digital copies to come out on Tuesday regardless. But it’s not my fault! All of the official releases and solicits (and our review embargo) said Wednesday. However, I think it might have just been a temporary mistake. This week I double checked and all of the digital retailers say that their DC issues come out the 10th. If that changes again, then I don’t know what to tell you.
Upcoming Comics
From the DC Vault: Death in the Family: Robin Lives! #1
In 1988, DC fans made a seminal choice in the history of DC publishing—voting to kill off Jason Todd’s Robin in the Death in the Family storyline. Now, for the first time, we want to find out what would have happened if fans had voted to let him live. And it begins—with the murder of The Joker!
- Written By: J.M. DeMatteis
- Penciled By: Rick Leonardi
- Inks By: Rick Leonardi
- Colors By: Rico Renzi
- Cover By: Rick Leonardi, Dave Stewart
Thoughts: If *not* killing Jason results in Joker himself getting killed, then maybe he had a justifiable argument for self-defense.
Batman News Critic: Chip
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age #2
Upon uncovering a mystery involving ancient relics, Batman must battle against Talia al Ghul and the League of Shadows for control of a dangerous weapon. As court magician John Constantine whispers in the ear of Queen Victoria, and Professor Adam Strange explores the farthest reaches of the Antarctic, the strange rumors they’re all chasing about the lost Kryptonian Age of mankind begin to take on the ring of truth…
- Written By: Andy Diggle
- Penciled By: Leandro Fernandez
- Inks By: Leandro Fernandez
- Colors By: Dave Stewart
- Cover By: Leandro Fernandez, Dave McCaig
Thoughts: This series seems to very quickly be roping in as many Victorian DC characters as possible
Batman News Critic: Chip
Absolute Power: Task Force VII #1
SUPER NO MORE! With the assault on Metropolis’s heroes complete, Amanda Waller’s latest living weapon, the Last Son, sets his sights on the other most powerful supers in the DCU…the Marvel Family! Will their combined powers be enough to survive this terrifying threat?In this biweekly series we’ll see the ABSOLUTE POWER event through the eyes of evil—as told from the point of view of the TRINITY OF EVIL!
- Written By: Leah Williams
- Penciled By: Caitlin Yarsky
- Inks By: Caitlin Yarsky
- Colors By: Alex Guimarães
- Cover By: Pete Woods
Thoughts: I guess just giving every corner of the DC Universe its own dedicated robot to fight is one way to include everyone in the event.
Batman News Critic: Aaron
Batman ’89 #3: Echoes
Dr. Quinzel’s therapy sessions go a bit awry after some…unconventional methods affect a few patients. Meanwhile, Dr. Crane’s plans within Arkham Asylum march forward. But can Barbara Gordon and Alfred find Bruce Wayne before it’s too late?!
- Written By: Sam Hamm
- Penciled By: Joe Quinones
- Inks By: Joe Quinones
- Colors By: Leonardo Ito
- Cover By: Joe Quinones, Paolo Rivera
Thoughts: I’m almost shocked this is finally coming out. It’s been constantly delayed seemingly every issue.
Batman News Critic: Akash
Batman and Robin #11
Bruce and Damian plan the perfect father and son getaway…to DINOSAUR ISLAND?! When the dynamic duo uncovers a deadly family secret, their investigation takes them on a fun-filled adventure to rescue one of Batman’s greatest enemies!
- 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: Dinosaur island is always a good time and should be a breather from the family drama (unless you peeked ahead at the solicits to see who they’re fighting and why)
Batman News Critic: Chris
Outsiders #9
THE LOST CITY OF CANON The Outsiders’ journey through—and outside of—the multiverse continues! Deep beneath reality, two cities follow diametrically opposed philosophies. One is built from legacy, continuity, and order, and the other is born of innovation, reinvention, and chaos. Between the delicate balance of their narratives sits our story—as well as the key to changing it. To do so could jeopardize the DC Universe as we know it… so who is plotting to do exactly that?
- 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: We now know that this series is ending on issue #11, I’m sure things will start wrapping up quickly to be replaced by whatever DC has planned after Absolute Power
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.
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: From the DC Vault: Death in the Family: Robin Lives! #1– Not only do I think this is an interesting Elseworlds premise, but they’ve got the legendary J.M. DeMatteis writing it.
Least Excited: Outsiders #9– There’s a reason why it’s not even getting a full 12 issue run.
Wild Card: Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age #2– It’s a cool setting and premise, so let’s see how far that can take the series.
Well that’s it for this week! Let us know in the comments what comics you’re looking forward to.
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