I’ve been in a bit of a black hole lately. I’m living out of a suitcase at the moment, and my phone doesn’t get a signal at my parents’ house, so every time I go into town, I get flooded with text messages and voicemails. I sat down today to start pulling together this week’s Upcoming Comics post, and that’s when I realized that DC released their January 2017 Solicitations, so I apologize for being late with this post. It looks like there’s some decent stuff in the pipeline though, so I think we have a lot to look forward to as we enter the new year!
Alright, let’s get to business! Below you’ll find the solicitations for each issue, the creative team behind the issue, and the cover art (if DC has released it). Since I didn’t prepare for this post and I’m slammed at the moment, I won’t add my two cents to any of the solicitations, but make sure you share your thoughts in the comments section below! I want to hear what you’re excited about, worried about, your predictions, etc… If you have something to say, we want to know!
January 4th
Batman #14
“I AM SUICIDE” epilogue! Back in Gotham City, Batman and Catwoman confront their past and make a decision about their future that may change their city forever.
Art by Stephanie Hans
Cover by Stephanie Hans
Variant cover by Tim Sale
Written by Tom King
Harley Quinn #11
“JOKER LOVES HARLEY” part one! For months now, strange reminders of Harley’s time with the Joker have been popping up in the most unexpected places…is this coincidence? Or a message? As our tale begins, Harley is introduced to a newer, kinder Joker…and Red Tool is not happy about it!
Art by John Timms
Cover by Amanda Conner
Variant cover by Frank Cho
Written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner
Injustice: Ground Zero #3
Batman has been taken prisoner! That’s good news for Superman, until he figures out it’s not the same Batman he’s been pursuing all these years.
Art by Pop Mhan
Cover by Ben Oliver
Written by Chris Sebela
Justice League #12
A “JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. SUICIDE SQUAD” tie-in! Behold the rebirth of one of the DC Universe’s most cunning villains as [REDACTED].
Art by Christian Duce Fernandez
Cover by Sandu Florea and Tony S. Daniel
Variant cover by Yanick Paquette
Written by Tim Seeley
Justice League of America: The Atom Rebirth #1
SPINNING OUT OF THE PAGES OF JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. SUICIDE SQUAD! Meet Ryan Choi, prodigious theoretical physics student with severe allergies and crippling social anxiety. But little does young Ryan know, his first day at Ivy University marks the start of an epic journey into the very heart of the DC Universe!
Art by Andrew T MacDonald
Cover by Joe Prado and Ivan Reis
Written by Steve Orlando
Justice League vs Suicide Squad #3
Belle Reve Penitentiary. Headquarters of Task Force X, home to the worst super-criminal scum in the DC Universe and new residence of…the Justice League?! The Suicide Squad delight in showing Earth’s greatest heroes how the other side lives, and you’d better believe the Justice League needs to be restrained to hear the terrible secret Amanda Waller has to tell them.
Art by Andy Owens and Jesús Merino
Cover by Andy Owens and Jesús Merino
Written by Joshua Williamson
Nightwing #12
“BLUDHAVEN” part three! The body count in Blüdhaven continues to rise! Nightwing will have to team up with the Run-Offs to discover who the murderer is and clear the name of the Defacer. But before they can even begin they cross paths with the killer, Orca, and her Whaler Gang.
Art by Marcus To
Cover by Marcus To
Variant cover by Oclair Albert and Ivan Reis
Written by Tim Seeley
January 11th
All Star Batman #6
“Cold to the Core”! Batman travels to Alaska to confront Mr. Freeze as he attempts to extract the world’s oldest ice core and bring humanity to a new Ice Age! Powerhouse artist Jock joins Scott Snyder to bring you another of the Dark Knight’s rogues like you’ve never seen him before.
Art by Jock
Cover by Jock
Variant cover by Francesco Francavilla and Jock
Written by Scott Snyder
Batgirl & the Birds of Prey #6
“Who Is Oracle?” conclusion! The new Oracle has put the Birds in an untenable position—do what Oracle wants, or their whole lives get made public! So how do they turn the tables? And now that Huntress has Fenice in her sights, can she pull the trigger? She’s never hesitated to kill before…so why now?
Art by Roge Antonio
Cover by Yanick Paquette
Variant cover by Kamome Shirahama
Written by Shawna Benson and Julie Benson
Detective Comics #948
“BATWOMAN BEGINS” parts one and two! This special two-part interlude spotlights team leader Batwoman! In the wake of the “Night of the Monster Men,” A.R.G.U.S. has built a secret research city around the corpse of the megamonster that collapsed in Gotham Harbor…creating Gotham City’s newest and most dangerous neighborhood, Monstertown!
In issue #948, Batman and Batwoman need to get in there to find out who’s been weaponizing monster blood—but who will they have to fight through to do it?
Art by Ben Oliver
Cover by Ben Oliver
Variant cover by Rafael Albuquerque
Written by Marguerite Bennett, and James Tynion IV
Gotham Academy: Second Semester #5
The Book of Gotham holds a truth that Olive Silverlock may not be ready for. When devastating secrets are revealed, Olive’s closest allies will be seen for what they truly are, and the fate of the Academy itself may hang in the balance.
Art by Sandra Hope, MSASSYK, and Adam Archer
Cover by Karl Kerschl
Written by Karl Kerschl, Becky Cloonan, and Brenden Fletcher
Justice League/ Power Rangers #1
Two of comics greatest teams team up for the very first time! Something terrible has happened in Angel Grove! When the Command Center is breached and the teleporters are damaged, Zack is flung into another universe, where he’s mistaken for a villain by a mysterious masked vigilante. Can the other Power Rangers get to their friend in time to save him from Batman? Co-published with BOOM! Studios.
Art by Stephen Byrne
Cover by Karl Kerschl
Variant cover by Marcus To, Chris Sprouse, Marguerite Sauvage, Yasmine Putri, Dustin Nguyen, and Daniel Hipp
Written by Tom Taylor
Justice League of America: Vixen Rebirth #1
SPINNING OUT OF THE PAGES OF JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. SUICIDE SQUAD! She’s one of the country’s most successful businesswomen, an iconic fashion pioneer, a crusader for social justice and an incredibly powerful member of the Justice League of America. But Mari McCabe’s life wasn’t always this way. Follow her path to becoming the heroic Vixen in this crucial special!
Art by Jamal Campbell
Cover by Joe Prado and Ivan Reis
Written by Jody Houser and Steve Orlando
Justice League vs Suicide Squad #4
[REDACTED BY ORDER OF TASK FORCE X DIRECTOR AMANDA WALLER] and [REDACTED] crew of unstoppable [REDACTED] besiege Belle Reve to take possession of the lost [REDACTED], and only the unbelievable team-up of the Justice League and the Suicide Squad can prevent [REDACTED] from taking revenge on Amanda Waller!
Art by Fernando Pasarin
Cover by Fernando Pasarin
Written by Joshua Williamson
Red Hood & the Outlaws #6
“Dark Trinity” conclusion! Black Mask and Red Hood go toe-to-toe beneath One Police Plaza, while above them Bizarro and Artemis clash in a battle of titanic proportion! The finale to “Dark Trinity” is here—don’t miss it!
Art by Dexter Soy
Cover by Cam Smith and Giuseppe Camuncoli
Variant cover by Matteo Scalera
Written by Scott Lobdell
Suicide Squad #9
A “JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. SUICIDE SQUAD” tie-in! Finally, discover the true history behind [REDACTED BY ORDER OF TASK FORCE X DIRECTOR AMANDA WALLER].
Art by Riley Rossmo
Cover by Riley Rossmo
Variant cover by Lee Bermejo
Written by Rob Williams
Titans #7
“Home Sweet Home”! A new threat brings Wally West face to face with the Man of Steel, and the two recognize each other as kindred souls from another world. Plus, the Titans set up their new Tower in New York City!
Art by Lee Weeks
Cover by Lee Weeks
Variant cover by Nicholas Bradshaw
Written by Dan Abnett
January 18th
Batman #15
“STREETS AND SWAMPS”! Swamp Thing comes to Gotham City with a mysterious request for Batman—but these longtime allies will have to make up for lost time and work together in order to confront a growing threat that only they can stop!
Art by Mitch Gerads
Cover by Mitch Gerads
Variant cover by Tim Sale
Written by Tom King
Batman ’66 Meets Wonder Woman ’77 #1
What mysteries are hidden in the book Ra’s al Ghul hired Catwoman to steal? And why does this caper lead Batman down memory lane—to his childhood fight against actual Nazis? Witness the Caped Crusader’s first encounter with one of the greatest heroes the world has ever known: Wonder Woman!
This epic team-up is brought to you by writers Marc Andreyko (WONDER WOMAN ’77) and Jeff Parker (BATMAN ’66), with fantastic artists David Hahn and Karl Kesel (BATMAN ’66 Meets the Man from U.N.C.L.E.). It’s a time- and space-spanning adventure unlike anything you’ve seen before!
Art by David Hahn and Karl Kesel
Cover by Mike Allred
Variant cover by Alex Ross
Written by Marc Andreyko and Jeff Parker
Harley Quinn #12
“JOKER LOVES HARLEY” part two! Don’t ship Joker and Harley too hard! In this issue, the “reformed” Joker deceives Harley, and when that happens, she goes for his throat!
Art by John Timms
Cover by Amanda Conner
Variant cover by Frank Cho
Written by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti
Injustice: Ground Zero #4
The Joker tries to rally the worshipful clan Harley has organized, as Nightwing, Hawkgirl and a swarm of soldiers move in to take them all prisoner. But the timely arrival of Batman and the Wonder Woman from the parallel world may tip the balance—if they can get their heads around the concept of having to rescue The Joker.
Art by Juan Albarran and Daniel Sampere
Cover by Ben Oliver
Written by Chris Sebela
Justice League #13
A “JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. SUICIDE SQUAD” tie-in! It’s the day no one saw coming when Harley Quinn finds herself the protector of Gotham City, repelling a brutal assault from the super-villain threat of [REDACTED].
Art by Carlos D’Anda
Cover by Sandu Florea and Tony S. Daniel
Variant cover by Yanick Paquette
Written by Tim Seeley
Justice League of America: The Ray Rebirth #1
SPINNING OUT OF THE PAGES OF JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. SUICIDE SQUAD! Locked indoors, raised in the dark and told his medical condition could be fatal to himself and anyone he meets, Ray Terrill is dangerous. A freak. Broken. Or is he…? Witness the amazing power of realizing your true self and stepping into the light in this moving rebirth of a long-lost hero for a new generation.
Art by Stephen Byrne
Cover by Joe Prado and Ivan Reis
Written by Steve Orlando
Justice League vs Suicide Squad #5
[REDACTED] has finally obtained that which [REDACTED] has sought all this time—it’s the means to utterly [REDACTED] the Justice League forever. Now, only [REDACTED] and the Suicide Squad stand in [REDACTED] path of total world domination. No pressure!
Art by Robson Rocha
Cover by Robson Rocha
Written by Joshua Williamson
Nightwing #13
“BLUDHAVEN” part four! The Run-Offs abandon Nightwing, leaving him to fend for himself in the harsh streets of Blüdhaven. And he finds himself the next target of the Blüdhaven serial killer’s obsession!
Art by Marcus To
Cover by Marcus To
Variant cover by Oclair Albert and Ivan Reis
Written by Tim Seeley
Trinity #5
“BETTER TOGETHER” part five! Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman must battle for their lives against their greatest foes in an arena of their own making! And the fight won’t be done until they confront each other in this deadly match. The mastermind behind this attack has revealed himself at last: Mongul is back!
Art by Francis Manapul
Cover by Francis Manapul
Variant cover by Bill Sienkiewicz
Written by Francis Manapul
January 25th
Batgirl #7
“Son of Penguin” part one! Babs is back in Burnside! But everything’s…different—friends, school, even Burnside itself. Batgirl must determine her next steps when she realizes that the shady new tech mogul moving into her neighborhood is none other than the estranged son of the Penguin!
Art by Christian Wildgoose
Cover by Christian Wildgoose
Variant cover by Francis Manapul
Written by Hope Larson
Batman Beyond #4
The deadly secret behind the newly risen Joker is revealed, and it’s about to shake up Terry McGinnis’ world! Terminal has been using the existence of the Clown Prince of Crime to set himself up as the leader of the anarchic gang of Jokerz, but this new revelation may even put his own criminal empire in jeopardy. This is a turning-point chapter in the life of the Batman of the future.
Art by Bernard Chang
Cover by Bernard Chang
Variant cover by Martin Ansin
Written by Dan Jurgens
Detective Comics #949
“BATWOMAN BEGINS” parts one and two! This special two-part interlude spotlights team leader Batwoman! In the wake of the “Night of the Monster Men,” A.R.G.U.S. has built a secret research city around the corpse of the megamonster that collapsed in Gotham Harbor…creating Gotham City’s newest and most dangerous neighborhood, Monstertown!
In #949, the mission faces a deadly complication—the Colony wants Jacob Kane back, and they’ll kill to set him free!
Art by Ben Oliver
Cover by Ben Oliver
Variant cover by Rafael Albuquerque
Written by Marguerite Bennett and James Tynion IV
Justice League of America: Killer Frost Rebirth #1
SPINNING OUT OF THE PAGES OF JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. SUICIDE SQUAD! What happens to a super-villain on their last day in Belle Reve Prison? Against all odds, Killer Frost is up for parole from the Suicide Squad, but you can bet Amanda Waller isn’t going to make it easy for Frost to join the new JLA.
Art by Mirka Andolfo
Cover by Joe Prado and Ivan Reis
Written by Jody Houser and Steve Orlando
Justice League vs Suicide Squad #6
Legendary JLA artist Howard Porter returns for the ultimate showdown between the Suicide Squad, the Justice League and the forces of [REDACTED]. Unlikely heroes emerge from the rubble of DC’s first major event since DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH, leaving both teams in a place they’ve never been before…and setting the stage for the all-new JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA.
Art by Howard Porter
Cover by Howard Porter
Written by Joshua Williamson
Mother Panic #3
Mother Panic is hot on the trail of the murderous artist Gala! Only one person stands in her way…Batwoman?! Is there a place for Violet among the heroes of Gotham City, or will her quest for vengeance take her down a darker path? This issue also features an original “Gotham Radio” back-up feature by Jim Krueger (JUSTICE) and Phil Hester (Green Arrow)!
Art by Tommy Lee Edwards
Backup Art by Phil Hester
Backup Written by Jim Krueger
Cover by Tommy Lee Edwards
Variant cover by Mingjue Helen Chen
Written by Jody Houser
Suicide Squad #10
A “JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. SUICIDE SQUAD” epilogue! She’s lost a prisoner, her darkest secrets have been revealed and she’s unwittingly unleashed a major threat upon herself and Task Force X. It’s one very bad day for Amanda Waller as she tries to tie up loose ends and clean up her mess. But some sins can’t be undone in this special epilogue to JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. SUICIDE SQUAD.
Art by Giuseppe Cafaro
Cover by Giuseppe Cafaro
Variant cover by Lee Bermejo
Written by Rob Williams
Super Powers #3
A peaceful day in Metropolis is interrupted when Brimstone comes to clear a path for Darkseid. This looks like a job for…Supergirl!? Yes, because Superman is out of town visiting his new baby brother! But villainous plots are afoot on New Krypton, too. Is anywhere safe for our superheroes?
Art by Art Baltazar
Cover by Art Baltazar
Written by Franco and Art Baltazar
Teen Titans #4
“Damian Knows Best” part four! Robin makes a deal with Ra’s al Ghul—a deal that will be settled in a trial by combat! If Damian wins, the Teen Titans will be spared, but he must rejoin the League of Assassins for good. And if he loses…everyone dies!
Art by Mark Morales and Khoi Pham
Cover by Jonboy Meyers
Variant cover by Chris Burnham
Written by Benjamin Percy
Noteworthy Releases:
Suicide Squad Most Wanted: El Diablo/ Amanda Waller #6
El Diablo is the most wanted man in the world—wanted by Checkmate, the Suicide Squad and now Justicia, the Mexican Justice League. Cornered, beaten and bloody, will Chato choose love, revenge or freedom? Will he sacrifice his freedom to save the woman he loves or kill the man he hates? Or will he die in the desert again? If he dies, he won’t be alone. And in this issue’s second tale, held prisoner in her own mind by a powerful drug, Waller must face the things she’s done to get to where she is, while the Squad struggles to survive being hunted by killers who know their weaknesses!
Art by Matt Merhoff and Cliff Richards
Cover by Mike Huddleston
Written by Jai Nitz and Vita Ayala
