Welcome back to Upcoming Comics!
I have been enjoying my time out of lockdown immensely, let me tell you. The amount of movies I’ve finally been able to catch up on is insane, and even taking the time to describe my opinions on one of them would take up half this page! I might give my thoughts on them throughout the next few weeks (Starting with The Suicide Squad), but I want to cover some housekeeping this time around.
The format of Upcoming Comics has changed again – this one is a little less drastic, but still important to mention. For starters, we’ll be sticking to my thoughts and opinions for each of the books in this column from now on; I may not have a nuanced opinion on every one of these books, but I’ll be trying to work on that as the weeks progress.
More importantly, we’ll be adding some extra clarification on this page! With so many Bat-Books coming out lately, we’ve unfortunately had to pull back a little – now, we can give you more specific information. Come here to find out which books we’ll be covering month to month, and which books we’ll be waiting for the trade release on. This detail will be at the bottom of each issue’s info, where their reviewer would normally be.
With that in mind, be sure to write a comment if you would like a specific book covered more frequently – readers are always welcome to voice their opinions here, and we do read all your comments! Some issues we’re behind on reviews for should be up soon.
Now, here’s what we have for this week:
Upcoming Comics
Batman: The Imposter #2
Detective Blair Wong set her sights on Bruce Wayne as a source of information about the Batman-but neither of them was ready for the sparks that flew when they met. Unfortunately for their relationship, the imposter Batman has killed again, and the pressure is mounting to close the case…immediately!
Written by Mattson Tomlin
Pencils and Inks by Andrea Sorrentino
Colored by Jordie Bellaire
Cover by Andrea Sorrentino
Thoughts: So far this has recieved fairly positive reception! I’m not sure why this hasn’t grabbed my attention that much, but I love the tone of the art I’ve seen from Sorrentino. I’ll be meaning to look into this more shortly.
Batman News Critic: Casper
I Am Batman #3
Jace attempts to stem the tide of misinformation from the Seer as this mysterious adversary sends a heavily armed mob to a juvenile detention facility to break out a member of their militia. When Jace realizes his mother, Tanya, is at the facility, he’ll stop at nothing to save her! But will he be too late?
Written by John Ridley
Pencils by Olivier Coipel, Christian Duce and Stephen Segovia
Inks by Olivier Coipel, Christian Duce and Stephen Segovia
Colored by Rex Lokus
Cover by Rain Beredo, Olivier Coipel, Francesco Mattina and Gerardo Zaffino
Thoughts: Jesus, why so many artists? You’re on issue three, guys! I feel like I’m always on the defensive when I talk about this comic. Love this cover, though.
Batman News Critic: Nick
The Joker #9
The terrifying Sampson family is ready to exact their revenge on the Clown Prince of Crime for the murder of one of their own during A-Day! Will Gordon risk his life to save…The Joker? The shocking series continues with the most horrifying issue yet! Backup: Punchline and Harper Row go head-to-head for the life and safety of Kelly Ness! If Harper loses, the radicalization of young people in Gotham City will know no limits!
Written by Sam Johns and James Tynion IV
Pencils by Sweeney Boo, Rosi Kämpe and Stefano Raffaele
Inks Sweeney Boo, Rosi Kämpe and Stefano Raffaele
Colored by Sweeney Boo, Marissa Louise and Arif Prianto
Cover by Guillem March and Arif Prianto
Thoughts: It’s nice to see Gordon essentially getting his own comic for a change, though it’s wrapped up in a lot of other things I’m not a huge fan of. I’m curious where this is going though, since it’ll be Tynion’s last superhero book before he leaves for Substack.
Batman News Critic: Matina
Robin and Batman #1
The legendary story of Batman and Robin has reached nearly mythic proportions: the crime-fighting Dynamic Duo, always one step ahead of the criminals they pursue and never meeting a case too big. This isn’t that story. This is the story of a young Dick Grayson, newly orphaned, struggling to find his way in a strange, difficult, dark new world…This is the story of Robin and Batman. The bestselling creative team behind the Eisner-winning Descender, Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen, reunite in Gotham City to tell the story of a remarkable young man learning to navigate an incredible new world!
Written by Jeff Lemire
Pencils and Inks by Dustin Nguyen
Colored by Dustin Nguyen
Cover by Dustin Nguyen
Thoughts: I’ve given very few 10/10’s in my time here, and one of them was for a short story from Dustin Nguyen. Nguyen is one of my favourite superhero artists of all time, and he pairs excellently with Jeff Lemire in a story that has me very freaking excited!
Batman News Critic: Jay
Future State: Gotham #7
It’s all-out war as the “Hunt the Batman” arc comes to its pulse-pounding conclusion! The Next Batman faces off against Nightwing and the entire Bat-Family while Jason Todd, now known as Peacekeeper Red, must stop Warmonger from driving every citizen in Gotham City to riot. Can Bat and Red win this one? Can they even survive?
Written by Dennis Culver and Joshua Williamson
Pencils and Inks by Giannis Milonogiannis
Cover by Simone Di Meo
Thoughts: Future State had my excitement and attention at the start of the year, but I feel a lot less drawn to it not for a variety of factors – not all of them in the book’s control.
Review will be covered in a trade release.
Batman: Urban Legends #9
Outsiders story: “FEAR STATE” TIE-IN! The Fearful has turned the Outsiders against each other! Tim Drake has entered the fray to save the manipulated team, but it won’t be enough. The future of the Outsiders depends on the Signal, but he’ll need help…from the world of Future State. Signal, meet Future State Duke Thomas, and listen to every warning he has to deliver! Batwoman story: “FEAR STATE” TIE-IN! Batwoman now has the help of her sister, Beth, who is currently disguised as Red Alice to hit the underground network of villains in order to trace where the Anti-Oracle is. The only problem is, all of this is too familiar for Beth…and as old habits die hard, so might this be for Beth in keeping Red Alice at bay. Azrael story: Dead criminals are walking the streets of Gotham City, and Azrael’s faith is shaken. Is the rapture truly upon us, and will this avenging angel be called home? Or is there a more sinister and human force at work, and what warrior has been stalking Jean-Paul Valley without him noticing? Threats to Azrael’s body and soul are here, and he’ll need more than a flaming sword to stop them. Tweedledee and Tweedledum story: After their last job with the Mad Hatter, Tweedledee and Tweedledum took their money and decided to live a quiet life…but a quiet life can be just as dangerous. Tweedledee has fallen ill, and Tweedledum will find out quickly that a pile of stolen money isn’t enough to survive in Gotham City. Will his wickeder ways prevail and see him turn to a life of crime to save his cousin’s life?
Written by Sam Johns, Brandon Thomas, Dan Watters and Alyssa Wong
Pencils by Nikola Cizmesija, Vasco Georgiev, Karl Mostert and Cian Tormey
Inks by Nikola Cizmesija, Raul Fernandez, Vasco Georgiev, Karl Mostert and Cian Tormey
Colored by David Baron, Rain Beredo, Ivan Plascencia and Alejandro Sanchez
Cover by Emilio Lopez and Khary Randolph
Thoughts: Not to be dismissive of this comic, but the price is personally far too high for me – especially when I don’t have a guarantee I’ll like every story in it.
Review will be covered in a trade release.
Harley Quinn: The Animated Series: The Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour #3
First dates are usually memorable, and Harlivy’s is no different. When Hush decides to disrupt their date, Ivy takes action in a way Harley’s never seen before. And will someone get rid of Gordon?
Written by Tee Franklin
Pencils and Inks by Max Sarin
Colored by Marissa Louise
Cover by Max Sarin
Thoughts: I’m a little more okay with Hush being disrespected here, as this show is entirely about bullying shitty villains. Hard to find a bigger misogynist than Hush.
Review will be covered in a trade release.
Justice League: Last Ride #7
IT’S ALL BEEN BUILDING TO THIS-past and present and future all collide here in the final issue of this monumental series. Everything connects back to J’onn’s death, Batman’s final decision, and Superman’s regret-it all has been leading to this final confrontation with Darkseid. Who lives (some do!)? Who dies (some do!)? It all culminates in a bombastic finale from which the Justice League will emerge eternally changed.
Written by Chip Zdarsky
Pencils and Inks by Miguel Mendonca
Colored by Enrica Eren Angiolini
Cover by Darick Robertson and Diego Rodriguez
Batman News Critic: Casper
Pennyworth #3
The continuing high-octane story of the early years of Gotham’s most famous butler! Trapped in a burning building in the Arctic, Alfred faces unimagined savagery and appalling conditions, but finds something more dangerous and brutal than living, breathing weapons: the cold. It’s a race against nature and time as Alfred has to use his resourcefulness to stay alive until sunrise!
Written by Scott Bryan Wilson
Pencils and Inks by Juan Gedeon
Cover by Jorge Fornés
Thoughts: I’m having a really good time with this one! I really have to emphasize that you don’t need to have seen the show to like this – although, I have no clue what’s happening in season 3!
Review will be covered in a trade release.
Titans United #3
Raven, Red Hood, and Donna Troy are on the trail of coldhearted killer Lady Vic! How long before bullets start to fly? Meanwhile, Conner Kent has a close encounter with Tamaranean royalty. But with his powers lost, can he survive? And Beast Boy? All Beast Boy wants to do is enjoy his milkshake in peace!
Written by Cavan Scott
Pencils José Luís
Inks Jonas Trindade
Colored by Rex Lokus
Cover by Jamal Campbell
Review will be covered in a trade release.
The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #8
The world’s greatest detectives-Batman and Mystery, Inc.-face a mysterious scheme concocted by Harley Quinn and the Joker! A mysterious zillionaire has taken over Gotham’s waterfront. But what do Batman’s wildest foes and a supercharged ghost have to do with it?
Written by Ivan Cohen
Pencils and Inks by Dario Brizuela
Colored by Franco Riesco
Cover by Dario Brizuela and Franco Riesco
Review will be covered in a trade release.
Beyond the Bat
Welcome to Beyond the Bat! Here you can see everything else that DC is releasing this week, beyond the scope of the books we cover on the website.
Bit of a Batman-centric week (no surprises there), so I don’t have much to recommend – though I’d definitely check out Action Comics, to see how they’re utilizing the Authority in continuity.
Ratings
Most Excited: Robin and Batman #1. There’s something refreshing about seeing a Batman and Robin book in the solicitations again – I miss seeing consistend stories from the dynamic duo.
Least Excited: The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #8. There’s nothing even wrong with this series, I just have had enough of these two crossing over.
Wild Card: I Am Batman #3. The rotating artist roster is really starting to bug me now, so it’s a curious question if this will finally affect my opinion on Jace’s character.
Best wishes, and see you in the reviews!
——————
Author’s Twitter: @ObnoxiousFinch
