Welcome back to Upcoming Comics! Because I wanted to reread a classic (and for an op-ed piece I may or may not be writing), I decided to grab Loeb and Sale’s famous Long Halloween saga off my shelf. Sometimes when you go back to something you read a long time ago, it doesn’t quite hold up to your nostalgia. Given that Loeb’s recent outings with Batman have been less than stellar, I was sort of prepared to be somewhat disappointed. Boy, was I wrong. I’m not going to claim that they’re completely flawless, but The Long Halloween and Dark Victory absolutely earn every bit of praise they get. Not only does it serve as a great transition from Batman’s “loner who fights mobsters” era into the more fantastical, it’s just dripping with atmosphere thanks in no small part to Tim Sale at his very best. The characters and story are engaging, and it’s very easy to see why they’ve solidified themselves as pillars of Batman canon. Catwoman: When in Rome (the tie-in to Dark Victory they made a few years later) doesn’t quite live up to the standards set by its predecessors, but it’s a fun romp to cap things off with even if not a lot actually happens.
Upcoming Comics
The Bat-Man: Second Knight #1
The year is 1940. Most of the Western world is embroiled in a war against a fascist regime whose march across Europe shows no sign of defeat. With the specter of global war looming, it’s a time of fear and paranoia for those living in Gotham. It’s only been a few months since the city was rescued from undead monsters by the masked vigilante known as The Bat-Man, but a vicious killer has been on a murder spree that’s taking the city to its breaking point. Bodies are turning up in theatrically gruesome ways, all staged with the killer’s calling card: a hangman’s noose. While The Bat-Man endeavors to solve the spate of murders, a young reporter from the Daily Star named Lois Lane arrives in Gotham. Meant to cover a movie premiere, it doesn’t take long for Lane to find herself caught in the grips of a new villain in Gotham. One whose mastery of fear will plunge the city into chaos!
- Written By: Dan Jurgens
- Art By: Mike Perkins
Thoughts: Every time they do one of these Elseworld Batman series, they then make a sequel where they start introducing all the rest of the DC Universe.
Batman News Critic: Chip
Batman & Robin: Year One #11
The war over Gotham reaches the doorstep of Wayne Manor as Dick Grayson is ripped from Bruce and Alfred after fake evidence shows their care is unsafe for the young ward. It’ll take both Bruce and Batman to save Dick Grayson and the future of Gotham City!
- Written By: Mark Waid, Chris Samnee
- Art By: Chris Samnee
Thoughts: “Look at all these orphans I can adopt”
Batman News Critic: Chip
Nightwing #130
Nightwing finds himself thrust into the unlikely role of mentor to an aspiring hero with incredible power. But is the city of Blüdhaven big enough for the both of them?
- Written By: Dan Watters
- Art By: Dexter Soy
Thoughts: Oh good, the old costume is back.
Batman News Critic: Aaron
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #43
As Bizarro World continues to change and morph, Superman and Batman find them-selves at war with one another! With the universe at stake, they have to decide on the question: Are Bizarros beings with no life of their own, or are they worthy of salvation? The answer will surprise you!
- Written By: Mark Waid
- Art By: Adrian Gutierrez, Sean Izaakse
Thoughts: Are we really going to be surprised at whether Superman and Batman think their lives have value?
Batman News Critic: Jackson
Catwoman #79
Selina Kyle is on the hunt for a precious item from her childhood connected to her mother. But when she tracks down its whereabouts, it leads her to a mysterious auction in Venice being held by a dangerous secret society! Will Catwoman successfully steal a piece of her history, or has the feline fatale finally bitten off more than she can chew?
- Written By: Torunn Gronbekk
- Art By: Danilo Beyruth, Patricio Angel, Fabiana Mascolo
Thoughts: What a coincidence, I just got done rereading the other Catwoman story set in Italy with When in Rome.
Batman News Critic: Akash
Titans #27
Beast Boy, Cyborg, and the Doom Patrol have been caught in a trap set by Gar’s old nemesis! Seeking to reclaim the powers he lost during Absolute Power, the Zookeeper sends all manner of misfit mutant monsters to take down the heroes. When the dust settles after this rumble in the jungle, see who emerges victorious at the top of the food chain!
- Written By: John Layman
- Art By: Max Raynor
Thoughts: “Fully grown man Beast Boy” will always be funny to me
Batman News Critic: None
Bonus Upcoming Marvel Comic
What’s this? We don’t review Marvel comics! Well, this week is a special exception, as the first of two DC/Marvel (or Marvel/DC depending on who you’re asking) crossover issues will be coming out. As such, we’ll be reviewing it in addition to the one DC will be releasing in November.
Marvel/DC: Deadpool/Batman #1
The crossover you’ve pined for but never thought possible: DEADPOOL and BATMAN cross swords and batarangs as MARVEL and DC unite for the first time in decades! WADE WILSON has been hired for a job in GOTHAM CITY, but will the WORLD’S GREATEST DETECTIVE help him or destroy him? The main story starring Deadpool and Batman will be written by Zeb Wells and drawn by industry superstar Greg Capullo. The one-shot will also feature additional backup stories spotlighting other exciting Marvel and DC team-ups from a lineup of all-star talent, including Daredevil and GREEN ARROW by Kevin Smith and Adam Kubert, Captain America and Wonder Woman by Chip Zdarsky and Terry Dodson, and Jeff the Land Shark and Krypto by Kelly Thompson and Gurihiru.
- Written By: Al Ewing, Ryan North, Kevin Smith, Kelly Thompson, Zeb Wells, Chip Zdarsky
- Art By: Greg Capullo, Terry Dodson, G Gurihiru, Adam Kubert ,Dike Ruan, Ryan Stegman
Thoughts: It’s actually surprising that Disney and Warner Bros were able to agree to something like this in the age of multi-billion dollar franchises.
Batman News Critic: Collaboration
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: The Bat-Man: Second Knight #1– The 40s setting has always been a great fit for Batman
Least Excited: Titans #27– Doom Patrol’s fun, but the Titans have probably teamed up with them more than anyone else
Wild Card: Batman & Robin: Year One #11– Still very curious to see how this all shakes out
Well that’s it for this week! Let us know in the comments what comics you’re looking forward to.
COMMENTS
