Hello and welcome back to Upcoming Comics! March is here and with it the start of Spring weather, and an onslaught of allergies as things bloom back to life. Spring and growth brings to mind Poison Ivy, which we have coming up this week. Ivy was also one of the stars in this past Wednesday’s free chapter of the webcomic Batman: Wayne Family Adventures, facing off against Batman and a young Dick Grayson.
I haven’t had much of a chance to talk about Wayne Family Adventures here, but if I had to pick a current favorite ongoing comic right now, it is at the top of the list. While its bite-sized stories can be passed off as nothing but fluff, the series does take time to look at more serious subjects here and there. Its weekly short updates, and generalized place in comics continuity make it a great starting place for people who want to get acquainted with Batman’s large cast of characters, and is equally a fun ride for those who know them well.
Plus, with the popularity of webcomics these days it –and the other DC titles available on Webtoon right now– go a long way in helping DC branch out and find a wider audience. If you’ve enjoyed comics like Lil’ Gotham in the past, or just need something new to freshen up your reading list, I seriously suggest giving it a shot if you haven’t already, it’s adorable, there’s a ton of chapters to read (it’s in season 2 already!), and it’s free.
Now that I’ve pitched you one comic you can check out immediately, let’s look at the rest of DC’s lineup for this week!
Upcoming Comics
Batman #133
Everyone goes insane eventually. And then they belong to the terrifying Red Mask! But Gotham City has a new savior. He strikes from the shadows, exhumes the dead, and is known only as…the Batman. And in our backup story, Tim Drake’s search for Batman continues as he and Superman, Jon Kent, team up to stop the terror of the Toyman!
- Written By: Chip Zdarsky
- Penciled By: Mike Hawthorne, Miguel Mendonca
- Inks By: Miguel Mendonca, Adriano Di Benedetto
- Colors By: Roman Stevens, Tomeu Morey
- Cover By: Jorge Jiménez
Thoughts: This sounds like it could be an interesting arc, with a different flavor of Batman, along with a fun backup between Tim and Jon!
Batman News Critic: Casper
Poison Ivy #10
Before Ivy embarks on her trip back to Gotham, our verdant villainess sets her sights on a fungus-loving Hollywood celebrity with a lifestyle brand and spa that’s raising some major red flags on Ivy’s radar. All this because poor Janet from HR wanted to have some R&R before the car ride back east! Aw jeez!
- Written By: G. Willow Wilson
- Pencils & Inks By: Marcio Takara
- Colors By: Arif Prianto
- Cover By: Jessica Fong
Thoughts: There’s something about this solicit that reads almost like a Harley Quinn solicit, and I don’t know if that’s the vibe I want for an Ivy comic at all, even if they are joined at the hip in most things lately.
Batman News Critic: Theresa
Batman & Joker: Deadly Duo #5
When the Deadly Duo’s investigation brings them into the catacombs under Gotham, Batman and The Joker’s adventure becomes a trip into hell. If you thought this series had already shown you its horrors, get ready for a descent into the heart of darkness as Batman and The Joker’s true enemy is revealed.
- Written By: Marc Silvestri
- Pencils & Inks By: Marc Silvestri
- Colors By: Arif Prianto
- Cover By: Marc Silvestri, Sunny Gho
- Batman News Critic: William
Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #6
The Joker’s enjoying the sunny, warm weather of Los Angeles so much that he’s decided to stay…and get involved in local politics! Kate Spencer’s fists might have something to say about that, though!
- Written By: Matthew Rosenberg, Ryan Cady
- Penciled By: Carmine Di Giandomenico, Will Robson
- Inks By: Carmine Di Giandomenico, Will Robson
- Colors By: Arif Prianto, Romulo Fajardo
- Cover By: Carmine Di Giandomenico
Thoughts: Even while the last Joker comic was more of a Jim Gordon comic, I struggled enjoying it. It’s just hard for me to get excited about a book focused on a villain.
Batman News Critic: Theresa
Beyond the Bat
Welcome back to Beyond the Bat where we look at titles outside the Batfamily also being released by DC this week. There’s quite a few interesting titles to check out. The Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent starts this week, which is supposed to somehow lead Jon to the world of Injustice. As someone who has never really been into Elseworld’s stories, and even less interested in Injustice, I’m not the most excited about this particular twist. Still, I am a little curious to see how Taylor plans to make all this work.
Ratings
Most Excited: Batman #133- While I’m not totally sold on the main story, I still like the idea of Tim and Jon’s team-up and adventure.
Least Excited: Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #6- A totally Joker focused comic just does not grab my interest at all.
Wild Card: Batman & Joker: Deadly Duo #5- I’ve heard mixed things about this book, and while I haven’t checked it out yet, this is the kind of team up title that could be a good surprise.
That’s it for this week’s Upcoming Comics! It’s a smaller offering for Batman books this week, especially with JSA getting pushed back. Still, let me know what you’re picking up, and if you’ve checked out Wayne Family Adventures at all! See you in the reviews!
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