August will bring us right into the dead heat of summer and along with the season comes some new Bat-Books while others ride off into the sunset. Changes are on the horizon for some titles while others seem to be in a holding pattern.
Speaking of holding patterns, previously announced in the solicitations for June for Detective Comics #982, Bryan Hill’s five-issue story has been pushed back one issue. Rather than starting with #982 as previously solicited, the story will begin in #983 pushing the story to #987. This happens to take the arc to the end of August as well as the announcement of what writer will be taking over the title after Hill. One way or another, an announcement is imminent within the next month for the direction of Detective Comics.
Nightwing pulls double duty as he appears in his own series while also subbing in as Batman in the pages of the main title, as Bruce Wayne is still involved with the trial of Mister Freeze. The solicits hint that Dick might be under the cowl for a lot longer than we first thought as Bruce re-examines his actions as Batman.
Another month after some current mini-series end and there was only one new Batman-specific series announced. This series, titled Batman: Kings of Fear, brings Kelley Jones back to the Batman Universe with Scott Peterson writing. Despite not having any other new series announced there was a new wave of DC/Looney Tunes crossover specials announced. Out of the four specials announced, TBU will be covering three of them.
In Greater Gotham, Batgirl is going to take a step backward, as the device that allows her to walk gets fried, forcing her back into a wheelchair. Whether this will lead to her taking over the mantle of Oracle has yet to be seen but hopefully, we’ll be able to see a co-existence of the two identities as we saw in the pages of Birds of Prey. Batwoman rounds out its run with issue #18 and as revealed with the news that the Young Animal imprint will go on hiatus, Mother Panic: Gotham AD will end after issue #6. Catwoman may have a new series launching in July, but she is also getting a new look, expected to be seen in Catwoman #2. Red Hood and the Outlaws gets to issue #25 and with that comes a higher page count and price tag for the milestone.
August also happens to be another five Wednesday month and that means that there are more annuals planned. This time around Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood and the Outlaws, and Suicide Squad will all get one, so budget accordingly for these extra issues which are priced higher than a normal issue. It is worth noting that the annual all state that they will include a free digital download code which was previously removed from a number of other series. Expect to see Vicki Vale show up in the Nightwing Annual and James Gordon Jr. returning in the Batgirl Annual. Both characters making their debuts since the Rebirth initiative.
Over on the DC Universe side of things, Super Sons returns with a twelve-issue maxi-series, Adventures of the Super Sons. James Tynion IV fills in on Justice League #5 to give Scott Snyder a short break before Snyder returns for issue #6. Also, while not a normal series, Batman and the Justice League will be getting their recent manga adventures published as well, but expect that in October.
Finally, TBU characters continue to make the rounds in other series. Talia al Ghul continues to have a presence in The Silencer, but August brings an annual for the series which will bring Batman into the mix. Over in Aquaman, the Suicide Squad has a crossover which brings Harley, Killer Croc, and Deadshot in the issue. Also, the story involving Batman in Deathstroke continues.
Check out the gallery of some of the covers coming in August and the full details on the releases below. What are you looking forward to?
BATMAN BOOKS
BATMAN #52-53 [8/1, 8/15] Written by TOM KING, Art and cover by LEE WEEKS; “Cold Days” continues! The jury in the Mr. Freeze trial is hopelessly deadlocked because one man won’t vote guilty—and that man is Bruce Wayne. Freeze’s defense is that Batman used excessive force, making his arrest illegal, and Bruce is the one man who actually knows for sure what went down between Batman and his ice-cold nemesis. And if Bruce is right, that means everything he’s devoted himself to as the Caped Crusader is a lie; he is hurting more than helping. With Dick Grayson putting the Batsuit back on to keep Gotham City safe while Bruce is sequestered, could this be the out Bruce needs to discard the cape and cowl forever? The Eisner Award-nominated team of Tom King and Lee Weeks reexamine the relationship between hero and foe, as Batman relives not just that one violent night when he took down the King of Cold, but every time the two have come to blows. $3.99, 32 PAGES
DETECTIVE COMICS #986 [8/8] Written by BRYAN HILL, Art by PHILIPPE BRIONES; Black Lightning, the Signal and Cassandra Cain are working very well together…but now they’re up against a foe who can tap directly into their worst emotions and play them like music! When you’ve seen the kinds of horrors these poor souls have, there’s plenty of trauma to work with…and with that, you can turn these heroes into deadly weapons! Meanwhile Batman’s “side project” has been revealed—what are the Brainiac Files, and what, exactly, does Batman plan to do with them? $2.99, 32 PAGES, This story was originally solicited to run in issue #985.
DETECTIVE COMICS #987 [8/22] Written by BRYAN HILL, Art by MIGUEL MENDONÇA; Then, the pulse-pounding “On the Outside” storyline hurtles toward its cataclysmic conclusion! Batman has tasked Katana, Black Lightning, the Signal and Orphan (a.k.a. Cassandra Cain) with stopping a rogue operator using alien technology that can crack into any mind on Earth! What does this case have to do with the Brainiac Files seen in JUSTICE LEAGUE: NO JUSTICE #1? And how does Amanda Waller factor in? Guess you’re “outside” of Batman’s circle of trust…for now. $2.99, 32 PAGES
ARCHIE MEETS BATMAN ‘66 #2 [8/22] Written by JEFF PARKER and MICHAEL MORECI, Art by DAN PARENT, J. BONE, KELLY FITZPATRICK and JACK MORELLI The historic crossover mini-series continues! Batman’s received a panicked call from Riverdale and he sends Robin and Batgirl with one caveat—they must disguise themselves as high school transfer students! $3.99, 32 PAGES, 2 of 6
BATMAN: KINGS OF FEAR #1 [8/22] Written by SCOTT PETERSON, Art and cover by KELLEY JONES; Legendary artist Kelley Jones makes his triumphant return to the Dark Knight in this explosive miniseries written by former BATMAN editor Scott Peterson! Batman’s been overseeing Gotham City for years now and isn’t sure how much of a difference he’s making. Doubt, fear and insecurity are starting to take over. And as all of those negative feelings set in the Scarecrow orchestrates a riot at Arkham Asylum to give the Dark Knight one of his greatest challenges yet! This six-issue miniseries will see the Scarecrow in a horrifying new way that you’ll have to read to believe. $3.99, 32 PAGES, 1 of 6
GREATER GOTHAM
BATGIRL #26 [8/22] Written by MAIRGHREAD SCOTT, Art by PAUL PELLETIER; “Art of the Crime” part one. During a high-speed chase with murderous art thief Grotesque, the villain K.O.’s Batgirl with a souped-up stun gun that temporarily fries the device implanted in her spine. (That thing that helps her, you know, walk and be Batgirl?) Babs finds herself in for a whole new world of hurt now that old wounds have been opened up—and so does Grotesque. $3.99, 32 PAGES
BATGIRL ANNUAL #2 [8/29] Written by MAIRGHREAD SCOTT, Art by ELENA CASAGRANDE; Sibling rivalry takes on a whole new meaning in this one-shot story that tracks Batgirl’s hunt for a serial killer whose M.O. strikes a familiar chord. Namely, a disturbing similarity to her brother, current convict James Gordon Jr. Family bonds are restored during a visit to his maximum- security surroundings, but Babs’ doubts linger. Is James Jr. helping to solve this case…or pulling her strings in a diabolical power play? $4.99, 48 PAGES
BATMAN BEYOND #23 [8/22] Written by DAN JURGENS, Art by WILL CONRAD; Batman’s got a bull’s-eye on his back in part four of “Target: Batman.” Thanks to the machinations of the Scarecrow, the entire city of Neo-Gotham is looking to take aim at the Dark Knight—including his own partner, Robin! Will hero turn against hero when fear is in the air? Elsewhere, former Royal Flusher Melanie Walker looks to upgrade her image and take on a new heroic mantle, so she seeks advice from newsman Jack Ryder—unaware that he’s a total costumed Creeper! $3.99, 32 PAGES
BATWOMAN #18 [8/15] Written by MARGUERITE BENNETT, Art by FERNANDO BLANCO; It’s the series finale, and there’s a lot of drama to resolve for Kate Kane, both in and out of costume. As Batwoman, she teams with Renee Montoya to thwart Clock King’s latest time-bending enterprise: selling a drug that allows criminals to know if their crime will be successful—before it’s committed. But Batwoman’s facing a quandary to boot: Take this drug off the street, or use it herself to stop crime? The only fight tougher is the personal one: Should Kate and Renee give their relationship another chance? $3.99, 32 PAGES, FINAL ISSUE
CATWOMAN #2 [8/1] Written by JOELLE JONES, Art and cover by JOELLE JONES; Gotham’s a toxic litter box for Selina Kyle of late, so she hits the road looking to clear the air, change her look and clear her name, too—there’s a copycat burglar swiping her M.O. who needs sorting out. In her hometown, Catwoman runs afoul of a crime boss who’s also hunting this impostor. Can the two declare a truce to hunt a mutual enemy, or will Selina end up just more roadkill? $3.99, 32 PAGES
HARLEY QUINN #47 [8/1] Written by SAM HUMPHRIES, Art by JOHN TIMMS; It’s the grand finale of “Harley vs. Apokolips”! Harley’s trapped on Darkseid’s homeworld, having failed to become a Female Fury under Granny Goodness’ tutelage. Trapped in a “reeducation chamber” that threatens to destroy her free will, Harley must dig deep to throw off the alien shackles and get back to Earth. She just needs to escape a super-max alien prison, fight off a planet full of super-powered psychos, defeat a New God, then steal a spaceship and fly it home. No problem-o!
$3.99, 32 PAGES
HARLEY QUINN #48 [8/15] Written by SAM HUMPHRIES, Art by SAMI BASRI; Being stuck on an alien planet for months has really messed with Harley’s finances—she’s gotta become a working stiff again just to pay off all the bills she racked up while on Apokolips! And not only is the city threatening to demolish her Coney Island apartment building if she doesn’t pay up, she’s helping failed Fury Petite Tina to adjust to life on Earth, which ain’t cheap. Sounds like it’s time for the
ramen diet! $3.99, 32 PAGES
MOTHER PANIC: GOTHAM A.D. #6 [8/22] Written by JODY HOUSER, Art by IBRAHIM MOUSTAFA; Mother Panic must face all her demons—spiritual and biological—in this issue as she learns the true fate of the Violet of this world. Sibling rivalries, archnemeses and more square off against Mother Panic in this, the ultimate issue of GOTHAM A.D.! $3.99, 32 PAGES, FINAL ISSUE
NIGHTWING #47 [8/1] Written by BENJAMIN PERCY, Art by CHRIS MOONEYHAM and KLAUS JANSON; Dick Grayson may want to consider a new career in cyber-security, because the major tech upgrades coming to Blüdhaven mean deadly danger for everyone in the city. Nightwing battles the mysterious tech mogul Willem Cloke, who it turns out is just a front man for the real threat—the organization known only as the Dark Web! Time to change those passwords, Blüdhaven! $3.99, 32 PAGES
NIGHTWING ANNUAL #1 [8/29] Written by BENJAMIN PERCY, Art and cover by OTTO SCHMIDT; The smart city overhaul of Blüdhaven was just the beginning—a single battle in a larger cyberwar that Nightwing is only starting to understand. But now the story of the Dark Web organization begins to expand as Grayson travels to Gotham City and partners up with Vicki Vale. We live in an era of fake news, alternative facts, disinformation. The gatekeepers of truth can’t be trusted anymore, and sometimes elections, businesses and even lives are at stake. Nightwing faces off against the first of three lieutenants in the army of the Dark Web: Vire, the psychic embodiment of malware who can unearth your darkest secrets. $4.99, 48 PAGES
RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #25 [8/8] Written by SCOTT LOBDELL, Art by DEXTER SOY; Batman versus Red Hood for the right to fight in Gotham—grab your ringside seat for the battle 25 years in the making! Jason Todd broke a promise to his mentor, and must now confront an angry and betrayed Batman. That means a good time for readers, but probably not so much for Jason: it’s likely going to take more than the Outlaws’ help in order for the Red Hood to avoid wearing an orange jumper in prison. $4.99, 48 PAGES
RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS ANNUAL #2 [8/29] Written by SCOTT LOBDELL, Art by CLAYTON HENRY; The boys are back—Red Hood and Arsenal, together again! Sort of. While Jason Todd is recovering after a brutal beatdown from the man who taught him everything he knows about brutal beatdowns, Roy Harper divides his time between being a nursemaid to his bestie and tracking down the source of tainted drugs that have killed thousands. It isn’t long before the two find themselves in Beijing battling the Sisters of Suzie Su! All this and…the inexplicable fate of Artemis and Bizarro! $4.99, 48 PAGES
GREATER DC UNIVERSE
ADVENTURES OF THE SUPER SONS #1 [8/1] Written by PETER J. TOMASI, Art by CARLO BARBERI and ART THIBERT; The Super Sons are back in an all-new 12-issue miniseries written by Peter J. Tomasi! Check out the lost and secret adventures of Damian Wayne (Robin) and Jon Kent (Superboy) in this flashback miniseries that takes a deep dive into the bombastic bromance between the sons of the DC Universe’s greatest heroes. It’s an epic dual storyline that transcends current events, as Superboy and Robin find themselves targets of an interstellar team of young badasses called the Gang. $3.99, 32 PAGES, 1 of 12
JUSTICE LEAGUE #5 [8/1] Written by JAMES TYNION IV, Art and cover by DOUG MAHNKE and JAIME MENDOZA; Lex Luthor’s back in the present just trying to live his best life after seeing what the future could have held for him. Luthor’s new mantra? “Embrace Your Doom!” So now he’s rounding up a new Legion of Doom to go on a cosmic wilding and establish himself as the biggest baddie in the DCU. In full recruiting mode, Luthor approaches both Sinestro and Gorilla Grodd to join his new team, and he doesn’t exactly have to twist any arms. (They’ve got a matching 401K plan and great bennies, after all!) $3.99, 32 PAGES
JUSTICE LEAGUE #6 [8/15] Written by SCOTT SNYDER, Art and cover by JORGE JIMENEZ; Did you read the write-up on issue #5? Do you really think anything’s gotten better for the Justice League in the past two weeks? Still Force? Still a thing! Ultraviolet Galaxy Lantern? Keeps attacking! Sinestro? Total garbage! Lex Luthor and Joker? Beating everyone to the Source Wall piece. If that happens? You don’t wanna know. $3.99, 32 PAGES
JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #2 [8/22] Written by JAMES TYNION IV, Art and cover by ALVARO MARTINEZ and RAUL FERNANDEZ; Plagued by a rash of otherworldly resurrections, the new JLD team begins scouring the shadowy corners of the DCU looking for leads. Turns out, this latest mystery ties back to the Tree of Wonder, last seen laying down roots in JUSTICE LEAGUE: NO JUSTICE—and it bears poisoned fruit to boot. The Tree serves as a doorway from the Realm of Magic to our world, and the Upside Down Man is just the first of many all-powerful mystic entities looking for a new haunt. It’s gonna take a major twist of fate for our heroes to get out of this one… $3.99, 32 PAGES
JUSTICE LEAGUE ODYSSEY #2 [8/8] Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON, Art and cover by STJEPAN SEJIC; Cyborg, Starfire, Green Lantern Jessica Cruz and Azrael debate whether so-called “God of Evil” Darkseid should have joined the team. (Too late—that evil horse has left the barn!) But before the team can resolve this conflict, they’re forced into action when Vril Dox takes an interest in the Coluan refugees, attacking their ship with a new Manhunter army of his own creation. ’Cuz more violence is always the answer! $3.99, 32 PAGES
SUICIDE SQUAD #45 [8/8] Written by ROB WILLIAMS and DAN ABNETT, Art by JOSE LUIS; Don’t miss part one of “Sink Atlantis,” continuing in AQUAMAN #39, also on sale in August! After Aquaman’s undersea kingdom rises to become a world power of the surface, the Suicide Squad must infiltrate the city and send it back to the depths or die trying. But sinking Aquaman’s city isn’t Task Force X’s only objective in Atlantis. There’s something buried there that Amanda Waller wants, and this is her chance to claim it. $3.99, 32 PAGES
SUICIDE SQUAD ANNUAL #1 [8/22] Written by CULLEN BUNN, Art by RONAN CLIQUET; Thrown together to apprehend an escaped inmate, Solomon Grundy, Rag Doll and Merlyn head into the muck surrounding Belle Reve, but no one is prepared for a meeting with the Swamp Thing. Bodies decay quickly in the bayous of Louisiana, and the avatar of the Green doesn’t care if the Squad makes it out alive. $4.99, 48 PAGES
TEEN TITANS #21 [8/22] Written by ADAM GLASS, Art and cover by BERNARD CHANG; Next up on the Teen Titans’ target list is none other than longtime antagonist Gizmo, whose neighborhood toy store secretly serves as a front for his arms-dealing business. (You can get a Nerf blaster and a rail gun? Cool!) But this whole escapade is about to blow up in their faces when they find Gizmo strapped to an atomic bomb that’s about to go off—right in the middle of New York City. And it’s rush hour to boot? Nice knowing you, Big Apple! $3.99, 32 PAGES
TITANS #24 [8/8] Written by DAN ABNETT, Art and cover by BRANDON PETERSON; As if the Source Wall incursions causing a metagene pandemic weren’t enough, team dysfunction threatens this latest iteration of the Titans before their new mission even gets off the ground! Night-wing and Miss Martian butt heads over the team’s M.O. as the fate of the latest metahuman hangs in the balance! They’d better get their act together, because one of the Titans won’t be coming home from this Source Wall mission—and it’s not a vacation day! $3.99, 32 PAGES
DEATHSTROKE #34 [8/1] Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST, Art by CARLO PAGULAYAN and JASON PAZ: It’s part five of “Batman vs. Deathstroke,” and “The Stormy Present” finds our two marquee combatants locked in the Batcave, forced to resolve their differences—or die trying! The showdown only turns saltier when the feds seize Bruce Wayne’s assets, including Wayne Manor, after Slade drops a dime. And Deathstroke shows Batman he’s not the only detective in town, as Slade closes in on the mystery of his relationship with Robin. $3.99, 32 PAGES
SECONDARY DC BOOKS
CATWOMAN/TWEETY AND SYLVESTER SPECIAL #1 [8/29] Written by GAIL SIMONE, Art by INAKI MIRANDA; In his relentless pursuit of Tweety, Sylvester suddenly finds himself with a new, human ally—Catwoman. Tweety then realizes that he’s going to need some help too, and recruits a super-hero of his own. It isn’t long before the scale of the conflict begins to get out of control and suddenly there’s a full scale war between cats and birds that threatens to take over all of Gotham. $4.99, 48 PAGES
HARLEY QUINN/GOSSAMER SPECIAL #1 [8/29] Written by JIMMY PALMIOTTI and AMANDA CONNER, Art by PIER BRITO; A violent storm leaves a large crate washed up on the beach at Coney Island. When Harley breaks it open to see what’s inside, she suddenly has a new playmate to add to her cast of friends—a large, furry, orange beast called Gossamer. It’s all fun and games until a giant robot attacks them. But who sent it? Harley immediately suspects only one man, but is it really The Joker behind this destructive rampage? $4.99, 48 PAGES
THE JOKER/ DAFFY DUCK SPECIAL #1 [8/29] Written by SCOTT LOBDELL, Art and cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND; When Daffy Duck pays a call to the Acme corporate headquarters in Gotham City, he finds the company long gone and their abandoned building now occupied by The Joker. With a hit in progress, Daffy tries to sneak away, only to find himself in the clutches of the Clown Prince of Crime. But Joker decides that there’s some potential in this manic bird and forces Daffy to join his gang. Will he find a way to escape…or will he become The Joker’s new right-hand duck? $4.99, 48 PAGES
INJUSTICE 2 #31 [8/1] Written by TOM TAYLOR, Art and cover by DANIEL SAMPERE; The Red Lanterns, backed by the power of Starro, wage an all-out assault on Oa and the source of the Green Lanterns’ power. But help is on the way in the form of the Titans, Blue Beetle, Booster Gold and…Lobo? Get ready for a rumble like you’ve never seen before! $2.99, 32 PAGES
INJUSTICE 2 #32 [8/15] Written by TOM TAYLOR, Art and cover by BRUNO REDONDO; Then, the fate of the world hangs in the balance as Starro and the Red Lanterns head toward Earth bent on destruction. Beetle, Booster and the Titans are in hot pursuit. Following close behind is Lobo, armed with a weapon that may ultimately do more harm than good. $2.99, 32 PAGES
INJUSTICE VS. THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE #2 [8/15] Written by TIM SEELEY, Art and cover by FREDDIE E. WILLIAMS II; He-Man has come to his mother’s home-world to save it from a despotic ruler: Superman! As Batman plans an invasion of the Oracle to stop their suicide squads from terrorizing the populace, He-Man wanders an Earth city (in disguise) hoping to understand more of the difficulty they’ll face. Meanwhile, back on Eternia, Zatanna and Swamp Thing are horrified to discover that someone else from their universe has crossed over! $3.99, 32 PAGES, 2 of 6
TEEN TITANS GO! #29 [8/15] Written by SHOLLY FISCH, Art by ERICH OWEN and JEREMY LAWSON; Success! The Titans finally got their movie and all the fame and glamor that went with it. But are they doomed to wallow after their 15 minutes of fame are over? And then, the Teen Titans Go…back to Hollywood! Their L.A. adventure gave them a taste of the tinsel and they aren’t ready to give up those dreams quite yet. $2.99, 32 PAGES
