The first new Bat Family comic book of the year (January 1) was Batman No. 156. Writer Chip Zdarsky revealed that KGBeast is the man behind Commander Star’s mask and that Russians are running The Court of Owls. During Batgirl No. 3, we see that Lady Shiva isn’t completely evil. However, she’s working with some unsavory people. In Two-Face No. 2, Harvey Dent doesn’t realize that he’s close to losing control of his body. Lastly, Kelly Thompson’s recent Birds of Prey concludes the "Bird Undercover” storyline.
It’s a new week meaning more new comic books will be published. And, shocking to no one, new Batman and Bat Family titles are being released.
Absolute Batman No. 4
- Writer: Scott Snyder
- Artist: Nick Dragotta and Gabriel Walta
Comixology says this essential issue is where we'll learn Absolute Batman’s origin story. Among the things we’ll discover are how the death of Bruce’s father, Thomas Wayne, and the advice he gave him shaped Bruce into the man he became. We’re also going to see how he eventually becomes Batman.
If this is an origin story, that means Bruce’s mother Martha should play a big part in this too. Like Absolute Wonder Woman and Absolute Superman, the moms are playing a crucial role in their children becoming heroes. Martha will be no different.
Batman Dark Patterns No. 2
- Writer: Dan Watters
- Artist: Hayden Sherman
Batman Dark Patterns No. 1 was gritty and brutal and showed the detective skills of Bruce Wayne (something that gets lost in between him breaking criminals’ limbs). Comixology says this issue will dig into the past of Gotham. That could mean this isn’t the first time the Wound Man has appeared. Is this the case that stops this vicious and disturbing villain from appearing or is something mystical behind this and that's why it returns?
You don't want to fall behind on this series. There’s a good chance Batman: Dark Patterns will be the best Batman comic book of the year.
DC vs Vampires: World War V No. 6
- Writers: Matthew Rosenberg, Joey Esposito
- Artists: Otto Schmidt and Pasquale Qualano
John Constantine was close to making a deal with the Vampire Queen, Barbara Gordon at the end of DC vs Vampires: World War V No. 6 (yep, she's still alive). Too bad Damian Wayne’s infiltration of her stronghold ruined whatever he had planned. Or did it?
Constantine may have been killed by Gorilla Grodd, but when has something like death stopped Constantine? Don’t be shocked if this was either part of John's plan or that his unintended death was something he needed to save the world. Maybe being a ghost allows him to travel in ways he couldn't in life.
Batman and Robin No. 17
- Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson
- Artists: Javi Fernandez and Carmine Di Giandomenico
Admittedly, this writer is completely behind on this run of Batman and Robin. However, I’ll have a better understanding of what’s going on in this series by the time issue No. 18 is released. Until then, here’s a link to Comixology's explanation.
What Bat Family comic books are you reading? Are there any issues on this list that you'll be checking out? Let us know on the Bam Smack Pow Bluesky, Instagram, and Twitter.