We’ve finally been inducted into the DC Retailer Pantheon! That means we now get early access to previews of comics coming out months in advance. And the timing couldn’t be better with DC’s All-In and Absolute Universe offering loads of fresh starts and jumping-on points. Naturally, I’ve sampled some of these for you—so let’s dive in.
The Must-Haves
- Absolute Wonder Woman #1 – This one absolutely knocked me out. I already mentioned it in the Singles Newsletter, but it’s worth repeating: this is top-notch. Sure, it might be a little early to call it the next big thing, but trust me, if you miss out on this, you’ll be kicking yourself for skipping something really special.
- Absolute Batman #1 – Surprisingly, this one brings serious Dark Knight Returns and Frank Miller vibes, which wasn’t obvious from the previews. The storytelling perspective is super intriguing, with Snyder shaking up all the familiar characters and relationships. The result? An absolutely solid first issue that sets up the theme, world, and conflicts in a really satisfying way. This one’s going to stay at the top, much like Ultimate Spidey.
- Detective #1090 – Tom Taylor and Mikel Janín (who kills it as both artist and colorist!) have really nailed this. I’ve got to say: hats off! It’s a perfect start, thematically on point, and if you’re tired of the endless Thomas Wayne flashbacks, Tom and Mikel breathe new life into it. You’ll want to keep an eye on this one!
The Runner-Ups
- Green Lantern Dark #1 – DC seems to be putting a lot of faith in James Tynion’s collaborator, Tate Brombal. Along with the new Batgirl series, he’s also given us this massive, beautifully drawn 50-page first issue, illustrated by Something Is Killing the Children artist Werther Dell’Edera. It’s a new Green Lantern in the Elseworlds universe, and while the first issue leans heavy on setup and world-building, I’m already hooked for issue two—which is exactly what a first issue should do!
- Batgirl #1 – Speaking of Tate Brombal! This one’s going to turn some heads, especially with Cassandra Cain’s hardcore fanbase. Her last series ended six or seven years ago, so this is a proper comeback. The first issue is action-packed with mother-daughter drama, and honestly, it’s just a quick, fun read.
