Shared Universe Comics for the week of 12/25/24

Merry Christmas!!! Why are comics on Christmas

Hey Everyone! Happy holidays! Hope you guys have a great day! Despite the fact that you should be spending time with family. I am for sure. There’s books out this week so….here’s what’s coming today, plus my review of Marvel’s Rivals, and a look at DC’s Solicits for March!

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News of the Week

A Intro to DC All-In book is coming in April called All-In Saga with Absolute Power #4, DC All In Specal #1, Justice League Unlimited #1, Batman #153, Wonder Woman #14, and Superman #19. Cool concept but….also feel like this won’t read very well for new people. Source

Batman Hush 2 begins with #158 in March as a six part art that tells the first half of Hush 2. Part 2 of Hush 2 will likely arrive in 2026. Source

Absolute Green Lantern and Absolute Flash were delayed to March 19th (releasing on the same day) and Absolute Martian Manhunter releases the week after of the 26th of March. Source

• Solicit Text for:

  • Absolute Green Lantern #1: Without the Corps…without the ring…without the willpower, what’s left is the Absolute Green Lantern!

  • Absolute Martian Manhunter #1: Beyond Mars…beyond physical form…beyond Human Understanding…all that’s left is the ultimate alien: the Absolute Martian Manhunter!

  • Absolute Flash #1: Without the mentor…without the family…without the Speed Force, what’s left is the Absolute Scarlet Speedster!

James Gunn helped consult on a five issue Vigilante story in Peacemaker Presents: The Vigilante/Eagly Double Feature! coming in March. Source

Nicole Maines’s new book, the six-issue, Secret Six is coming March 5th with a focus on tracking down Amanda Waller. Source

Williamson reveals big plans for Superman #25 in the solcit text for #24. Source

The Legion of Doom returns in Justice League Unlimited #5 Source

Harkwoman returns to the ruins of Thanagar in Green Lantern Corps #2.

Jason Todd sighting!!!! (coming in Batman and Robin #19)

Tom King’s Soveriegn Arc concludes with Wonder Woman #19. Kinda confused what is happening for 20?

Phillip Kennedy Johnson’s House of El story comes to an end in Adventures of Superman: House of El #1.

DC is crossing over with Sonic (Elseworld event)

So Amazing Spider-Man is getting a new #1 in april with Joe Kelly writing it, and that’s cool but um….why is Romita Jr. STILL doing art for that book…..I don’t understand….also….Peter has a new Girlfriend. I just DON’T understande what is going on with DC, but Pepe Larraz is also doing art and he’s one of Marvel’s best artists, so... idk.

Deadpool is killing the universe again in Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe One Last Time.

Valiant Comics is beginning their own “Ultimate/Absolute Univers with Valiant Beyond. In March, Valiant Beyond: Bloodshot will be written by Mauro Mantella with art by Fernando Heinz Furukawa and Valiant Beyond: Tales of the Shadowman will be written by AJ Ampadu with Art by Sergio Monjes. Then in April. Valiant Beyond: X-O Manowar is coming alongside Valiant Beyond: All-New Harbinger. For series and one shots hav been planned. Each book has a target of 12 issues of 3/4 issue arcs. There are possible mini-series if the books do well too. The current Valiant Universe will be on hiatus for a bit to publish Valiant Beyond. Source

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Thoughts of the Week

Okay….so I’ll be honest, I pre-wrote this on Friday as I am going to be on vacation all week. I’m looking forward to reading a bunch of great books over break including lots of catch-up. So, my thoughts this week and next will be less about what I’ve just done or current conversations in comics but rather something I’ve been wanting to talk about but holding off: Marvel Rivals.

I’ve played a good 15 hours or so of Rivals which is enough to have an informed opinion about that game and generally? It’s good! I feel like Rivals really lands the fantasy of playing as these heroes without being too close to Overwatch. Obviously there’s parallel’s but my initial feeling of “this is a full overwatch clone,” no longer are there in favor of it’s more compelling nuanced gameplay that has it’s own views on how to make the game fun. Playing through Marvel’s Rivals feels like playing OG overwatch again but with it’s own sense of fun. There’s obvious issues but it feels like the tools are wide enough such that anyone can have fun and find a hero that works for them. There are heroes for all play-levels that are fun to play for those types of players. Black Panther for example has very complicated combos, but pulling them off feels incredible and learning the skill/knowledge required for him feels very rewarding. Meanwhile, Scarlet Witch is a blast to play and was really easy to start. On night one, I think I went like 10 and 1 in wins to loss and every Scarlet Witch Ult was a near team wipe. Yet as players got better at navigating her, it got a bit harder to use. Fortunately, as my Witch got punished more, I could adapt into a more anti-melee style of play and become more dangerous again. It feels like I’ve just scratched the surface and imagine competitive play with alliance combos and real team comps, have a lot of area to really get deeper. Mix that in with very player-friendly transactions and it’s hard to even feel like this is a Tencent game.

While there’s obvious issues in the game (Jeff’s Ult needs to give you like 2 extra seconds to react), it feels like a phenomenal kick-off to something that seems to have very long legs. Something that has left a culture impact in the form of Jeff the Land Shark becoming larger than just it’s Infinity Comic, and something that challenges game companies to be better (battle pass completion that isn’t season locked). I can’t help but feel like this is arguably the second best GaaS new game launch of the year. (Helldivers 2 at #1 and Path of Exile 2 at #3).

DC All-In

There’s a new book this week in Metamorpho: Element Man #1 which is from what I can tell, only the fourth ever Metamopho solo book (1965-68, 1993, and 2007-2008 with Year One). So for Al Ewing to be writing this is HUGE. Action Comics Weekly Arc with Mark Wait concludes, and as a note, Black Canary was taken off the list after I got confirmation that is WASN’T an All-In book. Oh well….still a great book. Also the titles for the individual issues mostly aren’t there since this post was written before we knew some of them.

Action Comics #1081 “Phantoms Part 12: Finale”

• It's all led to this! As the final battle between Aethyr's forces and the heroes of Earth reaches its climax, the Phantom Zone is changed forever... altered from the ground up and ready for new prisoners. But who of the super family will be amongst them? It's the shocking finale to the Action Comics weekly, and you're going to have to read it to believe it!

• Plus, Kara's perilous journey home begins!

• Written by Mark Waid, Art by Clayton Henry, and Colors by Matt Herms.

• Cover by Clayton Henry with color by Tomeu Morey

• Writtern by Mariko Tamaki with Ark by Skylar Patridge and colors by Mariss Louise.

Detective Comics #1092

• The streets of Gotham run red with blood — blood that the mysterious villain known only as Asema has taken quite an interest in. Who is this scalpel-fingered creature collecting the plasma of young men, and what is Asema's connection to Bruce Wayne? Tom Taylor and Mikel Janín continue their exploration of the darkest corners of Gotham City!

• Written by Tom Taylor with art and cover by Mikel Janin

The Flash #16

• As the family continues their time in Skartaris, something is causing some serious seismic shakes — but is the cause of the quake something sinister? Also, Jai discovers how his abilities have evolved!

• Written by Si Spurrier with art by Vasco Georgiev. Cover by Mike Del Mundo

Green Arrow #19 “Fresh Water Kills Part 2”

• THE MYSTERY OF THE FRESH WATER KILLER DEEPENS! As Oliver Queen is forced to ask tough questions about the origins of the Fresh Water environmental disaster, the Fresh Water Killer moves towards their next target. With time running out before another murder rocks the city, the Emerald Archer runs into surprising resistance to his investigation!

• Written by Chris Condon with art by Montos and colors by Adriano Lucas. Cover by Taurin Clarke

Harley Quinn #46

• BEEP BEEP! OUTTA THE WAY! HARLEY'S DRIVIN' HERE! Laddies and Gentlegirls, are your engines burning for violence, malfeasance, and mayhammery? Look no further than this issue of Harley Quinn (available for preorder right now)! I, Imperator Harleyiosa, acting as the agent of the Council of Aggrieved Local Retailers of Throatcutter Hill, have placed an embargo on all internet purchases in our disgusting little corner of Gotham City henceforth. No more will convenient internet retailers flood our streets with their express-mail trucks and fill our recycling bins with empty cardboard boxes! Embargoed! Watch out, 'cause I got some serious road rage I can't wait to unleash! Set wheel in here, and I'm gonna blow up your truck!

• Written by Elliott Kalan with art by Mindy Lee. Cover art by Elizabeth Torque and color by Dave McCraig

Justice League Unlimited #2

• INTO THE NEST OF THE PARADEMON! As the Justice League grapples with the ramifications of the Atom Project, a strange alert brings the team to the jungles of South America... and a horrific discovery. Can the elite Justice League strike force save a village from total slaughter? Plus... the mystery of the Darkseid heir deepens, and dissension in the ranks forces Batman's hand.

• Written by Mark Wait, Art by Dan Mora, Colros by Tamra Donvillain, Letters by Ariana Maher. Cover by Dan Mora

Metamorpho: The Element Man #1

• To know him is to love him — that fab freak who can change himself into any element in the human body! He's the one and only Rex Mason, alias Metamorpho... but can even he win out against Cy.C.L.O.P.S., the hairy eyeball of crime that gazes from the top of the pop charts to the lowest depths of evil — and even into the far-off, far-out Ra-Realm? To find out, the Element Man must survive a hand-picked assassin who can match him change for change... and that's just the first issue! Join us for this covalent bond of friends and foes in the brand new ongoing series from superstar team Al Ewing and Steve Lieber!

• Written by Al Ewing, Art by Steve Lieber, Color by Lee Loughridge, Letters by Ferran Delgado. Cover by Steve Lieber with color by Lee Loughridge

Power Girl #16 “Lovely Ejecta’s Unloverly Coda”

• EJECTA EXPOSED! With the secrets of Metropolis's mysterious new hero out there, Power Girl now has all she needs to take her rival down once and for all. Will she prevail as she seeks revenge for Omen? Or does Ejecta have one final surprise up her sleeve?

• Written by Leah Williams, art by Adriana Melo, colors by Romulo Fajardo Jr., Letters by Becca Carey. Cover by Yanick Paquette with color by Arif Prianto

Superman #21 “Super Date Night”

• Following Doomsday's fiery attack on Metropolis, Clark and Lois realize they have been so busy saving the world that they haven't had time together, so they plan an epic date night! What could go wrong? Well, for starters, a massive alien armada is bearing down on Earth looking for revenge against... SUPERMAN?! What secret has Clark not told Lois about the future?

• Written by Joshua Williamson, Art by Dan Mora, Colors by Alejandro Sanchez, Letters by Ariana Maher. Cover by Dan Mora

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Absolute DC

Wonder Woman returns as our third cycle of books continues!

Absolute Wonder Woman #3 “The Last Amazon Part 3”

• ENTER: STEVE TREVOR! A Harbinger is but a messenger. It is The Tetracide that you must fear, for The Tetracide leaves nothing behind. Diana's true enemy has been revealed — and it will take everything she has to save Gateway City from oblivion!

• Written by Kelly Thompson, art by Hayden Sherman, Colors by Jordie Bellaire, and Letters by Becca Carey. Cover by Hayden Sherman

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X-Men From the Ashes Era

The Raid on Greymalken continues and Iceman joins Exceptional X-Men

Exceptional X-Men #4

• LO, THE ICEMAN COMETH! But Kitty Pryde suspects that her old comrade Bobby Drake isn’t being entirely honest with her. And our all-new hero BRONZE faces her first big solo battle and also has to interact with a person she has a crush on! Which is worse?!

• Written by Eve L. Ewing, art by Carmen Carnero, Colors by Nolan Woodard, and Letters by Travis Lanham. Cover by Carmen Carnero with colors by Nolan Woodard

Mystique #3

• A strategic stop in Madripoor turns into an international incident as Mystique prepares her endgame against S.H.I.E.L.D.! But what is the mother of mutant terrorism after in Lowtown? And what have her enemies sent to deal with her?

• Writing and art by Declan Shalvey. Colors by Matt Hollingsworth. Letters by Clayton Cowles. Cover by Declan Shalvey.

X-Men #9 “Raid on Graymalken Part Three”

• Rogue and Cyclops come to blows as emotions come to a head, pitting the two groups of X-Men against one another in a place where their only chance for survival is to stand together. Xavier's dream lies shattered — and broken edges always draw blood.

• Written by Jed MacKay with art by Federico Vicentini, pencils by Ryan Stegman, inks by J.P. Mayer, colors by Marte Gracia, letters by Clayton Cowles. Cover by Ryan Stegman with Inks by J.P. Mayer and colors by Marte Gracia.

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Ultimate Universe Marvel

Just Black Panther this week!

Black Panther #11

• A NEW VILLAIN JOINS THE FRAY! Black Panther’s war of attrition against Moon Knight becomes more complicated as Wakanda’s defense must become two-pronged! Plus, T’Challa discovers vibranium in his blood, bringing with it even more visions and more mystery...

• Written by Bryan Hill and art by Stefano Caselli

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Energon Universe

Void Rivals and Transformers connection!

Void Rivals #15

• Everyone's favorite Autobot, Hot Rod, finds his way to the Sacred Ring! What news of Cybertron does he bring to Springer? How dire are things? And how much trouble can two Autobots cause in Agorria? Tons!

• Written by Robert Kirkman, Art by Lorenzo De Felici, Colors by Patricio Delpeche. Cover by Lorenzo De Felici.

Star Wars Post ROTJ

Star Wars: The Battle of Jakku: Last Stand #1 “Battle of Jakku Part 9”

• A DARK FORCE STRIKES AT THE HEART OF THE JUST-FORMED NEW REPUBLIC AND SERVES AS A REMINDER THAT THE GALAXY IS FAR FROM A SAFE PLACE! Chandrila — under attack! The rise of a familiar villain — driven to the edge of sanity! LANDO CALRISSIAN and a ragtag team of pilots are attacked by an unexpected fleet! The return of HAN SOLO?!

• Written by Alex Segura with Art by Leonard Kirk and Jethro Morales, and colors by Jim Campbell. Covr by Erik M. Gist.

Ghost Machine

Big Week for Ghost Machine with 3 books

Geiger #9

• Trouble brews within the last civilized town in America. The cause: Tariq Geiger, who attracts too many bounty hunters wanting the enormous sum for his corpse. But when Geiger loses control, will he ultimately become this town's protector… or its doom? Plus, the return of Junkyard Joe's creator and enemy, The Custodian. But what are his ties to Geiger? And Redcoat?

• Written by Geoff Johns, Pencils by Paul Pelletier, Inks by Andrew Hennessy, and Colors by Brad Anderson. Cover by Gary Frank with color Brad Anderson.

Redcoat #8

• Another tale of everyone's favorite immortal British redcoat! It's 1873, and travelers are disappearing within Labette County, Kansas, without a trace. Now, Simon Pure finds himself on the trail of the latest missing person and his young daughter, leading him to one of the strangest and most violent clans of killers to have ever operated in the United States. But is this amount of evil too much for even Simon Pure to handle?

• Written by Geoff Johns, Pencils by Bryan Hitch, Ink by Andrew Currie, and Colors by Brad Anderson.

Hornsby and Halo #2

• Dark forces conspire to break the peace between Heaven and Hell! As Zach Halo and Rose Hornsby try to reconcile with the astonishing beings they became the previous night, they get caught in a cosmic conspiracy to destroy the tenuous truce made between the angels and demons. Thirteen-year-olds shouldn't be made to fight for something so existential…

• Written by Peter Tomasi with art by Peter Snejbjerg and colors by John Kalisz. Cover by Peter Sneibierg with color by John Kalisz

Our Comical Reality Updates

Hey everyone, I’m on vacation this week (and next) so this post and next weeks are both written ahead of time. As such, next weeks will not have a news section…sad, but will include my thoughts on Superman’s Trailer. (Just realized that I should’ve should’ve swapped those two for you guys…oh well. You’ll just have to wait till next week.

In other news, nothing is happening till after I’m back in DC on the 3rd. So I’ll have more to talk about then.