DC Comics made an exciting roster of announcements for their 2022 New Year releases yesterday, ahead of the DC Fandome event on Saturday 16th October and we’ve got them all detailed for you right here! These books will be available throughout January 2022. Batman leads the way again with the first announcement and we’ve got DC’s pitches for the new books as well as our own commentary, so read on!

BATMAN: THE KNIGHT #1

DC says: Superstar writer Chip Zdarsky teaming up with acclaimed artist Carmine Di Giandomenico teaming up to explore Batman’s path to becoming the legendary defender of Gotham City in BATMAN: THE KNIGHT. The origin of Batman and his never-ending fight against crime in Gotham City is modern mythology, but what about the story in between? How did an angry, damaged young man grow into the most accomplished detective and crime-fighter the world has ever known? How did the Dark Knight…begin? Chip Zdarsky (DAREDEVIL) and Carmine Di Giandomenico (THE FLASH) explore Bruce Wayne’s journey to becoming Batman in this definitive new series.

The Crush says: Ok, it’s an origin story, which we’ve seen a few times for Batman, but one that focuses more intensely on ‘the training years’. The look, sound and pitch of this book suggest something that borrows from Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins, so this is sure to resonate with fans. And the good thing about the years detailed in this series is that whilst they have certainly been touched upon throughout the Batman mythos, there’s a lot left un-mined. Plus you have Zdarsky hot off his fan-favourite Daredevil run taking on the OTHER major avenger of the night… Not to mention Di Giandomenico’s fine, detailed line. One for the Bat fans (like us). And if you’re a Bat fan, you should check out the latest episode of our comics review show, Crushing Comics!

BATMAN: THE KNIGHT #1
Written by Chip Zdarsky
Art and cover by Carmine Di Giandomenico
Variant cover by Greg Capullo and Jonathan Glapion
1:25 variant by Gerald Parel
1:50 foil variant by Greg Capullo and Jonathan Glapion
$4.99 US | 40 pages | Variant $5.99 US (All covers card stock)
ON SALE 1/18/22

DETECTIVE COMICS #1050

DC Says: On sale on January 25th is the landmark, oversize Detective Comics Issue #1050, part four of the twelve-part weekly SHADOWS OF THE BAT EVENT, featuring some of the biggest names in comics, like Mark Waid (THE FLASH), Dan Mora (DETECTIVE COMICS), Mariko Tamaki (DETECTIVE COMICS), Matthew Rosenberg (TASK FORCE Z), and Fernando Blanco (CATWOMAN).

First up is “The Tower” part four, the dramatic conclusion to Mariko Tamaki’s Arkham Tower epic, with art by Ivan Reis. The villainous force keeping Arkham Tower’s patients sedated is at last revealed—and this villain’s return is guaranteed to catch you by surprise. The issue also includes part four of “House of Gotham” by Matthew Rosenberg and Fernando Blanco, taking fans into the seedy underbelly of Gotham’s criminal elite through the lens of the Dick Grayson, and revealing what it takes for a young man to survive amongst the deadliest killers in the DC Universe. It’s a tour de force of Gotham’s vilest villains!

And finally, writer Mark Waid teams up with long-running Detective Comics artist Dan Mora for a new story set in the DC Universe, bringing readers to the start of a brand-new day for Batman… and Superman. This is just the beginning for Waid and Mora—and for Superman and Batman!

The Crush says: Mariko Tamaki taking on Detective Comics was one of the more surprising announcements in recent times for us, largely because very few women have worked on Batman and more especially on Detective. But this run has been excellent, changing the shape of Gotham in new and interesting ways, putting the Bat family against the Gotham establishment and making them urban myths in the process. Reis and Miki’s art is always on point. And you have the conclusion of a great backup story by Matthew Rosenberg, who is a terrific writer, at home whether he’s writing creator-owned or work for hire books, not to mention the excitement of having Mark Waid back at DC for what looks like the beginning of a new World’s finest book… Anticipation is high! But not only is there a cool team of writers on this, but you’ve also got the aforementioned Reis and Miki, plus the awesome Fernando Blanco on Rosenberg’s story as he comes off his gorgeous work on Catwoman (with Ram V)… And you’ve got Dan Mora, whom it seems no one dislikes… this is set to be an absolute monster of an issue! Put it on my Bat-pull!

DETECTIVE COMICS #1050
Written by Mariko Tamaki
Art by Ivan Reis and Danny Miki
Backup 1 written by Matthew Rosenberg
Backup 1 art by Fernando Blanco
Backup 2 written by Mark Waid
Backup 2 art by Dan Mora
Cover by Irvin Rodriguez
Variant by Lee Bermejo
4-part connecting variant by Jorge Molina
1:25 variant by Jorge Fornés
Team variant by Jay Fabok
$5.99 US | 48 pages | Variant $6.99 US (Card stock)
ON SALE 1/25/22

CATWOMAN #39

DC Says: Catwoman has returned to Gotham City from Alleytown, and is back to doing what she does best: stealing from crime bosses, and looking fine while doing it. New ongoing series writer Tini Howard (Excalibur) makes her DC debut on Catwoman, as Selina Kyle goes into one of Gotham City’s most secure underground clubs in disguise to steal blackmail material… Oh, Catwoman, hiding in plain sight in five-inch platform heels at a gathering of Gotham’s crime elite while surrounded by all the beautiful women and other shiny things to look at…what could possibly go wrong? With art by Nico Leon, Catwoman #39 hits stores on 1/18/22.

The Crush says: Catwoman is a favourite character of ours and some amazing creators have had the chance to put their stamp on her adventures, including our favourite Devin Grayson and most recently, Joëlle Jones (who also supplied the beautiful, fine-lined art for her run) and Ram V (who worked with the amazing Fernando Blanco), so it’s great to see DC continuing the tradition of getting interesting, talented writers on-board - and Tini Howard is certainly an interesting voice. Add Nico Leon’s art, which I’ve only ever seen grace the pages of Marvel, and you have a fascinating mix for the next phase of Catwoman.

CATWOMAN #39
Written by Tini Howard
Art by Nico Leon
Cover by Jeff Dékal
Variant by Jenny Frison
1:25 variant by Sozomaika
$3.99 US | 32 pages | Variant $4.99 US (Card stock)
ON SALE 1/18/22

PEACEMAKER: DISTURBING THE PEACE

DC says: The breakout character from The Suicide Squad gets his own tale of peace ahead of the upcoming HBO Max show! Readers can take a deep dive into the backstory of the World’s Greatest Peace Enthusiast in this special one-shot from the legendary Gath Ennis (PREACHER, THE BOYS), with art by Garry Brown (DC HORROR PRESENTS THE CONJURING: THE LOVER). Long before joining Task Force X, Christopher Smith, code name Peacemaker, meets with a psychiatrist—a woman dangerously obsessed with his bizarre and violent past. From his tragic childhood to his military service overseas to his multiple missions with Special Forces, Smith has more than his share of skeletons in the closet. But who’s actually analyzing whom? And will this trip down memory lane result in yet more fatalities?

The Crush says: You can count the number of Peacemaker books I’ve read on no-hands, so having an entry-point like this is good. Plus you’ve got Ennis working in his favourite field - the military action drama. I think Ennis’ take on The Punisher was a defining point for the character and I know I’m not alone. Psychological exploration of military and criminal veterans has always been part of the Suicide Squad books, especially Ostrander and Yale’s run back in the ‘80s. I have to admit to not knowing Garry Brown’s art, but it looks great in the previews!

PEACEMAKER: DISTURBING THE PEACE #1
Written by Garth Ennis
Art by Garry Brown
Cover by Juan Ferreyra
Variant by Garry Brown
1:25 variant by Ryan Brown
1:50 variant by Amanda Conner
$6.99 US | 40 pages | One-shot | Prestige
ON SALE 1/25/22
17+

JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #1

DC Says: Eisner winning writer Brian Michael Bendis (SUPERMAN, POWERS) returns to the Legion of Super-Heroes in this monumental six-issue event miniseries. One thousand years in the future, a Legion of Super-Heroes comes together to dedicate their lives to recapturing the great age of heroes of the 21st century. When the heroes discover that reality is falling to a great darkness in both times simultaneously, the Justice League and the Legion of Super-Heroes must team up to stop it all. But what is the connection between the secrets of the new Gold Lanterns and the coming of the Great Darkness? Number one of six goes on sale 1/11/22, with art by Scott Godlewski (SUPERMAN).

The Crush says: For us, it’s great to see that Bendis hasn’t severed all ties with DC, even though his Jinxworld imprint has moved to Dark Horse. Legion was an excellent book, that genuinely felt fresh and fun, so it’s good to see him returning to that world here. Godlewski isn’t familiar to us but then, we’re discovering new artists’ work every day!

JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #1
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art and cover by Scott Godlewski
Variant cover by Travis Moore
$3.99 US | 32 pages | 1 of 6 | Variant $4.99 US (Card stock)
ON SALE 1/11/22

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