Emperor Aquaman #18 Preview

 

Arthur Curry no longer relies on Jackson Hyde to rescue him from meetings with squabbling nobles. Nor does he devote much time to his duties as head of state. Since the Omega Tournament, Arthur spends most of his time far from Atlantis. While exploring suitable sites to establish lighthouses, he travels to other worlds, seeking to establish more bases to better protect Atlantis and Earth from Darkseid's return. 

Just as immigrants flock to his new Lighthouse on Earth, new allies arrive to help Arthur. And like the new Justice League, not all of them have an unblemished record of heroism. While working to prevent Darkseid's return, can Arthur help his new allies embrace a better way of resolving conflicts? Or with reality at stake, should Arthur recognize that some individuals, and even entire species, will never stop hurting and killing others to ensure their own survival?

Here's all the info from DC Connect: 

Emperor Aquaman #18

Writer: Jeremy Adams

Artist & Cover Artist: John Timms

Variant Cover Artists: Nathan Szerdy & Stephanie Hans

DC Pride Variant Cover Artist: Bruka Jones

Publisher: DC Comics

Issue Length: 32 Pages

Price: $3.99 US/Variant $4.99 US (card stock)

Release Date: June 10, 2026

 

 

Guest-Starring Hal Jordan!

 

 

Aquaman finds himself trapped in a mysterious prison, only to find out he’s not the only one there—Hal Jordan joins him in a jailbreak among the stars! A union between the lost Green Lantern and the Emperor to the stars points the way toward a major sea change for the DC Universe!

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us.

 

For what happened last time, see my preview of Emperor Aquaman #17.

For what happened before that, see my review of Emperor Aquaman #16.

For how Arthur Curry embarked on his new, interstellar mission, see my preview of Emperor Aquaman #15. 

The Deadman #1 Review

 

The Deadman #1 Review

Writer: W Maxwell Prince

Artist: Martín Morazzo

Colorist: Chris O’Halloran

Letterer: Good Old Neon

Editors: Chris Rosa & Paul Kaminski

Cover Artist: Martín Morazzo

Variant Cover Artists: Tula Lotay; Frank Cho & Sabine Rich; Mike Choi; Hayden Sherman & Mike Spicer; Martín Morazzo & Chris O’Halloran

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $3.99/$4.99

Release Date: June 3, 2026

 

The Outer Gotham Rural Hospital is where people come to die. Sure, the doctors and nurses try to imbue hope into hopeless situations. Sadly, there's not much they can do for the patients in "the Hospice Hotel."

 

Dr Barrows, Sasha, and Tammy may not be able to offer their charges more than painkillers and kindness. Yet someone walks the halls who can ease them onto the next level of their existence. Who is Boston Brand? And why do they call him The Deadman? Let’s slip on our scrubs, leap into The Deadman #1, and see!

 

Story

Sasha is new to nights at the Outer Gotham Rural Hospital. So as Dr Barrows and Tammy offer Sasha insights on how to approach her work, Boston listens. When Tammy inadvertently passes through Boston, his spirit awakens forgotten memories. While she recalls something that bound her with her grandmother in life, Boston feels the love that time and death have not vanquished. Then, sensing a patient’s end, Boston follows Tammy down the hall.

 

After perceiving events from the staff’s perspective, readers follow Boston Brand’s journey in The Deadman #1. While the story introduces memorable characters, Boston emerges as someone immensely intrigued by those around him. At times, he may wish he had chosen another role in the afterlife. Still, he enjoys a much fuller life than those who linger in Robertsville.

 

Yet in W Maxwell Prince's story, a threat emerges to threaten Boston's future. He may not be your typical hero. Nor may he seem especially brave. Still, Boston Brand vows to fight it. For while he loves people, he also loves their stories. And despite his wishes that he had been braver when his life ended, Boston enjoys serving others in The Deadman #1.

 

Art

As another soul departs the hospital, the moon forces apart the clouds to gaze down with its crater-eyes. Dr Barrows greets the nurses at their station, while the halls are devoid of family members lingering after visiting hours have ended. As Tammy approaches Boston, he doesn't step aside. Instead, he glows brighter when she passes through him, casting the nurse briefly into shade. When Boston levitates, his white coat and outstretched arms evoke an angel. And when he intervenes at a moment of transition, Boston conjures an image of fragile life from his palm. Then, departing the hospital, Boston leaves behind whisps of cosmic ether as he travels toward another favorite part of his day.

 

As Martín Morazzo packs pages with panels, Chris O’Halloran fills this nighttime world of The Deadman #1 with colorful souls that brighten the darkness. The hospital may resound with muted tones of gray, beige, and green. Yet in the rooms of the dying, green walls suggest the willpower that helps those lingering eke out their final moments. Dr Barrows wears blue scrubs under his white coat, while the nurses who bring comfort to the dying wear violet uniforms. At the frightening moment of death, yellow souls depart gray bodies. Boston wears orange clothing as he savors the thoughts and memories of the living. Yet, his clothing turns red when others' actions infuriate him.

 

As Boston welcomes readers into his world and guides them through his extraordinary evening, Good Old Neon fills gray boxes with black lowercase letters. The letters grow bold with intonation and enlarge when expressing anger. They shrink when relaying minutiae of his existence, or when Boston lowers his voice. Other souls sustained in their moment of death summon yellow dialogue balloons. Like Boston, they were too frightened to venture onto the next phase of their existence. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.

 

 

Final Thoughts

Love may help the world grow round, but it also makes the afterlife a kinder, gentler place. As Boston Brand adheres to the strictures of his calling, he finds leeway to exercise kindness. Even when others regard the dying as monsters, he seeks to dispense compassion. Yet as a danger arises that threatens his calling, Boston Brand vows to fight it with all his soul in The Deadman #1.

 

Rating 9.2/10

 

To look inside see my preview of The Deadman #1. 

Green Lantern Corps #17

 

After taking over Aya's body, the Manhunters used it to reconfigure their own. No longer susceptible to the Green Lantern Corps' hard light constructs, they hunt for the Emotional Entities. But in their zeal to rule the universe, the Manhunters forget that people make decisions emotionally. And when Ophidian offers Effigy an ungrade, he doesn't look the Emotional Entity in the mouth. 

Now, worse things are happening than Larfleeze losing control of Ophidian. Will Oa, and all the planets in its solar system, freeze over? And did Guy Gardner reclaim his mojo too late? 

Here's all the info from DC Connect:

 

Green Lantern Corps #17

Writer: Morgan Hampton

Artist & Cover Artists: Fernando Pasarín & Oclair Albert

Variant Cover Artists: Jorge Fornés & Rian Gonzales

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $3.99 US/Variant $4.99 US (card stock)

Issue Length: 32 Pages

Release Date: June 10, 2026

 

 

The Manhunters press the attack!

 

 

Trying to keep the new Manhunters from stealing Ophidian, Effigy goes supernova on the sun, turning it into a black hole as the Lanterns race past the event horizon to save Ophidian and reverse the effects before Oa and New Thanagar plunge into frigid ice ages.

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us.

 

For what happened last time, see my review of Green Lantern Corps #16.

For what happened before that, see my preview of Green Lantern Corps #15. 

The Fury of Firestorm #3

 

 

After his mother died, Ronnie Raymond grew up with his grandmother, and a father who was never around. While he worked hard to make his mark, no one valued his efforts. Then he met Professor Martin Stein. Suddenly, Ronnie had someone who looked at him, and envisioned who he could become. 

When Ronnie and Professor Stein fused into one person, Ronnie no longer felt incomplete. But now Ronnie sits on the sidelines, his body doing terrible things while holding him prisoner. Can Ronnie regain control of Firestorm? And what happened to Professor Stein?

Here's all the info from DC Connect:

 

The Fury of Firestorm #3

Writer: Jeff Lemire

Artist & Cover Artist: Rafael De Latorre

Variant Cover Artists: Dustin Nguyen, Todd Nauck & Stephen Green

Price: $4.99 US/Variant $5.99 US (card stock)

Issue Length: 32 Pages

Series Length: 8 Issues

Release Date: June 10, 2026

 

 

The Search for Martin Stein!

A DC Next Level Series

 

 

Lorraine is on the hunt for the only person who can bring Ronnie back from the brink: Martin Stein. But what did Martin do to cause such a rift between him and Ronnie to begin with?

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us.

 

For what happened last time, see my review of The Fury of Firestorm #2.

For how this series started, see my preview of The Fury of Firestorm #1. 

Supergirl: Survive #1 Review

 

Supergirl: Survive #1 Review

Writers: Ethan Parker & Griffin Sheridan

Artist: Rod Reis

Letterer: Lucas Gattoni

Cover Artist: Rod Reis

Variant Cover Artists: Taurin Clarke, Guillem March & Homare

Editors: Chris Conroy, Matthew Levine & Andrew Marino

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $4.99 US/$5.99 US (Card Stock)

Release Date: June 3, 2026

 

Kara Zor-El should be hanging out with her friend Sav at the Argo Pier. Instead, she sits on a couch as her parents argue with her aunt and uncle. Her father and uncle constantly argue these days over the issues assailing her planet. And whenever she looks up at the green orb in the sky, Kara realizes how badly things can go.

 

So as another family discussion descends into an argument, Kara holds her newborn cousin and quietly vows to protect him with her life. How will the political situation strengthen and stress her family? And what are her days at Kandor Primary Academy like when Kara attends classes and hangs out with Sav? Let's leap into Supergirl: Survive #1 and see!

 

Story

As they prepare for class, Sav urges Kara to ask Ben-Lo to the Equinox Formal. But Kara is hesitant. It seems like a big step. And despite how Kara feels about Ben, she fears asking him to the school dance. So Sav reminds her that the clock is ticking. If she doesn't ask Sav, someone else will.

 

In Supergirl: Survive #1, readers see Krypton from Kara’s perspective. Despite her pledge to Kal, Kara is a shy girl who feels overwhelmed by life. Her parents love her. Yet adults are obsessed with politics these days, and every discussion can turn incendiary. Things are moving too fast for Kara, and she wishes she could slow the pace down.

 

Ethan Parker and Griffin Sheridan address how contrasting ideologies can prevent people from working together. Their story reminds readers how a strong, charismatic leader can arise amid stalemates, promising to solve everyone's problems and get society moving again. Yet it also reminds us how much parents love their children. And when danger threatens, Jor-El, Lara, Zor-El, and Alura sacrifice to give Kal-El and Kara Zor-El a better future in Supergirl: Survive #1.

 

Art

Kara sits cross-legged on a couch as her parents argue with her aunt and uncle. As Lara approaches, Lara sits at attention. When she holds Kal-El, she gazes down at his placid features before glaring at the people radiating hostility. At school, everyone wears black-and-gray uniforms. But when Sav’s conversation stresses her, Kara opens her locker and opts for a black-and-blue jacket. The stuffed animals on the upper shelf remind her of the comforts of childhood, while her central position in a team photo suggests her willingness to work with others.

 

Rod Reis paints the school in somber blue and gray. When the world seems to close in on Kara, the colors fade as she crouches in a vignette. Yet Kandor could be a more colorful world, and Sav's blue hair is a reminder of that. When the friends visit the Argo Pier, purple and pink hang in the air, while the yellow maintenance drones bear yellow-and-black warnings in Supergirl: Survive #1.

 

Lucas Gattoni places uppercase black letters in white dialogue balloons as Kara navigates another day in interesting times. The letters grow bold for intonation, shrink for lowered voices, and fade for whispers. Raised voices enlarge words and make balloons spiky. Sound effects surround Kara's nervousness and regularly scheduled activities, while giant red letters indicate concern for the future. Large green letters hover in the air, reminding people to exercise caution, as a green orb hangs in the night sky. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.

 

Final Thoughts

Kara tries not to dwell on what could happen. She'd prefer to return to yesterday, when childhood seemed less fraught with concerns. In fact, she’d prefer that everyone could rewind the clock, before adults and their angry seriousness ruin her world in Supergirl: Survive #1.

 

Rating 9.5/10

 

To look inside, see my preview of Supergirl: Survive #1.

 

The Nice House by the Sea #10 Preview

 

Walter's friends may never have had their lives together, but they're nicer than Max's exceptional people. New-and-improved David even tends the bar to ease them through these stressful times. And while Max's friends try to kill them, they keep learning about their world. 

Sadly, their world seems to be dying, which could mean this little experiment in immortality could be coming to an end. What will happen when they must make hard choices that define their future? Or is all this just a test, to refine them into the people Walter always imagined they could be?

Here's all the info from DC Connect:

 

The Nice House by the Sea #10 Preview

Writer: James Tynion IV

Artist & Cover Artist: Álvaro Martínez Bueno

Colorist: Jordie Bellaire

Letterer & Designer: Andworld Design

Variant Cover Artist: Annie Wu

Editors: Ash Padilla & Chris Conroy

Publisher: DC Comics

Issue Length: 40 Pages

Price: $3.99 US/Variant $4.99 US (card stock)

Release Date: June 10, 2026

 

 

The Startling Return of Walter!

 

 

It’s been years since Walter and Oliver said a single word to each other…and it’s taken the literal end of the world to put them face-to-face again. Now the fate of the entire human race depends on these two being able to put aside the hurt they caused each other—but are either of them capable of it? And can they do so fast enough to stop the body count from rising?

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us.

 

For what happened last time, see my preview of The Nice House by the Sea #9.

For what happened before that, see my preview of The Nice House by the Sea #8.

Justice League: Dream Girls—A DC Pride Event #2

 

Galaxy enjoyed life on Themyscira with Dreamer. Yet things never seemed right to her. As Galaxy sought to help others, Dreamer also yearned to be a hero. Yet someone holds their spirits in thrall. And unless the friends can find the key to escaping their dreams, Galaxy and Dreamer may remain trapped here forever, endlessly playing games in created realities. Who could capture the Dreamer in a dream? And what secrets does their captor seek from the Akashic Records?

Here's all the info from DC Connect:

 

Justice League: Dream Girls—A DC Pride Event #2

Writers: Jadzia Axelrod, Nicole Maines, Morgan Hampton & Steven Underwood

Artists: Stephen Sadowski, Vincent Cecil, Mikel Janín, Brandt&Stein, Alitha Martinez & others

Cover Artist: Brandt& Stein

Variant Cover Artist: Mateus Manhanini

Connecting Variant Cover Artist: Phil Jimenez

Publisher: DC Comics

Issue Length: 32 Pages

Series Length: 4 Issues

Price: $4.99 US/$5.99 US Card Stock

Release Date: June 10, 2026

 

 

DC’s Award-Winning Pride Celebration continues!

 A brand-new weekly miniseries from DC Pride and DCU Superstars!

 

 

The Key was once a villain who could infect the dreams of even the most powerful heroes through complex chemical cocktails. Now, in Dreamer, he sees a way to control the dreamscape for real--if he can craft a fantasy compelling enough to make her surrender to him. If only Dreamer's best friend Galaxy didn't keep interfering! How did she even get into the dreamworld, anyway? No matter. When you push the right buttons, even the strongest friendship can be shattered... Also featuring a GREEN LANTERN CORPS back up story by Morgan Hampton, Steven Underwood, and Alitha Martinez!

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside: 

   

 

 

Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us.

 

For what happened last time, see my preview of Justice League: Dream Girls—A DC Pride Event #1.

For how this story started, see my review of Justice League Intergalactic Special #1.

 

Batgirl #20 Preview

 

Batgirl #20 Preview

Writer: Tate Brombal

Penciller: Stephen Segovia

Inker: Jason Paz

Colorist: Rain Beredo

Letterer: Tom Napolitano

Cover Artist: David Talaski

Variant Cover Artist: Tirso

Editors: Jessica Berbey & Rob Levin

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $3.99/$4.99 Card Stock

Release Date: June 3, 2026

 

As she stormed the tower of the Midnight Eye, Batgirl struggled with the imbalance in her life. Cassandra Cain was so used to fighting the two halves of her heritage that it blinded her to the blessings both could provide her. But after getting her spirit back and returning to Gotham, Cassandra realizes that Tenji Turner, Jaya Jayesh, Wu Lin, and her Bat-family are one.

 

Freed from the curse of her Blood powers, she feels freer and more whole than ever before. How will Cassandra Cain navigate the ever-changing world of Gotham? And how will Batgirl ensure that her results always exceed her intentions? Let's leap into Batgirl #20 and see!

 

Story

Cassandra traveled across the world, seeking justice for her mother. Along the way, she found a new family in Tenji Turner and Jaya Jayesh. Sadly, Cassandra's return to Gotham proved short-lived when her family's latent Blood powers activated, prompting her to venture into the Spirit World. But now, Cassandra has not only returned, but has been welcomed back into the Bat-family. But her Bat heritage comes with privileges and responsibilities. So when Batman awakens her from a dream and hands her a card with her name on it, Cassandra realizes it's her responsibility to solve it.

 

After forging their bonds of family on their travels and cementing them in the Spirit World, Jaya and Tenji accompany Cassandra to the crime scene in Batgirl #20. Batman may have taught Cassandra how to solve crimes. But with Vandal Savage ruling Gotham, James Gordon risks his future by withholding evidence of Batgirl's card. With CSI and Savage's TUCO squad on the way, the trio has minutes to investigate the crime scene. Yet the girl's appearance evokes the dream that Batman awakened her from.

 

After delving into Cassandra's relationship with her birth mother, Tate Brombal peers into her formative years with the man who raised her. Cassandra may refuse to call him a father. Yet, as much as Bruce Wayne, David Cain helped Cassandra become the person she is today. As Cassandra recalls her childhood, remembering how David Cain trained her to be an assassin, forgotten memories return. But discovering who staged this crime scene for her benefit could cost Cassandra, Jaya, and Tenji their lives in Batgirl #20.

 

Art

A flower swings on a golden chain while a girl watches with wide eyes. But when she runs away, blood sprays, darkening as it leaves her body. When Cassandra Cain awakens, an upshot emphasizes how she sees her adoptive father. But the note Batman hands her transports Cassandra to an industrial building, where she regards a child’s body in a bed. The black streak and droplets staining her pink dress evoke Cassandra’s dreams. Yet they also remind her of the Blood powers she recently wielded.

 

As Batgirl haunts the crime scene like a wraith or grim reaper, Jaya Jayesh’s red mask contrasts with her recent desire to bring Cassandra healing. While James Gordon’s stony face bespeaks how recent events have deadened him to such nightmarish visions, only Tenji reacts to the girl whose face evokes the Scarecrow. As Stephen Segovia and Jason Paz deliver a haunting look into Cassandra’s past, Rain Beredo casts blue light into the gray industrial building, illuminating the people intent on justice for the girl’s death.

 

White letters in the darkness represent an unseen speaker, while white words in black boxes reveal Cassandra’s thoughts. Her narration guides us through Batgirl #20, as Cassandra discovers a hidden aspect of her past. Tom Napolitano casts her conversation with James Gordon, Jaya Jayesh, and Batman as black uppercase letters in white dialogue balloons. Yet, as Tenji Turner observes the dead girl and Cassandra, this other hidden aspect of her past grows increasingly frightened as a siren splits the air. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.

 

Final Thoughts

For a trained investigator, every piece of evidence provides clues to the murderer’s identity. A staged crime scene may make that more difficult. Yet in this very personal investigation, a card left at the crime scene forces Cassandra Cain to once again face her complicated past in Batgirl #20.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

To look inside see my preview of Batgirl #20.

 

For what happened last time, see my preview of Batgirl #19.

For how Cassandra Cain learned to wield her Blood powers, see my review of Batgirl #18. 

For how Cassandra Cain received her Blood powers, see my preview of Batgirl #17. 

 

Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham #4 Review

 

A murderer stalks Gotham. The killer paralyzes victims with one blow. As the victim bleeds out, their assailant continues attacking them. The serial killer leaves behind a pool of blood, and circular marks on each victim’s naked back. Chemical residue on one victim led Batman to a derelict mansion, where a gang abducted the unhoused, and forced them to make TNT. And while the prisoners worked and died, the gang’s boss watched old cartoons, and drew his memories in black and red.

 

As Batman and Detective Jim Gordon hunt for the serial killer, Bruce Wayne plots his own demise. He can no longer afford to divide his time between his public persona and the person he was meant to become. For Batman to protect Gotham and cleanse the city of the corruption that births violence, Bruce Wayne must die. Yet who created Batman? And is that person still directing the Dark Knight’s actions?

Here's all the info from DC Connect:

 

Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham #4 Review

Writer & Artist: Rafael Grampá

Colorists: Mat Lopes & Rafael Grampá

Letterer: John Workman

Cover Artist: Rafael Grampá

Variant Cover Artists: Jock, Lee Bermejo & Jamie Hewlett

1:25 Variant Cover Artist: Valentina Napolitano

1:50 Variant Cover Artist: Thobias Daneluz

Publisher: DC Comics

Issue Length: 56 Pages

Price: $6.99 US/Variants $6.99 US (Card Stock)

Release Date: June 10, 2026

 

The Heart-Stopping Conclusion to Rafael Grampá’s twisted masterpiece!

 

As bells ring out across Gotham City, blood runs in its streets. Doctorgeist’s plan has come to fruition, and his legion of loyal followers unleash the evil inside their rotting hearts upon friends, neighbors, and strangers alike. But there’s an evil lurking deep in Batman’s heart as well, one that Doctorgeist himself discovered long ago—and the only way to save Gotham might be to set it free once and for all…

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us.