Absolute Superman #22 Preview

 

Ra's Al Ghul is dead. His daughter Talia languishes in prison. The global powerhouse they ran, that imposed their order on the world, is dead. Yet a vestige of Lazarus Corps' former power remains. The beings who uplifted Teth-Adam with the power of the gods, only to imprison the Egyptian boy for 3,000 years, still live. But what has Brainiac done since Ra's Al Ghul used it to try to control Kal-El? And who will they use to enact their vicious plans?

Here's all the info from DC Connect:

 

Absolute Superman #22 Preview

Writer: Jason Aaron

Artist: Juan Ferreyra

Cover Artist: Rafa Sandoval

Variant Cover Artists: Eric Canete, Juan Ferreyra & Scott Hepburn

Publisher: DC Comics

Issue Length: 32 Pages

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

Release Date: August 5, 2026

 

“Get Brainiac” Begins!

 

Superman will stop at nothing to see the universe’s most vicious madman brought to justice. But before he can get his hands on Brainiac, Superman will have to go through Metallo, a man with Kryptonite in his veins. “Get Brainiac” begins here, kicking off the march to a game-changing blockbuster issue #25!

 

 

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 Absolute Superman #21.

For what happened before that, see my preview of Absolute Superman #20.

For what happened even before that, see my review of Absolute Superman #19. 

For Teth-Adam's origins, see my preview of Absolute Superman #18.  

  

Batgirl #22 Preview

 

Dr Forget-Me-Not is a psychiatrist and neuroscientist. He brainwashed people for the League of Assassins. Then, he worked alongside David Cain to shape two girls into efficient killing machines. One was Cassandra Cain. The other was Victoria Rose, the embalmed girl that GCPD Officer Jim Gordon discovered.

Now, the master manipulator has trapped Cassandra Cain in her mind. He claims that Cassandra must deduce Victoria's killer to escape from her mental prison. But can Cassandra trust anything she sees while under Dr Forget-Me-Not's control? And what are Ben Turner, Cassandra's brother Tenji Turner, and her friend Jaya Jayesh doing while Cassandra struggles to unearth the secrets buried in her past?

Here's all the info from DC Connect: 

Batgirl #22 Preview

Writer: Tate Brombal

Artist: Stephen Segovia

Cover Artist: David Talaski

Variant Cover Artist: Kyuyong Eom

Dark Knight Returns 40th Anniversary Variant Cover Artist: Stanley "Artgerm" Lau

Publisher: DC Comics

Issue Length: 32 Pages

Price: $3.99 US/Variant $4.99 US (Card Stock)

Release Date: August 5, 2026

 

 

Once Unmasked, 

This Is One Killer Who Will Never Be Forgotten!

 

 

Cassandra Cain has solved the murder, uncovering the killer’s identity in the process. The only problem is that she is now trapped within a prison in her own mind! To stop the next murder, Batgirl must escape the labyrinth of her memories and survive one final confrontation with the past that made her. And when the true meaning of “forget-me-not” is finally revealed, it may be the one thing Cassandra was never meant to remember.

 

The shocking end of this arc will leave Batgirl questioning everything!

 

 

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 Batgirl #21. 

For what happened before that, see my review of Batgirl #20.

 

For what happened even before that, see my preview of Batgirl #19. 

 

For Tenji Turner & Jaya Jayesh's first adventure with Cassandra, see my preview of Batgirl #12. 

 

Doctor Who Circuit Breaker #2 Cover Preview

 

Cover A: Nipuni

As the head of UNIT's Black Archive, Osgood is responsible for returning artifacts corrupted by dangerous energy to their proper place in time. Her assistant, Andrew, invented the Resistor to facilitate their return, and strip the objects of the energy that threatens the fabric of reality. Osgood and Andrew have enlisted the earliest known Doctor to return these corrupted relics. But this Doctor is even more unpredictable than her later incarnations. 

After the Fugitive Doctor's mission to Thessaloniki in ancient Greece, where will the next alien artifact take her? And who observed the Doctor's attempts to protect the Humans and the Metiki from a Dalek scout?

Here's all the info from Titan Comics:

 

Doctor Who: Circuit Breaker #2 (Of 2)

Writers: Dan Watters & Dulce M. Montoya

Artists: Roberta Ingranata, Sami Kivelä, Valentina Bianconi

Cover Artists: Nipuni, Kit Wallis & Flops

Publisher: Titan Comics

Price: $6.99

Comic Description: 48 Pages, Full Color

Release Date: August 5, 2026 

 

The Doctor travels to the war-ravaged world of Skaro as she battles the Daleks with the fate of their Kaled forebears at stake!

 

 

Here are more cover options:

 

 

 

Cover B: Photo

 

Cover C: Kit Wallis

Also Available:

 

Cover D: Flops

Cover E: Flops - Color Your Own

 

 

Thanks to Titan Comics for sharing this cover preview with us.

 

 

For what happened last time see my review of Doctor Who Circuit Breaker #1. 

 

For the previous Doctor Who story, see my review of Doctor Who: The Prison Paradox TP. 

 

Action Comics #1100: Game Night Review

 

Action Comics #1100: Game Night Review

Writer: Sophie Campbell

Artist: Dan Mora

Colorist: Tamra Bonvillain

Letterer: Becca Carey

Cover Artist: Ryan Sook

Variant Cover Artists: Mark Spears; David Talaski; Jim Cheung & Jay David Ramos; Rahzzah; Daniel Sampere & Tomeu Morey

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $5.99 US/$6.99 US Card Stock/$7.99 US Foil

Release Date: July 22, 2026

 

Kara Zor-El has mentored a fellow Kryptonian. She has built a circle of friends in Midvale. Yet Kara has struggled to cope with what she has lost. And she has found it difficult to forgive her friends and move on when they disappointed her.

 

Recently, Kara formed a team of friends with unique abilities to help her carry out a new mission. But is she ready to be a team leader? And after sharing her life with Clark Kent, what does Lois Lane think of Kara's leadership style? Let's leap into Action Comics #1100: Game Night, and see!

 

Story

With the help of Lesla-Lar, Lena Luthor, Conner Kent, and Thundergirl, Supergirl has freed Kandor from Black Flame’s reign of terror. But since Lesla-Lar told her about the Sun Crystal in Caldero, Supergirl has felt obliged to step up in Superman’s absence and represent the House of El on Earth. Still, before they travel to the Kryptonite Kingdom, Kara Zor-El and her friends take a moment to relax and recharge with Jon Kent.

 

Sophie Campbell’s story begins through Lois Lane’s eyes. While overseeing the Daily Planet’s global activity, she urged Jon to follow in his parents’ footsteps. When a younger version of her son appeared, Lois struggled to cope with raising a young superpowered boy without Clark's help. Now, Lois has her teenage son back, and she wants to let him find his own path. Yet just having Jon, Kara, Conner, and Thundergirl over for a relaxing evening stresses Lois out.

 

Game Night shows how much Lois has struggled in Clark's absence. She is strong and resilient. Lois endured a bout with superpowers she didn't want and fought to prevent the destruction of her planet. Yet Kara Zor-El and Lois Lane find that coping with family, even when they are getting along, can be stressful in this third story in Action Comics #1100.

 

Art

When Lois Lane returns after a long day at the Daily Planet, clothing, sporting goods, toys, books, and food litter the floor. Beverages clutter the bar in the kitchen. She kneels in her suit to sponge up the spill, observing the mess around her. Then, Lois finds Jon and his friends in his bedroom, clustered around the flatscreen TV. As her son and his guests play or watch the game, one of the posters on the crowded walls suggests inspiration for Jon’s recent secret identity.

 

As Dan Mora portrays Lois amid her family, Tamra Bonvillain adorns Action Comics #1100: Game Night with vibrant colors. Despite Clark's absence, Lois Lane's green suit hints at her determination to carry on. Her attire also links her with Thundergirl, who could prove more amenable to her guidance than Jon. Orange and yellow herald confrontations, while red signals rage amid another Game Night that could end in a deadly contest.

 

As black uppercase letters fill dialogue balloons, Becca Carey's dots and clouds reveal Lois' thoughts. The letters grow bold for intonation and change color amid tense situations. A besieged combatant speaks into cloudy dialogue balloons amid angry cries as the action heats up in Action Comics #1100: Game Night. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.

 

Final Thoughts

As Master Txyz told Jon Kent recently, Superman shines so brightly that he puts the other members of the Super-family in the shade. The Justice League recognizes his importance, and Booster Gold is determined to find his friend. While Superman is absent, Kara Zor-El has a chance to shine. But to demonstrate her ability to lead the House of El, Supergirl must earn her teammates' respect and achieve a significant accomplishment before her cousin returns to reclaim the spotlight in Action Comics #1100: Game Night.

 

Rating 9.6/10

 

For Booster Gold's search for his friend, see my review of Action Comics #1100: Superman Meets Superboy. 

 

For Superboy's battle with Epoch, see my review of Action Comics #1100: Mission Failure. 

 

For Kara and Lesla's battle to free Kandor, see my review of Supergirl #15. 

 

For Lois Lane's struggles in Clark's absence, see my review of Superman Unlimited #15. 

DC X Sonic the Hedgehog: Metal Legion #4 Preview

 

Dr Eggman and Lex Luthor couldn't wait to outsmart the other. When Dr Eggman launched the Legion of Doom Headquarters into orbit, Lex and the Legion retreated to Sonic's world. Then, in one of life's little ironies, Lex unleashed the Justice League heroes he had trapped in Null Space to attack Dr Eggman. 

Dr Eggman may have robot versions of the "Doomers" at his command. But can his Metal Legion withstand the might of two worlds' heroes? And can Lex Luthor retain control of the LEXEGG Gates, and hold both worlds to ransom?

Here's all the info from DC Connect:

DC X Sonic the Hedgehog: Metal Legion #4 Preview

Writer: Ian Flynn

Artist: Adam Bryce Thomas

Cover Artist: Pablo M. Collar

Variant Cover Artists: Min Ho Kim & Daniele Di Nicuolo

Publisher: DC Comics

Issue Length: 32 Pages

Series Length: 5 Issues

Price: $3.99 US/Variant $4.99 US (Card Stock)

Release Date: August 5, 2026

 

 

Dr. Eggman and the Metal Legion Take On Earth!

 

 

Dr. Eggman and his super-powered Metal Legion are looming unchecked over the Justice League’s Earth! It’s going to take the combined might of the Justice League, Sonic, and his many friends to challenge the mad doctor’s mechanical might! But as their battle rages in space, who is left to stop Lex Luthor and the Legion of Doom?

 

 

 

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 DC X Sonic The Hedgehog: Metal Legion #3.

For what happened before that, see my review of DC X Sonic The Hedgehog: Metal Legion #2.

For how this series started, see my preview of DC x Sonic The Hedgehog 2: The Metal Legion #1. 

 

  

Conan & Dragonero #4 Cover Preview

 

Cover A: Patch Zircher

When a dragon brought Conan to the world of Erondár, the Cimmerian couldn’t protect his soldiers from the horde of savage Algents. While Ian Aranill asserted his ability to slay Conan’s dragon, it attacked the border outpost and killed his fellow soldiers. Now, Conan has joined Ian and his sister Myrva to pursue the dragon. But a pack of Wyverns has downed their skyship before they even reached the dragon. Can Conan and Ian track down the dragon? And can they reclaim the sacred gems that protect Conan’s world from an ancient demon?  

Here's all the info from Titan Comics:

 

Conan And Dragonero #4 (Of 7)

Writers: Luca Enoch & Stefano Vietti

Artist: Lorenzo Nuti

Publisher: Titan Comics

Price: $4.99 US

Issue Description: 32 Pages, Full Color

Release Date: August 5, 2026

 

Pulled to the mysterious land of Erondár by dark forces, Conan comes face to face with the famed dragon slayer, Dragonero, and the two warriors must set aside suspicion to stand back-to-back against a supernatural force poised to doom both their worlds.

 

 

Here are more cover options:

 

 

 

Cover B: Lorenzo Nuti

 

 

Cover C: Patch Zircher - Virgin Cardstock Variant ($6.99)

Cover D: Patch Zircher - Foil Variant ($14.99)

 

Thanks to Titan Comics for sharing this cover preview with us.

 

For what happened last time, see my cover preview of Conan & Dragonero #3. 

 

For what happened before that, see my review of Conan & Dragonero #2. 

 

For how this series started, see my review of Conan & Dragonero #1. 

 

 

The Deadman #3 Preview

 

Boston Brand may have died. Still, he has never been busier. As the Deadman, he has dedicated his afterlife to helping souls transition to whatever comes next. Sometimes, Boston can intervene, and give the dying another shot at life. But most of the time, he eases the soul onto their next journey on the great wheel of Samsara. 

Unfortunately, Jesse "Flyeater" Hollern won't get that chance. After he crashed his Harley, a four-armed demon devoured Jesse's soul. Boston must act promptly to prevent the imbalance between the forces of life and anti-life from threatening all life on Earth. But how will Boston fare in the Underworld? And how many people will Professor M abduct and kill in Boston's absence?

Here's all the info from DC Connect:

 

The Deadman #3 Preview

Writer: W. Maxwell Prince

Artist & Cover Artist: Martin Morazzo

Variant Cover Artists: Christian Ward, Alex Eckman-Lawn & Tyler Boss

Publisher: DC Comics

Issue Length: 32 Pages

Price: $3.99 US/Variant $4.99 US (Card Stock)

Release Date: August 5, 2026

 

 

The Deadman in Hell! Or…

 

 

The third edition of this morbid disquisition concerning the attrition/detrition of the human condition, which, in the weekly tradition, boasts a four-color exhibition on some printer’s emission. Here, by order of an anonymous optician, watch closely this vision of our titular apparition (armed, you’ll remember, with fresh erudition) try and survive—by another’s volition—a dire and dangerous mission through the hissin’, Stygian conditions of putrid and pockmarked Perdition—a kind of new rendition (depicted as a living, breathing country-sized conniption), which is rich in its list of sick compositions: e.g., reason’s egregious abolition; a pyrotechnic passel of pernicious seditions; hideous, bulging buck-toothed dentition; admittedly ambitious demonic deglutition…of gargoyles and ghouls in decomposition…not to mention an array of impossible physical positions that a physician might consider the work of magicians. So please accept our contrition for this rude imposition, our addled transmission this ungodly, offset-press parturition—one that we wish some brave obstetrician would bring to fruition its quick decommission.

 

 

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 Deadman #2. 

For how this series started, see my review of The Deadman #1. 

Craniacs Vol 1 Review

 

Craniacs Vol 1 Review

Creators: Ira Friedman & Joe Simko

Writer: Sholly Fisch

Artist & Cover Artist: Joe Simko

Colorist: Valentina Bianconi

Letterer: Dave Lentz

Editor: Jonathan Wilkins

Designer: Matt Bookman

Publisher: Titan Comics

Price: $17.99

Release Date: July 21, 2026

 

As the chieftain's son, Rocky has a duty to be the best smasher around. When he's not smashing things with his club or playing drums along to the latest Ozzy Ozbone single, Rocky hangs out with Phoebe, an artist who enjoys painting murals on boulders.

 

While Rocky and Phoebe enjoy their days in Retrovia, Bo and Darby zoom through the skies of Futurra on their hoverboard and hover skates. The competitive children are always looking for the next challenge. How will they react when they meet Rocky and Phoebe? And can Retrovia and Futurra survive when their two worlds collide? Let’s leap into Craniacs Vol 1 and see!

 

Story

Rocky wakes up on Shatterday to find his mother stomping on Devan's plans for the day's ceremony. When Chieftain Riley insists her son take a bath, Rocky reluctantly heads to the lake, where he also captures a fish for breakfast. Then he takes a ride to school along with Phoebe, where they sit around a campfire while their leader tells them about Shatterday.

 

In Craniacs Vol 1, Bo dashes out of his bedroom when he awakens. He doesn't have time to sit down for breakfast like his sister. But as he rushes off to school on his hoverboard, his sister follows him on her hoverskates. Their friends at school catch a glimpse of the race as they ride in the hoverbus to Napoleon Bone-Apart Skullastic Middle School. In the classroom, their teacher tells them about Shatterday, which celebrates the day two planets became one.

 

Unfortunately, no one regards the joining as a good thing. In Sholly Fisch's story, the leaders of both worlds view their counterparts with suspicion. But for the kids, it's just another day. When Phoebe finds the perfect spot for her next mural, she invites Rocky to see it. In Futurra, Darby dares Bo to brave the dangers of Retrovia.

 

When the four children meet, they view the strangers through the lenses of their cultural biases. As Rocky, Phoebe, Bo, and Darby get to know each other, they discover that their two worlds have much to offer each other. But to continue having fun together, the children must keep their friendships a secret in Craniacs Vol 1.

 

Art

Joe Simko introduces the cast with a series of trading cards. Rocky sleeps in a hammock, clutching drumsticks. While a Craniac skull supports a lamp, his mother reclines on a throne of dinosaur skulls. Despite their closeness to nature, a prehistoric creature repurposed as a school bus sports exhaust pipes. And as the schoolteacher teaches his students, a hologram appears above a firepit.

 

When Bo rises from a bathtub-shaped bed, last night's snacks rest on a hovering end table. He dashes into the kitchen, plucking his helmet from a hovering bowl not laden with fruit or packaged food. While Valentina Bianconi enhances both worlds with vibrant color, purple adorns Rocky and Riley's skin. The flagstones and the cliff bearing Phoebe's mural are purple. As Bo and Darby soar above hovering vehicles and fly past (or through) purple towers, Bo’s blue coloring and Darby’s green helmet and clothes suggest that the Futurrans also retain a closeness to nature.

 

Dave Lentz fills white balloons and colored boxes with black and colored uppercase letters. The letters grow bold and swell with raised voices. Lowercase letters represent lowered voices. Electrifying colorful dialogue accompanies the kids’ youthful exuberance for life, phone calls from worried parents, and a bird’s wake-up call. Colorful sound effects amplify Rocky and Riley's smashing, Bo and Darby's race past honking vehicles, competitive water sports, and Phoebe's favorite new art form. Thanks to Titan Comics for providing a review copy.

 

Final Thoughts

At first glance, Retrovia and Future have nothing in common. Each culture blames the other for having to share their divided world. Most children accept their cultures' teachings and observe the warning signs lining the border. Their parents may fear their neighbors. Still, the rulers' children decide to forge a better future for their world in Craniacs Vol 1.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

To look inside see my preview of Craniacs Vol 1.