DETECTIVE COMICS VOL. 2 Debuts at #1 on THE NEW YORK TIMES’ Hardcover Graphic Books Best Seller List

On Friday, THE NEW YORK TIMES published their Graphic Books Best Sellers Lists, and debuting at #1 on the Hardcover list was BATMAN: DETECTIVE COMICS, VOL. 2: SCARE TACTICS!

An armed robbery carried out by gunmen dressed as Batman. A string of similar-looking corpses turning up in morgues … then disappearing. An experiment gone dangerously awry, carried out in Bruce Wayne’s own company tower. Somehow, all of these events are tied together, orchestrated by a terrifying killer known as Mr. Toxic, and the fate of Gotham City—and the world—is on the line. Can the Dark Knight piece together the mystery, while also dealing with a gang of fear-gassing Scarecrows, an attack on Arkham Asylum by the Court of Owls and the escape of one of Arkham’s most dangerous inmates—the hypnotic Black Mask?

In BATMAN: DETECTIVE COMICS, VOL. 2: SCARE TACTICS, writer/artist Tony S. Daniel (SAVAGE HAWKMAN) and artists Ed Benes (RED LANTERNS), Szymon Kudranski (PENGUIN: PAIN AND PREJUDICE), Julio Ferreira (TEEN TITANS), Romano Molenaar (BIRDS OF PREY), and Pere Perez (BATGIRL) put Batman to the fearsome test in the new DC Universe! Plus, witness the deadly final lesson in Bruce Wayne’s training before he became Batman, from writers Gregg Hurwitz (BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT) and James Tynion IV (TALON) and artists Tony S. Daniel and Henrik Jonsson! This hardcover books collects DETECTIVE COMICS #8-12 and #0, and DETECTIVE COMICS ANNUAL #1.

Click here to read THE NEW YORK TIMES’ full list of Hardcover Graphic Books Best Sellers, which also includes BATMAN, VOL. 2: THE CITY OF OWLS, 100 BULLETS: DELUXE EDITION BOOK FOUR, AMERICAN VAMPIRE, VOL. 5, BATMAN, VOL. 1: THE COURT OF OWLS, and BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE. And click here to see THE NEW YORK TIMES’ list of Paperback Graphic Books Best Sellers, which includes the debuts of SWAMP THING, VOL. 2: FAMILY TREE and WORLDS’ FINEST, VOL. 1: LOST DAUGHTERS OF EARTH 2, as well as PUNK ROCK JESUS. Congratulations to all!

This Just Happened: Meet the New Batwing

SPOILER ALERT: If you have not read BATWING #19 and do not wish to know what happens, stop reading this post now (major spoilers ahead!)

From the brand new creative team of writers Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti (ALL-STAR WESTERN) and artists Eduardo Pansica and Júlio Ferreira, BATWING #19 takes the character in a bold and exciting new direction.

Following the events of the last couple of issues, David Zavimbe has decided to end his career as Batwing, but first he must submit his resignation to Batman. In a flashback sequence, David reveals that he has worked hard to tie up all the loose ends he created while serving as a masked vigilante.

First, he locates Stash Marksbury’s murderous son Ancil and uses him as bait. With Ancil in his custody, Batwing is able to question Marksbury and discover the whereabouts of Sky-Pirate. Batwing decides to put Sky-Pirate out of business once and for all with a couple of well placed explosives on a ship the villain is planning to rob. 

But there is something more important to David than the battle against injustice: his manservant Matu, who happens to be on his death bed. After his escapades as Batwing, David rushes to his side and spends the night wishing he could do more the help his ailing friend.

When morning comes, Matu is awake and strong enough to give David some final words of advice. He urges him to take back his own life before it is too late.

David does just that. His work as Batwing is over, and now he must also end his work as a police officer. With the help of his friend Kia, David makes one final arrest and turns his badge over to the captain.

It’s time for a new beginning for David Zavimbe and Batman now understands his difficult decision to resign as Batwing. But Batman still needs a Batman Inc. agent to shut down the Marabunta gunrunners and save the lives of the children in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

It’s time to recruit his first choice for Batwing: recent M.I.T. graduate, trained martial artist, and son of one of Wayne Enterprises’ most important employees: Luke Fox!

Above, take a look at the last page from “The End of the Beginning” as Luke Fox proves himself to be a suitable replacement for David. And don’t forget to pick up your copy of BATWING #19, in stores now!

Preview Monday: YOUNG ROMANCE: A NEW 52 VALENTINE'S DAY SPECIAL #1 and FAIREST #12

Welcome back for another installment of Preview Monday! This week we’re giving you exclusive first looks at YOUNG ROMANCE: A NEW 52 VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL #1 and FAIREST #12.

 

Romance is in the air in the DC Universe! In this anthology of stories just in time for Valentine’s Day, Catwoman fondly recalls her first time meeting Batman, Mera discovers a pile of old letters and the tragic love story they tell, Batgirl finds unlikely romance on the streets of Gotham, Nightwing meets a girl that can keep him on his toes, Apollo travels to Seoul to find Midnighter, and Wonder Woman and Superman take another important step in their blossoming relationship. Plus, as a special bonus, this unique one-shot includes perforated Valentine’s Day cards featuring the stars of all the stories! From writers Andy Diggle, Ann Nocenti, Cecil Castellucci, Peter Milligan, Kyle Higgins, and Ray Fawkes and artists Emanuela Lupacchino, Jaime Mendoza, Inaki Miranda, Julius Gopez, Simon Bisley, Sanford Greene, Robson Rocha and Julio Ferreira, YOUNG ROMANCE: A NEW 52 VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL #1 hits stores this Wednesday. Click here for an exclusive preview of the issue.

 

Meanwhile in FAIREST #12, “The Hidden Kingdom” continues. In the heart of the dark forest, Rapunzel discovers that bloody vengeance will come back to haunt you. And on the frenetic streets of Tokyo, Bigby and Frau Totenkinder get caught in the middle of a war between Tomoko and Katagiri! Be sure not to miss the murder, mayhem, terrible compromises and unholy hairballs that are all part of this month’s issue! Written by Lauren Beukes and illustrated by Inaki Miranda, FAIREST #12 hits stores this Wednesday. Click here for an exclusive preview of the issue.

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