It is once again time for the Previews Catalog. In the December catalog, we take a look at #comics and other items generally shipping around February of 2020. For those interested, consider subscribing to the Campus Comics Cast on your favorite podcast app. If there is a book you feel I should have recommended, I would love to hear about it in the comments section
DC
1 - The Flash reaches issue 750 and gets the decades cover treatment as have Action Comics, Detective Comics, and Wonder Woman over the past couple of years. We do not get any previews of the images in the catalog, but Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez will be doing the 1970s variant caught my eye. Additionally, you have Gabriele Dell-Otto on the 1980s variant and Fancesco Mattina on the 1990s variant cover.
3 - SPOILER - In case you missed, Alfred died in a recent issue of Batman. It will be interesting to see how long this death sticks around. Here we have Batman: Pennyworth RIP, a one-shot by new Batman writer James Tynion IV and Peter J. Tomasi.
9 - Grant Morrison begins his latest story arc on Green Lantern with The Green Lantern: Season Two. Art for this 12 issue series is by Liam Sharp.
10 - Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti return to Harley Quinn with Harely Quinn and the Birds of Prey 1. This will be published bimonthly under DC Black Label.
20 - Aquaman becomes a dad in issue 57 of the series. This could be an important moment for the character moving forward.
82 - A few decent Dollar Comics from DC including Batman 386 (first Black Mask), Batman 567 (First Cassandra Cain), New Teen Titans 2 (first Deathstroke), and Flash 1 (first Mark Waid issue).
84 - Absolute Gotham by Gaslight hardcover includes Gotham by Gaslight along with a few future appearances of the Victorian Dark Knight.
85 - Batman Arkham Asylum gets a new hardcover edition.
88 - Event Leviathan gets a hardcover release for the 6 issue limited series plus the one-shot Superman: Leviathan Rising.
Marvel
1 - After what feels like the longest return in the history of comics, Wolverine is officially back with Wolverine 1. Lots of variant covers for the return of the "best there is at what he does."
10 - The X-men and Fantastic Four get another crossover 4-issue limited series. I have very fond memories of the Chris Claremont written series from back in the 80s, so it will be interesting to see if this story can capture the magic.
20 - Marvel is hoping to capitalize on the upcoming Disney+ series with a Falcon and Winter Soldier 5-issue limited series.
39 - Several $1 True Believers books this month tied to Iron Man 2020 including Tales of Suspense 45 (first Pepper Potts), Machine Man 2(first Iron Man 2020), Avengers 162 (first Jocasta), and Iron Man 118 (first James Rhodes).
46 - Gwen Stacy is getting a 5-issue limited series. Not sure why, but she is.
74 - Ghost Rider 5 has a partially classified cover. This story line is a definite throwback to the 1991 comic which featured these 3 characters.
110 - Marvel Portfolio: Stanley "Artgerm" Lau. This 12 page portfolio includes 11x15 full-color reproductions of some of Artgerm's recent covers for Marvel.
124 - volumes 1 to 6 of Immortal Hulk are being solicited for order with volume 6 coming out in March of 2020.
140 - The Mark Waid/Chris Samnee 12 issue series is being collected in trade. This is an outstanding Black Widow story, so if you know someone excited about the upcoming movie, this is a story they should absolutely read.
SIDE ONE
28 - There are over 600 pages of information about upcoming releases in the Previews catalogs, so you should definitely pick up your own copy to see what you are missing.
30 - Mark your calendars, Free Comic Book Day is May 2, 2020.
37 - Savage Dragon reaches issue 250. A definite milestone for a creator-owned book.
55 - DIE volume 2 collects issues 6 to 10 of the Kieron Gillen series. If you are looking for a more mature version of the old D&D cartoon series, then this is the book for you.
78 - Bang from Matt Kindt. A new 5 issue limited sereis appears to mash-up many of the crime/mystery/spy genres into one mind-bending book. Matt Kindt has a great track record with #comics like Mind Management and Dept. H, so this is one to consider checking out.
84 - I think we talked on a recent podcast about there not having been a Berger book in awhile. This month we get Tomorrow, a 5 issue limited series from Peter Milligan. The story line of a computer virus wiping out just the adult population feels a little derivative, but hopefully since this made it into the Berger Books line, it means it has at least something of a new twist on the story.
89 - I know of a few people looking forward to CyperPunk 2077, if it ever gets released. Here you can take a look at the art and story for the world that is the backdrop to the game.
118 - In case you missed, there is now a female Ninja Turtle, Jennika. She gets a 3-issue mini-series. A female turtle has been tried before, so lets see if she sticks around this time.
228 - Vampire State Building gets a hard cover trade, reprinting the 4-issue limited series.
246 - The "controversial" 6 - issue series Second Coming will be available in trade. the story is about what happens when the Son of God becomes a roommate with a Superman arch-type Sunstar.
342 - Titan Comics brings us Adler issue 1 of 5. This books features Irene Adler from the Sherlock mythos.
345 - Blade Runner 2019 continues with issue 7.
SIDE TWO
15 - I believe this is the first merchandise for the Mandalorian that has been available in the Preview Catalog. A limited 1000 piece set of Mando himself.
50 - I would never order this, but a talking, animated Black Knight from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Why has this never been available before?
Blank Covers
Giant Size X-men Jean Grey and Emma Frost 1
Savage Dragon 250
Flash 750
Green Lantern Season Two 1
Van Helsing vs League of Monsters 1
Conspiracy Area 51 1
Carson of Venus: Fear on Four Worlds 1
Doctor Tomorrow 1
Yang Gang 1
And again, if there is something you think I should have mentioned this month, let me know in the comments. Thanks for reading!