Panel Picks: The Most Anticipated Comics of 28 November, 2012

Panels Picks is where I choose some of the hotly anticipated comic books for the upcoming week.

Teddy Bear stuffing will be shed as the Superman Family faces off against the sinister Toyman! And can the Fantastic Four’s replacement team ensure the world’s safety for just four minutes?

Batman Incorporated #5

We return to the future of Gotham that was previously seen in Batman #666. Damian Wayne has taken up the mantle of the Caped Crusader. The entire world has gone mad, and the only safe haven for the sane is Arkham Asylum, where Batman is the warden!

Grant Morrison’s run on Batman books has been—divisive—to say the least. Regardless of your stance on the quality, his work is without a doubt interesting. Morrison’s addition of Damian Wayne—Batman’s son—has overall been a hit. Seeing a future where Damian takes over for Bruce was quite fascinating the last time around, and I’m glad that we are seeing it again.

Superman Family Adventures #7

So much for that Tooth Fairy party! It’s the attack of the Toyman! Who is this sinister fiend, and where does he get such wonderful toys? Save your receipts, because these toys are about to break!

Will the Superman Family be able to stop the Toyman? Most likely, but it will definitely be a fun ride along the way. Art Baltazar and Franco have crafted a book that is among the best examples of an all-ages comic. There is something here that every comic can appreciate,and it is the most fun a Superman comic has been in quite some time.

Masks #1

Longtime heroes The Shadow, The Green Hornet, Kato, Zorro, and The Spider all join together to become one crime-fighting team! It’s 1938 in New York, and the Justice Party has just swept into office. But what happens when these newly elected officials turn out to be criminals? It is up to our masked vigilantes to put an end to the government corruption!

Alex Ross is doing the interior art, that enough of a reason to pick this up. Seeing characters like Zorro and the Shadow fighting side-by-side is great enough, but to have Ross doing the art? This is one to definitely check out.

Fatale #10

Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips’ crime noir horror hybrid reaches its second arc conclusion! Mysteries are answered and even more secrets are born.

It’s hard to say much about the story of Fatale without spoiling it in some fashion. All that you need to know is that Fatale is Brubaker and Phillips once again crafting another crime comic epic with a tinge of horror thrown in for good measure. Anybody who is looking for more than just books about capes and tights should seek out Fatale.

FF #1

The Fantastic Four are about to embark on an adventure through space and time. As a result of time travel, they will be gone for only four minutes. Even so, a substitute team has been assembled just in case. What could possibly go wrong in just four minutes that Ant-Man, Medusa, She-Hulk, and Miss Thing couldn’t handle?

This is the Marvel NOW! book that has me the most excited. Matt Fraction, the mind behind the ever-amazing Hawkeye series and Michael Allred, the creator of Madman, are working together to make quite a perplexing comic. What really can happen in just four minutes? If anybody can make a stellar comic out of such an odd premise, it is these two incredible creators.

What do you think? Leave a comment.