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December 26, 2025
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The Next Batman

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The Next Batman and the Cost of Mediocrity

Lex Smith5 years ago5 years ago07 mins

Released in print this week, after debuting digitally, The Next Batman: Second Son #1 begins the story of how Jace Fox, the forgotten son of Lucius Fox, becomes the Batman of “Future State” in a story written by John Ridley, drawn by Tony Akins, inked by Mark Morales, colored by Rex Lokus and lettered by…

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  • The X Spot

The X Spot: Double Agent Bond Lands at 001

Will Nevin5 years ago5 years ago016 mins

Heavy on format changes and spies and assassins this week. Let’s get to it. The Bottom (at the Top) 10. Spawn #1-2. Story, pencils and inks: Todd McFarlane; Colorists: Steve Oliff, Reuben Rude and Olyoptics; Letterer: Tom Orzechowski; Publisher: Image With the news of Todd McFarlane starting a shared “Spawn’s Universe,” I thought it would…

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  • Batman

Batgirls Is Great, Everything Else Is a Slog in This Week’s Bat Chat

Matthew Lazorwitz and Will Nevin5 years ago5 years ago012 mins

We’re back in the future Gotham, where the Next Batman must race the Magistrate to save people who tried to kill him, Cass Cain and Stephanie Brown save a lost ally from the Magistrate, and Catwoman and Poison Ivy have one last girl’s weekend in Future State: The Next Batman #4 with: “The Next Batman,”…

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  • Batman
  • DC

Too Many Plots to Wrap up with One Issue Left in The Next Batman

Matthew Lazorwitz and Will Nevin5 years ago5 years ago010 mins

Welcome back to Bat Chat with Matt (and Will!). Batman is on the run from The Magistrate, Duke Thomas makes a speech and the Arkham Knight makes a statement in Future State: The Next Batman #3 with: “The Next Batman,” written by John Ridley, drawn by Laura Braga with breakdowns by Nick Derington, colored by…

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  • Batman
  • DC
  • Issue Overviews

It’s a Buffet Where the Food Touches: We Review Next Batman #2 & Batman/Catwoman #2

Matthew Lazorwitz and Will Nevin5 years ago5 years ago013 mins

It’s a big week here at Bat Chat with Matt (and Will!). We’re back in the future Gotham with the new Batman doing some detecting, Cass Cain and Stephanie Brown are in the Magistrate’s jail, while Catwoman and Ivy make a new friend and have a night on the town in Future State: The Next…

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  • Staff Picks

Wonder Woman, Iron Fist, I Breathed a Body and More Staff Picks for 1/20

Dan Grote5 years ago5 years ago04 mins

Each week, ComicsXF staff offer their recommendations for what to read. New DC comics come out Tuesdays, everything else Wednesdays. Chris’ Pick Future State: Immortal Wonder Woman #1: In our top “Future State” story this week, Diana takes on a new threat, the Undoing, at the end of time with help from writers Becky Cloonan…

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  • Batman

Fox Family Drama and Some Great Art in Future State: The Next Batman #1

Matthew Lazorwitz and Will Nevin5 years ago5 years ago010 mins

Welcome back to Bat Chat with Matt (and Will!). It’s a new year and a whole new Gotham City … of the future. Gotham is now a fascist police state controlled by private security called The Magistrate. Masks are illegal. Batman, whoever he may be, is as much an outlaw as the villains he once…

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  • Staff Picks

The Future (State) is Now, Eternals and More Staff Picks for Jan. 6

Dan Grote5 years ago5 years ago03 mins

Each week, Xavier Files staff offer their recommendations for what to read. New DC comics come out Tuesdays, everything else Wednesdays. Matt & Chris’ Pick Future State: Next Batman #1: DC begins rolling out its two-month Future State event with this look at a future Gotham City ruled by a private law enforcement group and…

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