The comic book world has been buzzing over the past few days, and front and center is Batman. Absolute Batman 15 has leapt to the top of reader anticipation charts for this week’s new releases, beating out some heavyweight rivals. According to pull-list data circulating among retailers and fans, this issue is currently the most eagerly awaited comic hitting shelves on Wednesday, outpacing even big franchise staples like Amazing Spider-Man, Transformers, and Action Comics. The Bat clearly still has a firm grip on the zeitgeist, and the hype suggests something major brewing in Gotham’s shadows.

Spider-fans have plenty to cheer about as well. Ultimate Spider-Man remains near the top of upcoming releases, with its latest issue riding a wave of goodwill from readers who have embraced the line’s fresh spin on Peter Parker and his supporting cast. Ultimate Wolverine is not far behind, giving mutant fans a focused, character-driven title while the larger X-line shuffles its priorities. Interestingly, X-Men Age of Revelation books, once expected to dominate, have slipped down the anticipation rankings as other titles surge. It is a reminder that even in the age of sprawling crossover events, readers still flock to tight, character-focused storytelling that promises big emotional payoffs.

Outside the Marvel and DC duopoly, licensed and creator-owned books are enjoying a moment in the spotlight. Transformers continues to chart high, signaling how deeply this new era of Cybertronian storytelling has clicked with fans of both the toys and the lore. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles also climbs the rankings, buoyed by long-time readers and newcomers pulled in by the franchise’s renewed multimedia presence. Geiger, one of the standout creator-owned series of the moment, is punching above its weight too, drawing attention from readers who want an epic feel without needing a decade of continuity as homework. These shifts suggest that readers are increasingly willing to follow strong concepts and distinct voices beyond the most famous superhero logos.

DC is also courting younger and all-ages readers with titles like C O R T Children of the Round Table, whose fourth issue lands this week. Written by Tom Taylor with art by Daniele Di Nicuolo, the series reimagines Arthurian legend through the eyes of kids who find themselves wielding mythic power while still dealing with school, friendships, and fear. Preview pages show a mix of magical action and grounded emotional beats, positioning the book as a gateway comic for readers who might later graduate to the bigger, darker corners of the DC Universe. It is a sign that publishers see their future in cultivating new fans now, not just chasing nostalgia.

X-Men fans, meanwhile, have been treated to fresh insight into where Marvel’s mutants are headed. A new interview with writer Steve Orlando spotlights The End 2099, which looks to weave together the strange futurism of Marvel’s 2099 line with mystical twists borrowed from the world of Sorcerer Supreme. Orlando teases a story that does not just nod to classic 90s 2099 aesthetics, but reimagines what a mutant future looks like when magic and technology collide. For long-time readers, it is a chance to revisit one of Marvel’s oddest alt timelines; for newer fans, it is an on-ramp into a corner of the universe that plays by its own wild rules.

Beyond the page, December has become a convention playground for comic and manga lovers worldwide. In Tokyo, preparations are underway for both Tokyo Comic Con and the winter edition of Comiket, where fans will swarm Makuhari Messe and Tokyo Big Sight in search of creators, cosplay, and rare books. Tokyo Comic Con blends Western superheroes with Japanese pop culture, while Comiket continues to be the beating heart of dojinshi culture, a massive marketplace where self-published comics and zines change hands in staggering numbers. At the same time, fans in North...