I suck, I did not get to this until today, Dirty D did his part timely.
State Govt being punished for the federal shut down (true story)
Absolute Batman is basically a Batman comic with Cronenberg vibes and a ton of body horror. I love it.
In case @Anthony fell asleep again this week. I almost forgot about this…fortunately I had already started this earlier in the week.
DIRTY D’s F.O.C. PICKS - 11/16/25
Hey CHU Nation.Didn’t have much time to research this week. So going to be a short list. Here’s what stood out.
COVERS
Hound and the Joes just go together. That’s why I like this cover…Hound holding up a Jeep Willys.
As the time-displaced heroes fight for their lives against the towering might of the demonic neron, Mr. Terrific descends into the cold vacuum of space! But this time it’s by his own design…can Michael Holt team with the rogue agent behind Justice League Red to purge all emotion and coldly calculate the fate of humanity? Grab the tissues, everybody–this issue’s about to break some hearts!Selling a week ahead of the regular issues. Promises to be the “Fall of Mr. Terrific.”
GIMMICS
While on a mission in the snowy mountains of Third Earth, the Thundercats stumble across Snowman, the last of his people, on the eve of the Festival of the Claw — a day of celebration, food, and gifts, and a time for Snowman to pay tribute to those he’s lost. With no others of his kind remaining to pass his traditions on to, Snowman shares them with the ’Cats, who understand all too well the need to persevere in the face of overwhelming loss. Meanwhile, just outside of Snowman’s mountaintop village, Queen Tartara’s royal guard are preparing to use the holiday as a perfect opportunity for a surprise attack. But even on this hallowed occasion, not every Thunderan has let down their guard!Each Mystery Blind Bag includes two separate copies of the issue, both of which are exclusive to the Blind Bag — one Blank Authentix edition, and one of five unique variant cover art editions.
$14 buy-in. But you get two comics. But one is a blank variant…the others are “art” editions…whatever that is.
New Ones
Weakened from his last death, trapped by the enemy he never expected, the God of the Void waits in a cage once again. His captors think Knull has nothing to fight back with — but in Knull’s hands, nothing is a weapon. And there’s a greater weapon out there, waiting for the King in Black to take it… and take his revenge.He’s baaaaaack. But not until mid January…you’ve been warned. Ongoing series.
In the aftermath of ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM, a new power rises. One willing to defy tradition, break every rule and chart a bold, new path. Will this rogue Sorcerer Supreme bring magic in the Marvel Universe to new heights or leave it in ruin?Scarlet Witch is Sorcerer Supreme.
PICK OF THE WEEK
LUTHOR AND JOKER’S TEAM-UP KICKS IT UP A NOTCH! In order to defeat the Joker/Luthor team, Batman and Superman may have to ask for a little help from their friends–if they still have any after the shocking events of last issue! Don’t miss part two of The Merger.We love our Dan Mora, don’t we? But this one is more about the story (the cool Mora cover is a bonus). Granted I believe the first appearance of Joker/Luther (The Luther Who Laughs…?) is likely the prior issue, might as well pick up the pair. There isn’t much competition this week, so highlighting this issue.
And if you’re in to these mashups, be sure to pick up issue #45 (Cover A…always bet on Mora). Could be a good read and potential spec play.
Parting Thoughts
Not the greatest week, but maybe some books will surprise us. Have a good one!Last issue of ultimate spider man #24 is also on FOC today.
Ah, I had a note to myself about a book being a last issue…but couldn’t figure out which it was…skipped right over it….
Actually, FOC for that is December 15th
Or maybe that’s why I missed it.
I don’t know anymore. Maybe it was this week earlier in the week, then got pushed…
Seems like everyone is screwed up…AI thinks the book will come in 11 days after FOC…which means some people are working a lot of overtime the weeks before and of Christmas…
I think Cap 6 may be a sleeper.
This is the solicitation for ASM #15 not ASM #19…
THE SECRETS OF SPACE REVEALED! Spider-Man takes on a challenge of single combat to save his new crew and finds himself between a rock and a GIANT ALIEN BEAST INTENT ON HIS DEATH! Not only does Spider-Man learn aspects of his quest that he didn’t expect, but his companions learn things about Spider-Man that THEY didn’t expect. **Witness the first full appearance of a new major character!
ASM #19 - SPIDEY VS. HELLGATE, ROUND TWO! The spacefaring SPIDER-MAN heads back to Earth - only to find HELLGATE standing in his way! Spider-Man’s finally strong enough to beat the most powerful foe he’s ever faced…right?!
Uh oh. Did I F@&$ up?
Had to eventually happen, right?
I’ll look into it. I usually take the write-up right from Covrprice FOC…but sometimes they don’t have it and I grab it off what 3rd eye’s link posts.
The aftermath of ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM has brought Latveria to the brink of civil war. Captain America deploys to protect civilians and investigate rumors of a weapons stockpile - but when the United Nations Security Council adds their own loyal Super-Soldiers to the mix, it becomes clear that everyone wants a piece of Latveria - no matter the cost. With warring factions tearing the country apart and a team of Captains pursuing their own agendas, can Captain America hope to bring peace to Latveria? And is that even what his handlers want?
Is the bold what you’re referring to? A group of new super soldiers? Or is there something else?
My thoughts on the matter are villain spec, unless associated with Batman or Spider-Man, is significantly more miss than hit. Plus it sounds like a “team” or even potential clones…it’s possible these are one and dones…whatever they are.
But I’ve missed spec before. In fact, I deserve to be fired for missing/not highlighting Absolute Batman first prints.
I think @SpicyWasabi would be much better at this, should be my successor… 
.
I was thinking the Cap 6 could be a sleeper as well (Zdarsky writing) but Marvel has been pretty bad overall aside from the Ultimate Spider-Man series. Also a lot video game type titles getting published. Another Ultraman series too? Is anyone reading Ultraman these days?
Speaking of Ultraman, we get a 1st appearance in Worlds Finest 48. Also Spears is doing the Joker playing card on this one. One to keep an eye on in my opinion.
We all do, that’s why it’s called “speculation”… I wouldn’t have picked Absolute Batman as a spec either… higher print run (not that that matters though since demand is driving force but usually the new #1 main character spinoff titles don’t become winners for the most part), we got how many Batman related titles already? It’s not the main title… etc, etc.
Here’s what likely happened. There’s no description of issue 19 on Covrprice or third eye…And in search of it I may have inadvertently confused the 2nd print (15) when searching for it, and selected it unknowingly because they are listed together/adjacent.
@anthony, feel free to update the article and remove ASM #19 to prevent misinformation. I concur.
Their site isn’t very good to navigate but maybe for Marvel, grab the solicitations directly from the source itself, either Marvel’s site or Penguin’s site.
The only thing I think Diamond provided when they ruled as a monopoly was, the one stop place for all books and their solicitations. Everything else about Diamond pretty much sucked…
You’re asking a lot of me to go through dozens of publishers looking for their solicitations…
I can barely get my sh!t together when it’s spoon fed to me…