Here’s a list of Batman comics coming out in February graded on a scale of my own anticipation:
None. – I’ll get to it…eventually – Eh…meh – Bring it. – TAKE MY MONEY
2/1/2012
Batwing #6
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Ben Oliver
Cover by Jason Fabok
32 pages
$2.99
This is the climax of Batwing’s first story arc and a whole lot has to happen so expect big things. This issue promises to reveal the truth behind what The Kingdom did to make Massacre so angry, give us a glimpse at Batwing’s first foray into crime fighting in which he blipped on Batman’s radar, and we’re going to get a climactic battle between Batwing and Massacre in the shadows of Egyptian pyramids. The last issue fell flat for me, but I gotta admit, with this being the big payoff issue my hopes are high for this one.
Anticipation level: Bring it.
Detective Comics #6
Written by Tony S. Daniel
Art by Tony S. Daniel & Sandu Florea
Cover by Tony S. Daniel
There will be a 1:25 variant cover
32 pages
$2.99
Let’s face it, that last 12 page long story in issue #5 was little more than a prologue. In issue #6 Batman finally goes after the Penguin but he does so as Bruce Wayne. His #2 girlfriend, Charlotte (#1 Selina in Catwoman, #3 Jai in Batman: The Dark Knight—my rankings are arbitrary), is in trouble as well so expect a damsel-in-distress situation to crop up in this issue. My guess is that the book will end in a cliffhanger where she’s revealed to be in some kind of death trap and we have to wait until next time for Bruce to change into Batman and save her. But that’s just a guess. Place your own bets.
Anticipation Level: I’ll get to it…eventually.
2/8/2012
Batgirl #6
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Ardian Syaf & Vicente Cifuentes
Cover by Adam Hughes
32 pages
$2.99
The 2nd part of Batgirl’s 2nd story arc promises more scenes with her mother, a brawl with new villain Gretel (an improvement over the last villain, Mirror), and her first face-to-face with Batman since she was rehabilitated. This series has been pretty consistent and these scenes with Barbara’s mother are reshaping everything we thought we knew about the Gordon family.
Anticipation Level: Bring it.
Batman and Robin #6
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Art & Cover by Patrick Gleason & Mick Gray
32 pages
$2.99
This book has been phenomenal and isn’t getting anywhere near the attention it deserves. It’s action packed, emotional, and it also features one of the best new villains in the New 52. Last issue ended with Damian being put to the test by this new villain who is now acting as his mentor. Will Damian pull the trigger? Will Batman find his son before it’s too late?
Anticipation Level: TAKE MY MONEY
Batwoman #6
Written by J.H. Williams III & W. Haden Blackman
Art by Amy Reeder & Richard Friend
Cover by Amy Reeder
There will be a 1:25 variant cover
32 pages
$2.99
This is an important moment for the Batwoman series. Not only is it the beginning of a new arc that sees Kate Kane as part of the DEO, but it’s the beginning of a whole new look for this book that’s famous for its visuals. It’s time to see if this book can still hold everyone’s interest without the breathtaking art of J.H. Williams III.
Anticipation Level: Bring it.
Penguin: Pain and Prejudice #5 (of 5)
Written by Greg Hurwtiz
Art by Szymon Kudranski
32 pages
$2.99
So the last chapter of this story shifted gears and it went from being a moody character study to a full-blown action comic featuring robots and plots against Gotham’s children. “Batman Returns” basically. I didn’t like the change, it was jarring. But I can’t walk away now. This is, after all, the conclusion to the mini-series, and a story that I absolutely loved until part 4. And honestly, even if this chapter is awful, it’s still the most memorable Penguin story we’ve had in years and I’ll always recommend that readers check out those first 3 issues.
Anticipation Level: Bring it.
2/15/2012
Batman #6
Written by Scott Snyder
Art by Greg Capullo & Jonathan Glapion
Cover by Greg Capullo
Variant cover by Gary Frank
1:200 Black and white variant cover by Greg Capullo
32 pages
$2.99
You’d have to be living under a rock for the past 6 months to not know about the best ongoing Batman series by Snyder, Capullo, Glapion, and FCO. It’s a story so big it’s about to explode in a crossover event encompassing every Batman title. Everyone who is a Batman fan should be reading this book.
Anticipation Level: TAKE MY MONEY
Catwoman #6
Written by Judd Winick
Art & cover by Guillem March
32 pages
$2.99
Catwoman has been arrested. Has she ever been caught before? Does the world know her true identity? Do they know it now that she’s been apprehended or are the corrupt cops in control and looking to find their loot and then kill the cat? How is Catwoman going to get out of this one?
Anticipation Level: Bring it.
Nightwing #6
Written by Kyle Higgins
Art by Eddy Barrows & Paulo Sigueria
Cover by Eddy Barrows
32 pages
$2.99
After last week’s less than thrilling voodoo spectacular filler episode it’s time to get back to the mystery of Haly’s Circus. We’re also going back to Gotham…which seems a bit soon, but whatever. Now that the filler is done, we’re back on task, and the identity of Saiko has been revealed in a rather unsurprising twist there’s a good chance this issue could be quite good. DC promises that this issue ends in “a twist that will leave your jaw on the floor!”…we’ll see.
Anticipation Level: Eh…meh.
2/22/2012
Batman: The Dark Knight #6
Written by Paul Jenkins
Art and cover by David Finch & Richard Friend
Wrap-around 1:25 variant by David Finch & Richard Friend
32 pages
$2.99
Welllllllllllllllllllllll *%#@. They’re going with the Arkham Asylum/City depiction of Bane. Jesus… I love those video games to death, but the depiction of Bane is one of the worst. Right up there with Schumacher’s Batman & Robin. I’m not kidding. I know that this book is all about showing off how well David Finch can draw…but can’t someone tell them to leave a few of the villains alone. This is the beginning of the new 52 after all. A whole new continuity and this book is going through every member of the rogues gallery, defining their look and personality in the process and it’s doing it in the worst way possible. Really? The Arkham Asylum Bane? Really?
Anticipation Level: None.
2/29/2012
Batman Beyond Unlimited #1
Written by Adam Beechen, Derek Fridolfs, and Dustin Nguyen
Art by Norm Breyfogle, Dustin Nguyen, and Derek Fridolfs
Cover by Dustin Nguyen
48 pages
$3.99
Friend of the site and author of Batman: Arkham Unhinged, Derek Fridolfs is back in print with the oversized Batman Beyond Unlimited. This is also marks the print debut of Justice League Beyond which is going straight to digital as well as a new Batman Beyond series. At the end of each month, both digital comics will be collected in a new 48-page book titled, you guessed it, Batman Beyond Unlimited. Am I excited? Yeah. I really want it to be good. I was a big fan of the animated series, but I’m also not getting my hopes up too high. I wasn’t that big of a fan of the mini or the short-lived ongoing Batman Beyond series that were around a year (or was it 2 years ago, now?) ago. It just felt too contrived, Blight wasn’t characterized properly, and it really shoved the whole Justice League thing down my throat…and now I know why since they are getting their own series. I really hope this is an improvement, though.
Anticipation Level: Bring it.
Batman: Odyssey #5 (of 7)
Written by Neal Adams
Art and cover by Neal Adams
1:10 B&W variant by Neal Adams
32 pages
$2.99 Notice how DC shortened it by 8 pages and dropped the price a dollar
Sweet, fancy Moses, when is this going to be over? *sigh* For those of you who don’t know, this is the most insane Batman comic ever written…yeah, I’ll say it. It’s also the worst one I’ve ever read. In the last issue Batman detonated a bomb in Robin’s belt, blowing him up. In the process he wounded 2 henchmen. There’s also dinosaurs, Jazz MAGICIANS (again, that’s NOT a typo), little blue aliens, uhh…just don’t look at it. Treat it like the Ark of the Covenant from Raiders of the Lost Ark…oh, hey look at that…I tied this blurb back to the Moses thing I said from the beginning. That was unintentional, but I am quite pleased. Anyway, I want this book to die. Thankfully, it doesn’t take place within the New 52 continuity.
Anticipation Level: None. Well, dread. My anticipation level is “dread”
Justice League #6
Written by Geoff Johns
Art & Cover by Jim Lee & Scott Williams
1:25 variant cover by Adam Hughes
1:200 B&W variant cover by Jim Lee
32 pages
$3.99
After reading Batman: Odyssey I’m probably going to make Justice League #6 look like Citizen Kane in my next review. But seriously, this is some fun eye candy that I look forward to each month. I just with that for the $3.99 price the story would progress a little faster. This month’s issue has Batman sans mask running about Apokolips trying to save Superman. It also promises to wrap up the first story arc…which seems kind of odd since it hardly even feels like it ever started. Expect a whole lot of content crammed into one issue. And pray it doesn’t get delayed like last month!
Anticipation Level: TAKE MY MONEY
