April showers bring May flowers, but honestly who cares? April brings comics. ’nuff said. Try and keep ’em out of the rain!
Here’s a list of all the Batman comics coming out this month graded on a scale of my own anticipation:
None. – I’ll get to it…eventually – Eh…meh. – Bring it. – TAKE MY MONEY
Scroll to the bottom of the page and post in the comments section what books you’re most looking forward to this month.
April 4th
Batwing #8
Written by Judd Winick
Penciled by Dustin Nguyen
32 pages
$2.99
The big trend in Bat-titles this month is wrapping-it-up. The “Night of the Owls” crossover starts next month and all of these over-long arcs that started at issue #1 have to end so the Owls can enter. “Batman & Robin” settles down with a lot of father/son time after the climactic battle with NoBody, the whole White Rabbit thing should get hastily wrapped up as DC shuts down that arc in “Batman: The Dark Knight” to make room for new writer Gregg Hurwitz in June and the Owls in May, “Batgirl” has another short two-parter come to a close so it can get in on the Owl-action, and Batwing will finally reveal the identity of Massacre…but that was supposed to be revealed already, right? Well, not according to the DC website. This can only mean what many have feared: Massacre will turn out to be David’s long lost brother. Blah. Hopefully I’m wrong. On the plus side we’ll see more of Dustin Nguyen’s art, the rest of the bat-family, and things will finally END. Last month’s issue had a hell of a cliffhanger ending and it was one of the best issues in a while, but it also felt nothing like a Batwing comic. What’s the point of having a Batman-of-Africa if he’s just going to chase his badguys to Gotham where Batman has to hold his hand through the take-down process? Batwing had no role to play in the last issue and felt unnecessary. The rest of the bat-family can more than handle Massacre and Batwing could’ve just continued the good fight back in Africa. Still, I’m excited to see how this finally ends. It should’ve been over months ago.
Anticipation Level: Bring it.
Detective Comics #8
Written by Tony S. Daniel
Penciled by Tony S. Daniel & Szymon Kudranski
40 pages
$3.99
Charlotte Rivers (Why Daniels didn’t just go with Vicky Vale, it’s basically the same character after all?) finds herself in a whole mess of trouble (again), Scarecrow is now in the mix (looks kind of like the Nolan version judging by the cover), and we get a new backup story about Two-Face (not One-Face). Look, I’ve found this book to be a major disappointment. The first issue was alright, but everything since then hasn’t been worth $2.99 and now it’s getting a price-hike. It’s gaining some extra content to make up for the price increase, but that’s regrettably being handled by the same writer who really didn’t satisfy me with the past two arcs. Can he pull it out of this nosedive? I sure hope so. Do I think he will? I’m excited to see him try. The Penguin arc only had Penguin facing off against Batman for 2 pages and it all ended with a single punch. If Daniel doesn’t bring his A-game to this issue, expect to see a lot of people drop Detective Comics. If it’s no better than the last few issues have been, then it’s definitely not worth $3.99. Not by a long-shot.
Anticipation Level: Eh…meh.
April 11th
Batgirl #8
Written by Gail Simone
Penciled by Alitha Martinez & Ardian Syaf
32 pages
$2.99
I don’t know what to think of “Batgirl” anymore. I was pretty let down by last month’s issue that promised to dive into Barbara’s perspective of the famous “The Killing Joke” tale, but all I got was another lame villain (this time a “meta-human”) and a final page reveal that only hinted at what I was assured would be the book’s main subject. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…
Anticipation Level: Eh…meh.
Batman & Robin #8
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Penciled by Patrick Gleason
32 pages
$2.99
The end of the “Born to Kill” saga, which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. Last month’s epic battle between Batman and NoBody was absolutely thrilling and I definitely want to see how this story concludes.
Anticipation Level: TAKE MY MONEY
Batman: Arkham Unhinged #1
The first three digital comics I reviewed months ago now come to print. Find out if it’s worth it, here and read the interview with writer Derek Fridolfs here. Long story short, I like Arkham Unhinged, but the opening arc wasn’t the strongest. I hope it sells a lot, though. I hope it sells a ton! Only good things can come from expanding upon the Arkhamverse (this book takes place in the world of the Arkham City & Arkham Asylum video games) so go support it by purchasing a copy! I only stopped reviewing it a few months ago because I learned it was coming to print and, well, I like print books more than digital ones.
Anticipation Level: I’ve read it already. Still gonna buy it because I’m a freak.
Batwoman #8
Written by J.H. Williams, III & W. Haden Blackman
Penciled by Amy Reeder
32 pages
$2.99
It’s a jumbled up mess that’ll work better as a TPB. It’s also Amy Reeder’s last issue due to creative differences, which is a shame because she was turning in some really great work. I just wish I could say the same for the story which is all-over-the-place.
Anticipation Level: I’ll get to it…eventually.
April 18th
Batman #8
Written by Scotty Snyder & James T Tynion IV
Penciled by Greg Capullo & Rafael Albuquerque
40 pages
$3.99
What’s not to like about this? Sure, there’s a price hike, but you’re getting an added story written by Scott Snyder and James T Tynion IV and drawn by Rafael Albuquerque (Snyder’s partner on American Vampire—which is awesome, by the way). Capullo AND Albuquerque in one book? Plus this is the prelude to “The Night of the Owls” cross-over even! This is THE Bat-title to pick up this month. No doubt about it.
Anticipation Level: TAKE MY MONEY!
Batman Beyond Unlimited #3
Written by Adam Beechen, Derek Fridolfs, and Dustin Nguyen
Art by Norm Breyfogle, Dustin Nguyen, and Derek Fridolfs
48 pages
$3.99
Of all the Batman titles on shelves right now this one is the most fun. It’s also the one giving you the most bang for your buck at 48 pages and 2 stories, wait, 3 stories this month! Apparently we’re getting: “Batman Beyond” in which Mad Stan is on the hunt for his stolen dog Boom-Boom, “Justice League Beyond” where Kobra’s evil plot is finally revealed and the league faces a threat from outer space, and now “Superman Beyond”. Bang for your buck, indeed.
Anticipation Level: TAKE MY MONEY
Batman Odyssey #7
Written & penciled by Neal Adams
40 pages but feels like 900
$3.99 but really YOU should be paid to read it
It’s not a mirage. It’s here. We made it. We finally made it! After almost 2 years the end of “Batman: Odyssey” is upon us.
Anticipation Level: An end to suffering is always welcome
Catwoman #8
Written by Judd Winick
Penciled by Adriana Melo
Inked by Mariah Benes
32 pages
$2.99
Catwoman has a new best friend, named Spark, who is basically an Asian Static Shock who loves to steal cars. Sound lame to you? It does to me. But oh well, I’ve been wishing for more supporting characters in “Catwoman” for months now…be careful what you wish for I guess.
Anticipation Level: I’ll get to it…eventually.
Justice League #8
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank
40 pages
$3.99
Last month’s “Justice League” was forgettable except for the “Curse of Shazam” back-up tale, this time around things might be different: Green Arrow shows up and he wants to join the team! It could be good or it could cause even more of that childish bickering that these heroes have displayed in every issue.
Anticipation Level: Eh…meh.
Nightwing #8
Written by Kyle Higgins
Pencilled by Eddy Barrows
Inked by Paulo Siqueira
32 pages
$2.99
Definitely pick this one up. Last month’s “Nightwing” was one of the best issues so far and this issue will not only mark a great jumping-on point, but it’s also going to be a great read for those interested in the Court of Owls storyline going on in “Batman”. This month’s issue has Nightwing going on a mission to rescue Mayor Hady (the evil mayor of Gotham whose name keeps getting dropped, but who we never actually see do anything of consequence) when a Talon or two show up to start a ruckus. Count me in.
Anticipation Level: TAKE MY MONEY
April 25th
Batman: The Dark Knight #8
Written by Paul Jenkins
Pencilled by Ed Benes
Inked by Rob Hunter
Colored by Richard Friend & Jeromy N Cox
32 pages
$2.99
This might be the last awful issue of this series, really. The whole White Rabbit thing has gone on for long enough and this appears to be the last shot at wrapping everything up. The bad news is that this issue isn’t being penciled by David Finch. I’d say skip it and wait until next month’s “Night of the Owls” tie-in written by “Catwoman” and “Batwing” scribe Judd Winick. Then, following the cross-over, definitely start picking up this book in June when “Penguin: Pain & Prejudice” author Gregg Hurwitz takes over full-time! As for this issue…much like “Batman : Odyssey” I’ll just be happy it’s over.
Anticipation Level: None.
