I’m thinking I might just have to say “Screw it. I’ll review everything this week.”
Here’s a list of all the Batman comics coming out this week, March 20th graded on a scale of my own anticipation.
Hell no! – I’d rather not – Ambivalent – Interested – 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 week!
March 20th
JUSTICE LEAGUE #18
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
Backup story art by GARY FRANK
Cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
Variant cover by AARON KUDER
1:100 B&W Variant cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
On sale MARCH 20 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
Anticipation Level: Interested
The Shazam backups return to give us the origin of Black adam, but more importantly the Justice League discuss who else in the DC Universe is worthy of joining the team. And because I feel like teasing you, Batman won’t be the only member of the bat-family attending the Watch Tower gathering!
CATWOMAN #18
Written by ANN NOCENTI
Art and cover by RAFA SANDOVAL and JORDI TARRAGONA
On sale MARCH 20 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
Anticipation Level: I’d rather not
Last month’s issue was readable so at least that’s something. But now Catwoman is getting involved in REQUIEM month so I’m sure we’re all curious as to how exactly she meets up with Batman again and why Damian’s death would come up. Perhaps Batman needs to bang Catwoman just so he can get his mind off things? Hopefully it’s more than that. Also, looking at the cover, if her whip is wrapped around her waist then what’s wrapped around that baseball bat on her back? Is it a baseball bat tied to her back? Why would there be a baseball bat tied to her back? At what point during the drawing of this cover did Tony Daniel stop and say, “This is missing something…I know! I’ll strap a baseball bat-like object to her back but only make one end of it visible– perfect. That improved everything. Nothing says ‘Catwoman confronts Batman after the loss of his child.’ quite like this.”
NIGHTWING #18
Written by KYLE HIGGINS
Art by ROGER BONET
Cover by JUAN JOSE RYP and ROGER BONET
On sale MARCH 20 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Anticipation Level: Interested
Here’s hoping that enough attention was given to Damian’s death in this Requiem tie-in! As exciting as the resurfacing of The Dealer may be, the death of Damian Wayne should really take center stage here. Dick and Damian were so incredibly close after being Batman and Robin together and Dick was right there at the moment of Damian’s demise so this is a comic that should make us weep as much or more than last week’s Batman & Robin #18. If this issue spends a mere 2-3 pages like Detective Comics or Batgirl did this month then it will be a horribly wasted opportunity.
RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #18
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art by TIMOTHY GREEN II
Cover by MICO SUAYAN
On sale MARCH 20 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Anticipation Level: Ambivalent
Last month’s issue ended in a pretty surprising way when Joker’s final booby trap was triggered and Jason’s face was trapped inside a helmet that was burning his flesh away. How exactly we’re going to have time to deal with Jason’s face AND Damian’s death in this REQUIEM tie-in will be an interesting balancing act to say the least. Honestly though, after the Death of the Family tie-ins I wouldn’t be surprised if the story still cut away from all the bat-family drama to check-in on what’s happening with the Teen Titans or some outer-space threat.
BATMAN BEYOND UNLIMITED #14
Written by ADAM BEECHEN, J.T. KRUL, DUSTIN NGUYEN and DEREK FRIDOLFS
Art by NORM BREYFOGLE, HOWARD PORTER, LIVESAY and BEN CALDWELL
Cover by RYAN BENJAMIN
On sale MARCH 20 • 48 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Anticipation Level: Interested
This should be a good time to jump on board, folks! A new Batman Beyond arc is starting and we’re only going to be on the 2nd chapter of a Justice League arc so it will be easy to slip into. It’s really a great series! Superman’s tale might be a bit confusing, however, because it’s been going on for a few months now.
BATWOMAN #18
Written by J.H. WILLIAMS III and W. HADEN BLACKMAN
Art and cover by TREVOR McCARTHY
1:25 B&W Variant cover by TREVOR McCARTHY
On sale MARCH 20 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
Anticipation Level: Interested
Yeah, that’s right, I’m bringing Batwoman back into the review rotation this month. Why’s that? Well it’s because we’re starting a whole new story arc that deals with Batwoman’s role on crime, it guest stars Batman, and Mr. Freeze is on the cover! It doesn’t get much more Batman-related than that so I feel it’s more than deserved an article of its own instead of the usual trade-wait.
BIRDS OF PREY #18
Written by JIM ZUB
Art by ROMANO MOLENAAR and VICENTE CIFUENTES
Cover by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO
On sale MARCH 20 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Anticipation Level: Interested
With an all new writer (Jim Zub of Skullkickers fame) and a story that focuses on Mr. Freeze (what’s Freeze up to this week? The guy’s apparently in Batwoman as well so seriously, what’s up?) it would be crazy for me to not review this issue! If you love Batman stuff but aren’t exactly up-to-date on what’s happening in Birds of Prey or Batwoman then I think you’re really going to appreciate my reviews of these this month. I’ve only read the first 2 volumes of Batwoman and the first volume of Birds of Prey so I’m right there with you!
GRAPHIC NOVEL WATCH!!!
I hit graphic novel reviews hard last week when I read and ranted about Justice League International Vol. 2, Night of the Owls, Catwoman Vol. 2, and Justice League Vol. 2 and I’m spending the weekend writing even more reviews to go up each day this week. And yes, that includes Black Mirror (which I’m giving special attention to since it’s apparently so high in demand. I don’t think there’s been another comic that people have asked a review of more). There will also be reviews up for Suicide Squad Vol. 2, Gotham by Gaslight (a Batman classic that I’ve actually never read before and am excited to tackle), Batman/Deathblow, and All-Star Western Vol. 2.
The newest graphic novel hitting shelves this week and my ever-growing list of books I need to review is a big one. It’s Batman, Vol. 2: City of Owls! Does it end the Court of Owls epic in a satisfying way? How well does the story hold up now that all the hype of the monthly issues has died down? I’ll talk about it all…if I can just get through all these other books first!
