We’re starting to see some noticeable delays this month. Issue #3 of JLA missed WTF month and wasn’t released until last week, Batgirl missed its usual 2nd week release and will instead be coming out this Wednesday, and Justice League, which usually comes out on the 3rd week (but has suffered delays in the past) won’t be out until this time next week.
This Wednesday, we have quite a few books coming our way and many of them are top-voted titles from the “What should I review?” poll. As for the comics I won’t be reviewing: The Birds of Prey are still combating Mr. Freeze, Batwoman is played into a confrontation with Batman, and we see more on Catwoman’s induction into the Secret Society of Super Villains (thanks again to all those who didn’t vote for Catwoman, that book is really terrible. Plus, I’ll be writing a review of the Annual so 2 Ann Nocenti Catwoman books in one month might be too much for my mind to handle).
Now here are the review comics coming out this week, May 15th, 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!
May 15th
BATGIRL #20
Written by GAIL SIMONE
Art by FERNANDO PASARIN
Cover by EDDY BARROWS and EBER FERREIRA
On sale MAY 15 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Anticipation Level: Interested
I’m not sure why this series tries to be so gory and scary but, judging by the cover of Batgirl #20, this might be the creepiest issue yet. Some pretty shocking stuff happened in the last issue (even if the punch of it was greatly weakened by Suicide Squad #20) and it looks like Barbara won’t have a chance to recover from it all. Batgirl will be confronting what the solicits have dubbed “One of Batman’s most violent foes: The Ventriloquist” which appears to be an anorexic/witch-like woman who would be terrifying enough without the doll. What happened to Arnold Wesker, who made an appearance in the early issues of Batman: The Dark Knight? What’s this new Ventriloquist’s story? I’m curious, but at the same time I wish this series would take note from issue #19 of Nightwing and lighten up. Between the serial killer brother and anxiety resulting from her Killing Joke recovery, Batgirl is often one of the darkest and most depressing of the Bat-titles.
NIGHTWING #20
Written by KYLE HIGGINS
Art and cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND
On sale MAY 15 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Anticipation Level: Interested
Dick Grayson gets acquainted with his new roommates, continues the hunt for the man who killed his parents, and finds clues regarding the sinister Prankster. Last month’s issue was a lot of fun and I think many of you would agree that Brett Booth’s style is a perfect fit for this series. Nightwing #20 won the “What should I review?” poll by a landslide and it’s easy to see why. Everything about the Nightwing title right now feels fresh, new, and very exciting.
RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #20
Written by JAMES TYNION IV
Art by JULIUS GOPEZ
Cover by MICO SUAYAN
On sale MAY 15 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Anticipation Level: Ambivalent
I was immensely disappointed with our first issue with this new creative team. While it’s nice that Tynion isn’t completely disregarding the groundwork laid out by Lobdell, the story he wrote failed to deliver anything different from what we had seen before and was far too beholden to Lobdell’s previous storylines to be new-reader friendly. Then there was the often hideous looking artwork that featured characters with poorly drawn faces. It really was disappointing and I probably should’ve given it a lower score than I did. This month will hopefully be different as we venture into Jason’s lost memories with Kori and Arsenal.
GRAPHIC NOVEL WATCH
I think you should all check out the two graphic novels coming out this week. These two titles feature pages collected over an entire year of Batman: Beyond Unlimited and while that was entertaining it will be so, so, so much better to actually get to sit down and read these tales from start to finish! Batman Beyond: 10,000 Clowns and Justice League Beyond: Konstriction are both available for $16.99 and I highly recommend you seek out Superman Beyond as well! These books should be pretty fun to review because it will feel like an entirely different comic without the month long wait between every 5 pages or so.
And as for my review of The Black Mirror, I’m proud to say that it is complete and I recently handed it off to a special friend and fellow friend of the Batman for his input and some proofreading. He says that when he feels it’s totally ready and that readers are prepared to hear it he will make it available. I honestly think he might be ready to give the article the green light this week. Look! Here he is now, let’s see if The Black Mirror review is ready-to-go!
