Gothtopia, Injustice: Year Two, Forever Evil, and a few more modest stories are all headed your way this Wednesday. And if you’ve gotten used to the routine of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s Batman coming out on the 2nd week of every month, I have some bad news for you: it won’t be on sale until next week.
Here are the review comics coming out this week, January 15th, graded on a scale of my own anticipation:
The All-New Anticipation Scale
NOcenti – A comic I downright dread reading and if I wasn’t a reviewer, I would never buy it. (I capitalized the word “NO” on purpose, it seemed clever)
“You Don’t Have to Thank Me” – The idea of reviewing it doesn’t make me ill or angry, but it definitely sounds like it’s going to be a chore. Still, I’m reading it for you. I’m putting it at the bottom of the pile, but I’m reading it for you.
Mixed – A middle of the pile comic. It’s probably got the same chance of being dreadful as it does of being stupendous. I’m neither looking forward to it or avoiding it, whatever happens… happens.
Intrigued – I think this comic has potential to be a fantastic read. There’s some slight hesitation there, but it’s definitely going to be at the top of the pile.
TAKE MY MONEY – Everything about this issue has me excited. If I don’t get to read this book on Wednesday, I will be furious. I would pay extra just to have it in my hands right now! That’s how much I’m looking forward to it!
And just in case you’re wondering, the regular review scale is still the same as always. 5 is mediocre/average and the more toward “10″ we go the more awesome/worth buying it is and the more toward “1″ we go the more awful/not worth buying it is. That’s how I rate things. It’s not like a video game review score where everything under 8 is crap and it’s not like a school report card where everything under a 7 is failing or close-to-failing. Think of it as if it were a 4-star or 5-star scale. But Andrew, why don’t you just switch to a star system yourself? Because we’re pot committed to this 10-point scale, that’s why!
Scroll to the bottom of the page and post in the comments section what books you’re most looking forward to this week!
January 15th
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #11
Written by MATT KINDT
Art and cover by EDDIE BARROWS and EBER FERREIRA
1:25 SCRIBBLENAUTS UNMASKED variant cover
“We Can Be Heroes” Blank variant cover available
On sale JANUARY 15 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
Anticipation Level: Mixed
Seeing as how this was only loosely affiliated with Batman to begin with (Catwoman was one of the main characters) and now it’s been turned into the “Martian Manhunter & Stargirl Show” I’m thinking this will be the last month that I include JLA in the regular review rotation and I’ll move it to the TPB Review Only pile. Issue #11 will evidently be about the unlikely duo taking a trip to Gotham where they will be greeted by Clayface. These Forever Evil tie-ins have been okay, but not quite as informative or entertaining as those from the true Justice League title, which has focused on the backstory of each of the Crime Syndicate members.
NIGHTWING #27
Written by KYLE HIGGINS
Art and cover by WILL CONRAD
1:25 SCRIBBLENAUTS UNMASKED variant cover
On sale JANUARY 15 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Anticipation Level: Mixed
The Nightwing series is in a really odd place right now. With what’s going on in Forever Evil, the potential fight between Nightwing and Mad Hatter (who was VERY recently in another Bat-title as the main villain for 6 months!) just doesn’t sound all that interesting or important. I feel like we’re just stalling for time while we wait for Forever Evil to wrap up and shed some light on what will change in Dick Grayson’s world. I must say, I’m a little surprised that the creators didn’t just take this opportunity to participate in the Gothtopia event…
INJUSTICE YEAR TWO #1
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art by BRUNO REDONDO
Cover by JHEREMY RAAPACK
On sale JANUARY 15 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T • DIGITAL FIRST
Anticipation Level: TAKE MY MONEY
Well, that was fast! It didn’t take long at all for the 2nd season of Injustice comics to start and I couldn’t be happier. The first series was quite the thrill-ride and I fully expect more of the same from “Year Two.” If you’ve played the video game then you could surely jump-on with this issue no-problem. But I highly recommend you check out the previous 12-issue series, the first volume of which is on sale now. I’m still amazed that this comic turned out so incredibly well. Who would’ve thought that the Arkham City tie-in would be such a lame duck and Injustice would be the true epic!
BATMAN: LI’L GOTHAM #10
Written by DEREK FRIDOLFS and DUSTIN NGUYEN
Art and cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
On sale JANUARY 15 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED E • DIGITAL FIRST
Anticipation Level: Intrigued
Li’l Gotham is always a reliable purchase and fans of the Gotham City Sirens should definitely give this issue a chance. In this week’s episode, Poison Ivy is down in the dumps due to the coming of the fall season when all her plants wither away. To cheer her up, Harley Quinn and Catwoman search all over Gotham City for a way to cheer up their friend. Expect to see some beautiful artwork and moments that are both funny and equally adorable.
BATGIRL #27
Written by GAIL SIMONE
Art by FERNANDO PASARIN
Cover by ALEX GARNER
1:25 SCRIBBLENAUTS UNMASKED variant cover
On sale JANUARY 15 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Anticipation Level: Intrigued
A Gothtopia tie-in! After last week’s Detective Comics #27 and Batwing #27, this storyline has my full attention. I’m really anxious to see more of this “perfect” world that the Bat family is hallucinating.
Semi-Batman Related Books/Fringe Bat-Titles That I Won’t Be Reviewing:
World’s Finest #19
Justice League 3000 #2
Suicide Squad #27
Forever Evil: Rogues Rebellion #4
Graphic Novel Watch!
Batman: The Dark Knight, Vol. 3: Mad — A harcover collecting the 6-issue Mad Hatter arc plus the Batman: The Dark Knight Annual #1.
