The Bat-family and Super-family duel, Nightwing’s fate is revealed, writer John Layman says farewell to Detective Comics, and much more is in store for Bat-fans this Wednesday!
Here’s the full list of review comics out this week, March 5th, graded on a scale of my own anticipation:
The 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 a 10 point system. 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 most video game review scores 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!
March 5th
BATMAN/SUPERMAN ANNUAL #1
Written by GREG PAK
Art by JAE LEE, ED BENES and others
Cover by ED BENES
On sale JANUARY 29 MARCH 5 • 48 pg, FC, $5.99 US • RATED T
Anticipation Level: Intrigued
Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill’s fight was postponed and so was this! The Batman/Superman Annual was supposed to come out back in January and hopefully it’s worth the wait. Readers will get to see not only Batman and Superman go head-to-head, but there will also be a battle between the Bat-family and the Super-family as Supergirl, Red Hood, Batgirl, Steel, and more duke it out. Why are they at each other’s throats? I have no ****ing clue. It’s got something to do with Mongul’s fortress… or something
FOREVER EVIL #6
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND
Cover by DAVID FINCH
1:25 Variant cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER
1:50 Variant cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER
1:100 Variant cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
On sale FEBRUARY 19 • 32 pg, 6 OF 7, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T • Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
Anticipation Level: TAKE MY MONEY
I’m not awarding Forever Evil #6 a “TAKE MY MONEY” because Forever Evil has been that good, it’s been alright but truth be told I’m getting kind of bored with it. No, the reason this gets a “TAKE MY MONEY” is all because of Dick Grayson. The final fate of Nightwing is finally revealed in this issue and that’s something I very much want to see. Also, the conclusion of part 5 also has me quite a bit excited. Who is making the Crime Syndicate quake in their boots?
FOREVER EVIL: ARKHAM WAR #6
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by SCOT EATON and JAIME MENDOZA
Cover by JASON FABOK
1:25 B&W Variant cover by JASON FABOK
On sale MARCH 5 • 32 pg, FC, 6 of 6, $2.99 US • RATED T
Anticipation Level: NOcenti
This has been awful and I’ll be happy to see it end. This issue will feature a venomized Scarecrow, Poison Ivy, Killer Croc (who is totally not dead somehow), Mr. Freeze, and others facing off against Bane and an army of Talons. I really don’t recommend Arkham War to anyone looking for plot or good characterization. If you just want to see a bunch of villains hit each other though…
DETECTIVE COMICS #29
Written by JOHN LAYMAN
Art by AARON LOPRESTI and ART THIBERT
Cover by GUILLEM MARCH
1:25 Robot Chicken Variant cover
On sale MARCH 5 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
Anticipation Level: Mixed
It’s writer John Layman’s final issue and the conclusion of Gothtopia, but I was so let down by the explanation as to how Gothtopia even exists that I have to give this a “mixed.” If you’ve loved Layman’s run or have enjoyed the Gothtopia arc you’ll want to grab this, but everyone else should wait in a holding pattern until next month when a new creative team takes over.
BATWING #29
Written by JUSTIN GRAY and JIMMY PALMIOTTI
Art by EDUARDO PANSICA and JULIO FERREIRA
Cover by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE
On sale MARCH 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Anticipation Level: Mixed
If it wasn’t for the fact that “The Gotham Underground” was playing such a big role I would totally give this an “intrigued” or even a “TAKE MY MONEY.” Batwing has been a lot of fun lately, but bringing in the element of the underground city that Ann Nocenti created in Catwoman has me very nervous. If it doesn’t play as big of a part as the solicitations say and we get plenty more of the reinvisioned Ratcatcher this could be another solid issue. For those interested, you’ll want to go back to Batwing #25 to see how this story began!
Semi-Batman Related Books/Fringe Bat-Titles That I Won’t Be Reviewing:
- Scooby-Doo Team-up #3
- Earth 2 #21
Graphic Novel Watch!
Harley Quinn: Welcome to Metropolis TPB — Collects issue #14-25 of the original pre-New 52 series.
