I only have 2 comics to review this week. Let’s all just marvel at that for a second, eh? I’ll come right out and say it– reviewing comics has felt like work more often than not ever since Trinity War began. Just look back on all the extra tie-in comics that leached on through crossover events like Zero Month, Villains Month, Forever Evil, etc. and then there were a few mini-series thrown in like Black & White and Damian: Son of Batman… it was all getting to be too much! And guess what! Next week, just two comics again! This means I’m finally going to get to tackle that pile of graphic novels and maybe get the monthly “Break from Batman” article going again because, let me tell ya, I haven’t taken a break from Batman since December. I read American Vampire: Second Cycle #1 and that has been the extent of my non-Batman comic book reading.
Here’s the full list of review comics out this week, April 2nd, 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!
April 2nd
BATWING #30
Written by JUSTIN GRAY and JIMMY PALMIOTTI
Art by EDUARDO PANSICA
Cover by DAN PANOSIAN
On sale APRIL 2 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Anticipation Level: “You Don’t Have to Thank Me”
I want to like Batwing. I mean, just look at the cover– that’s a cool cover! And the past few months have been a lot of fun, but the last issue? Jeez… it ended with Batwing fighting a giant anglerfish while visiting an underground city beneath Gotham’s crust that was populated by a cult of Anubis. I wish I had a more eloquent way of saying this, but that’s just stupid.
DETECTIVE COMICS #30
Written by BRIAN BUCCELLATO and FRANCIS MANAPUL
Art and cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
1:25 MAD Variant cover
On sale APRIL 2 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
Anticipation Level: TAKE MY MONEY
THE FLASH creative team of Francis Manapul and Brian Buccelato take over the series and a new storyline begins, making this a great jumping-on point for new readers. I’m excited to give the new crew a chance and hope that they can make Detective Comics as good as it should be. It’s the series that gave Batman his start 75 years ago and to me it should be the best of the Batman titles, but it’s struggled in the New 52 from the start. Tony Daniel’s work was terrible and while Layman & Fabok’s run had its moments it still emphasized action more than building mysteries that makes the reader think and that’s something modern Batman books sorely lack. After everything I’ve heard about The New 52 Flash series, I fully expect this book to have phenomenal art (the cover is especially nice) and I’ve definitely got my fingers crossed for the story. However, the solicitations make it sound like we’ll be focusing on the drug this same creative team introduced during a Zero Year tie-in that I didn’t enjoy.
Semi-Batman Related Books/Fringe Bat-Titles That I Won’t Be Reviewing:
- Earth 2 #22
Graphic Novel Watch!
- Justice League, Vol. 4: The Grid — Collects New 52 issues #18-20 and #22-23. Available in hardcover.
- Batman ’66, Vol. 1 — Collects issues #1-5 of the printed edition. Available in hardcover.
- Batman Beyond: Batgirl Beyond — This is volume 2 of the series by Adam Beechen. It collects the final half of his run as well as 1999’s Batman Beyond #1-2.
