Zero Year moves into post-apocalyptic territory, Wonder Woman makes a guest appearance in Batman & ___, Justice League‘s overdue March issue finally drops, and Batman Eternal enters its second week.
Here’s the full list of review comics out this week, April 16th, 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 16th
BATMAN #30
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art by GREG CAPULLO and DANNY MIKI
Cover by GREG CAPULLO
1:25 MAD Variant cover
On sale APRIL 9 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
Anticipation Level: TAKE MY MONEY
The strangest act of Zero Year begins with Savage City, Chapter One. Here we’ll finally see the Commando Batman teased last June arise as a fallen Gotham struggles to survive in the aftermath of Riddler’s grand-scale attack. The issue #21 preview gave this segment the look of No Man’s Land meets Hurricane Katrina meets I Am Legend. Expect a vastly different kind of Batman comic.
BATMAN ETERNAL #2
Written by SCOTT SNYDER, JAMES TYNION IV, JOHN LAYMAN, RAY FAWKES and TIM SEELEY
Art and cover by JASON FABOK
On sale APRIL 16 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Anticipation Level: Interested
“A notorious Batman adversary appears for the first time in The New 52 continuity!” I’m guessing Carmine Falcone, but who knows? All I know is that I’m eager to see what’s next for a framed Jim Gordon.
BATMAN AND WONDER WOMAN #30
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art and cover by PATRICK GLEASON and MICK GRAY
1:25 MAD Variant cover
On sale APRIL 16 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Anticipation Level: Interested
As odd as it is seeing Batman partnering with these more fantastical heroes in his quest to hunt down Ra’s al Ghul, last month’s Aquaman issue kicked all kinds of ass so I’m hoping for more of the same from this Wonder Woman adventure.
JUSTICE LEAGUE #29
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
1:25 Robot Chicken Variant cover
On sale MARCH 19 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
Anticipation Level: Interested
Excitement is turning more and more into impatience as these Forever Evil comics get pushed back further and further, but here’s hoping that Cyborg & The Metal Men’s fight against the Crime Syndicate makes it all worth it. I’m especially interested in seeing Vic confront Grid, who hopefully survives the Forever Evil saga and becomes Cyborg’s arch enemy. Perhaps we can finally get a Cyborg solo series?
Semi-Batman Related Books/Fringe Bat-Titles That I Won’t Be Reviewing:
- Batwoman #30
- Birds of Prey #30
- Harley Quinn #5
- Red Hood and The Outlaws #30
Graphic Novel Watch!
Final Crisis NEW EDITION — Softcover. Includes FINAL CRISIS #1-7, FINAL CRISIS: SUBMIT #1, FINAL CRISIS: SUPERMAN BEYOND #1-2, DC UNIVERSE #0, BATMAN #682-683 and pages from ABSOLUTE FINAL CRISIS
Justice League of America Omnibus, Vol. 1 — Hardcover. Includes THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #28-30, JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #1-30 and MYSTERY IN SPACE #75.
