Great Caesar’s Ghost! There are a lot of comics coming out this week. You name it, it’s out there! Not one, but two Batman Beyond comics (a first), the end of Forever Evil, a long overdue Justice League that actually features the whole team, Batman ’66, Eternal, Scribblenauts, Lobo, Batgirl, Justice League of America, on and on and on… I’m reviewing 8 of them, the most comics in a single week in a while.
Here’s the full list of review comics out this week, May 21st, 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!
May 21st
FOREVER EVIL #7
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND
Cover by DAVID FINCH
1:25 Robot Chicken variant
1:25 Variant cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER
1:50 Variant cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER
1:100 Variant cover by GARY FRANK
On sale MARCH 26 • 48 pg, FC, 7 of 7, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
Anticipation Level: Intrigued
“It’s evil versus evil in the shocking “take-no-prisoners” conclusion to FOREVER EVIL! What will be the fate of Lex Luthor and his Injustice League? Who will live – and who will die? And why is The Hooded Man the most feared being from the Syndicate’s world? Do not miss this startling finale that will leave the DC universe reeling and reveal the secrets to the future!” — Seeing as how this finale was supposed to be out in March, any sort of momentum this saga had really fizzled out a while ago. This is especially true when you factor in solicitations spoiling what happens to many of the characters involved in this storyline. Overall, I’ve enjoyed Forever Evil, but following it from month to month has been a terrible experience. It won’t be until long from now when I finally read it again as a TPB that I’ll really appreciate it.
JUSTICE LEAGUE #30
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
1:25 MAD Variant cover
On sale APRIL 23 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
Anticipation Level: TAKE MY MONEY
“It all changes here with the first chapter of “INJUSTICE LEAGUE”! The next era of the Justice League begins as heroes quit, villains join and a Justice League roster you’ve never seen before emerges, led by the world’s greatest hero — LEX LUTHOR?! As the dust settles and the bodies are buried, the violent consequences of FOREVER EVIL must be dealt with — while a mysterious new force sets its target on the League. But is this force friend or enemy? And why does he want Luthor dead? (If you ask Batman, it’s a long list.)” — A new Justice League roster definitely sounds cool. I’m excited to see the new team dynamic and learn how and why they came together.
THE NEW 52 – FUTURES END #3
Written by KEITH GIFFEN, DAN JURGENS, BRIAN AZZARELLO and JEFF LEMIRE
Art by DAN JURGENS and MARK IRWIN
Cover by RYAN SOOK
On sale MAY 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Anticipation Level: Intrigued
“Did Firestorm kill a member of the Justice League? Who is watching Batman Beyond? And why is Frankenstein living in an igloo?!” — I’m having a good time with Futures End so far. Not great yet, but it’s been consistent and it’s introducing me to some DC characters I wouldn’t otherwise give the time of day. Also, anybody find it funny that I keep putting “New 52 -” at the start of most of the comic reviews, but when it comes to reviewing Futures End, which actually has “The New 52 -” as part of its official name, I omit it? ”
BATMAN/SUPERMAN #11
Written by GREG PAK
Art and cover by JAE LEE
1:25 BATMAN ‘66 variant cover by MICHAEL ALLRED
On sale MAY 21 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
Anticipation Level: Mixed
“A new arc begins following the events of “FIRST CONTACT.” The worlds of Batman and Superman come to an explosive clash as something terrible happens to the World’s Finest team, and a Dark Knight who is not quite himself must team up with Lois Lane to find a missing Man of Steel. Meanwhile, Selina Kyle encounters a person of amazing strength who has no idea who he is.” I want to read a story that has Batman and Superman teaming up, dang it! The first arc split them up and paired them with Earth 2 counterparts, the second arc had them fighting each other and was just an awful story all around, the third arc split them up and paired them with Power Girl and Huntress, the filler issue split them up and paired Superman with Atom, and now we’re dividing them again between Catwoman and Lois Lane? Give me a story that has them side-by-side from beginning to end already.
Update: This book was actually postponed another month and this week’s issue will be a Superman: Doomed tie-in that was announced last-minute. I don’t even know for sure if I’m going to review it now since I would have to read the first 2 parts of “Superman Doomed” beforehand and I haven’t had enough free time to read any comic book that isn’t Batman-related since December.
BATMAN ’66 #11
Written by JEFF PARKER
Art by JONATHAN CASE
Cover by JONATHAN CASE
1:25 Variant cover by MICHAEL ALLRED
On sale MAY 21 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED E • DIGITAL FIRST
Anticipation Level: TAKE MY MONEY
“This one has it all! The Joker, Catwoman, and a cameo by just about every Bat-villain ever. No wonder Batman and Robin need Batgirl to help! Jonathan Case, the artist who launched BATMAN ‘66, returns to illustrate this epic full-length story.”– A full-length story written by Parker and illustrated by Case? That sounds amazing.
BATMAN ETERNAL #7
Written by SCOTT SNYDER, JAMES TYNION IV, RAY FAWKES, JOHN LAYMAN and TIM SEELEY
Art by EMANUEL SIMEONI
Cover by ANDY KUBERT
On sale MAY 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Anticipation Level: Intrigued
“New players enter the gang war that’s setting Gotham City ablaze!” — Yay! It sounds like we’re stepping away from ghosts and nanobots and going back to the gang war with Penguin and Falcone. Maybe we’ll even see more from Gordon?
BATMAN BEYOND UNIVERSE #10
Written by CHRISTOS N. GAGE and KYLE HIGGINS
Art by DEXTER SOY, THONY SILAS and MATEO GUERRIRO
Cover by KHARY RANDOLPH
On sale MAY 21• 48 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T • DIGITAL FIRST
Anticipation Level: Intrigued
“JUSTICE LORDS BEYOND continues! As Batman’s journey through the dystopian world of the Justice Lords takes an unexpected and deadly turn, the true meaning of Wonder Woman’s return is revealed – you must not to miss this!” — That first chapter was an impressive one so I’m looking forward to seeing more of this. Unfortunately, this saga is rather poorly timed and on the surface it sounds too similar to other big DC events. It deals with an evil Justice League coming from another dimensions– sound like Forever Evil? And it deals with a time & space traveling Terry McGuinness– sound like Futures End? I recommend it though, especially if you loved the episode “A Better World” from Justice League: The Animated Series.
BATMAN AND FRANKENSTEIN #31
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by PATRICK GLEASON and MICK GRAY
Cover by PATRICK GLEASON
1:25 BATMAN ‘66 variant cover by MICHAEL ALLRED
On sale MAY 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Anticipation Level: Intrigued
“THE HUNT FOR ROBIN continues! Batman is on the trail of Ra’s al Ghul in the hope of recovering the stolen bodies of Damian and Talia. But when all leads grow cold, he’ll need to call in help – someone who can go where no Bat has gone before. This looks like a job for…Frankenstein?!” — Yeah, that’s right, I’ll be reviewing 2 comics this week that feature Frankenstein. Anyway, this is definitely a storyline to watch what with it potentially leading toward the resurrection of Damian or the birth of an all-new Robin this summer. However, I’m hoping that this latest chapter isn’t so formulaic. Both chapters 1 and 2 (starring Aquaman and then Wonder Woman) both had a brief team-up, fight with Ra’s al Ghul, and then Ra’s al Ghul escaped. I’d like to see more than that from this Frankenstein pairing.
Semi Batman-Related Books/Fringe Bat-titles That I Won’t Be Reviewing:
- Scribblenauts Unmasked: A Crisis of Imagination #5
- Red Hood and The Outlaws #31
- Justice League of America #14
- Harley Quinn #6
- Birds of Prey #31
- Batwoman #31
Graphic Novel Watch!
Batgirl, Vol. 4: Wanted — Softcover collects issues #19-25 of the New 52 series plus Batman: The Dark Knight #23.1: Ventriloquist.
Batman/Deathblow: After the Fire — I reviewed this when it was released as a hardcover deluxe edition. Coming this week is the more affordable softcover.
Black Canary & Zatanna: Bloodspell — While it’s not actually a Batman-related book, I’ll bring it to your attention anyway since it’s an original graphic novel by Batman: The Animated Series writer Paul Dini!
Showcase Presents: Super Friends, Vol. 1 — Softcover collecting issues 1-34 of the all-ages series.
