What a week!!! Work was hell for me last week, so I’m glad the comics that were released rocked my socks! I’m still on a high from all of the books and announcements! And concerning announcements, there’s still a few more on the way according to some of the writers! I can’t handle it! And this week we have Robin Rises… I feel like a kid again! We also have the Teen Titans reboot, Harley Quinn taking on Comic-Con, another new title, and of course, Batman Eternal! Woo hoo! (Wow, there’s a lot of exclamation points in there.)
As a reminder, the Anticipation Scale is gone, but I will list the books in order of what I’m most excited to read, to what I’m least excited to read. For each title, I’ll include the official solicitation, the talent credits, more of my randomness, and the Batman News team member that will be covering each book. And of course, I (we) want to hear from you! Which titles are you picking up? What do you hope to see? And what are your thoughts about the order of my list? So without further ado…
July 16th
Robin Rises: Omega #1 The hunt for Robin is over, and the battle joined! But Batman’s family feud with Ra’s al Ghul is about to erupt into something bigger when it’s interrupted by the forces of Apokolips! This epic story continues in this month’s BATMAN AND ROBIN #33!
Art by: Jonathan Glapion, Andy Kubert
Cover by: Andy Kubert
Variant cover by: Cliff Chiang
Written by: Peter J. Tomasi
Random Blurb of Excitement: This is at the top of my list? Hell yeah it is! I want Damian to come back, and I’m desperately hoping this series will lead to that. I can’t wait to see what Tomasi has in store for us with this run.
Batman News Critic: Jesse Kennedy
Batman Eternal #15 Who is behind the hell beneath Arkham Asylum? Can Batwing and Jim Corrigan hope to stop it before it breaks out and consumes all of Gotham City?
Art by: Derek Fridolfs, Dustin Nguyen
Cover by: Dustin Nguyen
Written by: Tim Seeley, John Layman, Ray Fawkes, James T Tynion IV, Scott Snyder
Random Blurb of Excitement: The past few issues of Eternal have been outstanding, but with the gang war over, and the story moving its focus to Arkham, I’m a little hesitant. It’s still second on my list though!
Batman News Critic: Brandon Mulholand
Harley Quinn Invades Comic-Con International: San Diego #1 The title says it all! Our favorite little troublemaker, Harley Quinn, takes on Comic-Con International: San Diego in this over the top issue! She’ll have to battle long lines, crazy crowds and the dread con crud, all in the quest to get her own comic book published!
Art by: Various, Amanda Conner
Cover by: Amanda Conner
Written by: Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner
Random Blurb of Excitement: I think this is going to be an extremely fun read! There are so many possibilities with this one, but it should definitely be a riot!
Batman News Critic: Elena Carrillo
Batwoman #33 Nocturna is out of Arkham, but is she really fit to return to society? Batwoman’s investigations will send her spinning into the deadly clutches of Night-Thief!
Art by: Jeremy Haun
Cover by: Rafael Albuquerque
Written by: Marc Andreyko
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m pretty excited about this arc! Nocturna feels like the perfect villain for Batwoman, and I enjoyed the previous issue more than I thought I would. I’m curious to see how the team expands on the story.
Batman News Critic: Josh McDonald
Teen Titans #1 Red Robin, Wonder Girl, Raven, Bunker and Beast Boy step out of the shadows of the adult heroes of the DC Universe to offer bold, exciting and sometime dangerous ideas on how to protect a world full of superpowered teenagers – any one of whom could be the next heroic figure or major villain!
Art by: Kenneth Rocafort
Cover by: Kenneth Rocafort
Variant cover by: Cliff Chiang
Written by: Will Pfeifer
Random Blurb of Excitement: I have mixed emotions about Teen Titans… Lobdell put a bad taste in my mouth, and I haven’t completely moved past that yet. I am happy DC rebooted the book, and I like the roster, I just want there to be a purpose for the Titans other than DC feeling like they need to keep the book around. Here’s to hoping!
Batman News Critic: Jesse Kennedy
The New 52: Futures End #11 The Justice League demands Firestorm answer for Green Arrow’s death.
Art by: Art Thibert, Georges Jeanty
Cover by: Ryan Sook
Written by: Keith Giffen, Dan Jurgens, Jeff Lemire, Brian Azzarello
Random Blurb of Excitement: Last week’s issue seemed a little off to me (especially the Terry situation). As a result, it felt like a step back for the book, rather than forward. And considering the solicitation for this issue, it just seems like it’s out of place. I felt like the Justice League should’ve confronted Firestorm about Green Arrow’s death sooner. Right? And even with that, I’m not completely sure Firestorm needs to be confronted about Green Arrow’s death… Meh. I’m not sure how much longer I’m going to stick with this title.
Batman News Critic: Jesse Kennedy
Infinite Crisis: Fight for the Multiverse #1 In the tradition of INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US, a new videogame sensation makes its comics debut. Developed by Turbine and WBIE Games, INFINITE CRISIS brings together unique versions of DC Universe heroes from across the multiverse to head off a crisis that threatens to destroy all of their worlds! Heroes and villains from Gaslight, Atomic, Arcane, Mecha and other worlds battle and join forces with Prime Earth Batman in this rapidly escalating conflict!
Art by: Various, Szymon Kudranski, Carl Potts
Cover by: Gene Ha
Variant cover by: Rachel Dodson
Written by: Dan Abnett
Random Blurb of Excitement: The only reason this is so low on my list is because I don’t know much about it. They definitely didn’t hurt themselves by mentioning Injustice, but I feel like there’s already enough multiverse stories out there/ on the way. I’m concerned that it might end up being overkill. If you’re excited about this though, then let us know why. If you’ve played the game, then why should we be excited about this title? I picked up Batman Beyond because of you guys, so I really want to know!
Batman News Critic: Sean Buckley
Scribblenauts Unmasked: A Crisis of Imagination #7 The Anti-Monitor enters the fight, armed with a secret weapon: Doppelganger! But has Maxwell’s nemesis really returned to his evil ways? Or is there a greater plan in motion?
Art by: Adam Archer
Cover by: Adam Archer
Written by: Josh Elder
Random Blurb of Excitement: This book just isn’t my cup of tea, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad. I definitely think there’s something to having family friendly books, and I applaud DC for that.
Batman News Critic: Jay Yaws
Red Hood and the Outlaws #33 As more of Starfire’s life after her captivity as a slave is revealed, Red Hood and Arsenal stand between their alien teammate and one of the most wanted men in the galaxy.
Art by: RB Silva
Cover by: Ed Benes
Written by: Scott Lobdell
Random Blurb of Excitement: I dropped this book a while ago because I wasn’t a fan of Lobdell or the whole space situation. I’ve also never felt that Starfire was the right fit for the book… Hence, it’s on the bottom of my list.
Batman News Critic: Sean Buckley
Graphic Novel Watch:
Batman: A Celebration of 75 Years (Hardcover) – This amazing Batman best-of collection includes stories from DETECTIVE COMICS #27, 83, 211, 216, 327, 359, 395, 442, 474, 574, 633, 711, 757 and 821, BATMAN #1, 49, 181, 497, BATMAN #2 (THE NEW 52), WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #94, DC SPECIAL SERIES #21 and BATMAN SPECIAL #1!
Birds of Prey Vol. 4: The Cruelest Cut (Softcover) – The traitor in the Birds of Prey shows her face in these stories from issues #18-24 and 26 and TALON #9. And both Basilisk and the Court of Owls come back from team members’ pasts to haunt the Birds!
Damian: Son of Batman Deluxe Edition (Hardcover) – Damian Wayne, the son of Batman, has adopted the cape and cowl as his own… but what horrific events set this troubled hero on the path of his dark destiny? It’s a possible future that may never be in this epic written and drawn by Andy Kubert! Plus, in a tale written by Grant Morrison, Damian Wayne is the Batman of Tomorrow in a story set 15 years from now in a nightmarish future Gotham City! Collecting DAMIAN: SON OF BATMAN #1-4 and BATMAN #666.
Tales of Batman: J.H. Williams III (Hardcover) – Don’t miss these stories featuring the art of J.H. Williams III from BATMAN #526, 550 and 667-669, BATMAN ANNUAL #21, LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #86-88 and 192-196, CHASE #7-8 and DETECTIVE COMICS #821!
Teen Titans Vol. 4: Light & Dark (Softcover) – The demon Trigon triumphs over the Teen Titans in these tales from issues #18-23! As he begins to turn Manhattan into a staging ground for a demonic takeover of the planet, the Titans must mend their own alliance if they’re going to stand a chance against this demonic villain!
The Joker: A Celebration of 75 Years (Hardcover) – It’s the best of the Clown Prince of Crime in this new title featuring stories from BATMAN #1, 5, 25, 32, 85, 163, 251, 427, BATMAN #15 (THE NEW 52), DETECTIVE COMICS #64, 168, 180, 475, 476, 726, 741, 826, DETECTIVE COMICS #1 (THE NEW 52), WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #61, SUPERMAN #9 and BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #66.
