SDCC was this weekend! Were any of you there? What announcements excited you the most? If I’m being completely honest, I was expecting a little more from DC, especially concerning comics. They already made a slew of announcements introducing new titles/ creative teams, so I wasn’t expecting anything else on that front, (although, I still think there’s one book that will be announced/ launch by Christmas… maybe), but I was expecting more information concerning our new and existing titles. A number of writers had stated in interviews or taken to their Twitter page prior to SDCC saying they had announcements for this weekend, but I didn’t really see anything. There was a little talk about the weekly titles (Batman Eternal, Futures End, and World’s End), but nothing too ground breaking, as well as a decent look at Grant Morrison’s Multiversity. Other than that, the only “announcement” that I can recall was the antagonist for the new arc of Detective Comics starting in December…
Anarky.
And despite some overviews of Arkham Manor, Gotham Academy, and Snider’s Batman: Endgame, I was expecting more insight into those stories (particularly some featured characters). In the same respect, I was expecting the same type of talk for Batgirl and Catwoman… but it looks like DC will keep those details close to their chest (or perhaps they’re making some changes). If there’s one thing I’m definitely a little shocked about, it’s that DC didn’t give any type of heads up about them moving their offices from New York to California. Why is this worth mentioning? Well, apparently there’s going to be a two month hiatus with our current titles beginning in April, and we’ll have “fill-in” events during that time.
Anyway, I don’t want to sound like a nag because I thoroughly enjoyed the news that did come through, but let’s get to why we’re really here. New comics! There aren’t many titles this week considering it’s the 5th Wednesday of July, but regardless, there is some newness! 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 30th
Detective Comics Annual #3
A tie-in to “Icarus”! Follow the movements of a deadly stash of Icarus through Gotham City, as it impacts the lives of those it comes into contact with: Elena and Annette Aguila, Harvey Bullock, and even Batman!
Art by: Scott Hepburn
Cover by: Francis Manapul
Written by: Brian Buccellato
Random Blurb of Excitement: See that cover? That’s not the right cover. DC made a boo-boo and posted the cover from Detective Comics #32 instead. And while I’ve seen the “right” cover, it hasn’t officially been confirmed, so I didn’t want to post it. After this, there’s one more issue for “Icarus,” which has been pretty outstanding so far! Buccellato has provided a tight story, and Manapul’s art is something worth checking out. This book definitely deserves to be at the top of my list!
Batman News Critic: Brandon Mulholand
Justice League #32
Lex Luthor continues his acclimation to his life as a one of the world’s greatest heroes as they search for the mysterious power threatening to unravel our world. But are his sights really set on the Dark Knight? And are the Dark Knight’s set on him? Plus, someone else is targeting Luthor and his new allies – a man who believes he is Luthor’s superior in every way…and he may be right! Here comes The Chief and his treacherous Doom Patrol to The New 52!
Art by: Joe Prado, Ivan Reis
Cover by: Joe Prado, Ivan Reis
Variant cover by: Ant Lucia, Howard Porter
Written by: Geoff Johns
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m excited to learn more about Power Ring, I can’t wait to see more Bruce/Lex action, and on top of that, we have the Doom Patrol. I’m there! The only thing that slightly bothers me about this, is where the Justice League is as a team here, compared to where they are in Batman & Robin. Nothing major, but IF Power Ring joins the League, things could definitely get a little wonky with continuity… Nothing new though.
Batman News Critic: Jesse Kennedy
Harley Quinn #8
It all comes down to this: Harley finally tracks down some of the mysterious hired killers who have vexed her since the start of the series! But what’s she going to do with them? Enter the Scatapult!
Art by: Chad Hardin
Cover by: Amanda Conner
Variant cover by: Dan Panosian
Written by: Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner
Random Blurb of Excitement: Harley Quinn is essentially the guilty pleasure that I have no problem telling people I like! And apparently many of you agree considering its one of DC’s best-selling titles! If you want something that is absurd, slightly vulgar, and fun, then you should be reading this book.
Batman News Critic: Elena Carrillo
Batman Eternal #17
Years ago, Gotham City faced a power Batman could barely overcome…Now, deep beneath Arkham Asylum, he will rise again, and the city will know his wrath…
Art by: Dustin Nguyen, Derek Fridolfs
Cover by: Dustin Nguyen
Written by: Tim Seeley, John Layman, Ray Fawkes, James T Tynion IV, Scott Snyder
Random Blurb of Excitement: I feel like Batman Eternal #15 was a mean tease to get my hopes up that I would actually enjoy this mystical storyline… then I read issue #16 and felt like an idiot after posting what I did for last week’s Upcoming Comics post. So this week I’m eating my words and dropping eternal down a bit. Just an FYI, Eternal will most likely stay in the middle of the pack until this arc wraps up around issue #20.
Batman News Critic: Brandon Mulholand
DC Comics Presents: Batman Adventures #1
Some of the best all-ages Batman stories ever are back in this new title collecting BATMAN ADVENTURES #2 and 27, BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES #2 and 4, and a short tale from ADVENTURES IN THE DC UNIVERSE #3. Guest-starring Catwoman, The Joker, Two-Face and more!
Art by: Bruce Timm, Terry Beatty, Ty Templeton
Cover by: Mike Parobeck,
Written by: Ty Templeton, Paul Dini, Kelley Puckett
Random Blurb of Excitement: The only reason I’m placing this so low, is just because I tend to find these “collection issues” to just be enjoyable. Yes, they might often be “re-readable,” but I tend to just view them as a nice read. That’s not a bad thing, and it’s definitely something that some readers prefer. I tend to prefer arcs, and stories that impact continuity. You better believe I’m still picking this up though!
Batman News Critic: Elena Carrillo
New 52 Futures End # 13
Five years from now, the world turns against Batman Beyond! Plus, Barda and Emiko must face off against the NEW Secret Six!
Cover by: Ryan Sook
Written by: Patrick Zircher, Keith Giffen, Dan Jurgens, Jeff Lemire, Brian Azzarello
Random Blurb of Excitement: This is the only book I’m not picking up this week. I have been keeping an eye on Jesse’s reviews, and I’m prepared to say, “Oh crap, I made a mistake.” But… I don’t foresee that happening. Not soon anyway. I feel like there’s just so many wasted opportunities here. There’s so much that hasn’t been established, and the book hasn’t done much of anything to establish relationships. I mean, clearly all of the characters from our main titles are still around (hence all of September’s issues), so why aren’t we getting glimpses of them. If this book provided that, then it would really set a foundation of the state of the universe in this moment (five years in the future). This issue does look as though it’s going to feature Tim though, so that could be a plus.
Batman News Critic: Jesse Kennedy
Graphic Novel Watch
Batman – The Dark Knight Vol. 3: Mad (Softcover) – In this new collection of issues #16-21 and BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT ANNUAL #1, Batman’s detective skills are put to the test as the Mad Hatter begins kidnapping Gotham City citizens for an unknown purpose.
Batman – The Dark Knight Vol. 4: Clay (Hardcover) – In these tales from BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #22-29, the origin of the classic Batman villain Clayface is revealed – and a new mystery is introduced! Batman and Commissioner Gordon are forced into a tight corner as Clayface embarks on a murder spree throughout Gotham City. But what led Clayface to become a monster? The answers lie here…
Batman – Li’l Gotham Vol. 2 (Softcover) – The acclaimed all-ages series returns with this title collecting issues #7-12! In the second half of our calendar of small events, the Bat-Family takes on new challenges, like sea monsters, vacations, comic conventions and pirates. But things get really interesting when they get together at a few family reunions!
Batwing Vol. 4: Welcome to the Family (Softcover) – Once a member of Batman, Incorporated, Batwing has quit. A new, different hero has emerged in his place…but will his actions do more harm than good? And what is his connection to Bruce Wayne and Gotham City? Collecti
