I’m not sure if you’re aware, but to celebrate 75 years of Batman, Warner Brother’s Studios set up a Batman Exhibit on their lot. I was recently there, and had the opportunity to check it out… and I’m not going to lie, it was pretty awesome! There were displays for each live action Batman film, beginning with Burton’s Batman, through Nolan’s Dark Knight Rises. They also had some of the film cars, props, and a display case of the of the Batman cowls. I’ve added a few pics in the spoiler tag, and I’ll be adding more to my Twitter page soon if you’re interested in checking them out. Also, if you’re in LA, you can purchase tickets to go on the studio tour, but the exhibit will only be there for a limited time.
But for now, it’s a new week, and that means one thing: NEW COMICS! We’ve got some great titles this week, as well as a debut from Grant Morrison! The books are listed 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…
August 20th
Batman Eternal #20
James Gordon takes on Falcone’s crime army from inside Blackgate!
Art by: Emanuel Simeoni
Cover by: Alex Garner
Written by: Tim Seeley, John Layman, Ray Fawkes, James T Tynion IV, Scott Snyder
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’ll go ahead and read this issue now, please!
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Batman & Robin #34
Batman’s quest for Damian’s body is about to take him further down the road to damnation than he’s ever gone before! His first stop: the Justice League’s Lex Luthor?!
Art by: Mick Gray, Patrick Gleason
Cover by: Mick Gray, Patrick Gleason
Written by: Peter J. Tomasi
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m going to be honest, while I really enjoyed last month’s issue, I wasn’t as fond of it as everyone else. My problem with it is that the plot seems to just be creeping along, and while I love exploring the characters, I feel like we’re essentially in the same place as when the Hunt for Robin began… So I’m really hoping things pick up a little bit. Bruce has some support now, so I’m ready to see what’s next!
Batman News Critic: Jesse
Teen Titans #2
Now the new hotness on social media, the Titans try to control their own images as a new threat continues to grow around the team. Meanwhile, S.T.A.R. Labs takes an interest in DC’s teen heroes.
Art by: Kenneth Rocafort
Cover by: Kenneth Rocafort
Variant cover by: Cameron Stewart
Written by: Will Pfeifer
Random Blurb of Excitement: If you didn’t pick up last month’s debut, then I recommend you do so, along with this issue! It was a strong start, and honestly what the Teen Titans title should’ve been when the New 52 launched. I’m really hoping this issue is just as strong, because it if it is, then this book has the potential to be quite the little gem.
Batman News Critic: Jesse
The Multiversity #1
The biggest adventure in DC’s history is here!
Join visionary writer Grant Morrison, today’s most talented artists, and a cast of unforgettable characters from 52 alternative Earths of the known DC Multiverse! Prepare to meet the Vampire League of Earth-43, the Justice Riders of Earth-18, Superdemon, Doc Fate, the super-sons of Superman and Batman, the rampaging Retaliators of Earth-8, the Atomic Knights of Justice, Dino-Cop, Sister Miracle, Lady Quark, the legion of Sivanas, the Nazi New Reichsmen of Earth-10 and the latest, greatest Super Hero of Earth-Prime: YOU!
Comprising six complete adventures – each set in a different parallel universe – plus a two-part framing story and a comprehensive guidebook to the many worlds of the Multiverse, THE MULTIVERSITY is more than just a multipart comic-book series. It’s a cosmos spanning, soul-shaking experience that puts YOU on the frontline in the Battle for All Creation against the demonic destroyers known as the Gentry!
In issue #1, pencilled by superstar artist Ivan Reis (AQUAMAN, JUSTICE LEAGUE), President Superman of Earth-23 uncovers a threat to all Reality so apocalyptic it will take a team of incredible heroes from across the Multiverse to face it – including Captain Carrot, like you’ve never seen him before!
But even with a multitude of alternate worlds to choose from, where every variation is possible, can anyone hope to prevail against the onslaught of ultimate evil and undying hatred – in the unstoppable form of a one-time cosmic defender with unimaginable powers?! Join us, if you dare, for the beginning of THE MULTIVERSITY!
Art by: Joe Prado, Ivan Reis
Cover by: Joe Prado, Ivan Reis
Variant cover by: Bryan Hitch, Chris Burnham, Ivan Reis, Grant Morrison
Written by: Grant Morrison
Random Blurb of Excitement: How about that short solicitation? I’m still trying to wrap my head around how this is going to work exactly. If there’s one thing that I can say about Morrison, it’s that he’s one of the best as far as the bigger picture is concerned. Because of that, I trust that he’ll deliver a strong story. I may not be his biggest fan once the “finer details” are brought into question, but if he’s spent over five years to bring this together, then I bet it’ll be worth your time.
Batman News Critic: Josh
Batwoman #34
This issue changes everything! Batwoman must make a choice that Maggie’s not willing to make! And where does Nocturna fit into all of this?
Art by: Jeremy Haun
Cover by: Rafael Albuquerque
Written by: Marc Andreyko
Random Blurb of Excitement: Apparently this issue is supposed to be a game changer. For the sake of this book, I really hope so. This title has had its ups and downs since the creative change, and I’m worried that if it continues, Batwoman will have the same fate a Batwing.
Batman News Critic: Josh
Sensation Comics Featuring Wonder Woman #1
Diana Prince: Amazon warrior, ambassador to Man’s world, or champion of women in need? All of the above! This digital-first anthology series will bring some of comics’ greatest talents to Themyscira, and give them leave to explore Diana, her world – and ours!
Art by: Cat Staggs, Ethan Van Sciver
Cover by: Ethan Van Sciver
Written by: Amanda Deibert, Gail Simone
Random Blurb of Excitement: Gail Simone is writing Wonder Woman, and it looks as if this issue will feature some of our favorite Gotham Rogues… mainly the Joker and Harley Quinn! I’m pretty excited to check this one out!
Batman News Critic: Elena
Red Hood & the Outlaws #34
The Outlaws deal with the fallout from Kori’s past and learn that a top-secret villain has returned to make things much, much worse for them!
Art by: Rafa Sandoval
Cover by: Ken Lashley
Written by: Scott Lobdell
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m choosing to get my Jason fix from Batman Eternal. I dropped this book a while ago due to all of the space stories. I’ll consider picking up this title again, but it won’t be while Lobdell is overseeing it.
Batman News Critic: Sean
Scribblenauts Unmasked: A Crisis of Imagination #8
With the universe hanging in the balance, Maxwell and Lily must venture into worlds unknown to recruit new heroes for their Ultimate League of Ultimate Justice!
Art by: Adam Archer
Cover by: Adam Archer
Written by: Josh Elder
Random Blurb of Excitement: This just isn’t my type of book… BUT if I had young kids, you better believe I’d buy it for them!
Batman News Critic: Jay
Teen Titans Go #5
How do Beast Boy and Cyborg kill time between missions? By making prank calls, of course! Plus: A package for Raven leaves the rest of the Titans asking, “What’s in the box?!”
Art by: Jorge Corona, Lea Hernandez
Cover by: Daniel Hipp
Written by: Amy Wolfram, Sholly Fisch
Random Blurb of Excitement: My feelings concerning this title are the same as Scribblebauts.
Batman News Critic: Jay
Infinite Crisis: The Fight for the Multiverse #2
Based on the hit videogame INFINITE CRISIS, the cosmos spanning series continues. On Earth Prime, Cyborg, The Flash and Zatanna search for the missing Batman. Meanwhile, still reeling from disaster, Batman and his strange new allies – Arcane Green Lantern, Gaslight Catwoman, Atomic Wonder Woman and Nightmare Robin – have taken off in pursuit of Atomic Two-Face. The killer’s in possession of the Eternal Key that he stole from Harbinger – and this artifact could give him the power to level a universe!
Art by: Stjepan Sejic, Tom Raney
Cover by: Dan Panosian
Written by: Dan Abnett
Random Blurb of Excitement: I didn’t read the previous issue, but Sean didn’t score it very high… Maybe this issue will be better?
Batman News Critic: Sean
Futures End # 16
The threat behind StormWatch’s entire existence reveals itself!
Art by: Jesús Merino
Cover by: Ryan Sook
Written by: Keith Giffen, Dan Jurgens, Jeff Lemire, Brian Azzarello
Random Blurb of Excitement: You know how I feel about this title. And based on Jesse’s last review, it looks like it’s catching up to him as well.
Batman News Critic: Jesse
Graphic Novel Watch:
Batman Incorporated Vol. 2: Gotham’s Most Wanted (Softcover) – In this collection of issues #7-13 and BATMAN, INCORPORATED SPECIAL #1, Batman and his allies battle Leviathan to save Gotham City. Everything has been leading to the moment in which Damian Wayne pays the ultimate price in the war on crime!
Batman: Arkham Unhinged Vol. 3 (Softcover) – In the third collection of stories inspired by the hit video game, Dr. Hugo Strange has gained control of Arkham Asylum and is determined to keep the city’s criminal element behind bars. Collected from issues #11-15 and the story “End Game.”
Batman: Arkham Unhinged Vol. 4 (Hardcover) – The prequel to the best-selling video game Batman: Arkham City concludes with these tales from issues #16-20. The mysterious new villain known as the Bookbinder has corrupted Gotham City’s food supply, leaving the Dark Knight in a race against time to uncover the identity of this threat to his city!
Katana Vol. 1: Soultaker (Softcover) – Former assassin and new Justice Leaguer Katana embarks on a noble quest to restore the Outsiders to their former glory! Will she succeed, or will she be overcome by the power of her sword, the Soul Taker? Don’t miss this title collecting KATANA #1-10 and JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #23.1: THE CREEPER.
