It’s Futures End month! How do we think this is going to turn out? Last year, DC pushed Villains Month, and I felt that it ultimately served no purpose. There were issues here and there that were quite enjoyable, but overall, I felt that creatively, it was a fail (but it definitely did not fail in terms of sales). There’s a lot of potential to set-up some intriguing stories this month, and give a jolt of energy to each title! If you ever watched Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse, think of the episode “Epitaph One” and what it did for the series creatively. In one episode, that show gave a glimpse into the future of the series and the characters, and it was epic! It provided a sneak peek into upcoming plots spanning a couple of years, leaving the viewer to think, “Holy $%&#! How in the hell did we get here?!?” I’m desperately hoping these Futures End issues will do just that! If I had it my way, I’d tell a one-and-done story, giving insight into a much different world. I don’t need anything radical, just some nice, subtle “Oh my God! This is awesome!” moments. Think of all of the speculating that came from Happy Batsgiving… now imagine an issue of almost every Batman title essentially creating the same circumstantial events…
Alright, on to this week’s releases! 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? Also, last week I promised to show you our average scores as critics. You can find that below in the spoiler tag.
Brandon’s W was the only person that made a guess, so I’ve put her predictions next to the results in parenthesis. Also, keep in mind that these results do not include last week’s reviews.
Jay: 7.9 (7.5)
Elena: 7.6 (7.8)
Brandon: 7.0 (6.9)
Sean: 6.8 (5.8)
Jesse: 6.3 (6.1)
Josh: 5.1 (4.7)
Now, without further ado…
September 3rd
Batman Eternal #22
Beacon Tower was designed to save Gotham City, but the Architect has plans to make it the most dangerous weapon the city has ever seen!
Art by: Jorge Lucas
Cover by: Jason Fabok
Written by: Tim Seeley, Kyle Higgins, Ray Fawkes, James T Tynion IV, Scott Snyder
Random Blurb of Excitement: After last week’s issue, did you really expect anything else to top my list?
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Justice League #33
The shocking conclusion to “THE INJUSTICE LEAGUE” leads to a startling confrontation with the all-new, all-dangerous Doom Patrol! And in the wake of it all, a secret will be revealed that will bond two members forever – and break two members apart. Plus, Shazam unlocks a new power that will send a shockwave through the League.
Art by: Joe Prado, Ivan Reis
Cover by: Joe Prado, Ivan Reis
Variant cover by: Mikel Janin
Written by: Geoff Johns
Random Blurb of Excitement: I really enjoyed the last issue, so I’m hoping this issue continues or builds on the momentum. I’m also excited to learn more about Power Ring.
Batman News Critic: Jesse
Grayson: Futures End #1
Branded a traitor, Dick Grayson has become the most powerful hero in the newly resurgent and dominant Mother Russia – and now, he must battle the Beast from the East in one final struggle for supremacy!
Art by: Stephen Mooney
Cover by: Andrew Robinson
Written by: Tom King
Random Blurb of Excitement: Hmmm… Dick Grayson… A traitor? I’m in! Out of all of the Futures End issues coming out this week, I think Grayson could hold the most surprises. There’s so much that we don’t know about Spyral at this point, that I really want to see what DC has planned for him over the next few years.
Batman News Critic: Jesse
Detective Comics: Futures End #1
Batman takes his war on crime to the next level, but he needs the help of his greatest ally – The Riddler?!
Art by: Scott Hepburn
Cover by: Jason Fabok
Written by: Brian Buccellato, Francis Manapul
Random Blurb of Excitement: I saw a preview for this issue, and there’s a ton of things worth discussing from those few pages alone! I’m not going to go into detail, but Brandon is going to love this! It looks like these issues are going to be exactly what I wanted them to be! What I don’t understand though, is why none of these things have been discussed or brought up in the actual Futures End book… It would’ve made that book WAY more interesting. If you want to see the preview for Detective Comics: Futures End #1, you can find it on DC’s official website.
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Batwing: Futures End #1
Luke Fox has rejected his father, which leads him to rebuilding a more deadly and dangerous Leviathan!
Cover by: Dan Panosian
Inker Julio Ferreira
Penciller Eduardo Pansica
Written by: Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti
Random Blurb of Excitement: I know this title has ended, and that this issue, in some ways, might seem pointless… but Leviathan!?!?! You’ve got my attention DC! Now, give me the comic book, and walk away slowly.
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Earth 2: Futures End #1
Michael Holt has survived the war between the two worlds he’s called home. Now, he’s taking drastic measures to ensure that there will be no more war – regardless of the cost!
Cover by: Giuseppe Camuncoli
Inker Eber Ferreira
Penciller Eddy Barrows
Written by: Daniel H. Wilson
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m not really sure what to expect with this issue, but I willing to bet it will be worth your time. I would assume that this issue will answer some questions pertaining to the Futures End book, but I could be wrong.
Batman News Critic: Sean
Batman ’66 Meets the Green Hornet #4
What’s this? The Green Hornet and Kato breaking into the Gotham City National Bank? Can it be? Have they really become the criminals that Batman already believes them to be? It looks like the Dynamic Duo and their uneasy allies are about to go head-to-head! Meanwhile, General Gumm prepares for another crime…and sets another trap!
Art by: Ty Templeton
Cover by: Alex Ross
Written by: Ralph Garman, Kevin Smith
Random Blurb of Excitement: After this issue, there will only be two issues left. I’m not going to lie, it makes me a little sad that we’re past the halfway point of this book.
Batman News Critic: Jay
Futures End #18
At last, the true evil of Cadmus Island stands revealed!
Art by: Dexter Vines, Georges Jeanty
Cover by: Ryan Sook
Written by: Keith Giffen, Dan Jurgens, Jeff Lemire, Brian Azzarello
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m getting really close to picking this title back up… It appears as if the story has finally picked up the pace, and all of these Futures End one-shots should re-ignite interest into the main title. I’m not completely sold yet, but I’m almost there!
Batman News Critic: Jesse
Tiny Titans: Return to the Treehouse #4
Welcome to Atlantis! With the help of Aqualad and Lagoon Boy, the Tiny Titans seek another location for their long lost treehouse. Sounds like a good idea…until your air runs out!
Art by: Art Baltazar
Cover by: Art Baltazar
Written by: Franco, Art Baltazar
Random Blurb of Excitement: It should be quite a bit of fun to see what Art does with Atlantis! If you’re looking for an enjoyable comic that your children can read as well, then pick this up!
Batman News Critic: Jay
Graphic Novel Watch:
Batwoman Vol. 4: This Blood Is Thick (Softcover) – After taking down Medusa, Batwoman is caught in the crossfire between Batman and the D.E.O. in these stories from issues #18-24! The organization has their sights set on the Dark Knight and could be using Batwoman to capture him. But is Batman the true threat?
Forever Evil (Hardcover) – The Justice League is dead! And the villains shall inherit the Earth! In this new hardcover collecting the seven-issue miniseries, the Crime Syndicate takes over the DC Universe, and no one can stand in the way of them and complete domination – no one except for Lex Luthor!
JLA: Earth 2 (New Addition – Soft Cover) – The legendary Crime Syndicate of Amerika stars in this new edition of this unforgettable tale, with a new cover by artist Frank Quitely! Nothing has ever seriously threatened the global corruption they proudly enforce, but now a twisted mirror image of the CSA has arrived from the flip side of reality. Can anything stop this so-called “Justice League,” or will the perfect evil of the Earth 2 fall victim to the tyranny of law, virtue and freedom.
