We’re heading into week 3 of Futures End month, and I think this whole Futures End concept is going to create some fatigue for many readers this week, if it hasn’t already. Batman & Robin: Futures End #1 will most likely be the highlight of the FE titles, potentially Justice League… maybe Teen Titans… Hell, it might actually be Futures End… Who knows at this point? But aside from that, we should have a pretty action packed Batman Eternal! For all you Stephanie fans, it looks like this will be Spoiler’s moment to shine! And keep an eye out for the December Solicitations post. DC should have that on Monday, and I’ll make sure it’s posted here by Tuesday night!
This week’s releases 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…
September 17th
Batman Eternal #24
Spoiler goes head to head with her father, the deadly Cluemaster – and the fate of Gotham City hangs in the balance!
Art by: Andy Clarke
Cover by: Jason Fabok
Written by: Tim Seeley, Kyle Higgins, Ray Fawkes, James T Tynion IV, Scott Snyder
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m expecting quite a bit of action and story progression in this issues! As Samuel L Jackson said in Jurassic Park, “Hold on to your butts.”
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Batman & Robin: Futures End #1
Bruce continues to feel the fallout from his extreme new crime fighting methods — is he ready to face the might of Heretic?
Cover by: Mick Gray, Patrick Gleason
Inker Dustin Nguyen
Penciller Dustin Nguyen
Written by: Ray Fawkes
Random Blurb of Excitement: The preview of this issue looks pretty good! I’m going to assume that this issue ties in with this week’s Teen Titans since the Heratic is in it. Also, there IS a new Robin in this issue… Read into that however you would like to. All I know is that I miss Damian, and I want him back.
Batman News Critic: Jesse
Teen Titans: Futures End #1
With the Teen Titans dead, a new group of young heroes seek justice in the future DC Universe!
Art by: Andy Smith
Cover by: Karl Kerschl
Written by: Will Pfeifer
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m really curious to see what they do with this issue. How do all of these little villains become heroes? I’m also curious to see how closely this issue is tied to Batman & Robin: Futures End. And… Considering this has Klarion in it, thank God Ann Nocenti isn’t writing it!
Batman News Critic: Jesse
The Multiversity: The Society of Super-Heroes Conquerors of the Counter-World
Grant Morrison joins modern legend Chris Sprouse (TOM STRONG, BATMAN: RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE, ACTION COMICS) for a trip to Earth-20 starring a Society of Super Heroes unlike anything you’ve seen before! It’s pulp Super Hero action with a post-modern twist — you can’t afford to miss it!
Who is the demon-like Green Lantern protecting Earth-20? What secret does Doc Fate hold that could save the world? Who are the hand-to-hand and air-to-air combat queens known as the Blackhawks? And what happens when these heroes come face to face with their diabolical Earth-40 counterparts – led by Vandal Savage – for an epic war between parallel worlds? Find out all that and more in this exciting stand-alone issue which also acts as chapter two of the overall MULTIVERSITY storyline. Join us, if you dare, for THE MULTIVERSITY!
Art by: Karl Story, Chris Sprouse
Cover by: Karl Story, Chris Sprouse
Variant cover by: Chris Sprouse, Grant Morrison, Guillem March, Frazer Irving
Written by: Grant Morrison
Random Blurb of Excitement: Well… I definitely pissed some people off with my review of this title last month. Despite the 6.5 that I gave the first issue, I’m looking forward to this week’s installment. My main issue with the debut was that it was all over the place. It looks like they’re keeping this issue on one earth (at least for the most part), and I’m hoping this reigns Morrison in a little. If he does reign it in a little, I’ll most likely be a big fan!
Batman News Critic: Josh
Justice League: Futures End #1
The mystery of the Martian Manhunter is revealed at last as his decades-long plan for world domination comes to fruition! Continues in this month’s JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED: FUTURES END #1!
Cover by: Mike McKone
Inker Jed Dougherty
Penciller Jed Dougherty
Written by: Jeff Lemire
Random Blurb of Excitement: I haven’t been reading Justice League United, so I’m not completely certain how I’ll feel about this issue. I like Jeff Lemire though, so this could potentially be a little gem that ties back to stories hinted at in Justice League of America.
Batman News Critic: Jesse
Batman/Superman: Futures End #1
A new super beings seeks out Batman: a creature born of hate who the broken Bat may not last long against!
Cover by: Aaron Kuder
Penciller Howard Porter
Written by: Greg Pak
Random Blurb of Excitement: Jesse is going to be a busy man this week! Most of the Bat titles have been solid for Futures End month, so I’m optimistic that this issue will carry that trend… Here’s to hoping.
Batman News Critic: Jesse
Red Hood & the Outlaws: Futures End #1
Red Hood rides solo in the future as he reveals hints to how the Outlaws and his partners Starfire and Arsenal parted ways and how that lead to Jason Todd’s new mission of retribution and brutal justice.
Art by: Scott Kolins
Cover by: Giuseppe Camuncoli
Written by: Scott Lobdell
Random Blurb of Excitement: This COULD be really good! I’ve always questioned this book because I never really felt like the pairing of these three worked that well, so I look forward to seeing what pushes these three apart. Also, considering it mentions Jason, Sartfire, Roy, and the Outlaws, I wonder if someone else joins the team somewhere over the next five years. Maybe I’m just reading into this too much…
Batman News Critic: Sean
Batwoman: Futures End #1
Now a creature of the night, Batwoman turns against her former lover, Nocturna, in final, deadly conflict!
Cover by: Rafael Albuquerque
Inker Jason Masters
Penciller Jason Masters
Written by: Marc Andreyko
Random Blurb of Excitement: Oh Batwoman… We left off with you getting bit by Nocturna. Now you’re a legitimate creature of the night, and next month it looks like there will be no correlation to this story at all… I’m losing more and more faith in you each month…
Batman News Critic: Josh
Futures End #20
An unexpected ally helps Lois unravel the last startling secrets of the mysterious package she received!
Art by: Art Thibert, Aaron Lopresti
Cover by: Ryan Sook
Written by: Keith Giffen, Dan Jurgens, Jeff Lemire, Brian Azzarello
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m still on the fence with this book. I’m so close to jumping back in… I’m waiting for Jesse to give that, “Everything is paying off now!” review. Also, this cover makes it really tempting…
Batman News Critic: Jesse (I want to note that Jesse is going to be a boss this week. He’ll be reviewing Batman & Robin, Justice League, Teen Titans, Batman/Superman, and Futures End. That’s quite a bit, so everyone say thank you! And to think, Andrew used to pull this type of workload each week!)
Scribblenauts Unmasked: A Crisis of Imagination #9
The end is here! With the Ultimate League of Ultimate Justice on the brink of defeat, can Maxwell scribble his way out of this one and save the universe? Or will the Anti-Monitor finish the story by erasing him once and for all? Find out in our final issue!
Art by: Adam Archer
Cover by: Adam Archer
Written by: Josh Elder
Random Blurb of Excitement: It’s the final issue of Scribblenauts! I haven’t been following this book (which is why it’s so low on my list), but it looks like a great, family-friendly, fun title. Might pick up the trade when it comes out. Wouldn’t hurt to have some kid friendly comics in the house for when my nieces and nephews are out.
Batman News Critic: Josh
Infinite Crisis: Fight for the Multiverse #3
Based on the hit videogame INFINITE CRISIS! Having survived the destruction of an entire universe, Batman, Nightmare Robin, Arcane Green Lantern and Gaslight Catwoman arrive on the home world of Atomic Wonder Woman. In this devastated, post-apocalyptic landscape, the team finally confronts Atomic Two-Face and his mutant hordes, commanded by the fearsome Atomic Bane.
Art by: Aco, Javier Garron
Cover by: Tommy Lee Edwards
Written by: Dan Abnett
Random Blurb of Excitement: Sean’s reviews of this book have been less than stellar; however, his score did improve from issue 1 to issue 2. I’m curious to see if this book just had a poor start and if it will continue to get better, or if it will dip back down…
Batman News Critic: Sean
Graphic Novel Watch:
Forever Evil: Arkham War (Softcover) – Madness and mayhem hit the streets as Arkham Asylum and Blackgate Prison both unleash their prisoners on the citizens of Gotham City. And with no Dark Knight to protect the city, what horrors will follow? Arkham and Blackgate face off in this 6-issue miniseries featuring Scarecrow, The Penguin, Bane, Killer Croc, and more. Also includes BATMAN #23.4: BANE and FOREVER EVIL AFTERMATH: BATMAN VS. BANE #1.
New Teen Titans Vol. 1 (Softcover) – These tales from DC COMICS PRESENTS #26 and NEW TEEN TITANS #1-8 introduced the super team sensation starring Cyborg, Raven, Starfire, Robin and more! Don’t miss their battles against Deathstroke, Dr. Light, Trigon and more, with an appearance by the Justice League of America!
