Umm… so did NYCC actually happen? It doesn’t seem like there was much of an impact at all concerning DC, and that’s a shame. I fully expected them to make some announcements pertaining to their plans while transitioning from New York to LA, and we didn’t get anything. Nada. Zilch. I’m crossing my fingers that they start leaking news soon, because this year is turning out to feel a little anticlimactic on the DC Comics front. At least we got some nice January covers for Batgirl, Harley Quinn, and Gotham Academy. The sneak preview of the art for Detective Comics was also pretty stunning. I can’t wait to see the inks and colors added to it!
Did any of you go to NYCC? I know Elena went, and I’m hoping she has some fun experiences to share. If you went, let me know what your favorite part of the con was, and share some pictures in the comments section. I wasn’t able to go this year, but I’ll be there next year! For now though, let’s focus on this week’s comics!
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! What 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…
October 15th
Justice League #35
“THE AMAZO VIRUS” begins here! Bruce Wayne and Lex Luthor join Wayne Enterprises and LexCorp – but why? And then, it’s HUMAN VS. SUPER-HUMAN when a dangerous and bizarre virus is unleashed upon the Justice League – but what exactly is the Amazo Virus? Who unleashed it and why? And what unforeseen effects will it have on the greatest heroes of the DC Universe? Plus, Batman and the League uncover Lex’s most guarded secret at Lexcorp Headquarters.
Art by: Joe Prado, Ivan Reis
Cover by: Joe Prado, Ivan Reis
Variant cover by: Jerry Ordway, Rafael Albuquerque
Written by: Geoff Johns
Random Blurb of Excitement: I can’t tell you how excited I am that this arc is starting! I’ve said it a few times, but I’m going to say it again… even though I don’t think Justice League has been bad, I don’t think it’s really had any direction since Trinity War started. I mean, think about it. Trinity War was a set-up for Forever Evil, then you really didn’t see the Justice League at all during the Forever Evil run (and when you did see them it was more of a “So this is what these guys are stuck with while the world is being destroyed” approach). And since then, it’s essentially just been the lingering initiation of Lex. But after the last cliff hanger, and this new arc… I’m placing JL at the top of my list!
Batman News Critic: Jesse
Batman Eternal #28
Can Batman stop Catwoman from becoming the most dangerous person in Gotham City?
Art by: Meghan Hetrick
Cover by: Clay Mann
Written by: Tim Seeley, Kyle Higgins, Ray Fawkes, James T Tynion IV, Scott Snyder
Random Blurb of Excitement: I feel like the cracks are starting to show in Eternal a little. It started as a book with so much focus and a tight story, but I feel like the book is on a slightly bumpy road at the moment. Regardless, it’s still one of the better books out at the moment, and I’m fully confident that the creative team will knock our socks off.
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Earth 2: World’s End #2
Huntress and Power Girl returned to Earth 2 to help save it from the threat of Apokolips, but even their combined power isn’t enough to protect against the first of four furies from that deadly world: the girl known as War.
Art by: Paulo Siqueira, Tyler Kirkham, Eddy Barrows
Cover by: Ardian Syaf, Vicente Cifuentes
Written by: Mike Johnson, Marguerite Bennett, Daniel H. Wilson
Random Blurb of Excitement: Loved the first issue, and I’m pretty sure I’m going to love this one too! Last week’s debut gave a nice recap of everything that has occurred in Earth 2 to date, so you can easily jump on board!
Batman News Critic: Sean
Batman & Robin #35
“Robin Rises” continues as Batman begins his trek on Apokolips to recover his son’s body. But will he walk alone?
Art by: Mick Gray, Patrick Gleason
Cover by: Mick Gray, Patrick Gleason
Variant cover by: Chris Burnham
Written by: Peter J. Tomasi
Random Blurb of Excitement: We’re essentially in “The Hunt for Robin” phase 2. I’ve really enjoyed what they’ve done over the past few issues, but I also know that not much will actually happen until December. Because of that, Batman & Robin falls a little on my list, but that definitely doesn’t mean I’m not excited!
Batman News Critic: Jesse
Teen Titans #3
A free night out for Raven leads the Titans into another battle! And that brings them one step closer to a dark secret at the heart of S.T.A.R. Labs.
Art by: Kenneth Rocafort
Cover by: Kenneth Rocafort
Variant cover by: Kevin Wada, Gene Ha
Written by: Will Pfeifer
Random Blurb of Excitement: This has the potential to be really good! I loved the debut, and thought the second issue was solid. I’m hoping to get more of a “team” vibe in this issue like the debut had, because Pfeifer really excelled with that!
Batman News Critic: Jesse
Red Hood & the Outlaws #35
Things are spinning out of control for the Outlaws when Roy realizes that he’s the only member of the team not abusing drugs!
Art by: RB Silva
Cover by: Jorge Jimenez
Written by: Will Pfeifer
Random Blurb of Excitement: I haven’t been on the Red Hood train for a little while now, but Sean has been writing solid reviews of the book lately, and last month’s Futures End issue was really damn good! I’m going to wait and see what Sean has to say about this issue, but if it’s good, I’ll be playing catch-up!
Batman News Critic: Sean
Futures End #24
Terry’s heist team comes face to face with the man who’s been pulling their strings from the very beginning.
Art by: Dan Green, Jesús Merino
Cover by: Ryan Sook
Written by: Keith Giffen, Dan Jurgens, Jeff Lemire, Brian Azzarello
Random Blurb of Excitement: Future’s End is continuing it’s climb! I’m actually interested in knowing what happens now, and after the teaser we received this week, I’m really looking forward to the next few weeks. I’m still cautious though, so I’m going to hold out a little longer.
Batman News Critic: Jesse
Infinite Crisis: Fight for the Multiverse #4
The Flash, Zatanna and Cyborg find themselves in the Mecha Universe, on an Earth that is not their own, in a futuristic version of Metropolis. Just when things can’t get any stranger, a giant, serpent-like version of Doomsday threatens to level the city, and the only one who can stop him is…Mecha Superman! Includes a code for a video game content download.
Art by: Tom Derenick
Cover by: Stjepan Sejic
Written by: Dan Abnett
Random Blurb of Excitement: Sean’s reviews get better and better! I’m not reading this title at the moment, but if you think I should, let me know. Seriously, I want to hear from you. I wasn’t reading Batman Beyond, and picked up because you guys told me to. I’m glad I did.
Batman News Critic: Sean
Batman/ Superman #15
Lord Satanas offers Superman and Batman a deal they couldn’t possibly accept…right?!
Art by: Jae Lee
Cover by: Jae Lee
Variant cover by: Bengal, Jon Bogdanove
Written by: Greg Pak
Random Blurb of Excitement: I saw the preview for this issue, and if I’m being honest, it looked pretty bad. I could be wrong though…
Batman News Critic: Jesse
Batwoman #35
The new storyline “Batwoman and the Unknowns” starts now with new artist Georges Jeanty (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)! Batwoman is neck-deep in danger with her new allies Ragman, The Demon, Clayface and Red Alice! What is going on and how did Batwoman end up here? Find out beginning in this issue!
Art by: Georges Jeanty
Cover by: Rafael Garres
Written by: Marc Andreyko
Random Blurb of Excitement: Ok… I was excited to have Alice come back, and thought this arc could turn this book around… until I saw the preview for this issue. What in the hell are they doing in space? Batwoman does NOT belong in space. And as much as I love Buffy, I’m not a fan of Jeanty’s art. Catwoman finally starts getting good, and this book just falls in the dumps.
Batman News Critic: Josh
Teen Titans Go! #6
What happens when the girls have a slumber party and don’t invite any of the boys? What about when Cyborg and Beast Boy plug their sweet new game console into the Tower’s mainframe computer? We’re glad you asked – but did you really think we’d give it away?!
Art by: Jorge Corona
Cover by: Daniel Hipp
Written by: Merrill Hagan, Sholly Fisch
Random Blurb of Excitement: This isn’t a title I’m reading, but I’m a fan of Sholly Fisch, so I’m recommending it on that fact alone. If you’re looking for a family friendly book, then pic this one up.
Batman News Critic: Jay
Special Appearance:
Supergirl #35 (featuring Red Hood)
“SUPERMAN: DOOMED AFTERMATH”! In the waked of the DOOMED storyline, the ALIEN SYNDICATE looks to re-establish it’s foothold on Earth. But the venom powered Red Hood looks for even more muscle in Kara as they go head to head with the scum and villainy of the galaxy. Plus: an ending that will set Kara on a new course!
Note: Red Hood is in this issue, but it’s a Superman: Doomed tie-in. At the moment, I don’t think we have any plans on reviewing it (mainly because we haven’t covered any other Doomed issues). But, if you want it, I’ll find a way to make it happen.
Graphic Novel Watch:
Batman Vol. 4: Zero Year – Secret City (Softcover) – The second arc of BATMAN: ZERO YEAR is collected as the New 52 origin of The Dark Knight delves into Bruce Wayne’s past with the Red Hood Gang and his run-ins with aspiring District Attorney Harvey Dent! You won’t want to miss the moment that Bruce becomes Batman! This new hardcover collects BATMAN #21-24.
Batman Vol. 5: Zero Year – Dark City (Hardcover) – Before the Batcave and Robin, The Joker and the Batmobile, there was ZERO YEAR. The Riddler has plunged Gotham City into darkness. How will a young Dark Knight bring his beloved hometown from the brink of chaos and madness and back into the light? This final ZERO YEAR volume collects BATMAN #25-27 and 29-33.
Batman ’66 Vol. 1(Softcover) – Put on your go-go boots and get ready to “Batusi” back to the Swingin’ ‘60s as DC Comics reimagines the classic Batman TV show! In this hardcover collecting issues #1-5 of the hit series, The Dynamic Duo takes on The Riddler, Mr. Freeze, The Penguin, The Mad Hatter, The Joker, and more of the world’s most colorful Bat-villains!
Batman ’66 Vol. 2 (Hardcover) – Return to the swingin’ 60s as DC Comics reimagines the classic Batman TV series in comics form. In this volume of tales pulled from issues #6-10 of the digital first series, King Tut returns to Gotham City to challenge the Dynamic Duo with his most far-reaching plan yet to rule the modern Thebes known as Gotham City! Plus, Batman and Robin meet the Bookworm and face off with False Face and more!
Justice League 3000 Vol. 1: Yesterday Lives (Softcover) – In the far-flung future of the year 3000, the Justice League still stands! Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash and Green Lantern comprise the team, but how could these heroes still exist a millennium from now? Find out in these stories from issues #1-7 of the thrilling new series!
