I know what you’re thinking… I’m late with this post because of work, or I partied too hard for Halloween. Well, if you thought either of those, then you’re wrong! I moved into a new apartment over the weekend, and finally have everything settled! My body feels like Batman and Bane both beat the crap out of me, but I’m finished with the move… mostly! I’ve also decided that during the process, I’m never moving again. Ever. I’m going to die in this apartment!
Anyway, because of the move, I didn’t celebrate Halloween – which is a tragedy, and need to live vicariously through you guys. I love Halloween! I love dressing up! And more often than not, I’m dressed up as a Batman character! Even as a kid, I dressed up as Batman every year except for on two occasions when my Mom wouldn’t let me (those years I was Darkwing Duck and the White Power Ranger). Since I didn’t let my inner Batman out this year, I was hoping you could show me yours! I’m willing to bet money some of you guys rocked the cape and cowl, or some white face paint, maybe even a Cat suit! So in the comments section, let us know how you celebrated Halloween, what you dressed as, and if you were a Batman character, go crazy and share a pic or two! If you didn’t dress up this year, but did in the past, or for a con, then share that as well! I’ll take what I can get! Also, if you have kids and dressed them up as Batman characters, then you are an awesome parent, and commend you on your great parenting skills!
Anyway, 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…
November 5th
Grayson #4
Grayson travels deeper into the organized chaos that is SPYRAL! Can he keep track of all the lies? Or will he fall apart once he can no longer tell fact from fiction?
Art by: Mikel Janin
Cover by: Mikel Janin
Written by: Tom King, Tim Seeley
Random Blurb of Excitement: Let me just put it this way, I wish this was a weekly title!
Batman News Critic: Jesse
Injustice Gods Among Us: Year Three #3
As Constantine gathers his forces against Superman, The Man of Steel gains a surprising ally: the Swamp Thing. Superman and Luthor’s efforts to remake the world have drastically reduced pollution, something that is looked favorably upon by The Green.
Art by: Mike S. Miller, Bruno Redondo
Cover by: Neil Googe
Written by: Tom Taylor
Random Blurb of Excitement: I wish this didn’t come out on the same week as Grayson because they’re my two favorite titles at the moment… That being said, Grayson edged out Injustice this time just because things haven’t kicked into high gear yet for Year 3.
Batman News Critic: Elena
Batman Eternal #31
The team-up you never saw coming – Alfred Pennyworth and…Bane?!
Art by: Matt Ryan, Fernando Pasarin
Cover by: Rafael Albuquerque
Written by: Tim Seeley, Kyle Higgins, Ray Fawkes, James T Tynion IV, Scott Snyder
Random Blurb of Excitement: Yeah… you had me at hello with this one! I mean, come on… If you’re not excited to see Alfred and Bane together, then there’s something wrong. I do think that Bane is one of the characters that gets “abused” quite a bit, but I’m confident this creative team will represent him well. Look with they’ve done with Croc after all.
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Detective Comics #36
In “Terminal” part 2, Batman’s efforts to stop a contagion at the Gotham Airport come crashing down!
Art by: John Paul Leon
Cover by: John Paul Leon
Variant cover by: Francis Manapul
Written by: Ben Percy
Random Blurb of Excitement: The first installment of this arc was definitely darker than some might enjoy, but I LOVED it! I’ve been disappointed with numerous arcs starting strong, and ending poorly though, so I’m hoping the follow-through is solid here.
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Earth 2 #28
With the world around them on fire, the heroes of Earth 2 were met with the worst villains they’ve ever encountered: the Four Furies of Apokolips! But what shocking connection do Famine, Pestilence, Death and War share with the larger DC Universe? Find out here as their origins are revealed!
Art by: Mark Irwin, Andres Guinaldo
Cover by: Trevor Scott, Andy Smith
Written by: Marguerite Bennett, Tom Taylor
Random Blurb of Excitement: The quality that the Earth 2 title had prior to World’s End was much stronger than it is now. The book isn’t bad, but I feel like it’s lost its heart – if that makes any sense. Maybe this will provide some insight into our current villains that will make the story much more interesting.
Batman News Critic: Sean
Earth 2 World’s End #5
As Earth 2 burns, Green Lantern battles Grundy!
Art by:Michael Atiyeh, Guillermo Ortego, Ardian Syaf
Cover by:Ardian Syaf
Written by:Mike Johnson, Marguerite Bennett, Daniel H. Wilson
Random Blurb of Excitement: My feelings for World’s End are essentially the same as Earth 2 since they’re so closely tied together. Again, I want to reiterate, this is, by no means, a bad book! I’ve just had higher expectations.
Batman News Critic: Sean
Gotham Academy #2
Olive joins the creepy Order of the Bat as an afterschool activity, and we learn more about her secret past!
Art by: Karl Kerschl
Cover by: Karl Kerschl
Variant cover by: Becky Cloonan
Written by: Brenden Fletcher, Becky Cloonan
Random Blurb of Excitement: I thought the first installment was a beautifully fun introduction, and I can’t wait to see more. This is definitely a book for a specific audience, but it’s worth your time if you want to see a new and younger approach to Gotham City.
Batman News Critic: Josh
Futures End #27
Batman stalks his mysterious, high-tech doppelganger as Lois Lane and a secret army fueled by the wrath of fallen and exiled heroes converge on Cadmus Island.
Art by: Art Thibert, Aaron Lopresti
Cover by: Ryan Sook
Written by: Keith Giffen, Dan Jurgens, Jeff Lemire, Brian Azzarello
Random Blurb of Excitement: And based on Jesse’s review of this issue, I’ll most likely be throwing down some money to catch up on this title… If it’s a 7 or more, then I’ll be back in the Futures End game!
Batman News Critic: Jesse
Justice League 3000 #11
The Five have been defeated – but the Justice League has no time to catch their breath with the forces of Etrigan, the Demon massing for attack and the threat of the new Injustice League rising. Plus: a stunning discovery on Takron-Galtos!
Art by:Howard Porter
Cover by:Howard Porter
Written by:J.M. DeMatteis, Keith Giffen
Random Blurb of Excitement: Again, this is so low on my list, simply because I’m not reading it. If you love this book, let me know! I’ve already picked up a few titles that I wasn’t reading because of you guys. I can be persuaded pretty easily!
Batman News Critic: Sean
Graphic Novel Watch:
Batman Adventures Vol. 1 (Softcover) – The first ten issues of the classic all-ages series are back in a new collection! Don’t miss these tales of the Dark Knight featuring appearances by The Joker, The Penguin, Catwoman, Scarecrow, Killer Croc, Clayface, The Riddler and more!
Batman Beyond 2.0: Rewired (Softcover) – It’s a new direction for Terry McGinnis as Commissioner Barbara Gordon enlists Terry’s help while investigating the death of Neo-Gotham’s Mayor in the new Arkham Institute. Was it really only a heart attack? Or was one of Arkham’s infamous inmates responsible? Don’t miss these stories from BATMAN BEYOND UNIVERSE 2.0 #1-16!
