Before we get into this week’s comics, I want to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving! I know that technically only the US is celebrating Thanksgiving this week, but there’s no reason anyone outside the US can’t take a moment to share what they’re thankful for. Obviously I’m thankful for the standards: friends, family, my house and job, but I’m also thankful to be part of this community.
I used to read comics all the time, then for some reason, stopped. I didn’t read comics for years, and didn’t pick a comic book back up until I heard about Snyder’s Court of the Owls arc. There was so much buzz around it that I decided to bite the bullet and check it out. Before I knew it, I was catching up on most of the Batman related titles from the New 52, and catching up on what I missed prior to the New 52. To help me decide what I should and shouldn’t read (at first anyway), I checked out reviews, and stumbled across Batman-News.com. I felt I connected with Andrew’s reviews more than any other review, and that is when I became an active commenter on the site. Fast forward quite a few months later, and I’m writing reviews for the same website, creating great friendships, and doing something that I look forward to each week. So thank you for making my comic book reading experience that much more enjoyable and personal! As for my plans on Thanksgiving Day, I’m just going to have dinner with some family and friends. Let me know what you have planned and what you’re thankful for below in the comments section!
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 26th
Batman Eternal #34
Is this the end of Wayne Enterprises?
Art by: Jason Fabok
Cover by: Rafael Albuquerque
Written by: Tim Seeley, Kyle Higgins, Ray Fawkes, James T Tynion IV, Scott Snyder
Random Blurb of Excitement: If you couldn’t tell, I’m fully and completely back on the “Eternal is awesome!!!” train! Can’t wait to read this little gem!
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Catwoman #36
“Family Business” part 2! Selina struggles to maintain her role as the leader of Gotham City’s crime families when…Catwoman attacks?
Art by: Garry Brown
Cover by: Jae Lee
Written by: Genevieve Valentine
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m loving the endless possibilities that could come with this creative change. I’m shocked that this book didn’t see a jump in sales after Nocenti’s departure, so if you’re considering whether or night you would like this new direction, I urge you to pick up the Future’s End issue, as well as issues 35 and 36!
Batman News Critic: Josh
Gotham by Midnight #1
Strange doings are afoot in Gotham City! Look out, though – Jim Corrigan is on the case in this new series by writer Ray Fawkes (CONSTANTINE, BATMAN ETERNAL) and artist Ben Templesmith (30 Days of Night, Ten Grand)!
Art by: Ben Templesmith
Cover by: Ben Templesmith
Variant cover by: Andrea Sorrentino
Written by: Ray Fawkes
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m REALLY curious to see what Elena has to say about this book! I’m going to sit this first issue out, but there’s a good chance I’ll be jumping on board. I’m assuming this is going to be like X-Files meets Gotham Central, starring Jim Corrigan.
Batman News Critic: Elena
Batman Beyond Universe #16
After spending more time with his father in the Justice Lords timeline, Terry returns to his own world to discover that a member of the Bat-family has been kidnapped! But is it too late? Did Terry’s need to escape his own reality seal the fate of those closest to him?
Art by: Thony Silas
Cover by: Thony Silas
Written by: Alec Siegel, Kyle Higgins
Random Blurb of Excitement: It’s the final issue of what I’ve found to be a fun read! I’m looking forward to this last dive into Higgins’ and Siegel’s Batman Beyond.
Batman News Critic: Jay
Arkham Manor #2
When Batman goes undercover in Arkham Manor, we learn just how important inmate Jack Shaw is to his mission.
Art by: Shawn Crystal
Cover by: Shawn Crystal
Variant cover by: Nathan Fox
Written by: Gerry Duggan
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m still on the fence about this title. I thought the debut was solid, but they can’t focus the whole book on Bruce being in Arkham Manor… So I can’t figure out where they’re going to go. I had originally assumed it was going to focus more on the Arkham staff and inmates, which could still be the case… Hopefully we’ll get more insight in this issue!
Batman News Critic: Elena
Earth 2: Worlds End #8
Welcome John Constantine to the chaos and fire of Earth 2 – he’ll be right at home! Continued from this month’s CONSTANTINE #19.
Art by: Tyler Kirkham, Eddy Barrows, Jorge Jimenez, Jan Duursema-Mandrake, Stephen Segovia, Robson Rocha
Cover by: Paulo Siqueira
Written by: Mike Johnson, Marguerite Bennett, Daniel H. Wilson
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m curious to see how they utilize Constantine. He could add a nice edge to the book. Since this is such a short weekly series, I wish they would stop introducing characters and plots though. I feel like this book would have been would have made more of a point to stick with the characters they had, and tell a tight, intense story that matched the tone of the earlier Earth 2 issues.
Batman News Critic: Sean
Secret Origins #7
The parade of DC Universe origins continues with three favorites: Huntress, written by Paul Levitz with art by Jonboy Meyer; Superboy, written by Frank Barberi with art by Robson Rocha; and The Flash, written by Robert Venditti and Van Jensen with art by Andre Coehlo!
Art by: Andre Coelho, Robson Rocha, Jonboy Meyers
Cover by: Bryan Hitch
Written by: Van Jensen, Robert Venditti, Frank Barberie, Paul Levitz
Random Blurb of Excitement: If this were Helena Bertinelli instead of Helena Wayne, I would be WAY more excited. But… Superboy and the Flash will definitely make up for it.
Batman News Critic: Elena
Batman ’66 17
Professor William McElroy has taken another blow to the head and once more believes himself to be the reincarnation of the Egyptian Pharaoh King Tut! This time he’s uncovered a virus associated with Osiris, Egyptian God of the Underworld, that will turn the citizens of Gotham City into zombies, ready to do his bidding – including eliminating Batman and Robin!
Art by: Scott Kowalchuk
Cover by: Mike Allred
Written by: Jeff Parker
Random Blurb of Excitement: Here’s a little honesty for you. I never liked King Tut. I always found him annoying. Because of that, you can understand why I don’t plan on picking up this issue…
Batman News Critic: Jay
Futures End #30
Remember how everything was converging? It’s all-out war for Cadmus Island – against Brother Eye! Storylines collide in this can’t-miss issue!
Art by: Tom Raney
Cover by: Ryan Sook
Written by: Keith Giffen, Dan Jurgens, Jeff Lemire, Brian Azzarello
Random Blurb of Excitement: “Can’t miss issue!” Hmm… Not to sound like a total asshole, but I doubt that. You can’t fool me with your trickery DC/ Futures End! You can’t fool me! (Unless you actually do trick me, and this issue actually is awesome, resulting in Jesse giving it a 9/10 or something…)
Batman News Critic: Jesse
Graphic Novel Watch:
Absolute Batman: Haunted Knight (Slipcase Hardcover) – In this new Absolute edition by the team of writer Jeph Loeb and artist Tim Sale, Batman faces off against his most demented and wicked foes. Taking place on the most evil of holidays, Halloween, the Dark Knight confronts his deepest fears as he tries to stop the madness and horror created by Scarecrow, the Mad Hatter, the Penguin, Poison Ivy and The Joker. This slipcased hardcover collects BATMAN: MADNESS #1, BATMAN: GHOSTS #1, BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT HALLOWEEN SPECIAL #1 and CATWOMAN: WHEN IN ROME #1-6!
Batman & Robin Vol. 4: Requiem for Damian (Softcover) – Spinning out from the tragic death of Damian Wayne, the Dark Knight attempts to cope with the death of not only his son and partner. This title collects BATMAN AND ROBIN #18-23.
Batman Eternal Vol. 1 (Softcover) – In the wake of FOREVER EVIL, the world looks at heroes in a different light, creating tension between Batman and his allies and the Gotham City Police Department. When a gang war breaks out and new villains arise, it’s up to the Dark Knight, Batgirl, and others to turn the tide as best as they can – but will the GCPD be a help or a hindrance? Plus, a fan-favorite character makes her long-awaited DC Comics – The New 52 debut: Stephanie Brown! Don’t miss these stories from BATMAN ETERNAL #1-20!
Batwoman Vol. 5: Webs (Softcover) – Batwoman faces a threat that might make her rethink her career as a hero! But that’s not Kate’s only concern, as Maggie has a surprising revelation – and her angry ex-husband shows up! Can Kate and Maggie work together to discover the secret of the Wolf Spider? Collects BATWOMAN ANNUAL #1 and BATWOMAN #25-31.
The Justice League: Trinity War (Softcover) – The blockbuster event of the summer is now in paperback, featuring stories from JUSTICE LEAGUE #22-23, JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #6-7, JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #22-23, CONSTANTINE #5, TRINITY OF SIN: PANDORA #1-3 and TRINITY OF SIN: PHANTOM STRANGER #11. When the three Justice Leagues go to war with one another, whose side will everyone be on?
