Well… Thanksgiving is behind us. I’m not sure about you, but I spent a day over-eating, and it was sooooooooo worth it! I’m a huge fan of pecan pie, and I’m not ashamed to say that I destroyed one (with some help)! Then, the next day, I accepted my food coma, and avoided society at all costs. Some of you might have ventured out into the no man’s land known as Black Friday. Some of you might have bruises and scars from your retail battles. And some of you might have pulled out some crazy, awesome, Batman-level ninja skills to score a nearly free TV, or cool Batman swag. If you’re one of those fearless people, show off your Bat Swag! Especially if you got it for your kid(s)!
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…
December 3rd
Batman Eternal: 35
The events of BATMAN ETERNAL have changed the world of Batman for months – jump on here to see the new world order! The third act begins with a bang, as Gotham City’s police have done the impossible – they’ve beaten Batman!
Art by: Fernando Blanco
Cover by: Tommy Lee Edwards
Written by: Tim Seeley, Kyle Higgins, Ray Fawkes, James T Tynion IV, Scott Snyder
Random Blurb of Excitement: We’re in the final stretch! What other twists and turns do you think are waiting around the corner for us? I have a few (one) theory, but I’ll never tell! Regardless, I want this issue now!
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Grayson #5
Grayson is on a mission to stop Paragon from using the body parts of a dead villain to create something far more sinister!
Art by: Mikel Janin
Cover by: Mikel Janin
Variant cover by: Darwyn Cooke
Written by: Tom King, Tim Seeley
Random Blurb of Excitement: Have I ever told you how much I love this book? In case I haven’t. I love this book! Why? Because it has Nightwing and Huntress! Er… Dick and Helena!
Batman News Critic: Jesse
Injustice: Gods Among Us Year 3 #5
On Themyscira, Ares, the God of War, explains to Hippolyta that Wonder Woman’s coma is no natural thing. Meanwhile, in the Tower of Fate, Constantine and his allies deal with their losses and try to determine who was responsible for the carnage. It’s time to try to recruit a new ally from the mystic realm. But whose side will he actually be on?
Art by: Mike S. Miller, Bruno Redondo
Cover by: Mike S. Miller
Written by: Tom Taylor
Random Blurb of Excitement: Don’t let my lack of enthusiasm for Year 3 fool you, this is still a great book! Add it to your rotation if you haven’t already!
Batman News Critic: Elena
Detective Comics #37
Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato return – and now’s the time to take back Gotham City! Anarky now!
Cover by: Francis Manapul
Variant cover by: Tim Sale, Darwyn Cooke
Written by: Brian Buccellato, Francis Manapul
Random Blurb of Excitement: Here we go! Anarky finally reaches Gotham! I’m really excited for this new arc, but I am hesitant after the poor ending of Icarus. I’m crossing my fingers that Anarky doesn’t crash and burn at the end, otherwise I’ll have serious concerns about Manapul’s future plans. Until then, it’s essentially at the top of my list for what could be considered a four-way tie for first place in my ranking.
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Secret Six #1
Gail Simone is back with the NEW 52 debut of the fan-favorite team – THE SECRET SIX! Six strangers are brought together under mysterious circumstances for an explosive first issue that will leave everyone asking, “What is the Secret?”
Art by: Ken Lashley
Cover by: Dale Eaglesham
Variant cover by: Ken Lashley
Written by: Gail Simone
Random Blurb of Excitement: Ummm… Scratch that. Let’s make it a five-way tie!!! I CAN’T WAIT to read this. I really enjoyed Simone’s Secret Six run pre New 52. The one thing I’m curious to see is how she introduces the team and makes them relevant. Their development was pretty natural previously, so I want to see what pulls this team together here.
Batman News Critic: Josh
Gotham Academy #3
If you thought getting detention was a pain, just wait till you see detention Gotham Academy-style!
Art by: Karl Kerschl
Cover by: Karl Kerschl
Variant cover by: Becky Cloonan
Written by: Brenden Fletcher, Becky Cloonan
Random Blurb of Excitement: It’s another delightfully charming installment of this fresh take on Gotham. Last week in Arkham Manor, we learned who Olive’s mother is, and that she’s in a coma in Arkham. Could we learn more about her here? And what is this cult-like group that Olive has discovered? I recommend picking this book up if you’re looking for a little innocence and fun.
Batman News Critic: Josh
Earth 2 #29
The displaced masses taking shelter in Chicago run for their lives when an unbelievable force descends on the city. Scattered and frantic, Barbara and Dick Grayson hunt for shelter and find a safe haven that hides a sinister secret. Will the two make it out alive with their son?
Art by: Trevor Scott, Andy Smith
Cover by: Yildiray Cinar
Written by: Marguerite Bennett, Tom Taylor
Random Blurb of Excitement: Oh how things change in the course of two months… This title used to sit at the top of my list, but ever since World’s End started, this book has continued to slip in quality. It really is a shame because this could have been EPIC.
Batman News Critic: Sean
Earth 2: World’s End #9
Outgunned, outnumbered and outmatched, The World Army led by Mister Miracle and Big Barda begin their invasion of Apokolips!
Art by: Jan Duursema-Mandrake, Robson Rocha, Jorge Jimenez, Tyler Kirkham
Cover by: Paulo Siqueira
Written by: Mike Johnson, Marguerite Bennett, Daniel H. Wilson
Random Blurb of Excitement: Yep… see above… I will add that this cover looks amazing!
Batman News Critic: Sean
Justice League 3000 #12
Two words: Blue and Gold. Well, okay, three. Three words, the Blue and the Go…Wait, that’s four words. Okay, let’s try this. The team of Blue Beetle and Booster Gold are BACK! By Giffen and DeMatteis! Is the universe ready for either of them…? Are you?
Art by: Howard Porter
Cover by: Howard Porter
Written by: J.M. DeMatteis, Keith Giffen
Random Blurb of Excitement: As a reminder, the only reason this title is so low on my list is because I’m not reading it. I haven’t read a single issue, so it’s unfairly placed near the bottom of my list by default. I do have the intention to check this title out, but it realistically won’t happen until after the holidays.
Batman News Critic: Sean
Futures End #31
After the revelations of the last two issues, the Endgame begins! One hero retires, another reconsiders his career, and the world says goodbye to a third.
Art by: Dan Green, Jesús Merino
Cover by: Ryan Sook
Written by: Keith Giffen, Dan Jurgens, Jeff Lemire, Brian Azzarello
Random Blurb of Excitement: You know when you’re in a bad relationship with a terrible boyfriend/girlfriend and you constantly give them another chance, then wonder why, only to turn around and do it again… That’s what I imagine reading this book is like. I’ll be checking Jesse’s review to see if this issue lives up to its promise.
Batman News Critic: Jesse
Graphic Novel Watch:
Batman Arkham Origins (Hardcover) – Based on the hit video game, this volume collects in print for the first time the ground-breaking, multi-path digital comic. This prequel story features an inexperienced Batman going up against crime bosses Black Mask and The Penguin for the first time!
Batman: The Jiro Kuwata Batmanga Book 1 (Softcover) – In the 1960s, at the height of the Batman TV series’ popularity, a shonen manga magazine in Japan serialized fifty-three chapters of original comics starring The Dark Knight, all written and illustrated by Managaka Jiro Kuwata. Now, DC Entertainment is proud to publish the complete Batman Manga adventures in English for the first time in three painstakingly restored volumes. The adventure begins when the Dynamic Duo faces the insidious threat of Lord Death Man!
Nightwing Vol. 1: Bludhaven (Softcover) – Nightwing flies solo in these 1990s stories from his 4-issue miniseries and issues #1-8 of his solo series! To kick things off, Nightwing uncovers new facts about the murder of his parents that suggests there was far more to their deaths than he ever suspected. But shadowy forces have reasons to keep the truth buried!
Futures End Vol. 1 (Softcover) – Five years from now, the DC Universe is reeling from a war with another Earth, leaving the world unprepared for an approaching evil that threatens to destroy the future. As heroes are turned into mindless villains, the planet as we know it is no more. The only salvation lies in the past, where this future apocalypse must be averted. Can a time-traveling Batman Beyond help a massive cast of the DCU’s finest avert the impending apocalypse in these stories from issues #0-17 of the new weekly series?
