I’m not going to lie, I’m really freaking excited for Christmas! I feel like Will Ferrell in Elf. I just want to walk around screaming “SANTA!!!!”
And what makes it even better, is that we have a ton of books that are getting released on Christmas Eve! A good chunk of them are Annuals, so it will be a busy week of lots of over-sized goodness! I can’t wait! Now, that being said, please keep in mind that it is Christmas Eve, so we might be a little slower in getting reviews to you since most of us will be traveling or with family. And if you happen to get any awesome Batman gifts for Christmas or Hanukkah, post pictures 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…
December 24th
Grayson Annual #1
At last – it’s the secret origin of Helena Bertinelli!
Art by: Stephen Mooney
Cover by: Mikel Janin
Written by: Tom King, Tim Seeley
Random Blurb of Excitement: This easily tops my list this week! Why? Two words: Bertinelli. Origin. (drops mic)
Batman News Critic: Jesse
Catwoman Annual #2
The Hasagaua crime family has been a big thorn in Selina’s side as she grapples with the underworld. Now learn the secret of how their stories intersect!
Art by: Patrick Olliffe
Cover by: Garry Brown
Written by: Genevieve Valentine
Random Blurb of Excitement: This book has been so subtly detailed and smartly written, that it’s quickly and easily become one of my favorite books! If you haven’t been reading Catwoman since the creative change, you need to catch up. I’m curious to see Olliffe’s art with Valentine’s script. His art is cleaner, so I’m not sure if the book will carry the same tone and grittiness. Either way, it should be good.
Batman News Critic: Josh
Robin Rises: Alpha #1
It all ends here! Batman’s been to the hells of Apokalips and back just to retrieve his son’s body. But what has he brought back with him? And who is the new Robin?
Art by: Jonathan Glapion, Andy Kubert
Cover by: Andy Kubert
Variant cover by: Cliff Chiang
Written by: Peter J. Tomasi
Random Blurb or Excitement: This issue better kick ass! That’s all I have to say. Thanks.
Batman News Critic: Jesse
Batman Annual #3
Don’t miss this top-secret tale that ties in to the “Endgame” storyline running now in BATMAN – sorry, but that’s all we can tell you! Trust us – it’s going to be big!
Art by: Roge Antonio
Cover by: Rafael Albuquerque
Written by: James T Tynion IV
Random Blurb of Excitement: Let me be VERY CLEAR, the ONLY reason this isn’t number one on my list, is because Snyder and Capulo aren’t working on it. I’m sure they had input, but it still won’t be the same. And this shouldn’t be taken as a jab at Tynion or Antonio, it’s just that Snyder and Capulo work so well together.
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Injustice: Gods Among Us Year Three #6
Swamp Thing has an answer for Constantine’s request, but it’s not the one the mage had hoped to hear – and a major rift severs the uneasy alliance these two have shared. Plus, Constantine tells Batman that they now have a new, more deadly foe to face!
Art by: Mike S. Miller, Bruno Redondo
Cover by: Neil Googe
Written by: Tom Taylor
Random Blurb of Excitement: I honestly have no idea if this is what is actually releasing this week… DC’s solicitations for this title have been all over the place, and I can’t keep up… That being said, Injustice is getting back into the quality storytelling we’ve come to know and love.
Batman News Critic: Elena
Batman Eternal #38
The refugees from Arkham Asylum think there’s safety in numbers – but not if one of them is Bane!
Art by: Andrea Mutti
Cover by: Tommy Lee Edwards
Written by: Tim Seeley, Kyle Higgins, Ray Fawkes, James T Tynion IV, Scott Snyder
Random Blurb of Excitement: The only thing this little Arkham stunt reminds me of is Arkham War… Remember that pile of crap? I know… I tried to forget it as well…
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Earth 2: World’s End #12
The epic battle rages on as elemental Avatars of Earth-2 try to take down The Furies of Apokolips!
Art by: Jorge Jimenez, Jack Herbert, Jan Duursema-Mandrake, Robson Rocha
Cover by: Jae Lee
Written by: Mike Johnson, Marguerite Bennett, Daniel H. Wilson
Random Blurb of Excitement: World’s End has gotten its act together the past few issues, and it’s been really enjoyable. It’s reminded me of how much I enjoyed Earth 2 its first year to two years!
Batman News Critic: Sean
Harley Quinn #13
Harley Quinn and Power Girl! The team-up that no one said could last ends with spectacular violence!
Art by: Chad Hardin
Cover by: Amanda Conner
Variant cover by: Darwyn Cooke, Amanda Conner
Written by: Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner
Random Blurb of Excitement: I haven’t been reading the monthlies, so I can’t speak to this title very well at the moment, but I am desperately waiting for the trades to come out!
Batman News Critic: Elena
Gotham by Midnight #2
Internal Affairs Agent Rook is learning the Midnight Shift really does have the hard cases – and Jim Corrigan may not be able to bail him out. At least, not without some divine intervention! But can Corrigan risk letting loose the wrath of God, especially against a departed sister?
Art by: Ben Templesmith
Cover by: Ben Templesmith
Variant cover by: Ray Fawkes
Written by: Ray Fawkes
Random Blurb of Excitement: This is another title that I’m waiting for the trade on, but I find the concept very intriguing. I’m not sure if it will be right for me, so I’m looking forward to Elena’s future reviews.
Batman News Critic: Elena
Batman ’66 #18
Two Bat-tales in one issue! When Barbara Gordon finds her library attacked by the Bookworm, it’s time for Batgirl to sprint into action. Meanwhile, Batman and Robin find things in Gotham City turned upside down when the Archer steals the GCPD’s computer and gives the criminals the upper hand on the police.
Art by: Dave Bullock, Richard Case
Cover by: Mike Allred
Written by: Tom Peyer, Jeff Parker
Random Blurb of Excitement: Who doesn’t love ’66 Batgirl? I know I do!
Batman News Critic: Jay
Secret Origins #8
Three more stars of the DC Universe shine as their origin stories are revealed! Don’t miss the DC Comics – The New 52 origins of Grayson by Tim Seeley, Tom King and Stephen Mooney; Animal Man by Jeff Lemire and Travel Foreman; and Katana by Ann Nocenti and Cliff Richards!
Art by: Stephen Mooney, Cliff Richards, Travel Foreman
Cover by: Bryan Hitch
Written by: Ann Nocenti, Jeff Lemire, Tom King, Tim Seeley
Random Blurb of Excitement: I doubt this will have anything groundbreaking, but I’m excited! I’m a big fan of both Dick and Katana, so this should be pretty enjoyable. Unfortunately, Nocenti has writing credit, so that’s a downer.
Batman News Critic: Josh (I’m filling in for Elena this month.)
Arkham Manor #3
All is not as it seems as Batman’s plans unravel in Arkham Manor, and Jack Shaw investigates the serial killer who’s murdering inmates!
Art by: Shawn Crystal
Cover by: Shawn Crystal
Variant cover by: Chris Brunner
Written by: Gerry Duggan
Random Blurb of Excitement: It’s hard to feel any excitement or motivation towards this title now that I know it’s ending in March… but now I’m curious to see what they do with this book to close it out… or if they make it relevant enough to stand on it’s own as a graphic novel.
Batman News Critic: Elena
Red Hood & the Outlaws Annual #2
Red Hood, Arsenal and Starfire face the one enemy they may not be able to defeat: the holidays!
Art by: Jonboy Meyers
Cover by: Walden Wong, RB Silva
Written by: Scott Lobdell
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m not going to lie… this sounds like a nightmare….
Batman News Critic: Sean
Futures End #34
Thirty-five years from now, Brother Eye continues to prove that he won’t allow himself to be beaten. Five years from now, it’s clear that he may already have won.
Art by: Patrick Zircher
Cover by: Ryan Sook
Written by: Keith Giffen, Dan Jurgens, Jeff Lemire, Brian Azzarello
Random Blurb of Excitement: Yep… another week…
Batman News Critic: Jesse
Graphic Novel Watch
Tales of the Batman: Len Wein (Hardcover) – These tales from the 1970s, written by Len Wein, pit Batman against the villainy of The Joker, The Riddler, Catwoman, Mr. Freeze, Ra’s al Ghul and many others. Collected from BATMAN #307-310, #312-319, #321-324, #326-327, DETECTIVE COMICS #408, #444-448, #466, #478-479, #500 and #514 and UNTOLD LEGENDS OF THE BATMAN #1-3.
