Last week we delivered the sad news of Jesse’s departure from the site. Well, soon-to-be departure… He’s sticking around to finish Futures End because he’s cool like that! This week, we’re bringing you some good news, and announcing our new Batman News Critic that will fill Jesse’s shoes! Bat ladies and gents, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to Terry!
Reviews:
- Batman & Robin
- Batman/ Superman
- Justice League
- Teen Titans
Hello citizens of Batman-News! I’m your Gotham correspondent and fellow Bat-thusiast, Terry! I’ve been enamored by the legend that is the Dark Knight for some 20 odd years and I can confidently say that it is a love affair that shows no signs of slowing down. I’ve spent plenty of free time analyzing the many nuances of the B-Man’s relationship with his extended family and the Rogue Gallery, and I am completely honored to be a part of the team. Let’s grow together as new stories unfold! LONG LIVE THE BAT!!!
Make sure you welcome Terry to the team! All four of his titles are released in the same week, so he’s going to be a busy man one week out of each month! Maybe DC will change-up their release schedule once Convergence concludes so he can spread his workload around!
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. After that, you’ll find a poll for this week’s best cover! Should you have trouble picking one cover, no worries! The poll is open so you can select as many covers as you’d like. And of course, I (we) want to hear from you in the comments section! 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…
January 21st
Justice League #38
The Amazo Virus infects the last Leaguer standing: Batman!
Art by: Jason Fabok
Cover by: Scott Williams, Jim Lee
Variant cover by: Francis Manapul, Tony Harris
Written by: Geoff Johns
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m sure you know this already, but I’ve really been enjoying this run. I think it’s well written, and I feel like it’s setting up some really solid plots for the future of Justice League!
Batman News Critic: Terry
Batman & Robin #38
The team of Batman and Robin are together again! But what is the new dynamic for this crimefighting duo now that Damian has super powers of his own?
Art by: Mick Gray, Patrick Gleason
Cover by: Mick Gray, Patrick Gleason
Variant cover by: Dave Bullock
Written by: Peter J. Tomasi
Random Blurb of Excitement: Damian is back! I’m still not completely on board with him being a mini-Superman, but so far it hasn’t been too bad. The preview that was released looked decent, so I’m going to have faith in Tomasi and trust him. And in honor of Damian’s return, all I have to say is “<tt>”
Batman News Critic: Terry
Batman Eternal #42
You’ve been waiting for the debut of Bluebird – and here it is, though this story may not have a happy ending!
Art by: Joseph A Quinones Jr.
Cover by: Joe Prado, Ivan Reis
Written by: Tim Seeley, Kyle Higgins, Ray Fawkes, James T Tynion IV, Scott Snyder
Random Blurb of Excitement: I don’t want to say that I haven’t enjoyed Eternal lately, but the book pretty much lost all of its momentum once the team stopped Hush and discredited Bard. We’re in the 11th hour of this arc… we shouldn’t be introducing new possibilities, we should be racing to the finish.
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Earth 2: World’s End #16
The avatar of the Red of Earth 2 is released – and the battle turns for the heroes of Earth 2 as her power is used for both good and evil.
Art by: Jorge Jimenez, Eduardo Pansica, Eddy Barrows, Jack Herbert
Cover by: Guillem March
Written by: Mike Johnson, Marguerite Bennett, Daniel H. Wilson
Random Blurb of Excitement: This title has been above average, but not great. If you plan on reading Convergence, you’ll probably want to read this as well because based on the solicitations that DC released for Convergence, this book will be the catalyst for those events! I guess I’m excited? I’m still not too sure how I feel about the whole thing, but I have an open mind.
Batman News Critic: Sean
Teen Titans #6
The fight for the soul of the Teen Titans continues as S.T.A.R. Labs and the team find themselves bonding over a new common enemy, just as the Titans bring in a new member: Power Girl.
Art by: Scott Hepburn
Cover by: Kalman Andrasofszky
Written by: Will Pfeifer
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’ve been supporting this book, but last month was the first time I felt unsure. DC has had a problem with some of their books not really having any direction recently, and I hope this title isn’t slipping into that spin. It had such a strong debut, and has so much potential at the moment, that I really hope it takes off soon.
Batman News Critic: Terry
Batman/ Superman #18
Superman uncovers the identity of the unseen terror that has been destroying targets related to him, while Batman seeks to protect Lois Lane! This time the truth will hurt in more ways than Superman could imagine!
Art by: Sandra Hope, Ardian Syaf
Cover by: Danny Miki, Ardian Syaf
Variant cover by: Juanjo, Scott Williams, Jim Lee
Written by: Greg Pak
Random Blurb of Excitement: I dropped this book when it was facing all of its delays, and felt pretty burned by it, so I didn’t pick it up when the new creative team took over. That being said, Jesse seemed to enjoy the change quite a bit, and that praise has been tickling my mind and my wallet to jump back in! I’ll be interested to see Terry’s thoughts on this.
Batman News Critic: Terry
Futures End #38
The fight you knew was coming since issue #12 – and you’ve been dreading since issue #23! Batman, Batman Beyond, Tim Drake, and…you know who!
Art by: Andy McDonald
Cover by: Ryan Sook
Written by: Keith Giffen, Dan Jurgens, Jeff Lemire, Brian Azzarello
Random Blurb of Excitement: I haven’t been reading this title, so I really don’t know who the “you know who” is… Based on the cover, I’m assuming Brother Eye Joker from the future? Yes? No? Before I dropped this title, I remember enjoying the Tim Drake plot, but felt the Batman Beyond plot was pretty lackluster considering that this was his introduction into DC continuity.
Batman News Critic: Jesse
Red Hood & the Outlaws #38
Jason Todd risks everything to save Starfire as he takes on Crux high over the skies above Arkham Asylum! He may be outmatched, but Jason Todd has a new secret weapon: the power of the super-drug Venom.
Art by: RB Silva
Cover by: RB Silva
Written by: Scott Lobdell
Random Blurb of Excitement: I honestly have no idea what’s going on in this book… No clue. How’s this venom arc going Sean?
Batman News Critic: Sean
Batwoman #38
Batwoman’s team of misfit vigilantes known as the Unknowns continues to dig deep into the cult rampaging across Gotham City!
Art by: Jason Masters
Cover by: Rafael Albuquerque
Written by: Marc Andreyko
Random Blurb of Excitement: Ok… They’re not a team, so much as a group of people that are randomly tied to an event. That being said, I’m not that excited to read this. On a more positive note, Jason Masters is on art duties, so that’s at least better than Jeanty!
Batman News Critic: Josh
Infinite Crisis: Fight for the Multiverse #7
Three new Multiverse heroes struggle to defend the world of Nil from a siege by an army of Nightmare Metallos. Batman and his first team arrive, but it may be too late for Dr. Fate, Power Girl and Green Arrow. And where is Nix Uotan, last of the Monitors?
Art by: Agustin Padilla, Emanuel Simeoni, Christian Duce Fernandez
Cover by: Philip Tan
Written by: Dan Abnett
Random Blurb of Excitement: I know I complain about some of the books I’m reading, but I really feel for Sean on this one… I’m not reading the title, but I think he’s only had semi-positive nice things to say about this book once.
Batman News Critic: Sean
Notes:
- Batman #38 has been pushed back to 1/28 (forgot to mention this last week).
- Harley Quinn has also been pushed back to 1/28.
- Multiversity has been pushed back to 1/28.
- Gotham Academy #4 has been pushed back another week to 1/28.
Graphic Novel Watch:
Beware the Batman Vol. 1 (Softcover) – In this all-ages title based on the Cartoon Network series, Bruce Wayne and his butler, former secret spy Alfred Pennyworth, take on Gotham City’s worst evildoers! Batman’s skills will be put to the test against villains Professor Pyg, Man-Bat, Tobias Whale and more in stories from issues #1-6.
Birds of Prey Vol. 5: Soul Crisis (Softcover) – The Birds find a new benefactor and a new mission: to take down Ra’s al Ghul! But when Black Canary confronts the Demon’s Head, he makes her an offer that could save her husband! Will she take him up on it? Find out in these stories from issues #25, 27-34 and BIRDS OF PREY: FUTURES END #1.
JLA Vol. 6 (Softcover) – With Wonder Woman’s Lasso of Truth severed, the very concept of truth has been fractured – and the Justice League must contend with a world redefined by the dreams and fears of the human race. Then, the JLA battles for control of Atlantis with the help of some mages…and when only Batman remains, the Dark Knight assembles an unexpected new Justice League! Don’t miss this title collecting JLA #61-76.
Now, with all of this week’s releases listed above, it’s time for you to sound off! What’s the best cover that is being released this week? If you’re like me, and can’t decide on just one, then you can select multiple if you would like. Vote using the poll below, and we’ll announce the winner next week. Last week’s winner can be found in the spoiler tag!
Last week’s winner was pretty much a landslide!
Best cover of January 14, 2015:Grayson #6 by Mikel Janin
