Happy President’s Day to all of our US readers! I know Canada has a number of holidays today as well, so I hope everyone is enjoying a restful Monday away from work! Also, happy (late) Valentine’s Day! Who celebrated by going to see Fifty Shades of Grey? I’m sad to say that I was one of the poor schmucks that was talked into going to see it. I must admit, it was bad, but I was expecting worse! So what did you do to celebrate? Dinner? Movie? A night alone on the couch reading the Harley Quinn Valentine’s Day Special with your twenty cats, dreaming of dating Bruce or Harley as you cried into your vanilla ice-cream because your life has actually become that vanilla (this might seem very specific, but it isn’t me… I have dogs… everything else may be accurate… allegedly…)? I’m kidding! But I do want to know what you did! Just try to keep it PG-13 for the younger audience that frequents the site. And more importantly, if you could repeat your Valentine’s Day with any character tied to the Batman universe, who would you share it with? Come on people! We all have comic book crushes! Spill the beans! Oh, and Brandon… considering your wife likes to dress up as Harley Quinn, I would be VERY CAREFUL in how you answer this question (…she reads these posts…).
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. Then, as always, you’ll find graphic novels scheduled for release this week, along with their cover as well thanks to some requests (note: graphic novel covers will not be included in the poll for best cover). 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…
February 18th
Justice League #39
“The Amazo Virus” concludes with haunting consequences!
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Jason Fabok
Colored by Brad Anderson
Cover by Brad Anderson and Jason Fabok
Random Blurb of Excitement: This issue wraps up the Amazo Virus arc, and while I’m excited to see how all of this ends, I am slightly worried at how quickly they’ll have to pull all of the pieces together. I trust Geoff Johns though, and I’m hoping for the best.
Batman News Critic: Terry
Batman/ Superman #19
Superman and Batman have learned the devastating truth behind the identity of the unseen terrorists they’ve been pursuing. But will they recover in time to stop them from killing more innocents?
Written by Greg Pak
Art by Ardian Syaf
Inks: Jonathan Glapion
Cover by Jonathan Glapion, Ulises Arreola Palomera, and Ardian Syaf
Random Blurb of Excitement: I said I was going to pick this back up after Jesse and Terry’s scores since the creative change, and I’m so glad I did! I almost gave this the top slot, but felt I might be a little too enthusiastic because I read three issues back to back. It is damn good though!
Batman News Critic: Terry
Batman & Robin #39
Has Damian Wayne become something more than human? And how do you control a reckless child who now has super powers?
Written by: Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils: Patrick Gleason
Inks: Mick Gray
Colored by: John Kalisz
Cover by: Patrick Gleason, Mick Gray, and John Kalisz
Random Blurb of Excitement: I really hope Damian’s super powers are a temporary thing, but I’m enjoying them for the moment. At the end of the day though, this book has a lot of heart, and I can’t get enough of seeing the dynamic between Bruce & Damian.
Batman News Critic: Terry (with a hat trick)
Injustice: Gods Among Us Year Three #10
A world-shattering magical battle is under way, involving some of the most powerful beings in the universe. Batman, Constantine and the Birds of Prey launch a full out assault on Swamp Thing and his allies. And Batman has a final good-bye with the last person he’d expect.
Written by Brian Buccellato
Pencils: Bruno Redondo
Cover by: Neil Googe and Rex Lokus
Random Blurb of Excitement: Year Three hasn’t been as ground breaking as Year One & Two, but it’s still an incredibly solid and fun book! I look forward to the digital issue each week!
Batman News Critic: Elena
Batman Eternal #46
Is Batman eternal? Perhaps…but only one of the Dark Knight’s foes truly knows the meaning of the word!
Written by Tim Seeley, Scott Snyder, and James Tynion IV
Pencils: Christian Duce and Alessandro Vitti
Inks: Christian Duce and Alessandro Vitti
Colored by Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
Cover by June Chung and Jae Lee
Random Blurb of Excitement: Am I excited to see Bruce and Ra’s interact? Of course! Do I think this issue is going to do anything to start closing out this story? No.
Batman News Critic: Brandon
The Multiversity: Mastermen #1
Superstar writer Grant Morrison joins legendary artist Jim Lee on Earth-10 for one of the most dynamic, action-packed issues of this entire world-shattering series – THE MULTIVERSITY: MASTERMEN!
Written by Grant Morrison
Pencils: Jim Lee
Inks: Sandra Hope, Mark Irwin, and Scott Williams
Colored by Alex Sinclair
Cover by Jim Lee, Alex Sinclair, and Scott Williams
Random Blurb of Excitement: Morrison has consistently delivered with this title, and I don’t expect anything less. The main reason this title isn’t higher on my list is simply because each issue is essentially a one-and-done. There have been some light connections with each issue, but nothing that really drives the plot – the exception being last month’s Guidebook.
Batman News Critic: Josh
Batgirl #39
For months, Batgirl’s been hounded by an unseen threat claiming to be the “real” Batgirl…and the truth of her enemy’s identity will shock her to her very core!
Written by: Brenden Fletcher, Cameron Stewart
Pencils: Babs Tarr
Inks: Babs Tarr
Colored by: Maris Wicks
Cover by: Cameron Stewart
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m still on the fence with this title. There are elements that I really love, and there are some that I’m not that crazy about. I’m hanging in there for now, but I would like to see Barbara act a little more like the Barbara we all know and love.
Batman News Critic: Elena
Teen Titans #7
There’s a monstrous evil lurking in the bowels of S.T.A.R. Labs! Can the Titans save the day before they become another experiment?
Written by Will Pfeifer
Pencils: Kenneth Rocafort
Inks: Dan Brown
Colored by Dan Brown
Cover by Bengal
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m really trying to hold on to hope with this title! I’m praying that this book kicks it into gear this week. I’m not sure if you’ve been reading the upcoming solicitations for this title, but a character is about to be reintroduced, and that alone could kick some momentum into this title.
Batman News Critic: Terry
Earth 2: World’s End #20
Apokolips’s plans for Earth-2 are finally revealed, leaving the heroes in shock!
Written by Marguerite Bennett, Mike Johnson, Daniel Wilson
Pencils: Jorge Jimenez, Tyler Kirkham, Robson Rocha, and RB Silva
Inks: Jorge Jimenez, Tyler Kirkham, Guillermo Ortego, and Walden Wong
Colored by Andrew Dalhouse
Cover by Guillem March and Tomeu Morey
Random Blurb of Excitement: I originally thought this book was going to build until the end, and then I learned that these characters will continue into Convergence, and then continue after that in another Earth 2 title… So I doubt anything ground breaking will happen anytime soon.
Batman News Critic: Sean
Futures End #42
Will Brainiac’s arrival be the catalyst that dooms the DCU to the future seen in issue #0? Brother Eye makes his move, and humanity may become collateral damage.
Written by Brian Azzarello, Keith Giffen, Dan Jurgens, and Jeff Lemire
Pencils: Scot Eaton
Inks: Scott Hanna
Colored by Hi-Fi
Cover by Ryan Sook
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m still not reading this book, but it looks as if it’s really ramping up the Convergence event! I willing to bet that you’ll see Jesse’s scores remain above average the next few weeks. I’m definitely going to be checking out his reviews to stay in the loop with what’s happening.
Batman News Critic: Jesse
Teen Titans Go! #8
The day the Titans have been dreading all year has finally arrived. A day of unimaginable pain. Insurmountable loneliness. Inconceivable amounts of ice cream. That’s right – it’s Valentine’s Day!
Written by Amy Wolfram
Pencils: Lea Hernandez
Inks: Lea Hernandez
Cover by Dan Hipp
Random Blurb of Excitement: Just for the sake of clarity, the only reason this book is so low on my list is because I’m not reading it, and it isn’t in my “wheelhouse.” It looks like a great family friendly book though, so if you have kiddos, pick it up!
Batman News Critic: Jay
Batwoman #39
The mystery of Red Alice! Is Batwoman’s sister truly reformed?
Written by Marc Andreyko
Pencils: Georges Jeanty
Inks: Karl Story and Dexter Vines
Colored by Guy Major
Cover by Rafael Albuquerque
Random Blurb of Excitement: Ugh… Jeanty is back… Last month was a step up in quality – largely thanks to the art – but I feel like this issue is going to dip back down again. I read the preview for this issue as well, and it was less than stellar…
Batman News Critic: Josh
Red Hood & the Outlaws #39
As Arsenal and Red Hood confront their demons, Starfire is out for blood when she hunts down the person responsible for her recent addiction. But will her act of vengeance help her – or destroy her?
Written by Scott Lobdell
Pencils: Tom Derenick
Inks: Wayne Faucher and Sean Parsons
Colored by Richard Horie
Cover by Wayne Faucher, Richard Horie, and RB Silva
Random Blurb of Excitement: I don’t know what’s going on here anymore… I might be a little more versed once Kori is gone… but that’s only if Scott Lobdell decides he wants to craft a good story. We’ll see…
Batman News Critic: Sean
Infinite Crisis: Fight for the Multiverse #9
The first mission comes to an end as the battle to save Nil reaches its conclusion. Facing impossible odds against Nightmare Brainiac and his legion of Nightmare Metallos, the heroes’ only hope is to reignite the defenses of the Monitor’s tower. And the person they have to rely on to do this is none other than Lex Luthor of the Gaslight World!
Art by: Christian Duce Fernandez, Szymon Kudranski, Eduardo Francisco
Cover by: Jason Paz, Carlo Pagulayan
Written by: Dan Abnett
Random Blurb of Excitement: I wonder which of Sean’s titles he dreads the most… This, World’s Finest, or another one of his titles?
Batman News Critic: Sean
Notes:
- As a reminder, Batman #39 and Gotham Academy #5 won’t be released until February 25th.
Graphic Novel Watch:
Batman: Blink (Softcover) – When a blind man with the power to see through the eyes of other men accidentally taps into the mind of a serial killer, Batman finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that reaches from the streets of Gotham City straight up into its cathedrals of power. Collects BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #156-158 and #164-167.
Damian, Son of Batman (Softcover) – Damian Wayne, the son of Batman, has adopted the cape and cowl as his own…but what horrific events set this troubled hero on the path of his dark destiny? It’s a possible future that may never be in this epic written and drawn by Andy Kubert! Plus, in a tale written by Grant Morrison, Damian Wayne is the Batman of Tomorrow in a story set 15 years from now in a nightmarish future Gotham City! Collecting DAMIAN: SON OF BATMAN #1-4 and BATMAN #666.
Cover of the Week
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!
Best Cover of February 11, 2015: Secret Six #2 by Dale Eaglesham with 28% of the votes.
- Harley Quinn Valentine’s Day Special #1 by Amanda Conner (25%)
3. Futures End #41 by Ryan Sook (14%)
4. Batman Eternal #45 by Ethan Van Sciver (13%)
5. Earth 2: World’s End #19 by Guillem March (5%)
6. Worlds’ Finest #31 by Yildiray Cinar (4%)
6. Injustice: God’s Among Us Year Three #9 by Neil Googe (4%)
6. New Suicide Squad #7 by Juan Ferreyra (4%)
7. Justice League 3000 #14 by Howard Porter
