Alright… I’m expecting some good stuff over the next month as we wrap up most of these arcs, and in some cases tease new arcs! However, if there’s one thing that I feel like the New 52 has done poorly, it’s been conclusions. I’m hoping that the end of the New 52 won’t bring about the same outcome as the arcs in a number of its titles. I’m going to cross my fingers, but I’m not going to hold my breath!
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…
March 4th
Detective Comics #40
Anarky rules! Can Batman save Gotham City from itself?
Written by Brian Buccellato and Francis Manapul
Art by Francis Manapul
Colored by Brian Buccellato
Cover by Francis Manapul
Random Blurb of Excitement: I really hope we get some closure with this issue, but that a chunk of this story continues on. If everything wraps up before Convergence, it’s going to feel a little sudden.
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Grayson #8
Grayson is about to fly over this issue’s cliffhanger with no safety net! You won’t believe what happens!
Written by Tom King
Pencils and Inks by Mikel Janin
Cover by Mikel Janin
Random Blurb of Excitement: While Grayson has been really strong month after month, I do feel that the arcing story is a little lacking. While the “mission of the month” format has definitely been entertaining, I’d really like to see Dick take risks and delve deeper into Spyral.
Batman News Critic: Jay
Batman Eternal #48
This month in BATMAN ETERNAL: The epic Bat-story over a year in the making comes to a stunning end! Gotham City is in flames! Villains are running wild in the streets! Bat-tech has been corrupted! And the mastermind behind it all has put a knife in Batman’s ribs! How will the Dark Knight put an end to this nightmare…and how will it shape the face of Gotham City to come?
Written by Kyle Higgins, Scott Snyder, and James Tynion IV
Pencils and Inks by Fernando Blanco
Colored by Marcelo Maiolo
Cover by Cliff Chiang
Random Blurb of Excitement: Who wants to bet they save the “reveal” for the last page of the book? And “how will it shape the face of Gotham City to come?” Well, clearly the outcome isn’t that bad since EVERY BAT BOOK picked up post Eternal back in October. Thank you, DC for crapping on the moment. As if the overly extended reveal of the big bad weren’t enough, you’ve ruined any suspense that should be tied to this book.
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Future’s End #44
The final stages of Brainiac’s plan come to fruition in this issue that leads directly into CONVERGENCE! The ripples of this story will literally be felt across the Multiverse.
Written by Brian Azzarello, Keith Giffen, Dan Jurgens, and Jeff Lemire
Pencils and Inks by Patrick Zircher
Colored by Hi-Fi
Cover by Ryan Sook
Random Blurb of Excitement: So, at this point I think it’s a given that I should pick-up these few remaining issues. How far back should I go?
Batman News Critic: Jesse
Harley Quinn #15
Harley was certain she could have it all: She could be the world’s best landlord, protect Coney Island from the scum of the Earth, woo Mason Macabre, work her day job as a psychiatrist, volunteer at the puppy shelter…but that’s a whole lot of spinning plates, and eventually they’re bound to start breaking! What happens when a psychopath cracks up? Is it possible for Harley to go even more insane?!
Written by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti
Pencils and Inks by Chad Hardin
Colored by Alex Sinclair
Cover by Amanda Conner, Paul Mounts, and Alex Sinclair
Random Blurb of Excitement: An even crazier Harley?!?! Yes please! (But I’m still going to wait for the trade.)
Batman News Critic: Elena
Justice League 3000 #15
Beetle and Booster! Fire and Ice! The Injustice League (no, not that one – this is a different one)! Plus, the stuff that’s on the cover! C’mon, people! We’re bending over backward here! Pick up this comic before it’s too late!
Written by J. M. DeMatteis and Keith Giffen
Pencils and Inks by Howard Porter
Colored by Hi-Fi
Cover by Hi-Fi and Howard Porter
Random Blurb of Excitement: I wasn’t reading this title but recently picked up the trade and really enjoyed it! It’s a fun book, and very entertaining. With that said, you might be wondering why I have this book listed so low on my list… It’s the same reason Harley Quinn is as low as it is. Since this book isn’t in continuity, I just don’t feel an urgency to read it right away. Whenever I get to it, I’m fine. But it is good, so if you’re not reading it, then you should at least check out the trade!
Batman News Critic: Sean
Green Arrow #40
A villain triumphant! A city out for blood! Can things get any worse for Green Arrow? You bet they can! Guest-starring Batman!
Written by Andrew Kreisberg and Ben Sokolowski
Pencils Daniel Sampere
Inks Jonathan Glapion and Daniel Henriques
Colored by Gabe Eltaeb
Cover by Bryan Hitch and Alex Sinclair
Random Blurb of Excitement: Hey, look at that! We’re covering Green Arrow because Batman is in it! I honestly don’t know what to expect. I recently picked up Jeff Lemire’s run of this book and LOVED IT, but haven’t read anything since. I’ve heard that the quality has dropped again, but I hope it isn’t too bad. But since Batman is involved, I’m going to make sure I catch up, provide a re-cap of this arc to date, then provide a full review of this issue.
Batman News Critic: Josh
Earth 2 #32
Earth-2 crumbles in the grip of Darkseid! Is this really the end of EARTH 2?
Written by Marguerite Bennett, Mike Johnson, and Daniel Wilson
Pencils by Andy Smith
Inks by John Trevor Scott
Colored by Peter Pantazis
Cover by Yildiray Cinar, Andrew Dalhouse, and Ken Lashley
Random Blurb of Excitement: Considering Convergence focuses heavily on Earth 2, we’re probably going to see another three months of this world crumbling…
Batman News Critic: Sean
Earth 2: World’s End #22
The end is near as Apokolips begins to devour Earth-2!
Written by Marguerite Bennett, Mike Johnson, and Daniel Wilson
Pencils by Jack Herbert, Jorge Jimenez, Tyler Kirkham, Eduardo Pansica, and Robson Rocha
Inks by Vicente Cifuentes, Marc Deering, Jorge Jimenez, Tyler Kirkham, and Guillermo Ortego
Colored by Gabe Eltaeb
Cover by Jorge Jimenez
Random Blurb of Excitement: Oh… and devouring too… another three months of devouring as well…
Batman News Critic: Sean
Notes:
- Arkham Manor: Endgame #1 has been pushed back to March 25th.
- Gotham Academy #6 has been pushed back to March 25th.
- Injustice: Gods Among Us Year Three #11 has been pushed back to March 11th.
- Secret Six #4 was supposed to be released this week… but we’re still waiting for issue 3, which won’t come out until March 11th. I’ve commented on this previously, but DC has completely removed issue #4 from the Secret Six page. I hope DC and the creative team take time during Convergence to get it together and get ahead.
Graphic Novel Watch:
Teen Titans Go! Vol. 1: Party, Party (Softcover) – Join Robin, Starfire, Beast Boy, Cyborg and Raven as they display their unique brand of hijinks, mayhem and justice in these stories from issues #1-6 of their new series! But giant pizza monsters aren’t the only dastardly and delicious villains on the menu…so dig in, Titans!
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 25, 2015: Batman #39 by Greg Capullo, Danny Miki, and Francisco Perez with 48% of the votes.
- Deathstroke #5 by Tony Salvador Daniel, Sandu Florea, and Tomeu Morey (10%)
2. Catwoman #39 by June Chung and Jae Lee (10%)
2. Batman Eternal #47 by June Chung, Jae Lee, and Marcelo Maiolo (10%)
3. Futures End #43 by Ryan Sook (6%)
4. Earth 2: World’s End #21 by Eddy Barrows, Gabe Eltaeb, and Eber Ferreira (4%)
5. Arkham Manor #5 by Shawn Crystal and Dave McCaig (3%)
5. Gotham Academy #5 by Becky Cloonan (3%)
6. Batman ’66 #20 by Mike Allred (2%)
6. Secret Origins #10 by Lee Bermejo, Bryan Hitch, and Alex Sinclair (2%)
6. Gotham by Midnight #4 by Ben Templesmith (2%)
