Upcoming Comics: March 18, 2015

Well, we’re slowly making our way through March… but I think most of us will look back at March of 2015 as the month of delays. Lots and lots of delays. And naturally, there are more this week (see below in the Notes section for details)! On the positive note, since some of these books are getting pushed into April, at least we’ll have something to look forward to if Convergence is a complete and total bust… Other than that, we should get DC’s solicitations for June tomorrow, so I’ll have that post for you by Tuesday morning! Make sure you come back to check out some of the changes and shake-ups that are taking place!

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 18^th

Batman/ Superman #20
The devastating truth behind the terrorists from Kandor has been uncovered! Now, Superman and Batman must piece together who set this plan in motion and stop them before more innocent lives are destroyed!

Written by Greg Pak
Pencils by Ardian Syaf
Colored by Ulises Arreola Palomera
Cover by Sandra Hope Archer, Ulises Arreola Palomera, and Ardian Syaf

Random Blurb of Excitement: I’ve really enjoyed this arc, and I’m definitely looking forward to see how this team wraps everything up! I made the mistake of not giving this title a shot when the creative change took place, and I was really missing out. So if you’re like me, and Lee’s delays really turned you off, then get over it and come pick this book up.

Batman News Critic: Terry

 

Injustice: Gods Among Us Year Three #12
The “Year of Magic” comes to its stunning conclusion as John Constantine must make a fateful decision. But where will this leave Batman and his allies? Have they sufficiently crippled Superman, or will they find themselves in a situation that’s worse than ever?

Written by Brian Buccellato
Pencils by Bruno Redondo
Cover by Aaron Lopresti

Random Blurb of Excitement: In comparison, Year Three hasn’t been nearly as impressive as the two previous years. It’s still a solid book though, so if you’re reading the floppies, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. Hopefully the energy will pick up in Year 4, because this year never quite seemed to reach it’s potential.

Batman News Critic: Elena

 

Batgirl #40
A decision Barbara made during her darkest days in Gotham City returns to haunt her! What was it? And how does it tie into the evil impostor Batgirl? Find out here!

Written by Brenden Fletcher and Cameron Stewart
Pencils by Babs Tarr
Colored by Maris Wicks
Cover by Cameron Stewart

Random Blurb of Excitement: I’ve been pretty vocal about being on the fence with this book – and I still am – but I definitely think that this could ultimately be a turning point. One of my biggest issues has been Barbara, so this issue could either make or break my overall opinion on the matter.

Batman News Critic: Elena

 

Teen Titans #8
The Titans’ world is rocked by the unexpected return of Superboy!

Written by Will Pfeifer
Pencils by Kenneth Rocafort
Inks and Colors by Dan Brown
Cover by Bengal

Random Blurb of Excitement: This book started off amazingly well, then got rocky pretty quickly. The last issue felt as though the book had found its footing though, and I’m hoping that Superboy is the catalyst that launches this book forward!

Batman News Critic: Terry

 

Futures End #46
“How would you feel, McG, if the future you came here to prevent doesn’t exist?” A reluctant hero rises as we realize the world still needs saving.

Written by Brian Azzarello, Keith Giffen, Dan Jurgens, and Jeff Lemire
Pencils by Scot Eaton
Inks by Scott Hanna
Colored by Hi-Fi
Cover by Ryan Sook

Random Blurb of Excitement: The Brainiac stuff was really good, but he’s gone now, and we’re back to Brother Eye. It’s not as bad as it used to be, but it did feel like the last issue took a slight dip in quality. Regardless, this book is ending on a high note, unlike the other two weekly titles.

Batman News Critic: Jesse

 

Batman Eternal #50
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 Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV
Pencils by Alvaro Martinez Bueno
Inks by Raul Fernandez
Colored by June Chung
Cover by Cliff Chiang

Random Blurb of Excitement: How crappy would it be if the second to last page of Eternal #52 was the same page that was featured on page one of issue #1, and then the last page was the reveal of the big bad, only to end as  cliff hanger leading into Eternal Year 2, instead of leading directly into Endgame… Yeah, I’d be pretty pissed too! Give us something already! Snyder is trying to change everything, including the Pope in Batman, it’d be nice if he progressed this book along as well…

Batman News Critic: Brandon

 

Batgirl: Endgame #1
There’s a mob of Jokerized madmen in Gotham City, and they’re determined to spread the virus into the world beyond… but they’re gonna have to get past Batgirl first! There are no words that can describe “The Battle For The Burnside Bridge”– you’ve got to see it to believe it!

Written by Brenden Fletcher and Cameron Stewart
Pencils, Inks, and Colors by Bengal
Cover by Rafael Albuquerque

Random Blurb of Excitement: Ok… Detective Comics: Endgame was total crap! HOWEVER, I saw the preview for this issue, and it didn’t look nearly as bad… There was no dialogue, but it looked much better. I’d be lying if I said that last week’s tie-in didn’t leave a bad taste in my mouth though… No more tie-ins DC unless they’re actually going to be or feel relevant to the story.

Batman News Critic: Elena

 

Earth 2: World’s End #24
Power Girl vs. Darkseid!

Written by Marguerite Bennett, Mike Johnson, and Daniel Wilson
Pencils Eddy Barrows, Jorge Jimenez, and Tyler Kirkham
Inks by Eber Ferreira, Jorge Jimenez, and Tyler Kirkham
Colored by Andrew Dalhouse
Cover by Ben Oliver

Random Blurb of Excitement: Just destroy Earth 2 already!

Batman News Critic: Sean

 

Red Hood & the Outlaws #40
After months of turmoil, Red Hood, Starfire, and Arsenal are facing their inner demons! But what they find could lead to the end of their partnership – especially if Blackfire kills them first!

Written by Scott Lobdell
Pencils by Tom Derenick
Inks by Wayne Faucher and Sean Parsons
Colored by Richard Horie
Cover by Wayne Faucher and Richard Horie

Random Blurb of Excitement: Well, I think we all know that Blackfire doesn’t kill them considering they all have books in June… This has the potential to be decent, but I don’t have much faith in it.

Batman News Critic: Sean

 

Batwoman #40
Where will Batwoman’s adventure with her “anti-team,” The Unknowns take them? And what’s next for Kate Kane?

Written by Marc Andreyko
Pencils by Georges Jeanty
Inks by Karl Story and Dexter Vines
Colored by Guy Major
Cover by Rafael Albuquerque

Random Blurb of Excitement: Dear DC and Andreyko, in response to the questions in the solicitation, I’d like to say: NOBODY CARES!!! (You all realize we’re going to space right?…)

Batman News Critic: Josh

 

Infinite Crisis: Fight for the Multiverse #9
A new adventure begins for Prime Batman and his band of heroes from across the multiverse. Atomic Wonder Woman battles Killer Croc and discovers he’s been guarding a secret – a massive, ominous device buried under the surface that is not from her world.

Written by Dan Abnett
Pencils by Christian Duce
Cover by Carlo Pagulayan and Jason Paz

Random Blurb of Excitement: I have no idea what’s going on in this book… but I can tell you that Sean has just been meh about it…

Batman News Critic: Sean

 

Notes:

• If you’re wondering where my review for Secret Six #3 is, then I regret to inform you that it wasn’t released. In fact, DC has completely removed that issue from their website… Hopefully they take the next two months to get their act together, and hype up this issue before releasing it… The book will need the support.
• Batman & Robin #41, Multiversity: Ultra Comics #1, Arkham Manor: Endgame #1 and Gotham Academy #6 have been pushed back to March 25^th.
• Harley Quinn #16 has been pushed back until April 1st.
• Batman #40 and Justice League #40 have been pushed back until April 29th.

 

Graphic Novel Watch:

Batman ’66 Meets the Green Hornet (Hardcover) – Superstar filmmaker Kevin Smith and actor/comedian Ralph Garman reunite Batman, The Green Hornet, Robin and Kato! But what could force these rivals to join forces? How about the deadly team of General Gumm and The Joker! Don’t miss this hardcover collecting the 6-issue miniseries. Copublished with Dynamite.

Justice League of America Vol. 2: Survivors of Evil (Softcover) – As the smoke clears from TRINITY WAR, the JLA is dead, betrayed by one of their own. But Martian Manhunter and Stargirl live to fight another day, only to find themselves trapped on an alien world under the control of a group of Super-Villains. Collecting issues #8-14!

 

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!