Upcoming Comics: April 8, 2015

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! I was originally going to have dinner with some friends, but I’m home nursing a sick dog (they really are like kids sometimes). I do have a stash of candy and chocolate readily available though – including a giant Cadbury bunny – so I think I’ll be ok. Anyway, last week we were introduced to Convergence. I didn’t think it was bad, but I wasn’t jumping out of my seat either. I’m still curious to see what DC does with all of this… I’m honestly just praying that it doesn’t turn out to be a mess. I’m crossing my fingers and toes, and saying some prayers…

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…
April 8^th

 

Convergence: The Question #1
STARRING HEROES FROM THE PRE-FLASHPOINT DCU! Two-Face is fighting another world’s Harvey Dent, and it’s up to Renee Montoya as The Question to help him beat the odds.

Written by Greg Rucka
Pencils and Inks by Cully Hamner
Colored by Dave McCaig
Cover by Cully Hamner and Dave McCaig

Random Blurb of Excitement: This is easily the book I’m most excited to read this week! How could you not be excited? Greg Rucka is writing Renee, Two Face, Helena, and Kate… I’ve been missing this for years now! I’m so freaking excited!

Batman News Critic: Elena

 

Convergence: Nightwing/ Oracle #1
STARRING HEROES FROM THE PRE-FLASHPOINT DCU! Just as they’ve finally been reunited, the romance between Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon is sentenced to execution by Flashpoint Hawkman and Hawkwoman!

Written by Gail Simone
Pencils by Jan Duursema
Inks by Dan Parsons
Colored by Wes Dzioba
Cover by Jill Thompson

Random Blurb of Excitement: Oracle Babs. Dick. Together again, under the direction of Gail Simmone… I would expect some good stuff! The only thing I’m not so sure about is the Hawkman and Hawkwoman bit. But who cares? It’s Babs and Dick together again!         

Batman News Critic: Elena

 

 

Convergence #1
This is it! The entire DC Universe, from the dawn of time through The New 52, must fight to survive against a threat that bends the Multiverse to its will. Your favorite characters from every era and every forgotten series are all here! But are you going to say hello again just to say goodbye forever? The stakes have never been higher as the heroes of Crisis, Zero Hour, Elseworlds, and more are brought together for Convergence!

Written by Scott Lobdell
Pencils  by Carlo Pagulayan
Inks by Jason Paz
Cover by Joe Prado and Ivan Reis

Random Blurb of Excitement: Ok… I know this is Scott Lobdell, but this has the potential of being good… so I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt for now. Once I read this issue, I’ll have more of an idea of the quality to expect. I’m hoping for some solid work…

Batman News Critic: Brandon

 

 

Convergence: Batman & Robin #1
STARRING HEROES FROM THE PRE-FLASHPOINT DCU! Being trapped in a domed city makes for a tense, inescapable family reunion as Batman struggles to keep the friction between Damian Wayne and Jason Todd from exploding!

Written by Ron Marz
Pencils by Denys Cowan
Inks by Klaus Janson
Colored by Chris Sotomayor
Cover by Denys Cowan, Klaus Janson, and Chris Sotomayor

Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m pretty excited for this, but I’m not familiar with Ron Marz’s work at all… so despite my excitement, there’s also a looming hesitation to publicly announce that I can’t wait for this book as I did for Convergence: Question.

Batman News Critic: Terry

 

 

Convergence: Batgirl #1
STARRING HEROES FROM THE PRE-FLASHPOINT DCU! After a year living under the confinement of the dome, Stephanie Brown isn’t sure she wants to be Batgirl again. But when she’s attacked by Catman and Gorilla Grodd from the world of Flashpoint, she’s forced to put on the cape and cowl to fight alongside Red Robin and Cassandra Cain!

Written by Alisa Kwitney
Pencils by Rick Leonardi
Inks by Mark Pennington
Colored by Steve Buccellato
Cover by Steve Buccellato, Dan Green, and Rick Leonardi

Random Blurb of Excitement: Again, I’m not too familiar with the writer here. I looked her up, but it looks like this is her first dip into comics. She has adapted comics to novels previously, so I guess it’s good that the world isn’t new to her. As for the book itself, I’m super excited to see Cassandra and Tim (since the New 52 has done a crap job with him), and if Stephanie is written as well as she was for her Batgirl book, then I’ll be happy to see her too!

Batman News Critic:  Josh

 

 

Convergence: Harley Quinn #1
STARRING HEROES FROM THE PRE-FLASHPOINT DCU! Life for Harley Quinn has become downright normal over the last year. Will she be ready to go nuts when Catwoman and Poison Ivy draft her to fight – Captain Carrot?!

Written by Steve Pugh
Pencils by Phil Winslade
Inks by John Dell
Colored by Chris Chuckry
Cover by Steve Pugh

Random Blurb of Excitement: I honestly have no idea what to expect here! Based on the cover, I’d definitely say it’s going to lean towards the Gotham City Sirens type of vibe, but when you consider the recent success of Harley Quinn, you can’t help but wonder if they’ll stick to something similar… Also, there’s Captain Carrot…

Batman News Critic: Elena

 

 

Batman: Arkham Knight #2
Shipping twice in April! In issue 2, will the Clown Prince of Crime have the last laugh from inside the grave? Find out when Harley Quinn is Batman’s only hope to save Commissioner Gordon from The Joker’s Last Will and Testament!

Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils by Ig Guara
Inks by Julio Ferreira

Random Blurb of Excitement:  I’m reading this digitally, and I really enjoyed the issues that made up the first issue… but I wasn’t as much of a fan about the digital issue that make up issue two. It wasn’t bad by any means, but it didn’t live up to the first issue in my opinion.  Again, it wasn’t terrible, but I don’t really have a desire to pick it up and read it again. I’m curious to see Jay’s review of it.

Batman News Critic: Jay

 

Notes:

As a reminder, Batman #40, Justice League #40, and Multiversity #2 have been pushed back until April 29th.

 

Graphic Novel Watch:

Harley Quinn Vol. 1: Hot in the City (Softcover) – The sensational series that gave Harley Quinn her own New 52 spotlight is collected from the star-studded #0 issue to issue #8! Don’t miss Harley’s big move to Coney Island as she becomes a roller derby queen – all while she carries on in her criminal career!

 

Harley Quinn Vol. 2: Power Outage (Hardcover) – The first rule of Skate Club is…you do not mess with the Mistress of Mayhem! Harley stumbles across an underground fight club where big money equals big body counts! She’s in…and she’s making Sy Borgman her agent. Plus, what would happen if the demented Clown Princess of Crime visited the most popular comic con out there? And Harley attempts to rescue Poison Ivy – with smelly results! Collects HARLEY QUINN #9-13, HARLEY QUINN: FUTURES END #1, a story from SECRET ORIGINS #4 and the star-studded HARLEY QUINN INVADES COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL: SAN DIEGO #1!

 

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!