Upcoming Comics: April 15, 2015

This week, we’ll move into our second full week of Convergence, and I’m pleasantly surprised that I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read so far. It appears as though the Convergence tie-ins for the month of April are mainly focusing on the characters and setting us up for the fights to come, while May will be a total war… In other words, I think we’ll all enjoy the April issues, and the May issues are questionable. And as for the main title, I want to get a few more issues in before I form a decision on it.

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 15^th

Convergence: Batman: Shadow of the Bat #1
STARRING HEROES FROM ZERO HOUR! Fresh out of recovery from a broken back, Bruce Wayne infiltrates the organized crime underworld, but the outlaw sent to test his mettle is none other than Azrael!

Written by Larry Hama
Pencils by Philip Tan
Inks by Jason Paz
Colored by Ellery Santos
Cover by Ellery Santos and Philip Tan

Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m not going to lie, I’m excited to see Azrael. I feel like it would be interesting to see how Azrael fits into current cannon, so this essentially feels like a step in that direction. I’m not familiar with Larry Hama’s (G.I. Joe) work though, so I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

Batman News Critic: Jay

 

 

Convergence: Catwoman #1
STARRING HEROES FROM ZERO HOUR! A year under the dome can change anyone – even Catwoman. She’s set aside her life of crime to become the protector of Suicide Slum, but when the dome falls she will face her greatest challenge: Kingdom Come Batman!

Written by Justin Gray
Pencils by Ron Randall
Inks by Ron Randall
Colored by Gabe Eltaeb

Random Blurb of Excitement: Remember when I announced that I hadn’t read Kingdom Come? Well, guess what! I’ve read it now! I really enjoyed the story, I loved the theme, and I can’t wait to see the dynamic between Kingdom Come Batman, and Zero Hour Catwoman. I’m willing to put money down that this issue will be better than anything Nocenti did… (This poor woman is never going to be able to separate herself from her Catwoman run…)

Batman News Critic: Josh

 

 

Convergence: Suicide Squad #1
STARRING HEROES FROM ZERO HOUR! When Kingdom Come’s floating fortress of New Oa threatens Metropolis, it’s up to Amanda Waller to assemble a team of Metropolis’s deadliest villains to stop it.

Written by Frank Tieri
Pencils and by Tom Mandrake
Colored by Sian Mandrake
Cover by John Paul Leon

Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m hoping, with every ounce of hope that I can muster, that this book makes New Suicide Squad look like the crap that it is… Just saying. Oh, and this roster kicks ass!

Batman News Critic: Josh

 

 

Convergence #2
As Telos, the Planet Incarnate, easily defeats the survivors of Earth 2, Thomas Wayne and Dick Grayson set off to find help in the pre-Flashpoint Gotham City. The emotional implication of these worlds colliding comes crashing down when Thomas Wayne confronts this world’s Batman, as father meets son!

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

Random Blurb of Excitement: They really should’ve just called this Earth 2: Convergence. That being said, I’m interested to see the path Thomas and Dick go down… especially knowing the June solicitation for Earth 2: Society. 

Batman News Critic: Brandon

 

 

Teen Titans Go! #9
It’s Titan vs. Titan in a no-holds-barred, winner-take-all…staring contest! In the end, it’s Robin vs. Raven with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. Which will turn the tide: Robin’s focused glare, whose intensity can rip through to the deepest core of a man’s soul…or Raven’s just not caring?

Written by Sholly Fisch
Pencils by Jorge Corona
Inks by Jorge Corona
Colored by Jeremy Lawson
Cover by Dan Hipp

Random Blurb of Excitement: Every time I see one of these covers, all I can think is that the artist was on a sugar rush when they drew it. I do feel bad when I write about this title each month though. It’s always pretty low on my list, but it’s not a bad book… It’s just not something I’d care to read on a monthly basis. For the right audience, it’s a good fit.

Batman News Critic: Jay

 

Infinite Crisis: Fight for the Multiverse #10
An armored Lex Luthor from the Gaslight world holds his own against Batman and Superman from Earth Prime. What will happen when Gaslight Hawkgirl enters the fray? Meanwhile, two other heroes wage a desperate struggle against the deadly, robotic Mecha Deathstroke.

Written by Dan Abnett
Pencils by Agustin Padilla
Cover by Mico Suayan

Random Blurb of Excitement: This book has been average at best, and even then, Sean hasn’t been that enthusiastic about it…

Batman News Critic: Sean

 

 

Graphic Novel Watch:

Batman Adventures: Mad Love Deluxe Edition (Hardcover) –  Written and drawn by the masterminds behind Batman: The Animated Series, Paul Dini and Bruce Timm, this epic reveals the origins of Harley Quinn as she proves her love to The Joker by trying to eliminate the Dark Knight on her own! Now in a deluxe format with exclusive extras and bonus material!

Earth 2 Vol. 4: The Dark Age (Softcover) – Superman returns to Earth to do the destructive bidding of Darkseid in these stories from issues #17-20 and EARTH 2 ANNUAL #2! The Wonders of Earth 2 have struggled to keep the forces of Darkseid at bay. But now they can no longer stand up to the wave of destruction Superman brings. And with the emergence of a new Batman comes the hope that he may know how to defeat the Man of Steel.

Earth 2 Vol. 5: The Kryptonian (Hardcover) – A new super being named Val-Zod has appeared – and the heroes of Earth-2 must convince him to help them in one last, desperate attempt to stop Kal-El. Can they band together in time to prepare for Apokolips and the forces of Darkseid? And can Val-Zod become the hero they need him to be? Collects EARTH 2 #21-26 and EARTH 2: FUTURES END #1!

Injustice: Gods Among Us Year Two Vol. 1 (Softcover) – The death of one of their own has divided Earth’s protectors as hero turns against hero. As Superman’s iron grip on the world tightens, at the edge of the galaxy another grave threat approaches. Collects INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US YEAR TWO #1-6.

Injustice: Gods Among Us Year Two Vol. 2 (Hardcover) – With Superman’s reign over Earth secured, the Green Lantern Corps dispatches Kyle Rayner to investigate the situation. When he mysteriously disappears, the Guardians of the Universe are left with no choice but to remove Superman from his hard-won throne. But like all the others who have stood in Superman’s way since the death of his beloved wife, the Corps has a fight on their hands that will surely shake them to the core. Collects issues #7-12 and ANNUAL #1 of the hit series!

 

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!