Upcoming Comics: June 3, 2015

Our regular titles have completed their two month hibernation while DC moved its offices from New York to Los Angeles, and I’m super excited! I’ve desperately been waiting for things to get back to normal, and I’m hoping the creative teams have taken this time to thoroughly prepare and deliver some kickass stories. But, while DC has wrapped up their most recent event, Convergence isn’t over for us here at Batman-News.com. Each issue of the main title of Convergence released variant covers, so we’ve collected all of the Batman themed covers, and placed them in a poll at the bottom! So make sure you check that out and vote on your favorite Convergence variant cover. And speaking of polls, considering that the August Solicitations post has only been up for a few days, I’m going to hold until next week’s Upcoming Comics to provide those results.

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…

June 3^rd

Justice League #41
The critically acclaimed team of Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok present the much anticipated, extra-sized first chapter of “DARKSEID WAR”! When the Justice League investigate a series of unexplained murders on Earth, it leads them to the frontlines of a war unlike any the DC Universe has ever seen – a battle between the two most powerful villains in existence: Darkseid and the Anti-Monitor! Meet Darkseid’s daughter – a mysterious force of evil with a bizarre connection to the Justice League! Plus: The horrible secret of Superwoman’s baby! The ultimate temptation of Batman! Lex Luthor vs. Superman – no holds barred! New villains! New allies! And so much more in the DC Event that has been building since JUSTICE LEAGUE #1!

Written by Geoff Johns
Pencils and Inks by Jason Fabok
Colored by Brad Anderson
Cover by Brad Anderson and Jason Fabok

Random Blurb of Excitement: This story has essentially been simmering since the launch of the New 52, and the element of Anti-Monitor was set up back in Forever Evil. While I didn’t find the last issue of Justice League earth shattering in any way, I feel like it served its purpose as a prelude well. Now Johns will be able to shift into high gear and take us on a wild, intense ride!

Batman News Critic: Terry

Batman Arkham Knight #5
One of Batman’s deadliest enemies is back and more powerful than ever! That’s right – it’s Bane, who’s now leading a small army of followers! Can the Dark Knight stop this brilliant behemoth from claiming Gotham City as his own?

Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils by Viktor Bogdanovic
Inks by Art Thibert
Cover by Dan Panosian

Random Blurb of Excitement: This book is setting itself up to sit within the same ranks as Injustice for me. The lack of restrictions this book has (as well as Injustice) allows the creative team to focus only on telling a compelling story, rather than worrying about the future of the characters or the happenings of other titles. It’s this freedom that makes this book so entertaining and rewarding!

Batman News Critic: Jay

Midnighter #1
Spinning out of GRAYSON comes a solo series starring the man who can predict your every move… but no one will be able to predict what he’ll do next! A theft at the God Garden has unleashed a wave of dangerous biotech weapons on the world, and Midnighter intends to put that genie back in the bottle by any means necessary. But something else was stolen from the Garden as well…the secret history of Lucas Trent, the man Midnighter once was!

Written by Steve Orlando
Pencils and Inks by ACO
Colored by Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
Cover by ACO and Romulo Fajardo, Jr.

Random Blurb of Excitement: I can’t wait for this book! As I mentioned in the August Solicitations post, I skipped out on the last two weeks of Convergence and spent that time catching up on other titles, and doing some research. Midnighter, specifically, is the character I’ve been researching since my only familiarity to him was Grayson. So far, I’ve really enjoyed everything I’ve read, and I can’ wait to see what’s in store for his new series.

Batman News Critic: Josh

Batman Beyond #1
At last, Batman Beyond gets his own ongoing series in THE definitive future of the DCU! But this isn’t the Beyond you think you know! With the Justice League missing and without Bruce to guide him, this new Batman will need to explore this bizarre world on his own while fighting to raise humanity from an opponent that’s already won.

Written by Dan Jurgens
Pencils and Inks Bernard Chang
Colored by Marcelo Maiolo
Cover by Bernard Chang and Marcelo Maiolo

Random Blurb of Excitement: This book has a lot of potential, and I’m really hoping that it meets that potential. That being said, this is essentially spinning out of Futures End, and DC hasn’t done the best job of handling Tim Drake since the New 52 launched… So this book could easily go either way, but I’m pulling for it!

Batman News Critic: Sean

Bat-Mite #1
Bat-Mite is here to fix the DC Universe – one hero at a time! Convinced that he’s the imp that put Batman on the map, he’s spreading his expertise all over the DC Universe, eager to boost the careers of heroes he thinks need his “help.” Don’t miss the start of this six-issue all-ages miniseries!

Written by Dan Jurgens
Pencils and Inks by Corin Howell
Colored by Michael Atiyeh
Cover by Michael Atiyeh and Corin Howell

Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m going to wait for Brandon’s review, before picking up this book. If Brandon gives it high marks though, I’ll definitely check it out.

Batman News Critic: Brandon

Notes:

Justice League of America was originally scheduled for release this week, but it looks like DC decided to push it back to week 3, and release Justice League instead. With so many new titles being released over the next few months, I’m willing the bet that the week of release for titles will shift around for a bit.

Graphic Novel Watch:

Batman Noir: The Dark Knight Returns Deluxe Edition (Hardcover) – For the first time, DC Comics collects Frank Miller’s unforgettable Dark Knight epic in black and white! It is ten years after an aging Batman has retired, and Gotham City has sunk into decadence and lawlessness. Now, as his city needs him most, the Dark Knight returns in a blaze of glory. Joined by Carrie Kelly, a teenaged Robin, Batman takes to the streets to end the threat of the mutant gangs that have overrun the city. And after facing off against The Joker and Two-Face for the final time, Batman finds himself in mortal combat with his former ally, Superman, in a battle that only one will survive.

Grayson Vol. 1: Agents of Spyral (Hardcover) – A thrilling new chapter of Dick Grayson’s life begins in this title collecting the start of his new hit series. It’s a super-spy thriller that will shock you and prove one thing: You may think you know Nightwing – but you don’t know Dick! As he digs into the mysterious organization known as SPYRAL and learns more about his new partner, Helena Bertinelli, how can Dick keep track of all the lies? Or will he fall apart once he can no longer tell fact from fiction? Plus: Dick Grayson goes toe-to-toe with the Midnighter! Collects GRAYSON #1-4, a story from SECRET ORIGINS #7 and GRAYSON: FUTURES END #1.

Worlds’ Finest Vol. 5: Homeward Bound (Softcover) – When Power Girl and Huntress learn that their home world still exists, the heroines decide to return to the ruins of Earth 2, only to discover they’ve arrived just when they were needed most! Collects WORLDS’ FINEST #22-26 and WORLDS’ FINEST: FUTURES END #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.

Spoiler

Best Cover of May 27, 2015: Convergence: Detective Comics #2 by Bill Sienkiewicz with 28% of the votes.

Convergence Detective Comics

Convergence: Shazam #2 by Jordan Bellaire and Evan Shaner (27%)
3. Convergence #8 by Brad Anderson, Andy Kubert, and Peter Steigerwald (19%)
4. Injustice: Gods Among Us Year 4 #2 by Art Thibert (9%)
5. Batman ’66 #23 by Mike Allred (8%)
6. Convergence: Crime Syndicate #2 by Brian Buccellato and Phil Winslade (6%)
7. The Multiversity Director’s Cut #1 Cover by Ivan Reis (3%)

Best Convergence Variant Cover:

Throughout April and May, DC also released variant covers for Convergence. Below, I’ve provided each variant cover that reflects Batman in some way, along with a nice Best Convergence Variant Cover poll! Make sure you vote! The winners will be announced in next week’s Upcoming Comics post, and will be included in their quarterly Best Cover poll.

Convergence #0 by Adam Hughes