I feel like I’m a kid again… I saw Jurassic World this weekend, and it took me back to when I was a four-year-old kid watching the first Jurassic Park with my parents. I liked it so much (I was a freak for dinosaurs) that my mom and I went to the movie theater three more times to see it! Now I’m an adult. I no longer need adult supervision, so I’m watching the movie alone (but totally would’ve been watching it with moms if she weren’t still in Texas), and all I can think is, “Damn… I really want a pet Velociraptor!” Granted, this isn’t anything new. I’ve actually wanted a pet raptor for a few years now… mainly just to have it walk down the street and scare the living crap out of people. Regardless, they’re cool, and I want one! What does this have to do with Batman? Not a damn thing. I just figured that sharing is caring, and in the event that any of you kids are crazy, scientist-people that might someday create dinosaurs, please remember this and send me a raptor egg. Thanks for listening… now, let’s get down to Bat-business!
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 17th
Justice League of America #1
It’s massive widescreen JUSTICE LEAGUE action and adventure from superstar writer/artist Bryan Hitch! In this extra-sized debut issue, the League comes up against an armada of aliens heading for Earth that claims to be a peaceful religious tribe. But something sinister is lurking in their ranks…something with ties to ancient Krypton!
Written by Bryan Hitch
Pencils by Bryan Hitch
Inks by Andrew Currie, Daniel Henriques. And Wade von Grawbadger
Colored by Alex Sinclair
Cover by Bryan Hitch and Alex Sinclair
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m really looking forward to this title! I know there’s some questions and confusions as far as continuity is concerned, but I believe these are supposed to be stories that take place within different moments of continuity… I think… who knows anymore…
Batman News Critic: Josh
Robin: Son of Batman #1
The son of a Bat and a Demon, Damian al Ghul has set out to forge his own destiny – and atone for the shameful Year of Blood! Will he be aided or hindered by the behemoth Goliath? And what mysterious legacy trails behind him? Join writer/artist Patrick Gleason as he chronicles the globe-hopping adventures of ROBIN: SON OF BATMAN!
Written by Patrick Gleason
Pencils by Patrick Gleason
Inks by Mick Gray
Colored by John Kalisz
Cover by Patrick Gleason and John Kalisz
Random Blurb of Excitement: There are two reasons this isn’t the first title on my list. 1. I’m still not sure if Gleason is the best guy to write this book… 2. I think Damian is best when he has someone to ground him a little, and allow him to have those moments of showing incredible depth and heart.
Batman News Critic: Terry
Secret Six #3
Her name is Strix. What is her secret?!
Art by Dale Eaglesham and Ken Lashley
Cover by Dale Eaglesham
Written by Gail Simone
Random Blurb of Excitement: The cover I posted isn’t the official cover for this issue, but I couldn’t find a high resolution pic of the actual cover. Just know that there’s a giant, black circle in the middle of it that states “censored.” Other than that, after months and months of delays, I’m ready to see what direction Simone is going to take us in with this title. Hopefully the multiple delays are a thing of the past.
Batman News Critic: Josh
Black Canary #1
Dinah Lance hits the road! After years as a soldier and vigilante, the LAST place Dinah saw herself is on stage…but she’s quickly learning she’d die to protect the gang of misfits she’s fallen into. And she just might have to – for some reason, the newly rechristened band Black Canary seems to be a magnet for trouble…and Dinah’s not gonna believe it when she finds out the reason why! Martial arts, super-spies, and rock ‘n’ roll combine, from Brenden Fletcher (BATGIRL) and Annie Wu (Hawkeye)!
Written by Brenden Fletcher
Art by Annie Wu
Inks by Annie Wu
Colored by Lee Loughridge and Annie Wu
Cover by Annie Wu
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m a big fan of Dinah/ Black Canary, but I’m still on the fence with this book. I’m not overly enthusiastic about the new direction of Batgirl, and even though Dinah was the best thing about that book (which should be concerning in regards to the future of that title), this whole “band” thing. I think DC is trying too hard to make their characters “cool” instead of just telling a good story and staying true to who the character really is. I like Annie Wu though, so let’s hope this book is a success.
Batman News Critic: Terry
Harley Quinn & Powergirl #1
Hey, remember the panel gutter between panels 3 and 4 of page 20 of HARLEY QUINN #12? What? You DON’T? It’s only, like, the most memorable panel gutter of the twenty-first century. Well, either way, have we got the miniseries for you, in which the full tale of that momentous and momentary pause can be told!
It’s a cosmic adventure beyond your wildest imaginings: Power Girl and Harley Quinn, stranded in a forgotten dimension, on the homeworld of the amorous warlord Vartox! They’ll sacrifice anything they have to in order to get home…except their dignity! Kidding! That’ll be the first thing to go.
Written by Amanda Conner, Justin Gray, and Jimmy Palmiotti
Pencils and Inks by Stéphane Roux
Colored by Paul Mounts
Cover by Amanda Conner and Paul Mounts
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m a fan of Harley, but I think that by the time we reach the end of this mini-series, we’re going to have a little Harley fatigue. Until then, let’s just buckle-up and enjoy this zany ride.
Batman News Critic: Elena
Teen Titans Go #10
After responding to an ad in a comic book, Beast Boy is the proud owner of a brand new pair of Hypno-Specs – and he’s not afraid to use them!
Art by Jorge Corona
Cover by Daniel Hipp
Written by Amy Wolfram and Sholly Fisch
Random Blurb of Excitement: As I always state with this title, it’s only this low on my list because I’m not reading it. That’s not to say that this title is bad – it isn’t – it’s just not in my wheelhouse. Great for kids though!
Batman News Critic: Jay
Infinite Crisis: Fight for the Multiverse #12
As the Gaslight Earth spins madly out of control, Superman and Mecha Superman struggle to eliminate the deadly Earth Engine. Then as Gaslight Vandal Savage turns one hero against another, Gaslight Luthor must make a fateful decision. Will he ultimately prove himself to be a hero or a villain?
Art by Tom Derenick and Angel Hernandez
Cover by Freddie E Williams II
Written by Dan Abnett
Random Blurb of Excitement: I believe this is the last issue… and I’m willing to bet Sean is really excited about that!
Batman News Critic: Sean
Graphic Novel Watch:
Black Canary & Zatana: Bloodspell (Softcover) – A year ago, Black Canary infiltrated a gang of female criminals set to pull a dangerous heist at a Las Vegas casino. Its leader was skilled in hand-to-hand combat and had more than a passing interest in black magic. Rather than be captured by Canary or the law, she went to her death, vowing to get revenge on Canary! Now, one year later, death stalks those gang members, and Canary must turn to her friend Zatanna to help investigate.
Gotham Academy Vol 1 (Softcover) – Gotham City’s most prestigious prep school is a very strange place. It’s got a spooky campus, oddball teachers, and rich benefactors always dropping by…like that weirdo Bruce Wayne. But nothing is as strange as the students! Like, what’s up with Olive Silverlock? Is she crazy or what? Where did she go last summer? And what’s the deal with her creepy mom? And how come that freshman Maps is always following her around? And is she still going out with Kyle? P.S. Did you hear the rumor about the ghost in the North Hall?! It’s all here in these tales from issues #1-6 of the new series!
Red Hood & the Outlaws Vol. 6: Lost & Found (Softcover) – Red Hood and the team deal with the fallout from Kori’s past and learn that an unexpected villain has returned to make things much, much worse for them! Collects RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #32-34, stories from SECRET ORIGINS #2 and 5 and RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS ANNUAL #2.
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.
Best Cover of June 10, 2015: Detective Comics #41 by Francis Manapul with 21% of the votes.
2. Batman #41 by Greg Capullo, Danny Miki, and Francisco Perez (17%)
3. Batman/ Superman #21 by Tradd Moore, Ulises Arreola Palomera, and Ardian Syaf (16%)
4. Earth 2 Society #1 by Jorge Jimenez and Anthony John Rauch, Jr. (11%)
5. Catwoman #41 by Kevin Wada (10%)
6. Gotham Academy #7 by Becky Cloonan (7%)
7. Red Hood/ Arsenal #1 by Hi-Fi and Howard Porter (6%)
8. Injustice: Gods Among Us Year 4 #3 by Tom Raney (5%)
9. New Suicide Squad #9 by Juan E. Ferreyra (4%)
10. Harley Quinn #17 by Amanda Conner and Alex Sinclair (4%)
11. All Star Section 8 #1 by Amanda Conner and Paul Mounts (2%)
