Upcoming Comics: August 12, 2015

Sheesh, week two is a full week! I know I say this each month, it’s just that I’m still trying to get used to the new release dates for each title. We have a whopping eleven books that we’re covering this week, and that doesn’t include Harley Quinn which has been delayed! Thankfully, there’s a good mix between the titles, and most of them have been rather enjoyable lately. There are also a few dogs though (I’m looking at you Suicide Squad and Section 8)

Alright, on to 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 (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…

 

August 12^th

Catwoman #43
While Selina investigates the mystery of whatever happened to Batman, Spoiler finds a mentor in Eiko. Plus: Antonia makes a dangerous bargain.

Written by Genevieve Valentine
Pencils and Inks David Messina
Colored by Lee Loughridge
Cover by Kevin Wada

Random Blurb of Excitement: Based on the solicitations for future issues of this title, it looks like some big things are about to happen in this book! Valentine underplays things to an extent though, so I really hope that when that moment (or potentially moments) happen, she just lets loose. Another positive element of this book at the moment is the continuing growth of Gotham’s mythology. As more masks and villains show up, the more relevant this book feels.

Batman News Critic: Josh

 

 

Gotham Academy #9
If the gang thought it was hard to keep up with their homework before, now there’s a werewolf on campus at Gotham Academy! Talk about distractions!

Written by Becky Cloonan and Brenden Fletcher
Pencils by Karl Kerschl
Colored by MSASSYK and Serge Lapointe

Random Blurb of Excitement: Werewolf!?!?!?! You all know that I love this book. It’s a lot of fun, and the creative team always finds a way to keep the book from getting too hokey, so I’m curious to see what the twist is behind the werewolf. And of course, I would never turn down more of Maps!

Batman News Critic: Brandon

 

 

Batman #43
In the start of a new epic, a new villain stalks Gotham City. Will Batman be able to uncover the mystery of Mr. Bloom?

Written by Scott Snyder
Pencils by Greg Capullo
Inks by Danny Miki
Colored by by Francisco Perez
Cover by Greg Capullo, Danny Miki, by Francisco Perez

Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m still not going to gush over this arc, however, it looks like the arc is getting better! I can only hope that it continues to do so.

Batman News Critic: Brandon

 

 

Batman/ Superman #23
“Truth” continues as Superman must learn to depend on the new Batman’s help—but can he trust him?

Written by Greg Pak
Pencils by Vicente Cifuentes and Ardian Syaf
Inks by Vicente Cifuentes
Colored by Ulises Arreola Palomera, Beth Sotelo, and Dean White
Cover by Vicente Cifuentes, Ulises Arreola Palomera, Ardian Syaf

Random Blurb of Excitement: I really wish both characters wouldn’t have been going through something this extreme at the same time. I would’ve loved to have seen Bruce and Clark really work through who and what Superman is without his powers, what it’s like to be exposed, etc.

Batman News Critic: Terry

 

 

Justice League: Gods & Monsters #1
Prequel to the DC Universe movie Justice League: Gods & Monsters! Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman: three powerful and dangerous loners, drawn together by a man who claims he can bring humanity to the next level of evolution. But are Jackson Alpert and his immortal Forever People what they claim to be? Will they save the Earth—or conquer it?

Art by Thony Silas
Cover by Darick Robertson
Variant cover by Darwyn Cooke
Written by Bruce Timm and J.M. DeMatteis

Random Blurb of Excitement: This is definitely an interesting concept, and if I’m being honest, I kind of wish it were a full series instead of a mini. Now, I openly admit that I haven’t seen the movie, so I don’t have that factoring into my comment, but I can’t help but think that there are a number of ideas that the creative team bounced around when developing this book… Ideas that could’ve easily grown and developed over time.

Batman News Critic: Jay

 

 

Justice League United #12
A mission to save our world from cosmic calamity has separated Swamp Thing from the Green, threatening to destroy him forever. Only an improbable team of heroes and villains, led by Poison Ivy, can traverse conflicting realities and save Earth’s plant elemental from non-existence.

Written by Jeff Parker
Pencils and Inks Travel Foreman
Colored by Jeremy Cox
Cover by Tony Harris

Random Blurb of Excitement: This book has been flying under the radar since it launched, and while it was just mediocre at first, it’s really picked up recently. Granted, adding in a revolving roster of honorary league members also doesn’t hurt. And the great thing is, you don’t need to start from the beginning if you haven’t been reading Justice League United. You just need to start with this arc. And with Swamp Thing and Poison Ivy leading the way, why wouldn’t you?

Batman News Critic: Terry

 

 

Earth 2 Society #3
The utopic society of Earth-2 begins to show cracks as the new world reacts to the assassination plot that’s left a huge power vacuum on the planet. Which hero can step up to fill the void?

Written by Daniel Wilson
Pencils and Inks by Jorge Jimenez
Colored by Anthony John Rauch, Jr. and Alejandro Sanchez
Cover by Jorge Jimenez and Anthony John Rauch, Jr.

Random Blurb of Excitement: This book has been really enjoyable so far! Wilson has done a decent job of balancing two plots to drive a single story arc. Due to the dual plots, the story is progressing a little more slowly than people might like, but there’s definitely still promise and potential here.

Batman News Critic: Sean

 

 

DC Comics Bombshells #1
The ultra-popular statues from DC Collectibles come to life in their own ongoing comic book series! Learn the story behind this alternate reality where the Second World War is fought by superpowered women on the front lines and behind the scenes! It all begins with the stories of Batwoman, Wonder Woman and Supergirl.

Art by Marguerite Sauvage
Cover by Ant Lucia
Variant cover by Emanuela Lupacchino
Written by Marguerite Bennett

Random Blurb of Excitement: I haven’t been reading the digital versions, so I’m pretty excited to check this out! This is a great concept, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it ended up selling really well. While I think this book is targeted to a niche audience, I feel like it will be a passionate one.

Batman News Critic: Elena

 

 

Red Hood/ Arsenal #3
Red Hood and Arsenal are open for business! After working for the mysterious Tara Battleworth as on-staff outlaws, Roy and Jason have decided to branch out on their own as freelance problem solvers, investigators, and general butt-kicking specialists. But when the sinister corporate scourge of Underbelly rears its ugly head, can our heroes overcome pure evil and corruption made manifest?

Written by Scott Lobdell
Pencils and Inks Denis Medri
Colored by Tanya Horie
Cover by Hi-Fi and Howard Porter

Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m not going to lie, I enjoyed the first issue and it gave me hope that this book wouldn’t be awful… then last month kind of squashed that hope, and I can’t help but think that this is just the beginning the downward spiral. Down, down it goes.

Batman News Critic: Sean

 

 

New Suicide Squad #11
An extremist offshoot of the League of Assassins has taken what was once a shadow war into broad daylight, attacking a crucial energy concern with a view to trading power for super-weapons of mass destruction. It’s up to new “recruits” Deadshot, Boomerang and Manta to save the world without blowing their cover.

Written by Sean Ryan
Pencils and Inks by Phil Briones
Colored by Blond
Cover by Juan E. Ferreyra

Random Blurb of Excitement: … (sigh)

Batman News Critic: Josh

 

 

All Star Section 8 #3
All of Sixpack’s problems are solved when J’onn J’onzz, Martian Manhunter, volunteers for the team… ready to blaze into battle with the heroes of Section Eight. But as news spreads across the DC Universe, can our hero’s good luck really last? Can Bueno Excellente defeat an unexpected rival for the hand of his lady love? What is J’onn J’onzz thinking? And what’s that smell?

Written by Garth Ennis
Pencils and Inks by John McCrea
Colored by John Kalisz
Cover by Amanda Conner and Paul Mounts

Random Blurb of Excitement: So I finally picked this title up, gave it a read, and then… all I could think was that I just wasted twenty minutes. Definitely don’t plan on picking up any more issues of this book.

Batman News Critic: Josh

 

 

Notes:

• Harley Quinn #19 has been delayed until August 26^th.

 

Graphic Novel Watch:

Batman Black & White HC Book & DVD/ Blu-Ray Set – Presented in stark black-and-white tones, this collection of the Dark Knight adventures features stories and art by stellar creators including Neil Gaiman, Joe Kubert, Frank Miller, Jim Lee and more. Comes with the BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHT animated movie on Blu-Ray and DVD discs, featuring six spellbinding chapters! Read the book, watch the movie!

 

Batman Year One – One of the most important and critically acclaimed Batman adventures ever! In addition to telling the entire dramatic story of Batman’s first year fighting crime, this collection includes loads of reproductions of original pencils, script pages, promotional art, unseen Mazzucchelli Batman art and more! Accompanied with the book is the hit BATMAN: YEAR ONE animated movie on Blu-Ray and DVD discs. Read the book, watch the movie!

 

JLA Earth 2 – Nothing has ever threatened the Crime Syndicate of Amerika proudly enforce—until a twisted mirror image of the CSA arrives from the flipside of reality! Accompanying this original graphic novel is JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRISIS ON TWO EARTHS, the animated movie inspired by the book on Blu-Ray and DVD discs. Read the book, watch the movie!

 

Justice League Origin – In a universe where super heroes are strange and new, Batman has discovered a dark evil that requires him to unite the World’s Greatest Heroes! Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Aquaman, The Flash and Cyborg unite for the first time to form the JUSTICE LEAGUE in these stories from issues #1-5 of the smash-hit series! Included with this volume is the animated movie JUSTICE LEAGUE: WAR on Blu-Ray and DVD discs, bringing Geoff Johns and Jim Lee’s epic story to the screen. Read the book, watch the movie!

 

 

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 results are in the spoiler tag.