Upcoming Comics: September 9, 2015

We have a long weekend here in the states due to Labor Day, so I’ve been trying to do as little as possible and get some rest. This can also be interpreted as, “I’ve been taking advantage of this free time to read a ton of books.” It’s been a nice break from the day job, and I honestly wouldn’t mind squeezing in an extra day or two to get more reading in (who wouldn’t), but I’ll have to return to the grind on Tuesday… unless I were Bruce Wayne and a millionaire… then I could read whenever I wanted to. So… anybody know how I can become Bruce Wayne (and not from Snynder’s current continuity)?

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 reviewing 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). We’ve also included our first Non-Themed Variant Cover Poll, and have announced the results from our Cover Poll Catch-Up post and the Best Looney Tunes Variant Cover poll. So there’s a lot of goodness to be found here. 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…

 

September 9^th

 

Catwoman #44
As the mob’s turf war for control of Gotham City continues to escalate, Eiko and Selina must make some hard decisions if they are to withstand the power plays of The Penguin and Black Mask. And how does Killer Croc fit into the action?

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

Random Blurb of Excitement: Yes please! I thought the last issue kicked things into high gear, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for us this month! In a time when I feel like most of the books are heading in the “wrong” direction, Valentine is one of the few that is getting it right!

Batman News Critic: Josh

 

 

Batman #44
It’s the origin of new villain Mr. Bloom! In a tale from Bruce Wayne’s past, Batman must investigate a vicious crime in the shadowy area of Gotham City known as the Narrows. Don’t miss this special issue illustrated by superstar artist Jock (Wytches, GREEN ARROW YEAR ONE)!

Written by Scott Snyder
Pencils and Inks by Jock
Colored by Lee Loughridge and Francisco Perez
Cover by Greg Capullo, Danny Miki, and Francisco Perez

Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m not going to lie, Mr. Bloom is the most interesting thing about this arc, so I’m really looking forward to this issue. Plus, we flash back to Bruce actually being Batman again. Part of me wishes we would just stay in the past though because I’m over Gordo-Bat.

Batman News Critic: Brandon

 

 

Gotham Academy #10
“Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble!” To investigate a suspicious student, Olive and the gang join the school production of Macbeth! But is the play haunted?

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

Random Blurb of Excitement: This book makes my heart happy! It balances so many elements so well, and at the end of the day, brings a realism and hope to Gotham that is often absent from other Bat books… I was also a theater kid, so I have that to look forward to!

Batman News Critic: Brandon

 

 

Justice League United #13
Guest artist Paul Pelletier joins the JLU for a special storyline that sees Stargirl and the team of Steel, Robotman, Batgirl and Vandal Savage enter a war zone that’s at once very familiar and utterly weird. Plus: the long awaited return of a legendary DC Comics hero.

Written by Jeff Parker
Pencils by Paul Pelletier
Inks by Rob Hunter
Colored by Jeremy Cox
Cover by Tony Harris

Random Blurb of Excitement: Hmm… I wonder who’s returning… I’m really enjoying Justice League United at the moment. The idea to have a small, core team and then add in a rotating team is brilliant! JLU is one of those books that sneaks up on you. Despite a rocky start, it’s beginning to discover its potential and hit its stride!  (Also, and this is kind of bad, but I’m curious to see if Parker writes Batgirl better than the Batgirl team…)

Batman News Critic: Terry

 

 

Harley Quinn: Road Trip Special #1
It’s the great American summer tradition, but you’ve never seen a road trip quite like this before! Harley, Ivy, and Catwoman are burning rubber across the U.S. of A! We recommend you all stay off the roads for the month of August, just to be safe.

Written by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti
Pencils and Inks by Bret Blevins
Cover by Amanda Conner and Paul Mounts

Random Blurb of Excitement: This is essentially a Gotham City Sirens road trip! Come on, it’ll be fun! I’m also really curious to see Conner and Palmiotti write Selina! Considering what they’ve done for both Harley and Ivy, you know they’re going to have some great one-liners built up for Catwoman!

Batman News Critic: Elena

 

 

Earth 2 Society #4
The heroes of Earth-2 have been so focused on each other and rebuilding their world that they never worried about super-villains—and now, it’s too late!

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: I still believe this book has potential, but if I’m being completely honest, I’m not sure which way the wind is blowing. The plot is jumping back and forth between time periods – which I don’t mind if its done well – but at this point it kind of just feels like a fish out of water, flopping around. There’s still hope, but Wilson desperately needs to progress the plot and identify a direction for the book if he expects readers to stick with it.

Batman News Critic: Josh

 

 

Batman/ Superman #24
The epic “Truth” arc reaches its finale as Superman discovers the true fate of Batman and makes a fateful decision.

Written by Greg Pak
Pencils by Yildiray Cinar, Howard Porter, and Ardian Syaf
Inks by Vicente Cifuentes, Yildiray Cinar, and Howard Porter
Colored by Ulises Arreola Palomera, Beth Sotelo, and Dean White
Cover by Vicente Cifuentes, Klaus Janson, Aaron Kuder, Ulises Arreola Palomera, and Ardian Syaf

Random Blurb of Excitement: Meh… I thought this was an ok arc, but the last issue dropped it to “meh.”

Batman News Critic: Terry

 

New Suicide Squad #12
The Suicide Squad’s mission to infiltrate a brutal League of Assassins splinter group is put in serious jeopardy when Manta goes too far to prove his loyalty, and Boomerang refuses to go far enough. Meanwhile, Harley Quinn is forced to look inward when confronted with her greatest enemy: boredom.

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

Random Blurb of Excitement: Although it hasn’t reached the point of being as bad as the China arc, it has reached the point where it’s as bad as the Russia arc… unfortunately, it doesn’t look like it’s going to plateau. I’m expecting more badness. I’ve now, officially, looped Sean Ryan into the “Oh God… This person is writing it?” category.

Batman News Critic: Josh

 

 

Red Hood/ Arsenal #4
The boys battle Batman! Red Hood and Arsenal are taking their vigilante business to Gotham City, whether the new Dark Knight likes it or not—and they’re about to skip the introductions and get right to fighting!

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

Random Blurb of Excitement: I try my best to read each of the books we cover on the site so I can discuss them when I pull together this post… but this book still sucks. I’m going to read this issue, but I’ll probably drop it after that… Until it magically gets a new writer. I’m still trying to figure out what voodoo magic Lobdell stay on this book for so long (I’m including his Outlaws run.)

Batman News Critic: Sean

 

 

Notes:

Harley Quinn #20 has been pushed to September 16^th

Please note that we are no longer covering All Star Section 8. We ultimately felt that it wasn’t a good fit for the site, and decided to drop it from our review list.

 

Graphic Novel Watch:

Batman Beyond 2.0 Vol. 3: Marked Soul (Softcover) – Superstar artist Phil Hester (GREEN ARROW) joins the team for a new storyline, and the answers to the big questions of what really happened between Bruce Wayne and Terry McGinnis start to be revealed here! BATMAN BEYOND 2.0 VOL. 3: MARKED SOUL collects print issues #13-16.

 

Futures End Vol. 3 (Softcover) – In this final volume of the hit weekly series, Brainiac has arrived from the stars, and he intends to take New York City with him as a souvenir. Superman, Batman Beyond, Firestorm, Stormwatch, and the Justice League Dark must band together stop Brainiac and Brother Eye from destroying the future. Collects THE NEW 52: FUTURES END #31-48.

 

 

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.

 

Best August Non-Themed Variant Cover Results:

Below you’ll also find the results from our August Non-Themed Variant Cover poll. The winning cover(s) will be included in the Best Cover of Q-3 poll coming in early October.