By this point, I think it’s safe to say that you’ve most likely heard about all of the terrorist events that have taken place over the past few days. Paris has been the focus, but there have been others. I don’t want to dwell on the actual events, or the people behind them, as there are many opinions and perceptions that can distract or take away from what really needs to be said. Instead of getting wrapped up in the potential politics or debating of the causes of these situations, I want to acknowledge the actual tragedy. Many people lost their life. Even more were physically injured. And even more than that have been fundamentally impacted on an emotional level.
I strongly believe that a number of us use comics as a catalyst to escape – even if only for 20 minutes a day or a week. But beyond that, I think we read comics – specifically the type of comics we cover here – because they relate to our moral compass. They inspire us. We strive to do what is right. We push ourselves to be our best. Yet in all of the struggles, we know we’re human and will fall. We’ll make mistakes and need to pick ourselves back up, or need to look to others to help us get back up.
Hopefully these comics inspire you, even if just a little, to be one of those people. Hopefully these comics help inspire you to be the hero you’re meant to be. I’m not saying you should put on a mask and cape, and run around your town cracking skulls. I’m simply saying be the best you, that you can be. Be the best parent, friend, sibling, cop, doctor, teacher, and so on. Yes, we are each just one person. No, one person probably can’t do much in the grand scheme of things. But collectively, a movement can be created, and that can create change.
Keep that in mind as you start this week. Take a moment to be more generous. Buy a homeless person food. Stick up for someone being bullied. Compliment someone for doing something good. Or if you know someone hurting, just be there for them. Sometimes the most effective thing you can do is say, “How can I help?” or “I’m here if you need anything.” One of my favorite quotes is from the show Angel, and it states, “If nothing we do matters, then all that matters is what we do.” Just let that sit with you for a bit.
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). 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…
November 18th
Batman & Robin Eternal #7
The investigation goes global. What answers about Mother are hidden at a ballet in Prague? Grayson, Bluebird and Cassandra Cain are going to find out or die trying.
Written by Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, and Genevieve Valentine
Pencils by Alvaro Martinez Bueno
Inks by Raul Fernandez
Cover by Francis Manapul and Dan Panosian
Random Blurb of Excitement: Last week’s issue was a big step in the right direction, and this week Snyder and Tynion have the main writing credits, so you can bet that you’ll get more plot progression. Also, the wonderful miss Valentine will be contributing to this issue as well… so you know I’m excited for that!
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Batman Arkham Knight: Genesis #4
As Harley Quinn and the Arkham Knight tangle in the present day, flashbacks reveal more of the Arkham Knight’s stunning journey! Based on the smash-hit video game Batman: Arkham Knight!
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils by Dexter Soy
Inks by Alisson Borges and Dexter Soy
Colored by Dave McCaig
Cover by Stjepan Sejic
Random Blurb of Excitement: I kind of feel like a broken record, but I enjoy Genesis quite a bit! This is, fundamentally, the Jason I’ve been wanting for a while. Yes, I’d prefer him to be more reformed, but at least he feels like Jason Todd here!
Batman News Critic: Jay
Titans Hunt #2
“The Secret History of the Teen Titans” continues! Dick Grayson is hot on the trail of a young Atlantean named Garth—but what he doesn’t realize is that something is hunting him! Plus, Roy Harper encounters a mysterious woman named Lilith—and this run-in will leave him questioning his own past!
Written by Dan Abnett
Pencils and Inks by Stephen Segovia
Colored by Hi-Fi
Cover by Hi-Fi and Paulo Siqueira
Random Blurb of Excitement: I thoroughly enjoyed the debut of Titans Hunt, so I’m naturally pretty curious to see where the second issue takes us. I’m not to the point of signing off on this as a “good book,” but the first issue put us on that path.
Batman News Critic: Cat
Secret Six #8
As monstrous giant beings from beyond the stars pound at the gates of reality, the Secret Six reluctantly race around the globe (with their guide, the demon ETRIGAN) as they attempt to prevent a horrifying fate for all mankind. Guest stars galore as the balance of power in the DCU rests solely in the hands of teenager Lori Zechlin, a.k.a. Black Alice!
Written by Gail Simone
Pencils and Inks by Tom Derenick and Dale Eaglesham
Colored by Jason Wright
Cover by Dale Eaglesham and Jason Wright
Random Blurb of Excitement: Thank god Simone got this book back on track last month! I was beginning to have anxiety towards this title, so hopefully they keep up the momentum! It’s nice to feel excited about this book again!
Batman News Critic: Josh
Batman ’66 #29
Popular BATMAN ’66 artist Jonathan Case returns with an all-new story featuring Catwoman! The tables are turned as the Feline Fatale must come to the rescue of her caped crime-fighting counterpart—holy role reversal! Then, get ready for a family reunion as Ma Parker brings her criminal clan back to the streets of Gotham City. It’s Batman vs. the ladies in this issue!
Art by Dean Haspiel and Jonathan Case
Cover by Mike Allred
Written by Jeff Parker
Random Blurb of Excitement: It’s the second to last issue of Batman ’66 and that makes me a little sad. Yes, we’re getting a Batman ’66 Meets Man From U.N.C.L.E. miniseries, but I really like this book as it is. It’s a lot of fun, and has consistently been good.
Batman News Critic: Jay
Batman: Europa #1
Superstar artist Jim Lee returns to the Dark Knight with this premiere issue! The impossible has happened and Batman is on the verge of being taken down by an enemy he cannot defeat: a virus for which there is no cure! And the only hope for his salvation is The Joker! Who infected Batman, what does the Clown Prince of Crime know, and how will the Dark Knight get that information? Together, the enemies crisscross Europe, desperate to find answers before time runs out.
Written by Brian Azzarello and Matteo Casali
Pencils by Giuseppe Camuncoli and Gabriele Dell’Otto
Inks by Gabriele Dell’Otto and Jim Lee
Colored by Alex Sinclair
Cover by Jim Lee
Random Blurb of Excitement: Jim Lee returns… for the cover? There’s some conflicting information here, so who knows what to expect. Either way, I’m actually excited to check this out. I mean, it’s Real-Bats and Joker! I’d be crazy to not be at least a little excited. Now we just hope the quality is what we want it to be!
Batman News Critic: Elena
Harley Quinn #22
The enemy of Harley Quinn’s friend is her enemy-and enemies don’t come much meaner than Sy Borgman’s one-time lover, geriatric super-spy Zena Bendemova! Improbably enough, she survived getting impaled by a rhino, but she’s really not taking that massive attack of horniness very well!
Written by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti
Pencils and Inks by Chad Hardin
Colored by Alex Sinclair
Cover by Amanda Conner and Alex Sinclair
Random Blurb of Excitement: All you really need to know is “geriatric super-spy” and “impaled by a rhino” and you’ll get the idea of what type of hysteria you’ll miss out on if you don’t pick up this issue… I, for one, know that I’ll enjoy a good laugh!
Batman News Critic: Elena
Earth 2: Society #6
The heroes of Earth-2 grow closer to discovering the real dangers that lurk in their new world as the murderous Hourman is revealed.
Written by Daniel Wilson
Pencils and Inks by Alisson Borges and 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 isn’t coming together as well as I would like it to at the moment. It almost feels as though it’s treading water. We’re essentially at the issue that will most likely serve as the end of the trade, and it doesn’t feel like anything has happened… that’s never good.
Batman News Critic: Cat
New Suicide Squad #14
A new adventure begins! Task Force X tries to pick up the pieces after their harrowing mission against the Justice League, and more questions are raised about the enigmatic Vic Sage.
Written by Sean Ryan
Pencils and Inks by Phil Briones
Colored by Blond
Random Blurb of Excitement: A new adventure? A run-in with the Justice League? What in the hell is going on at DC? Now that DC is in California, I’m afraid that someone mistakenly at a batch of “special brownies” before writing this… I mean, a new mission started last week, and they haven’t encountered the Justice League… Oi.. this is probably going to suck…
Batman News Critic: Josh
Notes:
- Dark Knight III: The Master Race #1 and Robin, Son of Batman #6 have been pushed back to November 25th.
- Black Canary #6 has been pushed back until December 9th.
- Justice League #46 and Harley Quinn & Power Girl #6 have been pushed back until December 16th.
Graphic Novel Watch:
Batman & Robin Vol. 6: The Hunt for Robin (Softcover) – Batman has finally accepted the death of his son—but Damian’s grandfather, Ra’s al Ghul, has not! In order to resurrect Robin, he’s stolen the body—and now Batman will stop at nothing to reclaim him! Collects BATMAN AND ROBIN #29-34 and ROBIN RISES: OMEGA #1!
Batman & Robin Vol. 7: Robin Rises (Hardcover) – After his son Robin’s body is stolen by alien hordes, Batman finds himself on the deadly planet of Apokolips—home planet of Darkseid! Aided by his allies Red Hood, Batgirl and Red Robin, Bruce Wayne must face down the most powerful villains in the universe to recover his son’s coffin—a son who he’d do anything to bring back. Collects BATMAN AND ROBIN #35-40, ROBIN RISES: ALPHA #1, BATMAN AND ROBIN ANNUAL #3, BATMAN AND ROBIN: FUTURES END #1, and a story from SECRET ORIGINS #4.
Batman: The Golden Age Omnibus (Hardcover) – The stories that catapulted Batman to legendary status are collected here in a single, massive volume. These original stories from DETECTIVE COMICS #27-56 and BATMAN #1-7 include the origin of the Dark Knight, as well as the debuts of Robin, Commissioner Gordon, Professor Hugo Strange, The Joker, Catwoman and more!
Catwoman: A Celebration of 75 Years (Hardcover) – Selina Kyle gets her due in this new collection celebrating her 75 year history! Don’t miss the stories that made Catwoman one of Batman’s greatest foes—and one of comics’ most memorable villains!
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 Cover of November 11, 2015: Batman #46 by by Greg Capullo, Danny Miki, and Francisco Perez with 19% of the votes.
- Justice League: Darkseid War: Green Lantern #1 by Francis Manapul (18%)
(Note: The difference between first and second place was 1 vote! Crazy!)
- Batman & Robin Eternal #6 by Francis Manapul (17%)
- Catwoman #46 by Kevin Wada (14%)
- Justice League: Darkseid War: Shazam #1 by Francis Manapul (12%)
6. Bombshells #4 by Ant Lucia (7%)
7. Batman Beyond #6 by Bernard Chang and Marcelo Maiolo (4%)
8. Justice League United #15 by Tony Harris (4%)
9. Batman/ Superman #26 by Cary Nord, Ulises Arreola Palomera, and Ardian Syaf (4%)
10. Red Hood & Arsenal #6 by Hi-Fi and Howard Porter (2%)
