I hope all of my fellow Americans had a happy Thanksgiving! I ate way too much, but it was well worth it. I also managed to avoid all of the Black Friday chaos, so I’m going to consider that a positive. Although, I will admit that while watching some crazy Black Friday videos (these really are shameful), I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if Lady Shiva shopped on Black Friday, and some customer was dumb enough to mess with her… or Cassandra… or Bane… you get the picture. It would be humorous.
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…
December 2nd
Gotham by Midnight #11
The final battle for the soul of Gotham City begins. With Corrigan and Drake presumed dead, the Ikkondrid returns from Slaughter Swamp to finish what it started. If there’s no one left to protect the city, will its past sins lead to its doom?
Art by Juan Ferreyra
Cover by Bill Sienkiewicz
Written by Ray Fawkes
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m still mad this book is getting canceled! You want to know why? It’s too damn good to end this early!
Batman News Critic: Elena
Midnighter #7
The mastermind behind the theft of the God Garden’s technology is finally unveiled…and Midnighter never could have guessed the ultimate goal of the heist!
Written by Steve Orlando
Pencils and Inks by ACO
Cover by ACO and Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
Random Blurb of Excitement: After last month’s issue, you better believe that I’m excited for this installment! This has the potential to be epic!
Batman News Critic: Josh
Robin War #1
THE ROBINS FACE THE COURT OF OWLS!
In part 1 of this new epic, it’s Robins vs. cops! Robins vs. Robins! Robins vs. Batman! And Robins vs. the Court of Owls?!
Damian Wayne returns to Gotham City, and he is not happy. There are kids all over the city calling themselves Robin, Bruce Wayne is no longer Batman and the GCPD, led by the new, armored-up Batman, is cracking down on anybody wearing the “R.” And things only get worse when Red Hood, Red Robin and Grayson all come back to Gotham City…
Written by Tom King
Pencils by Andres Guinaldo
Inks by Alain Mauricet and Walden Wong
Colored by Sandra Molina and Chris Sotomayor
Cover by Mikel Janin, Emilio Lopez, and Khary Randolph
Random Blurb of Excitement: My mind processes this in exactly this order: Dick. Damian. Tom King. YES!
Batman News Critic: Cat
Batman & Robin Eternal #9
Red Robin and Red Hood’s search for the truth leads them to the island of Santa Prisca-right into the hands of the island’s most infamous son: BANE!
Written by Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing, Scott Snyder, and James Tynion IV
Pencils and Inks by Roge Antonio
Colored by Allen Passalaqua
Cover by Romulo Fajardo, Jr., Carlo Pagulayan, and Jason Paz
Random Blurb of Excitement: Each week I make a point to look at the writers for this book to try and determine my opinion/ excitement for the issue. I’m not familiar with either of these writers (their main credit appears to be Hacktivist), so I’m 50/50 on this issue. Also, as much as I like Bane, writers tend to not be able to write him that well. I’m crossing my fingers though!
Batman News Critic
Gotham Academy #12
As Olive and Maps search for Kyle, they find clues that point to the old Arkham Asylum. As the team rushes to rescue him, more shocking secrets about Calamity and Gotham Academy are revealed. Don’t miss the exciting conclusion to this second GOTHAM ACADEMY epic!
Written by Becky Cloonan and Brenden Fletcher
Pencils by Karl Kerschl
Colored by MSASSYK and Serge Lapointe
Cover by Becky Cloonan
Random Blurb of Excitement: I always look forward to Gotham Academy simply due to how fun it is! The book has thrived by developing strong, relatable characters, and by presenting Gotham through their perspective. Add the growing intrigue of Olive’s mom, Calamity, and you can’t deny that this book is a gem!
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Harley’s Little Black Book #1
It’s the sensational debut of a bimonthly, overstuffed, oversized team-up series in which Harley meets (and almost certainly annoys) the greatest heroes and villains of the DC Universe! First up? The incredible Wonder Woman! There’s a plot to assassinate Wondy, and Harley is convinced that only she could possibly stop it! (Hey, you want to tell her about all the other options? We tried.)
Written by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti
Pencils by Amanda Conner and John Timms
Inks by Amanda Conner, Dave Johnson, and John Timms
Colored by Paul Mounts
Cover by Amanda Conner and Paul Mounts
Random Blurb of Excitement: I can only imagine the shenanigans that are going to pop up in this book. I keep imagining its going to be a cross between Harley teaming up with our favorite heroes on various missions… and then roasting them throughout the process…
Batman News Critic: Elena
Batman Beyond #7
The sun rises on a new day in BATMAN BEYOND! With the threat of Brother Eye finally gone, Tim Drake is a man lost in time and without a mission. But now that he finally has the opportunity to explore this new Gotham City, he may find it just as dark as ever beneath its shiny new surface. And what Justice League secret does Matt McGinnis think will be unlocked with Green Lantern’s severed hand? Guest artist and FUTURES END veteran Stephen Thompson kicks things off in this prologue to “City of Yesterday”!
Written by Dan Jurgens
Pencils and Inks by Stephen Thompson
Colored by Marcelo Maiolo
Cover by Bernard Chang, Ellery Santos, and Philip Tan
Random Blurb of Excitement: This book finally has the opportunity to move past Futures End, so hopefully Jurgens and team take that opportunity to focus on character development, and let this book embrace the potential it has.
Batman News Critic:
Batman Arkham Knight #11
Double-shipping in December! After years of planning, the Arkham Knight is finally ready to make his move on Batman. But when he seeks out a surprising ally, Jonathan Crane—a.k.a. The Scarecrow—a deadly alliance is formed that may mean the end of the Dark Knight…forever!
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils by Viktor Bogdanovic, Julio Ferreira, Richard Friend, and Ig Guara
Cover by Howard Porter
Random Blurb of Excitement: At this point, I could honestly care less about Arkham Knight. It doesn’t really appear to be going anywhere, and that makes it feel like a wasted opportunity. This book isn’t bad, I just can’t bring myself to recommend it.
Batman News Critic: Jay
Teen Titans #14
Just as the team begins to determine its new direction, a mind-wiping demon steals the Titans memories! And when Red Robin goes missing, the teen heroes must save the city and also figure out if they really want their former leader to return.
Written by Scott Lobdell and Will Pfeifer
Pencils by Noel Rodriguez
Inks by Norm Rapmund and Art Thibert
Colored by Tony Avina and Dan Brown
Cover by Brad Anderson, Andrew Dalhouse, and Ethan Van Sciver
Random Blurb of Excitement: Scott Lobdell. No.
Batman News Critic: Cat
Notes:
- Grayson #15, Detective Comics #47, and Black Canary #6 have been pushed back until December 9th.
- Justice League #46 and Harley Quinn & Power Girl #6 have been pushed back until December 16th.
Noteworthy Releases:
DC Comics Presents: Robin War100 Page Super Spectacular – It’s Robin vs. Robin vs. Robin in these stories from TEEN TITANS #29, BATMAN #657, NIGHTWING #139 and BATMAN: BATTLE FOR THE COWL #3.
DC Comics Presents: Titans Hunt 100 Page Super Spectacular – The TITANS HUNT is on—and now, DC Comics collects some of the original stories that brought together your favorite teen heroes! Don’t miss some of the earliest tales of the Teen Titans in these stories from BRAVE AND THE BOLD #54 and 60, and TEEN TITANS #1 and 4, starring Robin, Aqualad, Kid Flash, Wonder Girl and Speedy!
Graphic Novel Watch:
Absolute Batman: The Court of the Owls (Hardcover) – The explosive “Court of Owls” storyline gets the Absolute Edition treatment, collecting BATMAN #1-11! It all begins when a series of brutal murders rocks not only Gotham City to its core but also the Caped Crusader himself when the prime suspect is one of Batman’s closest allies – Dick Grayson! After a series of deadly discoveries, Bruce Wayne has learned that the Court of Owls is real — and a deadly threat out to control Gotham City!
Batman ’66 Vol. 3 (Softcover) – In this third BATMAN ‘66 collection, The Dynamic Duo face The Joker, The Penguin, the Queen of Diamonds and a Bat-Robot of their own making…that may put Batman and Robin out of a job! Collects issues #11-16.
Batman ’66 Vol. 4 (Hardcover) – In these tales from BATMAN ‘66 #17-22, the Dynamic Duo team up with Barbara Gordon to take on The Bookworm, a deranged zombie creating Professor, The Queen of Diamonds, Lord Death Man and The Joker. And in BATMAN ’66: THE LOST EPISODE #1, a 1960s outline for an episode of the original TV series written by legendary science-fiction writer Harlan Ellison and introducing Two-Face is adapted to comics by writer Len Wein and artist José Luis Garcia-Lopez!
Batman vs Superman (Hardcover) – The two most popular superheroes of all time aren’t always on the same side! This collection captures some of the most incredible and memorable clashes between the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight from the pages of BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS #4, BATMAN #612, BATMAN #35-36, SUPERMAN/BATMAN #32 and #78, and JUSTICE LEAGUE #2.
Earth 2: World’s End Vol 2 (Softcover) – Racing to learn the fate of Superman, the Wonders of Earth-2 find themselves in the clutches of Desaad and his twisted creations! Meanwhile, the Avatars of various realms come to the aid of Green Lantern to fend off the Furies of Apokolips, but will their might be enough? Collects EARTH 2 WORLD’S END #12-26.
Graphic Ink: The DC Comics Art of Ivan Reiss (Hardcover) – Collecting works including the complete BLACKEST NIGHT, GREEN LANTERN, multiple issues of JUSTICE LEAGUE and more, GRAPHIC INK: THE DC COMICS ART OF IVAN REIS is a collection of some of the very best comics art there is!
World’s Finest Vol. 6: The Secret History of Superman & Batman (Softcover) – The secret history of Earth-2 continues in these tales from issues #27-32! Jump back in time to a point when Superman and Batman were children! When a visitor from Apokolips attempts to confront the boys as part of a galactic prophesy, only one being can stand in their way: Wonder Woman!
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 25, 2015: Dark Knight III: The Master Race #1 by Klaus Janson, Andy Kubert, Frank Miller, and Alex Sinclair with 24% of the votes.
- Grayson #14 by Mikel Janin
- We Are Robin #6 by Lee Bermejo (14%)
- Deathstroke #12 by Tony Salvador Daniel, Sandu Florea, Tyler Kirkham, and Tomeu Morey (13%)
- Batman & Robin #8 by Francis Manapul and Dan Panosian (9%)
- Batman: Arkham Knight – Robin Special #1 (5%)
- Robin, Son of Batman #6 by Patrick Gleason, Mick Gray, and John Kalisz (4%)
- Bombshells #5 by Ant Lucia (3%)
- Justice League 3001 #6 by Hi-Fi, Timothy Green II, and Howard Porter (2%)
- Justice League of America #6 by Bryan Hitch and Alex Sinclair (1%)
Best Non-Themed Variant Cover October & November:
Below you will find non-themed variant covers for the months of October & November. The cover with the most votes will move on to the Best Cover of Q-4 poll.
Batman & Robin Eternal #1 by Mikel Janin
Batman Europa #1 by Jim Lee
Batman Europa #1 by Lee Bermejo
Harley Quinn #22 by Amanda Conner
Titans Hunt #1 by Tony S. Daniel
