Upcoming Comics: December 23, 2015

I know I’ve said this a few times already this year… but where has the year gone? Christmas is Friday. New Year’s Day is next Friday! And then it’s 2016!… Holy Bat-Cow! This weekend I’m going to post the Q-4 Cover poll, so be on the lookout for that once all of our reviews have posted. And before you ask, yes, I’m aware that we still have one more week of releases left, but I want to be cautious of timing before posting the Best Cover of 2015 Poll/ Results. So expect the following polls over the next few weeks:

Harley’s Little Black Book Variant/ December Variant Cover Poll – Saturday, December 26
Winning cover will automatically move on to the 2015 Year End Cover Poll

2015 Q-4 Cover Poll – Saturday, December 26
Winning covers will move on to the 2015 Year End Cover Poll

Best Cover: December 30, 2015 – Saturday, December 26
Winning cover will automatically move on to the 2015 Year End Cover Poll

Best Cover of 2015 Cover Poll – Friday, January 1^st

Top Covers of 2015 (Ranking the top 25 covers of the year as voted by you!) – Friday, January 8^th

It’ll be a lot of fast and furious polling, so get ready! And just think, more people will probably participate in the cover poll than in the Presidential election! I’m kidding… but that would be pretty funny! In Batman we trust!

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 23^rd

 

Batman & Robin Eternal #12
Grayson vs. SCULPTOR in a psychic battle! Grayson will find out the truth about Batman, or have his mind shattered!

Written by Ed Brisson
Pencils and Inks by Javier Pina
Cover by Romulo Fajardo, Jr., Carlo Pagulayan, and Jason Paz

Random Blurb of Excitement: Last week we were treated with Cass’ origin story for this continuity, and the creative team did a damn good job in respecting the foundation of the character’s initial origins. I expect to see a little more this week about her as Dick attempts to learn what Batman did with Mother years ago. So far, Batman & Robin Eternal has been better than it’s predecessor in almost every way possible! I’m hoping that continues as we near the half-way point of the story.

Batman News Critic: Brandon

 

 

Robin, Son of Batman #7
DAMIAN SAVES GOTHAM CITY—YES, AGAIN!

“Robin War” part 5. In the aftermath of the cage match in WE ARE ROBIN #7, it’s utter chaos as the Court of Owls unleashes hundreds of imprisoned Robins to fight for survival— and to become the one and only Gray Son!

Don’t miss the shocking conclusion to “Robin War” in next month’s ROBIN WAR #2!

Written by Ray Fawkes and Patrick Gleason
Pencils by Scott McDaniel
Inks by Andy Owens
Cover by Patrick Gleason, Mick Gray, and John Kalisz

Random Blurb of Excitement: Robin War has been a lot of fun so far, and it should continue now that the climax is set-up. I feel like the “conclusion” to the arc was given away in the Grayson solicitation for March, so I’m curious to see if things unfold that way… cause I’ve secretly been hoping for an outcome that was flashed all the way back in Nightwing #29… cause that would be badass! Oh, and Damian is also in this book that’s about Damian.

Batman News Critic: Brandon

 

 

 

Dark Knight III: The Master Race #2
The unexpected finale to the Dark Knight saga continues as Carrie Kelly gets caught…that is, she finds herself…she gets into—well, you’re just going to have to read it yourself.

Written by Brian Azzarello and Frank Miller
Pencils by Andy Kubert and Eduardo Risso
Inks by Klaus Janson and Eduardo Risso
Colored by Brad Anderson and Trish Mulvihill
Cover by Brad Anderson, Klaus Janson, Andy Kubert, Trish Mulvihill, and Eduardo Risso

Random Blurb of Excitement: I thought last month’s debut was surprisingly strong. Maybe I was just expecting the worst after the mess that was DK II. Regardless, I feel like I’m looking forward to this issue more than last month’s debut now that I have a glimpse of what Azzarello and Miller are setting up.

Batman News Critic: Jay

 

 

 

Gotham by Midnight #12
The final battle for the soul of Gotham City begins, and The Spectre might be facing more than just the ancient spirit called Ikkondrid. What will Corrigan and the Midnight Shift do if they discover that The Spectre is on the wrong side of this fight after all?

Written by Ray Fawkes
Pencils and Inks by Juan E. Ferreyra
Colored by Juan E. Ferreyra
Cover by Bill Sienkiewicz

Random Blurb of Excitement: Oh sad day… Sad, sad day… It’s the last issue of what’s been a wonderful book! Sometimes life sucks.

Batman News Critic: Elena

 

 

 

Titans Hunt #3
Haunted by a past they no longer recognize, Dick Grayson and Roy Harper hunt for the truth. Somehow, somewhere, there must be someone who can explain the memories that obsess them but don’t belong to them. Their search has unleashed the rage of Atlantis, but that’s nothing compared to the fury of the Amazonian outcast waiting for them in the shadows.

Written by Dan Abnett
Pencils by Geraldo Borges, Jack Herbert, and Paulo Siqueira
Colored by Hi-Fi
Cover by Hi-Fi, Nathan Fairbairn, Yanick Paquette, and Paulo Siqueira

Random Blurb of Excitement: Let me just put it this way, I’m ok if we cancel Teen Titans and just have this book!

Batman News Critic: Cat

 

 

 

Batman ’66 Meets the Man From U.N.C.L.E. #1
Two 1960s television icons cross paths for a groovy, globe-spanning adventure in this one-of-a-kind miniseries. The deadly organization known as T.H.R.U.S.H. has a new twist in their plans for world conquest—they’re recruiting some of Gotham City’s most infamous villains! Agents Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin bring this information to the one man who knows everything about these new enemies: Batman. Before you can say “Open channel D,” the Dynamic Duo and the Men from U.N.C.L.E. are jetting off to Europe to thwart the schemes of this deadly criminal cartel.

Art by David Hahn
Cover by Mike Allred
Variant cover by Eduardo Risso
Written by Jeff Parker

Random Blurb of Excitement: My fingers are crossed, and I’m desperately hoping that this book is as fun and well written as Batman ’66 was. I always looked forward to reading Batman ’66 at the end of the week to end each week on a positive note, so I’m going to need this book to feel that void… no pressure…

Batman News Critic: Jay

 

 

Bombshells #7
Presenting the Batgirls! While Batwoman is away in Europe, a group of young women decide to pick up her mantle and protect the streets of Gotham City themselves!

Art by Mirka Anolfo
Cover by Ant Lucia
Written by Marguerite Bennett

Random Blurb of Excitement: There aren’t enough people talking about this book. Yes it’s a bit niche, but it’s well done and provides a fun interpretation of characters we know and love. Some of the interpretations here are even better than their character’s representation in the main DC continuity (*cough* Joker’s Daughter *cough*).

Batman News Critic: Elena

 

 

Deathstroke #13
The showdown between Slade Wilson, the Suicide Squad and Amanda Waller looms in what’s left of Belle Reve Penitentiary…but first he’ll have to face off against a deadly new super-villain who could bring an end to Deathstroke’s “Suicide Mission”!

Written by James Bonny and Tony Salvador Daniel
Pencils and Inks by Tyler Kirkham and Paolo Pantalena
Cover by Tyler Kirkham and Tomeu Morey

Random Blurb of Excitement: It’s another dip into the Suicide Squad pool with Deathstroke! There are many things that can be said about this book, but at the end of the day, it’s a fun, high energy, action packed ride! And… the Suicide Squad are better here than they are in their own book!

Batman News Critic: Josh

 

 

 

Justice League 3001 #7
The world is overrun…and we lost?! For the past few months, they’ve slowly taken over the U.P. space. Now they’re simply exterminating any and all threats in their occupied territory. No one is safe. And we mean NO ONE!

Written by J.M. DeMatteis and Keith Giffen
Pencils by Chris Batista
Inks Wayne Faucher and Andy Owens
Colored by Hi-Fi
Cover by Hi-Fi and Howard Porter

Random Blurb of Excitement: I haven’t spoken very highly about this book, but last month’s issue ended with quite the bang! So… I’d be fibbing if I said I weren’t interested in this issue.

Batman News Critic: Cat

 

 

 

Justice League of America #6
The devastating climax of last issue has the League scrambling for revenge! Only problem is, they’ll need to get through millions of super-powered Kryptonians to get it!

Written by Bryan Hitch
Pencils by Bryan Hitch
Inks by Andrew Currie, Daniel Henriques, and Bryan Hitch
Colored by Alex Sinclair
Cover by Bryan Hitch and Alex Sinclair

Random Blurb of Excitement: After a six month delay (kidding), Bryan Hitch has decided to finally finish this issue and release it. Another three to six months from now, we’ll get issue number seven. If I’m being honest, I’ve enjoyed this arc, but the delays have killed whatever momentum this book had. Maybe after I read this issue I’ll get a little more excited again.

Batman News Critic: Josh

 

 

Batman: Arkham Knight #12
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!

Art by Julio Ferreira, Ig Guara, Richard Friend, and Viktor Bogdanovic
Cover by Howard Porter
Written by Peter J. Tomasi

Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m just going to come out and say it… this book hasn’t done it for me. I don’t feel like there was a strong, cohesive story told, and that’s a bummer because the writing itself wasn’t bad. And while I know that this story is supposed to lead into the narrative of the game, that doesn’t mean that you can’t complete a solid story. I’m going to consider this a wash, and recommend that you save your money if you’re waiting for the trade.

Batman News Critic: Jay

 

 

Teen Titans #15
A “Robin War” tie-in! With Tim Drake missing, the Teen Titans track him back to Gotham City, where the Robin War rages—but Professor Pyg stands between the team and their leader.

Written by Scott Lobdell and Will Pfeifer
Pencils by Ian Churchill and Miguel Mendonca
Inks by Norm Rapmund
Colored by Tony Avina and Dan Brown
Cover by Brad Anderson and Ethan Van Sciver

Random Blurb of Excitement: I don’t know how I feel… The thought of Lobdell writing Professor Pyg terrifies me.

Batman News Critic: Josh

 

 

 

Notes:

Justice League #47, Black Canary #6 and Harley Quinn & Power Girl #6 have been pushed back until December 30^th.

Batgirl #47 has been pushed back to January 20^th.

 

 

Graphic Novel Watch:

There are no Batman themed graphic novels being released this week! This is the perfect opportunity to pick up a few titles you’ve been curious about!

 

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.