Well would you look at that! It’s 2016!!! When in the hell did that happen? If you saw my New Year’s Eve celebration, you’d think I was middle-aged with kids… I had dinner, drinks, and a quiet night watching the ball drop in New York City… Eastern time… then watched another countdown, on another network, until midnight pacific time… But, it was better than hitting up a local, overcrowded bar that would’ve been slinging a large dose of amateur hour…. Or those crazy Uber bills that were hundreds of dollars.
Anyway, a new year means new stories, and considering 2015 consisted of Convergence, stories with a wannabe Batman, and a “re-launch” that has already started to go against its original intention… I think it’s safe to say that we’ll open except the things to come! And I think we can all expect to see more of Cassandra and Azrael, which is far from a bad thing!
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…
January 6th
Batman & Robin Eternal #14!
Mother has trapped Grayson, Cassandra and Harper in her Nursery. Will they escape her clutches or be vaporized in a nuclear blast?
Written by Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV
Pencils and Inks by Fernando Blanco and Roger Robinson
Cover by David Finch and Scott Hanna
Random Blurb of Excitement: Hmm… I bet they get vaporized! I’ve said it before, but I’m actually enjoying this run! The pacing has been much better, and the story has been much tighter and more cohesive. Now that we’re past the halfway point, I’m curious to see if we can pick up momentum as the book races towards a finish.
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Midnighter #8
As he recovers from an assault that hit him harder than he ever could have imagined, Midnighter finds himself back in the sights of Spyral…but this time, they want him on their side!
Written by Steve Orlando
Pencils by David Messina
Inks by Gaetano Carlucci
Colored by Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
Cover by ACO and Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
Random Blurb of Excitement: Hey! Listen to me! This book is good, and there’s not enough people reading it! Do yourself a favor and go pick up the run so you can catch up! I’ll give you a hug if we ever meet in person. And in case you’re wondering, I give damn good hugs! Or so I’ve been told… No, but seriously, this has been a quality book that could have a bright future! Make sure you support it. Also, we’ve got Spyral and the Suicide Squad popping up! And David Messina on art!
Batman News Critic: Josh
DC Comics Bombshells #8
Now serving on the side of the Allies as part of the Amanda Waller’s Bombshells program, Supergirl and Stargirl wonder if they still are being used as instruments of propaganda. Meanwhile, mythological creatures and the undead legions of Tenebrus attack the Allied forces, bringing Wonder Woman into the fray. Can she count on the newest Bombshells to help?
Art by Maria Laura Sanapo and Laura Braga
Cover by Ant Lucia
Written by Marguerite Bennett
Random Blurb of Excitement: Bombshells is one of those unspoken gems that when you finally give in to it, you’re pleasantly surprised. I’m greatly enjoying this interpretation of these characters, and recommend you give this book a shot if you’re not already.
Batman News Critic: Elena
Injustice: Gods Among Us Year 5 #1
This is it: the final year of INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US, leading into the storyline of the hit videogame! Having defeated the Green Lantern Corps, the forces of magic, and now the gods themselves, the Regime seems to have eliminated all threats. Yet uneasy lies the crown on the head of Emperor Superman. Still obsessed with the outlaw Batman and worried about having enough troops to police his world, The Man of Steel begins to recruit some of Earth’s deadliest villains to his side. Does the Dark Knight have any chance of ending the Man of Steel’s rule?
Art by Mike S. Miller, Bruno Redondo, and Juan Albarran
Cover by David Yardin
Variant cover by Norm Rapmund and Brett Booth
Written by Brian Buccellato
Random Blurb of Excitement: Let me start with the Year 4 Annual… If you didn’t read it, go pick it up! It’s a good representation of just how good this book once was! It’s not bad now, but it’s also not great. Anyway, Buccellato is taking over again, and he’ll be continuing where Taylor left off. The gates for the narrative are wide open again, so hopefully he’ll knock Year 5 out of the park!
Batman News Critic: Elena
Detective Comics #48
In the wake of the Robin War and globe-hopping with the Justice League, Jim Gordon is looking forward to getting back to what he, and Batman, do best: taking out crime in Gotham City. But lurking in the shadows at home is a case from Jim’s past that may decide the future of Batman.
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils by Fernando Pasarin and Marcio Takara
Inks by Matt Ryan and Marcio Takara
Colored by Chris Sotomayor
Cover by Andrew Robinson
Random Blurb of Excitement: I wasn’t a fan of the previous arc, so I’m hoping this one is better! I’d love to see Tomasi focus on Gordon’s detective skills since… you know… Gordon was a cop… and the title of this book is Detective Comics. This one is up on the air for me… And hopefully it doesn’t spoil anything concerning the Robin War conclusion.
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Batman Beyond #8
No good deed goes unpunished! Freeing the world from Brother Eye was only the beginning—with Neo-Gotham now standing as the only stable society in the known world, thousands of refugees have fled their war-torn cities to come knocking at the gates. But when the mayor of Neo-Gotham claims his city can’t support the whole world, the fate of these people will rest on Batman’s shoulders.
Written by Dan Jurgens
Pencils and Inks by Bernard Chang
Colored by Marcelo Maiolo
Cover by Bernard Chang, Ellery Santos, and Philip Tan
Random Blurb of Excitement: I really want this book to find its footing be able to stand on it’s own… unfortunately, it hasn’t done that yet. If the creative team expects readers to stick around, they’re going to have to deliver work that’s better than average. I’m hanging in there for now, but if things don’t pick up, I’m concerned I’ll start to grow fatigued with this book.
Batman News Critic: Cat
Green Lantern #48
Back on Earth once more, Hal Jordan must bring in help to handle a terrorist attack on Coast City. But when Batman arrives on the scene, Green Lantern learns that much has changed while he was off-planet…
Written by Robert Venditti
Pencils by Martin Coccolo and Billy Tan
Inks by Mark Irwin
Cover by Mark Irwin and Billy Tan
Random Blurb of Excitement: Oh look! Gordo-Bats is getting rough and tumble with Hal… I think we all know how that would really end. Anyway, I have no clue what’s going on in this book at the moment, but it has “Batman” so we’re covering it! I’m going to do a little catching up before jumping into this issue so that I’m not completely confused, so fear not!
Batman News Critic: Josh
Notes:
Robin War #2 and Batman ’66 Meets the Man From U.N.C.L.E. #2 has been pushed back until January 13th.
Graphic Novel Watch:
Batman Arkham Knight Vol. 1 (Softcover) – The prequel to the best-selling game BATMAN: ARKHAM KNIGHT! The Joker is dead. Arkham City is closed. As a new day begins, Bruce Wayne finds himself in devastating pain, recovering from his injuries and questioning whether his role as Batman is still necessary to the city’s survival. But as the sun rises in Gotham City, dangerous new threats emerge from the shadows…and the Arkham Knight is just beginning. Don’t miss this in-continuity prequel comic set prior to the events of the brand-new video game Batman: Arkham Knight! Collects BATMAN: ARKHAM KNIGHT #1-4.
Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 6: Icarus (Softcover) – When his newest business associate is murdered on the doorstep of Wayne Manor, Bruce Wayne finds himself at the center of the GCPD’s investigation. Batman’s own detective work uncovers a much more devious plot: a city-wide conspiracy involving corrupt politicians, rival gangs and a deadly designer drug known as Icarus flooding Gotham’s streets.
But a personal stake has Detective Harvey Bullock coming hard after the man he believes to be behind the dangerous drug ring—can the Dark Knight uncover the truth before his alter ego ends up in handcuffs?
The critically acclaimed creative team behind THE FLASH, Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato, reach a stunning new height of comics collaboration in DETECTIVE COMICS: ICARUS—a bright new chapter for the Dark Knight! Collects issues #30-34 and Annual #3.
Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 7: Anarky (Hardcover) – Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato-the critically acclaimed creative team behind THE FLASH-are back, with Batman!
A plane has crash-landed at Gotham International Airport, but the passengers and crew appear to have been dead for years. Whatever caused their demise is now loose in the terminal-and if Batman can’t figure out who’s behind this biological attack, the body count will climb even higher.
Gotham City then braces itself for another biological attack, this time by the Joker himself. Lonnie Machin-the digital savant once known as Monkeyspider-braves the murderous lunacy that has befallen the city to save his mom.
Then, travel five years into the future, when Batman must team up with the villainous Riddler in order to prevent the Calendar Man from creating another Zero Year.
Collects issues DETECTIVE COMICS #35-40, DETECTIVE COMICS: ENDGAME #1 and DETECTIVE COMICS: FUTURES END #1.
Red Hood & the Outlaws Vol. 7: Last Call (Softcover) – The Outlaws get ready for their final battle!
Something is terribly wrong with Princess Koriand’r. A secret from her past, from before she was Starfire, recently came to light on Earth. Strung out on alien drugs, she loses control of her temper and her powers-and Arsenal is the one who gets burned!
The whole planet is at risk, as the intergalactic empire called the Citadel has arrived on Earth; and their leader has an intimate connection to Starfire herself-a blood connection! With one teammate missing and the other in the hospital, Red Hood must make a desperate move to bring the Outlaws back together.
Writer SCOTT LOBDELL (TEEN TITANS) and artists RB SILVA (SUPERBOY), WAYNE FAUCHER (STORMWATCH) and others take the Outlaws on their ultimate adventure in RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS Vol. 7: LAST CALL, collecting RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #35-40 and RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS: FUTURES END #1!
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 were included in the Cover Poll: Best Cover of 2015, so if you haven’t checked that out, go vote before the poll closes! You have until January 7th to vote!
