Upcoming Comics: January 27, 2016

This looks like it’s going to be a pretty good week! We’ve got Grayson, the debut of Suicide Squad’s Most Wanted – blah, blah, blah, what’s going on in June? I’m a twenty minute drive from Burbank. I’m going to find my best Batman costume and do my best Batman impression. If my reviews don’t post by the weekend, it’s because I’m in jail for breaking into the DC offices… Come on Didio… Lee… just give us some answers… Think of the children!

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 27^th

 

Grayson #16
Armed with new information concerning Spyral’s connections, Dick must seek Tiger’s help to take Spyral down from within. But when Dick’s, his days as a double-agent may soon end in death!

Written by Tom King and Tim Seeley
Pencils and Inks by Mikel Janin
Colored by Jeromy Cox
Cover by Mikel Janin

Random Blurb of Excitement: I thought I’d made a mistake with the solicitation, but it looks like it was an error on DC’s part. Regardless, I expect to see some fallout from Robin War, and Dick and Tiger are always a fun combination!

Batman News Critic: Jay

 

 

 

Batman & Robin Eternal #17
Orphan is a prisoner of Spyral. Will he put Grayson’s suspicions to rest or will he provide something more to fear?!

Written by Ed Brisson, Scott Snyder, and James Tynion IV
Pencils by Scot Eaton
Inks by Wayne Faucher
Colored by Allen Passalaqua

Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m such a big fan of Grayson at this point, that if you mention Spyral, my ears are going to perk up. I’m hoping that we get to see some of the supporting characters from Grayson make an appearance.

Batman News Critic: Brandon

 

 

Justice League of America #7
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 Daniel Henriques and Wade von Grawbadger
Colored by Alex Sinclair
Cover by Bryan Hitch and Alex Sinclair

Random Blurb of Excitement: Last month I let my disappointment with the delays this book has experienced to cloud my judgement on its quality. I admit that was a mistake. This is a solid book, and the last issue made quite an impact! With the stakes raised,

Batman News Critic: Josh

 

 

Suicide Squad’s Most Wanted: Deadshot/ Katana #1
Two of the stars of next year’s highly anticipated action movie break out in their own solo adventures in this extra-sized, 6-issue miniseries!

First, in a story by Brian Buccellato, Viktor Bogdanovic and Richard Friend, Deadshot is on the run, taking on a series of new contracts, and re-establishing himself as the world’s most deadly marksman. But things are about to get complicated for Floyd Lawton when a figure from his past threatens to expose a dark secret…and Deadshot gets word of his next target: Lex Luthor!

Then, writer Mike W. Barr returns to the character he co-created in “Katana, Cult of the Kobra,” with art by Diogenes Neves. Katana needs to know more about Soultaker’s origin if she’s going to have any hope of controlling the sword instead of falling under its influence. Dr. Helga Jace, a Markovian astrophysicist, may be able to shed some light—but before Katana can get the info, Kobra’s forces attack!

Written by Mike W. Barr and Brian Buccellato
Pencils by Viktor Bogdanovic and Diogenes Neves
Inks by Richard Friend and Diogenes Neves
Colored by Mike Spicer and Carrie Strachan
Cover by Marc Deering, Gabe Eltaeb, Diogenes Neves, and Cary Nord

Random Blurb of Excitement: Two issues in one? Yeah! Suicide Squad that isn’t written by Sean Ryan? Yeah! Character focuses on Katana & Deadshot? Yeah!!! With the film scheduled later this year, you can expect to see a lot from the Suicide Squad brand. This book excites me because it puts a spotlight on two of the best characters that are associated with the Suicide Squad.

Batman News Critic:  Josh

 

 

 

We Are Robin #8
The Robin War is over. From the rubble a new force rises, one that is attacking Duke and his Robins one by one. This new movement laughs at hope and justice. They believe in anger. They believe in fear. They believe in chaos. They are…JOKERS.

Written by Lee Bermejo
Pencils and Inks Jorge Corona
Cover by Lee Bermejo

Random Blurb of Excitement: I feel like this will either be really good, or completely fall flat! I’m hoping it’s really good, and what I’ve seen from this book supports that hope!

Batman News Critic: Brandon

 

 

Black Canary #7
It’s the deafening finale of the band’s debut tour! Dinah will have to scream louder than she ever has before, so loud that the walls of reality will crumble! It’s gonna get crazy, folks.

Written by Brenden Fletcher
Pencils and Inks by Annie Wu
Cover by Annie Wu

Random Blurb of Excitement: Black Canary feels as though it’s been a little all over the place lately. Now that it looks like we’re finally moving past the band portion (which, admittedly has had ups and downs), we might be able to move on to some nice, meaty storytelling!

Batman News Critic: Josh

 

Justice League 3001 #8
As Lady Styx’s legion reigns over the Commonwealth, an all-new Justice League rises from the ashes of the old. But can they topple a tyrant who’s embraced by the very people she’s conquered?

Written by J.M. DeMatteis and Keith Giffen
Pencils and Inks by Scott Kolins
Colored by Hi-Fi
Cover by Hi-Fi and Howard Porter

Random Blurb of Excitement: This book has finally picked up the momentum, and is starting to resemble the quality that it had throughout its first year. I’m still not jumping out of my seat, but there’s typically good humor and solid action!

Batman News Critic: Cat

 

 

Teen Titans #16
While the Teen Titans try to deal with the aftermath of the Robin War, they search for a new direction. Can Red Robin hold the team together?

Written by Will Pfeifer
Pencils by Miguel Mendonca
Cover by Jorge Jimenez and Alejandro Sanchez

Random Blurb of Excitement: Well, according to Comixology, Scott Lobdell doesn’t have writing credits for this issue… unfortunately, I’m not sure that there’s much that can save this book at the moment.

Batman News Critic:  Josh

 

 

Notes:

• Batman Europa #4 and Batgirl #48 have been pushed back to February 3^rd.
• Justice League #48 has been pushed back to February 10^th.
• Dark Knight III: The Master Race #3 has been pushed back to February 24^th.

 

Graphic Novel Watch:

Batman by Ed Brubaker Vol. 1 – Award-winning writer Ed Brubaker begins his legendary run on the title as the Batman goes head-to-head with a seemingly unstoppable assassin.

Someone has been spying on the Dark Knight from the shadows, studying his fighting style and planning a counterattack. The killer known as Zeiss is prepared for every trick Batman might try. And with experimental surgeries enhancing his eyes and reflexes, Zeiss can react at lightning speed, blocking any punch with ease.

Batman is one of the most skilled fighters on the planet, but can he defeat an enemy who can anticipate his every move?

Collects BATMAN #582-586, #591-597 and BATMAN: OUR WORLDS AT WAR #1

 

Batman: The Jiro Kuwata Batmanga Vol. 3 – Batman, as you’ve never seen him before!

In 1966, writer and illustrator Jiro Kuwata became famous for introducing the Dark Knight to a brand new audience in Japan. Almost 50 years later, Kuwata’s classic tales remain the quintessential Batmanga.

In this new translated collection, English-speaking audiences will be able to explore these legendary stories for the first time, complete and unabridged!

Collects BATMAN: THE JIRO KUWATA BATMANGA digital chapters 39-52

 

 

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 can be found in the spoiler tag.