Upcoming Comics: February 24, 2016

We have some really good books to look forward to this week! I had a difficult time doing my ranking for this week, and have basically decided that it’s a three way tie for the top spot between Justice League, Batman & Robin Eternal, and Grayson. And then barely trailing behind those titles, we have We Are Robin and Dark Knight III… It feels like Christmas…

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…

 

February 24^th

 

Justice League #48
The epic “Darkseid War” continues as the League is forced to unite with their evil counterparts, the Crime Syndicate, to defeat the nigh-omnipotent Anti-Monitor! Plus, what is the terrible secret behind Superwoman’s newborn child?

Art by Jason Fabok
Cover by Jason Fabok
Variant cover by Scott Kolins
Written by Geoff Johns

Random Blurb of Excitement: I really don’t know how anyone could dislike this arc… It’s pretty damn epic, but without being obnoxiously aware of how big it is… if that makes any sense. Having the Crime Syndicate fully join in on the fray really should kick things up a notch or two, and what in the hell is going to happen involving Superwoman’s baby? You know something crazy is coming…

Batman News Critic: Josh

 

 

Batman & Robin Eternal #21
The origin of Mother. Batman returns to Europe and discovers Mother’s true history.

Written by Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV
Pencils by Tony Salvador Daniel
Inks by Sandu Florea
Colored by Tomeu Morey
Cover by Tony Salvador Daniel

Random Blurb of Excitement: There were some really nice moments in last week’s issue, and it has me incredibly eager to read this chapter! Also… when they reference that Batman returns to Europe… is that in the present day, or is it still a flash back? I mean, is Bats back in this book yet?

Batman News Critic: Brandon

 

 

Grayson #17
Agent 37 has run out of allies to turn to in his fight against Spyral. His only choice is to go even deeper into the shadows and recruit a team of spies that will help him challenge the monster that Spyral has become since his former friends Tiger and Helena took over the organization.

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

Random Blurb of Excitement: I fully expect King and Seeley to completely let loose with their remaining issues… You know they originally had a ton of other stories planned for Grayson, so it’ll most likely be a sprint to the finish for this title.

Batman News Critic: Jay

 

 

 

We Are Robin #9
The Jokers are growing in power while the Robins remain divided on how-or if-they should respond. While Dre tracks Smiley and his gang, Dax tries to reach out to Izzy. But with Duke and Riko out of the game, will their team mean anything once the Jokers’ plans unfold?

Written by Lee Bermejo
Pencils and Inks by Jorge Corona
Colored by Trish Mulvihill
Cover by Lee Bermejo

Random Blurb of Excitement: If you didn’t read last month’s issue, then I STRONGLY recommend that you do so. If this issue matches the quality of last month, then there should essentially be a four-way tie for the top of my ranking list… This book has surprised me in many ways since its launch, and it continues to do so. Bermejo deserves way more credit than he’s receiving!

Batman News Critic: Brandon

 

 

Dark Knight III: The Master Race #3
The hardest thing for Batman is to admit his greatest strength: He’s just one man, and sometimes he needs help. With so much at stake, will he turn to help of the Super variety?

Written by Brian Azzarello and Frank Miller
Pencils by Andy Kubert and John Romita Jr.
Inks by Klaus Janson
Colored by Brad Anderson
Cover by Brad Anderson, Klaus Janson, Andy Kubert, Danny Miki, Trish Mulvihill, and More…

Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m actually enjoying this book more than I thought I would! I believe that’s due to Azzarello more than Miller, but both are fantastic in their own respect. I can’t wait to see what’s in store now that the “master race” has been set-up and introduced…

Batman News Critic: Jay

 

 

Superman: Lois & Clark #5
How do you fight a villain who is a reality TV star and still stay undercover? That’s what Superman is up against as he faces a threat created just for ratings: Blackrock! Meanwhile, Intergang has Lois Lane in their crosshairs!

Written by Dan Jurgens
Pencils Neil Edwards and Lee Weeks
Inks by Jonathan Glapion and Lee Weeks
Cover by Lee Weeks

Random Blurb of Excitement: I haven’t been reading this title, but I’ve heard really positive feedback towards it. I’ll probably do a binge-read this weekend and catch up… Cause, you know… Why not? Plus, I loved the Convergence story that lead to this title.

Batman News Critic: Jay

 

 

Suicide Squad’s Most Wanted: Deadshot/ Katana #2
Katana has done her best to prepare her Markovian friends for Kobra’s occupation, and now it’s time to search for Doctor Jace. Finding her way through a mountain pass full of Kobra’s Blackadder troops proves to be a bigger challenge than she expected—especially when she cannot go it alone!

Meanwhile, Deadshot abandons his post with the Suicide Squad to deal with some long overdue family business. Will Floyd finish the job before Amanda Waller detonates his nano-bomb?

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 Cary Nord

Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m hoping for a slight improvement in the Deadshot story, and praying for a HUGE improvement for Katana’s story… Last month was a poor turnout, with Deadshot serving as the highlight of the two stories, and even it was just averagely good. I’m crossing my fingers! I want to like this really bad!

Batman News Critic: Josh

 

 

Teen Titans #17
With their backs against the wall, the Titans are wanted across the country! Now, Tim Drake must find a way to clear the team’s name while staying one step ahead of the law. But Wonder Girl’s past is also catching up with her and it won’t wait for the Titans’ troubles to calm down.

Written by Greg Pak
Pencils Ian Churchill
Inks by Norm Rapmund
Colored by Tony Avina
Cover by Ian Churchill, Andrew Dalhouse, Norm Rapmund, and Ethan Van Sciver

Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m not the biggest Pak fan, but he’s way better than Lobdell… That being said, this cover does NOTHING for me.

Batman News Critic: Brian

 

 

Justice League 3001 #9
After suffering a brutal defeat by Lady Styx’s legion, the remaining members of the Justice League are forced into hiding—but there are eyes everywhere. And what’s the best way to hide in plain sight? Create secret identities! But even that may not be enough deceive Styx’s deadliest bounty hunter: Eclipso!

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

Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m not going to lie, I probably won’t pick up this book… With everything changing in June, I have no desire to read something that most likely continue, and that I was only partially interested in to begin with…

Batman News Critic: Cat

 

Notes:

• Batgirl #49 has been pushed back to March 2^nd
• Black Canary #9 has been pushed back to March 9^th.
• Justice League of America #8 has been pushed back to March 23^rd.
• The Dark Knight Returns: The Last Crusade #1 has been pushed back to April 20^th.
• Justice League – The release dates for Justice League issues are a mess right now. The Justice League: Darkseid War Special #1 was supposed to be released last week. Instead, it’s been pushed back to March 23^rd, pulling issue #48 ahead of its release. For Justice League #49 DC has it slated for March 30^th, but other outlets currently have it listed for March 16^th… The actual date could be anyone’s guess at this point. To take things even further, Justice League #50 is currently scheduled for May 25^th (roughly two months after issue #49), and Justice League #51 is scheduled for June 8^th… after/ during the Rebirth launch… Like I said, the release dates for this title are a MESS!

 

Graphic Novel Watch:

Batman: Arkham Knight Vol. 2 – The prequel to the best-selling video game continues!

The Venom-fueled super-villain Bane has broken out of Gotham Stone Ridge Penitentiary, and this time he’s amassed an army of followers ready to overrun the city and install him as ruler of Gotham. To defeat him, Batman will need an army of his own, and he’ll stand shoulder to shoulder with allies and enemies alike to fight for their city.

But Bane isn’t the only threat facing the Dark Knight. While Jim Gordon runs for mayor as part of Bruce Wayne’s “Gotham Reborn” city revitalization plan, Harley Quinn and the rest of the Suicide Squad are after the billionaire’s head, as ordered by none other than the Penguin himself! And through it all, someone new is watching from the shadows.

In BATMAN: ARKHAM KNIGHT VOL. 2, writer Peter J. Tomasi (BATMAN AND ROBIN) and artists Victor Bogdanovic (Reality Check), Ig Guara (BLUE BEETLE), Art Thibert (Utimate Spider-Man) and Julio Ferreira (TEEN TITANS) present never-before-seen stories from the BATMAN: ARKHAM universe as this official prequel to Rocksteady Studio’s best-selling video game continues! Collects BATMAN: ARKHAM KNIGHT #7-12.

 

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns HC Book & DVD/ Blu-Ray Set – Ten years after an aging Batman retired, Gotham City has sunk deeper into decadence and lawlessness. Now, when his city needs him most, the Dark Knight returns in a blaze of glory. Comes with the BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT animated movie on Blu-Ray and DVD discs! Read the book, watch the movie!

 

Birds of Prey Vol. 2 – The continued adventures of the loveliest and deadliest crime-fighters in the DCU from the critically acclaimed superstar team of Chuck Dixon, Greg Land and Drew Geraci.

The Birds of Prey have become a tight-knit partnership, even though Black Canary has never seen Oracle face to face. But their friendship and their lives could be cut short when Black Canary finds herself in the middle of a deadly hunt led by the ruthless cult leader Kobra for a long-forgotten piece of Russian technology. And as Black Canary fights for her life, Oracle has her own troubles when the U.S. Army begins tracking down the person hacking into their systems. All of this, plus guest stars Batman, Nightwing and-Guy Gardner?

Collected for the first time in chronological order: BIRDS OF PREY #1-11 and BIRDS OF PREY: RAVENS #1.

 

Justice League: Throne of Atlantis HC Book & DVD/ Blu-Ray Set – While Earth’s super heroes are distracted elsewhere, a mysterious force is pushing Atlantis and the surface world to the brink of war! As casualties rise and a full-scale invasion seems increasingly likely, can the Justice League prevent a bloody confrontation that would doom half of civilization to a watery grave? Comes with the JUSTICE LEAGUE: THRONE OF ATLANTIS animated movie on Blu-Ray and DVD discs! Read the book, watch the movie!

 

Superman/ Batman: Public Enemies HC Book & DVD/ Blu-Ray – Superman and Batman unite when President Lex Luthor accuses the Man of Steel of terrible crimes against humanity and assembles a top-secret team of powerhouse heroes to bring Superman in. Comes with the SUPERMAN/BATMAN: PUBLIC ENEMIES animated movie on Blu-Ray and DVD discs! Read the book, watch the movie!

 

 

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.

 

Best New 52 #1 Variant Cover Poll Results