Upcoming Comics: March 9, 2016

My mom is in town at the moment, and when we’re not bouncing around LA (aka: hitting up as many shopping malls as possible – my mom’s idea of fun, not mine), we’re both trying to convince each other to take an interest in each other’s tv/film preferences. She tries to get me to watch The Real Housewives of ________ while I try to tempt her to sit down and watch Batman films… and we both fail miserably in our efforts. But it’s still fun to try, especially when I put on The Dark Knight and she has no clue that it’s a Batman movie until she sees Christian Bale in all of his Bat glory. Then she reminds me that she “doesn’t do super hero movies” and we find a happy medium with Spy. I’ve gotta love my mom though. She does buy me Batman stuff quite frequently, so I guess I can let it pass that she doesn’t watch the movies with me…

Anyway, 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…

March 9^th

Detective Comics #50
Jim Gordon faces his past in this extra-sized conclusion to his most shocking cold case yet. With history itself forcing him to reflect on the last year as Batman, Gordon must make a decision about what his future holds in Gotham City.

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 Tyler Kirkham, Tomeu Morey, and Andrew Robinson

Random Blurb of Excitement: This arc is SO GOOD! I’d go as far to say that this is probably the best story that’s been in this title since the launch of the New 52, and that should say something! In fact, this is a Gordo-Bats story, and it’s better than most of the real Batman stories that have come out in the New 52! Check it out if you haven’t already.

Batman News Critic: Brandon

Batman/ Superman #30
The mystery of why Batman and Superman were brought into a cosmic murder case is revealed-and the ramifications for Superman are huge!

Written by Tom Taylor
Pencils by Robson Rocha
Inks by Jay Leisten
Colored by Blond
Cover by Nathan Fairbairn, Aaron Kuder, and Yanick Paquette

Random Blurb of Excitement: It’s Tom Taylor, and he’s awesome… Of course this is near the top of my list! If it hadn’t been for that pesky Detective Comics being so damn good at the moment, this would’ve easily taken the top spot!

Batman News Critic: Brian

New Suicide Squad #18
Officially “killed in action,” the Suicide Squad considers what to do with their newfound freedom-but not for long, as their mysterious liberator reveals his own dark reasons for aiding them in their escape-reasons that drag the members of Task Force X deep into the heart of evil in the DC Universe.

Written by Tim Seeley
Pencils and Inks by Juan E. Ferreyra
Colored by Blond and Juan E. Ferreyra
Cover by Juan E. Ferreyra

Random Blurb of Excitement: Even though I wasn’t a fan of the end of last month’s issue, overall it was worlds better than this title has been in a long time. I’m hoping Seeley will continue on this title with Rebirth, but I doubt that will happen.

Batman News Critic: Josh

Batman & Robin Eternal #23
Every child in the world has been brainwashed by Mother to join her army. In order to deprogram all the children in the world, will the Bat-team have to turn to the psychological expertise of…Scarcerow?!

Written by Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, and Genevieve Valentine
Pencils and Inks by Christian Duce
Colored by Gabe Eltaeb
Cover by Romulo Fajardo, Jr., Carlo Pagulayan, and Jason Paz

Random Blurb of Excitement: The previous issue let me down considering Valentine wrote the script, so I’m hoping she redeems herself a little with this issue! We’re quickly approaching the end of this story, so I’m crossing my fingers that it doesn’t fizzle out.

Batman News Critic: Brandon

Batman/ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4
With the possibility existing that they might never get home, the Turtles take up residence at Wayne Manor. Everyone seems to be adapting except for Raphael, who still can’t understand why his friends all trust this Bat-person. So Batman takes the skeptical Turtle on a trip down Crime Alley to tell Raph what led him to don the cape and cowl in the first place. Co-published with IDW.

Written by James Tynion IV
Pencils and Inks by Freddie E. Williams II
Colored by Jeremy Colwell
Cover by Freddie E. Williams II

Random Blurb of Excitement: This title makes me happy… in fact, it makes me want to take the theme songs from Batman ’66 and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon, and make an awesome mashup…

Batman News Critic: Jay

Catwoman #50
Catwoman behind bars?! Thrown into jail with criminals who are still looking to collect a bounty on her head, Selina has to work with her shadowy helper, Mr. Blond, in order to escape and get to the bottom of the mystery behind the Frost Diamond. Shocking revelations will be made before the end of this extra-sized conclusion to Tieri and Miranda’s “On the Run” adventure!

Written by Frank Tieri
Pencils and Inks by Inaki Miranda
Colored by Eva de la Cruz
Cover by Josh Middleton

Random Blurb of Excitement: In my review for the previous issue, I commented on the fact that I felt the issue was rushed. This solicitation pretty much confirms what I feared… Tieri is simply having to cram too much plot into too short of a time span. For what it’s worth, he’s done a damn good job considering the situation, and should be applauded for that.

Batman News Critic: Josh

Earth 2: Society #10
While Batman and his allies fight to keep their city safe from organized crime, Green Lantern and his wonders struggle to prevent the world from toppling into all-out war. But Hawkgirl may have just uncovered a global threat greater than either of those dangers…one that has come with them all the way from Old Earth…the world-changing intentions of the mighty and secret Amazons!

Written by Dan Abnett
Pencils and Inks by Jorge Jimenez
Colored by Alejandro Sanchez
Cover by Jorge Jimenez, Anthony John Rauch, Jr., and Alejandro Sanchez

Random Blurb of Excitement: This book is finally finding it’s footing – much like Batman Beyond – unfortunately, I can’t get excited about the increase in quality because everything will most likely change after two months…

Batman News Critic: Cat

Red Hood/ Arsenal #10
Terror in D.C.! When Red Hood and Arsenal hit the nation’s capital, trouble is not far behind! But believe it or not, battling H.I.V.E. terrorists aboard a battleship in the Potomac isn’t the biggest challenge facing our heroes. The true challenge will be whether Joker’s Daughter can survive therapy!

Written by Scott Lobdell
Pencils and Inks by Dexter Soy
Colored by Blond
Cover by Tyler Kirkham and Arif Prianto

Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m just going to say a little prayer that Scott Lobdell isn’t on this title, or any other Bat title, come Rebirth. I don’t need him ruining more of my favorite characters.

Batman News Critic: Cat

Gotham Academy #16
It’s “Yearbook” part 3! As Olive and the gang continue to help Maps with her yearbook project, they recall some of the crazier escapades from the past year! Including stories from writer James Tynion IV (BATMAN & ROBIN ETERNAL, CONSTANTINE: THE HELLBLAZER) and artists Christian Wildgoose (VERTIGO CMYK) and Ken Niimura (I Kill Giants)!

Written by Brenden Fletcher, J.M. Ken Niimura, and James Tynion IV
Pencils by Adam Archer, J.M. Ken Niimura, and Chris Wildgoose
Inks by Sandra Hope Archer, J.M. Ken Niimura, and Chris Wildgoose
Colored by Adam Archer and J.M. Ken Niimura
Cover by Mingjue Helen Chen

Random Blurb of Excitement: Just breathe slowly and deeply… June will be here before we know it, and this title will (hopefully) be back to all of its glory.

Batman News Critic: Brandon

Notes:

Black Canary #9 has been pushed back to ~~March 9^th~~ March 16^th.
Justice League of America #8 has been pushed back to ~~March 23^rd~~ March 30^th.
Justice League: Darkseid War Special #1 has been pushed back to ~~March 23^rd~~ March 30^th.
Justice League #49 has been pushed back to March 30^th.
The Dark Knight Returns: The Last Crusade #1 has been pushed back to April 20^th.

Graphic Novel Watch:

Azrael Vol. 1: Fallen Angel – The beginning of one of the most controversial comics characters of all time.

There’s a new hero in Batman’s world, whether the Dark Knight likes it or not!

Jean-Paul Valley has just been told by his dying father that his family is part of an ancient secret society known as The Order of St. Dumas-and that he is the latest in a long line of deadly assassins! Now with his psychological conditioning complete, Valley has been transformed from a computer science major into the unstoppable weapon known as Azrael. But when he is forced to target the heroic Batman, he starts to question his life and duty.

Legendary creators Dennis O’Neil and Joe Quesada are joined by comic industry superstars Barry Kitson, James Pascoe, and Kevin Nowlan.

AZRAEL VOL.1 FALLEN ANGEL collects BATMAN: SWORD OF AZRAEL #1-4, SHOWCASE ’94 #10, and AZRAEL #1-7.

Batman: Contagion – The complete BATMAN: CONTAGION storyline is available for the first time ever, along with chapters that lead into the thrilling confrontation with the mastermind behind the outbreak in BATMAN: LEGACY.

A mysterious and lethal virus is unleashed on the unknowing inhabitants of Gotham City, causing excruciating pain-and ultimately death-within 48 hours of contact. Batman, Robin and Nightwing must race to contain the chaos while finding a cure-with the help of unlikely allies Azrael, Huntress, Catwoman and Poison Ivy.

But can the Dark Knight and his team of vigilantes stop an invisible enemy? And what happens when one of them is infected?

Collects AZRAEL 15-16, BATMAN 529, BATMAN CHRONICLES 4, BATMAN: SHADOW OF THE BAT 48-49, CATWOMAN 31-35, DETECTIVE COMICS 695-696 and ROBIN 27-30.

Batman & Robin Eternal Vol. 1 – Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV kick off an epic mystery in the sequel to their blockbuster hit BATMAN ETERNAL, joined by such comics all-stars as Tim Seeley, Genevieve Valentine, Tony S. Daniel, Paul Pelletier and more.

Bruce Wayne may no longer be Batman, but his legacy lives on. When an assassin begins targeting all of Batman’s past partners, the former Robins must join forces to untangle a mystery that stretches back to the early days of the Dark Knight’s career.

Years ago, Batman encountered a human trafficker known as Mother. Then-Robin Dick Grayson knew nothing of it at the time, but the case was much more complex than he could have ever imagined. Now, without Bruce to guide them, a grown-up Grayson and his allies must rely on the help of the silent, mysterious Cassandra Cain to pick up the trail and stop Mother’s deadly plans.

But with Mother’s army of sleeper agents all around, they can’t trust anyone-even each other!

Collects BATMAN AND ROBIN ETERNAL #1-12.

Batman & Superman: World’s Finest Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 1 – Superman and Batman team up in these stories that guest-star Robin, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor and The Joker! Collects stories from SUPERMAN #76 and WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #71-96.

Batman Beyond Vol. 1: Brave New World – Spinning out of the epic event FUTURES END and the world of the classic animated series, BATMAN BEYOND is reimagined within the DC Universe continuity!

Tim Drake has been a lot of things-teen genius, teen hero, Teen Titan. As Red Robin, he carried on Batman’s legacy, but he never thought he’d be the one to assume the cowl and become Batman himself. Of course, Tim never thought he’d find himself flung decades into the future-into a world where the evil A.I. Brother Eye has all but exterminated life on Earth. Now only Neo-Gotham remains, and the city needs its defender. Gotham needs Batman!

Now, Tim must save Batman’s allies, including Barbara Gordon, before Brother Eye can crack their minds and discover Neo-Gotham’s hidden location. But with the world’s greatest heroes transformed into Brother Eye’s sinister agents, will Batman be Gotham’s salvation-or will Tim Drake find out he doesn’t have what it takes to wear the mantle of the Bat?

Featuring creators Dan Jurgens (THE DEATH OF SUPERMAN) and Bernard Chang (GREEN LANTERN CORPS), BATMAN BEYOND VOLUME 1: BRAVE NEW WORLDS collects the BATMAN BEYOND Sneak Peek and issues #1-6.

Batman Illustrated by Neal Adams Omnibus – At last, Neal Adams’ entire run on Batman is collected in one massive volume, with stories from the pages of BATMAN, THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD, DETECTIVE COMICS, WORLD’S FINEST, BATMAN: ODYSSEY, BATMAN: BLACK AND WHITE, and innumerable covers!

Earth 2: Society Vol. 1: Planetfall – Continuing the saga that began in EARTH 2, writer Daniel H. Wilson (EARTH 2: WORLD’S END) and artists Jorge Jimenez (SUPERBOY) and Alisson Borges (LOBO) start civilization from scratch in EARTH 2: SOCIETY VOL. 1: PLANETFALL!

A year has passed since Earth-2 was destroyed by the armies of Apokolips. The survivors of the catastrophic tragedy have now made planetfall on a new world, and, with the help of heroes old and new, built a home.

But some threats can survive even Apokolips. New super-villains have arisen to capitalize on the confusion, even as heroes like Batman, Power Girl, Superman, Green Lantern and The Flash struggle to find their place on an unfamiliar world.

And unknown to all, Terry Sloan has developed technology with the power to change everything. Some will want to use his Genesis Machine to re-make this planet into an exact copy of the Earth they left behind; others, to build a brand new society, free from the mistakes of the past. Who wins this debate will determine the course of a civilization, but one thing is certain: in the wrong hands, this device has the power to destroy the last hope of a people who thought they’d already lost everything.

Collects issues #1-7 and DC SNEAK PEEK: EARTH 2: SOCIETY #1.

Justice League Vol. 7: Darkseid War – DC superstars Geoff Johns (FOREVER EVIL) and Jason Fabok (DETECTIVE COMICS) bring you the start of the Darkseid War, the epic event that has been building since the formation of the Justice League.

The Justice League first came together years ago to stop Darkseid and his Parademon army from invading our Earth. Now Darkseid will once again make the planet a war zone, as Earth becomes the frontline in his battle with the Anti-Monitor-one of the most powerfully destructive creatures ever created.

Wonder Woman, Superman, Batman and the rest of the Justice League are working with Mister Miracle to stop the coming bloodshed, but when two unstoppable forces of evil go to war, even the world’s greatest heroes might not be enough to save the world!

Collects JUSTICE LEAGUE #40-44 and DC SNEAK PEEK: JUSTICE LEAGUE #1.

Teen Titans Vol. 2: Rogue Targets – Writer Will Pfeifer (CATWOMAN) and artists including Kenneth Rocafort (SUPERMAN) and Alisson Borges (BATMAN: ARKHAM KNIGHT GENESIS) turn the Titans’ world upside down!

After saving New York City from a nuclear bomb, the Teen Titans are more famous than ever. TV appearances, reality shows, tribute bands-the sky’s the limit for the country’s favorite teenage superheroes!

But when their former teammate Superboy appears out of nowhere, public opinion does a fast 180. It looks to the world like Kon-El is responsible for a senseless mass murder, and even Kon himself can’t remember what really happened. Superboy turns to his friends for help, but not all the Titans are ready to put their blind faith in the Kryptonian clone.

Soon, it’s Titan against Titan as they struggle to find the truth. With the team fractured and their attention divided, will they be able to see the bigger picture? Or will the mysterious threat manipulating their loyalties from the shadows get the best of the Teen Titans?

Collects issues #8-13, TEEN TITANS ANNUAL #1 and DC SNEAK PEEK: TEEN TITANS #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 can be found in the spoiler tag.

Spoiler

Best cover of March 2, 2016: Batman & Robin Eternal #22 by Romulo Fajardo, Jr., Carlo Pagulayan, and Jason Paz with 47% of the votes.

BR Eternal 22