What a weekend! Batman v Superman was released and is performing well at the box office. DC held a press conference at Wonder Con announcing details and creative teams for their Rebirth event launching in May – there appears to be some really good stuff in the works, so check out our recap if you haven’t done so already! On top of that, I helped a friend propose to his girlfriend (she said “yes”), and celebrated Easter with family and friends. I’ll consider that a really good weekend!
Moving past the weekend, and into this week, we only have two books we’re covering. This will be the 5th Wednesday of the month, but bunking the typical trend, DC isn’t releasing any annuals (clearly a symptom of Rebirth). This will be the perfect opportunity to look into some new books, or catch up on some reading if you’re behind. And if you’re craving a little more Rebirth information, you could be in luck. I expect DC to release June solicitations this week, so we should get an even deeper look into the titles and what the creative teams have in-store for us. I’m excited… hopefully you are as well!
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! We’ve also included a March Variant Cover Poll and a Batman v Superman Themed Variant Cover Poll (any variants released Wednesday will automatically be added to the Q-1 Cover Poll). 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 30th
Justice League of America #8
With Earth as collateral damage, the Kryptonian deity called Rao has the Justice League on the ropes! It would take a miracle to defeat him. Good thing the League makes miracles look easy…
Written by Bryan Hitch
Pencils by Bryan Hitch
Inks by Daniel Henriques
Colored by Alex Sinclair
Cover by Bryan Hitch, Rian Hughes, and Alex Sinclair
Random Blurb of Excitement: Despite the delays, Hitch’s story has been pretty strong. I’ve mentioned before that this book feels like a classic Justice League story, and that feeling remains. I’m also excited that he’ll take writing duties on Justice League for the Rebirth event. He previously mentioned he had a five year plan, so it looks as though we’ll get to see some of that unfold! As for this issue, I’m curious to see how things unfold now that the League and Rao are at odds…
Batman News Critic: Brian
Batman & Robin Eternal #26
The 26-issue epic ends here. Bluebird has to decide if she’ll follow Mother’s path and kill Cassandra Cain or follow Batman’s and aide Dick Grayson and the Bat-team in saving the world from Mother’s brainwashing. But is the damage already too great for the Bat Family to reverse?!
Written by Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV
Pencils by Scot Eaton, Carlo Pagulayan, and Igor Vitorino
Inks by Marc Deering, Wayne Faucher, and Jason Paz
Colored by Gabe Eltaeb
Cover by Tony Salvador Daniel and Tomeu Morey
Random Blurb of Excitement: This is the last issue of Batman & Robin Eternal! I’m expecting some cool moments – for example, the reveal of Cassie’s new identity – but overall I’m concerned I’ll be left feeling a little let down with the overall story. I could be wrong though…
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Notes:
- Justice League: Darkseid War Special #1 has been pushed back to
March 23rdMarch 30thApril 6th. - Justice League #49 has been pushed back to
March 30thApril 13thApril 20th. - The Dark Knight Returns: The Last Crusade #1 has been pushed back to
April 20thMay 25th.
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 cover of March 23, 2016: Batman #50 by Greg Capullo, Danny Miki, and FCO Plascencia with 24% of the votes.
- Grayson #18 by Mikel Janin (20%)
- We Are Robin #10 by Lee Bermejo (19%)
- Deathstroke #16 by Tyler Kirkham and Tomeu Morey (16%)
- Harley Quinn #26 by Amanda Conner and Alex Sinclair (6%)
- Batman & Robin Eternal #25 by Alvaro Martinez Bueno, Raul Fernandez, and Tomeu Morey (5%)
- Secret Six #12 by Dale Eaglesham and Jason Wright (4%)
- Teen Titans #18 by Ian Churchill (3%)
- Suicide Squad’s Most Wanted: Deadshot & Katana #3 by Cary Nord (2%)
- Justice League 3001 #10 by Hi-Fi, Scott Kolins, and Howard Porter (1%)
Batman V Superman March Themed Variant Cover Poll:
Since the theme for this month’s variant covers is Batman V Superman, we’ve included all titles (even those we don’t cover) for this poll!
Action Comics #50 variant by Martin Ansin
Batman #50 variant by Jim Lee
Batman Beyond #10 variant by Dustin Nguyen
Batman/Superman #30 variant by Kevin Maguire
Detective Comics #50 variant by Rafael Grampa
Grayson #18 variant by Stephen Platt
Green Lantern #50 variant by Doug Mahnke, Sandra Hope & Dinisio Carmine Moreno
Harley Quinn #26 variant by Tony Harris
New Suicide Squad #18 variant by Tony Daniel
Robin Son of Batman #10 variant by Ryan Ottley
Superman #50 variant by Kaare Andrews
Superman/Wonder Woman #27 variant by Charlie Adlard
Teen Titans #18 variant by Phil Jimenez & Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Wonder Woman #50 variant by Massimo Carnevale
March Variant Cover Poll:
Batman #50 by Johnson
Batman/ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4 by Kevin Eastman
Harley Quinn #26 by Amanda Conner
Graphic Novel Watch:
Red Hood/ Arsenal Vol. 1: Open for Business – Writer Scott Lobdell (SUPERMAN, RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS) and artist Denis Medri (SPIDER-VERSE) give you more bang for your buck in RED HOOD/ARSENAL VOL. 1: OPEN FOR BUSINESS!
Jason Todd: a former dead Robin turned Outlaw. Roy Harper: a self-destructive tech guru whose perfect aim falters when it comes to alcohol, women and finances. Alone, they’ve fallen on hard times. Together…well, they’re still falling on hard times.
With the Outlaws disbanded, Red Hood and Arsenal go into business for themselves—first as on-staff outlaws for mysterious “fixer” Tara Battleworth, then as freelance problem solvers. Unfortunately for them, business is literally booming after a jolting “job interview” with Underbelly, a seemingly invincible crime boss who claims to have a hand in the corruption running through every major city on Earth.
Traveling to Gotham City to root out society’s Underbelly, the armed brothers-in-arms must also contend with a techno-suited Batman that’s unfamiliar to Jason, and the Hero Manifesto, a villainous organization looking to follow Red Hood and Arsenal’s business model by eliminating the competition. The duo even earns a bonus: facing the self-proclaimed offspring of Gotham City’s greatest mass murderer.
Collects issues #1-6 and DC SNEAK PEEK: RED HOOD/ARSENAL #1.
Superman/ Batman Vol. 3 – Writer Mark Verheiden (SUPERMAN) along with artist Ethan Van Sciver (FLASH: REBIRTH, BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT) and others take Superman and Batman on an edge-of-your-seat adventure!
When the Caped Crusader is attacked by one of his oldest and most powerful allies, the Martian Manhunter, he seeks the aid of Superman. Soon, Batman and the Man of Steel are ambushed by off-worlders-both friend and foe alike. As the madness spreads and the Dark Knight finds himself in danger from his Kryptonian friend, Batman must take desperate measures and make dangerous deals to defeat Superman and save the human race. When the smoke clears, will both heroes survive? Will their friendship?
Collects SUPERMAN/BATMAN #27-36 and SUPERMAN/BATMAN ANNUAL #1.
We Are Robin Vol. 1: The Vigilante Business – A modern spin on the original teen superhero!
In a Gotham City ravaged by the Joker, Batman alone is not enough to keep the peace-and just one Robin isn’t nearly enough to back him up. Now, teenagers who want to make a difference are coming together in droves and adopting the “R.” They’re not a gang. They’re not sidekicks.
They are Robin.
When Duke Thomas is recruited by the mysterious Nest to join teens from all different backgrounds and walks of life in the Robins, he hopes that they can help him find his missing parents. Instead, they find something much more nefarious-an underground conspiracy that threatens to bring down Gotham.
Now it’s up to these untrained teen vigilantes to save the city from a mysterious evil force. But being Robin is dangerous. Robins die. Will these new heroes face the same fate?
Collects WE ARE ROBIN #1-6 and DC SNEAK PEEK: WE ARE ROBIN #1.
World’s Funnest – Spanning more than 60 years of comics, WORLD’S FUNNEST collects some of the best Mxy and Bat-Mite tales ever written, from their very first appearances to their modern-day adventures!
Superman and Batman may hold the title of World’s Finest, but Mr. Mxyzptlk and Bat-Mite are definitely the World’s Funnnest! The two fifth-dimensional troublemakers never fail to bring chaos and magic to the lives of their favorite heroes-but always in the name of fun!
Collects SUPERMAN AND BATMAN: WORLD’S FUNNEST #1; BATMAN: MITEFALL #1; BATMAN AND SUPERMAN: WORLD’S FINEST #6; SUPERMAN/BATMAN #51-52; THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #200; DETECTIVE COMICS #267, 482; SUPERMAN (vol. 1) #30; SUPERMAN (vol. 2) #11, #31; WORLD’S FINEST #113; BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #38.
