Upcoming Comics: April 13, 2016

The time has come… last week I asked you to take on the daunting task of associating our two newer critics as Gotham related characters. The results are in…

Cat – Talia al Ghul
To quote Cat herself, “Oh yeah. I like this. Batman’s lover!”

Brian – Tim Drake (pre New 52)
Why Tim? Well, Brian is the third critic to review this set of books (which Jay pointed out to me rather quickly), and since Tim was the third Robin, it’s kind of fitting. Aside from that, Brian appears to be a pretty smart fellow, so why not?

 

Let us know what you think of the choices! For those of you that took a second to be stupid with us, we appreciate it! For those of you that didn’t… we’re all judging you… I’m kidding! We appreciate you 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! 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…

 

April 13^th

Batman/ Superman #31
In part two of “Super League,” Superman enlists Batman’s aid in seeking out people that can help form his new super-league. A shocking discovery is made about a new super-being no one knew existed, and something is beginning to stalk Superman…

Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils by Doug Mahnke
Inks by Jaime Mendoza and Robson Rocha
Colored by Wil Quintana
Cover by Nathan Fairbairn, Karl Kerschl, and Yanick Paquette

Random Blurb of Excitement: “Super League” continues! I was really impressed with last week’s showing, so I’m hoping this week will be just as strong. And yes, I realize that Janin’s superb art will not be featured in this issue, BUT Batman will be!

Batman News Critic: Brian

 

 

Batman/ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5
While Shredder enters an uneasy alliance with a deadly new partner, Casey Jones is arrested by the GCPD. At the same time, a crisis breaks out at Arkham Asylum, which is bound to keep both Batman and the Turtles busy. Meanwhile, a certain young resident of Wayne Manor returns home to find a new, green occupant in his room. 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: We’re hitting the beginning of the climax, so I’m expecting some really fun stuff! Batman and the Turtles are on the same page now, Shredder is working with Ra’s al Ghul, and Casey Jones has entered the picture! Yes!

Batman News Critic: Jay

 

 

Catwoman #51
The Faceless Mask is an ancient and essential part of the history of the False Face Society…as well as the history of both Gotham City and Selina Kyle! So when the artifact resurfaces in the present day after countless generations, will a piece of Catwoman’s past long believed to be gone return with it?

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

Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m actually really intrigued by this! It looks as though Tieri is following up on the short story from last month’s super-sized issue, and I am perfectly ok with that! If this issue delivers as well as his short story, it’s going to make me even more sad that Catwoman will be leaving us at Rebirth.

Batman News Critic: Josh

 

 

Bombshells #11
The first of a two-part epic finale to the first year of the war! Tenebrus unleashes an undead army upon London as the Battle of Britain begins, and Amanda Waller’s Bombshells are united at last. But will even the combined might of Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Batwoman, Stargirl, Aquawoman, Dr. Light and Big Barda be enough to protect a city under siege? Or will one of the Bombshells be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice?

Art by Mirko Andolfo and Elizabeth Torque
Cover by Ant Lucia
Written by Marguerite Bennett

Random Blurb of Excitement: Another book coming to a close soon… I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this book and its ties to World War II. It’s been a fun and engaging read, and the team have presented really interesting twists on our favorite characters!

Batman News Critic: Elena

 

 

Harley Quinn & Her Gang of Harleys #1
Straight from the pages of HARLEY QUINN comes the story of her strange new army of assistants, the Gan of Harleys! In this new miniseries, they’ve been on the job for just a few months, and the Gang is ready to stand up and show what they can do without Harley…and they just might have to, because Harley’s been kidnapped! The Gang’s homes, their loved ones-they’re all in danger from a strange new villain with a very personal grudge against Harley!

Written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Frank Tieri
Pencils and Inks by Alain Mauricet
Colored by Hi-Fi
Cover by Amanda Conner and Alex Sinclair

Random Blurb of Excitement: Hmmm.. One half of the original writing team is here, so that’s promising… Tieri has also proven he can hold his own lately, so he could bring an interesting edge to this book… I have ideas on what to expect, but I  also think this run will focus on the gang more than they have in the flagship Harley Quinn title… I mean, who really ever knows what’s going to happen when Harley is involved?

Batman News Critic: Elena

 

 

Earth 2 Society #11
Green Lantern learns that even a god can sometimes be powerless in the face of ordinary men. With the new world escalating toward war, Batman, Red Arrow and Ted Grant confront the double menace of Hourman and The Mist. Meanwhile, in distant Amazonia, Hawkgirl learns the dark and dreadful secret of the Amazon nation! Action, adventure and power-plays on a global scale!

Written by Dan Abnett
Pencils and Inks by Federico Dallocchio
Cover by Jorge Jimenez and Alejandro Sanchez

Random Blurb of Excitement: This has been enjoyable the last two months, so I’m kind of looking forward to it. The creative team slowed down to actually focus and provide some development instead of jumping between timelines and cramming to much into an issue that you were left with your head spinning.

Batman News Critic: Cat

 

 

Red Hood/ Arsenal #11
Business is booming for Red Hood and Arsenal! With a major win in their column, Jason and Roy have finally gotten the respect they deserve-but what will “going legitimate” mean for Joker’s Daughter? Skeletons from the closet emerge in “Dancing with the Devil” part two!

Written by Scott Lobdell
Pencils and Inks by Dexter Soy
Colored by Jose Villarrubia
Cover by Emanuela Lupacchino and Leonardo Manco

Random Blurb of Excitement: *Sigh* If I must…

Batman News Critic: Cat

 

 

Black Canary #10
Dinah dives deeper into the past of the mysterious white ninja-along a trail that takes her deep into the heart of Europe, and face-to-face with a bizarre new enemy!

Written by Brenden Fletcher
Pencils by Sandy Jarrell
Colored by Lee Loughridge
Cover by Annie Wu

Random Blurb of Excitement: What a difference a year makes. Fletcher went from a position where everything he touched turned to gold, and now it just appears to wither and die… Rebirth can’t come fast enough!

Batman News Critic: Brian

 

 

Gotham Academy #17
It’s the final chapter of “Yearbook”! Maps and Olive now have the entire gang involved in putting together the perfect yearbook-but which story will come out on top? With art and story by Eisner Award winners Faith Erin Hicks (ADVENTURES OF SUPERHERO GIRL), David Petersen (MOUSE GUARD), and Michael Dialynas (THE WOODS)!

Written by Michael Dialynas, Brenden Fletcher, and David Petersen
Pencils by Adam Archer, Colleen Coover, Michael Dialynas, David Petersen, and Annie Wu
Inks by Sandra Hope Archer, Colleen Coover, Michael Dialynas, David Petersen, and Annie Wu
Colored by Adam Archer, Colleen Coover, Michael Dialynas, Serge Lapointe, and David Petersen
Cover by Mingjue Helen Chen

Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m pretending like this book doesn’t exist right now. Gotham Academy went from one of my favorite books, to “Dear God, please make it stop!” I’m over the whole “Yearbook” thing…

Batman News Critic: Brandon

 

 

Notes:

• Justice League #49 has been pushed back to March 30^th April 13^th April 20^th.
• The Dark Knight Returns: The Last Crusade #1 has been pushed back to April 20^th May 25^th.

 

 

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.

• Also, as a reminder, we’re adding Batgirl #50 to this poll since it was mistakenly left off for last week.
  

Last week’s results can be found in the spoiler tag.

 

Graphic Novel Watch:

Batman: Europa – The greatest talents of American and European comics unite for a Batman story like none other! Written by Matteo Casali (CATWOMAN) and Brian Azzarello (DARK KNIGHT III: THE MASTER RACE), BATMAN: EUROPA features art by superstar Jim Lee (JUSTICE LEAGUE) as well as European comics artist superstars Giuseppe Camuncoli (SPIDER-MAN), Diego Latorre and Gerard Parel.

The Dark Knight is finally facing an enemy that even he can’t defeat—a deadly, custom-engineered virus that will drive him mad and then kill him within a week. But Batman isn’t the only one infected…the homicidal madman known as the Joker is also stricken.

Now, the two mortal enemies must rely on each other if either one is to survive. As they follow the clues, their search fo8r the man who targeted them has them crisscrossing Europe—following clues in Berlin, fighting automatons in Prague, haunting the Paris catacombs and more.

Can Batman and Joker survive working together? Or will the Dark Knight and his deadliest enemy die together, far from Gotham City?

Collects BATMAN: EUROPA #1-4 of the 4-issue miniseries.

 

Robin War – From some of the most popular talents at DC Comics, including Peter J. Tomasi, Tom King, Lee Bermejo, Tim Seeley, Patrick Gleason and Brenden Fletcher, ROBIN WAR brings together the Dark Knight’s sidekicks-past and present-in an all-out war as the Court of Owls makes their move on Gotham!

It’s Robins vs. cops! Robins vs. Robins! Robins vs. Batman! And Robins vs. the Court of Owls?! Damian Wayne returns to Gotham City, and he is not happy. There are kids all over the city calling themselves “Robin,” Bruce Wayne is no longer Batman and the GCPD, led by the new, armored-up Batman, is cracking down on anybody wearing the “R.” And things only get worse when Red Hood, Red Robin and Grayson all come back to Gotham City.

Will the Robins destroy each other before they can save their hometown? Collects ROBIN WAR #1-2, ROBIN: SON OF BATMAN #7, GRAYSON #15, DETECTIVE COMICS #47, WE ARE ROBIN #7, GOTHAM ACADEMY #13, RED HOOD/ARSENAL #7 and TEEN TITANS #15.