Ah…. May… I always loved the month of May when I was in grade school, because it meant that school year was almost over. Don’t get me wrong, I was one of those kids that actually liked school, but nothing beat summer break! It’s one of the things that sucks about being an adult… No summer break… Unless you’re a teacher. Anyway, I’m excited about May 2016 for a different reason… Rebirth. At the end of the month, we’ll get our first glimpse of Rebirth with the giant Rebirth special… I’m counting down the days!
Speaking of Rebirth, last week we had someone ask if we were going to do something to recap the New 52 since it’s coming to a close. Yes, we will! Later this month we will recap some of our favorite moments from the New 52. We’ll mostly cover our favorite arcs, but there’s a good chance you’ll see some commentary on single issues and non-Bat related books as well. As frustrating as the New 52 was at times, I can’t deny that there were some really strong releases here and there.
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…
May 4th
Midnighter #12
Midnighter, Apollo and the Suicide Squad square off against The Unified—one of Henry Bendix’s most dangerous creations! Is their combined strength enough to stop a being as powerful as Superman and as intelligent as Midnighter?
Written by Steve Orlando
Pencils and Inks by ACO and Hugo Petrus
Colored by Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
Cover by ACO and Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
Random Blurb of Excitement: Yeah, so it’s another enhanced enemy… fine… But I can’t help but feel excited to see Midnighter and Apollo completely kick some ass! Also, it’s the last issue, and that makes me sad! Hopefully M will continue to pop up in Rebirth now that he’s established a relationship with the Bat family. I’m still waiting for the day that Midnighter and Batman have a bout with one another, because you know Batman isn’t going to be supportive of Midnighter.
Batman News Critic: Josh
Injustice: Gods Among Us Year Five #9
The tragicomic journey of Bizarro takes a dark turn. Guided by the Trickster, every attempt to do something good leads to something far, far worse. Can Superman and the Regime stop him before the scale of his destructive blunders leads to a major disaster?
Art by Iban Coello and Mike S. Miller
Cover by David Yardin
Written by Brian Buccellato
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m loving Year Five, and was pleasantly surprised to discover that it’s going to run a little longer than the previous Years. This is easily Buccellato’s best work on this book, and I’m hoping he remains consistent!
Batman News Critic: Elena
Batman/ Superman #32
“Super League” continues this month as Kal-El’s bid to strengthen his forces brings him, Batman and Wonder Woman into China and into conflict with the might of that nation’s greatest heroes: the Great 10!
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils by Doug Mahnke
Inks by Livesay, Christian Alamy, Jaime Mendoza, and Robson Rocha
Cover by Nathan Fairbairn and Yanick Paquette
Random Blurb of Excitement: Last month took a slight dip, and I’m giving this issue a little bit of side-eye based on the solicitation, but I’m hoping for the best… I want this to be really good, and it has the potential to be, I’m just crossing my fingers that Tomasi stays focused on the driving narrative. There are a lot of elements that are starting to come into play, and there’s only three more issues aside from this one.
Batman News Critic: Brian
Detective Comics #52
When devastating secrets are revealed at a Marine Corps base, Batman must decide who to trust from his past if he’s going to solve the mystery.
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils by Fernando Pasarin
Inks by Matt Ryan
Colored by Chris Sotomayor
Cover by Guillem March
Random Blurb of Excitement: Let’s be honest, aside from that weird alien story in the beginning, Tomasi has done a great job with Gordon as Batman. This story is a little out there, but it’s still solid.
Batman News Critic: Brandon
New Suicide Squad #20
Faced with a certain and ignominious death at the hands of an insane doom cult, the proud assassin Deadshot is forced to perform the most desperate act imaginable: begging Captain Boomerang to save his life.
Written by Tim Seeley
Pencils, Inks, and Colors by Juan E. Ferreyra
Cover by Juan E. Ferreyra
Random Blurb of Excitement: This is another run that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed! You guys know that I really like Seeley, but I have to say, Ferreyra is the real star here. I enjoyed his work on Gotham By Midnight, but never really analyzed his work until he took over on this title. Now that I’ve been reviewing one of this books, I’ve taken a closer, more critical look at his work… and I think he’s a super star. Plus, the textures and tones of his work are a perfect match for this book!
Batman News Critic: Josh
Batman Beyond #12
Yeah, that’s who you think it is! Get ready for surprises and revelations as Bruce Wayne welcomes you to the storyline that will change Batman Beyond’s status quo forever!
Written by Dan Jurgens
Pencils by Philip Tan
Inks by Jay Leisten and Philip Tan
Colored by Marcelo Maiolo and Elmer Santos
Cover by Elmer Santos and Philip Tan
Random Blurb of Excitement: Yes, this is second from last on my list, but that does not mean I’m not excited. Jurgens was a little slow out of the gate – granted, he was having to transition from Forever Evil – but has built a really interesting book. I wish it could continue into Rebirth because I’d love to see where he planned on taking Tim’s story.
Batman News Critic: Cat
The Flash #51
The Flash’s world is in utter chaos: he’s wanted by the police, headed by his adoptive father. His enemies, The Rogues, have been deputized to take him in. And it couldn’t be a worse time for The Riddler to stake his claim as the most dangerous man in Central City!
Written by Van Jensen
Pencils by Gus Vasquez
Inks by Jesus Merino
Cover by Joe Prado, Ivan Reis, and Alex Sinclair
Random Blurb of Excitement: The only reason this is at the bottom of my list is because I have no clue what’s been going on in The Flash. It’s one of the titles I don’t read, so let me know if I’m completely missing out… Anyway, the Riddler is popping up, so that should be pretty interesting.
Batman News Critic: Elena
Notes:
- Justice League of America #10 has been pushed back to May 25th.
- Justice League #50 has been pushed back to May 25th.
- The Dark Knight Returns: The Last Crusade #1 has been pushed back to April 20th May 25th.
- The Dark Knight III: The Master Race #5 has been pushed back to June 29th.
- The Dark Knight III: The Master Race #6 has been pushed back to August 24th.
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 April 27, 2016: Batman #51 by Greg Capullo, Danny Miki, FCO Plascencia with 50% of the votes.
- Justice League #49 by Blond, Brad Anderson, and Jason Fabok (17%)
- Grayson #19 by Mikel Janin (7%)
- We Are Robin #11 by Lee Bermejo (6%)
- Batgirl #51 by Babs Tarr (3%)
- Superman/ Wonder Woman #28 by Paul Renaud (3%)
- Dark Knight III: The Master Race #4 by Brad Anderson, Klaus Janson, and Andy Kubert (2%)
- Deathstroke #17 by Tyler Kirkham, Tomeu Morey, and Arif Prianto (2%)
- Harley Quinn #27 by Amanda Conner and Alex Sinclair (2%)
- Batman ’66 Meets the Man From U.N.C.L.E.#5 by Mike Allred (2%)
- Black Canary #11 by Annie Wu (2%)
- Suicide Squad’s Most Wanted: Deadshot & Katana #4 by Cary Nord (2%)
- Secret Six #13 by Dale Eaglesham, Liam Sharp, and Jason Wright (1%)
- Teen Titans #19 by Ian Churchill, Andrew Dalhouse, and Norm Rapmund (1%)
- Justice League 3001 #11 by Hi-Fi, Scott Kolins, and Howard Porter (0%)
Graphic Novel Watch:
Batman & Robin Vol. 7: Robin Rises – It all ends here! After his son Robin’s body is stolen by alien hordes, Batman finds himself on the deadly planet of Apokolips-home planet of the murderous despot Darkseid! Aided by his allies Red Hood, Batgirl and Red Robin, Bruce Wayne must face down the most powerful villains in the universe to recover his son’s coffin-a son who he’d do anything to bring back.
But on a hellish planet, light years from Earth, has that wish come true? Has Robin risen?
The final chapter of a two-year storyline comes to a close here in BATMAN AND ROBIN VOL. 7: ROBIN RISES, by the New York Times best-selling team of Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason. Also featuring illustrations from legendary artist Andy Kubert. Collects BATMAN AND ROBIN #35-40, ROBIN RISES: ALPHA #1, BATMAN AND ROBIN ANNUAL #3 and stories from SECRET ORIGINS #4.
Gotham Central Omnibus – Harvey Bullock, Maggie Sawyer, Renee Montoya and the GCPD are all that stands between order and chaos in Gotham City. It’s up to them to keep the world’s most dangerous criminals off the street, and also to clean up the mess left behind by Batman’s one-man war on crime. Now, the entire 40-issue run of GOTHAM CENTRAL is collected in a single hardcover.
JLA (1997 – 2006) Vol. 8 – Chris Claremont (Uncanny X-Men), Chuck Austen (ACTION COMICS) and Joe Kelly (JUSTICE LEAGUE ELITE) showcase the trials and tribulations that come with being the World’s Greatest Heroes.
The JLA investigates a rash of child disappearances, but soon begin to disappear themselves! Before long, Superman is brainwashed and in the hands of a fanatic cult that worships an ancient vampiric evil. Who are the mysterious powerful beings that have been shadowing the JLA—friend, foe or something entirely different?
Then Superman, the Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, Wonder Woman and Batman each are forced to face a time when they were unable to save an innocent or prevent disaster. Like police officers and firefighters who share a bond only their brethren can understand, the JLA members must help each other process the pain and go on with their mission—and their lives.
Featuring the art of John Byrne (MAN OF STEEL), Jerry Ordway (SUPERMAN: THE DEATH OF SUPERMAN) and others, this volume collects JLA #94-106 and JLA SECRET FILES 2004 #1!
