I’m going to be honest, aside from Detective Comics and the digital release of Batman ’66 Meets Steed and Mrs. Peel, I’m not that excited about the books we’re covering this week. Thankfully, to make up for that – who am I kidding, Detective Comics alone makes me giddy as a goose! – there are other Rebirth titles debuting this week! Now, if you’re curious about the Rebirth titles that don’t fall under our “Batman umbrella,” then fear not! Brian’s next Break From the Bat post will predominately feature Rebirth, so you’ll be able to get our opinions on each of the titles if you’ve been holding out to determine what you should or shouldn’t buy. Also, Action Comics does have Batman on the cover, but I don’t think he’s heavily featured in the issue itself, so we’ll save this for Brian’s post 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…
June 8th
Detective Comics #934
“RISE OF THE BATMEN” Chapter One
An unknown predator begins outdoing Batman, taking down dangerous threats with military precision. It’s up to the Dark Knight and series costar Batwoman to rally and train the young heroes of Gotham City to end this mysterious threat!
WHAT NOW: Batman and Batwoman begin training Spoiler, Red Robin and Cassandra Cain, but is the villainous Clayface ready for redemption?
Written by James Tynion IV
Pencils by Eddy Barrows
Inks by Eber Ferreira
Cover by Eddy Barrows and Eber Ferreira
Random Blurb of Excitement: Kate, Cassie, and Tim! Oh my! I’m really excited for this book because of the supporting characters! I’m not over the moon concerning Tynion, but he’s reliable. The previews of this book look AMAZING though! Now let’s hope that this is the Tim Drake we’ve been waiting to read for the past five years.
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Batman ’66 Meets Steed and Mrs. Peel #1 – Digital Issue
As Bruce Wayne shows the beautiful head of a UK electronics company the sights of Gotham, they are interrupted by the felonious feline Catwoman! Unwilling to leave Miss Michaela Gough unprotected, Bruce resigns himself to the fact that Batman cannot save the day. But some new players have arrived in town-though even as the catsuit-clad lovely Mrs. Peel and her comrade John Steed take control of the situation, nefarious plots continue apace!
Written by Ian Edginton
Pencils and Inks by Matthew Dow Smith
Cover by Laura Allred and Mike Allred
Random Blurb of Excitement: Jay is jumping in with the digital release of this title, but I’ll make sure I continue to note when the physical copies are released. As for the book itself, I always enjoy the Batman ’66 titles because they’re so much fun! I’m expecting nothing less with this installment!
Batman News Critic: Jay
Harley Quinn & Her Gang of Harleys #4
Held captive by the mysterious Harley Sinn, Harley Quinn tries to learn the identity of her captor and what Sinn intends to do with her! But the most significant question of all is why Sinn has been conducting surveillance on the family members of the rest of the Gang of Harleys, and what does she intend to do with them?
Written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Frank Tieri
Pencils and Inks by Mauricet
Colored by Hi-Fi
Cover by Amanda Conner and Alex Sinclair
Random Blurb of Excitement: Harley’s groupies, Harley Sinn, and shenanigans… meh. I’ve been pretty vocal about my Harley fatigue, and this book I could do without from her brand. That being said, Harley is always good for a decent laugh.
Batman News Critic: Cat
Earth 2: Society #13
Can the device that Fury used to bring back the Amazons also provide the means to power up the new Earth-2, a world without natural resources? Hawkgirl thinks so, but given Fury’s background and history, can she convince the other Wonders and the rest of the world? Sides will be chosen as the future of the entire world may very well hang in the balance.
Written by Dan Abnett
Pencils and Inks by Federico Dallocchio
Colored by David Lopez
Cover by Matthew Clark, Jorge Jimenez, and David Lopez
Random Blurb of Excitement: At this point, I’m ready to just wrap this title up and move on. There was a time when the Earth 2 title would top my lists (Tom Taylor’s run), but between World’s End, Convergence, and Society… I wouldn’t be opposed to a fresh start.
Batman News Critic: Cat
Black Canary #12
Black Canary’s European tour comes to an end as Dinah and her crew bring the fight to the sinister cult that’s taken control of her mother’s legacy! But there’s one more secret about her past that Dinah has yet to learn…
Written by Brenden Fletcher
Pencils and Inks by Annie Wu
Colored by Lee Loughridge
Cover by Annie Wu
Random Blurb of Excitement: When does Green Arrow #1 and Birds of Prey release?
Batman News Critic: Brian
Red Hood/ Arsenal #13
The Joker’s Daughter’s master plan is revealed! Are Jason and Roy strong enough take down both Duela and the Iron Rule? And what will it cost them? Find out in the shocking conclusion to RED HOOD/ ARSENAL!
Written by Scott Lobdell
Pencils by Joe Bennett
Cover by Robson Rocha
Random Blurb of Excitement: The only thing I can think of that would be less enjoyable than this, is Lobdell writing Bizarro once the new Red Hood and the Outlaws launches.
Batman News Critic: Cat
Notes:
- Additional Rebirth releases this week: Aquaman Rebirth #1, The Flash Rebirth #1, Wonder Woman Rebirth #1, and Action Comics #957.
- Justice League #51 has been pushed back to
June 8thJune 15th - The Dark Knight Returns: The Last Crusade #1 has been pushed back to
April 20thMay 25thJune 15th - The Dark Knight III: The Master Race #5 has been pushed back to June 29th.
- Justice League of America #10 has been pushed back to
May 25thJuly 6th - Justice League of America #11 has been pushed back to July 27th.
- 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 June 1, 2016 is Batman: Rebirth #1 by Mikel Janin with 71% of the votes.
- Batman Beyond #13 by Elmer Santos and Philip Tan (12%)
- Injustice: Gods Among Us, Year Five #11 by David Yardin (12%)
- Bombshells #14 by Ant Lucia (5%)
- Teen Titans Go! #16 by Daniel Hipp (0%)
Graphic Novel Watch:
Batman: Shadow of the Bat Vol. 1 – Batman isn’t the only masked crusader in town-and Arkham Asylum has many, many cells beyond those detaining the Penguin, the Joker, and Poison Ivy.
But this is not the dark, dismal Arkham Asylum of old-this modern Arkham is run by the son of the original founder, Jeremiah Arkham. He is determined to improve on his father’s methods, and in doing so walks perilously close to the abyss of madness himself. Can Jeremiah cure the Dark Knight when Batman is committed to Arkham for killing a cop?
Writer ALAN GRANT (DETECTIVE COMICS) joins artists TIM SALE (BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN), NORM BREYFOGLE (BATMAN), and more in these stories about the men and women in shadow-the shadow of the Bat!
Collects BATMAN: THE SHADOW OF THE BAT #1-12!
