It is HOT in LA today! We’re reaching temperatures over 100 degrees, and I feel like I’m melting! Considering I grew up in Texas, you would think I’m used to this weather, but there is a difference… and that difference is air conditioning. Yes, I do have air conditioning here in LA, but I live in an older home that wasn’t built or insulated for air conditioning, so I’ll be lucky if my house stays below 85 degrees today… And even that is only if the power grid doesn’t fail like it did yesterday. So… I’m keeping this short and sweet to hopefully wrap this post up before the power (potentially) goes out again! Also, September solicitations should be released today. I’ll do my best to make sure that is posted no later than tomorrow morning, so keep eye out for that!
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 22nd
Detective Comics #935
“RISE OF THE BATMEN” Chapter Two
Batman and team find themselves in the crosshairs as the villain they’ve begun hunting turns the tables on them. Batman and Batwoman have the skills to survive, but do their young teammates? Is this where hero training ends in tragedy?
Written by James Tynion IV
Pencils by Eddy Barrows
Inks by Eber Ferreira
Cover by Eddy Barrows and Eber Ferreira
Random Blurb of Excitement: I found the debut of this title to be HIGHLY ENTERTAINING, and Barrows art is drool worthy! Now that the concept and team are setup, I’m looking forward to what Tynion has planned… even if I’m a little unsure of the whole “Batmen” direction. Seriously though… I can’t wait to get my hands on this issue!
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Harley Quinn #29
What’s that you said? We couldn’t quite hear you. Did you say “Boy, I sure would love to see Harley fight giant transforming robots”? Well, that’s definitely what we heard! So we’re delivering!
Written by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti
Pencils and Inks by Chad Hardin
Colored by Alex Sinclair
Cover by Amanda Conner and Alex Sinclair
Random Blurb of Excitement: This is the last issue before Harley “Afterbirths.” I still stand behind what I’ve been saying for a while now… I’m suffering from Harley fatigue. And considering I’m saying this, and this title is number two on my list, that should give you a sign of my excitement for the other titles being released this week.
Batman News Critic: Cat
Suicide Squad’s Most Wanted: Deadshot & Katana #6
Kobra put the fate of the Earth at risk-and now he wants Katana and the Squad to work beside him to clean up his mistakes. As the fight on his ark heats up, they’ll all need to decide what is most important!
Written by Mike W. Barr and Brian Buccellato
Pencils by Viktor Bogdanovic and Diogenes Neves
Inks by Richard Friend, Ruy Jose, and Diogenes Neves
Colored by Mike Spicer and Carrie Strachan
Cover by Cary Nord
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m honestly excited to read Deadshot… can’t say the same for Katana.
Batman News Critic: Josh
Deathstroke #19
With the life of his daughter Rose hanging in the balance, Slade Wilson is forced into a tense alliance with Ra’s al Ghul and the League of Assassins. And before he can carry out his vendetta against Victor Ruiz and his mercenary army, Slade must first engage in a violent rematch with his latest deadly foes, Lawman and Snakebite. Can Deathstroke survive this all-out “Blood Feud”?
Written by James Bonny
Pencils and Inks by Paolo Pantalena
Colored by Arif Prianto
Cover by Tyler Kirkham and Tomeu Morey
Random Blurb of Excitement: Ra’s al Ghul is featured again, so we are covering this title again. Deathstroke has been mindlessly entertaining, so I’m relatively excited for it. The quality has slowly been declining, but I honestly thought it was going to experience more of a decline than it has, so I’m happy to see Bonny doing so well!
Batman News Critic: Josh
Justice League #52
It’s a brave new world in the devastation that follows “DARKSEID WAR.”
Written by Dan Abnett and Dan Jurgens
Pencils by Tom Grummett and Paul Pelletier
Inks by Sandra Hope Archer and Danny Miki
Colored by Gabe Eltaeb and Adriano Lucas
Cover by Tony Kordos, Adriano Lucas, and Paul Pelletier
Random Blurb of Excitement: I don’t even know what to expect with this… regardless, this cover was shown last week in our Upcoming Comics post, so it won’t be included in this week’s cover poll. The cover that was released last week WILL be included in this week’s cover poll due to the mix-up (the cover is pictured above the actual cover poll).
Batman News Critic: Josh
Robin, Son of Batman #13
The series conclusion to Damian Wayne’s quest for atonement! In the wake of a victory, Damian, Maya and Goliath discover that there is still one enemy left to vanquish—the most terrible of all. Only together, and with the help of unlikely allies, will they be able to save humanity from destruction…but will they all survive this final battle?
Written by Ray Fawkes
Pencils and Inks by Ramón F. Bachs
Colored by Mat Lopes
Cover by Ramón F. Bachs, Patrick Gleason, Mick Gray, and John Kalisz
Random Blurb of Excitement: Robin peaked for me with the issue revealing how Damian gained possession of Goliath. Then the book took a sharp drop following that, and has floundered around since then, and completely wasted the return of Talia, and more importantly did NOTHING regarding Batman learning that she is, in fact, alive again…
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Teen Titans #21
While attempting to clean up their public image, the Teen Titans unexpectedly encounter an dangerous threat—the dastardly duo known as Monsieur Mallah and the Brain!
Written by Tony Bedard
Pencils by Miguel Mendonca
Cover by Mike McKone and Rod Reis
Random Blurb of Excitement: No… No, thank you. I’m not even going to pretend like I’m excited for this, I’m just going to wait patiently for Rebirth.
Batman News Critic: Brian
Notes:
- Additional Rebirth releases this week: Action Comics #958, Aquaman #1, The Flash #1, and Wonder Woman #1.
- The Dark Knight III: The Master Race #5 has been pushed back to June 29th.
- Harley’s Little Black Book #4 has been pushed back to July 13th.
- The Dark Knight III: The Master Race #6 has been pushed back to August 24th
- Justice League of America… TBD.
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. The Justice League cover you will be voting on this week, is the cover from issue 51 (pictured below) since the cover was incorrect in last week’s post.
Last week’s results can be found in the spoiler tag.
Best cover of June 15, 2016 is Batman #1 by Matt Banning and David Finch with 27% of the votes.
- Titans Rebirth #1 by Brett Booth and Norm Rapmund (21%)
- New Suicide Squad #21 Colored by Juan E. Ferreyra (14%)
- Poison Ivy: Life of Cycle and Death #6 by Clay Mann and Ulises Arreola Palomera (13%)
- The Dark Knight Returns: The Last Crusade #1 Danny Miki, John Romita Jr., and Dean White (12%)
- Injustice: Gods Among Us Year Five #12 by David Yardin (9%)
- Justice League #51 by Tony Kordos, Adriano Lucas, and Paul Pelletier (4%)
Graphic Novel Watch:
Batman: Arkham: Killer Croc – BATMAN ARKHAM: KILLER CROC collects some of the villain’s greatest stories by some of the industry’s greatest creators, including Gerry Conway (JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA), Chuck Dixon (NIGHTWING), Doug Moench (THE SPECTRE), Kelley Jones (DEADMAN), Norm Breyfogle (DETECTIVE COMICS), Dan Jurgens (SUPERMAN) and many more!
Waylon Jones was born with a rare medical condition that caused his skin to become scaly and his appearance to develop progressively into that of a crocodile. Forced to wrestle alligators in a carnival, Waylon decided that if society declared him a freak, he would succumb to his savage nature and become Killer Croc.
Known for his brutal strength and fearsome rage, Killer Croc has been one of Batman’s most physically formidable foes. When facing Croc, the Dark Knight isn’t just dealing with madness: he’s fighting a creature who is more beast than man. But Killer Croc will stop at nothing to defeat (or consume) his prey!
Collects DETECTIVE COMICS #525, #660 and #808-810; BATMAN #358, #359, #471, #489, #512, #521 and #522; BATMAN AND ROBIN #23.4; JOKER’S ASYLUM KILLER CROC #1; and BATMAN CHRONICLES #3.
DC: The New Frontier – Deluxe Edition – Writer/illustrator Darwyn Cooke’s critically acclaimed masterpiece DC: THE NEW FRONTIER is celebrated in this new edition featuring story pages, detailed annotations, alternate sequences and an extensive gallery of sketches, pinups, action figure art and much more! In the 1950s, Cold War paranoia has resulted in the mystery men of the Golden Age being outlaws. Stalwarts such as Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman continued to fight for truth justice, but as the world hurtles toward an uncertain future, it would take a new breed of hero to define the American Way. DC: THE NEW FRONTIER takes readers on an epic journey from the end of the Golden Age of heroes to the beginnings of the legendary Justice League of America. For the first time, DC collects the entire epic DC: THE NEW FRONTIER in a single collection, along with sketch and background material from the absolute edition. Collects DC: THE NEW FRONTIER #1-6, JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE NEW FRONTIER SPECIAL #1 and material from ABSOLUTE DC: THE NEW FRONTIER.
Harley Quinn Vol. 4: A Call to Arms – From the best-selling creative team of Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Connor (STARFIRE) comes HARLEY QUINN VOL. 4!
Harley Quinn and her Gang of Harleys are hitting the road! As if Hollywood wasn’t weird enough already, now Harley’s made her way to Tinseltown, and she’s about to have the most destructive fifteen minutes of fame ever. Will the industry survive Harley’s Hollywood hijinx, or will the City of Angels fall from grace? And will Coney Island be able to contain Harley’s newfound celebrity status?
Collects HARLEY QUINN #19-26 and HARLEY QUINN ROAD TRIP SPECIAL #1.
Superman: Panic in the Sky (New Edition) – Brainiac returns to invade Earth with his ultimate weapon, Warworld, a planet-sized satellite built for destruction. With the help of super-powered friends like Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern and many more, Superman must lead the attack on Brainiac and protect Earth!
Collects ACTION COMICS #474-475, SUPERMAN: MAN OF STEEL #9-10, ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #488-489, SUPERMAN #66.
