Well, I thought we were going to get some information on the new Justice League of America and Super Sons, but it looks like that will have to wait until next month… *womp womp* On a more positive note, we are getting a more realized glimpse of the direction of some books, and while most of them I’m quite satisfied with, some of them are very monster heavy. If you’re familiar with my tastes, then you know that I prefer my Bat characters to be more grounded in the “real world,” so all of these monsters have me hesitantly backing away. I’m hoping it just has more to do with the time of year, and isn’t a sign of things to come.
Alright, let’s get to business! Below you’ll find the solicitations for each issue, as well as the cover art (if DC has released it). As a reminder, I’m not putting the talent credits in this post because there’s already a ton of information here. I was asked to start adding some commentary back into this post, so I’ve obliged… For those of you that thought, “Thank God” when I stopped giving my opinion… sorry. Make sure you give me a piece of your mind in the comments! I want to hear what you’re excited about, worried about, your predictions, etc… If you have something to say, I want to know!
September 7th
Batman #6
“I AM GOTHAM” epilogue. In this stand-alone tale, Batman seeks redemption as he tries to keep Gotham Girl from going down a dangerous path. But can the Dark Knight save someone who doesn’t want to be saved?
I’m anxious to learn more about Gotham and Gotham Girl because their development will make or break this story! Batman seeking redemption sounds standard, yet intriguing though! What are you up to Mr. King… What are you up to?
Batman ’66 Meets Steed & Mrs. Peel #3
An army of robots has found the Batcave—and if Batman’s anti-oil spray runs out, our heroes will have to rely on a more dangerous solution to the problem! Bruce Wayne pays a call on Miss Michaela Gough, but it’s up to Robin, Steed, and Peel to save him when she orders the Cybernauts to clean up this loose end. Co-published with BOOM! Studios.
Batman Beyond #16
With the threat of Spellbinder behind them, Tim Drake and Terry McGinnis face an uncertain future. It’s time to rebuild New Gotham, but who will wear the mantle of the city’s defender? This is the biggest turning point in the series to date and sets the stage for BATMAN BEYOND: REBIRTH #1, also solicited this month.
Bombshells #17
Led by Batwoman and Renee Montoya, a rebel group is formed: Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, Zatanna and Constantine, Raven, Catwoman, and the Huntress! As they make a run for it to the coast, they become surrounded—it’s a trap! Someone in the rebel group is a traitor, but who? And why? Find out here!
Harley Quinn #3
“DIE LAUGHING” part 3! In this concluding chapter, Coney Island threatens to collapse completely under a tidal wave of zombies! Harley’s got a lead on a cure—but what’s it going to take to administer it to a thousand flesh-hungry fiends? Here’s hoping Poison Ivy has an idea…
This story’s pitch was clearly, “Harley meets the Walking Dead.” I still expect to see Harley leading a zombie around like a dog… If it doesn’t happen, I’ll be very disappointed!
Injustice: Gods Among Us Year Five #17
Superman is laid low by the effects of the Kryptonite poisoning administered by Hawkman. Batman and the Resistance continue to hold Cyborg as they try to transmit the video that will show the public how Superman slaughtered a group of unarmed demonstrators. Meanwhile, Luthor may have finally found a means to take down the Man of Steel.
Justice League #4
“THE EXTINCTION MACHINE” part 4! In the center of the Earth, Superman faces three doomsday machines set to tear the world apart, while Earth’s two Green Lanterns discover just what a purged planet is truly like. The Kindred are awake and hold the truth about the beginnings of humanity.
This feels like it could have/ should have been a naturally progression from Hitch’s current Justice League of America… Too bad we probably won’t see the story with Rao wrap up until the end of this year… if we’re lucky…
Nightwing #4
“BETTER THAN BATMAN” part 4! At last, Nightwing and Raptor enact their endgame to shut down the Parliament of Owls permanently! But the Parliament has one last card up its sleeves: The Moloch, a giant owl monster whose mission is simple: eviscerate Nightwing and Raptor.
See… “giant owl monster” is not a positive collection of words in my book! Add that to the fact that the Court of Owls have been handled poorly since their introduction, and I’m questioning Seeley’s direction… and that almost NEVER happens. Guys, I’m starting to sweat a little. I’m not going to lie. On a separate note, I’m really curious to learn more about this Raptor fellow!
September 14th
All Star Batman #2
“My Own Worst Enemy” part 2! All aboard the train ride from hell! Batman and Two-Face continue their journey to Harvey Dent’s cure through an assassin-infested landscape. But can the Dark Knight continue his crusade across the countryside when Two Face turns one of his greatest allies against him?
Considering the whole Calendar Man stuff from Batman Rebirth #1 had Snyder’s name written all over it… I’m sooooooo not as excited for this book as I should be. If that’s his idea of doing interesting things with villains, I’d rather he left the villains alone.
Batgirl & the Birds of Prey #2
“WHO IS ORACLE?” part 3! Batgirl, Black Canary, and Huntress must team up with the GCPD to protect a mafia capo from an attack by his one-time friends! He’s the only man with a lead on the nefarious new Oracle…but dead men tell no tales! Of course, it’s hard to make a team-up work when the team’s ready to tear itself apart on its first mission!
You know in Napoleon Dynamite, when Uncle Rico is showing off the Tupperware to that family, then pulls out the boat that’s a gift if they purchase the expensive set? Yeah… well, I’m that woman!
Detective Comics #940
“Rise Of The Batmen” part 7! This epic concludes with a battle against the Colony that will change Batman’s world forever—and in a way you’d never expect! Whether they win or lose, they’ve already lost…
Oh… This looks bad for the Bat team… but really good for us! Detective Comics might just end up being my new favorite book! Also, it looks like the Deadpool logo is on the cover… You see it?
Earth 2 Society #16
The Amazonian casket has the potential to remake Earth-2 and end the years of struggle and survival, but is using it too great a risk? The Ultrahumanite doesn’t care. In a last stand, the heroes must stop him from using it to shape a new reality where he is in control—or annihilate Earth-2 entirely. Don’t miss this turning point in Earth-2 history!
Gotham Academy: Second Semester #1
GOTHAM ACADEMY is back with an all-new storyline for its second semester! When you’re Olive Silverlock, winter holidays can be a drag. Luckily, when a new student shows up at Gotham Academy to keep her company while the other students are away, Olive finds what could be a brand new friend…or a whole lot of trouble!
Upon seeing the cover of this issue, I thought that was Maps on the cover with Olive, and I got really excited by her new look… then I read the solicitation and realized it’s not her…
Harley Quinn & Her Gang of Harleys #6
This is it! The moment you’ve been waiting six long issues for! The identity of Harley Sinn is revealed, and Harley’s gang has found their great leader. But trouble is only beginning for Har—oh who are we kidding? This is the issue where Harley and her Gang kick butt on her captors (and she gets quite a few shots with her mallet as well), as Harley Quinn teaches her gang the most important lesson of all: losing stinks, so win—and never leave Brooklyn if you can help it.
Red Hood & the Outlaws #2
“Dark Trinity” part 2! Red Hood’s investigation takes a painful turn when he encounters a mysterious woman named Artemis! Outmatched by this powerful Amazon, Jason’s only hope for survival is finding a common ground with his attacker—that is, if Artemis gives him the chance!
There are elements of this that sound intriguing, but then I remind myself that Lobdell is writing, and then I lose all faith… I mean, his first arc of Red Hood & the Outlaws for the New 52 was entertaining, but I doubt lightning can strike twice.
Suicide Squad #2
“THE BLACK VAULT” part 2! What was meant to be a routine mission to retrieve a “cosmic item” from an undersea fortress has become a nightmare beyond anything the Suicide Squad ever expected. And with half the team down, it’s up to Harley Quinn, Katana, and a demon-possessed graphic designer named June Moore to save the Squad from the most dangerous man in the DC Universe. That’s right…they’re screwed.
I literally thought, “I wonder what Enchantress’s graphic designs look like?” Why? Because I’m that random! Also, I’d be quite happy to have Katana and Enchantress in my corner because they’re both pretty badass. Harley, however, is… Well, she’s just Harley and we love her for that!
Teen Titans #24
In this climactic issue, the team is forced to make a decision: continue fighting crime as the Teen Titans…or go their separate ways.
Hmm… I bet they stay together!!!!
September 21st
Batman #7
“NIGHT OF THE MONSTER MEN” part 1! The first crossover of the “Rebirth” era is here! As a huge storm approaches, Batman, Batwoman, and Nightwing try and prepare Gotham City for the worst, but nothing can prepare them for enormous tall monsters rampaging through the streets! Batman will need all of his allies to unite in order to stop these mad science monsters from tearing their city apart!
On one hand, I’m excited to see a crossover that resembles the crossovers from back in the day. I mean, they’re all operating in Gotham, so it makes sense that they would share or cross missions. On the other hand, monsters?
Harley Quinn #4
“108 MILLION WAYS TO DIE!” Even though she hates to leave Coney Island as it rebuilds after the zombie apocalypse, Harley must set out on a journey that will take her around the world—and into the clutches of a bizarre robotic enemy! Too bad her Mecha-Harley suit didn’t fit in the overhead bin…
Injustice: Gods Among Us Year Five #18
Enter: Deathstroke! Batman and Luthor are close to finishing a device that will open a door to another reality and bring them some much-needed assistance that could finally end this war. But they need a component that only Slade Wilson can retrieve. Can he be trusted? Meanwhile, Raven re-enters the fray, and a couple of dark gods conspire to cause trouble on Earth.
Justice League #5
“THE EXTINCTION MACHINE” part 5! In this concluding chapter, the race to the corners of the Earth is on for Aquaman as he holds the key to saving our planet from destruction—if he can make it in time before the last doomsday machine powers up! Can Superman survive his trip to the Earth¹s core? Is this the final battle between the Justice League and The Kindred—or just the start of something far worse?
Nightwing #5
“Night of the Monster Men” part 2! The Monster Men are stomping their way through Gotham City. How can the Bat-team face the monsters and the storm of the century? And when Nightwing goes behind the scenes to discover where the monsters came from, what lurks in the shadows may be worse than the monsters themselves!
Trinity #1
“BETTER TOGETHER” part 1! Together again for the first time! Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. The core of the World’s Greatest Heroes…but with a new Man of Steel, the bonds these three share will be tested and redefined by super-star writer/artist Francis Manapul. In this premiere issue, see the trio travel from Metropolis to Gotham City and beyond to learn what forces launched their heroic careers. But how will this journey of discovery lead them to a new threat?
I’m drooling over this cover!
September 28th
Batgirl #3
“Beyond Burnside” part 3! After Batgirl faces off against a second villain with the mark of “The Student,” she must set off to Korea to get to the bottom of the mysterious attacks before someone close to her gets caught in the crossfire!
This reminds me of Black Canary’s arc in Birds of Prey back when it was under Gail Simone’s watch. Remember when she was traveling and training? It wasn’t made into a major focal point, but it set-up the fact that she was a badass martial artist. I feel like that’s what they’re doing with Babs, but while maintaining her sensibilities. I’m down with that!
Batman Beyond: Rebirth #1
Six months have passed since the events of BATMAN BEYOND #16. While areas of destruction remain in the outside world, Gotham City has made great strides toward reclaiming its bright future. But new threats arise and old adversaries may be coming back. And the question still remains: whatever happened to Bruce Wayne?
Detective Comics #941
“Night Of The Monster Men” part 3! Batman and Batwoman take to the streets in a motorcycle death race against a monster that transforms faster than they can keep up! And at Blackgate, something truly terrifying is growing in the prison’s darkest depths…and its eggs are hatching!
Motorcycle death race… Oh God… I’m cringing while having flashbacks of Batman and Robin where Chris O’Donnell and Alicia Silverstone were racing motorcycles in the streets of Gotham… Plus, more monsters… Can we keep the monsters limited to Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel? Grrr… Arg…
Titans #3
“The Return of Wally West” part 3. The Titans receive word that Karen Beecher-Duncan—a.k.a. Bumblebee—has been kidnapped! Is there a connection between a shadowy new foe and the intergalactic demon that stole their memories?
Freaking Wally West for the win! Just the mention of him raises my spirits! The DC Universe Rebirth Special still makes me want to give Geoff Johns a big, fat kiss before beginning a hysterical sob to thank him for course correcting the universe.
Suicide Squad #3
“THE BLACK VAULT” part 3! It looks like a well-deserved day off for the Suicide Squad—until things go off the rails when the bizarre energies of the dark sphere Amanda Waller’s team brought back slowly drive everyone in Belle Reve Penitentiary to acts of violent, bloody madness. Everyone except the crown princess of crazy, Harley Quinn, who’s somehow been…cured?
I’m kind of stoked for this issue…
Teen Titans Rebirth #1
The Teen Titans are farther apart than ever before…until Damian Wayne recruits Starfire, Raven, Beast Boy and the new Kid Flash to join him in a fight against his own grandfather, Ra’s al Ghul! But true leadership is more than just calling the shots—is Robin really up to the task? Or will the Teen Titans dismiss this diminutive dictator?
Damian totally just got called a dictator! I love it!
Noteworthy Releases:
Batman/ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 – Director’s Cut
The first chapter of the story that brought together the Dark Knight and those Heroes in a Half-Shell is back in this new Director’s Cut edition co-published with IDW.
Dark Knight III: The Master Race #1 – Director’s Cut
The epic story continues in a way you never saw coming, and now it’s back in a new Director’s Cut edition because you demanded it! The Dark Knight rises again to face the dawn of the master race in these stories from issue #1 of the 8-issue miniseries, which includes the minicomic printed at standard comic-book size.
Suicide Squad’s Most Wanted: El Diablo/ Boomerang #2
Freed from Belle Reve prison and the ever-dangerous life as a member of the Suicide Squad, Chato Santana, a.k.a. El Diablo, finds himself on a new team, Checkmate, fighting alongside teammates like Uncle Sam and other meta-humans in the employ of the United States government. But when the team’s hunt for the creator of some mysterious tech leads them to Metropolis, El Diablo finds much more then he bargained for when he faces off against the soul-sucking Parasite! Meanwhile, Boomerang, separated from the rest of the Suicide Squad, must accept help from a young girl to escape the clutches of a Latin American dictator known as El Jaguar, who, along with his army of meta-humans, would love nothing more than to see Boomerang dead!
At the moment, we’re going to hold off on reviewing this each month, and just wait for the trade… Katana has left a bad taste in my mouth.
