Upcoming Comics: July 6, 2016

For my fellow Americans, I want to wish you all a happy 4^th of July! If you plan on setting off fireworks, be safe! And no drinking and driving, because that would make Batman sad.

In other news, I was OVERJOYED to learn that Midnighter would make his return in October! Following up on Midnighter, Steve Orlando will release a six issue mini Midnighter & Apollo, with art by Fernando Blanco!!! I’m especially excited to see Blanco covering interiors, and can’t wait to see what he does during this run. If the name sounds familiar, but you can’t place his work, you might remember him from issues of Phantom Stranger during the New 52.

To turn to the focus back to this month, we do get the return of Nightwing and the Birds of Prey (both of which I’m STOKED for), and this week, we get our first glimpse into the new Justice League, as well as the second issue of Tom King’s Batman. While I know some of you were a little underwhelmed with his opening issue, I’m still extremely excited. As for other topics for this week, at the bottom of the post, you’ll find three variant cover polls: May Variants, June Variants, and Batman #1 Variants! I hope you’re ready to get your vote on!

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

 

July 6^th

Batman #2
“I AM GOTHAM” Chapter Two: In issue #2, after a brush with disaster, Batman struggles to reconcile the fate he could be leaving behind for his city, and reaches out to the idealistic new hero, Gotham. But an evil is building that may overcome both Batman and his new ally.

Written by Tom King
Pencils by David Finch
Inks by Matt Banning and Danny Miki
Colored by Jordie Bellaire
Cover by Jordie Bellaire and David Finch

Random Blurb of Excitement: As I stated above, I’m still excited to see what King has lined up for us. He has a tendency to focus on the characters while highlighting what defines them and makes them who they are… There’s not anyone I’d like to see him sink his teeth into more than Bruce, so I’m hoping for a long game that examines the many complexities and shades found within this character!

Batman News Critic: Brandon

 

 

Justice League: Rebirth #1
Spinning out of the events of DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH #1, a new day dawns for Earth’s greatest heroes as they welcome three new members to the team, including…Superman? Who is this strange visitor from a dead world—and can he be trusted? Batman and Wonder Woman aren’t so sure.

Written by Bryan Hitch
Pencils by Bryan Hitch
Inks by Daniel Henriques
Cover by Tony Salvador Daniel and Tomeu Morey

Random Blurb of Excitement: As excited as I am to get my hand on this, I’m curious to see if it actually releases on Wednesday… I mean, Hitch is on art duties, so there’s a chance we find out this will be delayed at the last minute… And considering he’s already had to block/delete a number people on Twitter for harassing him about his delays with JLA (which still appears to be in an indefinite TBD phase), another delay would not bode well for him. So let’s hope for the best…

Batman News Critic: Brian (Yep, that’s right, Brian will take over Justice League, and I’m going to take the new Justice League of America… you know… if it’s ever announced. October solicitations, maybe? Hopefully?)

 

 

Batman Beyond #14
The epic “Wired for Death” storyline continues as the mysterious Rewire’s true identity is finally revealed. It’s an explosive revelation that can only lead to a climactic showdown between Rewire and Batman as they’re both being manipulated by Spellbinder.

Written by Dan Jurgens
Pencils and Inks by Bernard Chang
Colored by Marcelo Maiolo
Cover by Bernard Chang and Marcelo Maiolo

Random Blurb of Excitement: Jurgens is winning with this book at the moment! If you didn’t stick through the Futures End aftermath that launched this title, then you’re really missing out, and I recommend you catch up. When it’s all said and done, this might be one of the strongest transitions from the New 52 into Rebirth.

Batman News Critic: Cat

 

 

Injustice: Gods Among Us Year Five #13
It’s Damian at the crossroads when he must make a final, fateful choice between his biological father—Batman—and his current father figure, Superman. The new Nightwing can end the conflict that’s torn the world asunder these past five years, but either the Dark Knight or the Man of Steel is going to have to die.

Art by Marco Santucci
Cover by David Yardin
Written by Brian Buccellato

Random Blurb of Excitement: Speaking of winning, Buccellato is knocking Year Five out of the park! I haven’t enjoyed this book this much since Year Two! I’m glad that we’re getting an extended run for this final year, because this run deserves it!

Batman News Critic: Elena

 

 

Batman ’66 Meets Steed & Mrs. Peel #3 (Digital Issue)
Gotham’s police headquarters have been besieged by mysterious metal men, and our heroes are put in an unlikely position: as Catwoman’s saviors. And when even Batman’s best efforts falter, John Steed’s trusty umbrella plays a key role in the rescue!

Art by Mathew Dow Smith
Cover by Mike Allred
Variant cover by Cat Staggs
Written by Ian Edginton

Random Blurb of Excitement: I know this is last on my list, but that does not mean I’m not excited! I love the Batman 66’ brand because it’s so much fun! These books are perfect for the family, and good for a nice “pick-me-up.”

Batman News Critic: Jay

 

 

Notes:

• Additional Rebirth releases this week: Aquaman #2, Green Arrow #2, Green Lanterns #2, and Superman #2.
• Batman ’66 Meets Steed & Mrs. Peel #1 (Print Version) will be released this week. For Jay’s reviews of digital issues #1 and #2, click each link accordingly.
• Harley’s Little Black Book #4 has been pushed back to July 13^th.
• The Dark Knight III: The Master Race #6 has been pushed back to August 24^th
• 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. *Note: Batman ’66 Meets Steed & Mrs. Peel will not be included in the poll since the cover was previously included in a poll.*

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

 

May Variant Cover Poll:

In the spoiler tag below, you will find variant covers from the month of May. The top cover will be included in next week’s Best Cover of Q-2.

 

 

June Variant Cover Poll:

In the spoiler tag below, you will find variant covers from the month of June. The top cover will be included in next week’s Best Cover of Q-2.

 

 

Batman #1 Variants:

In the spoiler tag below, you will find variant covers from the month of June. The top cover will be included in next week’s Best Cover of Q-2. *If I missed a cover, let me know and I will automatically add it to the Q-2 Cover Poll. Incomplete versions of covers (pencils only, blank, etc), will not be included.*

 

 

Graphic Novel Watch:

Batman: Arkham Knight Vol. 3 – The Joker is dead. Arkham City is no more. But as Batman has learned, evil is endless. And his new enemy, the mysterious, murderous Arkham Knight, is here to see the Dark Knight fall forever.

And he is not alone. The crazed criminal called the Calendar Man is out to make each day Batman’s last. The brutal killer known as Bane wants to prove himself a more powerful warrior than any Knight. And in the shadows lurks the Scarecrow, whose sinister plans for Gotham City and its guardians are the most frightening of all.

Defeating the Arkham Knight and his army will take every ounce of Batman’s skills and strength. Because under his rival’s helmet is a familiar face, one that should strike terror even into the heart of the Dark Knight himself…

Writers Peter J. Tomasi (BATMAN AND ROBIN) and Tim Seeley (GRAYSON) and an arsenal of top artists including Viktor Bogdanovic (REALITY CHECK), Ig Guara (BLUE BEETLE), Julio Ferreira (TEEN TITANS) and Richard Friend (BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT) proudly present BATMAN: ARKHAM KNIGHT VOL. 3, the shocking finale of the official prequel to Rocksteady Studios’ smash-hit Arkham trilogy! Collects BATMAN: ARKHAM KNIGHT #9-12, BATMAN: ARKHAM KNIGHT ANNUAL #1, BATMAN: ARKHAM KNIGHT ROBIN #1 and BATMAN: ARKHAM KNIGHT: BATGIRL & HARLEY QUINN #1.

 

Batman: Road to No Man’s Land Vol. 2 – A devastating earthquake has left Gotham City in ruins, and the government is getting close to completely cutting it off from the rest of civilization. But there’s one man who’s vowed to save Gotham from whatever foe it comes up against, and now Bruce Wayne must put aside his life as Batman and put on his suit and tie as he takes his fight for the fate of Gotham to Washington, D.C. Lurking in the shadows is the mysterious Nicholas Scratch who will do everything in his power to ensure Gotham becomes a No Man’s Land!

In this, the final act before the beginning of the classic event, “No Man’s Land,” Bruce Wayne, Robin, Nightwing and many others try to save their city from destruction once again-this time at the hands of the U.S. government.

BATMAN: ROAD TO NO MAN’S LAND VOL. 2 collects for the first time the complete “Road to No Man’s Land” storyline that rocked the Bat family and leads into the hit crossover event No Man’s Land, Reprinting DETECTIVE COMICS #727-729, BATMAN #560-562, BATMAN: SHADOW OF THE BAT #80-82, THE BATMAN CHRONICLES #15, AZRAEL #47-50, and BATMAN: NO MAN’S LAND SECRET FILES AND ORIGINS #1.