I’m back from SDCC! I originally planned on writing this post on the train back to Los Angeles, but the moment I got on the train, I was informed that their wifi wasn’t working. I’d also made a promise to my other half that I wasn’t going to come home and just stick my head in my laptop (we writers have a tendency to do that), so this is coming at you a little later than I would like.
As I stated above, I am back from SDCC! Andrew, Brandon, and I have a number of things we’re pulling together to cover the weekend, so be on the lookout for that. I also have a review for Batman: The Killing Joke that will post later today! So stay tuned, because some really good stuff will be coming down the pipeline!
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 27th
Detective Comics #937
“RISE OF THE BATMEN” Chapter Four: In issue #937, Batman’s found his way into the heart of the Colony, the mysterious new organization cutting its way through Gotham City! Unfortunately, now that he’s in he may find there’s no way out!
Written by James Tynion IV
Pencils by Alvaro Martinez
Inks by Raul Fernandez
Colored by Brad Anderson and Adriano Lucas
Cover by Raul Fernandez, Alvaro Martinez, and Tomeu Morey
Random Blurb of Excitement: I wasn’t too happy about the reveal in the previous issue, but I’m extremely curious to see what happens now! Regardless, this book is so much fun, that I have to admit that it’s my favorite title at the moment!
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Titans #1
“REMEMBER THE TITANS” Chapter One
After an old ally returns to the team, the Titans set their sights on a dangerous enemy with the power to change reality itself! But the Titans have never faced a threat this massive before, and with so much on the line, will they be able to stand united as a team? Or will their past mistakes be their undoing?
Written by Dan Abnett
Pencils by Brett Booth
Inks by Norm Rapmund
Colored by Andrew Dalhouse
Cover by Brett Booth, Andrew Dalhouse, and Norm Rapmund
Random Blurb of Excitement: When you use a character to relaunch your brand, people are going to expect some great things from the title he’s in… AKA: I’m expecting this book to be on point!
Batman News Critic: Cat
Nightwing #1
“BETTER THAN BATMAN” Chapter One: Batman taught Nightwing everything he knows—but what if everything he taught him is wrong? When Dick is stuck with a new mentor who challenges everything Batman taught him, Nightwing has to shatter his concept of justice in order to fight for what he knows is right. Writer Tim Seeley (GRAYSON, BATMAN & ROBIN ETERNAL) launches Nightwing onto a new quest alongside rising talent Javier Fernandez (RED HOOD/ARSENAL).
Written by Tim Seeley
Pencils and Inks by Javier Fernandez
Colored by Chris Sotomayor
Cover by Javier Fernandez and Chris Sotomayor
Random Blurb of Excitement: You all know I’m biased to Nightwing… but I have some uncertain feelings about aspects of the opening arc. I’m crossing my fingers that Seeley will prove me wrong.
Batman News Critic: Jay
Batgirl #1
“Beyond Burnside” Chapter One: The Batgirl you know and love is going global with Eisner Award-winning and New York Times best-selling writer Hope Larson (A Wrinkle in Time, Goldie Vance) and all-star artist Rafael Albuquerque (AMERICAN VAMPIRE). In order to up her game, Babs travels to Japan on a quest to train with the most elite modern combat masters of the East. But when a chance meeting with an old friend puts a target on her back, Batgirl may need to use her new skills to solve a deadly mystery.
Written by Hope Larson
Pencils and Inks by Rafael Albuquerque
Colored by Dave McCaig
Cover by Rafael Albuquerque
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m half and half on my excitement for this book. At SDCC, Larson mentioned that the characterization of Batgirl would be similar to that of Fletcher and Stewart’s run, and you all know how I feel about that. On the other hand, she also said the tone of the book itself would be more serious and void of the “Burnside cool” feeling, and “no hipster kids.” And that sounds nice!
Batman News Critic: Elena
Harley Quinn #30
As Harley’s monthly series comes to an end, the world prepares for twice as much Harley when her new series debuts in August! And you’d better believe Harley’s burning the place down on the way out the door…
Written by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti
Pencils and Inks by Elsa Charretier
Cover by Amanda Conner and Alex Sinclair
Random Blurb of Excitement: So… The delays make sense now! I saw Amanda Conner at SDCC, and she has a broken arm and a fractured foot (yet still managed to hobble all over the convention center for panels and interviews). I said this last year, but Conner and Palmiotti are probably my favorite people to see on a panel because they’re so entertaining. Once you become familiar with their personalities, it’s clear that the humor in this book is pretty much their own humor. I’m still a little burnt out on Harley, but seeing these two made me excited to read this book!
Batman News Critic: Elena
Deathstroke #20
It’s all-out war! Slade Wilson attacks the island stronghold controlled by the mercenary army called “the Dead Bastards,” while his one-time comrade Victor Ruiz leads a lethal strike group from the League of Assassins. But in order to protect his children, Rose and Jericho, Slade may be forced to battle Ra’s al Ghul…to the last killer standing. Will this be the end of Deathstroke?
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: We’re finally ending the Ra’s arc! It hasn’t been terrible, but it’s been a slow decline.
Batman News Critic: Josh
Teen Titans #22
When the Teen Titans find themselves at odds with the law, an unlikely enemy emerges: Amanda Waller! Can the team prove they really are heroes before “The Wall” hunts them all down?
Written by Tony Bedard
Pencils by Ian Churchill
Inks by Norm Rapmund
Colored by Tony Avina
Cover by Mike McKone and Rod Reis
Random Blurb of Excitement: Hmm… This could be interesting… I’m ready for Rebirth to hurry up and get here, but this could be fun.
Batman News Critic: Brian
Red Hood & the Outlaws: Rebirth #1
When a shocking encounter with Batman solidifies the Red Hood’s status as a villain, Jason Todd goes deep undercover to take down Gotham City’s criminal underworld from the inside. Along the way, Jason meets two unlikely allies: a disgraced Amazon warrior named Artemis and a half-baked Superman clone called Bizarro—and the DCU’s “Dark Trinity” is born!
Written by Scott Lobdell
Pencils and Inks by Dexter Soy
Colored by Veronica Gandini
Cover by Giuseppe Camuncoli, Cam Smith, and Dean White
Random Blurb of Excitement: *Sigh* Look… I expect the first arc to be decent (maybe), and then I strongly believe it will revert back to the mess we’ve come to expect…
Batman News Critic: Cat
Notes:
- Additional Rebirth releases this week: Action Comics #960, Hal Jordan & the Green Lantern Corps #1, The Flash #3, and Wonder Woman #3.
- Harley’s Little Black Book #4 has been pushed back to July 13th August 3rd.
- Harley Quinn & Her Gang of Harleys #4 has been pushed back to August 3rd.
- Justice League of America #9 has been scheduled for August 17th.
- The Dark Knight III: The Master Race #6 has been pushed back to August 24th.
- Justice League of America #10 has been scheduled for August 31st.
- Justice League of America #11 has been scheduled for September 14th.
- Justice League of America #12 has been scheduled for September 28th.
- Justice League of America Annual #1 has been scheduled for November 30th.
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 July 20, 2016 is Batman #3 by Matt Banning, Jordie Bellaire, and David Finch with 32% of the votes.
- Justice League #1 by Tony Salvador Daniel (27%)
- Batgirl & the Birds of Prey Rebirth #1 by Nathan Fairbairn and Yanick Paquette (19%)
- New Suicide Squad #22 by Juan E. Ferreyra and Jim Lee (16%)
- Injustice: God’s Among Us Year 5 #14 by David Yardin (6%)
Graphic Novel Watch:
Detective Comics Vol. 8: Blood of Heroes – THERE’S A NEW BAT IN TOWN
Jim Gordon has spent years patrolling the streets of Gotham City as one of its top cops. Now he’s doing it from inside a Batsuit.
With Bruce Wayne sidelined-perhaps permanently-the former Commissioner has taken on the mantle of the Bat, with a state-of-the-art suit of robotic armor and the full support of the Gotham City Police Department to back him up. But when you become the Batman, there’s a deadly learning curve-and an army of crazed criminals waiting to take you down.
Can Gordon keep up? Or will his enemies and allies alike clip the new Batman’s wings before he even gets off the ground?
Find out in BATMAN: DETECTIVE COMICS VOL. 8-thrillingly written by Francis Manapul, Brian Buccellato, and Peter J. Tomasi, and stunningly illustrated by Fernando Blanco and Marcio Takara, it’s a bold new chapter in the saga of Gotham’s guardian! Collects DETECTIVE COMICS SNEAK PEEK and #41-47!
Harley Quinn’s Greatest Hits – Get ready for this summer’s most anticipated movie SUICIDE SQUAD with the comics that inspired the film, including fan-favorite character Harley Quinn.
Love makes you do crazy things. And Suicide Squad member Harley Quinn is madly in love.
After springing her psychotic killer boyfriend, the Joker, from Arkham Asylum, former psychiatrist Harleen Quinzel put on a clown costume and said sayonara to sanity. Now Harley brings her own unique brand of psychosis and revelry to whatever she does, whether it’s causing mayhem alongside her beloved Mistah J., saving the world as the nuttiest member of the Suicide Squad, or relaxing with her gal pals Poison Ivy and Catwoman. With her deranged mix of fear and fun, she knows how to leave a crowd in stiches!
HARLEY QUINN’S GREATEST HITS collects eight of the lovesick lunatic’s best stories from such talented writers and artists as Paul Dini, Bruce Timm, Jim Lee, Jeph Loeb, Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, Scott Snyder and more.
Collects BATMAN ADVENTURES #12, BATMAN #613, COUNTDOWN #10, GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #7, SUICIDE SQUAD #1, BATMAN #13, HARLEY QUINN #21 and HARLEY QUINN AND SUICIDE SQUAD APRIL FOOL’S SPECIAL #1.
New Suicide Squad Vol. 3: Freedom – Get ready for this summer’s anticipated movie SUICIDE SQUAD with the comics that inspired the film, including fan-favorite characters Harley Quinn, Deadshot and Captain Boomerang!
THE WORLD’S WORST HEROES HAVE GONE ROGUE!
Task Force X team members Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, Black Manta and Parasite are killers being given a chance to do good for the U.S. government…not that they have a choice. One step out of line and their handler, Amanda Waller, can set off their surgically implanted bombs. But if they play along, this “Suicide Squad” might just be their shot at redemption.
When Waller discovers that Task Force X is being manipulated by a shadowy corporate conspiracy, she decides to take her team off the grid. Now, without their bombs to keep them in check, the only thing keeping the world’s worst heroes from becoming full-blown villains again is their desire to see justice served.
Will that be enough to keep Waller’s former prisoners from killing their jailer?
NEW SUICIDE SQUAD VOL. 3: FREEDOM collects NEW SUICIDE SQUAD #13-16 and SUICIDE SQUAD MOST WANTED: DEADSHOT AND KATANA, by writer Sean Ryan (FLASHPOINT: GRODD OF WAR) and artist Philipe Briones (UNCANNY X-FORCE), and also featuring Brian Buccellato (DETECTIVE COMICS), Mike W. Barr (BATMAN: SON OF THE DEMON), Viktor Bogdanovic (BATMAN: ARKHAM KNIGHT) and Diogenes Neves (BATMAN/SUPERMAN).
Suicide Squad: The Silver Age – The original 1960s missions of the Suicide Squad are collected at last, including stories from THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #25-27 and 37-39, plus STAR SPANGLED WAR STORIES #110-111, 116-121, 125, 127 and 128. When all other options are exhausted, the U.S. calls in their new team, Task Force X, led by Rick Flag! Whether a scientist is missing, a dangerous serum is in the wrong hands, or dinosaurs threaten our fighting forces, the Suicide Squad is ready for action!
