Unfortunately, I have to start this week off with some sad news. Our ever-vibrant and bubbly Cat has decided she needs to step down from her responsibilities here at Batman-News! We’re sad to see her go, and will definitely miss the energy and fun she brought to the site. Make sure you give her a warm sendoff in the comments section! She’ll appreciate it. For the moment, we will remain a “five-man-band” and break Cat’s responsibilities up between the current team. If we feel that it is needed to add another member to the review team at a later date, we will make an announcement to find some awesome Bat-talent!
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…
August 3rd
Batman #4
“I Am Gotham” part four. When Gotham City falls prey to true evil, will Batman be abandoned by the new heroes Gotham and Gotham Girl? The Dark Knight must decide who to entrust with the safety of his beloved city if he hopes for any of its citizens to survive.
Written by Tom King
Pencils by David Finch
Inks by Matt Banning and Sandra Hope
Colored by Jordie Bellaire
Cover by Matt Banning, Jordie Bellaire, and David Finch
Random Blurb of Excitement: Considering the previous issue left off with bombs exploding across the city, it shouldn’t be a surprise that King’s Batman is at the top of my list. It’s clear that the creative team is going for a “slow burn” with their narrative, rather than just throw readers into a grand epic – much like Snyder would do. I feel like both styles have their place within the Batman universe, but I’m happy to see this book take it’s time and focus on Bruce’s psyche.
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Nightwing #2
“Better than Batman” part two! Nightwing and his new mentor Raptor embark on their first assignment for the Parliament of Owls. Will Raptor prove himself a superior mentor for Nightwing? Or will they both fall prey to the fangs of Kobra?
Written by Tim Seeley
Pencils by Javier Fernandez
Inks by Javier Fernandez
Colored by Chris Sotomayor
Cover by Javier Fernandez and Chris Sotomayor
Random Blurb of Excitement: I had some hesitation going into this, but all of that went away with the first issue! I’m excited to dive into this story, and I can’t wait to see what Seeley has lined up for Dick!
Batman News Critic: Jay
Justice League #2
“The Extinction Machine” part two! Massive earthquakes shake cities to the ground as the ancient intelligence known as the Awakened takes control of the people of Earth, forcing them to turn against anyone with superpowers—including the Justice League! Unable to fight a war on two fronts, Batman asks for help from the one man he trusts less than anyone.
Written by Bryan Hitch
Pencils by Tony Salvador Daniel
Inks by Sandu Florea
Colored by Tomeu Morey
Cover by Tony Salvador Daniel, Mark Morales, and Tomeu Morey
Random Blurb of Excitement: While I thought the first issue was much better than the Rebirth issue, I am a little weary considering this plot looks at though it’s similar to an element of the Rao arc… Granted, we don’t know much considering this plot since we’ve only, officially, had one issue, but all I see are mass numbers of people being controlled…
Batman News Critic: Brian
Injustice: Gods Among Us Year Five #15
Batman forms an alliance with the savage Hawkman, who is still determined to remove Hawkgirl from Superman’s regime. How does the warrior from Thanagar hope to succeed in defeating The Man of Steel where so many have failed? By getting his hands on some Kryptonite, and he claims to know where to find it.
Art by Xermanico
Cover by David Yardin
Written by Brian Buccellato
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m continuing to love Buccellato’s work on Year Five, and now that I know there’s an end date scheduled for October, I can’t help but feel he’s going to keep all cylinders firing until the title closes out!
Batman News Critic: Elena
Suicide Squad Rebirth #1
Soldier. War hero. Traitor. Captain Rick Flag was one of America’s greatest military commanders before he was banished to a secret military prison. But after years of isolation, Flag’s life changes forever when a woman called Amanda Waller offers him redemption in exchange for taking on the single most dangerous job in the entire DC Universe: keeping the Suicide Squad alive!
Written by Rob Williams
Pencils by Philip Tan
Inks by Jonathan Glapion
Colored by Alex Sinclair
Cover by Jonathan Glapion and Alex Sinclair
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m extremely curious to see the direction the creative team decides to take this title! I know Jim Lee isn’t on art duties with this specific issue, but he will be covering art beginning with issue #1. That alone makes me think, “This has to be good!” And then there’s the pessimist in me that thinks, “That, or it’s just a marketing move to drive sales considering the film has made this a highly discussed title.” I guess we’ll have to wait and see….
Batman News Critic: Josh
Batman Beyond #15
With the downfall of Brother Eye, a power vacuum has opened up in Gotham City and a longtime villain has stepped into the void to take control. As Tim Drake finds it increasingly difficult to call this future world home, Batman and Rewire become uneasy allies as they’re forced to confront the emerging threat of…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: This is another title that I’m really enjoying at the moment! If you haven’t been reading Batman Beyond, I recommend that you take a moment to catch up before Rebirth. There are a lot of interesting things going on concerning both Tim and Terry, and if the creative team can continue this quality, then Batman Beyond will have a bright future!
Batman News Critic: Josh
Harley Quinn #1
“Die Laughing” part one! Welcome back to Harley Quinn’s crazy world on Coney Island…now get ready to wave goodbye, because everyone there just might get eaten alive! Harley’s gotta protect her neighborhood against an all-out zombie apocalypse! Break out the chainsaws, everybody!
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: It’s officially time for Harley Quinn “Afterbirth!” What can we expect? More of the same! I’ll give a faint “yay” considering I find Harley enjoyable, albeit over exposed at the moment.
Batman News Critic: Elena
Batman ’66 Meets Steed & Mrs. Peel #5 (Digital Issue)
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!
Written by Ian Edginton
Pencils and Inks by Matthew Dow Smith
Colored by Jordie Bellaire
Cover by Laura Allred and Mike Allred
Random Blurb of Excitement: While I don’t feel that this crossover is hitting quite the home run that previous Batman ’66 incarnations have carried, it’s still a fun, enjoyable read, and still rather early in its run! And if you’re looking for a family friendly Bat book that’s good for all ages, the Batman ’66 brand is one of the best on the market at the moment!
Batman News Critic: Jay
Harley Quinn & Her Gang of Harley’s #4
Sure, the Gang has finally figured out who Harley Sinn is and, more importantly, where she’s holding Harley hostage-but considering it’s a place called The Island of Horrible Death, they might be thinking twice about going there…
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: You know how I just mentioned that Harley’s over exposed at the moment? Yeah… this is my least favorite title that focuses on her… I’m counting down the days until this ends.
Batman News Critic: Elena
Notes:
- Additional Rebirth releases this week: Aquaman #4, Green Arrow #4, Green Lanterns #4, and Superman #4.
- Justice League of America #9 has been scheduled for August 17th.
- Harley’s Little Black Book #4 has been pushed back to
July 13thAugust 3rdAugust 24th. - 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 27, 2016 is Detective Comics #937 by Raul Fernandez, Alvaro Martinez, and Tomeu Morey with 30% of the votes.
- Nightwing #1 by Javier Fernandez and Chris Sotomayor (26%)
- Titans #1 by Brett Booth, Andrew Dalhouse, and Norm Rapmund (16%)
- Harley Quinn #30 by Amanda Conner and Alex Sinclair (11%)
- Batgirl #1 by Rafael Albuquerque (9%)
- Deathstroke #20 by Tyler Kirkham and Tomeu Morey (4%)
- Red Hood & the Outlaws: Rebirth #1 by Giuseppe Camuncoli, Cam Smith, and Dean White (3%)
- Teen Titans #22 by Mike McKone and Rod Reis (1%)
Graphic Novel Watch:
Batman Noir: The Killing Joke – Presented in stark black and white, BATMAN NOIR: THE KILLING JOKE collects BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE, “An Innocent Man” story, and a collection of Bolland’s Batman covers. ALAN MOORE (WATCHMEN, V FOR VENDETTA) and BRIAN BOLLAND (CAMELOT 3000) take on the origin of comics’ greatest super-villain, The Joker—and changes Batman’s world forever.
One bad day.
According to the grinning engine of madness and mayhem known as The Joker, that’s all that separates the sane from the psychotic. Freed once again from the confines of Arkham Asylum, he’s out to prove his deranged point. And he’s going to use Gotham City’s top cop, Commissioner Jim Gordon, and his brilliant and beautiful daughter Barbara to do it.
Now Batman must race to stop his archnemesis before his reign of terror claims two of the Dark Knight’s closest friends. Can he finally put an end to the cycle of bloodlust and lunacy that links these two iconic foes before it leads to its fatal conclusion? And as the horrifying origin of the Clown Prince of Crime is finally revealed, will the thin line that separates Batman’s nobility and The Joker’s insanity snap once and for all?
Coloring DC: Harley Quinn & the Suicide Squad Vol. 1 – DC’s Leading Lady is here, leading the Suicide Squad right off the pages and into your heart. Color some of the greatest Harley covers and splash pages-—but don’t forget about Killer Croc, or Enchantress, or Katana, or Deadshot, or Captain Boomerang…
Suicide Squad Most Wanted: Deadshot – One of the stars of this year’s highly anticipated action blockbuster takes aim at a shocking solo adventure in SUICIDE SQUAD MOST WANTED: DEADSHOT, from writer Brian Buccellato (THE FLASH) and artist Viktor Bogdanovic (BATMAN: ARKHAM KNIGHT) —a high-octane thriller that will blow you away!
SHOOT TO THRILL!
Floyd Lawton is the deadliest marksman in the world—but there are targets even the legendary mercenary known as Deadshot hasn’t been able to hit.
As a longtime member of the Suicide Squad, he does the bidding of his ruthless supervisor Amanda Waller, killing whomever she says needs killing before heading back to Belle Reve Penitentiary to reload. And when the Squad saddles him with a new partner, the time to take the safety off has come.
Now Deadshot’s on his most personal mission of all: he’s going to kill the parents who made him the man—and the murderer—he is today.
But Floyd’s far too valuable an asset to let loose, and the Suicide Squad will stop at nothing to put this lone gunman back in their arsenal—including threaten the one person he truly cares about. Deadshot’s about to learn the hard way that when it comes to weapons, there’s always a bigger gun…
Collects stories from SUICIDE SQUAD MOST WANTED: DEADSHOT 1-6.
