Upcoming Comics: August 31, 2016

It’s one of those magical fifth Wednesdays! You know what that means… Annuals. Or in this case, Annuals and some delays. If that doesn’t excite you though, we’ve have two additional cover polls this week: the All Star Batman #1 Variant Cover Poll and the Suicide Squad #1 Variant Cover Poll. I did my best to track down all of the covers for both titles, but there are likely some that I missed. If you find any, just let me know in the comments, and I’ll include them in the August Variant Cover Poll next week!

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 31^st

 

Suicide Squad: War Crimes #1
When a retired American politician is taken to Europe and tried for alleged war crimes, the USA must recover him from an allied nation before terrible truths are revealed. Enter the Suicide Squad, who storm the Hague itself to save America from her own dark secrets. The writer who started a revolution, John Ostrander returns to the Suicide Squad for the first time in a decade to tell one of his boldest and bloodiest stories ever.

Written by John Ostrander
Colored by Gabe Eltaeb
Cover by Juan E. Ferreyra

Random Blurb of Excitement: All you have to say is “Ostrander” and I’m sold!

Batman News Critic: Josh

 

 

Justice League of America #9
With Earth as collateral damage, the Kryptonian deity called Rao has the Justice League on the ropes! It would take a miracle to defeat him. Good thing the League makes miracles look easy…

Written by Bryan Hitch
Pencils Bryan Hitch
Inks by Daniel Henriques
Colored by Alex Sinclair
Cover by Bryan Hitch, Rian Hughes, and Alex Sinclair

Random Blurb of Excitement: Hey! Look at this! We’re finally getting more of Hitch’s JLA! It’s been a solid run, but I’m still giving this book side-eye due to all of the delays… That’s fair right? (I’m going to have to skim through the previous issues before reading this though…)

Batman News Critic: Brian

 

 

Gotham Academy Annual #1
When the Gotham Academy student body comes down with a mysterious disease, Pomeline and Colton disagree on the origin of the threat, causing a fissure in Detective Club! The team fractures to get to the bottom of the case…but who will solve it first? Will Maps be able to reunite her friends? Will they ever eat pizza together again?! Join the search for clues in the first ever Gotham Academy Annual, precursor to Gotham Academy: Second Semester!

Written by Becky Cloonan and Brenden Fletcher
Pencils by Adam Archer, Michael Dialynas, and Chris Wildgoose
Inks by Michael Dialynas, Sandra Hope, and Chris Wildgoose
Colored by Michael Dialynas and Serge Lapointe
Cover by Karl Kerschl

Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m super excited to see Gotham Academy return! “Yearbook” wasn’t my favorite story (or perhaps “collection of stories” would be more appropriate), but prior to that, this was easily one of my favorite titles!

Batman News Critic: Jay

 

 

Harley Quinn & Her Gang of Harleys #5
This is it-the story you’ve been waiting for: the secret origin of comic’s newest, deadliest and most insanest villainess, Harley Sinn! Why is she so obsessed with Harley? How did she manage to become a super-villain? And what is her connection to the Gang of Harleys themselves? Find out this issue! Plus…Harley’s still kidnapped! So there’s that.

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: With my Harley fatigue, I honestly feel like I would be more inclined to read the Harley books if just one of them went away… Namely, this one. I just don’t care for Harley’s gang that much. I’d rather just have Harley acting crazy…

Batman News Critic: Elena

 

 

Notes:

• Additional Rebirth releases this week: None this week!
• Harley’s Little Black Book #5 has been pushed back to September 14^th.
• The Dark Knight III: The Master Race #6 has been pushed back to August 24^th October 19^th.
• Justice League of America Release Dates (per dccomics.com):
• Justice League of America #10 has been scheduled for August 31^st September 14^th.
• Justice League of America #11 has been scheduled for September 14^th.
• Justice League of America #12 has been scheduled for September 28^th.
• Justice League of America Annual #1 has been scheduled for November 30^th.

 

 

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.

 

Graphic Novel Watch:

Superman/ Batman Vol. 4 – HIS DEADLIEST WEAKNESS. HIS MIGHTIEST ENEMY. HIS DARKEST HOUR…

He’s faster than a bolt of lightning. He can stop a missile with two fingers. He can mold titanium between his molars like gum. But there is one substance that can tear Superman apart from the inside out. And there is one being whose power makes him look like a mere mortal in the clutches of an angry god.

The weapon is Kryptonite. The enemy is Darkseid. And unless he can find a way to fight them both, the Man of Steel is doomed!

In this incredible collection starring the most iconic superheroes in comics, the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight face two of their greatest challenges. “The Search for Kryptonite” sees Superman and Batman scouring the planet to rid the world of Kryptonite, the one weapon that can kill the Last Son of Krypton. And in “Torment,” the two heroes face the fight of their lives against the God of Apokolips and his sadistic disciple Desaad.

A trio of TV’s best superhero writers—Michael Green Mike Johnson (HEROES) and Alan Burnett (the BATMAN BEYOND animated series)—joins artists Shane Davis (SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE VOL. 1 & 2) and DUSTIN NGUYEN (BATMAN: L’IL GOTHAM) in this collection of SUPERMAN/BATMAN #37-49 and SUPERMAN/BATMAN ANNUAL #2. It’s the World’s Finest Heroes at their best!

 

Superman & the Justice League Vol. 2 – THE JUSTICE LEAGUE-RIPPED APART!

The Man of Steel has died! Falling at the hands of the monster Doomsday, the Justice League’s most powerful member is now gone. And in addition to killing Superman, the creature grievously injures Leaguers Blue Beetle, Booster Gold and more!

How will the Justice League re-collect in this moment of crisis? Who will be the newest members? And how will they cope in a world without Superman?

Veteran comics creator Dan Jurgens is joined by an all-star team of artists that include Rick Burchett and the legendary Dave Cockrum as they chronicle the JLA’s loss of their leader and the world’s greatest hero, Superman! Collects JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #69-77 and JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA ANNUAL #6.

 

 

All Star Batman Variant Covers & Cover Poll

In the spoiler tag, you will find the All Star Batman #1 variant covers, followed by a cover poll. The results will be announced in next week’s Upcoming Comics post, with the top two covers advancing to the Best Cover of Q-3 cover poll.

 

 

Suicide Squad #1 Variant Covers & Cover Poll

In the spoiler tag, you will find the Suicide Squad #1 variant covers, followed by a cover poll. The results will be announced in next week’s Upcoming Comics post, with the top two covers advancing to the Best Cover of Q-3 cover poll.