It is officially fall, but it is over one hundred degrees here in LA. I can’t tell you how wrong that is. Based on the lengths I’m taking to avoiding going outside, you’d think there was a plague that has ravaged the city. I’m just hiding away in my apartment with all of the curtains and blinds drawn, trying to stay as cool as possible… Oh, and did I mention that I’m watching Batman the Animated Series? Because I am… Dark room, ac blasting, and Batman! Now the only thing I need is ice cream.
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. We also have an August Variant Cover Poll, as well as the results for the All Star Batman #1 Variant Cover Poll and the Suicide Squad #1 Variant Cover Poll at the bottom of the page. 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…
September 28th
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?
Written by Rob Williams
Pencils by Jim Lee and Philip Tan
Inks by Philip Tan and Scott Williams
Colored by Alex Sinclair
Cover by Jim Lee, Alex Sinclair, and Scott Williams
Random Blurb of Excitement: For those of you that didn’t read issue 2… Go get it. $#!^ got real! Someone died. Someone came back. There’s a whole lot of badness (but in a good, entertaining way).
Batman News Critic: Josh
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?
Written by Dan Jurgens
Pencils by Ryan Sook and Ardian Syaf
Inks by Vicente Cifuentes and Ryan Sook
Colored by Jeremy Lawson
Cover by Ryan Sook
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m still a little sad to see the previous plan with Tim stop, but that doesn’t mean I’m not excited to jump into the Rebirth pond of Batman Beyond. I’m mostly anxious to see if Tim is addressed in any way considering the way the previous run ended.
Batman News Critic: Josh
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?
Written by Benjamin Percy
Pencils and Inks by Jonboy Meyers
Colored by Jim Charalampidis
Cover by Jonboy Meyers
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’ve wanted Damian to takeover/ join the Teen Titans since pre-Flashpoint… Of course I’m excited!
Batman News Critic: Brian
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!
Written by Hope Larson
Pencils and Inks by Rafael Albuquerque
Colored by Dave McCaig
Cover by Rafael Albuquerque
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’ve honestly enjoyed Batgirl so far, and definitely consider it a lift in quality compared to the previous run. I like the idea of her traveling and learning new martial arts styles, but I’m not sold on her love interest. That entire plot screams, “tired and overused.”
Batman News Critic: Elena
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!
Written by Steve Orlando and James Tynion IV
Pencils and Inks by Andy MacDonald
Colored by Anthony John Rauch, Jr.
Cover by Nathan Fairbairn and Yanick Paquette
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m practically going to share Brian’s sentiments…. Meh.
Batman News Critic: Brandon
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?
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: I want to feel excited about this book. Honestly, I do… But I’m not. I don’t think it’s bad, but Titans definitely hasn’t met my expectations. Ultimately, I feel like this book is wasting an opportunity to launch itself out of the gates considering Wally’s involvement with Rebirth, but that’s not happening. Things did pick up a little in issue 2, so I’m hoping the trend continues, but overall, Titans – much like “Night of the Monster Men” – is just meh.
Batman News Critic: Josh
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.
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: I’m not going to say that this hasn’t been enjoyable, but I’m glad this mini is coming to a close. We get PLENTY of Harley in other titles.
Batman News Critic: Harley
Notes:
- Additional Rebirth releases this week: Blue Beetle #1, Deathstroke #3, The Flash #7, The Hellblazer #2, and Wonder Woman #7.
- Harley’s Little Black Book #5 has been pushed back to September 14th October 5th.
- The Dark Knight III: The Master Race #6 has been pushed back to August 24th October 19th.
Justice League of America Release Dates (per Hitch on Twitter):
- Justice League of America #10 has been scheduled for August 31st September 14th 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.
Last week’s results can be found in the spoiler tag.
Best cover of September 21, 2016 is Trinity #1 by Francis Manapul with 60% of the votes.
- Nightwing #5 Nathan Fairbairn and Yanick Paquette (11%)
- Batman #7 by Nathan Fairbairn, Yanick Paquette, and Riley Rossmo (10%)
- Harley Quinn #4 by Amanda Conner and Alex Sinclair (7%)
- Injustice: Gods Among Us Year Five #18 by David Yardin (7%)
- Justice League #5 by Tony Salvador Daniel, Sandu Florea, and Tomeu Morey (4%)
Graphic Novel Watch:
Batman Beyond Vol. 2 – THE WAR IS OVER.
RECONSTRUCTION BEGINS…
He won the fight of his life, but Tim Drake is still a man lost in time. Thanks to the sacrifices of countless heroes, he was able to free Earth from the cybernetic menace of Brother Eye. And with Bruce Wayne and Terry McGinnis gone, the mantle of the Batman is his. Stranded in a strange future, he must defend Neo-Gotham as it becomes a magnet for refugees from the rest of the devastated world.
As tensions rise and blood is shed, this new Batman has an even more urgent mission. With the last Green Lantern’s power ring, Terry’s brother Matt has set off for the ruins of the once-great city of Metropolis, hoping to use the ring’s power to unlock the forces of justice once more. But Batman must track him down before he unwittingly unleashes a new evil upon an already devastated world!
Is this the dawn of a new Justice League, or the end of the world as we know it? Find out in BATMAN BEYOND VOLUME 2: CITY OF YESTERDAY, from writer Dan Jurgens (SUPERMAN: THE DEATH OF SUPERMAN) and artist Bernard Chang (GREEN LANTERN CORPS)! Collects BATMAN BEYOND #7-11.
