I know I say this each year… But how in the hell are we already in October? This year has FLOWN by! This past month, in particular, has been incredibly fast for me since I’m preparing to move. I’m trying to balance work, planning/ organizing, packing, and life in general. On top of that, my birthday is tomorrow, so to celebrate I’m going to hit up Universal Studios to check out their Harry Potter addition before I say goodbye to LA, and hello (again) to Texas!
The best thing is that for the actual trip, we’re going to drive. I personally hate driving long distance, while my better half likes it, so it’ll give me a chance to catch up on a number of these books I haven’t read yet! I’m basically looking at the trip as a 22 hour Batmanfest! I’m not upset…
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. 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…
October 5th
Injustice: Gods Among Us Year Five #19
Imagine a world where Superman never turned evil. Imagine a reality where Superman and Batman are still allies in a never-ending battle against crime and cosmic-level threats against Earth. As the series approaches its conclusion, a better world is revealed, and a glimmer of hope is given to another reality still held in the grip of Superman’s Regime.
Art by Mike S. Miller
Cover by David Yardin
Written by Brian Buccellato
Random Blurb of Excitement: Let me make this simple for you: Injustice is the bomb! If you’re reading it, then you are also the bomb!
Batman News Critic: Elena
Batman 66’ Meets Steed & Mrs. Peel #4
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! Bruce Wayne pays a call on Miss Michaela Gough, but it’s up to Robin, Steed, and Peel to save him when she orders the Cybernauts to clean up this loose end. Co-published with BOOM! Studios.
Art by Mathew Dow Smith
Cover by Mike Allred
Written by Ian Edginton
Random Blurb of Excitement: I was talking to someone a few days ago about the Batman ’66 television show, and he immediately mentioned these books. As it turns out, the guy was a huge fan of the Batman ’66 brand (HUGE fan), and we were going on and on about how fun these crossovers are. Anyway, the point of this is that the moment I mentioned Batman ’66, the man’s eyes lit up with joy… Because that’s what this book does. It brings people joy! Seriously, it’s a fun book and you’re missing out if you’re not reading!
Batman News Critic: Jay
Harley Quinn #5
“EAT TO THIS BEAT” part one! There’s been a string of brutal robberies and slayings up and down the East Coast, and the assailants are…knights on horseback?! Harley’s got a lead on the men behind the iron masks, but to find them she’s going to have to go undercover in the strangest place of all…New York’s punk scene!
Written by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti
Pencils and Inks by John Timms
Colored by Alex Sinclair
Cover by Amanda Conner and Alex Sinclair
Random Blurb of Excitement: I can’t tell you how happy I am that the fringe Harley titles are coming to a close. Because of how busy I’ve been, each of the stories are starting to blur together… I’m ready to have Harley Quinn as my predominate focus again!
Batman News Critic: Elena
Batman #8
“NIGHT OF THE MONSTER MEN” part four! The giant monsters might be bad, but Gotham’s heroes encounter a whole new threat level when two of their own start terrorizing the city! Batman must face the horrifying possibility of losing two of his closest allies to Hugo Strange’s vicious attack.
Written by Tom King and Steve Orlando
Pencils and Inks by Riley Rossmo
Colored by Ivan Plascencia
Cover by Nathan Fairbairn and Yanick Paquette
Random Blurb of Excitement: This is a fun break from the usual, but it’s pretty “meh” overall. I don’t dislike the story, but I’m glad we’re entering the second wave of issues so we can return to normal later this month.
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Nightwing #6
“NIGHT OF THE MONSTER MEN” part five! The hunt for Hugo Strange rages onward as the Manipulator rises and uses the citizens of Gotham City to shield itself from the Bat-Family. All while the monstrous version of Nightwing looms over Gotham City.
Written by Steve Orlando and Tim Seeley
Pencils and Inks by Roge Antonio
Colored by Chris Sotomayor
Cover by Nathan Fairbairn and Yanick Paquette
Random Blurb of Excitement: Look, it’s a giant, monster Nightwing and Gotham Girl! Issue seven returns to normal stories right?
Batman News Critic: Jay
Justice League #6
“STATE OF FEAR” part one! Following a harrowing battle with a monster from beyond the stars, Green Lantern Jessica Cruz decides to unwind by taking on another unbelievable challenge: overcoming her anxiety and asking The Flash out on a date!
Written by Bryan Hitch
Pencils by Matthew Clark, Tony Salvador Daniel, and John Trevor Scott
Inks by Sandu Florea, Sean Parsons, and John Trevor Scott
Colored by Adriano Lucas and Tomeu Morey
Cover by Tony Salvador Daniel, Sandu Florea, and Tomeu Morey
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m crossing my fingers for a change in quality with this story!
Batman News Critic: Brian
Notes:
- Additional DC releases this week: Cyborg #2, Deadman: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love #1, Death of Hawkman #1, Green Arrow #8, Green Lanterns #8, Midnighter & Apollo #1, Shade the Changeling Girl #1, and Superman #8.
- The Dark Knight III: The Master Race #6 has been pushed back to August 24th October 19th.
- Harley’s Little Black Book #5 has been pushed back to September 14th October 5th October 26th
- 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 28, 2016 is Teen Titans: Rebirth #1 by Jonboy Meyers with 25% of the votes.
- Batman Beyond: Rebirth #1 by Ryan Sook (21%)
- Suicide Squad #3 by by Jim Lee, Alex Sinclair, and Scott Williams (18%)
- Batgirl #3 by Rafael Albuquerque (12%)
- Detective Comics #941 by Nathan Fairbairn and Yanick Paquette (10%)
- Titans #3 by Brett Booth, Andrew Dalhouse, and Norm Rapmund (7%)
- Harley Quinn & Her Gang of Harleys #6 by Amanda Conner and Alex Sinclair (6%)
Graphic Novel Watch:
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Book & Mask Set (Softcover) – DC Entertainment presents a new book and mask set featuring Frank Miller’s vision of the Dark Knight, including a highly detailed PVC mask plus THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS 30TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION TP, collecting the original, groundbreaking 4-issue miniseries.
Elseworlds: Batman Vol. 2 – In Elseworlds, heroes are taken from their usual settings and put into strange times and places—some that have existed, or might have existed, and others that can’t, couldn’t or shouldn’t exist. The result: stories that make characters who are as familiar as yesterday seem as fresh as tomorrow.
Gotham City is caught in a vortex of corruption and decay, and those who feed on blood and despair are about to suck any remaining life from her dying veins. All that stands against them is the Batman, their legendary companion in the darkness, the last line of defense between the innocent and the screaming chaos of mindless appetite. To combat this primeval threat, however, the Dark Knight must give up everything he holds dear, including life itself—for death is only the first step toward the final reckoning between good and evil.
Written by Doug Moench and illustrated in full gothic glory by Kelley Jones, John Beatty and Malcolm Jones III, ELSEWORLDS: BATMAN VOL. 2 gives free rein to the darker side of the World’s Greatest Detective, collecting BATMAN & DRACULA: RED RAIN, BATMAN: BLOODSTORM and BATMAN: CRIMSON MIST.
Grayson Vol. 4: A Ghost in the Tomb – UNDERCOVER…AND IN OVER HIS HEAD.
Dick Grayson—the former Robin turned Nightwing turned superspy Agent 37—is back to work at the covert global agency, Spyral. But one question continues to haunt him: Who is Agent Zero, and what does she want with him?
Reluctantly aided by his partner, Tiger, Grayson uncovers Agent Zero’s origins within the secret lair of Spyral’s deceased founder, Doctor Dedalus. In doing so, he and Tiger also become ensnared in a malevolent ouroboros, a self-consuming circle of violence that endlessly connects Spyral to the criminal organization known as Leviathan.
Grayson’s path soon becomes clear: he must take down Spyral and its director, Helena Bertinelli. Unfortunately his former partner, like the hell-bent huntress she is, has deployed a syndicate of the world’s best spies to neutralize the rogue Agent 37. If Grayson and Tiger are to survive, they’ll need to align themselves with a group as formidable as Spyral—and quite possibly deadlier.
Acclaimed co-writers Tim Seeley (NIGHTWING) and Tom King (BATMAN), along with superstar artist Mikel Janín (JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK), deliver intense superspy action in the DC Universe with their fourth volume of the celebrated series that redefined Dick Grayson. Collects GRAYSON #13-16 and ROBIN WAR #1-2.
