I’m in Texas now, and I get the keys to my new apartment on Wednesday! Until then, I’m staying at my parents’ place. Most of you are probably thinking, “What? You’re staying with your folks? That’s got to be rough.” But actually, it’s not too bad… Well… Except for their dog. This dog is the spawn of Satan, and a total nuisance. She barks at anything, and everything. You walk in the door, and she barks. Sit down? She barks. Stand up? She barks. Sneeze? She barks. Touch the thermostat? She barks (not joking)… She is my Joker until I get to move in to my place, and I’d like you all to meet her…
This is Coco…
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 19th
Batman #9
“I Am Suicide” part one! Batman has always been crazy…but this? This is suicide! In order to retrieve Psycho-Pirate and save Gotham Girl, Batman must recruit a team from Amanda Waller to break into the most impenetrable prison in the world and steal from one of the Dark Knight’s greatest foes…Bane. The next great Batman story begins here!
Written by Tom King
Pencils and Inks by Mikel Janin
Colored by June Chung
Cover by Mikel Janin
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m so excited to return to normal after “Night of the Monster Men.” I’m not going to say that I disliked the story, but it just came at an odd time considering the main narrative that was taking place in each of the titles. For Batman in particular, I’m really looking forward to see how he writes Catwoman, not to mention his Bat-Suicide Squad (and possibly Bane).
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Nightwing #7
“RISE OF RAPTOR” part one! The Parliament of Owls wasn’t brought to justice like Raptor promised Nightwing—it was eliminated! Raptor’s methods have crossed the line and Nightwing goes to apprehend him. Upon his arrival he discovers Raptor’s true intentions and obsessions…
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: The only thing that kept Nightwing from taking the top spot for me, is the fact that the opening story ended so abruptly before transitioning into “Night of the Monster Men,” appears to be touching on the main arc again, and then will quickly transition into a one-shot. I’m a fan of Raptor though, so I am looking forward digging into his character a little more.
Batman News Critic: Jay
Trinity #2
“BETTER TOGETHER” part two! Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman have uncovered a window into their very souls: and the power of temptation proves to be stronger than any villain they could battle! The bonds of friendship and trust between the most formidable heroes on the planet will be tested to their breaking point, with the lives of innocents hanging in the balance!
Written by Francis Manapul
Pencils, Inks, and Colors by Francis Manapul
Cover by Francis Manapul
Random Blurb of Excitement: If you passed on Trinity #1, then you really missed something special. The debut of this book was filled with wonderful character moments that made me instantly love this title. I know that the entire run can be like this, but the fact that Manapul started the book by shining a spotlight on the relationship between Diana, Bruce, and Clark, gives me the impression that it will continue to carry some weight throughout the remainder of the story.
Batman News Critic: Brian
Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year Five #20
Year Five and the entire INJUSTICE saga reaches its dramatic conclusion, leaving readers right where the story of the first Injustice game begins! Batman and Luthor race to finish constructing the device they think will save the world, just as Superman closes in on Batman’s secret base. Old foes return and new allies are revealed. But who will be the next to make the ultimate sacrifice? FINAL ISSUE
Art by Mike S. Miller
Cover by David Yardin
Written by Brian Buccellato
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m not going to lie, I’m sad to see this go. Year Five has been one fun ride, and it’s always sad to see good things come to an “end.” Buccellato deserves all the praise for the work he’s done this year.
Batman News Critic: Elena
Harley Quinn #6
“EAT TO THIS BEAT” part two! Harley’s carving her way through the rock underground of New York City, looking for the brutal criminals who hurt someone she cared about…unfortunately for Harley, one of the crooks in question has fallen in mad love with her.
Written by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti
Pencils and Inks by Jill Thompson and John Timms
Colored by Alex Sinclair and Jill Thompson
Cover by Amanda Conner and Alex Sinclair
Random Blurb of Excitement: I have to agree with Elena that the humor was a little much at times in the previous issue, not because I’m necessarily opposed to “potty humor,” but because it felt more like the creative team was coming from the approach of, “How do we take what we have and make it better?” “Let’s just take the jokes further!” Aside from that, I’m looking forward to this run to because of the band gag they’re doing for this arc. My brother was a professional musician, so I want to see if any of the jokes remind me of stories he told me while on the road.
Batman News Critic: Elena
The Dark Knight III: The Master Race #6
Is Gotham City ready for a new Batgirl?!
Written by Brian Azzarello and Frank Miller
Pencils by Andy Kubert and Frank Miller
Inks by Klaus Janson
Colored by Brad Anderson and Alex Sinclair
Cover by Brad Anderson, Klaus Janson, Andy Kubert, Frank Miller, and Alex Sinclair
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m going to be honest with you… I don’t remember what happened in the last issue. This book already went from a monthly release, to every other month, to experiencing delays and releasing on a wide-spread, sporadic schedule… That doesn’t win in points in my book. And if that weren’t enough, it’s now received an increased issue count…
Batman News Critic: Jay
Justice League #7
“STATE OF FEAR” part two! In the conclusion to this story, a new threat that manipulates the fears of its victims has turned the Justice League against each other, and only heroes trained to overcome fear—Green Lanterns Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz—can save Earth’s greatest heroes from themselves!
Written by Bryan Hitch
Pencils by Jesus Merino
Inks by Andy Owens
Colored by Adriano Lucas
Cover by Tony Salvador Daniel, Sandu Florea, and Tomeu Morey
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m not going to go as far to say that I dislike Justice League, but I can’t really say that I’m enjoying it. I don’t know what happened from Hitch’s Justice League of America to Justice League, but he’s lost the spark that he started with.
Batman News Critic: Brian
Notes:
- Additional DC releases this week: Aquaman #9, Cyborg #3, Green Arrow #9, Green Lanterns #9, Raven #2, Suicide Squad Most Wanted: El Diablo & Killer Croc #3, and Superman #9.
- 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 October 12th, 2016 is Deathstroke #4 by ACO and Romulo Fajardo, Jr. with 34% of the votes.
- Suicide Squad #4 by Jim Lee, Alex Sinclair, and Scott Williams (25%)
- Red Hood & the Outlaws #3 by Giuseppe Camuncoli, Cam Smith, and Dean White (12%)
- Detective Comics #942 by by Nathan Fairbairn and Yanick Paquette (10%)
- Batgirl & the Birds of Prey #3 by Nathan Fairbairn and Yanick Paquette (8%)
- Gotham Academy: Second Semester #2 by Karl Kerschl (8%)
- Teen Titans Go! #18 by Daniel Hipp (3%)
Graphic Novel Watch:
Midnighter Vol. 2: Hard – SUICIDE RUN
They call it the Perdition Pistol, but it’s far beyond anything as simple as a gun—the power contained in this mysterious artifact could put the entire world at the mercy of whoever controls it. That’s why the espionage organization known as Spyral hid it beneath as much high-tech security as it could muster—and why someone else just stole it from them. Now only one man can get it back: the human wrecking ball known as the Midnighter.
There’s only one problem: to regain this deadly device, Midnighter must go through the Suicide Squad, that infamously unstable assembly of the world’s most dangerous criminals. Normally that wouldn’t be a problem, but the Squad has deployed some surprising new upgrades to counteract Midnighter’s cybernetic enhancements. Even more surprising is the source of those upgrades: a resurrected Henry Bendix.
Luckily, Midnighter has an ace up his black leather sleeve: his super ex-boyfriend, the almighty Apollo. Separately, the two are formidable; together, they’re almost unstoppable. But will almost be enough to foil the twisted plans of the genius responsible for both Stormwatch and the God Garden?
Acclaimed creators Steve Orlando, ACO, Hugo Petrus and David Messina put the world’s greatest fighter through his greatest challenge yet in MIDNIGHTER VOL. 2: HARD, collecting issues #8-12 of the ongoing series.
Teen Titans Go!: Bring It On – TAKING IT TO THE EDGE!
The greatest team of the under-18 set returns for another round of major league mayhem against the forces of chaos and destruction! Join Robin, Beast Boy, Raven, Cyborg and Starfire as they fight for right in six titanic tales!
Speedy! Titans versus a werewolf. Baffling riddles. Monster at the mall. Anger management with Hotspot. Enter the Tween Titans!
The teen superheroes from Jump City tackle all this and more in this exciting all-ages graphic novel, collecting issues #13-18.
TEEN TITANS—all systems are GO!
