I hope everyone had a happy and safe Halloween! I worked last night, but saw plenty of trick-or-treaters last night. There were a TON of Harley Quinns, and plenty of Batmen and Batgirls, but surprisingly very few Jokers. I love Halloween, and nothing makes me happier than to see kids who are excited to dress up and receive candy – especially when they’re dressed as bat characters! If you have any pictures of you and your family, feel free to share them!
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…
November 2nd
Batman #10
“I am Suicide” part two! Batman now has his team, but are they ready for the most dangerous mission of their lives? As the Dark Knight prepares his squad to infiltrate Santa Prisca, he may find that it’s up to him alone to face Bane.
Written by Tom King
Pencils and Inks by Mikel Janin
Colored by June Chung
Cover by Mikel Janin
Random Blurb of Excitement: The debut of “I am Suicide” was spectacular! I can only imagine how impatient I would be if Batman were only being released monthly, because a two week wait felt way too long! I can’t forget Mikel Janin either! He’s easily one of the best artists in the business! Batman #10 is definitely a “must grab.”
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Nightwing #8
“RISE OF THE RAPTOR” conclusion! Raptor’s true colors have been revealed as he takes Batman hostage! Nightwing will have to use every skill he’s ever learned to save his old mentor from the wrath of his new mentor.
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: I’m really enjoying this arc, and I love that Seeley is really driving in various elements of Dick Grayson’s past into this arc. Raptor is a great character, and I really hope this arc won’t be the last we see of him. I do have minor issues with Raptor’s age compared to his appearance, and I don’t think I’d necessarily consider him a “mentor” to Nightwing yet, but those are minor notes for an otherwise incredibly entertaining story.
Batman News Critic: Jay
Superman #10
“IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER” part one! For the first time, the Man of Tomorrow and the Boy of Steel team up with the Caped Crusader and the Boy Wonder in a father-son adventure you won’t want to miss! Damian Wayne has been hearing a lot about this mysterious new Superboy, and now’s his chance to find out who he is…
Written by Patrick Gleason and Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils by Patrick Gleason
Inks by Keith Champagne and Mick Gray
Colored by John Kalisz
Cover by Patrick Gleason, Mick Gray, and John Kalisz
Random Blurb of Excitement: This should be a ton of fun, and will most likely serve as a lead-in to Super Sons. Plus, it will be nice to see the work of Tomasi and Gleason come together since they helmed Batman & Robin during the New 52.
Batman News Critic: Brian
Harley Quinn #7
“EAT TO THIS BEAT” part 3! Harley’s punk-rock epic concludes with her and her bandmates in way too deep on their undercover mission to take down a brutal gang of thieves and murderers!
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: The previous issue made some decent headway and made me a little more confident in this arc, so I’m hoping that momentum continues in this issue! I was worried the creative team would fall back on shock value, but it looks like they still have some good stories up their sleeve.
Batman News Critic: Elena
Catwoman: Election Night #1
It’s mayoral election time in Gotham City, and while the city is up in arms, Catwoman couldn’t care less! But when the candidates get personal, the Feline Fatale decides to get involved—much to the detriment of…well, everyone! This issue contains a special bonus story featuring the return of President Beth Ross from the critically acclaimed PREZ miniseries.
Written by Meredith Finch and Mark Russell
Pencils by Ben Caldwell and Shane Davis
Inks by Michelle Delecki and Mark Morales
Colored by Gabe Eltaeb and Jeremy Lawson
Cover by Shane Davis, Michelle Delecki, and Gabe Eltaeb
Random Blurb of Excitement: As happy as I am to see a Catwoman title, the fact that Meredith Finch is penning this story, as well as its political ties, makes me quite weary… I’m crossing my fingers and hoping for the best though.
Batman News Critic: Josh
Batman ’66 Meets Steed & Mrs. Peel #6
Lord Ffogg’s ancestral home has become more than a simple girls’ school—it’s now a mind-bending psychedelic trap for our heroes! As Robin is surprised by the conduct of some old friends, so is the rest of the team when Michaela Gough’s icy, silent partner is revealed! Co-published with BOOM! Studios.
Art by Mathew Dow Smith
Cover by Mike Allred
Written by Ian Edginton
Random Blurb of Excitement: This crossover just isn’t delivering like the stories that came before it. I wondered if I was growing tired of this formula, but I’m extremely excited for the Batman ’66 Meets Wonder Woman ’77 crossover that’s coming soon. And it isn’t that dynamic duo teaming up with the Avengers is bad, it’s just not as fun.
Batman News Critic: Jay
Justice League #8
“OUTBREAK” part one! Someone is hacking into the Justice League’s computers, causing the Batcave’s weapons and security systems to turn against the Dark Knight and the Watchtower satellite to plummet to Earth—with Cyborg trapped on board.
Written by Bryan Hitch
Pencils by Neil Edwards
Inks by Daniel Henriques
Colored by Alex Sinclair
Cover by Brad Anderson, Bryan Hitch, Fernando Pasarin, Matt Ryan, and Alex Sinclair
Random Blurb of Excitement: The plot sounds interesting… but Hitch’s Justice League has been a total letdown in my opinion. This doesn’t feel like the same writer who delivered (er… is delivering…?) Justice League of America’s current (previous?) arc. I don’t know what’s happened with Hitch, but I really hope he pulls it together.
Batman News Critic: Brian
Notes:
- Additional DC releases this week: Aquaman #10, Cyborg #4, Death of Hawkman #2, Green Arrow #10, Green Lanterns #10, Midnighter/ Apollo #2, and Shade the Changling Girl #2.
- Justice League of America #10 shows as being released this week by dccomics.com, but I’m not finding it listed anywhere else.
- Harley’s Little Black Book #5 has been pushed back to September 14th October 5th October 26th November 23rd
- Harley’s Little Black Book #6 has been scheduled for October 24th November 30th
- Dark Knight III: The Master Race #7 has been scheduled for October 24th December 28th
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 26th, 2016 is Detective Comics #943 by Brad Anderson and Jason Fabok with 33% of the votes.
- Batman Beyond #1 by Ryan Sook (17%)
- Deathstroke #5 by ACO and Romulo Fajardo, Jr. (16%)
- Teen Titans #1 by Jonboy Meyers (16%)
- Batgirl #4 by Rafael Albuquerque (9%)
- Suicide Squad #5 by Alex Sinclair (7%)
- Titans #4 by Brett Booth, Andrew Dalhouse, and Norm Rapmund (3%)
Graphic Novel Watch:
Absolute Batman: Year One – ABSOLUTE BATMAN: YEAR ONE presents one of DC Comics’ most lauded tales in two hardcover volumes contained by a slipcase.
The first volume will reprint the recolored version of the story from previous collected editions, remastered with new, high-resolution scans of the original coloring by David Mazzucchelli and Richmond Lewis.
The second volume will reprint the original 1987 version of the story as it ran in BATMAN #404-407, reproduced from scans made by Mazzucchelli and Lewis from the printed comic book pages, presented on stock that simulates the look and feel of the original comics. This volume will include Miller’s complete scripts and Mazzucchelli’s complete pencil layouts for all four chapters!
Together, the two volumes will include more than 60 pages of bonus material, including everything seen in the existing hardcover and trade paperback collections.
The Dark Knight Returns Collector’s Edition Box Set – The anniversary celebration of Frank Miller’s epic interpretation of the Dark Knight’s future continues with this new slipcase edition at DC’s Deluxe Edition trim size that reprints each issue of the original DARK KNIGHT RETURNS miniseries in its own hardcover volume, all in a beautifully designed slipcase. It is ten years after an aging Batman has retired, and Gotham City has sunk into decadence and lawlessness. Now, as his city needs him most, the Dark Knight returns in a blaze of glory. Joined by Carrie Kelly, a teenaged Robin, Batman takes to the streets to end the threat of the mutant gangs that have overrun the city. And after facing off against The Joker and Two-Face for the final time, Batman finds himself in mortal combat with his former ally, Superman, in a battle that only one will survive.
Gotham Academy Vol. 3: Yearbook – THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!
A slew of comics’ top writers and artists pay tribute to the coolest school in the DC Universe as GOTHAM ACADEMY ends its first semester with a bang!
They faced magic, monsters and mayhem—along with quizzes, crushes and dining-hall food—but Olive, Maps and the rest of the Academy gang survived their first term at Gotham City’s most prestigious school. Now it’s time to look back by putting together their yearbook. But it wouldn’t be Gotham Academy if there weren’t an all-new, untold adventure on every page!
What happens when students sneak into a faculty party full of (mostly) reformed super-villains? What kind of trouble can kids get into at the mall when an elite assassin is their chaperone? And why is Robin, the Boy Wonder himself, interested in Maps’ maps?
In GOTHAM ACADEMY VOLUME 3: YEARBOOK, writer Brenden Fletcher (BLACK CANARY) and artist Adam Archer (Scribblenauts: Unmasked) lead an all-star team of killer creators including David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Michael Dialynas (The Woods), Hope Larson (BATGIRL), Katie Cook (My Little Pony), Derek Fridolfs and Dustin Nguyen (LI’L GOTHAM), Faith Erin Hicks (The Adventures of Superhero Girl), James Tynion IV (BATMAN ETERNAL), Annie Wu (BLACK CANARY), Rafael Albuquerque (AMERICAN VAMPIRE), Steve Orlando (MIDNIGHTER) and more!
Teen Titans: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 1
In these fast-paced tales from the start of the 1960s, the sidekicks to DC’s greatest heroes—Robin, Aqualad, Kid Flash, Speedy and Wonder Girl—form their own team to take on evil! Collected for the first time in a single hardcover, these stories pit our teen team against the Demon Dragster, the Mad Mod, Captain Rumble and many other far-out foes. Collects THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #54, #60 and #83, SHOWCASE #59 and TEEN TITANS #1-19.
