Considering the month of November puts an emphasis on being thankful, it is kind of awesome that we have five Wednesdays that fall in the month. You know what that means: Annuals and specials (and some catch-up). I know that in reality, we would get comics regardless of the how the Wednesdays fall within the month, but these instances always feel somewhat special because it provides something a little different. Different is good from time to time!
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 30th
Batman Annual #1
“SILENT NIGHT”! A hush of winter snowfall has fallen over Gotham City…but a quiet night in this place is never truly quiet. Batman and his allies—and his many foes—stalk the streets in this icy showcase of top talent.
Written by Paul Dini, Ray Fawkes, Tom King, Steve Orlando, Scott Snyder, and More…
Pencils by Neal Adams, Bilquis Evely, David Finch, Riley Rossmo, and Declan Shalvey
Inks by Neal Adams, Bilquis Evely, David Finch, Riley Rossmo, and Declan Shalvey
Colored by Ivan Plascencia
Cover by Brad Anderson and David Finch
Random Blurb of Excitement: This will clearly be a collection of short stories, but I’m looking forward to it. Some amazing writers and artists are jumping in on this, but the one name that has my attention is Paul Dini… You have to get excited when you see Paul’s name in the credits!
Batman News Critic: Brian
Suicide Squad #7
“THE BLACK VAULT” part seven! While Task Force X’s overseers debate the team’s purpose, the Suicide Squad gets a well-deserved day off-until the dark energies of the Black Vault 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 Christian Ward
Inks by Sandra Hope, Christian Ward, and Scott Williams
Colored by Alex Sinclair and Christian Ward
Cover by Alex Sinclair
Random Blurb of Excitement: Check it out! We’re getting a little Suicide Squad action on an off week! Granted, this is only happening because of delays, but it’s still a nice little treat. I also can’t express how much fun I’ve been having reading William’s and Lee’s work. There are many interesting plot threads underway, so I’m excited to see where they lead!
Batman News Critic: Josh
Injustice: Gods Among Us Year Five Annual #1
Catch up on three untold tales from the final year of INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US. Harley Quinn goes to The Joker’s oldest hideout only to find a band of ex-Joker lackeys have taken up residence there. Ares returns from his imprisonment on Apokolips to try and win the favor of Superman’s regime, but can anyone trust him? Black Lightning—not seen since Year One—switches sides and takes a leadership role in Superman’s plans to rebuild Metropolis.
Written by Brian Buccellato
Pencils and Inks by Xermanico, Mike S. Miller, and Marco Santucci
Colored by Rex Lokus and Mohan Sivakami
Cover by David Yardin
Random Blurb of Excitement: This will be Buccellato’s curtain call! His run on Year Five was stellar, and I hope this chapter carries the same quality!
Batman News Critic: Elena
New Talent Showcase #1
In this new one-shot, Wonder Woman unleashes her true god of war against a parade of monsters! Superman discovers a new threat that might be bigger and badder than The Joker himself! Hawkgirl solves crimes in the weird weapons unit for the GCPD! Carol Ferris and Kyle Rayner fight about ice cream in space! You’ll find all of this and so much more in NEW TALENT SHOWCASE #1, where recent graduate writers from the inaugural DC Talent Development workshop showcase some of their strongest work yet! See what they’ve learned from masters of the craft Scott Snyder, Jim Lee and Klaus Janson.
Written by Vita Ayala, Emma Beeby, Joelle Jones, Hena Khan, Michael McMillian, and More…
Pencils by Barnaby Bagenda, Juan E. Ferreyra, Minkyu Jung, Sonny Liew, Sam Lotfi, and More…
Inks by Juan E. Ferreyra, Minkyu Jung, Sonny Liew, Sam Lotfi, Ray McCarthy, and More…
Colored by Romulo Fajardo, Jr., Juan E. Ferreyra, Sonny Liew, Dinisio Carmine Moreno, Tomeu Morey, and More…
Cover by Klaus Janson and Alex Sinclair
Random Blurb of Excitement: So these are peeps that were part of the first workshop DC held for writers and artists… I have high hopes, but concerned sensibilities. The cover doesn’t do anything to help my concerns either. It’s a bad cover.
Batman News Critic: Elena, Jay, and Josh
Notes:
- Additional DC releases this week: Superman Annual #1.
- Harley’s Little Black Book #5 has been pushed back to
September 14thOctober 5thOctober 26thNovember 23rdDecember 14th - Harley’s Little Black Book #6 has been scheduled for
October 24thNovember 30thDecember 28th - Dark Knight III: The Master Race #7 has been scheduled for
October 24thDecember 28th - Justice League of America #10 has been pushed back to 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 November 23, 2016 is Detective Comics #945 by Eddy Barrows, Raul Fernandez, Alvaro Martinez, and Tomeu Morey with 34% of the votes.
- Teen Titans #2 by Jonboy Meyers (22%)
3. Titans #5 by Brett Booth, Andrew Dalhouse, and Norm Rapmund (14%)
4. Harley Quinn #8 by Amanda Conner and Alex Sinclair (12%)
5. Batgirl #5 by Rafael Albuquerque (10%)
6. Batman Beyond #2 by Bernard Chang and Marcelo Maiolo (4%)
7. Superpowers #1 by Art Baltazar (4%)
Graphic Novel Watch:
Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 9: Gordon at War
He was Gotham City’s top cop. Now he’s its Dark Knight.
Jim Gordon never imagined he’d step into the shoes of his sometime ally, sometime enemy and take on the role of the Batman. But now that he’s the man behind the mask, he’s discovering that the risks are more deadly than he ever believed—and the rewards greater than he could have dreamed.
Freed from the rules and regulations of the GCPD, Gordon has the power to crack his coldest cases, help his oldest friends and take the battle straight to the enemy. But history has a way of catching up, and even though he’s inhabiting a new role in the war on crime, the ghosts of the past have come calling. Martyrs and madmen, Marines and magic, murder and mayhem—if Gordon wants to be Gotham’s guardian, he must face them all…
The creative team of Peter J. Tomasi and Fernando Pasarin are joined by a gallery of the greatest artists in comics for BATMAN: DETECTIVE COMICS VOL. 9: GORDON AT WAR, a milestone chapter in the legend of the new Dark Knight, spinning off of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s BATMAN series! Collects DETECTIVE COMICS #48-52 and a special preview of BATMAN: REBIRTH #1.
