This Week in Comics: Breaking Bane

After several (real-world) months of pursuing Bane and his pet Pirate, Batman at last confronted his Santa Priscan nemesis in a skull-and-nudity-filled showdown in Bane’s throne room. But what of Cat and the I-Am-Suicide Squad? I won’t spoil it for you here, but something happened.

The long-awaited Justice League vs. Suicide Squad crossover debuted as the first Justice League title in months that didn’t make me cringe. Sadly, the actual JL book took a nose dive into a concrete pool after its brief quasi-ascendance last time. Thankfully, Trinity was different but awesome, and Nightwing and Harley continued to earn high marks from the team. What did you think of this week’s pre-holiday haul?

Batman, Vol. 6: Graveyard Shift

Art by Greg Capullo, Danny Miki, and FCO Plascencia
Art by Greg Capullo and FCO Plascencia

The collector in me wants this volume because it fills in the gaps left by the more desirable trades in this series, but Graveyard Shift doesn’t have quite the same level of appeal as its siblings.

– Brian (read the full review)

Batman #13

Art by Tim Sale and Brennan Wagner
Art by Tim Sale and Brennan Wagner

The entire plot is deliberately over-engineered to perform the simplest of tasks in the most overly complicated and outlandishly convoluted ways possible.

– Brandon (read the full review)

Harley Quinn #10

Art by Frank Cho and Laura Martin
Art by Frank Cho and Laura Martin

But if wholesale slaughter and other abominations are your style, this might bring you some ghoulish Christmas cheer.

– Elena (read the full review)

Injustice: Ground Zero #2

Art by Ben Oliver
Art by Ben Oliver

While Harley still has half a little green pill and goes up against Sinestro in her own way, this battle takes place in the streets of Gotham–mostly on the ground looking up.

– Elena (read the full review)

Justice League #11

Art by Yanick Paquette and Nathan Fairbairn
Art by Yanick Paquette and Nathan Fairbairn

The promise of Hitch’s JLA paired with the skills of a celebrated, veteran artist—that’s the song that heralded the arrival of Rebirth’s Justice League, but it’s turned out to be a massive letdown all around.

– Brian (read the full review)

Justice League vs. Suicide Squad #1

Art by Gary Frank and Brad Anderson
Art by Gary Frank and Brad Anderson

While I’m not convinced Fabok was the right artist for the job, his work is nonetheless breathtaking, and pairing him with Alex Sinclair is an editorial master stroke.

– Brian (read the full review)

Nightwing #11

Art by Marcus To and Chris Sotomayor
Art by Marcus To and Chris Sotomayor

With a brilliant concept in reforming forgotten villains and the built-in appeal of Nightwing himself, the return to Blüdhaven is already paying great dividends.

– Jay (read the full review)

Trinity #4

Art by Clay Mann and Brad Anderson
Art by Clay Mann and Brad Anderson

Lupacchino’s storytelling methods may require an additional read to fully appreciate for some, but the investment is rewarded with excellent layouts, scenery, and character work.

– Brian (read the full review)