Upcoming Comics: January 11, 2017

I’m super excited for this week’s releases, but most of that excitement is because of two titles: Detective Comics and Justice League/ Power Rangers. While Detective takes the first steps leading into Batwoman, Justice League/ Power Rangers brings together another crossover dream! I. Can’t. Wait. And I’m hoping someone (*cough* Batman *cough*) refers to the Power Rangers as “overbearing and over emotional!”

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. Following that, we’ve got notes pertaining to select releases, and our weekly cover poll. 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…

 

January 11^th

Detective Comics #948
“BATWOMAN BEGINS” parts one and two! This special two-part interlude spotlights team leader Batwoman! In the wake of the “Night of the Monster Men,” A.R.G.U.S. has built a secret research city around the corpse of the megamonster that collapsed in Gotham Harbor…creating Gotham City’s newest and most dangerous neighborhood, Monstertown!

In issue #948, Batman and Batwoman need to get in there to find out who’s been weaponizing monster blood—but who will they have to fight through to do it?

Art by Ben Oliver
Cover by Ben Oliver
Variant cover by Rafael Albuquerque
Written by Marguerite Bennett, and James Tynion IV

Random Blurb of Excitement: I can’t express how excited I am for this! This two-part story will lead into the new Batwoman title, and I’m expecting great things to come from Kate Kane!

Batman News Critic: Brandon

 

 

Justice League/ Power Rangers #1
Two of comics greatest teams team up for the very first time! Something terrible has happened in Angel Grove! When the Command Center is breached and the teleporters are damaged, Zack is flung into another universe, where he’s mistaken for a villain by a mysterious masked vigilante. Can the other Power Rangers get to their friend in time to save him from Batman? Co-published with BOOM! Studios.

Art by Stephen Byrne
Cover by Karl Kerschl
Variant cover by Marcus To, Chris Sprouse, Marguerite Sauvage, Yasmine Putri, Dustin Nguyen, and Daniel Hipp
Written by Tom Taylor

Random Blurb of Excitement: DC is killing it with all of these crossover books! This feels like a little more of a stretch than Batman/ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but that doesn’t mean I’m not excited! Plus, Tom Taylor is writing? Umm… Yes please! Now all we need is to follow this up with a Batman/ Buffy the Vampire Slayer crossover! I’d sooooooo be down to write something like that (or just read it).

Batman News Critic: Elena

 

 

Red Hood & the Outlaws #6
“Dark Trinity” conclusion! Black Mask and Red Hood go toe-to-toe beneath One Police Plaza, while above them Bizarro and Artemis clash in a battle of titanic proportion! The finale to “Dark Trinity” is here—don’t miss it!

Art by Dexter Soy
Cover by Cam Smith and Giuseppe Camuncoli
Variant cover by Matteo Scalera
Written by Scott Lobdell

Random Blurb of Excitement: When the only complaint I have for this title is, “Yeah, Black Mask is just alright,” then that should say something. Scott Lobdell has delivered a story that I’ve enjoyed since the first issue. The relationship he’s building with Jason, Artemis, and Bizarro is incredibly engaging, and I look forward to the continuation of their story each and every month.

Batman News Critic: Brian

 

 

Suicide Squad #9
A “JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. SUICIDE SQUAD” tie-in! Finally, discover the true history behind [REDACTED BY ORDER OF TASK FORCE X DIRECTOR AMANDA WALLER].

Art by Riley Rossmo
Cover by Riley Rossmo
Variant cover by Lee Bermejo
Written by Rob Williams

Random Blurb of Excitement: Since Justice League vs Suicide Squad was announced, I’ve openly said, “I’d be more excited if Rob Williams were helming the title.” This will prove if there’s any merit to that belief. I’m going to go on a limb and assume that there is… Granted, I’m not too fond of the concept that Lord’s team of villains were the original Suicide Squad.

Batman News Critic: Josh

 

 

Titans #7
“Home Sweet Home”! A new threat brings Wally West face to face with the Man of Steel, and the two recognize each other as kindred souls from another world. Plus, the Titans set up their new Tower in New York City!

Art by Lee Weeks
Cover by Lee Weeks
Variant cover by Nicholas Bradshaw
Written by Dan Abnett

Random Blurb of Excitement: Considering how the debut arc closed, I’m optimistic concerning the future of this title! Also, considering Wally and Clark are from different worlds, this is a great opportunity to establish a unique and special relationship between the two.

Batman News Critic: Josh

 

 

All Star Batman #6
“Cold to the Core”! Batman travels to Alaska to confront Mr. Freeze as he attempts to extract the world’s oldest ice core and bring humanity to a new Ice Age! Powerhouse artist Jock joins Scott Snyder to bring you another of the Dark Knight’s rogues like you’ve never seen him before.

Art by Jock
Cover by Jock
Variant cover by Francesco Francavilla and Jock
Written by Scott Snyder

Random Blurb of Excitement: If there’s one thing that I’m certain of, it’s that I’m excited to see Jock’s art. As for the issue itself… we’ll see. I can’t help but feel that Snyder is purposely trying to push the limits strictly for “shock value,” not because it is a natural character progression. If you know how much of a stickler I am about characters remaining true to themselves, then you know how much this bothers me.

Batman News Critic: Jay

 

 

Justice League vs Suicide Squad #4
[REDACTED BY ORDER OF TASK FORCE X DIRECTOR AMANDA WALLER] and [REDACTED] crew of unstoppable [REDACTED] besiege Belle Reve to take possession of the lost [REDACTED], and only the unbelievable team-up of the Justice League and the Suicide Squad can prevent [REDACTED] from taking revenge on Amanda Waller!

Art by Fernando Pasarin
Cover by Fernando Pasarin
Written by Joshua Williamson

Random Blurb of Excitement: We’re halfway through this event, and as far as the plot is concerned, it feels like we’ve barely completed the introduction… That doesn’t bode well for the remainder of this story.

Batman News Critic: Brian

 

 

Gotham Academy: Second Semester #5
The Book of Gotham holds a truth that Olive Silverlock may not be ready for. When devastating secrets are revealed, Olive’s closest allies will be seen for what they truly are, and the fate of the Academy itself may hang in the balance.

Art by Sandra Hope, MSASSYK, and Adam Archer
Cover by Karl Kerschl
Written by Karl Kerschl, Becky Cloonan, and Brenden Fletcher

Random Blurb of Excitement: After four issues of mediocrity, I’m starting to lose faith that Gotham Academy will ever return to the magic and glory that thrived in the beginning… I’m still hoping for the best though.

Batman News Critic: Brandon

 

 

Batgirl & the Birds of Prey #6
“Who Is Oracle?” conclusion! The new Oracle has put the Birds in an untenable position—do what Oracle wants, or their whole lives get made public! So how do they turn the tables? And now that Huntress has Fenice in her sights, can she pull the trigger? She’s never hesitated to kill before…so why now?

Art by Roge Antonio
Cover by Yanick Paquette
Variant cover by Kamome Shirahama
Written by Shawna Benson and Julie Benson

Random Blurb of Excitement: This all feels like a bad dream. Hardly anything about this book is even remotely believable or logical, and the dialogue is horrendous. *Sigh*

Batman News Critic:  Josh

 

 

Notes:

• Additional DC releases this week: Deathstroke #10, Hal Jordan & the Green Lantern Corps #12, New-Superman #7, Supergirl #5, Superwoman #6, The Flash #14, and Wonder Woman #14.
• Justice League of America: Vixen Rebirth #1 will release this week, and will be covered in our monthly Break (From) the Bat post!
• Harley’s Little Black Book #6 has been pushed back to January 25^th

 

 

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.

 

 

Graphic Novel Watch:

Batman Vol. 1: I Am Gotham – THE RISE OF GOTHAM

Part of the most critically acclaimed, best-selling, all-new line of volume one graphic novels, DC Universe Rebirth!

He is Gotham City’s hero, its Dark Knight, its greatest protector. He is Batman. And he is not alone.

There are two new heroes in town-a pair of masked metahumans with the powers of Superman and a devotion to preserving all that is good about this twisted city. Calling themselves Gotham and Gotham Girl, they’ve saved Batman’s life, fought by his side and learned from his example.

But what happens if Gotham’s new guardians go bad? What if they blame the Dark Knight for the darkness that threatens to drown their city?

When sinister forces are unleashed that can warp the minds of men and make heroes into monsters, the time will come for Batman and his allies to decide once and for all: Is Gotham a force for good…or an engine of evil?

From the blockbuster DC Universe Rebirth event comes BATMAN VOL. 1: I AM GOTHAM-the beginning of an all-new saga in the life of the Dark Knight from superstars Tom King (GRAYSON) and David Finch (WONDER WOMAN), featuring an  all-star cast of creators such as Scott Snyder (BATMAN: THE COURT OF OWLS), Ivan Reis (JUSTICE LEAGUE) and Mikel Janín (JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK)! This great starting-point graphic novel collects BATMAN: REBIRTH #1 and BATMAN #1-6.

 

October Variant Cover Poll Results:

 

November Variant Cover Poll Results:

 

December Variant Cover Poll Results:

 

 

Q-4 Cover Poll Results: