It looks like April is going to be quite an entertaining month! Batman and Flash are going to investigate “the button.” Nightwing is going to reunite with Damian to go against Pyg (a clear nod to Grant Morrison’s excellent Batman & Robin). The team in Detective Comics will face off against the League of Shadows with the help of Ra’s al Ghul. And if all of this weren’t exciting enough on its own, a new crossover was announced: Batman/ The Shadow #1.
Alright, let’s get to business! Below you’ll find the solicitations for each issue, the creative team behind the issue, and the cover art (if DC has released it). Make sure you share your thoughts in the comments section below! I want to hear what you’re excited about, worried about, your predictions, etc… If you have something to say, we want to know!
April 5th
Batman #20
“I am Bane” finale! In this epic climax, there is no going back. No more tricks, no more allies. Just Batman. And Bane. When the final blood spills…nothing will ever be the same for the Dark Knight.
Art by David Finch and Danny Miki
Cover by David Finch and Danny Miki
Variant cover by Tim Sale
Written by Tom King
After King’s “redemption” of Catwoman in “Rooftops,” I have to say that I’m looking forward to this arc! I still believe that “I Am Suicide” was ultimately a mess, but it was also the first time I’ve ever been unimpressed by King. That doesn’t mean that there weren’t good or great moments in that arc though.
Harley Quinn #17
“Deadly Sin” part one! The twisted Harley Sinn’s been released from prison, and she’s looking to hurt Harley in a whole new way…by going after somebody she loved and lost! And to make this issue extra-unmissable, a brand-new backup story begins, set in Harley’s earliest days with the Joker—and co-written by one of Harley’s original creators, Paul Dini! “Harley Loves Joker” kicks off as Harley makes the biggest mistake of her burgeoning criminal career…accidentally revealing the location of Mistah J’s hideout!
Art by John Timms
Backup Art by Bret Blevins
Backup Written by Paul Dini and Jimmy Palmiotti
Cover by Amanda Conner
Variant cover by Frank Cho
Written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner
Paul Dini is jumping on-board to write back-up stories! That’s all you need to know!… Paul Dini!
Injustice Ground Zero #9
The desperate plot to free Batman from Stryker’s Island and prevent his execution reaches its climax. Escape seems imminent when an angry Superman suddenly makes an appearance. Meanwhile, a newly docile Harley Quinn is taken on a joyride with the Joker and led to an encounter with Lex Luthor.
Art by Juan Albarran, Tom Derenick, and Daniel Sampere
Cover by Stephen Segovia
Written by Chris Sebela
Justice League #18
“TIMELESS” part four! Separated by centuries, the Justice League fights their way through the Timeless hordes towards the incredible machines that are rewriting history—except Batman, who undertakes a mission to rescue Superman from the clutches of the Timeless Mind!
Art by Matt Ryan and Fernando Pasarin
Cover by Matt Ryan and Fernando Pasarin
Variant cover by Yanick Paquette
Written by Bryan Hitch
Nightwing #18
“Nightwing Must Die” part three! Someone Dick loves is being held by one of the deranged foes of his past: Professor Pyg! Nightwing and Robin race to stop Pyg’s attack, but an even darker villain may be waiting for them in the aftermath…
Art by Javier Fernandez
Cover by Javier Fernandez
Variant cover by Oclair Albert and Ivan Reis
Written by Tim Seeley
Nightwing. Robin. Pyg. Yes! Might have to pick-up and re-read Grant Morrison’s Batman & Robin before this is released.
Super Powers #6
An epic crisis has happened, and Superman needs the help of all of his friends to save his family! But even with their help, Darkseid and his parademons might be too much to overcome! Don’t miss the shocking conclusion!
Art by Art Baltazar
Cover by Art Baltazar
Written by Franco, Art Baltazar
April 12th
All Star Batman #9
“Ends of the Earth” finale! It all comes down to this. After months of searching, Batman has found the mastermind behind the blight sweeping the planet, and must face off against one of his most dangerous villains in a battle of wills for the fate of the Earth.
Art by Afua Richardson
Cover by Afua Richardson
Variant cover by Francesco Francavilla, Chris Burnham
Written by Scott Snyder
When Snyder goes really big, I tend to not enjoy his work. When he keeps his stories a little more grounded, I think he’s excellent. “Ends of the Earth” sounds quite… big.
Batgirl & the Birds of Prey #9
“Blackbird” part two! The Birds need answers about the mysterious Blackbird, who’s handing out massive increases in power to Gotham City’s most dangerous metahumans…and to get them they’re sending their own dangerous metahuman, Black Canary, undercover into the world of black-market super-powered fights! Roulette rules this world with an iron fist…will she give up the secrets Dinah needs? And at what price?
Art by Roge Antonio
Cover by Yanick Paquette
Variant cover by Kamome Shirahama
Written by Shawna Benson and Julie Benson
The Bensons have mentioned on a number of occasions that they were fans/inspired by the WB’s Birds of Prey television series… That’s never been more clear than with this solicitation… I’m NOT excited.
Detective Comics #954
“League Of Shadows” part four! Ra’s al Ghul has the answers Batman needs to take down the League of Shadows…but will he lift a finger to help him? Or would he rather use the League to take care of the Dark Knight Detective once and for all?
Art by Marcio Takara
Cover by Eddy Barrows and Eber Ferreira
Variant cover by Rafael Albuquerque
Written by James T Tynion IV
Detective hasn’t let me down yet… Why would I expect anything other than greatness from a story that seems pretty epic.
Gotham Academy: Second Semester #8
In an epic climax to this storyline, Olive faces her true destiny as the fate of Gotham Academy hangs in the balance. Will her friends be able to reach her in time…or will the Academy be lost forever?!
Art by Sandra Hope, MSASSYK, and Adam Archer
Cover by Karl Kerschl
Written by Karl Kerschl, Becky Cloonan, and Brenden Fletcher
Justice League of America #4
“THE EXTREMIST AGENDA” finale! The new JLA’s first adventure comes to a (multiple-)earth-shattering conclusion as Batman and his team takes the fight directly to Lord Havok.
Art by Joe Prado and Ivan Reis
Cover by Joe Prado and Ivan Reis
Variant cover by Doug Mahnke
Written by Steve Orlando
Justice League/ Power Rangers #4
Superman is determined to help the Power Rangers return to their dimension before the teens learn the pain of losing their entire planet. Billy and Cyborg have a plan that could save the day, but it seems impossible—unless there’s a Large Hadron Collider available? Co-Published with BOOM! Studios.
Art by Stephen Byrne
Cover by Karl Kerschl
Written by Tom Taylor
Red Hood & the Outlaws #9
“Who is Artemis?” part one! When Artemis discovers that the Bow of Ra has been used to destroy an entire city, Red Hood and the Outlaws race to Qurac to discover the identity of this barbaric bowman—and who they find is too shocking to believe!
Art by Dexter Soy
Cover by Nicola Scott
Variant cover by Guillem March
Written by Scott Lobdell
Suicide Squad #15
“BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE” finale! Fueled by vengeance, Harley Quinn travels to Rustam’s stronghold to take on the traitor Deadshot and his entire team of villains all by her lonesome. But help comes from a most unexpected place in this thrilling conclusion to the most shocking Suicide Squad story of the Rebirth era!
Art by Eddy Barrows, Richard Friend, John Romita, Jr., and Eber Ferreira
Cover by John Romita, Jr. and Richard Friend
Variant cover by Matteo Scalera
Written by Rob Williams
Titans #10
“Made in Manhattan” finale! While Wally and Dick are trapped inside Meta Solutions with the raging Mammoth, Psimon reveals that his employers have big plans for Bumblebee! Can the rest of the Titans rally before the Fearsome Five unleash hell on New York City?
Art by Norm Rapmund and Brett Booth
Cover by Norm Rapmund and Brett Booth
Variant cover by Nicholas Bradshaw
Written by Dan Abnett
April 19th
Batman #21
“THE BUTTON” part one! The cataclysmic events of DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH #1 continue here! The Dark Knight and The Fastest Man Alive, the two greatest detectives on any world, unite to explore the mystery behind a certain blood-stained smiley button embedded in the Batcave wall. What starts as a simple investigation turns deadly when the secrets of the button prove irresistible to an unwelcome third party—and it’s not who anyone suspects! It’s a mystery woven through time, and the ticking clock starts here!
Art by Jason Fabok
Cover by Jason Fabok
Variant cover by Tim Sale
Written by Tom King
The button! THE BUTTON!!!
Batwoman #2
“The Many Arms Of Death” part two! The criminal haven of Coryana has changed completely in the years since Batwoman left! The biggest change of all? Her closest friends are now her enemies — or they’re corpses! It’s time for Kate Kane to cut to the heart of what’s happening here, and find out who brought the deadly bioweapon Monster Venom into Coryana…but she might get her own heart cut out in the process, by the unbeatable assassin known as the Knife!
Art by Steve Epting
Cover by Steve Epting
Variant cover by J.G. Jones
Written by James T Tynion IV and Marguerite Bennett
Harley Quinn #18
“Deadly Sin” part two! How can Harley protect somebody who’s vanished into witness protection? Unfortunately, Harley Sinn has a lead that she doesn’t! And in “Harley Loves Joker” part two, Harley tries to make it up to her puddin’ after her colossal blunder—but The Joker’s wrath is not easily soothed!
Art by John Timms
Backup Art by Bret Blevins
Backup Written by Paul Dini and Jimmy Palmiotti
Cover by Amanda Conner
Variant cover by Frank Cho
Written by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti
Injustice Ground Zero #10
Tragedy strikes when two former Superman allies face their end—and the Man of Steel plans to set an example by raining down destruction on Metropolis and Gotham City. Is this the straw that will sever his bonds with the Justice League? Meanwhile, Harley gets her mojo back and leads a new uprising against The Joker’s army.
Art by Marco Santucci and Jheremy Raapack
Cover by Stephen Segovia
Written by Chris Sebela
Justice League #19
“TIMELESS” finale! In the unbelievable conclusion, the Justice League reunites to discover they’ve been deceived. How can Earth’s greatest heroes save the world when everything they know is wrong?
Art by Fernando Pasarin, Matt Ryan
Cover by Fernando Pasarin, Matt Ryan
Variant cover by Yanick Paquette
Written by Bryan Hitch
Nightwing #19
“Nightwing Must Die” part four! As Dick’s worst nightmares are realized, and the demons of his past come to destroy his loved ones, he must face his own dark reflection. He must face…the Deathwing!
Art by Javier Fernandez
Cover by Javier Fernandez
Variant cover by Oclair Albert and Ivan Reis
Written by Tim Seeley
Deathwing… hmmm… That’s an interesting choice.
Super Sons #3
“When I Grow Up” part three! It’s Super-Son vs Bat-Son as the exciting new series continues! Kid Amazo is ready to rip the hearts out of the world’s not-so-finest super duo. Face to face with their newest—and first—villain, Jonathan and Damian strike out the only way they know how…at each other!
Art by Jorge Jimenez
Cover by Jorge Jimenez
Variant cover by Dustin Nguyen
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Teen Titans Go! #21
Titans Tower has been condemned! The Titans don’t want to become couch surfers, but they have to find a new place to live while repairs are underway. Let’s find out if the
Batcave is available! And when the Titans get swept up in the Goblin Grab gaming craze, Beast Boy gets swept up by Control Freak. Will his teammates rescue him, or will they be distracted by the their new favorite game?
Art by Erich Owens and Derek Fridolfs
Cover by Dario Brizuela
Written by Derek Fridolfs and Ivan Cohen
Trinity #8
A “Superman: Reborn Aftermath” tie-in! In this essential chapter of the “Superman Reborn Aftermath” epic, Kal-El reveals to Batman and Wonder Woman what had happened to him—and how they all may be in danger!
Art by Ray McCarthy and Emanuela Lupacchino
Cover by Clay Mann
Variant cover by Bill Sienkiewicz
Written by Cullen Bunn
April 26th
Batgirl #10
“Son of the Penguin” part four! Ethan Cobblepot has shown his true colors: he’s a Penguin, through and through! Or is he? Can Batgirl turn his ambitions into a force for good—before he can turn Burnside against Batgirl?
Art by Christian Wildgoose
Cover by Christian Wildgoose
Variant cover by Francis Manapul
Written by Hope Larson
Batman/ The Shadow #1
Two of history’s greatest vigilantes are reunited at last! Murder has come to Gotham City, and Lamont Cranston appears to be the culprit…but he’s been dead for over fifty years! Batman will go to the ends of the Earth to unravel the mystery of Cranston’s life, but the mysterious Shadow will do everything in his power to stop him from learning too much…
The superstar team of writers Scott Snyder and Steve Orlando and artist Riley Rossmo brings you a dark and twisty modern noir like nothing you’ve seen before, with a brand-new villain unlike any either hero has faced! This is the unmissable crime series of 2017, so get on board now! Co-published with Dynamite.
Art by Riley Rossmo
Cover by Riley Rossmo
Variant cover by Riley Rossmo, Cliff Chiang, and Tim Sale
Written by Steve Orlando and Scott Snyder
This could be amazing! I’m crossing my fingers!
Batman ’66 Meets Wonder Woman ’77 #4
Ra’s al Ghul has discovered the Amazons’ Elysian Well…better known to Man’s World as a Lazarus Pit! Wonder Woman takes Batman and Robin (and Catwoman!) to confront him, but strange creatures live in the same maze, which the Amazons have used for centuries as a prison!
Art by Karl Kesel and David Hahn
Cover by Mike Allred
Written by Jeff Parker and Marc Andreyko
Batman Beyond #7
“RISE OF THE DEMON” part two! As Terry McGinnis considers whether or not to take a break from being Batman, Gotham City Police H.Q. is overrun by a horde of ninjas. The League of Assassins has launched a full-out assault on the city and Curaré, leaving Terry no choice but to jump into the fray. What news does Curaré bring that makes her a target for death?
Art by Bernard Chang
Cover by Bernard Chang
Variant cover by Martin Ansin
Written by Dan Jurgens
Now this is an arc that looks like it could be damn good!
Detective Comics #955
“League Of Shadows” part five! All of her teammates are broken—or dead. There’s only one fighter left to stand between the League of Shadows and Gotham City’s total destruction. This is Cassandra Cain’s greatest battle—the fight she was born for! Do not miss the most astounding action sequence of the year!
Art by Marcio Takara
Cover by Eber Ferreira and Eddy Barrows
Variant cover by Rafael Albuquerque
Written by James T Tynion IV
Dead? Shoot… On a positive note: Cassandra is going to kick some ass.
The Flash #21
“THE BUTTON” part two! The cataclysmic events of DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH #1 continue here! The Dark Knight and The Fastest Man Alive, the two greatest detectives on any world, unite to explore the mystery behind a certain blood-stained smiley button embedded in the Batcave wall. What starts as a simple investigation turns deadly when the secrets of the button prove irresistible to an unwelcome third party—and it’s not who anyone suspects! It’s a mystery woven through time, and the ticking clock starts here!
Art by Howard Porter
Cover by Howard Porter
Written by Joshua Williamson
The downside of Batman and the Flash investigating the button… Joshua Williamson is writing half of it. I’ve been very open about my thoughts towards Williamson’s ability: he’s fine with standard stories, but his lack of attention to detail and quality of execution makes him a poor choice for major moments.
Justice League of America #5
“HEART OF A BASTICH” part one! The JLA discovers a super arms dealer has transformed an entire city into his own massive militia force. And when the team can’t liberate its citizens from the outside, they turn to their own legendary master of mass destruction…Lobo!
Art by Andrew T MacDonald
Cover by Joe Prado and Ivan Reis
Variant cover by Doug Mahnke
Written by Steve Orlando
Mother Panic #6
As Mother Panic’s scope of revenge narrows, her partnership with the unhinged Pretty falls apart. Unable to bear the end to their collaboration Pretty turns on Mother Panic. After all, if she’s not with him…
Art by Shawn Crystal
Cover by Tommy Lee Edwards
Variant cover by Eric Canete
Written by Jody Houser
Suicide Squad #16
“EARTHLINGS ON FIRE” part one! Amanda Waller is used to getting what she wants—but this time, what Waller wants is something only Lex Luthor has. Striking a deal won’t be easy—or cheap! It’s a war on two fronts as Waller leads a smoldering charm offensive in Luthor’s penthouse while her Suicide Squad tries to open the most heavily guarded safe in all of Lexcorp.
Art by Sandu Florea and Tony S. Daniel
Cover by Sandu Florea and Tony S. Daniel
Variant cover by Lee Bermejo
Written by Rob Williams
Teen Titans #7
“The Rise of Aqualad” finale! Out of the depths of the San Francisco bay rises King Shark, backed by an army of mutant shark-people! Outnumbered and out…teethed, can Damian, the Teen Titans and their new ally Jackson Hyde defend their city from the jaws of disaster?
Art by Wade Von Grawbadger and Khoi Pham
Cover by Khoi Pham
Variant cover by Chris Burnham
Written by Benjamin Percy
