I wanted to give an update on the dog I posted about recently. We weren’t able to find a home for him, so he’s now mine (big surprise, right?). I ended up naming him Ollie (sorry Dick), and his bold, mischievous behavior seem to fit/ justify his name. He’s learned how to jump onto tables and countertops, and no power cord (phone, tablet, or laptop) is safe when he’s around. Those evil, evil cords. Despite the headache he gives me from time to time, I can’t help but love this little booger.
Alright, on to business! For a collection of our opinions pertaining to last week’s releases, make sure you check out This Week In Comics. 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…
March 15th
Super Sons #2
“When I Grow Up” part two! Robin and Superboy—in the clutches of Lex Luthor! The boys are in big trouble! How exactly are they supposed to explain what’s happened to Superman and Batman? Plus, Kid Amazo’s power grows, and this tyrant in the making is about to make life miserable for the Super Sons!
Art by Jorge Jimenez
Cover by Jorge Jimenez
Variant cover by Dustin Nguyen
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Random Blurb of Excitement: If this issue is as much fun to read as the debut, then we’re all in for a real treat!
Batman News Critic: Jay
All Star Batman #8
“Hats and Bats”! Underestimate the Mad Hatter at your own peril. Batman takes on one of his most dangerous and deranged foes in a mind-bending tale from the powerhouse creative team of writer Scott Snyder and artist Giuseppe Camuncoli!
Art by Mark Morales and Giuseppe Camuncoli
Cover by Giuseppe Camuncoli
Variant cover by Francesco Francavilla and Giuseppe Camuncoli
Written by Scott Snyder
Random Blurb of Excitement: For whatever reason, I had this issue listed to release last week… Anyway, this week it actually is releasing. While I wasn’t a fan of the first arc, Snyder’s stories featuring Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy were excellent! Mad Hatter isn’t my favorite villain, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious to see what Snyder has planned.
Batman-News Critic: Jay
Trinity #7
“DIVIDED WE FALL” prelude! America is divided! And now a hero has fallen and it may split the country even more. Can Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman stand against riots while defending a bigoted enemy? Don’t miss the beginning of an epic adventure that will test the ideals of our three heroes!
Art by Clay Mann
Cover by Clay Mann
Variant cover by Bill Sienkiewicz
Written by Francis Manapul
Random Blurb of Excitement: Aspects of the first arc were brilliant, and Manapul spent most of the arc focusing on the characters and themes. Now that that foundation is built, I hope we are treated to an exciting, dynamic story.
Batman News Critic: Brian
Batman #19
“I AM BANE” part four! Batman is losing…Bane is going to break him for good this time. The Dark Knight must turn to a very unlikely weapon to beat Bane once and for all!
Art by Danny Miki and David Finch
Cover by Danny Miki and David Finch
Variant cover by Tim Sale
Written by Tom King
Random Blurb of Excitement: I feel like I endure an internal struggle every time I read Batman. There are aspects that I really enjoy, but ultimately I feel as though King is trying too hard. With Grayson, Omega Men, The Sheriff of Babylon, and The Vision all being as good as they are/were… I wish I could say I felt the same about Batman.
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Batwoman #1
“The Many Arms Of Death” part one! At last—Batwoman is back in her own ongoing series! On the island nation of Coryana, anything goes for members of the criminal underworld…and during her lost years after being drummed out of the military, Kate Kane found a kind of refuge there. But now, a deadly new bioweapon is available in the markets of Coryana, and Batwoman will have to face up to the things she did in those days…and the people she left behind, some of whom would be happier to see her dead than alive!
Writer Marguerite Bennett (DC BOMBSHELLS) is joined by James Tynion IV (DETECTIVE COMICS) and superstar artist Steve Epting (Captain America, Velvet) to present an epic Batwoman story that will alter the course of her life forever! This one’s unmissable!
Art by Steve Epting
Cover by Steve Epting
Variant cover by J.G. Jones
Written by James T Tynion IV, and Marguerite Bennett
Random Blurb of Excitement: Batwoman: Rebirth set up a promising story, and I’m excited to see where this title will go. Kate and her family provide rich stories on their own, and I’m certain that Renee and Maggie both could play their parts in the story. The key here, will be in the narrative itself, and whether or not the creative team can deliver gripping stories.
Batman News Critic: Elena
Nightwing #17
The first stop on Nightwing’s international quest brings him to Paris, where he must face off against his own great, great grandfather: the Talon known as William Cobb!
Art by Javier Fernandez
Cover by Javier Fernandez
Variant cover by Oclair Albert and Ivan Reis
Written by Tim Seeley
Random Blurb of Excitement: There’s something about this arc that feels as though it is stalling. The previous arcs have carried a nice momentum that have driven Dick to a certain point in his life, and now I feel like I’m waiting for something to happen. The entire Nightwing/ Defacer bit feels temporary, so I guess part of me is just waiting for it to end. I am enjoying the story though.
Batman News Critic: Jay
Harley Quinn #16
“Red Meat” part three! Harley mixes it up with the mayor’s bloodthirsty secret weapons…and now she’s taking the fight straight to the steps of City Hall!
Art by Khari Evans
Cover by Amanda Conner
Variant cover by Frank Cho
Written by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti
Random Blurb of Excitement: So… I’m not really feeling this arc. I can’t put my finger on why, but it isn’t winning me over.
Batman News Critic: Elena
Injustice: Ground Zero #8
In issue #8, is Harley interested in helping The Joker acquire a destructive new weapon, or is she setting him up for a trap? Meanwhile, there’s a hitch in the plot to rescue the parallel Earth Batman from Stryker’s Island as an old ally of Superman’s returns to the fold.
Art by Juan Albarran, Daniel Sampere, and Derlis Santacruz
Cover by Renato Guedes
Written by Chris Sebela
Random Blurb of Excitement: Ground Zero is an interesting anomaly for me. Ultimately, I’m enjoying it. At the same time, I don’t feel invested, nor do I care about what happens… Take that as you will.
Batman News Critic: Elena
Justice League #17
“TIMELESS” part three! The Justice League’s epic war through time continues as Superman confronts the leader of the Timeless army, who gives the Man of Steel an impossible choice: save Krypton from exploding—or save his friends!
Art by Matt Ryan and Fernando Pasarin
Cover by Matt Ryan and Fernando Pasarin
Variant cover by Yanick Paquette
Written by Bryan Hitch
Random Blurb of Excitement: You can’t see me right now… but I’m giving Hitch and Justice League side-eye.
Batman News Critic: Brian
Notes:
- Additional DC releases this week: Action Comics #975, Deathstroke #14, Earth 2: Society #22, Hal Jordan & the Green Lantern Corps #16, New Superman #9, Supergirl #7, Superwoman #8, The Flash #18, and Wonder Woman #18.
- Harley’s Little Black Book #6 has been rescheduled for October 24th November 30th December 28th January 25th March 8th March 29th
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 March 8, 2017 is Detective Comics #952 by Eber Ferreira and Eddy Barrows with 24% of the votes.
- Red Hood & the Outlaws #8 by Kenneth Rocafort (18%)
- Justice League of America #2 Cover by Joe Prado and Ivan Reis (13%)
- Titans #8 by Brett Booth and Norm Rapmund (10%)
- Suicide Squad #13 by Danny Miki and John Romita, Jr. (10%)
- All Star Batman #8 by Giuseppe Camuncoli (9%)
- Batgirl & the Birds of Prey #8 by Yanick Paquette (6%)
- Gotham Academy: Second Semester #7 by Becky Cloonan (5%)
- Mother Panic #4 by Tommy Lee Edwards (4%)
- Justice League/ Power Rangers #3 by Karl Kerschl (3%)
Graphic Novel Watch:
Batman & Superman in World’s Finest: The Silver Age Vol. 1 – Witness Batman and Superman’s first encounter! Gathered for the first time in this singular, expansive collection: the classic stories that cemented their legacy as the medium’s finest team-up.
They had been fighting crime separately for years, but it wasn’t until the historic SUPERMAN #76 in 1952 that Superman, the Man of Steel, finally teamed up with Batman himself. That story proved so popular that the two quickly became the main feature in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS—and the greatest friendship in comics was born. Their adventures together would feature heroes and villains such as Robin, Batwoman, Lex Luthor, Bat-Mite, Mr. Mxyzptlk, and more alien threats than might seem possible.
Collects the classic story of their first meeting from SUPERMAN #76 and their super team-ups from WORLD’S FINEST #71-116. Also includes a foreword from veteran comics writer Mark Waid and an afterword by comics historian Jim Amash.
Harley Quinn Vol. 1: Die Laughing – Harley’s back in this new Vol. 1 graphic novel from DC Rebirth!
Her name is Dr. Harleen Quinzel-better known to her friends and enemies as Harley Quinn. Her very-very-ex-boyfriend the Joker may be the Clown Prince of Crime, but Harley’s the Queen of Coney Island! So when the zombie apocalypse threatens her li’l seaside stretch of paradise, who else would ya call to give the undead a blow to the head?
In these platitudinous pages, the baddest bad girl in the entire DC Universe joins forces with everyone from her gal pal Poison Ivy to the New York City punk scene to take down anyone who stands between her and a good time-living, dead or undead. Fists will fly, hammers will fall, dudes will be brutalized and the ladies will rule the night!
The acclaimed writing team of Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti joins forces with artists John Timms and Chad Hardin and draft a new beginning for DC’s craziest anti-hero in HARLEY QUINN VOL. 1: DIE LAUGHING-exploding from the blockbuster DC Rebirth event! Collects HARLEY QUINN #1-7.
JSA: The Golden Age: Deluxe Edition – From STARMAN scribe James Robinson, and in the beautiful Deluxe Edition format, comes an alternate history tale that pits the heroes of the Justice Society of America against a devastating, homegrown threat!
Set during the start of one of the darkest periods of U.S. history, the infamous “McCarthy Era,” THE GOLDEN AGE takes a thought-provoking look at what might have happened to DC’s first generation of superheroes beyond their exploits during the Second World War, when paranoia has taken a chokehold on America.
DC’s first generation of superheroes have been driven into retirement or hiding, or madness–except for a few who are willing to change with the times. But behind the scenes, something even more sinister is unfolding–a subtle plot that may engulf the planet and remake it in one man’s image. Collects JSA: THE GOLDEN AGE #1-4.
Justice League of America: Power & Glory – Bryan Hitch makes his triumphant return to DC Entertainment with the world’s most powerful heroes, the JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA!
It’s massive widescreen action and adventure from superstar writer/artist Hitch, as the League comes up against an armada of aliens heading for Earth that claims to be a peaceful religious tribe. But something sinister is lurking in their ranks…something with ties to ancient Krypton! And more importantly…whose side will the Man of Steel fall on?
With the classic line-up of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg, JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA: POWER & GLORY sees the World’s Greatest Heroes doing what they do best: fighting impossible threats too big for just one of them!
Collects JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #1-4 and #6-10.
