April is here! It greeted me with a few April Fools jokes – some of which I completely fell for. What’s more unbelievable though, is that it is already April! I can’t believe how fast this year is flying by! Every year feels like it goes by faster. I’m definitely feeling the effects of April (aka pollen) now that I’m back in the south though. I have days where I can’t stop sneezing. I am, however, loving the storms! What LA considers a storm, I consider a sprinkle, so I’m happy to experience the heavy rain, high winds, lightning, and thunder. I usually sit outside right before the storm, and then open all of the blinds once the storm hits. I know it sounds weird, but I find them strangely calming, and rain itself excites me…
Anyway, turning the focus to comics: Jay attended FXD this past weekend. If you don’t follow him on Twitter, then you really missed out on some great news, cosplay, and updates. During the weekend, we not received details pertaining to The War of Jokes and Riddles, but we also were treated to the announcement of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s new Batman project, Batman Metal. Both stories look promising, and I’ll be excited to get my hands on them in the coming months.
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…
April 5th
Superman #20
“Superman black” part one! A “Superman Reborn Aftermath” tie-in! As the smoke clears the Kents are faced with leaving Hamilton to go back to Metropolis, but someone or something doesn’t want them to leave! Batman and Robin discover something is mysteriously wrong with the son of Superman—he’s losing his powers!
Written by Patrick Gleason and Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils by Patrick Gleason
Inks by Mick Gray
Cover by Patrick Gleason and Alejandro Sanchez
Random Blurb of Excitement: The Superman books have been really strong since Rebirth, and I’m happy to see Bruce and Damian popping back up in an issue! If you’re not reading either Supes title, then I highly recommend you check them out!
Batman News Critic: Jay
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
Random Blurb of Excitement: I curious to see how this story wraps up. Since King took the helm of Batman, there have been aspects that I’ve loved, and others that I’ve hated. Hopefully this issue will fall into the “love” category.
Batman News Critic: Brandon
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
Random Blurb of Excitement: It’s the first issue featuring a Paul Dini backup, so of course I’m excited!
Batman News Critic: Elena
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
Random Blurb of Excitement: This is probably my least favorite arc from Seeley so far, but it’s still a solid one! I’m loving all the references to Morrison’s Batman & Robin, and applaud Seeley for keeping all of that relevant! Now, for this issue Professor Pyg!
Batman News Critic: Jay
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
Random Blurb of Excitement: It’s the conclusion of Darkseid’s invasion! I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy this story! Super Powers has provided some nice, light-hearted laughs.
Batman News Critic: Jay
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
Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m just ready for Injustice 2…
Batman News Critic: Elena
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
Random Blurb of Excitement: Alright kids… It’s confession time… I dropped Justice League a few weeks ago. I’ve been trying too hard to keep up with titles I didn’t care about, strictly for the sake of being able to discuss them on here… As a result, I experienced a bit of a slump where I had no urgency to read anything… So for now, this books – as well as a few others – are going to have to wait. If I see Brian’s reviews turn more positive, then I’ll probably catch up.
Batman News Critic: Brian
Notes:
- Additional DC releases this week: Aquaman #20, Cyborg #11, Bombshells #25, Deathstroke #16, Green Arrow #20, Green Lanterns #20, Shade, The Changeling Girl #7, The Fall & Rise of Captain Atom, .
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 29, 2017 is Titans Annual #1 by Brett Booth, Andrew Dalhouse, and Norm Rapmund with 47% of the votes.
- Dark Knight III: The Master Race #8 by Andy Kubert (16%)
- Batgirl Annual #1 by Bengal (13%)
- Suicide Squad/ Banana Splits Special #1 by Ben Caldwell (9%)
- Justice League of America #3 by Marcelo Maiolo, Joe Prado, and Ivan Reis (8%)
- Harley’s Little Black Book #6 by Amanda Conner, Paul Mounts, and Alex Sinclair (7%)
Graphic Novel Watch:
Batgirl & the Birds of Prey Vol. 1: Who is Oracle – Barbara Gordon is no stranger to secrets. She’s the daughter of GCPD Jim Gordon, the vigilante known as Batgirl and was once Oracle, the most powerful hacker on the planet.
Someone new has resurrected the Oracle mantle that Babs once controlled, and whoever is behind it is sending Batgirl on a wild chase all across Gotham City. By her side are two equally dangerous vigilantes–Dinah Lance, the rock star-turned-hero known as Black Canary, and Helena Bertinelli, the lethal spy code-named the Huntress.
Can this mismatched trio come together in time to solve the mystery of the new Oracle and defeat the villainous forces arrayed against them? Or will these Birds of Prey have their wings clipped before they can even get off the ground?
Find out in BATGIRL AND THE BIRDS OF PREY VOL. 1: WHO IS ORACLE? The start of a whole new era for Gotham City’s greatest superhero team! From writers Shawna and Julie Benson (TV’s The 100) and artists Claire Roe (VERTIGO QUARTERLY SFX) and Roge Antonio (NIGHTWING), it’s an action-packed adventure on the streets of Gotham. Collects issues #1-6 and the BATGIRL AND THE BIRDS OF PREY: REBIRTH one-shot.
Batman/ Superman Vol. 6: Universe’s Finest – In a tale from the early days of their partnership, the murder of an alien explorer brings the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight Detective to investigate on the moon! But there’s more to this traveler than meets the eye. Meanwhile, someone’s been watching the investigation from the shadows-none other than Lobo, come to collect a bounty that’s been placed on Batman’s head!
The World’s Finest must prepare the Earth for the final days of Superman and with time slipping away, they’ll need the help of their greatest allies in order to pull off one last-ditch attempt to save the Last Son of Krypton.
And finally, the rogues of Gotham and Metropolis team up to find an answer to the age-old question: Who’s tougher, Batman or Superman?
From critically acclaimed writers Tom Taylor (INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US), Peter J. Tomasi (SUPERMAN) and Frank Tieri (HARLEY QUINN AND HER GANG OF HARLEYS) who team up with artists including Robson Rocha (JUSTICE LEAGUE) and Doug Mahnke (GREEN LANTERN) comes the thrilling conclusion to the BATMAN/SUPERMAN series. Collects issues #28-32, plus the never-before-published BATMAN/SUPERMAN #33-34 and ANNUAL #3!
Earth 2: Society Vol. 3: A Whole New World – For the first time since their planet was destroyed, the citizens of Earth-2 finally see a path forward. But for some Wonders, it’s not enough. Not when there’s a chance to bring back what they’ve all lost: Earth itself. Fury, the daughter of Wonder Woman, has arrived with an Amazonian artifact called the Pandora Casket, which possesses the power to recreate the Earth that they’ve lost…or destroy the new one that they’re creating.
But the choice of whether or not to use the Pandora Casket might not lie with the Wonders. The Ultra-Humanite wants to create the world in his own image, and he’s engineered an army to take the artifact for him. These super-powered Humanites are strong enough to take on the Wonders.
Legendary writer Dan Abnett (AQUAMAN, TITANS) and artists including Angel Hernandez (Star Trek/Green Lantern) and Federico Dallocchio (SUICIDE SQUAD) bring massive changes to Earth-2 and the Wonders. Collects EARTH 2: SOCIETY #13-16 and EARTH 2: SOCIETY ANNUAL #1.
