Upcoming Comics: April 26, 2017

It’s cover-a-palooza below! I’ve included the February 2017 Variant Cover poll at the bottom of the list, but I’m holding off one more week for March. There’s already so many covers and polls to review, that I felt March’s inclusion would’ve been too much. Anyway, get your voting fingers ready, because they’re going to be working overtime this week (and next week)!

Alright, on to business! Below, you’ll find a link to a recap of last week’s titles, as well as a variant cover poll for those same titles. 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…

Looking Back – April 19^th

For a recap of last week’s releases, check out This Week In Comics: Who’s Beating Batman This Time. In the spoiler tag, you’ll also find a collection of last week’s variant covers, as well as a cover poll!

Spoiler

Batman #21 by Tim Sale

Superman #21 by Tony S. Daniel

Super Sons #3 by Dustin Nguyen

All Star Batman #9 by Francesco Francavilla

All Star Batman #9 by Chris Burnham

All Star Batman #9 by Jock

Nightwing #19 by Oclair Albert and Ivan Reis

Batwoman #2 by J.G. Jones

Harley Quinn #18 by Frank Cho

Trinity #8 by Bill Sienkiewicz

Justice League #19 by Yanick Paquette

[polldaddy poll=9732002]

April 26^th

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

Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m super excited to read this! Batman and The Shadow is a team-up that just makes sense to me, and I’m hoping that the combination of Snyder and Orlando will serve this title well!

Batman News Critic: Brandon

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

Random Blurb of Excitement: For the “League of Shadows” story to be memorable, this issue needs to be epic. Cass is going to need to be a total badass, because if she isn’t, this story could fall a little flat. It would also be nice to see Batman being just as equal a badass right along with her.

Batman News Critic: Brandon

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

Random Blurb of Excitement: This is the first time since its debut that Suicide Squad actually feels like it’s starting a new arc. Yes, we’ve had a few arcs now, but they all built upon each other so effortlessly, that those arcs essentially felt like the equivalent of a television season. In essence, I’m kind of viewing “Earthlings On Fire” as the premier of “season two,” and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for us!

Batman News Critic: Josh

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

Random Blurb of Excitement: Last month, Jurgens and Chang set up “Rise of the Demon” beautifully. Not only did it re-introduce Curare into the mythology, but it did so in an interesting way. The presence of the League of Assassins was also a welcomed addition – especially knowing the future solicitations. Unfortunately, the worst aspect of Batman Beyond at the moment, is Terry McGinnis. I’m hoping that changes in this issue!

Batman News Critic: Josh

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

Random Blurb of Excitement: I’m sure you think I’m crazy. I would assume most of you reading this are going, “Why is “The Button – Part 2” so low? This is groundbreaking! Did he not like Batman #21? That issue was amazing! Who is this joker? Somebody fire him!”… So before you completely lose your mind, let me explain. I loved Batman #21. The issue played to Tom King’s strengths, and helped serve as a reminder of how great he can be as a writer. Unfortunately, I don’t feel the same way about Joshua Williamson. Where King is great at capturing darker tones and themes in creative ways, Williamson tends to fail with those details. I fully believe Williamson can craft great stories and arcs, but his execution has always been mediocre at best. It’s how I felt about Justice League vs Suicide Squad, and it’s how I still feel about The Flash. Great concepts, poor execution. There’s no reason I should expect anything different here.

Batman News Critic: Brandon

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

Random Blurb of Excitement: So last month’s issue introduced Aqualad… and he’s gay. I found it to be an interesting choice, but whatever. I just hope they don’t make him stereotypical. If DC is going to make a point to represent diversity, I hope they continue that thought into these diverse groups as well. Regardless, I’m happy to have him in the book, and look forward to his integration within the team. The one thing that Teen Titans really needs as a book, is a sense of purpose. I’m hoping the “Lazarus Contract” arc will help provide that.

Batman News Critic: Brian

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

Random Blurb of Excitement: The one thing Batgirl desperately needs at the moment, is a story that revolves around her, not her ties to a guy who may or may not be bad. While I thoroughly enjoyed the first arc, “Son of Penguin” is just “meh.”

Batman News Critic: Elena

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

Random Blurb of Excitement: In no way is this book bad, but I think my excitement leading into this created a higher expectation than what I’m getting. I don’t know. I enjoy this crossover, but I figured I’d be telling everyone, “You NEED to read this.” But… I’m not.

Batman News Critic: Jay

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

Random Blurb of Excitement: *Sigh* (Please be better. Please be better. Please be better… I should probably grab a beer.)

Batman News Critic: Josh

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

Random Blurb of Excitement: (Crap. I forgot this was slated for this week as well. I’m going to put the beer back and grab some whiskey.)

Batman News Critic: Josh

Notes:

Additional DC releases this week: Action Comics #978, Blue Beetle #8, Doom Patrol #6, Hal Jordan & the Green Lantern Corps #19, Supergirl: Being Super #3, The Hellblazer #9, and Wonder Woman #21.

Graphic Novel Watch:

Batman/ Two Face: Face the Face Deluxe Edition – The Dynamic Duo known as Batman and Robin have returned to Gotham after a year of absence. During that time Harvey Dent was left as the city’s protector. Batman and Robin find that some of their most notorious foes are being brutally murdered–forcing Batman to question if the man he entrusted to carry on in his place has confused justice with vengeance.

Written by legendary author James Robinson (STARMAN), this deluxe hardcover edition collects the classic storyline from DETECTIVE COMICS #817-820 and BATMAN #651-654, as well as never-before-seen sketches!

Justice League Unwrapped by Jim Lee – SUPERSTAR ARTIST JIM LEE BRINGS TOGETHER THE WORLD’S GREATEST HEROES…FOR THE FIRST TIME!

It’s the dawn of a new age. Superheroes-like Superman in Metropolis and Gotham’s Dark Knight, Batman-are new and frightening to the world at large. But when a series of strange attacks unleashes an otherworldly threat on Earth, these heroes will have to stand together…if they can stand each other!

Superman. Batman. Wonder Woman. Green Lantern. Flash. Aquaman. Cyborg. Though young and inexperienced, brash and overconfident, each one alone is a powerful force in the battle of good against evil. Together, they may be the only thing on Earth that can stop the alien warlord Darkseid from claiming our planet as his own. Together…they will become the Justice League!

Jim Lee’s stunning artwork is featured in this collection as never before-in his original pencils. Written by the one and only Geoff Johns, JUSTICE LEAGUE UNWRAPPED BY JIM LEE provides a glimpse into the process behind the most talked-about comic book of the new millennium. Collects JUSTICE LEAGUE 1-12.

Justice League Vol. 2: Outbreak – A part of DC Universe: Rebirth!

Spinning directly out of the events of DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH, a new day dawns for the Justice League as they welcome a slew of new members into their ranks. The question remains though, can the world’s greatest superheroes trust these new recruits? And will the members of League be able to come together against an ancient evil that threatens to reclaim not just the world, but the entire universe!

Masterful storytelling, epic action, and unbelievable art come together in JUSTICE LEAGUE from best-selling comic book writer Bryan Hitch (JLA) and superstar artist Tony S. Daniel (BATMAN, DETECTIVE COMICS). Collects JUSTICE LEAGUE #6-11.

Rebirth honors the richest history in comics, while continuing to look towards the future. These are the most innovative and modern stories featuring the world’s greatest superheroes, told by some of the finest storytellers in the business.

Honoring the past, protecting our present, and looking towards the future. This is the next chapter in the ongoing saga of the DC Universe. The legacy continues.

Red Hood & the Outlaws Vol. 1: Dark Trinity – A part of DC Universe: Rebirth!

Jason Todd, a.k.a. Red Hood has been many things–a Robin, dead, the Red Hood–now he’s back and he’s embracing his bad side!

With his new status as a villain, Red Hood plans to take down Gotham’s underworld from the inside. Joined by a fallen Amazon named Artemis and a half-baked Superman clone named Bizarro, this dark trinity will soon discover that the line between hero and villain is harder to discern than they might think

Collects RED HOOD & THE OUTLAWS #1-6.

Honoring the past, protecting our present and looking towards the future. This is the next chapter in the ongoing saga of the DC Universe. The legacy continues.

Young Justice Book One – Batman. Superman. The Flash. The incredible members of the Justice League of America cast a long shadow, and the members of Young Justice are eager to step out of it. Robin, Superboy and Impulse want to prove to their superhero mentors that they’re capable of tackling super-villains on their own. Under the guidance of the stoic, wise Red Tornado, the three teen heroes begin their quest to make a name for themselves, apart from their famous friends.

When the team gains three new members-shy but powerful Wonder Girl, champion archer Arrowette and mystical Secret-Young Justice is ready to take on one of the toughest foes the universe has ever seen: the giant tyrant Despero. But it’s a race against the clock: if Young Justice can’t work together and defeat Despero within 22 minutes, the Justice League will disband Young Justice permanently. Can the team come together to stop Despero’s reign of terror, or will Young Justice be separated forever?

Witness the epic battles the Young Justice team faces in these classic stories written by critically acclaimed author Peter David. YOUNG JUSTICE BOOK ONE collects YOUNG JUSTICE #1-7, JLA: WORLD WITHOUT GROWN-UPS #1-2, YOUNG JUSTICE: THE SECRET and YOUNG JUSTICE: SECRET FILES #1.

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.

Spoiler

Best cover of April 19, 2017 is Batman #21 by Jason Fabok with 32% of the votes.