There’s ch-ch-ch-ch-changes! Our cover polls have been growing in popularity, so we’re going to pull them out of our weekly Upcoming Comics post, and give them the special, loving attention they deserve! This also cuts down my workload for this article in particular, so you can expect Upcoming Comics every Saturday going forward (allowing us the opportunity to have fun discussions throughout the weekend). The cover polls (variant covers from the week prior, as well as the current week’s covers) will post on Monday each week, followed by our reviews on Wednesday, and This Week in Comics on Friday. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. Some of you have also asked about our Graphic Novel reviews. They will return. We needed a small break to catch our breath, but we’ve already started working on a que and will begin posting them soon!
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: The Teen Titans Jump the Shark. 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, a random comment (or rant), and the Batman News team member that will be reviewing each book. After I’ve overshared my opinions, you’ll find notes pertaining to other DC Comics titles/ delayed releases, as well as our Graphic Novel Watch. And finally, we want to hear from you! What titles are you picking up? What do you hope to see? Etc. So, without further ado…
May 3rd
Batman #22
“THE BUTTON” part three! 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!
Written by Tom King
Pencils and Inks by Jason Fabok
Cover by Jason Fabok
Josh’s Stance: I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the first two issues, and I’m curious to see what development comes out of the investigation. There’s clearly going to be some sort of tease at the end of this to tie us over for another few months, but I have to wonder what it will be.
Batman-News Critic: Brandon
Injustice 2 #1
The all-new prequel to the highly anticipated Injustice 2 video game begins here! Original INJUSTICE writer Tom Taylor continues the story from the hit series INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US. Superman is imprisoned, and it’s up to Batman to put the world back together. But with Superman’s iron-fisted regime eliminated, other forces rise up to fill the void. And Batman doesn’t have a lot of allies left to help stop them.
Art by Juan Albarran and Bruno Redondo
Cover by Scott Williams and Jim Lee
Variant cover by Bruno Redondo
Written by Tom Taylor
Josh’s Stance: It’s here? It’s really here? *faints* But no, really, I’m SUPER excited that Tom Taylor has returned to this book!
Batman-News Critic: Elena
Nightwing #20
“NIGHTWING MUST DIE” finale! Very few villains have ever broken Batman—but the man who’s been tormenting Nightwing is one of them! Why has he chosen Nightwing, and not Batman, to serve him in the dark new world he sees coming?
Art by Javier Fernandez
Cover by Javier Fernandez
Variant cover by Oclair Albert and Ivan Reis
Written by Tim Seeley
Josh’s Stance: I hope this is just a piece of Dr. Hurt’s arc, because it’s going to be incredibly underwhelming if this issue is, in fact, the end of his story. I’m hoping for the best and have faith in Seeley though!
Batman-News Critic: Jay
Bane: Conquest #1
The co-creators of Bane make a triumphant return to the character, with a twelve-issue series that will push him to the limit! Bane is seeking to create a global criminal empire with the help of his original gang, Bird, Trogg, and Zombie. The Man Who Broke The Bat moves beyond Gotham to find new cities to conquer and new enemies to crush. He won’t stop until he stands at the top of the world of crime! For Bane, it’s all about CONQUEST.
Art by Graham Nolan
Cover by Graham Nolan
Variant cover by Kelley Jones
Written by Chuck Dixon
Josh’s Stance: If Chuck Dixon weren’t writing this, then I would probably want to run screaming from Bane: Conquest out of fear…. But Dixon is writing this, so I’m quite excited!
Batman-News Critic: Brandon
Harley Quinn #19
“DEADLY SIN” finale! Harley Sinn’s shown Harley her absolute worst…but she—and you—are not ready to see Harley Quinn’s rage unleashed! This one will shock you to your core! And in the backup story, “Harley Loves Joker” part three, a simpler time in the past for Harley and The Joker becomes much more complicated when they’re forced to mix it up with Batman!
Art by John Timms
Art by J. Bone and Bret Blevins
Backup Written by Paul Dini and Jimmy Palmiotti
Cover by Amanda Conner
Variant cover by Frank Cho
Written by Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner
Josh’s Stance: Apparrently we’re getting shocked to the core in the main story. That’s a lofty promise considering all of the shocking things that have happened in Harley Quinn over the last few years… Then another back-up from Paul Dini!
Batman-News Critic: Elena
Justice League #20
“ENDLESS” part one! The League find themselves trapped in a time loop after they are attacked by a man wielding a mysterious alien weapon. The result is one member dead, and many civilians obliterated!
Art by Daniel Henriques and Bryan Hitch
Cover by Bryan Hitch
Variant cover by Yanick Paquette
Written by Bryan Hitch
Josh’s Stance: Me if I were forced to read Justice League (20 seconds of the video is more than enough):
Batman-News Critic: Brian
Notes:
- Additional DC releases this week: Aquaman #22, Cyborg #12, Bombshells #26, Deathstroke #18, Green Arrow #22, Green Lanterns #22, Superman #22, and The Fall & Rise of Captain Atom #5.
Graphic Novel Watch:
None this week!
