Originally, I planned on wrapping this post up Saturday night once I’d finished work, but when I got home, I learned about the incident in London. I have close friends that live in London, so I sat down (roughly 10:30 at night) and watched the news until around 3:00AM. I couldn’t seem to pull myself from it. The older I get, the more emotional I feel I become. I hate senseless loss of lives. It angers me and breaks me all at once. That being said, I have a tendency to want (perhaps need) to understand things. In this situation, why? Why do this? It rattles my brain. All I know, is that we can each play our part. Respect other people. Be kind.
In other – more inspiring – news, Wonder Woman did stellar this weekend! I haven’t seen the film yet, but I have tickets for tomorrow and I’m super excited! I’ve only heard amazing things, and can’t wait to partake in the magic of this film! DC desperately needed a strong film, and it looks like they got it!
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: Wonder Woman Wins. 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…
June 7th
Injustice 2 #3
A raid on Stryker’s Prison by a newly formed Suicide Squad does the unthinkable and releases Superman from his cell. Meanwhile, Harley Quinn encounters someone she never expected to see again—and Damian Wayne is shocked by the appearance of someone he never knew existed.
Art by Juan Albarran and Daniel Sampere
Cover by Bruno Redondo
Written by Tom Taylor
Josh’s Stance: I don’t read the digital issues as they’re released for the sake of being able to provide unbiased (or perhaps unaffected would be more appropriate) opinions of Injustice… And I hate all of you for making me feel like I need to wait… (I’m kidding. I don’t hate any of you. I do have to exude a grand a amount of self-control though.)
Batman News Critic: Elena
Nightwing #22
“BLOCKBUSTER” part one! After years of living in the shadows of others and traveling the globe, Nightwing has found a purpose and a city to call his own in Blüdhaven. Now, Blüdhaven’s prodigal son, Blockbuster, returns to reclaim his city and dispose of Nightwing by any means necessary.
Art by Marcus To
Cover by Paul Renaud
Variant cover by Oclair Albert and Ivan Reis
Written by Tim Seeley
Josh’s Stance: When I think if a villain that is rightfully “Nightwing’s nemesis,” I often think of Blockbuster. He was a prominate antagonist in Dixon’s run, and I’m super excited to see that Seeley is continuing to respect Dick’s history by introducing this behemoth.
Batman News Critic: Jay
Batman #24
“Aftermath”! Gotham City is at peace…but a war is coming. Armed with the terrifying knowledge gained from the mysterious button, Batman prepares for the coming storm by making a proposition to one of his enemies—one that will change everything for the Dark Knight and his allies!
Written by Tom King
Pencils by David Finch and Clay Mann
Inks by Clay Mann, Seth Mann, and Danny Miki
Colored by Jordie Bellaire
Cover by Jordie Bellaire, David Finch, and Danny Miki
Josh’s Stance: So it looks as though this issue actually is releasing this time… I still think it’s weird we didn’t get Bane’s aftermath following “I Am Bane,” but it’s not like that’s going to stop me from reading it…
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Harley Quinn #21
“Red Roses” part one! Red Tool is done waiting for Harley to take him seriously—the poor sap’s hopelessly in love with her, and it’s time he made his move! Unfortunately, he’s picked a moment of peak distraction for Harley! And in the backup, “Harley Loves Joker” part five, Harley crosses paths with an old pal—Jenna Duffy, the crook known as the Carpenter! There won’t be much palling around, though…Jenna’s convinced Harley’s trying to scam her out of one of the biggest scores of her career!
Written by Amanda Conner, Paul Dini, and Jimmy Palmiotti
Pencils by Bret Blevins, Joseph Michael Linsner, and John Timms
Inks by J. Bone, Joseph Michael Linsner, and John Timms
Colored by Alex Sinclair
Cover by Amanda Conner and Alex Sinclair
Josh’s Stance: I’m secretly one of those losers that ships Harley and Red Tool, so I’m curious to see how things develop in this arc.
Batman News Critic: Elena
Dark Knight III: The Master Race #9
The epic conclusion to DARK KNIGHT III: THE MASTER RACE is here from the all-star creative team of Frank Miller, Brian Azzarello, Andy Kubert and Klaus Janson! This is Earth’s last stand. Quar’s Kryptonian Army has conquered the planet, but Batman and his allies don’t believe the world is beyond saving. They’ll rally once more against Quar and save the world or die trying.
Written by Brian Azzarello and Frank Miller
Pencils by Andy Kubert and Frank Miller
Inks by Klaus Janson and Frank Miller
Colored by Brad Anderson and Alex Sinclair
Cover by Brad Anderson, Klaus Janson, Andy Kubert, Frank Miller, and Alex Sinclair
Josh’s Stance: This release schedule kills me… I’ve enjoyed Dark Knight III way more than I ever thought I would, but I seriously can’t remember what’s happened in this title by the time a new issue is released.
Batman News Critic: Jay
Bane: Conquest #2
Bane’s been captured by the charismatic cult leader Damocles, the man building a criminal empire to rival his own! But just ask anyone from his childhood home of Peña Duro…trying to keep Bane in a prison rarely ends well!
Art by Graham Nolan
Cover by Graham Nolan
Written by Chuck Dixon
Josh’s Stance: Considering Chuck Dixon is penning this mini, I’d hoped for the best (despite the awful face mask)… but the debut did nothing to make me look forward to this issue, or any other issue that will follow. (Unless something changes, of course.)
Batman News Critic: Brandon
Justice League #22
“ONLY HUMAN” part one! Aliens live among us. Sometimes they’re refugees from war-torn planets. Sometimes they’re hidden. Sometimes they’re our world’s greatest heroes. But fear and prejudice threaten their lives when an anti-extra-terrestrial group closes the borders around Earth itself. What is the One Earth movement? And how can the Justice League exist when all aliens are outlaws?
Written by Shea Fontana
Pencils and Inks by Phil Briones
Colored by Gabe Eltaeb
Cover by Bryan Hitch and Alex Sinclair
Josh’s Stance: At the request of a few of you, we’re bringing it back… NOcenti!
Batman News Critic: Brian
Notes:
- Additional DC Releases slated for this week: Cyborg #13, Bombshells #28, DC/ Looney Tunes 100-Page Super Spectacular #1, Deathstroke #20, Green Arrow #24, Green Lanterns #24, Shade the Changeling Girl #9, Superman #24, The Rise & Fall of Captain Atom #6, and Wonder Woman: Steve Trevor #1.
- Justice League vs Power Rangers #5 has been pushed back to May 31, 2017 August 9, 2017.
Graphic Novel Watch:
Batman: Zero Hour – The Batman tales that tie into the epic “Zero Hour” storyline are now finally collected into one graphic novel in BATMAN: ZERO HOUR!
Time is collapsing in on itself. The villainous Extant has ushered in a series of black holes that are swallowing the universe-past, present and future! The Bat-family, like everyone else in the DC Universe, has seen time loops affect their lives. The result? The return of Barbara Gordon as Batgirl, teenage Dick Grayson as Robin, and Bruce Wayne’s parents, Thomas and Martha Wayne. Then, after the crisis in time as been averted, new details about the origins of Batman, Robin and Catwoman are revealed.
Legendary comics writers Chuck Dixon, Archie Goodwin, Alan Grant and Doug Moench team up with veteran Batman artists Graham Nolan, Jim Balent, Bret Blevins and more to present the Dark Knight stories tying into the classic ZERO HOUR event, now collected here for the first time! Collects BATMAN #0, #511; BATMAN: SHADOW OF THE BAT #0, #31; DETECTIVE COMICS #0, #678; CATWOMAN #0, #74; BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #0; and ROBIN #0, #10.
DC Comics/ Dark Horse Comics: Batman vs Predator – After investigating a series of gruesome murders, Batman realizes that these crimes aren’t perpetrated by anyone from Gotham City…or even this planet. Soon, the Dark Knight finds his real enemy—the intergalactic hunter called the Predator! This collection features BATMAN VS. PREDATOR #1-3, BATMAN VS. PREDATOR II: BLOODMATCH #1-4 and BATMAN VS. PREDATOR III: BLOOD TIES #1-4 and is co-published with Dark Horse Comics.
Justice League of America: Road to Rebirth – Exploding from the blockbuster DC Rebirth event and the smash-hit miniseries JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. SUICIDE SQUAD, JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA: THE ROAD TO REBIRTH puts you on the right path.
New heroes. New villains. New challenges. The DC Universe has been reborn…and its most legendary team is about to follow suit.
Backed by Batman, there’s a new Justice League of America-and it’s a diverse team that proves heroism can look like anything and anyone.
THE ATOM: Physics student Ryan Choi is gifted with a brilliant mind-and cursed with crippling allergies and anxiety. But his first day at Ivy University will be his first step on a journey to the heart of the DCU…
VIXEN: Business giant, fashion icon, social justice warrior-Mari McCabe is all these things and more. But her incredible powers aren’t all that have changed her life from what it once was…
THE RAY: Imprisoned in darkness, Ray Terrill has been taught to believe he’s a dangerous freak. But he’s about to accept his true self and take his first step into the light…
KILLER FROST: Caitlin Snow joined the Suicide Squad and lived to tell the tale. But joining the JLA won’t be easy with Amanda Waller blocking her path to justice…
Along with new members Black Canary and the Main Man himself, Lobo, JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA: ROAD TO REBIRTH is a must-have prelude to the all-new series from writers Steve Orlando (MIDNIGHTER) and Jody Houser (MOTHER PANIC).
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA: THE ROAD TO REBIRTH is a great starting-point graphic novel! Collects JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA: REBIRTH #1, JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA: ATOM – REBIRTH #1, JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA: VIXEN – REBIRTH #1, JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA: RAY – REBIRTH #1 and JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA: KILLER FROST – REBIRTH #1.
Suicide Squad Vol. 2: Going Sane – Exploding from DC’s blockbuster Rebirth event, SUICIDE SQUAD VOL. 2: GOING SANE by writer Rob Williams and legendary artist Jim Lee delivers the thrilling conclusion to one of Task Force X’s greatest missions.
As the go-to team tasked with handling the world’s most top secret threats, the Suicide Squad has faced down terrors across the globe. But they’ve never brought their work home with them-until now.
Under the command of Task Force X’s iron-fisted director Amanda Waller, the Squad has “liberated” a strange extradimensional orb known as the Black Vault from the planet’s most secure incarceration facility-at the cost of one disintegrated team member. What’s inside the eerie black sphere? None other than Kryptonian dictator General Zod, in all his megalomaniacal, world-destroying glory.
Now Waller has to figure out what to do with one of the most dangerous entities in the known universe. In theory, whoever controls Zod controls the world. In practice, the Black Vault’s corrupting energies are already eroding the sanity of everyone in the Squad’s HQ-with the sole exception of the Clown Princess of Crazy herself, Harley Quinn!
But can one newly sane psychologist single-handedly stop the madness of the Black Vault, defeat Zod and keep the Suicide Squad from ultimately living up to its name?
From writer Rob Williams and superstar artist Jim Lee, SUICIDE SQUAD VOL. 2: GOING SANE includes stories illustrated by Stephen Bryne, Carlos D’Anda, Christian Ward, Giuseppe Camuncoli and more! Collects SUICIDE SQUAD #5-8 and the HARLEY QUINN AND THE SUICIDE SQUAD APRIL FOOLS’ SPECIAL one-shot.
Trinity Vol. 1: Better Together – Exploding from the blockbuster DC Rebirth event, writer-artist Francis Manapul and a superstar support team bring you the beginning of the saga of the world’s most legendary superheroes in TRINITY VOL. 1: BETTER TOGETHER!
Gotham City’s guardian. Metropolis’ Man of Tomorrow. Themyscira’s warrior princess. They are Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Together, they are the greatest heroes the world has ever seen.
And their bond is about to be tested like never before.
As an older, wiser Superman takes the place of the brash young hero they once knew, Batman and Wonder Woman find themselves confronted by a force that tests their very souls. It is called the White Mercy, and it wields a power greater than that of the World’s Greatest Heroes combined.
Thrown together by fate, these three icons must join together to confront their own weaknesses and defeat the evil in their midst. If they fail, the whole world will fall…
This start of a stunning saga features the greatest heroes in the history of comics from author-artist Francis Manapul in TRINITY VOL. 1: BETTER TOGETHER! Collects TRINITY #1-6!
