I survived my third San Diego Comic-Con! I’m going to keep all of this brief because I have SO MUCH I need to try and cover this week! First, I’m bringing you this (Upcoming Comics) so we can actually have a chance to discuss this week’s releases before they’re released! As we progress through the week, I’ll post a comics re-cap of SDCC (shooting for tomorrow at the latest), then knock out my reviews (Wednesday), catch up on Cover Talk (Thursday – which will include last week’s covers, this week’s covers, tons of results, and the 2017 Q-1 Cover Poll), October Solicitations (Thursday/ Friday?), next week’s Upcoming Comics (Friday/ Saturday?), and finally an interview with the beautiful Marguerite Bennett! We also have a few other interviews to post, so keep an eye out for those as well!
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: Batman Gets Some Answers. 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…
July 26th
Batman/ The Shadow #4
The Shadow must fight his way through Gotham City’s worst rogues in order to stop the Joker and the Stag from carving out Batman’s heart! But if he’s freed, will Batman be able to save the villains from the wrath of the Shadow?
Art by Riley Rossmo
Cover by Riley Rossmo
Variant cover by Tim Sale and Dave Johnson
Written by Steve Orlando and Scott Snyder
Josh’s Stance: Head and shoulders, this is my favorite Batman book in publication! Orlando and Snyder are capturing so much of what I love about Batman, and their steeping all of it in the mythology that have made both of these characters legendary! This is a MUST READ!
Batman-News Critic: Brandon
All Star Batman #12
“THE FIRST ALLY” part three! When Batman discovers the truth about the man under the Nemesis mask, it could change everything between him and Alfred forever.
Art by Sebastian Fiumara and Rafael Albuquerque
Cover by Rafael Albuquerque
Variant cover by Rafael Albuquerque and Sebastian Fiumara
Written by Scott Snyder
Josh’s Stance: I’m really enjoying this arc, and I especially love the focus on Alfred. “The First Ally” feels new and fresh without trying too hard to be exactly that, and the back-up story is equally entertaining!
Batman-News Critic: Jay
Suicide Squad #26
“KILL YOUR DARLINGS” part two! Face to face with the Russian mastermind she’s been tracking since SUICIDE SQUAD: REBIRTH #1, Amanda Waller is horrified to find the Suicide Squad commanded by her own dark mirror, the enigmatic Direktor Karla, who’s surpassed the Task Force X leader in the one game she cannot afford to lose: control.
Art by Gus Vazquez
Cover by Eber Ferreira and Eddy Barrows
Variant cover by Whilce Portacio
Written by Rob Williams
Josh’s Stance: Rob Williams is a master writer! There are a number of things I’m excited to experience in the upcoming issues. I… Still can’t stand the idea of Harley being the field leader of the Squad. It bugs me. Not because she’s a girl. Not because it is Harley Quinn in general, but because of the mental state of her character at the moment. I also expect Amanda Waller’s portion of this issue to be the most interesting!
Batman-News Critic: Josh
Batman Beyond #10
“RISE OF THE DEMON” part five! Just as Bruce Wayne had feared, the experimental new Bat-suit has altered Terry’s mental state and turned him into a colder, deadlier Batman. Trapped in the lair of Ra’s al Ghul and surrounded by the League of Assassins, the suit may be the only thing that allows Terry and Bruce to survive. But at what price?
Art by Bernard Chang
Cover by Bernard Chang
Variant cover by Martin Ansin
Written by Dan Jurgens
Josh’s Stance: Jurgens and Chang are hitting the right notes to qualify Batman Beyond as a good book, but it hasn’t fully reached the level for me to consider it “great.” The direction their going is good though, so they just need to keep up the momentum.
Batman-News Critic: Josh
Detective Comics #961
“INTELLIGENCE” part four! Batman and Batwing have thrown every technological trick they have at the powerful A.I. that the order of St. Dumas dubbed Ascalon…now there’s nothing left to do but pray!
Art by Raúl Fernández and Alvaro Martinez
Cover by Yasmine Putri
Variant cover by Rafael Albuquerque
Written by James T Tynion IV
Josh’s Stance: I’m beginning to develop a love/hate relationship with Detective Comics. I wouldn’t dare say the book is bad, but the direction of the current arc feels a bit like we’ve “been there/ done that.” That doesn’t mean I’m not excited about the new AzBat suit that’s coming… I just… I don’t know… Detective started so strong, and it’s kind of like it has run out of stamina. Also, there is so much dialogue and exposition that it causes the pacing and energy of the story to drag.
Batman-News Critic: Brandon
Teen Titans #10
“BLOOD OF THE MANTA” part two! After learning he’s the son of the villainous Black Manta, Jackson Hyde is forced to join his father on a journey to find the ocean’s greatest treasure—a game-changing weapon that would spell disaster for anyone in Manta’s way. Meanwhile, Damian’s status as team leader is challenged by Starfire, who recruits Tempest to help track down their missing member! Will the Teen Titans find their friend before Black Manta gains ultimate power?
Art by Wade Von Grawbadger and Khoi Pham
Cover by Andrew Hennessy and Bradley Walker
Variant cover by Paolo Pantalena
Written by Benjamin Percy
Josh’s Stance: The presence of Black Manta boosts my excitement for “The Blood of Manta,” and I remain intrigued by Jackson as a character. Ben Percy has also been incredibly consistent in delivering enjoyable, good issues (the exception being “The Lazarus Contract), so why should we expect anything else?
Batman-News Critic: Brian
Batgirl #13
“BATS AND CATS”! When an innocent bystander close to Batgirl’s heart gets caught in between a feud between herself and Catwoman, what started as just another case could become direly important.
Art by Inaki Miranda
Cover by Dan Mora
Variant cover by Joshua Middleton
Written by Hope Larson
Josh’s Stance: Batgirl has slowly been declining in quality for me, but I’m curious to see Larson’s interpretation of Catwoman! This also appears to have no awareness/ connection with the story currently running in Birds of Prey… I haven’t decided if I want the stories to acknowledge one another or not.
Batman-News Critic: Elena
Justice League of America #11
“CURSE OF THE KINGBUTCHER” part two! The JLA face off against the Lord of Order called Kingbutcher! In a battle that forces Ray Terrill to confront his own dark past in full view of his new teammates, the heroes struggle with the question of returning reality to its proper state or allowing the people of Vanity — including Ray’s estranged mother — to fulfill their fondest desires.
Art by Andrew T MacDonald
Cover by Ivan Reis
Variant cover by Doug Mahnke
Written by Steve Orlando
Josh’s Stance: Despite the number of problems I have with JLA, I do enjoy my time spent reading it. I also think the opportunities found within the book could be easily corrected, so I’m hoping (praying?) that the title will continue to improve issue to issue. Also, I really like the Kingbutcher and think there could be some interesting stories that come from him (or are at least connected to him), but since this is such a short arc, I doubt we’ll see it here.
Batman-News Critic: Josh
Notes:
- Additional DC Releases slated for this week: Action Comics #984, Blue Beetle #11, Doom Patrol #7, Hal Jordan & the Green Lantern Corps #25, The Flash #27, The Hellblazer #12, The Kamandi Challenge #7, and Wonder Woman #27.
- You may have noticed, but we will no longer provide full coverage of Mother Panic. Instead, smaller recaps will be provided in Break From the Bat each month.
- Justice League vs Power Rangers #5 has been pushed back to
May 31, 2017August 9, 2017TBD. - Justice League vs Power Rangers #6 has been pushed back to
September 6, 2017TBD.
Graphic Novel Watch:
There are no new Batman themed graphic novels being released this week.
