This will be an interesting week for comics! We’re saying goodbye to one title, welcome back to another, and are encountering an interesting shift in quality for the other titles – some for the better, some for the worse. Regardless, I’m excited to read (nearly) all of the titles being released this week, and you should be excited 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 Stabs a Griffin With a Golf Tee. 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…
August 9th
Gotham Academy: Second Semester #12
“The Ballad of Olive Silverlock” finale! It all comes down to this. With Olive poised to raze the city to the ground, Maps is determined to make one final crusade in the name of friendship. But life isn’t school, and if she fails…all of Gotham could pay the price! Don’t miss the final issue of this beloved series!
Written by Becky Cloonan, Brenden Fletcher, and Karl Kerschl
Pencils by MSASSYK and Adam Archer
Inks by MSASSYK and Sandra Hope
Colored by MSASSYK
Cover by Karl Kerschl
Josh’s stance: This is it folks… The final issue! When Gotham Academy was first announced, I was assigned the duty of covering it. Initially, I wasn’t happy at all! Then the first issue released and I was pleasantly surprised. Then the next, and the next, and the next… And with each issue, I found myself growing more and more attached to this book, as well as the characters. Gotham Academy has definitely had some low points (“Yearbook”), but overall it’s been a complete joy! I once described the title as “Gotham’s shining light!” I’d be lying if I said I weren’t sad to see this title go, because I am. I’m just hoping that while we’re saying goodbye to Gotham Academy, we’re only saying, “Until next time” to the amazing characters that have made this book such a pleasure to read!
Batman-News Critic: Brandon
Detective Comics #962
“INTELLIGENCE” finale! Ascalon, the deadly artificial intelligence created by the Order of St. Dumas, is ready to replace Azrael and purify Gotham City…and all that stands in the way of the world’s most flawless computer brain is the mind of Batman himself!
Written by James Tynion IV
Pencils by Alvaro Martinez
Inks by Raul Fernandez
Colored by Brad Anderson
Cover by Yasmine Putri
Josh’s stance: The last issue of Detective Comics did a lot to raise my excitement for the book, and I’m eagerly awaiting this issue (as well as the next arc) because of it! I’m looking forward to seeing how things go with Azbats coming back!
Batman-News Critic: Brandon
Red Hood & the Outlaws #13
“THE LIFE OF BIZARRO” part two! Bizarro is dead…or is he? To save Bizarro’s life, Red Hood and Artemis must turn to Lex Luthor, Bizarro’s creator, who claims he can resurrect their fallen friend. But what plans does Luthor have for his one-time companion? The battle for Bizarro begins here!
Written by Scott Lobdell
Pencils and Inks by Dexter Soy
Colored by Veronica Gandini
Cover by Romulo Fajardo, Jr., Clay Mann, Mike McKone, and Tomeu Morey
Josh’s stance: When I look at sales for Red Hood & the Outlaws, it genuinely makes me feel a little defeated. I understand why people haven’t committed to the title considering the previous two Red Hood runs, but Lobdell is doing AMAZING things in this title… and practically nobody is reading it! Do yourself a favor and give this book a chance! You won’t be upset that you did!
Batman-News Critic: Brian
Harley Quinn #25
“BIRTHDAY!” It’s an oversize anniversary issue as Harley’s entire cast of crazy characters comes together to celebrate the birthday of cyborg senior citizen Sy Borgman…but is there actually a bigger secret behind this gathering? And in “Harley Loves Joker” part nine, Harley’s spent a fortune building out The Joker Gang’s new hideout, and now they’re gonna have to take drastic measures to pay the bill!
Written by Amanda Conner, Paul Dini, and Jimmy Palmiotti
Pencils and Inks by Chad Hardin
Colored by Alex Sinclair
Cover by Amanda Conner and Alex Sinclair
Josh’s stance: I think it’s safe to say that for the next year, we’re going to get an amped up level of craziness from our favorite clown princess of crime! With this being a special anniversary issue, I’m sure we won’t be let down.
Batman-News Critic: Elena
Justice League of America #12
“CRISIS IN THE MICROVERSE” part one! It’s the story you’ve been waiting for! Ryan Choi leads the JLA on a rescue mission into the microverse to rescue his long-lost mentor, Ray Palmer, the original Atom, and unravel the mystery of his disappearance in DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH #1!
Written by Steve Orlando
Pencils and Inks by Ivan Reis
Colored by Marcelo Maiolo
Cover by Marcelo Maiolo, Joe Prado, and Ivan Reis
Josh’s stance: Believe it or not, I’m actually excited for this chapter of Justice League of America. I’ve been disappointed with the run to date, but I feel that’s largely due to the fact that the stories haven’t had enough issues to let the characters and plot breathe. This arc, however, will be a full six issues, and it will focus on one of the biggest selling points for JLA heading into Rebirth. What happened to Ray Palmer?
Batman-News Critic: Josh
Titans #14
“THINGS FALL APART!” With a traitor in their midst, the Titans reach their breaking point as Nightwing reveals his shocking prime suspect! As tempers flare and distrust spreads, the team is forced to face a new conspiracy—and the Titans must save Manhattan from the nefarious Trident!
Written by Dan Abnett
Pencils by Brett Booth
Inks by Norm Rapmund
Colored by Andrew Dalhouse
Cover by Brett Booth, Andrew Dalhouse, and Norm Rapmund
Josh’s stance: Titans isn’t bad, and there are many interesting plots that are being explored at the moment, but this book desperately needs an actual arc to build up some momentum.
Batman-News Critic: Josh
Suicide Squad #23
“KILL YOUR DARLINGS” part three! Amanda Waller’s gone off the reservation! She’s ordered Task Force X to go full-on super-villain and take down the Justice League! No, not that one—they tried that before! This time she wants Batman’s new Justice League of America driven before her—dead or alive—and the Suicide Squad is happy to oblige.
Written by Rob Williams
Pencils and Inks by Agustin Padilla and Gus Vazquez
Cover by Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira, and Adriano Lucas
Josh’s stance: I’m not feeling this arc, which is a shame because Waller’s confrontation with The People has been building since the beginning… Unfortunately, we’re stuck with Harley as the field leader of the Squad, and Waller is now switching focus to confront Batman.
Batman-News Critic: Josh
Justice League/ Power Rangers #5
The Justice League and the Power Rangers have arrived in the Rangers’ home dimension, but the heroes of these two worlds are too late to prevent Angel Grove’s shocking fate. With the Earth now on the chopping block, can these teams come together to undo the damage wrought by Zedd and Brainiac? Co-published with BOOM! Studios.
Written by Tom Taylor
Art by Stephen Byrne
Cover by Karl Kerschl
Josh’s stance: After being delayed for months, we’re finally getting the next chapter of Justice League/ Power Rangers. I don’t exactly remember where we left off, but I remember feeling as though we were quickly reaching the climax! Hopefully the final two issues will pack a punch.
Batman-News Critic: Elena
Batgirl & the Birds of Prey #13
“SOURCE CODE” finale! Oracle’s past entanglements with Gotham City’s underworld have gotten the Birds in deep trouble as Calculator, Catwoman and Poison Ivy all pull the team into their own dark agendas! Even if they can get themselves out of this mess, the question remains: Does Oracle really belong with the Birds of Prey, or is he a criminal at heart?
Written by Julie Benson and Shawna Benson
Pencils and Inks by Roge Antonio
Cover by Nathan Fairbairn and Yanick Paquette
Josh’s stance: *Sigh* You don’t have to thank me…
Batman-News Critic: Josh
Notes:
- Additional DC Releases slated for this week: Action Comics #985, Hal Jordan & the Green Lantern Corps #26, Mister Miracle #1, New Super-Man #14, Supergirl #12, Superwoman #13, and The Flash #28.
- Justice League vs Power Rangers #6 has been pushed back to September 6, 2017.
Graphic Novel Watch:
Batman Arkham: Clayface – BATMAN ARKHAM: CLAYFACE collects some of the villain’s greatest stories by some of the industry’s greatest creators, including Ed Brubaker (Captain America), Len Wein (SWAMP THING), Mike W. Barr (BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS), Darwyn Cooke (DC: THE NEW FRONTIER), J.H. Williams III (BATWOMAN), Mike Mignola (Hellboy) and many more!
Washed-up actor Basil Karlo. Matt Hagen, a common crook. Preston Payne, tragic scientist. These are just a few of the many people who have claimed the name Clayface! Some of them have incredible shape-changing abilities, while others have a deadly touch that can melt a person into a puddle of protoplasm. All of them have tormented the citizens of Gotham City and been defeated by the Dark Knight and his allies. Now witness the origins of their transformations and learn their ultimate fate!
Collects DETECTIVE COMICS #40, #298, #478-479, OUTSIDERS #21, SECRET ORIGINS #44, BATMAN #550, CATWOMAN #4, BATMAN GOTHAM KNIGHTS #69, 70, 71, and BATMAN SECRET FILES AND ORIGINS VILLAIN #1.
Batman by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo Box Set 2 – The second box set collecting Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s epic run includes the trade paperback editions of BATMAN VOL. 4: ZERO YEAR—SECRET CITY, BATMAN VOL. 5: ZERO YEAR—DARK CITY and BATMAN VOL. 6: GRAVEYARD SHIFT. The perfect addition to any hardcore fan’s collection, this box set continues one of the greatest comic book runs of all time.
Super Powers Vol. 1 – Art Baltazar and Franco Aureliani, the Eisner Award-winning creative team behind all-ages titles TINY TITANS and SUPERMAN FAMILY ADVENTURES, are back with their most epic and hilarious story yet!
Batman’s gone missing, and it’s up to his friends Superman and Wonder Woman to save him. But there’s more going on than it first appears…something has united the greatest threats in the universe, including Darkseid, Lex Luthor and the entire Legion of Doom! Could it have something to do with Superman’s mom and dad back on New Krypton? And just who is this new kid who’s suddenly hanging around?
They’ll need the help of the whole Justice League to figure it out and save the day. But if there’s one thing a superhero can always count on, it’s his Super Friends! Collects #1-6.
