If you’ve tuned into any type of media over the weekend (news, television, social), then you know that a disaster occurred. Many people are suffering and struggling with what’s taken place, and they’re desperately trying to move forward with their life as best as possible. They’re displaced, and all they’ve known has been destroyed… Yes, you may have heard, but Taylor Swift has unfortunately graced us with a new song… And it doesn’t make it better when you realize that the chorus has the same melody as “I’m Too Sexy” by Right Said Fred. Tragic…
On a serious note, there really was a tragedy over the weekend as hurricane Harvey struck Texas. Hurricanes are bad enough, but instead of moving through an area, Harvey has planted itself over southern Texas, yoyoing back and forth between the land and the Gulf. Because of this, it is still classified as a tropical storm, despite making landfall on Friday. Some coastal cities were destroyed by the impacts of the hurricane Harvey, while many others have endured severe flooding. Houston is estimated to have received nearly fifty inches of rain since Friday… Fifty inches! But in all of this tragedy, we’re getting to see the hearts of heroes rise up.
I’ve been glued to the tv all weekend, and during this time I’ve witnessed example after example of everyday people helping others. Fellow neighbors who have lost everything, are taking their boats out to help rescue people from their homes. The sick and elderly who had been abandoned by their city, were rescued by strangers who risked their own safety. So many incredible moments have been captured, but one of my favorite occurred early in the weekend: One of the first citizens to bring his boat to the flood zone was asked by a reporter what he was doing. His response was, “I’m going to go save some lives!” before driving off in his boat. It made me want to whisper, “Cause I’m Batman.”
A lot of people need help, and many of the victims of Harvey won’t be able to return home for quite a while – potentially months. The Red Cross is working with local cities and churches to provide shelter for the displaced. If you can, try to donate. Also, a number of animal rescues are taking in/ saving many animals. They too could use some support. If you’re interested in helping, you can find a rundown of needs and how to assist here.
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: Harley Quinn Uses Someone as a Meat Shield. 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 30th
Red Hood & the Outlaws Annual #1
“BROTHER IN ARMS”! When Red Hood discovers a new wave of criminal activity in Gotham City with a traveling circus at it’s epicenter, he recruits Nightwing t help the Outlaws infiltrate the big top! Can the two would-be brothers put their differences aside and crack the case? Or will their division be the harbinger of their demise?
Written by Scott Lobdell
Pencils and Inks by Tyler Kirkham
Colored by Arif Prianto
Cover by Tyler Kirkham and Tomeu Morey
Josh’s Stance: I’ve loved the main story in Red Hood & the Outlaws, but with this issue, I found myself feeling less eager. I couldn’t imagine the Annual packing the same punch since it appears to be a one-and-done issue, but… Then I remembered some of the best work to come from Lobdell’s New 52 run were the one-and-done issues that incorporated the Bat family. So I take back my hesitation, and fully embrace what we’ve got coming!
Batman-News Critic: Brian
All Star Batman #13
“THE FIRST ALLY” part four! As painful secrets from the past are revealed, Batman must face down a nemesis unlike any he’s seen before—or risk the horrific consequences of the Genesis Engine falling into the wrong hands!
Written by Scott Snyder
Pencils and Inks by Rafael Albuquerque and Sebastian Fiumara
Colored by Jordie Bellaire and Trish Mulvihill
Cover by Rafael Albuquerque
Josh’s Stance: “The First Ally” is a fun arc, and the fact that it plays into Alfred’s past is even better. As with most of Snyder’s stories, I do feel as though he could stand to reign things in a bit from time to time, but I get what he’s going for and enjoy it for what it is.
Batman-News Critic: Jay
Justice League of America #13
“CRISIS IN THE MICROVERSE” part two! Disaster strikes when the JLA’s shrink ship crashes on a strange world, where the team encounters a mysterious being who claims a connection to the missing Ray Palmer. But nobody’s going anywhere without the help of Shahn-Zi, a sentient planet with the power to find Palmer.
Written by Steve Orlando
Pencils by Ivan Reis
Inks by Julio Ferreira and Ivan Reis
Colored by Marcelo Maiolo
Cover by Marcelo Maiolo and Ivan Reis
Josh’s Stance: “Crisis In the Microverse” gave us the best issue of Justice League of America to date, so I’m hoping it will build upon itself and provide an even better issue this week! The concept is interesting, and it appears as though Orlando is finding his groove in writing a team, so I’m pleasantly optimistic!
Batman-News Critic: Josh
Notes:
- Additional DC Releases slated for this week: Supergirl Annual #1 and Wonder Woman #29.
- Justice League vs Power Rangers #6 has been pushed back to September 6, 2017.
Graphic Novel Watch:
Batman: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition – Book 1 – BATMAN: THE REBIRTH DELUXE EDITION BOOK 1 collects the first two Dark Knight arcs from a new era, in hardcover for the first time! With stories by author Tom King (THE OMEGA MEN) and art by David Finch (WONDER WOMAN), Mikel Janín (GRAYSON), Riley Rossmo (CONSTANTINE: THE HELLBLAZER), Mitch Gerads (SHERIFF OF BABYLON) and more, this is a great starting-point novel for longtime fans and new DC readers alike.
Batman’s methods have always been clear. He fights criminals wherever he finds them. He lives in the shadows. And he works alone. But as Gotham evolves, so must the Bat.
A duo of super-powered youths calling themselves Gotham and Gotham Girl have joined the fight against crime in Batman’s city. They want to pull Gotham out of the shadows and into a brighter tomorrow. But with two godlike metahumans protecting the city by the light of day, does Gotham still need a Dark Knight?
Through these young heroes, the Dark Knight discovers a criminal plotting against his city. To stop this foe, Batman must align himself with a team of villains straight out of Arkham Asylum. This makeshift Suicide Squad is every bit as unstable as the real deal, and while Catwoman might have a good heart despite her troubled past, the other members most certainly do not.
Collects BATMAN: REBIRTH #1 and BATMAN #1-15.
Batman Vol. 3: I Am Bane – Superstar artist David Finch (WONDER WOMAN) completes his run on the Dark Knight in BATMAN VOL. 3: I AM BANE, the stunning new chapter in writer Tom King’s (THE SHERIFF OF BABYLON) wildly acclaimed Batman saga.
He is not a joke. He is not a riddle. He is not a bird or a cat or a penguin, not a scarecrow or a plant or a puppet. He is not a fairy tale or a circus act, a broken friend or a regretful mentor. He is no rich boy pretending to be a knight.
He is Bane. The Batman invaded his home, scarred his mind and broke his back. Now Bane has returned to Gotham City for a single purpose: break the Batman once and for all. But first, he’ll destroy everyone the Dark Knight has ever loved…or loathed.
The young heroes who’ve worn the mantle of Robin. The cops, crime-fighters and vigilantes who make up Batman’s army of allies. Even the madmen and monsters that haunt the halls of Arkham Asylum. Batman will need all of their help—and more—to fend off this unstoppable challenger.
Because both Bane and Batman know one thing: only one of them will walk away from their final confrontation unbroken…
Collects stories from BATMAN #16-20, 23-24 and BATMAN ANNUAL #1.
Batman: Shadow of the Bat Vol. 2 – Writer Alan Grant (DETECTIVE COMICS) continues his epic run of BATMAN: SHADOW OF THE BAT, this time joined by artists Bret Blevins (BATMAN: ZERO HOUR, HARLEY QUINN) and Norm Breyfogle (BATMAN) and others in these stories about the men and women in shadow…the shadow of the Bat in BATMAN: SHADOW OF THE BAT VOL. 2!
To many in Gotham City, Batman is a savior; to others, he is a menace who must be stopped. This includes Anarky, who escapes prison and sets out to eliminate the Dark Knight for the good of the city. The Scarecrow, though, has other plans for Batman.
When Gotham is visited by an alien parasite, a high school gym teacher becomes the city’s latest protector, taking on the costumed persona of Joe Public, but there’s a lot he must learn from the World’s Greatest Detective. And after Batman’s back is broken, he has handed the mantle of the Bat to Jean-Paul Valley, who has a very deadly approach to crime fighting. Valley’s actions prompt an injured and demoralized Bruce Wayne to retrain his ravaged body and travel to England with Alfred in search of Shondra Kinsolving, the one woman who might be able to heal him.
Collects BATMAN: SHADOW OF THE BAT #13-23 and BATMAN: SHADOW OF THE BAT ANNUAL #1.
Batman: The Golden Age Vol. 3 – This third volume of BATMAN: THE GOLDEN AGE collects some of the most exciting and daring early adventure of the Dark Knight Detective.
Having earned the respect of the police force and the fear of criminals, Batman and Robin patrol the streets of Gotham City, protecting the innocent from returning super-villains such as the Joker, Catwoman and Scarecrow. But now the Dynamic Duo will meet an all-new adversary: the Penguin, the enigmatic master criminal who terrorizes the population of Gotham City with his deeds.
Collects BATMAN #8-11, DETECTIVE COMICS #57-65 and WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #4-6.
The New Teen Titans Vol. 1 Omnibus New Edition – In 1980, writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Pérez introduced a timeless team including Robin, Kid Flash, Wonder Girl, Cyborg, Changeling, Raven and Starfire—young heroes with great powers and strong personalities who learned their way in the world through the strength of their friendship and the adventures they shared.
This omnibus edition collects the team’s debut in DC COMICS PRESENTS #26, plus the first sixteen issues of their smash-hit monthly series, including the first appearances of foes including Deathstroke and Trigon, as well as a confrontation with the Justice League of America.
