Last week I expressed interest in removing my commentary from Upcoming Comics, and revert back to our old Anticipation Scale. Well, you made it quite clear that you wanted me to keep sharing my opinion each week, so that’s exactly what I’m going to do… but, I’m going to go ahead and add the Anticipation Scale back into the mix! Everybody wins!
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 Immortals of the DC Universe Plan to Destroy the Dark Multiverse with Anti-Monitor’s Brain. This week’s releases are listed according to our anticipation scale, with titles listed in alphabetical order within each sub-header. 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. Following that, you’ll find notes pertaining to other DC Comics titles, as well as our Graphic Novel Watch. And finally, we want to hear from you! What titles are you picking up? Why are you excited? What do you hope will happen in the book? Etc. So, without further ado, review our Anticipation Scale, and comment away!
The Anticipation Scale
NO! – A comic I downright dread reading and if I wasn’t a reviewer, I would never buy it.
“You Don’t Have to Thank Us” – The idea of reviewing it doesn’t make me ill or angry, but it definitely sounds like it’s going to be a chore. Still, I’m reading it for you. I’m putting it at the bottom of the pile, but I’m reading it for you.
Mixed – A middle of the pile comic. It’s probably got the same chance of being dreadful as it does of being stupendous. I’m neither looking forward to it or avoiding it, whatever happens… happens.
Intrigued – I think this comic has potential to be a fantastic read. There’s some slight hesitation there, but it’s definitely going to be at the top of the pile.
TAKE MY MONEY – Everything about this issue has me excited. If I don’t get to read this book on Wednesday, I will be furious. I would pay extra just to have it in my hands right now! That’s how much I’m looking forward to it!
SEPTEMBER 20TH
TAKE MY MONEY
Injustice 2 #10
The rescue mission reaches a critical point. Harley Quinn puts her life on the line in a display of heroic defiance while Wildcat faces off against the fake Batman. And the kidnapped kids show that they are not without resources of their own!
Art by Juan Albarran and Daniel Sampere
Cover by Bruno Redondo
Written by Tom Taylor
Josh’s Stance: I love Injustice! Head and shoulders, it’s one of DC’s most entertaining books. There’s suspense, action, humor, love, and heart! Beyond that, it utilizes its characters well, and the long, arcing narrative plays better than most of the stories we’re getting from books that are in continuity! Plus, Plastic Man is awesome!
Batman-News Critic: Elena
Super Sons #8
“Planet of the Capes” part three! The Super Sons find themselves blasted across the cosmos to a weird world called Yggardis. As Superboy and Robin endeavor to stop this strange place’s super-powered factions from killing each other, can a horde of ultra-powerful aliens, some sentient multiversal clay and a showdown with the villain Kraklow stop them from getting back to Earth?
Art by Jorge Jimenez
Cover by Jorge Jimenez
Variant cover by Dustin Nguyen
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Josh’s Stance: If you want to have a good time, read Super Sons. The recent stint with “Old Man Damian” was a riot, and each issue is a ton of fun, but it’s the relationship between these two boys that make this book an absolute pleasure.
Batman-News Critic: Jay
INTRIGUED
Batman #31
“THE WAR OF JOKES AND RIDDLES” part five! It’s tough to beat the two biggest puzzlemakers in the world at their own game, and Batman’s gambits have only pulled him deeper into the moral quagmire where the Riddler and The Joker do their dirty work. All of Gotham City hangs in the balance as Batman faces the ultimate conundrum: are brainteasers better than belly laughs?
Art by Mikel Janin
Cover by Mikel Janin
Variant cover by Olivier Coipel
Written by Tom King
Josh’s Stance: I’m certain some of you are thinking, “What!?!? This isn’t listed under “Take My Money?” You’re a hack! Get a real writer to do this!” etc… But as much as I love certain aspects of King’s Batman run – especially “The War of Jokes and Riddles” – I’m still wanting a complete, linear story. So, while the dialogue and themes are outstanding (and I mean that), the actually story leaves something to be desired.
Batman-News Critic: Brandon
Batwoman #7
“FEAR AND LOATHING” part one! When her father, Colonel Jacob Kane, realized that Kate would never become the soldier he wanted, he chose someone else to lead his secret paramilitary group, the Colony. That man—Colony Prime—hates nobody on Earth the way he hates Kate…and the feeling is mutual! So when the two of them are stranded in the Sahara Desert, heavily dosed with Scarecrow’s fear toxin, with no way to survive except to rely on each other…they might just choose death instead!
Art by Fernando Blanco
Cover by Ben Oliver
Variant cover by Michael Cho
Written by Marguerite Bennett
Josh’s Stance: This is the first time I’m honestly excited for Batwoman. I mean no disrespect to “The Many Arms of Death” arc, but everything about that arc was new, and nothing felt familiar or important. Over time, I’m sure that will change, but it seemed like an odd way to launch Batwoman. This arc, however, stems directly from events that occurred in Detective Comics, and features the Scarecrow in some form or fashion. Just on concept alone, this is the arc that should have started it all.
Batman-News Critic: Elena
Harley Quinn #28
“Vote Harley” part two! He’s already sent killers after her and her loved ones…what more can the Mayor do to get Harley Quinn off his back—especially now that she’s gone public in her campaign against him and become shockingly popular? The answer will surprise Harley…and you!
Art by John Timms
Cover by Amanda Conner
Variant cover by Frank Cho
Written by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti
Josh’s Stance: Harley is what is it is. You either love it or hate it. I tend to enjoy the absurdity of it, and can’t wait the see the political shenanigans that come from this arc. I’m curious to see if her slogan is what’s featured on the cover, or if she comes up with something different. Also, the cover is fantastic!
Batman-News Critic: Elena
Nightwing #29
A DARK NIGHTS: METAL tie-in! “GOTHAM RESISTANCE” part two! One vanquished foe gives way to another, even worse threat as this crucial tie-in to DC’s METAL continues! Hopelessly lost in a kingdom of snow and ice, our heroes are set upon by Mr. Freeze and his fearsome frost giants from the Dark Multiverse! But help arrives in the form of an at once foreign and familiar Dick Grayson…
Art by Paul Pelletier
Cover by Stjepan Sejic
Variant cover by Casey Jones
Written by Tim Seeley
Josh’s Stance: The first chapter of “Gotham Resistance” was fun, and I’m hoping Seeley will continue that trend. I’m always a little cautious concerning my excitement towards tie-ins, but I have a little more confidence in this story!
Batman-News Critic: Jay
MIXED
Batman: The Red Death #1
As the events of DARK NIGHTS: METAL rock the DC Universe, the creatures of the Dark Multiverse stand ready to invade our world! How can even the World’s Greatest Heroes stop a horde of deadly beings that appear to be powerful, nightmare versions of familiar figures? Find out in these – special tie-in issues!
Art by Carmine Di Giandomenico
Cover by Jason Fabok
Written by Joshua Williamson
Josh’s Stance: Take what I said above about tie-ins, and then change the commentary about having faith in the writer… Cause I don’t have much faith in Williamson. In short – and I always say this when we cover something he writes – the guy can come up with some great concepts, but his execution is always pretty sub-par in my opinion. Maybe he’s one of those guys that should be an editor and help control the overall direction of these characters rather than write them… I’m hoping for the best though, because I’m really enjoying Metal at the moment, and I’m fascinated by these dark Batmen.
Batman-News Critic: Josh
“YOU DON’T HAVE TO THANK US”
Trinity #13
“DARK DESTINY” part two! The Pandora Pits’ origins reveal themselves to Circe and Ra’s al Ghul as John Constantine and the mystical trinity work with Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman to host a superpowered exorcism on Red Hood, Artemis and Bizarro.
Art by V Ken Marion
Cover by David Finch
Variant cover by Bill Sienkiewicz
Written by Rob Williams
Josh’s Stance: Trinity has slowly declined in quality since its launch, and even when the script wasn’t great, we could always count on the art… Until this arc. Everything about this story feels mediocre, so it’s hard to get excited. Maybe this issue will change my perspective, but I’m not holding my breath.
Batman-News Critic: Brian
NO!
Justice League #29
“LEGACY” part four! The deadly motivation behind the League’s future children is revealed, and the League will have none of it. For the children have targeted a current League member for assassination! And it’s not at all who you think!
Art by Matt Banning and Fernando Pasarin
Cover by Bryan Hitch
Variant cover by Nicholas Bradshaw
Written by Bryan Hitch
Josh’s Stance: I respect Hitch, but dear God I can’t wait for Priest to step in on Justice League… That’s all.
Batman-News Critic: Brian
Notes:
- Additional DC Releases slated for this week: Bug: The Adventures of Forager #4, Cave Carson Has A Cybernetic Eye #12, Green Lanterns #31, Superman #31, The Wild Storm #7, and Wonder Woman/ Conan #1.
- Justice League vs Power Rangers #6 has been pushed back to September 6, 2017 September 27, 2017.
Graphic Novel Watch:
Batman: The Dark Knight III: The Master Race – In 1986, THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS changed comics forever. In 2001, THE DARK KNIGHT STRIKES AGAIN went back to the future of Batman and shocked the industry to its core.
Now, living legend Frank Miller joins forces with superstar writer Brian Azzarello (100 BULLETS) and an alliance of comics’ greatest artists to unleash the highly anticipated epic third chapter in the DARK KNIGHT saga:
THE MASTER RACE.
It’s been three years since the Batman defeated Lex Luthor and saved the world from tyranny. Three years since anyone has seen Gotham City’s guardian alive. Wonder Woman, Queen of the Amazons…Hal Jordan, the Green Lantern…Superman, the Man of Steel…all of the Dark Knight’s allies have retreated from the front lines of the war against injustice.
But now a new war is beginning. An army of unimaginable power led by Superman’s own daughter is preparing to claim Earth as their new world.
The only force that can stop this master race—Batman—is dead.
Long live the new Batman…
Collecting the full nine-issue miniseries and its mini-comic tie-in issues, BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT: MASTER RACE features incredible artwork from comics icon Andy Kubert (FLASHPOINT), as well as Klaus Janson (THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS), John Romita Jr. (ALL-STAR BATMAN), Eduardo Risso (100 BULLETS) and Frank Miller himself!
Catwoman by Jim Balent – Book One – Presented for the first time, witness the start of Catwoman’s first ongoing series drawn by ’90s superstar artist Jim Balent, written by comics legends Jo Duffy and Chuck Dixon in CATWOMAN BY JIM BALENT BOOK ONE.
Selina Kyle may seem like a wealthy and beautiful socialite by day, but at night she becomes the world’s greatest thief…known as Catwoman. What starts out as a job for Gotham City’s newest crime boss, Bane the man who broke Batman’s back, ends up being the start of Selina’s journey to becoming more than a thief. It may even turn her into the last thing she ever thought she’d be–a hero.
CATWOMAN BY JIM BALENT BOOK ONE collects CATWOMAN #1-13.
DC Meets Hanna-Barbera – DC’s iconic superheroes meet some of Hanna-Barbera’s best-loved characters in the most unexpected stories of the year, collected here in DC MEETS HANNA-BARBERA.
When Booster Gold tries to rescue future Earth from an alien invasion, he travels back in time and finds help from none other than Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble! In an unexplored sector of space, Green Lantern and Space Ghost join forces to help an alien race facing disaster! Adam Strange lands on an unfamiliar Earth, and only Jonny Quest, Hadji, Dr. Quest and Race Bannon can help him get home! And when Amanda Waller needs to rescue the Suicide Squad, she reaches out to the newest inmates in Belle Reve: animal rock band the Banana Splits!
All this plus unexpected takes on Hanna-Barbera characters the Jetsons, Top Cat, Ruff ’n’ Reddy and Snagglepuss in a collection featuring some of comics’ top creators, among them Howard Chaykin, Mark Russell, Jeff Parker, James Tynion IV, Steve Lieber, Tony Bedard, Marc Andreyko, Ariel Olivetti, Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, Dan DiDio and Howard Porter!
Collects BOOSTER GOLD/THE FLINTSTONES SPECIAL #1, GREEN LANTERN/SPACE GHOST SPECIAL #1, ADAM STRANGE/FUTURE QUEST SPECIAL #1 and SUICIDE SQUAD/BANANA SPLITS SPECIAL #1.
Nightwing Vol. 3: Nightwing Must Die – Dick Grayson’s DC Universe Rebirth adventure from fan-favorite creators Tim Seeley (BATMAN ETERNAL, GRAYSON) and Javier Fernandez (RED HOOD/ARSENAL) continues in NIGHTWING VOL. 3: NIGHTWING MUST DIE!
As the original Robin, Dick Grayson has long lived in the shadow of Batman. But now, as Nightwing, he’s finally his own man. He has a new city to protect in Blüdhaven, and a new love in his life—former villain Shawn Tsang.
But someone doesn’t think that Nightwing is quite the hero he could be. They’ve sent a twisted doppelgänger, Deathwing, to Blüdhaven to kidnap Shawn…sending Dick on a globe-spanning chase to get her back before something terrible happens.
Together with current Robin Damian Wayne, his partner from his brief stint as Batman, Dick must stay one step ahead of an enemy who seems to have all of his skills and memories. But when Nightwing finds out who’s pulling Deathwing’s strings, he’ll realize the shadow of his time as Batman might be too long to ever truly escape. Collects issues #16-21.
Titans Vol. 2: Made In Manhattan – The acclaimed team of Dan Abnett (AQUAMAN) and Brett Booth (TEEN TITANS) bring the high-flying hero Bumblebee into the reborn DC Universe in TITANS VOL. 2: MADE IN MANHATTAN!
The Titans are former teen heroes with a lot of history together…history they’re just now starting to remember. Nightwing, Donna Troy, Wally West, Arsenal, Tempest and Lilith have started a new life as a team in a new but familiar headquarters—Titans Tower in New York City.
But not all of their former allies are along for the ride. Mal Duncan used to be the Titan known as Herald, but now he’s voluntarily given up his powers with the help of a mysterious company known as Meta Solutions. Meta claims they can help any metahuman control their powers, so Mal’s wife, Karen, seeks their help with her burgeoning abilities as well.
But the Titans have every reason to suspect Meta Solutions is up to no good…especially when they find out the company is being run by their old foes, the Fearsome Five! Psimon and his team claim they’ve given up their evil ways…but will the Titans bet their friend’s life on it? Collects TITANS #7-10 and TITANS ANNUAL #1.
