So… Christmas is in less than a week… And I still have some shopping to do. Oh boy… I’m certain a number of you are right there with me! In some positive news, Comixology is having a HUGE holiday sale right now! If you’re looking to catch-up on a series, or perhaps you want to check out a new series/ older title, this is a perfect opportunity to dive in!
Alright, on to business! For a recap of last week’s releases, check out This Week In Comics: Harley Thinks Twice. 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!
And as a reminder, our review scale is based on a 10-point system. A rating of “5” means the book is mediocre/average, and the more toward “10″ we go, the more awesome/worth buying it is. The more toward “1″ we go the more awful/not worth buying it is. That’s how we rate things. It’s not like most video game review scores where everything under 8 is crap, and it’s not like a school report card where everything under a 7 is failing or close-to-failing. Please keep this in mind when reading our reviews.
DECEMBER 20TH
TAKE MY MONEY
Batman #37
“SUPERFRIENDS” part two! The stunning conclusion to the two-part story. Torn apart by betrayal, Batman and Superman try to find a way back to friendship, to trust. Both understand that the future of the DCU depends on this relationship; both understand that without the help of the other, their lives will fall apart. And yet, one is still the spoiled rich boy, and the other is still the naive farm boy. Men from two worlds confront each other and try to see the hope behind the madness.
Written by Tom King
Pencils by Clay Mann and Alvaro Martinez
Inks by Raul Fernandez and Clay Mann
Colored by Jordie Bellaire
Cover by Jordie Bellaire, Mikel Janin, and Clay Mann
Josh’s Stance: I’m certain this will be another issue where Selina and Lois steal the show… And I’m ok with that!
Batman-News Critic: Brandon
Superman #37
“SUPER SONS OF TOMORROW” part one! The four-part crossover between Superman, the Super Sons and the Teen Titans starts here! The Batman of Tomorrow travels to the present to prevent a cataclysmic disaster before it happens, revealing that Superboy will soon be responsible for the death of millions. But Superman will do anything to protect his son…and the Batman of Tomorrow is unwavering in his resolve to take down the Boy of Steel. Don’t miss a clash of titanic proportion in the opening chapter of this game-changing story!
Written by Patrick Gleason and Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils and Inks by Jorge Jimenez
Colored by Alejandro Sanchez
Cover by Julio Ferreira, Marcelo Maiolo, and Ivan Reis
Josh: Superman is easily the best book to come out of Rebirth. Tomasi and Gleason have been delivering some stellar stories, and I can only imagine how good the debut of “Super Sons of Tomorrow” will be under their pen. I’m also excited for Jorge Jimenez’s art. I’ve become pretty cynical towards crossovers or events over the years, but I’m legitimately excited for this crossover and I hope it blows me away!
Batman-News Critic: Casper
Super Sons #11
“SUPER SONS OF TOMORROW” part two! The Super Sons are on the run after discovering Superboy’s dark destiny. Will Robin be able to protect his friend from the Batman of Tomorrow?
Written by Patrick Gleason and Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils and Inks by Ryan Benjamin and Jorge Jimenez
Colored by Gabe Eltaeba and Alejandro Sanchez
Cover by Jorge Jimenez, Francis Manapul, and Alejandro Sanchez
Josh’s Stance: What I said about Superman? Ditto.
Batman-News Critic: Jay
INTRIGUED
Batman/ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II #2
The team behind the smash-hit crossover series is back to reunite the Dark Knight and the Heroes in a Half-Shell. When Donatello goes looking for a new mentor to help him improve his fighting skills, he opens a doorway to another reality, hoping to summon the Turtles’ one-time ally, Batman. But instead, he gets sent to Gotham City and someone else comes through the open portal—Bane! Suddenly, there’s a new gang boss in New York and he’s out to unite all the other bad guys under him. Can Donnie get back in time and bring Batman with him to help his brothers before Bane causes irreparable destruction? Co-published with IDW.
Written by James Tynion IV
Pencils and Inks by Freddie E. Williams II
Colored by Jeremy Colwell
Cover by Jeremy Colwell and Freddie E. Williams II
Josh’s Stance: The debut issue was a little boring, but I’m really excited and optimistic now that the story has been established. I’m also curious to see Bane’s role in all of this as well!
Batman-News Critic: Jay
Dark Nights: Metal #4
The Justice League has been broken and scattered to the far corners of the DCU, each member forced to face their worst fears alone…and the fears are winning. When an unlikely ally reveals a glimmer of hope, they must seize their chance, or risk their window of opportunity closing for good!
Written by Scott Snyder
Pencils by Greg Capullo
Inks by Jonathan Glapion
Colored by FCO Plascencia
Cover by Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion, and FCO Plascencia
Josh’s Stance: Metal is interesting for me. There are aspects that I really enjoy, and there are some that I don’t care for as much. I love all of the characters we’re getting to see, but I don’t think the series – overall – is as polished or executed as well as it could be. We’re in the back-stretch now though, so I can only assume that Snyder is going to up his game to close out this story.
Batman-News Critic: Casper
Harley Quinn #33
“AFTERMATH” part two! We said the election would change Harley’s life forever, and we weren’t kidding! For one of the people closest to her…it’s ended their life! And in the “Secret Origins” backup story, you’ll learn how the incredible Eggy came to be the man…err, egg…he is today!
Written by Jimmy Palmiotti
Pencils by John Timms
Colored by Alex Sinclair
Cover by Amanda Conner and Alex Sinclair
Josh’s Stance: The recent issues of Harley feel as thought they’ve experienced a bit of a tonal shift, and I’m kind of enjoying it. The slapstick comedy is still there, but there’s a bit of a darker tone that I welcome.
Batman-News Critic: Elena
Injustice 2 #16
The mission to free Wonder Woman reaches its climax as Kara discovers that the Amazons prove to not be of one mind when it comes to Princess Diana’s fate. Also: a solo story featuring The Flash.
Art by Juan Albarran, Daniel Sampere, and Mike S. Miller
Cover by Juan Albarran and Bruno Redondo
Written by Tom Taylor
Josh’s Stance: The ladies remain in the spotlight this week, and as always, I’m super excited to see what surprises Tom Taylor has prepared for this chapter.
Batman-News Critic: Elena
Justice League #35
“LOST” part two! Still greatly affected by the shocking events of the previous issue, the Justice League attempts to regain its balance when an alien infestation threatens the Earth. But nothing can prepare them for an attack closer to home…one that will reveal devastating truths about the League itself!
Written by Christopher Priest
Pencils and Inks by Pete Woods
Colored by Pete Woods
Cover by Pete Woods
Josh’s Stance: I’m curious to see where Priest is taking this. There are fruitions of some great storytelling in its early stages, and I hope he delivers overall.
Batman-News Critic: Brian
Nightwing #35
“THE UNTOUCHABLE: HUNTERS!” Nightwing finally feels like he’s got his life in Blüdhaven under control. But the one thing he wasn’t expecting was for a case from his past in Gotham City to rear its head here—a murderer he never set eyes on, but whose unmistakable signature has arrived in his new city! How many people will die before he’s stopped this time? Or worse than that…what if Dick can’t stop him? Incoming creative team Sam Humphries and Bernard Chang kick off a story that will take Nightwing back to his days as Robin and force him to question his future as well!
Written by Sam Humphries
Pencils and Inks by Bernard Chang
Colored by Marcelo Maiolo
Cover by Bernard Chang and Marcelo Maiolo
Josh’s Stance: As much as I loved Seeley, I am extremely excited to see what Humphries and Chang have in store for us! The preview looked incredible, and I’m hoping the entire script is just as strong! Also, Chang’s pencils with Maiolo’s colors… stunning!
Batman-News Critic: Josh
MIXED
Batwoman #10
“Fear and Loathing” finale! In order to escape a wonderland of nightmares, Batwoman must embrace the monster within to defeat Scarecrow once and for all. But Dr. Crane is the least of her worries, Colony is coming to the rescue and her father turned enemy, Colonel Jacob Kane, is leading the charge. Could this father/daughter reunion be the beginning of the end for Kate Kane’s career as Batwoman?
Written by Marguerite Bennett
Pencils and Inks by Fernando Blanco and Marc Laming
Colored by John Rauch
Cover by Ben Oliver
Josh’s Stance: Bennett’s Batwoman run has hinted at interesting plots, but it hasn’t really explored any of them. So far the book has been ok under her pen, but quite boring. This is her final issue, so I’m curious to see how she wraps things up. Mostly, I’m just ready to move on to the next creative team.
Batman-News Critic: Elena
Teen Titans Go! #25
It’s the holidays, and the Titans are in the spirit. Of course, when Colossal Boy gets diverted on his time-trip from the 31st Century back to the first Chanukah, the spirit they get into is just a little confused. They’re more prepared to celebrate Christmas, until Beast Boy decides that Batman is Santa Claus. Jingle bells, right?
Art by Lea Hernandez
Cover by Lea Hernandez
Written by Sholly Fisch
Josh’s Stance: It’s a holiday themed Teen Titans Go! Be a good parent. Go pick up a copy of this as an early Christmas Present!
Batman-News Critic: Jay
Trinity #16
“OLD ACQUAINTANCE”! It’s New Year’s Eve, and as the snow falls on New York City our Trinity reunites to save the life of someone completely unexpected—one of the DC Universe’s coldest killers: Deadshot!
Written by Francis Manapul and Rob Williams
Pencils by V. Kenneth Marion
Inks by Sandu Florea
Colored by Dinei Ribeiro
Cover by Guillem March and Tomeu Morey
Josh’s Stance: Here’s the thing… Trinity has been a bit lackluster lately. It hasn’t been bad, but it hasn’t been good. Williams has delivered some great scripts for Suicide Squad though, and none of his stories have put Deadshot in the spotlight, so I’m curious to see if this is a story he’s had on the backburner and was just waiting for the opportunity to write it. This could go either way!
Notes:
- Additional DC titles releasing this week: Bombshells United #8, Green Lanterns #37, The Wild Storm #10, and Wonder Woman/ Conan #4.
Graphic Novel Watch:
Batman Arkham: Joker’s Daughter – Duela Dent claims to be the child of many of Gotham City’s most infamous super-villains, including Catwoman, Scarecrow, the Riddler and the Penguin, but there’s one name she is always known by: the Joker’s Daughter! This mysterious young woman started out as a villain and became a heroic member of the Teen Titans before finally returning to her criminal roots. Batman has learned that when dealing with the Joker’s Daughter, it’s best to expect the unexpected.
BATMAN ARKHAM: JOKER’S DAUGHTER collects some of the villain’s greatest stories by classic creators, including Bob Rozakis (ACTION COMICS), Geoff Johns (THE FLASH), Ann Nocenti (CATWOMAN), Irv Novick (BATMAN), Don Heck (WONDER WOMAN), Georges Jeanty (SUPERBOY) and many more!
Collects BATMAN FAMILY #6, #8-9, #16, #19, BATMAN JOKER’S DAUGHTER #1, BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #23, DETECTIVE COMICS #482-483, TITANS SECRET FILES AND ORIGINS #2 and TEEN TITANS/OUTSIDERS SECRET FILES AND ORIGINS #1.
Batgirl: The Bronze Age Omnibus – Throughout the 1970s, Barbara Gordon, a.k.a. Batgirl, was one of DC’s most popular heroes. Now, the adventures of Gotham City’s greatest heroine are collected in an oversize omnibus collection, BATGIRL: THE BRONZE AGE OMNIBUS VOL. 1! This massive title features numerous appearances by Batman and Robin and collects DETECTIVE COMICS #359, #363, #369, #371, #384-385, #388-389, #392-393, #396-397, #400-401, #404-424, #481-499, #501-502, #505-506, #508-510, #512-519, BATMAN #197 and BATMAN FAMILY #1, #3-7 and #9-11.
New Teen Titans Vol. 8 – The original Teen Titans always stood in the shadows of their larger-than-life mentors—young heroes like Robin, Wonder Girl and Kid Flash saw plenty of action, but it was Batman, Wonder Woman and the Flash who ultimately called the shots.
All that changed, however, with the arrival of THE NEW TEEN TITANS in 1980—and the lives of DC’s adolescent adventurers would never be the same!
Crafted by comics legends Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, this all-new super-title featured greater dangers, fiercer emotions and more tangled relationships than any that had come before. The Titans’ celebrated stories have ensured that the names of Starfire, Cyborg, Raven and Changeling will be passed down through history alongside those famous aliases employed by Dick Grayson, Donna Troy and Wally West.
Now, for the first time, the saga of Wolfman and Pérez’s NEW TEEN TITANS is available in a comprehensive series of trade paperback editions. THE NEW TEEN TITANS VOL. 8 collects issues #49-58 of TALES OF THE TEEN TITANS and features the legendary wedding of Donna Troy, as well as the never-before-reprinted tales “The Trial of the Terminator,” “Jericho’s Story” and more!
Superman/ Batman Vol. 6 – A time-lost Kryptonian ship, its crew murdered. A missing escape pod. A mysterious attack by a powerful assassin on an insignificant reporter named Clark Kent. These are the clues in a mystery that will take all of Batman’s detective skills and Superman’s incredible strength to solve.
A war from Krypton’s long-ago history has come to Earth, with a warrior determined to wipe out every remaining Kryptonian. The battle is to the death, and if the adopted world of the Last Son of Krypton should die in the process, so much the better.
Now Superman must finish a war that his ancestors began, but he has an advantage that ancient Krypton and its enemies could never have imagined. And its name is Batman.
Experience this epic battle along with other classic stories in SUPERMAN/BATMAN VOL. 6. This volume features comics by superstar creators including Joe Casey (ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN), Paul Levitz (BATMAN) and Scott Kolins (THE FLASH). Collects SUPERMAN/BATMAN #64-75 and SUPERMAN/BATMAN ANNUAL #4.
Teen Titans: The Silver Age Vol. 1 – Only a short while after the first superheroes entered the scene, they were followed by a host of scrappy teenage sidekicks. Batman had Robin. The Flash had Kid Flash. Green Arrow had Speedy. Aquaman had Aqualad.
By 1964 there were enough of these young heroes-in-training to form their own team—the Teen Titans! This youthful Junior Justice League came together to aid other youngsters and stomp out evil wherever they found it—all with the style and slang of the swinging ’60s. Dig it?
TEEN TITANS: THE SILVER AGE OMNIBUS VOLUME 1 collects stories from THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #54 and #60, SHOWCASE #59 and TEEN TITANS #1-11, from such talented writers and artists as Nick Cardy and Bob Haney.
