I don’t know about you guys, but I’m in a Christmas coma… Between the food (especially the pies), the shopping, the gifts, family time, and the sheer joy of the holidays… I’m tapping out. All I want to do is lay in bed and watch Netflix/ read. I got the new Grayson: Super Spy Omnibus too, so that’s the main reason I want to do nothing but read. Let’s be honest though, if there’s a book worth laying around and reading, it has to be Grayson!
Alright, on to business! For a recap of last week’s releases, check out This Week In Comics: Batman & Superman Switch Clothes & Swing Baseball Bats. 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 27TH
TAKE MY MONEY
Batman: Creature of the Night #2
In a world where Batman is only a comic book character, young Bruce Wainwright is starting to feel a surprising strength and power grow inside him…and after years of mourning the loss of his parents, that power feels good–intoxicating, even! The question is, to what use will he put it?
Written by Kurt Busiek
Pencils, Inks, and Colors by John Paul Leon
Cover by John Paul Leon
Josh’s Stance: I loved the first issue and can’t wait to see what happens in this chapter. I know DC overuses the words, “fresh, original, and exciting,” but Batman: Creature of the Night actually lives up these descriptions. If you didn’t check out the debut, then I highly recommend you grab both issues this month.
Batman-News Critic: Brian
Doomsday Clock #2
DC and Watchmen characters collide at last! The story that began in DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH #1 comes to a thrilling and unexpected crescendo in the pages of this titanic twelve-issue series by the all-star team that brought you BATMAN: EARTH ONE and SHAZAM!
In this second chapter: The Dark Knight discovers another relic from the Watchmen world. Lex Luthor pays a devil’s bargain. And killer clowns trek through Gotham seeking a madman.
Written by Geoff Johns
Pencils and Inks by Gary Frank
Colored by Brad Anderson
Cover by Brad Anderson and Gary Frank
Josh’s Stance: We’ll see if I even make it out of the comic shop before I read this… Just saying.
Batman-News Critic: Jay
INTRIGUED
Batman Beyond #15
“THE LONG PAYBACK” part two! The Royal Flush gang continues to deal Batman a deadly hand, but Terry soon discovers they’re not the only ones after him. Someone behind the scenes is coordinating an attack of Batman’s greatest villains against him, forcing Batman to overcome multiple threats if he has any hope of discovering who’s pulling the strings and manipulating Neo-Gotham’s underworld against him.
Written by Dan Jurgens
Pencils by Bernard Chang and Phil Hester
Inks by Bernard Chang and Ande Parks
Colored by Marcelo Maiolo, Rico Renzi, and Michael Spicer
Cover by Bernard Chang and Marcelo Maiolo
Josh’s Stance: I’m curious to see which additional villains will come into the fold, and who is behind all of this. I do have concerns that practically every story of this run has relied on the reveal of a character to drive the story, but it could be worse. I’m hoping my reservations are pointless, and that we get a great, entertaining issue!
Batman-News Critic: Travis
Justice League of America #21
“AGAINST THE INVISIBLE GOD”! The Ray quits the Justice League to return to his hometown of Vanity, only to discover that a new hero has taken his place as the city’s protector! To make matters worse, an ancient evil God has been unleashed upon Vanity…and the Ray himself is responsible!
Written by Steve Orlando
Art by Stephen Byrne
Cover by Stephen Byrne
Josh’s Stance: We’re FINALLY going to bring Aztek into the fold, and it looks as though the Ray will finally accept the reality of what being a member of the JLA involves. Then again, he’s yelling “I quit!” on the cover, so maybe I just have wishful thinking.
Batman-News Critic: Jay
Nightwing: The New Order #5
After a stunning revelation about the nature of Jake’s powers, the former Titans head to Metropolis to join forces with the one person who they believe they can restore the world’s superpowers—the depowered Superman! Caught between his old friends and the new order he created, Dick Grayson refuses to let his son become a weapon for either side…but is it even his choice anymore? How far will Dick go to protect his son?
Written by Kyle Higgins
Pencils and Inks by Trevor McCarthy
Colored by Dean V. White
Cover by Trevor McCarthy
Josh’s Stance: For what it is, I’ve really enjoyed Nightwing: The New Order. Could I endure an ongoing monthly series? No, but as a mini, it feels quite perfect.
Batman-News Critic: Jay
Teen Titans #15
“SUPER SONS OF TOMORROW” part three! The Batman of Tomorrow reveals himself to the Teen Titans to recruit them to his cause. But the reunion gives way to the big question: is the life of an innocent child worth more than the lives of millions? It’s the Teen Titans vs. the Super Sons in the battle you’ve been waiting for!
Written by Patrick Gleason and Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils by Ed Benes and Jorge Jimenez
Inks by Ed Benes, Richard Friend, and Jorge Jimenez
Colored by Dinei Ribeiro, and Alejandro Sanchez,
Cover by Francis Manapul
Josh’s Stance: I loved part one of “Super Sons of Tomorrow,” but part two was just ok. It set up a really interesting twist though, so I’m hoping the quality moves back to what we had in Superman. Fingers crossed!
Batman-News Critic: Casper
MIXED
Batgirl #18
It’s the holiday season in Burnside, and everyone is getting into the spirit…including Harley Quinn! After the maid of mischief infects Barbara Gordon’s company party with a killer virus, Batgirl must embark on a wild-goose chase around the city to find a cure. The clock’s ticking—will our hero save the day in time?
Written by Hope Larson
Pencils and Inks by Sami Basri
Colored by Jessica Kholinne
Cover by Dan Mora
Josh’s Stance: There’s part of me that thinks, “Hey, this could be fun.” And then there’s the cynical side of me that thinks, “Yeah… Batgirl has only been ‘ok’ lately, and I’m kind of over the holidays while the people in this book are apparently just ‘getting into the spirit. Pass.’ We’ll see how I feel Wednesday morning… Or maybe after Elena posts her review.
Batman-News Critic: Elena
Detective Comics #971
“FALL OF THE BATMEN” part three! With the Victim Syndicate on the move and Clayface on the edge, the team faces a crossroads—but Batwoman believes she knows the way forward! The trick is…does Batman agree?
Written by James Tynion IV
Pencils by Miguel Mendonca
Inks by Diana E. Conesa
Colored by Jason Wright
Cover by Guillem March
Josh’s Stance: Meh… I’m about as indifferent as one can be concerning this arc.
Batman-News Critic: Brandon
Hawkman: Found #1
One of DC’S greatest heroes is missing! No one has seen or heard from Carter Hall—a.k.a. Hawkman—in years. Reincarnated repeatedly since the dawn of humanity, Hawkman has spent his many lives uncovering history’s most fantastic mysteries, and now he has become one himself! Take a journey into the one of the darkest corners of the DC Universe as a mysterious man tries to piece together what happened to Hawkman, and how it all connects to the events of DARK NIGHTS: METAL!
Written by Jeff Lemire
Pencils by Bryan Hitch
Inks by Kevin Nowlan
Cover by Bryan Hitch, Liam Sharp, and Jason Wright
Josh’s Stance: Look, I really don’t want to be “that guy,” but the further we get into Metal, the less impressed I become. The story is just becoming a bit much for my taste, and the late adds/ changes are starting to show in the quality of the scripts (not in a positive way). Moments and plot threads are beginning to feel shoe-horned in for the sake of extending the story – which already feels as though it needs more focus and finessing. That being said, I’m still insanely curious to find out what all happens… I just bring myself to say I’m excited. Then again, Lemire penning the script makes me a little more excited.
Batman-News Critic: Brian
“YOU DON’T HAVE TO THANK US”
Suicide Squad #32
“THE SECRET HISTORY OF TASK FORCE X” finale! With the future of the entire world hanging in the balance, the Suicide Squad must find a way to send the unstoppable Red Wave beast into the sun and destroy it once and for all…the only problem…one of their own needs to go with it. Can anyone in this gang of scum and villainy overcome their self-serving nature and make the ultimate sacrifice for the good of mankind? Find out in the stunning finale to this game-changing story arc!
Written by Rob Williams
Pencils by Eleonora Carlini, Scot Eaton, and Wilfredo Torres
Inks by Eleonora Carlini, Wayne Faucher, and Wilfredo Torres
Colored by Adriano Lucas
Cover by Eddy Barrows, Tony Salvador Daniel, Eber Ferreira, Adriano Lucas, Danny Miki, and More…
Josh’s Stance: This arc is supposed to be game-changing, but it’s just been a slow-paced snooze fest in my opinion. Maybe something will happen in the final chapter to change that, but I’m thinking this will be more of a situation where DC over-promises and under-delivers.
Batman-News Critic: Josh
Notes:
- Additional DC titles releasing this week: Action Comics #994, Blue Beetle #16, The Demon: Hell is Earth #2, The Flash #37, Gotham City Garage #6, Hal Jordan & the Green Lantern Corps #35, The Hellblazer #17, and Wonder Woman #37.
- Dark Nights: Metal #1 – Director’s Cut also releases this week.
Graphic Novel Watch:
Batman in the Brave & the Bold: The Bronze Age Vol. 1 – The late ’60s marked the height of Batmania, when fans of the Batman television series and the comic books couldn’t get enough of the Caped Crusader. His appearances on covers meant higher sales, so it was decreed Batman would take up permanent residence in THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD. His courage was never questioned, and he fearlessly teamed up with the most daring partners from across the DC Universe at a time when such crossovers were rare.
These groundbreaking stories featured some of Batman’s greatest team-ups with such legendary characters as Wonder Woman, the Flash, Deadman, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, the Teen Titans and others, all by some of the foremost comics talent of the Bronze Age—Neal Adams, Jim Aparo, Bob Haney, Dick Giordano and Dennis O’Neil, to name a few.
BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD: THE BRONZE AGE OMNIBUS VOL. 1 collects the first stories of Batman’s epic run on the series—THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #74-109—and includes a foreword by comics editor Robert Greenberger.
Robin Vol. 5: War of the Dragons – Tim Drake (a.k.a Batman sidekick Robin) embarks on classic adventures in his first solo series by fan-favorite comics writer Chuck Dixon; the issues are collected here for the first time ever.
As the gangs of Gotham’s Chinatown wage war, Tim Drake becomes his alter ego Robin to keep his city safe from their blood feud. With the battle raging across the rooftops of Gotham, Batman pushes Robin away, questioning his decision making and trust in the Huntress. With King Snake, Lynx, the Ghost Dragons and the Silver Monkey leaving carnage in their wake, will Tim be able to reconcile his partnership with Batman before it is too late?
Meanwhile, with Tim Drake’s relationship with Ariana on the rocks, he will need to fight to win her back while keeping the streets of Gotham safe, rescuing the Spoiler, saving the Mayor and contending with a new gang of ninja burglars.
ROBIN VOL. 5: WAR OF THE DRAGONS collects ROBIN #14-22, DETECTIVE COMICS #685-686 and ROBIN ANNUAL #3, presenting Tim Drake’s adventures from his first solo series by fan-favorite comics writer Chuck Dixon (NIGHTWING), Tom Grummett (TITANS) and Mike Wieringo (THE FLASH)!
