I started writing this post, and saw that Doomsday Clock is releasing this week… Since then, all I’ve wanted are pancakes. Lots and lots of pancakes… Also, for those of you wondering, the Top 25 Covers of 2017 will post tomorrow! Keep an eye out for that, and share your thoughts on the results when they post.
Alright, on to business! For a recap of last week’s coverage, check out This Week In Comics: Batman Kills. 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.
January 24th
TAKE MY MONEY
Doomsday Clock #3
The story takes a turn in the third chapter of this 12-issue series you never thought you’d see, from writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank.
Written by Geoff Johns
Pencils and Inks by Gary Frank
Colored by Brad Anderson
Cover by Brad Anderson and Gary Frank
Josh’s Stance: Geoff Johns and Gary Frank are still setting up Doomsday Clock, but I’m excited and intrigued to see what comes next! We’ve already gotten a few surprises (as well as Rorschach eating Batman’s breakfast), and I’m certain this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Batman-News Critic: Jay
Teen Titans #16
“THE FOLLOWING” part one! In the aftermath of “Super Sons of Tomorrow” the Teen Titans are left without a place to call home. But a Titan’s work is never finished, and when a series of strange murders crop up in San Francisco, it’s up to the team to crack the case and prevent further bloodshed. Are the killings the work of a single serial killer…or is there a greater conspiracy at work?
Written by Marv Wolfman
Pencils by Tom Derenick
Inks by John Trevor Scott
Cover by Sami Basri and Jessica Kholinne
Josh’s Stance: Marv Wolfman… Enough said.
Batman-News Critic: Casper
INTRIGUED
Detective Comics #973
“FALL OF THE BATMEN” finale! With the team in disarray and facing their most powerful adversary yet, Batwoman must make a critical battlefield choice—one with the power to shatter everything Batman has built! You’ll be talking about this issue for years to come!
Written by James Tynion IV
Pencils and Inks by Jesus Merino
Colored by Jason Wright
Cover by Guillem March
Josh’s Stance: Tynion broke his trend with the last issue, so that has me a little more excited about this chapter. I’m curious to see how he wraps up this arc, and I’m torn between wanting Clayface to find peace or completely go bad… Both could lead to some great stories!
Batman-News Critic: Brandon
Justice League of America #23
“QUEEN OF FABLES” part two! The Queen of Fables has begun granting the wishes of everyone across the globe, and with each wish granted, her powers grow greater. The Justice League has to police people’s dangerous wishes while one of their own, Killer Frost, has her greatest wish granted by the Queen…
Written by Steve Orlando
Pencils by Neil Edwards
Inks by Daniel Henriques and Andy Owens
Colored by Hi-Fi
Cover by Rachel Dodson and Terry Dodson
Josh’s Stance: Orlando keeps stepping up his game with JLA, and this is easily his best arc to date! It also looks as if the book will continue to improve now that a foundation has been built, so I can’t wait to get my hands on this chapter (and the next)!
Batman-News Critic: Jay
MIXED
Batgirl #19
When a massive blizzard hits Gotham City without warning, Batgirl must brave the bitter cold to discover the truth behind the storm. Is it an act of nature? Or is the Penguin up to no good? Find out in what promises to be a chilling metropolitan mystery for the ages!
Written by Hope Larson
Pencils by Chris Wildgoose
Inks by Jose Marzan Jr.
Colored by Mat Lopes
Cover by Dan Mora
Josh’s Stance: Based on solicitations, we already know that Penguin’s son will pop up, so… I doubt I’ll be reading this arc. I wasn’t a fan of his first appearance, and I already feel as though this book is just there as it is. It doesn’t feel connected to the Batman/ DC Universe, and doesn’t really seem to have much purpose other than being a book featuring a female hero. That’s a shame too because Babs deserves to be relevant.
Batman-News Critic: Elena
Batman Beyond #16
“THE LONG PAYBACK” part three! Stalker has arrived in Neo-Gotham with one mission: bring down Batman! Terry will be pushed to his limits against an opponent with superior skills and training, and even Bruce Wayne may not be enough to help him. This is the knock-down, drag-out fight you won’t want to miss! Plus, learn who’s been hiring Gotham City’s underworld elite to bring down the Bat.
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: The previous issue was a bit of a mess, so I hope Jurgens can turn it around. One of Batman Beyond’s biggest problems right now is that it doesn’t follow through with a number of plots, and after amazing set-ups, they move on to something completely separate. At some point, they need to at least acknowledge what’s been setup, because the Joker was introduced in the first arc, and hasn’t been seen since… Or mentioned.
Batman-News Critic: Dan
Nightwing: The New Order #6
It all ends here! As Lex Luthor feverishly attempts to repower Superman, the Crusaders are closing in on the Resistance, aiming to shut them down for good! Meanwhile, Nightwing makes a deal with the devil in an attempt to save his son’s life…and it may cost him everything.
Written by Kyle Higgins
Pencils and Inks by Trevor McCarthy
Colored by Dean V. White
Cover by Trevor McCarthy
Josh’s Stance: This is the final issue of Nightwing: The New Order, and there’s a lot that needs to be wrapped up. The book has an X-Men vibe to it, and I’ve really enjoyed it up until issue #5. Dick taking a hard stance against metahumans after everything that’s occurred in this book felt unnatural, and, if I’m being honest, kind of turned me off…
Batman-News Critic: Jay
“YOU DON’T HAVE TO THANK US”
Suicide Squad #34
“THE CHOSEN JUAN” finale! With Harley, Deadshot and Croc out of commission, one last convict stands between the bloodthirsty alien armada and the annihilation of the human race: Juan! But what hope does a petty criminal have against such an unstoppable force?
Written by Simon Spurrier
Pencils by Fernando Pasarin
Inks by Sean Parsons
Colored by Blond and Adriano Lucas
Cover by Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira, and Adriano Lucas
Josh’s Stance: The first chapter of “The Chosen Juan” was pretty bad. Some ideas and concepts were ok, but the execution was poor. Nearly the entire issue was narrated. I don’t want someone to tell me a story that I’m trying to read, I want to read that story… I’m going to pass on this issue.
Batman-News Critic: Casper
Notes:
- Raven: Daughter of Darkness #1 debuts this week!
- Scooby Doo Team-Up #34 releases this week and features the Birds of Prey!
- Additional DC titles releasing this week: Action Comics #996, Blue Beetle #17, The Demon: Hell is Earth #3, Doom Patrol #10, The Flash #39, Gotham City Garage #8, Hal Jordan & the Green Lantern Corps #37, The Hellblazer #18, The Wild Storm #11, and Wonder Woman #39
Graphic Novel Watch:
Checkmate by Greg Rucka: Book 2 – Checkmate is on the hunt for the Outsiders! But something is afoul on Oolong Island. Then, Amanda Waller’s unauthorized Black Ops game is exposed! What does it mean for the future of Checkmate and of Amanda Waller? Also featuring Mademoiselle Marie and Kobra! Collects CHECKMATE #13-25 and OUTSIDERS #47-49!
