In case you missed it, we posted the Top 25 Covers of 2017! The results surprised me quite a bit because some covers ended much higher on the list than I expected. Just when I think I have you all figured out, you throw me a curve ball! Also, there were some big announcements yesterday concerning DC Comics’ direction following Metal. Be sure to check out Jay’s coverage, and share your thoughts in the comments!
Alright, on to business! 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 31st
INTRIGUED
Harley Quinn #36
“MAN-BATTER UP” part two! Harley was sure she knew who was targeting her friends—but man, was she wrong! Or should we say “Man-Bat, was she wrong!”? And if you thought Harley had anger issues before, wait until you see her juiced up with Man-Bat serum!
Written by Frank Tieri
Pencils and Inks by Inaki Miranda
Colored by Alex Sinclair
Cover by Amanda Conner
Josh’s Stance: Tieri and Miranda had a solid start on Harley, and managed to do so while filling some big shoes. The key for their success will come from consistency though.
Batman-News Critic: Elena
JLA/ Doom Patrol Special #1
“MILK WARS” part one! Welcome to the un-event of the year! Kicking off a line-wide adventure, DC’s Young Animal collides with the DC Universe to bring you a different kind of crossover.
The Doom Patrol has discovered that an interdimensional corporation called RetCo has been stealing stories, reconfiguring them and repackaging them for new markets. Our gang of misfit heroes have felt the touch of this nefarious company, and it has already started to change them. Even scarier, though, is how deeply RetCo has embedded itself into current continuity, using the radioactive milk of psychic cows to quell the more dangerous impulses of the Justice League and turn them into heroes safe for the masses. And to kick this off, RetCo has gone all the way to the top.
Meet Milkman Man, heretofore unknown final son of Krypton, who was sent to our planet to save him from the destruction of his homeworld, only to be adopted by an evil dairy farmer and raised to love all things dairy!
Co-plotted by Steve Orlando and Gerard Way, with art by ACO (MIDNIGHTER), this extra-sized special starts “Milk Wars” with a splash!
Plus, who is Eternity Girl, and how does she connect to this whole scheme? A special four-part back-up feature by Magdalene Visaggio (Kim and Kim) and Sonny Liew (The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye) begins here.
Written by Steve Orlando, Magdalene Visaggio, and Gerard Way
Pencils by ACO and Sonny Liew
Inks by ACO and Sonny Liew
Colored by Sonny Liew
Cover by Frank Quitely
Josh’s Stance: The description I keep seeing for Milk Wars is “wonderfully weird.” I’m ok with that, and interested to see what craziness is in store for us.
Batman-News Critic: Jay
Dark Nights: Metal #5
The Justice League faces the final extinguishing of our world, invaded on all sides by unimaginable nightmares, fueled on to the edge of oblivion only by the belief that there must be a light in the endless darkness—somewhere. But…what if there’s not?
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: We’re reaching the end of Snyder & Capullo’s run on Metal, so I expect it to be high-octane action for the remaining issues!
Batman-News Critic: Casper
The Silencer #1
“CODE OF HONOR” part one! She’s one of the DC Universe’s deadliest assassins…and you’ve never heard of her. Super-strong, highly trained, armed with devastating and stealthy meta-human abilities, the Silencer is virtually invincible. Or at least she was. After decades as Leviathan’s chief assassin, Honor Guest put in her time and managed to get out with her skin intact. Now she lives a normal life with a normal family in a normal house on a normal street. But the past has come back to haunt her in the form of her old employer and a deadly new mission…and Talia Al Ghul won’t take no for an answer.
Written by Dan Abnett
Pencils by John Romita Jr.
Inks by Sandra Hope
Colored by Dean V. White
Cover by June Chung, Sandra Hope, John Romita Jr., and Dean V. White
Josh’s Stance: This is the second debut for The New Age of Heroes line. I read Damage, and while I thought it was beautifully drawn, not much happened. Hopefully The Silencer will make a stronger impact. I have faith Dan Abnett will deliver, and while I’m not too enthusiastic about John Romita’s art, I don’t think he’ll be on the title for very long considering Bogdanovic has already started posting teaser art for the title. (Also worth noting, Tony Daniel is only illustrating the first three issues of Damage.)
Batman-News Critic: Josh
“YOU DON’T HAVE TO THANK US”
Detective Comics Annual #1
“CLAY”! Here it is: the shocking, heartbreaking origin of Clayface, including his first conflict with Batman! Actor Basil Karlo was on the cusp of fame and fortune…the kind he had dreamed of through his painful childhood…until an accident robbed him of the good looks that took him to the top. But scars don’t make you a monster—only the darkness in your heart can do that—and in the wake of the accident, Karlo’s darkness is revealed!
Written by James Tynion IV
Pencils by Eddy Barrows
Inks by Eber Ferreira
Colored by Adriano Lucas
Cover by Eddy Barrows and Adriano Lucas
Josh’s Stance: Meh… It’s an origin story that we’ve seen play out with multiple characters a number of times… I’m not jumping out of my seat.
Batman-News Critic: Brandon
Notes:
- Additional DC titles releasing this week: Deathstroke Annual #1, The Flash Annual #1, and Mystik U #2.
Graphic Novel Watch:
DC: Super Hero Girls: Date with Disaster! – Shea Fontana continues her mega-popular DC SUPER HERO GIRLS series with DC SUPER HERO GIRLS: DATE WITH DISASTER!
The girls think they have a day off, when suddenly there is a big explosion over at S.T.A.R. Labs. Not to worry, Batgirl, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Bumblebee, Ivy, Catwoman and Katana are off to the rescue! As the heroes work together to save the day, Lois Lane investigates the incident and discovers something fishy. In her search for the truth, Lois must team up with the DC Super Hero Girls to unravel what really happened at S.T.A.R. Labs.
Meanwhile, Batgirl takes on a side project: finding a date for her dad! She sets up an online dating profile for Commissioner Gordon and gets the perfect candidate lined up. Can Jim Gordon find love again? Will Lois Lane and the team be able to uncover the truth about the explosion? Tune in to find out in DC SUPER HERO GIRLS: DATE WITH DISASTER! This story continues to develop the relationships forged in DC SUPER HERO GIRLS: FINALS CRISIS, HITS AND MYTHS, SUMMER OLYMPUS, PAST TIMES AT SUPER HERO HIGH and OUT OF THE BOTTLE. Written by Shea Fontana, this Batgirl-centric story is perfect for girls ages 6-12.
