We’ve received a number of teases and announcements in the past week! For one, we finally learned what Brian Michael Bendis will be writing now that he’s at DC! In addition to that, we got details about a new publication called DC Nation, which appears to be a teaser comic. And while each of these, along with Scott Snyder’s announcement about Justice League, are intriguing, I’m left wondering what else will change. What will Christopher Priest move on to? What about Peter J. Tomasi or Dan Jurgens? Ben Percy and Juan Ferreyra have both announced their run on Green Arrow is coming to an end, so what’s next for them? Hell, even Gail Simone announced on Twitter that she “can’t quit redheads,” and that she’d have an announcement soon! Could she be taking Batgirl? Maybe even Batgirl & the Birds of Prey? There are a ton of questions left to be answered, and I’m anxiously waiting for DC’s solicitations (or perhaps some more early announcements) so we can get additional details.
Alright, on to business! For an overview of our coverage for last week’s releases, check out This Week In Comics: Batman Has Aged Terribly. 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.
February 7th
TAKE MY MONEY
Batman: White Knight #5
Jack’s mind and body begin to betray him as he prepares for an inevitable showdown with Batman, and Bruce himself struggles to keep his team united. As the game gets tougher, Batman seeks counsel from a shocking source—and after Wayne Manor is infiltrated, a car chase for the ages aims to curb Napier’s supercriminal crew once and for all.
Written by Sean Murphy
Pencils and Inks by Sean Murphy
Colored by Matt Hollingsworth
Cover by Matt Hollingsworth and Sean Murphy
Josh’s Stance: White Knight is easily one of the best books that DC is publishing at the moment. If you’re not reading it, then you’re truly missing out! Sean Gordon Murphy has an interesting take on a “what if” scenario involving Batman and the Joker. Beyond that, he’s writing Babs better than anyone has in years, and his take on Duke is also the best I’ve seen… Someone get this guy on a book that’s in continuity!
Batman-News Critic: Brian
Injustice 2 #19
Plastic Man reaches into the Phantom Zone in search of the Teen Titans, trapped there by Superman. A happy reunion seems to be in the cards, but Plas brings back a stowaway and catastrophe follows. An enraged Batman prepares to unleash a secret weapon.
Art by Daniel Sampere
Cover by Dale Keown
Written by Tom Taylor
Josh’s Stance: Injustice continues to be one of my favorite books! With it’s unpredictability, range of characters, and high-octane action, it’s a guarantee for anyone looking for a fun, engaging read!
Batman-News Critic: Elena
The Shadow/ Batman #5
The Silent Seven fight a war on multiple fronts. But if you follow the strings high enough, are Batman, the Shadow, and Robin still just puppets? Robin and the Shadow fight for their lives, while the actions of the Seven leave Batman unsure if he can trust anyone in his life, including himself. Three generations of crimefighting are deserted and alone, but if they can come together to finally confront the Seven where they live, is it their final victory? Or exactly what the Seven has wanted all along?
Written by Steve Orlando
Art by Giovanni Timpano
Josh’s Stance: If you’ve been reading Bat books over the past few years and though, “Man, I miss the way they used to write Batman.” Then this is most likely the book for you! In my opinion, this is one of the more accurate and well-rounded portrayals of Batman you can find at the moment. There’s action, brooding, detective work, and a certain grit that just feels right!
Batman-News Critic: Josh
INTRIGUED
Harley Quinn #37
“ANGRY BIRD” part one! Ever since he started horning in on New York City, the Penguin and Harley Quinn have been stuck in a cold war…and it’s about to heat up! Making a long-term investment in a Gotham City that’s crawling with Bats isn’t the Penguin’s style, so now he’s hell-bent on making Coney Island his new nest!
Written by Frank Tieri
Pencils and Inks by Mirka Andolfo
Colored by Alex Sinclair
Cover by Amanda Conner and Paul Mounts
Josh’s Stance: As much as I enjoy Harley Quinn, I do believe DC should slow things down a little. This will be the fifth issue of Harley Quinn to hit stands within a month… That’s a bit much.
Batman-News Critic: Elena
Justice League #38
“JUSTICE LOST” part five! Alone on the Watchtower, The Flash must find a way to save an astronaut drifting out into space. Meanwhile, Batman’s obsession with redeeming himself for two critical failures feeds a growing crisis of confidence in his leadership.
Written by Christopher Priest
Pencils and Inks by Marco Santucci
Colored by Alex Sollazzo
Cover by Adriano Lucas, Paul Pelletier, Liam Sharp, and Pete Woods
Josh’s Stance: Just when I’m starting to get into the groove with Priest’s run, we find out his stint is temporary. I’m excited to see what Snyder will bring to the table, but I also wish I could see what the current team would do with the Justice League long-term.
Batman-News Critic: Brian
Mother Panic/ Batman Special #1
“MILK WARS” part two! Mother Panic has discovered a Gotham City transformed. What happened to her family and friends? And who moved into Gather House, the religious school that scarred Mother Panic as a young girl? It’s Father Bruce, the orphan millionaire who decided to give back to society by filling the deep demand for sidekicks. So many Robins in need of a nest! Plus, part two of the Eternity Girl backup story!
Written by Jody Houser and Magdalene Visaggio
Pencils and Inks by Sonny Liew and Ty Templeton
Colored by Sonny Liew and Keiren Smith
Cover by Frank Quitely
Josh’s Stance: The debut of “Milk Wars” was an odd and fun, yet strangely relatable. I found the descriptions of “wonderfully weird” quite accurate, and hope this chapter lives up to the same praise. I mean, come on… Batman is a priest for crying out loud! A freaking priest!
Batman-News Critic: Brandon
Nightwing #38
“THE UNTOUCHABLE—INFILTRATION”! Another day in Blüdhaven, another death tied to the Judge of all Creation. The clues lead Nightwing to Guppy, who was there when the first murder occurred. If Nightwing can’t stop the Judge, maybe Dick Grayson can.
Written by Sam Humphries
Pencils and Inks by Bernard Chang
Colored by Marcelo Maiolo
Cover by Bernard Chang and Marcelo Maiolo
Josh’s Stance: The flashback issue was a bit of a bust, and that’s created some concerns for me going into this chapter. I’m hoping Humphries returns to form because his first issues were stellar… However, if this issue is also a dip in quality, then I fear it will only be a sign of things to come. I’m hoping for the best though!
Batman-News Critic: Josh
MIXED
Batman #40
“SUPERFRIENDS” part four! Since the beginning, the friendship between Batman and Wonder Woman has stood at the heart of the DC Universe. Now that friendship is coming apart, and as it does, the universe itself begins to crumble. The conclusion of Batman’s team-up with Wonder Woman.
Written by Tom King
Pencils and Inks by Joelle Jones
Colored by Jordie Bellaire
Cover by Jordie Bellaire and Joelle Jones
Josh’s Stance: I thought Batman #39 was… odd. I didn’t lose my mind like some people concerning the whole Bruce/ Diana bit – I didn’t want to jump to conclusions until something actually happened – I just found the plot to be an interesting choice. I can’t say I’m excited for this arc, but I’m curious.
Batman-News Critic: Brandon
“YOU DON’T HAVE TO THANK US”
Harley & Ivy Meet Betty & Veronica #5
Archie and Jughead’s plan to save their girls from the dangers of the big city is foiled when Reggie tags along…and “Harley and Ivy” end up needing to rescue their saviors. But things can always get worse, and they do when Reggie leads some real Gotham gangsters back home to Riverdale!
Written by Marc Andreyko and Paul Dini
Pencils and Inks by Laura Braga and Adriana Melo
Colored by Arif Prianto
Cover by Jen Bartel
Josh’s Stance: I went into this title enjoying it for its mindless fun, unfortunately, its become so ridiculous that I’m just ready to get it over with at this point. It’s a shame too, this had the potential to be great.
Batman-News Critic: Josh
Notes:
- Additional DC titles releasing this week: Bane: Conquest #9, Black Lightning: Cold, Dead Hands #4, Bombshells: United #11, Deathstroke #28, Green Arrow #37, Green Lanterns #40, Superman #40, Swamp Thing Winter Special #1, Young Monsters In Love #1,
Graphic Novel Watch:
Teen Titans by Geoff Johns Book Two – Geoff Johns, the writer behind some of DC’s greatest events, including DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH and INFINITE CRISIS, continues his smashing run on the classic TEEN TITANS franchise with TEEN TITANS BY GEOFF JOHNS BOOK TWO.
After misadventures in Hollywood and life-changing revelations for Beast Boy in San Francisco, the Teen Titans earn a much-deserved weekend off. While the Titans’ weekends are usually a chance to get away from it all, this time they’re really gone…to the 31st century. There they must help the Legion of Super-Heroes stop a threat known as the Fatal Five Hundred.
Their return trip drops them off a mere ten years into the future, but it’s not a place they want to stay. Most of the team are horrified at what they grow up to become and what these adult Titans do to accomplish their goals.
In this second volume, Johns teams with Mike McKone (JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED) and other artists for his unforgettable reimagining of one of the DC Universe’s staple titles. Collects BEAST BOY #1-4, TEEN TITANS #13-19, TEEN TITANS/LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES SPECIAL #1 and more.
