DC is acting really weird right now. I can’t help but feel like they’re sweeping things under the rug and hoping nobody notices. First off, they’re not announcing titles are ending when they are ending. It’s been left to the creators to go to social media and confirm that their book/ run is, in fact, ending. Though it may not seem like a big deal, I’m getting the impression that they’re like, “Maybe nobody will notice if we don’t announce it.” We’ve noticed.
Then there are the rumors that another reboot is coming. Now, Jim Lee has debunked this rumor as “ridiculous,” however, he didn’t consider the New 52 or Rebirth a reboot either, but both were to varying degrees. You can call it a reboot, reset, or retcon, but it shifted the direction of everything in both instances. And if you look at the signs, I feel like they’re all there to signal a reboot or reset of sorts. Perhaps not on the scale of the New 52 or Rebirth, but more in line with DCYou in the respect that creative teams are changing, and the direction of these titles are also changing. We’re already starting to see major changes to Justice League and Superman, and it’s clear that changes are coming to Titans, Teen Titans, and Detective Comics (and no, I’m not referring to Bryan Hill’s run, but what I’m positive will follow his run… potentially following the same strategy as Action Comics by launching the new run following the epic Detective Comics #1000.). This, on top of the cancellation of multiple books, and the fact that DC appears to be jumping ship from Rebirth. Yes, you read that correctly, I think Rebirth is already a thing of the past.
All the way back at SDCC last July, I made the comment to Jay, “I feel like they’re separating themselves from Rebirth.” Since then I’ve grown to feel that more strongly as the ideas that built Rebirth have mostly been abandoned in one way or another. I even ranted about that notion on this very site! But Rebirth was Geoff Johns’ darling, and Geoff isn’t really around anymore… So, here we are, on the cusp of another potential reboot/reset/ retcon that isn’t actually a reboot/reset/retcon according to the powers-that-be (because those words are bad words), and I’m left to wonder if I even have the energy for it? DC’s marketing team have served as their own worst enemy lately (by “lately,” I mean the past few years), so I’m curious to see how they approach all of these changes. I’m sure whatever comes will be “epic, world-changing, earth-shattering, and will change the DC universe forever” while also being “a fresh, new take like we’ve never seen before”… because that’s how they describe EVERYTHING. Anyway, I could go on and on with theories, suspicions, and rants, but what are your thoughts on everything? Do you think there will be a reboot/reset? More importantly, what are your current thoughts on comics? Share your opinions in the comments section below!
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.
May 16th
TAKE MY MONEY
The Brave and the Bold: Batman and Wonder Woman #4
What do you do after you unknowingly make a deal with the devil that transforms you into Brimstone, and you can’t stop the constant feeling of screaming, fiery pain burning from head to toe? Joe Chamberlain is determined to relieve himself of this curse by tracking the devil by his tail. That is, if the devil’s Hound doesn’t get to him first…
Written by Liam Sharp
Pencils and Inks by Liam Sharp
Colored by Romulo Fajardo, Jr. and Liam Sharp
Cover by Romulo Fajardo, Jr. and Liam Sharp
Josh’s Stance: Liam Sharp continues to impress me with this unique side-step from the standard comic book stories we’re used to getting. His world is fully realized, and the story is an absolute pleasure to read!
Batman-News Critic: Casper
Harley Quinn: Harley Loves Joker #2
“HARLEY LOVES JOKER” Part two! The Harley/Joker crime spree reaches an explosive crescendo-literally! Everything blows up-including, perhaps, their relationship…?
Written by Paul Dini
Pencils and Inks by Bret Blevins
Colored by Alex Sinclair
Cover by Amanda Conner and Paul Mounts
Josh’s Stance: Paul Dini is writing Joker and Harley… Enough said.
Batman-News Critic: Elena
Injustice 2 #25
Supergirl and Blue Beetle share a secret on the moon. And in Gorilla City, King Solovar questions his alliance with Ra’s al Ghul, while Ra’s’ own forces begin to fracture and his daughter is about to go rogue. Meanwhile, Batman and Wonder Woman have a showdown.
Art by Daniel Sampere
Cover by Tyler Kirkham
Written by Tom Taylor
Josh’s Stance: I’m going to start calling Tom Taylor “Old Yeller” because he’s so damn reliable! I look forward to reading Injustice more than any other book because I never know what I’m going to get. Action? Drama? Humor? It’s all here!
Batman-News Critic: Elena
Justice League: No Justice #2
The teams arrive at Brainiac’s home world to find it already in chaos. Only by splitting up and journeying to the four cosmic trees of Colu will they have any hope of saving the planet…but what’s waiting for them will test the true mettle of their new alliances!
Written by Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, and Joshua Williamson
Pencils and Inks by Francis Manapul and Marcus To
Colored by Francis Manapul
Cover by Francis Manapul
Josh’s Stance: No Justice had a promising start last week, but it’s ultimate fate remains to be seen! I’m onboard for now, and I’m holding on for dear life because I have no idea where this crazy ride will take us.
Batman-News Critic: Brian
INTRIGUED
Batman: Sins of the Father #4
With Batman unable to bring Deadshot to justice, Bruce Wayne decides to confront Deadshot’s alter ego, Floyd Lawton. It’s a high-stakes chess game between two men who are a dark mirror images of each other: rich, orphans, men who’ve built themselves to the peak of their skills, but in drastically opposite ways. Can Bruce outwit—and if necessary, outfight—Lawton, or has he walked into his enemy’s killing ground?
Art by Raffaele Ienco
Cover by Raffaele Ienco
Written by Christos Gage
Josh’s Stance: Aside from some inherited storylines that I don’t care for (Thomas Wayne’s history), I’m really enjoying this book! I like Christos Gage’s writing, and the street-level action reminds me of classic Batman stories.
Batman-News Critic: Dan
MIXED
Batman #47
“THE TRAVELERS” part three! As Booster Gold, Batman and Catwoman zero in on the time anomaly, what they find and their actions to correct it will have ramifications on all of the DC Universe. Tom King and Master Class artist Tony S. Daniel end their first story with a bang that will tee up the next big development in the Batman/Catwoman romance.
Written by Tom King
Pencils by Tony Salvador Daniel
Inks by Livesay, Tony Salvador Daniel, Sandu Florea, and Danny Miki
Colored by Tomeu Morey
Cover by Tony Salvador Daniel, Danny Miki, and Tomeu Morey
Josh’s Stance: Aside from a few small references and a joke here and there, I was not a fan of the previous issue of Batman… at all. I’m probably going to be coasting until issue 50.
Batman-News Critic: Brandon
Batwoman #15
“THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF KANE” part three! A lethal plague fills the skies of Gotham City as the Many Arms of Death throttle Batwoman’s hold on the city! As their leader Alice begins her deadly endgame, Batwoman realizes that if she cannot stop her sister-Batman will.
Written by Marguerite Bennett
Pencils and Inks by Fernando Blanco
Colored by John Rauch
Cover by Dan Panosian
Josh’s Stance: I’m starting to wonder if I’ll ever connect with Bennett’s Batwoman. I’ve yet to do so, and thought this arc would be the one to resonate with me… but it isn’t. The story isn’t bad, but I just don’t feel anything. I don’t feel invested emotionally, and I want to.
Batman-News Critic: Dan
Notes:
- Additional releases from DC this week: Aquaman #36, Bombshells United #18, Cave Carson has an Interstellar Eye #3, Damage #5, Future Quest Presents #10, Green Lanterns #47, New Challengers #1, Superman Special #1, and The Wild Storm #13.
Graphic Novel Watch:
Batman: Ghosts – Batman has always been Gotham’s protector, watching over the city he has sworn to keep safe. But what happens when Batman has to face a foe he can’t see? Find out in Batman: Ghosts, a classic graphic novel masterwork written and drawn by Sam Kieth (The Maxx, The Sandman).
Homeless men and women are turning up dead all over Gotham City. The only clue the killer has left behind is a yellow powder: sulfur. Batman soon encounters the murderer and is shocked to find that it truly seems to be a monster—a shapeless creature, almost like…a ghost. Soon the man who stalks Gotham’s streets by night finds himself being stalked. Batman is haunted by the ghost, who knows things about Bruce Wayne’s past that no one (besides his trusted butler, Alfred) could possibly know. Who is this mysterious murderer, and what can Batman do to stop this intangible apparition with a penchant for killing?
Collects Batman Confidential #40-43 and Batman/Lobo: Deadly Serious #1-2.
Nightwing: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition – Book 2 – Dick Grayson is Nightwing—protector of Blüdhaven, member of the Titans, superhero and all-around good guy. But Dick has been so much more in the past. He was the original Robin. He wore the cowl of Batman. He was even a super-spy for the mysterious organization Spyral. And now, when all he wants to do is establish his new life in Blüdhaven, all of Dick’s past lives have come back to haunt him.
From Dick’s time as Batman, one of his deadliest villains has returned, and so has Dick’s sidekick from those days—Damian Wayne, current Robin and the slightly insane son of Bruce Wayne! Also joining the party is his former partner Huntress, who is helping him track down a killer with surprising links to their time in Spyral. And from Dick’s previous stint as Nightwing, his old archenemy Blockbuster is back. But this is a Blockbuster like Dick has never dealt with before…and he wants Blüdhaven all to himself. Nightwing may be making a fresh start in Blüdhaven, but his past doesn’t die easy!
Writer Tim Seeley (Green Lanterns) and artists Javier Fernandez (Red Hood/Arsenal), Chris Sotomayor (Detective Comics) and others continue Dick’s adventures in Nightwing: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book Two! Collects the third and fourth softcover trades into hardcover for the first time ever, including
Collects Nightwing issues #16-28!
Titans: Total Chaos – Suffering under the tyrannical rule of Lord Chaos, a group of rebels calling themselves Team Titans travel back in time to prevent the birth of their frenzied overlord and save their future. Their plan is simple: kill Chaos before he’s even born. What they didn’t plan for was Chaos’ mother being Donna Troy—a founding member of the Teen Titans and friend to the New Titans—or for Chaos himself to follow the team into the past!
The New Titans must now divide their attention between defending Troy’s life from the mysterious Team Titans and fulfilling their initial mission of tracking and capturing Deathstroke, the Terminator. Amidst all the fighting, neither Titans team nor the legendary assassin anticipates Chaos’ arrival and the plan he has to ensure his birth and reign of chaotic terror! Can the Titans of the present and future work together to defeat the coming chaos? Or will their bickering be the beginning of their end?
From comics author Marv Wolfman (Nightwing, The New Teen Titans) and artists Tom Grummett (Superboy), Kevin Maguire (Doom Patrol), Art Nichols (Justice League America) and more, Titans: Total Chaos will keep you on the edge of your seat! This volume collects together for the first time ever Deathstroke, the Terminator #14-16, New Titans #90-92 and Team Titans #1-3.
