The talk of the town this week is Justice League! I think it’s fair to say that we were excited about Justice League when it was announced that Scott Snyder would take the helm, but now that No Justice is behind us, “excited” might be underselling the anticipation. I know “excited” falls short of my anticipation at least!
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.
June 6th
TAKE MY MONEY
Injustice 2 #27
Condemned to a prison planet by the Guardians of Oa, Hal Jordan must come to grips with his role in Superman’s failed Regime. Haunted by visions of the past and berated by his guard, Soranik, the former Green Lantern takes out his anger on a new arrival. But then an attack on the prison might soon spell disaster for the Green Lantern Corps.
Art by Daniel Sampere
Cover by Tyler Kirkham
Written by Tom Taylor
Josh’s Stance: Yes.
Batman-News Critic: Elena
Justice League #1
“THE TOTALITY” part one! A brand-new era begins here! Comics legends Scott Snyder and Jim Cheung launch the Justice League into a cosmos-shaking mystery that will draw out their most terrible foes…in ways our heroes couldn’t possibly imagine! In this debut issue, Martian Manhunter struggles to protect the team from an incoming threat that will shatter the world as they know it, while a familiar face strikes out on a dark path…
Written by Scott Snyder
Pencils and Inks by Jim Cheung
Colored by Sunny Gho, Marcelo Maiolo, and Tomeu Morey
Cover by Jim Cheung and Laura Martin
Josh’s Stance: After No Justice, I have every confidence that Scott Snyder’s Justice League will not only be excellent, but will be the Justice League that we deserved to kick of the Rebirth era! I’m super excited for this issue!
Batman-News Critic: Brian
INTRIGUED
Batman #48
“THE BEST MAN” part one! Batman and Catwoman decide it might be better to elope rather than go through some big, stodgy wedding ceremony, but no sooner do they put their marriage on the fast track than The Joker appears! And when The Joker kidnaps the Caped Crusader, will he give his old foe a piece of his mind or bash in his brains?
Written by Tom King
Pencils and Inks by Mikel Janin
Colored by June Chung
Cover by Mikel Janin
Josh’s Stance: Spoiler alert: Batman makes Joker his best man! I’m kidding. I don’t really know. DC appears to have stalled Batman so they could time the wedding with the 50th issue. While I understand the notion, we’ve been waiting a year now for a wedding, so I’m just ready for said wedding to happen… But hey, Batman and Joker is always promising!
Batman-News Critic: Brandon
Batman: Prelude to the Wedding: Nightwing vs Hush #1
Dick Grayson has a lot of responsibility. Being the original partner to Batman, he’s the natural choice to be Bruce Wayne’s best man. So if anyone has to get to the wedding, it’s going to be him. Too bad Hush has other plans-and maybe Bruce Wayne does, too!
Written by Tim Seeley
Pencils and Inks by Travis Moore and Otto Schmidt
Colored by Tamra Bonvillain and Otto Schmidt
Cover by Rafael Albuquerque and Dave McCaig
Josh’s Stance: If the Wedding Prelude featuring Robin was any sign, then we’re in for a real treat!
Batman-News Critic: Josh
Deathstroke #32
“BATMAN VS. DEATHSTROKE” part three! When a retired superhero gets caught in the crossfire between the World’s Greatest Detective and the DCU’s most deadly assassin, could an entire legacy be wiped out? Lines are crossed when Deathstroke and Batman’s feud takes its darkest turn yet-and there’s no going back!
Written by Christopher Priest
Pencils by Carlo Pagulayan and Roberto Viacava
Inks Jason Paz
Colored by Jeromy Cox
Cover by Brad Anderson, Daniel Henriques, and Robson Rocha
Josh’s Stance: Priest, per usual, is playing his hand in unexpected ways. There appeared to be a small time jump between part one and part two, so I’m curious to see where this chapter picks up. Regardless of its timing, I’m curious to see how all of this unfolds.
Batman-News Critic: Jay
MIXED
Harley Quinn #43
When Harley Quinn finds herself hammer-deep in a paranoid spiral, the last thing she needs is for someone to blow up her favorite bodega! Worse, the only clue she finds seems to indicate Harley herself was the actual target of the attack! What’s a girl to do when she’s pushed all her friends away just as someone decides to kill her?
Written by Christopher Sebela
Pencils and Inks by Mirka Andolfo
Colored by Gabe Eltaeb and Alex Sinclair
Cover by Amanda Conner and John Timms
Josh’s Stance: This will be the first of a few filler issues. I’m not expecting too much until the new creative team takes over, but maybe I’ll be surprised.
Batman-News Critic: Elena
Nightwing #45
Nightwing investigates a string of murders that at first seem disconnected…but when signs start to point to the digital underworld, the mean streets of Blüdhaven begin to transform. So how does a hero like Dick Grayson–used to using his fists to solve problems-stop a villain he can’t get his hands on? Especially when Blüdhaven isn’t the only thing compromised by a tech implant!
Written by Benjamin Percy
Pencils by Christopher Mooneyham
Inks Klaus Janson and Christopher Mooneyham
Colored by Nick Filardi
Cover by Jordie Bellaire and Declan Shalvey
Josh’s Stance: There were many aspects that I enjoyed about Percy’s debut on Nightwing, and some that I didn’t. I’m curious to see if this issue tips the scale in any way, or if I ultimately just become more indifferent…
Batman-News Critic: Josh
Graphic Novel Watch:
Batman: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book 2 – The acclaimed creative team of Tom King, David Finch and Mikel Janín takes things to a new level as Batman brings the pain to his international opponent, Bane, in Batman: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book 2.
The Dark Knight has invaded his home, scarred his mind and broken his back. Now Bane has returned to Gotham City for a single purpose: eliminate the Batman once and for all. But first he’ll destroy everyone the Dark Knight has ever loved…or loathed.
In the wake of this battle, the Batman makes Catwoman an offer that leaves her absolutely speechless. As she considers her answer, the Dark Knight tells her of a secret war from early in his career. It was a time when The Joker and the Riddler would seemingly be natural allies, but each man determined that he and he alone must be the one to kill the Bat…and either would sooner burn down Gotham than be beaten to the punch line.
All of Gotham’s villains were forced to choose sides in this stunning battle of wits that quickly escalated into a full-blown war—complete with civilian casualties. In this “War of Jokes and Riddles,” only one side could claim victory…but the scars it left shaped Batman’s future.
Written by Tom King (Mister Miracle, The Vision) with art by David Finch (Wonder Woman), Mikel Janín (Grayson), Jason Fabok (Justice League), Mitch Gerads (The Sheriff of Babylon), Clay Mann (Action Comics) and more, this latest Rebirth Deluxe Edition features two of the most critically acclaimed arcs in modern comics in hardcover for the first time. Collects Batman #16-32 and Annual #1.
Dark Knights: Metal: Deluxe Edition – The New York Times bestselling BATMAN writer and artist team of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo re-unite in the epic event graphic novel DARK NIGHTS: METAL!
The Dark Knight has uncovered one of the lost mysteries of the universe…one that could destroy the very fabric of the DC Universe! The dark corners of reality that have never been seen till now! The Dark Multiverse is revealed in all its devastating danger–a team of twisted, evil versions of Batman hellbent on destroying the DC Universe!
With appearances from heroes, villains and faces long forgotten, DARK NIGHTS: METAL will examine every choice a hero doesn’t take and every path they don’t walk, and open up worlds that are forged by nightmares.
Together on a single title for an outstanding fifty issues, Snyder and Capullo’s award-winning stories BATMAN VOL. 1: THE COURT OF OWLS, BATMAN VOL. 3: DEATH OF THE FAMILY and BATMAN VOL. 7: ENDGAME turned generations of Batman fans into a global horde of Batman superfans. With DARK NIGHTS: METAL, Scott and Greg will build on this strong foundation and broaden the scope of their storytelling to encompass the full expanse of the DC Universe.
Collects DARK NIGHTS: METAL #1-6.
