The latest issue of DC Nation was released last week, and this time there was far less for me to give side-eye to! In fact, I loved a lot of the content in this issue! We were treated to an inside look into the DC Summit, where the writers and publishers come together to discuss their plans for their books, company strategies, the overall connection within the universe, etc. We also got to see the re-design process for Red Hood, why the team made certain decisions or went in certain directions before landing on their final design. If you’re interested in processes and what takes place behind the scenes, there’s a ton of content here for you, including an e-mail from Grant Morrison to Liam Sharp running through their future The Green Lantern book. The only part of the issue that I wasn’t crazy about, was Tom King’s piece on Heroes In Crisis – specifically when he discussed Superman not knowing who he is at his core, and whether Superman or Clark was his true identity. My only thoughts were, “Dude… You clearly don’t get this character. Stay away from him.”
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.
AUGUST 8TH
TAKE MY MONEY
Catwoman #2
Gotham’s a toxic litter box for Selina Kyle of late, so she hits the road looking to clear the air, change her look and clear her name, too—there’s a copycat burglar swiping her M.O. who needs sorting out. In her hometown, Catwoman runs afoul of a crime boss who’s also hunting this impostor. Can the two declare a truce to hunt a mutual enemy, or will Selina end up just more roadkill?
Written by Joelle Jones
Pencils and Inks by Joelle Jones
Colored by Laura Allred
Cover by Laura Allred and Joelle Jones
Josh’s Stance: Joelle Jones established a solid foundation for her run last month, and I’m excited to see where she takes Selina. Yes, seeing Catwoman in trouble with the law, or having “imposter” Catwomen is nothing new, but that doesn’t mean the book isn’t written well or unique in its own way. If you didn’t dip your toes into the Catwoman pool, I recommend you try doing so.
Batman-News Critic: Josh
INTRIGUED
Detective Comics #986
Black Lightning, the Signal and Cassandra Cain are working very well together…but now they’re up against a foe who can tap directly into their worst emotions and play them like music! When you’ve seen the kinds of horrors these poor souls have, there’s plenty of trauma to work with…and with that, you can turn these heroes into deadly weapons! Meanwhile Batman’s “side project” has been revealed—what are the Brainiac Files, and what, exactly, does Batman plan to do with them?
Written by Bryan Edward Hill
Pencils and Inks by Phil Briones
Colored by Adriano Lucas
Cover by Eber Ferreira, Adriano Lucas, and Eduardo Pansica
Josh’s Stance: Much like Jones’ Catwoman, Hill isn’t exactly treading new territory in his Outsiders arc, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t enjoyable. I’m glad that he didn’t try to tie Karma back to some major villain, and I’m happy to see the Outsiders forming together… Because I’m still about 90% positive an Outsiders book is going to be announced soon.
Batman-News Critic: Elena
Red Hood & the Outlaws #25
Batman versus Red Hood for the right to fight in Gotham-grab your ringside seat for the battle 25 years in the making! Jason Todd broke a promise to his mentor, and must now confront an angry and betrayed Batman. That means a good time for readers, but probably not so much for Jason: it’s likely going to take more than the Outlaws’ help in order for the Red Hood to avoid wearing an orange jumper in prison.
Written by Scott Lobdell
Pencils by Trevor Hairsine, Phil Hester, and Dexter Soy
Inks by Ande Parks, Dexter Soy, and Ryan Winn
Colored by Rainier Beredo, Roberto Flores, and Veronica Gandini
Cover by Antonio Fabela and Trevor Hairsine
Josh’s Stance: This is the issue that will begin Jason’s spiral! I’m not going to lie, I’m intrigued. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Lobdell’s run of Red Hood & the Outlaws since Rebirth, and as much as I love seeing Jason’s heart – especially with Bizarro – but I prefer Jason as more of a villain/ anti-hero. So, here’s to hoping that is what we see him shift to here, but I pray Lobdell maintains the quality he’s had lately!
Batman-News Critic: Brian
Suicide Squad #46
Don’t miss part one of “Sink Atlantis,” continuing in AQUAMAN #39, also on sale in August! After Aquaman’s undersea kingdom rises to become a world power of the surface, the Suicide Squad must infiltrate the city and send it back to the depths or die trying. But sinking Aquaman’s city isn’t Task Force X’s only objective in Atlantis. There’s something buried there that Amanda Waller wants, and this is her chance to claim it.
Written by Rob Williams
Pencils by Jose Luis
Inks by Vicente Cifuentes and Jordi Tarragona
Colored by Adriano Lucas
Cover by Ivan Plascencia, Rafa Sandoval, and Jordi Tarragona
Josh’s Stance: Casper is going to be a busy man this month since he’s covering the “Sink Atlantis” story that crosses over with Aquaman. This should be a strong narrative, and I suspect it will lead into Kelly Sue DeConnick’s story when she takes over Aquaman. On a separate note, I have a suspicion that we’ll get a creative change for Suicide Squad in the near future… There’s a writer I’d love to see on this book (*cough* Tom Taylor *cough*) and he’s already announced that he has a secret DC project he’s working on… Fingers crossed.
Batman-News Critic: Casper
MIXED
Titans #24
As if the Source Wall incursions causing a metagene pandemic weren’t enough, team dysfunction threatens this latest iteration of the Titans before their new mission even gets off the ground! Night-wing and Miss Martian butt heads over the team’s M.O. as the fate of the latest metahuman hangs in the balance! They’d better get their act together, because one of the Titans won’t be coming home from this Source Wall mission—and it’s not a vacation day!
Written by Dan Abnett
Pencils by Brent Peeples and Brandon Peterson
Inks Brandon Peterson and Matt Santorelli
Colored by Ivan Plascencia
Cover by Brandon Peterson
Josh’s Stance: Dan Abnett continues his new take on Titans following the events of No Justice. There are aspects that I really enjoy, and others that I’m hesitant about. If any of the current books remind me of the New 52 (and specifically the problems that plagued the run), it’s Titans. That being said, I have faith in Abnett, and if he can remain true to the characters, then this could be a great run!
Batman-News Critic: Dan
NOTES:
- Additional releases from DC Comics: Eternity Girl #6, Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #50, Hawkman #3, Plastic Man #3, Scooby Apocalypse #28, Sideways #7, Supergirl #21, Superman #2, The Flash #52, The Immortal Men #5, Wild Storm: Michael Cray #10, and Wonder Woman #52.
GRAPHIC NOVEL WATCH:
Batman/ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II – The Dark Knight and the heroes in a half shell reunite! The team behind the smash-hit crossover series brings Batman and Robin to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ New York to fight the menace Bane! But will Donatello’s attempt to fix things create an even deadlier threat?
When Donatello opens a portal to Gotham City in search of the Turtles’ recent ally, Batman, he accidentally gets sent to Gotham City and someone else comes through—Bane! The villain who broke Batman finds a new world to conquer, developing a new strain of Venom to inflict on the Big Apple’s unsuspecting population. Donnie manages to bring Batman and Robin (Damian Wayne) to his world to join the fight, but when they, Master Splinter, and the rest of the Turtles—Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael—disagree with his plans, the dejected Donatello takes matters into his own hands…with disastrous results!
Written by James Tynion IV (Detective Comics) and Ryan Ferrier (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Dimension X) and illustrated by Freddie E. Williams II (Robin), Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Ii collects all six issues of the thrilling miniseries event presented by DC Comics and IDW Publishing.
Batman Beyond Vol. 3: The Long Payback – Terry McGinnis has returned to Neo-Gotham. The mantle of the Bat is his to claim. There’s just one thing standing in his way: everything.
An entire legion of the deadliest enemies this brave young Batman has ever faced awaits the returning hero, determined to destroy him before he can ever take to the Gotham skies again. Street to street, corner to corner, building to building: Terry will be forced to wage war for every foot of ground in order to reclaim his city and his legacy.
His incredible new Batsuit can’t save him. His mentor, Bruce Wayne, can’t protect him. His allies have no chance to assist him. This is a one-man war for the soul of a city. And there can be only one winner…
The fight of Terry McGinnis’s life begins — and ends? — in Batman Beyond Vol. 3: The Long Payback, from the creative team of Dan Jurgens and Bernard Chang. It’s a non-stop action tour-de-force for one of the most beloved heroes in the DC Multiverse! Collecting Batman Beyond #13-19.
Batman ’66 Omnibus – Put on your go-go boots and get ready to “Batusi” as DC reimagines the classic Batman TV show! In these tales, the Dynamic Duo takes on the Riddler, Mr. Freeze, the Penguin, the Mad Hatter, The Joker and more of the world’s most colorful Bat-villains! And in BATMAN ’66: THE LOST EPISODE #1, an outline from the original TV series featuring Two-Face is adapted to comics for the first time! This new Omnibus collects BATMAN ’66 #1-30, BATMAN ’66: THE LOST EPISODE #1 and a story from SOLO #7.
