NYCC is wrapping up as I write this, and as of this moment, the biggest announcement to come out of the weekend is Brian Michael Bendis’ Wonder Comics line – the in-continuity, teenage-focused, hero line. Most importantly, I’m excited for the Young Justice book that was announced which will feature Robin (Tim Drake), Superboy (Conner Kent), and Impulse (Bart Allen). But… I do have questions concerning Damian and Jon. If you’ll note, Tim is referred to as “Robin” not “Red Robin.” What does that mean for Damian? And if Conner is Superboy, then what happens with Jon? Or are they just hoping that their presence in the young reader line will be enough? Because while I will be happy with them being featured in the young reader line, I want Damian and Jon in continuity as well.
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.
October 10th
TAKE MY MONEY
Catwoman #4
Things have gone from bad to worse for Selina in Villa Hermosa. Her new city has taken away what little she was able to carry with her from Gotham, and her rap sheet offers scant protection when local crooks frame her for murdering two police officers. The law has caught up with her and Catwoman is in the clink, giving her time to reflect on her life and all the things that led her to Vila Hermosa. Turns out she didn’t choose the move randomly or just to get away from the Batman. This special interlude issue takes us back in time to explode some previously unknown truth bombs from Selina Kyle’s past. BATWOMAN artist Fernando Blanco joins Joëlle Jones to explore a couple of the early versions of Catwoman’s nine lives.
Written by Joelle Jones
Pencils and Inks by Fernando Blanco and Joelle Jones
Colored by Laura Allred and John Kalisz
Cover by Laura Allred and Joelle Jones
Josh’s Stance: After last month’s reveal, you know I’m excited for this issue!
Batman-News Critic: Josh
Detective Comics #990
Batman is hot on the trail of a murder suspect, but first he’ll have to get past Two-Face. Even though Harvey Dent seems to be asserting control, how long before he becomes a sociopathic criminal once again? More importantly, what is Dent’s connection to the victim, and what does it all have to do with the terrorist organization of slithering serpents called Kobra?! Whatever it is, it’s big enough to reunite Jim Gordon and former district attorney Harvey Dent, and that meeting alone is worth the cover price.
Batman’s newest partner…Two-Face? As Harvey Dent’s persona asserts fragile control over the villain’s psyche, the Dark Knight, Commissioner Gordon and their ally-turned-enemy-turned-ally must work together to stop Kobra’s terrorist attack against Gotham City.
Written by James Robinson
Pencils and Inks by Stephen Segovia
Colored by Ivan Plascencia
Cover by John Paul Leon
Josh’s Stance: First off, this cover is incredible! I can’t wait to buy this book for that reason alone, but this story is really good as well. There’s a timeless feel to it, and I feel like I’m reading some classic Batman story! That’s always a good thing in my book.
Batman-News Critic: Elena
Red Hood: Outlaw #27
Everything changed for the Red Hood last issue. This time around, everything changes for Jason Todd! Devoid of partners and exiled from Gotham City, Jason gets a fateful message from the last person he expected to see again. The news he learns leaves him with no choice but to don the Red Hood mask once more and double down on his two-fisted crimefighting approach. Pray for whoever gets in Jason’s way as “The Outlaw” kicks into high gear.
Written by Scott Lobdell
Pencils and Inks by Pete Woods
Colored by Pete Woods
Cover by Pete Woods
Josh’s Stance: This is what Red Hood should’ve always been in my opinion. Make him a Punisher-like antihero! Now, DC just needs to add Huntress to the book and just call it Outlaws. (I mean, I’ve only been saying this for years.)
Batman-News Critic: Brian
Wonder Woman #56
“The Witching Hour” part two! The Justice League Dark barely escaped their first encounter with Hecate, but they know she’ll be coming back for the power inside Wonder Woman. But what if Diana could tap into that power herself to take on Hecate directly?
Written by James Tynion IV
Pencils by Emanuela Lupacchino
Inks by Ray McCarthy
Colored by by Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
Cover by Yasmine Putri
Josh’s Stance: Justice League Dark continues to get better and better, and it already had a great start! Because of that, I have no complaints about jumping this story over to Wonder Woman to get more of it within a short amount of time!
Batman-News Critic: Josh
INTRIGUED
Cursed Comics Cavalcade #1
Horror! Death! Uh…Face-punching! Witness ten all-new stories that promise to be the most terrifying, most shocking and most horrific comic that DC Comics has ever published! (Hyperbole much?) Batman, Wonder Woman, Guy Gardner, Swamp Thing, Zatanna and more of your favorite heroes face unspeakable horrors from the streets of Gotham City to the darkest sectors of the universe.
Written by Vita Ayala, Corinna Sara Bechko, Gary Dauberman, Gabriel Hardman, Bryan Edward Hill, and More…
Pencils and Inks by Mark Buckingham, Christian Duce, Riccardo Federici, Gabriel Hardman, Kyle Hotz, and More…
Colored by Jordie Bellaire, Romulo Fajardo, Jr., Veronica Gandini, Sunny Gho, Trish Mulvihill, and More…
Cover by Doug Mahnke and Wil Quintana
Josh’s Stance: It’s Halloween season, and I love all things horror around this time of year! Figured it would be fun to cover this book and experience a fright or two… or ten!
Batman-News Critic: Josh
MIXED
Suicide Squad #47
While the rest of the Suicide Squad is busy with their undersea exploits in Atlantis, Amanda Waller ships Captain Boomerang down under on a mission to save his home country! Someone’s planted nukes all across Australia, and it’s up to Boomerang to hunt them down with an old friend from the Australian Secret Service. It’s one last mission as Captain Boomerang: Agent of Oz, and he’s got a license to give a bloke a right kicking!
Written by Rob Williams
Pencils and Inks by Phil Briones
Colored by Gabe Eltaeb
Cover by Dan Panosian
Josh’s Stance: It’s a Boomerang solo mission, so you can bet this is going to be a riot!
Batman-News Critic: Casper
Titans #27
Newly awakened metahuman Ionbound suffers a fateful transformation that rocks the Titans team to their core. If they can’t save these Source Wall victims, what good is their latest mission? But does this development hold the key to helping them? Or is it a harbinger of more death and destruction to come? That’s a lot of questions to answer; good thing there are two issues this month to cover all that ground!
Written by Dan Abnett
Pencils by Brent Peeples and Brandon Peterson
Inks by Brandon Peterson and Matt Santorelli
Colored by Ivan Plascencia
Cover by Clayton Henry and Ivan Plascencia
Josh’s Stance: I’m still not completely onboard with this book, but that’s not to say I think it’s terrible. Some aspects are great, and others are a little more difficult to swallow. I am curious to see if the creative team plans on acknowledging Nightwing’s current situation, or if they will just play out this run as if it occurs before the incident.
Batman-News Critic: Dan
NOTES:
- Additional releases from DC Comics: The Flash #56, Hawkman #5, Plasticman #5, Scooby Apocalypse #30, Supergirl #23, Superman #4, and Wildstorm: Michael Cray #12.
GRAPHIC NOVEL WATCH:
Absolute Kingdom Come (New Edition) – Winner of five Eisner and Harvey Awards, KINGDOM COME is the best-selling graphic novel from acclaimed writer Mark Waid and superstar painter Alex Ross, now back in print as an Absolute Edition!
In the not-so-distant future, the DC Universe is spinning inexorably out of control. The new generation of heroes has lost their moral compass, becoming as reckless and violent as the villains they fight. The previous regime of heroes—the Justice League—returns under the most dire of circumstances, which sets up a battle of the old guard against these uncompromising protectors in a conflict that will define what heroism truly is. Collects KINGDOM COME #1-4.
Red Hood & the Outlaws: The New 52 Omnibus Vol. 1 – Red Hood, Arsenal and Starfire join forces to battle everything from The Joker to space aliens to the League of Assassins. And when Jason and the team find out that Starfire is one of the most feared (and dangerous) commanders in all of space, their adventures head for the stars and beyond to help decide the fate of the throne of Tamaran. Collects Red Hood and the Outlaws #0-27, Teen Titans #16, Batman #17 and Red Hood and the Outlaws Annual #1.
