Thanksgiving is this Thursday here in the states, and I plan on spending it with my family. Naturally, I fully intend to eat way too much – turkey, stuffing, and pie, oh my! Then, in true American fashion, after spending a day being grateful, a percent of the country will then flood retailers and malls acting like savages in hopes of catching huge savings! Yes, it is literally the holiday embodiments of Superman and Lex Luthor! But enough about those two. This is a Batman site. What are your plans? Will you celebrate with your family, friends, or just have a normal Thursday? And for those of you braving Black Friday, will you be wearing your cape and utility belt? You might need it!
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.
NOVEMBER 21st
TAKE MY MONEY
Injustice 2 Annual #2
Injustice 2 ends here-so as the story segues into/sets up the Injustice 2 video game, we take one final look back. Batman and Superman’s alliance was torn apart years ago by the events of Injustice. But when Bruce Wayne receives unexpected visitors, he is reminded of a happier time when Clark was his savior. A time of the World’s Finest friendship.
Written by Tom Taylor
Pencils and Inks by Bruno Redondo
Colored by Rex Lokus
Cover by Rex Lokus and Bruno Redondo
Josh’s Stance: Let’s be honest, has Tom Taylor ever let us on down on Injustice? No. No, he has not.
Batman-News Critic: Jay
Justice League Dark #5
Wonder Woman’s magic act…banned! The DCU’s magical community collectively freaks out and forbids Wonder Woman and the JL Dark team from meddling in magic anymore after the disastrous events of the “Witching Hour” storyline. The team seeks refuge in the only place they can think of: Detective Chimp’s inherited, magical realm of Myrra—but not everyone is happy to bow to the new Nightmaster! So how can things get worse for the sorcery super-team? One word: dragons!
Written by James Tynion IV
Pencils by Daniel Sampere
Inks by Juan Albarran
Colored by Brad Anderson
Cover by Romulo Fajardo, Jr. and Nicola Scott
Josh’s Stance: Magic, dragons, and Detective Chimp… I mean, really? What’s not to love?
Batman-News Critic: Dan
INTRIGUED
Justice League #12
“DROWNED EARTH” part three! It’s Batman, in a full-body cast, versus the Legion of Doom! Get a ringside seat for the craziest fight in comics as a bedridden Batman battles The Joker, Lex Luthor, Gorilla Grodd and Sinestro! Meanwhile, Aquaman locks tridents with Poseidon and Mera discovers an ancient secret that could change the fate of Atlantis—and the entire Earth—forever!
Written by James Tynion IV
Pencils and Inks by Frazer Irving and Bruno Redondo
Colored by Sunny Gho and Frazer Irving
Cover by Jorge Jimenez and Alejandro Sanchez
Josh’s Stance: Is “Drowned Earth” as good as the first two arcs? No. But, that being said, it is still an entertaining read and quite a bit of fun. I may not be jumping out of my seat for this arc, but I’ll still be eager to buy it!
Batman-News Critic: Brian
MIXED
Batman #59
Caught between Batman and his unseen enemy, the Penguin has to think on his feet to avoid being taken down by either side. If he chooses one way, he goes to jail; if he chooses the other, he ends up dead. Then again, the choice seems obvious. Is Batman ready for a new kind of avian sidekick?
Written by Tom King
Pencils and Inks by Mikel Janin
Cover by Mikel Janin
Josh’s Stance: As you all know, I’m not the biggest fan of Tom King’s Batman run. The plot and narrative have been hit or miss, and characterization has been highly questionable. Add in the scandals and you’d think that you’d be left with a dumpster fire. Throughout all of this though, the dialogue has been rather good… Until recently. I feel like the past few issues have mostly consisted of “Hnn” and other guttural sounds or expressions, and when King isn’t writing that, he’s taking repetition to the extreme. So, factor all of this in with the simple observation that I don’t find anything enjoyable about the title at the moment, and you should understand why I’m hard pressed to find a reason to pick it up.
Batman-News Critic: Elena
“YOU DON’T HAVE TO THANK US”
Teen Titans #24
The Teen Titans bring the house down in this issue—and it just might crush them to death! Set up by the mysterious villain known as the Other, the Teen Titans find themselves trapped beneath a crumbling building. The only thing between them and a dirt nap: Crush’s bench-pressing the entire complex. But how long can she hold out? The Titans race the clock against gravity, muscle fatigue and getting squashed like a bug. Plus, Damian’s secret mentor is revealed, and Robin realizes there’s a traitor in their midst!
Written by Adam Glass
Pencils and Inks by Bernard Chang
Colored by Marcelo Maiolo
Cover by Bernard Chang, Marcelo Maiolo, and Wil Quintana
Josh’s Stance: Teen Titans is one of those books that I neither like nor dislike. There are aspects that are enjoyable, and others that are just “meh.” I’m still holding out hope that it will have a “moment” at some point though. Fingers crossed.
Batman-News Critic: Josh
Teen Titans Go! #31
When Robin catches Starfire, Raven and Cyborg making paper airplanes, he warns them that they’re dangerously close to unlocking “The Deadliest Art”: origami. Then, the Titans are shunned by social media elites when a bad after-action photo reveals them as “Posers.” Can they finalize a successful stance in time to defeat their next great menace?
Art by Derek Fridolfs and Agnes Garbowska
Cover by Dario Brizuela
Written by Derek Fridolfs and Matt Manning
Josh’s Stance: With the over-saturation of Harley Quinn and Deadpool in the market, my cup runneth over as far as silly antics are concerned. Sorry, TTG! I’m sure I’ll pick you up and read you at some point.
Batman-News Critic: Jay
NO!
Harley Quinn #54
Harley and failed Female Fury Petite Tina go road-tripping! With their lives a roaring dumpster fire, Harley and Tina decide to get out of town for a mini-vacay, and wind up driving each other crazy instead. An unplanned detour leads them to run afoul of a new baddie called Minor Disaster, whose so-called “Disaster Dial” only causes small calamities such as texting your ex and pooping your pants. Harley and Tina must now put their differences aside to stop Minor Disaster before she spells disaster for them both!
Written by Sam Humphries
Pencils and Inks by Lucas Werneck
Colored by Gabe Eltaeb and Alex Sinclair
Cover by Guillem March and Arif Prianto
Josh’s Stance: Have I mentioned that I’m back on my, “I’m over Harley for a while” kick? Because I am. If she went away for a few years, I’d be grateful.
Batman-News Critic: Casper
Nightwing #53
Who is Dick Grayson? That’s the question haunting him after the devastating injury he suffered in Batman #55. Now, as he continues to struggle physically and emotionally, how can he stand against the terrifying “fear germ” unleashed by the Scarecrow?
Written by Scott Lobdell, Fabian Nicieza, and Benjamin Percy
Pencils and Inks by Travis Moore and Patch Zircher
Colored by Tamra Bonvillain
Cover by Nick Filardi, Dave McCaig, and Mike Perkins
Josh’s Stance: “Who is Dick Grayson?” More like, “Where is Dick Grayson?” But if you really need to ask who he is, I’m sure a number of us who write or frequent the site will be more than happy to fill you in. Anything to hurry up and get us past this mess… And if this couldn’t get worse, we’ll still be asking these same questions come February, except by then Joker’s Daughter will be involved… *Sigh*
Batman-News Critic: Josh
NOTES:
- American Carnage #1 by Bryan Hill and Leandro Fernandez debuts this week.
- Additional releases by DC Comics: Aquaman #42, Cover #3, Damage #11, Pearl #4, and Sideways #10.
GRAPHIC NOVEL WATCH:
Batman by Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato Deluxe Edition – Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato present their celebrated run on DETECTIVE COMICS, collected all together in this deluxe edition for the first time.
Batman contends with the return of Anarky! As Gotham City decends into chaos at the hands of this new vigilante and his quest for revenge on both the villains and protectors of Gotham, Batman must team up with the cantankerous Harvey Bullock of the Gotham City PD to find Anarky’s true motivation for bringing Gotham to its knees.
Collects issues #30-40, Detective Comics Annual #1, Batman: Detective Comics: Future’s End #1 and Batman: Detective Comics: End Game #1.
Batman: Knightquest: The Search – Bruce Wayne is Batman no more. With Alfred at his side, Bruce begins a new quest to find Tim Drake’s missing father and the only person that may be able to heal his broken body: Shondra Kinsolving.
Continuing from Batman: Knightquest: The Crusade Vol. 2, the next chapter in the saga of Bruce Wayne begins in the never before collected, Batman: Knightquest: The Search.
Still recovering from his devastating encounter with Bane, and utilizing specially designed accoutrements, Bruce Wayne and Alfred are on the trail of Robin’s father and Shondra Kinsolving, both kidnapped by a mysterious new foe lurking in the shadows. Shondra may be the only person on Earth who can repair Bruce’s badly damaged body. To rescue her, he will have to push himself mentally and physically before it is too late.
Part of a massive 25th anniversary recut of the entire Batman: Knightfall saga, this graphic novel collects Justice League Task Force #5-6, Batman: Shadow of The Bat #21-23, Batman: Legends of The Dark Knight #59-61 and Robin #7.
Harley Quinn by Karl Kesel and Terry Dodson: The Deluxe Edition Book 2 – Collecting her first solo series by Karl Kesel and Terry Dodson, it’s your favorite killer cutie you can’t help but love, Harley Quinn, in Harley Quinn by Karl Kesel and Terry Dodson: The Deluxe Edition Book 2.
This series reintroduces the original Batgirl. But how can that be possible when Barbara Gordon, the original Batgirl, is wheelchair-bound? She’d certainly like to know, and so would Nightwing, Robin and a certain new hero out there named Batgirl. Also guest-starring Nightwing as a…carjacker? What could lead him to such a dastardly deed? Why, Harley Quinn, of course! How will our hero, er, villain escape this one? Meanwhile, Oracle is determined to stop Harley once and for all, and she’s not the only one.
Littered with all your favorite Gotham characters and a surprise appearance from Superman, this Deluxe Edition will satisfy your Harley cravings. Collects Harley Quinn (2000s series) #9-19 and covers from #20-23.
Justice League Vol. 1: The Totality – 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!
The League was forced to make an impossible decision…and now its time to face the consequences! The returning 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…
Spinning out of the cataclysmic events of Dark Nights: Metal and the universe-defining No Justice, the core members of the Justice League–Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash and more–are finally reunited for an adventure for the ages!
One of the most critically acclaimed authors of his generation finally scribes DC’s flagship title in Justice League Vol. 1! Collects Justice League #1-7.
Legends of the Dark Knight: Norm Breyfogle Vol. 2 – A collection of the Detective Comics works of acclaimed artist Norm Breyfogle and writer Alan Grant!
This volume of the LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT series focuses on the DETECTIVE COMICS stories from acclaimed artist Norm Breyfogle and writer Alan Grant. Featuring the Dark Knight’s conflicts with Anarky, The Joker, the Scarecrow and the seeming death of the Penguin, this unbelievable hardcover edition is a must-have for any 1980s Bat-fans!
This volume collects DETECTIVE COMICS #608-621 and BATMAN #455-459.
Suicide Squad: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Vol. 3 – The next installment of Suicide Squad as a part of DC Universe Rebirth!
Devastated by Rustam and his Burning World, the international conspiracy known as the People reveal themselves to Amanda Waller in a desperate move to secure their mysterious endgame for Planet Earth! Meanwhile, the walls tighten for Boomerang as Harley Quinn gets closer to discovering the traitorous murderer within Task Force X…
From writer Rob Williams and a talented group of comics’ top illustrators comes Suicide Squad: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book 3, collecting issues #21-32.
