I’d love to say I’m excited about the books we’re covering this week… But… I’m not. The best thing on our slate is Justice League, unfortunately, I fear it will be bogged down by Tynion’s pen. Then we have Batman’s “The Price of Justice” continuing (gag), as well as Nightwing… As in, “Ric Grayson” Nightwing. I mean, at this point, you have a majority of fans begging DC to end this crap whenever they post anything about, AND you have Marvel/ former Nightwing writers, as well as current DC writers, making fun of it. But no, Dan Didio is hellbent on shoving this down our throats.
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.
February 20, 2019
INTRIGUED
Justice League #18
The Legion of Doom returns as the history of the Legionnaires Club is revealed! Lex Luthor’s mysterious connection to this ancient secret society runs deeper than even his Legion of Doom comrades ever suspected, and his secrets threaten to destroy everything. A blood connection to the dark underbelly of the DCU’s history bubbles to the surface in this epic, villainous tale.
Written by James Tynion IV
Pencils and Inks by Pasqual Ferry
Colored by Hi-Fi and Alejandro Sanchez
Cover by Jorge Jimenez and Francis Manapul
Josh’s Stance: Snyder has layed some solid groundwork, and I’m excited for that! The only problem is that Tynion is writing, so that should mean walls and walls of exposition… *sigh*
Batman News Critic: Brian
MIXED
Batman #65
“THE PRICE OF JUSTICE” part three! The two greatest detectives in the DC Universe take on the one cold case that will tear them apart!
As chief architect of the Sanctuary program that cost so much for so many, especially Wally West, Batman will be held accountable…by the Flash!
A cold case from the Justice League’s past has mysteriously re-opened, and Batman and the Flash—the only two heroes who stand a chance of cracking the case—are at each other’s throats! Our heroes must combat a demon from the past while burying their own inner demons in the process…and neither the World’s Greatest Detective nor the Fastest Man Alive will ever be the same again! But who is really pulling the strings here? And how does Gotham Girl fit into all this? Friendships will be tested and blood will be spilled in this titanic crossover event…
Written by Joshua Williamson
Pencils and Inks by Guillem March
Colored by Tomeu Morey
Cover by Chris Burnham and Nathan Fairbairn
Josh’s Stance: I think I’ve said enough about Williamson’s approach to writing to get my point across. I listed multiple examples of where he’s inconsistent with details in my last review of The Flash, and I can only imagine that he’ll continue to prove my point here. Decent ideas from time to time, poor execution.
Batman News Critic: Elena
NO!
Nightwing #57
Destiny…fate…predetermined inevitability… these are all things that Ric Grayson has struggled to reconcile now that he has been given a second chance at life. A life recently unburdened with years of trauma, defeat and struggle when the hero known as Nightwing was shot in the head. Now, Ric must come to terms with who he is, and what kind of hero he wants to be…if he wants to be one at all. And while Ric is content to walk away from the mantle, one woman has been hiding in the shadows, waiting to solidify an identity of her own…an identity tied for all eternity to the clown price of crime…enter The Joker’s Daughter!
Written by Zack Kaplan and Scott Lobdell
Pencils and Inks by Travis Moore
Colored by Tamra Bonvillain and Nick Filardi
Cover by Nick Filardi and Christopher Mooneyham
Josh’s Stance: When can we pretend like this title doesn’t exist since DC is so keen on pretending like DICK GRAYSON doesn’t exist?
Batman News Critic: Josh
NOTES:
- Titles we will cover in This Week in Comics: Catwoman #8, Teen Titans #27, as well as the titles listed above.
- Additional releases from DC Comics: American Carnage #4, Aquaman #45, Damage #14, High Level #1, Lucifer #5, Naomi #2, Scooby Doo, Where Are You? #97, and The Wild Storm #20.
GRAPHIC NOVEL WATCH:
Batgirl: Year One – Deluxe Edition – Determined to join the ranks of crime-fighters against the wishes of her police-captain father, Barbara Gordon dons a caped costume to become Batgirl, and must overcome Batman’s skepticism while taking on archvillain Killer Moth. Collects BATGIRL: YEAR ONE #1-9.
Elseworlds: Justice League Vol. 3 – In this long-forgotten tale, Mr. Mxyzptlk and Bat-Mite battle across the entire Multiverse, and almost every character you can think of is along for the ride! Plus, when a cosmic storm passes over planet Earth, it brings a mysterious plague that nearly kills the entire male population, and the only two men who survive are Superman and Lex Luthor! Collects Conjurors #1-3, Flashpoint (1999) #1-3, Superman and Batman: World’s Funnest#1, JLA: Created Equal #1-2 and Green Lantern: 1001 Emerald nights #1.
Superman/ Batman Vol. 7 – In these epic team-up stories, the Man of Steel finds himself fighting side by side with a strange Batman against a horde of Solomon Grundys. And just what is the sun doing to his powers? Batman, Dr. Occult, Detective Chimp and Klarion the Witch Boy must face a magical Armageddon in the present as Superman is taken to meet the future Justice League at the Hall of Doom! How did things go so wrong—and can anything be done to stop it? Collects Superman/Batman #76-87 and Superman/Batman Annual #5.
