Happy March everyone! We’ve had some terrible weather throughout the U.S. the past few days, so I hope everyone is safe. Between the tornadoes in the south and the extremely cold temperatures up north, there are probably a number of people who could use some help. If you’re capable of doing so, I urge you to get out in your community and see where you can assist. The smallest acts can make the biggest difference.
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.
MARCH 6th
TAKE MY MONEY!
Doomsday Clock #9
The critically acclaimed series by master storytellers Geoff Johns and Gary Frank reaches its most shocking chapter yet when the DC Universe collides with its greatest threat: Dr. Manhattan. But nothing is hidden from Manhattan, and the secrets of the past, present and future will rock the very foundation of the DC Universe.
Written by Geoff Johns
Pencils and Inks by Gary Frank
Colored by Brad Anderson
Cover by Brad Anderson and Gary Frank
Josh’s Stance: It’s a shame that the slow release of Doomsday Clock is negatively impacting the series. Johns and Frank are delivering a story that is sure to be viewed as a classic within time, and I can’t wait to see how they wrap everything up! With four issues left (including this one), I expect it to be high energy, high action, and high stakes!
Batman-News Critic: Jay
INTRIGUED
Justice League #19
“The Sixth Dimension” part one! At last, the Justice League has the map to the Sixth Dimension in hand-and with it, they have the key to saving the Multiverse from utter destruction! But things aren’t as simple as they seem, because they still need to get to the doorway-and to do that, they’ll have to go through the only being in all of existence who can get them there: Mr. Mxyzptlk!
Written by Jorge Jimenez and Scott Snyder
Pencils and Inks by Jorge Jimenez
Colored by Alejandro Sanchez
Cover by Jorge Jimenez and Alejandro Sanchez
Josh’s Stance: There are a few things worth noting here: 1. Mr. Mxyzptlk should make this story a lot of fun! 2. Tynion doesn’t have any script duties, so it should be void of walls of exposition. 3. Jorge Jimenez is sharing scripting duties with Scott Snyder… Can Jimenez add another impeccable talent to his list of endless talents? Are we sure Jimenez isn’t really Superman? Anyway, if you can’t tell, I’m excited for this issue… And I’m wishing Jorge the best of luck!
Batman-News Critic: Brian
MIXED
Batman #66
The “Knightmares” storyline continues! Something-or someone-is forcing Batman to live through some of his darkest fears, amplifying the Dark Knight’s anxieties and reimagining some of his worst traumas. Now that Batman has become aware of the nature of these delusions, he must find a way to break through and find out the source of this disruption. So who does he turn to for answers? Why, the Question, of course! But is Vic Sage just another figment of the Caped Crusaders imagination?
Written by Tom King
Pencils and Inks by Jorge Fornes
Colored by Dave Stewart
Cover by Mikel Janin
Josh’s Stance: A month ago, if you’d have asked if I would be happy to return to Tom King’s Batman, I would’ve said no. And while I can’t necessarily say I’m excited for his return, I will say that I’d rather return to “Knightmares” than continue “The Price.” Regardless, this is one of the first Batman runs in years, that I hardly have any interest in. Can King still pull out a great run? Yeah, it’s possible… But for now, I’m just enduring through this until a new creative team is announced for after Batman #105.
Batman-News Critic: Elena
“YOU DON’T HAVE TO THANK US”
Harley Quinn #59
When Harley Quinn awoke one morning from troubled dreams, she found herself transformed into a horrible vermin! “What th’ heck’s goin’ on?” she thought. But it wasn’t just a dream…it was the next trial of Harley Quinn!
Written by Sam Humphries
Pencils and Inks by Sami Basri
Colored by Alex Sinclair
Cover by Guillem March and Tomeu Morey
Josh’s Stance: Harley needs a break… She’s working overtime. Please think of Harley, DC. (This ad was paid for the Enough of Harley Alliance.)
Batman-News Critic: Casper
NOTES:
- Books we’ll cover in This Week in Comics: Adventures of the Super Sons #8, Suicide Squad: Black Files #5, Young Justice #3, as well as the titles listed above.
- Additional releases from DC Comics: The Curse of the Brimstone #12, Deathstroke #41, The Dreaming #7, Female Furies #2, Green Arrow #50, and The Green Lanterns #5.
GRAPHIC NOVEL WATCH:
Catwoman by Jim Balent: Book Two – When Catwoman is captured by a secret government organization and blackmailed into committing an impossible robbery, she is caught in a no-win situation: the infamous feline burglar must steal an ancient relic from a small European country or suffer the detonation of a cyanide capsule that has been implanted in her arm! Realizing success will lead to her termination by her captors, Catwoman will have to use her ingenuity to turn the tables against the government agency and save her own life. Collects Catwoman #14-24 and #0, Annual #2 and Showcase ’95 #4.
JLA: New World Order (DC Essential Edition) – The world’s most classic heroes reunite to stop the world’s newest champions. Posing as a new group of super-heroes, the Hyperclan have descended upon Earth, convincing everyone that they are a benevolent force. But as their true nature and plans come to light, only the World’s Greatest Heroes can stop them. Standing side by side, Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, the Flash, Green Lantern and the Martian Manhunter take on the alien posers and come to realize that Earth needs a force made up of only the mightiest of heroes. Collects JLA #1-9 and JLA SECRET FILES #1.
Justice League Dark Vol. 1: The Last Age of Magic – After the events of NO JUSTICE, Wonder Woman guides the misfit team of Justice League Dark against enemies too fantastic for even the Justice League. Plus, what awful things are coming through the Tree of Wonder? Dark days lie ahead in these stories from JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1-3 and 5-6.
