We’ve got a bit of a light week in terms of full reviews this week. With the absence of Batman this week, the only books we’ll provide full coverage for is Justice League and Harley Quinn. That being said, we’ll have plenty to cover for This Week in Comics, and there are quite a few graphic novels being released, so there are still plenty of books to throw your money at. Also, Shazam hits theaters this weekend, so if you weren’t able to see one of the advanced screenings, then I’m sure you’ll be eager to score a viewing as soon as possible. I know I’m looking forward to 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.
APRIL 3rd
TAKE MY MONEY
Justice League #21
The Justice League pulls back the curtain on their futures and learns that not everything is what they’ve seen. The team goes to confront the Justice League of Tomorrow for the truth, but can they handle it? Meanwhile, with his powers waning, Superman struggles to remain hopeful on a world with no sunlight.
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: This is an incredibly fun story, and I can’t wait to get my hands on this issue! The work that Snyder and Jimenez are doing is spectacular! Brian has stated many times that this is the best work that Snyder has ever done… and I might have to agree with him. When Snyder is writing Justice League, the book is absolutely brilliant!
Batman News Critic: Brian
“YOU DON’T HAVE TO THANK US”
Harley Quinn #60
Harley is trapped in S.T.A.R. Labs with no escape! Abandoned and alone, the former Clown Princess of Crime must face down a horde of invading interdimensional aliens…but is she locked in there with them—or are they locked in there with her?
Written by Sam Humphries
Pencils and Inks by Sami Basri
Colored by Alex Sinclair
Cover by Guillem March, Tomeu Morey, and Arif Prianto
Josh’s Stance: Look, I don’t hate Harley Quinn, but I am burnt out on her. I just need a break. Also, the whole schtick that this title is shooting for has overstayed it’s welcome. The book hasn’t delivered since Palmiotti and Conner left, and I think it’s time for DC to take it in a new direction.
Batman News Critic: Casper
NOTES:
- Titles we’ll cover in This Week in Comics: Adventures of the Super Sons #9, Deathstroke #42, Suicide Squad: Black Files #6, and Young Justice #4.
- Additional releases from DC Comics: The Dreaming #8, Female Furies #3, and The Green Lantern #6.
GRAPHIC NOVEL WATCH:
Batman – Detective Comics Vol. 9: Deface the Face – In these tales from DETECTIVE COMICS #988-993, 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? What is Dent’s connection to the victim, and what does it all have to do with 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 & the Outsiders Vol. 3 – After Halo gets mixed up with a mysterious cult, Batman and the Outsiders are thrust into a battle with Kobra that will take them into outer space! And when Emily Briggs is abducted, Batman and the Outsiders will discover a long-buried secret from her past that will shake the team to its core. Will they be able to overcome these new revelations? Or will they call it quits once and for all? Find out in these tales from BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #24-32, ANNUAL #2 and DC COMICS PRESENTS #83.
Final Crisis (DC Essential Edition) – What happens when evil wins? That’s the question Superman, Batman, the Justice League and every being in the DC Universe must face when Darkseid and his otherworldly legion of fanatical followers defeat the World’s Greatest Heroes. How will they rally back? More importantly…can they? Collects FINAL CRISIS #1-7, DC UNIVERSE #0, FINAL CRISIS: SUPERMAN BEYOND #1-2 and BATMAN #682-683 as a DC Essential Edition!
Justice League by Christopher Priest – Deluxe Edition – In this new edition, the Justice League is confronted by three concurrent threats as a sleep-deprived Batman makes a crucial error that causes an unthinkable—and potentially unforgivable—tragedy. As if that weren’t enough, the combined Justice League and Justice League of America teams clash over leadership while the Green Lanterns face making critical choices that will affect their teams forever! Collects Justice League #34-43.
Super Sons: The Polarshield Project – The polar ice caps have nearly melted away, causing devastation to coastal cities. Erratic, deadly weather forces everyone inland, tearing families apart. Earth is facing its greatest crisis—and Superman and Batman are nowhere to be found.
Jon Kent and Damian Wayne are opposite in every way except one—they are the sons of the World’s Greatest Heroes! To uncover a global conspiracy, this unlikely dynamic duo will need to learn to trust each other and work together to save the Earth. But who is the mysterious Candace? And what secrets does she hold that could be the key to everything?
From New York Times bestselling author Ridley Pearson (Kingdom Keepers) and artist Ile Gonzalez comes the first original graphic novel in an epic three-part series that follows the Super Sons of Superman and Batman as they struggle to find their place in a rapidly changing world!
Teen Titans Vol. 1: Full Throttle – Tag along with the Teen Titans as they discover a new beginning without the supervision of their elders. Introducing brand-new characters like Crush, Lobo’s illegitimate daughter; Roundhouse, a shape-shifting superhero noob, and Djinn, an 8,000-year-old genie who’s just been let out of her bottle. With a new team behind him, Robin is building something in secret beneath the new Teen Titans HQ. Don’t miss these tales from TEEN TITANS #20-24 and TEEN TITANS SPECIAL #1.
