We have a heavy Batman presence this week! With Batman, Detective Comics, and The Batman Who Laughs all hitting shelves, Bat-fans far and wide should be happy!
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 10th
TAKE MY MONEY
Detective Comics #1001
After 1,000 issues, you’d think Batman could finally have a break…but no: as a new era dawns, he’s facing the most dangerous threat of his career! The Arkham Knight has arrived in Gotham City with an entire round table of deadly allies, and their first encounter will leave Batman shaken to his core!
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils by Brad Walker
Inks by Andrew Hennessy
Colored by Nathan Fairbairn
Cover by Nathan Fairbairn, Andrew Hennessy, and Brad Walker
Josh’s Stance: I’m curious to see how Tomasi approaches Akrham Knight. I can’t say that I’m excited for the character, but I trust Tomasi and I am excited to see what he has planned…
Batman News Critic: Jay
INTRIGUED
The Batman Who Laughs #4
Batman is on a desperate hunt through Gotham City, tracking down the dark version of himself known as the Grim Knight. But the serum Batman’s been self-administering has started to transform his mind, making him into something much darker…something amoral…something like the Batman Who Laughs—and he’s starting to lose his grip on reality. Toeing the line between vengeance and justice, Batman must struggle to keep his moral code as the Grim Knight gains control of the Batcave, sending all of his vehicles and weapons on a collision course with Gotham City. The Grim Knight, the Batman Who Laughs, even allies like Jim Gordon and his son force Batman to pull the trigger…and activate the Last Laugh. Will Batman be the savior of Gotham City once more? Or is he the kill shot?
Written by Scott Snyder
Pencils and Inks by Jock
Colored by David Baron
Cover by Jock
Josh’s Stance: I’ve been hard on this book – I’ll admit that – but despite my criticisms, I still find Snyder and Jock’s work highly entertaining! Overall, The Batman Who Laughs continues to be an edgy book with endless potential. You get the sense that it could go anywhere at any moment, and that’s nice in a world where comics have, unfortunately, become quite predictable.
Batman News Critic: Casper
MIXED
Batman #68
Batman is making his way to the end of his Knightmares, but his unseen enemy has a few more tricks up his sleeve. It’s time once again to stick a knife into the Caped Crusader’s broken heart, letting the groom-that-could-have-been peer in on the bachelorette (or should that be “Catchelorette”?) party that never was. Artist Amanda Conner (Harley Quinn) rejoins the Bat-family for this month’s special story—because who else you gonna invite to a shindig like this?
Written by Tom King
Pencils and Inks by Amanda Conner, Mikel Janin, and Dan Panosian
Colored by Elizabeth Breitweiser and Paul Mounts
Cover by Amanda Conner and Paul Mounts
Josh’s Stance: More Knightmares… These stories are hit or miss, and even when they are good, I’m stilling finding myself thinking, “This book has lost all of its momentum since the wedding and reveal.” I’m excited to see Amanda Conner at work here, but I can’t necessarily say that I’m excited for this issue.
Batman News Critic: Josh
Red Hood: Outlaw #33
Running a casino has turned out to be more dangerous than Jason Todd ever imagined. Especially when he’s the public face of the Iceberg Lounge. It turns out Oswald Cobblepot has way more enemies than the Penguin—and with the crime boss missing, they descend on Jason and his crew. But Jason doesn’t need to look far for an extrajudicial solution to his problems: apparently he has the Red Hood in his contacts.
Written by Scott Lobdell
Pencils and Inks by Pete Woods
Colored by Rex Lokus and Pete Woods
Cover by Cully Hamner and Rex Lokus
Josh’s Stance: Red Hood kind of lost its way a little when Jason decided to go “bad” again. Last month’s issue set up some promising direction though, and with Jason running Penguin’s operations, I’m really curious to see how everything unfolds.
Batman News Critic: Brian
NOTES:
- Titles we’ll cover in This Week in Comics: Catwoman #10, Justice League Odyssey #8, as well as the titles listed above.
- Additional releases from DC Comics: The Flash #68, Hawkman #11, House of Whispers #8, Scooby Apocalypse #36, Supergirl #29, Superman #10, Titans #36, Wonder Twins #3, and Wonder Woman #68.
GRAPHIC NOVEL WATCH:
Adventures of the Super Sons Vol. 1: Action Detective – In these stories from issues #1-6 of their new maxiseries, Robin and Superboy stand face to face with Rex Luthor, Joker Jr. and other psychos pulled right from your nightmares in an interstellar adventure featuring the Gang. The Gang has already robbed Superboy of his powers, and now they’re ready to reveal their grand plan!
Batman: Death of the Family Saga (DC Essential Edition) – After having his face sliced off one year ago, the Joker makes his horrifying return to Gotham City! But this time he’s after the people Bruce Wayne holds most dear! A more vicious Clown Prince of Crime targets Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood, Red Robin and Batman’s own son, Damian Wayne, a.k.a. Robin—in a sick and twisted gambit to make the Dark Knight all his own! It all leads back to Arkham Asylum…Collects BATMAN #13-17, BATGIRL #14-16, NIGHTWING #15-16, BATMAN AND ROBIN #15-16, plus pages from BATGIRL #13, NIGHTWING #14, RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #14-15 and TEEN TITANS #16.
Catwoman Vol. 1: Copycats – Following her near-miss wedding with Batman, Catwoman hits the streets to expose a copycat who’s pulling heists around Gotham City. As Selina cracks the whip on her former criminal cohorts, she’s attracting unwanted attention from one of Gotham’s most dangerous groups. The mob? Nope. Try the GCPD. And as if the Bat-Bride didn’t have enough problems, don’t miss the debut of an all-new villain determined to make trouble for all nine of Selina’s lives. Collects issues #1-6 of Catwoman’s new series.
DC Meets Looney Tunes Vol. 2 – In this new helping of crossover tales, Catwoman finds herself embroiled in the endless battle between Sylvester and Tweety, and comes to the aid of her fellow cat. Then, Harley discovers a mysterious crate washed up on Coney Island’s shore and releases the big, hairy beast that is Gossamer. Daffy Duck visits Gotham City to see Acme headquarters, but discovers the building abandoned and overtaken by the Clown Prince of Crime. And Porky Pig takes an entry-level job at LexCorp, only to find himself hauled to Washington, D.C. Collects Catwoman/Sylvester and Tweety Special #1, Harley Quinn/Gossamer Special #1, The Joker/Daffy Duck Special #1 and Lex Luthor/Porky Pig Special #1.
Justice League/ Aquaman: Drowned Earth – In the aftermath of the Justice League’s battle with the Legion of Doom, an armada from the stars has come to plunder the Earth and its seas. With powers beyond comprehension, even Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman and the rest of the League’s combined might can’t stop these invaders. With nowhere left to turn, these heroes will have to turn to an ancient power to help them, one that even Arthur Curry fears unleashing. Collects Justice League/Aquaman: Drowned Earth #1, Justice League #10-12, Aquaman #40-41, Titans #28 and Aquaman/Justice League: Drowned Earth #1.
