Look, I’m not saying that I’m not excited about this week’s releases, but I’m really just shooting to get to this weekend so I can see Avengers Endgame! I. Can’t. Wait. Also, as a result, I’ll be avoiding all social media from Thursday through Saturday, so if it seems as if I go MIA, that’s why.
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 24th
TAKE MY MONEY
Detective Comics #1002
Batman’s first battle with the Arkham Knight was as brutal as they come…but things are about to get worse, as one of his most important allies jumps into the fray, and ends up in far over their head!
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 extremely excited to see where Tomasi and Walker take this run! I had many expectations going into the last issue, and was surprised with what we actually received. I’m eager to get more of the story. I trust Tomasi, and know he’ll deliver!
Batman-News Critic: Jay
MIXED
Batgirl #34
When Barbara Gordon confronts her father about James Jr.’s return to Gotham City, the stress between them causes the two to finally break apart. As a result, Babs has to move into her own apartment…but her celebration is cut short when her check bounces! Batgirl returns to Burnside to find out if you really can go home again—spoiler alert: you can’t when the Terrible Trio has taken over!
Art by Norm Rapmund and Paul Pelletier
Cover by Francis Manapul
Variant cover by Joshua Middleton
Written by Mairghread Scott
Josh’s Stance: Nothing about “returns to Burnside” sounds good to me. Also, I’m a little disappointed that Scott’s run will soon be coming to a close. I don’t feel as though she ever really got the chance to create a long game, and her early issues showed a lot of promise. Hopefully we’ll see her pop back up again somewhere soon.
Batman-News Critic: Dan
“YOU DON’T HAVE TO THANK US”
Heroes in Crisis #8
You’ve seen all the clues. You’ve heard the testimony and eavesdropped on the secret confessions of the World’s Greatest Super Heroes. Now, with the killer revealed, it’s time to find out why. What could have driven a hero to the brink, to turn a savior into a murderer? Rifts will form between old allies, and the trinity of Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman will have their leadership challenged and will question their own judgment. Sanctuary has become something they never imagined…and it’s still potentially carrying on without them!
Written by Tom King
Pencils, Inks, and Colors by Mitch Gerads
Cover by Mitch Gerads, Clay Mann, and Tomeu Morey
Josh’s Stance: With two issues left, will we actually get some actual plot progression? Beyond that, will it be enough to provide a satisfying conclusion? I don’t have much hope, but I won’t say it’s impossible. That being said, I can’t say I’m excited for this, I just want to move on…
Batman-News Critic: Josh
NOTES:
- Titles we’ll cover in This Week in Comics: Batman Beyond #31, Justice League Dark #10, and The Silencer #16, as well as the titles listed above.
- Additional releases from DC Comics: Action Comics #1010, Books of Magic #7, Dial H for Hero #2, The Flash #69, Freedom Fighters #5, Goddess Mode #5, The Terrifics #16, The Wild Storm #22, and Wonder Woman #69.
GRAPHIC NOVEL WATCH:
Batman Noir: Gotham by Gaslight – The groundbreaking Elseworlds tales of the Victorian era are back in a new black-and-white edition that showcases the artistry of Mike Mignola, P. Craig Russell and Eduardo Barreto! This volume includes the breakthrough tales GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT and MASTER OF THE FUTURE that pit the Dark Knight against Jack the Ripper and a death-dealer from the skies over Gotham City!
Batman and the Justice League Manga Vol. 2 -In the second serving of manga adventures by writer/artist Shiori Teshirogi, Lex Luthor and The Joker have a new ally in their plan to take control of Earth’s mystical ley lines—Aquaman’s half-brother Orm, a.k.a. Ocean Master. Manipulated by The Joker and seduced by the potential power of the lines, Ocean Master hopes to crush the surface world and establish the supremacy of Atlantis. Aquaman’s determined to stop him, but it’s going to take the combined power of the Justice League to keep Orm in check, especially when he summons a tidal wave to engulf Gotham City. Meanwhile, young Rui is learning that his mother—who has been held prisoner by The Joker for the last year—now possesses great powers that may either save the world or destroy it.
