I’m unfortunately under the weather at the moment, so I’m not feeling as motivated as I typically am. While I love reading comics, I really just want to sink into my couch and watch movies. But, here I am with this week’s releases! But before we get into specifics, I just want to say that it should be illegal to read Ric Grayson while sick…
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.
May 15th
TAKE MY MONEY
Justice League #24
“The Sixth Dimension” chapter five! The League’s plan is in full swing, but one member of the team isn’t on board with their message and sides with the World Forger! Betrayed, there’s only one person who can turn the tide of this battle. Can Superman find the strength to escape his prison planet and save the Justice League, or is the League doomed to live out their days trapped in the Sixth Dimension?!
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: I feel like Snyder and Jimenez are knocking “The Sixth Dimension” out of the park. Overall, Snyder’s Justice League run is my favorite work of his just because it’s equally fun, engaging, and gripping!
Batman News Critic: Brian
“YOU DON’T HAVE TO THANK US”
Batman #71
“The Fall and the Fallen” continues! Will it be father and son working together, or tearing each other apart? When it comes to the Waynes, expect a little of both. In the quest to get Bruce Wayne to hang up the cape and cowl, Thomas Wayne is going to have to use a little tough love. Only, not all the muscle behind it will be his own.
Written by Tom King
Pencils and Inks by Jorge Fornes and Mikel Janin
Colored by Jordie Bellaire
Cover by Brad Anderson, Mikel Janin, and Andy Kubert
Josh’s Stance: I don’t stand behind this notion that Thomas Wayne would side with Bane to prevent his son from operating as Batman… I think it’s an awful and unbelievable approach, and only drives home the idea that King doesn’t have a solid grasp on who these characters are at their core. And yes, I know there could be a twist waiting in the wings, but this is how I feel for now. I’m not looking forward to this issue.
Batman News Critic: Josh
NO!
Nightwing #60
Detective Alphonse Sapienza may be a natural-born leader, forged through his many years with the GCPD, but does that give him what it takes to lead the Night-wings when their lives are endangered as never before? As fires that seem to have a mind of their own rage through Blüdhaven targeting cops, the team is up against its greatest test yet. Joined by Ric Grayson, how will the Nightwings save the city’s finest from a red-hot vendetta and the city’s newest villain, Burnback?
Written by Dan Jurgens
Pencils and Inks by Christopher Mooneyham
Colored by Nick Filardi
Cover by Nick Filardi and Christopher Mooneyham
Josh’s Stance: You know the phrase, “Just grin and bear it.” Yeah…
Batman News Critic: Josh
NOTES:
- Titles we’ll cover in This Week in Comics: Teen Titans #30, and Teen Titans Go! #34, as well as the titles listed above.
- Additional releases from DC Comics: American Carnage #7, Aquaman #48, High Level #4, Lucifer #8, Naomi #5, Pearl #9, and Superman #11.
GRAPHIC NOVEL WATCH:
Batgirl Vol. 5: Art of the Crime – During a high-speed chase with the murderous Grotesque, the villain hits Batgirl with a souped-up stun gun that fries the device implanted in her spine. (That thing that helps her, you know, walk and be Batgirl?) Babs finds herself in for a whole new world of hurt now that old wounds have been opened up—and so does Grotesque. Collects BATGIRL #26-29 and ANNUAL #2 plus a story from BATGIRL #25.
Justice League Odyssey Vol. 1: The Ghost Sector – When a cosmic menace threatens worlds beyond our own in the Ghost Sector, it falls to a new Justice League team to answer the call to battle! Cyborg, Starfire, Green Lantern Jessica Cruz and an out-of-his-element Azrael head to deep space inside a commandeered Brainiac Skull Ship. These wild-card teammates try to stop Despero from slave-trading Coluan refugees, only to discover something that nothing in the universe could have prepared them for: Darkseid…who says he’s there to help?! Collects issues #1-5, plus a section featuring behind-the-scenes art by Stjepan Sejic!
Suicide Squad Vol. 8: Legerdemain – Batman, Superman and Aquaman suspect that Amanda Waller had a hand in the death of Ray Palmer, but when they seek to question the Squad, they find resistance from the Jihad and Hayoth. Can the world’s most dangerous criminals take on a trio of the most powerful Justice League members? We’ll give you one guess! Collects SUICIDE SQUAD #59-66.
Teen Titans by Geoff Johns Book Three – Superboy has been taunted by the secrets of his DNA-—that he’s a clone created from Superman and Lex Luthor. But who cloned him, and why? Meanwhile, the Titans and the Outsiders are rocked to the core as they face two of the most powerful villains in the DCU in an all-out war to destroy the young teams! Alliances will change and bonds will be broken as the teams face their greatest challenge to date. Collects Teen Titans #20-26, #29-31 and Outsiders #24-25.
