There have been quite a few announcements from DC over the past week! Some of it is definitely worth getting excited for, while others might have you a little concerned. On one front, we have Phantasm joining Tom Kings Batman/ Catwoman… And yes, this would be where my concern lies. DC also announced Gotham City Monsters by Steve Orlando and Amancay Naheulpan, as well as a new Black Label book, Harleen¸ by Stjepan Sejic. All of these coming in addition to announcements for Justice Society of America, Legion of Super-Heroes, and the dreaded Flash Forward written by Scott Lobdell. Whether you’re nervous, excited, or indifferent, newness in the comic industry is a good thing and should be celebrated!
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.
JUNE 19th
INTRIGUED
Justice League #26
After being off-planet for so long, the Justice League must try to pick up the pieces of their lives—but Lex Luthor has other plans. If he has his way, he’ll show all of humanity that the Justice League will never be there in the world’s time of need!
Written by James Tynion IV
Pencils and Inks by Javier Fernandez
Colored by Hi-Fi
Cover by Francis Manapul
Josh’s Stance: James Tynion was set-up brilliantly to continue this narrative, so I pray he delivers. The League is at a crossroad as we head into Year of the Villain, and I’m looking forward to experiencing this event. There’s a lot of potential here, so I hope the creative team handles the book with care!
Batman News Critic: Brian
“YOU DON’T HAVE TO THANK US”
Batman #73
“The Fall and the Fallen” part four! Batman has been defeated by Bane’s minions and chased out of Gotham. As a last-ditch effort to save his son from the lonely fate of being Batman, his father from another universe, Thomas Wayne, a.k.a. the Flashpoint Batman, is taking Bruce to the far ends of the Earth to try to give him the one thing that will cause him to give up crime-fighting for good.
Written by Tom King
Pencils and Inks by Mikel Janin
Colored by Jordie Bellaire
Cover by Mikel Janin
Josh’s Stance: I’m just going to be honest, I don’t think King could write anything that would believably justify Thomas’ actions up to this point… I’m just ready to move into “City of Bane” and end this run. Twelve more issues after this!
Batman News Critic: Josh
NO!
Nightwing #61
Blüdhaven is burning! Ric Grayson and the Nightwings are helpless against the rampage of Burnback. Will they be able to pull themselves together as a team in order to prevent Blüdhaven from becoming ash? Confronted with their most dire threat yet, Ric and the Nightwings must find a way to come together if lives are to be saved.
Written by Dan Jurgens
Pencils and Inks by Ronan Cliquet
Colored by Nick Filardi
Cover by Dan Brown and Kyle Hotz
Josh’s Stance: *Sigh* If I must…
Batman News Critic: Josh
NOTES:
- Titles we’ll cover in This Week in Comics: Teen Titans #31, as well as the titles listed above.
- Superman: Year One by Frank Miller and John Romita Jr will debut this week!
- Additional releases from DC Comics: American Carnage #8, Aquaman #49, Goddess Mode #6, Lucifer #9, Pearl #10, and Scooby Doo, Where Are You? #99.
GRAPHIC NOVEL WATCH:
Batman by Grant Morrison Omnibus Vol. 2 – The Dark Knight has fallen, sacrificing himself in the Final Crisis. Tim Drake has laid down the mantle of Robin to search the world for a sign that his mentor can be brought back from oblivion. Now Dick Grayson has taken up the cape and cowl of his former partner, and Damian Wayne has become a deadly new Robin. Together, they must overcome a pair of rival vigilantes with ties to their own tragic pasts—and stay away from each other’s throats long enough to succeed. Collects Batman #700-702, Batman and Robin #1-16 and Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #1-6 in reading order for the first time ever.
Red Hood: Outlaw Vol. 1: Requiem For An Archer – Banished from Gotham City and estranged from the Outlaws, Red Hood takes up residence in Appleton, a town that’s a secret haven for criminals. And when he gets his hands on a crowbar and starts handing out some bloody justice, it really stirs up the hornet’s nest…Now rogue players in the Underlife decide to team to take him down. Collects Red Hood and the Outlaws Annual #2 and RED HOOD: OUTLAW #26-31 and a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes artwork.
