We’ve got a great slate of books ahead of us, and I’m genuinely looking for a number of them… But speaking of “this week,” we want your feedback. This Week in Comics… When we first launched the post, we used it to merely collect and recap our opinions. Then we decided to turn it into a discussion with all of the review team. So, we’d like to know what you prefer! Do you prefer the recap with blurbs from each review, or do you like the team discussion? Let us know in the comments section!
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.
SEPTEMBER 11TH
TAKE MY MONEY
Event Leviathan #4
Batman versus Superman! Witness the interrogation of the decade as Bruce Wayne tears into Superman to find the missing piece of the Leviathan puzzle they both need. It’s a battle of wits and wills as the greatest detectives in the universe get together to figure out the why and how of Leviathan before it’s too late. And when that doesn’t work…in comes Lois Lane! From the creative team of Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev, it’s another fully painted noir thriller that will tear a bloody trail through the DC Universe.
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Alex Maleev
Cover by Alex Maleev
Josh’s Stance: The best way I can describe Event Leviathan is “interesting.” There have been some incredible moments and scenes, and then some complete duds. Ultimately, the title itself hasn’t lived up to the prelude from Action Comics, but this issue appears as though it will take us to the heart of the story… Superman. I mean, who didn’t get amped after reading the end of the last chapter?
Batman News Critic: Brian
INTRIGUED
Batman: Universe #3
The hunt for the Fabergé egg and the secrets it contains continues across the DC Universe, as Batman escapes Thanagar and Gorilla City, only to land with Green Lantern on Dinosaur Island! Can these heroes stop Vandal Savage before he unlocks the egg’s secrets? Originally published in BATMAN GIANT #7 and #8.
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils and Inks by Nick Derington
Colored by Dave Stewart
Cover by Nick Derington
Josh’s Stance: Bendis and Derington have delivered an incredibly fun and engaging story with Batman: Universe. Yes, it’s a bit over the top, but with a story that can literally go anywhere that’s illustrated masterfully, who wouldn’t want to read this?
Batman News Critic: Jay
Detective Comics #1011
In order to carry out his contract and get what he’s owed, Deadshot must kill Lucius Fox. Batman isn’t about to let that happen, but without the use of lethal force, does he stand a chance against Deadshot? Plus, Mr. Freeze sets the last piece of his “Year of the Villain” master plan in motion!
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils and Inks by Christian Duce
Colored by Luis Guerrero
Cover by June Chung, Jae Lee, Guillem March, and Arif Prianto
Josh’s Stance: While this feels like a buffer story until Tomasi can actually get to the “Year of the Villain” plot with Freeze, it’s still better than most of the “Year of the Villain” stories that are currently running in books.
Batman News Critic: Jay
Gotham City Monsters #1
Leviathan has dismantled S.H.A.D.E.—and that means Frankenstein is once again a free agent! Now he can set his sights on his former mentor, Melmoth, the one evil that got away. With bad things happening all across the Multiverse, this may be Frankenstein’s last shot at setting things right. Of course, Melmoth has his own agenda, and it’s going to take more than a lone monster to take him down. So Frankenstein heads to Gotham City in search of allies and recruits Killer Croc, Lady Clayface, Orca and vampire Andrew Bennett. But will even these dread creatures be enough to save humanity before the entire cosmos collapses in on itself?
Written by Steve Orlando
Pencils and Inks by Amancay Nahuelpan
Colored by Trish Mulvihill
Cover by Jay David Ramos and Philip Tan
Josh’s Stance: This sounds like the wacky form of craziness that I’m totally down for! There’s definitely a chance that this doesn’t work, but there’s also a chance that this could be epic!
Batman News Critic: Michael
MIXED
Batman & the Outsiders #5
The Outsiders must stop Ishmael if they hope to rescue Sofia and bring her back to Gotham City to meet with Batman. But vanquishing such a fearsome opponent will have dire consequences, especially for one member of the team…
Written by Bryan Edward Hill
Pencils and Inks by Dexter Soy
Colored by Veronica Gandini
Cover by Tyler Kirkham and Arif Prianto
Josh’s Stance: This should be an action-packed issue, and that could make it quite entertaining. So far, Batman & the Outsiders has been a mixed bag that’s yet to find it’s footing. Sofia and Ra’s have delivered the best moments of the books, and I hope they elevate this issue as well. At some point though, the actually roster need to be interesting enough to carry this book…
Also, Brian and Jay got an exclusive preview of this issue over at Comics Now! Make sure you go check that out!
Batman News Critic: Josh
Catwoman #15
After running a gauntlet of assassins to get her hands on the dossier detailing all the illegal activities of Villa Hermosa, Selina Kyle must go up against the big bosses of the criminal underworld. She must deal with their gun-toting mercenaries, yakuza hit women and the masked bounty hunter Lock-Up. All while still carrying a price on her head. Is there a way she can collect both big prizes herself and still walk away alive?
Written by Ram V
Pencils and Inks by Mirka Andolfo
Colored by Arif Prianto
Cover by Laura Allred and Joelle Jones
Josh’s Stance: While not perfect, Ram V’s issue of Catwoman was more entertaining and engaging than the main story has been for months! For that reason alone, I’m actually looking forward to this.
Batman News Critic: Michael
The Riddler: Year of the Villain #1
Lex Luthor has presented dark gifts to super-villains across the DC Universe, setting off what can only be called the Year of the Villain. Unfortunately, resources are limited, so not everyone got something. The Riddler is one such person, and he is most displeased about it. Was this merely an oversight or a deliberate slight? The Riddler is determined to find out which—and so should you!
Written by Mark Russell
Pencils and Inks by Scott Godlewski
Colored by Marissa Louise
Cover by Mikel Janin
Josh’s Stance: So, should we just assume that Riddler is going to be pissed that he wasn’t selected by Lex for the entire issue, only for Lex to make him an offer at the end? Mmmm….. Probably.
Batman News Critic: Josh
Young Justice #8
Lost in the Multiverse! The heroes of Young Justice must stay together as they fight to find their way home. Too bad they’re about to cross paths with their own evil look-alikes! Plus, the secrets of Jinny Hex are revealed in a special sequence illustrated by Elena Casagrande! Get set for some of the craziest stuff you’ve seen in years! (Spoilers!)
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils and Inks by John Timms
Colored by Gabe Eltaeb
Cover by Gabe Eltaeb and John Timms
Josh’s Stance: Young Justice has been a pleasant read, but I really want to see this team operating on their earth. The multiverse stuff is fun, but how badass would it be to see them alongside the likes of the Justice League?
Batman News Critic: Nancy
“YOU DON’T HAVE TO THANK US”
Justice League Odyssey #13
Sepulkore is activated! The entire Ghost Sector has been imprisoned and enslaved as a new realm of Apokolips, with Darkseid as its supreme ruler! Returned to power, with reborn New Gods at his side and the Ghost Sector as an implacable fortress, Darkseid sets his sights on the remaining universe! Can anyone stand in his way? Where are Justice League Odyssey? And what are the shocking identities of the heralds who now do Darkseid’s malevolent bidding?
Written by Dan Abnett
Pencils and Inks by Will Conrad
Colored by Rainier Beredo
Cover by Rainier Beredo and Will Conrad
Josh’s Stance: Justice League Odyssey ended on a shocking note last month, and while I haven’t been crazy about the title, I’m curious to see where things go from here. This is the first time that I’ve actually been interested in this title, so that’s saying something.
Batman News Critic: Nancy
NO!
Batman #78
In the first part of a “City of Bane” interlude, Batman receives help from an ally he thought he had lost for good: Catwoman! Still recovering from the beatings he took from Bane and Flashpoint Batman, the Dark Knight readies himself for a return to Gotham City, and it’s Selina Kyle who holds the key. She knows how Bane is fueling his regime, and she’ll help Batman shut down the supply line—but first she has to whip the battered hero into shape.
Written by Tom King
Pencils and Inks by Clay Mann
Colored by Tomeu Morey
Cover by Tony Salvador Daniel and Tomeu Morey
Josh’s Stance: Ugh… If I must… I really just want this to end, and an interlude is the opposite of that.
Batman News Critic: Josh
GRAPHIC NOVEL WATCH:
Batman: Damned – The Joker has been murdered. His killer is a mystery. Batman is the World’s Greatest Detective. But what happens when the person he is searching for is the man staring back at him in the mirror?
With no memory of the events of the previous night, Batman is going to need some help. So who better to set him straight than John Constantine? The problem with that is as much as John loves a good mystery, he loves messing with people’s heads even more. So with John’s “help,” the pair will delve into the sordid underbelly of Gotham as they race toward the mind-blowing truth of who murdered The Joker.
Batman: Damned is a visceral thrill-ride and supernatural horror story told by two of comics’ greatest modern creators, Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo.
The DC Black Label imprint features classic DC characters in compelling, standalone stories written and illustrated by world-class authors and artists.
Batman Eternal Omnibus – This yearlong saga follows in the wake of FOREVER EVIL, when tensions between Batman, his allies and the GCPD were at their highest! When a gang war breaks out and new villains arise, it’s up to the Dark Knight, Batgirl and more to turn the tide as best as they can—but will the GCPD be a help or a hindrance? Collects BATMAN ETERNAL issues #1-52 and BATMAN #28.
