NYCC is right around the corner, and with so many stories coming building and coming to a close by the year’s end, I have to wonder what announcements might be in-store for us. Year of the Villain is turning out to be a combination of destruction between Snyder’s Justice League and the continuation of the Batman Who Laughs’ reign of chaos, meanwhile, in December, Doomsday Clock’s final issue will be released. There will have to be some fallout teased from each of these stories, and with the rumor that Bruce will be stepping away from the cowl yet again next summer, I’m expecting we will get quite a bit of news!
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 18TH
TAKE MY MONEY
Justice League #32
“The Justice Doom War” part three! Things are getting dangerous across the time stream. On one side of time, the Justice League team finds heroic purpose; on the other, it’s a future full of chaos and trial. It’s the Totality in action. If they can’t stop Lex’s Legion across all fronts, there may be only one other option: embrace Doom!
Written by Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV
Pencils and Inks by Howard Porter
Colored by Hi-Fi
Cover by Francis Manapul
Josh’s Stance: The past few issues have spent quite a bit of time featuring characters talking – which, admittedly, has been needed – but I hope things start to pick up here. Regardless, Snyder’s Justice League is still a great, entertaining read.
Batman News Critic: Brian
MIXED
Batman #79
In the concluding chapter of the two-part “City of Bane” interlude, Batman and Catwoman pull a job to stop Bane’s supply ship from smuggling dangerous cargo into Gotham City. It’ll send a message back to the big guy that his reign of terror is soon to be over…but what does it also signal for the future of Bruce and Selina?
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: This issue gives us an answer to why Bruce and Selina are hanging out on the beach, but if the reason really is to simply stop a cargo ship as a way to send a message to Bane… Then I’m going to be highly disappointed.
Batman News Critic: Josh
Lex Luthor: Year of the Villain #1
Apex Lex has made his offer to the villains of the DC Universe…but has the super-powered evil genius gotten what he truly desires? The most deadly predator in the Multiverse has set out to answer that question by seeking out his counterparts on other Earths. But will this meeting of the Luthors be the greatest team-up in all of creation…or end in a bloodbath?
Written by Jason Latour
Pencils by Bryan Hitch
Inks by Andrew Currie and Bryan Hitch
Colored by Tomeu Morey
Cover by Francis Manapul
Josh’s Stance: I’m not familiar with Jason Latour, so I’m not completely sure what to expect here. Bryan Hitch is on art though, so we know we’re going to get a visual treat. On a separate note, do we really need a one-shot dedicated to Lex? Pretty much the entire arc in Justice League has been devoted to detailing his rise and mission…
Batman News Critic: Nick
Teen Titans #34
Who is crazy enough to steal a djinn’s ring? We’ll do you one better: How much damage can you do with a stolen djinn ring? Robin and the Teen Titans hunt the thief of magic…but are they looking in the wrong place? The Year of the Villain strikes close to home-a major turning point in the Titans status quo starts here!
Written by Adam Glass
Pencils and Inks by Bernard Chang
Colored by Marcelo Maiolo
Cover by Francis Manapul
Josh’s Stance: I still feel like Teen Titans has potential, but the book has suffered from a lack of direction for a while. That lack of direction has me wondering what the purpose of the book is, and if it should even be in publication.
Batman News Critic: Matina
“YOU DON’T HAVE TO THANK US”
Titans: Burning Rage #2
It’s neighbor versus neighbor as the violence in the streets escalates, thanks to the discord sown by Mento! But while the Titans try to keep the peace, things get even worse-and even deadlier! Collects stories from TITANS GIANT #3 and #4.
Written by Dan Jurgens
Pencils by Scot Eaton
Inks by Wayne Faucher
Colored by Jim Charalampidis
Cover by Dan Jurgens, Norm Rapmund, and Alex Sinclair
Josh’s Stance: In a nutshell, the first issue was average across the board. Hopefully this issue will be better.
Batman News Critic: Josh
NO!
Nightwing #64
Blüdhaven explodes in violence as a riot erupts in the streets. Ric can’t face this alone, so he’ll have to enlist the support of the Nightwings. Meanwhile, Talon has taken Bea captive to lure Ric into his grasp and reintroduce him (for the first time, in Ric’s memory) to the Court of Owls.
Written by Dan Jurgens
Pencils and Inks by Ronan Cliquet
Colored by Nick Filardi
Cover by Bruno Redondo
Josh’s Stance: I’m hoping for the best… But that doesn’t mean I expect it. Ric Grayson has run it’s course and DC desperately needs to end this tragedy and return things to normal.
Batman News Critic: Nancy
NOTES:
- Batman vs Ra’s al Ghul #2 has been pushed back to October 2, 2019.
- Flash Forward #1 and Inferior Five #1 debut this week.
- Additional releases from DC Comics: Aquaman #52, High Level #6, Lucifer #12, Supergirl #34, Superman #15, Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #3, and Wonder Woman: Come Back to Me #3.
GRAPHIC NOVEL WATCH:
Batman: The Caped Crusader Vol. 3 – This new collection of 1990s Batman stories takes the Dark Knight behind the Iron Curtain to battle the mysterious Demon. Then, the Penguin exploits a disfigured genius for his latest evil scheme, but Batman helps turn his tech skills to the side of good. And The Joker goes on a new killing spree-but is it really the Clown Prince of Crime, or is this a case of a copycat killer? Plus, the Riddler returns in the three-part story “Dark Knight, Dark City.” Collects Batman #445-454, Detective Comics #615 and Batman Annual #14.
