Yesterday was Batman Day! I don’t know about you guys, but I dropped a lot of money on some heavily discounted books, but the bang for my buck was so worth it. I mean… the Golden Age Omnibuses were on sale for $4.94 on Comixology… Like… For real. I also got some fun decorations and whatnot as I continue to decorate my office! Then, unfortunately, I had to go to work. I made sure I still honored Batman day by breaking dress code and wearing a Batman shirt. That’s right… I’m a rebel. Anyway, let me know how you spent your Batman Day down in the comments section! Did you get any books or collectibles? If so, share away!
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 25th
TAKE MY MONEY
Batman: Curse of the White Knight #3
Batman salvages a groundbreaking clue from the wreckage of Wayne Manor and recruits Harley Quinn to confront The Joker for answers about the mystery of Gotham City’s foundations! Their investigation takes a dire turn in the darkest corners of Arkham, and Gordon’s life is in peril after a new commissioner is named.
Written by Sean Murphy
Pencils and Inks by Sean Murphy
Colored by Matt Hollingsworth
Cover by Matt Hollingsworth and Sean Murphy
Josh’s Stance: Yes, please! I’m a fan of Sean Murphy. I like his writing style. I like his art. And, quite frankly, I really like how he presents himself to the public. All of this sums up a good chunk of why I like Curse of the White Knight. The book has been a little bit of a slow burn so far, but we’re definitely ramping up to something, and I can’t wait!
Batman-News Critic: Brian
Batman/ Superman #2
The Batman Who Laughs’ plot is bigger than either the Caped Crusader or the Man of Steel realized. Following a showdown with the devious killer’s first sentinel, a jacked-up, Dark Multiverse-infected Shazam!, the pair has to figure out who else has been targeted for similar transformations. Their first two guesses: someone very close to Batman and the one hero that would make failure nearly impossible—Superman himself!
Written by Joshua Williamson
Pencils and Inks by David Marquez
Colored by Alejandro Sanchez
Cover by David Marquez and Alejandro Sanchez
Josh’s Stance: Ok… We all know I’m not the biggest fan of Joshua Williamson’s writing style, BUT, I really enjoyed the debut of Batman/ Superman. The only thing I was unhappy with was that DC gave away the ending of the first issue in their teaser for the book. Other than that, the story and art were top notch! If the creative team can keep it going, this will be a real gem!
Batman-News Critic: Casper
Harleen #1
Dr. Harleen Quinzel has discovered a revolutionary cure for the madness of Gotham City—she just needs to prove it actually works. But with the criminal justice and mental health establishments united against her, the brilliant young psychologist must take drastic measures to save Gotham from itself. Witness Harleen’s first steps on a doomed quest that will give birth to the legendary super-villain Harley Quinn in this stunning reimagining of Harley and The Joker’s twisted and tragic love affair by visionary storyteller Stjepan Šejic (AQUAMAN: UNDERWORLD, SUICIDE SQUAD, Sunstone).
Written by Stjepan Sejic
Pencils and Inks by Stjepan Sejic
Colored by Stjepan Sejic
Cover by Stjepan Sejic
Josh’s Stance: I’m not familiar with Stephen Sejic as a writer, but I’m a fan of his art and I’m looking forward to this title! I’ve mentioned before that I suspect DC is using all of these incarnations of Harley as a test for a new direction to take Harley Quinn in her own title. As beloved as the Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner run is, the book hasn’t been the same since they left, and that interpretation has overstayed its welcome. It’s time for something new, and Sejic just might be the answer to that. I’m excited.
Batman-News Critic: Casper
INTRIGUED
Detective Comics #1012
“Year of the Villain” kicks into overdrive! Victor Fries has only ever wanted one thing…to bring his wife Nora back to life in a healthy body. Now, with Lex Luthor’s aid, Victor’s wish will finally come true. But how will Nora adjust to the new world she has missed? And how will Batman try to tear Victor’s dream away from him?
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils by Doug Mahnke
Inks by Jaime Mendoza
Colored by David Baron
Cover by David Baron and Doug Mahnke
Josh’s Stance: This could easily go two ways… It could be cheesy and completely fall apart, or… It could become one of the key defining moments for Mr. Freeze. I’m hoping, and somewhat suspecting, that it will be the latter. If Tomasi has proven anything, it’s that he understands these characters and knows how to write them. With that in mind, I’m looking forward to what he and Mahnke have to offer here!
Batman-News Critic: Jay
MIXED
Red Hood & the Outlaws #38
This is the Year of the Villain, and Red Hood has been tasked by Lex Luthor with training the worst teens in the DC Universe to become the super-villains of tomorrow. But while these kids may think they’re the future of villainy, they’re about to learn they may already be doomed. Reiser is rampaging through a S.T.A.R. Labs facility, unleashed like never before. Can the Red Hood see DNA, Cloud Nine, Devour and the enigmatic Babe in Arms safely home, or is this one field trip no one should have gotten permission to go on? Plus, where in the world are Artemis and Bizarro now?
Written by Scott Lobdell
Pencils and Inks by Kenneth Rocafort
Colored by Steve Firchow
Cover by Dan Mora
Josh’s Stance: Lobdell keeps slipping back into his “New 52 ways” and that is not a good thing. If I felt that some of these new characters would stick around or actually make a long-term impact, I’d probably be more interested, but I feel like all of this is rather finite.
Batman-News Critic: Matina
“YOU DON’T HAVE TO THANK US”
Batgirl #39
After learning about “The Offer” from Killer Moth, Batgirl is on the case to figure out who is behind the rise of the villains in the DC Universe! Meanwhile, the Terrible Trio has gained full control over Oracle and is forcing her to cater to their every whim. But what happens when their puppet decides to cut her strings? Could this be the end of the Terrible Trio?
Written by Cecil Castellucci
Pencils and Inks by Carmine Di Giandomenico
Colored by Jordie Bellaire
Cover by Carmine Di Giandomenico and Ivan Plascencia
Josh’s Stance: Meh… Look, I think DC realizes that there’s something interesting that can be done with Oracle, but this is the second time in recent years that they’ve approached this, and… it’s just mediocre. I’m not crazy about Castellucci’s execution in general, so I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be reading this.
Batman-News Critic: Nany
Batman Beyond #36
“Lost Daze” finale! As everything around Neo-Gotham crumbles under Batman’s iron fist, the Fastest Man Alive might be the only one capable of saving Terry McGinnis and his city. But as powerful as he is, even the Flash might be no match for the Splitt and the mysterious False Face!
Written by Dan Jurgens
Pencils by Rick Leonardi
Inks by Ande Parks
Colored by Chris Sotomayor
Cover by Chris Samnee and Matthew Wilson
Josh’s Stance: I’m still not reading this, but once this arc is over, I’ll most likely dip my toes back into the water… Maybe.
Batman-News Critic: Michael
NOTES:
- Additional releases from DC Comics: Action Comics #1015, Books of Magic #12, Dial H for Hero #7, The Flash #79, Freedom Fighters #9, Shazam #7, The Terrifics #20, and Wonder Woman #79.
- Titles we’ll cover in This Week in Comics: Justice League Dark #15, as well as the titles listed above.
GRAPHIC NOVEL WATCH:
Heroes in Crisis – There’s a new kind of crisis threatening the heroes of the DC Universe, ripped from real-world headlines by CIA operative turned comics writer Tom King: How does a superhero handle PTSD?
Welcome to Sanctuary, an ultra-secret hospital for superheroes who’ve been traumatized by crime-fighting and cosmic combat. But something goes inexplicably wrong when many patients wind up dead, with two well-known operators as prime suspects: Harley Quinn and Booster Gold! It’s up to the DC Trinity of Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman to investigate — but can they get the job done in the face of overwhelming opposition? This collected edition features the entire nine-issue miniseries!
Young Justice Vol. 1: Gemworld – Superboy! Wonder Girl! Robin! Impulse! Amethyst! They and other young heroes are united as Young Justice in this first collection of comics from the new Wonder Comics line! When the nightmare dimension known as Gemworld invades Metropolis, these teen heroes will unite to deal with the situation-but they’re shocked to discover the battle may be the key to the return of Conner Kent, a.k.a. Superboy! This debut title collects issues #1-6 of the hit series!
