Passes for SDCC went on sale yesterday! Was anyone lucky enough to secure any, or were you all victims of the “blue circle of death?” I’m not going to lie, I was amused by a number of people’s posts on Twitter yesterday, and was surprised to see that registration got #SDCC trending! Steve Orlando even tweeted about it!
It's October. This is scarier than most things. pic.twitter.com/FQJChGxx4C
— Steve Orlando (@thesteveorlando) October 12, 2019
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.
OCTOBER 16th
TAKE MY MONEY
Tales from the DC Dark Multiverse: Knightfall #1
Co-written by Scott Snyder (DARK NIGHTS: METAL, JUSTICE LEAGUE, THE BATMAN WHO LAUGHS) and Kyle Higgins (DEATHSTROKE, BATMAN ETERNAL, NIGHTWING: THE NEW ORDER), with art by Javier Fernandez (JUSTICE LEAGUE) and a cover by Lee Weeks (BATMAN), this one-shot takes place in a Gotham City 30 years after a broken Bruce Wayne failed to take back the mantle of the Bat. In his place arose Jean-Paul Valley, also known as Saint Batman. Under his iron rule, Saint Batman has turned Gotham into the city of his dreams – killing has become commonplace and criminals live in constant fear—all in the name of justice.
But just when all seems lost, a new hope for Gotham rises: The Son of Bane.
Written by Scott Snyder and Kyle Higgins
Pencils and Inks by Javier Fernandez
Colors by Alex Guimaraes
Cover by Lee Weeks and Brad Anderson
Josh’s Stance: Believe it or not, I’m actually looking forward to this. I think Elseworld stories are a lot of fun, and I’m a fan of Snyder, Higgins, and Fernandez! Also, if there’s ever a time to write characters our of character or explore something really risky, it’s in this environment… You know… As opposed to butchering characters in their main book.
Batman-News Critic: Nick
INTRIGUED
Justice League #34
“The Justice Doom War” part five! All Hypertime is breaking! If it blows, all of reality will follow after-which would be just fine for Lex Luthor, who is ready to prove to the evil goddess Perpetua that he’s the bad man for her. The Justice League is attempting to do what they can, chasing the Legion of Doom across the time-sphere. If the Totality is put back together, the whole Multiverse will tip toward Doom…and have consequences that reverberate throughout the DC Universe-assuming it’s not destroyed in the process.
Written by Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV
Pencils and Inks by Howard Porter and Bruno Redondo
Colored by Hi-Fi
Cover by Francis Manapul
Josh’s Stance: “The Justice Doom War” continues to have ups and downs – but mostly ups – so I’m really looking forward to it. I can’t say I’m completely invested, but I’m enjoying the book and find it entertaining.
Batman-News Critic: Brian
MIXED
Teen Titans #35
The Teen Titans’ traitor is finally revealed as all their scheming finally comes to a head! How will the team deal with the betrayal, and to what end are the traitor’s plans? Worse, will the previously secret Teen Titans team finally be exposed to the world? This house of cards is about to come crashing down…and one of the Teen Titans will pay the ultimate price!
Written by Adam Glass
Pencils and Inks by Bernard Chang
Colored by Marcelo Maiolo
Cover by Bernard Chang and Marcelo Maiolo
Josh’s Stance: After last month’s reveal, I’m curious to see where Glass takes the story. I don’t want to go so far as to say that I’m excited because the quality of Teen Titans has been really inconsistent, but I’m definitely curious.
Batman-News Critic: Matina
NO!
Batman #81
It’s time for the big showdown. Batman is calling Bane out. But is the Dark Knight Detective ready to take on the foe who broke him worse than any other that came before? And what else stands in Batman’s way, to put an obstacle between him and his enemy? Tread lightly, Batman, because not only do the lives of your son and trusted friends hang in the balance, but your entire home could collapse on top of you!
Written by Tom King
Pencils by Mitch Gerads and John Romita Jr.
Inks by Mitch Gerads and Klaus Janson
Colored by Mitch Gerads and Tomeu Morey
Cover by Klaus Janson, Tomeu Morey, and John Romita Jr.
Josh’s Stance: I just want this to end…
Batman-News Critic: Josh
Nightwing #65
While the Nightwings do their best to contain the situation in Blüdhaven, Ric faces off against Talon! But the battle is one not just of brawn, as Ric’s psyche is taken to its limits when he learns about his family history for the first time since his memory was wiped. Will Ric Grayson at last become the Gray Son of Gotham he was destined to be, or will he choose the life he’s been trying to establish for himself in Blüdhaven?
Written by Dan Jurgens
Pencils and Inks by Ronan Cliquet
Colored by Nick Filardi
Cover by Bruno Redondo
Josh’s Stance: This as well… Ric Grayson needs to end as well… Like, yesterday.
Batman-News Critic: Nancy
Titans: Burning Rage #3
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: While I don’t necessarily have a strong desire for Burning Rage to end (unlike King’s Batman or Ric Grayson), it is so poorly written and generic that I don’t have much interest.
Batman-News Critic: Josh
NOTES:
- Metal Men #1 by Dan Didio, Shane Davis, and Michelle Delecki debuts this week.
- Superman Smashes the Klan (Periodical) #1 also debuts this week.
- Additional releases from DC Comics: Aquaman #53, Flash Forward #2, Inferior 5 #2, Lucifer #13, Scoob Doo, Where Are You? #101, Superman: Year One #3, Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #4, Wonder Woman: Come Back to Me #4, and Wonder Woman Giant Direct Market Edition #1.
GRAPHIC NOVEL WATCH:
Justice League Dark Vol. 2: Lords of Order – The world’s magic is fading, and new enemies have appeared to take advantage of Earth’s weakness. Doctor Fate has assembled the Lords of Order, trapping the magical community on Earth. To save magic, the Justice League Dark must escape Doctor Fate’s snares and fight the Otherkind. But can they do all of that without calling on even more dangerous powers for assistance? Collects issues #8-12 and ANNUAL #1.
Additional trades and graphic novels from DC: DC Superhero Girls: At Metropolis High, Goddess Mode, and Powers Book Seven.
