We’ve got a solid slate of books this week, and I’m pretty excited for that considering how busy I’ve been lately. Also, I personally don’t have any books to cover this week, so I get to just sit back, relax, and simply enjoy some comics!
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 23rd
TAKE MY MONEY
Batman: Curse of the White Knight #4
After a shocking tragedy strikes the Bat-Family and Montoya takes the reins, Babs defies the GTO and goes rogue in the hunt for Azrael. When her new methods prove almost too effective, Batman intervenes-leaving Harley to her own devices in the wake of her own emergency.
Written by Sean Murphy
Pencils and Inks by Sean Murphy
Colored by Matt Hollingsworth
Cover by Matt Hollingsworth and Sean Murphy
Josh’s Stance: Sean Murphy continues to deliver one of the most engaging and entertaining books from DC Comics. While there are certain aspects of White Knight that I’m unsure of (the potential romance between Bruce and Harley), nearly every other aspect of the book is great! And after last month’s shocking conclusion, I can’t wait to see what this issue delivers.
Batman-News Critic: Brian
Batman/ Superman #3
“Who are the Secret Six?” part three! Is Superman the newest member of the Batman Who Laughs’ Secret Six? It certainly looks that way, and Batman may be powerless to stop the Man of Steel and his own demented doppelgänger. The Dark Multiverse’s most dangerous Bruce Wayne is loose in our world, and he has our world’s greatest superhero at his side. Who do you turn to when there’s no one to trust?
Written by Joshua Williamson
Pencils and Inks by David Marquez
Colored by Alejandro Sanchez
Cover by David Marquez and Alejandro Sanchez
Josh’s Stance: I know we’re only two issues in, but Batman/ Superman is, by far, the best thing I’ve ever read from Joshua Williamson! There’s a truly sinister undertone to this book, and I’d argue that it’s some of the best work to come out of Scott Snyder’s Metal. The stakes feel high, and I can’t help but feel that this feels like more of a dire threat than Year of the Villain.
Batman-News Critic: Casper
INTRIGUED
Detective Comics #1014
Nora Fries has been the apple of Mr. Freeze’s eye for a long time. For years he has toiled and suffered to try and cure her of her ailments, and bring back the life they had together. He has finally done it, but will Nora Fries be the same person she was when she was frozen? Or is there something broken that can’t be fixed?
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils by Doug Mahnke
Inks by Christian Alamy, Mark Irwin, and Doug Mahnke
Colored by David Baron
Cover by David Baron, Doug Mahnke, and Jaime Mendoza
Josh’s Stance: I’m still cautious about the idea of Nora Fries being revived… But at the same time, I’m also incredibly excited. If there’s one thing Tomasi does well, it’s character work. Not only am I looking forward to how Tomasi writes Batman dealing with this, but I’m more excited to see what he does with Mr. Freeze!
Batman-News Critic: Jay
MIXED
Batgirl #40
Oracle makes her move to confront the creator who abandoned her…Batgirl! But first she must get our hero’s attention, and she’s got her sights set on Burnside. With the help of her new minions, the Terrible Trio, Oracle’s plans for revenge could mean the end for this hip Gotham neighborhood!
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: I wasn’t a fan of Castellucci’s Batgirl when her run first launched, but last month’s issue was actually quite entertaining. Unfortunately, while I enjoy some of the work she’s doing with Barbara, I’m not a fan of how she’s writing the villains or Bard. Those portions are incredibly heavy-handed. If I’m going to read something though, I’ll welcome any level of improvement.
Batman-News Critic: Nancy
“YOU DON’T HAVE TO THANK US”
Batman Beyond #37
In the wake of his fateful showdown with False Face and the Splitt, the Batman of tomorrow has gone missing! With the Caped Crusader AWOL and Neo-Gotham facing the threat of one of the deadliest villains it’s ever known, a new hero is needed! Bruce Wayne will turn to friends both old and new in order to keep his city safe, but that won’t be enough. Fortunately, a new and mysterious protector will arrive on the scene, taking flight to save the city!
Written by Dan Jurgens
Pencils by Sean Chen
Inks by Sean Parsons
Colored by Chris Sotomayor
Cover by Elizabeth Breitweiser and Lee Weeks
Josh’s Stance: I honestly haven’t been reading this title for a while now, so let me know if the current arc seems to be starting strong.
Batman-News Critic: Batman Beyond
Red Hood & the Outlaws #39
“Generation Outlaw” continues! Class is in session, and Red Hood’s students still have a lot to learn. With Doomed running amok, each villain-in-training decides to use the chaos in order to stake their claim as the one to beat. But while Red Hood tries to teach them a valuable lesson about power and responsibility, Doomed’s actions could, well, literally doom them all!
Written by Scott Lobdell
Pencils and Inks by Kenneth Rocafort
Colored by Steve Firchow
Cover by Kenneth Rocafort
Josh’s Stance: Yeah… This is essentially “New 52 Scott Lobdell” at his finest… That’s not a good thing.
Batman-News Critic: Matina
NOTES
- Additional releases from DC Comics: Action Comics #1016, Aquaman Annual #2, Books of Magic #13, Dial H for Hero #8, The Flash #81, Freedom Fighters #10, Justice League Dark #16, Martian Manhunter #9, Swamp Thing Giant Direct Market Edition #1, and The Terrifics #21.
GRAPHIC NOVEL WATCH
Zero Hour 25th Anniversary Omnibus – Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the time-warping event, this massive collection features ZERO HOUR: CRISIS IN TIME #4-0, STEEL #8, OUTSIDERS #11, DETECTIVE COMICS #678, BATMAN #511, SUPERMAN: MAN OF STEEL #37, SUPERBOY #8, GREEN LANTERN #55, THE FLASH #94, SUPERMAN #93, THE FLASH #0, BATMAN: SHADOW OF THE BAT #31, HAWKMAN #13, LEGIONNAIRES #18, VALOR #23, ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #516, L.E.G.I.O.N. ’94 #70, GREEN ARROW #90, GUY GARDNER: WARRIOR #24, TEAM TITANS #24, LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #61, ACTION COMICS #703, JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #92, JUSTICE LEAGUE TASK FORCE #16, JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #68, ROBIN #10, ANIMA #7, CATWOMAN #14, DAMAGE #6, DARKSTARS #24, GREEN LANTERN #0 and stories from SHOWCASE ’94 #8-10 along with a treasure trove of behind- the-scenes material.
Additional graphic novels and trades being released by DC Comics: Wonder Woman: The Just War and Naomi: Season One.
