I can’t remember the last time this has happened – or if it has ever happened… But every book releasing this week falls under “Take My Money” on the Anticipation Scale. It’s going to be a good – albeit light – week!
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.
JANUARY 29th
TAKE MY MONEY
Detective Comics Annual #3
Of all the mayhem and madness that “City of Bane” visited upon Batman’s world, the death of Alfred Pennyworth had the greatest impact. As Bruce struggles to pick up the pieces of his life, the absence of the man who had always helped him is felt with devastating consequences. With new storm clouds brewing on the horizon, does Bruce Wayne have what it takes to honor his dearest friend’s memory?
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils and Inks by Sumit Kumar and Eduardo Risso
Colored by Romulo Fajardo, Jr. and Eduardo Risso
Cover by Steve Rude
Josh’s Stance: Let me be very clear. I don’t like that Alfred is dead. I thought King handled it terribly and only did it for shock value. But… It’s what we have, and if we’re going to an issue devoted to Alfred, I’d want Tomasi writing it!
Batman News Critic: Casper
Justice League #39
In the wake of the Justice/Doom War, the Justice League finds themselves stranded at the far end of the universe and facing a challenge they’ve never faced before. But what will they find on their journey? Has their battle with Perpetua had consequences reaching farther across the cosmos than they ever imagined? Superstar scribe Scott Snyder says farewell to the Justice League with a special story that both winds down all the things he started in issue #1-and nods toward everything that comes next in the DC Universe.
Written by Scott Snyder
Pencils by Jorge Jimenez and Daniel Sampere
Inks by Juan Albarran and Jorge Jimenez
Colored by Alejandro Sanchez
Cover by Tyler Kirkham and Arif Prianto
Josh’s Stance: Snyder really delivered with the last issue, and that has my hyped for this chapter. Plus, it’s his final issue on Justice League, so you know it’s going to be good!
Batman News Critic: Brian
Suicide Squad #2
After the absolute carnage of Suicide Squad #1, a new Task Force X has been assembled-even before the bodies of teammates and friends have had a chance to cool! What’s left standing may be the most capable and uncompromising Suicide Squad ever brought together. But it’s also the most divided. Forced to fulfill the agenda of a cruel new taskmaster, this Squad might survive their next mission, but they may not survive each other.
Written by Tom Taylor
Pencils and Inks by Bruno Redondo
Colored by Adriano Lucas
Cover by Bruno Redondo
Josh’s Stance: Tom Taylor. Suicide Squad. Enough said.
Ok, fine… We gave the first issue a 10/10!
Batman News Critic: Josh
- Additional releases from DC Comics: Action Comics #1019, Dial H for Hero #11, The Flash #87, Green Lantern: Black Stars #3, Justice League Dark #19, The Last God #4, The Terrifics #24, and Titans: Burning Rage #6.
GRAPHIC NOVEL WATCH
Batman: The Bat & Cat: 80 Years of Romance – This new edition features Batman and Catwoman’s greatest team-ups from their 80-year history together by some of the best writers and artists in the industry! Follow the famous duo’s ups and downs from the 1940s on opposite sides of the law to their recent engagement and more in stories from DC’s rich history.
Batman Beyond Vol. 6: Divide, Conquer, and Kill – A mysterious new villain known as the Splitt is preying on Neo-Gotham. Only Batman is capable of stopping him, but Terry McGinnis isn’t getting help from Bruce Wayne, who is too busy lavishing cash all over the city to support Terry. Will even the combined forces of Batman and the Flash be enough to stop Splitt-and the mysterious False Face? Collects issues #31-36.
Birds of Prey: Murder & Mystery – In a tricky dilemma, the Birds of Prey must show mercy to a would-be white-collar criminal-but their act of compassion brings them to the attention of extortionist Savant, a man who claims he can outthink Oracle and outfight Black Canary! Plus, Black Canary is sent to China on a mission of mercy and runs into Lady Shiva! But Shiva has an agenda of her own, while making Canary an offer that could change the course of her life. Collects Birds of Prey #56-67.
- Additional releases from DC Comics: Adventures of Superman by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez Vol. 2 and Aquaman: The Death of a Prince Deluxe Edition.
