We’ve got some solid releases hitting stands this week, and despite still being excited that comics are simply hitting stands, there are some titles that I’m really excited to get my hands on!
JUNE 2nd
TAKE MY MONEY
Detective Comics #1022
“Ugly Heart” part three! Batman has been blasted with bullets and left for dead by Two-Face’s deadly Church of the Two-and if Gotham City is going to survive Two-Face’s final revenge, they’re going to need a miracle! But be careful what you wish for, because a resurrection is already in progress, and this one involves a certain Clown Prince and the heir to Gotham’s vigilante throne…
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils by Brad Walker
Inks by Andrew Hennessy
Colored by Brad Anderson
Cover by Brad Anderson, Andrew Hennessy, and Brad Walker
Josh’s Stance: Tomasi and Walker have been delivering some solid storytelling with the first two issues of “Ugly Heart,” and I’m excited to see what else they have in-store for us.
Batman News Critic: Casper
Catwoman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1
Our gal Catwoman is turning 80 next year (and looking very good, if we meow say), and DC is celebrating with nothing less than with a huge soiree, invite only, packed with creators who mean the most to her and to whom she means the most! Stories featured in this 100-page spectacular include a tail-sorry, tale-that takes place at the end of the Brubaker/Stewart Catwoman run, in honor of artist Darwyn Cooke. Plus, Catwoman is caught by an exotic cat collector, runs into a wannabe thief trying to prove himself as her apprentice, encounters a mystery involving memorabilia from alternate continuities, and of course some Bat/Cat fun.
Written by Ed Brubaker, Paul Dini, Chuck Dixon, Tom King, Mindy Newell, and More…
Pencils by Jim Balent, Fernando Blanco, Jonathan Case, Lee Garbett, Pia Guerra, and More…
Inks by Jim Balent, Fernando Blanco, Jonathan Case, Lee Garbett, Mick Gray, and More…
Colored by Olyoptics, Laura Allred, Jim Balent, Jordie Bellaire, Jonathan Case, and More…
Cover by Laura Allred and Joelle Jones
Josh’s Stance: I tend to thoroughly enjoy these anniversary issues, but I think it’s because of what I expect from them. I tend to prepare myself for some fun, simple stories, and because of that I always end up appreciating the various nods to the history of the character that we get in these books.
Batman News Critic: Michael
INTRIGUED
Batman/ Superman #9
“Atomic” part one! The Atomic Skull is dead. When Batman and Superman arrive on the scene of his explosive demise, they discover that this villain-turned-would-be hero was one of many people to be the subject of grisly-and sometimes fatal-experiments. But who is pulling the strings of these bizarre and unnecessary surgeries? Whom will they experiment on next? And what does one of Superman’s oldest foes, the Ultra-Humanite, have to do with this deadly mystery?
Written by Joshua Williamson
Pencils and Inks by Clayton Henry
Colored by Alejandro Sanchez
Cover by Clayton Henry and Alejandro Sanchez
Josh’s Stance: Considering Williamson’s work has never really clicked with me, I do find it interesting that I’ve enjoyed his Batman/ Superman run quite a bit. He’s been playing with some fun ideas, and, more importantly, he’s executing them well. Because of that, I’m looking forward to diving into a new story.
Batman News Critic: Casper
Birds of Prey #1
Black Canary’s life has spiraled out of control: her personal life is going through the ringer and her band is in crisis when an old flame resurfaces only to flicker out and set her on an all-new mission against an all-new opponent. The only thing she has to be grateful for is the fact that she’s not alone, as Huntress finds herself on a collision course with Black Canary’s quarry at Detective Montoya’s urging. Meanwhile, Harley Quinn has resurfaced outside of Gotham City and out of the Suicide Squad, with a new lease on life that is sure to make everyone else’s life more complicated.
And that’s only the first five pages of this high-octane, graphic novel-length one-shot that pushes the Birds of Prey far beyond their limits and puts them up against the most brutal crime syndicate to ever sweep into Gotham City! Hardboiled superstar writer Brian Azzarello and the bombshell art team of Emanuela Lupacchino and Ray McCarthy take the Birds into the no-holds-barred world of Black Label, and none of them will ever be the same!
Written by Brian Azzarello
Pencils by Emanuela Lupacchino
Inks by Ray McCarthy
Colored by Trish Mulvihill
Cover by Derrick Chew, Nick Filardi, Emanuela Lupacchino, Ray McCarthy, Joe Prado, and More…
Josh’s Stance: Out of all of the Birds of Prey books that have been hitting stands recently, this is the one I’ve been the most intrigued by. Not only is it a Black Label release, but it’s not relying on humor to deliver it’s “mature” slant. Azzarello always seems to excel when he can be a little more edgy, and he tends to write female leads better than he writes Batman.
Batman News Critic: Josh
“YOU DON’T HAVE TO THANK US”
Catwoman #22
Ever seen those hot-pink vans stationed around town advertising sexy maids who’ll come clean your house? Little did you know those sexy maids are actually part of a secret underground sting operation that only Catwoman can claw her way through to find the artifact they’ve stolen. It’s leather versus lingerie in this epic cat chase!
Written by Paula Sevenbergen
Pencils and Inks by Aneke
Colored by Laura Allred
Cover by Emanuela Lupacchino and Trish Mulvihill
Josh’s Stance: This… sounds awful. I’ll read it, but I’m not excited about it.
Batman News Critic: Michael
- Additional releases from DC Comics: Action Comics #1022, Far Sector #6, House of Whispers #21, John Constantine: Hellblazer #6, Justice League Dark #22, Shazam! #12, and Wonder Woman #756.
- Digital First comics releasing this week (These are digital copies. We will review these titles once print copies start hitting stands.): Batman: Gotham Knights #7, Batman: The Adventures Continue #7, DCeased: Hope at World’s End #2, Harley Quinn: Make ’Em Laugh #1, and Teen Titans GO! to Camp #15.
GRAPHIC NOVEL WATCH
The Joker: 80 Years of the Clown Prince of Crime The Deluxe Edition
DC celebrates the 80-year history of Batman’s greatest foe, The Joker! This new hardcover includes The Joker’s most memorable appearances, from his 1940 debut in the pages of Batman #1 (1940) to recent classics from top creators including Scott Snyder, Tony S. Daniel, Paul Dini, and more! Discover the stories that shaped the villain into one of pop culture’s most indelible, twisted icons.
Collects stories from Batman #1, #159, #251, #321, #429, #614, Detective Comics #168, #475, #476, #826, Batman: The Killing Joke, Batman Adventures: Mad Love, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #50, Gotham Central #15, Detective Comics #1 (2011) and Batman #17 (2013).
Young Justice Vol. 2: Lost in the Multiverse
After the explosive conclusion to their Gemworld adventure, the Young Justice team is having a tough time finding their way back to their Earth. Then, Naomi joins the team and the stage is set for an epic Wonder Comics crossover, with Naomi, the Wonder Twins, and Young Justice, together for the first time, tackling the biggest mysteries of the year: Where did Conner Kent come from? Why does Bart Allen remember everyone but no one else does? How does it all connect to Jinny Hex’s trunk? Plus, Tim Drake gets a new superhero name! Collects Young Justice #7-12.
- Additional Graphic Novels from DC Comics: DC Goes to War, Martian Manhunter: Identity, The Terrifics Vol. 3: The God Game, and Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed.
