DC FanDome has been dropping some trailers and announcements, and I’m not going to lie… I’m pretty damn excited! It appears as though a lot of the hype and lore that was missing from Comic-Con@Home will be found here (at least for Warner Bros/ DC), and that’s a good thing. I feel like we could all use some good news and fun announcements/ reveals! This does make me wonder though, if this is a success – and it looks as though it could be – will entertainment companies opt to move forward with their own in-person events in the future? Only time will tell.
Will you be joining the FanDome? Who or what are you excited to see? Let us know in the comments section!
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.
AUGUST 11th
INTRIGUED
Batman & the Outsiders #15
The Outsiders have uncovered a massive piece of information about Ra’s al Ghul’s new weapon-and Black Lightning is prepared to exploit this weakness! He’ll go to any length to stop Ra’s’s weapon…but is that exactly what the Demon wants? And will Batman be able to stop Black Lightning from draining his powers?
Written by Bryan Edward Hill
Pencils and Inks by Dexter Soy
Colored by Veronica Gandini
Cover by Tyler Kirkham and Arif Prianto
Josh’s Stance: Knowing that this title will come to a close in a few issues, I fully expect Hill to hit that gas pedal and race to the finish. There’s a lot to wrap up in three issues, but it isn’t impossible and should be satisfying!
Batman News Critic: Josh
The Batman’s Grave #9
The Batman knows his enemy. He knows what his enemy wants. What he doesn’t know is why. Can the Dark Knight get inside the deranged mind of a man waging war on Gotham City’s justice system?
Written by Warren Ellis
Pencils and Inks by Bryan Hitch
Colored by Alex Sinclair
Cover by Bryan Hitch and Alex Sinclair
Josh’s Stance: I still believe that the actual writing in The Batman’s Grave is some of the best writing hitting stands at the moment. The story is coming together as well now, which is a plus, and Hitch’s art is always spectacular!
Batman News Critic: Josh
Dark Nights: Death Metal #3
All aboard! When the Justice League launches its assault on New Apokolips, the team’s goal is to free Superman from his solar prison. But it’s all going off the rails when they learn that the Man of Steel is gone for good thanks to the Anti-Life Equation. Plus, the deep secret of the Darkest Knight is revealed-but how much darker could the Batman Who Laughs possibly get? And don’t miss the surprise return of everyone’s favorite wanna be Robin!
Written by Scott Snyder
Pencils by Greg Capullo
Inks by Jonathan Glapion
Colored by FCO Plascencia
Cover by Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion, and FCO Plascencia
Josh’s Stance: So… I’m going to be honest… Every look into Death Metal that we get, I like it less and less. I thought the debut was strong. The second issue was alright, but not nearly as good. And then the Legends of the Dark Knights special was… not great. I’m also not completely onboard with Batmanhattan. It just seems like it is silly, but trying so hard to be serious. All of that said, there’s still a huge unpredictability to this book, and that is always interesting, so I’m curious to see what happens.
Batman News Critic: Casper
MIXED
Detective Comics #1025
“The Joker War” explodes with an assault on Wayne Enterprises! The Joker has taken control of Waynetech R&D-and with it, all the weapons hidden in its sublevels-plus Lucius Fox as a hostage! The Joker and his clown-masked henchmen are now using Wayne Enterprises as an armory, using sophisticated 3-D printers to produce weapons to rule Gotham City…but Batman and Batwoman might have something to say about that. It’s all-out action in this nonstop issue!
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils and Inks by Kenneth Rocafort
Colored by Dan Brown
Cover by Kenneth Rocafort
Josh’s Stance: I mean… Tomasi is doing a much better job at writing Joker, but I still hate that the original (better) story involving Two-Face was hijacked for Joker War. The big two really need to stop doing this. I can’t stress that enough.
Batman News Critic: Casper
- Additional releases from DC Comics: The Flash #759, The Green Lantern: Season Two #6, Hawkman #26, Justice League Odyssey #23, Superman #24, and Wonder Woman #760.
GRAPHIC NOVEL WATCH
There are no Bat-related graphic novels slated for release this week.
- Additional Graphic Novels from DC Comics: Green Lantern: Earth One Vol. 2 and Lois Lane & the Friendship Challenge.
