New York Comic-Con is underway, but there hasn’t been much news coming out of it at all – or at least not on the Batman front. I honestly didn’t expect much, but I thought DC might have some reveals just because we’re getting closer to the new status quo. I guess we’ll just have to wait a little later in the week considering it looks like DC will release their January 2021 solicitations this 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.
OCTOBER 13th
INTRIGUED
Detective Comics #1028
Spinning out of the events of “The Joker War” and Detective Comics #1027 comes a tale of the beginning of the end for Gotham City’s status quo. With tensions flaring and a new mayoral candidate making his anti-hero agenda known to the city, Batman and his allies are stretched thin to keep the peace. But just as things couldn’t look any worse, a string of gruesome murders has left a trail of the most corrupt in Gotham City losing their heads…literally. If Batman doesn’t quickly find the killer-the Dark Knight will be next.
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils and Inks by Nicola Scott
Colored by Trish Mulvihill
Cover by Kenneth Rocafort
Josh’s Stance: Dead DC, please just let Pete Tomasi write Batman stories without constantly interrupting him with multiple events and nonsense. Thanks!
Batman News Critic: Casper
The Batman’s Grave #11
Scorn’s plan is revealed, and it is nothing less than the reshaping of the structure of Gotham City. Where the Batman imagines a city without crime, Scorn wants a city built on it. The Batman can’t think like him, though-he’s half-dead already!
Written by Warren Ellis
Pencils and Inks by Bryan Hitch
Colored by Alex Sinclair
Cover by Bryan Hitch and Alex Sinclair
Josh’s Stance: With Batman finally taking the fight to Scorn, I expect this issue will be an action-packed, heavy-hitter! There’s only one issue left after this, so I’m expecting good things.
Batman News Critic: Josh
Batman & the Outsiders #17
Series finale! The war with Ra’s al Ghul reaches its end, and none of the Outsiders will ever be the same. And none of them might ever be a team again! Did Batman choose the wrong allies to assemble to fight Ra’s? Or did those allies make a mistake in believing in Batman? The critically acclaimed series comes to its end!
Written by Bryan Edward Hill
Pencils and Inks by Marcio Takara
Colored by Veronica Gandini
Cover by Tyler Kirkham and Arif Prianto
Josh’s Stance: The final issue is upon us. I’m sad. I’m not going to lie about it. I’ve really enjoyed this title, and it’s one of the few books that felt like it was actually building for long-term growth, while also delivering plenty of payoffs along the way.
Batman News Critic: Josh
“YOU DON’T HAVE TO THANK US”
Dark Nights: Death Metal #4
Wonder Woman, Batman, and Superman are trapped in nightmare worlds within the Dark Multiverse! They’ll need to face down their fiercest foes once again if they hope to accomplish their mission and bring back a power capable of stopping the Darkest Knight. But what horrors has he unleased on Earth while they’ve been locked away?!
Written by Scott Snyder
Pencils Greg Capullo
Inks by Jonathan Glapion
Colored by FCO Plascencia
Cover by Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion, and FCO Plascencia
Josh’s Stance: At this point, Death Metal is so convoluted, that it’s almost impossible to have fun with it anymore. I just want it to end so we can move on with the new status quo.
Batman News Critic: Casper
GRAPHIC NOVEL WATCH
Doomsday Clock: The Complete Collection
The story you thought you’d never see-now collected in one volume! The world of Watchmen collides with the DC Universe, as presented by master storytellers Geoff Johns and Gary Frank (Shazam!: Origins, Batman: Earth One).
Seven years after the events of Watchmen, Adrian Veidt has been exposed as the murderer of millions. Now a fugitive, he has come up with a new plan to redeem himself in the eyes of the world. The first step? Finding Dr. Manhattan. Alongside a new Rorschach and the deadly new duo Mime and Marionette, he follows Manhattan’s trail into the DC Universe-which is on the brink of collapse as international tensions push the “Doomsday Clock” ever closer to midnight. Is this all Dr. Manhattan’s doing? Collects Doomsday Clock #1-12.
