Good morning, Bat fans! What a day for new releases, huh? Three Jokers is wrapping up its run. Batgirl is coming to an end! Red Hood’s Outlaw saga is coming to an end! We’ve got the second-to-last issue of Suicide Squad… And what does all of this mean? That Endless Winter is coming followed by Future State! Aren’t you excited? Yeah… Me either. I mean, I’m hopeful, but in a world where I want to be able to invest in a book, and on-going titles feel “temporary,” two, back-to-back temporary runs don’t really excite me.
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 20th
TAKE MY MONEY
Batman: Three Jokers #3
The final chapter of the most terrifying and personal Batman mystery is here!
Still reeling from their last encounter with the three Jokers, Batman, Batgirl, and Red Hood discover the terrible truth about the Three Jokers’ plot. Will the caped crusaders have the strength needed to put an end to the maniacal menaces’ master plan once and for all, or will it be lights out for good? You won’t want to miss the stunning conclusion of Batman: Three Jokers as it completes its trajectory as the ultimate examination of The Joker and his never-ending conflict with Batman.
Written by Geoff Johns
Pencils and Inks by Jason Fabok
Colored by Brad Anderson
Cover by Brad Anderson and Jason Fabok
Josh’s Stance: I don’t really see how they can successfully wrap this up in a single issue, but I’m completely onboard despite that!
Batman News Critic: Nick
INTRIGUED
Detective Comics #1029
After the City of Bane, the Riddler’s takeover, The Joker War, and more, the people of Gotham City have had enough. The world is changing for Bruce Wayne, and the question he must ask himself is: What role does the Batman have in a city that rejects him? As the year barrels forward into what will become a turning point for the Dark Knight, Batman must grapple with the very citizens he has sworn to protect…while a familiar face looms large as a new threat on the horizon: Damian Wayne!
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils and Inks by Kenneth Rocafort
Colored by Dan Brown
Cover by Kenneth Rocafort
Josh’s Stance: It’s rare that solicitations catch my attention these days, but this one does the job rather well. Also, you can’t go wrong with Pete Tomasi.
Batman News Critic: Casper
Suicide Squad #10
The world knows Ted Kord as Blue Beetle, superhero. But the members of Task Force X know him as something else entirely-the violent and vindictive puppet master who rigged them to blow. With Deadshot murdered and Kord finally at their mercy, will the Suicide Squad get their revenge once and for all?
Written by Tom Taylor
Pencils and Inks by Bruno Redondo
Colored by Adriano Lucas
Cover by Adriano Lucas and Bruno Redondo
Josh’s Stance: Suicide Squad is another title that I’m bummed is ending… There was so much potential here, and in a time when DC is desperate to create new hit characters, they had a slew at their fingertips.
Batman News Critic: Josh
Batman Beyond #48
“First Contact” begins! Something is very, very wrong with Bruce Wayne, as he lashes out in anger and tries to kill Batman Beyond! Who else can save him but…Booster Gold?! The greatest hero history never knew is going to take Batman Beyond back in time to the Gotham of old, where Bruce Wayne is Batman-which means Batman and Batman Beyond will meet at last!
Written by Dan Jurgens
Pencils by Paul Pelletier
Inks by Norm Rapmund
Colored by Chris Sotomayor
Cover by Dan Mora
Josh’s Stance: Batman Beyond has been a lot of fun lately, so that has me hopeful for “First Contact.”
Batman News Critic: Michael
MIXED
Dark Nights: Death Metal Rise of the New God #1
Batman. Always. Wins. This irrevocable truth resonates to the very heart of Perpetua’s battle with the Batman Who Laughs…and when her ally reveals his absolute nature, she will upend this mantra and destroy the last planet. His planet. But that’s not enough…and the mother of all creation must wonder, if power lies in destruction, why would she ever stop? But that’s the thing about truth…when it turns to fact, there’s no disputing its godlike reverence…and so enters the Darkest Knight. Featuring a backup story that spins out of the cliffhanger from Dark Nights: Death Metal Multiverse’s End #1.
Written by Bryan Edward Hill and James Tynion IV
Pencils by Jesús Merino and Nik Virella
Inks by Vicente Cifuentes and Nik Virella
Colored by Hi-Fi and Ulises Arreola Palomera
Cover by Ian Bertram and Dave Stewart
Josh’s Stance: I… Really don’t have the energy for all of this nonsense right now. Am I the only one? Genuinely asking.
Batman News Critic: Matina
“YOU DON’T HAVE TO THANK US”
Batman/ Superman #13
What happens when the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel wake up on a skull-shaped planetoid packed full of cybernetic versions of their entire rogues galleries? Figure out why they’re being worshipped like gods, that’s what! What is this strange new Brainiac’s endgame-and how did Batman and Superman’s own villain database mutate into this twisted, metallic death planet? The mystery deepens as our heroes’ allies desperately search for their missing comrades…
Written by Joshua Williamson
Pencils and Inks by Max Raynor
Colored by Alejandro Sanchez
Cover by David Marquez and Alejandro Sanchez
Josh’s Stance: Has anyone even read this since the Infected/ Secret Six arc? Asking for a friend…
Batman News Critic: Casper
NO!
Batgirl #50
Series finale! All good things must come to an end, as we wrap up this run of Batgirl with one final oversized celebratory issue! In the aftermath of “The Joker War,” Gotham is left in pieces that need to be picked up by Barbara and Alejo’s team-but is Gotham a city worth saving anymore, and how much longer does our girl have it in her to keeping fighting for it as Batgirl? Then, if Barbara is to ever give her relationship with Jason a chance, she knows she has to face him and finally make amends with the act that crippled him.
Written by Cecil Castellucci
Pencils by Aneke, Emanuela Lupacchino, and Marguerite Sauvage
Inks by Aneke, Mick Gray, Scott Hanna, Marguerite Sauvage, and Wade von Grawbadger
Colored by Jordie Bellaire and Marguerite Sauvage
Cover by Jean-Francois Beaulieu, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Josh Middleton, and Cam Smith
Josh’s Stance: I can’t help but read this solicitation and wonder if someone at DC was like, “Let’s focus on plot points that most people hated for this final issue!”
Batman News Critic: Matina
Red Hood: Outlaw #50
Jason Todd’s downward spiral began when he was murdered by The Joker. But deep in his heart he blamed himself for charging headfirst into deadly danger. His rage and self-loathing caused him to lash out at those around him-keeping friends and family alike at arm’s length. Until the Outlaws. First Arsenal and Starfire, and later, Artemis and Bizarro, saw through his defenses. Now it’s time to pay it forward to the one person who represents all the mistakes he’s made in his own life: Duela Dent. But can he save The Joker’s Daughter…when he couldn’t even save himself? Don’t miss the end of the Outlaw era!
Written by Scott Lobdell
Pencils and Inks by Paolo Pantalena
Colored by Arif Prianto
Cover by Arif Prianto and Dexter Soy
Josh’s Stance: For the love of God, why? Joker’s Daughter? No! NO!
Batman News Critic: Matina
GRAPHIC NOVEL WATCH:
Batman: 80 Years of the Bat Family – Since the start of his career, Batman’s partners in crime-fighting and his amazing rogues gallery have been key to the Dark Knight’s unending popularity! This title collects the all-star anniversary anthologies of tales celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Dark Knight, along with his greatest allies and enemies, including Robin, The Joker, Catwoman, and others! Collects Detective Comics #1000, Detective Comics: 80th Anniversary Giant #1, Robin 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1, Catwoman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1, and The Joker 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1.
Batman: The Man Who Laughs Deluxe Edition – The deluxe edition featuring critically acclaimed writer Ed Brubaker’s seminal run on the Dark Knight and The Joker.
Witness Batman’s first encounter with The Joker in this volume collecting the graphic novel BATMAN: THE MAN WHO LAUGHS by Ed Brubaker and Doug Mahnke! This collection also includes DETECTIVE COMICS #784-786, a murder mystery tale guest-starring Green Lantern Ala
