New week. New books. But… Honestly… Aside from DCeased and potentially an interest in Ghostmaker’s debut… Is there anything you’re actually excited for? Now, I don’t intend to be negative, however, the more I talk to people, the more I hear, “I just want to get to____.” It seems like more and more people are less excited for what we have right now, and hopeful for what’s to come. Are you in the camp? What are you reading and what are you excited for? Let us know below 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.
NOVEMBER 3rd
TAKE MY MONEY
DCeased: Dead Planet #5
With most of the Justice League off Earth, John Constantine and Batman lead a covert team on a mission so insane it could have only been hatched by the man they call Hellblazer! But time is running out to save the infected on Earth-because a fate worse than death is coming!
Written by Tom Taylor
Pencils by Trevor Hairsine
Inks by Gigi Baldassini
Colored by Rain Beredo
Cover by David Finch and Tomeu Morey
Josh’s Stance: If there’s one thing that Tom Taylor does well, he always leaves you wanting more. Whether it’s Injustice, Suicide Squad, or the various iterations of DCeased, I always find myself eager to read the next issue. That’s a bit of a rarity these days, so I don’t think that should be overlooked.
Batman News Critic: Casper
INTRIGUED
Dark Multiverse: Batman: Hush #1
Following the smash success of last year’s Tales from the Dark Multiverse series, DC returns with five new tales that explore dark, twisted timelines spinning out some of DC’s most iconic stories. It begins with the story that kicked off the modern era for Batman…“Hush”! The landmark story introduced Bruce Wayne’s childhood friend Tommy Elliot as he tried to destroy the Dark Knight…but what if Tommy had ruined Bruce’s life when they were children?
Tommy Elliot grew up to be the Dark Prince of Gotham City with the help of Talia al Ghul, Oswald Cobblepot, Harvey Dent, and Jason Todd! But vengeance is coming in the form of Batman the Silenced…who will tear Tommy’s life apart! Written by rising star Phillip Kennedy Johnson (The Last God) with jaw-dropping artwork from Dexter Soy (Batman and the Outsiders)!
Written by Phillip K. Johnson
Pencils by Sergio Fernandez Davila and Dexter Soy
Inks by Matt Santorelli and Dexter Soy
Colored by Ivan Plascencia
Cover by David Marquez and Alejandro Sanchez
Josh’s Stance: For the most part, the Dark Multiverse books have been fun, “what-if” stories that create an interesting look into what could’ve been. I’m hoping that remains for this new batch of stories, but aside from Dexter Soy, I can’t say the creative team is making me overly excited. I’m not turned off by them either, I just don’t know enough about Phillip K. Johnson or Sergio Fernandez to get excited. I’m hoping for the best though.
Batman News Critic: Nick
MIXED
Batman #102
Bruce Wayne and the city he loves have changed dramatically following the events of “The Joker War,” but Batman and his mission are eternal. But not everyone thinks that should be the case… The mysterious vigilante known as Ghost-Maker has known Bruce since they were teenagers, and he’s made his decision. It’s time Gotham City had a new hero.
Written by James Tynion IV
Pencils by Carlos D’Anda and Carlo Pagulayan
Inks by Carlos D’Anda and Danny Miki
Colored by David Baron
Cover by Jorge Jimenez and Tomeu Morey
Josh’s Stance: Last month’s issue was honestly the best Batman has been since the early issues of “Their Dark Designs.” Do I want that quality to continue? Sure. Do I think it will? Not a chance in hell.
Batman News Critic: Josh
Justice League #56
“Doom Metal” part four of five! In this Dark Nights: Death Metal tie-in issue, the Justice League has nowhere left to hide from the agents of Perpetua. The towering, nightmarish Omega Knight hunts them to the edges of Brimstone Bay and will stop at nothing until the team is obliterated! And all the while, above Perpetua’s throne, Hawkgirl battles the Mindhunter for the soul of the man she loves: Martian Manhunter!
Written by Joshua Williamson
Pencils by Robson Rocha
Inks by Daniel Henriques
Colored by Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
Cover by Liam Sharp
Josh’s Stance: My bias is showing here. On one hand, Williamson has actually been doing some fun stuff with “Doom Metal.” On the other hand, I’m so over everything related to Death Metal that I desperately just want it to end.
Batman News Critic: Nick
NO!
Young Justice #20
For the first time in months, the entire Young Justice team comes together to face a threat bigger than anything they’ve faced before. Just as the team has come to grips with their fractured legacy, someone from Young Justice’s past has come back to murder them! Guest-starring the Wonder Twins, Dial H for Hero, and Naomi-plus some other Wonder Comics surprises too hot to mention here! Don’t miss this final issue from the Eisner Award-nominated co-writers of Naomi!
Written by Brian Michael Bendis and David F. Walker
Pencils and Inks by Scott Godlewski
Colored by Gabe Eltaeb
Cover by Gabe Eltaeb and John Timms
Josh’s Stance: I thought this book ended like four issues ago, and each and every month I’m like, “Oh… I guess that wasn’t the last issue.” Wishful thinking? I mean… You’ve read this run, right?
Batman News Critic: Matina
GRAPHIC NOVEL WATCH
Justice League Unlimited: Time After Time
No matter where-or when-evil hides, the Justice League is ready to defeat it! This collection of all-ages stories set in the animated world of Justice League Unlimited include a trip to the future where our heroes team up with the Legion of Super-Heroes to try to defeat Kilg%re! The Justice League also travel to medieval Camelot-helping Shining Knight defend his kingdom from Morgan Le Fey and her evil army! And it’s a trip to the Wild West as Wonder Woman, Elongated Man, and Vigilante enlist the help of Jonah Hex, Bat Lash, and El Diablo to go up against the Time Commander! Collects Adventures in the DC Universe #10, Justice League Adventures #28, #30, and #34, and Justice League Unlimited #9 and #19.
Victor & Nora: A Gotham Love Story
New York Times bestselling author Lauren Myracle (ttyl, ttfn) and artist Isaac Goodhart (Under the Moon: A Catwoman Tale) reunite in this gorgeous young adult story about living life to the fullest, and how far one will go for love.
Seventeen-year-old Victor Fries has a cold heart. After his brother died in a tragic house fire for which Victor feels responsible, his parents have isolated themselves, and Victor has dedicated his whole life to one thing: science.
Nora Faria is full of life. She is suffering from an incurable illness that will slowly consume her, so she’s decided to live her last days to the fullest at her summer home outside of Gotham City until her birthday. On that day, she plans to take her own life.
When Victor and Nora happen to meet at the cemetery outside of town, they are astonished to find the connection they have each been missing in their lives. Their summer quickly spirals into a beautiful romance, and Victor’s cold heart begins to thaw, allowing him to enjoy life just a little more. But when Victor learns of Nora’s illness, he’s driven to try to find a solution to keep from losing another person he loves…by any means necessary.
