I hope everyone had a happy and safe Thanksgiving. I know it was probably smaller than many of us would have wanted, but it’s just a sign of the times and safety is important. But, with Thanksgiving behind us, that means that winter is coming! Endless Winter, not Game of Thrones. Yes, that’s right, we’re kicking off the beginning of this weird, transitional period that will start this month, then go into full effect in January. But hey… at least we have Batman/Catwoman. Right?… Right? Or did the delays kill the momentum for this as well?
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.
DECEMBER 1st
TAKE MY MONEY
DCeased: Dead Planet #6
The remaining heroes of the DC Universe are stuck between Hell and a hard place! With the Justice League racing against the clock to create a cure, the cruel masters of the southern garden are determined to wipe all anti-life from the planet.
Just when you didn’t think it could get worse…the war to save Earth takes a devilish new direction! Trigon is coming to end the world as Hell is long due its payment in souls!
Written by Tom Taylor
Pencils by Trevor Hairsine
Inks by Gigi Baldassini and Tom Derenick
Colored by Rain Beredo
Cover by David Finch and Steve Firchow
Josh’s Stance: DCeased continues to be one of DC’s best books. Tom Taylor and Trevor Hairsine have once again delivered an action-packed story full of suspense, twists, and, surprisingly, heart.
Batman News Critic: Casper
INTRIGUED
Justice League: Endless Winter #1
“Endless Winter” chapter one! The crossover event of the season begins here! The Justice League encounters an extinction-level global storm brewing at the former site of the Fortress of Solitude. Enter the Frost King, a monster mad with power with an army at his command! What devastating mystery lies in his past? And how does he tied to Queen Hippolyta, Swamp Thing, Viking Prince, and their reluctant ally, Black Adam? Two timelines will reveal further clues and secrets throughout each chapter of this blockbuster tale!
Written by Andy Lanning and Ron Marz
Pencils and Inks by Howard Porter and Marco Santucci
Colored by Hi-Fi and Arif Prianto
Cover by Mikel Janin
Josh’s Stance: The next three months will be interesting for DC. They’re putting their eggs in some uncertain baskets, and that uncertainty could serve as a jumping-off point for many readers. Endless Winter is the first wave of this, and its success could play a large role in the success of Future State as well. If this is bad, then it could encourage people to not even bother giving Future State a chance… and a decent percentage of people already feel that way. I, however, am hopeful that this will end up being a solid, entertaining story.
Batman News Critic: Nick
MIXED
Batman/ Catwoman #1
At last, Tom King returns to the rocky, romantic saga of Batman and Catwoman with his Heroes in Crisis collaborator, superstar artist Clay Mann!
Echoing plot points from King’s epic Batman run, this sweeping tale is told across three timelines: the past, when the Bat and the Cat first fell in love; the present, where their union is threatened by one of Batman’s lost loves; and the future, where the couple have a happy life and legacy-including their daughter Helena, the Batwoman. And as the story begins, after a long marriage, Bruce Wayne passes away-which frees Selina Kyle to settle an old score.
At every stage of their relationship, Bruce and Selina have an unwelcome chaperone: The Joker!
Oh, and that lost love of Bruce’s? It’s Andrea Beaumont-a.k.a. Phantasm. Just thought you’d want to know.
Written by Tom King
Pencils and Inks by Clay Mann
Colored by Tomeu Morey
Cover by Clay Mann and Tomeu Morey
Josh’s Stance: Was I fan of Tom King’s Batman run? No. Not particularly, anyway. That being said, I thought there were moments of greatness in his run, and one of my favorite aspects was actually Bruce and Selina’s relationship. Because of that, I’m hopeful that this will deliver the best of King instead of the worst of King. And, hey, Clay Mann on art is never a bad thing.
Batman News Critic: Michael
“YOU DON’T HAVE TO THANK US”
Batman #104
Ghost-Maker is living up to his spectral name as Batman scours Gotham City for any trace of him…but this deadly new vigilante is going to prove a bloody point to the Dark Knight by murdering both Clownhunter and Harley Quinn. That is, unless they kill each other first!
Written by James Tynion IV
Pencils by Bengal, Ryan Benjamin, and Guillem March
Inks by Bengal, Guillem March, and Danny Miki
Colored by David Baron
Cover by Jorge Jimenez and Tomeu Morey
Josh’s Stance: I don’t want to say that Tynion’s Batman is terrible – it’s not – but it’s far from great. There’s nothing fresh or original here, and he’s playing into so many tropes, as well as his own bad habits, that it’s a bit nauseating. The fact that he seems so enamored with his own work doesn’t help either. Anyway, it’s another issue of a mediocre Batman run.
Batman News Critic: Josh
GRAPHIC NOVEL WATCH
Justice League by Scott Snyder Book 2 Deluxe Edition – Scott Snyder reunites the World’s Greatest Heroes for epic journeys to “Hawkworld” and “The Sixth Dimension” in the second deluxe edition hardcover of the superstar writer’s Justice League run!
Martian Manhunter, John Stewart, and Hawkgirl take a trip to Thanagar-Prime, as J’onn looks to tap into the ancient Martian mental database, Green Lantern struggles while practicing his new UV powers, and Kendra searches for answers about her connection to the Totality.
Then, the Justice League has the map to the Sixth Dimension in hand-the key to saving the Multiverse from utter destruction! But with Superman trapped on a world with no light and hundreds of dead Supermen, Lex Luthor’s Legion of Doom is poised for victory. The final form of Perpetua takes shape, and the DCU will never be the same again! Collects Justice League #14-25 and Annual #1.
