I’m keeping things brief again this week. My day job is in sales management, and when you’re living in a Covid-19 world during the holiday season, your free time is practically non-existent. So, there won’t be any assessments or comments on the titles because… well… I’m on my lunch break, and I’m either going to get this posted or rant. So, I’m opting for getting this posted. BUT, I will hopefully be able to return to a normal schedule soon, and will be back to my standard shenanigans then.
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 22nd
INTRIGUED
Batman: White Knight Presents: Harley Quinn #3
Harley and the GTO seize an opportunity to investigate the Starlet’s failed murder attempt. When the survivor offers a startling revelation about Agent Hector Quimby, the team acts quickly on the intel (and a handful of colorful clues) to interrogate an inconvenient new suspect. Harley’s fears are realized when she makes a chilling discovery that reminds her of The Joker’s worst obsessive behaviors-a development that casts light on new suspicions and conflicts of interest, and threatens to compromise the whole case.
Written by Katana Collins
Pencils and Inks by Matteo Scalera
Colored by Dave Stewart
Cover by Matt Hollingsworth and Sean Gordon Murphy
Batman News Critic: Josh (Yes, this really is coming… Christmas Day)
Red Hood: Outlaw #52
After making his dramatic return to Gotham City, Jason Todd finds himself in the middle of a turf war between a violent gang aided by Killer Croc and a new group of vigilantes dedicated to protecting his old neighborhood of the Hill.
When a childhood friend is targeted for assassination by a vicious new crime lord on the rise, the Red Hood must forge an uneasy alliance with the vigilantes to save her.
Written by Shawn Martinbrough
Pencils by Moritat and Tony Akins
Inks by Stefano Guadiano
Colored by Paul Mounts
Cover by Dan Mora
Batman News Critic: Matina
Detective Comics #1033
On the eve of some of the biggest changes ever in Gotham City, Batman finds himself at a crossroads with the people of the city he has sworn to protect. A landslide victory for anti-vigilante mayoral candidate Christopher Nakano is bringing with it new legislation to outlaw the Bat-Family’s very way of life-and with his rogues gallery still knocking on his door, Bruce will need to make some tough decisions about the future…
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Pencils by Brad Walker
Inks by Andrew Hennessy
Colored by Dave McCaig
Cover by Brad Anderson, Andrew Hennessy, and Brad Walker
Batman News Critic: Caspe
MIXED
Dark Nights: Death Metal: The Secret Origin #1
The DCU’s darkest secrets are explored while two titans clash! The heroes search for a way to defeat the Darkest Knight through the universe’s past, while Superboy Prime faces down the demonic Batman!
Written by Geoff Johns and Scott Snyder
Pencils by Ryan Benjamin, Francis Manapul, Jerry Ordway, and Paul Pelletier
Inks by Richard Friend, Francis Manapul, Jerry Ordway, and Norm Rapmund
Colored by Hi-Fi, Rain Beredo, Ian Herring, and Adriano Lucas
Cover by Joe Prado, Ivan Reis, and Alex Sinclair
Batman News Critic: Nick
Batman Beyond #50
The finale of Dan Jurgens’s iconic run on Batman Beyond finds Terry McGinnis accused of crimes he didn’t commit! When one of his greatest rogues, the formidable Inque, poses as Batman and causes havoc around Gotham City, Wonder Woman will stop by to confront Batman Beyond. Will Terry be able to convince her that he’s innocent or will he find himself the enemy of one of the DC Universe’s greatest heroes? The epic conclusion of the series is here!
Written by Dan Jurgens
Pencils by Sean Chen
Inks by Sean Parsons
Colored by Chris Sotomayor
Cover by Dan Mora
Batman News Critic: Michael
“YOU DON’T HAVE TO THANK US”
Batman/ Superman #15
“Solomon Grundy died on a Sunday!” But when this monster man kicks the bucket, all hell breaks loose! When the body of Grundy begins to break down, so begins a toxic time bomb that could wipe out half of North America! It’s up to the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight to get Grundy from S.T.A.R. Labs to Slaughter Swamp before the clock hits zero…but with a horde of super-villains all looking to snag the sizzling super-titan for their own nefarious ends, our heroes had better move quickly!
Written by Joshua Williamson
Pencils and Inks by Andrei Bressan
Colored by Alejandro Sanchez
Cover by David Marquez and Alejandro Sanchez
Batman News Critic: Casper
Black Adam: Endless Winter Special #1
“Endless Winter” chapter eight! Seeking to bolster his nation’s place in the world, Black Adam arrives in Gotham City demanding action to end the threat causing an endless winter across the globe. But Black Adam isn’t telling the world’s leaders everything-especially not that he’s faced the mysterious Frost King before and won. Find out what Adam’s hiding in the penultimate chapter of “Endless Winter.”
Written by Andy Lanning and Ron Marz
Pencils and Inks by Brandon Peterson and Marco Santucci
Colored by Michael Atiyeh and Arif Prianto
Cover by Michael Atiyeh and Dale Eaglesham
AND
Justice League: Endless Winter #2
“Endless Winter” chapter nine! This is it-the final chapter in the five-week, nine-issue Justice League crossover! With the Frost King’s origin revealed, the Justice League must battle the mistakes of the past as well as the global freeze that now threatens the entire population. This issue is snow-packed with characters and action as Superman battles Black Adam while Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Flash, Green Lantern, Queen Hippolyta, and Swamp Thing face the Frost King and his monstrous army! All of the world is watching, and the Justice League must make a choice.
Written by Andy Lanning and Ron Marz
Pencils and Inks by Carmine Di Giandomenico, Howard Porter, and Marco Santucci
Colored by Hi-Fi and Arif Prianto
Cover by Mikel Janin
Batman News Critic: Nick and Matina
GRAPHIC NOVEL WATCH:
Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 4: Cold Vengeance – Victor Fries has only ever wanted one thing: to bring his wife Nora back to life in a healthy body. Now, with Lex Luthor’s aid, Victor’s wish will finally come true. But how will Nora adjust to the new world she has missed? And how will Batman try to tear Victor’s dream away from him? This title collects Detective Comics #1012-1019.
New Teen Titans Vol. 12 – In the latest collection of Marv Wolfman’s seminal run on The New Teen Titans, the team faces a new threat-the Hybrid, a bizarre team created by former superhero Steve Dayton! The threats continue as Brother Blood returns, and the Titans fight the Brotherhood of Evil in Zandia! Can the team rescue Nightwing and Raven in time? Collects Tales of the Teen Titans #84-88, The New Teen Titans #24-31, and The New Teen Titans Annual #2.
