I feel like I haven’t been able to say this for some time now… but I’m really excited for this week’s releases! And if I’m being honest, it’s just two titles. Which books are going to have me racing to my LCS the moment they open? Well, if you know me, then you probably already know the answer to this… But if you don’t know me too well, then you can find out below.
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.
MARCH 16th
TAKE MY MONEY
Nightwing #78
Nightwing is back-and his drive to keep Blüdhaven safe has never been stronger! But his adopted city has elected a new mayor with the last name Zucco. When Nightwing enlists Batgirl’s help in investigating the politician bearing the same name as the man who murdered his parents, she unearths details that will shock and fundamentally change the hero.
The New York Times bestselling team of writer Tom Taylor (DCeased, Injustice) and artist Bruno Redondo (Injustice, Suicide Squad) are about to take Nightwing to the next stage of his evolution as a hero!
Written by Tom Taylor
Pencils and Inks by Bruno Redondo
Colored by Adriano Lucas
Cover by Bruno Redondo
Josh’s Stance: Take my money! Take my money! Here’s my tax return. Here’s my stimmy-check! Give me all of this! Tom Taylor. Bruno Redondo. Nightwing… Yes, please! Trust me, you don’t want to sleep on this. We’re finally going to get a good Nightwing run since Tim Seeley’s launch for Rebirth.
Batman News Critic: Michael
Catwoman #29
So far, Selina Kyle’s ambitious plan to gain control of Alleytown has been going purrfectly, but she’s about to run headlong into a brand-new foe-and pass right through them…? Riddle us this, Catwoman! What do the Khadym mob, a non-corporeal assassin, and Poison Ivy have in common? And when it comes to solving riddles, there’s only one person Selina can go to-no matter how much she hates the idea.
Written by Ram V
Pencils and Inks by Fernando Blanco
Colored by Jordie Bellaire
Cover by Laura Allred and Joelle Jones
Josh’s Stance: Ram V has officially become one of my favorite writers because he kills it each and every month. His name has now become synonymous with “quality work.” That’s never a bad thing. If you haven’t been reading Catwoman since he took over, then you need to go pick up the last trade that was released, and add this title to your pull-list!
Batman News Critic: Michael
INTRIGUED
Justice League #59
Writer Brian Michael Bendis reunites with artist David Marquez (Miles Morales, Iron Man, Batman/Superman) for a new, star-studded Justice League featuring Superman, Batman, the Flash, Hawkgirl, Aquaman, Hippolyta, new DC powerhouse Naomi, and…is that Black Adam?! Superman is leading the charge to reinvent the Justice League-and at the same time, a new, cosmic-powered threat arrives from Naomi’s homeworld to rule the Earth!
And in the backup story, dark days lie ahead for the new Justice League Dark. Zatanna and John Constantine take a road trip, only to discover horror around the bend as a friend-and sometime foe-is reborn in fire! A legend is destroyed, and another takes a terrible turn, as Merlin reveals the beginning of a new, blood-drenched plot for all humankind. So begins writer Ram V’s new journey into the abyss with the Justice League Dark and artist Xermanico!
Written by Brian Michael Bendis and Ram V
Pencils and Inks by Xermanico and David Marquez
Colored by Tamra Bonvillain and Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Cover by Tamra Bonvillain and David Marquez
Josh’s Stance: Aside from Naomi, Bendis hasn’t been able to land anything great since he started at DC (I will admit that the lead-in to Event Leviathan in Action Comics was excellent… and then it fell apart in the main story), so I understand why so many people are opposed to him on Justice League. However… I think back to Bendis Avengers run, and that alone gives me some hope. Can he do the same thing here that he did for Marvel’s team of heavy-hitters? I genuinely hope so. I’m not holding my breath… But I’m hoping for the best. Also, this is an intriguing roster, so it has that going for it!
Batman News Critic:
NO!
Batman vs Ra’s al Ghul #5
Everyone knows that Gotham City needs Batman-but a shadowy group is running a competition to replace him. Will they choose a man with the necessary skills to keep the people of Gotham safe? Or do they have something else in mind? Either way, Deadman has his own idea of the next steps to take!
Written by Neal Adams
Art by Neal Adams
Cover by Neal Adams
Josh’s Stance: No. I stopped reading this nonsense forever ago. I just can’t. I know some people find it “so bad that it’s good,” but I just think it’s terrible. The fact that it’s been delayed this long just feels like a punishment or a threat lingering over our heads.
DC: “We’ll release the rest of Batman vs Ra’s al Ghul if you don’t buy Future State!”
Us (or maybe just me): “Dear God, no! Please! Everyone buy Future State! GO BUY EVERY ISSUE OF FUTURE STATE! BUY MULTIPLE COPIES!”
Batman News Critic: Nick
GRAPHIC NOVEL WATCH
Batman Beyond Vol. 8: The Eradication Agenda – In the final volume of Batman Beyond, Batman and Batman Beyond meet at least, with Booster Gold caught in the middle! But first, Terry McGinnis forges an uneasy alliance with Damian Wayne in order to stop Mr. Zero and his radical faction from turning Gotham City into an ice-covered hellscape. To set things right, Batman, Damian, and Batwoman Beyond must declare war on the League of Assassins! And one more thing: Inque returns, posing as Batman and wreaking havoc in Gotham City! Collects Batman Beyond #43-50.
