Batman-News.com will start covering comic books

One of the most popular requests I've got since I launched Batman-News.com a year ago was to cover comic books. I'm happy to announce that we're going to do just that. With DC Comics relaunching their comics under the "New 52", now is the best time to start reading. I couldn't do this alone however, and I'm thrilled to welcome Andrew Asberry to Batman-News.com. Andrew will be reviewing all of the new Batman comics under the New 52. Get to know all about Andrew after the break.

Hi, I'm Andrew Asberry. I'd like to say I'm a lifelong Batman fan but, if you want to be exact about it, my attachment to Batman didn't start until I was 4. Before that it was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and before that it was Ghostbusters. Now, 21 years after I convinced my mom to throw Batman #445 into the grocery cart, I'm still addicted. I grew up with Tim Burton's Batman films, but it was Batman: The Animated Series and Mask of the Phantasm that I watched religiously. In high school I started collecting the trade paperbacks with The Long Halloween and The Dark Knight Returns being favorites. In 2005 I began posting on the SuperheroHype's Batman forums as Banana-Hotdog, which I still do today only sparing so I avoid spoilers. I followed every step of The Dark Knight viral and even won a few prizes for the photo I submitted to RorysDeathKiss.com.

And last August I was an extra in The Dark Knight Rises' Heinz Field shoot in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I flew in from St. Louis, by the way.

So those are my Batman-fan credentials. As for my comic reviews, I'm going to tell you whether or not I think the comic deserves to be purchased, skimmed through at the store, or avoided entirely. If I think it's a good book, I'm going to tell you what it's about with as few spoilers as possible so you get the maximum amount of enjoyment out of the comic when you do pick it up! But if it's bad, I'm probably going to give away all the spoilers while I rage over my keyboard. I can't say that these are going to be the best written reviews online, but they'll be honest, to the point, and hopefully I can help you make a decision on those books you're on the fence about.

35 comments

Guest

October 2, 2011

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS !

Carnt wait to talk comics and Trades = ) Hey Andrew do you prefer Andrew or Banana-HotDog ?

Andrew
October 2, 2011
Andrew's good for now. Banana-Hotdog is fine, too. I'll also answer to "Andy" or "Banana" if you're into the whole brevity thing.

Stanley Chowaniec

October 2, 2011

Nice!

William L

October 2, 2011

Welcome dude! I hope you keep your work and not give up after a while like those podcast guys... lol
Will you comment usually on non-comics threads too?

Andrew
October 2, 2011
The only way I'd walk away is if my reviews turned out to be completely unhelpful, Willie. I don't see this as work, it's something I love. As for non-comics threads...we'll see. After going to the Heinz Field shoot I've tried to cut myself off from seeing/hearing anymore about Dark Knight Rises. Is it just me or does feel like a lot more is leaking than it did in 2007-08?
1. William L
  October 2, 2011
  Yeah sure, work = love, got ya!
  Man, A LOT MORE is leaking... i think the anticipation, plus all the internet frenzy are making the fans go crazy this time.

Guest

October 2, 2011

Make it happen!

lethargicj

October 2, 2011

The DC comics reboot thing has done the impossible and made me wish I was a Marvel fan. Batman in particular has been unnecessarily ruined to the point that I've given up reading. I didn't invest 30 years of my life into this stuff just to start over now with some sort of weird starting over but trying not to start over mishmash of new and old ideas. The Bat-family dynamic makes NO sense now. Honestly, I would've been 100% behind this if they stuck to their guns and did a day one reboot and we got to see a new Batman origin and then a new origin for Dick, etc, etc, etc. But this idea that we're starting 5 years into Batman's existence yet Dick, Jason, Tim, Damian have all been Robin, Jason still died and came back, Batman RIP still happened including Dick being Batman for a year.....it's just dumb. There's no way all that could happen in the span of 5 years and still make sense.

The worst part is Damian. Assuming he's around 12 years old now, with Batman only being around for 5, that means Bruce had a son for 7 years before he became Batman. That he already had the relationship with Talia and Ra's. It makes no sense. If Bruce had a son, I just don't believe the Batman thing would even happen. Bruce became Batman because he was a lonely man with nothing to lose. I just don't think he even becomes Batman if he already had a real son because the son would've filled the hole he tried to fill by becoming Batman.

Andrew
October 2, 2011
It's best just not to think about it. And it doesn't help that each of the bat-books appear to be taking place at different points in Batman's career making it all the more confusing for first time readers as to what's going on.
1. AquaBro
  October 3, 2011
  Nope, apart from Justice League, Demon Knights, Legion and Action Comics, all the 52 titles are taking place around the same time.
  Also, to the poster above, it has been said by DC several times that Batman has been operating behind the scenes way before the 5 years since the formation of the Justice League, the 5 year thing only applies to how long its been since superheroes were known about in public.
  1. AndrewBatReview
    October 3, 2011
    Really? Detective Comics #1 was pretty ambiguous about where it fit on the timeline and it definitely felt like the beginning of Batman's career.
    1. AndrewBatReview
      October 3, 2011
      Yep, you're right. Tony Daniel just did a poor job making that clear. I mean, in Detective Comics #1 we see a Batman who is hunted by the Gotham PD, hasn't figured out the Joker, and isn't used to the entrance of the Batcave. It really felt like a tale from the early years.
2. lethargicj
  October 3, 2011
  I agree it's best not to think about. By quitting reading them I've done a lot to not think about it. haha I read a lot of #1s, didn't read no stinking #2s.
  If I thought I could just read Batman and Detective and be done with it I would. But I know 2 months from now there will be some Bat-cross over that will try to force me into reading "blogger" Tim Drake and "two legs" Batgirl and I just don't want to. And then next summer I'm sure there will be Super Duper Final Infinite NEW 52 Crisis Reboot that will try to make me read EVERYTHING and I'm just so done with that.
  All in all, this is supposed to be a "jumping on point" for new readers but for me it just feels like a good place to stop. The universe I was so invested in no longer exists. And like I said, I was honestly excited about a complete reboot. I would have no problem with that and I thought it was going to be a real ballsy move on DC's part. But this wishy washy muddled timeline that is only partly rebooted in order to try to satisfy new AND old readers at the same time takes what seemed like a way to inject new life into old characters into what these things usually are, a cheap publicity stunt.
Guest
October 2, 2011
I can totaly see were your coming from , but its just impossible to maintain perfect continuity , yeah the new 52 is a gimmik to intise new readers , but that does not mean there wont be some New cool storys to be told ! " 30 year collection " that must be some collection , qudos !

Esahn Dulin

October 2, 2011

Sounds Good!

SuperherooftheMonth

October 2, 2011

Awesome! Welcome to Batman-News.com, Andrew!

Guest

October 2, 2011

My Top 5 Trades .

Long Halloween ( Its a Classic for a reason )
Joker ( i just love the art in this book , Joker never looked so evil , also has my favourite ever panel Joker gives the middle finger to Arkham )
The Bat and the Beast ( cool little story , Batman goes to Russia )
The Man who Laugths ( Killing Joke gets all the glory , but this is an underated story )
The Dark Knight returns ( nuff said = )

Hounrable mentions - Batman Year One , Killing Joke , Face the Face , Child of dreams

Trades i feel are overated - Arkham Asylum , Hush , Anything by Grant Morrison realy !

AndrewBatReview
October 2, 2011
^My new official comments username
Great list. Since you like Joker, have you heard about Batman: Noel? It'll be out in November. It's another hard cover graphic novel by the same artist who is also taking up writing duties this time around.
I hate Grant Morrison's Batman work, but he's great with Superman.
1. Guest
  October 2, 2011
  No i had not heard of this , cool , i forget the artists name at the minute , i remember he is based in Italy, very talented guy ! I hope he can write as well as he draws ! i will be sure to check it out , thanks .
  1. William L
    October 3, 2011
    Brian Azzarello. Great artist. His Joker is closer to Nolan's Joker [visually / personality]
    1. Cape&CowlDetective
      October 3, 2011
      Yeah, I love Azzarello!
      The weird thing is that I am italian, so I must read your reviews and/or buy online the english (US) version of the new 52s comics, because in Italy it is PROBABLY SUPPOSED that all the new stuff will arrive next year (I feel like a siberian comic books reader LOL)
    2. Guest
      October 3, 2011
      No your mistaken Brian Azzarello is the writer , i love his work , but he is not an artist , i should just go and check the artists name in my collection , Lee Bermejo thats the guy , very talanted based in Italy .
William L
October 2, 2011
Arkham Asylum overated?????? Dude, are you insane?? LOL
AA is one of the best of the best IMO! Where is Miller's The Dark Knight??
My top 6:
AA [c'mon, McKean is a genius]
TDK
Year One
The Cult
Long Halloween
Killing Joke
1. Guest
  October 2, 2011
  Hey ! i got Millers Dark Knight Returns on the list = ) As for Arkham Asylum yeah as a piece of Art i can appritiete the take on the world , but as a story it just loses me !

Jamie Juarez

October 2, 2011

A great fine installment to the website! Welcome Andrew! I will be looking forward to your work!

Thejokersmiles13

October 2, 2011

OH YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!! This is absolutely an incredible announcement one that should not one bit been taken lightly. Thank You Batman-News Thank You!

Guest

October 2, 2011

NOoooOOOooo! I only care about movie news

BatmanNewsChris
October 3, 2011
I'll still be bringing the best movie news. The comic book reviews will have it's own section on the site, it won't be on the front page (for now).
1. yxuz
  October 3, 2011
  can you separate the RSS too
  1. BatmanNewsChris
    October 3, 2011
    Use this feed for just The Dark Knight Rises news:
    http://batman-news.com/cate...
    Or this feed for just comic book reviews:
    http://batman-news.com/cate...

Moriatroll

October 3, 2011

Sadly, the "DC reboot" is pure CRAP. The idea was good, but the execution was awful. Actually, I am very surprise how bad this new comics books are.

Superman Prime
October 3, 2011
Justice League #1 was very good, also Action Comics #1 was enjoyable for the most part, but Superman #1 was rather disappointing however lets just say things may be improving on that front with the removal and replacement of a certain writer. Haven't read Batman #1 or Detective Comics #1 yet, hope they are in the good category.

Manos Jester

October 3, 2011

Admirable move. Well done. The reviews are from the heart and straight to the point. keep up

leftysmoke

October 4, 2011

Never got into the comics, which I regret. I've been a Batman fan for about as long as you have and I was also an extra at Heinz (drove from Dayton, OH), along with my girlfriend. Amazing experience that we will never forget! Welcome aboard, Andrew!

Batman

September 25, 2012

I live in the LA area. How do we meet and talk Batman this week?

Guest
October 2, 2011
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS !
Carnt wait to talk comics and Trades = ) Hey Andrew do you prefer Andrew or Banana-HotDog ?
1. Andrew
  October 2, 2011
  Andrew's good for now. Banana-Hotdog is fine, too. I'll also answer to "Andy" or "Banana" if you're into the whole brevity thing.
Stanley Chowaniec
October 2, 2011
Nice!
William L
October 2, 2011
Welcome dude! I hope you keep your work and not give up after a while like those podcast guys... lol
Will you comment usually on non-comics threads too?
1. Andrew
  October 2, 2011
  The only way I'd walk away is if my reviews turned out to be completely unhelpful, Willie. I don't see this as work, it's something I love. As for non-comics threads...we'll see. After going to the Heinz Field shoot I've tried to cut myself off from seeing/hearing anymore about Dark Knight Rises. Is it just me or does feel like a lot more is leaking than it did in 2007-08?
  1. William L
    October 2, 2011
    Yeah sure, work = love, got ya!
    Man, A LOT MORE is leaking... i think the anticipation, plus all the internet frenzy are making the fans go crazy this time.
Guest
October 2, 2011
Make it happen!
lethargicj
October 2, 2011
The DC comics reboot thing has done the impossible and made me wish I was a Marvel fan. Batman in particular has been unnecessarily ruined to the point that I've given up reading. I didn't invest 30 years of my life into this stuff just to start over now with some sort of weird starting over but trying not to start over mishmash of new and old ideas. The Bat-family dynamic makes NO sense now. Honestly, I would've been 100% behind this if they stuck to their guns and did a day one reboot and we got to see a new Batman origin and then a new origin for Dick, etc, etc, etc. But this idea that we're starting 5 years into Batman's existence yet Dick, Jason, Tim, Damian have all been Robin, Jason still died and came back, Batman RIP still happened including Dick being Batman for a year.....it's just dumb. There's no way all that could happen in the span of 5 years and still make sense.
The worst part is Damian. Assuming he's around 12 years old now, with Batman only being around for 5, that means Bruce had a son for 7 years before he became Batman. That he already had the relationship with Talia and Ra's. It makes no sense. If Bruce had a son, I just don't believe the Batman thing would even happen. Bruce became Batman because he was a lonely man with nothing to lose. I just don't think he even becomes Batman if he already had a real son because the son would've filled the hole he tried to fill by becoming Batman.
1. Andrew
  October 2, 2011
  It's best just not to think about it. And it doesn't help that each of the bat-books appear to be taking place at different points in Batman's career making it all the more confusing for first time readers as to what's going on.
  1. AquaBro
    October 3, 2011
    Nope, apart from Justice League, Demon Knights, Legion and Action Comics, all the 52 titles are taking place around the same time.
    Also, to the poster above, it has been said by DC several times that Batman has been operating behind the scenes way before the 5 years since the formation of the Justice League, the 5 year thing only applies to how long its been since superheroes were known about in public.
    1. AndrewBatReview
      October 3, 2011
      Really? Detective Comics #1 was pretty ambiguous about where it fit on the timeline and it definitely felt like the beginning of Batman's career.
      1. AndrewBatReview
        October 3, 2011
        Yep, you're right. Tony Daniel just did a poor job making that clear. I mean, in Detective Comics #1 we see a Batman who is hunted by the Gotham PD, hasn't figured out the Joker, and isn't used to the entrance of the Batcave. It really felt like a tale from the early years.
  2. lethargicj
    October 3, 2011
    I agree it's best not to think about. By quitting reading them I've done a lot to not think about it. haha I read a lot of #1s, didn't read no stinking #2s.
    If I thought I could just read Batman and Detective and be done with it I would. But I know 2 months from now there will be some Bat-cross over that will try to force me into reading "blogger" Tim Drake and "two legs" Batgirl and I just don't want to. And then next summer I'm sure there will be Super Duper Final Infinite NEW 52 Crisis Reboot that will try to make me read EVERYTHING and I'm just so done with that.
    All in all, this is supposed to be a "jumping on point" for new readers but for me it just feels like a good place to stop. The universe I was so invested in no longer exists. And like I said, I was honestly excited about a complete reboot. I would have no problem with that and I thought it was going to be a real ballsy move on DC's part. But this wishy washy muddled timeline that is only partly rebooted in order to try to satisfy new AND old readers at the same time takes what seemed like a way to inject new life into old characters into what these things usually are, a cheap publicity stunt.
2. Guest
  October 2, 2011
  I can totaly see were your coming from , but its just impossible to maintain perfect continuity , yeah the new 52 is a gimmik to intise new readers , but that does not mean there wont be some New cool storys to be told ! " 30 year collection " that must be some collection , qudos !
Esahn Dulin
October 2, 2011
Sounds Good!
SuperherooftheMonth
October 2, 2011
Awesome! Welcome to Batman-News.com, Andrew!
Guest
October 2, 2011
My Top 5 Trades .
Long Halloween ( Its a Classic for a reason )
Joker ( i just love the art in this book , Joker never looked so evil , also has my favourite ever panel Joker gives the middle finger to Arkham )
The Bat and the Beast ( cool little story , Batman goes to Russia )
The Man who Laugths ( Killing Joke gets all the glory , but this is an underated story )
The Dark Knight returns ( nuff said = )
Hounrable mentions - Batman Year One , Killing Joke , Face the Face , Child of dreams
Trades i feel are overated - Arkham Asylum , Hush , Anything by Grant Morrison realy !
1. AndrewBatReview
  October 2, 2011
  ^My new official comments username
  Great list. Since you like Joker, have you heard about Batman: Noel? It'll be out in November. It's another hard cover graphic novel by the same artist who is also taking up writing duties this time around.
  I hate Grant Morrison's Batman work, but he's great with Superman.
  1. Guest
    October 2, 2011
    No i had not heard of this , cool , i forget the artists name at the minute , i remember he is based in Italy, very talented guy ! I hope he can write as well as he draws ! i will be sure to check it out , thanks .
    1. William L
      October 3, 2011
      Brian Azzarello. Great artist. His Joker is closer to Nolan's Joker [visually / personality]
      1. Cape&CowlDetective
        October 3, 2011
        Yeah, I love Azzarello!
        The weird thing is that I am italian, so I must read your reviews and/or buy online the english (US) version of the new 52s comics, because in Italy it is PROBABLY SUPPOSED that all the new stuff will arrive next year (I feel like a siberian comic books reader LOL)
      2. Guest
        October 3, 2011
        No your mistaken Brian Azzarello is the writer , i love his work , but he is not an artist , i should just go and check the artists name in my collection , Lee Bermejo thats the guy , very talanted based in Italy .
2. William L
  October 2, 2011
  Arkham Asylum overated?????? Dude, are you insane?? LOL
  AA is one of the best of the best IMO! Where is Miller's The Dark Knight??
  My top 6:
  AA [c'mon, McKean is a genius]
  TDK
  Year One
  The Cult
  Long Halloween
  Killing Joke
  1. Guest
    October 2, 2011
    Hey ! i got Millers Dark Knight Returns on the list = ) As for Arkham Asylum yeah as a piece of Art i can appritiete the take on the world , but as a story it just loses me !
Jamie Juarez
October 2, 2011
A great fine installment to the website! Welcome Andrew! I will be looking forward to your work!
Thejokersmiles13
October 2, 2011
OH YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!! This is absolutely an incredible announcement one that should not one bit been taken lightly. Thank You Batman-News Thank You!
Guest
October 2, 2011
NOoooOOOooo! I only care about movie news
1. BatmanNewsChris
  October 3, 2011
  I'll still be bringing the best movie news. The comic book reviews will have it's own section on the site, it won't be on the front page (for now).
  1. yxuz
    October 3, 2011
    can you separate the RSS too
    1. BatmanNewsChris
      October 3, 2011
      Use this feed for just The Dark Knight Rises news:
      http://batman-news.com/cate...
      Or this feed for just comic book reviews:
      http://batman-news.com/cate...
Moriatroll
October 3, 2011
Sadly, the "DC reboot" is pure CRAP. The idea was good, but the execution was awful. Actually, I am very surprise how bad this new comics books are.
1. Superman Prime
  October 3, 2011
  Justice League #1 was very good, also Action Comics #1 was enjoyable for the most part, but Superman #1 was rather disappointing however lets just say things may be improving on that front with the removal and replacement of a certain writer. Haven't read Batman #1 or Detective Comics #1 yet, hope they are in the good category.
Manos Jester
October 3, 2011
Admirable move. Well done. The reviews are from the heart and straight to the point. keep up
leftysmoke
October 4, 2011
Never got into the comics, which I regret. I've been a Batman fan for about as long as you have and I was also an extra at Heinz (drove from Dayton, OH), along with my girlfriend. Amazing experience that we will never forget! Welcome aboard, Andrew!
Batman
September 25, 2012
I live in the LA area. How do we meet and talk Batman this week?

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