I know I’ve said this before, but I’m finding that I’m not overly excited about much of what DC Comics is doing right now. I’m hearing rumbles of good things on the horizon, but those stories are still months away. That being said, yes, I am, in fact, hearing that solid things are on the horizon. We’ll ultimately just have to wait and see, but for now, I’d say to expect books to tread some water until Death Metal, and then we’ll get to see some direction then. Perhaps you can use this time to dip your toes into some new titles or publishers. I know I’m biased, but there are some great guys named Brian and Jay over at Comics-Now who often talk about books outside of DC/ Batman. That might be a good place to start if you do plan on looking into adding a new title to your pull list.
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 11th
TAKE MY MONEY
Batman & the Outsiders #11
Black Lightning is an Outsider no more! It’s up to Katana to take up the reigns of leadership as things look their darkest for the team-and the new addition of Babylon has thrown the team into flux. Plus, Batman is far from thrilled with the secrets that the Signal and Orphan are keeping from him. And this is exactly what Ra’s al Ghul wants: a broken team that doesn’t stand a chance against his new League and their deadliest assassin yet.
Written by Bryan Edward Hill
Pencils and Inks by Dexter Soy
Colored by Veronica Gandini
Cover by Tyler Kirkham and Arif Prianto
Josh’s Stance: The previous issue teased a showdown between the Outsiders and the Ra’s al Ghul’s League of Assassins, and I’m quite excited about it! Bryan Hill just continues to build on his story, and Dexter Soy is there to expand upon it in every way. This is easily one of the best books on DC’s slate right now, and you should be reading it.
Batman News Critic: Josh
INTRIGUED
The Batman’s Grave #6
The Batman is trapped in the most dangerous house in Gotham City, trying to protect Commissioner Gordon from a secret army out to kill anyone involved in the justice system. The war on the law has only just begun.
Written by Warren Ellis
Pencils and Inks by Bryan Hitch
Colored by Alex Sinclair
Cover by Bryan Hitch and Alex Sinclair
Josh’s Stance: We finally got some decent plot progression that built intrigue in issue #5, and that has me quite excited for this chapter. Both Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch have delivered great work, but the story itself was failing to click with me until last month.
Batman News Critic: Josh
“YOU DON’T HAVE TO THANK US”
Young Justice #14
Now that Young Justice has figured out who the bad guys are, it’s time to bring the fight to S.T.A.R. Labs’ front door! But the combined forces of Dial H for Hero, the Wonder Twins, Naomi, and the entire Young Justice roster may not be enough to defeat these evil scientists. It’s time to call in some super-powered backup…the new Young Justice! Plus, how will Superman revealing his secret identity affect Conner Kent?
Written by Brian Michael Bendis and David F. Walker
Pencils and Inks by Michael Avon Oeming and John Timms
Colored by Gabe Eltaeb
Cover by Gabe Eltaeb and John Timms
Josh’s Stance: Young Justice is one of those books that I really want to like, but other than bringing these characters together, this book hasn’t done anything to hold my attention. It isn’t bad, but it isn’t very interesting either. It almost feels as though DC through this book together as a cash grab due to the team’s namesake rather than publishing because they had a good story to tell.
Batman News Critic: Matina
NO!
Catwoman #21
In this action-packed conclusion to the Villa Hermosa epic, Catwoman and Raina Creel go head-to-head. Win or lose, this is a crossroads for Catwoman. Will she stay with her sister in their new home, or return to Gotham City and the life she hoped she had left behind?
Written by Joelle Jones
Pencils and Inks by Fernando Blanco
Colored by FCO Plascencia
Cover by Laura Allred and Joelle Jones
Josh’s Stance: Catwoman has been a mess for me. It’s unfocused. The pacing is all over the place. I mean this in the nicest way possible, but Joelle Jones should just stick to art. DC should’ve had another writer placed on this book back around issue 6 or so, because there’s not much quality here as far as the script and story are concerned.
Batman News Critic: Michael
GRAPHIC NOVEL WATCH
Batman: City of Crime Deluxe Edition - Collecting the epic tale from Detective Comics #800-808 and #811-814 written by David Lapham (Stray Bullets)! As the Dark Knight tries to shut down a drug ring turned deadly, Bruce Wayne must contend with a wayward 14-year-old who is dangerously close to Gotham City's underworld!
Batman: Tales of the Demon - In this new printing of a classic collection, meet one of Batman's most formidable adversaries; the founder of the League of Assassins known as Ra's al Ghul! This volume includes Ra's al Ghul's famous debut in "Daughter of the Demon"! Plus, Bruce Wayne goes undercover as Matches Malone to track down the Demon's Head! Collects Detective Comics #411, #485, and #489-490; Batman #232, #235, #240, and #242-244; and DC Special Series #15.
Just Imagine if Stan Lee Creating the DC Universe Book One - Stan Lee at DC seemed like something fans could only ever dream about-until it happened in 2001! This new collection brings these stories back in print, including Just Imagine Stan Lee with Dave Gibbons Creating Green Lantern #1, Just Imagine Stan Lee with Jerry Ordway Creating JLA #1, Just Imagine Stan Lee with Jim Lee Creating Wonder Woman #1, Just Imagine Stan Lee with Joe Kubert Creating Batman #1, Just Imagine Stan Lee with John Buscema Creating Superman #1, and Just Imagine Stan Lee with Kevin Maguire Creating Flash #1.
The Oracle Code - The #1 New York Times bestselling author Marieke Nijkamp and artist Manuel Preitano unveil a graphic novel that explores the dark corridors of Barbara Gordon's first mystery: herself.
After a gunshot leaves her paralyzed below the waist, Barbara Gordon must undergo physical and mental rehabilitation at Arkham Center for Independence. She must adapt to a new normal, but she cannot shake the feeling that something is dangerously amiss. Strange sounds escape at night while patients start to go missing.
Is this suspicion simply a result of her trauma? Or does Barbara actually hear voices coming from the center's labyrinthine hallways? It's up to Barbara to put the pieces together to solve the mysteries behind the walls.
In The Oracle Code, universal truths cannot be escaped, and Barbara Gordon must battle the phantoms of her past before they consume her future.
