As I’m sure everyone is aware, we’re currently facing a global threat in the form of the Covid-19. For us in America, the past week has been unique and challenging – especially from a business standpoint. I’ve been in countless meetings, calls, and conferences to determine what’s best from a human and business perspective for my day job, and it really put me behind with my responsibilities here. For that, I sincerely apologize. Because I am so far behind (it’s 11:00 PM here and some comic shops released their books a day early from what I understand), I’m not going to add a blurb for this week’s post. I’m just going to list the books and rank them according to the anticipation scale. I’ll return with my insights/ snark next week though. I promise.
Before we get into this week’s books, I also want to take a moment to wish everyone the best. These are incredibly difficult times we are living in, and it will only become more difficult over the next few weeks/ months. To that, I say: Be kind. Be patient. Be safe. Give when you can. Now more than ever, we need to show the world what it can be. Be the hero that inspires you.
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 18th
TAKE MY MONEY
DCeased: Unkillables #2
With the world ending around them, Red Hood and Batgirl take shelter in the most unlikely place: an orphanage full of children! Will they be able to protect the kids from the impending hordes of the infected streaming out of Gotham City and Blüdhaven? And elsewhere, Deathstroke, Vandal Savage, and some of DC’s worst villains battle the apocalypse out as an “Anti-Suicide Squad.” But a certain wondrous woman may not let them have it their own way!
Written by Tom Taylor
Pencils by Karl Mostert
Inks by Neil Edwards, Karl Mostert, and Trevor Scott
Colored by Rex Lokus
Cover by Tomeu Morey and Howard Porter
Batman News Critic: Casper
Robin: 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1
DC Comics celebrates Robin the Boy Wonder’s 80th anniversary in style with an all-star creative team representing each iteration of the iconic character across eight decades of history! From the high-flying adventures of Dick Grayson to the tragedy of Jason Todd, the enthusiasm of Tim Drake and the arrogance of Damian Wayne, the persistence of Stephanie Brown and the rebelliousness of Carrie Kelley-the mantle of Robin has been worn by many, but always represents one thing: a hero.
Written by Adam Beechen, Chuck Dixon, Devin Grayson, Tom King, Tim Seeley, and More...
Pencils and Inks by Javier Fernandez, Tom Grummett, Mikel Janin, Jorge Jimenez, Dan Jurgens, and More...
Colored by Hi-Fi, Protobunker, Brad Anderson, David Baron, Tamra Bonvillain, and More...
Cover by Brad Anderson and Lee Weeks
Batman News Critic: Nick
INTRIGUED
Justice League #43
All secrets revealed! Caught in the Justice League’s trap, the Eradicator reveals the truth hidden in his circuits. And as Superman confronts his past defeat, it’s up to Wonder Woman to make a decision that will divide the team. The no-holds-barred war between the League and a murder machine with Superman’s face concludes!
Written by Robert Venditti
Pencils by Doug Mahnke
Inks by Richard Friend
Colored by David Baron
Cover by Bryan Hitch and Jason Wright
Batman News Critic: Nick
MIXED
Batman #91
To save Gotham City, Catwoman will have to commit the greatest heist in the city’s history! But hot on her trail are the Penguin, the Riddler, a horde of assassins, and the master criminal called the Designer! And the most dangerous person standing in her way is the man she’s trying to save: Batman. And what complications will his arise from his new sidekick, Harley Quinn?
Written by James Tynion IV
Pencils by Rafael Albuquerque, Jorge Jimenez, and Carlo Pagulayan
Inks by Rafael Albuquerque, Jorge Jimenez, and Danny Miki
Colored by Tomeu Morey
Cover by Jorge Jimenez and Tomeu Morey
Batman News Critic: Josh
“YOU DON’T HAVE TO THANK US”
Nightwing #70
How many Nightwings does it take for one Joker to strike to get to the real one? Four Nightwings. And that’s not even the punchline-how will Ric interact with the Joker when he’s not quite sure which one of his two memories is the real one…and exactly how dangerous this clown standing before him is?
Written by Dan Jurgens
Pencils by Ryan Benjamin and Ronan Cliquet
Inks by Ronan Cliquet and Scott Hanna
Colored by Rainier Beredo and Nick Filardi
Cover by Mike Perkins, Bruno Redondo, and Jason Wright
Batman News Critic: Michael
Teen Titans #40
“Djinn War” continues! Elias and his army of genies have begun their assault on heaven, and the only person capable of stopping him is his younger sister Djinn-who is currently trapped in purgatory. But Robin, Crush and the rest of the Teen Titans have a plan to bust her out-and the road to purgatory goes through hell itself. But how do you get to hell, you ask? Simple...you only have to die!
Written by Adam Glass and Robbie Thompson
Pencils by Eduardo Pansica
Inks by Julio Ferreira
Colored by Marcelo Maiolo
Cover by Bernard Chang and Marcelo Maiolo
Batman News Critic: Matina
Year of the Villain: Hell Arisen #4
This is it! Lex Luthor has gathered a strike force of villains he’s leveled up to be the baddest bad guys around-Captain Cold, Oracle, Solomon Grundy, Black Manta, and Lobo, each and every one a recipient of one of Lex’s dark gifts.
But the Batman Who Laughs has his own army of infected heroes. Six hundred sixty-six of them, all transformed into their worst selves.
It’s a final showdown between two of DC’s most iconic villains, all to curry the favor of Perpetua. Whoever wins will take over the Multiverse alongside her. Does Lex ascend, or does he get laid low? Does the Batman Who Laughs finally remake the DC Universe in his own image? Either way, life for our heroes will never be the same.
Written by James Tynion IV
Pencils and Inks by Steve Epting
Colored by Nick Filardi
Cover by Steve Epting
Batman News Critic: Josh
GRAPHIC NOVEL WATCH:
Batman Allies: Alfred Pennyworth - Following Alfred's tragic death in "City of Bane," this collection gathers the greatest stories in the character's 75-year history, including his debut appearance in 1943's Batman #16, the mystery of "The Man Who Killed Mlle. Marie," and the touching "Father's Day." Collects stories from Batman #16 and #31; Detective Comics #83, #356, #501, #502, #806, and #807; Untold Legends of the Batman #2; Batman Annual #13; Batman: Shadow of the Bat #31; Batman: Gotham Adventures #16; Batman Eternal #31; and Batman Annual (2016) #1 and #3.
Batman: Universe - In this story written by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Nick Derington, Batman is pushed to his limit as he sets off in search of an item with incredible destructive powers-and embarks on a journey across the DC Universe! It's a race to the finish line as Batman chases the Riddler from Gotham to Gorilla City and beyond, with the fate of humanity in the balance. Guest stars include Vandal Savage, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Deathstroke, Jonah Hex, and more! Collects Batman: Universe #1-6.
