Welcome back to Upcoming Comics! This week's message is same as it's been: we're on the look out for new comic reviewers and are currently accepting applications from anyone who's interested. If you're a Batman fan and you have ~opinions~, then let us know!
Step #1
Introduce yourself. We want to know who you are, where you’re from, and what kind of schedule you keep. What do you think makes you a decent writer? Have you read any literature on writing such as “Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art” by Scott McCloud or “Story” by Robert McKee? What do you know about comic art techniques? Despite there being so many comic reviews online today, very few offer high-quality commentary on the artwork. It would be fantastic to find a reviewer who can devote as much attention to the illustrations as the story and characterization.
Also, during your introduction, we would like to know a little something about your connection to The Dark Knight. We are looking for passionate fans, rather than someone only familiar with the big blockbusters. Move us with a personal story or impress us with how far your obsession has taken you. Tell us about that Bat tattoo or cosplay that you’re proud of. We only want to give this opportunity to the type of people who live and breathe Gotham City (though you don’t need to be crazy enough to want to live there).
Step #2
Give us a rundown of your experience with these characters. The more comics you’ve read, the better. List what comic book eras you’re most familiar and unfamiliar with. What unread classic graphic novels are you most ashamed of never reading? What are your favorite Batman stories of all-time? If you’ve seen every show or played every video game, let us know! The more info you give us, the more seriously you’ll be considered.
Step #3
Review some comics. Is there any better way to know what you’re made of? Write 2 reviews, 500-words minimum each, and make one for an issue that you liked and one for an issue that you did NOT like (they need to be current comics, something published within the past year). Also don’t worry if it’s a book we’ve reviewed already and your score is completely different than what we published. We’re not just looking for people to echo our opinions back to us. Different viewpoints are welcome! Just prove that you’re a capable writer. Write it in the style of one of our reviews, complete with a “Recommended If” and “Overall” section, capped off with a 1-10 rating.
Submit
Send your application to: ReviewerTryouts@gmail.com in the form of a PDF or Word document. There is no immediate deadline. We will announce in Upcoming Comics whenever tryouts are closed.
If we like what we see, then we’ll start an email correspondence with you with a few more fun challenges, and if you past the test we’ll assign you a few books to review. And if you’re wondering, yes it’s a paid gig with perks like free comics and interview opportunities with DC talent. Just don’t think you’re going to get rich off writing comic reviews or that you can quit your day job. This is a passion project first and foremost where you’ll get a rare opportunity to bond with some of the biggest Batman fans in the world.
Upcoming Comics
Batman #142
The tragic “death” of the leader of the Red Hood Gang in a vat of chemicals has become the subject of myth…but what is the heartbreaking and gruesome tale of the monster who walked away from that violent birth? And how does it affect Batman’s distant future? “The Joker Year One” begins here!
- Written By: Chip Zdarsky
- Penciled By: Giuseppe Camuncoli, Andrea Sorrentino
- Inks By: Stefano Nesi, Andrea Sorrentino
- Colors By: Dave Stewart, Alejandro Sanchez
- Cover By: Jorge Jiménez, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Stefano Nesi, Tomeu Morey
Thoughts: Oh boy. Let me just preface my review by saying that I'm going to have a lot to say about this comic.
Batman News Critic: Jackson
Suicide Squad: Kill Arkham Asylum #1
Before the Suicide Squad sets their sights on the corrupted Justice League in the upcoming videogame Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, join us for this thrilling prequel and witness them kill Arkham Asylum! Amanda Waller has taken control of the recently rebuilt Arkham, and her brutal tactics and merciless methods have led to the most secure asylum Gotham has ever known. But when the cell doors open, and the inmates are left in a freefor-all deathmatch, Waller’s true intentions reveal themselves: identify the strongest, smartest, and most brutal to serve her on Task Force X.
- Written By: John Layman
- Penciled By: Jesús Hervás
- Inks By: Jesús Hervás
- Colors By: David Baron
- Cover By: Dan Panosian
Thoughts: The nice thing about this comic is that it can't get shut down on release day because of a bug.
Batman News Critic: Aaron
Birds of Prey #6
It’s all-out war on Themyscira as the team faces off against the mythical Megaera…can the Birds overcome this ancient evil?! Or will one of them have to pay the ultimate price…?
- Written By: Kelly Thompson
- Penciled By: Leonardo Bastos Romero
- Inks By: Leonardo Bastos Romero
- Colors By:
- Cover By: Jordie Bellaire, Leonardo Bastos Romero
Thoughts: You know comics are back when we get a "one person will die!" hook à la ASM #121.
Batman News Critic: Jeremy
Poison Ivy #19
A story decades in the making! Long has her tale been told by others, but witness for the first time-in intimate detail-the one true secret origin of Poison Ivy, as revealed by the viridescent villainess herself. The GLAAD Media Award-winning team of writer G. Willow Wilson and artist Marcio Takara reunites to tell this heartbreaking and historic origin story as only they can.
- Written By: G. Willow Wilson
- Penciled By: Marcio Takara
- Inks By: Marcio Takara
- Colors By: Arif Prianto
- Cover By: Jessica Fong
Thoughts: It's going to be hard for Wilson to top Neil Gaiman's Poison Ivy origin from Secret Origins #36
Batman News Critic: None
Red Hood: The Hill #0
Before you embark on Red Hood’s newest adventure in the Hill, experience the story that introduced Jason to his new home! As The Joker War ravages Gotham, a new vigilante group has formed to protect their turf, and Red Hood finds himself caught in the crossfire! This thrilling tale collects Red Hood: Outlaw #51 and #52, and is essential reading to get you ready for all hell to come to the Hill in Red Hood: The Hill!
- Written By: Shawn Martinbrough
- Penciled By: Tony Akins, Moritat
- Inks By: Stefano Gaudiano
- Colors By: Paul Mounts
- Cover By: Sanford Greene
Thoughts: Could this be where DC finally figures out what to do with Jason? Eleventh time's the charm!
Batman News Critic: The issues reprinted here were covered by Matina here and here
The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #2
Come to Slaughter Swamp and get a selfie with Solomon Grundy! For the adventure tourism crowd, that’s a potent lure, and there’s a real estate developer who has big plans…and a lot of swamp to profit from! Will Batman and the gang from Mystery Inc. figure out what’s going on in time to save some Gothamites from a zombie disaster?
- Written By: J. Torres
- Penciled By: Scott Jeralds
- Inks By: Scott Jeralds
- Colors By: Carrie Strachan
- Cover By: Scott Jeralds, Carrie Strachan
Thoughts: Solomon Grundy always gave off "Old Man Jenkins in a suit to scare off real estate developers" vibes
Batman News Critic: None
Beyond the Bat
Welcome to Beyond the Bat, where we take a quick look at the rest of DC’s comics coming out this week.
Graphic Novel Watch
Sometimes you need more than floppies. Sometimes you want something that can sit nicely on your shelf that proudly displays your favorite stories. That’s when you turn to graphic novels. Let’s see what bat collections are coming out this week:
Ratings
Most Excited: Birds of Prey #6- The characters are fun, and in a week like this that can take you far
Least Excited: Batman #142- I don't know if I could think of a comic we need less than this
Wild Card: Poison Ivy #19- It'll be interesting to see how Ivy's origin changes this time around
Well that’s it for this week! Let us know in the comments what comics you’re looking forward to.
