Welcome back to Upcoming Comics! I won’t beat around the bush, obviously the big Batman news worth talking this week is the new Batman #1. Every time a new writer is brought onto Batman it becomes a huge deal and people start setting up a wide array of expectations. Over the past decade, that often takes the form of an initial swell of hype, and then a more critical side starts to form, but that’s not necessarily always the case. It’s tough to say what Fraction’s run will look like. Personally, I love his Hawkeye run and Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen is a ton of fun. As you could probably tell from my reviews on the title, I believe it’s overdue for a nice change of pace, so I’m at least hopefully optimistic for the future.
Upcoming Comics
Batman #1
A new day dawns for the Dark Knight Detective as Eisner Award-winning writer Matt Fraction (Hawkeye, Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen) joins forces with superstar artist Jorge Jiménez (Batman, Summer of Superman Special) for an unforgettable new era of Batman! The best superhero in comics gets a brand-new first issue to kick off this newer a that will test Batman and Bruce Wayne like never before!
- Written By: Matt Fraction
- Art By: Jorge Jimenez
Thoughts: Fraction could potentially offer a very fresh new take on the character, which I’m at least eager to see.
Batman News Critic: Jackson
Cheetah & Cheshire Rob the Justice League #2
The perfect heist needs the perfect crew! To pull off the impossible and execute a heist on the Justice League’s Watchtower, Cheetah and Cheshire are going to need a little help. They need to put together a crew. A small crew who can work quick and smart. Megalomaniacs and wackos bent on world domination need not apply.
- Written By: Greg Rucka
- Art By: Nicola Scott
Thoughts: The first issue was a great start, as is to be expected by Rucka. Let’s see how the heist itself goes.
Batman News Critic: Akash
Batgirl #11
The action-packed conclusion to “The Three Swords” is here! Cassandra Cain’s family history comes calling when the Blood arrives on Dragon Ranch seeking the Batgirl: Dead or alive. When Cass is offered a deadly choice, she must choose between her dark bloodline and all of its power…or being eliminated. Will Batgirl embrace these old, family ties, or will she finally accept the new relationships being forged? More revelations unfold when a surprise arrival changes everything and Lady Shiva’s legacy continues to reveal itself. This can’t-miss issue propels Batgirl into the next year of story and a new era for the Bat Books!
- Written By: Tate Brombal
- Art By: Takeshi Miyazawa
Thoughts: I kind of dig the idea of this essentially just being a kung-fu book
Batman News Critic: Chris
Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong 2 #4
It’s the rematch you’ve all been waiting for: Godzilla versus Superman! With the Man of Steel not at full power, can he stand up to the might of the King of the Monsters? Meanwhile, Leland Shaw and Lex Luthor continue their evil plans to mine DNA from the creatures of Hollow Earth.
- Written By: Brian Buccellato
- Art By: Christian Duce
Thoughts: Seems like it’s not the rematch people want if both of them aren’t at full power. I know how powerscalers’ minds work.
Batman News Critic: Chip
Poison Ivy #36
It’s a beautiful new day in Seattle! The sun is out, the birds are chirping, and the Order of the Green Knight is at Poison Ivy’s beck and call. As Ivy begins her reign as the new leader of the organization, she begins to reflect on the fight with the GCPD in Marshview and wonders how the police found her? Is it possible that there’s a traitor in her midst? Tensions rise amongst the ranks, as Ivy hunts for the person who helped destroy her budding utopia in Slaughter Swamp. It’s got Janet wondering… when the faithful turn their eyes upon her…what will they find?
- Written By: G. Willow Wilson
- Art By: Marcio Takara, Atagun Ilhan
Thoughts: If you build your utopia in “Slaughter Swamp”, that’s on you when it falls apart.
Batman News Critic: Jeremy
Birds of Prey #25
The Birds of Prey took the fight to The Shadow Army and won—but that was merely the Shadow Army’s first move and their endgame is only just beginning. After an unexpected ally emerges, the Birds find themselves racing against the clock to stop a game called The Unreality that is primed to become a mass casualty event in Gotham. To stop it, the Birds will need to go undercover, enter the game, dismantle it at its source…and somehow make it out alive.
- Written By: Kelly Thompson
- Art By: Cliff Richards, Sami Basri
Thoughts: A mass casualty event in Gotham? Is it Thursday already?
Batman News Critic: Jeremy
Teen Titans Go! #7
When the 31st century’s greatest heroes invite one of the Titans to join the future’s premier super-team, a madcap competition ensues! But eventually, the Titans discover that this Legion isn’t the future Justice League, and it’s not the future Teen Titans…it’s a trap! Now our heroes have to escape and get back home to change the future, so the Titans’ legacy wins out!
- Written By: Ivan Cohen
- Art By: Marcelo Di Chiara
Thoughts: Looks like this title got past the initial hurdle of six issues where it can be collected into a trade. Let’s see how much farther it can keep it up.
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: Batman #1– Normally I would give this to Cheshire and Cheetah for being a proven thing, but regardless of if it’s good or bad, it’s exciting to see what the next era of Batman will look like.
Least Excited: Teen Titans Go! #7– Cartoon tie-ins can only generate so much excitement.
Wild Card: Batgirl #11– It’s still interesting to see what direction this title will go.
Well that’s it for this week! Let us know in the comments what comics you’re looking forward to.
COMMENTS
