No matter how much I try to keep it on the down low in order to preserve my “sophisticated” (read: snooty) image, I can’t deny that I’m a huge Batman fan. I got into comics due to Batman: The Animated Series, and I’ve read more Batman comics than any one man should. Think this list times… four? Five? I don’t even want to know. That being said, I may be a Batman fan, but if I am then I am a very cynical one, convinced (from experience) that the majority of Batman comics fall between bad and terrible. Follow the cut to see if I find DC’s relaunched Batman titles more promising than what’s offered now, or if I will continue to be disappointed.
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art by GREG CAPULLO and JONATHAN GLAPION
Cover by GREG CAPULLO
Variant cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER
On sale SEPTEMBER 21 – 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US – RATED TBe here for the start of a new era for The Dark Knight from writer Scott Snyder (AMERICAN VAMPIRE, BATMAN: GATES OF GOTHAM) and artist Greg Capullo (Spawn)! A series of brutal killings hints at an ancient conspiracy, and Batman learns that Gotham City is deadlier than he knew.
If you’ve been visiting our site for a while, then you’ll know that I am a big fan of Scott Snyder’s Batman work. Putting Snyder on Batman is one of the smartest things DC has done regarding the reboot. There’s no denying that Batman is the most popular DC character here in the United States. As such, a good portion of those new readers that are going to be drawn in by the publicity DC has been receiving are going to pick up Batman #1. Unlike some other titles, though, this one is almost certain to keep those readers. Snyder gets Batman that much. I’m almost worried that newcomers are going to get a warped view of DC’s superhero comics and think that they’re all as good as this one is (probably) going to be. Again, a smart move on DC’s end.
Detective Comics #1
Written by TONY S. DANIEL
Art by TONY S. DANIEL and RYAN WINN
Cover by TONY S. DANIEL
On sale SEPTEMBER 7 – 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US – RATED TDC’s flagship title is relaunched for the first time ever, with new Batman adventures from acclaimed writer/ artist Tony S. Daniel! A killer called The Gotham Ripper is on the loose on Batman’s home turf — leading The Dark Knight on a deadly game of cat and mouse.
If you’ve been visiting our site for a while, then you’ll know that I am not a big fan of Tony Daniel’s Batman work. Now, I’ve been very hard on the man in the past, so I’d like to go ahead and say that he is good at what he does. What he does, though, is write relatively standard Batman stories that are good for a diversion and not much else. There’s nothing wrong with that, really; in fact, sometimes it is quite nice to have someone like Daniel step in to give the reader a bit of a break from writer after writer that are trying to shake up the status quo. Giving such a writer/artist an extended run, though? Probably not the best idea. Making him the premiere creative force for DC’s flagship book? A definite bad idea.
Batwing #1
Continued belowWritten by JUDD WINICK
Art and cover by BEN OLIVER
On sale SEPTEMBER 7 – 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US – RATED TAfrica, a land of beauty — and of great horror. A land of creation and conflict. It is in desperate need of a defender, and from the ranks of Batman Incorporated comes a soldier to carry on the legacy of The Dark Knight in the most tumultuous region on Earth. Meet Batwing, the Batman of Africa!
We’ll get to Judd Winick in a bit. For now, though, let’s focus on the character of Batwing. I do think it’s a neat idea to give one of the new members of Batman Inc. a spinoff series, but when I heard it was Batwing all I thought was “that guy with the hideous costume?” The slight redesign does make it a bit better, but the main problem is that I have no interest in the character. Sure, we don’t know much about him, so the first writer has an opportunity to define the character more, but… well, as I said, we’ll get to Winick in a bit. If someone from Batman Inc. was to be given a spinoff, though, why wasn’t it Nightrunner? The Batman of France has been given a good deal of media attention, he is a Muslim and thus adds that diversity factor that DC’s going for, and he’s plain cool. A Nightrunner series would have been definitely worth a look, in my opinion. Batwing, though? Not so much.
Batman: The Dark Knight #1
Written by DAVID FINCH
Art by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND
Cover by DAVID FINCH
On sale SEPTEMBER 28 – 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US – RATED TThe Dark Knight struggles against a deadly — yet strangely familiar — foe in this phenomenal debut issue from superstar writer/artist David Finch (BRIGHTEST DAY, ACTION COMICS)! As a mysterious figure slinks through the halls of Arkham Asylum, Batman must fight his way through a gauntlet of psychos, and Bruce Wayne faces the unexpected legal ramifications of Batman Incorporated!
I’ll be brief: why does DC need this? There are more than enough Batman-starring books out there, and each of them are most likely going to be leagues better than this (if its first volume was any indication). Sure, a story exploring “the unexpected legal ramifications of Batman Incorporated” does sound like it could be neat, but not under the pen of David Finch.
Batman and Robin #1
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art and cover by PATRICK GLEASON and MICK GRAY
On sale SEPTEMBER 14 – 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US – RATED TBattling evil with his son, Damian, at his side, Batman now realizes that the hardest part of the job may be trying to work together! As Batman and Robin try to adjust to their new partnership, a figure emerges from Bruce Wayne’s past: His name is NoBody, and he’s not happy that Batman Incorporated is shining a light on his own shadowy war against evil…
Once again, does DC really need this many titles that focus on Bruce? This one, though, I’m mildly interested. A book that gives Damian a bit more of the spotlight is definitely needed, and it will be neat to see how he and Bruce interact now that the little squirt has grown up a tiny bit. The one thing that makes me hesitant, though, is Tomasi and Gleason’s earlier stint on the title’s first volume. These are guys that usually bring their a-game to everything they’re assigned, but they really, really did not for that arc. Still, I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt with their return. If the pair are able to make this as good as their work on Green Lantern Corps, then it will be one of the better Bat-books on the market, and it’s worth losing a few dollars to find out.
Batgirl #1
Continued belowWritten by GAIL SIMONE
Art by ARDIAN SYAF and VICENTE CIFUENTES
Cover by ADAM HUGHES
On sale SEPTEMBER 7 – 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US – RATED TYes, it’s really happening! Barbara Gordon is back as Batgirl — and she’s going to have to face the city’s most horrifying new villains as well as the dark secrets from her past. You won’t want to miss this stunning debut issue from fan-favorite BIRDS OF PREY writer Gail Simone!
A lot has been said about Babs becoming Batgirl again and – supposedly – regaining her ability to walk. I’m not going to write a lengthy manifesto about it. Instead, I offer just a few words of reassurance. This is Gail Simone. She loves Barbara Gordon more than nearly everybody. Not only that, but she has an extensive history working with the character, and knows just why she is so special to so many readers of so many different backgrounds. Relax. Everything is going to be fine.
Batwoman #1
Written by J.H. WILLIAMS III and W. HADEN BLACKMAN
Art and cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III
On sale SEPTEMBER 14 – 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US – RATED TAt last! Batwoman’s new series begins, from the multiple award-winning creative team of J.H. Williams III and Haden Blackman!
In “Hydrology,” part 1 of 5, Batwoman faces deadly new challenges in her war against Gotham City’s underworld — and new trials in her life as Kate Kane. Who or what is stealing children from the barrio, and for what vile purpose? Will Kate train her cousin, Bette Kane (a.k.a. Flamebird), as her new sidekick? How will she handle unsettling revelations about her father, Colonel Jacob Kane? And why is a certain government… (the solicit ends here on DC’s blog, so don’t blame me!)
We’ve waited a long time since Batwoman #0, and it looks like we’re finally being rewarded. J.H. Williams and W. Haden Blackman are taking Kate Kane from where Williams and Greg Rucka’s run on Detective Comics left off, spurred on by a lot of media notice. When this series was first announced, I was a bit skeptical – after all, Rucka’s excellent writing was an essential part of the pair’s Detective run. Since reading the #0, though, my fears have been assuaged, and I feel like I can safely say that this will be a great comic, no matter who you are. I still have some reservations – for one, I have no interest in Bette becoming Flamebird – but this title is still my second-most looked forward to post-relaunch Bat-book, and it should be yours, too (or your #1).
Nightwing #1
Written by KYLE HIGGINS
Art and cover by EDDY BARROWS and JP MAYER
On sale SEPTEMBER 21 – 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US – RATED TDick Grayson flies high once more as Nightwing in a new series from hot new writer Kyle Higgins (BATMAN: GATES OF GOTHAM)! And as he embraces his destiny, Haley’s Circus, the big top where Dick once performed, returns to Gotham City — bringing with it murder, mystery and superhuman evil. Nightwing must confront his past, among former friends and enemies from his circus days, while uncovering a much greater evil!
I’ve been a fan of Nightwing since early childhood. I should probably be a bit upset that Dick is just kind of giving up the cowl, but I can’t help but be excited for a new Nightwing ongoing. I don’t mean to sound like I’m one of those character devotees that will read anything featuring a character they love, no matter how good it is (see the recent Deadpool surge for that); rather, I’m always willing to give attention to up and coming writers, and Kyle Higgins seems like the kind of guy you’d want to lay your money on. We’ve seen that he can script rather well; the question is, can he come up with a good story? As much as I want to buy this, though, the unfortunate decision to use the overrated Eddie Barrows on this book moves it down to “wait and see” status on my personal list.
Catwoman #1
Continued belowWritten by JUDD WINICK
Art and cover by GUILLEM MARCH
On sale SEPTEMBER 21 – 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US – RATED T+Meet Catwoman. She’s addicted to the night. Addicted to shiny objects. Addicted to Batman. Most of all, Catwoman is addicted to danger. She can’t help herself, and the truth is — she doesn’t want to. She’s good at being bad, and very bad at being good. Find out more about what makes Catwoman tick in this new series from writer Judd Winick (BATMAN: UNDER THE HOOD) and artist Guillem March (GOTHAM CITY SIRENS)!
I said we’d get to Judd Winick, didn’t I? Well, actually, my first qualm is with the cover. Don’t get me wrong, Guillem March is a hell of an artist, but come on. That cover proves that this whole silly “pants edict” of DC’s isn’t going to fix anything. I can’t imagine any woman seeing that comic on the stands and thinking “oh, this stars a female protagonist, clearly it is aimed at me” when… well, you can see. Moving to Winick: he’s certainly written some good (but not great) things in his day. The problem is, any moment that he gets the chance to touch on any social issue he becomes unbearably preachy – even if I agree with him. With DC trying to portray their female characters in a less objectifying way, I can only imagine that Winick is going to include this in his Catwoman work. That isn’t a problem at all. He is, however, probably going to handle it with all the subtlety of a brick to the face. That is a problem.
Birds of Prey #1
Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
Art and cover by JESUS SAIZ
On sale SEPTEMBER 21 – 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US – RATED TOne is wanted for a murder she didn’t commit. The other is on the run because she knows too much. They are Dinah Laurel Lance and Ev Crawford — a.k.a. Black Canary and Starling — and together, as Gotham City’s covert ops team, they’re taking down the villains other heroes can’t touch. But now they’ve attracted the attention of a grizzled newspaper reporter who wants to expose them, as well as a creepy, chameleon-like strike team that’s out to kill them. Don’t miss the start of this hard-hitting new series from mystery novelist/comics writer Duane Swierczynski (Expiration Date, Cable).
Now, I know the Birds have quite the cult following. And I did love both Dixon and Simone’s runs on the first volume. So I’m going to go ahead and let loose the unpopular opinion: this title should have been held off for later. With many other more popular characters getting a book (or four books) and without the title’s most acclaimed writer attached, this book is in danger of being one of the first cancellations of the relaunch (certainly not the first, though, as that will be Voodoo). I like Duane Swierczynski’s novels, but his comics have been very hit or miss over the years. I’m still interested in this book, though, because it has that street-level vibe that Swierczynski tends to be best at, and it has the highly underrated Jesus Saiz attached as writer. I hope my predictions concerning this book’s longevity are wrong, but you can’t blame me for being concerned.
Red Hood and the Outalws #1
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
On sale SEPTEMBER 21 – 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US – RATED TNo sooner has Batman’s former sidekick, Jason Todd, put his past as the Red Hood behind him than he finds himself cornered by a pair of modern day outlaws: Green Arrow’s rejected sidekick Arsenal, the damaged soldier of fortune, and the alien Starfire, a former prisoner of intergalactic war who won’t be chained again. As a loner, Jason has absolutely no interest in this motley crew of outlaws. So what’s he going to do when they choose the Red Hood as their leader? Find out in this hot new series from writer Scott Lobdell (WILDC.A.T.S, Uncanny X-Men), featuring art by rising star Kenneth Rocafort (ACTION COMICS)!
Scott Lobdell is responsible for some of the better X-Men comics of the otherwise dismal 90s. Granted, he’s also responsible for a good deal of stinkers. Both of these aside, I’ve never been that interested in the resurrected Jason Todd (mainly due to my dislike of Winick), so I can’t really get too interested about this book, either. The team does seem kind of neat, and I’d love to see how they handwave away Cry for Justice and The Rise of Arsenal, but this book doesn’t seem to have the oomph it should. Sure, I might not like Winick that much, but a lot of people do, and it doesn’t make sense to not put him on the character that recently gained a huge following after the adaptation of one of his comics. Instead, we get a sometimes solid, sometimes not writer on a book with an artist with equally hit-or-miss stylization. I might read a friend’s comic.
