Batman Comics

It’s here! It’s finally happening! Storylines are wrapping up in preparation for the big re-launch, and we get to find out what happens! I’m looking forward to this week’s comics  even more than usual. And for those of you who are wondering about the Dark Knight Rises filming this past weekend, I am definitely writing about it, but it will take a couple more days before that’s ready to share. It was an epic day, but also long and hot, and very tiring. OK, here’s this week’s pull file!

Batgirl 24 – The last issue ended with a big surprise that I would expect to have huge consequences in Stephanie’s life, although knowing that it’s being rebooted kind of reduces the drama. I’ve really grown to like Steph so I’m interested to see what she does, and Bryan Q Miller’s writing has been great on this series.

Batman and Robin 26 – This is probably a one-issue story, since it’s the last one before the relaunch and last month we saw the end of the Red Hood story arc. That’s cool, I’m not quite ready to let go of the Dick and Damian Dynamic Duo and hopefully they’ll have lots of witty banter and badass moments in this issue.

Birds of Prey 15 – Some characters that I don’t really know are in danger! Will they survive? Probably. Will I get emotionally involved? Doubtful, but always possible, I do tend to over-invest.  I’m not so into this series but will be reading it after the relaunch and hopefully that’ll give me the good entrance point that I need – after all, that’s sort of the point of the DCnU.

Detective Comics 881 – This is the one I’m most anticipating – the conclusion to the Jim Gordon & James Jr storyline!! Scott Snyder’s writing has been fantastic and I really like the way both Jock and Francesco Francavilla are doing the artwork, I prefer the two of them working together over either one individually. Last issue ended on quite the cliffhanger but as one commenter said, Barbara is way too smart not to have a plan of some sort. And as a bonus, it’s a longer than normal issue also, at 40 pages.

Flashpoint: Deadman and the Flying Graysons 3 of 3 – The thrilling conclusion! This mini-series has been such a fascinating window into an alternate life for Dick Grayson, and yet also maintains the themes (love, family, passion) that really inform his character in the main Bat-verse. I’m looking forward to finding out how the adult Dick copes with the deaths of his parents, and if it drives him in the same directions that it did when he was a child.

Red Robin 26 – So sad to see this issue come, since it’s the last one in the series I love! But I also know I’ll enjoy it, especially Marcus To’s great art. In this issue Tim confronts his father’s killer, I’m really looking forward to seeing how that goes. It should be a great wrap-up for the series.

Batman 80-Page Giant 2011 – Nothing like a random special issue to top up a great week of comics! Looking through the writers and artists, I don’t see many names I recognize, but I’m a big fan of the cover by Dustin Nguyen.

Holy heatwave, Batman! I sure hope Gotham city cools down soon. There were lots of exciting comics today, maybe they’ll take my mind off the temperature. Here’s what my pull file held this week:

Batman 712 – We find out what happens with Two-Face and Gilda, back from the dead! The art by Steve Scott and Andy Smith is beautiful, and every issue is a satisfying story.

Flashpoint: Deadman and the Flying Graysons 2 of 3 – I’m definitely enjoying seeing how different the Graysons are in this world. In this issue things take a turn for the worse, and Dick is a really vibrant and passionate force at the centre of it. I like that about his character, how bright and alive he can be.

Batman Retroactive 1970′s – This is a one-shot by Len Wein and Tom Mandrake, DC also put out Flash and Wonder Woman issues this week. There’s a new story and one that had been published in the 70′s, and it looks like it will be a lot of fun to read.

Batman: Gates of Gotham 3 of 5 – This series has been interesting so far, looking into the history of Gotham as written by Scott Snyder. I like how the story follows both the historical Gotham (as the city was being built) and things going on in the present with Batman and crew. This series is definitely worth reading.

Justice League of America 59 - Looks like they’re still fighting on the moon. Somehow I don’t feel like these books fit in with the Batman books, but maybe they’re just not intended to. I never understand how Batman has time to be so many places, but I guess that’s his thing, right? He’s Batman.

Superman/Batman 86 – A reporter had found out who Batman is, and now he turns up dead! Who could have killed him, and on whose orders? I really enjoy this series, it’s fun and I enjoy how Batman and Superman interact. They’re not continuing it into the DCnU and that’s disappointing, in part because it tends to have really outlandish covers, they’re awesome. Here’s this week’s issue, by Miguel Sepulveda and Jose Villarrubia — Batman’s not having a good day:

I also got a preview book, DC Comics: The New 52! It’s got a few pages from the upcoming Justice League #1, which is the comic DC’s really leading with, and then one page talking about each of the new titles they’ll be offering. Although it’s not perfect, overall I’m excited for the upcoming changes and I think it can totally turn out well.

Happy Wednesday everyone! It’s a great week for comics and I’m looking forward to reading all my new books. Comment and let me know what you think of these, or what you’re reading!

Batman 711 (Aug ’11) – Now that we know Dick Grayson won’t be Batman for much longer, I’m really going to cherish his last few adventures in the cape and cowl.  Tony Daniel wrote this, continuing the story with Two-Face and the mysterious reappearance of a certain someone – I can’t wait to see how they explain that!

Batgirl 22 (Aug ’11) – As with Batman, it’s odd to read these books knowing that some drastic changes are coming. What will happen to Steph? That’s one of the larger unanswered questions in the whole Reboot, and I hope she’s still around and in the action come September. In this issue she goes to England and works with Squire (a British version of Robin?), that should be fun.

Superman/Batman 85 (Aug ’11) – Starting a new story arc, but this book isn’t being continued after the reboot. Maybe that’ll give the writers a sense of freedom, and we’ll see Bats and Supes finally go gay. … A girl can dream!

Flashpoint: Deadman and the Flying Graysons (Aug ’11) – I didn’t look at the previews so I’m not sure what the actual plot is, or even who Deadman is. But it’s Flashpoint and I know who the Flying Graysons are, so I’m really excited to read this and see what happens to Dick and his family in the Flashpoint world! The cover is amazing, I love the old-school carnival aesthetic: