Batman: Eternal, the new Batman weekly from Scott Snyder, Jason Fabok and more

The 75th anniversary of the comic that first introduced the Dark Knight to the world, Detective Comics #27, is coming soon, March 30th of next year to be exact, and DC are commemorating it in a big way.

Starting some time next year is "Batman: Eternal", a new weekly Batman series, mostly written by current "Batman" writer, Scott Snyder, with art from Jason Fabok. As well as Snyder, some other writers will be on board with the book, with contributions from writers James Tynion IV, John Layman, Tim Seeley and Ray Fawkes.

Snyder told USA Today about the series, including the fact that it's going to have some pretty important moments:

"You'll see some humongous newsworthy stuff in it, I promise,"

As well as a Year-Long weekly series, DC are also making the 27th issue of the current Detective Comics run memorable as well, with a 96-page special issue, with work from creators such as Paul Dini, Gregg Hurwitz, Neal Adams, Frank Miller and Francesco Francavilla.

I think it's pretty safe to say the Caped Crusader's 75th anniversary isn't going to be disappointing.

(Just a quick side note here, I'm not sure if anybody else has noticed, but Nightwing doesn't appear on Jason Fabok's Batman: Eternal artwork above... Beginning to wonder just how much the events of DC's current event, Forever Evil, are going to impact him...)

Zero Year- Birds of Prey Solicit plus new story details

Throughout the last two days, DC Comics have been releasing information about which of their series will be tying in to Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's "Zero Year" story. We now know information on all of them, as they've now revealed the final book to be taking part in the crossover, Birds of Prey.

Check out the cover and the solicit below:

BIRDS OF PREY #25 Written by CHRISTY MARX
Art by ROMANO MOLENAAR and JONATHAN GLAPION
Cover by JORGE MOLINA
On sale NOVEMBER 20 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
BLACK CANARY: ZERO YEAR?! Well, it’s definitely a BATMAN: ZERO YEAR tie-in issue as we look into a pivotal moment in Black Canary’s history! Don’t miss assassins, mystery men and an ancient evil in Gotham City!












We also now know the event in the main story that will link all of the books together, a series of blackouts hit Gotham City, causing whole City-wide darkness ( which of course doesn't make much sense, considering in the background of the above Birds of Prey cover there are houses with lights on...).

So, the full list of series taking part in Zero Year this November is: Batgirl, Batman: Detective Comics, Batwing, Birds of Prey, Catwoman, The Flash, Green Arrow, Green Lantern Corps, Nightwing, Red Hood and the Outlaws and Superman: Action Comics.

(Source: Newsarama)

The Flash comes to Gotham for Zero Year

Over the last two days, DC Comics have been releasing details of the books that will be tying into Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's "Batman: Zero Year" story.  So far, I've posted about them here and here. Now, DC have added to the list of series with a new tie-in, in the form of "The Flash"

The issue takes place in Gotham City, and features Barry Allen before he becomes the Scarlet Speedster that he is today, and it apparently solidifies his decision to become a forensic scientist for the police force.

The Flash #25 will be written by Brian Buccellato and Francis Manapul with art by Chris Sprouse and Karl Story, it'll be released sometime this November.

I also think this cover might give some clues to what the key moment in Zero Year that links all of the tie-ins together is, possibly a breakout in Arkham Asylum, or more likely, Blackgate prison?

There's still one more Zero Year tie-in to be revealed sometime soon, but I think this is the last non- Batman related series in the event.

(Source: MTV Geek)

DC Comics' Zero Year tie-in solicits ( so far )

This November, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's "Zero Year" story will be affecting a number of other series throughout the DC Universe. The tie-ins are mostly Batman related books, but there are a few exceptions. Here are all of the solicits released so far:

BATGIRL #25Written by MARGUERITE BENNETT
Art by FERNANDO PASARIN and JONATHAN GLAPION
Cover by ALEX GARNER
On sale NOVEMBER 13 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
A BATMAN: ZERO YEAR tie-in! Barbara Gordon is forced to protect her brother and her homestead in anticipation of the upcoming storm—but it’s here that she learns the true meaning of “home” and “hero.”


(Source: The Mary Sue)

 

BATWING #25Written by JUSTIN GRAY and JIMMY PALMIOTTI
Art by EDUARDO PANSICA and JULIO FERREIRA
Cover by AMANDA CONNER
On sale NOVEMBER 6 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
A BATMAN: ZERO YEAR tie-in! As Gotham City descends into chaos, young Luke Fox is the only one who can stop one of his classmates from causing more destruction—but he didn’t count on his friend being so…VENOMOUS!   (Source: ComicVine)

 

Catwoman #25
Written by John Layman
Pencils by Aaron Lopresti
Cover by Terry and Rachel Dodson
(No Solicit available)

(Source: IGN)

Green Arrow #25
Written by Jeff Lemire
Art and Cover by Andrea Sorrentino
( No solicit available, but we do know it has something to do with Killer Moth and an inexperienced Oliver Queen)

(Source: MTV Geek)




 

 Green Lantern Corps #25
Written by Robert Venditti and Van Jensen
Pencils and Cover by Bernard Chang
(No Solicit Available)

(Source: IGN)

 



NIGHTWING #25Written by KYLE HIGGINS
Art and cover by WILL CONRAD
On sale NOVEMBER 13 • 40 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T
A BATMAN: ZERO YEAR tie-in! Dick Grayson frantically tries to find Haly’s Circus—and his parents—as Gotham City is plunged into total darkness!

(Source: Newsarama)















RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #25Written by JAMES TYNION IV
Art by JULIUS GOPEZ and RAY McCARTHY
Cover by GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI and CAM SMITH
On sale NOVEMBER 20 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
A BATMAN: ZERO YEAR tie-in! There’s a dark force of nature that’s forming in Gotham City...A face laughing in the dark that will one day tear Jason Todd’s life apart. What are his plans for the Red Hood Gang? And who else will rise out of the shadows to guide Jason Todd one step closer to his destiny?  (Source: ComicVine)

We know that DC will be releasing more of these solicits soon, so I'll be sure to report on them as they're revealed!

Review: Batman Annual #2

There are a few spoilers for the issue below!

I'm just going to start of the review by saying that this story isn't anything to do with Zero Year despite what the cover says, and even though this was a completely different type of story to what was expected, I loved this issue.

I have to say, Scott Snyder and Marguerite Bennet make one hell of a writing team. I was really impressed by this story, and it had me hooked from the start. The main premise of the issue goes like this, Batman is brought in to test in a new wing of Arkham Asylum, when the Asylum's oldest inmate, the Anchoress breaks out of her cell to attack him. I don't want to say much else and I really don't want to spoil the Anchoress' backstory, because I feel like the motive it provides is interesting and not you're average villain's sort of motivation.

The scene set inside the Mind of Batman is the real highlight in the issue, though. It brings up a character that I've been wanting to see more of, even if it is just a cameo and in the form of a vision. And the next character that shows up in this scene really hits at your emotions, I won't say much about it because I don't want to take away from the impact of it.

The art, now. Honestly, at the start of the issue I wasn't a fan of the art, I felt like the faces that Wes Craig had drawn looked a bit off. However, as the issue got further and further in, it kept growing on me and by the end of the issue, I was really enjoying the art. One thing I do have to say though is that from the beggining, the one aspect of the art that was good and stayed good was Batman, and I guess he's the most important part of the issue. God, Wes Craig draws a good Batman.

I think this issue struck at the heart of what an annual should be, in my opinion: An extra, oversized, self contained and exciting dose of one of your favourite comic book characters. That was definitely achieved here.

Overall, a great, well written issue with a really interesting villain. The premise was brilliant and the art developed the more you saw of it.

Rating: 10/10

Review: Superman Unchained #1

This series was always going to be good. I mean, it's written by the current "Batman" scribe, Scott Snyder, who has written some of the best stories in the New 52, let alone Batman ones, and pencilled by Jim Lee, who is one of the greatest artists in comics. I went into this series with huge expectations and when I'd finished, I was blown away by it!

I'm determined not to spoil anything in this review, but the ending is genius. Scott Snyder takes a huge historical event and builds it perfectly into this story, and although that method can be used quite a lot in comic books, Snyder pulls it off really well, and it fits into the story brilliantly. He's setting up a really interesting plot, that is turning into a huge mystery, the premise of that aspect alone has me hooked.

Reading through this issue, I realised that these are the best portrayals of Superman and his entire supporting cast in around two years, Snyder has got these characters spot on, and these are what I see as the definitive portrayals of these characters, he wrote everyone perfectly, especially Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen.

One of the thing Scott Snyder does well is having the characters explain events from their childhood and tie them to the current events in the hero's life. He does it all of the time in "Batman" and having Superman compare the trip from outer space back to earth to one of his childhood games from Smallville was a great scene.

Now to the art. I was expecting Jim Lee's pencils in this issue to be brilliant, and they were. Seriously, I don't know how he does it, but Jim Lee is one of the best artists in modern comic books, and I feel that with every issue he draws, he improves. This issue has amazing art, and that is not an exaggeration, and that four page, two-sided fold out... Just brilliant.

However, part of the fold-out is my only problem. It's nothing on the part of the creative team: The writing on the pages was great, the art was great, but how it was organised was stressful. When folded up, the pages had glue to keep the corners together, which then left marks on the page, and it just felt badly laid out.

This is a brilliant issue, truly outstanding, and I can't wait to read more of it.

Rating: 9/10

DC Comics reveal Jim Lee's "Superman Unchained" two sided in-issue poster

Today seems like a good day for teasing Superman stuff. First, we had a new trailer for the upcoming Man of Steel movie and now DC have treated us with some interior pages by Jim Lee for next week's Superman Unchained #1.The poster is 4 pages big on each side, meaning you have to turn it around to see the whole thing. Well, without further ado, here they are:

                                                                   

Or here's a more helpful view of how the poster works from Scott Snyder's Twitter:

 

 

Superman Unchained #1 by Scott Snyder and Jim Lee hits stores on June 12th from DC Comics.

 

 

 

Review: The Wake #1

I've never really read a book not part of mainstream DC Comics or Marvel, I've picked up a few Image titles but so far I've pretty much stuck to the mainstream of the Big Two, but I decided to give the Wake a shot because I'd heard a lot of excitement about it. I'm really glad I did!

One of the reasons I decided to pick up this first issue was Scott Snyder. You'll probably know him from his current run on Batman which has been pretty consistently great. I went into the book with pretty high expectations and I wasn't disappointed! Snyder's come up with an interesting premise for the series which really gripped me and I can't wait to read some more of it!

It's a really odd sort of  book but it really works well! There are a lot of interesting characters and it's really not what I'd expected! The story pretty much resolves around the sea, or specifically, what's underneath it. We get hints towards weird creatures and the first scene of the book takes place two hundred years after the main story and that aspect of the issue really grabs you.

Now onto the art. The artist for this series is Sean Gordon Murphy who you most likely know from his own series, Punk Rock Jesus. This is the first time I've seen his work and I was really impressed. There are some beautiful pages in this issue, specifically, the fourth page ( which I can't really describe without spoilers ) and pages thirteen to fourteen, set above Alaska's south slope. The entire issue has amazing art throughout but those three pages really stand out for me.

Another point on the art, the colours. The colourist for this series is Matt Hollingsworth, and he's one of the best parts of the current Hawkeye series from Marvel. Any book he seems to be on is improved by far with his colours and it was really amazing in this issue. Sean Gordon Murphy and Matt Hollingsworth are one of the best art teams in comics right now!

The Wake is a fascinating and intriguing comic with one of the greatest creative teams in comics! A real highlight in the comics world and a true must-read!

Rating: 10/10!

DC Comics release eight new Superman Unchained variants

Today DC Comics have ( through USA Today ) released eight new variant covers for the upcoming Scott Snyder and Jim Lee series, Superman Unchained. Each cover is based on a different era of Superman's history with each by a different artist, and they're all pretty good. Look out for the Mullet of Steel by Dan Jurgens!

Here are the eight covers, which I think I've organised chronologically, the best I could anyway...

1930s Superman by Bruce Timm

Golden age Superman by Dave Johnson

Silver age Superman by Garcia Lopez with Trish Mulvihill

Bronze age Superman by Neil Adams and Alex Sinclair

Superman Reborn by Dan Jurgens, Norm Rapmund and Alex Sinclair

Modern age Superman by Jerry Ordway with Alex Sinclair

Superman VS Lex Luthor by Lee Bermejo 

New 52 Superman by Brett Booth, Norm Rapmund and Andrew Dalhouse

That last one's my favourite!

(SPOILERS) the beginnings of something unexpected in today's Batman #20?

Spoilers

Something very unexpected happened today's Batman #20 by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo.

So,Bruce Wayne and Lucius Fox are trapped by Clayface in pretty much a rubbish tip for the Batman, Incorporated robot prototypes and are about to be crushed and incinerated. How do they escape with their lives, by using this...

From Batman #20

Yes, this is what seems to be a prototype for the suit used in the Batman Beyond animated series and comics! Not quite what I expected to see today, but it's a great little teaser!

Now, I'm not a huge Batman Beyond fan but even I was excited by this.

Don't forget to pick up Batman #20 written by Scott Snyder with pencils by Greg Capullo and inks by Danny Miki, on shelves today!

DC Comics tease... The Joker's Daughter?

DC have started a new feature on their blog called "What's new in the New 52?", the second edition went up today and they teased something rather interesting. The Joker's Daughter.

The only text DC posted reads, "Something evil lurks under Gotham City and it wears the Joker's face"

The Joker's daughter design, drawn by Brett Booth.

The original Joker's Daughter was Duela Dent, the daughter of Harvey Dent, A.K.A Two-Face. She, however, took on the name of the "Joker's Daughter". Her origin then got a bit more confusing, she was then the Daughter of the Earth-3 version of the Joker, the Jester, a hero on that world. She's worked with the Teen Titans a few times and was pretty much a good guy, I think.


So, what do you think of this? And what's the Joker going to do without his face? I mean it's pretty important...

I'm pretty sure this will  be in the main Batman book, by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo, who have pretty much taken  charge of Joker in New 52, and have done a lot to do with what the city's really like, including how it was built and what's underneath it.

Here's DC's article: http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2013/04/18/whats-new-in-the-new-52-%E2%80%93-jokers-daughter