Batman #96 Review and *SPOILERS*

Bad Hangover

 

Written By: James Tynion IV
Art By: Jorge Jimenez, Tomeu Morey
Letters By: Clayton Cowles
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 4, 2020

*Non Spoilers and Score At The Bottom*

 The previous storyline led us into this new Joker War story arc and unfortunately, since then we’ve been stuck in set up, and it feels very needless. I watched what happened in this book, I don’t need to be reminded of how bad things are. I KNOW HOW BAD THINGS ARE! I was there! I read it! Writers like to add more weight to stories like this by accentuating how dire things are in the city, but when we have watched it happen, it is simply boring. However, at the end of the previous issue, Batman was attacked by the Batwing while he was infiltrating Wayne Industries. This is where we left off in the previous issue and I’m interested to see where it leads us. So, let’s jump into the previous issue and see where it takes us.

Justice League #50 Review

Always Listen To Wonder Woman

Written By: Si Spurrier

Art By: Aaron Lopresti, Matt Ryan, David Baron, Tom Napolitano

Cover Price: $5.99

Release Date: August 4, 2020

The Justice League find themselves in a pickle for this over-sized issue that concludes our current story because not only have our heroes screwed up every step of the way when it comes to leading a planet, whose people are divided into two factions, the Way of the Cell and the Way of the Spark.  Pretty much, those who don't want cybernetics and those who do.  So yeah, our team is offending the cultural differences between them, dealing with an alien invasion and really, just arguing among themselves about what to do in their current situation.  Pretty much, we just see our heroes fail over and over again, but hopefully, with this finale, we can finally see the greatest superheroes win at least once here.  Let's jump into this issue and check it out.

Young Justice #17 Review

Clean Up And Trash

Written By: Brian Michael Bendis, David Walker

Art By: Scott Godlewsky, Gabe Eltaeb, Wes Abbott

Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 4, 2020

For the last couple of issues, we've got some background on Superboy and Impulse about where they've been and where they fit in when it comes to our current timeline.  For the most part, all of this was superficial nonsense that ultimately said the most basic idea you could ever imagine or just talked in circles about things but ultimately came to zero conclusions.  These two scenarios are the best aspects though because, beyond that, we just had shit that didn't make any sense at all.  That's that though and this is a brand new chance for the story to make sense with the continuity and these two writers to wow me with a team that I should love no matter what.......... but find it more and more difficult with every issue to this series.  Let's jump into this issue and see what's what.  

Strange Adventures #4 Review

Not So Terrific


Writer: Tom King
Artist: Mitch Gerads, Evan Shaner
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: August 5, 2020

Tom King is at it again.  Like Mister Miracle, this book is hard to review as a single issue since King likes to play around with what is real, what is false, and all the space in-between.  However, reviews need to happen, so how is this month's Strange Adventure?  Let's find out...

Dark Nights: Death Metal: Legends of the Dark Knights #1 Review

Not So Good Knight

Writer: Marguerite Bennett, Garth Ennis, Daniel Warren Johnson, Scott Snyder, Frank Tieri, Peter J. Tomasi, James Tynion IV, and Joshua Williamson
Artist: Tony Salvador Daniel, Francesco Francavilla, Jamal Igle, Daniel Warren Johnson, Joelle Jones, and Riley Rossmo
Cover Price: $5.99
Release Date: August 5, 2020

Hey everybody, do you need more Dark Knights?  Do you want to see the stories behind the Batmobeast, B. Rex, and the Robin King?  How you answer those questions will be a huge deciding factor in whether you like this issue.  So, how do I feel about it?  Let's find out...

DCeased: Dead Planet #2 Review

Lonely Garden

Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Trevor Hairsine, Gigi Baldasini, Rain Beredo, and Saida Temofonte
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 5, 2020

It's time for another DCeased issue, and while I was afraid I was going to get burnt out on all this anti-life craziness, the last issue's cliffhanger had me wanting more.  A cure???  Jon stabbed???  Holy crap, this is good!  So, let's see what Tom Taylor has in store for us this month...

PREVIEW: Strange Adventures #4

Writer: Tom King
Artist: Mitch Gerads, Evan Shaner
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: August 5, 2020

Welcome to planet Rann, Mr. Terrific! Earth’s champion of fair play has traveled halfway across the galaxy to investigate firsthand the crimes Adam Strange stands accused of. He’s not going to find many friendly witnesses, though, as the people of Rann consider Adam Strange their true champion. Yet for all the resistance Mister Terrific faces on the surface of Rann, his true opposition may be lurking closer to his subject than he realizes.
This adventure between two worlds continues, with Mitch Gerads drawing the gritty Earth sequences, and Evan “Doc” Shaner showing us the splendor of Adam Strange’s battles in outer space! 

PREVIEW: DCeased: Dead Planet #2

Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Trevor Hairsine
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 5, 2020

The sequel to the bestselling miniseries continues! The Justice League is trapped on Earth, and they’ve discovered that life still survives on this dead planet! Survival is precarious, though-and with billions of infected still roaming the surface, death lies around every corner. But it isn’t just the anti-living our heroes have to worry about, because John Constantine, Swamp Thing, and Zatanna are about to discover another evil growing...

PREVIEW: Dark Nights: Death Metal: Legends of the Dark Knights #1

Writer: Marguerite Bennett, Garth Ennis, Daniel Warren Johnson, Scott Snyder, Frank Tieri, More..., Peter J. Tomasi, James Tynion IV, Joshua Williamson
Artist: Tony Salvador Daniel, Francesco Francavilla, Jamal Igle, Daniel Warren Johnson, Joelle Jones, More
Cover Price: $5.99
Release Date: August 5, 2020

The DC Universe has become engulfed by the Dark Multiverse, where demons dwell and reality is overrun by monstrous versions of the Dark Knight, all ruled by the Batman Who Laughs. In this collection of short tales, learn the terrifying secrets of these new Bats out of hell and other creatures of the night like Robin King, whose origin is just the worst! Plus, read about the secret buried beneath Castle Bat, the sentient Batmobile, and…how did Batman turn into a dinosaur? 

PREVIEW: BATMAN #96

Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Jorge Jimenez
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 5, 2020

Reeling from the effects of the worst Joker toxin attack ever, Batman is on the run through Gotham City, pursued by the dark shadows and voices that haunt his past and present! As The Joker’s plan materializes, the only person who can save Batman from the brink of true madness...is Harley Quinn?! Plus, who is the mysterious new figure known as Clownhunter?

PREVIEW: Young Justice #17

Written By: Brian Michael Bendis, David Walker

Art By: Scott Godlewsky, Gabe Eltaeb, Wes Abbott

Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 4, 2020

This very special issue focuses directly on the friendship at the heart of Young Justice: Conner, Tim, and Bart-a.k.a. Superboy, Drake, and Impulse. As younger men, these three iconic heroes built Young Justice on their friendship. Now their dream has grown and changed as much as they have. And with the demands of adulthood pulling them in different directions, they realize that nights like this one may never happen again.

PREVIEW: Justice League #50

Written By: Si Spurrier

Art By: Aaron Lopresti, Matt Ryan, David Baron, Tom Napolitano

Cover Price: $5.99

Release Date: August 4, 2020

Special extra-size anniversary issue! It’s the final chapter of “The Rule of War”-and all the rules are broken! On the alien planet Trotha, Empress Siddinx’s plan is revealed, and it’s nothing short of world domination-with the Justice League entangled in her puppet strings. But how can the team save a population that now hates and fears them?

Wonder Woman #759 Video Review

Writer: Mariko Tamaki
Artist: Mikel Janin, Jordie Bellaire, and Pat Brosseau
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 29, 2020

Legion of Super-Heroes #7 Review

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis Artist: Stephen Byrne, Ryan Sook Cover Price: $3.99 Release Date: July 29, 2020

Review by: Comic Boom Rocky - go to his awesome Youtube Channel HERE

We finally get an issue of the Legion of Super-heroes.  Seems like forever since the last issue that resulted in New Earth’s oceans being replenished with water from Aquaman’s trident. Where does one start with so many dangling plot threads to potentially explore in this issue?  Is anything of substance revealed to move the various plot threads forward?  Let’s dive into New Earth’s oceans and find out. 

Plunge #5 Review

Writer: Joe Hill

Pencils: Stuart Immonen

Colors: Dave Stewart
Letters: Deron Bennett
Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: July 28th, 2020

With the crew of the Derleth infested with alien worms, the crew of the McReady has to decide whether or not to help them escape the planet or try to resist them. Meanwhile, they realize they may die either way. The last issue ended with Captain Cage tearing out the first body that they found from the body bag, putting it in a headlock, and making everybody realize the corpse had been infested too.

Batman/Superman #10 Review

Big Brains Bananas

Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Clayton Henry
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 29, 2020

I haven't been the biggest fan of this book since it started, but I have enjoyed it more since Joshua Williamson was able to shed the Year of the Villain/Infected/Hell Arisen stuff and tell his own story.  This current Ultra-Humanite story has me intrigued, and while I am pissed that Atomic Skull isn't still walking the beat of Metropolis solving crimes and making up rhymes, I'll let that go...for now.  Let's jump into this issue and see if things get bananas!  Yea, I went there...

Red Hood: Outlaw #47 Review

Brawl For All

Written By: Scott Lobdell

Art By: Paolo Pantalena, Arif Prianto, Troy Peteri

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: July 28, 2020

Who knew that in a simple title like Red Hood: Outlaw that the world could suddenly be totally screwed and the only ones who have the power to stand in the way of the entire planet being overrun by the Demon Lord Trigon is the screw-up Robin with authority problems and his not-so-merry band of misfits.  That's the score though and somehow I guess we all have to think happy thoughts as the Outlaws fight out of their weight class to do the job that only they can do.  Let's jump into this issue and check it out.

Suicide Squad #7 Review

Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Daniel Sampere
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 28, 2020

Suicide Squad is is my favorite book at DC right now.  Chip Zdarsky's Daredevil edges it out overall (check out our Marvel Podcast!), but this is second, and there is nothing wrong with that!  Unless you go by the "first loser" mentality that never allowed me to experience fun as a kid.  Enough about me and my intense desire for attention from my father, let's see why this book and this issue are so gear...

Wonder Woman #759 Review

Writer: Mariko Tamaki
Artist: Mikel Janin, Jordie Bellaire, and Pat Brosseau
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 29, 2020

Wonder Woman is a book that has been in constant flux since Greg Rucka bailed, way back in 2017.  So, while I did enjoy Steve Orlando's (couple) times writing the character, I am hoping that things settle down, and Mariko Tamaki can give Wonder Woman fans something special.  Let's get right into, shall we?

PREVIEW: Wonder Woman #759

Writer: Mariko Tamaki
Artist: Mikel Janin
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 29, 2020

It’s a brand-new day for Wonder Woman! As Diana starts to pick up the pieces of her life following her battle with the Four Horsewomen and her run-in with the Phantom Stranger, Man’s World has become more complicated to navigate than ever before. It seems everyone has a take on who Wonder Woman should
be-some who look on her heroics with admiration, and some who lie in wait to seek revenge. A familiar threat is watching Diana’s every move, and now is the perfect time to strike…

PREVIEW: Legion of Super-Heroes #7

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Stephen Byrne, Ryan Sook
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 29, 2020

Jonathan Kent, intergalactic fugitive! The United Planets is less than thrilled with the decision to bring Superboy a thousand years into the future to protect the past. Planet Gotham is under siege. Ultra Boy’s homeworld is on the verge of all-out war. And as if that weren’t enough, new Legionnaire drama unfolds as Saturn Girl and Cosmic Boy throw down over who should take on the Legion’s leadership! Plus, Brainiac 5 will reveal a secret that will make one Legionnaire quit the team-and we ask the burning question: Who is the strongest Legionnaire? Find out in the only book telling you the future of the DC Universe every month!

PREVIEW: Suicide Squad #7

Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Daniel Sampere
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 29, 2020

Annnnd he’s out! With a pardon in his pocket, Deadshot walks away from the Suicide Squad in hopes of reuniting with his daughter, Zoe, and making things right at last. But you can’t outrun your past when it’s still looking to kill you, and their family reunion quickly takes a turn for the deadly. To whom can Deadshot turn when he’s left behind everyone who once had his back?

PREVIEW: Batman/Superman #10

Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Clayton Henry
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 29, 2020

Devastation in Gotham City! Following the events of a massive explosion in midtown, Batman and Superman pick up the pieces to learn who rigged the Atomic Skull like a bomb...and will they do it again? All will be revealed as the horrific plan of the Ultra-Humanite rains terror down on the lives of the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel!

PREVIEW: DC Cybernetic Summer #1

Written By: Liz Erickson, Max Bemis, Heath Corson, Stephanie Nicole Phillips, Joshua Williamson, Andrew Constant, Steve Orlando, Corinna Bechko, Gabriel Hardman, Stuart Moore, Che Grayson
Art By: Paul Pelletier, Nicola Scott, Gabriel Hardman, Scott Koblish, Leila del Duca, Marguerite Sauvage, Greg Smallwood, Cully Hamner, Nik Virella, Darko Lafuente
Cover Price: $9.99
Release Date: July 28, 2020

Rub some sunscreen on your circuits, because DC’s favorite cyborgs are hitting the beach in DC Cybernetic Summer on July 28! In this sizzling summertime anthology special, Harley Quinn and Sy Borgman conquer a truly titanic water slide, Cyborg, Superman, and Cyborg Superman find it difficult to have a conversation, much less a fight, and Batman tries everything to escape a summer cookout—even taking on the omnipotent Brother Eye and his newly infectious O.M.A.C.s!

And it’s not just the cyborgs hitting the surf! Flashes from across the multiverse gather for a race to claim the fastest Flash in the multiverse! Mercury Flash from Earth-44 is out to win it all this year, the only person standing in his way is…Barry Allen! And Red Tornado’s on a camping trip with his wife Kathy and his daughter Traya, but he’s distracted by Justice League matters! When a threat emerges, will Red Tornado be able to protect his family?


All these and more sunburnt stories that are worth getting sand in your motherboard for!

PREVIEW: Red Hood: Outlaw #47

Written By: Scott Lobdell

Art By: Paolo Pantalena, Arif Prianto, Troy Peteri

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: July 28, 2020

The Chamber of All has been excavated by the Untitled in Qurac, which means it’s up to Red Hood, Artemis, Bizarro and Essence to prevent an unspeakable horror from wiping out all of humanity once and for all. Sounds like a tall order for the Outlaws? Don’t worry, they get help from the most unexpected (and misunderstood) super-team of all time: Red Hood and the Outlaws! All this, plus Ma Gunn learns the tragic reason Monsieur Mallah and the Brain want to teach the students of Generation Outlaw.