BAT-MITE?

Of all the titles that will be new, and those that will be lost, this one stood out the most. DC Comics is concluding their New 52 imprint, and starting anew, kind of. The continuity and stories will remain unchanged. For now the monthly releases will be rolled back to 48 titles. Half of which will be new titles, meaning 28 titles will be canceled.

To make way for new titles like, Bat-Mite? That's where the problem lies. Sure, titles can come and go. But, clearing out ones that were doing fine, to make room for something that doesn't look like it will last, makes no sense. Yes, there are some titles to look forward to, like Cyborg or Black Canary. But, Red Lanterns and Batwoman (and many others) gone, to make room for Bizarro, We Are Robin, or again, Bat-Mite?

It is hard to accept what is coming when in appearance, it looks weak. Where are the much sought after titles like, Shazam!? Or some of the Milestone characters that they own the rights to? Even as a Bat-fan, it seems to be getting to be a little much with so many. Sure, not all the titles are directly related to the Batman or Gotham, but they will most likely always be thought of as such. Robin, Son Of Batman sure, but why Harley Quinn/Power Girl? Love the Harley Quinn solo title, but the brief story involving the two was good, not great. Milking the character makes sense, given her popularity, but perhaps stick with the extra issue every so often like they have been doing for holidays, and special occasions.

Credit does deserve to be given though. DC Comics decided to at least keep their continuity intact with this small relaunch. Alienating the new fans they have picked up since the launch of the New 52 would be a bad business move, and could make any new readers they pick up with this new venture weary out of the gate. Despite the above rant, things don't look too bad. For now.

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NEW 52 ANNIVERSARY LACKED PUNCH

After last years debacle, I should be happy with just how smooth this years New 52 anniversary went. Haven't seen nor heard of anyone being short changed in regards to getting the 3-D cover version of their favorite titles. Have also enjoyed that every title was included, unlike last year where we had 4 weeks of  say "Batman" or "Green Lantern" but nothing for say "Batgirl" or "Red Lanterns". But, after last year it was expected of DC Comics to not repeat the errors that were made.

Now I haven't read any of the issues in the weekly title, "Futures End", so perhaps I am missing something in regards to the tie-ins. But, it feels as though these one-shot tie-ins are lacking punch. Don't get me wrong, the stories have been good, and in some cases, great. They just feel "pointless" in a sense. DC Comics has said that all of this is part of what they have planned in 5 years time, and that the plan is to not have these one-shots be "What If's" (yes, a Marvel title, but you get it), and have them mean something. Problem with that is, what if we didn't like this direction? Stories were nice reads, but in most cases not a direction I would want to see the company go. Batman will be constantly cloning himself? And in just 5 years time, he'll be beaten and broken leading to him doing this? Sure it made for a nice read, but other than a possible (not definite) future I don't want it. Or even with Red Lanterns, or should I say the end of them? At times I prefer the Reds over the Greens, and don't want them to come to an end. Not until the writing turns to crap at least. Now, perhaps DC Comics was just trying to add hype to the event, especially after last year. It would be hard to imagine them sticking to all of this if fans aren't buying it. I am sure others out there agree that the stories themselves were good to great, but would prefer to not go in that direction for the next 5 years. At least not all of what was shown, as some things will have to be explained (ie. Mr J and his pretty face in Harley Quinn). I am also most of us who think this would be okay with DC Comics saying that these were all just possible futures.

Can't state enough how good the one-shots were. Stories were solid. Art was a matter of opinion as always, even the ones I didn't care for did a great job of telling their stories though. The covers were great again, and although a repeat of last year, it was nice to see all the titles getting one. I am looking forward to what they do for the 4th anniversary of the New 52. They've done the past, villains, and now the future. What could possibly be the focus next year? Until then, Stay Nerdy!



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COMIC BOOK COUPLES

GOOD AND BAD FOR THIS BAT-FAN

There's another Bat-title joining the ranks sometime in Spring of 2014. A list that is pretty long if they continue to keep to the 52 title limit (not including "non-continuity" and "one-shots"), but with the majority of the titles within the Bat-family being well done, and keeping off the DC chopping block for low sales, it makes sense business wise to tap into it if there is interest. Only problem is trying to keep up with everything, however Scott Snyder has said before that if you read only "Batman" during a Bat-family crossover event, you will still get the base of the story. The new title is called "Batman: Eternal" and will be a team-effort of a collection of writers, lead writer being Scott Snyder.

As a Bat-Fan I am excited, I love "bigger" stories, that's why I don't mind cross-over events so much. It's the collective price that gets rough at times. Here is a list of both mine and my nerdy's monthly titles;

• Batman
• Batman: The Dark Knight
• Batman And Robin
• Batman Inc (just ended).
• Detective Comics
• Green Lantern
• Justice League
• Red Lanterns
• Batgirl
• Batwoman
• Catwoman
• Birds Of Prey
• Supergirl
• Batman: Li'l Gotham
• Batman '66
• The Walking Dead

Plus, in November we'll be adding 2x copies of "Harley Quinn" to that list. So, that will be 18 issues a month, 19 if "Justice League Of Canada" is any good. And when you add on the cross-overs, and such, it gets steep. Also, they (DC Comics) make it difficult to drop a title. "Justice League" was on the block for myself. Was going to drop the title once 24 or maybe 25 were in the comic book box, that was going smooth until "Forever Evil" and the Crime Syndicate joined the mix. Before you ask, yes, every issue of "Forever Evil: Arkham War" will be added to the collection. The first issue joined the ranks today, and although I don't like to give reviews as everyones opinion is their own so one should read the material and not someones review, but I must say that it is really good, and I am eager to see how things unfold in Gotham with the Villains running the show for a bit.

News also dropped that "Detective Comics #27" is an all-star cast and 104 pages long. Among that all-star creative team is Frank Miller. Yes, the Frank Miller. "The Dark Knight Returns", if you haven't read it, GO READ IT!!! You're welcome. "Detective Comics #27" is part of Batman's illustrious 75th Anniversary. Combined with the ending of an already stellar "Zero Year" coming to an end, and the new title, 2014 looks to be the Year Of The Bat. A year away, but I would like to see next years relaunch anniversary be Bat-themed, or at least have the Bat-related things be bigger than the others aha Head over to DC Comics and check out all the details.

In closing, although it may seem like I was complaining about the cost, I was, I am human we chirp unless it is free aha Regardless, the last 2 years have been worth every penny....I can't say that anymore being Canadian (we dropped the penny)so I guess from now on it is....worth every rounded up nickel!

Stay Nerdy!

Finally! A Place For The Clown Princess

First, allow me to take a moment to give a big Thank You! to Harley Quinn's creators Paul Dini and Bruce Timm. It is nice having a character that I not only love, but for once, I am older than aha And just how much do I love this character? Well, last Halloween I was blessed with the birth of my second daughter, and although we went more feminine with the spelling, her name is none other than Harleigh Quinn.

After years of being a support character for The Joker, or currently in the pages of Suicide Squad and formerly Gotham City Sirens, Harley Quinn is finally getting her own monthly series. Slated to hit the shelves Wednesday, November 20th, 2013, writers Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti along with a collection of artists including Sam Keith, Tony S. Daniels, among others are in charge of bringing Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel and her crazy alter ego to life.

Although she is a Batman related character, I don't consider this to be just another "Bat-book". I am sure Batman will make appearances and the title may even be apart of future cross-overs/story arcs, but I think much like DC has done with others like Batwoman or Nightwing, Harley's path and story will be her own. I admit I am curious ho wand if The Joker will fit into all of this, despite the events from "Death Of The Family" (if you haven't read this story arc, may I strongly suggest you go grab each issue or the collected edition when available. Thank me later).

Finally, since it is scheduled to drop at the same time that the DC Universe is following the Batman into Year Zero ("Dark City" seems to be the title for this), and the first issue is #0, it may be a safe bet that they will be taking Harley's story back to origin. That's an assumption though, I am not totally sure how the creative team will be starting things off. All I do know, is that I am looking forward to whatever it is that awaits us come November.


Oh, and don't forget to check out Harley Quinn during Villains Month this September a la the pages of Detective Comics #23.2. Like most I am a Villains fan so although my bank account isn't excited, I am pumped for Villains Month!

Stay Nerdy!