Late last year I helped share the news that DC Comics was going to be releasing a special edition that would celebrate Robin, The Boy Wonder. That’s the trusty sidekick for those of you who don’t dabble in too many comic book things and the full title of said release is “Robin 80th Anniversary 100 Page Spectacular” – Whew. If you missed the skinny about it just click HERE since I loaded up all of the variant cover images. The visual below is the considered Standard Edition.
The Press Release:
Since the character’s introduction in Detective Comics #38 on March 6, 1940, Robin has become an icon to millions of comic book fans, establishing the “sidekick” as a permanent part of comic book lore. Since a young Dick Grayson donned the distinctive yellow cape and domino mask, many have taken on the mantle of Robin, joining The Batman in his war on crime, while also growing into their own and taking on new adventures, both solo and as part of other super-teams like the Teen Titans, the Justice League and others.
“Robin 80th Anniversary 100-Pg Super Spectacular” #1
On March 11, 2020, DC celebrates Robin’s 80th anniversary with a landmark one-shot, Robin 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular. This instant collectible includes stories from comics’ greatest Robin writers, paying tribute to the character in various guises, including Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown and Damian Wayne. The Talent list for these stories reads like a whos-who list of comic luminaries, such as Marv Wolfman, Tom Grummett, Chuck Dixon, Scott McDaniel, Devin Grayson, Dan Jurgens, Norm Rapmund, Tim Seeley, Tom King and Mikel Janin, James Tynion IV, Peter J. Tomasi, Judd Winick and others. Continue reading DC Comics Announces “Robin 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular”→
As previously blogged about in the PiercingMetal Musings; DC Comics recently re-launched a number of titles and started them off from issue #1 under the branding of “The New 52”. The initiative’s prime objective being to up the number of titles available each month and to offer new readers an easier chance to jump on board with their characters. The New 52 titles have been grouped into eight specifications such as Green Lantern or Justice League themed titles. Last month we blogged about as many of the individual first issues as we could get our hands on and segmented each of the posts based on what family they fell into. Here is our continuation of the overview with the second issues of the Batman family of titles.
“Batman” #2
Batman #2: The opening scene finds Batman being set upon by numerous denizens of Arkham Asylum who are in the middle of a full scale breakout. He has some unexpected assistance that might make you scratch your head for a moment and I am not spoiling the scene for you. Some interaction with the Commissioner and a LOT of Bruce Wayne time as he holds court and unveils some big Donald Trump like happenings at a function at Wayne Manor. We meet all of the Robin’s with the exception of Jason Todd and all are in street clothes for this and learn about some of the cool technology that Batman is using in his battle on crime. We close out with a scene that is not too far off from the movie “Seven” if I had to draw a comparison and the reveal at the end while shocking to the readers eyes will likely be explained away somehow that will make sense as the writers line it out. For now it leaves you a little shaken but remember my friends “it’s only a comic book story”. I admit that it did leave me anxious just a tad because I love a good cliff hanger. Scott Snyder writes this tome while Greg Capullo penciled and Jonathan Glapton inked.
“Detective Comics” #2
Detective Comics #2: Did not review, official premise follows. Batman sets his sights on the Gotham Ripper, who in turn has his sights on Batman. Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne explores a budding romance with television journalist Charlotte Rivers, who’s visiting Gotham City to cover the gruesome slayings – while also trying to uncover Bruce’s own mystery. But time is running out as both Commissioner Gordon and Batman work to uncover the true identity of this new serial killer. Continue reading DC Comics “The New 52” Batman Family Second Issues→
As previously blogged about in the PiercingMetal Musings; DC Comics recently re-launched a number of titles and started them off from issue #1 under the branding of “The New 52”. The initiative’s prime objective being to up the number of titles available each month and to offer new readers an easier chance to jump on board with their characters. New costumes and beginnings are par for the course with the reboot but a number of the company’s most historic moments shall remain unaffected. The New 52 appears to have segmented the titles into a number of different groups based on the relation of the character – for instance there is a Superman and Batman grouping to enjoy and each title relates directly to the character. From these segments I have opted to share my thoughts on the first issues for your reading pleasure. The Batman mythos has a whopping eleven titles and I felt this was a little bit excessive. Four of the titles deal directly with Batman himself and those are “Batman”, “Detective Comics”, “Batman and Robin” and “Batman: The Dark Knight”. To me four titles is overkill and they could have left this at the two staple titles which have become iconic over the decades since Batman first pressed the gas pedal on the Batmobile and left the other remaining titles to his large sub-universe of characters. That being said the other seven titles do just that and give us new issues of “Batgirl” and “Batwoman”; new adventures for the “Birds Of Prey”, “Nightwing” & “Catwoman” while characters you would not expect in their own titles get some face time with “Batwing” and “Red Hood and The Outlaws”. Continue reading DC Comics “The New 52” First Issues: “Batman” Titles→
