The Birds of Prey become the hunted! DC’s female crime fighting force face Talon and the Court of Owls as part of the Batman family epic Night of the Owls.
Gotham’s finest females welcomes Travel Foreman as the new artist with Birds of Prey #9 coming in May. Here’s a preview sketch below. Foreman’s work on Animal Man is winning him raves.
“We’re really challenging him to go against his animal instincts in his first issue; from the woods to the city streets, from a single super character (OK, with family) to a team book, from one small corner of the DC universe right into the big Bat landscape. It’s going to be exciting!” Editor Bobbie Chase tells The Source.
Birds of Prey preview art courtesy DC Comics
If you haven’t flown with Birds of Prey yet – the New 52 lineup is Black Canary, Batgirl, Katana, Poison Ivy and the one member that knocked me out – Starling.
As DC Comics New 52 marches on every new villain’s debut is hotly anticipated. Mister Freeze debuts in Batman Annual #1. The icy enemy is connected to the hottest Bat-storyline in years. What is the chilling foe’s role in the Court of Owls scheme to seize Gotham City.
“Mr. Freeze is a character full of pathos and tragedy and at the end of the day, he’s one of Batman’s deadliest,” Batman writer Scott Snyder told The Source. “So as you can imagine, I’m very excited to be able to do a story that establishes him in the new DCU, with rising stars James Tynion IV and Jay Fabok. This will be tale that really digs into Freeze’s psyche, explaining his connection to the Court of Owls in the present, and exploring dark secrets about his past. Really thrilled to see what you guys think!”
Jay Fabok provided this chilling preview art revealing Freeze on Batman Annual #1 coming in May.
Secret Avengers #22 cover Gabriel Hardman courtesy Marvel.com
Secret Avengers #22
Hawkeye takes command and recruits Captain Britain for his covert team. He’s going to need the extra muscle as the Avengers’ version of the Sentinels strike. Rick Remender revolutionized Uncanny X-Force so get ready for a wild ride with the bad boys and girls of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
Batgirl #6
Batgirl and Batman meet for the first time since her recovery. The deadly man manipulating Gretel makes her move. Barbara deals with the emotional wallop by a return from someone in her past.
Thief of Thieves #1
When the writers of The Walking Dead and Morning Glories unite for a book it’s a huge reason to rush to the comic store. Robert Kirkman and Nick Spencer tells the story of the ultimate thief who can steal anything except the life he lost. A master criminal tries to connect with the son and wife he lost while evading the FBI and an even bigger threat.
Kevin Keller #1 courtesy Archie Comics
Kevin Keller #1
Archie Comics didn’t just give the Riverdale Gang a gay sidekick – they made Kevin Keller openly gay young man who wants to serving in the military. This week the groundbreaking character gets his own series and hardcover graphic novel featuring the GLAAD Media Award outstanding comic story about Kevin’s first meeting with Archie and life before Riverdale.
Wolverine and the X-Men #5
Kitty Pryde is pregnant. A billion alien Brood show up and I don’t think it’s for a baby shower! Is this the child that could bring Kitty and Colossus back together or has an alien enemy delivered a curse on my favorite X-woman?
Batman Incorporated #1 by Chris Burnham courtesy DC Comics
Batman Incorporated is back with a global franchise ready to face a looming threat to Earth. Today DC Comics The Source revealed Chris Burnham’s cover to the debut issue. Grant Morrison brings a new take to this new DC Comics New 52 Second Wave title.
Batman’s world is filled with dangerous, resourceful women including Catwoman, Batwoman, Batgirl, Talia Al Ghul but one avenging angel I love is getting front burner status.
The Huntress is currently starring in her own mini-series seeking justice and stalking a mobster in Italy. Helena is the daughter of a murdered mob boss who vows revenge.
DC Comics The Source shares stunning new images from Huntress #5 in which Helena will assault an ancient monastery guarded by the Italian military.” This is the penultimate issue of her adventure but a new Huntress’ story is just beginning.
The Huntress #5 preview art courtesy DC Comics The Source
The Huntress and Power Girl of Earth 2 will star in a new World’s Finest – part of DC Comics The New 52 Second Wave. On Earth 2 Helena is Batman and Catwoman’s daughter. Paul Levitz, George Perez and Kevin Maguire will chronicle the duo’s mission to return home.
The Huntress has one of my favorite costumes in comics and with a compelling back story making her a great anti-heroine.
Novelist Gregg Hurwitz takes over writing Batman: The Dark Knight with June’s issue #10. The acclaimed novelist is currently writing Penguin: Pain and Prejudice, a mini-series about Batman’s iconic foe. The final issue arrives next week.
“Okay. So this is the job I’ve been waiting to get since I was eight years old. I’m thrilled to be tackling one of the world’s greatest characters with one of the industry’s greatest artists,” Hurwitz told The Source. “Finch and I are very fired up to take the Batman into dark and dangerous new terrain, presenting a story that’ll be epic and sweeping and just a little bit twisted. We’re gonna see a cornerstone villain from a whole new angle, too. I’ve always been fascinated by Jonathan Crane—not just what makes him tick, but what could have happened in his past to make him obsessed with fear at the expense of all else. And perhaps that particular obsession isn’t so different from the demons that drive the Dark Knight. As I discovered when writing Penguin: Pain and Prejudice—Batman fits uniquely with the villains in his rogue’s gallery. They are two sides of the same coin, yin and yang, ego and shadow. But in some cases, maybe the match is even closer. Maybe instead of ego and shadow, it’s shadow and shadow. Maybe when Batman looks in the mirror, the Scarecrow’s face is looking out. We’re used to Batman teaching his villains a lesson, but this time the Scarecrow might have something to teach Batman, too. Right now, I’m knee deep in straw and burlap, trying to stitch together a tale I hope you’ll find familiar yet new, a twist on a classic. It’s gonna get bumpy and scary and bit unhinged, so buckle up for the ride.”
Bucky Barnes gave the Captain America mantle back to Steve Rogers and becomes the Winter Soldier again. Partnered with the Black Widow, they are the “Mr. and Mrs. Smith of the Marvel Universe” according to writer Ed Brubaker. The Seattle writer spins new adventures of Marvel’s hottest spies as they team up to take out awakened ex-Russian sleeper agents.
Fatale #2
This is a potent brew of crime noir and supernatural horror. Two men in two time periods chasing down the same woman. Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips create dueling time crossed mysteries with the impeding dread that a poor bastard is inching closer to a demonic end.
Batman: The Gates of Gotham trade paperback
Batman assembles some of greatest detectives in the DC Universe when a mystery as old as Gotham City challenges the Dark Knight. Batman soon learns the dark history of Gotham’s past and sins of its most famous families – including the Waynes. Scott Snyder and Kyle Higgins
Assassins Creed: After the Fall trade paperback
Based on the killer video game this story follows the Russian assassin in a race against the Templars to claim a powerful artifact.
Avengers X-Sanction #3 courtesy Marvel.com
Avengers X-Sanction #3
Cable Versus Red Hulk! The mutant from the future has taken on Captain America and Iron Man – now it’s smash time with RULK! Why does Nathan have to take out the Avengers to save Hope of the X-Men?
Joseph Gordon-Levitt on the set of The Dark Knight Rises courtesy Jose Perez Splash News
Joseph Gordon-Levitt hints that The Dark Knight Rises will explore the themes similar to the Occupy Wall Street movement. The actor plays Officer John Blake and talked with Sundance Channel’s Sunfiltered.
Christopher Nolan has said A Tale of Two Cities was an element of inspiration for the film. Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle whispers to Bruce Wayne in the trailer “You and your friends better batten down the hatches because when it hits, you’re all going to wonder how you ever thought you could live so large and leave so little for the rest of us.”
The trailer shows protests in the streets of Gotham City. The cast and crew were filming as the real protests were happening. Fans assume the spirit of that movement is a theme of the final Batman film.
“Yup! I know. You saw it, man. The trailer isn’t misleading and Nolan’s not the type of guy to create a trailer that will sell you something other than what the movie is,” Gordon-Levitt said.
For more of Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s interview click here.
Nightwing: The Lost Year courtesy DC Comics
Back to Geek Dreaming – I’m still curious if Gordon-Levitt’s John Blake will more than just a police officer. Some fans speculated he could become Nightwing. If the film does follow the Knightfall storyline with Bane breaking Batman, I can picture Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the character taking up mantle of protecting Gotham City.
I know Dick Grayson is Robin first but Nightwing’s vibe and costume are so much cooler.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt starred in the excellent romantic indie comedy 500 Days of Summer directed by Marc Webb – who’s directing the Spidey reboot, The Amazing Spider-Man.
