Batman and Robin #20
What it’s about: Batman and Robin was launched in the aftermath of Batman R.I.P. and it has been solely focused on the relationship between the new Batman (Dick Grayson, the original Robin, who took up the mantle of Caped Crusader when he believed Bruce Wayne had died) and Robin (Bruce's son Damian). The book is especially interesting when it deals with Grayson’s inability to keep Damian in line while trying to ease into his new role as the Dark Knight. Sometimes a brooding Batman can be a boring Batman, so the inclusion of Damian really adds a jolt of energy to the book.
What to expect this month: Ultra hot writer Peter Tomasi reteams with his Green Lantern Corps artist, Patrick Gleason, on the beginning of a brand new story titled Black Knight, White Knight. With the introduction of a highly talented creative team to the book, now is the perfect time to jump on board. Right after Detective Comics, Batman and Robin is the best Batman book on shelves.
Cinderella: Fables Are Forever #1
What it’s about: Bill Willingham’s Fables is easily one of the best comic book series to come out in the past decade. Set in a world where fairytale characters are living, breathing beings, Fables explores how they try to integrate into modern society. Cinderella: Fables are Forever is a spinoff of the main series and promises to keep the fun, humor, and emotion of Fables intact.
What to expect this month: While spinoffs usually don’t pan out too well for television or movies, comics have a pretty decent track record of them, especially Fables. This spinoff continues the story of Cinderella in her role as a secret agent for the sheriff of Fabletown. This book is a great way to get introduced into a new world of comic book storytelling. It is perfect for fans of non-superhero comics as it takes classic literary characters and gives them a fresh twist.
New Avengers #9
What it’s about: New Avengers is Marvel’s way of introducing characters that most fans don’t know much about and have them on a team with some of Marvel’s heavy hitters. Second-tier characters such as Luke Cage, Mockingbird, and Iron Fist are given time to shine alongside Spider-Man, Wolverine, and the Thing. While New Avengers may feature some lesser-known characters, it is usually a better read than Marvel’s more popular Avengers book.
What to expect this month: The Infinity story arc starts this month and Marvel promises to reveal a secret so dangerous that even Nick Fury is afraid of it. But Marvel makes those types of promises every week, so don’t get your hopes up that it’ll live up to their hype. However, with the usually entertaining writing of Brian Michael Bendis and the always-gorgeous art of Mike Deodato, New Avengers is definitely worth a look.
Wolverine #5.1
What it’s about: Jason Aaron is one of the best writers in comics and if you need any proof of it then check out the rest of his Wolverine run, Punisher Max run, or his Vertigo book, Scalped. It also doesn’t hurt that his fantastic writing is matched by the heavily atmospheric art of Jefte Palo. Aaron’s interpretation of the anti-social mutant is a breath of fresh air as opposed to the way Wolverine has been written by other writers recently.
What to expect this month: This is the second installment of Marvel’s Point One initiative created to present new fans with easily accessible stories for popular characters that have years and years of back stories. In this Point One story, Aaron celebrates Wolverine’s birthday the hard way with plenty of mayhem and blood spilled. If you enjoyed the X-Men movies or cartoons then this is a great way to experience more great Wolverine stories by a talented creative team.
Suicide Squad Volume 1: Trial By Fire (Collects Suicide Squad #1-8 and Secret Origins #14)
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