It looks like the waters are calm in the world of comics this week, as both Marvel and DC seem to be prepping for the next few months.
DC is celebrating Batman Day today, which is a celebration of the cape and cowl heard 'round the world. There are also some rumors floating around that Batman Vol. 2 villains The Court of Owls will be appearing on the television show Gotham. Now that's something to look forward to.
Over in Marvel's corner we've got some great new series announcements. The Atlantic writer Ta-Nehisi Coates will be taking on T'Challa AKA Blank Panther this fall, and everyone's favorite Dan Slott-written Silver Surfer series is coming back for a new volume.
Also, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. premieres on Sept. 29. So watch that.
No matter which side you're on, let's take a look at this week's offerings:
Marvel Comics
Runaways #4
Well here we are, at the end of Secret Wars Runaways series. It's been fun, but as mentioned below, doesn't really offer much to the reader.
The characters are interesting and dynamic, and it'd be a shame to see them go to waste. Hopefully Marvel has some plans for this new group of kids when they relaunch over the next few months.
Inhumans: Attilan Rising #5
In the final chapter of this Secret Wars tie-in, Medusa and Black Bolt team up to take down the God of all Battleworld, Doom himself. And, well, it doesn't go so great.
The ending was nice, but it's fitting the same bill that all of the tie-ins have so far, and that's that they don't really mean much to the overarching story. They seem to at first, but they are tied off so neatly that we're left wondering why we spent $4 on each book.
Captain Marvel and the Carol Corps #4
And the last Secret Wars tie-in of the week bites the dust with an ambiguous ending. It was nice and heartwarming, sure, especially since this was fan-favorite writer Kelly Sue Deconnick's last issue.
Marvel has big plans for Captain Marvel over the next few years and it looks like Kelly set them up perfectly. Wherever Captain Marvel goes, her Carol Corps crew of fans will surely follow.
Other releases to look out for: Star Wars: Kanan #6, 1872 #3, Weirdworld #4
DC Comics
The Flash #44
Barry is on a quest to save his father, Henry, and is being hunted by a ragtag group of the most menacing, atom, speed and time manipulating villains ever seen in a comic book.
The issue starts out with an intense scene of Barry trapped underwater, attempting to fight the pressure of the deep and escape before he drowns. This series has consistently stunned with its suspense and characters. Between Central City police and Wally West, there's plenty to love in The Flash.
Grayson #12
I know this comes up every week, but DC is doing a damn good job keeping people reading. And the best way to do that is to amp up the Bat Family books. Grayson is just a joy to read.
In this issue he reveals to the Family that he faked his death, and it is just an absolute rush of emotion. As he reminisces with Bruce Wayne (who doesn't remember him) Red Hood, Red Robin, Robin and Batgirl, we're taken back through the years they spent together.
Absolutely wonderful.
We Are Robin #4
We Are Robin is a unique book. The series takes place after Damian Wayne, the most recent Robin, disappears. In his absence, a bunch of teenage kids crowd source a crime-fighting syndicate. And after one of them died last issue, it doesn't seem to be the best of ideas.
But this issue is interesting because it sees one of the new Robins team up with Batgirl, and that's pretty cool. This book is very much aimed at a teenage crowd, with terms like selfie getting tossed around like nothing. They did namedrop Periscope though, so that's cool.
Other releases to look out for: Batgirl #44, Deathstroke #10, Sinestro #15
Winner - DC Comics
It was a slow week, and neither side had too much to offer. Grayson did work and that was great, and We Are Robin and The Flash offered nice exposition in their respective series.
Marvel tied up some more loose ends and left fans wanting more, but we're bored. Come on Marvel, you know what we want. Finish up Secret Wars so we can move on with our lives and crack open the fresh batch of "All-New, All-Different" No. 1's.
Indie Spotlight
Each week we'll put up one independently-published comic we think you should read. This week it's...
Public Relations #1
Magic! Sword fighting! Dallas?
Public Relations follows the story of Dan, who just so happens to work at a public relations firm in Dallas. When he travels to the medieval land of Sardonia for his father's birthday, he ends up stuck there and decides to do what does best, public relations.
The story is hilarious, niche and right at home in the indie comics market.
The coolest part? The comic is published in Austin, just a stone's throw away. Be sure to check this one out.
