It’s Wednesday so that means New Comic Book Day! What did you get this week of September 17, 2025?
Here’s what I got this week, I’ll name my favorite at the bottom as I go through my purchases for the week!
Batman and Robin: Year One #11
The penultimate issue of this series sets up the finale quite well. We get an important bit of Bruce questioning the wisdom of his role as Dick’s “father,” as well as a revelation about Grimaldi and a mystery about Ms. Lyn from Social Services. There’s some nice character moments as well between Bruce and Alfred, Bruce and Gordon and Bruce and Dick. Additionally, Bruce’s questioning his role is clearly important, as is Dick’s response. If there’s a drawback, it’s the decompressed storytelling in modern comics. This issue suffers a bit in that sense as it relies a lot on set up for the finale. It could benefit from some more “meat” in this issue’s story, but it’s in no way bad. Still a very good issue in a series that has been nothing but enjoyable!
Justice League Red #2
This is a good issue! Saladin Ahmed wastes no time in having Power Girl, Simon Baz and Cyborg question Red Tornado’s motives. Cyborg even has an idea about what’s going on. It’s not clear if part of his explanation is…more lies…but, Red Canary’s life is at stake. Just who’s getting set up? The final page reveal really does come out of nowhere, so more compliments to Ahmed for that. Additionally, Power Girl’s personality comes across intact, and that’s a big deal. Add in Cyborg’s comment on PG’s high level of intelligence and PG comes off great in this issue! If there’s a drawback, it’s the use of “Paige Stetler” on the recap page- UGH! However, that final page reveal may in fact have an impact on Power Girl’s name…or maybe it’s just fantastical wishful thinking.
Batman/ Superman: World’s Finest #43
For me, how much one enjoys Bizarro-speak influences one’s ability to enjoy this storyline. I almost didn’t read it…. And, then remembered that the Bizarro-speak is at a minimum because the Bizzaro’s are facing a reversal of nature where everything is normal for them…our normal that is. This is a good issue, and enjoyable, but I’ll be glad to be done with the Bizarro World for a while. Although, Robin does get to shine a bit as he comes up with the solution to the expanding core of Bizarro World. The next issue is a going to be a real treat, and the fact that I’m much more interested in Robin and Supergirl’s “second date,” is telling.
Incredible Hulk #29 (Legacy #810)
This issue relates the story of how Gamma was born. Some of the more metaphysical stuff in this series and Hulk lore in general goes sort of against what people generally like about the Green-Skinned Goliath. That said, Phillip Kennedy Johnson is peeling away the layers of who Hulk is and how he sees himself. Is this Banner manifesting some sort of control? This series has done a great job of creating an atmosphere and a feeling. It’s firmly in the horror genre, but in a different corner than Immortal Hulk. Immortal Hulk felt firmly existing in the world (for the most part), whereas this current run has an other worldly, metaphysical feel that sort of needs the reader to be in the right headspace. I’m not there right now. I think this is a series enjoyed better in big chunks so that the reader can fully immerse oneself in that world. In other worlds, I’ll be going back to the beginning and re-read this series soon as we approach the finale.
Batman #1 (1940) Facsimile Edition- Golden Age Dimensions
How many times can I buy Batman #1? (This is the only REAL Batman #1, by the way). I got the Famous First Editions version in 1974 when it came out. I got a second version of it when I bought a nicer copy of the Famous First Editions in the ’80’s that hadn’t been worn and dogeared from reading and hadn’t had the cover cut up (the back cover actually tells you to cut and frame- SO I DID!). I’ve got reprints of the stories in Golden Age Batman (TPB) Volume 1 and I’ve already got a Facsimile Edition in modern comic book dimensions. There’s a lot of nostalgia with this comic, because I’ve been reading and rereading it since I was four years old. It’s one of the first Batman comics I ever read. It’s a great issue, even for modern readers with the first and second appearances of the Joker, the first appearance of Catwoman (then just The Cat) and the last solo Batman tale until Robin went to college. These are all great stories, and important, as well. Seeing the Golden Age dimensions is an added bonus to the regular Facsimile Edition as the art doesn’t have to be shrunk or squished to fit modern dimensions. So, do yourself a favor and take trip back to 1940 and enjoy Batman #1 as a kid then would have!
The Bat-Man: Second Knight- Book One
As we transition from the first Golden Age Batman above, to the most recent, Dan Jurgens, Mike Perkins and Mike Spicer give a modern take on the Dark Knight set in 1940. This creative team has already given us The Bat-Man: First Knight, and based on Book One, Second Knight is going to be just as good. The story picks up on the continuity set up in First Knight, the Bat-Man has an ally in Gordon, and the Rabi he’s befriended. Plus, Julie Madison is back in Gotham to promote the opening of her move, and this may lead to a deeper reason that they break up. There’s an appearance of a reporter as well…no spoilers, but it does beg the question about other characters in this Universe. One has to wonder if any of Jurgens unused ideas that we first saw teased in Generations: Shattered #1 are being used here.
Having Batman’s first appearance in 1939 makes a lot of sense. While the character has a timeless quality, exploring his early days in the time he actually first appeared is a fun and interesting idea. The same goes for all of DC’s Golden Age creations. Give me more of that! The art and atmosphere are stunning, the story interesting and very fitting for the pulp/noir genre of the time. I wish that Jurgens was adhering more closely to the chronology and stories from the Golden Age, but that’s a me thing and less of a quality thing. Absolute Batman is definitely not my cup of tea for an alternate Batman at the beginning of his career, but The Bat-Man…is EXACTLY my tea! If DC is going to develop other imprint Universes like the Absolute Universe, then it’s a long time coming, but can we get the original Earth-Two also? The Bat-Man may be the closest we get.
So what was my favorite of the week?
This was a very good week for me- no duds, no disappointments, no “meh’s.” World’s Finest was probably at the bottom with Incredible Hulk next. Batman and Robin: Year One and Justice League Red are tied. While Batman #1 will always be a classic and fondly remember comic of my childhood, The Bat-Man: Second Knight edges it out, but not by much as my favorite for the week of September 17, 2025.
It’s really weird there’s so much Batman in my stack this week…I usually don’t buy a lot of Batman!
What about you? What are you reading? What are you buying?
