With DC’s March solicits up and running we’ve been treated to all kinds of things, both good and bad, but one thing that caught my eye in particular was three issues in the Bat-family section listed as “FINAL ISSUE”. Those books being Batman: Streets of Gotham, Azrael, and Batman Confidential.
BATMAN: STREETS OF GOTHAM #21
Written by PAUL DINI
Art by DUSTIN NGUYEN & DEREK FRIDOLFS
Cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
The sequel to “Heart of Hush” concludes! The life of Tommy Elliot takes a shocking new turn as “House of Hush” reaches its final soul-searing chapter. Secrets are revealed, lives are torn apart and a deadly new villain rises to threaten the existence of Batman and his allies.
FINAL ISSUE • On sale MARCH 23 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Streets of Gotham was a fun title when it launched, continuing what Paul Dini had been doing in Detective Comics, but unfortunately the book sort of sputtered out for a while. The main arcs were nice, but the one off’s and guest writer spots all felt like stock stories, and more often than not the Batman appearing in the title was Bruce, even when he was believed to be dead. The book was at it’s best when Manhunter was being featured in the backup stories, and I’ve paid less attention since, but I expect the Hush arc wrapping the book up to be as interesting as Heart of Hush was in ‘Tec.
AZRAEL #18
Written by DAVID HINE
Art by CLIFF RICHARDS
Cover by GUILLEM MARCH
Azrael has reached the end of his pilgrimage only to face the native threat of the zealous Fireball! What really separates these two men of faith? And what purpose does Ra’s al Ghul intend to serve?
FINAL ISSUE • On sale MARCH 2 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
There’s not much I can really say about Azrael, I gave the book three issues and then honestly forgot to get the fourth and never looked back. It just never seemed…critical. While I have no doubt that the book had its fans, I’m honestly surprised that it lasted past its twelfth issue.
BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #54
Written by MARC GUGGENHEIM
Art and cover by JERRY BINGHAM
The dramatic conclusion of the 5-part “Super-Powers” arc reveals the final outcome for Bruce Wayne’s revelatory journey from driven loner to the young Batman who would be able to work side-by-side with the other heroes of the DC Universe!
FINAL ISSUE • On sale MARCH 2 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
This book was still being published? Really? The last time I heard anything about it was when Catwoman and Batgirl had a chase in the nude.
Yeah, that happened, and that’s the legacy of this book to me.
So what about you guys? Are you going to miss any of these books?
