Hey there, thanks for taking some time to check out the latest edition of Best Battles in New Comics! We appreciate your attention, so we'll do our best to make sure the fights and the recap is entertaining. Or you can just look at the pictures and skip all of the writing. If that's the case, you're probably not even reading this part, are you? Oh well, hopefully they enjoy those pictures! For those still reading along (thanks!), we're very happy with the latest edition. We have one big and brutal group battle, a cheerworthy and fun action sequence, and a gripping and striking conflict between two skilled assassins who hate each other a whole lot. As usual, there were more than three awesome brawls in the latest wave of new comics, so if your top choices aren't below, go ahead and give them a ton of love in the comments.
EARTH 2: WORLD'S END #25
Our first highlight is all about Darkseid's invasion of Earth-2 and the comic was created by a lot of people. Seriously, there's 11 names on the cover. Basically, humanity is attempting to flee its own planet, but Apokolips' forces aren't just waving goodbye to them. They're relentlessly attacking the evacuation ships and as if that isn't bad enough, the ridiculously powerful Darkseid is causing all kinds of trouble on the ground. Power Girl sees the big bad with Val-Zod at his mercy, so she rushes into action. It's what any hero would do! But when it's the Darkseid you're rushing at? Yeah, good luck with that one, Kara.
She may be powerful -- "power" is in her name, after all -- but come on, this is Darkseid we're talking about. The large villain is a titan and there's several good reasons he's one of DC's most infamous villains. Power Girl gives the struggle everything she's got and she even manages to land a brutal attack, but at the end of the day, not many can take down Darkseid in a brawl.
Kara fought bravely, but one can only take so many Omega Beams and super-strong strikes. After that harsh backhand, she's not getting up in the near future and things aren't looking very optimistic for her. Luckily for Kara, she's not alone in this fight. You probably have a good idea about who leaps in nexdt, but we won't tell you how it goes down. However, what we will tell you is that character also fails to topple Darkseid (like you really thought he'd fall so soon?) and then even more heroes show up. And while they're struggling to overcome, some familiar faces enter the madness and throw everything they've got at the cosmic foe.
Does anyone else believe it's kind of cute Batman thinks his explosive attack stunned Darkseid? No disrespect, Thomas, but when Kryptonians and magic aren't cutting it, your standard explosive and some basic projectiles probably aren't going to do much good, either. Still, you can't blame them for at least trying -- the human race is on the line, after all. We won't completely spoil the ending, but we can't resist telling you that it ends with the promise of even more action in the next chapter.
BATMAN AND ROBIN #40
Our second highlight comes from Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason, Mick Gray, and John Kalisz's latest issue of BATMAN AND ROBIN. There's still an annual issue on the way which is written by Tomasi (it goes on sale next week), but this is the final issue for this creative team. Yeah, we're sad, too. If you've been following along, you know Damian Wayne now has super powers and according to his father -- someone who's kind of smart -- those powers are fluctuating and won't be permanent. Luckily for the latest Robin, he has an opportunity to unleash those powers on an unpopulated island! There's a giant creature wandering around and the Justice league is heading in to take it down. Finally, Damian can fully unleash!
Billy Batson isn't off to the most brilliant start ever, but at least Damian is letting loose like a boss and he's the one we're here to see anyway, right? Damian proudly fights alongside some of DC's most popular heroes and he does his best to be a part of the team, but he isn't untouchable and the big opponent finally grabs Robin. However, being restrained makes Damian realize he has yet another power: heat vision!
Usually we try to avoid revealing how a battle ends, but seeing as this fight is only the beginning of the issue and there's way more to love after it, we have no problem showing off the cool ending. People following the series know Billy is very enthusiastic about Damian being with them. He wants to bond with the kid and as you'd probably expect, Damian isn't exactly friendly and warm. That said, he does recognize how Billy could be useful in a fight and he makes sure to put that tactical advantage to good use. Regular punches aren't cutting it, so Damian comes up with an attack that's a little more spectacular.
Like we said above, this is the creative team's final issue with the Dynamic Duo, so you can bet things get very interesting once the fight is over. It's so tempting to give you a hint about what happens, but we'll fight the urge to spoil the twist. And the way it all ends? So fitting.
ELEKTRA #11
It's the final issue of ELEKTRA and unlike BATMAN AND ROBIN, it doesn't have one last annual issue on the way. In the finale of W. Haden Blackman, Michael Del Mundo, and Marco D'Alfonso's Elektra story, the anti-hero comes face to face with a recently healed Bullseye. He's not just healed, though; he's boosted! Throw in the fact the accurate assassin isn't alone in this fight and things seriously aren't looking good for Elektra.
So yeah, that wasn't exactly a pleasant experience for Elektra, was it? Bullseye's vicious beating seriously damaged Elektra's skull and now she can't see out of one of her eyes. But once her friends (or maybe she'd call them "associates?") are put in danger, she finds the strength to get back up, just let any great fighter would. If Rocky can take a beating from Drago and continue fighting, why can't Elektra get back up after Bullseye pummeled her head? That's a totally valid comparison -- don't question it! Elektra doesn't get back up and mutter something like, "Is that all you've got?" No, she quite literally leaps back into action and goes all out. Pray for anyone in her sights.
You're giving these panels the attention they deserve, right? It's a dark and savage struggle as Elektra struggles to fight for her life, and the visuals capture all of the intensity so perfectly. From making Bullseye seem twisted to being shocked by the damage Elektra's endured, it all looks so very good. The choregraphy is excellent, too. There's no confusion over what's going on and you can appreciate each and every motion in the battle. Oh, and speaking of the battle, Bullseye happens to be a little distracted -- we won't tell you why -- and Elektra capitalizes on the opening.
We're pretty confident you won't predict how this fight ends and ELEKTRA avoiding predictability is just one of the many reasons why we love it! It's too bad this is the end of the run, but it's a pretty gripping finale and the ending is such a tease -- it'll make you wish they had at least one more issue with the character. Thanks for all of the delightful craziness, ELEKTRA.
What are your top three fights from this latest round of new comics? Support what you love and tell the world below. Also, don't forget to make nominations every week in the official thread or tell us via Twitter. Have a good weekend!