July Solicits

The DC Comics July solicits have been released and there is a lot of great stuff coming out even while Flashpoint is swirling around, re-writing the DC Universe. As usual, there are a couple of surprises for Supergirl fans so that makes me happy. Here is the link to Newsarama's coverage of the solicits:
http://www.newsarama.com/comics/dc-comics-july-2011-solicitations-110411.html

SUPERGIRL #66

Written by KELLY SUE DECONNICK • Art by CHRISCROS and MARC DEERING • Cover by AMY REEDER and RICHARD FRIEND

Deep below one of the most prestigious universities in the DCU lie some deadly secrets that Supergirl is determined to expose! But if she uses her powers, she’ll blow her cover, thus ruining any chance she and Lois Lane have of catching the madman responsible for it all!

So this is the middle chapter of Kelly Sue DeConnick's three-part story. In some ways the description of this issue reminds me of some of the Silver Age issues either in Adventure or Daring New Adventures when she was in school and trying to break away to do the right thing.

In a recent interview, DeConnick talked about an older DC villain being in the story. Do the giant rats bring anyone to mind? I was wondering about Professor Milo.

It is nice to see Amy Reeder back on covers.

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #59

Written by JAMES ROBINSON

Art by BERNARD CHANG

Cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND

1:10 Variant cover by DAVID MACK

Eclipso is triumphant! He has defeated the world’s greatest heroes, destroyed the moon and spit in the face of the greatest forces the universe. But one JLAer still stands. Can she make things right?

There is a lot to love about this solicit. First off, great cover by Brett Booth. But Bernard Chang is doing the interiors. I have loved Chang's work of Supergirl recently. I know he can do 'big battle' scenes extremely well from his stuff on Superman and Last Stand. So I can't wait to see his work here. And another David Mack variant! I have loved those covers.

But based on all the skeletons on the cover, the only JLAer standing has to be Supergirl. I bet somehow she is able to use her recent 'Dark' period as either a way to be immune to Eclipso or to turn around and use as a weapon to defeat him. I really like how Robinson is writing this book and Supergirl in particular.

SUPERMAN #713

Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI and CHRIS ROBERSON

Art by EDDY BARROWS and J.P. MAYER

Cover by JOHN CASSADAY

1:10 Variant cover by JEFF SMITH

What could possibly make The Man of Steel decide to stop being Superman? Superboy and Supergirl catch up with him in Portland, Oregon, and they want answers!

So 'Grounded' is still cruising along but this seems like a key issue as we approach the end. Doesn't this seem like a crucible Superman must get through?

All along I have wondered where the rest of the Superman family is during all this. Shouldn't family have tried to talk to Superman early in his trek to see if they could help him? Figure out why he was doing this walk? Regardless of the timing, I am glad that Chris Roberson is bringing Supergirl and Superboy into the arc. They need to be part of this journey.

And as much as I like Cassaday's work (I haven't seen him do Supergirl before) I really want to see what Jeff (Bone) Smith will bring to the table on the variant.

ACTION COMICS #903

Written by PAUL CORNELL

Art by KENNETH ROCAFORT

Cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT

1:10 Variant cover by DENYS COWAN

The mastermind behind “Reign of Doomsday” begins the final phase of his plan to destroy Superman and all mankind! Steel, Supergirl, Superboy and the heroes of Earth unite to try to stop the devastation, while Superman undertakes a dangerous journey in a desperate attempt to save the day!

Interesting cover here. It looks like Doomsday is leading the charge alongside the Super-family. I thought that Luthor was behind the Doomsday plot, as a way to keep the Supers away from his Black Energy quest. But destroying 'all mankind' is not a Luthor thing to do. So know I don't know who is behind all this.

All along I have said that the Doomsdays appearing in the prior titles aren't the Doomsday. I wonder if the cover Doomsday is the Doomsday, angry at having those dupes out there. I can't wait to see what Paul Cornell does with Superman.

And Kenneth Rocafort's work is just amazing. I love how he draws Supergirl on this cover.

SUPERBOY #9

Written by JEFF LEMIRE

Art by PIER GALLO

Cover by KARL KERSCHL

Trapped in the twisted lair of the Hollow Men, Superboy, Psionic Lad and Simon must wage a desperate battle for the souls of Smallville!

Nice creepy cover here. Although there must be more to the Hollow Men then meets the eye. Pitchforks shouldn't scare Superboy.

This looks like a confluence of plotlines with the Hollow Men, Psionic Lad, and Simon all involved.

I have wondered if Simon will become a villain. How about the twist where Psionic Lad's body dies but he possesses Simon's. That's how Simon becomes a villain. You heard it here first.

Glad to see Pier Gallo's name on art again.

DC RETROACTIVE: SUPERMAN – THE ‘70S #1

Written by MARTIN PASKO

Art and cover by EDUARDO BARRETTO

DC Retroactive is an exciting event honoring the defining eras of DC’s core heroes, featuring an original story by the legendary writers and artists who helped mold the characters! Martin Pasko revisits the Metropolis of the 1970s, telling an epic lost tale as Mr. Mxyzptlk returns for another go at The Man of Steel. Will he succeed this time around?

Plus: Following the 26-page lead story is a classic tale originally published in the ’70s, also written by Martin Pasko!

I recently talked about this project. I think Eduardo Barretto is a good choice for art. He did some lovely work on Supergirl in the past.

And what could be wrong with a Mxyzptlk story set in the 1970s? I hope we see Clark as a TV anchor on WGBS!

TITANS ANNUAL 2011 #1

Written by ERIC WALLACE

Art by CLIFF RICHARDS

Cover by FABRIZIO FIORENTINO

“The Methuselah Imperative” begins, continuing into the next month’s issue of TITANS! It’s all been building toward this – a giant throwdown between Deathstroke and his Titans and The Justice League! And Roy Harper must face his old teammates at last and choose his future path, with either his old friends or his new partners in crime.

Although not seen on the cover, the Justice League is featured here and so I guess Supergirl will show up here. Looks like a punch-em-up storyline but none of these characters really interest me enough to think about getting this more than this issue. But maybe it will grab me.

Cliff Richard's art is a plus. I liked his stuff on Huntress:Year One.

And now the Flashpoint Super-minis.

FLASHPOINT: LOIS LANE AND THE RESISTANCE #2

Written by DAN ABNETT and ANDY LANNING

Art by EDDIE NUNEZ

Cover by EDDIE NUNEZ and SANDRA HOPE

FLASH QUESTION: Lois Lane meets the mysterious leader of the Resistance – but will she survive?

Okay. So who is the shadowed figure? I'm guessing Deathstroke or Deadshot.

Too bad Lois is such a small element in this cover.

The more I see of Flashpoint, the more I wonder if I am going to like it.

FLASHPOINT: PROJECT SUPERMAN #2

Plot by SCOTT SNYDER

Script by LOWELL FRANCIS

Art and cover by GENE HA

FLASH QUESTION: Who is behind Project Superman?

This is a better cover. Is this figure Superman? Held hostage since his arrival? Is it Superboy (looks youngish), a clone of Superman?

I haven't read Scott Snyder before but his stuff is always critically praised. And I am a big fan of Gene Ha's work. So I am more optimistic about this mini.

And a couple of treats.

TINY TITANS #42

Written by ART BALTAZAR and FRANCO

Art and cover by ART BALTAZAR

They said it couldn’t happen, but why did you believe them? It’s...young Bizarros in love! Who is the strange girl from a square planet floating in space? Join us as the Tiny Titans discover Bizarro World! Aww yeah!

Bizarro Supergirl in Tiny Titans? That is an 'Aw yeah!' moment. And how funny she seems smitten with Match. This will be a definite buy for me. I have enjoyed every Tiny Titans I have bought, especially the Supergirl moments. Looks great!

SUPERGIRL: BIZARROGIRL TP
Written by STERLING GATES • Art by JAMAL IGLE, MATT CAMP and JON SIBAL • Cover by AMY REEDE and RICHARD FRIEND
Enter Bizarro Supergirl! But how did she get to Earth and what does she want? The real Supergirl better find out fast, or else there won’t be much left of Metropolis to save! And to make things worse, an even bigger threat looms on the horizon with an eye for the Girl of Steel. Collected from SUPERGIRL #53-59 and ANNUAL #2.

I have been waiting for this announcement. This is going to be a big trade including the BizarroGirl arc, the Legion Annual, and the Dollmaker story. Despite that page count, I would love for an intro by Gates and Igle, sort of a capstone to their great run. Do the right thing DC!

Anyways, July looks like a very busy month and that's a good thing.