December 2011 Solicits

The December DC solicits have been released. Here is the link for all books:
http://www.newsarama.com/comics/dc-comics-december-2011-solicitations-110919.html

Not too many surprises this month as the DCnU settles in. It is interesting to read all these solicits when some stories haven't even started. Here are the super-titles.

SUPERGIRL #4

Written by MICHAEL GREEN and MIKE JOHNSON

Art and cover by MAHMUD ASRAR

Trapped and powerless aboard a space station, Supergirl is at the mercy of an ingenious new foe who wants to learn everything there is to know about her. But Supergirl is more than just her powers, and she’ll soon show this foe – and all of Earth – what’s she truly capable of! Plus, more on the Girl of Steel’s mysterious origin!

The cover makes me think that sunstone technology has retained a place in the new DCU. The 'more than just her powers' phrase is intriguing. Hopefully they'll keep the i'ntelligent member of the Science guild' feel to the character.

I do wonder about the 'mysterious' origin. Does that mean that Argo City surviving the destruction of Krypton is back out of continuity? I still think, based only on the preview pages, that Zor-El has plugged her into a VR 'educational' program. That's why she thinks that stuff is a dream. What programs has he been feeding her though?

ACTION COMICS #4

Written by GRANT MORRISON and JOSHUA HALE FIALKOV

Art by RAGS MORALES, GENE HA, RICK BRYANT and MATT CAMP

Cover by RAGS MORALES

Variant cover by GREG CAPULLO

1:200 BandW Variant cover by RAGS MORALES

Is your mind prepared for an encounter with the deadly Terminauts? What awful master do they serve? What horrible fate awaits Superman and the city of Metropolis? The true scope of Grant Morrison and Rags Morales’ ACTION COMICS run begins to come into view, so get those sunglasses ready, ‘cause it is gonna be blinding!

And in a backup story from writer Joshua Hale Fialkov and artist Matt Camp that spins out of ACTION COMICS #2, John Henry Irons takes his first steps toward becoming the hero known as Steel!

I have to say that this solicit 'sounds' more like a Morrison run. The Terminauts serving an awful master. Sounds about right. My guess is it is the 'teetotaler' who was with Glenmorgan in the opening scene of Action #1. He seemed too happy to slip out of that office, and had swiped Glenmorgan's tie to boot. I am really looking forward to seeing where Morrison is going with this.

Glad to see old Supergirl friend Matt Camp back on a Super-title. And very happy to see that Steel is going to be around in the DCnU.

SUPERMAN #4

Written by GEORGE PEREZ

Art by JESUS MERINO

Breakdowns and cover by GEORGE PEREZ

Discover the origin of the new foes who have been making The Man of Steel’s life so painful and chaotic lately. What are their ties to the current ACTION COMICS epic? Plus, Lois Lane uncovers a tragic secret from Superman’s past!

** Not final cover. Previous interior art shown.

Pretty nondescript cover/not cover and solicit here. Don't know what to make of this.

SUPERBOY #4

Written by SCOTT LOBDELL

Art by R.B. SILVA and ROB LEAN

Cover by SHANE DAVIS and JONATHAN GLAPION

Superboy has learned the truth about what he really is...and he’s not taking it well. Alone in New York and surrounded by holiday cheer, it’s a struggle to keep his emotions and his powers in check...and he’s on a crash course with a dangerous pair of murderous young metahumans who are more like him than he might want to admit!

** Not final cover

I still get the vibe that DC is trying to streamline this version of Superboy with the angry, confused pod-boy from the Young Justice cartoon. But do we need to see him standing in front of a burning Christmas tree? Are we that desperate to make him appear bad-ass that he'll ruin Christmas?? What's next, attacking Santa?

The first issue was good so I am hoping that will be the level of quality here.

HAWK AND DOVE #4

Written by STERLING GATES

Art and cover by ROB LIEFELD

Following last issue’s ultra-brawl with Condor and Swan through the halls of the White House, Hawk and Dove have more questions than answers! Luckily for them, they’ve taken a prisoner! But even as they begin to question him, sinister forces align with a new target in mind: Dove’s boyfriend, Deadman! Can Dove protect the man she loves, or will her ghostly lover fall into darkness?

Fiigured I'd plug Hawk and Dove here. I like the characters a lot, thought the first issue was fun, and think Gates probably has a big mythos of the avatars he is building here. I keep wondering what Condor and Swan are avatars of.

Nice cover here, even if it doesn't hint that much about what is inside the issue.