February 2013 Solicits

The February solicits for DC comics were released early last week and I have to admit, there were a couple of surprises out there. The entire DC solicits are available all over. Here is the link/list on Comic Book Resources: http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=42155

SUPERGIRL #17
Written by MIKE JOHNSON
Art and cover by MAHMUD ASRAR
• The penutimate chaper of “H’EL ON EARTH”!
• Earth is on the brink of destruction as H’El’s machinations come to fruition!
• How far will Kara go to save Krypton?

I didn't realize that H'El on Earth was going to be this long. This will be the fourth month of the arc. I suppose that means it is a tidy 12 issues, the perfect sort of length for 2 trades. Not that anyone actually thinks that way (sarcasm intended).

The cover is beautiful in a scary sort of way. I think one of the concerns I have had all along has been that this Kara will be too dark. While she hasn't been all dark, in fact having a decent core, I worry that H'El is going to push her farther in the fringe.

That said, for all I know she is dark and angry at H'El here, having embraced Earth as her new home. I keep hoping that H'El is going to make the super-family a super family again. But maybe all it is is hope.

ACTION COMICS #17
Written by GRANT MORRISON
Backup story written by SHOLLY FISCH
Art by RAGS MORALES, BRAD WALKER, MARK PROPST and DREW HENNESSY
Backup story art by CHRIS SPROUSE and KARL STORY
Cover by RAGS MORALES
Variant cover by TERRY DODSON and RACHEL DODSON

• You don’t dare miss Grant Morrison’s stunning, extra-sized final issue of ACTION COMICS!
• It’s no small battle as Superman fights to save all of creation in this epic!
• This issue is destined to be a milestone in The New 52!
• Plus: In the backup story, whatever happened to the men of tomorrow(s)?

The last issue of Morrison's fantastic run. Extra pages. The last back-up story by Sholly Fisch. A variant cover by the Dodsons.

It's like a Valentine's day gift to me from DC. But like some chocolates, this one is bittersweet. I am going to miss Morrison on this book.

And is it me or is there a sort of Cthulu feel to this cover?

SUPERMAN #17
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT

• The startling conclusion of “H’EL ON EARTH”!
• It’s the final fight with H’El — and to win, one of the team will have to make a fatal sacrifice!
• The shocks continue as the all-new Oracle appears! 

First things first ... the cover. So that sure is a healthy dose of Supergirl's backside, including a contorted spine. And from this angle, those boots look more odd than usual. It is less super and more stripper.

I am assuming the giant crystal figure on the cover is the 'Oracle', the mega-being hinted at in Superman #0. This actually makes me a bit happy. If Lobdell is going to go big ... big stories, big villains ... it'll make me happy. That sure looks like Dr. Veritas in Oracle's hand. What's that about? Given she is on the cover where a 'fatal sacrifice' happens, it has to be her.

SUPERBOY #17
Written by TOM DeFALCO
Art and cover by R.B. SILVA and ROB LEAN

• The startling conclusion of “H’EL ON EARTH”!
• Superboy faces off against the Herald of the Oracle! 

Hmmm ... another 'startling conclusion' to H'El on Earth. That must be a mistake.

Otherwise not much info here. I assume the Oracle story somehow ties into H'El. And will the 'super-suit' be Superboy's from now on?

WORLDS’ FINEST #9
Written by PAUL LEVITZ
Art by KEVIN MAGUIRE, GEORGE PEREZ and SANDRA HOPE
Cover by BARRY KITSON

• Power Girl and a wounded Huntress are attacked on Power Girl’s island headquarters by a mysterious and deadly new group of villains!
• What do the villains have to do with the missing Michael Holt and the radioactive monster known as Hakkou?

Another cover that grabbed me. I am a Barry Kitson fan and loved his Supergirl in the Waid Legion. So nice cover here.

The plot sounds better than the last few issues which have felt more episodic without an underlying theme. At least something connecting Mr. Terrific migrating to Earth 2 and Hakkou is going to happen here.

I haven't felt great about this title recently. I hope things turn around.

SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 #10
Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER
Art by JORGE JIMENEZ
Cover by SCOTT KOLINS

• The first time in print for these digital-first adventures!
• Superman races to find answers as mysterious “speed storms” begin to break out across the globe.
• Lex hands Tess an ultimatum: Reveal everything she knows about the Man of Steel, or face oblivion.

Some resolution or movement to the Tess story arc is welcomed. But I keep waiting to hear some clue about the Crisis and (hopefully) a Supergirl appearance. I suppose 'speed storms' means the Flash is going to show up. Could this all be Miller's way of having the heroes meet and greet so they can more easily team up when the Anti-Monitor arrives?
 

SUPERMAN FAMILY ADVENTURES #10
Written by ART BALTAZAR and FRANCO
Art and cover by ART BALTAZAR

• General Zod escaped from the Phantom Zone…to open up a hot dog stand?
• Can Superman save Metropolis from the fiery footsteps of fifty-foot frankfurters?! Maybe—but can we let him finish his lunch first?

Zod dogs!? Aw yeah!

And look ... Chris Kent is there. Nice foil for the SFA Superboy!

AME-COMI GIRLS #5 FEATURING SUPERGIRL
Written by JUSTIN GRAY and JIMMY PALMIOTTI
Art by SANTI CASAS
Cover by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO

• The first time in print for these digital first adventures!
• Supergirl and her cousin Power Girl confront a full-on space invasion!
• Supergirl goes head-to-head with Brainiac and pays a heavy price.
• The first AME-COMI miniseries reaches its grand finale!

I have bought the Wonder Woman and Batgirl comics. Despite the simply ludicrous costumes, the story has been fun. I know from hints that there is also a Dark Supergirl in this series (all the better to promote the 'variant' statue). I also hear maybe she isn't even that heroic in the story. I shouldn't be surprised given prior treatment by Palmiotti.

Anyways, I'll probably grab this issue to see how Kara is handled.

YOUNG ROMANCE: A NEW 52 VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL #1
Written by ANDY DIGGLE, ANN NOCENTI, CECIL CASTELLUCCI, PETER MILLIGAN and others
Art by GENE HA, EMANUELLA LUPPICHINNO, BECKY CLOONAN, PHIL JIMENEZ, SANFORD GREEN and others
Cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT

• Romance is in the air in this very special Special!
• Wonder Woman consults Eros himself about her feelings for The Man of Steel.
• Barbara Gordon has always been too busy for romance, but could her role as Batgirl bring her back to the first guy she ever kissed?
• Following the events of “Death in the Family,” how can Catwoman ease Batman’s troubled soul?
• Aquaman makes waves as he treats his wife like a queen for a day.
• From the pages of STORMWATCH, Apollo and Midnighter celebrate Valentine’s Day separately but with each other in mind. Who—or what—stands between them?
• Dick Grayson and the daughter of Lucious Fox meet-cute!
• Plus: Perforated Valentine’s Day cards featuring the stars of these stories!

 
I don't know whether I am going to get this Young Romance book ... but since I am contemplating it, thought I would showcase it here.

The Wonder Woman story is the only one that I am really interested in. That said, the talent lined up (including favorites of mine Gene Ha and Becky Cloonan) makes me think I might give it a whirl.