Saturday, February 16, 2013

May 2013 Solicits

The DC Solicits for May 2013 have finally been revealed in total and as usual there is some big news. There are the six title that have been canceled. There are the additions of the 'politically charged' books The Green Team and The Movement. Sterling Gates is back and is writing the Vibe book! (I never thought I would read a Vibe book but I'll be there for this.  And then there is the stunning announcement that Geoff Johns is leaving the Green Lantern book after a wild and highly successful 9 year run. In fact, if rumors are true, every GL book will have a new creative team in June. That is a lot to digest and makes this a possible tumultuous month. Here is a link to CBR where you can look at all the solicits: http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=43702

And here are the Super-books and some other stuff.



SUPERGIRL #20
Written by MICHAEL ALAN NELSON
Art by MAHMUD ASRAR
Cover by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO

Supergirl is dead—Long live Supergirl! Or so it seems as the strange connection between the Karas has Power Girl becoming  Supergirl again.

I talked about the creative change at writer last week. I don't know Nelson; I hope he will treat Supergirl right. I am glad that Mahmud Asrar is sticking with the title. And that is a lovely cover by Emanuela Lupacchino. I wonder if she is the cover artist moving forward.

Now the truth is I have been waiting for a meeting of the Supergirls. Given how much Karen has said she doesn't want to meet any of the Earth 1 Kryptonians, I am interested to see what brings them together. At the very least, it doesn't look or sound like they fight. That's a positive.

Of course the implied threat of a dead Supergirl is never a good thing.

I will go in with an open mind.



ACTION COMICS #20
Written by ANDY DIGGLE
Art by TONY S. DANIEL and BATT
Cover by TONY S. DANIEL

Superman battles an enemy of his own making in the horrible Hybrid—but what else does Lex Luthor have in store for The Man of Steel and the people of Metropolis? Get set to learn some of the secrets behind Luthor’s role in The New 52!

Luthor played a key but minor role in Morrison's Action. He has had a cameo in Lobdell's Superman. So I am glad that he is going to get some face time here. Is Hybrid another non-Bizarro Bizarro?

Diggle said the right things about Superman in interviews. I am hopeful his take will be on the money.



SUPERMAN #20
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art and cover by AARON KUDER

Hector Hammond is looking for Superman to save him from the New God known as Orion in “Metropolis Burning!”

Were will the post-H'El Lobdell Superman go? Will this Orion jibe with the one we are seeing in Wonder Woman? Is Kenneth Rocafort taking a month off or is he heading to Green-er pastures?

I do like Aaron Kuder. There is a Frank Quitely feel to his art.



SUPERBOY #20
Written by JUSTIN JORDAN
Art by R.B. SILVA and ROB LEAN
Cover by KEN LASHLEY

“BLOOD AND STEEL” begins as The Teen of Steel decides it’s time to become more proactive in his battle against evil. But how far will he go before he crossed the line?

I thought that Superboy would be inching farther away from the grim and gritty loner we saw pre-H'El. After all, he has played the hero role in the crossover, much more that Supergirl has been allowed to. Even last month's solicit with him getting a new apartment and new surroundings sounded like a mini-reboot.

But I guess all that was for naught as instead we get this blood-soaked cover with a dripping S-shield and Kon. Am I supposed to be excited by this image?

I don't know writer Justin Jordan so looks like another title I'll need to keep an open mind about.


ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #1
Written by ORSON SCOTT CARD, AARON JOHNSTON and JEFF PARKER 
Art by CHRIS SPROUSE, KARL STORY and CHRIS SAMNEE 
Cover by BRYAN HITCH 
1:25 Variant cover by CHRIS SAMNEE 

Don’t miss the debut of this all-new, digital-first series starring The Man of Tomorrow, written and illustrated by some of comics’ finest talents! Journey into Superman’s past in a tale written by acclaimed Ender’s Game author Orson Scott Card and Aaron Johnston, with art by TOM STRONG’s Chris Sprouse and Karl Story! Plus, witness Superman’s first encounter with the work of Lex Luthor, brought to you by Jeff Parker (Hulk) and Chris Samnee (Daredevil)!

What can I say. I am not excited about Card. I am excited about this book and the other upcming creators mentioned.




SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 #13
Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER 
Art by DANIEL HDR 
Cover by PETE WOODS 

An all-new episode begins with “Argo” part 1 of 3! Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes try to stop war between Earth and a shocking enemy! Plus, a glitch in Booster Gold’s Legion flight ring propels the “Gold Standard,” his trusty robot Skeets and The Man of Steel into the 31st century.

Hmmm ... Legion, a story named Argo, a possible Earthwar?

It all means some Smallville Supergirl. I am ready!

This book has been tremendous.




SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 SPECIAL #1
Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER 
Art by AXEL GIMENEZ and DIANA EGEA 
Cover by CAT STAGGS 

Detective John Jones, the Martian Manhunter, steps into the Smallville spotlight in “Effigy,” a stand-alone adventure! A grisly murder in Gotham City sends Martian Manhunter on a quest to confront his past. Guest-starring Batman and Nightwing!

While not necessarily a super-book, thought I would plug this Smallville Special.

I hope J'Onn actually gets to act like a detective and a manhunter!


WORLDS’ FINEST #12
Written by PAUL LEVITZ
Art by KEVIN MAGUIRE and GERALDO BORGES
Cover by RYAN SOOK

As Power Girl returns to her classic look, DeSaad wreaks havoc on her tech empire—and PG and Huntress find themselves hunted by the talented torturer from Apokolips.


Now if any solicit grabbed my attention this month it was this one.

Yes, the classic Power Girl costume is back. Did DC give in to fan pressure?
Yes, it sports a Ryan Sook cover. Sook should be doing DC covers all the time. This one just sizzles.
Yes, Kevin Maguire is doing all the interior art!

But most importantly, the story has the Finest squaring off against someone from Apokolips ... Desaad no less! Looks like we'll get some major plot movement.



DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS
DC Collectibles is proud to announce the launch of a brand new line of statues, inspired by the pin-ups of the 1940s and 1950s. Who better to blast off this newest line than two of DC’s most powerful heroines? Featuring, fashion from the 40’s and 50’s, DC Collectibles has captured the “can do” attitude of the era!

DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS: SUPERGIRL
Sculpted by Tim Miller
Measures Approximately 10.6" Tall
$124.95 US • On Sale August 2013

I'm not going to get this Supergirl statue but I'll showcase it. Based on WW2 bomber paintings, this statue line reimagines DC heroines. The Wonder Woman one, which has a sort of Rosie the Riveter feel to it, is a more solid offering. Pretty in a 'saloon dancing girl' kind of way, this isn't for me.

Still, merchandise is publicity.

5 comments:

valerie21601 said...

I saw the preview for Supergirl #17 late lst night. Asrar art looks so rushed.

Supergirl well... so far... still the same.

tony said...

Hey anj just cause Superboy is going to be proactive doesnt mean he cant keep the new secret identity and place to set up shop.
The cover is badass,and it might not jive with the inside of the issue,but if it does,it doesnt mean kon is going to lose all his momentum toward being a hero.also there is the chance that SB is going to be a anti hero,not a bright and shiney herolike superman.

Gene said...

I am not thrilled with how DC has treated Supergirl after Superboy #17. The solicit for Supergirl #20 makes me wonder if E-1 Kara will die and be replaced by E-2 Kara with a better outfit. If so, E-2 Kara getting her old Power Girl costume back (which I applaud) may only be fleeting because I can't see E-2 Kara be Supergirl and pal around with Huntress as Power Girl at the same time if my theory is true. Then again, DC has been going off the rails more often than not lately.

Congratulations to Sterling Gates for writing Vibe.

I'm not crazy about "barmaid" Supergirl in their Bombshells statue line. If I were to paint Supergirl on the side of a B-25 I would have made her look more like a bobbysoxer based off her Silver Age costume and title it "Maid of Might."

Anonymous said...

Yeah isn't Supergirl in her classic context, BELOW the age of majority? What is she doing on the side of a B-17 Liberator at her age?
***
The solicits clearly indicate that if you thought this was gonna be a Bad Winter for Supergirl, then just wait til The Spring to see what DC has in store for the Maid of Steel.

JF

Manu said...

I love the work of Tim Miller. And the guy has a great sense of humor ! :) )

http://tkmillersculpt.deviantart.com/