Saturday, November 22, 2014

More Convergence Titles ... Including Matrix


We just learned about the February solicits for DC but the real news came about Convergence, the two-month rest period of the DCU while the company moves from the East Coast to the West.

These books aren't in current continuity and merge prior continuities into wild team-up stories. Like most, I thought this was something of an odd idea for DC. They can't keep the regular titles on track?

But I will admit, some of the titles have been interesting. And it has been wild to see Supergirl turn up in so many. Here is a link to the latest convergence books to be announced: http://www.newsarama.com/22755-dcs-convergence-week-two-kingdom-come-clashes-w-90s-superboy-supergirl-connor-hawke-more.html

And here are the ones that caught my eye.

SUPERGIRL: MATRIX
Writer: Keith Giffen
Artist: Ramon Bachs, with color by Hi-Fi
What do Supergirl, Lady Quark, and Ambush Bug have in common? Well... nothing really. But that didn't stop us from sticking them in a story together. You are SO welcome.

So many people know that I like the Matrix Supergirl, especially in the post 'Death of Superman' years. In that story, she kind of found herself and became a hero. And then Peter David's wild run happened and things were great.

I wonder just where in her personal timeline writer Keith Giffen is going to place this crazy story. I will admit to being a little worried. The simple fact that Ambush Bug is in the book means this is going to be a humor book or a parody. And I don't know Giffen's thoughts on any Supergirl ... but my gut tells me he doesn't like her. I hope the tone of this book isn't one bent on ridiculing her. 

I do like Ramon Bachs art!


SUPERBOY
Writer:
Fabian Nicieza

Artist: Karl Moline and Jose Marzan Jr, with color by Hi-Fi
Has Kon-El earned the right to be the man of steel? Kon will have to prove his mettle in battle against the Superman of Kingdom Come! But what if the only way to save Metropolis is to lose the fight?

It will be nice to see the old Superboy again. Like the old Supergirl, his character also grew a lot over the years.

But fighting the Kingdom Come Superman? Where the heck did that come from?


SUPERMAN: MAN OF STEEL
(Writer: Louise Simonson; Artist: June Brigman and Roy Richardson, with color by John Rauch)
Metropolis was taken when Superman was missing, so it’s up to Steel to guard the city from the heroes of GEN13 in his absence. 

And then, the solicit that most excited me.

I guess you can go home again. It is good to see Louise Simonson writing Steel one more time. Add to that June Brigman art and this looks like the book that I am banking on being excellent.

Still ... did this whole thing need to happen?

7 comments:

Jay said...

The light on dark grey remains my all-time favorite Steel costume.

garyb said...

Seems to me that Keith Giffen had sent Linda to Hell and left her there.

AndNowInStereo said...

I think they can't keep the regular books on track because they literally can't produce any content when they're moving. All of the people and systems who keep DC's books coming are either moving to LA or they're being replaced, which takes time to execute. So all of these Convergence books are in production right now, ahead of the normal 3-month lead time, and have entirely separate production and editorial staff than the normal line. To run the normal books during the move, DC would have to get the creative and editorial teams to work double-time in order to pull it off. The artists would find it impossible, but I think even if fill-in artists were used the writers wouldn't want to have to rush their scripts. So even if they kept the New52 books running they'd still have fill-in arcs, all drawn by fill-in artists and mostly written by fill-in writers. Doing an event focused on out-of-continuity characters seems like a decent enough idea, because it prevents any of the comics made for this story from treading on the toes of any of the New52 creative teams, and it also hopefully allows some threads dangling from the old continuity to be tied up.

I do hope that DC doesn't do a September event next year, because stopping the New52 yet again barely three months after it restarts would be really stupid. If they do another September gimmick I hope it's something more relevant to the ongoing storylines in the books than either of the last two.

Anonymous said...

So, while DC changes coasts, it's old home time? We revisit characters fondly remembered?

Anj said...

Thanks for comments.

Yes, anon, this is revisiting the past. I think DC is trying to both ignore and embrace its history.

And Thomas, I suppose you are right. Still seems to me they knew about the move for a while. Couldn't they have been better prepared.

Gary, you are right. The last time Giffen touched a Supergirl, he had the Earth Angel in Hell. I don't know if this is the pre-Angel Matrix or not. Regardless, it makes me worried.

Comicbookrehab said...

Actually, I don't think Keith Giffen hates Supergirl...I think he's doing a follow-up to Ambush Bug's appearance in Supergirl's early-80s comic, since Ambush Bug's appearances tend to be more irreverent, humorous and self-aware, but never particularly tasteless.

Anonymous said...

I believe there's a typo in the heading for this entry? The word Titles seems to be missing an "l" and has an "i" instead, which could lead to some unfortunate misunderstandings.