Wednesday, August 19, 2015

November 2015 Solicits


The DC Comics solicits for November have been released and I am sure the company is giddy because there are some big name books on the docket, neither of which I will buy or read. Here is a link to the complete solicits on Newsarama: http://www.newsarama.com/25573-dc-comics-full-november-2015-solicitations.html

Now the first big news (for DC) is that Dark Knight:The Master Race is being released. But I have been fooled once before with Dark Knight Strikes Again. So I won't be buying or reading this book.

The second big news (for DC) is that Superman:American Alien is coming out, Max Landis' look at Superman's adolescence including getting drunk and defying Ma and Pa. So I won't go into my feelings about Landis again but suffice it to say, I won't be buying this book ... ever ...

But for me, the biggest news was one of omission. For another month there is no news about a Supergirl book. No new title. No digital first book linked to the show. No one shot special. Nothing. We have already seen some of the early fruits of the DCYou withering on the vine. Prez is now a 6 issue mini-series (not 12). As I noted in the sales post, new titles are already below the 20K line. And yet, despite this, despite Supergirl being on billboards and buses, despite Supergirl commercials being all over CBS and even as a trailer in theaters, DC isn't producing a Supergirl book. That just seems idiotic from a business viewpoint.

On to the actual solicits.

JUSTICE LEAGUE 3001 #6
Written by KEITH GIFFEN and J.M. DeMATTEIS
Art and cover by HOWARD PORTER

Evil Zeus of Injustice League 3000 has returned, and he’s created a new race of the most bizarre New Gods in DCU history! And a new threat enters U.P. space and they’re systematically eliminating any and all obstacles to their master’s conquest. Plus, the most unexpected super death in super history. No. Really. You’ll never guess.

This is one of two titles that supposedly has a version of Supergirl in the cast. But this is the second month in a row where Supergirl isn't mentioned in the solicit. And she isn't on the cover either. Add to that a 'most unexpected super death in super history' comment with the snark after, here on the 30th anniversary of Crisis, I thought this was a no-brainer. Kara is dying.

So I reached out to J.M. DeMatteis on Twitter.


He says she is in for the long haul. So at least I have that. Maybe it is 'Superman' who dies.


ACTION COMICS #46
Written by GREG PAK and AARON KUDER
Art and cover by AARON KUDER
 
Once upon a time, the idea that Clark Kent could be corrupted would have been unthinkable, but now one villain is about to take advantage of his troubles! As more and more people turn on the Man of Steel, how long before Superman turns to the dark side? What evil force is orchestrating all this?
 
All along DC said that The Truth was going to be the new landscape, the new baseline. But frankly, I am getting a bit fatigued of this depowered Superman being dragged further and further into the dark. Even this cover with Superman cloaked in darkness, with the solicit talking about him turning to the dark, is exhausting. 
 
I trust Pak and Kuder ... so I'll try to remain hopeful. I am going to go out on a limb and say the villain is The Prankster, setting things up so Superman looks bad.


SUPERMAN #46
Written by GENE LUEN YANG
Art by HOWARD PORTER
Cover by JOHN ROMITA JR. and KLAUS JANSON

Robbed of his identity, his loved ones and his home, a broken Superman is forced to join a super-fight club. The stakes? His life!

The last solicit was exhaustive. This one is ludicrous. This is the solicit where I shake my head and laugh in derisive manner. This is my 'what is DC Comics thinking??' moment in the solicits.

Superman. In a fight club? And the stakes .... his life!!! Talk about over dramatic.

At least I'll get to see Howard Porter draw Superman.

But this is silly.


SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN #23
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by DOUG MAHNKE and JAIME MENDOZA
Cover by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO

Clark Kent must go to extreme measures to try to restore his power, while Diana, Lois and Lana team up to learn exactly who is behind a new threat to Superman!

So we have exhausted and ludicrous covered in the prior 2 solicits.

Here is the solicit that has me intrigued.

Diana, Lois, and Lana teaming up? I love all these characters even if they have been placed in odd stories this last year. But I am interested in seeing how they interact.

But why drive a car if you have an invisible jet (does she still have an invisible jet?). Although there is a 'Thelma and Louise' vibe here. Beautiful cover by Emanuela Lupacchino.


BATMAN/SUPERMAN #26
Written by GREG PAK
Art by ALEX SHIBAO
Cover by CARY NORD

Batgirl enters the scene as the half-powered Superman goes to war against Vandal Savage!

Nothing like a one line solicit. Beautiful cover by Cary Nord.

Vandal Savage is a good villain for this Superman. And I like Batgirl here not the armored Batman.

Can I again ask that DC make a Worlds' Finest book where it is an anthology book with short stories starring one member of the super-family and one member of the bat-family?


SUPERMAN: LOIS AND CLARK #2
Written by DAN JURGENS
Art and cover by LEE WEEKS

While we learn what exactly this strange new Superman has been up to during his time on this Earth, Lois is targeted by a deadly organization that calls itself…Intergang! Plus: Jon, the son of Lois and Clark, is starting to wonder about his parents’ true origins.

While I love the idea of this comic, I can't believe that this Superman and Lois are seemingly placed on the main DCU Earth and not a parallel universe. Why would this noble Superman sit around when the 'real' Superman is depowered and such a disaster.

Again, I trust Jurgens. And I love Weeks art. And Intergang is going to feel warm and fuzzy. I am hopeful this book is a success.


DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS #4
Written by MARGUERITE BENNETT
Art by BILQUIS EVELY, MIRKO ANDOLFO and MARGUERITE SAUVAGE
Cover by ANT LUCIA
 
In a London hospital, a strange patient has a message for Dr. Harleen Quinzel…one that leads the doctor to hijack a plane out of the city! And, Supergirl and Stargirl lead a bombing raid, only to discover a terrible secret that leaves them questioning their loyalties. Plus, Batwoman arrives in Italy where she encounters Contessa Selina Digatti—a.k.a. the Catwoman!
 
Here is the other book featuring Supergirl. 
 
I bet that the 'terrible secret' is that Supergirl and Stargirl are actually American and have been raised in Russia. The first issue of this book was terrific fun. So count me in.


DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS #5
Written by MARGUERITE BENNETT
Art by BILQUIS EVELY, LAURA BRAGA and MIRKA ANDOLFO
Cover by ANT LUCIA
 
While Wonder Woman leads an American infantry division in an attack on an Axis battalion, Harley makes a none-too-graceful landing in France, where she encounters a woman with a strange affinity for plants. Plus, Supergirl and Stargirl fly home to protect their parents, only to be attacked by a fearsome forest spirit known as the Swamp Thing.
 
Swamp Thing in the Bombshell universe? Hmmm ...
 
But we are going to meet Poison Ivy! And hurray, Supergirl is mentioned in the solicit again!


DC COMICS PRESENTS: SUPERMAN – LOIS AND CLARK 100-PAGE SUPER SPECTACULAR #1
Written by DAN JURGENS, KARL KESEL, DAVID MICHELINIE, LOUISE SIMONSON, ROGER STERN and others
Art by DAN JURGENS, JERRY ORDWAY, RON FRENZ, TOM GRUMMETT, JON BOGDANOVE, STUART IMMONEN and others

It’s the 1990s epic in which Clark Kent and Lois Lane tied the knot, featuring stories and art by some of greatest Superman storytellers of all time! Guest-starring Batman, Mr. Mxyzptlk and more!

I won't be getting this book because I probably own the issues. But I am glad we are getting some classic Superman/Lois stuff reprinted.

I won't be reviewing the Superman appearance in Doomed in November. I won't be buying the Superman vs. Batman trade.

I want good comics. This month looks like a mixed bag.

12 comments:

Martin Gray said...

You know I'm with you on the darkening of superman.

As for the rest, I am fascinated by the reprint of the wedding comic. DC putting the Clark and Lois romance at the forefront again is intriguing.

Anonymous said...

It was the best of times it was the worst of times....

For Supergirl fans that is, we've got a live action TV series about to premiere yet Supergirl herself is relegated to supporting turns in a pair of team books.
I'm pretty much convinced DC doesn't know what do with Supergirl and is simply waiting for the TV show give them a push or else they are waiting on some King Hell Pitch from a Creative yet to be named.

JF

Anonymous said...

I'm with you Martin, I think it's fascinating they're reprinting the Wedding Album. Especially after they tried so so hard in interviews in the run up of the reboot to imply that the only reason Clark & Lois married was because of the Lois&Clark tv show. No. They were engaged before the show went on the air, they had to stall to wait on that show. Doomsday is the result of the TV show not the marriage.

Wayne Allen Sallee said...

To be fair, not every character appears on each cover of JL30000/1. And if the TV show does well, maybe we will get a comic along the lines of Arrow and Flash Season Zero.

My favorite DC character has always been Hourman, and I just read that in Earth 2: Society he will be this monster who decapitate other heroes. Way to go, DC!

So the Superman married to Lois is set on Earth 0? The final issue of CONVERGENCE made so little sense that I can't even follow DC's thinking anymore. With the Batman/Superman book doing OK, maybe DC should consider a Batgirl/Supergirl comic. The Bat books outsell the Super books, so why not put out what might be considered a second Batgirl book?

Uncle Screensaver said...

I just read an interesting article suggesting DC's sales are tanking. They're putting out a lot of books for little return on each. With Supergirl getting a TV series and no book at all, they really show themselves as being extremely clueless. So many things show they're clueless on so many levels, so out of touch with readers and markets alike. I think they really need to get rid of Nelson, DiDio, Lee, and Johns.
I just saw a trailer for the new Lego Justice League movie where they get the New52 costumes. Cyborg: "Superman! You're finally wearing your underwear on the *inside*! Smart! But Barry and Hal you look exactly the same!" GL: "You don't mess with the classics!"
Grr!
Anyway, thank you Anj for reaching out as I was about to cancel JL3001.
I'm cancelling PG and Harley, it is such pandering to certain junior high minded boys, and I might still cancel Bombshells, as I don't like how Diana is portrayed and Kara being a part of a being run isn't for me. I think I'm going to cancel Clois & Son because it seems like another dark take on Clark despite him being married to Lois. Comics today are exhausting for me. Maybe I'm just too stodgy, but I'm bailing on almost everything. If they had killed Kara off in JL3001, I'd be done with new comics. Oh well, either Canadian dollar being so poor, I can basically just afford one comic book anyway, heh.

Uncle Screensaver said...

being part of a bombing* run.

Gene said...

The Supergirl show has a trailer in movie theaters?
COOL...

Anonymous said...

Although I am going to give Lois and Clark a try out, I'm also sceptical about the possibility that Pre Flashpoint Clark has been on Earth 0/New Earth, whatever it is Didio called in that post Convergence interview. Anyway, I share those concerns that if the wiser, more experienced and quite frankly more noble and moral Superman was on Earth at around about the same time the early superheroes and Justice League founders were, why didn't he do more to help out?

Even covert actions on his part would surely have been beneficial and productive towards helping out those his other counterpart couldn't. Moreover, it brings up major problems in regards to his inactivity with New 52 Superman and Justice League related crises. Where was the old Superman when Darkseid and his Parademons invaded? Where was he when Atlantis invaded the surface world? Where was he when Doomsday attacked and infected Superman? The list goes on and in spite of how nice it'll be to see a version of Clark and Lois I want to read about, the plot and story issues are going to be difficult for Jurgens to work around IMO.

Louis

Wondering said...

Hmm, y'know, ive been so wrapped up trying to figure out how Superman lost his powers, that it hadn't occured to me that everyones acting a teensy bit to wrapped up in their hatred of Superman.
But then it occured to me...Wasn't there an issue around the time of Convergence where that Phantom King fella started using his powers to make everyone hate Superman and want him dead? Maybe its still going on?

bith said...

I'm glad you asked that JL3001 question Ann, because I thought the exact same thing. I pulled the comic off my pull list accordingly. Guess I'll have to add it back on now, skme Supergirl is better than no Supergirl after all, but I couldn't take another death.

bith said...

^Anj. Stupid autocorrect

bith said...

^^ some -_-; it autoworkers Anj to Ann but not skme to some? Sigh. As not to be be another meaningless spell correction post I also am against the darkening of Superman and have dropped just about every comic I had on my pull list from DC. I still pick up a few titles I've still found enjoyment in, but I'm also more thoroughly exploring the libraries of IDW, Image, and the like. Convergence only served to show me what I really miss, DC you are dropping the ball. I can't even stand Batman now.