Tuesday, August 29, 2017

November 2017 Solicits


The DC Comics solicits for November came out this week and included some interesting entries. I have to admit, some of them worry me, some of them intrigue me, some of them turned me off. Here is a link to all the month's solicits on Newsarama: https://www.newsarama.com/36035-dc-comics-november-2017-solicitations.html

To start off, there is no mention of Supergirl in Gotham City Garage. And the cover doesn't grab me at all. So my time on that title might be brief. Second, there are a few new books, like Demon, that might be impulse buys. There is one new title I will definitely be grabbing (shown at the bottom). Lastly, there are no *FINAL ISSUE* notices for any of the super-books and that makes me happy.

On to the actual super-solicits.

SUPERGIRL #15
Written by STEVE ORLANDO and JODY HOUSER
Art and cover by ROBSON ROCHA and DANIEL HENRIQUES
Variant cover by STANLEY “ARTGERM” LAU
“PLAIN SIGHT part one!” This public service announcement is brought to you by the Department of Extranormal Operations! You saw how Supergirl hid a murderer underneath National City right before our eyes. What other dangerous secrets is she hiding? She is not human, and therefore, she cannot be trusted. D.E.O. agents will be stationed at every school to ensure their safety! Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Check out that cover! Okay, I have a lot of faith in this title and the approach that Steve Orlando has brought to Kara, giving us a bright, optimistic Supergirl who is trying to bring hope, help, and compassion for all. And I doubt Jody Houser was brought in to give us something grim.

But that cover and that solicit read a little like what could be the beginning of another 'Dark Kara' arc. And, as I have said since the inception of this blog, Dark Kara never works.

Maybe this is how 'overpowered' Kara looks and the villains are turning people against her?

And now the rest of the books:


INJUSTICE 2 #13
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art and cover by MIKE S. MILLER
In Kahndaq, Kara Zor-el continues her tutelage under the watchful eye of Black Adam. But Damian Wayne, visiting as an emissary of Ra’s al Ghul, decides that it’s time for Kara to begin her training, leading to the two of them out of the kingdom without Adam’s knowledge or approval. Damian risks exposing another super-powered Kryptonian to a hostile world still recovering from the reign of Superman, and himself to wrath of Black Adam.

I don't think I will ever get Injustice on a monthly basis. But then I see covers like this and I hear she plays a big role in the game and I think I may get bamboozled into picking up random issues.

This is the only other issue in the solicits that mentions Supergirl.

DOOMSDAY CLOCK #1
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by GARY FRANK
Variant cover by GARY FRANK
DC Comics presents to you a 12-issue maxiseries from the critically acclaimed team of writer Geoff Johns, artist Gary Frank and colorist Brad Anderson. You are not prepared for what lies ahead within these pages, good readers.

Well I guess the question of 'how involved will The Watchmen be?' is answered with this cover.

I just wonder what the end game is here. Is this *the* maxi-series that will answer all the Rebirth questions? Or is this a lead in.

I am glad it has been described as a Superman story. And I have historically loved the Johns/Frank team.

ACTION COMICS #992
Written by DAN JURGENS
Art by STEVE PUGH
Cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
Variant cover by NEIL EDWARDS
Please see the August Previews for ACTION COMICS #991, also shipping in November.
“AFTER EFFECTS”! Crippled by the events of “The Oz Effect,” Superman struggles to regain a sense of hope for humanity. As a strange new threat brews in the background, a faithless Son of both Krypton and Earth must make a choice: stay and fight for his adoptive homeworld, or answer a call from the stars.

Love this cover by Francis Manapul.
I do worry that Mr. Oz is some version of Jor-El. I really don't need that. But a 'crippled' Superman struggling with his Kryptonian heritage makes this seem like a foregone conclusion.

I trust Jurgens. Fingers crossed.

SUPERMAN #34
Written by PETER J. TOMASI and PATRICK GLEASON
Art by DOUG MAHNKE and JAIME MENDOZA
Cover by PATRICK GLEASON
JUSTICE LEAGUE variant cover by RENATO GUEDES
“Imperius Lex” finale! Votes begin to be cast in Kryptonian blood as Apokolips’ hordes of hellish residents choose a new leader to occupy Darkseid’s throne. The Man of Steel finds himself caught in a violent democratic battle with Lex Luthor leading the race for godhood.

SUPERMAN #35
Written by PETER J. TOMASI and PATRICK GLEASON
Art by DOUG MAHNKE and JAIME MENDOZA
Cover by PATRICK GLEASON
Variant cover by JORGE JIMENEZ
“LAST WISH”! Surrounded by his family, Superman has much to be thankful for, but not everyone is as fortunate. See the Man of Steel grant the wishes of some sick children for the holidays.

As much as the ending of the 'Lex on Apokolips' story sounds, I am more interested in Superman #35, an old school holiday issue! That is what Rebirth is all about!

And what is with evil Superman on a throne of bones?


SUPERWOMAN #16
Written by K. PERKINS
Art by STEPHEN SEGOVIA and ART THIBERT
Cover by KEN LASHLEY
Variant cover by RENATO GUEDES
“THE MIDNIGHT HOUR” part two! When the deadly new villain Midnight threatens Metropolis, Superwoman must turn to the one woman she thought she would never turn to on the field of battle again: Lois Lane. But there’s a sinister, personal connection between Lana Lang and her new villain…one that threatens to end Superwoman once and for all.

Ooooh ... a rogue just for Superwoman! Love it!

And a Lois and Lana reconnection! 

Please don't give up on this title DC!!


SUPER SONS #10
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by BRIAN CHING
Cover by JORGE JIMENEZ
Variant cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
“SECRET HEADQUARTERS”! In the aftermath of “Planet of the Capes,” big changes challenge both Damian and Jon, as Superboy revels in his new power and a decision by Batman rocks Robin’s world forever. And as promised earlier, the debut of the Super Sons’ new secret headquarters!

Do you think Jon has a new power (a la solar flare)? Or a new power level (just overall stronger)?
And I wonder if Batman is going to fire Robin?

And a new secret headquarters! Where could it be? 

SUPER SONS ANNUAL #1
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by PAUL PELLETIER
Cover by JORGE JIMENEZ
“SUPER-PETS UNLEASHED”! The World’s Furriest team Krypto and Titus—together at last! Tired of the boys stealing the spotlight, the doggy duo lead the Super Sons on a canine-powered epic!

Titus?
I know Ace.
I was friends with Ace.
And you Titus are no Ace.

Anyways, I love super-pets. So I'm in!


NEW SUPER-MAN #17
Written by GENE LUEN YANG
Art by JOE LALICH and RICHARD FRIEND
Cover by PHILIP TAN
Variant cover by BERNARD CHANG
“Equilibrium” part three! The Justice League versus the Justice League of China! Kenan and Baixi arrive in America only to be confronted as invading foreign nationals! Fortunately the Justice League arrives to break up the scuffle...but what side are the American heroes on? The JLC need to convince the JL to help track down the artifact that will bring an end to All-Yang’s reign of terror on Shanghai before it’s too late!

Road trip!
Maybe Justice League as a guest star will bring some people to this book!
No *Final Issue* solicit yet!


MYSTIK U #1
Written by ALISA KWITNEY
Art by MIKE NORTON
Cover by JULIAN TOTINO TEDESCO
Leave the world of the mundane behind and step through the magical doors of Mystik U! After a tragic accident, a young Zatanna Zatara, under the guidance of Rose Psychic, enrolls in a mysterious university that teaches its students how to master their unique brands of magic. Will Zatanna fit in with her new classmates (Enchantress, Sargon the Sorcerer, Faust and more!) and unlock her true potential? Find out in this exciting bimonthly miniseries from novelist Alisa Kwitney (DESTINY) and Mike Norton (Revival, Runaways)!

Okay, I had to include this. One, I (for some reason) consider the Enchantress a Supergirl rogue. (I guess based on a couple of Superman Family stories.) And I love Zatanna. And a prestige format YA take looking at some magic characters? I'm there!

What else did I miss?
 

6 comments:

Martin Gray said...

As I agree with all your hopes and qualms (as opposed to Quarms) I've nothing much to say. The book that has me the most excited is the Christmas issue, maybe Superman will be hanging out at the Metropolis post office, answering letters!

Anonymous said...

"To start off, there is no mention of Supergirl in Gotham City Garage. And the cover doesn't grab me at all."

Supergirl shows up and the story seems to be focused on her so far. She appears to be the main or POV character.

"But that cover and that solicit read a little like what could be the beginning of another 'Dark Kara' arc. And, as I have said since the inception of this blog, Dark Kara never works."

That solicit didn't sound to me like a "Dark Kara" arc. It sounded to me like a "The Fatal Five have ruined Supergirl's reputation, probably exposing Zor-El's existence and now Kara has to get National City's trust back" arc.

On the remainder solitics, that Injustice cover looks sleek. I hope Doomsday Clock finally will answer any questions. Glad Superman is the focus and I hope his WHOLE family plays some kind of role. I like Johns' Superman so I hold out hope. I'm so sick of evil Jor-El as of evil Zor-El, I don't want Mr. Oz to be Jor-El. Happy to see Superwoman starting out her own Rogue's Gallery.

"And you Titus are no Ace."

Damn right!

That Zatanna series sounds interesting.

Anonymous said...

Mystik U should have been part of the DCSHG line imo. This looks like it will take from the Gotham Academy vibe which I think is the wrong way to go. DCSHG is madly popular and could fit a mystic school in the universe. This will probably only end in a half finished series.

Anonymous said...

An overpowered supergirl must be a PR nightmare and easy prey for a campaign of vilification...so yeah I suspect this arc is more about the public's perception of The Girl of Steel ...

JF

Anonymous said...

Damian would name his dog after one of Shakespeare's bloodiest plays.

William Ashley Vaughan said...

Anonymous is right about Supergirl in Gotham City Garage. She does seem to be the pov character. She is mentioned as Kara Gordon in the solicit for Gotham City Garage #4. There is an interview with the creators of Gotham City Garage and a preview of issue #1 featuring Kara at the following link. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/gotham-city-garage-comic-preview-dcs-female-focused-book-1028448 The glimpse of what Gotham City is like under Lex Luthor's rule is appropriately frightening and Supergirl coming into her own as a freedom fighter is an idea I am looking forward to seeing play out. The writing also seems to be much more straight ahead and much less self indulgent than Marguerite Bennet's on Bombshells. I have a good feeling about this one.