Well the July solicits for DC Comics have been out for a bit so sorry it has taken me a bit of time to finally cover them, albeit it briefly. Here is a link:
https://www.newsarama.com/39527-dc-comics-july-2018-solicitations.html
We all knew this was coming. But it strikes me as a bit crazy that there are only two Superman family books on the shelves in July. No Supergirl. No Super Sons. No Superwoman. And now, no New Super-Man.
We knew it was coming. It just seems stark now that it is actually happening. Of course, it took DC a long time to get a Supergirl Rebirth book on the shelves despite the show's success. So I guess I shouldn't be surprised to not get a reboot so soon.
On to the book.
ACTION COMICS #1,001
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Art and cover by PATRICK GLEASON
Variant cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
Variant cover by DAVID MACK
Acclaimed writer Brian Michael Bendis’ new chapter for the Man of Steel and the world of tomorrow begins here! The devastating repercussions from the Man of Steel miniseries still reverberate as Metropolis enters a new age! The Daily Planet teeters on the brink of disaster! A new criminal element has made its way onto the streets of Superman’s hometown! The longest- running superhero comic of all time explodes off the page with art by fan favorite Patrick Gleason.
Metropolis enters a new age? The Daily Planet in danger?
We have been wondering about all this stuff about a change in the dynamic of the family. No mention of Lois at all here.
A David Mack variant sounds interesting. I loved his variants on the Robinson Justice League of America.
SUPERMAN #1
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Art and cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
Variant cover by ADAM HUGHES
Variant cover by DAVID MACK
A bold new chapter for the greatest superhero of all time begins here as the superstar team of writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Ivan Reis begin their run on the all-new SUPERMAN! The fallout from the Man of Steel miniseries has Clark Kent looking at the world through new eyes…with new ideas about what Superman could and should do for the city of Metropolis and the planet Earth. His first job? Getting the planet back out of the Phantom Zone!
Does new eyes mean a new secret identity? Is that the rift with the family?? Please don't have Clark be 'dead' or his identity known. That would be a terrible step backwards.
The whole planet in the Phantom Zone? Crazy.
SUPERGIRL: THE SILVER AGE VOL. 2 TP
Written by JERRY SIEGEL and LEO DORFMAN
Art by JIM MOONEY
Cover by EVAN "DOC" SHANER
In these Silver Age stories, Superman introduces his heroic protégé to the world. These stories include appearances by the Legion of Super-Heroes, criminal mastermind Lex Luthor, Kryptonian criminals Jax-Ur and Zor-El and the fifth-dimensional imp known as Mr. Mxyzptlk, plus surprise appearances by President John F. Kennedy, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon Johnson. Collects stories from ACTION COMICS #285-307.
Will I shell out the money for the hardcover? Or wait for this soft cover?
This is a great run and crucial for any fan.
Thankfully there is something Supergirl on the shelves.
CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS COMPANION DELUXE EDITION HC
Written by MARV WOLFMAN, GERRY CONWAY, STEVE ENGLEHART, ROBERT KANIGHER, ROY THOMAS, ELLIOT MAGGIN and others
Art by JOE STATON, TODD McFARLANE, CURT SWAN and others
cover by JERRY ORDWAY
All the tales that tied in to CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS are collected at last! This volume includes JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #244, JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA ANNUAL #3, GREEN LANTERN #194, WONDER WOMAN #327-328, THE LOSERS SPECIAL #1, INFINITY INC. #18-20, DC COMICS PRESENTS #87-88, OMEGA MEN #31, BLUE DEVIL #17-18, NEW TEEN TITANS #13-14, ALL-STAR SQUADRON #50-51 and FURY OF FIRESTORM #41-42.
Now this is an interesting collection. As someone who got all the Crisis crossovers, I am very happy to see them collected. But where are the Superman issues? That includes Supergirl having a history of being an amnesiac who got married on an alien world (soooo Silver Age). And where is DCCP #86? That is the Superman/Supergirl team-up. Their absence makes me wonder if there is another book yet solicited that includes them.
That's it ...
We went from 4 Superman books being on the shelf in one week to two books for the entire month.
Expected.
Crazy.
8 comments:
"We all knew this was coming. But it strikes me as a bit crazy that there are only two Superman family books on the shelves in July. No Supergirl. No Super Sons. No Superwoman. And now, no New Super-Man."
And think a few months ago we were complaining about too many books coming out in the same week...
Speaking honestly, I didn't think either of them would last long except possibly for Supergirl.
And finally New Super-Man got the axe. Disappointing, but sadly expected.
Nonetheless, the solicitations feel so... empty. Only two Super books, starring the same main character, until we find out what Kara's new mission will be.
I guess the knowledge there's some kind of plan for Supergirl provides slight relief. Lana Lang and the JLC don't get that.
The solicits sound intriguing... Superman has to get the whole planet back out of the Zone? What the heck happens in "Man of Steel"? And seeing the world through new eyes? I reckon it means Superman's worldview will be shaken.
The Silver Age Omnibus! Finally! Collecting the second half of Kara's Action Comics run! Some of these stories are being reprinted for the first time, right?
"But where are the Superman issues? That includes Supergirl having a history of being an amnesiac who got married on an alien world (soooo Silver Age)."
... I think we can definitely skip over THAT. Honestly, Cary Bates was unable to write a Supergirl story without resorting to stupid gimmicks or/and bad romance.
"And where is DCCP #86? That is the Superman/Supergirl team-up."
On the one hand, good art and Kupperberg's final time writing the Supergirl from Earth-One. On the another hand, the last story prior to COIE #7, and it has the cousins fighting? Seriously? Both characters deserved better.
... Most of DC female characters deserved better than that they got in the 80'. But let's not bring that up now.
What a letdown, as you say, just two regular Super-Books and no assurance Supergirl will be in them. and I've seen so many stories set in the old hell dimension that I'm starting to zone out. Wonder if Kara's new mission will be guarding Earth from PZ horrors.
I remember reading the JFK issue of Superman as a kid and being genuinely surprised at the ending - thank goodness we didn't have helpful solicits announcing the surprise.
I say splurge. The silver age hardcover is a dream come true. If there's any book worth spending on, it's this. I'm almost considering buying two to account for the wear and tear. I have already read my hardcover vol 1 a few times.
Speculation, based on 2 tweets from Brian Cunningham:
She appears in MAN OF STEEL. Expect a profound experience for her. That's all I can say about it right now...
And:
I would argue a supporting character should never be just a prop. But regardless, where Kara is going, be careful what you wish for...
So - based on solicits, easy guess is she spends some time in the Phantom Zone. Never a good place for an El to be.
Worse guess - isn't something bad going to be happening with the Source wall? Don't characters get trapped in it? That is not a good place to get stuck. That leads to long hiatuses...
- TN
I'm not going to start collecting Man of Steel or any other Superman book in chance of catching a glimpse of Kara. If DC doesn't want my money I'll just spend it somewhere else. Call me when Supergirl gets her book back.
I have decided to follow the Bendis MoS mini as I am very interested in his take on Kara. That doesn't mean that these shenanigans DC has pulled won't cost them. I canceled all my DC titles except DCSHG and Injustice and moved my spendings to other publishers until Supergirl gets back in a regular title. Honestly it has been a refreshing experience with lots of great finds stepping out of the DC universe.
The present situation (no Supergirl comic) would be easier to take if DC would just announce that the title will return at some point. Considering Kara's current visibility, it doesn't make sense for DC NOT to publish a Supergirl comic. But then, a lot of what DC does regarding Supergirl doesn't make sense.
Maybe we'll get the word about a new Supergirl comic around the time of the San Diego Con. In the meantime, there is Wonder Woman 48.
"The fallout from the Man of Steel miniseries has Clark Kent looking at the world through new eyes."
...So, maybe Clark just gets a new pair of glasses?
I doubt it's anything as radical as a new secret identity. I think that the idea is that the events in Man of Steel give Clark a new perspective.
We knew it was coming but I still find the lack of Super Family titles quite sobering. New Super-Man was always on the chopping board due to low sales but Super Sons and Supergirl were stable and consistent. Cancelling them was a bemusing choice, but it's consistent with Bendis' writing record. He takes total control of whoever he's writing.
Regarding your new secret identity point, I don't think you need to worry. Bendis has been enthusiastic in interviews about writing Clark's investigative journalism role in his stories so Clark won't be replaced by a new secret identity.
Personally I think this will mark the first time in years I've gone without a Superman comic on my pull list. Not even the New 52 managed to do that despite my disdain for that period. Bendis is just not for me and the sooner he finishes his run, the better in my view.
Louis
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