DC February 2023 Solicits

The Dawn of the DCU is finally being seen in DC's solicits. February's books were announced last week and there a few worth focusing on. Here is the CBR coverage:

https://www.cbr.com/lazarus-planet-doom-patrol-nightwing-new-titans-team-dc-comics-february-solicits/

It seems to me, just looking at these solicits, that the Lazarus Planet is going to be a driving creative narrative for the universe. So many books seem to be springing from those books including a new Doom Patrol by Dennis Culver and Chris Burnham. We also have seen other coverage elsewhere of new books coming out of Dawn of DCU including a John Stewart GL book by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, a Shazam book by Mark Waid and Dan Mora, and a Steel/Natasha book as well. Those sound great. A Mariko Tamaki Hal Jordan book doesn't seem like a good fit but who knows. And Tom King on Brave and Bold? As long as Kara isn't a guest star. 

It has a sort of 'get back to basics' feel to it but with a burst of new books bringing back characters who traditionally have a title on the shelves. Hopefully things stabilize and we get great stories. 

But until we get there, we have February's issues. Here are the super books. I'll start the discussion by saying that all these books have tremendous variant covers. I'll post my favorite but there are others that are just as sensational

BATMAN/SUPERMAN: WORLD’S FINEST #12
• Written by MARK WAID
• Art by EMA LUPACCHINO
• Cover by DAN MORA

• The secret behind the Supergirl-Robin feud, revealed! On a day not too long ago, a meeting between the Boy Wonder and the Girl of Steel began sweetly, became awkward, and ended so catastrophically, horrifically, jaw-droppingly, car-crashingly disastrously that, among the Superman and Batman families, it is now enshrined as the world’s finest example of How Not to Team Up!

Back when World's Finest started we saw that Dick and Kara had some horrific date which both were still smarting from. Back when we first heard about that date, I thought we would never see the story. But DC is giving me Valentine's Day gift by giving me the story. I'm bummed Dan Mora isn't on it but I love Emanuela Lupacchino's art so that is fine. I love the cover!

Amazing!

ACTION COMICS #1052
• Written by PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON, DAN JURGENS, and LEAH WILLIAMS
• Art by RAFA SANDOVAL, LEE WEEKS, and MARGUERITE SAUVAGE
• Cover by STEVE BEACH

• METALLO ATTACKS!
• The crown jewel of Superman’s new Metropolis is in ruins, and the increasingly violent Blue Earth movement is keeping the entire Super-Family on their toes. Meanwhile, Metallo’s powerful new body is evolving in unforeseen, horrific ways. As Metallo’s life and sanity continue to unravel, he sets out to capture the only person who can help him: John Henry Irons. It’s Steel versus Metallo as the new era of Action Comics continues!

We know that the Action book is a sort of anthology. The 'Young Jon' story (by Jurgens/Weeks) and the Power Girl story (by Williams/Sauvage) don't get mentioned here.

I am interested in how Metallo is evolving. Remember, Lex took some 'heart' out of Warworld. So who knows if this is some elder God's organ or something even stronger. 

Steel vs. Metallo has always been a good fight given the metal/tech aspects of both. 

But the big draw here are the covers. There are some killer Superman family ones (like above) and even one Kara/Karen specific one too.

SUPERMAN #1
• Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
• Art and cover by JAMAL CAMPBELL

• IT’S THE DAWN OF DC!
• Superman has returned to Metropolis and his greatest enemy Lex Luthor is finally behind bars. The future of the Superman family has never been brighter! As Clark Kent settles back into his life, iconic and new enemies erupt from the shadows to strike down the Man of Steel! But waiting in the wings to back up Big Blue is…Supercorp?! What secret project has Lex given to Superman?! “A hero is only as good as their villains” will be put to the test in this brand-new oversize #1 featuring comics’ greatest superhero by DC Comics architect Joshua Williamson and award-winning superstar artist Jamal Campbell!

OMG ... Supercorp? Is Josh Williamson trying to lure in Supergirl TV show fanatics?

I have always like Williamson's books (although Dark Crisis was an omelet) and Campbell's art is always gorgeous. I am interested to see how this book differentiates but also dovetails into Action Comics. These are two very solid Superman concepts with great creators. So I am really hopeful!

LAZARUS PLANET: OMEGA #1
• Written by MARK WAID and GENE LUEN YANG
• Art by RICCARDO FEDERICI, BILLY TAN, and more
• Cover by DAVID MARQUEZ and ALEJANDRO SANCHEZ

• FATE AND FURY.
• The Devil Nezha and his son are at war—with all of humanity caught in the middle! The Lazarus storms are intensifying worldwide, Earth’s superheroes are on the ropes, and Batman is living on borrowed time. It’s up to Zatanna, the Spectre, the Demon, Klarion, and the rest of the DCU’s magic users to join Damian Wayne and set things right—but to do that, they’ll have to uncover Nezha’s final, explosive secret! Plus: Dreamer has rescued Doctor Fate’s helmet from destruction…but why does it keep glowing like that? The Dawn of the DCU begins as the Lazarus Planet saga crashes to a close!

All the Lazarus books sound a little interesting. Zatanna, the Spectre, the Demon and Klarion  teaming up? Amazing.

But that is Supergirl there on the cover. Will she have a role to play here?

SUPERMAN: SPACE AGE #3
• Written by MARK RUSSELL
• Art and cover by MICHAEL ALLRED

• The end is nigh! As red skies reign, Superman does what he can to make the world a better place for as long as it continues to exist. But money is power in the greed-driven decade of the ’80s, and villains like Lex Luthor seem poised to win in the end. Little do they know, there are bigger things to worry about and the hero they’ve grown to hate is their only hope against this crisis! Don’t miss the thrilling finale of this soon-to-be classic miniseries!

This series comes to an end.

I think this might be one of those series best read in one go. The second chapter had some high moments. But there was this feeling of inevitability. We know this Earth dies within the first pages of the first issue. I suppose there can be some metaphorical lessons learned in this. 

Lots of other great books and covers this month so head to whatever site you like to take a peek!