Wednesday, July 5, 2023

DC Comics September Solicits

A while back the DC solicits for September 2023 were released. Here is a link to all the solicits: https://www.gamesradar.com/dc-comics-september-2023-solicitations-covers/

September means the 2 month 'Knight Terrors' company event is over and we can head back into the main storylines for the ongoing, in continuity books on the rack.  I am ready to shrug at Knight Terrors. I don't think I wanted this story. But who knows, it might be awesome. 

September looks pretty full of super-books including the first issue of an ongoing Power Girl book which I may or may not collect long term. The Power Girl story in Action Comics and in her one issue special was a bit lackluster. 

But any month with this much Super-material (even if there is still no Supergirl book) makes me happy. On to the books.

Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #19
Written by MARK WAID
Art by TRAVIS MOORE
Cover by DAN MORA
Variant cover by TONY S. DANIEL and ALEJANDRO SANCHEZ

The origin of the World’s Finest Team concludes! What, of all things, could tie the Riddler and the Phantom Zone together—and what secrets will the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel learn about one another that will define their friendship? All this, and a lead-in to an upcoming event set in the present day!


There is a lot to take in here. But let's not bury the lede. The last sentence says we are getting a World's Finest story in the present day?? Waid has worked his magic in this 'elsewhen' 'recent past' timeline. Why rock the boat?

The Riddler and the Phantom Zone is an odd pairing> And I assume that the familial tragedy that has spurred both Superman and Batman to be the way they are is the defining idea behind their friendship. 

I love this book.

And now the rest of the books.

Action Comics #1057
Written by PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON, DAN JURGENS, and MAGDALENE VISAGGIO
Art by RAFA SANDOVAL, LEE WEEKS, and MATTHEW CLARK
Cover by STEVE BEACH
Variant covers by JORGE JIMENEZ and DAVID TALASKI

As the Super-Family and Steelworks rebuild their city, a new Golden Age of Metropolis has begun…and not everyone is happy about it! As the charismatic but volatile young terrorist leader Norah Stone reveals herself and her vision for a city without Kryptonians, members of the Super-Family inexplicably start losing their powers…and a new team of metahumans emerges to take their place. Who is Norah Stone? And what’s her strange obsession with Clark Kent? The newest arc of Action Comics begins here!


We met Norah Stone in the last pages of Action Comics #1056 just this month. I am interested in seeing her backstory and why she hates the Supers. Her character design makes me think she has some mystic powers but we'll have to wait and see.

Loving what Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Rafa Sandoval are bringing to the book.

Superman #6
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
Art by GLEB MELNIKOV
Cover by JAMAL CAMPBELL
Variant covers by LEE BERMEJO and TIAGO DA SILVA

“THE CHAINED PART ONE!”

Following the shocking cliffhanger of Superman #5 and the events of Knight Terrors, Superman has learned that Lex Luthor kept a prisoner beneath Stryker’s Island for decades. Who are they and why did Lex lock them up? Can Superman unlock the secrets of the Chained?

Featuring guest artist Gleb Melnikov!


In Superman #5, we heard about 'Project Chained'. I thought we would have to wait a while to hear about what this was all about. But nope .. right in the next numerical issue we find out!

I'm not surprised that Jamal Campbell needed a breather but I was hoping that Knight Terrors would ve enough away time to keep him on the book sequentially. Intrigued to see what Melnikov brings.

Steelworks #4
Written by MICHAEL DORN
Art by SAMI BASRI
Cover by EDDY BARROWS
Variant cover by SANFORD GREENE

CENTENNIAL DAY UNDER SIEGE!

As crowds gather for Metropolis's biggest annual celebration —Centennial Day—danger lurks on the horizon as Charles Walker III and his deadly Silver Mist plan their endgame against John Henry Irons! When the Steelworks tech turns on its creators, Steel will need the help of the entire Super-Family to turn the tides…but is that their true plan?


The beginning of the book showed us how Steel doesn't want to wear the armor or rely on the Superman family to protect Metropolis. This cover and solicit makes it sound like he changes his mind. I have to admit that I hope this whole notion of Steel voicing Luthor ideas from the mouth of a good man is explored.
Superboy: Man of Tomorrow #6
Written by KENNY PORTER
Art and cover by JAHNOY LINDSAY
Variant cover by FATIMA WAJID

It’s all come down to this! Conner fights tooth and nail to protect the victims of Dominator X. But when the dust settles, what will it mean for Superboy’s future as a hero?


Given this mini takes place before Action Comics #1050, I think I am safe to say he returns to Earth and joins the family. But I have been enjoying this book and their dive into Conner's thoughts so I think this is going end in a satisfying way.
Superman: Lost #6
Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
Art and cover by CARLO PAGULAYAN and JASON PAZ
Variant cover by LEE WEEKS
1:25 variant cover by GARY FRANK

Leaving for a mission in deep space the Justice League, Superman’s apparent PTSD threatens to compromise their mission. He is haunted by the memory of time running out before the sun of his second adopted world turns red and ultimately goes supernova, all while discovering the elites of the planet have been secretly developing an escape plan that will not include the impoverished underclass.


Hmmm ... so know it seems like 'Kansas' which was a stand-in for Earth in this book is now more like Krypton with a red sun going nova and destroying the planet. 

This book has sort of lost traction with me the last couple of issues. Hoping it can grab some of the energy I felt in the first issue.


Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor #2
Written by MARK WAID
Art and cover by BRYAN HITCH
Variant cover by CHRIS SAMNEE

Superman continues his mission to find a cure for what’s killing Lex Luthor. When the present has no answers, maybe the future will! But will the Legion of Super-Heroes help Clark find a cure for a man like Luthor?


A Black Label Superman book by Waid and Hitch? You got my money.

Waid bringing in the Legion??? Now you really grabbed my interest. 
Power Girl #1
Written by LEAH WILLIAMS
Art by EDUARDO PANSICA and JULIO FERREIRA
Cover by GARY FRANK
Variant covers by JONBOY MEYERS and SOZOMAIKA
1:25 variant cover by OTTO SCHMIDT
1:50 variant cover by FRANK CHO
1:100 variant cover by WARREN LOUW
Special foil variant cover by WARREN LOUW ($5.99 US)
Blank sketch cover

Pretty, punchy, and powerful!

After the events of Knight Terrors, a long-dormant Kryptonian threat has returned to take down Superman and his family. Who could possibly stop it? Well, according to the Man of Steel, it’s Power Girl! Witness a road trip race against time as Paige reconnects with her roots to save the world from her deadly past.

Power Girl Special writer Leah Williams returns with artist Eduardo Pansica (Supergirl) for an ongoing series of epic proportions!


This looks like it might be stepping away from the psychic defender role from the other Leah Williams PG story so I will probably pick up the first issue here. But I liked Karen ... Paige has yet to grab me. 

Still a decent month with lots to look forward to!

2 comments:

Martin Gray said...

Well, the most interesting solicit is the Last Days of Lex Luthor, for the reasons you gave - Waid and the Legion!

Wonder who stars in the second back-up in Action Comics. You never know, it could be Kara!

Anonymous said...

"DC's Perpetual Guest Star, Supergirl..." Making More Supporting Appearances. Meh...but at least she isn't being Jobbed Out to This Month's New Flavor.

JF