DC Comics October 2023 Part 2: The Super Books

I already aired my thoughts about the upcoming Supergirl Special #1 coming out in October. Today I thought I would cover the remaining Super-books coming out that month. Here is a link to look at all the DC books coming out that month:
https://aiptcomics.com/2023/07/24/full-october-2023-dc-comics-solicitations/

One thing for sure. DC Comics loves their variant covers. This month is insane with variants.

ACTION COMICS #1058
Written by PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON, GENE LUEN YANG, and GREG HAHN
Art by RAFA SANDOVAL, VIKTOR BOGDANOVIC, and TRAVIS MERCER
Cover by STEVE BEACH
Variant covers by JORGE JIMENEZ and CARLA COHEN
1:25 variant cover by FREDDIE E. WILLIAMS II
1:50 variant cover by JORGE FORNES
Artist Spotlight variant cover by GABRIELE DELL’OTTO

Superman versus Clark Kent! When the mysterious young Norah Stone drains Superman’s strength and unleashes an impostor tyrant Superman on Metropolis in his place, a powerless Clark Kent is forced to face the monster alone. Who is Norah Stone? And can Clark protect his identity while fighting this impossible battle? Featuring Gene Luen Yang and Viktor Bogdanovic’s return to the Super-Man of China!

Sounds like the beginning of a new plot line and I am a sucker for 'fake duplicates' of Superman so this sounds great. And as a fan of New Super-Man, I am so glad to see the original creative team back on the book.

This Carla Cohen Supergirl variant is jaw-dropping-ly stunning. Hope I can scoop it up.

SUPERMAN #7/#850
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
Art by GLEB MELNIKOV, DAN JURGENS, and others
Cover by JAMAL CAMPBELL
Variant covers by LEE BERMEJO, FRANK CHO, DAVID NAKAYAMA, DAVID FINCH, and GREG CAPULLO and JONATHAN GLAPION
1:25 variant cover by GERALD PAREL
1:50 variant cover by CHRIS SAMNEE
1:100 inks variant cover by GREG CAPULLO and JONATHAN GLAPION
JIM LEE ICONS SERIES: SUPERMAN variant cover ($9.99 US)

Superman #850! A special oversize issue celebrating Superman and his super-legacy!

Since the start of Superman #1 and Dawn of DC, a mystery has been brewing in Metropolis. Now that mystery’s secrets are unleashed, with startling revelations that set up a massive story in 2024!

“The Chained” continues as Superman battles against an overpowered new menace who wants to destroy Metropolis! Superman must decide if he is willing to follow Lex’s tragic orders to take the Chained down!

And Lex Luthor is visited by a blast from his past. One that will impact his future forever.

The dreaded 'Legacy Numbering' cash grab.

Yes this is the 850th issue of the Superman title. But I think these number tricks are annoying. Either keep the legacy number or not. 

The Chained is the Lex secret that we learned about last issue so sounds like a brawl. Wondering who Lex's visitor is. 

BATMAN/SUPERMAN: WORLD’S FINEST #20
Written by MARK WAID
Art and cover by DAN MORA
Variant cover by BJORN BARENDS
1:25 variant cover by DAVID NAKAYAMA
1:50 variant cover by DANIEL SAMPERE
Embossed Foil Magog Helmet variant cover ($7.99 US)

The return of Boy Thunder! To find and save Superman’s former protégé, the World’s Finest duo bridges the dimensional gulf between their world and an Earth with a jaded Superman, a broken Batman, and a war-hungry Wonder Woman—the world of Kingdom Come!

A Magog foil cover!! So 90's !!!

Like Watchmen, I wish Kingdom Come would have been left alone as a perfect jewel. But at least it is Waid revisiting the place and not someone else.

STEELWORKS #5
Written by MICHAEL DORN
Art by SAMI BASRI
Cover by RAFA SANDOVAL
Variant cover by DIEGO LATORRE
1:25 variant cover by ALEXANDER LOZANO

THE PENULTIMATE CHAPTER HAS ARRIVED!
Our heroes brace for impact as a startling new weapon emerges from deep beneath Hob’s Bay to wreak havoc on Metropolis! As the fight for the future of the city nears its shocking final showdown, Steel and Superwoman’s combined powers—and their engagement—will be tested like never before!

Is this the penultimate chapter of the book? Or the opening arc?

Seeing Lana in her Superwoman garb makes very happy. This has been a great treat added to my reading list!

SUPERMAN: LOST #7
Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
Art and cover by CARLO PAGULAYAN and JASON PAZ
Variant cover by LEE WEEKS

Superman is confronted with the specter of his own possible future when his way home is blocked by an alternate version of himself. Meanwhile, Lois employs the nuclear option to help Clark out of his malaise by making a deal with the devil—Lex Luthor!

This series seems to be a bit of a plod with some ups and downs. 

Everything is better with Lex so we'll see if this is a lift. And hoping the 'alternate version' of himself is a Sand Superman!

RETURN OF SUPERMAN 30TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL #1
Written by DAN JURGENS, LOUISE SIMONSON, JERRY ORDWAY, and KARL KESEL
Art by TRAVIS MOORE, DAN JURGENS, BRETT BREEDING, JON BOGDANOVE, BUTCH GUICE, TOM GRUMMETT, and DOUG HAZLEWOOD
Cover by DAN JURGENS
Variant covers by JOHN GIANG, DAVE WILKINS, FRANCIS MANAPUL, and BEN OLIVER
1:25 variant cover by BRAD WALKER
1:50 variant cover by JON BOGDANOVE
Foil variant cover by DAN JURGENS ($10.99 US)

Superman returns! After the tragic events of more than 30 years ago, when Superman met his end at the hands of Doomsday, Metropolis mourned the loss of their greatest hero and soon turned their attention to the search for his successor. Four Supermen rose to the challenge: Superboy, Steel, Eradicator, and Cyborg Superman. Each with their own strengths and weaknesses, they fought in honor of the original Man of Steel. Little did they know, his return was just around the corner!

To celebrate the Reign of the Supermen and Return of Superman, DC has brought back the original creative teams for new stories set in the wake of Superman’s death. It all begins with new Daily Planet editor-in-chief Lois Lane discovering Perry White’s journals from the time and the secrets he kept as he searched for who could be the next Superman. What could this discovery mean for our present? Find out in this special that’s sure to be a classic in the future!

Well, we recently had a 'Death of Superman' 30th anniversary special and it must have done well if DC is giving us another 30th anniversary special now for his return. And why not have a million covers!

I am glad that DC went and got the original creative teams to come back and give us these stories. And interesting to see what the Cyborg story will be like, in his 'I'm Superman' guise or as a villain.

POWER GIRL #2
Written by LEAH WILLIAMS
Art by EDUARDO PANSICA
Cover by GARY FRANK
Variant covers by JEE HYUNG LEE and LESLEY “LEIRIX” LI
1:25 variant cover by RICARDO LOPEZ ORTIZ
1:50 variant cover by LAURA BRAGA

Road trip! As a Kryptonian virus rapidly spreads along the coast, Power Girl departs Metropolis looking to redeem herself for her catastrophic mistakes. It’s not easy being a part of the Super-Family, but Paige has never let the pressure get to her before. She just needs something to punch. And she’s found her target in space pirate and hater of all who hail from Krypton: Amalak!

Still don't know if I am going to get this but Leah Williams seems to be mining the DC history fairly well so far. She leaned into Power Girl's story from the 1970's Showcase series in the recent Knight Terrors story. And now she is talking about Amalak!

Maybe I will be picking this one up.

HAWKGIRL #4
Written by JADZIA AXELROD
Art and cover by AMANCAY NAHUELPAN
Variant cover by DERRICK CHEW
1:25 variant cover by SWEENEY BOO

Hawkgirl and Galaxy were looking forward to taking a break from super-heroics for an afternoon. Vulpecula isn’t about to let that happen, and promptly puts the entire city of Metropolis in danger! Steel and Supergirl are on hand to join the fight, but can our high-flying heroines handle…a gigantic, fire-breathing dragon?!

I really have no interest in this series at all. 

But Kara is going to be in this and there is a dragon. So I guess I'll check this out.

Busy month with some new titles I'll be sampling so I better start saving my money!