September Solicits So Far

I get the sense I am going to need to work a couple of moonlighting shifts to afford comics this summer. Between all the Blackest Night stuff (which I am really excited for), all the extra Super-family stuff, Wednesday Comics and the rest of my usual pull list, I am going to be spending a pretty penny.

Newsarama has posted the September super-title solicits on their site ( http://www.newsarama.com/comics/090612-dc-sept-09-superman.html )and here they are with my usual guesses and comments.

SUPERGIRL #45
Written by Sterling Gates
Art by Jamal Igle & Jon Sibal
Cover by Joshua Middleton

Continuing from ACTION COMICS #881 – “The Hunt for Reactron” part 2! Can Supergirl rely on her seemingly unstable childhood friend to help her track down her father’s assassin? Or will she ultimately get burned by Flamebird?

So first off, what a great cover this is! Middleton has just been phenomenal on his run of covers. This one works so well. The look of surprise on Supergirl's face as she realizes that there is a threat outside of the immediate one (Thara) is astounding. I wonder if this means the 'Alas poor Yorick cover' inadvertantly posted by Josh Middleton on his site is the cover for #46?

As for the book description, I am not surprised that a Kara/Thara throwdown happens. First off, their interactions since New Krypton have been chilly at best. Second, Thara really has a religious fervor to her mission and sometimes that can lead to confrontation. Maybe the person behind rifle scope is the same shooter from Codename:Patriot?


SUPERGIRL ANNUAL #1
Written by Sterling Gates
Art by Fernando Dagnino & Raúl Fernandez
Cover by Renato Guedes

In SUPERGIRL #34, Supergirl took the new secret identity of Linda Lang. But how long until someone finds out her secret? Now, for the first time ever, witness Supergirl's initial attempt to live her double life in “Linda Lang: Day One”! Plus! The secret origin of Superwoman revealed! What drove Lucy Lane to become the superpowered threat known as Superwoman? How did she transform from Lois Lane's little sister into Project 7734’s secret weapon? Find out here!

I talked about this annual last week, so I will keep it brief. I am clamoring for both stories. I have been awaiting more Linda Lang. And I really need to know more about Lucy/Superwoman. I don't think this is going to disappoint.



SUPERMAN: WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #7
Written by James Robinson & Greg Rucka
Art by Pete Woods
Cover by Gary Frank
Variant cover by Bryan Talbot


It’s never a dull moment on New Krypton – just when Superman was getting used to his place on his reborn homeworld, he’s thrust into a new position that makes his previous duties look like a cakewalk. And thanks to the fallout from the “Codename: Patriot” storyline, New Krypton’s ruler – and Superman’s aunt – Alura has her hands full keeping the people of Kandor from panicking. So of course it’s the perfect time for an alien threat to arrive and declare war...

Whoa.

My guess is that General Zod is the person shot in Codename:Patriot and that Kal gets given his job of leading the military on New Krypton. Even Non and Ursa look like they are ready to follow his lead.

Now that is a great plot twist. Will Kal be able to use his new political clout to bring his ideals into the Kryptonian culture? This series has really been a great read. With the sudden change in writers I was a little worried.



SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN #1
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank & Jon Sibal
Covers by Gary Frank

Hot on the heels of their acclaimed run on ACTION COMICS, superstars Geoff Johns and Gary Frank reunite to present a 6-issue event that spells out the definitive origin of Superman for the 21st century – and it all starts with a gigantic 48-page issue! Chronicling Clark Kent’s journey from the cornfields of Smallville to the skyscrapers of Metropolis, you'll witness a whole new look at the beginnings of Lex Luthor, the Legion of Super-Heroes, Lois Lane, Metallo, Jimmy Olsen, the Parasite and more! It's a look at the mythic past of the Man of Steel with an eye toward the future!

I am old enough to remember eagerly reading John Byrne's recreation of the Superman mythos in Man of Steel. Now I am really looking forward to reading Geoff Johns and Gary Frank's definitive origin of Superman. Johns really seems to be able to take the broad strokes of the Silver Age and update them in a 21st century sensible way. I really think that this will revitalize the Man of Steel's origins in the same way that Green Lantern: Rebirth and Green Lantern:Secret Origin re-invigorated Hal Jordan. And I can't wait to see some Gary Frank art again!



ACTION COMICS #881
Written by Greg Rucka; co-feature written by James Robinson & Rucka
Art by Julian Lopez; co-feature art by CAFU
Cover by Pere Pérez

“The Hunt for Reactron” starts here! Spilling out of the stunning finale of “Codename: Patriot,” Supergirl and Flamebird find themselves at each other’s throats! What’s happened to these two childhood friends to put them at such odds, and can Nightwing calm them down before the situation escalates? And just what are they going to do about all of the guys who are surrounding them? You know, the guys in the tanks? Continued in SUPERGIRL #45! Plus! James Robinson and Greg Rucka’s Captain Atom co-feature continues! What is happening to Captain Atom, and more important, what’s happening to his mind? Team Breach is on hand to lend some answers, but Atom probably isn’t going to like them. Featuring the gorgeous art of CAFU!

So Reactron remains a thorn in Supergirl's side still. While I like Reactron as a rogue, especially given the personal vendetta Kara has with him, I hope his story wraps up soon and we can see some new villains square off against Supergirl.

Still, what situation could have set off Thara and Kara? My guess is that somehow Kara's mission unknowingly interferes with Thara's. And given the passion Thara is bringing to her holy mission, I don't think she will tolerate it well.

I am not really interested in the Captain Atom back-up feature. But I will go in with an open mind.


SUPERMAN #692
Written by James Robinson
Art by Renato Guedes & José Wilson Magalhães
Cover by CAFU

Tragedy strikes in the aftermath of “Codename: Patriot” as Metropolis buries one of its own! And with a man down, the Science Police are on their own to stop a cadre of Super-Villains from stealing a formerly common commodity that has suddenly become rarer than gold!

Hmmm ... someone gets buried and a dying Mon-El is not on the cover. Could he have died in the Codename:Patriot storyline? I doubt it. He needs to be around to eventually join the Legion. Plus, I don't know if I would enjoy a solely Guardian book.

So who gets buried? Any guesses? I am betting on Harper's niece.

And now some other books ....

JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE #3
Written by James Robinson
Art and cover by Mauro Cascioli

The team welcomes two new members as Supergirl and Shazam join the roster! And it’s just in time, too, because when Prometheus is finally caught and his evil machinations are revealed, the League finds out they may be unable to stop him.

Well, let me compliment Mauro Cascioli's art again. This is a dramatic and dynamic cover. And man, Supergirl looks strong and angry here.

I am a bit saddened to hear she joins in the third issue. She and Shazam are only in half the run? Maybe I would be more accepting if this was an ongoing. But now I feel a bit cheated. Does that mean the first three issues only star GL,GA, and the Atom? Three guys don't make a league!

Anyways, I am still looking forward to reading this.

ADVENTURE COMICS #2
Written by Geoff Johns; co-feature written by Geoff Johns and Michael Shoemaker
Art by Francis Manapul, co-feature art by Clayton Henry
Covers by Francis Manapul

Superboy is back and living out his teenage years in Smallville. But all is not as it seems in Superman’s hometown. And while Conner reunites with his former girlfriend, Wonder Girl, to see if they have a future together, Lex Luthor and Brainiac form a partnership that will cause havoc throughout the DC Universe. But what do their plans have to do with Conner and the other students at Smallville High? Plus, in the Legion of Super-Heroes co-feature, which takes place all the way in the 31st century, Lightning Lad travels to the prison planet of Takron-Galtos to confront his brother, Lighting Lord. There, Lightning Lord informs Lighting Lad of a shocking family secret that sets the pieces in motion for a war that will decide the future of the universe. Yeah, the universe. No big.

I love the cover here. A Conner/Cassie reunion should happen early in the series and deserves more than a mention. I am glad that story seems to be the bulk of this issue. I also really like that Krypto was invited on the date!

As for the Legion ... well I have lived through too many LSH reboots to know what to think. I hope that the series is accessible to potential new fans but rooted enough for old Legion buffs. We'll see.

I think there will be even more books that I will need to comment on once all the solicits are released. Start saving!