March Solicits

I usually like to wait for all the DC solicits to come out before I post here just in case I am surprised by something (for example last month's Ame Comi statue). While there are no happy surprises (when is that Landry Walker Batman/Supergirl brave and Bold issue going to come out!), there is a lot going on with 'Brainiac and the Legion of Super-heroes' in March.

Here is the link to Newsarama's post:
http://www.newsarama.com/comics/091218-superman-march-2010-solicitations.html


SUPERGIRL #51

Written by STERLING GATES
Art by JAMAL IGLE & JON SIBAL
Cover by JOSHUA MIDDLETON

“Brainiac & The Legion of Super-Heroes” Part 2! Amidst Brainiac’s assault on New Krypton, General Zod has branded the Legion of Super-Heroes terrorists and imprisoned them! Superboy will do his best to free them, but he’ll have to go through Supergirl first! That’s right, it’s the Super-battle of the sexes you’ve been waiting for! Poor Ma Kent is going to be so disappointed in them...

So this is part 2 of the of the big storyline.

First off, great cover by Middleton with Supergirl using a Brainiac probe as a cudgel. Nice!

But why would Supergirl stop Superboy unless this is some mandate from Alura. I can't imagine Kara not trusting Conner. It has been a while since we have seen Supergirl fighting another hero (something that seemed to happen monthly early on in this series). In fact, we have seen this fight before in Supergirl #2.

Hopefully Supergirl does the right thing here and eventually sides with the good guys.



SUPERMAN: LAST STAND OF NEW KRYPTON #1

Written by JAMES ROBINSON & STERLING GATES
Art by PETE WOODS
Cover by ANDY KUBERT
1:25 variant cover by MARCOS MARZ

The new Superman crossover event “Brainiac & The Legion of Super-Heroes” begins here, in this first issue of a 3-part miniseries! It’s New Krypton’s worst nightmare as Brainiac attacks the planet, determined to recapture the city of Kandor! But General Zod has been waiting for this moment since Brainiac first attacked Old Krypton – he has a plan to save his people, but at the cost of Earth and the future as we know it! So it’s up to Superman, Supergirl, Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes to stop the two madmen before they destroy everything!


Zod versus Brainiac? The future hanging in the balance? Sounds like fun!

As I said before, I trust the creative team brought on board here so I look forward to this.



SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN #5

Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover and 1:10 variant cover by
Gary Frank & Jon Sibal
Superman versus Metallo – for the first time! Witness the origin of one of Superman’s most-feared foes, as an attack by Lex Luthor goes awry and gives birth to the evil of Metallo. Can an inexperienced Man of Steel handle a foe with a heart of Kryptonite? Meanwhile, Lois Lane and Perry White are close to revealing Luthor as the monster that he is – but are they willing to pay for that truth with their lives?

Sigh ... this issue is pushed back to March.

While I usually wail and gnash my teeth about delays, I will look the other way here a bit. This mini-series is sort of outside continuity and so doesn't need to be released in a timely fashion (other than to appease my once-a-month schedule).

That said, shouldn't DC have waited until enough of this book was done so that it could be released monthly? Delays on books is my biggest pet peeve with comics.

But since the quality of this book has been so high, I can wait ... at least a little bit.


SUPERMAN #698

Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art BERNARD CHANG & JAVIER PINA
Cover by JULIAN LOPEZ & BIT

“Brainiac & The Legion of Super-Heroes” Part 3! Superman is trapped on Brainiac’s ship while New Krypton burns! Mon-El will need to call upon all the skills he’s learned in the last year if he’s going to have a chance of freeing the Man of Steel! Plus, what secret about Brainiac will the duo learn that may help turn the tide?

New Krypton burning?! I have to think that New Krypton comes out much worse for wear after this mini-series, prompting the events of War of the Supermen'. If New Krypton is razed there may be no place for the surviving Kryptonians to go but Earth.

Hopefully some of the background story about Mon-El (on/off powers, lack of a Phantom Zone to go back to) will be figured out before this story. I'd hate to think his powers would blink off in Brainiac's ship.



ACTION COMICS #887

Written by GREG RUCKA & ERIC TRAUTMANN
Co-feature written by JAMES ROBINSON & GREG RUCKA
Art by PERE PEREZ
Co-feature art by CAFU
Cover by KALMAN ANDRASOFSZKY

In this corner – the already beaten, exhausted and bruised Nightwing & Flamebird! And in this corner – the reincarnation of the all-powerful Kryptonian sun god Rao! Place your bets! (Smart money’s on the sun god.)

I have to say I have come to like the Nightwing and Flamebird characters and I hope that they find a place in the DCU after this year.

Could Rao be what Jax-Ur is working on cloning? I love a good brawl and this one looks to fit the bill.




ADVENTURE COMICS #8-9

Written by JAMES ROBINSON & STERLING GATES
Co-Feature written by ERIC TRAUTMANN
Art by JULI¡N L”PEZ & CLAYTON HENRY
Co-feature art by PIER GALLO
Covers by FRANCIS MANAPUL
1:10 variant covers by JOE QUINONES & DUNCAN ROULEAU

ADVENTURE COMICS ships twice this month as this spring’s Superman event “Brainiac & The Legion of Super-Heroes” starts with a prologue in #8 and reaches a boiling point in #9!
Starting way back in “The Lightning Saga,” various clues have been planted about a group of Legionnaires undercover in the 21st century. Who are they and why are they here? And what does their mission have to do with the fate of New Krypton? James Robinson (SUPERMAN) and Julian Lopez (WORLD’S FINEST) may have an answer or two!

Meanwhile, in a tale of the 31st century by Sterling Gates (SUPERGIRL) and Clayton Henry (ADVENTURE COMICS), the Legion of Super-Heroes infiltrates a hidden Legion of Super-Villains base! The horrifying plans Brainiac 5 discovers inside will alter Superman’s life – FOREVER!

Plus, in the co-feature by Eric Trautmann (ACTION COMICS) and newcomer Pier Gallo, learn more about General Lane’s Human Defense Corps – Earth’s best line of defense against the looming Kryptonian threat!

After months of seeing some Legionnaires hanging out in the 21st century, I am happy to see their storyline finally brought to the forefront.

I am an old-time Legion fan and have been looking forward to the upcoming Legion comic. This seems like a great way to kick-start that title (I assume within the Adventure label).

And there are enough mysteries here to get my attention. Why are the LSH here? Why the heck are the LSV here? And what will Brainiac 5 discover?

Like many, I have not liked the re-imagining of some of the Legion costumes. Dawnstar and Sensor Girl stand out as particular' fashion don'ts'.

Still, I am happy to see the Legion being part of a big DC arc.



SUPERMAN 80-PAGE GIANT #1

Written by KATHRYN IMMONEN, BEN MCCOOL & OTHERS
Art by CLAYTON HENRY, JULIAN LOPEZ & OTHERS
Cover by AARON LOPRESTI

A thrilling collection of up-and-coming talent tackles Superman and the heroes of Metropolis! Packed with guest stars galore including Bizarro, Lois Lane and many more, these timeless tales of The Man of Steel are destined to thrill!

I don't necessarily know if I am going to pick up this book. It will probably depend on what else is coming out the week it is released. Still, I like Immonen, Henry, and Lopez ... so it will probably end up in my pile.

March seems to be a big month for the super-titles and my two favorite DC creations (Supergirl and the Legion) will have big parts to play. So I have high hopes here!