July 2010 Solicits

With Last Stand and War of the Supermen in the rearview mirror, the Superman titles in July look like they will be re-establishing the Man of Steel as the prominent character of the DCU.

Here is a link to all of the DC solicits for the month:
http://www.newsarama.com/comics/dc-july-2010-solicitations-100419.html

I looks like it is going to be an exciting time for Supergirl and Superman fans. Here are the Super-specific solicits.

SUPERGIRL #54
Written by STERLING GATES
Art by JAMAL IGLE & JON SIBAL
Cover by SHANE DAVIS
Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle continue their bold new direction for The Girl of Steel! When a vicious new threat arrives in Metropolis, it’s up to Supergirl to stop the monster. But, boy, is she in for a surprise when she finds out just who this thing is and where it’s from!

Given that this is the first month after the long New Krypton storyline, DC might feel that readers staying away from the super-titles might want to jump back on board. But can we really say that this is a "bold NEW direction" by Gates and Igle? This is their 20th issue! I might have said "bold direction" (which I agree with). It amazes me that it has been 20 issues! Time flies.

Anyways, the first thing that stuck out here is the cover by artist Shane Davis. I loved Davis' work on Superman/Batman as Final Crisis:Rage of the Red Lanterns. This is a great eye-grabbing cover. Three issues in a row now without Josh Middleton. My guess is he doesn't have cover duties anymore. This cover looks like a piece that DC may have had in storage somewhere and may not be specifically about this issue. So who will the new cover artist be? I wouldn't mind any of the artists we have seen on covers recently - Igle, Camp, Davis. I would love to see a David Finch cover.

And the solicit has Supergirl back on Earth and in Metropolis. No mention of Lana. And what of this monster? Any guesses on the who and where? Power Boy and Apokolips? Bizarro Supergirl from Kandor? Hmmm ...

SUPERMAN #701
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Art by EDDY BARROWS
Cover by JOHN CASSADAY

Michael Straczynski begins his highly anticipated run on SUPERMAN! After the devastating events of WAR OF THE SUPERMEN, how can Superman possibly continue his battle for Truth, Justice and the American Way? Find out here in “Grounded” part 1 and get in on the starting line of a modern-classic SUPERMAN story!

My guess is that DC is really doing everything in its powers to get some publicity for Superman now that he is back wearing the Big Red S and starring in his books again. They really have assembled some powerhouse creators.

We had heard about JMS and Eddy Barrows being on Action. Just recently DC announced superstar artist John Cassady being on covers. Wow! This cover is so strong. One, Superman is small on the cover, and given his powerful appearing stride showing that he feels the symbolism of the shield is more than the man. And within the big shield we see faces of people. That's what the S-shield stands for ... helping people. (I always worry I am overthinking these things.)

Of course, why would he be walking on the cover? The title of the story arc is 'grounded'. Maybe Superman loses his ability to fly and suddenly finds himself on the ground with everyone else. Maybe that gives him a new perspective. I am looking forward to this book immensely.

ACTION COMICS #891
Written by PAUL CORNELL
Art by PETE WOODS
Cover by DAVID FINCH

When Lex Luthor finally regained control of LexCorp, he thought he had everything he wanted. But in BLACKEST NIGHT, he briefly became an Orange Lantern and got a taste of true power. Now he’ll do anything – anything – to get that power back. Buckle in for a greatest hits tour of the DCU’s most wanted as Lex Luthor begins an epic quest for power, all brought to you by new ongoing writer Paul Cornell (Dr. Who, Captain Britain and MI-13) and artist Pete Woods (WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON), with covers by David Finch (BRIGHTEST DAY, Ultimatum)!

And here on Superman we get another great team of creators. First off, new DC star David Finch is on covers and here we see a great Luthor as Orange Lantern piece. Fantastic.

Pete Woods continues on a super-title and I have praised his work too many times to do it at length here. I am glad he is sticking around.

I didn't post about the sudden switch on writers here when it happened. Marc Guggenheim was announced as the new writer and sounded excited about it. Here is an interview Guggenheim did when announced: http://www.newsarama.com/comics/091214-marc-guggenheim-action-superman.html

But then Paul Cornell was announced because Guggenheim said (and I am paraphrasing here) that he couldn't do the story arc justice. As with Guggenheim, I have no prior experience with Cornell although everyone seems to rave about his work. Does anyone have a suggestion of something of Cornell's that I could pick up to sample?

The story itself sounds like it will be a blast. There is nothing like a Superman/Luthor slugfest ... and a super-powered Luthor is always a fun thing to see.

SUPERMAN SECRET ORIGIN #6
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by GARY FRANK
Variant cover by GARY FRANK

The reimagining of Superman's early days concludes as he faces his toughest foe yet – his childhood friend Lex Luthor! The victor will be Metropolis's hero. If you think you know how this plays out, then you underestimate how much Luthor wants that title…

And at last we get the end of Secret Origin. I'll be a bit sad to see Johns and Frank walk away from Superman completely. But this series has been great ... a nice amalgam of the many variations of Superman's origins.

It looks like it will be a bright new day for the Superman family this summer too!