November 2010 Solicits

 The November solicits for DC Comics have been released over on Newsarama. Here is the link:
 http://www.newsarama.com/comics/dc-november-2010-solicitations-100816.html

While there weren't any surprises involving Supergirl this month, there were a couple of non-super books which grabbed my attention, especially the Howard Chaykin Batman/Catwoman one shot.

Here are the super-solicits with some comments.

SUPERGIRL #58

Written by STERLING GATES

Art by JAMAL IGLE & JON SIBAL

Cover by AMY REEDER & RICHARD FRIEND

1:10 "DC 75th Anniversary" Variant cover by AMANDA CONNER

Cat Grant is in trouble. And not just "missed her deadline and Perry White's furious" trouble. Really bad trouble. And the only hero who she can turn to for help is the one she's been bad-mouthing in the Daily Planet for months - Supergirl! Will the Girl of Steel let bygones be bygones? Or should this Cat hope she still has at least one more of her nine

lives left?

Well, there is a lot to talk about with this issue. I'll start with the angelic Amy Reeder cover. After several months of a more action-based cover, Reeder shows us how graceful Supergirl can be. Just beautiful.

Next, we finally have some information on the Supergirl 'DC 75th Anniversary' variant cover. Hooray! It's finally announced! And better than that ... it is being done by Amanda Conner. I am really hoping that she based it on Adventure Comics #406, especially given the issue story information, although I also can see her doing a wonderful riff of Daring New Adventures of Supergirl #1.

Luckily, Jamal Igle is still on art credits! Although December appears to be the month rumored for a departure. This could be his final issue on the title and, if true, there could be no better storyline to end with. That said, no official word yet about Jamal leaving!

And lastly, we finally see some crescendo to the Cat Grant/Supergirl storyline which has been building over the last 2 years. I can't wait.

SUPERMAN #705

Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI

Art by EDDY BARROWS & J.P. MAYER

Cover by JOHN CASSADAY

1:10 Variant cover by YANICK PAQUETTE & MICHEL LACOMBE

"Grounded" part 5 brings The Man of Steel to Des Moines, Iowa! A chance encounter, however, suddenly thrusts Superman back in time. So somehow he's Superboy again, the world is on the brink of nuclear Armageddon, and it's all his fault!

A time travel story in the middle of 'Grounded'? Seems like a break of the theme, but who knows.

I have to say I am going to be reading 'Grounded' much more closely now, much more critically. A lot of people whose opinions I value really trashed the last issue of this arc, an issue I was neutral about. If Straczynski was looking for reaction in Superman fans, he achieved his goal.

ACTION COMICS #895

Written by PAUL CORNELL

Co-feature written by NICK SPENCER

Art by PETE WOODS

Co-feature art by RB SILVA & DENIS FRIETAS

Cover by DAVID FINCH & BATT

Lex Luthor has had an incredibly difficult time of it lately, what with fighting master assassin Deathstroke, avoiding being eaten by Gorilla Grodd, and even meeting Death herself! Now he's finally back at his office in Metropolis, so he can relax a little bit - oh shoot, Lex, watch out for Vandal Savage and that axe!

In the Jimmy Olsen co-feature, Superman's pal has to convince a bunch of bloodthirsty aliens that Earth is too boring and staid to host the universe's biggest (and most destructive) party. But how exactly is he going to do that? (Everyone, put on a bow tie!)

Another issue, another Lex/Villain X meeting.

While I know the plot stretching through the arc, Luthor trying to acquire power, I don't feel it in the solicits. Instead the solicits read like one issue encounters with a variety of DC characters. I hope this is building to something.

SUPERBOY #1

Written by JEFF LEMIRE

Art by PIER GALLO

Cover by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE

1:10 Variant cover by JOHN CASSADAY

Superboy is back in a brand-new ongoing series! Join Jeff Lemire (SWEET TOOTH) and amazing up-and-coming artist Pier Gallo as they take Superboy on a journey to a side of Smallville not even Superman knows about! What mysteries lurk beneath the surface of this all-American town – and what are their direct ties to Superboy? The start of the next great DC Universe epic begins right here!

As I have said many times here, the Conner Superboy isn't a character that I have embraced. Sure I read his earliest adventures post 'Reign of the Supermen', but not much since. But I have become more interested in him since his resurrection. In particular, the Geoff Johns Adventure Comics arc really grabbed me.

So I am going to pick up this solo title and probably review it here. (It probably is the death knell of Outsiders being on my pull list.) I also loved Pier Gallo's art on the Car-Vex story in Adventure during New Krypton so add that to Jeff Lemire as writer and I have high expectations.

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #51

Written by JAMES ROBINSON

Art by MARK BAGLEY, ROB HUNTER & NORM RAPMUND

Cover by MARK BAGLEY & ROB HUNTER

1:10 Variant cover by DAVID MACK

In “Justice League: Omega” part 2, as the battle between the JLA and the Crime Syndicate within the Hall of Justice explodes into the streets of Washington D.C., a new villain bent on his own form of conquest prevents any other heroes from helping save the nation’s capital. It’s up to five members of the Justice League to save the city’s people, with serious repercussions for one Leaguer, who may turn to the dark side. In order to help their teammates, Bill and Mikaal must begin an odyssey across the world that will evoke memories of Prometheus.

While there is no mention of Supergirl here, we know she is going toe to toe with Ultraman. I have been very happy with Supergirl in JLA over the last couple of issue. So I am glad to see 'big stories' being solicited in this title because it means Kara is going to be part of them.

And David Mack variants? Nothing wrong there!

ADVENTURE COMICS #520

Written by PAUL LEVITZ

Co-feature written by JEFF LEMIRE

Art by KEVIN SHARPE & MARLO ALQUIZA

Co-feature art by MAHMUD ASRAR & JOHN DELL

Cover by SCOTT CLARK & DAVID BEATY

In the final issue of the first arc of "Superboy and the Legion: The Early Years," for the first time - a Legionnaire dies! Learn how the consequences surrounding this brutal moment still affect the Legion today!

Also, in The Atom second feature, Ray Palmer must protect his stash of white dwarf matter from the Colony!

As I said just a couple of days ago, I am liking this title a lot, maybe even more than the current Legion title.

I wonder just who is in that casket. Is this a 'new Legionnaire' that Levitz is introducing here, adding the team's history? Or is this a retelling of Ferro Lad?

Is Legion staying in the title after this arc? I don't know.

Despite all the good stuff here, I am still most excited for Supergirl. There is a lot going on there.