Monday, August 22, 2011

November 2011 Solicits

The November DC solicits are now available for perusal. Here is the link to Newsarama's coverage:
http://www.newsarama.com/comics/dc-comics-november-2011-solicitations-110812.html

As this is the third chapter of everybody's story, it is somewhat hard to gauge my interest. I don't know much about these versions of these characters. As I have said before, I am glad that the relaunch is almost here simply because I am tired of speculating about what these books will be like.



SUPERGIRL #3
Written by MICHAEL GREEN and MIKE JOHNSON
Art by MAHMUD ASRAR
Cover by MAHMUD ASRAR

The ship that brought Supergirl to Earth - her one remaining link to Krypton - has been stolen! Can The Girl of Steel navigate a strange new planet to find it? And will she uncover the trap set by a deadly new villain in time to save herself?

So, the solicit is mysterious enough to warrant only a couple of comments. One, Kara's ship wasn't mentioned that much in the main comic, seen in the Fortress. If she truly feels alien on Earth, then her ship probably should have some sentimental value for her. And I assume the 'strange new planet' she is navigating is Earth? I don't yet get a sense of how long this Supergirl has been on Earth. If she is truly befuddled by simple things that could get old real fast.

The cover itself is very nice. I think Asrar's art is going to really sparkle here. That said, I have to join the growing crowd complaining about the bottom of her costume. I really think the corners where the red meets the blue are just awkward looking and distracting. I wish it would just become a level edge.



ACTION COMICS #3
Written by GRANT MORRISON
Art by RAGS MORALES, BRENT ANDERSON and RICK BRYANT
Cover by RAGS MORALES
1:25 Variant cover by MIKE CHOI
1:200 B and W Variant cover by RAGS MORALES

"Superman, Go Home!" In a startling tale only Grant Morrison could bring you, the people of Metropolis turn on their new champion! But why? Plus, shocking secrets from Krypton revealed!

Only Grant Morrison can write this story? Wasn't the first half of Grounded people telling Superman they hate him?

Anyways, I still think this is going to be a big win. Of course, I love almost everything that Morrison does. So I am probably biased. I have always liked Rags Morales art so this is a great creative team for me.




SUPERMAN #3
Written by GEORGE PEREZ
Breakdowns and cover by GEORGE PEREZ
Art by JESUS MERINO

Superman finds himself beset as a TV reporter at the new Daily Planet makes a case that Superman brings Metropolis more harm than good, while a vicious new foe attacks those nearest and dearest to Clark Kent! Who are all these new villains attacking Metropolis lately, and what deadly secret connects them? Superman's not going to like the answer!

Hurray! Yet another storyline were someone makes the case that Superman is more harm than good. Wasn't the first half of Grounded the very same story. And is there anything bold or new about this? Isn't being bold and new and fresh what the DCnU was supposed to be about?

I have less confidence in this book.



SUPERBOY #3
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art by R.B. SILVA and ROB LEAN
Cover by ERIC CANETE

When N.O.W.H.E.R.E. assigned Superboy to put down an alien prison riot, they couldn't have suspected his powers would bring the entire prison down on top of him. Inside the wreckage, he'll find a mysterious - and gorgeous - alien who could help him escape... but does she want to? Meanwhile, Superboy's handler, Rose Wilson, is about to discover that she is connected to the origin of her "assignment" in a way she never imagined!

So the addition of Ravager (if she is Ravager) as Superboy's handler is a nice touch to this book. But I still don't know if I have a sense of what this title is all about. So I don't know how to react to this solicit yet. I still don't like the Tron look of Conner's costume.

I don't know if I am going to like this book. But I will go in with open eyes.




SUPERGIRL: GOOD-LOOKING CORPSE TP
Written by NICK SPENCER and JAMES PEATY
Art by BERNARD CHANG, CHRISCROSS and MARC DEERING
Cover by MAHMUD ASRAR

Someone is trying to kill the young heroes of the DC Universe in these stories from SUPERGIRL #60-67! Who is this villain, and how can Supergirl stop him? Maybe her friends can help – namely, Batgirl, Blue Beetle, Miss Martian, Static and Robin!

Well, I suppose I should be glad that the last 8 issues of this Supergirl are being collected in a trade. But there is a lot that isn't right about this description.

First off, Kelly Sue DeConnick and ChrisCross are the creative team for #65-67 and should be listed.

Second, despite early descriptions, Batgirl and Static don't appear in the book.

Still, the stories contained in the trade are very good and I'll get it, despite DC's lousy write up.



SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN TP
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art by GARY FRANK and JON SIBAL
Cover by GARY FRANK

Writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank bring you a startling new look at the beginnings of Lex Luthor, The Legion of Super-Heroes, Lois Lane, Metallo, Jimmy Olsen, The Parasite and more of your favorite characters from the Superman family in this new trade paperback collecting the acclaimed six-issue miniseries!

So, I thought Johns and Fran did a pretty good job with this Secret Origin. The first several issues detailing the young Clark were really inspired. I also think that the Luthor story weaving through the mini-series was also very good. But the ending, with Superman taking on the military, where the army was portrayed as the enemy, fell a little short.

Of course, this was the last of many mini-reboots of Superman's origin over the last decade. This one didn't even last a couple of years as the DCnU will wipe the slate clean again. I am on the fence about getting this in trade form.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hate the redesigned S Icon, it vaguely suggests Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists armband symbol. If DC has to pilot a revised s-icon based on the pending Siegel lawsuit, then this is NOT the one they should invest in.
Other than that, the above captioned cover literally screams "EEK A MOUSE!"

JF

valerie21601 said...

I noticed that so far the first 3 issues of Superman the villains all have an CONNECTION to Superman. I hope this route isn't taken often, if it hasn't already.

Looks like DC is taking the xenophobia route yet again.

I hope all three will be dropping the armored look soon. Morrison on the DC Podcast at the SDCC Superman panel said that their uniforms will change as the characters series move on.

Anonymous said...

Hi:
In the spirit of easying people into the coming er...uncomfortable situations to come in September I offer some unsolicited advice:
1) DON´T try to fathom what is happening in the Gaddaffi bunker (western version anyhow...) because they are only a terrified people in there waiting the end of their "#$%&.-
2) Come march 2012 EXPECT the real reboot to take place...
3) Sit back & enjoy the ride...It promises to be full of fun like the Tripoli battle.-
Enjoy!
DAVID

Jason said...

I hate that the bottom half Supergirl's new costume looks like you can see the very edges of her crotch area. I wish it would become a complete bottom piece.

As for the solicit...am I the only one who thought the solicit for this issue of Supergirl sounds like it was ripped from the plot lines of Smallville? Remember that whole arc in Season 7 when she was trying to find her ship and the crystal in it because they were her "only links to Krypton"?

valerie21601 said...

@jason If I recall right Green and Johnson wrote some Smallville episodes. It sounds like they're re-doing their own story material.

Anj said...

As for the solicit...am I the only one who thought the solicit for this issue of Supergirl sounds like it was ripped from the plot lines of Smallville? Remember that whole arc in Season 7 when she was trying to find her ship and the crystal in it because they were her "only links to Krypton"?

Now that you all mention it, the Smallville connection sounds right on the money!