January 2012 Solicits

The January DC Comics solicits have been released and are up at the DC website. Here is a link:http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/comics/?dat=20120107

As all these books are just starting, these solicits tend to be more mysterious than informative for me. While some of the information is very interesting, I haven't a clue how the books get us to that point. Anyways, lots of good stuff hinted at. Here are the solicits.

SUPERGIRL #5

Written by MICHAEL GREEN and MIKE JOHNSON

Art and cover by MAHMUD ASRAR

Supergirl’s nightmare is finally over – she has left Earth and has somehow made it back to Argo City! But it’s not the home she remembers, and a deadly new adversary stands in her way. Enter: Maxima!

Well, there goes my guess for Blackstarr. I have to say Maxima as a Supergirl villain has a lot of potential. At least in the old DCU, she was powerful and would pose a decent threat for Kara. I even like the more alien look of her here.

But the big surprise here is that Argo City is still out there and reachable. That certainly adds a wrinkle to the Supergirl mythos. I wonder if Kara was in suspended animation on Argo, then automatically rocketed to Earth by some defense mechanism when the city became imperiled. I'm intrigued.

And nice cover by Asrar.

ACTION COMICS #5

Written by GRANT MORRISON

Art by ANDY KUBERT and JESSE DELPERDANG

Cover by ANDY KUBERT and JOE PRADO

Variant cover by RAGS MORALES

1:200 B&W Variant cover by ANDY KUBERT

As the assault from an alien threat takes a turn for the worse for Metropolis, keys facts about Superman’s past are brought to light for the first time! And how can certain elements from The Man of Steel’s future help to prevent the theft of the millennium? Don’t miss this awesome issue from series writer Grant Morrison and the guest art team of Andy Kubert and Jesse Delperdang!

I have loved Action Comics so far and can't wait to read Morrison's take on the origin story. I have felt that Morrison has a good grasp of the legend of Superman so I feel confidant that it will have the right vibe. I like Kubert's art and wouldn't mind if he and Morales tag-teamed the title.

SUPERMAN #5

Written by GEORGE PEREZ

Art by JESUS MERINO

Cover by GEORGE PEREZ

There is a malignancy in Metropolis that is ruining the city, and its name is Superman! The aliens who have been attacking The Man of Steel these past few issues unite to purge the Earth of Superman! The worst part? The people of Metropolis seem to agree with the aliens!

Ugh. So we already know that Perez is off the book after the next issue. But really ... you are going to start the next version of an established Superman book off by having the citizens unite with aliens to kick him off  Earth? It's one thing for cops to not understand him in Action Comics, when he has just arrived. But I have seen enough of this 'people afraid of Superman' stories. It's been the last 4 years! Between people worrying about his loyalties in New Krypton to the awful beginnings of Grounded, Superman's character has been battered. This was supposed to be a relaunch. Why not put Superman back as the role model and inspiration he should be?

SUPERBOY #5

Written by SCOTT LOBDELL

Art by R.B. SILVA and ROB LEAN

Cover by SHANE DAVIS and JONATHAN GLAPION

They created Superboy to be a weapon, not a hero. But on the eve of his conflict with the Teen Titans, Superboy will make the first truly moral choice of his short life – though he might not be prepared to live with the consequences!

Hmmm ... perhaps the end of this first arc is Superboy obtaining his freedom from NOWHERE. What I really want, even snippets of, is his origin. I suppose those are in the works. This has been a surprise winner for me in the DCnU.  Great cover by Shane Davis.

HAWK AND DOVE #5

Written by STERLING GATES

Art and cover by ROB LIEFELD

It’s a race to rescue Deadman from the clutches of Condor and Swan! Hawk and Dove go on the hunt for Dove’s ghostly lover, and it’s a race against the clock to find him before Deadman lives up to his name for good! Traverse time and space as the hunt begins and secrets are uncovered in this action-packed issue!

I have to include Hawk and Dove here because I am enjoying the title too much to not promote it.

As I have said before, the Deadman subplot is one I find the least enjoyable so hopefully that will go away at some point. But how the heck do Condor and Swan capture him? I am really hoping that Gates gets the opportunity to explore the idea of Avatars and their origins here.

But Argo City! Very interesting!