April 2012 Solicits

The DC Comics solicits for April 2012 have been released over on the DC Comics website here.

It is an interesting month as six titles have the 'final issue' tag on them in what feels like a quick axe for the reboot. As I have said before, I wonder if DC was a bit quick to act here.

Here are the super-titles solicited as well as a couple of surprises.

SUPERGIRL #8

Written by MICHAEL GREEN and MIKE JOHNSON

Art by GEORGE PEREZ and BOB WIACEK

Cover by GEORGE PEREZ

As the NYPD hunt her down, Supergirl takes refuge with a new friend named Siobhan. While Supergirl may have temporarily escaped her troubles, Siobhan’s are just about to catch up with her: the curse of the Silver Banshee has risen, and this time it’s brought its family with it…

Don’t miss this special issue featuring artwork by comics legend George Pérez!

As I have said before, George Perez is a pretty awesome pinch hitter for Mahmud Asrar on this issue. That cover alone is worth the price as Supergirl seems trapped within the body of Silver Banshee. Nice use of the straps of the costume to mimic prison bars.

And while I am glad that Siobhan comes on board as a supporting cast member/frenemy, I do worry about the NYPD hunting down Supergirl. I'm ready for Supergirl to be an accepted hero. I understand that the 'alienated young girl' theme is an important part of this reboot. But I hope it isn't overplayed.

And I really hope we see Superman back here before this. I still can't believe he would let another Kryptonian, let alone his family, wander the Earth. He would want to be part of her life, regardless of what Kara wants.

ACTION COMICS #8

Written by GRANT MORRISON

Art by RAGS MORALES and RICK BRYANT

Cover by RAGS MORALES

Variant cover by GARY FRANK

1:200 B and W Variant cover by RAGS MORALES

It’s the epic 30-page conclusion of Grant Morrison and Rags Morales’ majestic opening storyline! $3.99 gets you front row seats to the ascension of the DC Universe’s first Super Hero as The Man of Steel goes toe to tentacle with the all-new Brainiac for the final fate of Metropolis!

I have been trumpeting Action Comics as the jewel of the new DCU and DC seems to understand it as well. What could be better than a 30 page mega-finale to the opening arc. And this is an arc that presented us with a young crusading Superman, re-introduced Luthor and Brainiac, brought us the bottle city of Kandor, and showed us Jor-El, Lara, and Krypto all over again. It has been a dizzying ride ... but wonderful.

I also think I am going to want to grab the Gary Frank variant. Frank just reinvented Brainiac and retold Superman's Secret Origin himself. So I am glad he is being tangentially included in this reboot.

SUPERMAN #8

Written by KEITH GIFFEN and DAN JURGENS

Art by DAN JURGENS and JESUS MERINO

Cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO

1:25 B and W Variant cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO

Superman, agent of the Daemonites?! How has Helspont bent The Man of Steel to his will?

I don't know Daemonites or the Helspont at all. There is a Starro flavor to this cover. But not much info.

I am hopeful that Keith Giffen and Dan Jurgens can bring some punch to this title. Jurgens guided the Superman ship throughout much of the 90s. That Superman was the definition of heroic. So maybe the 'Metropolis doesn't trust or like Superman' part of the Perez arc will go away.

SUPERBOY #8

Written by SCOTT LOBDELL

Art by R.B. SILVA and ROB LEAN

Cover by SHANE DAVIS

Well, that rescue mission didn’t go exactly as planned…and things have only gotten worse for Superboy, as N.O.W.H.E.R.E.’s plans for him and the Teen Titans take a deadly turn! If he wants to keep his head, he’s gonna have to take down another dangerous young metahuman for them: the bruiser once known as Grunge!

I have also been pretty upbeat about the Superboy title.

But it is pretty clear that this book is being used to introduce the Gen13 characters to the DCU. I have loved Fairchild's part in the book because it felt natural. She was a supporting cast member. But this issue having Superboy fight Grunge (a character I know virtually nothing about) seems like a simple way to bring in another Wildstorm character. This also continues the run of 'Superboy fighting heroes' cover images.

I also think that DC really wants me to read Teen Titans, linking it closely to this book. And frankly, I don't want to read that version of the team, that Tim Drake, that Wonder Girl, that Kid Flash. I hope this book remains separate enough that it can be enjoyed alone.

LEGION LOST #8

Written by TOM DeFALCO

Art and cover by PETE WOODS

The lead-up to next month’s game-changing TEEN TITANS/SUPERBOY/LEGION LOST crossover starts here! Rose Wilson and the Ravagers of N.O.W.H.E.R.E. attack our lost Legionnaires for a battle royale! When the smoke clears, the Legion won’t like what they see…

One of my favorite characters of the reboot is also from the Superboy book, Rose Wilson. She even seems to be getting her own title soon ... The Ravagers.

Now DC is doing a crossover event between Superboy, Legion Lost, and Teen Titans. Man, DC must really want me to read Teen Titans (or maybe they want all the Titans readers to read Legion Lost).

I don't know if even Rose can be a threat to the Legion squad in Legion Lost. That said, if this cover is any indication, I am going to love Pete Woods rendition of Rose. I hope new writer Tom DeFalco is able to continue the feel that Fabian Nicieza had on the book.

BATMAN BEYOND UNLIMITED #3

Written by J.T. KRUL, ADAM BEECHEN, DEREK FRIDOLFS and DUSTIN NGUYEN

Art by HOWARD PORTER, NORM BREYFOGLE, DUSTIN NGUYEN and DEREK FRIDOLFS

Cover by HOWARD PORTER and LIVESAY

In the debut of SUPERMAN BEYOND, The Man of Tomorrow returns home to an unfamiliar City of Tomorrow patrolled by super-powered police officers. With most of his loved ones gone, he wonders if Superman has a place in this new world. But time and death hold no meaning for a foe who has set a plan in motion to destroy the Man of Steel once and for all!

In BATMAN BEYOND, Russian criminals have taken Mad Stan’s dog and Stan will stop at nothing to get them, even if it means blowing up all of Gotham City in the process. As if Terry doesn’t have enough to handle, his girlfriend comes to him with shocking news about her brother.

In JUSTICE LEAGUE BEYOND, the team works to break the brainwashing Micron underwent, while getting a valuable history lesson from Amanda Waller...but will it help them discover Kobra’s plot in time to save the world?

So I reviewed the Superman Beyond one-shot when it came out so I might get this issue of this mini-series to see what this is all about. This looks like a 'Batman Beyond Family' book with multiple stories per issue. But I don't know if I will be in for the long haul.

So looks to be an interesting month with Supergirl  and Action leading the way.