October 2012 Solicits

The October DC Solicits have been released and there are some interesting things coming around the corner. For the full list of books and merchandise coming out you can head here where Newsarama has them: http://www.newsarama.com/comics/dc-comics-october-2012-solicitations.html

Here are the Super-book solicits and some commentary on my part.

SUPERGIRL #13

Written by MICHAEL GREEN and MIKE JOHNSON

Art and cover by SAMI BASRI

• Supergirl in all-out battle with a new, deadly version of an old foe: Tycho!

• Check out Kara’s very own Fortress of Solitude!

Well the first thing that stands out in this solicit is that Mahmud Asrar is not on art. On Twitter, Asrar said this is just a fill in issue. I liked Basri's art on Power Girl so it will be interesting to see how he handles the new Supergirl.

Tycho was the Luthor-like genius from the earliest issues of the book so it is good to see him return as a rogue of sorts. I can't believe it took me this long to think of the Tycho-Psycho connection. I first thought Tycho was a riff of Technology.

And a Supergirl Fortress of Solitude? The closest thing we have seen recently was the 'Closet of Solitude' back in BizarroGirl. Can't wait to see this one.

ACTION COMICS #13
Written by GRANT MORRISON
Backup story written by SHOLLY FISCH
Art by TRAVEL FOREMAN
Backup story art by BRAD WALKER
Cover by BRYAN HITCH
Variant cover by RAGS MORALES

• You won’t want to miss the return of Krypto!
• Superman must face down a threat from the Phantom Zone – with the help of The Phantom Stranger!
• Grant Morrison makes a major change in ACTION COMICS in this special issue featuring art by Travel Foreman!

Again, for me, the art was the first thing that I noticed in this solicit. I am not a big fan of Hitch (this cover seems a bit off) and I don't love Foreman's art that much either although his more surreal look might work given the story in this issue.

But once I got to what the issue was about I a bit happier. We saw Krypto save Jor-El and banish itself to the Phantom Zone back in the first issues of this book. And we don't know much about the Zone or who is in it or why right now so all of that sounds great as Morrison builds up the mythology of Superman here.

That said, a Phantom Stranger appearance in the month that Dan Didio's Phantom Stranger book premieres feels a bit forced.

ACTION COMICS ANNUAL #1

Written by SHOLLY FISCH

Backup story written by MAX LANDIS

Art and cover by CULLY HAMNER

Backup story art by RYAN SOOK

• The secrets of the “missing five years” between when Clark Kent came to Metropolis and the present day continue to be revealed!

• In the wake of Brainiac’s attack on Metropolis, Superman faces his first Earth-born villain: the Kryptonite Man!

• Plus: A special backup story by the screenwriter of CHRONICLE, Max Landis!

Sholly Fisch has done such a great job on the back-up features in Action Comics that I am looking forward to see what he does with a whole story. I suppose it shows the absolute trust Grant Morrison has in Fisch.
And another rogue added to the mix, the Kryptonite Man. It has to be some more Mxy madness.

SUPERMAN #13

Written by SCOTT LOBDELL

Art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT

1:25 B&W Variant cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT

• It’s a deathrap for Superman as he matches wits with his greatest enemy for the final time as The Man of Steel loses it!

I am trying to get excited for the new team of Lobdell and Rocafort on Superman. But it is hard to get revved up for this issue with such a generic and mundane solicit.

I love Rocafort's style.

SUPERBOY #13

Written by TOM DeFALCO

Art and cover by R.B. SILVA and ROB LEAN

• Superboy’s attempts to lead a normal life are interrupted by the reappearance of the mysterious Jocelyn Lure!

• Superboy’s search for Caitlin and the Ravagers leads to his guest appearance in THE RAVAGERS #5 this month.

In the DCnU both Superboy and Supergirl have been isolated and alienated. So for me the best thing I could read that Superboy is attempting to lead a normal life.

But look, this issue leads to The Ravagers! I worry that this book is going to be to inextricably linked to Ravgers and Titans for me to be able to follow in a meaningful way. If I need to collect 3 books to follow Kon's character I might have to drop him.

WORLDS’ FINEST #5

Written by PAUL LEVITZ

Art by GEORGE PEREZ, JOSE LUIS GARCIA-LOPEZ and JERRY ORDWAY

Cover by JERRY ORDWAY

• Power Girl and Huntress attempt to get back home to Earth 2 – but is the Boom Tube just a one-way trip?

• The secrets of Power Girl’s abilities revealed.

• Featuring artwork by the legendary Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez and Jerry Ordway!

I still don't know if I will ever get used to this Power Girl costume.

The 'secrets of Power Girl's abilities'? I don't know what that means. Is there something beyond her being Kryptonian?

And art by Garcia Lopez and Ordway. I suppose Maguire needed time off after doing all the art in WF #0. But at least the 'legendary art' quota on this book remains the same.

SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 #6

Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER

Art by JAMAL IGLE

Cover by MICO SUAYAN

• The first time in print for these digital-first adventures!

• The Dark Knight comes to Metropolis and runs afoul of...Clark Kent? 

Bryan Q. Miller writing a Superman book with art by Jamal Igle! That's a chocolate and peanut butter mix. I love Pere Perez but it'll be great to see Jamal drawing Superman again. And since Kara making an appearance in this book seems inevitable maybe we'll see him draw Supergirl again!

SUPERMAN FAMILY ADVENTURES #6

Written by ART BALTAZAR and FRANCO

Art and cover by ART BALTAZAR

• Can it be true? Has Superman met his match in Metallo?

• Who is Metallo? And what’s up with his heart?

• Where does Lex Luthor fit into all of this?

• Watch out! There’s a new Super Hero in town!

So far the whole family have loved Superman Family Adventures. I don't think that will change here. This is the Metallo I grew up with and I get to share him with my children. And it looks like Steel is coming to the rescue as the new hero in town. Too fantastic!