November 2013 solicits

The DC Comics November solicits are complete and out on the web for perusal. Here is a link to the complete list over on CBR: CBR November solicits

This month boasts the Forever Evil crossover with the tagline Evil is Relative. Frankly I had to stifle a yawn. It seems like DC wants to slowly morph their line into something akin to a Millar-verse. Ludicrous.

While the Super-titles follow, I will say I am intrigued by the Palmiotti/Conner written Harley Quinn solo book. At the very least, the list of artists lined up for the first issue (including Darwyn Cooke, Walt Simonson, Paul Pope, Sam Kieth, and others!!) is worth giving it a try. I prefer the full jester costume over the corset or this roller derby look. So we'll see if I stick with it.

SUPERGIRL #25

Written by SCOTT LOBDELL and MICHAEL ALAN NELSON
Art by PAULO SIQUERIA
Cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
On sale NOVEMBER 20
“KRYPTON RETURNS” continues as Supergirl faces the clone wars of Krypton. Just as she was starting to accept Superboy’s clone origins, she faces the horrible past of her home planet. And she must once again face H’El.

So I am taking some deep breaths about Krypton Returns because I hated H'El on Earth and I can't imagine that anything good can come from this. The fact that Scott Lobdell is getting writer credits here as well makes me even more worried. At least the Mike Johnson Supergirl issue during H'El did its best to make her more sympathetic than the love-sick dupe she was elsewhere. Will Lobdell on this title drag her down into the mud? I do hope that the story has her opening up her eyes to the plight of clones and not being so dogmatic about wanting to kill them. That was pretty sour.

We haven't heard about who the new artist will be on the book. I am familiar with Paulo Siqueira's work on a Black Canary mini-series and some Gail Simone Birds of Prey issues. I recall him being a bit cheesecake-y.

ACTION COMICS #25

Written by GREG PAK
Art and cover by AARON KUDER
On sale NOVEMBER 6
This BATMAN: ZERO YEAR tie-in features the reintroduction of a major character! A cocky young Superman battles the forces of nature to save Gotham City, while a woman from his past tries to do the same thing on a smaller scale. But both are headed for a collision course...

I suppose having a Superman title cash in on the Zero Year zeitgeist makes some sense. And I think that more 'jeans and t-shirt' Superman stories are needed to help bridge a gap between early adventures and the more polished established Superman.

And a woman from Superman's past featured in an issue with a tidal wave on the cover. It has to be Lori Lemaris! I have some faith in Greg Pak and Aaron Kuder. I think this book will be a winner with them as the creative team. 

SUPERMAN #25
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
On sale NOVEMBER 27
“KRYPTON RETURNS” concludes! Months before its explosion, Superman finds himself locked in combat against H’El! Can he find a way to save the planet? A most unexpected foe stands in his path: Jor-El! A hero will fall during this epic adventure!

So Lobdell is going to have Superman fight his dad. Unreal.

And a hero will fall? Who the heck could that be? At least this story arc is done in a month.

SUPERMAN UNCHAINED #5
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art and cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS
Backup story art by DUSTIN NGUYEN
On sale NOVEMBER 20
Superman and Wraith form an alliance to rescue a hostage and strike at the heart of Ascension, but the mission goes awry when it becomes clear the Man of Tomorrow and the soldier from beyond the stars have very different methodologies—and objectives! Plus, secrets are revealed about Wraith’s people!

I have been pleased with the scope of Superman Unchained by Scott Snyder. And he sure seemed excited about it when talking at the Boston Comic-Con. One thing I like is that Lois sounds like she will have a big roll in this book. To have Superman and her together on a cover like this is great.

I am also fascinated that it is implied that Wraith is also an alien. I assumed he'd be a mutant for some reason.

And, as anticipated, Ascension is the threat behind the threat. Luthor has to be pulling the strings.

SUPERBOY #25
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL and JUSTIN JORDAN
Art by ROBSON ROCHA
Cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
On sale NOVEMBER 13
“KRYPTON RETURNS,” and our heroes have been sent on missions through Krypton’s history to stop H’El from dooming the universe! Superboy’s mission? Stop H’El from tampering with the history of Krypton days before its explosion. But he must also see to it that Kara Zor-El is kept safe and that the forces of the Eradicator don’t get him first.

It seems like the super-family are scattered through time in this arc. Supergirl is farther back in the clone wars. Superman is fighting Jor-El months before the planetary explosion. And Superboy is there when Kara gets fired off.

Robson Rocha continues his pinch-hitting tour through the DC Universe, providing art here.

We knew Justin Jordan had left the book. We know that Lobdell loves Superboy. So it'll be interesting to see if the tone of the book goes back to the 'NOWHERE/Culling' tone and if Conner comes out as the hero here.

But who is the new writer on this book?

BATMAN/SUPERMAN #5
Written by GREG PAK
Art and cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND
On sale NOVEMBER 6
When the new Toymaster uses a secret, potentially deadly element in his new video game, the characters created by players manifest in real life! The ultimate fighting game results—and a world-wide network of players must team up to create the most powerful, skilled Super Heroes imaginable with one goal: To kill Batman. Can Superman come to the rescue before the game claims its victim? Find out in this amazing issue that’s printed in a special horizontal storytelling format.

So Jae Lee and Brett Booth with alternate art chores on this book. I think that sounds great. I love both these guys art styles. So why not give them some lead time to get the pages down.

This story, with video game characters fighting heroes sounds like it is right up Booth's alley. I can't imagine Lee's inky style meshing with a neon pixelated fight scene.

As for horizontal layouts, I don't know the fascination although it does give a widescreen feel to proceedings. That might work if there truly is a video game feel to this issue.

And is the Toymaster a New 52 revamp of the Toyman?

ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #7
Written by DAVID LAPHAM and TIM SEELEY
Art by DAVID LAPHAM and MIKE NORTON
Cover by CHRIS SPROUSE and KARL STORY
On sale NOVEMBER 27
Join comics’ finest talents as they celebrate The Man of Steel himself: Superman! First, in a story written and illustrated by Eisner Award-winner David Lapham, Superman discovers a mysterious new cult that worships him as a god! Then, the Last Son of Krypton squares off against Darkseid and visits a very special fan, brought to you by Tim Seeley and Mike Norton!

I have not been let down by this book so far and the creative talent just keeps stopping by. At least DC is giving me this.

I will be very interested to read this issue with these teams whose work veer to darker material. 30 Days of Nights and Revival are hardly similar to Superman. But the plots seem to work to their strengths and including Superman in stories like this sometimes agitate things enough to feel fresh.

This is the most intriguing solicit.

SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 #19
Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER
Art by JORGE JIMENEZ
Cover by CAT STAGGS
On sale NOVEMBER 13
With Washington, D.C., on lockdown, Air Force One under attack and the dead rising from the grave, Superman and a newly armored “Wonder Woman” take the fight to Hades and Faust. Plus, as “Olympus” concludes, Clark’s journey as Superman takes a dramatic turn

Sometimes it is tough to be a stuck-in-the-mud print guy. The buzz from digital people is that this Wonder Woman arc on Smallville is something special. Certainly the covers from Cat Staggs are stunning.

I have very much enjoyed this book. And I hope we do get to a Crisis style finale to this 'season'.

SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN #2
Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art and cover by TONY S. DANIEL and BATT
On sale NOVEMBER 13  
Retailers: This issue will ship with four covers. Please see the order form for more information.
Whom the gods destroy, first they piss off! Seeking help against Doomsday, Diana turns to her brother Hephaestus for weapons—but a more immediate threat is Apollo and the other gods. They do not approve of Superman as a consort to Diana, and he will have to prove himself in combat!

I still don't know if I am going to get this book, although it might be fun to compare/contrast this to Smallville and that Diana. I am leaning against.

But seriously 'whom the gods destroy, first they piss off'? Was that really in the official solicit? Why not put something like WTF on the cover. Oh wait ... they tried that.

And I wonder if Brian Azzarello is happy that mainstream DC is tinkering with his little WW corner of the universe.

I do like Tony Daniel's art.

SUPER BEST FRIENDS FOREVER WONDER GIRL, SUPERGIRL AND BATGIRL SUPER SECRET STORAGE BOXES
BASED ON THE DESIGNS BY LAUREN FAUST
SCULPTED BY IRENE MATAR
DC Collectibles brings to life the girls of DC Nation's Super Best Friends Forever with these unique storage boxes. Each figure comes with 3 interchangeable faces to best suit your mood!
EACH SOLD SEPARATELY
$24.95 US • On Sale December 2013 * Allocations May Occur
Batgirl-6.75"
Supergirl-7.5"
Wonder Girl-7.85"

And then, something to actually give thanks for in this November!

DC Collectibles is releasing Super Best Friend Forever individual statues/storage boxes! It looks like these are based on the SDCC exclusives. Each of the BFFs comes with 3 heads with different expressions! How can I not get this Supergirl??

But even more, I might have to get one of these for each of the supergirls at home! Just in time for the holidays!

Totally fantastic!!! A DC miracle!