I swear ... I think DC knows people might have gift money to spend after the holidays. Their January solicits always seem heavier than usual. The complete solicits are up in multiple places. Here is the link for Newsama's coverage:http://www.newsarama.com/19238-dc-comics-january-2014-solicitations-collectibles.html
As usual there are lots of standard comics. But this month has a number of surprises, including some Annuals which look very interesting. Here are the issues suitable for commenting on here.
SUPERGIRL #27
Written by TONY BEDARD
Art by YILDIRAY CINAR
Cover by GUISEPPE CAMUNCOLI and CAM SMITH
Part Two of Kara’s confrontation with the deadly new Lobo. After last issue’s shock ending, this issue we discover an even greater threat in Shay Veritas that will force Supergirl to make a deadly choice!
So we enter the second issue of the Tony Bedard era of Supergirl and the story sounds interesting. I don't care about Lobo but the prospect of Dr. Veritas becoming a villain ... and a Supergirl villain to boot ... would be a great thing. That is a fantastic!
On to the rest of the month.
ACTION COMICS #27
Written by GREG PAK
Art and cover by AARON KUDER
Superman takes on the brutal Beast Lord as startling revelations are made about our Earth’s underground world! Plus: more on the mysterious Ghost Soldier!
I like the look of this Beast Lord character with his armor made from creatures he has dispatched.
I have to say, I am really looking forward to the Pak/Kuder team on this book.
SUPERMAN #27
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art by KENNETH ROCAFORT
Cover by KEN LASHLEY
The Parasite can’t be stopped—and he hungers for the power that Lois Lane possesses. Is there anything The Man of Steel can do, or will he lose his best friend? The answer will surprise you!
We heard about this issue in the NYCC. And, as predicted, The Parasite is going to try to purge the Brainiac psionic energy from Lois. Should we be happy that Lois is in the book in some form?
SUPERBOY #27
Written by MARV WOLFMAN
Art by ANDRES GUINALDO
Cover by RAFA SANDOVAL and NORM RAPMUND
The son of Superman finds himself trapped with the Teen Titans in a future that may kill all of them.
This is it! The first issue of the Jon Lane Kent era of this book. And frankly, Marv Wolfman has one issue to grab me. I hate this concept. I feel for Superboy fans. And I don't think I am going to stick around too long.
I mean, when was the last tome a Marv Wolfman book grabbed me like that? 1987?
SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN #4
Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art by TONY S. DANIEL, BATT and SANDU FLOREA
Cover by TONY S. DANIEL
The secret of Superman and Wonder Woman’s relationship is out and the world’s reaction is mixed, but that’s the least of the power couple’s worries as Zod seeks to release Faora from the Phantom Zone!
We knew that the Superman/Wonder Woman relationship was going to leak out, probably on ClarkCatropolis. Maybe that story is what keeps the blog (and Clark and Cat) financially afloat.
Now Zod and Faora as another 'power couple' are worthy foes. I just wonder if it might be too soon from the Ultraman/Superwoman fights to feel fresh.
BATMAN/SUPERMAN #7
Written by GREG PAK
Art and cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND
Batman versus Superman! Trapped by the Toymaster and Mongul, our heroes turn on each other! Who will save Batman and Superman if they can’t save themselves? This epic issue is presented in a special sideways format!
Batman vs. Superman has been done so many times it feels pretty played. I am hoping that the presence of Mongul will make this story crackle.
BATMAN/SUPERMAN ANNUAL #1
Written by GREG PAK
Art by JAE LEE, ED BENES and others
Cover by ED BENES
It’s the first meeting of Supergirl and Red Hood, Steel and Supergirl and more as the competing Batman and Superman families must battle for the control of the missing Mongul’s fortress! And at the heart of it, Batman and Superman deal with their grief over their fallen comrades.
But this annual really grabbed me. With the specter of the recently dead legacies, Superman and Batman and their families - Batgirl, Supergirl, Steel, and Red Hood - team up to fight off some new version of Warworld.
Supergirl teaming up with Superman. And really teaming up! That's a great thing.
WORLDS’ FINEST #19
Written by PAUL LEVITZ
Art by R.B. SILVA and JOE WEEMS
Cover by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO
Desperate times call for desperate measures as Power Girl and Huntress reveal their true origins to this world’s Superman and Batman!
I don't always include Worlds' Finest in my monthly solicit post. But I had to include both WF books this month here as both are key and touch on things I want to see. The first is that finally Huntress and Power Girl decide to let the E1 Batman and Superman know they exist.
I have been waiting for that for a while.
WORLDS’ FINEST ANNUAL #1
Written by PAUL LEVITZ
Art by DIOGENES NEVES and MARC DEERING
Cover by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO
In one of their first adventures together, Earth 2’s Supergirl and Robin team up to face their world’s Wonder Woman!
But this is the one I am really excited about. I have been wanting to see some of the pre-Earth 2 destruction Supergirl and Robin adventures. We have seen a little of them in the first issues of Earth 2 and Worlds' Finest. We saw more in Worlds' Finest #0. I can't wait for this. Levitz seems to have a feel for 'classic' Kara so let's hope this matches my expectations.
ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #9
Written by CHRISTOS N. GAGE
Art by EDUARDO FRANCISCO
Cover by DAN PANOSIAN
Avert your eyes! Down on the ground! It’s not a bird! It’s not a plane! It am Bizarro!
The Bizarro stories in Adventures have been fun so far. What could be better than a classic take on Bizarro!
SMALLVILLE SEASON 11: ALIEN #2
Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER
Art by EDGAR SALAZAR and DYM
Cover by CAT STAGGS
When Superman revealed himself to the world, he knew some repercussions would be out of his control. He never expected this, though! Meanwhile, Lex Luthor’s trip to Russia brings him face to face with a Monitor—and his own mortality.
I have been waiting ... waiting for this book to move closer to the eventual crisis mentioned way back in the first issue. So a Monitor means we are getting close.
The cover is interesting though. Is this someone who accidentally killed themselves pretending to be Superman?
SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 SPECIAL #4
Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER
Art and cover by CAT STAGGS
Jay Garrick has opened a school for youth with special talents and abilities, to train a promising new generation of Super Heroes. However, things fall apart as a mysterious foe, determined to take down the new Titans team, attacks the San Francisco Pier—pushing these young heroes to their absolute limits.
And then an added bonus! The introduction of the Smallville Titans. Miss Martian! Superboy! Blue Beetle! Arrowette. Seems like the Young Justice crew! And Jay Garrick too!
Plus internal art by Cat Staggs!
SUPERGIRL VOL. 3: SANCTUARY TP
Written by MIKE JOHNSON and FRANK HANNAH
Art by MAHMUD ASRAR, SAMI BASRI and others
Cover by MAHMUD ASRAR
In these stories from issues #13-19, H’El convinces Kara that he intends to return them to Krypton prior to its destruction. When presented with the opportunity to return home, Kara fails to see that H’El’s plan will leave the Earth in ruins. Wonder Woman and The Flash must show Kara in the truth before it’s too late!
Now this seems like a foolish trade to put together, given that it includes the 2 chapters in the H'El on Earth in the middle of this. I can only hope there are some extras in the trade to make it worth the while of the Supergirl fans.
ALL-STAR WESTERN #27
Written by JUSTIN GRAY and JIMMY PALMIOTTI
Art by MORITAT
Cover by GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI and NORM RAPMUND
Hex’s journey through the modern age continues! Guess whose attention Hex attracts as he makes his way to Metropolis!
And then the last and weirdest item. Superman teaming up with Jonah Hex??
So all in all a packed and expensive month.
Alas, probably the last Superboy month for me unless something dramatic happens.
Lots of interesting stuff in there and I agree, the annuals sound rather great. And I can't wait to read All-Star Western. I do rankle at seeing Lois referred to as Superman's 'best friend'. Ah well, this too will pass.
ReplyDeleteSo, not only does Supergirl vol 3 have issue 13 without 12, it also has issues 18 and 19 without 20!
ReplyDeleteSo that's three story arcs, none of which are complete. Doesn't seem like a good deal to me, I wonder why they're doing it that way. 13 should have been in vol 2, H'el on Earth is getting a hardcover trade anyway, and 18-20 should be kept together.
But I am really looking forward to that Supergirl arc and the Batman/Superman Annual. I'm quite interested in the Worlds' Finest crossover arc too!
I don't know how long a leash I'll give the new Superboy direction. It'd really help if I knew if this was a short-term plan or long-term one. I'm kinda hoping that the actual conclusion to Krypton Returns will be revealing that Kon-El is alive somewhere (and creative can say something like, see, we didn't completely spoil you at NYCC HAHA). In that case I'd know the Jon thing is a temporary storyline, in which case I'd be much more inclined to see it through. Guess we'll see.
ReplyDeleteAnd part of me can see Jonathan begin to develop a dislike/distrust of Superman based on the events of Superman #27. It would be an appropriate wrench in their relationship going forward; Lois trusts in him, Jonathan does not.
A hint that the JLK business is temporary, as Jay suggests, would be great. I suspect Kon will wind up being stuck on Krypton as it blows up - hmm, maybe he could get wafted into the Phantom Zone at the last second and float around for 1000 years ...
ReplyDeleteI've been waiting for the xenophobia thing to pick up in Smallville, maybe people find out about it and Superman fans are attacked?
ReplyDeleteThanks for comments.
ReplyDeleteKon in the phantom zone and heading a Legion is brilliant Mart.
Xenophobia as an explanation of the cover is also a good idea LJ.
Still don;t know about SB. I dont think I am even going to try it.
As a huge Conner Kent fan, the news that he is being killed off and replaced fills me with dread. Sure, his New 52 book has been all over the place but I don't think replacing him is the way to go. If JLK is the permanent replacement I will more than likely drop the book.
ReplyDeleteI am excited about the new Supergirl creative team and hope that she can finally get a stable direction and maybe become a happy person.
-CJ