November 2015 Solicits

The DC Comics solicits for November have been released and I am sure the company is giddy because there are some big name books on the docket, neither of which I will buy or read. Here is a link to the complete solicits on Newsarama: http://www.newsarama.com/25573-dc-comics-full-november-2015-solicitations.html

Now the first big news (for DC) is that Dark Knight:The Master Race is being released. But I have been fooled once before with Dark Knight Strikes Again. So I won't be buying or reading this book.

The second big news (for DC) is that Superman:American Alien is coming out, Max Landis' look at Superman's adolescence including getting drunk and defying Ma and Pa. So I won't go into my feelings about Landis again but suffice it to say, I won't be buying this book ... ever ...

But for me, the biggest news was one of omission. For another month there is no news about a Supergirl book. No new title. No digital first book linked to the show. No one shot special. Nothing. We have already seen some of the early fruits of the DCYou withering on the vine. Prez is now a 6 issue mini-series (not 12). As I noted in the sales post, new titles are already below the 20K line. And yet, despite this, despite Supergirl being on billboards and buses, despite Supergirl commercials being all over CBS and even as a trailer in theaters, DC isn't producing a Supergirl book. That just seems idiotic from a business viewpoint.

On to the actual solicits.

JUSTICE LEAGUE 3001 #6
Written by KEITH GIFFEN and J.M. DeMATTEIS
Art and cover by HOWARD PORTER

Evil Zeus of Injustice League 3000 has returned, and he’s created a new race of the most bizarre New Gods in DCU history! And a new threat enters U.P. space and they’re systematically eliminating any and all obstacles to their master’s conquest. Plus, the most unexpected super death in super history. No. Really. You’ll never guess.

This is one of two titles that supposedly has a version of Supergirl in the cast. But this is the second month in a row where Supergirl isn't mentioned in the solicit. And she isn't on the cover either. Add to that a 'most unexpected super death in super history' comment with the snark after, here on the 30th anniversary of Crisis, I thought this was a no-brainer. Kara is dying.

So I reached out to J.M. DeMatteis on Twitter.

He says she is in for the long haul. So at least I have that. Maybe it is 'Superman' who dies.

ACTION COMICS #46

Written by GREG PAK and AARON KUDER
Art and cover by AARON KUDER
 

Once upon a time, the idea that Clark Kent could be corrupted would have been unthinkable, but now one villain is about to take advantage of his troubles! As more and more people turn on the Man of Steel, how long before Superman turns to the dark side? What evil force is orchestrating all this?

 

All along DC said that The Truth was going to be the new landscape, the new baseline. But frankly, I am getting a bit fatigued of this depowered Superman being dragged further and further into the dark. Even this cover with Superman cloaked in darkness, with the solicit talking about him turning to the dark, is exhausting. 

 

I trust Pak and Kuder ... so I'll try to remain hopeful. I am going to go out on a limb and say the villain is The Prankster, setting things up so Superman looks bad.

SUPERMAN #46

Written by GENE LUEN YANG
Art by HOWARD PORTER
Cover by JOHN ROMITA JR. and KLAUS JANSON

Robbed of his identity, his loved ones and his home, a broken Superman is forced to join a super-fight club. The stakes? His life!

The last solicit was exhaustive. This one is ludicrous. This is the solicit where I shake my head and laugh in derisive manner. This is my 'what is DC Comics thinking??' moment in the solicits.

Superman. In a fight club? And the stakes .... his life!!! Talk about over dramatic.

At least I'll get to see Howard Porter draw Superman.

But this is silly.

SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN #23

Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by DOUG MAHNKE and JAIME MENDOZA
Cover by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO

Clark Kent must go to extreme measures to try to restore his power, while Diana, Lois and Lana team up to learn exactly who is behind a new threat to Superman!

So we have exhausted and ludicrous covered in the prior 2 solicits.

Here is the solicit that has me intrigued.

Diana, Lois, and Lana teaming up? I love all these characters even if they have been placed in odd stories this last year. But I am interested in seeing how they interact.

But why drive a car if you have an invisible jet (does she still have an invisible jet?). Although there is a 'Thelma and Louise' vibe here. Beautiful cover by Emanuela Lupacchino.

BATMAN/SUPERMAN #26

Written by GREG PAK
Art by ALEX SHIBAO
Cover by CARY NORD

Batgirl enters the scene as the half-powered Superman goes to war against Vandal Savage!

Nothing like a one line solicit. Beautiful cover by Cary Nord.

Vandal Savage is a good villain for this Superman. And I like Batgirl here not the armored Batman.

Can I again ask that DC make a Worlds' Finest book where it is an anthology book with short stories starring one member of the super-family and one member of the bat-family?

SUPERMAN: LOIS AND CLARK #2

Written by DAN JURGENS
Art and cover by LEE WEEKS

While we learn what exactly this strange new Superman has been up to during his time on this Earth, Lois is targeted by a deadly organization that calls itself…Intergang! Plus: Jon, the son of Lois and Clark, is starting to wonder about his parents’ true origins.

While I love the idea of this comic, I can't believe that this Superman and Lois are seemingly placed on the main DCU Earth and not a parallel universe. Why would this noble Superman sit around when the 'real' Superman is depowered and such a disaster.

Again, I trust Jurgens. And I love Weeks art. And Intergang is going to feel warm and fuzzy. I am hopeful this book is a success.

DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS #4

Written by MARGUERITE BENNETT
Art by BILQUIS EVELY, MIRKO ANDOLFO and MARGUERITE SAUVAGE
Cover by ANT LUCIA
 

In a London hospital, a strange patient has a message for Dr. Harleen Quinzel…one that leads the doctor to hijack a plane out of the city! And, Supergirl and Stargirl lead a bombing raid, only to discover a terrible secret that leaves them questioning their loyalties. Plus, Batwoman arrives in Italy where she encounters Contessa Selina Digatti—a.k.a. the Catwoman!

 

Here is the other book featuring Supergirl. 

 

I bet that the 'terrible secret' is that Supergirl and Stargirl are actually American and have been raised in Russia. The first issue of this book was terrific fun. So count me in.

DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS #5

Written by MARGUERITE BENNETT
Art by BILQUIS EVELY, LAURA BRAGA and MIRKA ANDOLFO
Cover by ANT LUCIA
 

While Wonder Woman leads an American infantry division in an attack on an Axis battalion, Harley makes a none-too-graceful landing in France, where she encounters a woman with a strange affinity for plants. Plus, Supergirl and Stargirl fly home to protect their parents, only to be attacked by a fearsome forest spirit known as the Swamp Thing.

 

Swamp Thing in the Bombshell universe? Hmmm ...

 

But we are going to meet Poison Ivy! And hurray, Supergirl is mentioned in the solicit again!

DC COMICS PRESENTS: SUPERMAN – LOIS AND CLARK 100-PAGE SUPER SPECTACULAR #1

Written by DAN JURGENS, KARL KESEL, DAVID MICHELINIE, LOUISE SIMONSON, ROGER STERN and others
Art by DAN JURGENS, JERRY ORDWAY, RON FRENZ, TOM GRUMMETT, JON BOGDANOVE, STUART IMMONEN and others

It’s the 1990s epic in which Clark Kent and Lois Lane tied the knot, featuring stories and art by some of greatest Superman storytellers of all time! Guest-starring Batman, Mr. Mxyzptlk and more!

I won't be getting this book because I probably own the issues. But I am glad we are getting some classic Superman/Lois stuff reprinted.

I won't be reviewing the Superman appearance in Doomed in November. I won't be buying the Superman vs. Batman trade.

I want good comics. This month looks like a mixed bag.