The DC solicits for February were released a while back but it has taken me a bit to finally get to cover them. The solicits here sound like February will be an excellent month for comics. And luckily, given the usual lack of funds in the post-holiday time, there weren't too many surprises.
Here is a link for all the solicits over on Newsarama:
http://www.newsarama.com/
As for the super-titles, I am excited for any number of reasons. Let's jump right in.
SUPERGIRL #6
Written by STEVE ORLANDO • Art and cover by BRIAN CHING • Variant cover by BENGAL
“REIGN OF THE CYBORG SUPERMEN” finale! Argo City is on a collision course with Earth and the Girl of Steel is the only hero that can stop it! Cyborg Superman and Kara Zor-El clash in a cataclysmic final battle that leaves only one standing!
The first arc of the Orlando/Ching Rebirth look at Supergirl comes to an end. We have seen the idea of Argo City being crashed into Earth before way back when so it'll be interesting how that plays out in this more modern time. But for me, I will be glad to see the Cyborg Superman arc put behind us. I look forward to Kara declaring Earth her own home and dealing with her father.
I love the cover. Kara looks like she has been through a fight, looking determined and holding what seems to be an injured arm. Nice look.
Written by STEVE ORLANDO • Art and cover by BRIAN CHING • Variant cover by BENGAL
“REIGN OF THE CYBORG SUPERMEN” finale! Argo City is on a collision course with Earth and the Girl of Steel is the only hero that can stop it! Cyborg Superman and Kara Zor-El clash in a cataclysmic final battle that leaves only one standing!
The first arc of the Orlando/Ching Rebirth look at Supergirl comes to an end. We have seen the idea of Argo City being crashed into Earth before way back when so it'll be interesting how that plays out in this more modern time. But for me, I will be glad to see the Cyborg Superman arc put behind us. I look forward to Kara declaring Earth her own home and dealing with her father.
I love the cover. Kara looks like she has been through a fight, looking determined and holding what seems to be an injured arm. Nice look.
SUPERGIRL: BEING SUPER #2
Written by MARIKO TAMAKI • Art and cover by JOËLLE JONES
Midvale has been torn apart by a devastating earthquake, and the death toll has hit Kara Danvers hard. As she begins to put the pieces of her life back together, Kara’s developing powers kick into high gear, and her memories of a world that shouldn’t exist begin to surface.
I didn't realize that Being Super was bi-monthly but if that gives Joelle Jones time to get the art done, so be it.
I like the idea of a natural disaster somehow spurring Kara into a heroic ideal. As you may have heard, with great power comes great responsibility.
But the line about her having memories is the line that grabbed me. Was Kara a baby when she was rocketed to Earth? A toddler? Was there an Argo City? Hmmm ....
ACTION COMICS #973
Written by DAN JURGENS • Art by PATRICK ZIRCHER, STEPHEN SEGOVIA and ART THIBERT • Cover by CLAY MANN • Variant cover by GARY FRANK
“MILD MANNERED” part one! The road to “Superman: Reborn” starts here! With Superman and Lex Luthor back on Earth, the Man of Steel turns his attention to uncovering the mystery of the human Clark Kent living and working in Metropolis. But there’s something…off about this guy, and Superman better figure out just what that is, before it’s too late!
ACTION COMICS #974
Written by DAN JURGENS • Art by PATRICK ZIRCHER, STEPHEN SEGOVIA and ART THIBERT • Cover by CLAY MANN • Variant cover by GARY FRANK
“MILD MANNERED” part two! The mystery of the human Clark Kent unravels! Lois stalks Clark’s trail, but all signs point to something big on the horizon. Even the relative safety of their upstate farm can’t protect Superman and his family from the threat they never expected: Clark Kent?!
The mystery of Clark Kent has been one of my favorite parts of the Rebirth landscape. So I am thrilled ... giddy ... to finally get to see it come to a boil. And I am glad that this story falls in the issues that Patch Zircher is doing the art on.
What could the big threat on the horizon be? Mr. Oz?
And I love the cover. These images of the super-family reflected in Clark's glasses is chilling.
SUPERMAN #16
Written by PETER J. TOMASI and PATRICK GLEASON • Art by DOUG MAHNKE, JORGE JIMENEZ and others • Cover by RYAN SOOK • Variant cover by ANDREW ROBINSON
“MULTIPLICITY” finale! Superman, New Super-Man and Justice Incarnate make their last stand against their multiverse-spanning foe, and the Man of Steel discovers another clue to the truth of his existence.
SUPERMAN #17
Written by PETER J. TOMASI and PATRICK GLEASON • Art and cover by SEBASTIAN FIUMARA • Variant cover by ANDREW ROBINSON
“DARK HARVEST”! Jon and Cathy go deep into the woods of Hamilton to find a horror that hungers for the new Superboy!
I have to admit that I was a bit concerned about the Superman comic revisiting a Multiversity style story this soon in the Rebirth universe. But seeing Superman cradling a super-rabbit in his arms is too perfect. And it sounds like the mystery of who this Superman is, the truth of his existence. Between this and the Clark mystery over in Action makes me think we are starting to warm up to whatever the summer blockbuster is going to be.
SUPERWOMAN #7
Written by PHIL JIMENEZ • Art by PHIL JIMENEZ • Cover by ANDY KUBERT • Variant cover by RENATO GUEDES
“WHO KILLED SUPERWOMAN?” finale! The battle between Ultra Woman and Superwoman proves too much for either to bear, as Lena Luthor’s dream of surpassing her brother Lex and asserting total domination over Metropolis starts to vanish before her eyes. Only one solution remains: make sure Superwoman dies—for good this time! Don’t skip to this issue’s shocker ending!
Written by PHIL JIMENEZ • Art by PHIL JIMENEZ • Cover by ANDY KUBERT • Variant cover by RENATO GUEDES
“WHO KILLED SUPERWOMAN?” finale! The battle between Ultra Woman and Superwoman proves too much for either to bear, as Lena Luthor’s dream of surpassing her brother Lex and asserting total domination over Metropolis starts to vanish before her eyes. Only one solution remains: make sure Superwoman dies—for good this time! Don’t skip to this issue’s shocker ending!
I have been so thrilled with this book so far.
The Jimenez issues are so dense and even then he needed 7 issues to tell his first arc (as opposed to the classic 'wait for the trade' 6 issues).
We know that Lana is supposed to die and this solicit makes it sound like she will. And a shocker ending? What if when Lana dies, somehow the Lois Superwoman reappears? Now that would be a shocker!
NEW SUPER-MAN #8
Written by GENE LUEN YANG • Art by BILLY TAN • Cover by VIKTOR BOGDANOVIC • Variant cover by BERNARD CHANG
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
“TRAINING DAY” part two! The Academy of the Bat descends into chaos—and the Chinese Joker, Grass Mud Horse, is to blame! As the new
Bat-Man of China defends his cowl against a horde of challengers, Wonder-Woman battles the new villain to a standstill! This sounds like a job for Super-Man…but will Kong Kenan master his abilities and training with I-Ching in time to help his friends?
This book has also been a surprise hit for me. I like how it is becoming a sort of JLA style book with the Wonder Woman and Batman equivalents having large roles. And now this Chinese Joker appears. He is frightening with that goofy horse mask!
And, as a lifelong comic fan, I like the inclusion of I Ching as a mentor, hopefully in a more culturally sensitive form than the one from the 70's.
Written by GENE LUEN YANG • Art by BILLY TAN • Cover by VIKTOR BOGDANOVIC • Variant cover by BERNARD CHANG
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
“TRAINING DAY” part two! The Academy of the Bat descends into chaos—and the Chinese Joker, Grass Mud Horse, is to blame! As the new
Bat-Man of China defends his cowl against a horde of challengers, Wonder-Woman battles the new villain to a standstill! This sounds like a job for Super-Man…but will Kong Kenan master his abilities and training with I-Ching in time to help his friends?
This book has also been a surprise hit for me. I like how it is becoming a sort of JLA style book with the Wonder Woman and Batman equivalents having large roles. And now this Chinese Joker appears. He is frightening with that goofy horse mask!
And, as a lifelong comic fan, I like the inclusion of I Ching as a mentor, hopefully in a more culturally sensitive form than the one from the 70's.
SUPER SONS #1
Written by PETER J. TOMASI • Art and cover by JORGE JIMENEZ • Variant cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
“When I grow up” part one! The sons of Batman and Superman have graduated to their own monthly comic—but if they want to survive, they’re going to have to share it! Writer Peter J. Tomasi (BATMAN & ROBIN, SUPERMAN) teams with rising-star artist Jorge Jimenez (EARTH 2) to bring you the adventures of the World’s Smallest. This debut issue looks at the lives of Robin and Superboy and their destiny to follow in their fathers’ footsteps, while we meet a new villain whose ascension parallels the boys’ own understanding of their powers—except that he believes it’s his right to rule over every being on the planet!
At last we get the Super-Sons book! Huzzah!
Do you think this new villain is a legacy villain like the boys? Maybe Ra's has an unknown son? Maybe one of Vandal Savage's kids from the pre-Rebirth storyline?
Anyways, I am in. I have loved Jon in the Superman books and liked the 2 parter the two sons had in the main book last month.
Written by PETER J. TOMASI • Art and cover by JORGE JIMENEZ • Variant cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
“When I grow up” part one! The sons of Batman and Superman have graduated to their own monthly comic—but if they want to survive, they’re going to have to share it! Writer Peter J. Tomasi (BATMAN & ROBIN, SUPERMAN) teams with rising-star artist Jorge Jimenez (EARTH 2) to bring you the adventures of the World’s Smallest. This debut issue looks at the lives of Robin and Superboy and their destiny to follow in their fathers’ footsteps, while we meet a new villain whose ascension parallels the boys’ own understanding of their powers—except that he believes it’s his right to rule over every being on the planet!
At last we get the Super-Sons book! Huzzah!
Do you think this new villain is a legacy villain like the boys? Maybe Ra's has an unknown son? Maybe one of Vandal Savage's kids from the pre-Rebirth storyline?
Anyways, I am in. I have loved Jon in the Superman books and liked the 2 parter the two sons had in the main book last month.
SUPER POWERS #4
Written by ART BALTAZAR and FRANCO
Art and cover by ART BALTAZAR
An evil menace stirs the sea dwellers of the Pacific Ocean as an angry Black Manta pays a visit to the evil genius Lex Luthor. Whatever underwater evil is being planned, Aquaman and his Super Friends can save the day! Or can they? Lex welcomes the return of his Legion of Doom!
Legion of Doom!
Nuff said!
Written by ART BALTAZAR and FRANCO
Art and cover by ART BALTAZAR
An evil menace stirs the sea dwellers of the Pacific Ocean as an angry Black Manta pays a visit to the evil genius Lex Luthor. Whatever underwater evil is being planned, Aquaman and his Super Friends can save the day! Or can they? Lex welcomes the return of his Legion of Doom!
Legion of Doom!
Nuff said!
SUPERGIRL BY PETER DAVID BOOK TWO TP
Written by PETER DAVID, TOM PEYER and CHUCK DIXON
Art by LEONARD KIRK, GREG LAND and others
Cover by GARY FRANK and CAM SMITH
As Supergirl tries to get used to her dual life, she is confronted by villains like Silver Banshee, Despero, the Extremists and many more. Her biggest challenge: telling the Danvers and Kents about her powers. With everything changing, Supergirl undergoes an angelic transformation. Collects issues #10-20 and SUPERGIRL ANNUAL#2.
Written by PETER DAVID, TOM PEYER and CHUCK DIXON
Art by LEONARD KIRK, GREG LAND and others
Cover by GARY FRANK and CAM SMITH
As Supergirl tries to get used to her dual life, she is confronted by villains like Silver Banshee, Despero, the Extremists and many more. Her biggest challenge: telling the Danvers and Kents about her powers. With everything changing, Supergirl undergoes an angelic transformation. Collects issues #10-20 and SUPERGIRL ANNUAL#2.
And the big surprise! The next trade of Peter David's work.
This is a great collection with a battle against Silver Banshee, this Supergirl meeting Power Girl for the first time, and the first manifestation of Supergirl's flame wings. We start to come closer to learning Matrix' angelic background.
I love this series, specifically the first fifty issues. So I am glad they are finally getting collected.
Not a bad month!
So glad that the "Cyborg Superman" storyline is ending... I'm sick of reading "Zor-El is an evil bastard" stories.
ReplyDeleteI hope after the current story arc is over Orlando decides that Kara is already firmly established, and she starts interacting with the rest of the DC universe. The next Superman Family crossover starts out in March, right? Maybe she will show up there?
By the way, did you notice that Kara showed up in Nightwing #9?: http://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/s480x480/e35/15101657_246566809094796_4651623613642833920_n.jpg?ig_cache_key=MTM4NTgyNzExNzE3MDAyOTczMg%3D%3D.2
I find very interesting Dick counts Supergirl among his friends, even though they haven't interacted in the Post-Flashpoint world to my knowledge. Is Dick remembering subconsciously more bits of the old timeline?
Supergirl Being Super: The "memories" line also got my attention. I hope she wasn't a baby when she arrived on Earth. Kara was always different from her cousin because she was a teenager stranded in another planet.
Whoever or whatever that Clark Kent is, I'm pretty sure he will be gone for the end of the arc, letting Pre-Flashpoint Superman get his secret identity back. Jesus, the things DC has to do to fix that gigantic, unholy mess named "Truth"...
Trhilled by the Super Sons book!