August 2017 Solicits

The full August solicits for DC Comics were released last week and it looks like the summer season is going to go out with a bang, especially for Supergirl fans! I am pretty thrilled with the comics and can't wait to talk about them so I am going to jump right in.

For viewing all the solicits, here is a link to Newsarama:
http://www.newsarama.com/34577-dc-comics-august-2017-solicitations.html

SUPERGIRL #12
Written by STEVE ORLANDO
Art and cover by ROBSON ROCHA and DANIEL HENRIQUES
Variant cover by STANLEY “ARTGERM” LAU
“EMERALD ERADICATION” part one! Emerald Empress’ attack on Supergirl begins as her new Fatal Five assembles. Empress’ plan to destroy Supergirl’s present to preserve her future goes into full swing as Supergirl tries to hold her own—but soon even her abilities are out of her control.

I spoke a bit about this before in terms of Robson Rocha coming on board as series artist. But there is a lot to love here. I like the idea of the Emerald Empress being a sort of Supergirl- specific Legion foe. Given the timey-wimey nature of these stories, my assumption is somewhere in Kara's future but Emerald Empress' past, these two have tangled.

I am wary of 'powers out of control' stories in general. But only one year into a new take on Supergirl might be too early, but we'll see.

But the cover ... wow! It took me some time to see that Kara has been shot through the left shoulder and is sliding down the wall. And who is that shadow? The art is beautiful and if this is what Rocha is going to bring,  I am going to be very happy!

On to the rest of the month!

SUPERGIRL ANNUAL #1
Written by STEVE ORLANDO
Art by STEVE PUGH
Cover by ROBSON ROCHA and DANIEL HENRIQUES
“EMERALD ERADICATION” part two! With her powers out of control, Emerald Empress takes the upper hand over Supergirl! These deadly tactical strikes will rattle the Girl of Steel to the core!

A Supergirl Annual! When was the last one? Supergirl Annual #2 by Sterling Gates?

What I like is how the Emerald Empress is putting together an ersatz 21st century Fatal Five. Solomon Grundy is the Validus analogue. Magog is the Persudaer analogue. Indigo is the Tharok. And I don't know who the woman in the forefront is but she must be the Mano.

Again, Robson shines on this cover. But Steve Pugh on internal art is a bold choice. can't wait to see it.

ACTION COMICS #985
Written by ROB WILLIAMS • Art and cover by GUILLEM MARCH • Variant cover by MIKEL JANIN
“EVE OF DESTRUCTION” part one! Superman finds himself side by side with Lex Luthor once more, but is his former foe truly committed to being a hero, or is it just a ruse to gain the Man of Steel’s trust? As world events point to something dark on the horizon, the mysterious Mr. Oz makes his final move against the Man of Tomorrow.

ACTION COMICS #986
Written by ROB WILLIAMS • Art and cover by GUILLEM MARCH • Variant cover by MIKEL JANIN
“EVE OF DESTRUCTION” part two! The inhumanities of Earth put even Superman’s trust to the test as he and Lex Luthor begin to see a pattern emerging that points to Mr. Oz and his agents. When Lex confronts Mr. Oz alone, one walks away changed forever.

Rob Williams has come on as writer. I didn't hear that Jurgens was leaving. Could this be a breather for Jurgens to get a head start on whatever the mega-story is? I love Williams work so I can't wait to read his take on Superman. And Guillem March on art? That is an interesting choice as I usually think of March as a cheesecake sort of artist put on a female-led book.

And we are inching close to learning who Mr. Oz is. Makes me happy.

SUPERMAN #28
Written by PETER J. TOMASI, PATRICK GLEASON and KEITH CHAMPAGNE • Art by DOUG MAHNKE and JAIME MENDOZA
Cover by DOUG MAHNKE • Variant cover by JORGE JIMENEZ
“FEAR ITSELF” part one! The writing team of Tomasi and Gleason are joined by co-writer Keith Champagne in a story that returns to their Green Lantern roots and asks the question “What scares Superman?”

SUPERMAN #29
Written by PETER J. TOMASI, PATRICK GLEASON and KEITH CHAMPAGNE • Art by DOUG MAHNKE and JAIME MENDOZA
Cover by RYAN SOOK • Variant cover by JORGE JIMENEZ
“FEAR ITSELF” part two! This looks like a job for...Sinestro?! Thrust into the anti-matter universe of Qward, Superman’s only hope is the former greatest of the Green Lanterns!

Keith Champagne joins Tomasi and Gleason on writing chores which makes me wonder if the super-books are getting a creative shake up in general.

But Superman as a Yellow Lantern? I suppose I need to give this a shot given my initial concerns for Red Daughter. But why would a ring choose him as someone who brings fear ...except to the criminals.

SUPER SONS #7
Written by PETER J. TOMASI • Art and cover by JORGE JIMENEZ • Variant cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
“PLANET OF THE CAPES” part two! Monster maker Kraklow puts Superboy to the test during his first team-up with Damian Wayne’s Teen Titans. As wave after wave of Kraklow’s wicked creations try to overwhelm the Teen Titans, can Superboy turn the tide in this onslaught of enemies?

I love Jimenez' take on the Titans on the cover. Love this1

I have to see just how Tomasi pulls off Jon continuing to hang around with Damian. Why would they continue to be friends?

SUPERWOMAN #13
Written by K. PERKINS • Art by STEPHEN SEGOVIA and ART THIBERT • Cover by KEN LASHLEY • Variant cover by RENATO GUEDES
“RETURN TO SMALLVILLE!” Searching for an explanation of the source of her powers, Lana traces her steps back to high school with a teenage Clark Kent in Smallville. With Lana’s role as Superwoman hanging in the balance, Lex Luthor makes an unexpected appearance.

So the mystery of Lana's powers are going to be explored more which makes sense. Superman never 'died' and imparted his energy to Lana in the new history. So how did she get her powers?

I hope people continue to give this book a shot as there is a lot of potential here. And I love the creators attached to the book.

NEW SUPER-MAN #14
Written by GENE LUEN YANG • Art by BILLY TAN • Cover by PHILIP TAN • Variant cover by BERNARD CHANG
“THE ZERO ULTIMATUM” part four! The Justice League of China retains one final chance to rally its forces and begin a counterattack in villain-occupied Shanghai as Emperor Super-Man conquers the city. As Kenan fights to save his city and its people, a final casualty shakes the young hero to his solid-steel core.

Hmm ...
A cast death might be a way to try to get headlines and a boost in sales.
But who??
Money on Batman ... his sister could take up the mantle.
Or I Ching ....

Hope this book hangs on. I love it!

DC SUPER HERO GIRLS: PAST TIMES AT SUPER HERO HIGH
Written by SHEA FONTANA • Art by AGNES GARBOWSKA, YANCEY LABAT and MARCELO DiCHIARA • Cover by YANCEY LABAT
The students of Super Hero High go on a one-of-a-kind field trip that will allow them to learn about the past, up close and personal! In fact, they will be in the past! After a time-machine mishap, Harley Quinn, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Batgirl and company find themselves in the Jurassic period! But more importantly, how will their time in the past affect their future? Find out in the latest title in the hit all-ages graphic novel series!

I haven't been getting this digitally. But I'll pick this up. The first two OGNs haven't disappointed.

DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS #32
Written by MARGUERITE BENNETT
Art by MIRKA ANDOLFO, LAURA BRAGA and ANEKE • Cover by MIRKA ANDOLFO
Supergirl fights Faora, and Hugo Strange unleashes his failed lab experiments on Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy’s circus. Meanwhile, Killer Frost directs her mythical army into the city, and the supernatural Nazi invasion begins!

DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS #33
Written by MARGUERITE BENNETT
Art by SANDY JARRELL, LAURA BRAGA and MIRKA ANDOLFO • Cover by ANT LUCIA
In this final issue, will Power Girl join Faora in creating a new Krypton? When given the chance to avenge her family on Hugo Strange, will Lois Lane take the shot? Then, find out which side Lex Luthor has truly been on, and what this means for the future of the Bombshells!
Watch for the return of the Bombshells in an all-new series coming soon!

The end of Bombshells!

I will admit that the art by Mirka Andolfo and others have been the big thing keeping me here. The Supergirl story has been fine. But the rest has unraveled. So will I pick up the next volume?? I don't know.

Lots of cool stuff this month. Can't wait for the Supergirl Annual!