December 2018 Solicits

December's solicits have come out and it will be a brief month with few books. DC is taking the last week of December off for new books. The holidays will keep the racks bare. That week's books will be out in January, a 5 Wednesday month to begin with.

Here is a link to Newsarama's coverage:
https://www.newsarama.com/41866-dc-comics-december-2018-solicitations.html

And here are the books which grabbed me!

SUPERGIRL #25
written by MARC ANDREYKO
art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO, JILL THOMPSON, BRAD WALKER and ANDREW HENNESSY
cover by DOUG MAHNKE and JAIME MENDOZA
variant cover by AMANDA CONNER
It’s a super-sized issue of SUPERGIRL!

Supergirl and Krypto go back to the “scene of the crime”—the ruins of Krypton! With Z’ndr hitchhiking, Supergirl is not only there to find clues on who the killers of Krypton are, but to pay her respects to her dead family and friends for the first time since she left the planet. But a mysterious caretaker whose duty is to protect Krypton’s remnants at all costs attacks and won’t let Kara through! As if that weren’t enough, the Kryptonian powerhouse and her super-powered pooch are stricken with radiation poisoning from the dead planet and must also fight their inner demons!
This anniversary issue also includes two backup stories! First, witness the thoughts and fears of Krypto as he is affected by the radiation poisoning from the wreckage of Krypton. Then, learn more about our new hitchhiker, Z’ndr Khol, as he scavenges a booby-trapped ruin in a remote corner of the galaxy in an off-the- wall space adventure!

A double sized issue only 5 issues into the new run? And is the double size because of the 'anniversary' number of 25?

Either way, Kara heading to the site of Krypton smacks a bit of Silver Age. I am hoping Doug Mahnke's cover showing her cachectic because of Kryptonite poisoning.

Who is Z'ndr (Xander?)? And who is the guardian at the site?

A Krypto a solo story will always be appreciated. And I can't wait to see Brad Walker and Emanuela Lupacchino drawing Supergirl again.

SUPERMAN #6
written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
art and cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
variant cover by ADAM HUGHES

It’s the moment you never thought you’d see—Superman must team with General Zod to defeat Rogol Zaar or risk banishment for all three in the cold prison of the Phantom Zone forever. Whatever you do, do not skip to the last page—the end of this issue changes the lives of Superman and his family forever as the Unity Saga continues!

Ugh ... Zod and Zaar. Two guys I wouldn't mind seeing less off.

And a family member forever changed?? What will Jon look like?

I hope Bendis pulls this off.

ADVENTURES OF THE SUPER SONS #5
written by PETER J. TOMASI
art by CARLO BARBERI and ART THIBERT
cover by DAN MORA
The Super Sons need a break!! After the space adventures of the past few issues, Jon (Superboy) and Damian (Robin) take what they think is a peaceful diversion to what winds up being a miracle-machine planet (as tends to happen in deep space). There, they get a look at their potential future selves, including a surprising preview of parenthood!

This sounds like a fun read. A Miracle Machine planet! A look at the future? It all sounds so Silver Age. I can't wait.

These guys will be missed.

MARTIAN MANHUNTER #1
written by STEVE ORLANDO
art and cover by RILEY ROSSMO
variant cover by JOSHUA MIDDLETON

No matter what you know about J’onn J’onnz, you’re not prepared for this! The acclaimed team of writer Steve Orlando and artist Riley Rossmo (BATMAN/ THE SHADOW, BATMAN: NIGHT OF THE MONSTER MEN) reteam for a reinvention of the Manhunter from Mars in this twisted, unexpected series. Back on Mars, J’onn was about as corrupt as a law officer can be, and when a reckoning comes for his entire society, he’ll get a second chance he doesn’t want or deserve! One shocking murder, and an unexpected fragment of the Mars he lost, will change his life—and the course of the Earth—forever!

This one grabbed me. That 'corrupt cop' idea that is a bit of a downer. But I have liked what Orlando has done elsewhere. So I guess I'll be checking it out. I am hopeful.

SUPERGIRL VOL. 5: THE HUNT FOR REACTRON TP
written by GREG RUCKA and STERLING GATES
art by PERE PEREZ, JAMAL IGLE, MATT CAMP and others
cover by MICHAEL TURNER

Kara Zor-El at last meets with the man who murdered her father: Reactron! In this volume, Supergirl’s vendetta against Flamebird comes to a boil. Plus, Supergirl encounters Nightwing. Collects Action Comics #881-882, Supergirl #44-50, SUPERGIRL ANNUAL #1 and a story from SUPERMAN SECRET FILES 2009 #1. 

And then the continued reprinting of the Gates/Igle volume is happening. This is a good one, bringing in the New Krypton issues and some origin stuff. That Secret Files story is wonderful. And I have reviewed all of those here! So reread them and then see what a younger Anj thought!

Thankfully nothing crushing to buy around the holidays!