The June solicits for DC Comics came out last week and are available for perusal in the usual places. Here is a link to Newsarama and their coverage: https://www.newsarama.com/44329-dc-comics-june-2019-solicitations.html
It is a wild month filled with hope for the ending of a story, the excitement of the beginning of a story, a story I didn't know about that I will be getting, and a big name story I knew about that I won't be getting. Did you follow all that?
Hopefully this is something of a turning point for the super-books, storming into the summer on a roll.
SUPERGIRL #31
written by MARC ANDREYKO
art by KEVIN MAGUIRE and SEAN PARSONS
cover by YANICK PAQUETTE
variant cover by AMANDA CONNER
The House of El is united in this SUPERMAN/SUPERGIRL crossover! The Superman Family must unite to banish Rogol Zaar once and for all! But little do Supergirl, Superman, Superboy and Jor-El know, Rogol Zaar has brought some friends of his own…from the Phantom Zone! Supergirl not only has to make sure that Rogol Zaar doesn’t unite with his ax at all costs, but also has to deal with how the 10-year-old Superboy is now her age! This is the start of an intergalactic war you don’t want to miss!
ON SALE 06.12.19
For some time I have been calling for the end of the Supergirl in space storyline. It just hasn't felt like a Supergirl story. The characterization of Kara has seemed off. And I just enjoy her more on Earth, with a supporting cast, learning to be a hero on her adopted world.
So when I saw this solicit, trumpeting a Superman crossover and some resolution to the Rogol Zaar storyline, I smiled. One, I like when the super-family acts like a family. Second, maybe this means Supergirl is back on Earth and will stay on Earth.
Nice Conner cover.
On to the rest of the books.
SUPERMAN #12
written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
art and cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
variant cover by ADAM HUGHES
The House of El is united in this SUPERMAN/SUPERGIRL crossover! It’s the House of El against everyone as Superman, Jor-El, Supergirl and Superboy face intergalactic attacks from Rogol Zaar, General Zod and an armada of alien warriors and assassins. With the truth behind Krypton’s destruction set to be revealed, a galactic conspiracy threatens to silence Supergirl and Jor-El if Superman can’t live up to his name.
ON SALE 06.12.19
The truth behind Krypton's destruction is revealed. Zaar arrives with an army to fight the House of El. And, of course, there is some conspiracy.
I assume some damning truth will be revealed. Supergirl and Jor-El will want to reveal it and Superman will consider squelching the info. Let's see.
It will mark the one year mark since Bendis took over so I'm glad the Zaar story is wrapping up.
ACTION COMICS #1012
written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
art by SZYMON KUDRANSKI
cover by JAMAL CAMPBELL
variant cover by BEN OLIVER
Artist Szymon Kudranski joins superstar writer Brian Michael Bendis as the attacks of Leviathan threaten targets across the globe, and the agents of the invisible mafia continue to infect Metropolis in this tie-in to EVENT LEVIATHAN!
ON SALE 06.26.19
The Leviathan event starts in June. I am happy to hear that it isn't consuming the books entirely. So reading that the Invisible Mafia is still a threat made me happy. I love the cover, the specter of the Red Cloud encircling Superman.
I don't know Kudranski at all. Given the prior artists, I have to assume he is a solid choice.
ADVENTURES OF THE SUPER SONS #11
written by PETER J. TOMASI
art by CARLO BARBERI and MATT SANTORELLI
cover by DAN MORA
Superboy and Robin have been chased through the galaxy by Rex Luthor and his band of murdering minors…and at last the final battle has begun! Using the Dimensional Cube and a brand-new, shiny army of prison planet escapees, Rex has opened the portal to Earth to start his invasion! But Jon and Damian have an army of their own, and when you’re backed by a cybernetic cowboy, an intergalactic ride-share program and several hundred “planeteers,” how could you not put up an epic fight?!
ON SALE 06.05.19
Looks like Rex Luthor and his gang are going to be the bad guys in the book right up to the finale.
Again, Tomasi has done a great job of linking Silver/Bronze age goodness. So love hearing the Planeteers are part of this. DC's classic sci-fi is due for a reimagination and reinvigoration.
EVENT LEVIATHAN #1
written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
art and cover by ALEX MALEEV
variant cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
The groundbreaking and always-inventive team of writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Alex Maleev (Jinxworld’s SCARLET, Marvel’s Daredevil) reunite on a mystery thriller that stretches across the DC Universe and touches every character from Batman to Superman to the Question to Talia al Ghul. With startling ease, a newly dangerous and aggressive Leviathan wipes out all its competition and now turns its sights to molding the world into its vision of order. Can the new threat’s growth be stopped...and who’s guiding its new agents of chaos?
ON SALE 06.12.19
And then the big introduction of Leviathan happens in June. This seems to be a DCU crossover which seems to revolve around Superman. I am a big fan of Alex Maleev and he and Bendis have been magic in the past.
I am still thinking that Leviathan is the Earth-0 version of some Watchmen character, either Osterman or Veidt. But now, looking at the costume, could it be Dan Dreiberg?
I'm in.
SUPERMAN OF SMALLVILLE TP
written by ART BALTAZAR and FRANCO
art and cover by ART BALTAZAR
Can Superman keep Smallville from going to the dogs?
Acts of awesomeness are happening around town. People are being rescued, runaway tractors stopped, and fires extinguished. This is all in a day’s work for the hero known only as “Superman.” But who is he, really?
Thirteen-year-old Clark Kent knows. He has a super secret—one his parents are constantly worried will get out. Clark promises to be extra careful, but when random objects begin to take flight and disappear, his parents threaten to ground him. Except he’s innocent! If Superman isn’t responsible…who is? Join Clark in this hilarious adventure as he sniffs out the real culprit.
From New York Times bestselling and Eisner Award-winning creators Art Baltazar and Franco comes a fun, whimsical story featuring young Lana Lang, Lex Luthor, and of course, Clark Kent.
ON SALE 08.28.19
I always love Franco/Baltazar takes on the Superman family. So I will most likely buy this story of a tween Superman. Fun and whimsical? Young Lana? Hilarious? Sounds perfect.
And who is the culprit? Gotta be Krypto!
There is some irony that this is being solicited here. Why?
SUPERMAN YEAR ONE #1
written by FRANK MILLER
art by JOHN ROMITA JR. and DANNY MIKI
cover by JOHN ROMITA JR. and DANNY MIKI
cover by FRANK MILLER
From the burning world of Krypton to the bucolic fields of Kansas, the first chapter of SUPERMAN YEAR ONE tracks Clark Kent’s youth in Kansas, as he comes to terms with his strange powers and struggles to find his place in our world. DC BLACK LABEL is proud to present the definitive origin of Superman as rendered by the legendary comics creators Frank Miller and John Romita Jr.!
PRESTIGE FORMAT
ON SALE 06.19.19
$7.99 US | 1 of 3 | 64 PAGES
Because the month the fun, whimsical early Superman story is being solicited, this 'mature reader' Superman Year One story, by Frank Miller and John Romita Jr. is also solicited. I'm not a fan of Romita's art. I am not a fan of recent Frank Miller work.
Please don't come here looking for reviews. I won't be getting this one.
So the end (maybe) of the Rogol Zaar arc and the beginning of Leviathan. I think June is looking pretty good.
9 comments:
"Supergirl not only has to make sure that Rogol Zaar doesn’t unite with his ax at all costs, but also has to deal with how the 10-year-old Superboy is now her age!"
Kara: "Oh, no, not AGAIN!"
Poor girl must be wondering what is with her male cousins aging every time she isn't around...
A Super-Family crossover sounds nice. It has been a while since we got one (and even a longer time since we got a good one). And maybe this will be the end of the Supergirl In Space arc and the Rogol Zaar arc, and the beginning of something new and hopefully better.
"It will mark the one year mark since Bendis took over so I'm glad the Zaar story is wrapping up."
Taking one year to wrap up a story. Definitely, it's a Bendis arc.
I'm not sure how I feel about the Leviathan event. I'm tired of the endless string of events leading into another events.
It doesn't help Snyder has confirmed another Crisis is coming.
Sigh. As long as my favorite characters aren't assassinated in one way or another...
A Superboy book by Baltazar Franco sounds delightful. The Pre-Crisis Superboy book was delightful, escapist fantasy which of course had not place in the Post-Crisis, more "grounded" and more "realistic" universe built by Silver Age haters. I look forward to it.
I'm wondering, though, why he is called the "Superman of Smallville". DC doesn't want to overuse the Superboy name or what?
"Please don't come here looking for reviews. I won't be getting this one."
I, for one, look forward to the inevitable scene where Superman tells Supergirl he is "the g*****n Superman".
And what is happening in that cover, exactly?
What is with his left arm's mucles?
Miller and Romita are two creatives who should never be allowed to touch Superman. They simply don't get him, and their craft has gotten worse over the years.
I'm note interested, either.
First anonymous again. I'm sorry, but I forget telling...
That Amanda Conner Supergirl cover is a homage to "Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes" #31 or am I imagining things?
Surely that ending of the Rogol Zaar story merits a 'heroic sacrifice' by Jor-El? And Jon returning to his proper age.
Szymon Kudrański has done Batman and punisher stuff, and is from Tarnów, so expect Polished work.
I hope Leviathan sends Talia to the end of the universe, never liked her or her boring pop.
Superman of Smallville sounds a great antidote to the DC Ink 'no respect for old stories' books. Wonder why it's 'man' and not 'boy' though... please don't let this be Art and Franco's take on 'Don't Call me Superboy'!
Another Superman origin? BY Frank Miller and John Romita Jr? Count me out!
I like that homage cover suggestion, I remember when that LSH issue came out, wondering if it was a homage to Justice League of America #170, one of my favourites of all time
https://www.comics.org/issue/33660/cover/4/
I am mortally afraid that this meshugginah arc will wrap up just in time for Supergirl's book to be canceled and her fanbase ONCE AGAIN compelled to wander in the wilderness. At least until some other hot sh*t pitches a credulous DC on a "New and Improved Bad@ss Supergirl..."
Prove me wrong...
JF
The solicitation of the Superman books does bring to light the fact that bendis always planned to have the cause of kryton's ending be revealed in the Superman book. So what was Supergirl doing all along then? What was this shitty merry go round around the universe for if that mystery won't be revealed in her book after all? Bollocks
Not going to lie, even I feel a cancellation is coming or a relaunch. But a cancellation is more likely. If that happens just because of bendis and his brand new ideas which derailed a well selling Supergirl book by Orlando then upset won't even cover it.
Supergirl #31 says it "is the start of an intergalactic war" so maybe she doesn't stay on earth?
Leviathan spans Batman titles too - which I don't read. (And I guess this related to Year of the Villain? Maybe all this will become clear soon.)
If I understood what I read correctly, Snyder said he put off his own planned crisis for a year to make room for Year of the Villain. So - JL spins its wheels for a year to make room? What kind of planning is that?
The next crisis apparently will span at least the Justice League books, and I don't read the main one and am just barely hanging on with Odyssey (which has never been truly good). I'm reading Dark, but it's generally been off in its own little occult/horror corner.
So, between Leviathan/Batman and Crisis/Justice League, will it be possible to follow any DC books in the next few years without buying all of them? Do I have to become a Batman fan and then a Justice League fan to understand what's coming?
This week's events in Naomi make me think it could plausibly connect in some way to Young Justice, but whether that is going to tie into anything bigger coming at DC is unknown.
T.N.
"DC Black Label is proud to present the DEFINITIVE ORIGIN OF SUPERMAN..."
It's nice that DC is proud to present the Definitive Origin of Superman. But since I've already read the Definitive Origin by Siegel and Shuster in Action Comics # 1 (reprints only), AND the Definitive Origin in Superman 53 (1948), AND the Definitive Origin in Superman 146 (1961),AND the Definitive Origin by John Byrne in 1986, AND the Definitive Origin by Geoff Johns in 2010, I think I can afford to miss this one.
The Supergirl in space story arc has gone on about 6 or 7 issues too long, so it's good that the end seems to be in sight. But I have to admit, I'm concerned about what's going to happen next.
"Surely that ending of the Rogol Zaar story merits a 'heroic sacrifice' by Jor-El? And Jon returning to his proper age."
Let's hope so. With Conner back, it doesn't make sense for there to be two Superboys around the same age. Plus, I hope that DC sees more story potential in a younger Jon. As for Jor-El, if we somehow get back to the idea that he died when Krypton exploded, I'll be satisfied.
"Not going to lie, even I feel a cancellation is coming or a relaunch. But a cancellation is more likely. If that happens just because of Bendis and his brand new ideas which derailed a well selling Supergirl book by Orlando then upset won't even cover it."
Actually, sales under Orlando weren't really better. The Rebirth special issue sold over 112,000, and Supergirl 1 sold over 90,000. But there was a steady decline after that through issue 11, which sold 21,319. I think the book lost readers with the Zor-El Cyborg story. And Brian Ching's art was not well received by some readers. Sales picked up when Artgerm began doing covers. Andreyko's run has been up and down. His first issue sold over 28,000, but aside from the 2 issues with Artgerm covers, sales have been in the 21,000 range.
Syzmon Kudranski, artist of Action #1012, has art up on his Twitter and Instagram pages. He's posted a terrific dark shadowed Superman, heat vision coming out of his eyes and S symbol dripping like went paint, but explains in Twitter it's not a cover, but is just a personal piece.
https://twitter.com/SzymonKudranski
https://www.instagram.com/szymonkudranskiart/
He's done a smattering of work for DC in the past - some Green Arrow, Detective, JL, Batman and Detective. Some in 2011, 2015, 2016. The longest run he's done might be Black Eyed Kids for Aftershock Comics? (I'm just going by what I can glean from comicbookroundup.com after clicking his name.)
He's drawn all 9 issues of the current run of Punisher at Marvel. I don't think the sample pages shown in the previews of those issues exhibit the same quality of work we've seen in Superman and Action of late, but would be curious about what others think. You never know - DC and Marvel art, even by the same artist, is often different, and my impression is their DC work will usually be better. Maybe they have more time, or put in more care thanks to a rumored higher page rate.
T.N.
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