DC Comics December 2020 Solicits

The December 2020 solicits for DC Comics came out last week. Here is a link to the Newsarama (or GamesRadar) coverage: https://www.gamesradar.com/dc-december-solicitations-covers/

In the aftermath of a ton of firings at DC and a cut in titles, I was waiting for these to drop to see what DC had in mind. We still get the flagship books. But the bulk of solicits are either Dark Metal or a one month event called Endless Winter. It almost feels like the DCU is on pause a bit as they get their stuff together.

Of course when I read solicits for books like Dark Nights: Death Metal: The Last Stories of the DC Universe #1 which includes the line  'These are the stolen moments detailing the last stories of the DC Universe.' , I wonder if we are simply headed for another universal reboot. While JIm Lee recently said the 5G reboot isn't happening, I'll wait and see.

I am also sort of burying the lede for this month's solicits and this site in particular. Brian Michael Bendis' run on the Superman books ends here. Sure, we might be facing a new universe so why not bring in a new creative team. But I have enjoyed his works on these books and for the last 5 years or so between the Rebirth teams and Bendis, we have had great Superman books. Nothing gold can stay. I am sure I'll write a requiem for his run when it ends.

Here are the solicits.


ACTION COMICS #1028
written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
art and cover by JOHN ROMITA JR. and KLAUS JANSON
card stock variant cover by RAFAEL GRAMPÁ

The powerhouse creative team of Brian Michael Bendis, John Romita Jr., and Klaus Janson wrap up their run on Action Comics with “House of Kent: Epilogue”! With the final fate of Metropolis’s underworld revealed at last, it’s time for each member of the House of Kent to face their unknown futures head on, including Lois, Conner, Jon, Kara, Jimmy, and, of course, Clark Kent! This standalone Superman story connects threads from Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, Superman, Justice League, Legion of Super-Heroes, and other unforgettable series in epic—and unexpected—ways!

An epilogue to the House Of Kent book. We get a one word mention of Kara and at least she is on the cover. 

Will this give these characters directions to follow in upcoming stories? Or is the 'unexpected' connection the reboot?

And I have to admit that ending this series with JRJR art is kind of a drag.

At least Supergirl is on the cover.

SUPERMAN #28
written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
art and cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
card stock variant cover by KAEL NGU

It’s the Man of Steel’s last stand in this final Superman tale by the superstar team of Brian Michael Bendis, Ivan Reis, and Joe Prado! Superman comes face to face with an alien race that he desperately wants to help before it is too late. As the cosmically powered race known as the Synmar aim their deadly power at the Man of Steel’s adopted planet, Superman finds himself pushed past anything he has ever faced! Get ready to experience a powerhouse moment for Superman that’s been years in the making! 

The ending of the Synmar arc seems to be a decent ending point, a sort of bookcase story with the Rogol Zaar epic which started this thing. 

But a powerhouse moment for Superman that is years in the making? What could it be? If he gets killed, I'll be upset. If he evolves into some Final Form, the Dragon Ball Z nature of this run would be complete. 

But once again, if a reboot is around the corner, the ending could be anything.

BATMAN/SUPERMAN #15
written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
art by ANDREI BRESSAN
cover by DAVID MARQUEZ
variant cover by TRAVIS CHAREST

“Solomon Grundy died on a Sunday!” But when this monster man kicks the bucket, all hell breaks loose! When the body of Grundy begins to break down, so begins a toxic time bomb that could wipe out half of North America! It’s up to the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight to get Grundy from S.T.A.R. Labs to Slaughter Swamp before the clock hits zero...but with a horde of super-villains all looking to snag the sizzling super-titan for their own nefarious ends, our heroes had better move quickly!
 

This issue sounds ridiculous. And I love it. I bet I laugh my whole way through.

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #12
written by BRIAN MICHEAL BENDIS
art by RYAN SOOK and WADE VON GRAWBADGER
cover by RYAN SOOK
variant cover by MATT TAYLOR

The battle for New Krypton is on! This powerhouse issue features the Legion confronting the greatest challenge of any era! With New Krypton on the verge of destruction at the hands of one of Jon Kent’s deadliest foes, the young hero may have to make the ultimate sacrifice to save his friends, his family, and his heritage—but it could lead to the start of a monumental new chapter in the future of the DC Universe! Long live the Legion!

We know Rogol Zaar is still alive in the future. We know that somewhere in this run we learned that (I think) Zaar is Kryptonian. So he is going to blow up New Krypton just like he blew up Krypton? But maybe Superboy has to stop him and dies doing so ... becoming the first statue in the  Legion Hall of falle heroes?

And then 'Superboy and the Legion' becomes just 'Legion', echoing history?

I can't imagine Bendis killing Jon. But if a new reboot is about to happen, why not?

SUPERMAN: ENDLESS WINTER SPECIAL #1
written by ANDY LANNING and RON MARZ
art by PHIL HESTER and ANDE PARKS
cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
variant cover by RAFAEL GRASSETTI

“Endless Winter” chapter three! Superman finds himself at the center of an epic battle as the Frost King’s hordes of ice monsters come to life. Is this frozen onslaught too much for the Man of Steel, or can he stop it before it rampages across the chilling wasteland the world is becoming and reaches civilization? The answer to this question comes from an unlikely source close to Clark Kent’s earthly roots!

Don't know what to think of all the Endless Winter stuff. But I like the team of Lanning and Marz. So I will probably pick and choose some of the specials to pick up.

JUSTICE LEAGUE: ENDLESS WINTER #1
written by ANDY LANNING and RON MARZ
art by HOWARD PORTER
backup story art by MARCO SANTUCCI
cover by MIKEL JANÍN
card stock variant cover by DANIEL WARREN JOHNSON

“Endless Winter” chapter one! The crossover event of the season begins here! The Justice League encounters an extinction-level global storm brewing at the former site of the Fortress of Solitude. Enter the Frost King, a monster mad with power with an army at his command! What devastating mystery lies in his past? And how does he tied to Queen Hippolyta, Swamp Thing, Viking Prince, and their reluctant ally, Black Adam? Two timelines will reveal further clues and secrets throughout each chapter of this blockbuster tale!

The 'former' site of the Fortress huh? Maybe something happens in the Bendis finale that causes the Fortress to explode?

I am not a big fan of Black Adam. But Viking Prince? Count me in!

Lanning, Marz, and Porter is decent team to get my attention.

DEATH METAL: THE LAST 52: WAR OF THE MULTIVERSES #1
written by SCOTT SNYDER, JOSHUA WILLIAMSON, MAGDALENE VISAGGIO, JAMES TYNION IV, KYLE HIGGINS, MARGUERITE BENNETT, MATT ROSENBERG, JUSTIN JORDAN, REGINE SAWYER, and CHE GRAYSON
art by DANIEL SAMPERE and others
cover by DAN MORA
variant cover by GARY FRANK

What would it take to get every being left in the Multiverse to side together in the ultimate, final showdown? Total decimation and the complete undoing of all existence? The Batman Who Laughs has made his final move, bringing the most horrifying opposition to the battleground, and now every hero and villain left alive will stand and fight together. This epic battle book details every side of the last war across the Multiverse—Wonder Woman leading the heroes, Superman leading the villains, and Batman leading the dead—everyone has to play their part. Everyone and everything is at stake…so join here for the last of the DCU as we know it!

This is the only cover with the Death Metal trade dress that has Supergirl on it, a wee thing in the top left. Even the variant covers of this book and others which form a giant Gary Frank picture of many DC heroes doesn't have Supergirl on it. 

And boy does this feel like the umpteenth Crisis in the last 35 years. Another complete undoing of all existence. And all built on The Batman Who Laughs.

I can't imagine that this is going to be any good. Or that it will be considered a classic like Crisis on Infinite Earths. And honestly, I have never felt more exhausted with DC Comics.

FLASH FACTS TP
curated by MAYIM BIALIK, PhD
written by SHOLLY FISCH, VARIAN JOHNSON, DARIAN JOHNSON, AMY CHU, DUSTIN HANSEN, AMANDA DEIBERT, VITA AYALA, CECIL CASTELLUCCI, CORINNA BECHKO, MICHAEL NORTHROP, and KIRK SCROGGS
art by ISAAC GOODHART, VIC REGUS, ILE GONZALEZ, DUSTIN HANSEN, ERICH OWEN, ANDIE TONG WITH DAVIS HANSEN, GRETEL LUSKY, YESENIA MOISES, YANCEY LABAT WITH MONICA KUBINA, and KIRK SCROGGS
cover by DEREK CHARM

Have you ever wondered what’s at the bottom of the sea? Why polar ice melts? Or which tools forensic scientists use to solve a crime? Well look no further! Everyone’s favorite Scarlet Speedster is here to answer all your burning questions! Barry Allen, with the help of some of his close friends, will take readers on an exciting journey that examines everything from the vast expanse of our galaxy to the smallest living organism known to man.
Curated by award-winning actress and author Mayim Bialik, PhD, and featuring stories created by an all-star cast of writers and illustrators, this anthology aligns with Next Generation Science Standards and provides a helpful bridge between the lessons taught inside the classroom and our everyday lives.

And just like that, just when I am exhausted, I get reminded about this book which will teach science and has Supergirl so prominently displayed.

I'm in for this.

I wonder what January will show.