The March solicits for DC Comics finally came out last week, answering some of the questions of what lies ahead. Here is the link: https://www.gamesradar.com/dc-march-2021-solicitations-and-covers-revealed/
There are lots of articles out there around this new Infinite Frontier DCU, how it is a refresh not a reboot. How creators are looking at Rebirth and trying to build off of that.
How can I believe that is true when all this Dark Metal stuff is about as far from the promise of optimism of Rebirth as you can get.
But here we are. I can only hope that something bright comes out of this. That said, no Legion and no Supergirl in these solicits. That's worrisome.
Infinite Frontier #0
written by SCOTT SNYDER, GEOFF JOHNS, JAMES TYNION IV, JOSHUA WILLIAMSON, GEOFFREY THORNE, PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON, BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS, BECKY CLOONAN, MICHAEL W. CONRAD, JOËLLE JONES, and TIM SHERIDAN
art by JOHN TIMMS, HOWARD PORTER, JOËLLE JONES, JORGE JIMENEZ, ALITHA MARTINZEZ, DAVID MARQUEZ, STEPHEN BYRNE, JAMAL IGLE, DEXTER SOY, RAFA SANDOVAL, ALEX MALEEV, JOHN ROMITA JR., and others
wraparound cover by DAN JURGENS and MIKEL JANÍN
card stock variant cover by JOHN TIMMS
The next phase of the DC Universe begins here! Dark Knights: Death Metal presented the darkest threats of the Multiverse. DC Future State revealed what may lie ahead. Now it's time to look into the Infinite Frontier of the current-day DC Universe.
In Gotham City, The Joker jolts citizens awake with an attack even the Dark Knight never expected. In Brazil, a young woman discovers her destiny and her connection to the Amazons. In Belle Reve, Amanda Waller plots an invasion of Arkham Asylum. In the far reaches of space, Mongul dreams of galactic domination, while the Green Lantern Corps hosts a summit of its greatest enemies. At the Hall of Justice, the League joins forces with Black Adam. Beyond the mortal world, Wonder Woman settles into a new role in the godsphere. And somewhere in the DC Universe—it's the return of Stargirl, in an all-new tale written by Geoff Johns!
This oversized, all-star issue kicks off the next great era of storytelling and excitement as top writers and artists reveal what's next for the World's Greatest Heroes and opens the door to some of the greatest stories of 2021.
This looks like a sneak peek at all the big titles out there. How great to see Jamal Igle's name up there! I'll probably buy this to see what the hubbub is around the DCU.
Superman #29
written by PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON
backup story written by SEAN LEWIS
art by PHIL HESTER and ERIC GAPSTUR
backup story art by SAMI BASRI
cover by PHIL HESTER
wraparound variant cover by JOHN TIMMS
Writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson jumps from DC Future State back to the present for a two-part story that spans Superman and Action Comics this month!
In "The Golden Age," Jonathan Kent steps back to examine his father's legacy. When a monstrous foe from outer space attacks Clark—and nearly kills him!—this young hero must consider the fact that his father died once before, and the Legion of Super-Heroes told him he could die again. Any threat could be the one—including this one!
And in the new backup "Tales of Metropolis" story, writer Sean Lewis (DC Future State: Superman of Metropolis) and artist Sami Basri (Harley Quinn) follow Jimmy Olsen on a quest to meet of some of the city's more colorful denizens, beginning with Bibbo Bibbowski!
Philip Kennedy Johnson is a name I haven't heard before. But he wrote the Future State Superman books and now he is handed the keys to the super-books. His thoughts about Superman sound solid enough. Read about them here: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/dcs-new-superman-writer-unveils-his-epic-plans
I like the idea of bringing Jon back home to reunite father and son. I wonder if this storyline of Clark almost dying was the 5G line. Somehow Superman is hurt so much Jon has to pick up the mantle.
I have never read anything by Johnson before. And he has big shoes to fill. But I will be behind him.
Toss in a Jimmy Olsen backup strip, and this sounds pretty good.
And great cover by John Timms. Love his Supergirl.
Action Comics #1029
written by PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON
backup story written by BECKY CLOONAN and MICHAEL W. CONRAD
art and cover by PHIL HESTER and ERIC GAPSTUR
backup story art by MICHAEL AVON OEMING
variant cover by JULIAN TOTINO TEDESCO
"The Golden Age" reaches its conclusion in this issue that continues directly from Superman #29! Following an almost-deadly attack by an alien foe, the new Superman realizes that any threat could be the one! Neither Superboy nor Superman know what's behind this latest attack. Two words: the Wall.
Plus, in an all-new backup "Tale of Metropolis," writers Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad continue the Midnighter story they started in DC Future State. But is the DC Universe ready for Trojan Solutions?
The 'new' Superman. Maybe Jon indeed takes over for a bit!
So maybe it'll take us a while to see what Johnson does with Clark.
And is The Wall, Amanda Waller?
Superman Red & Blue #1
written by JOHN RIDLEY, WES CRAIG, BRANDON EASTON, DAN WATTERS, and MARGUERITE BENNETT
art by CLAYTON HENRY, WES CRAIG, STEVE LIEBER, DANI, and JILL THOMPSON
cover by GARY FRANK
variant cover by LEE BERMEJO
variant cover by YOSHITAKA AMANO
This new series presents fresh new visions of the Man of Steel in his two signature colors of red and blue! Around the world, everyone knows that when they see a red and blue streak in the sky, it's not a bird...it's not a plane...it's Superman.
To start things off, Academy Award-winning writer of DC Future State: The Next Batman John Ridley joins artist Clayton Henry (Batman/Superman) to tell a story of Clark Kent as he confronts a villain who still haunts him, in a story that shows what Superman can mean to a whole country. Then, Brandon Easton (DC Future State's "Mister Miracle") and Steve Lieber (Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen) take readers to the streets of Metropolis to show how one hero can mean so much to an individual in pain.
Plus, writer/artist Wes Craig (Deadly Class) tells a tale of Superman's early days and the man who inspired him to become the hero he is today! And Marguerite Bennett (DC Future State: Kara Zor-El, Superwoman) and artist Jill Thompson give us a tale of teenage Clark Kent, while Dan Watters and Dani, the team behind Coffin Bound, bring us an outlandish fable about what happens when all colors are stolen!
I am a sucker for anthology books. And I am very glad to see that Superman is getting the Batman treatment with this series. The line up for this issue sounds pretty formidable. And that Gary Frank cover! Amazing.
Batman/Superman #16
written by GENE LUEN YANG
art and cover by IVAN REIS and DANNY MIKI
variant cover by GREG SMALLWOOD
In the aftermath of Dark Nights: Death Metal, catch a glimpse of brave new worlds within the DC Universe...but what are these strange planets? As we delve into the parallel lives of the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight, we'll meet new villains, new heroes, alternate realities, and a transdimensional collision that you will need to see to believe! It's the dastardly debut of a cadre of new villains, including the Spider Lady and her poisonous webs, Dr. Atom, who sports a Kryptonite pendant, and the maniacal machinations of the Unknown Wizard! You've never seen Batman and Superman like this before—so buckle up and get ready for the start of a new era courtesy of writer Gene Luen Yang and artist Ivan Reis!
I was at first excited to see Gene Luen Yang's name on this book. While I thought his Superman run was flawed, his New Super-Man was great. And I was also glad that Ivan Reis is still on a Superman book.
But when I heard this is basically an Elseworlds book, I kind of tempered by excitement. I want to read adventures of the 'real' World's Finest. We don't get enough in continuity stories of those two working together as friends.
Guess we'll see.
Justice League #59
written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
art and cover by DAVID MARQUEZ
backup story written by RAM V
backup story art by XERMANICO
wraparound variant cover by DAVID MARQUEZ
variant cover by KAEL NGU
Writer Brian Michael Bendis reunites with artist David Marquez (Miles Morales, Iron Man, Batman/Superman) for a new, star-studded Justice League featuring Superman, Batman, the Flash, Hawkgirl, Aquaman, Hippolyta, new DC powerhouse Naomi, and...is that Black Adam?! Superman is leading the charge to reinvent the Justice League—and at the same time, a new, cosmic-powered threat arrives from Naomi's homeworld to rule the Earth!
And in the backup story, dark days lie ahead for the new Justice League Dark. Zatanna and John Constantine take a road trip, only to discover horror around the bend as a friend—and sometime foe—is reborn in fire! A legend is destroyed, and another takes a terrible turn, as Merlin reveals the beginning of a new, blood-drenched plot for all humankind. So begins writer Ram V's new journey into the abyss with the Justice League Dark and artist Xermanico!
I wondered where Brian Michael Bendis was going to end up. Why not the Justice League given his successful runs on Avengers and X-Men.
But Black Adam? I really have no interest in that character.
And Hippolyta?
Remember 5G was supposed to put a new generation into the spotlight. Given the buzz over the new Wonder Women, I guess Diana isn't around.
Superman’s Greatest Team-Ups HC
written by MIKE W. BARR, CARY BATES, E. NELSON BRIDWELL, GARY COHN, GERRY CONWAY, STEVE ENGLEHART, STEVE GERBER, DAN MISHKIN, DENNIS O'NEIL, MARTIN PASKO, and LEN WEIN
art by MURPHY ANDERSON, RICH BUCKLER, DICK DILLIN, DON HECK, JIM STARLIN, JOE STATON, CURT SWAN, ALEX SAVIUK, RICK VEITCH, and others
cover by GIL KANE
The greatest Superman team-up tales from the pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths era of the late 1970s and 1980s are collected in hardcover for the first time! In these stories from the pages of DC Comics Presents, the Man of Tomorrow faces evil with the help of heroes including Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Mister Miracle, Batgirl, Black Canary, the Flash, and even Santa Claus and…Clark Kent? Collects DC Comics Presents #5, #9-10, #12, #14, #19, #28, #30, #35, #38-39, #45, #50, #58, #63, #67, #71, and #97.
As a fan of DC Comics Presents, this hardcover sounds like a winner.
Superman and Action:
ReplyDeletePhillip Kennedy Johnson has been writing The Last God for DC. It just finished, or will be finishing, a 12-issue run. It's some kind of high fantasy or sword and sorcery kind of book.
Phil Hester - just saw his work on the one-shot "Endless Winter: Superman #1", which is part 3 of the Endless Winter event. A nice but cartoony style, and what a change from Reis! Hester apparently has fans who remember fondly his work on Green Arrow.
Maybe Johnson will continue writing both books in April, but Hester can't do 2 per month (unless main stories are cut way down in length). So, I wonder what the creative teams will look like in April.
Sami Bari is great. Fantastic work on Harley Quinn. (To be replaced on that title by the most polarizing artist at DC today, Riley Rossmo. That's another shock.) But after selling fewer than 10K copies per month, is Jimmy Olsen the smart choice for a backup story? Seems odd to me. Odd as in insane. Whether you like Jimmy or not - the marketplace is not demanding more stories about him. It rejected the Fraction/Lieber effort.
Oeming will be interesting, but I don't know anything about Midnighter. Is a fairly obscure character the smart choice for a backup story? This seems - well, again, insane. DC has no better backup choice than Midnighter?
It looks like DC has some kind of scheme like "The Producers" - to somehow make money by utterly failing.
Batman/Superman:
Ivan Reiss sounds perfect for the kind of cosmic tales being suggested here.
Justice League:
I hope Marquez sticks with the book. He drew the first arc of Batman/Superman and it was beautiful, but since then has only drawn covers. (Most of his covers are great.)
Crime Syndicate:
Don't forget about these folks. They are getting a 6-issue mini-series, including the origin of Ultraman, so there's another Superman/Justice League book - sort of!
DC is cutting to 36 monthlies in March, down from nearly 100 a year ago. That's an astonishing drop. They may be adding more titles during the spring. Hoping for Supergirl and Legion. You'd expect something for both, considering they are both getting Future State books. (Maybe there will be a revival of "Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes"!)
T.N.
I don't know about those solicits. They don't sound particularly appealing.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'll take solace in the fact that Supergirl shows up in one cover, so maybe Superman's newest writer will not pretend she does not exist.
By the way, in the Dark Nights: Death Metal The Secret Origin tie-in, Prime Earth Kara makes an appearance, and Earth-One Kara and DC Comics Presents 86 are referenced.
I'm sure you aren't feeling inclined to read a story featuring Superboy-Prime, but he does the best thing he has done since his return in Infinite Crisis: punching the Batman Who Laughs (hopefully out of existence). And maybe he has reached some measure of redemption -or at least closure- in the process.
I'm looking forward to the Gene Luen Yang/Ivan Reis Batman/Superman title. Especially since the villain, Spider Lady is from the Superman radio show and the 1948 Superman serial. Superman: Clan of the Fiery Cross was a terrific tribute to the radio show and its proudest moment. Ican't wait to see him go back to that well.
ReplyDeleteI’m very intrigued to read the Elseworlds-style Batman/Superman book, having always been curious about the serials... I doubt it’s going to be more than a diversion for a few months.
ReplyDeleteTN, the super-back-ups are rotating, it won’t always be Jimmy, there are plans for the likes of Bibbo too. It does seem odd, though, that with the wealth of super-powered characters DC have, they aren’t getting so much exposure in the back-ups that are bumping up the price. I’m all for DC experimenting, but $7.99 anthologies, eg Batman: Urban Myths, sound dead at birth, even though, price-wise, it’s pretty much the equivalent of the old Dollar Comics.
Still with TN, are you sure of that ‘100 monthlies’ figure? I read elsewhere that a year ago it was between 50 and 60, which sounds more realistic.
And yes, Anj, there is a Superboy Prime story you’ll enjoy.
I'm kinda burnt and disappointed that to get any Batgirl or Supergirl I have to hope they show up in one of the handfuls of Superman or Batman books. Looks like Barb may be a regular in Nightwing? Hopefully Supergirl makes more appearances in one of those S books. Seems like DC can't handle a number of strong female led books unless they're YA novels I guess. A real shame... or not seeing how they've treated Kara the last few years. Maybe one day they'll get it right again.
ReplyDelete