The June DC Comics solicits have been released and are available around the net. Here is a link to Newsarama: https://www.gamesradar.com/dc-june-2021-solicitations/
It is an interesting month for sure with an Infinite Frontier mini-series, a Wonder Woman Black and Gold color mini, and other goodies.
Alas, the one glaring thing is no Legion book mentioned anywhere. Has the book been cancelled? Shelved? Awaiting another <gasp> reboot? (Please no!) I wonder why there is no news anywhere. I did see on Instagram Ryan Sook say he was done working on the characters. So it doesn't sound promising.
Of course, I am burying the lede. There is a Supergirl book on the shelves this month.
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #1
written by Tom King
art by Bilquis Evely
cover by Bilquis Evely
card stock variant cover by Gary frank
blank variant cover
Kara Zor-El has seen some epic adventures over the years, but finds her life without meaning or purpose. Here she is, a young woman who saw her planet destroyed and was sent to Earth to protect a baby cousin who ended up not needing her. What was it all for? Wherever she goes, people only see her through the lens of Superman’s fame. Just when Supergirl thinks she’s had enough, everything changes. An alien girl seeks her out for a vicious mission. Her world has been destroyed, and the bad guys responsible are still out there. She wants revenge, and if Supergirl doesn’t help her, she’ll do it herself, whatever the cost. Now a Kryptonian, a dog, and an angry, heartbroken child head out into space on a journey that will shake them to their very core.
I wrote my thoughts on the topic already here.
One thing I will add is that I have read a bit of King's comments here and there and heard him on Word Balloon. He kept referring to his Superman run, one I haven't read. He keeps saying he wants to show how strong and good Supergirl is. And he spoke in depth about Supergirl's origin. It was interesting that he referred to the Silver Age original origin - Argo City, kryptonite ground, lead shielding, meteorites destroying lead shielding. I mean that hasn't been around for a while.
He kept saying that he was drawn to Supergirl because of that tragic background (he kept saying how she had lost her world three times in that origin) and how she is a survivor.
But he never said anything about her hope, optimism, or brightness.
I am still approaching this with some trepidation. But at least he seems to have done some homework.
On to the rest of the books.
Action Comics #1032
written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson,Michael W. Conrad and Becky Cloonan
art by Daniel Sampere and Michael
Avon Oeming
cover by Mikel Jańin
variant cover by Julian Totino Tedesco
“Warworld Rising,” part three! As the Superman family fights to keep the mysterious refugees alive, they find shocking answers about their lost colony. Meanwhile, Atlantis faces destruction by a host of supernaturally powerful sea kaiju, apparently created by the newfound “Warworld fragment”! As other world governments come to understand the devastating power Atlantis now possesses, tensions rise, and the threat of global war looms closer. As this goes on, back in Metropolis, the time-flung version of Midnighter digs deeper into Trojan’s dirty scheme.
So it seems like much of Future State is going to come back to the Superman books. No surprise given Phillip Kennedy Johnson was the writer of those books. So here we see both Warworld and Anton Trojan and his tech in the main series.
I do like that Aquaman is in this. I will like to see how Johnson plays with a broader swath of the DCU.
Action Comics 2021 Annual
written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson
art by Siya Oum
cover by Scott Godlewski
variant cover by Valentine De Landro
The return of Future State’s House of El! It’s time to head back to tomorrow, as Superman’s descendants face a threat from today. This special tale connects to “Warworld Rising” as the actions of Clark Kent in the present reverberate, leaving long-lasting changes...and a deadly threat for the House of El to reckon with. Can Brandon Kent, the Superman of his era, stop the danger from hurting the next generation? Also, for those wanting to know more about Brandon’s relationshop with Theand’r, the Tamaranean queen, prepare yourself for a little romance as well.
And given how interesting the characters in the Future State House of El one-shot were, I am not surprised to seeing them again already.
Glad to see more of Brandon Kent, the sort of Clark in that one-shot. And seeing how he courts a Queen will be good.
Too bad Godlewski didn't do interiors as well. Looking forward to this.
Superman #32
written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Sean Lewis
art by Scott Godlewski and Sami Basri
cover by John Timms
Pride card stock variant cover by David Talaski
card stock variant cover by Inhyuk Lee
The end of “The One Who Fell”! Superman and Superboy were duped by the old divide-and-conquer routine, which is especially dangerous on a faraway planet where you can’t tell who your enemy is. As the Shadowbreed makes their big move, Superman discovers what happened to the friend who originally sent the distress beacon that lured him and his son across the galaxy. Let’s just hope it’s not an answer that came too late! Elsewhere, back home on Earth, Jimmy Olsen leads his misfit team on the hunt for the sinister Projectress.
I like that Jon is back in the present and working with his dad. I hope that this is going to be the healthy relationship we have seen before and not some deconstructrion or division.
But the fact he is here again brings up that he isn't there ... with the Legion.
Superman: Red & Blue #4
written by Mark Waid, Francis Manapul, Joshua Williamson, Michael W. Conrad and Rich Douek
art by Francis Manapul, Chris Sprouse, Cully Hamner, Joe Quinones AND Audrey Mok
cover by John Romita Jr. and Klaus Janson
card stock variant cover by Walter Simonson
card stock variant cover by Alexander Lozano
This month our cover star Bizarro leaves the Red & Blue family by not being in a story all about his very own birthday. Which of course means we definitely have a story in here about Bizarro’s birthday, as well as four more about the Man of Steel himself, including one about a social media star who inspires a very dangerous trend in Metropolis that nearly runs Superman ragged. Also, learn the story of how Jimmy Olsen was able to take what became his very favorite picture of Superman. These fantastic tales feature some of the best writers and artists in the business, only using Superman’s special colors to make them come alive!
The first issue left me a little cold.
But there are good creators listed here - Waid, Manapul, Williamson, Sprouse, etc.
Most intrigued about the Jimmy story!
Batman/Superman #19
written by Gene Luen Yang
art by Emanuela Lupacchino, Steve Lieber, Darick Robertson, and Kyle Hotz
cover by Ivan Reis
variant cover by Greg Capullo
To thwart the apocalypse cascading across multiple realities, Batman and Superman must join forces with their counterparts and sojourn to strange lands! The World of the Knight and the World of Tomorrow are not the only two creations crafted by the sinister Auteur.io — and this nefarious cybernetic despot is hell-bent on at last crafting his own twisted notion of utopia. Join a list of all-star artists as we tour through the ARCHIVE OF WORLDS!
Superman and Batman in a western comic? Count me in!
And the multiple artists on the book makes me think each alternate world the two visit will have a unique look. That is a murderer's row of artists. This is the solicit which grabbed me the most!
Challenge of the Super Sons #3
written by Peter J. Tomasi
art by Jorge Corona and Max Raynor
cover by Simone Di Meo
card stock variant cover by Jamal Campbell
The Super Sons are trapped in the past — locked in deadly combat with noted jerk and “worst person to ever be granted immortality” award recipient Vandal Savage! In this second installment of Superboy and Robin’s adventures in the past (before returning to the present to save the Justice League from certain death), you’ll witness a harrowing escape, a SUPER- ugly monster, and the origin of Rora, Jon and Damian’s spell-wielding ally! All this, plus Robin and Superboy’s continuing adventures in the here and now, as the boys rush to save Hawkgirl from a deadly gas attack!
Max Raynor art? Yes!
Fun adventures? Yes!
Checkmate #1
written by Brian Michael Bendis
art by Alex Maleev
cover by Alex Maleev
card stock variant cover by Matt Taylor
The dark forces of Leviathan have torn through the DC Universe, and now no one can be trusted. No one…not even the person writing to you about this book! That’s why you find out in Justice League #63 that Green Arrow has been secretly funding a group called CHECKMATE because not even the Justice League itself can be trusted. The mysterious MR. KING has helped Green Arrow assemble the greatest team of super—spies the world has ever seen! LOIS LANE, THE QUESTION, ROBIN, STEVE TREVOR, MANHUNTER, BONES, and TALIA Ah GHUL! will have to outsmart the smartest people in the world before they destroy everything! PLUS! A new mystery character is tip toeing though the shadows! They call him…the DAEMON ROSE! And he is hunting Lois Lane right under Superman’s nose! It’s an all–new spine-chilling thriller from the eisner award-winning team of Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev!
I've been ready for this for a while. I do wonder about Talia Al Ghul being in the solicit as people tell me she has ascended somehow. She isn't on the cover any more. Maybe this is some compilation of old and new solicits?
And a new assassin stalking Lois? Nice!
Looking forward to this a ton.
Justice League #62
written by Brian Michael Bendis and Ram V
art by David Marquez and Xermanico
cover by David Marquez
card stock variant cover by Howard Porter
The Justice League! The biggest heroes! The biggest threats! With their powers out of control and trapped on a world they do not understand, the League must band together like never before. Queen Hippolyta is forced to confront her new destiny. All this and a last page so shocking that it will have fans of Naomi screaming!
Meanwhile, in our bonus story, the Justice League Dark are trapped in the Library of Babel, where they are learning the hard way that the pen is mightier than their swords. Elsewhere, Merlin sets his sights on a lost city that hides the key to his violent delights. Could this mean a violent end for all?
It is a simple but powerful cover. The League united.
And I do want to see how Bendis handles Hippolyta.
Haven't been this excited for a JL book in a while.
Justice League #63
written by Brian Michael Bendis and Ram V
art by David Marquez and Xermanico
cover by David Marquez
card stock variant cover by Dan Panosian
The Trial of Naomi commences! After the shocking events of the last few issues of Justice League, the team is forced to confront its larger issues as a group and the responsibilities the League has to the world where they live versus the Multiverse at large. Guest stars galore as Justice League members from the past come to give guidance for the future. Naomi’s fate is revealed. Black Adam joining the Justice League becomes public, and the fallout is surprising. And what cosmic secret is Hawkgirl carrying with her?
Meanwhile, the Justice League Dark must rely on the wit of John Constantine to make their way back to the real world, which is slowly losing its grip with Merlin ready to remake it in his image. Little do they know, a knight from the sorcerer’s past is the key to stopping him once and for all. Will she survive long enough to help our heroes?
The trial of Naomi? Interesting!
Guest stars from the past? Do you think we'll see J'onn? Firestorm? Snapper Carr?
I do like the idea that this is a League to protect the world and the universe.
Anyways, those are the super-books.
Anything else catch your eye?
Color me a militant sceptic on the subject of "Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow", whenever Supergirl goes off world for a prolonged story arc, its a lead pipe cinch the writers either don't really know what to do with her in the everyday DCU continuity...or worse they see her as superfluous in that continuity and are in effect exiling her because her brand profile precludes killing her off.
ReplyDeleteAnd what the hell is up with that sword anyway? She just lugged a mind controlling doomsday scimitar across half the damn universe AND STILL I dunno if Rogol Zaar blew up Krypton or robbed a 7/11 with it!?? Super girl doesn't wield a sword, SHE BREAKS THEM OVER HER INVULNERABLE KNEE, she isn't a killer or a conqueror, she isn't even in the exact sense of the term a warrior, she is a chivalrous spirit dedicated to "hope help and compassion". Maybe yes she suffers from PTSD, but she has a bold and compassionate spirit to compensate for that, she believes in Justice never vengeance...and a sword is a weapon of retribution not Justice.
The whole this sounds very old hat to me.
My only other thought is, maybe DC wants her to becomes "Superwoman" at least and then they can throw together some "New Supergirl" that they can detach from all that burdensome compassion etc...
Watch for it, see I.
JF
I guess annuals are now dated instead of numbered. Action Annual 2021 is one of several annuals arriving in June (and I'm looking forward to seeing more of the House of El in this one).
ReplyDeleteInfinite Frontier Secret Files #1 will include President Superman.
Tom King's Superman run was for the 1st series of Walmart Giants, reprinted in monthly and then hard cover and TPB format as Superman: Up in the Sky. I thought it was quite good, though probably too mature for the target audience. It has a serialized style, where each month told a different tale loosely held together by the overall narrative, but that suited the Giants, where you never knew who would pick up an issue. So each could be picked up independently and you'd still get a satisfying story. His characterization of Superman was good.
The June solicits were a mess - they came out late, and in a disorganized way that made it hard for Gamesradar to put into their normal format. And, they are filled with small formatting mistakes, failing to properly identify prices and paper stock, and failing to identify the artist names under their work when printing thumbnails of multiple variant covers for a single book.
My best guess is that, as is typical for Tom King mini-series these days, all of the Supergirl covers will be card stock - $4.99 for a 32-page book.
The Supergirl solicit doesn't read that way - it makes it seem that only the Gary Frank variant is card stock, but it doesn't show a higher price for it. It's a mess. DC normally uses a slightly different solicit format when all covers are card stock, or displays two different prices if there are different kinds of paper stock.
Some people are talking about whether DC is raising its prices for 32-page books, but so far what I see is more evidence of staff layoffs in late and error-ridden solicits and DC Connect catalog.
In addition to the Gary Frank variant, DC Connect also printed an unlabeled page that is -- a splash panel from the interior? An unmentioned variant cover? A cover of one of the future issues? A normal issue of DC Connect tells you what it is showing. This edition badly needed proofreading.
On this extra page, Supergirl is wearing some torn civilian clothes, costume underneath, holding two swords, one blade pointing at the neck of a man on the ground. Krypto is there and oddly paying absolutely no attention.
It is interesting that DC didn't think anyone would buy the last two $3.99 issues of Supergirl, but now expects everyone to pay $4.99 for this mini-series. Clearly they are banking on the Tom King name to attract a readership. (And, it's probably a good bet.)
Looking forward to Checkmate. Isn't Talia now part of the Justice League team that's up on the new Totality base on the moon? But she's also off with Damian in his new storyline. She gets around.
That's a really lame Marquez cover for Justice League #62! I like #63 much more. I guess he decided to put arms on one cover, faces on the other.
JL isn't the only book that is unexpectedly double-shipping in June. Everything had switched to monthly, but now it looks like a few titles may be switching back to bi-weekly, at least for Jun: JL, Detective, and Wonder Woman.
T.N.
The premise for that Supergirl book makes me cringe, but then I see Tom King's name. I thought his Batman wasn't that great at all, but his Walmart book Superman Up in the Sky is one of the best Superman stories of all time in my mind. It was so well done and it just encapsulates everything that is Superman. I'm trying to keep my hope in check, but I'm actually kind of excited for this one.
ReplyDeleteAlas, the one glaring thing is no Legion book mentioned anywhere. Has the book been cancelled? Shelved? Awaiting another reboot? (Please no!)
ReplyDelete=》PLEASE YES!
Supergirl needs a sword like a moose needs a hat rack. If they insist on giving Kara a weapon, I favor a guitar like El Kabong. At least she could play it when she wasn't ka-bonging her enemies over the head with it.
ReplyDeleteIf not a guitar, maybe Kara could just borrow Maxwell's silver hammer.
Speaking of silver, I'm happy that Tom King is familiar with Supergirl's Silver Age origin. I wouldn't mind if, somehow, someway, DC went back to that origin. I hate that bit about her life having no meaning or purpose. I'm hoping it's just hype.
Something occurred to me while I was writing this. What if, at the end of this 8 issue series Kara changes her name to Superwoman, and this new character becomes the "New" Supergirl?
This solicit included two trade paperbacks featuring the animated version of Supergirl: "Supergirl Adventures Girl of Steel" and "Justice League Unlimited Girl Power" featuring reprints from Superman Adventures, Justice League Unlimited and others. These books have July and August release dates.
I'm inclined to skip the Supergirl series since it's King. Since Heroes In Crisis I have a strict no King policy. His Kara could be written in any matter of bizarre and offensive ways. Look at how badly he wrote Booster Gold in Batman and any character you can name in HiC. No, I'd rather choke on the physical comic than read a King Supergirl...
ReplyDeleteIt looks like we'll be getting more Legion... but when we'll get it is an open question. Here's the relevant passages from a Bendis Den of Geek interview (https://www.denofgeek.com/comics/future-state-next-evolution-dc-legion-of-super-heroes) from a little while back:
ReplyDeleteThere’s one more issue of Future State: Legion of Super-Heroes out in February, but there’s no Legion in DC’s solicitations for March and April.
But there are Legion plans coming. Legion is a hard book to make. There’s 34 lead characters, and we try to shove as many of them on panel as often as possible because that’s one of the best parts of the Legion is the scope of it.
I think you can kind of tell from the jam issues and the fill-ins and the level of quality, attempting to keep it at the highest quality possible, yet still delivering that very special Legion feeling…instead of fill-ins that may not be up to the quality that we were doing, we’ll stop, get a story ready to go, and solicit it when it’s time. There’s more to come.
I know that’s frustrating for some people and some people just want it monthly. I get that, but not all books are created in the same way. It’s art. Even though it’s commercial art, it is art. The pandemic also takes a lot out of the schedule. When we’re ready, we’ll put out more. We’re planning stuff that connects to what’s going on in Justice League as well. Not to connect the two, but that is 100% within what’s happening.
Do you already have your artistic collaborators lined up for the next arc of the book?
Yes.
You’re not going to tell me, are you?
No. It’s very, very good news. I’m absolutely delighted, but honestly, I don’t want the person stolen. Sometimes that has happened to me. I don’t mean to be vague, but right now, I don’t want to oversell something that is down the line.