( https://www.gamesradar.com/dc-solicitations-january-2022/ ) and other places.
This is an interesting time for me in comics in general as there are a number of titles I collect which I am enjoying immensely. There are others that seem a chore and I am close to dropping. But overall, the quality of the books I am reading is very solid.
Of course, I am not a big fan of how Supergirl is being treated.
January has one big surprise which makes me happy and some interesting stories. On to the super-books.
SUPERGIRL: WOMAN OF TOMORROW #7
Written by TOM KING
Art and cover by BILQUIS EVELY
Variant cover by NICOLA SCOTT
It's the moment you've been waiting for…the capture of Krem! With the fugitive in custody, Supergirl must now deal with his allies, the ungodly Brigands! To stop them once and for all, she must leave Ruthye behind with the man who killed her beloved father. Can she trust the young girl to let the villain of our story live long enough to stand trial? Or is this the tragic end of his story and ours?
SUPERGIRL: WOMAN OF TOMORROW #7
Written by TOM KING
Art and cover by BILQUIS EVELY
Variant cover by NICOLA SCOTT
It's the moment you've been waiting for…the capture of Krem! With the fugitive in custody, Supergirl must now deal with his allies, the ungodly Brigands! To stop them once and for all, she must leave Ruthye behind with the man who killed her beloved father. Can she trust the young girl to let the villain of our story live long enough to stand trial? Or is this the tragic end of his story and ours?
I will never complain about the art in this book and this cover is very dramatic with Supergirl squaring off against the brigands.
I am starting to wonder if Ruthye kills Krem and somehow Supergirl takes the blame so that Ruthye doesn't have to live with the weight of that sin.
But here we are at the penultimate issue. Cheers to a Kara living in pain, alone and sad.
Written by PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON
and SHAWN ALDRIDGE
Art by MIGUEL MENDONÇA
Cover by DANIEL SAMPERE
Variant cover by JULIAN TOTINO TEDESCO
"The Warworld Saga, Part III." Everything has changed. After the heart-stopping events of Action Comics #1037, Superman and the surviving members of the Authority see a side of Warworld they never knew existed. In the lower catacombs, Superman finds another survivor of the lost Phaelosian race of Krypton, a scientist turned enslaved gladiator with much to teach Superman of his new home, including how to survive…and maybe, in time, how to escape. Meanwhile, Superman's quest to turn the hordes of Warworld against their masters begins.
Despite this being a Superman off-world story, the set up by Phillip Kennedy Johnson has been spectacular so I am very much looking forward to this. The 'surviving' members of the Authority sounds ominous. Will new characters like OMAC and Lightray be the fodder? Or will we see Manchester Black and the Enchantress get shuttled back to limbo? Hmmm.
We have heard about Thalkis, the scientist/explorer from Krypton who inspired Thao-La's people. Will this gladiator be an aged Thalkis??
A lot to process. But I am on board.
SUPERMAN: SON OF KAL-EL #7
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art and cover by JOHN TIMMS
Variant cover by TRAVIS MOORE
Superman has recovered from the devastating attack against him. After the life-changing events of issue #5, Jon Kent and his new ally Jay Nakamura are ready to strike back. They are on a collision course with the type of power that is used to swatting problems out of the way. But Superman is not so easily swatted.
Well, this is going to be a social justice book all right. But I don't know if I am the right audience.
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art and cover by JOHN TIMMS
Variant cover by TRAVIS MOORE
Superman has recovered from the devastating attack against him. After the life-changing events of issue #5, Jon Kent and his new ally Jay Nakamura are ready to strike back. They are on a collision course with the type of power that is used to swatting problems out of the way. But Superman is not so easily swatted.
Well, this is going to be a social justice book all right. But I don't know if I am the right audience.
As I have said, it is hard to tackle hard real world topics in a comic book. Jon so far has come of glittering in his social justice efforts with Tom Taylor often changing scenes before any real world consequences can be brought about.
And now we get a cover of Superman protesting climate change.
This is a bit crazy. People protest when they are powerless to enact change any other way and they need their voices to be heard. Superman has power. And authority. He could either change things himself or use his platform more effectively.
But this is buzzworthy and hip and edgy. But also it makes no real 'real world' sense. And that is why thorny topics that impact us should be thought about carefully and written about intelligently.
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by WILFREDO TORRES
Cover by MIKEL JANIN
Variant cover by RAFA SANDOVAL
The final battle for Metropolis is here! Superman stands against Brainiac as he tries to save his city from being cataloged and bottled by the mechanical menace. But can Superman save his adoptive city and the bottled city of Kandor from Brainiac's clutches, or will he be forced to make the impossible choice?
Last issue already??
I have loved the first two issues! I hope it sells well enough for a sequel. And I would love to see a Supergirl '84 miniseries if these Batman and Superman series prove popular.
JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #1
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Art and cover by SCOTT GODLEWSKI
Variant cover by TRAVIS MOORE
One thousand years in the future, a Legion of Super-Heroes comes together to dedicate their lives to recapturing the great age of heroes of the 21st century. When the heroes discover that reality is falling to a great darkness in both times simultaneously, the Justice League and the Legion of Super-Heroes must team up to stop it all. But what is the connection between the secrets of the new Gold Lanterns and the coming of the Great Darkness? A monumental DC epic event miniseries!
Maybe I buried the lede here.
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Art and cover by SCOTT GODLEWSKI
Variant cover by TRAVIS MOORE
One thousand years in the future, a Legion of Super-Heroes comes together to dedicate their lives to recapturing the great age of heroes of the 21st century. When the heroes discover that reality is falling to a great darkness in both times simultaneously, the Justice League and the Legion of Super-Heroes must team up to stop it all. But what is the connection between the secrets of the new Gold Lanterns and the coming of the Great Darkness? A monumental DC epic event miniseries!
Maybe I buried the lede here.
JL vs the LSH!
The Legion is back!!
I am not a fan of heroes fighting. And the solicit says they team up.
But I am all in on this one! And Scott Godlewski is a great pick for art. His stuff has grown tremendously. And he has handled big cast books in the past.
SUPERMAN & ROBIN SPECIAL #1
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art and cover by VIKTOR BOGDANOVIC
Variant by JORGE JIMENEZ
1:25 variant by RAFA SARMENTO
$5.99 US | 48 pages | Variant $6.99 US (Card stock)
ON SALE 1/25/22
As the Super Sons, Jon Kent and Damian Wayne put evil to bed…past its bedtime. But a new day has dawned, and Jon Kent is now the Superman of Metropolis—all grown up and fighting for truth, justice, and the kinds of grown-up things that Superboy was only beginning to understand as a child. Now a ghost from Jon's past has reared its head, and to battle this evil, he'll need to reunite with Robin for one last mission into the heart of darkness. This time they'll be battling not as Super Sons, but as Superman and Robin! This thrilling adventure is written by acclaimed Super Sons scribe Peter J. Tomasi!
Remember when Peter Tomasi was writing a fun-loving, hilarious book about two pre-teen legacy characters becoming friends??
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art and cover by VIKTOR BOGDANOVIC
Variant by JORGE JIMENEZ
1:25 variant by RAFA SARMENTO
$5.99 US | 48 pages | Variant $6.99 US (Card stock)
ON SALE 1/25/22
As the Super Sons, Jon Kent and Damian Wayne put evil to bed…past its bedtime. But a new day has dawned, and Jon Kent is now the Superman of Metropolis—all grown up and fighting for truth, justice, and the kinds of grown-up things that Superboy was only beginning to understand as a child. Now a ghost from Jon's past has reared its head, and to battle this evil, he'll need to reunite with Robin for one last mission into the heart of darkness. This time they'll be battling not as Super Sons, but as Superman and Robin! This thrilling adventure is written by acclaimed Super Sons scribe Peter J. Tomasi!
Remember when Peter Tomasi was writing a fun-loving, hilarious book about two pre-teen legacy characters becoming friends??
So much has changed. And the more that unfolds, the more I miss Super Sons, even if we still get the occasional 'flashback' story.
Well now Tomasi gets a shot at writing the 'current' incarnations of Jon and Damian. But who will the 'ghost' from Jon's past be. Will it be Kathy, the young girl next door in Tomasi's Superman run? I loved Viktor Bogdanovich's art on New Super-Man. So I can't wait to see this book.
DARK KNIGHTS OF STEEL #3
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art and cover by YASMINE PUTRI
Variant by JOSHUA MIDDLETON
1:25 variant by YASMINE PUTRI
War is on the horizon as a series of assassinations has rocked the lands. The Kingdom of Storms is gathering its allies with eyes on the destruction of Kal-El and his family. What secret does the Dark Knight learn that could be the key to everything?
This is a pretty bland solicit. But the covers are just gorgeous. And I am pretty sure we get a Supergirl here. I have been hoping I would see how Tom Taylor handled Kara in some form or another. Huzzah.
DETECTIVE COMICS #1050
Written by MARIKO TAMAKI
Art by IVAN REIS and DANNY MIKI
Backup 1 written by MATTHEW ROSENBERG
Backup 1 art by FERNANDO BLANCO
Backup 2 written by MARK WAID
Backup 2 art by DAN MORA
Cover by IRVIN RODRIGUEZ
It's the landmark, oversize issue Detective Comics #1050, and some of the biggest names in comics are here to celebrate the Dark Knight! First up in "The Tower" part four, the villainous force keeping Arkham Tower's patients sedated is at last revealed—and this villain's return is guaranteed to catch you by surprise! It's the dramatic conclusion to act one of Mariko Tamaki's Arkham Tower epic, brought to life by the legendary Ivan Reis! Then, in "House of Gotham" part four, Matthew Rosenberg and Fernando Blanco take us into the seedy underbelly of Gotham's criminal elite through the lens of the original Robin (Dick Grayson), and reveal what it takes for a young man to survive amongst the deadliest killers in the DCU. It's a tour de force of Gotham's vilest villains! Last but not least, making his grand return to the DCU, writer Mark Waid teams with Detective Comics uber-artist Dan Mora to bring you the start of a day for Batman… and Superman. This is just the beginning for Waid and Mora—and for Superman and Batman!
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art and cover by YASMINE PUTRI
Variant by JOSHUA MIDDLETON
1:25 variant by YASMINE PUTRI
War is on the horizon as a series of assassinations has rocked the lands. The Kingdom of Storms is gathering its allies with eyes on the destruction of Kal-El and his family. What secret does the Dark Knight learn that could be the key to everything?
This is a pretty bland solicit. But the covers are just gorgeous. And I am pretty sure we get a Supergirl here. I have been hoping I would see how Tom Taylor handled Kara in some form or another. Huzzah.
Written by MARIKO TAMAKI
Art by IVAN REIS and DANNY MIKI
Backup 1 written by MATTHEW ROSENBERG
Backup 1 art by FERNANDO BLANCO
Backup 2 written by MARK WAID
Backup 2 art by DAN MORA
Cover by IRVIN RODRIGUEZ
It's the landmark, oversize issue Detective Comics #1050, and some of the biggest names in comics are here to celebrate the Dark Knight! First up in "The Tower" part four, the villainous force keeping Arkham Tower's patients sedated is at last revealed—and this villain's return is guaranteed to catch you by surprise! It's the dramatic conclusion to act one of Mariko Tamaki's Arkham Tower epic, brought to life by the legendary Ivan Reis! Then, in "House of Gotham" part four, Matthew Rosenberg and Fernando Blanco take us into the seedy underbelly of Gotham's criminal elite through the lens of the original Robin (Dick Grayson), and reveal what it takes for a young man to survive amongst the deadliest killers in the DCU. It's a tour de force of Gotham's vilest villains! Last but not least, making his grand return to the DCU, writer Mark Waid teams with Detective Comics uber-artist Dan Mora to bring you the start of a day for Batman… and Superman. This is just the beginning for Waid and Mora—and for Superman and Batman!
And then this bombshell!
Mark Waid back at DC! Writing a World's Finest back up! I love Waid and his take on Superman. So this was an unexpected and delightful treat. I bemoaned the end of Batman/Superman as the end of a World's Finest style book on the shelves. I won't have to wait too long.
And the previews ( https://www.cbr.com/batman-superman-mark-waid-detective-comics/ ) make me giddy. A classic Superman and Batman! Amazing.
I am ready for as much of this as they'll give me!
Okay! What did I miss??
That Superman #7 cover, what can I say but ‘Greta Krypton!’
ReplyDeleteI don't think this Supergirl series is gonna end well, at least from our perspective as longtime fans. So I'm left to do a clumsy balancing act between eschewing false hope and giving DC the Despair they seem to Crave...it ain't easy believe me.
ReplyDeleteI think we can be vigilant without being paranoid and hopeful without being delusional.
That being said, Superman '78 is the joy of my heart right now, if it proves popular enough its a way to revisit all those characters and "do them right"...I see endless potential, alas this is DC they aren't good at following up on their occasional good ideas (I mean whatever happened to Landry Walker's follow up to "Supergirl Cosmic Adventures in the 8th Grade"??) so lets just enjoy all that we can, while we can.
JF
"I am starting to wonder if Ruthye kills Krem and somehow Suprgirl takes the blame so that Ruthye doesn't have to live with the weight of that sin."
ReplyDeleteThat could be. But Ruthye would still have to carry that weight herself, even if everyone else believed that Supergirl dood it.
I was thinking that, since this story is being told by an older Ruthye, some decades later, that possibly Ruthye has blocked out the fact that SHE killed Krem (maybe while Supergirl is away fighting the Brigands) and in her mind has put the killing onto Supergirl.
If Supergirl does kill Krem, it will be like Superman killing those 3 Phantom Zone villains in that John Byrne story.
Oh no,it's the Diversity Legion again...
ReplyDeleteDid you see it? The solicitation says "a Legion", not "the Legion"...
"But this is buzzworthy and hip and edgy. But also it makes no real 'real world' sense. And that is why thorny topics that impact us should be thought about carefully and written about intelligently."
ReplyDeleteTotally agreed....