The July 2022 solicits for DC Comics came out last week. Here is a link to the entire list:
https://www.gamesradar.com/dc-comics-july-2022-solicitations-covers/
This is another month chock full of Batman books so no big surprise there. There are a couple of Supergirl sightings, but both in books that aren't necessarily in current continuity. But both look like things to look forward to.
I don't know if I quite understand what Dark Crisis is about but I trust Joshua Williamson so I will at least give it a shot. And there is a new Superman prestige format book coming out that looks great. I am glad that DC continues to give Superman some life beyond the two monthly books.
On to the books.
BATMAN/SUPERMAN: WORLD'S FINEST #5
Written by MARK WAID
Art and cover by DAN MORA
Variant cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA
THE FIRST ARC OF WORLD'S FINEST CONCLUDES WITH A SHOCKING FORESHADOWING OF DCU EVENTS TO COME! The sinister machinations of the devil Nezha have run ragged the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight ever since he made his first terrifying debut in Detective Comics #1050…but what secrets does this villain hold for the future of the DCU? Clues abound for the next big DCU series in this climactic final chapter to the first arc of World's Finest!
I am glad I didn't make too hard a guess of the horned villain in the first issue. A new villain named Nezha. But a promise of clues for the next big DC series? Color me intrigued. I just love that everyone is smiling on the cover.
ACTION COMICS #1045
Written by PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON
Art by RICCARDO FEDERICI
Backup story art by DAVID LAPHAM
Cover by LUCIO PARRILLO
The Warworld Revolution escalates as Superman gains the upper hand, forcing Mongul to take desperate measures. Meanwhile, a fallen ally of Superman is resurrected…at a terrible cost. A new connection to Jack Kirby's Fourth World is revealed as the Warworld Saga's mind-blowing conclusion nears! Then, in "A World Without Clark Kent"—Lois Lane and John Henry Irons race against time to save Thao-La, testing the limits of the mysterious element Genesis!
This arc has been fantastic so far. But this sounds like just the sort of 'middle chapter' I can sink my teeth in.
On to the books.
BATMAN/SUPERMAN: WORLD'S FINEST #5
Written by MARK WAID
Art and cover by DAN MORA
Variant cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA
THE FIRST ARC OF WORLD'S FINEST CONCLUDES WITH A SHOCKING FORESHADOWING OF DCU EVENTS TO COME! The sinister machinations of the devil Nezha have run ragged the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight ever since he made his first terrifying debut in Detective Comics #1050…but what secrets does this villain hold for the future of the DCU? Clues abound for the next big DCU series in this climactic final chapter to the first arc of World's Finest!
I am glad I didn't make too hard a guess of the horned villain in the first issue. A new villain named Nezha. But a promise of clues for the next big DC series? Color me intrigued. I just love that everyone is smiling on the cover.
Love that Kara is on the cover here. I suppose I can hope that the new series is a Supergirl book by Waid but given how he denied that exact thing on a recent podcast makes it unlikely.
ACTION COMICS #1045
Written by PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON
Art by RICCARDO FEDERICI
Backup story art by DAVID LAPHAM
Cover by LUCIO PARRILLO
The Warworld Revolution escalates as Superman gains the upper hand, forcing Mongul to take desperate measures. Meanwhile, a fallen ally of Superman is resurrected…at a terrible cost. A new connection to Jack Kirby's Fourth World is revealed as the Warworld Saga's mind-blowing conclusion nears! Then, in "A World Without Clark Kent"—Lois Lane and John Henry Irons race against time to save Thao-La, testing the limits of the mysterious element Genesis!
This arc has been fantastic so far. But this sounds like just the sort of 'middle chapter' I can sink my teeth in.
A resurrected ally? I'd assume it is Lightray given the promise of that resurrection if OMAC fell in line.
A new connection to New Genesis? Well the Genesis Wall fragment has been bestowing power. That had Kirby all over it. My guess? The Necropolis is somehow connected to Anti-Life. After all what is death (necro root) but anti-life with a small A).
Finally, a back up that has me very interested in reading.
This book is one of the best on the shelves these days.
SUPERMAN: SON OF KAL-EL #13
Written by TOM TAYLOR and NICOLE MAINES
Art by CLAYTON HENRY
Cover by TRAVIS MOORE
It's the dramatic DCU debut of Dreamer! When every hero on Earth is threatened by Henry Bendix's machinations, it's a race against time for Dreamer to warn Superman before it happens! But will this mysterious new ally's premonition become a nightmare for Jonathan Kent?
The addition of Dreamer into the DCU in this socially conscious book seems like a no-brainer. I am interested to see what she is like in this world. And I hope they tone down her powers. Premonition is enough. I don't need the additional stuff the show gave her like dream whips and force fields.
SUPERMAN: SON OF KAL-EL #13
Written by TOM TAYLOR and NICOLE MAINES
Art by CLAYTON HENRY
Cover by TRAVIS MOORE
It's the dramatic DCU debut of Dreamer! When every hero on Earth is threatened by Henry Bendix's machinations, it's a race against time for Dreamer to warn Superman before it happens! But will this mysterious new ally's premonition become a nightmare for Jonathan Kent?
The addition of Dreamer into the DCU in this socially conscious book seems like a no-brainer. I am interested to see what she is like in this world. And I hope they tone down her powers. Premonition is enough. I don't need the additional stuff the show gave her like dream whips and force fields.
I love that Nicole Maines is lending a hand. She knows the character better than any other.
These shards on the cover must be people Jon interacts with. Sadly I don't see Supergirl in any of them.
*** Update: Kara is in the lower left hand corner. Thought it was Dinah yelling! Sorry! ***
JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #5
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Art and cover by SCOTT GODLEWSKI
Variant cover by TRAVIS MOORE
With the reveal of who is behind the great darkness that is tearing the galaxy apart, the Justice League and the Legion of Super-Heroes are at odds over how to handle the incomprehensible evil that has brought them together. This time-spanning epic stars all your favorite superheroes from two different time periods! Batman! Saturn Girl! Superman! Brainiac 5! Naomi!...and dozens more race into battle to save the galaxy from being pulled apart! But at what cost? Will everyone survive this?
I suppose *this* 'great darkness' (lower case letters) isn't the Great Darkness (upper case) that is happening in Dark Crisis.
JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #5
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Art and cover by SCOTT GODLEWSKI
Variant cover by TRAVIS MOORE
With the reveal of who is behind the great darkness that is tearing the galaxy apart, the Justice League and the Legion of Super-Heroes are at odds over how to handle the incomprehensible evil that has brought them together. This time-spanning epic stars all your favorite superheroes from two different time periods! Batman! Saturn Girl! Superman! Brainiac 5! Naomi!...and dozens more race into battle to save the galaxy from being pulled apart! But at what cost? Will everyone survive this?
I suppose *this* 'great darkness' (lower case letters) isn't the Great Darkness (upper case) that is happening in Dark Crisis.
So that means we get to guess who it is! Obviously some updated Time Trapper seems like an easy guess.
This is a 6 issue mini. Still wondering what will be happening with the Legion after this mini.
SUPERMAN: SPACE AGE #1
Written by MARK RUSSELL
Art and cover by MIKE ALLRED
Variant cover by STEVE RUDE
Meet Clark Kent, a young reporter who just learned that the world will soon come to an end (Crisis on Infinite Earths) and there is nothing he can do to save it. Sounds like a job for his alter ego…Superman! After years of standing idle, the young man from Krypton defies the wishes of his fathers to come out to the world as the first superhero of the Space Age. As each decade passes and each new danger emerges, he wonders if this is the one that will kill him and everyone he loves. Superman realizes that even good intentions are not without their backlash as the world around him transforms into a place as determined to destroy itself as he is to save it.
Uniting the critically acclaimed writer Mark Russell (One-Star Squadron and The Flintstones) and Eisner-winner Mike Allred (Silver Surfer and Bowie: Stardust, Rayguns & Moonage Daydreams) for the first time, this series promises fans an unforgettable journey through U.S. history and culture starring our beloved characters.
For me Russell is a little hit or miss. I know that this will be a socially relevant book. I just hope it is story-first and not morose. I love Allred, especially his prior Superman stories.
SUPERMAN: SPACE AGE #1
Written by MARK RUSSELL
Art and cover by MIKE ALLRED
Variant cover by STEVE RUDE
Meet Clark Kent, a young reporter who just learned that the world will soon come to an end (Crisis on Infinite Earths) and there is nothing he can do to save it. Sounds like a job for his alter ego…Superman! After years of standing idle, the young man from Krypton defies the wishes of his fathers to come out to the world as the first superhero of the Space Age. As each decade passes and each new danger emerges, he wonders if this is the one that will kill him and everyone he loves. Superman realizes that even good intentions are not without their backlash as the world around him transforms into a place as determined to destroy itself as he is to save it.
Uniting the critically acclaimed writer Mark Russell (One-Star Squadron and The Flintstones) and Eisner-winner Mike Allred (Silver Surfer and Bowie: Stardust, Rayguns & Moonage Daydreams) for the first time, this series promises fans an unforgettable journey through U.S. history and culture starring our beloved characters.
For me Russell is a little hit or miss. I know that this will be a socially relevant book. I just hope it is story-first and not morose. I love Allred, especially his prior Superman stories.
The concept is interesting. Clark hiding himself into adulthood. I suppose this is as much a story about the foibles of humanity as it is the rise of a hero. One thing I know, it'll look pretty.
DARK CRISIS #2
THE HOUSE OF NIGHTWING BURNS!
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
Art and cover by DANIEL SAMPERE
As the good people of the world mourn the loss of the Justice League, the forces of evil have seized the opportunity to wreak havoc in a world without its heroes! Leading the charge is a super-powered Slade Wilson…but this time there's something dark fueling his rage. With a massive army laying siege to Titans Tower, only Nightwing will have what it takes to stand in the way of Deathstroke's forces—but is this a fight Dick Grayson can win? Look, up in the sky—reinforcements are on the way! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's…uh-oh...it's Cyborg Superman. The world burns as Pariah and the Great Darkness make their play for planet Earth in this jaw-dropping second issue!
I don't know if I will always comment on this book in these monthly solicit posts. But a Cyborg Superman mention warrants some coverage. Will it be Zor-El? (I hope it isn't!) Given Williamson's love of continuity, maybe it'll be Hank Henshaw again.
DARK CRISIS #2
THE HOUSE OF NIGHTWING BURNS!
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
Art and cover by DANIEL SAMPERE
As the good people of the world mourn the loss of the Justice League, the forces of evil have seized the opportunity to wreak havoc in a world without its heroes! Leading the charge is a super-powered Slade Wilson…but this time there's something dark fueling his rage. With a massive army laying siege to Titans Tower, only Nightwing will have what it takes to stand in the way of Deathstroke's forces—but is this a fight Dick Grayson can win? Look, up in the sky—reinforcements are on the way! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's…uh-oh...it's Cyborg Superman. The world burns as Pariah and the Great Darkness make their play for planet Earth in this jaw-dropping second issue!
I don't know if I will always comment on this book in these monthly solicit posts. But a Cyborg Superman mention warrants some coverage. Will it be Zor-El? (I hope it isn't!) Given Williamson's love of continuity, maybe it'll be Hank Henshaw again.
This is titled Dark Crisis. I suppose hearing the villains are winning and the Titan Tower ablaze should be expected.
DARK CRISIS: WORLDS WITHOUT A JUSTICE LEAGUE - SUPERMAN #1
Written by TOM KING
Art and cover by CHRIS BURNHAM
When Pariah and his forces of the Great Darkness laid waste to the most powerful superheroes of all time, all hope was lost…with the Man of Steel suffering the same fate as that of his comrades, join us for a look at a world of dreams he would never have thought possible while alive. Where there's life there's hope, and with that hope comes a deeper unraveling of the tapestry of DCU's biggest event of 2022!
I loved the way Tom King handled Superman in 'Look, up in the sky!'.
DARK CRISIS: WORLDS WITHOUT A JUSTICE LEAGUE - SUPERMAN #1
Written by TOM KING
Art and cover by CHRIS BURNHAM
When Pariah and his forces of the Great Darkness laid waste to the most powerful superheroes of all time, all hope was lost…with the Man of Steel suffering the same fate as that of his comrades, join us for a look at a world of dreams he would never have thought possible while alive. Where there's life there's hope, and with that hope comes a deeper unraveling of the tapestry of DCU's biggest event of 2022!
I loved the way Tom King handled Superman in 'Look, up in the sky!'.
I disliked the way Tom King handled Supergirl in Woman of Tomorrow.
I hope that the feeling of inspiration and positivity we saw in 'Look up in the sky' is repeated here. I guess King will give us a rapid fire Elseworld look at the character.
I'm a big fan of Chris Burnham's work. It'll be nice to see his work.
DC VS. VAMPIRES #7
Written by MATTHEW ROSENBERG and JAMES TYNION IV
Art by OTTO SCHMIDT
Cover by GUILLEM MARCH
The nightmarish second arc begins! The Earth is now cloaked in darkness as the victorious vampire empire has taken full control. Pockets of humanity can still be found, and they struggle to live but hope fades with every darker day. The leaders of the last surviving resistance force—Green Arrow, Batgirl, and Supergirl—hatch a desperate plan to save the world…or die trying!
Well, I never thought I'd collect a DC vs. Vampires book but how do I ignore Supergirl on the cover and described as a leader! I doubt I'll go back and collect the first 6 issues of this miniseries. I'll at least try out this issue.
DC VS. VAMPIRES #7
Written by MATTHEW ROSENBERG and JAMES TYNION IV
Art by OTTO SCHMIDT
Cover by GUILLEM MARCH
The nightmarish second arc begins! The Earth is now cloaked in darkness as the victorious vampire empire has taken full control. Pockets of humanity can still be found, and they struggle to live but hope fades with every darker day. The leaders of the last surviving resistance force—Green Arrow, Batgirl, and Supergirl—hatch a desperate plan to save the world…or die trying!
Well, I never thought I'd collect a DC vs. Vampires book but how do I ignore Supergirl on the cover and described as a leader! I doubt I'll go back and collect the first 6 issues of this miniseries. I'll at least try out this issue.
I think Otto Schmidt is an artistic genius. So the idea of Supergirl showcased in a book drawn by him sounds thrilling. Very excited to give this a shot.
Did I miss anything?
DC: Mech #1 features a mech-Superman on the cover. I think I'll be skipping this. (It's curious that DC is putting "DC" in an increasing number of titles.)
ReplyDeleteYoung Justice: Targets #1 will include the Superboy that's part of that animated series. The book will be written by the main writer of the animated series, and drawn by a storyboard artist from the series. I checked out the cartoon this weekend, and it's the kind of simplistic animation I can't sit through. Anyway, this is written by yet another TV animation guy, and thus is a hard pass for me.
Superman: Space Age is a 3-part series for **$9.99** per issue! Seems criminal to me. Anyway, last time I enjoyed Russell was Wonder Twins, so I'm going to skip this too.
Mutiversity: Teen Titans continues with the Supergirl of Earth-11 on the team, and perhaps will include appearances by her mom, the Superwoman of the Justice Guild.
Otto Schmidt has been terrific on DC vs. Vampires, and I love Guillem March's cover for #7. The all-blue suit Jorge Jimenez designed is nice to see again
T.N.
"These shards on the cover must be people Jon interacts with. Sadly I don't see Supergirl in any of them."
ReplyDeleteLooks like her at the lower left to me.
Thanks for comments.
ReplyDeleteI think I’ll give the Russell book a shot. We’ll see.
And yes anon, it is her in the lower left. Thought it was canary screaming at first!
Superman space age was one of the few titles I was going to purchase but at 9.99 per book I will wait for the TPB...otherwise the rest of July is “TMB”...”Too Much Batman”
ReplyDeleteJF
Multiversity gets a hard pass from me, I didn’t enjoy the preview special in some giant or other, it was just ‘teen heroes but gender and sexuality flipped’.
ReplyDelete