DC Comic Solicits: April 2024

The April 2024 solicits for DC Comics came out last week. Here is a link to the entire slate:
https://www.gamesradar.com/dc-april-2024-solicitations-covers/

This includes a place holder for DC's FCBD comic. Not much has come out about this book other than it will introduce the next big event and is a reaction to something '30 years in the making'. Now Zero Hour came out in 1994 and the rumors on line are of an ultimate universe style line at DC. But that strikes me as similar to the ' ____ Earth One' books. 

More pertinent to this site is the beginning of House of Brainiac running through the Superman books. I am pretty excited to see a true storyline running through all the books! 

Action Comics #1064
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
Art and cover by RAFA SANDOVAL
Variant covers by JORGE JIMÉNEZ, PAOLO RIVERA, and MICHAEL WALSH

HOUSE OF BRAINIAC PART ONE!

BRAINIAC ATTACKS! Brainiac’s Lobo army invades Metropolis in an action-packed oversized issue! The Super family and all the heroes of Metropolis join the fight, but will they be enough to hold off Brainiac’s lethal and crazed soldiers?! Can Superman and Lex learn what Brainiac is searching for? He’s not bottling Metropolis, so what is he collecting instead?!

First off, I am so happy that Rafa Sandoval is back on the book. I have come to really love Sandoval's take on the character and the whole family.

One thing for sure, under Phillip Kennedy Johnson's tenure, the super-family grew. With a team of Kryptonians, Phaelosians, and others numbering (I think) 9, you need a big threat to bring some realistic risk. An army of Lobos? That'll do.

Superman #13
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
Art and cover by RAFA SANDOVAL
Variant covers by LEE BERMEJO, SEBASTIAN FIUMARA, and ALAN QUAH

HOUSE OF BRAINIAC PART TWO!

Superman and Lobo…team-up? Together, the Man of Steel and the Main Man race across the universe on a hunt for the Lobo Army and Brainiac. Can they get along long enough to get to them before Brainiac enacts the next stage of his dangerous plans to create a new House of Brainiac?!

Now I am pretty sure that Lobo is happy to be the last Czarian so I am not surprised that the Main Man would team up to bring down the Lobo army. 

I do wonder what the House of Brainiac is. Is he trying to create some type of Brainiac family?

Plus more Sandoval. Supergirl on the cover is a nice sign as we haven't heard her mentioned in a couple of solicits, even these.

Superman: House of Brainiac Special #1
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON and MARK RUSSELL
Art by EDWIN GALMON and STEVE PUGH
Cover by JAMAL CAMPBELL

HOUSE OF BRAINIAC PART 2.5

An essential issue in the Action Comics/Superman crossover as Brainiac’s secret history with Lobo and Czarnia is revealed!
How did Brainiac create a Bottled City of Czarnia?
Who steps up to protect Metropolis after Brainiac’s army leaves it in ruins?
Will Lois Lane confront Perry White about his own secrets as he runs for mayor of Metropolis?
And how is Amanda Waller involved in all of this?
All these questions are answered in this crucial issue that connects to DC’s Superman-Sized event!
Meanwhile, Bibbo steps up! With the heroes gone and a city in need of some champions, our favorite bartender organizes the community to save their beloved home.

I am a little reminded of the triangle era when I found out there'd be a third book this month to push the House of Brainiac story forward. I don't mind looking at how a big plotline is impact the periphery of the book. Looks like we'll get a Daily Planet story in there. And that story about protecting Metropolis ... do you think we are getting a new Guardian.

All this said, why can't we get a Supergirl solo story in any of the back-ups or specials. 

Batman/Superman World’s Finest #26
Written by MARK WAID
Art and cover by DAN MORA
Variant cover by SALVADOR LARROCA

Beware the power of the DOOM-MITE! Following the imp-shattering events of the Batman/Superman: World’s Finest 2024 Annual and #25, it’s up to Mr. Mxyzptlk and Bat-Mite to convince Batman and Superman that they’re for real this time! If this dynamic duo of odd couples can’t work together, then our entire dimension is in jeopardy!

I have always liked that Waid and Mora seem to know when to stick in a rest issue to get some breathing room. The Robin/Supergirl date issue stands out.

A three issue storyline with 5th dimensional imps? Bring it. I just know that Mora is going to crush it on this story.

Power Girl #8
Written by LEAH WILLIAMS
Art by EDUARDO PANSICA and JÚLIO FERREIRA
Cover by YANICK PAQUETTE
Variant covers by MARK BROOKS and W. SCOTT FORBES

After an unexpected attack by Brainiac and his army of Lobos, everyone who has power in Metropolis has been kidnapped and imprisoned. But fear not, our hero has avoided capture and is the lone super in a city of helpless civilians. Will she be up for the challenge? Or is a strange visitor about to turn her world upside-down? Get ready for Crush to crash this pity party!

While not branded a House of Brainiac crossover, this book stars a Crush and involves the Lobos in Metropolis. 

Of course, hearing that everyone else is imprisoned is a bit of a bummer meaning the super-family are going to be defeated. And worse, to hear that Power Girl needs to be willed out of a pity party just further shows that Leah Williams doesn't understand the character at all. 

When will I quit this book??

Kneel Before Zod #4
Written by JOE CASEY
Art by DAN McDAID
Cover by JASON SHAWN ALEXANDER
Variant covers by LUCIO PARRILLO and MARK SPEARS

The aftermath of war! The brutal invasion of New Kandor has cost its supreme ruler everything he holds dear! But there will be a reckoning—and General Zod will not rest until he has enacted his bloody revenge! Let the universe tremble as Casey and McDaid deliver the newest chapter of DC’s darkest cosmic odyssey.

Well that's a cover, with us seeing Zod through a hole he just burned through someone's thorax. Oof!

An invasion of New Kandor? By who? 

I am a little intrigued by the concept of the book.

SUPERMAN ’78: THE METAL CURTAIN #6
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art and cover by GAVIN GUIDRY
Variant cover by OZGUR YILDRIM
Variant cover by JEFF LEMIRE

Superman and Metallo battle it out in Russia! Can Superman appeal to Metallo’s humanity and put an end to the bloodshed, or will Metallo finally crush the Man of Steel beneath his boot?

I certainly hope that this book sells well so we get a third story. Venditti just gets it and Guidry has been doing great work here.

A late 70s/early 80s in the USSR? Bring it on!

JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. GODZILLA VS. KONG #7
Written by BRIAN BUCCELLATO
Art by CHRISTIAN DUCE and TOM DERENICK
Cover by DREW JOHNSON
Variant cover by JIM LEE AND SCOTT WILLIAMS
Variant cover by DAN MORA

The best-selling series reaches its titanic conclusion!

Two worlds face annihilation in an all-out war between the DCU and Legendary’s MonsterVerse! With the help of Godzilla and Kong, can the Justice League win a battle against a reformed Mechagodzilla and a new, even more deadly, hybrid Titan—a by-product of two worlds, the likes of which neither universe has ever seen!

Not a big surprise but we see Luthor's Mechagodzilla. 

I wonder what the hybrid Titan is ... Titano? Some Kryptonian beast like a babootch?

I've loved this book so far. Can't wait to see how it ends.

So not a bad April. House of Brainiac seems like it will be a big deal for the super-books.