https://www.gamesradar.com/comics/dc-comics/dc-comics-january-2025-solicitations-covers/
Overall, I have to say I am feeling a bit of optimism about DC these days. There seems to be some sort of re-invigoration of the whole universe, perhaps emboldened by the Absolute Universe books. I feel like the main Superman books have been on an upswing recently.
And I just have a sense that a Legion book is around the corner given all the cameos and guest stints for characters from that IP.
This month will bring a new creative team to Action Comics. I'm sad to see Mark Waid go. But I am glad he is remaining on World's Finest and the new JLU.
On to the books.
Superman #22
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
Art and cover by DAN MORA
Variant covers by MICO SUAYAN, JONBOY MEYERS, and DAVID TALASKI
1:25 variant cover by DAVID LAPHAM
Sweater Weather variant by MARGUERITE SAUVAGE
A secret alien strike team has arrived on Earth with their sights set on the greatest weapon in the universe…Doomsday. And the only person who can save the ultimate destroyer is Superman! While alien forces rain down on Metropolis, Superwoman trains with her new powers alongside an unlikely instructor...and you will not believe who it is!
I figured the Doomsday story was going to be a true arc, at least 6 issues so not surprised to see it still churning along. As for an alien strike team ... what do you think? Doomsday Revenge Squad made up of aliens from worlds he has devastated? Will Williamson dig into continuity and bring back some people from planet Calaton?
Superman #22
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
Art and cover by DAN MORA
Variant covers by MICO SUAYAN, JONBOY MEYERS, and DAVID TALASKI
1:25 variant cover by DAVID LAPHAM
Sweater Weather variant by MARGUERITE SAUVAGE
A secret alien strike team has arrived on Earth with their sights set on the greatest weapon in the universe…Doomsday. And the only person who can save the ultimate destroyer is Superman! While alien forces rain down on Metropolis, Superwoman trains with her new powers alongside an unlikely instructor...and you will not believe who it is!
I figured the Doomsday story was going to be a true arc, at least 6 issues so not surprised to see it still churning along. As for an alien strike team ... what do you think? Doomsday Revenge Squad made up of aliens from worlds he has devastated? Will Williamson dig into continuity and bring back some people from planet Calaton?
But the real question in the solicit is 'who is training Lois'? I hope it is Supergirl. It would make sense. Although it would be easy to believe that. Perhaps Lana as Superwoman? More Lois/Lana friction? Barda? Really hope it's Kara.
Action Comics #1082
Written by JOHN RIDLEY
Art by INAKI MIRANDA
Cover by GLEB MELNIKOV
Variant covers KEN LASHLEY and KENNETH ROCAFORT
1:25 variant cover by TOM GRUMMETT
"Superman Superstars" continues with an unforgettable tale about Superman's greatest gift to the world...hope. Major Disaster returns to Metropolis and his old ways much to the dismay of the Man of Steel. Can his alter ego Clark Kent discover the reason behind this villain's decline back into the world of crime?
I enjoyed The Other History of the DC Universe. Ridley seemed to know his continuity and had a good handle on the characters he was focusing on. I even think he had some respect for Supergirl given how much she popped up.
Written by JOHN RIDLEY
Art by INAKI MIRANDA
Cover by GLEB MELNIKOV
Variant covers KEN LASHLEY and KENNETH ROCAFORT
1:25 variant cover by TOM GRUMMETT
"Superman Superstars" continues with an unforgettable tale about Superman's greatest gift to the world...hope. Major Disaster returns to Metropolis and his old ways much to the dismay of the Man of Steel. Can his alter ego Clark Kent discover the reason behind this villain's decline back into the world of crime?
I enjoyed The Other History of the DC Universe. Ridley seemed to know his continuity and had a good handle on the characters he was focusing on. I even think he had some respect for Supergirl given how much she popped up.
So I have some trust that he'll weave a good story with hope at its core.
Absolute Superman #3
Written by JASON AARON
Art and cover by RAFA SANDOVAL
Variant covers by DECLAN SHALVEY and CHRISTIAN WARD
1:25 variant cover by MIKE PERKINS
1:50 variant cover by DECLAN SHALVEY
Years ago on Krypton, Jor-El and Lara became utterly convinced that their planet was headed towards cataclysm. But what could two lowly peons of the Labor Guild possibly do to save their entire species? The answer is decidedly not what you think…
It is the Absolute Universe and having Jor-El and Lara be in the Labor Guild is actually a decent wrinkle. More than an angry Superman. So I look forward to this origin story. I don't think I will buy into this title completely but this is interesting to me.
World’s Finest #35
Written by MARK WAID
Art by ADRIÁN GUTIÉRREZ
Cover by DAN MORA
Variant covers by FRANK CHO and CHRIS SAMNEE
1:25 variant cover by ETHAN YOUNG
Sweater Weather variant cover by KRIS ANKA
A distress call from Atlantis has brought Batman and Superman deep beneath the waves…and face to face with the king himself: Aquaman. But this man of two worlds harbors a secret, and it will be up to the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel to thwart a coup that threatens the peace of all undersea life! A new story arc begins as the World’s Finest travel under the sea with new ongoing series artist Adrián Gutiérrez!
Waid has been giving us a look back in this title to an earlier, simpler world. So why not have a crack at Aquaman.
Written by JASON AARON
Art and cover by RAFA SANDOVAL
Variant covers by DECLAN SHALVEY and CHRISTIAN WARD
1:25 variant cover by MIKE PERKINS
1:50 variant cover by DECLAN SHALVEY
Years ago on Krypton, Jor-El and Lara became utterly convinced that their planet was headed towards cataclysm. But what could two lowly peons of the Labor Guild possibly do to save their entire species? The answer is decidedly not what you think…
It is the Absolute Universe and having Jor-El and Lara be in the Labor Guild is actually a decent wrinkle. More than an angry Superman. So I look forward to this origin story. I don't think I will buy into this title completely but this is interesting to me.
World’s Finest #35
Written by MARK WAID
Art by ADRIÁN GUTIÉRREZ
Cover by DAN MORA
Variant covers by FRANK CHO and CHRIS SAMNEE
1:25 variant cover by ETHAN YOUNG
Sweater Weather variant cover by KRIS ANKA
A distress call from Atlantis has brought Batman and Superman deep beneath the waves…and face to face with the king himself: Aquaman. But this man of two worlds harbors a secret, and it will be up to the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel to thwart a coup that threatens the peace of all undersea life! A new story arc begins as the World’s Finest travel under the sea with new ongoing series artist Adrián Gutiérrez!
Waid has been giving us a look back in this title to an earlier, simpler world. So why not have a crack at Aquaman.
Knowing Waid, the threat to peace is the Ocean Master. He is so good with the classics.
Justice League Unlimited #3
Written by MARK WAID
Art and cover by DAN MORA
Variant covers by SIMONE DI MEO, NATHAN SZERDY,and RICCARDO FEDERICI
1:25 variant cover by TYLER KIRKHAM
1:50 variant cover by DEREK KIRK KIM
RAISED UV FOIL variant cover by GUILLEM MARCH
The global terrorist group Inferno has taken its next step toward world dominance with an ecological disaster! Will Superman, Wonder Woman, and the others have to sacrifice the life of Swamp Thing? Plus: Plastic Man and Beast Boy work with The Atom Project to fix their scrambled superpowers!
Justice League Unlimited #3
Written by MARK WAID
Art and cover by DAN MORA
Variant covers by SIMONE DI MEO, NATHAN SZERDY,and RICCARDO FEDERICI
1:25 variant cover by TYLER KIRKHAM
1:50 variant cover by DEREK KIRK KIM
RAISED UV FOIL variant cover by GUILLEM MARCH
The global terrorist group Inferno has taken its next step toward world dominance with an ecological disaster! Will Superman, Wonder Woman, and the others have to sacrifice the life of Swamp Thing? Plus: Plastic Man and Beast Boy work with The Atom Project to fix their scrambled superpowers!
If World's Finest is Waid's look at the past, JLU is his look at the present.
I am intrigued to see if this is going to follow the pattern of World's Finest. There it is Batman/Superman/Robin plus guests.
Here I wonder if it will be Batman/Superman/Wonder Woman plus team.
Superman: Lex Luthor Special #1
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
Art and cover by EDDY BARROWS and EBER FERREIRA
Variant cover by GLEB MELNIKOV
Foil variant cover by EDDY BARROWS and EBER FERREIRA
During the battle of the House of Brainiac, Lex Luthor’s memories were wiped clean…but now, after the events of DC All-In Special #1, the world needs Lex to remember his past. There is a key piece of information in Lex’s lost memories that could unlock an epic mystery that plagues Superman and the Justice League! But what if Lex doesn’t want to remember? Would Superman sacrifice Lex’s newfound peace to solve a secret, even if it means the return of Superman’s fiercest rival?
Things like this used to percolate along as a subplot in books. Now they are specials.
We have seen Lex go from villain to 'I want to turn over a new leaf and team up' to know amnestic in recent years. I wonder if this will reset things back to villain.
Glad to see Eddy Barrows on so many books recently.
Batman/Superman: Book One: DC Compact Comics Edition
Batman/Superman: Book One: DC Compact Comics Edition
Written by JEPH LOEB
Art by TIM SALE, ED MCGUINNESS, MICHAEL TURNER and DEXTER VINES
Superman/Batman: Book One contains two titanic tales of loyalty and unlikely friendship featuring two of the most famous superheroes on the planet. The first, “Public Enemies,” unites the iconic heroes when President Lex Luthor accuses Superman of terrible crimes against humanity and assembles a top-secret team of powerhouse heroes. But the World’s Finest duo are determined to topple the corrupt president’s reign once and for all! Then, “Supergirl” begins with Batman discovering something strange at the bottom of Gotham Bay, which leads him to a mysterious and powerful teenage girl who is bent on destroying Gotham City! Soon she’ll attract the attention of Superman, Wonder Woman, and even Darkseid and his Female Furies. What is this strange girl’s connection to Superman? Why does Wonder Woman want to hide her from the outside world? How will Darkseid succeed in recruiting her to do his bidding? Who is she, and whose side will she choose?
In Superman/Batman: Book One, award-winning writer Jeph Loeb returns alongside superstar artists Ed McGuinness, Michael Turner, Dexter Vines, and Dave Stewart!
It seems these smaller sized trades are catching on.
Art by TIM SALE, ED MCGUINNESS, MICHAEL TURNER and DEXTER VINES
Superman/Batman: Book One contains two titanic tales of loyalty and unlikely friendship featuring two of the most famous superheroes on the planet. The first, “Public Enemies,” unites the iconic heroes when President Lex Luthor accuses Superman of terrible crimes against humanity and assembles a top-secret team of powerhouse heroes. But the World’s Finest duo are determined to topple the corrupt president’s reign once and for all! Then, “Supergirl” begins with Batman discovering something strange at the bottom of Gotham Bay, which leads him to a mysterious and powerful teenage girl who is bent on destroying Gotham City! Soon she’ll attract the attention of Superman, Wonder Woman, and even Darkseid and his Female Furies. What is this strange girl’s connection to Superman? Why does Wonder Woman want to hide her from the outside world? How will Darkseid succeed in recruiting her to do his bidding? Who is she, and whose side will she choose?
In Superman/Batman: Book One, award-winning writer Jeph Loeb returns alongside superstar artists Ed McGuinness, Michael Turner, Dexter Vines, and Dave Stewart!
It seems these smaller sized trades are catching on.
Interesting that this includes the first twelve issues of this Batman/Superman book rather than breaking it up into the two storylines.
Yes, this gave us Kara Zor-El back. But those early years were rough. No doubt that the Michael Turner design was hot for a while.
What did I miss?
Absolute Superman isn't too bad. It's definitely an improvement on Aaron's Action Comics Story and his socially stratified Krypton is fascinating. I like that he is going back to the days at the very beginning of the man of steel's history before the radio show introduced the catchphrase "truth, justice, and the American way" when it still called him "the champion of the oppressed."
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