Sales Review: June 2017

The sales numbers for June 2017 were release a bit ago over in ICv2 and as usual I wonder what is happening in the comic market. Here is the link to the list:
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/37977/top-300-comics-actual-june-2017

This report comes out in a time period where someone from DC while at San Diego Comic Con (originally linked to Jim Lee who later denied it) stated frankly that the comic market is dying and companies need to figure out how to keep it viable.

Now I have heard for about a decade that the comic market is dying and it is still kicking. But when I look at the sales numbers, I do wonder if we are approaching the end of days. On to some specific sales.

Review: Supergirl RB #10

Supergirl #10 pushed forward the Batgirl team-up arc 'Escape from the Phantom Zone' plot at a fantastic speed. Writer Steve Orlando really keeps the pace of this storyline up here, having a lot of events happen in an almost Bronze Age manner. Things happened here that made me say 'I wasn't expecting that'. Surprises are always happy events for a grizzled reader like me. But I always hope that out of the blue events will be explained or expounded on later.

Even with the pedal down, Orlando really keeps this a character-driven issue. We continue to see Supergirl growing as a hero, dealing with some insecurities, but standing up for what she believes in. This Kara who helps people, even those who have wronged her, is wonderful. And we start to see how she is influencing others. Small moments with Psi and Ben Rubel show this. Even her interaction with Batgirl shows how their personalities interact.

And to make matters better, Orlando continues to mine the depths of Supergirl and Superman mythos. There are some wonderful callbacks to the Silver Age and Bronze Age here. This leaning on the past continuities shows a certain respect for the character and her history. That makes me very happy!

The art is by Brian Ching who brings that rough feel to the proceedings, maybe most appropriate for this issue in the Phantom Zone. The covers by Robson Rocha and Bengal are great, grabbing my eye when on the shelf.

On to the book:

June 2017 Solicits

The solicits for June came out a while back so it is time to review what is happening in the super-books. There's some great stuff coming out that made me smile. And luckily, it doesn't look like I'll break the bank!

If you want to see all the solicits, head over to Newsarama:

http://www.newsarama.com/33652-dc-comics-june-2017-solicitations.html

And now on to the individual issues.

SUPERGIRL #10
Written by STEVE ORLANDO • Art by BRIAN CHING • Cover by ROBSON ROCHA and DANIEL HENRIQUES • Variant cover by BENGAL
“ESCAPE FROM THE PHANTOM ZONE” part two! The Phantom King holds all the cards, and he’s forcing Supergirl and Batgirl to turn to the alien antagonist in order to save themselves and the humans trapped inside the Phantom Zone.

I am definitely pumped for this storyline for many reasons. Batgirl and Supergirl together again for the first time!

I totally love this cover by Rocha and Henriques. Love that determined Supergirl.

Interesting that this story seems to start next week in the Batgirl Annual.

SUPERGIRL: BEING SUPER #4
Written by MARIKO TAMAKI
Art and cover by JOELLE JONES
Having her life torn to shreds and burned to ash has forced Supergirl to choose between the world she was born on and the world that adopted her. Can Kara Danvers find a way to be super—or will she crash and burn?

I have enjoyed this Elseworlds take on Supergirl more than I expected I would. It is a nice coming of age story with gorgeous art. Of course, one of the running themes with Supergirl is her accepting Earth as her home. So seeing this was, I suppose, not surprising. 

One minor quibble is the cover. This is the ending issue. Shouldn't we get something more heroic. Maybe it is the blurred effect that is striking me as odd. Usually we get something more dramatically iconic for a conclusion. 

DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS #28
Written by MARGUERITE BENNETT • Art by LAURA BRAGA and ANEKE • Cover by ANT LUCIA
How can Supergirl convince Power Girl that she is not fighting an enemy—but a sister? Plus, Lois Lane and the Reaper make their way to Hugo Strange’s lab to stop his “superweapon,” unaware that it’s Power Girl herself!

DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS #29
Written by MARGUERITE BENNETT • Art by MIRKA ANDOLFO, RICHARD ORTIZ and CARMEN CARNERO • Cover by MARGUERITE SAUVAGE
Lois Lane and the Reaper join Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy’s travelling circus of mythical Russian creatures, where Poison Ivy uses her powers to alleviate the situation in Leningrad. Plus, Supergirl is forced to fight Power Girl!

Great to see Supergirl prominently on the cover. I was wondering how they were going to place Power Girl into the book. What is their connection? I hope it isn't them being sisters. Perhaps a clone? Given we get a hint about Hugo Strange and the history of the JLU famous Galatea episodes, that would make sense.

And, of course, they need to fight. Because comics.

Lots of Supergirl monthly stuff for this month!

ACTION COMICS #981
Written by DAN JURGENS • Art by JACK HERBERT • Cover by PATCH ZIRCHER
Variant cover by GARY FRANK
“REVENGE” part three! Superman races to save the Suicide Squad from General Zod, Cyborg Superman and Eradicator. Can the Man of Steel escape the Black Vault and stop the carnage before Harley, Deadshot and the rest of Task Force X are forced to make a final stand?
ACTION COMICS #982
Written by DAN JURGENS • Art by VIKTOR BOGDANOVIC • Cover by PATCH ZIRCHER
Variant cover by GARY FRANK
“REVENGE” part four! General Zod takes command as he leads Cyborg Superman, Eradicator, Mongul, Blanque and Metallo against Superman—but his real motives are yet to be revealed and may have far graver consequences for Superman than anyone imagines.

A new Revenge Squad with all these heavy hitters? Fascinating. I don't know I like the look of the new Metallo (if that is who that is) but otherwise bring it.

I am really hoping that Zod comes off well. He was so prevalent a few years ago I felt he was overplayed.

SUPERMAN #24

Written by PETER J. TOMASI and PATRICK GLEASON • Art by DOUG MAHNKE and JAIME MENDOZA • Cover by RYAN SOOK • Variant cover by JORGE JIMENEZ
“BLACK DAWN” part five! The Man of Steel faces the one foe he refuses to fight—his son. An emerging new ability for Superboy proves deadly to Superman as the promise of power appears to lead Jon Kent to betray his father.
SUPERMAN #25
Written by PETER J. TOMASI and PATRICK GLEASON • Art by PATRICK GLEASON, DOUG MAHNKE and others • Cover by RYAN SOOK • Variant cover by JORGE JIMENEZ
“BLACK DAWN” part six! The extra-sized finale to “Black Dawn” reveals the villain tearing the Super-Family apart and destroying everything the Man of Steel holds dear!

Remember when we had a new superpower for Superman? The solar flare? I wonder if we will get that in the Rebirth universe. I wonder if Supergirl can still do it? Maybe her illness and repowering removed that?

Interesting that this cover makes it seem like Jon has a flare power but with Green K power? Now that is a mystery.

SUPER SONS #5
Written by PETER J. TOMASI • Art and cover by JORGE JIMENEZ • Variant cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
“Battle in the Batcave”! The battle with Kid Amazo leaves Jon and Damian’s friendship in ruins as the boys decide their partnership isn’t working out! It’s a rumble between Superboy and Robin like you’ve never seen as the boys rage through the house Batman built!

I have to assume the story arc is 6 issues. So having the two split in the penultimate issue makes story sense. It will make their coming together next issue more powerful. The idea of the kids trashing the Batcave makes me very very happy.

NEW SUPER-MAN #12
Written by GENE LUEN YANG • Art by BILLY TAN • Cover by PHILIP TAN • Variant cover by BERNARD CHANG
“THE ZERO ULTIMATUM” part two! New Super-Man and the Justice League of China must take back Shanghai from the current emperor—the original super-powered creation of Dr. Omen! While the battle may be winnable, a devastating secret comes to light and shakes the young Super-Man to his core.

I'm glad to see Billy Tan back on art. I liked his prior work.
Is the villain on the cover the original Omen experiment? It has a Superman vibe.
And I wonder what secret comes to life? My guess? Omen is Kenan's actual mom.

SUPERWOMAN #11
Written by K. PERKINS • Art by STEPHEN SEGOVIA and ART THIBERT • Cover by KEN LASHLEY • Variant cover by RENATO GUEDES
“Rediscovery” part three! Former friends duke it out as Superwoman squares off against…Natasha Irons?! In the battle to contain the freed Stryker’s inmates, Lana and Natasha are split over what to do about Natasha’s criminal father, Crash.

Jimenez certainly pumped up Natasha during his run. Maybe too much? It seemed so over the top it felt forced.

And while the solicit is about Lana fighting Natasha, the cover is Lana fighting Steel.

Of course, how does Lana have powers in this post Superman Reborn world? I guess we'll find out.

THE DARING NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERGIRL VOL. 2 TP
Written by PAUL KUPPERBERG
Art by CARMINE INFANTINO, BOB OKSNER and EDUARDO BARRETO
Cover by ED HANNIGAN and DICK GIORDANO
In these 1980s tales from The Daring NEW Adventures of Supergirl #13 and Supergirl #14-23, the Maid of Might faces neo-Nazis, meets the new threat of Blackstarr, explores the depths of Lake Michigan to find a mysterious monster and is baffled by the Ambush Bug! This collection features appearances by the Justice League of America and the Teen Titans!

I am thrilled that the remainder of the 80s Supergirl title is being collected. Unbelievable. There is a lot to like in this back end of the book including the Ambush Bug as well as the debut of the new costume. We also get a nice anniversary celebration for Supergirl.

Kudos to DC for doing this! 

SUPERGIRL: THE SILVER AGE VOL. 1 TP
Written by OTTO BINDER and JERRY SIEGEL
Art by AL PLASTINO and JIM MOONEY
Cover by MICHAEL CHO
In these stories from ACTION COMICS #252-284, Supergirl adjusts to life on Earth with her adoptive parents. The stories alternate between small-town slice-of-life tales, tales of Supergirl’s efforts to master her new powers, and time-traveling jaunts into the far future and past. Plus, don't miss an early appearance of the Legion of Super-Heroes!

I am also thrilled that this omnibus will now be in softcover for folks who couldn't drop the $75 for the hardcover. And I love the Michael Cho cover. Very classic! A lot of goodness in here!

Good month to get us into the summer months!