Hello comic book fans and welcome to the Previews Review for the magazine dated April 2014, showcasing product appearing in stores starting in June 2014. It has been a busy time for me with 2 moves happening within a very short span of time. Once this move is done I hope to get my life back onto a schedule which includes my writing, so with any luck and a major readjustment to my sleeping schedule this will be my last delayed article.
First up will be DC Comics. With delays plaguing many of the Forever Evil related titles these solicitations could be considered suggestions at this point but let’s jump in anyway and see what we have coming up, maybe in June, maybe not, we’ll see.
For many months the New 52 has been an inaccurate description of the publishing line up with the title count not really coming close. DC looks to change that with the first of many new titles launching. We only get one new launch in June but it is an intriguing one. The legacy of Kirby’s Fourth World has been touched upon but the door is thrown open by the creative team of Dan Didio (W), Keith Giffen (W, A), and Scott Koblish (A) in the pages of Infinity Man and the Forever People #1. The premise seems simple enough, 4 students from New Genesis come to Earth to help with the advancement of humanity, that’s the simple part. Expect twists and turns as this is the creative team that brought us the incredibly under-appreciated OMAC launch at the start of the New 52. With Geoff Johns titles mostly playing it safe, Didio is known for taking a few more risks. This is a must buy for me.
One thing I am picking up from the previews and solicitations for Futures End is that there have been apparently no new characters to appear in the five year leap forward. While it would have been nice to see the hint at future characters and concepts, the changes that the existing characters have gone through is quite drastic, primarily Frankenstein and Black Widow, never expected to see that. If you haven’t seen it, do look online or wait until the series starts rolling. June sees issues 5 through to 8 on the stands.
I am torn on Justice League United. On one hand the title was originally supposed to highlight the Canadian version of the team but instead we get the galactic adventures front and center. On the other hand it is written by Jeff Lemire who I have a large amount of faith in. Issue 2 transports us, and the team to Rann, plus we get a visit from fancy Lobo. While I am missing the Canadian content I am looking forward to reading the continued adventures of the country displaced team.
World’s Finest #24 by Paul Levitz (W), R.B. Silva (A), and Joe Weems (A) starts a storyline that will bring the two title characters back to Earth 2. Could this series be ending soon? Could it be the start of the road to the Earth 2 weekly that will possibly be joining Batman Eternal and Futures End on the shelves?
I mentioned earlier how Geoff Johns seems to favor the tried and true a little more than taking risks and that is clear in the solicitation for Superman #32 which sees the creative team change. Geoff Johns takes the writing reigns and legendary artist John Romita, Jr. lead the charge that sees Clark get an invitation to return to the Daily Planet. The solicitation promises new villains, and new heroes, and I hope that is true because Superman needs to change with the times, if the readers and DC allow it.
The question about Damian Wayne’s resurrection may be answered in June when Batman and Ra’s Al Ghul #32 comes to the comic shop. Peter J. Tomasi writes and art is provided by Patrick Gleason and Mick Gray for the concluding chapter of “The Hunt for Robin”. While I have not followed Damian’s exploits prior to his too soon death it is clear he had a following and he brought a human quality to the Dark Knight that you rarely saw in the character, and maybe that is something that will be back soon.
Could Oracle be returning in some form? That’s what I would get from the solicitation from Batgirl #32 from Gail Simone (W), Fernando Pasarin (A), and Jonathan Glapion (A) when Barbara has to deal with an enemy who is electronically her true identity. Instead of donning the cape of Batgirl she has to think of an alternative. I have missed Oracle so much since the New 52 rebooted and I feel that we lost something when Barbara left that identity behind in the old DC. Here’s hoping for Oracles return.
Larfleeze is ending in June with issue 12. This may sound harsh but is anyone surprised? The only thing more surprising is the continued publication of Batwing.
Dynamite and DC are teaming up retro pulp style with the release of Batman ’66 Meets Green Hornet #1. This is a digital first series but June will see it in print. Written by Kevin Smith and Ralph Garman with art by Ty Templeton, this is sure to be a hit, as long as Smith respects the theory of a deadline with this one.
All ages fans look alive. June sees the return of the fan favorite Tiny Titans in Tiny Titans: Return to the Treehouse #1 (of 6). Art Baltazar (A,W), and Franco (W) are back with their Eisner Award-winning series. What happened to the treehouse and why is it so small? This is what Superboy and Supergirl and the others need to find out. These books are fun and a wonderful way to introduce a younger generation to the fun of comic books.
Well that’s it for DC, up next is Marvel!