December 2013 DC Comics Diamond Previews Review
While the new wave of Marvel Now is blowing me away, the February 2013 solicitations for DC looks to bring the same old. While that’s not a bad thing I am definitely hoping for more when the next chapter of the New 52 takes off following Forever Evil. Also I want to say that there is a glimmer of innovation coming from the Distinguished Competition, and that maybe we are starting to see hints about the direction they will take, and hopefully it does not mean more Batman, Superman, or Justice League titles.
Let’s take a look at some the more interesting books coming out. Speaking of Forever Evil, the penultimate issue of the event mini-series, #6 (of 7) by Geoff Johns (W), David Finch (A), and Richard Friend (A) and gives us the final fate of Nightwing. While Dick Grayson is my favourite of the Bats‘ extended family I would like to see him be a fatality of this event. With hints that Damian is coming back, Dick would probably follow because dead does not mean dead at either of the big 2. In addition Nightwing is reported to have an appearance in the new Superman vs. Batman movie hitting in 2015 and they would want to keep his profile active for possible new readers.
Also because of Forever Evil we get the introduction of the Metal Men into the New 52 in the pages of Justice League #28 by Geoff Johns (W), Ivan Reis (A), and Joe Prado (A). Leading them is Cyborg as they bring the fight to the Crime Syndicate.
A couple of stand out Forever Evil related mini-series include Forever Evil: Arkham War by Peter J. Tomasi (W), Scot Eaton (A), and Jaime Mendoza (A), and Forever Evil: Rogues Rebellion written by Brian Buccalleto and drawn by Scott Hepburn. In Arkham War we get a deadly, and terrifying Bane up against Scarecrow and his legion of venom enhanced villains. This series is one of the rare times I really enjoy reading Bane, and fans of the dark pantheon of villains that normally plague the Dark Knight should be checking this book out. Issue five of six of this series is out in February. Rogues Rebellion gives us Flash’s rogues gallery versus a very Arrow looking Royal Flush Gang. The Rogues are my favourite part of the Flash and his history, which is odd since I am not a fan of the speedster on his own. Much like the Superior Foes of Spider-Man over at Marvel, a Rogues ongoing would definitely peak my interest.
A fun tie in to Forever Evil is over in Suicide Squad #28 by Matt Kindt (W) and Patrick Zircher (A). The Suicide Squad goes against one of my favourite redesigned characters in the New 52, Omac. Wherever Omac goes a crazy time is sure to follow. Heres hoping he has a similar personality and is written like he was in his own ongoing because I was not a fan of how he was handled in the short lived Justice League International.
Superman: Lois Lane #1 by Marguerite Bennett (W) and Emanuella Lupacchino (A) gives us a chance to see Lois as the star of the book. Brainiac and a sister involved in drugs would give anyone a moment of pause but Lois does not have that option. Lois Lane is truly one of the most under appreciated female characters and a solo series where we see her rescuing herself versus Superman saving the day would be refreshing, and hopefully the boys club of comics (really the big 2) will let that happen and maybe support this book so it can become a reality. She’ll get my vote.
Batman Jokers Daughter #1. Marguerite Bennett also writes a Batman related one shot with Meghan Hetrick providing art. This issue brings us some more background on one of the new villains in the New 52, and one of the most twisted looking in comics. This will be a strong contender because of the Bat affiliation and I wouldn’t blink twice if the twisted lady did get a monthly.
Speaking of female characters, Supergirl #28 by Tony Bedard (W), Yildiray Cinar (A), and Ray McCarthy (A), starts the “Red Daughter of Krypton” when Kara joins the ranks of the Earth quadrants new guardians, the Red Lanterns. The storyline continues in the interestingly packaged flip book that includes Green Lantern #28 / Red Lanterns #28. Judging from the solicitation Kara’s transformation will last longer than a month and I hope it raises her profile. She has been a character that has struggled with identity and thematic issues since before Flashpoint, and this might give her the direction she needs.
Gothtopia, an Elseworlds but not an Elseworlds story that gives us a very different Gotham where everyone is living the life that they want. This is also a chance to boost sales on struggling books, I’m looking at you Batwing, although it has lasted longer than I expected. Gothtopia touches the pages of Detective Comics #28, Batwing #28, Birds of Prey #28, and Catwoman #28.
Another attempt to boost sales with a Bat family visit is in the pages of The Movement #9 by Gail Simone (W) and Freddie Williams II (A). Batgirl heads to Coral City as she tries to help this title stave off cancellation. No knock to the creative team, and it is great that DC is trying to make this book work but you can colour me surprised if this book lasts beyond issue #12.
Speaking of cancellations, Stormwatch will end soon but the end is still a couple of issues away. When Jim Starlin hopped on-board as writer it did help the book initially but the only passing resemblance to the original Wildstorm Stormwatch is some of the characters names and appearances. Beyond those two things this book does not have anything that remotely feels like the original Stormwatch. When this title ends it will bring a close to the Wildstorm integration that one time included a Grifter and Voodoo series, as well as the Gen 13 like title The Redeemers. I am holding out hope that Wildcats will be making an appearance in an upcoming wave of new books. Wildcats struggled at times but under the DC banner proper and with the right creative team (Jim Lee should pencil this baby) it could become one of the hottest team books out there. Stormwatch will always be one of my favourite series, and most notably when Warren Ellis wrote the book. Change or Die, there is a great Stormwatch story. Plus, and this may be just me, Lobo does not fit in this book in the slightest.
Vertigo will be livening up and beefing up its line in the coming months as both Fables and Fairest come to a close and Vertigo’s current longest running series shuts its doors. Rob Williams writes, and Simon Coleby draws a new mini-series called The Royals: Masters of War. The first of six issues hits in February and takes us back to 1940. Instead of needing protectors, the Royal Family are the protectors because they are the only ones with special powers. With this concept alone I hope it comes back as either an ongoing, or a series of mini-series. I love revised history where the writer obviously did research and shows us a world that while it is fantastic, is still grounded in reality.
That brings us to the end of DC Comics for February of 2013. Last but not least we will look at the rest of Previews and see what all of the other publishers have for us in February.