February 2013 DC Comics Diamond Previews Review
The February issue of Previews is out and with it the full listings for all product shipping in April. In an attempt to revitalize the New 52 from its near stagnation is the recently announced WRF Certified. This refers to the covers of all New 52 books in April, which will be fold-out. The exciting twist though is the cover, when opened there will be a surprise reveal, promising to alter the status quo of the title.
April sadly brings the ending of one of my favorite launches of the New 52, I, Vampire. Issue #19 is the final issue for Joshua Hale Fialkov (W), Fernando Blanco (A), and Andrea Sorrentino (A), who will bring the title to a close. Joshua has mentioned in interviews that he is working on other possible DC books, and that two of the characters that are around at the end may appear in his future work. I for one hope so, as this series has consistently offered an intriguing look into the darkest corners of the DC Universe. These are vampires that you should fear, and Andrea Sorrentino really brings the darkness of their world to the forefront. At least you can see Andrea’s work on Green Arrow with Jeff Lemire writing.
It should be noted that the anthology series, DC Universe Presents, is ending with issue #19, with a story involving time travel and the Flash. It is no surprise that this series failed. With no headlining characters, and a mixed bag of creators, there was nothing in this book to make fans want to pick it up. Here’s hoping that one of these days DC and Marvel check out Dark Horse Presents to see the right way to do an anthology.
Justice League of America #3 looks to reveal a traitor in the ranks. My pick is Catwoman, based on two clues; she is not on the cover and there is a whip coiled around Arrow’s neck.
Over in Justice League #19 someone is using Kryptonite against Superman….again. Batman pops to mind for this one, but I could easily be wrong. Geoff Johns is a writer who I am very hit or miss with and it is evident for me between the two League books. I am excited at the stories that Justice League of America will be telling but gave up on Justice League months ago. I may still drop Justice League of America but I am doubtful of that. Stories about government mandated heroes, or teams, are exciting for me, especially if we get to see some of the political power plays that are sure to exist in the New 52.
I don’t pick up Earth 2 but I have to give the creative team kudos for an amazing Dr. Fate tweaking. They updated his look, and he looks like a formidable foe, more so than ever, and he still has the helmet, looking as it should.
“Death of the Family” is done and I am thinking my guess of Damian being offed is correct as he does not have a showing in the books. The cover to Batman and Robin #19 appears to be an homage to Frank Millers Dark Knight cover, with an unrevealed Robin.
Fellow cast members from the Justice League of America make an appearance in Catwoman #19, and there goal, protect Catwoman.
Nightwing #19 by Kyle Higgins (W), and Brett Booth (A) is going to feature the New 52 premier of the Creeper, at least all of the announced hints would indicate that.
Constantine is like Wolverine, appearing in multiple titles. He of course appears in the 2nd issue of his own series but also pops up in Sword of Sorcery #7, Justice League Dark #19, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him pop up over in The Phantom Stranger #7, but that is just a guess on my part.
Flash appears alongside Constantine in Justice League Dark #19 written by Jeff Lemire and Ray Fawkes, and art by Mikel Janin. I like the use of characters, that you wouldn’t really expect, in the Dark titles, and Flash displays that. I am at a loss as to how his ability will help defend the House of Mystery? Either way this book comes home monthly with me already and will continue to do so if the high quality of the writing remains.
I am loving all of the cover work that Jae Lee is doing and if I wasn’t already collecting Animal Man, I would be picking up the 19th issue of this series, just for the cover. With Rotworld still going through the current issues I am excited to see the fallout in Buddy’s life. I wish I could say the same for Swamp Thing #19, but with Scott Snyder leaving the title with the previous months 18th issue, there will be a mass migration off of this book. I mean no offense to Charles Soule, but allot of people were reading that book because of Snyder. One thing I have to admire still, even though it isn’t coming home with me, is the cover, Andy Brase does a wonderful job creating a strong looking Scarecrow who you could imagine easily taking down the Swamp Thing.
Dial H #11 by China Mielville (W), Alberto Ponticelli (A), Dan Green (A), and Brian Bolland (Cover) continues the confusion I feel over this title, and I am not sure if this issues guest appearance by Flash will help that. I think what China is doing is amazing, and reinterpreting the mythos behind the Dial, into something that is respectful to what has come before, while forging ahead on a new path that had never been traveled. I think I would prefer to see this branded as a Vertigo series, because it does not belong in the New 52, and seems forced to a degree. This mini crossover does not appeal to me either and I am going to take a break from this book, but that is by no means a reflection on it in terms of quality, it is more a personal preference.
The ironic thing is I am disappointed that a possible crossover between I, Vampire and Flash is not going to happen. The story would have seen the entire rogues gallery for the Flash become vampires, leaving Flash only 72 hours to save them. That sounds like a dynamic story, but one that will never see the light of day.
I think I might be popping back onto Stormwatch. Aprils 19th issue brings us the new ongoing writer, Jim Starlin, and with him on board we see a different Stormwatch from the time stream enter the New 52. The Midnighter and Apollo on this different Stormwatch appears to look a little closer to the way we are used to seeing them pre Flashpoint. Other members of the team include Fahrenheit, the Engineer, and a retooled The Weird, with a few other characters redesigned and added to the roster. I never found this title really found its voice, here’s hoping Starlin can help rectify that.
The New 52 trades I have picked up thus far have been wonderful reads. It is because of this that I am going to check out the Aquaman Vol. 1: The Trench TP. The series by Geoff Johns (W), Ivan Reiss (A), Joe Prado (A), and Ever Ferreira (A), has garnered rave reviews and made Aquaman more popular than ever before. I did try the first couple of issues when it came out but I think this deserves a second look.
Demon Knights Vol. 2: The Avalon Trap TP is also out in April, and with the enjoyment I had reading the first volume, this book will definitely be joining its preceding volume on my shelf.
StormWatch Vol. 2 HC comes to stores in April as well. This is how StormWatch should be, and Warren Ellis is the writer I most associate with this Wildstorm creation, and when they were at their best. Of course this is the lead in to the game changing series The Authority. This will be joining Volume 1 in my collection. And that draws to a close our look at the new and noteworthy in DC solicitations for their April 2013 shipping product.