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May 2014 DC Comics Diamond Previews Review

Hello readers and welcome to our look at the Previews magazine dated May 2014 with solicitations for product shipping starting in July 2014. First up, as we review Issue 308 of Previews will be DC Comics.

By July, Forever Evil will be done and Future’s End will be the focus as we ramp up to the Earth 2 weekly that will undoubtedly tie into Future’s End. There were many changes wrought as a result of Forever Evil and because of those changes we are getting DC’s version of an All-New set of relaunches.

          Let’s look at those first and see if any of them are bringing anything new to the DC line up. The character that went through the wringer most was obviously Nightwing who we now find is Dick Grayson, super-spy. For me the draw is the artist, while the writer Tim Seeley is hit or miss with me, mostly miss, Mikel Janin on art has piqued my interest. He did some solid work on Justice League Dark that made me a fan. When I initially saw the cover I was worried that it was indicative of the art for Grayson inside the book. Not that the cover is a bad cover it is just too Howard Chaykin for me and I have a hard time connecting with his art unless it is his original creations he is illustrating. That being said I will be checking out at least the first issue. Here’s hoping it’s new reader friendly.

          New Suicide Squad #1 comes to us from the team of Sean Ryan (W), and Jeremy Roberts (A). This book has me excited. I never got into the initial run of Suicide Squad and after having read the first 15 issues that a friend had, I was hooked. Throwing in Joker’s Daughter will further strain the team dynamics and I look forward to the colorful exchanges that are sure to come up between Harley and Joker’s Daughter. Deathstroke and Black Manta will also add more edge to the team. I’m thinking this is going to be the most volatile team in comic books, since ever. I will be checking out the first issue of this book.

          A relaunch that I am staying away from because I have little to no faith in the property at this time, and I have taken a sit and wait approach is Teen Titans #1. Will Pfeifer writes with art provided by Kenneth Rocafort. While I am one of those that is not a fan of the cover, I will not open that can of worms, that is not the sole reason for me not wanting this book, nor is it the creative team, both of which I have enjoyed in the past. At this time I just feel like they are putting out a Teen Titans book because they feel they should have one, and not because they have a good story to tell. The idea of a team of young heroes who will almost police the other young heroes is intriguing but I will wait to hear feedback on the first arc before I test the waters. Once burned, twice shy as the saying goes.

          Even though DC has tried two different war series and neither succeeded with G.I. Combat not able to make it past issue #7 and the first wave title Men of War gone with issue #8, they are trying again, this time combining zombies and war in Star-Spangled War Stories featuring G.I. Zombie. Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti write with art by Scott Hampton. Even though the saying is “Third time lucky” I have a hard time seeing this title lasting past the first year.

Out of the 4, I will be sampling New Suicide Squad and Grayson just because they are trying a totally new direction for the character (Grayson) and taking qualities I already liked and ratcheting up that tension even further (New Suicide Squad).

          The march towards Damian’s return continues in the July shipping one shot Robin Rises: Omega #1 by Peter J. Tomasi (W), Andy Kubert (A), and Jonathan Glapion (A). The forces of Apokolips gets thrown into the mix which may raise some eyebrows considering Darkseid’s upcoming role in the Earth 2 weekly and the Future’s End event. This may be a book to watch.

          Wonder Woman #33 is the first part of the final storyline by Brian Azzarello (W) and Cliff Chiang (A). I have raved about this title since the first issue and while it is sad that this teams run is coming to an end, it has been a consistent run where the creators have left their definitive mark on the character, and for the first time I cared about Wonder Woman. It is time to place the rightful ruler in charge of Olympus and with the possible candidates Wonder Woman has her work cut out for her.

          Scott Snyder writes the final issue of his Zero Year origin story in Batman #33. Clocking in at 48 pages this will give us the big final battle between Batman and Riddler. I am looking forward to a possible Absolute collection for this story and have my fingers crossed that we will see that solicited within the coming year. Greg Capullo (A), Danny Miki (A) and Scott Snyder (W) bring the roller-coaster ride to an end and we will be left with the definitive Batman origin in the New 52.

After having learned from their mistake during the last 3-D cover debacle last September, DC is releasing basic solicitations for the upcoming event books. Unfortunately there are no creators listed so people are going to be ordering based on the characters or the story. Other than the Justice League titles I will be passing on most of them, but there are some interesting tidbits to be had.

          Grayson is the top super-spy in Russia. Black Canary takes her place at the head of the League of Assassins. The Suicide Squad attacks the White House. Batwoman is a vampire. Selina Kyle is Black Mask. Those are just some of the stories that will be told in Septembers event. There will be 3-D covers and 2-D covers available. I would love to recommend some of the books but honestly without a creative team it is hard for me to justify any recommendations. At this point I would say get the books you already collect and maybe check out other ones once we start learning the creative teams.

Judy has the reservation list of 41 DC Futures End Titles for September at Book Fair. She has to know by Wed. May 28th at the latest, which titles you may want to pre-order in either 3D or 2D. These are sure to sell out fast and will not be available to order after this date. DC said they may have pictures available online by May 27th. Stop by the store and reserve your copies This Week to avoid disappointment in September.

          Another video game tie in is heading our way, Infinite Crisis: Fight for the Multiverse #1 by Dan Abnett (W), Carl Potts (A), Szymon Kudranski (A), and others. This is fun partially because of the tie in (although I suck at the game, it is really pretty to watch), but mainly for all of the alternate takes we will see of our favorite DC heroes and villains. Being a fan of Elseworlds, What Ifs, and anything that smells like a multiverse I am so down with this book.

Well that is all for DC, up next, Marvel!