December 2012 DC Comics Diamond Previews Review

The New 52 has recently lost it’s sizable market share that it had as a result of the relaunch, and it is no surprise with Marvel unleashing Marvel Now! Hopefully the upcoming Trinity War will give DC back the spark. Time will only tell.

          Even with the buzz surrounding Before Watchmen cooling, they are releasing another title under the umbrella, this time Dollar Bill is getting his own one shot. Solid enough creative team of Len Wein and Steve Rude. Worth picking up if your a completest but not sure what purpose this book would fill for anyone else.

The mini-series for Ozymandias, Rorschach, the Comedian, and Dr. Manhattan all come to a close in February.

          Justice League #17 brings the “Throne of Atlantis” crossover to a close, and also sets up the League for some pretty big changes. I bet this will have some seeds for the “Trinity War” sprinkled throughout.

          As odd as it seems I am adding Green Arrow to my pull list. This is for one reason, well two really, the art team. Green Arrow has never been a character that held much interest for me, but that is changing in February when Jeff Lemire starts writing and Andrea Sorrentino starts drawing. Jeff Lemire is one of very few creators that I would follow onto any book. There is a nuance to how he develops his characters that presents them with flaws, and strengths, with the ability to showcase those traits in ways that strip the character bare, adding a layer of emotional realism that is lacking in so many superhero titles. He goes beyond the powers and abilities and really looks at the person behind the hero persona.

          Justice League of America launches in February with one of the oddest variant cover programs I have seen. 52 variants, each with a different state flag, being held up by several members, are being offered in addition to the regular cover, and no doubt incentive covers that will be pouring over the shelves. Geoff Johns writing, and David Finch on art means this is a must buy and is automatically going on my pull list. I am a fan of the Justice League but many of my favorite periods of the team involve less involvement from the big 7 and more involvement from those considered B-list, those were the interesting stories for me, and this new series looks to carry on that tradition.

          DC adds another 2 solo series to it’s roster, it is to note that DC returns to the magic 52 number in March with the already announced Constantine series, replacing the ending Vertigo title Hellblazer. Katana is first out in February and is brought to us by Ann Nocenti (W) (also notable for her still amazing Daredevil run), and Alex Sanchez (A) who is someone I am vaguely familiar but his previous work looks solid. I will at least be giving this one a sampling.

          Next up is the oddly titled Justice League of America’s Vibe, rolls right off the tongue doesn’t it? I wish there was a font called sarcastica. Horrible title aside, I am excited by this series. Like I said earlier some of my favorite moments of the JLA was because of characters like this. Characters that would get sidelined by the big guns, but easily have enough power to handle most situations. These characters were meant to be on the side, even off the radar in some cases, allowing them a little more freedom in terms of their character development. I always appreciated Vibe, looking back I understand the complaint about stereotyping but he was a solid character. I am hoping that even with a monthly that he still retains what made B list characters great, fluidity. Geoff Jones is co-writing with Andrew Kreisberg, and Pete Woods is doing the art. Solid creative team and with Geoff Jones co-writing it makes me wonder if there are really big plans in store for Vibe? I am hoping that DC lets these characters have their solo adventures and not tie every issue into the Justice League of America title. I am looking forward to seeing Vibe shine on his own.

          Quick question, if you aren’t reading Wonder Woman, why aren’t you? This book is one of the most solid and consistent books being published by DC and I love the fact that they have really kept her story separate from the DC Universe as a whole. This is the perfect book for someone who wants fantasy, without the cumbersome continuity bogging everything down, it is perfect for fans of strong female characters who know who they are in their heart and act on their convictions, it is perfect for the fans of beautifully drawn, wonderfully written comic books. Azzarello, Akins, and Green provide us more intrigue in February’s 17th issue where characters are choosing sides, betrayals abound, and bad news is shared with the world. Get the trades, get the back issues, get this book!

          I hate Power Girl’s costume. This is in no way a reflection of the book, or it’s creative team, just something I have wanted to say since she got the horrible redesign.

          Grant Morrison’s run on Action Comics ends with #17. From the solicits it would appear this is to be an important book. I tried the first few issues when this came out because of my love of Morrison, but I quickly realized that for superheroes nothing was going to top his JLA run for me, and quickly dropped the book.

Over in the other Super books we see “H’El on Earth!” end in Superman #17, Superboy #17, and Supergirl #17. I am sure it will only be another couple of months until we see the next Super family crossover. DC is learning that these insulated crossovers are working for readers, and hopefully they will use that knowledge instead of doing huge sweeping crossovers every year. Sadly Trinity War will more than likely affect most titles, but we will see.

          Speaking of successful insulated crossovers, the much hyped and sales juggernaut of “Death of the Family” concludes in Batman #17 and apparently to a death. Right now I would wager between Damian or Alfred with my money on Damian taking the dirt nap. This may sound like crazy talk but maybe the Joker is going to off himself?.

Repercussions are felt in Detective Comics #17, Batgirl #17 (Hey, Marvel, give Gail Simone a call!), Nightwing #17, Teen Titans #17, and the much hyped Red Hood and the Outlaws #17.

The “Wrath of the First Lantern” begins in Green Lantern #17, and engulfs Green Lantern Corps #17, Green Lantern: New Guardians #17, and Red Lanterns #17. This family of titles is a little heavy on the crossovers. It would be far tempting to have some done in ones for new readers. It is allot harder to jump onto a series when it is a small part of a multi issue storyline.

          Swamp Thing, Animal Man, and Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. (R.I.P.) have demonstrated a perfect way to do a crossover. Each title worked well on their own prior to the crossover and they will carry on afterward, separately, yet an ongoing connection. Sadly January’s Frankenstein #16 is to be the last of that series. As the months go on it is going to be harder to see some of these series go. I have been lucky, out of all the titles I started with haven’t been canceled with Frankie being the first.

          I am very worried about I, Vampire. That book is how vampires should be done and is very genre bending and defining at the same time. The sales of the first trade were apparently impressive for one of the Dark Family books. But with the artist going elsewhere it would be hard to imagine the book drawn any other way, it has a distinctive look and a voice all its own.

          “Rotworld” has been gripping both story and art-wise. The creepy factor is cranked up to ten on all titles involved and you truly feel the horror that would swallow the Earth if there was a Rot. “Rotworld” as a story ends in issues Animal Man #17 with the epic ending happening in Swamp Thing #17. I will be sad to see the Swamp Thing team move on and only hope that who ever becomes the new creative team will maintain the quality of the title.

          One of my guilty pleasures, Team 7 releases their 5th issue in February and it makes me crave a Wildcats title even more. Spartan and the Majestic Program make their first appearance. Quit teasing us Jim Lee and bring us some Wildcats!

          Legion of Super-Heroes #17 sees a creative team shift bringing Keith Giffen on board as artist while Paul Levitz writes. Having been a fan of their previous collaborations I know that I will be giving this a go, and I think allot of others will, well here’s hoping, this book could use a little sales bump.

          February sees another big month for trades and hardcovers with the first volume of Batman: The Court of Owls TP is released, I, Vampire Vol. 2: Rise of the Vampires TP hits the stands, seriously buy this one. Don’t let DC end this series.

          There are a couple of interesting TP’s being released. Day of Judgment, typical heroes vs. hell story, an early Geoff Jones story, is out, and so is Marshal Law: The Deluxe Edition HC, by Pat Mills (W) and Kevin O’Neill (A), clocks in at 480 pages and is a book that I can’t wait to read. Those last two seem like odd releases, but diversity is amazing, and the Marshal Law has me excited.

          As I mentioned earlier, Hellblazer is coming to an end and it is February’s #300 issue that draws a close to Constantine’s time in the Vertigo Universe before transplanting him permanently to the New 52, where he will be the one and only Constantine.

          Creepy cover of the month goes to The Phantom Stranger #5. Jae Lee is amazing and this cover is further proof why. I am getting this on the strength of the cover alone.

Well that is it for DC in February. See you soon with the rest of Previews.