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July 2013 DC Comics Diamond Previews Review

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July 2013 DC Comics Diamond Previews Review

Time to visit the latest issue of Previews Magazine. The July 2013, 298th issue, for merchandise appearing in stores beginning in September 2013.

 

Forever Evil #1

Let’s take a look at the first line wide event and the latest attempt by DC Comics to maintain some sort of relevance, possibly to justify the continued use of the term “New 52”, namely “Forever Evil”. This will show us exactly what would happen if the villains did in fact win. With the villains only taking over for the one month it is interesting that the associated mini series is 7 issues. If it is shipping monthly it makes me curious how this story will play out. Geoff Johns is writing the main mini series, with art provided by David Finch and Richard Friend.

 

The villain take over doesn’t mess up the issue numbering, instead adding a decimal point to the pre crossover month issue number. While there are several of these villain issues I would love to take home I am going to tough it out until the Omnibus edition is released. Let’s take a peek though at some of the more interesting issues that will be showing up.

e league, may 2013 diamond comic previews, superman, trinity war, upcoming comics septemb

Justice League #23.2 Lobo         Each time I see a post Liefeld Lobo I breathe another sigh of relief that he did not create any type of new standard for that character. He takes over in Justice League #23.2: Lobo. It looks like they are crafting the bad ass Lobo that comic book fans know and love. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

 

Justice League #23.3 Dial E         Justice League #23.3: Dial E by the Dial H writer China Mieville, and a roster of 20 artists including such favorites as Jeff Lemire, David Lapham and many, many others, brings us what appears to be the actual final Dial H story. I am happy that DC allowed this. I believe this shows allot of respect for what they were trying to do with the title. With the theme of the month being one that tells the story of when evil wins, four criminals find a lost E Dial and find themselves pursued by someone, or someones, in the shadows. 20 pages and 20 artists is a fitting way to bring this story to a close until it get’s dusted off again.

 

Justice League Dark #23.2 Eclipso         Dan Didio is writing Justice League Dark #23.2: Eclipso. That just does not sound like a good fit to me and I wonder why someone more familiar with the characters, like Lemire, or Fawkes, didn’t give it a go. Either way I will read it in the Omnibus but it would be one I would be on the shelf about as a single issue.

 

Earth 2 #15.2 Solomon Grundy         On the other hand, putting someone like Matt Kindt, who produces Mind MGMT, an amazing book, onto Earth 2 #15.2: Solomon Grundy, you cannot help but be intrigued. Matt Kindt crafting the origins of a classic DC character, even on an alternate Earth, is rife with possibilities. This book should be a must buy, and has sleeper hit written all over it.

 

Action Comics #23.1 Cyborg Superman         All I can say, looking at the dynamic cover for Action Comics #23.1: Cyborg Superman, is that DC needs to produce Cyborg Superman as an action figure in their New 52 line. Michael Alan Nelson (W) and Mike Hawthorne (A) brings to light the connection between Krypton and Cyborg Superman.

 

Batman and Robin #23.2 The Court of Owls         Batman and Robin #23.2: The Court of Owls by James Tynion IV (W) and Jorge Lucas (A) is not only one of the creepiest covers and makes me think of the disturbing film, The Strangers, but a chance to see just how far they will go to maintain control once evil has won.

 

Detective Comics #23.1 Poison Ivy         My favorite DC villain, but one that I find has been handled wrong since the launch of the New 52, Poison Ivy, is taking over in Detective Comics #23.1: Poison Ivy. Derek Fridolfs, whose writing credits are mainly with the digital arm of DC, including: Batman: Li’l Gotham, Arkham Unhinged, Justice League Beyond, and Arkham City, is taking to the printed page as he and artist Javier Pina, and bringing us a story about her evolution in the absence of the Batman. I hope this brings the character to a place where she will truly shine and become an integral part to the New 52.

 

Batman Black and White #1         Batman fans have a reason to celebrate in September when the Eisner Award-winning series, Batman Black and White returns in the form of a six issue mini series. The roster of creators is massive and includes such luminaries, and fan favorites, such as: Chip Kidd, Neal Adams, John Arcudi, Sean Murphy, and many more. With the creators involved it doesn’t matter what the stories are, they are virtually guaranteed to give Batman fans what they want.

 

Superman a Celebration of 75 Years HC         The 75th anniversary of the Man of Steel is being celebrated by DC Comics with two different collections. First up is Superman: A Celebration of 75 Years HC. This is 384 pages of stories from all periods throughout his career. With a whose who of comic creators: Jerry Siegel, Joe Kelly, Alan Moore, Joe Shuster, Curt Swan, and many more, this is for fans of the stranger from Krypton.

 

Lois Lane a Celebration of 75 Years HC         Superman could not have reached this milestone without intrepid reporter Lois Lane. She gets her own celebration in Lois Lane: A Celebration of 75 Years HC. Also 384 pages with Jerry Siegel, John Byrne, Gran Morrison, Greg Rucka, Phil Jimenez and several others contributing, this represents some of the best and most memorable moments with Lois Lane.

 

Injustice Gods Among Us vol 01 HC         Having read nothing but good things about Injustice I am excited to order Injustice: Gods Among Us Vol. 1 HC. This collects the first six issues of the digital series in one collection. The chance to go further in depth into the dark, and morally split DC Universe that Injustice takes place in is exciting. With Justice Lords being my favorite characters in the animated Justice League universe, I look forward to seeing another take on that story.

 

Astro City #4         Having read the first two issues of Astro City, I cannot heap enough praise on this series by Kurt Busiek (W), Brent Anderson (A) and Alex Ross (Cover) which brings us back to a city, and characters that hold a special place in our comic book hearts, and injects new life into something that was already perfect to begin with.

 

 

DC Comics Super Villains Deathstroke AFDC Comics New 52 Swamp Thing Deluxe AF         DC continues to roll out the amazing figures in the New 52 line. In December they bring the deluxe action figure Swamp Thing to comic shop shelves. This is going to be a wonderful edition to the line, with a height of 9.75” and a 15” wingspan, it will be one of the biggest released to date. Another villain joins the line up as we get the New 52 version of Deathstroke in action figure form. The only one I am missing to date is Darkseid and I regret not ordering him at the time. One day he will be mine.

 

That brings an end to our look at DC Comics. See you soon with Marvel!

June 2013 DC Comics Diamond Previews Review

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June 2013 DC Comics Diamond Previews Review

 

Justice League of America #7 Justice League Dark #23Justice League #23           While Marvel Comics heads into Infinity, DC Comics takes August to wrap up Trinity War which is the catalyst for their first company wide crossover in September. Justice League of America #7 brings us chapter 4 of this war of the Leagues. And chapters 5, and the finale, #6 happens in Justice League Dark #23, and Justice League #23 respectively. The finale promises to bring to light the secret that Pandora has been guarding about Pandora’s Box. Somehow the ending of this brings a change about that leads into the premise of the villains winning, and the League being dead. I am beginning to think the death of the League might be more metaphorical.

 

Trinity of Sin Pandora #3          There is only 1 tie-in in August, unless you count the Director’s Cut of Justice League #22 which kicked off the actual storyline. Trinity of Sin: Pandora #3 by Ray Fawkes (W), Daniel Sampere (A), and Vicente Cifuentes (A) tells a tale involving Pandora and the Seven Deadly Sins. DC, like Marvel, has lost allot of luster for me, and I am hoping the September event can help rejuvenate a line that is primarily Batman, Superman, and Green Lantern at this point.

 

Justice League of America Vibe #7          Both Katana and Justice League of America’s Vibe hit their 7th issues in August and I can’t help but wonder if they will make it past the September event and if they do, for how much longer. This is not a knock to their quality, just the way the series were launched. We never had an opportunity to get to know these characters before the #1 issues came out.

 

Katana #7          Sure Katana was in Birds of Prey but she was never portrayed as anything more than a 1 dimensional character, and even in her solo series they are still trying to find her voice. Next time don’t spring the characters off into their own books, let them be cultivated in the pages of an existing title, give the readers time to fall for the characters. While I did enjoy the first issue of Vibe’s series and even wanted it on my pull list, at the end of the day I did not have enough of a bond, nor interest in the character for him to survive my pull list cull.

 

Superman Unchained #3           Superman Unchained is proving to be the Superman I never knew I wanted but so happy to have found. Scott Snyder is my favorite writer at the moment, and with the level of quality he consistently points out he is one I will gladly follow. I know Jim Lee won’t be on this book for long, because let’s face it, he normally doesn’t stick around, but while he is on-board, the creative energy apparent between Lee and Snyder is obvious on every page.

 

Batman #23          Speaking of Snyder, he continues the telling of Bruce Wayne’s Zero Year as Batman, and in issue #23 of the hero’s title, we see the moment that millionaire Wayne becomes the caped crusader.

 

Batwing #23          Normally I would be all over the creative team of Batwing but I suspect that issue #23 of the series will be another example as to why this book should be canceled. If it wasn’t part of the Bat-family it would have been gone by now.

 

Nightwing #23          Rumors are swirling that Nightwing is deeply affected by the Forever Evil arc, with some suggesting his death, as the end result, or possibly the catalyst. Based on the cover for issue #23 it doesn’t look like Nightwing is having an easy time of it in Chicago. If it ends up being true this would be one of the roughest years for Batman, and would lead to a very Dark Knight indeed.

 

Threshold #8          August brings us a cancellation extravaganza with the recent anthology series Threshold coming to a close with issue #8, which is no surprise. I tried this book but three tries to read the first issue alone meant this was not a nut I wanted to crack. One word, boring. Which is odd since Keith Giffen usually entertains as a writer.

 

Other series finales include the should have been Vertigo book, Dial H. This book survived allot longer than I expected and closes out at issue #15. Dial H #15  The two other casualties are original launch books, Demon Knights, and Legion of Super-Heroes. These two books draw to a close with issues #23.

 

Demon Knights #23          Cast members of Demon Knights could easily be blended into other titles, such as The Demon over in Justice League Dark. There are too many great characters whose stories still need to be explored.

 

Legion of Super Heroes #23          With the Legion you know that they will be back, and I predict it will basically be a future Justice League since the success of Man of Steel in theaters virtually guarantees a Justice League movie, they will want to dilute the market with the name, just like Marvel and the countless Avengers titles. Either way they will be back.

 

Stormwatch #23          Stormwatch #23 is out in August and I hope that the creative shot in the arm that Jim Starlin has given this book is enough to save it from cancellation. Jim has been able to make this title enjoyable again, and I will admit that the logo change is appreciated. While it doesn’t have the same edge as the original series, it is far closer than the relaunch of the title.

 

Joker Death of the Family HC          There are a couple of collections of note, the first being The Joker: Death of the Family HC. Clocking in at 456 pages and containing the stories that marked the Jokers return to the New 52, this is the perfect way to experiencing this chilling crossover that brought change to the entire Bat-family, all courtesy of the clown prince of crime. The stories are from the entire Bat line of books, and for $29.99 is a great deal when it comes to the creative output from some of the best working in the industry.

 

DC Comics One Million Omnibus HC          I am hooked on the Omnibus format and solicited for October is the collection of one of my favorite story-lines, DC: One Million. This omnibus collects all 1,080 pages of the story and each of #1,000,000 episodes that were released. With a creative roster that includes Grant Morison, Mark Millar, Garth Ennis, James Robinson, Geoff Johns, Phil Jimenez, J. H. Williams III, Bryan Hitch, Sean Phillips, and more, this 1999 story about a sentient super-computer known as Solaris was a benchmark in crossovers and should how truly epic in scope that they could be.

 

DC Comics New 52 Pandora AFDC Comics Super Villains Black Adam AF          The final items that caught my interest is another round of New 52 action figures. This time around we get an additional villain in the form of Black Adam, and the possible cause for the Flashpoint herself, Pandora.

 

DC New 52 Super Heroes vs Super Villains AF 7 pack          The exciting addition is the new 7 pack which features a new Aquaman head sculpt, metallic paint redecos for both Flash, and Batman, and redecos for Captain Cold, and the Joker. The only duplicate I will have to deal with is Black Manta, but I think that will go to my friend Norm. Oh and also in the set is probably the most amazing Catwoman figure I have ever seen. I love the New 52 line and these additions will look great on display with the others.

 

Wake #1 Directors CutTrillium #1          Well that’s my look at DC. I know I didn’t really touch on Vertigo but other than The Wake by Sean Murphy and Scott Snyder, and Trillium by Jeff Lemire, there wasn’t allot that grabbed my attention. Just in a bit more of a superhero mood lately it would seem. Good reading and see you soon with the rest of my look at Previews.

May 2013 DC Comics Diamond Previews Review

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May 2013 DC Comics Diamond Previews Review

 

Next in Previews let’s take a look at the DC offerings for July.

 

Trinity Sin of Pandora #2 Constantine #5Trinity Sin of the Phantom Stranger #10             Trinity War kicks off and the battle royale between Justice League, Justice League Dark, and Justice League of America begins. I will be picking these up in single issue format until the end of the crossover when Justice League Dark will be going onto my trade waiting list. This crossover will hopefully add a bit more punch that the less than New “New 52” has had in recent months. A hero’s death is the catalyst and the crossover spills over into Trinity of Sin: Pandora #2, Constantine #5, and even though it isn’t listed, I would hazard a guess that Trinity of Sin: The Phantom Stranger #10 has a hint of a tie in, that’s just a guess though.

 

  Justice League Dark #22Justice League of America #6Justice League #22             Justice League #22 is the official kick off, with Part 2 taking to the pages of Justice League of America #6, and Part 3 gives us a defector who leaves the Justice League and joins Justice League Dark in #22 of their series. I do find it odd that Justice League Dark is a big part of this crossover and they didn’t do a retail/digital combo pack, at least for this crossover.

 

Wonder Woman #22             There are a small number of books that I feel the need to get monthly and Wonder Woman is one of them. Issue #22 is out in July and thanks to Brian Azzarello (W) and Cliff Chiang (A) we take our first trip to the New 52’s New Genesis, and she meets the Highfather face to face. This is one of the best series that DC is putting out and it has been consistent in quality being delivered by the creative team.

 

Justice League of Americas Vibe #6Katana #6             Even though the quality is present for the most part within the pages of Katana and Justice League of America’s Vibe, I think that July’s shipping of their sixth issues may mark the halfway point of their run’s as they are close too, if not already, in the cancellation danger zone. It’s unfortunate that these two books have yet to find a foothold and really start speaking with their own voices.

 

             These days the threshold between launch and cancellation is shrinking, and we aren’t seeing an industry where a new title or concept can not survive from the big 2. I hate too say it but maybe DC, and Marvel, should both just stop the attempts to introduce new, Image can provide the new, and instead they can focus on what does well. Less titles, but all titles will tie into concepts, teams, or characters that have a proven pedigree and drive sales. In the long run this would help the industry and strengthen it.

 

Flash #22             Now pivotal to Flash mythology is the character known as Reverse Flash and he makes his appearance in the pages of The Flash #22, and will his New 52 appearance signal even more change for our speedster?

 

 

  Batman Zero Year Directors Cut #1Superman Unchained Directors Cut #1Superman Unchained #2                                                   Superman Unchained releases its second issue in July and I am excited to see Mr. Snyder’s take on the old boy scout. Scott has become a writer I follow and because of that I have no problem double dipping when the Director’s Cut of #1 comes out in July, one month since the original #1. The two draws for me are the artwork, presented in beautiful pencil, and second would be the full script. I cannot wait to see how Mr. Snyder works his magic with words! Not to be outdone, Batman Year Zero: Director’s Cut #1 is also out in July and features much the same, the pencil work, and a full script. Again with Snyder’s name attached this is an instant buy. Because of Snyder I now have a month Superman and Batman books to look forward too, and with Wonder Woman coming home monthly I am officially collecting the true Trinity of the DC Universe.

 

Batman Incorporated #13Legends of the Dark Knight #10 Batman and Catwoman #22             The expected conclusion of Batman, Incorporated comes to us in issue #13, even though a special has already been announced for August. The special definitely has a Legends of the Dark Knight vibe to it, giving us stories of those within the organization, that fit during different time frames. Continuing on with Batman we have him partner up with Catwoman in Batman and Catwoman #22. Call me crazy but I like the sound of that as a title, and the storytelling possibilities are endless.

 

Batwing #22             The new Batwing returns to Gotham in the pages of Batwing #22. I think they are going to try to do everything they can to make this book work, but even being tied to Batman can save a title for only so long.

 

Legion of Super Heroes #22 Threshold #7             Two titles coming in July but slated for cancellation in August, are Legion of Super-Heroes #22, and Threshold #7. Threshold was not a surprise and I was expecting this news any day, but Legion kind of surprised me. I never expected it to be top ten, but I always felt that with the right creative team it would grab a foothold on the stands and stick around for awhile. Well the Legion as a concept does not stay down long so expect another resurgence in the near future, and I am predicting it will be tied to an event.

 

Stormwatch #22             Stormwatch #22 continues the story of Lobo joining Stormwatch. Jim Starlin has made this title fun again and it is an interesting combo of retro with the hard edge that the StormWatch possess, and it works. I was skeptical because of how burnt I felt with the initial New 52 relaunch but I am happy I gave it another try and I hope it gets enough of a sales bump to stave off cancellation. PS. The return of the original logo is wonderful, thank you DC.

 

Teen Titans #22             Raven looks like she is from Silent Hill on the cover of Teen Titans #22. Don’t make a noise or she will catch you…

 

Batman 66 #1             One of the biggest launches of the summer is in Batman ’66 #1 from Jeff Parker (W) and Jonathan Case (A) and a cover by none other than Michael Allred himself, whose style works so well with the retro pastiche that is Adam West’s Batman. This is coming home with me and I look forward to following this one for months to come!

 

Batman HC vol 03 Death of the Family             I may be late to the party but I am jumping on the Scott Snyder bandwagon and that includes his recent work. Shipping in October is the Batman Vol. 3: Death of the Family HC. This includes issues #13-17 of Scott’s acclaimed run.

 

 

               DC Comics Joker AFDC Comics Black Manta AFNew 52 Captain Cold AFIn the action figure department we have new releases for my favorite line, and one of two action figure series I actively collect, the New 52 figures. We find solicitations for Captain Cold, Black Manta, Joker, and a NNew 52 Trinity War AF box setew 52 Trinity box set. DC is aware of the possibility of duplicates and for the most part try to make things different, such as the box set where we get a Wonder Woman with a different head sculpt, and Superman gets a snazzy metallic paint job. It appears that Batman is the only one that would be a duplicate. Well worth it for me, especially for Supes new paint job.

 

             That is DC for this July 2013. See you soon when we look at the rest of Previews.

March 2013 DC Comics Diamond Previews Review

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March 2013 DC Comics Diamond Previews Review

With Marvel done we can now turn our attention to DC Comics.

 

Green Team #1          May sees some series ending while others are beginning. It is towards two new debuts that we turn our attention to first. First up is a complete revamp of a concept that appeared once, years ago, The Green Team. This time around the creative team is Art Baltazar (W), Franco (W), and Ig Guara (A). This looks like a story about characters with too much money, wanting to buy their way into the big leagues, and that has an immense amount of story potential. I will be checking this out, if for no other reason than to quell my curiosity.

 

Movement #1         The flip-side of The Green Team looks to be the new series, The Movement. Gail Simone brings the words and Freddie Williams III brings the pictures. That creative team alone should put this on allot of peoples pull list and adds a wonderful pedigree to this launch. Where The Green Team seems to represent the 1%, The Movement would represent the 99%, and they want to be heard! This will also be on my pull list, at least for the first arc. One other treat about these books are the covers by Amanda Conner. I love the propaganda-ish design to them.

 

Green Arrow #20         Issue #17 of Green Arrow cemented this books position on my pull list. Lemire has hit it out of the park for me and I cannot wait to delve further into his run. Andrea Sorrentino rocked my world when I picked up I, Vampire #1 and I am thrilled that her art fills another monthly since I, Vampire is not long for this world. The deconstruction of Ollie continues in issue #20. If you are a trade waiter I would recommend doing the monthly thing with this book, I would have a hard time staying away from this team on this book for longer than a month.

 

Justice League of Americas Vibe #4         Perhaps the biggest surprise for me was Justice League of America’s Vibe #1. That book by Geoff Johns and Pete Woods blew me away. Vibe has shrugged off his cheesy history and maligned origin to become a character who, in one issue, managed to become a key figure in the tapestry of the New 52. That first issue had the spark of what made the initial launch of the New 52 so exciting, a newness, a freshness. Granted the creative team is changing and as of May’s 4th issue Sterling Gates is the writer and art is from both Pete Woods and Sean Parsons. I will gladly pick this book up and hope that Sterling Gates can retain the energy from this wonderful start.

 

World's Finest #12          Power Girl’s original costume is back in World’s Finest #12. And the chorus sang HALLELUJAH!

 

Green Lantern New Guardians #20Green Lantern Corps #20 Green Lantern #20         May also marks the end of an era as the creative teams of all of the Green Lantern books give us their final issues before the June creative teams are put in place. These issues also bring to a close the Wrath of the First Lantern crossover. I am excited for the creative change and this will be a perfect jumping on point for readers who had found the Green Lantern family to be pretty inaccessible to new readers. I will try at least one issue each title.

 

Sword of Sorcery #8         With new series launching and several launches known for the next few months there has to be cancellations. Sword of Sorcery #8 is the last issue of that series. There were two main reasons this book failed. First is the price point. $3.99 is a high price to pay for a slightly obscure character. Let’s face it, as good as the backups were, most readers of this title read the lead feature, and not the backup, myself included, and that price is high for so little story. The second was the immediate immersion into the Dark corner of the New 52. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Dark titles and I still collect a few of them, but why not get exposure through some of the more mainstream titles, the books that aren’t niche and sell much higher. I am thankful that, at least at this time, that there is hope that Amethyst will still appear in Justice League Dark in the future, depending on how climactic the ending of the series is.

 

Justice League Dark #20         Speaking of mainstream crossing over, Justice League Dark #20 features the Flash, in addition to the Swamp Thing, perhaps helping Constantine recover the House of Mystery from Dr. Destiny.

 

Team 7 #8Deathstroke #20 Ravagers #12       Team 7 #8, and Deathstroke #20 are both the swan songs for these books. I am not overly surprised about Team 7 as it seemed very derivative compared to the other books on the stands. Another book ending is The Ravagers #12. This book was way too 90’s for its own good.

 

Suicide Squad #20          Suicide Squad #20 sees a new team, a new direction, and a new creative team in Ales Kot (W), and Timothy Green II (A). I have been waiting for a jumping on point for this book because I lost interest during the first arc and I love the concept and have been waiting for something to draw me back in for another try at my pull list.

 

Adventures of Superman #1         I was thrilled that Adventures of Superman #1 is being released without the Orson Scott Card story after Chris Sprouse quit the book. DC says they are going to still publish it and are actively seeking another artist but I think they will just ignore this ever happened and move on and never publish the story. They should realize that any attempt to publish the story will result in a similar reaction. Because of the change, Jeff Lemire will be joining the creative roster of this anthology, in addition to Justin Jordan, and Riley Rossmo.

 

Wake #1         Vertigo reminds us of its relevancy in May with the release of the much anticipated 10 issue series, The Wake. The creative team is phenomenal, Scott Snyder (Batman wunderkind) writes and Sean Murphy (Punk Rock Jesus creator) provides the art. This underwater horror tale will be a huge hit, and will definitely bring back some of the spark to the Vertigo line.

 

Well that’s our look at DC Comics shipping in May. See you soon for the Back of the Book.

January 2013 DC Comics Diamond Previews Review

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January 2013 DC Comics Diamond Previews Review

Justice League of America #2 Justice League #18          DC Comics has a few interesting items coming out in March of 2013. Some excitement from February continues to spill over into March with the second issue of Justice League of America by Geoff Johns (W) and David Finch (A) continues the true motives of the League members while the back up brings us the hero formally known as Martian Manhunter, now known only as Manhunter, into the spotlight when his motives for both the Justice League of America and the Justice League start to become clear.

 

Green Arrow #18          Another follow up issue to be excited about is Green Arrow #18. In February the new creative team of Jeff Lemire (W) and Andrea Sorrentino (A) brought there own spin onto this misunderstood character. I haven’t read their first issue yet but I have the sneaky suspicion that this is going to be a run that defines who Green Arrow is in the New 52.

 

 Flash #18Dial H #10         Dial H readers should be sure to check out Flash #18 by Brian Buccellato (W) and Marcio Takara (A) which promises a twist ending that impacts Dial H. Seems like an odd spot for a secret crossover of sorts and I might pick up this issue just for that reason. This might be an interesting way to bring some of the more Vertigo inclined New 52 readers (myself included) to give the superheroes another go. I can’t see myself picking up the Flash on a monthly basis but something like this makes me curious.

 

Action Comics #18         Following Grant Morrison can be tricky but Andy Diggle will be doing just that when he takes over the writing reins of Action Comics in issue #18 with Tony S. Daniel and Batt providing art. There isn’t much about this title that interests me but I have to say that I would be intrigued with Snyder, or Lemire tackling the blue clad boy scout. That being said, expect some major gushing about the upcoming Man of Steel.

 

 

Batman #18 Catwoman #18 Nightwing #18 Red Hood and the Outlaws #18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most of the Bat Books in March deal with the tragic ending of the Jokers grand return in Death of the Family. My money is still riding on Damian to bite the big one, with Alfred running a possible second, and Joker offing himself as my third. This is entirely speculation on my part as I decided to follow the Bat crossovers in trade so I could be entirely off base on my prediction.

 

Batgirl #18         Oh Batgirl you are quite the talked about title. Issue #18 sees the first of two issues guest written by Ray Fawkes. I love the guest writing credit. For those that do not know, Gail Simone the writer of the series had been fired from the book, and from DC, and then when fan outrage reached a feverish peak they rehired her, and put her back on…..wait for it……Batgirl. I am happy that she is back on the book because in the end I believe it is better for Ray Fawkes. With the fan love that Simone receives she would have been a tough act to follow.

 

Green Lantern #18 WRATH Green Lantern Corps #18 WRATH Green Lantern New Guardians #18 WRATH         Oh Green Lantern titles, when I look at your titles and read your solicitations you seem to be getting more like a private club every month as “Wrath of the First Lantern” marches through the 18th issue of each series. I dare not pick up these books for fear that I will not understand what is happening. The creative teams are solid but it would be nice for some simpler stories for a little while.

 

Constantine #1  Sword of Sorcery #6Justice League Dark #18         My favorite corner of the New 52, the Dark, has some interesting stories making their way through the ether. In February Hellblazer ended its historic run over at Vertigo and in March the kingpin of the DC supernatural landscape, Constantine, gets his first issue in his new ongoing brought to you by Robert (W) and Renato Guedes (A). The way Marvel uses Wolverine, and now Iron Man, namely appearing in every comic, is similar to Constantine, but with Constantine, it is believable. This is a man that can traverse between realms with the ease of crossing a threshold. This means his appearances in Constantine #1, Justice League Dark #18, Sword of Sorcery #6, and a couple of other guest appearances I am sure, all the more believable.

 

Animal Man #18 ROT Swamp Thing #18 ROT         Animal Man #18 by Jeff Lemire (W) and Steve Pugh (A) and Swamp Thing #18 by Scott Snyder (W) and Yanick Paquette (A) both bring us the epilogue of “Rotworld” and what it has changed about two of the darker heroes in the DC Universe. Issue #18 is also the end of this creative teams run on the book and I hope whoever takes over after provides us the continuing love story, saga of a man trying to find himself, and guardian of the green, in a way that will keep us coming back for more.

 

Threshold #3 Legion of Super Heroes #18         Threshold #3 gives us another new look at an old character, and it’s not Spoiler, nor Wally West, nor Donna Troy, but Captain Carrot, this time re-envisioned as Captain K’Rot! If anyone can make this work it is writer Keith Giffen. Speaking of Giffen, his art on Legion of Super-Heroes may be a reason to try this book again. Fun is what Legion had been missing.

 

 

Ame Comi Girls #1          Ame-Comi Girls #1….this leaves me speechless and not in a good way.

 

Dial H TP vol 01Frankenstein Agent of Shade TP vol 02 New 52         March sees another set of collections get released. Some worth noting including the first collection of Dial H. Dial H Vol. 1: Into You TP collects issues #0-6. For a very Vertigo experience in the New 52 look no further than this book. The second Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. Trade, and Swamp Thing Vol. 2 both hit shelves that month as well.

 

Authority HC vol 01         For fans of old school Wildstorm we get The Authority Vol. 1 HC with a creative roster that is unmatched, including, but not limited to: Warren Ellis (W), Mark Millar (W), Bryan Hitch (A), Frank Quitely (A), and many others. With the horrible treatment of many Wildstorm characters in the New 52 (I am looking at you Stormwatch) it is refreshing to be able to go back and read the stories that made these characters great.

 

Punk Rock Jesus TP         Vertigo is releasing the trade for Punk Rock Jesus, perhaps the best mini-series of 2012 and 2013. Written and drawn by Sean Murphy, this book makes amazing use of it’s black and white colour palette and exposes allot of the weakness’s of the human race, of you and I. Sean Murphy has created one of his seminal works that is going to be talked about for years to come. Get this trade and see why comics are amazing.

 

Green Lantern Simon Baz action figure         It isn’t often that I mention merchandise in this column but I have to admit a new addiction. The DC Direct New 52 figures. I picked up the 7 figure box set of the Justice League and I am blown away at the details bestowed up these figures. From a statuesque Wonder Woman, to a Cyborg so souped up on detail that you will look at the figure non stop out of amazement, to the sexiest Aquaman I have ever seen. The paint application is flawless and I want more. I am excited to add a Green Arrow to the line up and the Green Lantern Simon Baz figure in March. I am not into Green Lantern (see earlier comments) but with figures that look this amazing, it inspires you to get them all.

 

That is my look at DC, see you soon with the Back of the Book review.