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August 2013 DC Comics Diamond Previews Review

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August 2013 DC Comics Diamond Previews Review

Forever Evil #2          Let us turn our attention to DC Comics this time, and DC related product starting to ship in October of 2013. In October we find that villains have won and that the line changing Forever Evil kicks into high gear when issue #2 of the Forever Evil mini-series by Geoff Jones (W), David Finch (A), and Richard Friend (A) hits the stands. With the “adults” of the Justice League out of commission, the Teen Titans try to do what the adults couldn’t. With Batman shown on the cover I am curious who is under the mask because it may or may not be Bruce Wayne.

 

Forever Evil Directors Cut #1         We are treated to another Director’s Cut with Forever Evil Director’s Cut #1. These are amazing resources that allow you to see behind the scenes of a comic’s creation. With the original script by Geoff Jones and the amazing pencil work by David Finch on display, this is a way to see the story in its rawest form.

 

Forever Evil Argus #1         A cross-over always brings tie ins, and Forever Evil is no different. Steve Trevor rally’s what’s left of the troops and attempts to help the civilians caught in the wave of global sweeping evil. With ARGUS essentially wiped out, including their headquarters and most of their agents, Steve has an uphill battle in Forever Evil: A.R.G.U.S. #1 by Matt Kindt (W), and Manuel Garcia (A).

 

Forever Evil Arkham War #1         Arkham Asylum and Blackgate Prison hold the worst of the worst, and unfortunately for the people of Gotham there is no Dark Knight defender when the villainous population of both facilities is let loose in the city without a protector. Peter J. Tomasi (W), Scot Eaton (A), and Jaime Mendoza (A) shows us what happens when some of the scariest members of the New 52 rogues can roam unrestrained and unwatched, or are they? Forever Evil: Arkham War #1 brings the bad in October.

 

Forever Evil Rogues Rebellion #1         The third tie in by Brian Buccellato (W), and Patrick Zircher (A), focuses on perhaps the most well known rogues gallery, that of the Flash. With the status quo upset and the pecking order of the world’s villains drastically changed can the Rogues stick together or will they split apart when push comes to shove? Forever Evil: Rogues Rebellion #1 hits in October.

 

Teen Titans #24 EvilSuicide Squad #24 Evil         For completists Forever Evil also invades Suicide Squad #24 by Matt Kindt (W), and Patrick Zircher (A), and may show us a new Suicide Squad team, one that Waller didn’t form. Teen Titans #24 by Scott Lobdell (W), Angel Unzueta (A) and Art Thibert (A) show us a splintered team, who, according to the solicits, are definitely not together.

 

Justice League 3000 #1         I was going to talk about my excitement over Justice League 3000 #1 but that excitement is going to have to wait as Keith Giffen has been pulled from the title, and the job of creating a darker future for the Leaguers falls into the hands of Howard Porter. Look for a re-solicitation of this title in December, complete with a new solicitation blurb.

 

Superman Wonder Woman #1         I can’t help but feel that Superman/Wonder Woman #1 is the start of the first soap opera comic of the New 52. With Superman in the title I am sure this will sell but I cannot see this title maintaining itself for very long without looking past the super relationship of the DC Universe, and there are a countless number of Superman titles where that occurs. I wish this would have been announced as a 12 issue maxi-series and Wonder Woman would have gotten a second solo series. If she does get a second series I will be on board, this title though, not so much.

 

Green Lantern #24 Green Lantern Corps #24 Green Lantern New Guardians #24 Red Lanterns #24Green Lantern Annual #2 The next cross-over for the Green Lantern family begins in Green Lantern #24 by Robert Venditti (W), and Billy Tan (A). With the lead villain being Relic, it is a safe bet that his villains month issue will be key, and thanks to the much publicized allotments, allot of people might be missing out unless they can grab the non 3D printing. As per the norm for any Green Lantern cross-over “Lanterns will die, others change allegiances, and nothing will be the same again”, do they just copy and paste that now for each GL storyline? The cross-over continues in Green Lantern Corps #24, Green Lantern: New Guardians #24, Red Lanterns #24, and comes to it’s status quo altering closing in Green Lantern Annual #2. The one thing that is nice about this cross-over is that it begins and ends in the same month, which is a refreshing change from their usual mega arcs.

 

Stormwatch #24         I have been waffling on Stormwatch but issue #24 by Jim Starlin (W), Yvel Guichet (A), and LeBeau Underwood (A) introduces Storm Control. Since Jim Starlin came on board and erased the horrible start the relaunch had, he has infused the book with a sense of history, and a legacy feel, which was never built on before. This will be coming home with me.

 

DC New 52 Villains Omnibus HC         I decided to skip on the single issues for villains month and I am happy I did. With recent allocation issues surrounding the titles shipping in September I look forward to getting DC Comics – The New 52 Villains Omnibus HC. This book totals 1,184 pages and features all 52 villain tie ins, with participation from the entire creative team from DC Comics. With an exclusive 3D Motion montage cover and so many stories, this is a far better value than purchasing the single issues separately.

 

Sandman Overture #1         The big news at DC in October takes place in their Vertigo line. The Sandman: Overture #1 by Neil Gaiman (W), and J.H. Williams (A) brings us back to the character that changed how the world viewed comics. This is the origin story that has never been told in the 25 years of this characters history. Get this book and be reminded where comics can take you besides the traditional and much loved superhero genre.

 

That brings us to the end of our look at the DC Comics Previews with items starting to ship in October of 2013.

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!