A new year dawns, and DC is trying a couple of new things this month, with big changes to Superman’s status quo and Batman’s creative team. Let’s dig into the solicitations!
10. Relevant to my interests
Over the summer/early autumn, I was doing a massive read through of all the Captain Marvel/Shazam stories from “Crisis on Infinite Earths” to the end of the year 2000. One of the highlights I’m looking forward to next summer is doing the next 20 years of Cap stories, but specifically this book, “Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam.” DC’s All-Ages material ebbs and flows year to year, but this was one of the consistently best kid books DC was putting out. I’m very excited to pick this up, both for my Summer Comics Binge, but also for my kids to enjoy.
BILLY BATSON AND THE MAGIC OF SHAZAM! BOOK ONE TP
written by MIKE KUNKEL, ART BALTAZAR, and FRANCO
art by MIKE KUNKEL, BYRON VAUGHNS, and STEPHEN DeSTEFANO
cover by MIKE KUNKEL
In these tales from Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam! #1-12, Billy meets a new kid in school: Theo Adam! Theo tries to play nice with Billy and his fellow classmates, but it’s all just a ploy to learn the secret word that will magically transform him back to his evil alter ego, Black Adam! Can Billy stop this supervillain in disguise before it’s too late, and keep his super-powered little sister out of harm’s way?
ON SALE 02.12.20
$19.99 US | 280 PAGES
FC | ISBN: 978-1-77950-116-5
9. Kyle Higgins, back in the saddle
At the start of the New 52, Kyle Higgins was everywhere: co-writing “Gates of Gotham” with Scott Snyder, handling “Nightwing” and “Deathstroke,” and eventually taking over “Batman Beyond.” Then, his DC work dried up for a bit. But, he’s been a big part of “Tales From the Dark Multiverse,” and now he’s guest writing this issue of “Aquaman.”
I find it very interesting that DC is labeling this creative team as guests, as that usually isn’t done in solicitations. I wonder if this is to stave off concern that Kelly Sue DeConnick and Robson Rocha are leaving the book. This solicit makes it very clear that this is just a fill-in. And that’s ok!
AQUAMAN #56
written by guest writer KYLE HIGGINS
art by guest artists AARON LOPRESTI and MATT RYAN
cover by BRAD WALKER and ANDREW HENNESSY
variant cover by SKAN
The countdown to Aquababy has begun! As the birth of Aquaman and Mera’s child grows near, don’t miss this special interlude issue! In a story that takes place days after Aquaman and Mera’s engagement, a violent encounter with the resurgent Kingdom of the Trench leads to an unexpected outcome, and the conflict sheds new light on Aquaman and Mera’s plans for their future.
ON SALE 01.15.20
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC|DC
This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
8. The very, very beginning
We often hear about “Action Comics” #1 being the ‘real’ start of comics as we know them, but DC is reprinting the very first comic to feature original stories, “New Fun” #1. This likely bears little to no resemblance to the comics that we know today, but for historical purposes, this is very interesting.
Continued belowFAMOUS FIRST EDITION: NEW FUN #1 HC
stories and art by VARIOUS
cover by LYMAN ANDERSON
In celebration of its 85th anniversary, DC Comics reprints for the very first time its first-ever published comic book, New Fun #1, the comic that transformed the fledgling industry by being the first ongoing title made up of new stories instead of reprints of newspaper comic strips. First published in 1935, this landmark comic book carried a diverse set of original content features cowboys, spies, detectives, funny animals, space explorers, soldiers of fortune and more, including features that were written by Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson, the founder of the company that would become DC Comics. This tabloid-size, black-and-white comic is reprinted as a commemorative hardcover and will include essays by comics historian Roy Thomas and Nicky Wheeler-Nicholson, grand-daughter of Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson, and more. Collects New Fun #1.
RESOLICIT | ON SALE 01.22.20
$19.99 US | 48 PAGES
B&W | 10.5” X 15.125”
ISBN: 978-1-77950-119-6
not final cover design
7. This ain’t no party, this ain’t no disco
I’m a big Kelley Jones fan (sorry, Vince!) and so it is exciting that he is doing a Hill House book. That said, as a lifelong talking heads fan, I can’t stop reading this as “David Byrne” #1. And, I must admit, I want that book way more. I want Jones to draw weirdly twisted Byrne in a giant suit singing “Girlfriend is Better.” I want to see a grimy CBGB with the Heads on stage and Byrne howling “Psycho Killer.”
DC, I know this isn’t really in your wheelhouse, but please give us the comic I just described. I’ll buy copies for all my friends, I swear.
DAPHNE BYRNE #1
written by LAURA MARKS
art by KELLEY JONES
cover by PIOTR JAB?ON?SKI
card stock variant cover by YASMINE PUTRI
In the gaslit splendor of late 19th-century New York, rage builds inside 14-year-old Daphne. The sudden death of her father has left her alone with her irresponsible, grief-stricken mother—who becomes easy prey for a group of occultists promising to contact her dead husband. While fighting to disentangle her mother from these charlatans, Daphne begins to sense a strange, insidious presence in her own body…an entity with unspeakable appetites. What does “Brother” want? And could she even stop him if she tried?
Writer Laura Marks (TV’s Ray Donovan, The Expanse, and The Good Fight) and horror-art legend Kelley Jones (The Sandman, Batman: Red Rain) join forces to unleash spirits from beyond into the Hill House Comics line!
ON SALE 01.08.20
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
CARD STOCK VARIANT COVER $4.99 US
FC | DC BLACK LABEL
This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
6. Too good for this worlds
I think the reality of Gerard Way’s “Doom Patrol” is going to be these short series that scatter after 6-12 months, just because the guy is too busy to commit to a full time comics gig. And that’s fine! Miniseries are great, and people are dumb for not supporting them. I’m very glad that Nick Derington is coming in for the final issue of this mini. I also hope that its seven issue run was an organic plan, and not an abandoned 12 issue run.
DOOM PATROL: WEIGHT OF THE WORLDS #7
written by GERARD WAY and JEREMY LAMBERT
art and cover by NICK DERINGTON
Everyone needs to be held like a baby. Bundle yourself up, slide into the loving arms of a friend, and strap yourself in for the thrilling conclusion to Doom Patrol: Weight of the Worlds.
ON SALE 01.29.20
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | DC BLACK LABEL
FINAL ISSUE
5. This is going to be so dope
Damian Wayne in the 31st Century. Do I really need to sell you on this more?
LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #3
written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
art by TRAVIS MOORE and RYAN SOOK
cover by RYAN SOOK
card stock variant cover by JIM CHEUNG
You knew there was no way Jon Kent was going to leave his best friend behind! Welcome to the future, Damian Wayne! (This is such a terrible idea!) Also, meet the new Legionnaires as they head to a secret undercover mission on the first man-made planet: Planet Gotham. Every page of this new DC epic plants seeds and ideas that will blast out across the DC Universe for months to come! All this, and Monster Boy is on the loose!
ON SALE 01.08.20
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
CARD STOCK VARIANT COVER $4.99
FC|DC
This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
variant cover — not final art
4. New writer, same old artist
I am very excited to see what James Tynion IV, one of the architects of DC’s past few years, does on a solo Batman title. His “Detective Comics” run is one of my favorites of the last few years, but that was really a Bat-family book. I think Tynion has worked exceptionally well on team books in the past, so the shift to one character will be interesting, especially on DC’s best selling book.
Continued belowBut the bummer of this all is that Tony Daniel, a very talented artist, is Tynion’s parter on this. Why is that a bummer? Well, because Tony Daniel is about as safe of a bet as you can get for a Bat artist in 2019. I would’ve loved to see Tynion get an innovator or a fresh face in the role, instead of the very, very expected Daniel. Oh well.
BATMAN #86
written by JAMES TYNION IV
art by TONY S. DANIEL and DANNY MIKI
cover by TONY S. DANIEL
card stock variant cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA
It’s a new day in Gotham City, but not the same old Batman. With Bane vanquished and one of his longtime allies gone, Batman has to start picking up the pieces and stepping up his game. Batman has a new plan for Gotham City, but he’s not the only one. Deathstroke has returned as well, under a mysterious new contract that could change everything.
Beginning a whole new chapter in the life of the Dark Knight, the epic art team of Tony S. Daniel and Danny Miki are joined by new series writer James Tynion IV!
ON SALE 01.08.20
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
CARD STOCK VARIANT COVER $4.99 US
FC|DC
This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
3. Behind the glasses
Next year, Superman is revealing his secret identity to the world. Every generation or so, some hero does this for a little while before it is quietly retconned away. But rarely does a writer as high profile as Brian Bendis do this with a character as in the spotlight as Superman. Bendis has pushed all the right buttons on his Superman run so far, so I’m excited to see what he’s got in store for his second big Superman story.
Plus, these issue that feature the entire Superman family of writers/artists are a joy. The “Superman: Leviathan Rising” special was a delight, so I’m very excited to see the next iteration of that.
SUPERMAN: HEROES #1
written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS, MATT FRACTION, JODY HOUSER, and GREG RUCKA
art by KEVIN MAGUIRE, STEVE LIEBER, MIKE PERKINS and others
cover by BRYAN HITCH
Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, the staff of the Daily Planet, even the Justice League—their lives all changed when Superman revealed his secret identity to the world! This unique Superman experience explores what the identity of Clark Kent meant to those close to him—and what their relationship to Superman will be in the future. All the rules are about to change—and it all starts here.
The dream team of writers Brian Michael Bendis, Matt Fraction, Greg Rucka, and Jody Houser team up for this amazing special, with art anchored by DC legend Kevin Maguire, plus sequences focusing on each corner of the Superman universe by artists Steve Lieber (Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen) and Mike Perkins (Lois Lane).
ONE-SHOT
ON SALE 01.29.20
$5.99 US | 48 PAGES
FC|DC
2. Fare thee well, Scotty
Scott Snyder’s “Justice League” run has been one of the biggest epics of the modern DC landscape, and has been an unqualified success. With his run wrapping up in January, we are no doubt setting the stage for his ‘spiritual sequel’ to “Dark Nights: Metal” with Greg Capullo, rumored to be the new DC Crisis and the start of the “5G” storyline.
But still, we are sad to see Snyder departing. I would guess that we’ll see a series of fill ins before a big change with #50, but who knows?
Continued belowJUSTICE LEAGUE #39
written by SCOTT SNYDER
art by JORGE JIMENEZ
cover by TYLER KIRKHAM
variant cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
In the wake of the Justice/Doom War, the Justice League finds themselves stranded at the far end of the universe and facing a challenge they’ve never faced before. But what will they find on their journey? Has their battle with Perpetua had consequences reaching farther across the cosmos than they ever imagined? Superstar scribe Scott Snyder says farewell to the Justice League with a special story that both winds down all the things he started in issue #1—and nods toward everything that comes next in the DC Universe.
ON SALE 01.15.20
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC|DC
This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
1. Yas, Princess
Frequently, DC treats Wonder Woman as the neglected member of the Trinity. With her film and her (mostly) excellent ‘Rebirth’ series, that has been changing, but it still feels like Diana gets short shrift sometimes. Well, this #750 celebration is a lovely antidote to that. Instead of waiting another few years to do an #800 celebration, DC is ringing the Wonder Woman bell hard and fast here with a killer lineup of creators. And, importantly, a lineup of creators with a solid number of female creators. While an all-female issue would’ve been the way I’d go, folks like Steve Orlando and Greg Rucka have been doing great Diana stuff for a long time, so I understand why there are involved.
I hope that Vita Ayala, Marguerite Bennett, and Kami Garcia’s presence means that one or more of them will be taking the book over from Orlando whenever his run wraps up. Any of those three would be a fantastic fit for Diana.
WONDER WOMAN #750
written by VITA AYALA, MARGUERITE BENNETT, KAMI GARCIA, DEAN HALE, SHANNON HALE, JEFF LOVENESS, STEVE ORLANDO, GREG RUCKA, GAIL SIMONE, MARIKO TAMAKI,
and others
art by ELENA CASAGRANDE, COLLEEN DORAN, JESUS MERINO, GABRIEL PICOLO, and others
cover by JOELLE JONES
1940s variant cover by JOSHUA MIDDLETON
1950s variant cover by JENNY FRISON
1960s variant cover by J. SCOTT CAMPBELL
1970s variant cover by OLIVIER COIPEL
1980s variant cover by GEORGE PEREZ
1990s variant cover by BRIAN BOLLAND
2000s variant cover by ADAM HUGHES
2010s variant cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS
blank variant cover available
An all-star 96-page celebration of the Amazon Princess by longtime favorites and acclaimed new voices! In the lead story, Wonder Woman’s epic “Year of the Villain” battle comes to a close, leading the way to new challenges ahead. Additionally, this oversized gem tells tales from Diana’s past, present and future by some of the greatest storytellers in the business— including Colleen Doran, Mariko Tamaki, the Teen Titans: Raven team of writer Kami Garcia and artist Gabriel Picolo, and legendary Wonder Woman creators returning to the character, including Gail Simone and Greg Rucka!
PRESTIGE FORMAT ON SALE 01.22.20
$9.99 US FC DC
96 PAGES
This issue will ship with nine variant covers.
Please see the order form for details.
Check out the full solicitations over at Newsarama.
