Another month, another strong series of solicits from DC. Lately, the months haven’t been as jam packed as they were earlier in ‘Rebirth,’ but the steady stream of new series and the reliable tent poles allow for every month to excite, even on a limited scale.
10. Tec turns 80
The biggest anniversary issue since…well, last year I guess hits stores in March. Coming alongside that is this hardcover collection of “Detective Comics” stories, essays, and pinups. These types of collections are usually a mixed bag, with some historical curiosities thrown in with some truly great stories. But isn’t that sort of the point? 1000 issues is still something truly to behold, and there’s no way you can hit four digits without racking up some good, some bad, and some weirdness thrown in.
DETECTIVE COMICS: 80 YEARS OF BATMAN: DELUXE EDITION HC
stories and art by various
cover by JIM LEE
Celebrating the legacy of the Dark Knight, DETECTIVE COMICS: 80 YEARS OF BATMAN follows the best-selling ACTION COMICS: 80 YEARS OF SUPERMAN. Curated by guest editor Paul Levitz, it features reprints of the Dark Knight’s most memorable adventures, from his first appearance to the debuts of Robin, Batwoman, Bat-Mite and Batgirl, as well as villains including Two-Face, the Riddler, Clayface, Man-Bat and more. This hardcover also spotlights crime-fighters including Slam Bradley, Air Wave, the Boy Commandos, the Martian Manhunter and the 1970s Manhunter, Paul Kirk!
And, published for the first time anywhere: a new tale of a traumatic early moment in Bruce Wayne’s life written by Paul Levitz with art by Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz, and an extraordinary look at a long-ago work in progress—the original layouts for the Batman tale from DETECTIVE COMICS #200, as illustrated by Lew Sayre Schwartz (and signed “Bob Kane”). As if that’s not enough, this volume includes essays on Batman from contributors including Cory Doctorow, Neil Gaiman, Glen David Gold, Dennis O’Neil, former San Diego police chief Shelley Zimmerman and pulp historian Anthony Tollin.
ON SALE 03.13.19
$29.99 US | 392 PAGES
FC | 7.0625” x 10.875”
ISBN: 978-1-4012-8538-8
9. High Level
This new Vertigo series was a little perplexing to me at the start, only because writer Rob Sheridan had no comics experience, and is much more a visual artist than a writer. But after chatting with him at NYCC, Sheridan sold me on the book. To be fair, I was halfway there with Barnaby Bagenda (“The Omega Men”), but Sheridan sold a sprawling, world building series that seems to have a real sense of what it is trying to be.
HIGH LEVEL #1
written by ROB SHERIDAN
art by BARNABY BAGENDA and ROMULO FAJARDO JR.
cover by GUILLAUME OSPITAL
variant cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA Hundreds of years after the world ended and human society was rebuilt from scratch, a self-interested smuggler is forced to traverse a new continent of danger and mystery to deliver a child messiah to High Level, a mythical city at the top of the world from which no one has ever returned. Don’t miss the start of a new series from writer Rob Sheridan, co-creator of Nine Inch Nails’ groundbreaking Year Zero alternate-reality game!
ON SALE 02.20.19
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | MATURE READERS
This issue will ship with two covers.
Please see the order form for details.
8. Abnett on Odyssey
Although I love Dan Abnett’s writing, I have to say I was a little bummed to see Joshua Williamson off of “Justice League Odyssey” already. Now, who knows if this is just for an arc or a few issues or if this is a permanent change, but of all the folks who could’ve replaced him, Abnett seems to be a good fit.
Abnett, who recently wrapped his “Aquaman” run, was probably in need of a new DC title, and Williamson will be just fine, with a temporary gig I’ll be outlining shortly.
Continued belowJUSTICE LEAGUE ODYSSEY #6
written by DAN ABNETT
art and cover by CARMINE DI GIANDOMENICO
variant cover by TONI INFANTE
The Codex reveals a dangerous secret to the Odyssey team about the fate of the Ghost Sector that makes their mission clear: they have to escape! However, with Green Lantern out of action and Darkseid hot on their trail, Cyborg, Azrael and Starfire might have to rely on the very dark powers that they are trying to outrun in order to save the Multiverse!
ON SALE 02.27.19
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T+
This issue will ship with two covers.
Please see the order form for details.
7. Cover Blown
To me, the bar none best book of the Jinxworld relaunch has been “Cover,” which feels simultaneously like a very Bendis idea, and something totally new for him. David Mack’s work has been some of his best in years, and the book lends itself to multiple volumes in the future, which is promised here. It’s weird for a solicit in 2018 to be talking about a 2020 book, but nonetheless, it’s nice to see the book returning.
COVER #6
written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
art and cover by DAVID MACK
variant cover by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
The first volume of one of the best-reviewed series of the year comes to its shocking conclusion! It’s an industry dinner in New York City, and comic book creator Max finds himself juggling his responsibilities as a spy for the United States government and his role as a member of the creative community! This unique, genre-bending look at the comics industry has received rave reviews for Emmy and Eisner Award-nominated artist David Mack and Peabody Award-winning writer Brian Michael Bendis! COVER will return next year—but this shocking conclusion will have people talking about what is—and isn’t—true in this “based on a true story” story.
ON SALE 02.20.19
$3.99 US | 6 of 6 | 32 PAGES
FC | MATURE READERS
This issue will ship with two covers.
Please see the order form for details.
6. Jon Kent returns
Many, including myself, were worried what Brian Bendis would do with Jon Kent. More or less, he’s just taken him off the table, but he is bringing him back with this issue of “Superman.” The cover looks, shall we say, quite different than how we left Jon, and how Jon’s sunny disposition has been since his creation. I can’t say I love this cover, but it’s just that: a cover. I trust that Bendis has a good sense of who Jon is, and that this cover is doing what it should be: getting people to talk about this issue.
SUPERMAN #8
written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
art by IVAN REIS, JOE PRADO and BRANDON PETERSON
cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
variant cover by ROB LIEFELD
The epic secrets of Superman continue to unfold! A few months in space with his paternal grandfather Jor-El changed Jon Kent forever. With Jon now seeking help from his father, the Man of Steel must learn about the war his son and father fought together and set right the wrongs his father may have unleashed on other worlds. See what changed Superboy in such radical ways as the Unity Saga continues.
ON SALE 02.13.19
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T
This issue will ship with two covers.
Please see the order form for details.
5. Batman without King
Praise be DiDio, we get a month without Tom King’s “Batman!” Josh Williamson is writing both sides of this Batman/Flash crossover, and they will likely be the best issues of “Batman” released all year.
Snark aside, I think a singular voice sometimes works better for these crossovers, and if I had to choose a writer of the two, I’d choose Williamson every single time.
Continued belowBATMAN #64
written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
art by GUILLEM MARCH
cover by CHRIS BURNHAM
variant cover by SEAN MURPHY
“THE LAST COLD CASE” part one! The two greatest detectives in the DC Universe take on the one cold case that will tear them apart!
As chief architect of the Sanctuary program that cost so much for so many, especially Wally West, Batman will be held accountable…by the Flash!
A cold case from the Justice League’s past has mysteriously re-opened, and Batman and the Flash—the only two heroes who stand a chance of cracking the case—are at each other’s throats! Our heroes must combat a demon from the past while burying their own inner demons in the process…and neither the World’s Greatest Detective nor the Fastest Man Alive will ever be the same again! But who is really pulling the strings here? And how does Gotham Girl fit into all this? Friendships will be tested and blood will be spilled in this titanic crossover event…
ON SALE 02.06.19
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T+
This issue will ship with two covers.
Please see the order form for details.
4. See ya, Sideways
We’ve joked on the DC3cast that Sideways would be the one ‘New Age of Heroes’ character to stick around, due to his inclusion at ‘Superman Day’ earlier in ‘Rebirth.’ But honestly, the character is easily the most charming and fun of the line, and it is a damn shame that his adventures are coming to an end before some of the more dull books that show no sign of stopping.
That said, I also think he’s probably the easiest character to insert into a team book of all of these characters, too. He seems like a good fit for the Teen Titans, but we’ll see. For now, fare thee well Spider-Man Sideways.
SIDEWAYS #13
art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
written by DAN DiDIO
Secrets are revealed and new mysteries emerge as Derek uncovers his mother’s killer and the origins of his powers in this, the final chapter of his story, for now.
ON SALE 02.13.19
$2.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T
FINAL ISSUE
3. The Fury of the Furies
While I adore the Fourth World and all its concepts, it can be tricky to incorporate them into regular continuity all at once. Since ‘Rebirth,’ we’ve seen a few of the New Gods show up now and then but, aside for the maybe-wasn’t-in-continuity-at-all “Mister Miracle,” we’ve not seen much of Big Barda. That will change with this series, with a creative team that has done great work as of late (writer Cecil Castellucci is late of “Shade, the Changing Girl/Woman,” and Adriana Melo just wrapped the “Plastic Man” miniseries with Gail Simone).
It is also nice to see DC putting a female creative team on a book full of female characters, though we shouldn’t really have to praise them for that in 2018.
FEMALE FURIES #1
written by CECIL CASTELLUCCI
art by ADRIANA MELO
cover by MITCH GERADS
variant cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA
All their lives the Female Furies have been raised to be the meanest, most cunning and most ruthless fighting force on all of Apokolips. So why are Granny Goodness’ girls left behind every time the men go to war? With the might of New Genesis hanging over the planet, and the Forever People making mincemeat out of Darkseid’s army, Granny thinks it’s about time that changed.
And so, Big Barda, Aurelie, Mad Harriet, Lashina, Bernadeth and Stompa set out to beat the boys at their own game. Little do they know the game is rigged—and one accidental murder could spell disaster for them all!
FEMALE FURIES is an exciting new miniseries starring some of Jack Kirby’s coolest Fourth World characters by the writer of SHADE, THE CHANGING GIRL and the artist of PLASTIC MAN!
ON SALE 02.06.19
$3.99 US | 1 of 6 | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T+
This issue will ship with two covers.
Please see the order form for details.
2. Activate!
One of the most exciting bits of the ‘Wonder Comics’ imprint was this series, bringing the Wonder Twins into main DC continuity from Mark Russell (“The Flintstones,” “Exit Stage Left”) and Stephen Byrne (“Green Arrow,” “Justice League/Power Rangers”). The creative team alone makes this a must buy, but adding in these gloriously nostalgic, unabashedly goofy characters into modern continuity is too delicious to resist.
I can’t wait to see what this book is all about.
Continued belowWONDER TWINS #1
written by MARK RUSSELL
art and cover by STEPHEN BYRNE
variant cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
Exiled from their home planet, alien heroes Zan and Jayna must navigate life as teens on Earth at South Metropolis High School, where they’re even bigger outsiders than the typical awkward young adults. Under the watchful eye of Superman, the brother and sister pull monitor duty at the Hall of Justice as interns, while also trying to overcome the pitfalls of Zan’s brash confidence and Jayna’s shy but streetwise persona. If you think you know the Wonder Twins, think again—this book takes the form of the unexpected.
ON SALE 02.13.19
$3.99 US | 1 of 6 | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T
This issue will ship with two covers.
Please see the order form for details.
1. The new imprints arrive
DC Ink and DC Zoom are the young adult and middle grade imprints that were announced back in February, respectively. The first tiles of each are due in April, but were solicited in this month’s roll out. “Mera: Tidebreaker” is the first Ink title, illustrated by the aforementioned Stephen Byrne and written by Danielle Page. Mera is having a moment right now, one that began in earnest in “Blackest Night” way back in 2009, and has steadily grown since then. She’s a major part of Aquaman next month, she just wrapped up a miniseries, and she’s currently the Queen of Atlantis in the main continuity.
But this is something totally different, and seemingly a nice introduction for readers who never picked up a floppy before, which is sort of the point of these new lines, I would think.
Also out is “Super Sons Book One: The Polarshield Project,” the first DC Zoom book by Ridley Pearson and Ile Gonzalez. This is the first in a trilogy, and is similarly a great way to get new readers into these characters. DC is just now, perhaps a decade too late, branching out into new areas that make sense for its characters. Let’s hope they keep it up.
MERA: TIDEBREAKER TP
written by DANIELLE PAIGE
art and cover by STEPHEN BYRNE
Princess Mera is teenage royalty and heir to the throne of Xebel, a colony ruled by the other no-so-lost land under the sea, Atlantis. Her father, his court, and the entire kingdom are expecting her to marry and introduce a new king. But Mera is destined to wear a different crown….
When the Xebellian military plots to overthrow Atlantis and break free of its oppressive regime, Mera seizes the opportunity to take control of her own destiny by assassinating Arthur Curry—the long-lost prince and heir to the kingdom of Atlantis. But her mission gets sidetracked when Mera and Arthur unexpectedly fall in love. Will Arthur Curry be the king at Mera’s side, or will he die under her blade as she attempts to free her people from persecution?
An astonishing story that explores duty, love, heroism, and freedom…all through the eyes of readers’ favorite undersea royalty.
From New York Times best-selling author Danielle Paige (Dorothy Must Die) and artist Stephen Byrne comes a Mera -and-Aquaman story that explores Mera’s first steps on land, and her first steps as a hero or villain, forcing her to choose to follow her heart or her mission to kill.
ON SALE 03.27.19
$16.99 US | 6” x 9”
192 PAGES | FC
ISBN: 978-1-4012-8339-1
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