10. Bidding farewell to Earth-19
After its destruction in a recent issue of “Justice League,” DC is paying tribute to the Earth from “Gotham by Gaslight” (Earth-19, for those keeping score at home) by collecting most of its appearances in an Absolute Edition. While the main star here is Mike Mignola’s original one-shot, this also collects some sweet Evan “Doc” Shaner art in the “Convergence: Shazam” miniseries. I wish this would also include the pages from the aforementioned “Justice League” issue, as well as the Batman of Earth-19’s appearances in “Dark Nights: Metal,” just to have all of this in one place. I don’t think DC has ever collected another group of books based on location, so it would be cool to have literally every appearance in one book. Who knows? To fill 240 pages, they very well may be in there!
ABSOLUTE GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT HC
written by BRIAN AUGUSTYN and JEFF PARKER
art by MIKE MIGNOLA, P. CRAIG RUSSELL, EDUARDO BARRETO, GREG TOCCHINI, and EVAN “DOC” SHANER
cover by MIKE MIGNOLA
The groundbreaking Elseworlds tales of the Victorian era are back in a new Absolute edition! This volume includes the breakthrough tales Gotham by Gaslight and Master of the Future which pit the Dark Knight against Jack the Ripper and a death-dealer from the skies over Gotham City! This collection also includes further appearances from the Victorian Dark Knight, including Countdown Special: The Search for Ray Palmer: Gotham by Gaslight #1 and Convergence: Shazam! #1-2.
ON SALE 09.09.20
$49.99 US | 8.25” x 12.5” | 240 PAGES
FC | ISBN: 978-1-4012-9982-8
9. This isn’t a movie tie-in, what are you talking about? Just move along…
Though a bit polarizing in serious Harley circles, Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner are, more or less, the architects of ‘modern’ Harley. It is only fitting that they handle the Black Label book that is just coincidentally being released five days after the film’s release.
Snark aside, Conner’s art is worth every penny of this cost, and I’m happy to see this creative team be able to take a victory lap. The fact that there is a movie like this was made partially possible by these folks, so let them do an oversized prestige book. They’ve earned it.
HARLEY QUINN AND THE BIRDS OF PREY #1
written by AMANDA CONNER and JIMMY PALMIOTTI
art and cover by AMANDA CONNER
variant cover by ARTHUR ADAMS
The creative team that transformed Harley Quinn forever returns to shake up her world once more—and this time, the gloves are off!
Harley Quinn has avoided Gotham City ever since she broke up with The Joker and found a home, and a kind of family, in Coney Island. But when she gets an offer she can’t refuse, she has no choice but to slip back into the city as quietly as she can, hoping to be gone before anyone—especially her ex—learns she’s been there. But for Harley, “as quietly as she can” is plenty loud…and before she can say “Holee bounty hunters, Batman,” The Joker’s sicced every super-villain in the city on her pretty ombré head—and the only team tough enough (or crazy enough) to come to her defense is the Birds of Prey!
The foul-mouthed, no-holds-barred sequel to one of DC’s raciest runs is here! Get on board early, before we come to our senses!
PRESTIGE PLUS
ON SALE 02.12.20
$5.99 US | 1 OF 4 | 32 PAGES
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NO ADS | DC BLACK LABEL
AGES 17+
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8. Creating new characters through OGNs
So far, we’ve seen DC’s modern spate of OGNs essentially tell new stories with pre-existing characters, and dialing up various tones based on the target age. With “Anti/Hero,” solicited for February, we are getting the first totally new character to appear in one of these books, and that’s exciting. I’ve really no idea how well these are doing, either in terms of numbers or, perhaps more importantly, in terms of reach. I know DC has thought of these as their entree into the bookstore market and a whole new audience, but it is hard to tell how successful that really is. But the idea of expanding into new characters is a good step in that direction, I would think.
Continued belowANTI/HERO TP
written by KATE KARYUS QUINN and DEMITRIA LUNETTA
art and cover by MACA GIL
Piper Pájaro and Sloane MacBrute are two 13-year-old girls with very different lives but very similar secrets. Popular, outgoing Piper is strong—like, ripping-the-doors-off-cars strong. She longs to be a superhero, even if she tends to leave massive messes in her wake. Sloane, on the other hand, is snarky and super-smart. Like, evil-genius smart. To help her family, she has to put those smarts to use for her villainous grandfather.
When a mission to steal an experimental technological device brings the two girls face to face with each other, the device sparks—and the two girls switch bodies! Now they must live in each other’s shoes as they figure out a way to switch back. Anti/Hero is a story that explores what makes a hero, how one can find friendship where it’s unexpected, and what it means to walk in another person’s shoes…literally!
Authors Kate Karyus Quinn (Another Little Piece, The Show Must Go On) and Demitria Lunetta (The Fade, Bad Blood) make their graphic novel debut alongside artist Maca Gil and introduce two new and exciting DC characters!
ON SALE 04.08.20
$9.99 US | FC | 5.5” x 8”
160 PAGES
DC GRAPHIC NOVELS FOR KIDS
ISBN: 978-1-4012-9325-3
7. The never ending event (leviathan)
When “Event Leviathan” was announced, it appeared that, like so many major comics events, it would somewhat spill out of its six solicited issues with some tie-ins. And sure, “Action Comics” was essentially a necessary component, as was the “Leviathan Rising” one shot, as well as the entire arc of “Action” leading up to it…Ok, so the story was bigger than 6 issues.
But then, the series ended with no ending whatsoever, and a lot of questions unanswered. So, we’re doing it again! “Leviathan Dawn” picks up after the events of “Event Leviathan” #6, and it appears that “Action Comics” will pick up the story again. The event was already bizarrely paced, but this may take the cake for an event that just won’t stop.
LEVIATHAN DAWN #1
written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
art and cover by ALEX MALEEV
Exploding out of the pages of the Event Leviathan miniseries, this all-new special blasts the DC Universe into a dangerous and brave new future! With Leviathan arrived, its leader’s identity revealed, and its plans known, what happens next? Now the heroes fight back! Leviathan changed the rules of the game, so now’s the time for the biggest players to get together and figure out a new strategy in this brave new world. It’s an extra-sized super-spy yarn from the Eisner Award-winning team of writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Alex Maleev!
ONE-SHOT
ON SALE 02.26.20
$4.99 US | 48 PAGES
FC | DC
6. Ch-ch-ch-changes
It appears as though DC is getting ready to give some new titles to James Tynion IV and Adam Glass, as both are getting co-writers this month. Robbie Thompson, coming over from Marvel, will join Glass on “Teen Titans,” whereas Ram V, late of “Catwoman,” is the new “Justice League Dark” co-writer. With Tynion’s “Justice League” wrapping up and his “Batman” starting in January, it appears that he may be moving off the JL books totally.
We also are getting a Nick Derington arc on “Batman/Superman” with Joshua Williamson, which features both Zod and Ra’s al Ghul, which sounds dope.
But the biggest one is likely also not really that big, which is that Robert Venditti is taking over “Justice League” after Scott Snyder and Tynion’s massive ‘Doom War’ wraps up. This was given almost no fanfare by DC, leading me to believe that this is merely a stopgap measure until the next major creator is announced for the series.
Continued belowJUSTICE LEAGUE #40
written by ROBERT VENDITTI
art by DOUG MAHNKE and JAIME MENDOZA
cover by BRYAN HITCH
card stock variant cover by ARTHUR ADAMS
The next chapter for comics’ premier superteam begins! An unexpected arrival from the stars brings a dire warning to the Justice League: A new breed of conquerors is on the march. Led by Superman’s nemesis Eradicator, a genetically engineered, super-powered strike team has come to subjugate Earth. To aid the Justice League, Batman makes the unprecedented decision of enlisting an ancient, unrivaled power, which calls into question who, exactly, is in charge. With the League on unsure footing, will they be ready to save the world?
ON SALE 02.05.20
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
CARD STOCK VARIANT COVER $4.99 US
FC | DC
This issue will ship with two covers.
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5. Cleaning up King’s mess
Jonathan Hickman has a great attitude towards writing mainstream superhero comics: break everything, but put it back together before someone else has to deal with it. Tom King has never heard of this, and so, near the end of his “Batman” run, killed off Alfred Pennyworth. Now, it is left to the current “Batman” and “Detective Comics” writers of James Tynion IV and Peter Tomasi to try to make sense of the iconic butler’s death.
Look, I’m not saying comics can’t change, and that characters can’t go away, but I felt that this was not earned in the slightest, and King just wanted a shocking moment. And it’s too bad that two other writers have to now tidy up after the ‘shocking’ move.
BATMAN: PENNYWORTH R.I.P. #1
written by JAMES TYNION IV and PETER J. TOMASI
art by EDDY BARROWS, EBER FERREIRA and others
cover by LEE WEEKS
Alfred Pennyworth served the Wayne family for decades—even through the tragic loss of Bruce Wayne’s parents. His death at the hands of Bane is the only event that could possibly compare to that fateful night in Crime Alley, and it leaves Bruce at a similar crossroads. If Alfred was the glue that held the Bat-Family together, how will Batman deal with that all falling apart? And if the Caped Crusader is to be truly alone, he might either hang that cape up once and for all…or double down and carry on with this vengeful quest forever. Batman: Pennyworth R.I.P. #1 celebrates the life of one of the most important people in the history of Gotham City, while also addressing questions about what’s next.
ONE-SHOT
ON SALE 02.12.20
$4.99 US | 48 PAGES
FC | DC
4. The second ‘Wonder Comics’ ongoing!
While we’ve seen a few miniseries, “Amethyst” joins “Young Justice” as the only ongoings in the ‘Wonder Comics’ lineup, and that makes sense, as the character was re-introduced in “Young Justice.” Amy Reeder is an exceptional talent who left “Batwoman” in 2012 over creative differences, so for DC to have brought her back is a big deal. Let’s hope that DC is more hands-off this go ’round, and Reeder can build an exciting, long-term project in the Bendis-corner of the DCU.
AMETHYST #1
written by AMY REEDER
art and cover by AMY REEDER
card stock variant cover by STEPHANIE HANS
Following her triumphant reintroduction in the pages of Young Justice, the new Amethyst miniseries follows teenager Amy Winston—a.k.a. Princess Amethyst—as she returns to her magical kingdom to celebrate her 16th birthday in style. The only problem? Her kingdom is missing, her subjects have vanished, and none in the realm of Gemworld—even her best friend, Lady Turquoise—remain loyal to her house! Alone and dejected, Amy’s forced to find new allies and confront dark secrets on an all-new quest to the farthest reaches of Gemworld.
3. The return of a legend
Stuart Immonen ‘retired’ about 18 months ago, which was really just a designation of him not working constantly anymore. He said at the time that he would be ‘open‘ to new books if the project felt right. Well, apparently Joe Hill convinced him that “Plunge” was the right move, as here we are. Immonen on an (slightly) oversized six issue miniseries is a wonderful thing, and hopefully represents future projects will be in the works as well.
Continued belowPLUNGE #1
written by JOE HILL
art by STUART IMMONEN
cover by JEREMY WILSON
card stock variant cover by GARY FRANK
In the aftermath of a devastating tsunami, an exploration vessel known as the Derleth begins sending an automated distress signal from a remote atoll in the Bering Strait. The only problem is that the Derleth has been missing for 40 years. Marine biologist Moriah Lamb joins the Carpenter Salvage team to recover the Derleth’s dead…only to find that in this remote part of the Arctic Circle the dead have plenty to say to the living…Joe Hill and Stuart Immonen’s Plunge into terror begins here!
ON SALE 02.19.20
$3.99 US | 1 OF 6 | 32 PAGES
CARD STOCK VARIANT COVER $4.99
FC | DC BLACK LABEL
AGES 17+
This issue will ship with two covers.
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2. I just want to celebrate, the fastest man alive, yeah!
I love it when DC rolls out these oversized anniversary issues, if only for how big and wonderful it makes their most iconic characters feel. This creative lineup is something else, too, with names that are obviously associated with the Flash (Joshua Williamson, Geoff Johns, Francis Manapul, Scott Kolins), along with some new names (Michael Moreci, David Marquez). These are also usually interesting looks into the not-too-distant-future, so maybe we’ll see some of these new folks on Flash-adjacent books coming up, or taking over for Williamson when his run winds down (hopefully at #100 or later; dude deserves the longest run of ‘Rebirth’).
THE FLASH #750
“THE FLASH AGE” BEGINS!
written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON, GEOFF JOHNS, MICHAEL MORECI, MARV WOLFMAN, FRANCIS MANAPUL, and others
art by RAFA SANDOVAL, JORDI TARRAGONA, SCOTT KOLINS, STEPHEN SEGOVIA, DAVID MARQUEZ, BRYAN HITCH, FRANCIS MANAPUL, RILEY ROSSMO, and others
cover by HOWARD PORTER
1940s variant cover by NICOLA SCOTT
1950s variant cover by GARY FRANK
1960s variant cover by NICK DERINGTON
1970s variant cover by JOSÉ LUIS GARCÍA-LÓPEZ
1980s variant cover by GABRIELE DELL’OTTO
1990s variant cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA
2000s variant cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS
2010s variant cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
blank variant cover available
Beginning: “The Flash Age”! The story we’ve been building toward since issue #50 comes to a head! While a supercharged Speed Force wreaks havoc on Barry Allen’s life, a new threat appears on the horizon in the form of the deadly Paradox. Destined to destroy the Flash’s legacy, Paradox sends his herald, Godspeed, to trap the Flash family! Plus, in this special anniversary issue: tales from across the generations of super-speedsters by an all-star lineup of writers and artists!
PRESTIGE FORMAT
ON SALE 02.26.20
$7.99 US | 80 PAGES
FC | DC
This issue will ship with ten covers.
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1. To the tune of Amy Grant’s “Baby Baby:” Aquababy!
Arthur and Mera had a baby many years ago, and the story ended tragically. DC is giving them another shot at this, and I don’t understand why there isn’t more made of it. Aquaman is one of the iconic DC characters, and rarely do we see developments this big and (hopefully) permanent happen to characters like this. Plus, now he joins Superman and Batman as Justice League dads. That is a spinoff I want to read.
AQUAMAN #57
written by KELLY SUE DeCONNICK
art and cover by ROBSON ROCHA and DANIEL HENRIQUES
variant cover by KRIS ANKA
In this issue, Mera and Aquaman welcome their very own Aquababy! In the wake of Black Manta’s attack on Amnesty Bay, Aquaman encounters a new crisis when Mera unexpectedly goes into labor…and things don’t look good for the queen of Atlantis. Don’t miss this historic, emotional issue that kicks off a bold new era for Aquaman!
ON SALE 02.19.20
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | DC
This issue will ship with two covers.
Please see the order form for details.
Get the full solicitations over at Newsarama.
