March is a weird month for DC, as it isn’t one full of new series or epic crossovers. Those may sound like odd things to happen every month, but if you look back at the past few years, it seems like every month has been just jam packed. This month has a few debuts, but I’m far more excited about some of the more subtle things that emerge this month. Let’s dig in.
10. Brimstone Goes Bye-Bye
This was sort of back-door announced last month, but now its official: “The Curse of Brimstone” will cease publication in March. The whole ‘New Age of Heroes’ thing was about as big a bust as DC has seen in the past decade, in terms of a line or imprint falling apart (‘First Wave,’ anyone?). With now only “Damage,” “The Silencer,” and “The Terrifics” remaining – and let’s be real, “The Terrifics” is ‘New Age of Heroes’ in name only – the experiment in focusing a line around DC’s top tier artistic talent didn’t even make it all the way through the first issue in some cases.
“The Curse of Brimstone” was a late addition to the line, and it always felt a little out of place. While it had some nice moments, the series didn’t get the same push as other ‘New Age of Heroes’ titles, nor did the concept follow the ‘Marvel characters at DC’ format as closely.
THE CURSE OF BRIMSTONE #12
art by DENYS COWAN and JOHN STANISCI
written by JUSTIN JORDAN
cover by EDUARDO PANSICA
It’s the epic finale! As Brimstone struggles to fight the Dark Multiverse beings who managed to come through from their “home office” to our world, the chance to lift the curse of Brimstone is offered! But with Annie’s life in the grip of the Salesman, Brimstone is forced to choose between his only family left and the sanity left in him.
ON SALE 03.06.19
$2.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T
FINAL ISSUE
9. Do we really need more grim?
This one-shot spins out of “The Batman Who Laughs,” the Scott Snyder/Jock miniseries that picks up threads from “Dark Knights: Metal,” and sort of ties into Snyder’s “Justice League.” Following so far?
While I dug the over the top nature of “Metal,” all the alt-Batmen didn’t really do it for me, so I’m not exactly salivating over yet another faux-Bat one-shot. But adding Eduardo Risso to the mix helps a lot. Obviously, this will sell a ton of comics, and will likely look gorgeous, but until given reason to believe otherwise, this will still seem a little superfluous to me.
THE BATMAN WHO LAUGHS: THE GRIM KNIGHT #1
written by SCOTT SNYDER and JAMES TYNION IV
art by EDUARDO RISSO
cover by JOCK
variant cover by GABRIEL DELL’OTTO
blank variant cover available
Ripped from Batman’s greatest nightmares, the Grim Knight is his world’s most dangerous vigilante, unafraid to use any weapon and go to any lengths to stop those whom he deems worthy of death. Trained with the finest arsenal Wayne money can buy, learn the secret origin of the second-deadliest Batman, hand selected by the Batman Who Laughs to bring his dark plans to fruition. This one-shot has a big 28-page story!
ONE SHOT | ON SALE 03.13.19
$4.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T+
This issue will ship with two covers.
Please see the order form for details.
8. Another Ink Title
DC Ink and Zoom are both rolling out titles across Spring 2019, and DC Ink, their young adult line, is focusing on one of the most logical characters, Catwoman. Morally ambiguous with an iconic design, Selina Kyle doesn’t need a costume or a Bat to appeal to younger readers. I love that DC is attempting to broaden their reader base, and I’m really curious to see how Ink deals with some of these characters.
Continued belowUNDER THE MOON: A CATWOMAN TALE TP
written by LAUREN MYRACLE
art and cover by ISAAC GOODHART
When 14-year-old Selina Kyle, the girl who will grow up to be Catwoman, becomes homeless, she must confront questions of who she is and who she will become.
Selina rejects human cruelty, but sometimes it seems as though brute force is the only way to win. And if Selina is going to survive on the streets, she’ll have to learn to be tough. Can she find her humanity and reconcile toughness with her desire for community…and love?
From Lauren Myracle, the New York Times bestselling author of books like ttfn and ttyl, comes a new graphic novel that tells the story of a teenage Catwoman as she struggles to find her own identity while living on the streets of Gotham City.
ON SALE 05.01.19
$16.99 US | 6” x 9”
192 PAGES | FC
ISBN: 978-1-4012-8591-3
Retailers, please check this month’s Previews Order Form
for special ordering incentive on this title.
7. The universe feels way more complete
“The Wild Storm” has been one of the best books in all of comics over its first year and a half, and Warren Ellis has been taking his time introducing some of the more fundamental characters from past WildStorm titles into his new universe. The two biggest holdouts have been Apollo and Midnighter and, lo and behold, here they are.
While this title is wrapping up with issue #24, the longstanding rumor is that Ellis is going to shift “The Wild Storm” into a new title, perhaps something like “Stormwatch” “The Authority,” and if you’re going to do that, Apollo and Midnighter are important pieces to have on the table.
THE WILD STORM #21
written by WARREN ELLIS
art and cover by JON DAVIS-HUNT
The experimental subjects code-named Apollo and Midnighter have broken cover. Combat-optimized superhumans are now loose on the Earth.
ON SALE 03.20.19
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T+
6. The world’s most important roommates
At some point, we should stop being surprised at Mark Russell constantly churning out really interesting ideas. Russell, from “Prez” onward, has brought DC re-imaginings of everything from Snagglepuss to the Wonder Twins. In this, his first wholly created title for DC, he continues that trend by re-imagining Christ’s return to Earth by giving him a faux-Superman as a flatmate.
I can’t wait.
SECOND COMING #1
written by MARK RUSSELL
art by RICHARD PACE
cover by AMANDA CONNER
variant cover by TOM FOWLER
Witness the return of Jesus Christ, as He is sent on a most holy mission by God to learn what it takes to be the true messiah of mankind by becoming roommates with the world’s favorite savior: the all-powerful super hero Sun-Man, the Last Son of Krispex! But when Christ returns to Earth, he’s shocked to discover what has become of his gospel—and now, he aims to set the record straight.
ON SALE 03.06.19
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | MATURE READERS
This issue will ship with two covers.
Please see the order form for details.
5. Returning to their greatest foes
Although he’s been featured in a Zack Synder film and had his own series for a few years now, it should always be remembered that Deathstroke is a Teen Titans villain, first and foremost. Now, for the second time since ‘Rebirth’ began, he’s crossing over with them for a small, contained crossover. Although “Teen Titans” has a totally different lineup, both on and off the page, than when they first met, it is nice to see Priest connecting Slade’s supremely interesting present to his past with this event.
DEATHSTROKE #41
written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
art by LARRY STROMAN and JASON PAZ
cover by TYLER KIRKHAM
variant cover by DAVE JOHNSON
A prelude to “The Terminus Agenda”! The road to the highly anticipated Teen Titans/Deathstroke crossover event starts here! Deathstroke’s body count has grown even higher after murdering his therapist en route to escaping from Arkham Asylum, which prompts Commissioner Gordon to expose Slade’s identity as Deathstroke to the public! Now the world’s most wanted criminal, the walls are closing in on Slade Wilson, and a new threat, Damian Wayne’s newest Teen Titans, waits around the corner…Is there any hope of escape for the World’s Deadliest Assassin?
ON SALE 03.06.19
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T+
This issue will ship with two covers.
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4. Somewhere, Vince Ostrowski is beaming
As part of his ‘Wonder Comics’ imprint, Brian Bendis is shepherding the return of “Dial H for Hero,” one of DC’s sillier and more fun bits of weirdness. Writer Sam Humphries has been nailing the ‘funny but bizarre’ thing over at “Harley Quinn,” and Joe Quinones is one of the most underrated artists in all of comics for the past decade or so. This team should be able to bring the weird and the goofy without sacrificing the story, so bring on the tales of a literal phone dial that gives superpowers!
Continued belowDIAL H FOR HERO #1
written by SAM HUMPHRIES
art and cover by JOE QUINONES
variant cover by NICK DERINGTON
Miguel, a teen daredevil, becomes the newest wielder of the Hero Dial—a rotary phone-like device that grants the user superpowers for one hour when they dial H-E-R-O. Will he rise as a new hero in the DC Universe or crumble under the weight of responsibility the dial thrusts upon him? This blistering new six-issue miniseries joins the Wonder Comics lineup with
stories by award-winning fan favorite Sam Humphries (HARLEY QUINN) and art by Joe Quinones (Howard the Duck).
ON SALE 03.27.19
$3.99 US | 1 of 6 | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T
This issue will ship with two covers.
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Includes a code for a free digital download of this issue.
3. Four digits, Bat-bae
After “Action Comics” hit the milestone in 2018, “Detective Comics” becomes the second DC title to hit 1000 issues this month. The titular book for DC (DC = Detective Comics for those unaware), this is being treated as the big deal that it is, even if “Action” got there first. Look at the lineup of talent here: there’s just about every iconic DC creator they could wrangle to do something here, including folks who maybe don’t have a ton of Bat-pedigree mixed with those who wouldn’t be where they are without their Bat-work.
I’m particularly excited to see what folks like Warren Ellis, Christopher Priest, Steve Epting, and Dustin Nguyen are bringing to the table in this issue. Yes, Batman can be annoying in his ubiquity, but that’s ok. This is a moment to celebrate the character, the creators, and the sheer insanity of being in print consistently for 80+ years.
DETECTIVE COMICS #1000
written by PETER J. TOMASI, BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS, TOM KING, PAUL DINI, WARREN ELLIS, GEOFF JOHNS, DENNIS O’NEIL, CHRISTOPHER PRIEST, KEVIN SMITH, SCOTT SNYDER, JAMES TYNION IV and others
art by DOUG MAHNKE, NEAL ADAMS, GREG CAPULLO, TONY S. DANIEL, STEVE EPTING, KELLEY JONES, JIM LEE, ALEX MALEEV, DUSTIN NGUYEN, JOELLE JONES, ALVARO MARTINEZ and others
wraparound cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS
blank variant cover availableAfter 80 years, it’s here—the 1,000th issue of DETECTIVE COMICS, the title that literally defines DC! This 96-page issue is stacked with an unbelievable lineup of talent that will take you on a journey through Batman’s past, present and future…plus a sensational epilogue that features the first-ever DC Universe appearance of the deadly Arkham Knight! But who is under the mask? And why do they want Batman dead? The incredible future of Batman adventures begins here!
2. See ya, Ollie
When ‘Rebirth’ started, Ben Percy, Otto Schmidt, and Juan Ferreyra were doing some of the best work of their respective careers on “Green Arrow.” That crew left not that long ago, but here we are, with the final issue of the series. It’s no secret that the run by the Benson sisters didn’t exactly go the way DC was hoping, and so they brought in the “Hacktavist” boys, their primary clean up artists these days, to bring the book in for a landing.
Due to the import of Ollie in the current “Justice League” corner of the DCU, I’m sure he won’t be on the shelf for long. Still, this feels like a sad ending for a title that had so much promise just a few months ago.
Continued belowGREEN ARROW #50
written by COLLIN KELLY and JACKSON LANZING
art by JAVIER FERNANDEZ
cover by KEVIN NOWLAN
variant cover by EVAN “DOC” SHANER
Spinning out of the events of JUSTICE LEAGUE: NO JUSTICE and HEROES IN CRISIS! When a black ops organization discovers Green Arrow’s long-held secret—a mysterious weapon in the form of a box, given to him by the Justice League—they’ll deploy their top undercover agent: Black Canary! On opposite sides of this festering secret, Green Arrow and Black Canary will clash as only two lovers can—by aiming straight for the heart! A mystery six months in the making, the box that can destroy the Justice League will be opened…and the Emerald Archer’s world will be forever changed. This extra-sized anniversary issue of Green Arrow’s life isn’t just ending…it’s burning to the ground!
ON SALE 03.06.19
$4.99 US | 48 PAGES
FC | RATED T+
This issue will ship with two covers each.
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1. Ah, yes. Fun!
This month, I decided not to give the top spot to a big ending or a new series. I wanted to highlight “Justice League” for a very key reason: it is just so much fun. While many other titles are really good right now, almost nothing is as consistently enjoyable as “Justice League” in terms of a book just bringing a smile to my face.
This arc, in which the League fights future versions of themselves, is a classic superhero trope, and the type that Scott Snyder and Jorge Jimenez (who is credited as co-writing this arc!) will absolutely crush. Snyder’s eye for detail and Jimenez’s over the top, spastic action will likely sing in a Mr. Mxyzptlk-starring arc. Get ready to have some fun, people.
JUSTICE LEAGUE #19
written by SCOTT SNYDER and JORGE JIMENEZ
art and cover by JORGE JIMENEZ
variant cover by ROB LIEFELD
“The Sixth Dimension” part one! At last, the Justice League has the map to the Sixth Dimension in hand—and with it, they have the key to saving the Multiverse from utter destruction! But things aren’t as simple as they seem, because they still need to get to the doorway—and to do that, they’ll have to go through the only being in all of existence who can get them there: Mr. Mxyzptlk!
ON SALE 03.06.19
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T+
This issue will ship with two covers
Please see the order form for details.
Check out the full solicitations over at Newsarama.
