This is the month of 6s – there are a number of series ending, and all of them end with an issue ending in 6. Coincidence? Probably, yeah. But let’s dig deeper and see what mysteries await…or just talk about ten interesting books coming out in April.
10. The future!
Books like “Electric Warriors” are a lot of fun because they allow us to subscribe to this idea that any story told ‘in the future’ will actually align with stories in the future, or at least will still matter the next time a story is set in this same future. We all know that is more or less never going to happen, but it doesn’t stop stories like this from being a ton of fun. Orlando and Foreman have carved out a nice little spot in the DC mythos for this story, while borrowing heavily from Jack Kirby, the best possible guy to borrow from.
Whether or not this story has any of the lasting impressions that solicitations and interviews would have us believe is still up for debate, but who cares? This is a fun, inventive story that I hope gets revisited in the future.
ELECTRIC WARRIORS #6
written by STEVE ORLANDO
art and cover by TRAVEL FOREMAN
The revolution is off to a rocky start, and War Cry is to blame! Can our hero convince his fellow warriors that their captors have no interest in peace? If he fails, Earth isn’t the only planet on the brink of destruction—the whole universe will fall under Firestorm’s wrath! The nail-biting conclusion of this cult-hit miniseries will alter the future of the DC Universe forever.
ON SALE 04.10.19
$3.99 US | 6 of 6 | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T+
9. First contact
After licensing the rights from Fawcett, DC starting publishing Captain Marvel in the DCU stories for the first time in 1972. Those issues have been collected in the black and white ‘Showcase’ collections by DC, but never in full color before this new collection. There’s a lot of interesting pairings here, with original artist C.C. Beck in tow, but also folks absolutely associated with the 70s: Dave Cockrum, Denny O’Neil, etc. These stories are the midway point between the classic Fawcett stories and the full-on integration that began after “Crisis on Infinite Earths.” I’m really excited to check these out.
SHAZAM!: THE WORLD’S MIGHTIEST MORTAL VOL. 1 HC
written by DENNIS O’NEIL, OTTO BINDER, ELLIOT S. MAGGIN, E. NELSON BRIDWELL and others
art by C.C. BECK, KURT SCHAFFENBERGER, DAVE COCKRUM, BOB OKSNER and others
cover by MICHAEL CHO
The 1970s adventures of Shazam—now the star of his very own movie—are collected in color for the first time! These new adventures combined the cartoony art of C.C. Beck, the original artist from the best-selling comics of the 1940s, with the modern, tongue-in-cheek sensibility of writers including Dennis O’Neil as the entire Marvel family reunite for all-new adventures. Collects SHAZAM! #1-18.
ON SALE 05.29.19
$49.99 US | 336 PAGES
FC | ISBN: 978-1-4012-8839-6
8. Of course
It seems only inevitable that DC would bring the Arkham Knight, a Rocksteady games creation, into the DC Universe. Batman is the character that has seen the most migrations from other media – think Harley Quinn, Egghead, etc – and that usually comes in the form of a villain. Well, here we are again, and it seems like a safe move in what is becoming an increasingly safe title. When James Tynion was writing “Detective,” the book was introducing new ideas left and right, and crafting an identity. Since he left, it seems like the title is floundering, waiting for the next big shakeup. Bringing in a video game villain ain’t the way to go.
I said this on the DC3cast last month, but I bet we see an Arkham Knight series by the end of the year.
Continued belowDETECTIVE COMICS #1001
written by PETER J. TOMASI
art and cover by BRAD WALKER and ANDREW HENNESSY
variant cover by DAVID FINCH
After 1,000 issues, you’d think Batman could finally have a break…but no: as a new era dawns, he’s facing the most dangerous threat of his career! The Arkham Knight has arrived in Gotham City with an entire round table of deadly allies, and their first encounter will leave Batman shaken to his core!
ON SALE 04.10.19
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T
This issue will ship with two covers.
Please see the order form for details.
7. The end of “Nightwing?”
Dan Jurgens is a sensitively placed nuclear device at times, set by DC to bring down a book in a controlled explosion. He did it most recently with “Green Lanterns,” and it looks like he may be doing the same with “Nightwing.” Since Ben Percy left the title, this book has turned into a dungheap, unable to be saved by dynamic Chris Mooneyham art. If this is their plan, then good. Give this book a rest, like ‘Ric’ Grayson fuck off, and let Dick come back in a new title sooner than later.
NIGHTWING #59
written by DAN JURGENS
art and cover by CHRIS MOONEYHAM
variant cover by YASMINE PUTRI
There’s a new team in town who will have to learn the hard way that fighting injustice doesn’t mean you’re cut out to be a superhero. As the newly formed Nightwings are forced to deal with a fiery threat they never saw coming, reluctant recruit Ric Grayson has to make the choice between a carefree life without capes or answering the call that’s been ringing his entire life—the call to be a hero. Join Ric Grayson and the Nightwings as they learn what it takes to be a team—and what happens when you fight who you truly are.
ON SALE 04.17.19
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T
This issue will ship with two covers.
Please see the order form for details.
6. Teasing the Authority
DC’s ‘Wildstorm’ imprint has gotten off to a slower start than anticipated. Warren Ellis had said that he saw 4 books running at once in the line, and we’ve never had more than 2, and now just have 1. He also said that one title would be shifting in year 3, and the only title left to shift is “The Wild Storm.” The team is in place, the language is all but slapping us in the mouth: this will shift into an “The Authority” title.
That’s a good thing, because it will then also spin off a portion of the cast into the long rumored “WildC.A.T.S.” book as well. This is one of the best books on the stands right now, and while we’d all love a deeper dive through more titles, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying this book for what it is right now.
THE WILD STORM #22
written by WARREN ELLIS
art and cover by JON DAVIS-HUNT
“The Sparks has the authority.” Jenny Mei Sparks has assembled a group of misfits and exiles, to stand against a corruption that covers the world and orbits above it. The problem? She’s probably too late. The endgame for a free Earth is in motion.
ON SALE 04.17.19
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T+
5. Rest rin Preace
I can’t believe that this fucking book lasted for 3 years.
SCOOBY APOCALYPSE #36
written by J.M. DeMATTEIS and HEATH CORSON
art by PATRICK OLLIFFE, TOM PALMER and GUS VAZQUEZ
cover by PATRICK OLLIFFE and TOM PALMER
variant cover by MIRKA ANDOLFO
Don’t miss the series finale! It’s the end of the road for the Mystery Machine! With their mall headquarters destroyed, Daphne, Shaggy, Velma, Scooby-Doo and, yes, Scrappy-Doo prepare for their final battle with the Nanite King. Will the resurrected Fred Jones be the key to humanity’s redemption—or its annihilation? And in the final chapter of our Atom Ant epic, all of our guest stars vote on who gets to join the Justice League!
ON SALE 04.10.19
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T
FINAL ISSUE
This issue will ship with two covers.
Please see the order form for details.
4. Fare thee well
Of all the ‘New Age of Heroes’ books, I had the highest hopes for “Damage,” and not just because I’m a mark for the original run of this title in the 90s. I think there’s a lot to be done with this character, but sadly, it just never happened. There’s not much left to say about “Damage,” a book so thin, plotwise, that it seemed like it could have all been done in 3 issues. The ‘New Age of Heroes’ is looking pretty thin, ain’t it?
Continued belowDAMAGE #16
written by ROBERT VENDITTI
art by AARON LOPRESTI and MATT RYAN
cover by AARON LOPRESTI
Captured by Echidna, the goddess of monsters, Ethan and Congo Bill must rely on their wits as humans rather than strength as giant powerhouses in order to survive. But do these men stand a chance against the mother of all colossal beasts? Find out in the shocking finale of our series!
ON SALE 04.17.19
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T
FINAL ISSUE
3. D-Days
I like it when DC allows its creators to pitch a pet project that doesn’t really fit into their publishing line. The hope, always, is that DC supports it and, from the materials I’ve been getting editorially, it looks like that is exactly what is happening. Written by Robert Venditti and Kevin Maurer, and featuring truly beautiful Andrea Mutti art, this is a personal story for Venditti, who had family fight at D-Day. Plus, in these fraught political times, it is important to show people, as insane as this sounds, that Nazis are bad.
SIX DAYS: THE INCREDIBLE TRUE STORY OF D-DAY’S LOST CHAPTER HC
written by ROBERT VENDITTI and KEVIN MAURER
art and cover by ANDREA MUTTI
June 1944. World War II. D-Day. One hundred eighty two members of the U.S. 82nd Airborne Division parachute into the French countryside—a full 18 miles southeast of their intended target. This original graphic novel from DC Vertigo is the true story of an obscure World War II battle that took place in the small village of Graignes, France, for six days and the men who survived to tell the tale.
In the worst misdrop of the D-Day campaign, a group of soldiers are rattled to the core to find themselves even deeper behind enemy lines than anyone had intended. Miraculously, the citizens of Graignes vote to feed and shelter the soldiers, knowing that the decision will bring them terrible punishment if their efforts are discovered by the Germans. That day of reckoning comes faster than anyone could expect.
As a small German militia passes through, the world’s war comes to their remote town in the countryside, and for the next six days, the small band of American paratroopers and French citizens must fight for their lives to hold back 2,000 enemy combatants.
Six Days is a true story of survival, loyalty, the brutality of war, and a triumph of the human spirit so rarely brought to the comics form. Writers Kevin Maurer (the #1 New York Times bestseller No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama Bin Laden) and Robert Venditti (Green Lantern)—whose uncle fought in the Battle of Graignes and is a key character in the tale—completed comprehensive archival research in preparation for this unbelievable untold story of World War II.
ON SALE 05.08.19
$24.99 US | 136 PAGES
FC | ISBN: 978-1-4012-9071-9
MATURE READERS
2. A terrific new writer
Though I’m not happy to see Jeff Lemire leave the book, if anyone had to follow him on “The Terrifics,” Gene Luen Yang is the perfect person for the job. After a really fun turn in “The Terrifics Annual” #1, Yang is now starting a new run with Stephen Segovi in tow. That’s a hell of a team, and it shows that at least one ‘New Age of Heroes’ book may make 30 issues.
Continued belowTHE TERRIFICS #15
art by STEPHEN SEGOVIA
written by GENE LUEN YANG
cover by EVAN “DOC” SHANER
The next turning point for the Terrifics starts here! It’s a new chapter in the lives of Mr. Terrific, Phantom Girl, Meta-morpho and Plastic Man as their renewed mission of exploring the Multiverse and protecting Earth’s place amid the cosmic tapestry hits upon a terrifying message hidden within their own technology: something big is coming. When a distress call from Bgztl heralds Armageddon for planet Earth, the team must think bigger, trust no one and fight with everything they’ve got to save the planet from…the Megacosm!
ON SALE 04.24.19
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T
1. You’re doing me dirty, DC
“Titans” has been a real favorite of mine since its relaunch in the ‘New Justice’ line, and became even more of one once Kyle Rayner joined the book. The team was a fun mix of stray Titans and some imports from the Super-side of their line, and the book felt really different than what we’ve seen sublished under that title in quite some time.
But, I’m going to guess that a number of factors, including a desire to make a team called ‘Titans’ fit more in line with the DC Universe live action show, led to the book wrapping up sooner than later. I’ll miss ya, “Titans.” I hope Dan Abnett gets a chance to write more Kyle, Steel, Donna, and M’gan in the future.
TITANS #36
written by DAN ABNETT
art and cover by BRUNO REDONDO
variant cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
“Into the Bleed” finale! It’s all been building to this! Witness the battle for the fate of the entire Multiverse as our heroes tackle Mother Blood and her armies of Unearth! Mother’s plan to use the Bleed to spread her power throughout every corner of the fabric of reality has reached its zenith, and she’s pulling out all the stops to see to it the Titans fail in stopping her. But even with Raven’s soul-self reunited, can the team rescue their heavy hitters Kyle Rayner and Steel before it’s too late? Don’t miss this melee of multiversal mayhem!
ON SALE 04.10.19
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T
FINAL ISSUE
This issue will ship with two covers.
Please see the order form for details.
For the full solicitations, please check out Newsarama.
