Although much of the world is still shut down, comics are beginning to return to normal. And so, DC, like most other comic publishers, have announced their August solicitations and, while some of the books were originally solicited for June, there’s enough that we didn’t cover in that column to get us through. Let’s dig in.
10. Illusions, Not Tricks
There are certain classic Superman tropes that get used all the time, yet his inability to combat magic only gets drummed up every few years. Luckily, Brian Bendis is the type of writer who loves pulling up details that many other writers would ignore, and so he’s taking “Superman” for a magic-based arc. This also allows him to bring Dr. Fate into the book, which I believe is the first time Bendis has written the character.
Plus, Kevin Maguire art. How can you ignore Kevin Maguire art?
SUPERMAN #24
written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
art by KEVIN MAGUIRE and JOHN TIMMS
cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
variant cover by BRYAN HITCH
Wonder Woman 1984 variant cover by GABRIELE DELL’OTTO
Superman’s legendary susceptibility to magic is about to turn his life inside out and upside down. A mysterious new villain has come into Superman’s world to pit him against the most powerful sorcerer and agent for the Lords of Order: Doctor Fate!
RESOLICIT | ON SALE 08.11.20 | $3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | DC
This issue will ship with three covers.
This issue is resolicited. All previous orders are canceled.
9. The Long Run
Next month sees the end of Joshua Williamson’s run on “The Flash,” bringing to a close the longest running double shipping series of the ‘Rebirth’ era. I’ll save most of the honorifics for next month, but this four part finale should be something really special. One of the underrated parts of his run has been how incrementally, Barry’s world has changed. Here, at the end of the line, his situation looks bleak, but that’s when true heroes shine.
THE FLASH #759
written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
art by RAFA SANDOVAL and JORDI TARRAGONA
cover by HOWARD PORTER
variant cover by INHYUK LEE
A NEW STORY LINE BEGINS!
“Finish Line” part one of four—leading to the finale of Joshua Williamson’s legendary run on The Flash! It’s Barry Allen’s last race! The Legion of Zoom has won. Central City is in ruins. Barry Allen is trapped in the Speed Force, his body taken over by the Reverse-Flash!
ON SALE 08.11.20
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | DC
This issue will ship with two covers.
8. A fun reprint
Continuity is a fickle thing, and sometimes things slide in and out. The idea of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul as a couple and, as parents, was first introduced in this trio of out of continuity graphic novels. Years later, Grant Morrison would take this idea and turn him into Damian Wayne, the current Robin. This is a fun slice of DC history, and it’s good to see them back in print, with its original format intact.
BATMAN: THE DEMON TRILOGY HC
written by DENNIS O’NEIL and MIKE W. BARR
art by NORM BREYFOGLE, TOM GRINDBERG, and JERRY BINGHAM
cover by NORM BREYFOGLE
What connects Batman and the villainous Ra’s al Ghul? Find out in this collection of three 1980s graphic novels! How did Ra’s al Ghul become the villain that he is? How would a union between his daughter Talia and the Dark Knight benefit him? Why would he want to father an heir? Follow along as Batman lives through and tries to unravel the mystery behind the mind of Ra’s al Ghul!
Collects Batman: Birth of the Demon #1, Batman: Bride of the Demon #1, and Batman: Son of the Demon #1 at their original published dimensions of 8.5” x 10.875”.
ON SALE 09.22.20
$75.00 US | 320 PAGES | 8.5” x 10.875”
FC | ISBN: 978-1-77950-450-0
7. A familiar face filling in
Continued below
One of the books that has defined Kelly Sue DeConnick’s career is “Bitch Planet,” her creator-owned Image series with Valentine DeLandro. When that series spun off into “Bitch Planet: Triple Feature,” one of the creators she brought in was writer Jordan Clark. So, when she needed a fill-in on “Aquaman,” it is not surprising that she turned to the same person for help. It appears that Clark is telling a side story, focusing on Aqualad, and that’s a smart move for the series, which has done such a wonderful job of focusing on the supporting cast, but has not done too much with Jackson yet.
AQUAMAN #62
written by JORDAN CLARK
art by MARCO SANTUCCI
cover by ROBSON ROCHA
variant cover by TYLER KIRKHAM
In order to save baby Andy, Jackson Hyde made a deal with the devil—his father, Black Manta! Now Jackson must find a way into Xebel while everyone celebrates Mera’s surprise nuptials. What he finds there, however, will be darker and deadlier than he ever imagined. Welcome writer Jordan Clark (Bitch Planet Triple Feature) for the start of this two-part adventure!
ON SALE 08.18.20
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | DC
This issue will ship with two covers.
6. A (somewhat) Trinity
When you think of the various DC generations, there are often times analogues for the Trinity – Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman – who fill those roles. While “Young Justice” has one of each of those (Connor Kent, Tim Drake, Cassie Sandsmark), there is another member of the core team that is as essential as those three: Impulse. This issue features the three male characters at the core, Impulse, Drake, and Kon, and takes them on a sentimental journey. This is the type of stuff than Bendis either does very, very well, or gets a little too cute with it. Let’s hope that David Walker’s co-writing helps keep the book out of the latter.
YOUNG JUSTICE #17
written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS and DAVID F. WALKER
art by SCOTT GODLEWSKI
cover by JOHN TIMMS
variant cover by MIRKA ANDOLFO
This very special issue focuses directly on the friendship at the heart of Young Justice: Conner, Tim, and Bart—a.k.a. Superboy, Drake, and Impulse. As younger men, these three iconic heroes built Young Justice on their friendship. Now their dream has grown and changed as much as they have. And with the demands of adulthood pulling them in different directions, they realize that nights like this one may never happen again.
RESOLICIT | ON SALE 08.04.20
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | DC
This issue will ship with two covers.
This issue is resolicited. All previous orders are canceled.
5. This series is still going?
Look, I’m really happy that Gabriel Hardman is continuing “Green Lantern: Earth One” series, but I’m a little surprised that the series is still going. The line has had an impressive array of talent, and some of the stories have been really memorable. But a book every year or two (the last release was “Wonder Woman: Earth One Vol 2” in October of 2018) means that the line barely has any momentum, and still feels like a series of disjointed stories, rather than a coherent universe.
Volume one of “Green Lantern: Earth One” was a lot of fun, and like I said, I’m glad it’s getting a second volume. But until DC takes this line more seriously, it’s always going to feel slight and disconnected.
Continued belowGREEN LANTERN EARTH ONE VOL. 2 HC
written by GABRIEL HARDMAN and CORINNA BECHKO
art and cover by GABRIEL HARDMAN
In this sequel to the bestselling 2018 original graphic novel, Hal Jordan and John Stewart must team up to save the galaxy from an invading force!
Manhunters, alien races, rings of power—it’s a lot for the people of Earth to absorb. Especially when an interplanetary incident forces their protector, Hal Jordan, to leave on a rescue mission that results in the discovery that there’s a new player in the galaxy: Yellow Lanterns!
4. Orlando continuing to leave his mark
Steve Orlando has been weaving in and out of “Wonder Woman” for about two years now, and he’s been building a lot of new mythology, while borrowing nicely from the creators around him. It’s been fun to see Orlando, one of Multiversity’s favorite writers, really put his stamp on Diana. DC must agree, as they keep bringing him back whenever possible to continue to add to his oeuvre, and “Wonder Woman” Annual #4 is the latest example. And the last sentence of the solicitation is to be believed, it means that Orlando isn’t done with the world building just yet, despite his exclusive contract running out a few months ago.
WONDER WOMAN ANNUAL #4
written by STEVE ORLANDO
art by JACK HERBERT
cover by BRYAN HITCH
There’s something evil afoot in the heart of the Amazon rain forest, and Wonder Woman is on a mission to save the innocents caught in the crossfire! As a mass of dark energy envelops a pocket of the planet, Diana must use her golden lasso to keep tethered to reality as she ventures inside, or face being corrupted by the energy herself! But there’s more than just a battle with the Dark Fates at play here…something else lurks in the heart of the Amazon that will shape the future of the DC Universe for years to come…
ON SALE 08.18.20
$4.99 US | 48 PAGES
FC | DC
3. Deeper, Darker
There are two books coming out in August that tie into the “Dark Nights: Death Metal” event, and both of them are absolutely stacked with talent. We’re highlighting the “Guidebook” because I’m a sucker for a good DC reference book, but the other title, “Legends of the Dark Knights,” features some real heavy hitters as well: Warren Ellis, Garth Ennis, Jim Chung, Joëlle Jones, Daniel Warren Johnson, Riley Rossmo and more. These types of books have two purposes: they show readers that this event is important enough to supplement with fun extra stories, and it takes some pressure off the main book to cram everything into one title. With teams like these, the books are set up to be, perhaps, even more exciting than the main series.
DARK NIGHTS: DEATH METAL GUIDEBOOK #1
written by SCOTT SNYDER, JAMES TYNION IV, JOSHUA WILLIAMSON, BECKY CLOONAN, VITA AYALA, CHIP ZDARSKY, and CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
art by DOUG MAHNKE, BECKY CLOONAN, EDUARDO RISSO, KHARY RANDOLPH, and DAN PANOSIAN
cover by YASMINE PUTRI
1:25 variant cover by TERRY DODSON and RACHEL DODSON
Earth is turned upside down, shrouded in a realm of darkness after the Justice League’s defeat by the cosmic goddess Perpetua. Now the Batman Who Laughs and his army of Dark Knights rule the planet, wreaking havoc on humanity and raining destruction on the world. As Wonder Woman, Superman, Batman, and other heroes fight to survive in this strange new landscape, one cloaked figure has been observing from the sidelines, creating a guidebook to this new world and its evil leaders in the hope of forming a plan of justice…and penance.
This issue showcases the new factions of Earth and explores the mystery of what happened to our heroes after their battle with Perpetua. How does Wonder Woman, the new queen of Hell, reign over her prisoners? What is Batman doing with the Black Lantern Ring? And what happens when Harley Quinn takes charge of the Wasteland, and finds love in the process? All this and more in this jam-issue exploring the new world order.
ONE-SHOT | ON SALE 08.18.20
CARD STOCK COVER
$5.99 US | 48 PAGES
FC | DC
This issue will ship with two covers.
2. [Play Etta James – “At Last” Dot MP3]
The last time that there was a Marvel Family/Shazam book that lasted more than 15 issues was Jerry Ordway’s “The Power of Shazam.” The series, which is pretty much the Shazam story post-Crisis, is finally coming back out in hardcover editions. This first volume features Ordway’s OGN that launched the series, as well as the first year of stories. If you’re even a casual Captain Marvel fan, this is a must read.
Continued belowTHE POWER OF SHAZAM! BOOK 1: IN THE BEGINNING HC
written by JERRY ORDWAY
art by JERRY ORDWAY, PETER KRAUSE, CURT SWAN, MIKE PAROBECK, and others
cover by JERRY ORDWAY
In 1994 Billy Batson’s origin story was revitalized for a new era in The Power of Shazam!, the acclaimed graphic novel written and illustrated by Jerry Ordway. The story reintroduced Shazam, the Wizard, Dr. Sivana, and Black Adam, and was followed by an ongoing series, set four years later. This volume collects both the OGN and the first year of the series, bringing retro elements from Fawcett Comics history into modern-day continuity. Collects The Power of Shazam! graphic novel, The Power of Shazam! #1-12, plus a story from Superman & Batman Magazine #4.
ON SALE 08.18.20
$49.99 US | 408 PAGES
FC | ISBN: 978-1-4012-9941-5
1. I’m getting tingles
I don’t know how I missed this in the June solicits, but over the next two issues of “Legion of Super-Heroes,” 44 different artists will each illustrate one page of the story. The list below is the first half, and holy shit. Artists that are new-ish to DC, as well as classic DC artist are represented, and with a lineup like this, the story is absolutely secondary. But this is also another sign of DC’s continued support of Bendis and his projects. This is a big ticket item for DC, and one that not every creator would have gotten greenlit.
Is it August yet?
LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #8
written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
art by EVAN “DOC” SHANER, JEFF LEMIRE, DUSTIN NGUYEN, JOËLLE JONES, MICHAEL AVON OEMING, LIAM SHARP, ANDRÉ LIMA, SANFORD GREENE, CULLY HAMNER, YANICK PAQUETTE, DAN HIPP, DAVID MACK, DARICK ROBERTSON, DAN JURGENS, BILQUIS EVELY, FABIO MOON, MICHAEL ALLRED, RYAN SOOK, ALEX MALEEV, JOHN TIMMS, DUNCAN ROULEAU, and NORM RAPMUND
cover by RYAN SOOK
variant cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
Beginning a special two-part comics storytelling event! Over the course of two spectacular issues, 44 artists will dive into the 31st century—with each page starring a different Legionnaire! It starts when the team is arrested by a galactic authority that does not approve of the Legion—and it leads into an intergalactic showdown that will affect every member of the team!
RESOLICIT | ON SALE 08.25.20
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | DC
This issue will ship with two covers.
This issue is resolicited. All previous orders are canceled.
Check out the full solicits over at Newsarama.
