DC’s line keeps evolving, but September is an interesting month for a few reasons. First of all, we didn’t have the space to cover things like the new “Harley Quinn: The Animated Series” tie-in comic, the digital first “Titans United” series coming to print, or “I am Batman,” the new John Ridley/Olivier Coipel Tim/Jace Fox series. Those all feel like properties/ideas/publishing initiatives that have gotten a lot of talk in this column before. So instead, I wanted to focus on a few books that have gone under the radar, in terms of our discussions, and talk about some of the other new and concluding titles this month. Let’s dig in.
10. It will take until February for them to do anything
When Brian Bendis came to DC, there were two distinct camps: those that were excited to see what Bendis would do in a new sandbox, and those that were sick of his style of comics at Marvel and didn’t want him to bring that to DC. While his Superman stuff started out really strong, it eventually petered out into what most Bendis comics of the 2010s became, which is overlong, overly talky books that dragged out stories twice as long as they needed to be.
Sadly, that appears to be what may be happening with “Justice League.” The run started off with two really promising issues, and then has flailed for the next two, just spinning its wheels and not doing anything unique or interesting. In September’s #68, new team members are teased, which is a very good thing, and DC only released a variant cover for this, meaning that the new members should be surprising/exciting folks. This, too, is a good thing. But knowing how the run has been going, it seems like if they are introduced in #68, they won’t be doing anything all that interesting for at least a few issues, as Bendis laboriously integrates them into the team.
Prove me wrong, Brian. I want to love your “Justice League” run.
JUSTICE LEAGUE #68
Writers: BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS and RAM V
Artists: SIYA OUM and SCOTT GODLEWSKI
Cover: DAVID MARQUEZ
Variant Cover: ALEXANDER LOZANO
$4.99 US | 40 PGS | $5.99 US VARIANT (Card Stock)
ON SALE 9/21/21THE TOUR! The Justice League has some new members. And those members get a tour of the Hall of Justice from the legends who helped build it while they learn about the people who have dedicated their entire lives to its higher calling.
Merlin and his army of the aquatic dead have taken over Atlantis! Can Zatanna handle him and the horror she is hiding within?
9. A character that most people wouldn’t mind seeing lose a head
Believe it or not, Ambush Bug was already a member of the Suicide Squad back during the ‘Invasion!’ storyline of 1989, so this is a 31-years in the making reunion. Ambush Bug is an oddity in DC’s publishing line for a few reasons, but he’s an even weirder fit for this particular team, as this run has not exactly been the sort of light-hearted romp that best suits the character. This is likely to be a short term assignment, and one that will probably polarize readers quite a bit.
SUICIDE SQUAD #7
Writer: ROBBIE THOMPSON
Artists: EDUARDO PANSICA and JULIO FERREIRA
Cover: EDUARDO PANSICA
Variant Cover: KEVIN MAGUIRE
$3.99 US | 32 PGS | $4.99 US VARIANT (Card Stock)
ON SALE 9/7/21Amanda Waller pulls in her newest recruit to Task Force X: the unstoppable and outstanding Ambush Bug! With a mission that literally takes the Squad to hell and back, the sometimes fourth-wall-breaking hero may be the team’s only chance at survival. Embarking on a quest to gain access to the Rock of Eternity, the Squad must also face the threat of Rick Flag, who’s on the hunt for Waller’s head.
8. Finales a year in the making
Ever since his “Batman” run wrapped up, Tom King has pretty much been working in the ‘planning for the collection to sell a million copies in Barnes and Noble’ section of DC, and two of those books are wrapping up this month. “Strange Adventures” gets surprisingly little discussion going each month for a series that was so hyped coming in. There are likely a few reasons for this, but it doesn’t seem like DC is displeased or taking writing gigs away from King.
Continued belowThe other series also has been somewhat of a non-entity in the monthly discussion, and that is “Rorschach.” Both of these books seem like titles that may be of more interest to the casual reader, and not someone who is reading comics month in and month out. That’s not a value judgment on the titles, but it goes to explain why, perhaps, the results have been underwhelming in terms of generating buzz. “Rorschach” will sit next to “Watchmen” (alongside, lol, “Before Watchmen”) for the rest of time, and will find a home on many shelves. “Strange Adventures” will get bought because it will be listed on future printings of “Mister Miracle.” Tom King will be fine, even if he seems a little out of step right now with the rest of DC.
STRANGE ADVENTURES #12
Writer: TOM KING
Artists: MITCH GERADS and EVAN “DOC” SHANER
Cover: MITCH GERADS
Variant Cover: EVAN “DOC” SHANER
$4.99 US | 40 PGS | $4.99 US VARIANT (Card Stock)
BLACK LABEL | 17+
ON SALE 9/28/21Mister Terrific hasn’t just dug into the past, he’s jackhammered it to pieces, exposing Adam Strange’s deepest, darkest secrets. If Adam did commit war crimes, he needs to be punished, but how do you pull a hero off the field of battle when he’s staving off an alien invasion that supposedly only he can stop? Is the truth worth it? And what if Terrific is wrong? The only one who may know for sure: Alanna Strange. Find out in this final issue of one of the year’s most exciting comic book miniseries!
7. The finite end of the infinite
“Infinite Frontier” #1 just came out last week, and it acts as a really exciting idea lab for a bunch of characters and status quo shifts for the DC Universe. It sort of feels unlike other marquee miniseries from the past, which tended to be the culmination of big concepts, rather than the breeding ground for them. The reason I bring that up is that it makes it a little tricky to talk about what the series may look like at its conclusion, as it doesn’t seem like the type of story that will end with a huge shake up, but rather spray these concepts across the publishing line and see the ideas picked up by others.
That said, I’m extremely excited to see how this all plays out, and especially what Darkseid’s role coming out of this will be.
INFINITE FRONTIER #6
Writer: JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
Artist: XERMANICO
Cover: MITCH GERADS
Variant Covers: BRYAN HITCH
$4.99 | 40 PGS | 6 of 6 | $5.99 US VARIANT (Card Stock)
ON SALE 9/7/21One story ends and the next phase of the DC Multiverse begins. We have one name for you: DARKSEID.
Our heroes knew that someone had been pulling the strings this entire time, but are they prepared for it to be the biggest bad of all? As President Superman, Alan Scott, Roy Harper, and the rest converge for a showdown, the secret of Omega Planet is revealed. Plus, Barry Allen is put on a path he may never get off!
6. A fun reset
With so many Bat-titles, “Batman: Urban Legends” can sometimes feel a little redundant, or at least uneven and disjointed. Sure, these are tales of Batman’s supporting cast, but nothing connects the current Red Hood story and the recently wrapped Outsiders story, for instance. But with #7, DC is going with a themed month of future Bat-characters. We get some Batman Beyond, some ‘Future State,’ a ‘blasted future (?),’ and Batman One Million, and this is all good news. I hope that every few issues, we get something like this in “Urban Legends.”
Continued belowBATMAN: URBAN LEGENDS #7
Story by JACKSON LANZING, COLLIN KELLY, and others
Pencils and inks by MAX DUNBAR and others
Cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA
$7.99 US | 64 PAGES | PRESTIGE FORMAT
Variant covers by
HICHAM HABCHI and CHRIS BURNHAM
$7.99 US (Card Stock)
ON SALE 9/14/21The legend of Batman only begins with Bruce Wayne! For centuries to come different people will take up the mantle of Batman and defend the times they’re living in from all forms of villainy. See four of the finest Bats the future may offer!
• In Neo-Gotham, Bruce Wayne lies murdered in the Batcave. Terry McGinnis—Bruce Wayne’s final protégé—will travel into the dark heart of Neo-Gotham to find who killed the greatest hero the city ever knew.
• In Future State, Cassandra Cain just wants a moment to enjoy a hot meal but the Magistrate’s pursuit of her is relentless!
• In a blasted future, the Dark Knight stands alone against a murderous gang threatening his ruined city…and their mysterious leader will be a shocker!
• In the 853rd century, Batman One Million is a warden that must contain the galaxy’s criminals, but today there’s a breakout on Pluto.
5. Return to the Sea
After a few months of a hiatus, there are two Aquaman-focused miniseries debuting this month. The first one is a Black Manta series by the impressive team of Chuck Brown and Valentine de Landro. While Manta has never been my favorite DC villain, he’s the closest that Aquaman has to a true arch-rival. Plus, he’s the father of Jackson Hyde, who we’ll talk about in a little while.
The creative team alone is enough to get me to check this out, but if DC can make Manta into a more interesting and compelling adversary, everyone wins.
BLACK MANTA #1
Story by Chuck Brown
Pencils and inks by Valentine De Landro
Cover by Valentine De Landro
$3.99 US | 32 pages | 1 of 6
Variant cover by Sanford Greene
1:25 Variant cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
$4.99 US (Card Stock)
ON SALE 9/7/21Following his appearance in the Aquaman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular, the scourge of the seas now gets his own series. Black Manta is chasing a rare metal with incredible powers, and he’s not the only one who wants to get his hands on it, friend and foe alike! Torrid is a former ally who has escaped hell (literally!) to answer the call of the metal, but can Manta trust her? Hopefully so because he might need her help to fend off Devil Ray, a new competitor for the role of the biggest villain underwater.
Both Aquaman: The Becoming #1 and Black Manta #1 feature a connecting variant cover by superstar artist Francis Manapul!
INTRODUCING NEW HERO TORRID AND VILLAIN DEVIL RAY!
4. Too good for this world
Of all of the re-brandings as part of ‘Infinite Frontier,’ “Batman/Superman” seemed to be the least connected to the greater narrative concept. It features the multiverse, in a way, but is really its own beast. The fact that it has been so enjoyable somewhat hides what a strange fit it has been. And so, with that said, it’s not shocking that it is wrapping up in September. That said, we are all worse off for having it go away.
BATMAN/SUPERMAN #22
Writer: GENE LUEN YANG
Artist: PAUL PELLETIER
Cover: IVAN REIS and DANNY MIKI
Variant Cover: GARY FRANK
$3.99 US | 32 PGS | $4.99 US VARIANT (Card Stock)
ON SALE 9/28/21SERIES FINALE!
Mr. Mxyzptlk resurrecting Calendar Man from his death during A-Day is causing some reality-rattling consequences. If Superman and Batman are going to prevent a fifth-dimensional god-being from compartmentalizing all of existence, they’re going to need to turn to some unlikely allies.
3. Fear of a bloated state
It’s been a minute since we’ve had a true line-wine Bat-event, but reading the September solicits shot me right back to the countless times the Bat-books have all crossed over, and it filled me with fear. Not because of the Scarecrow, but because usually these events are connected across certain books well, while others feel like the very definition of editorially driven excess. The ‘Infinite Frontier’ line has been pretty lean and mean thus far, and this is the first potential sign of bloat.
Now, I could be totally wrong about this. This could continue the interconnected nature of the current Gotham titles. I hope I am wrong. I suppose we’ll see in a few months.
Continued belowBATMAN #112
Story by JAMES TYNION IV
Art by JORGE JIMENEZ
Backup story by BRANDON THOMAS
Backup pencils and inks by MAX DUNBAR
Cover by JORGE JIMENEZ
$4.99 US | 40 PAGES | FC | DC
Variant cover by JORGE MOLINA
1:25 Variant cover by LUCIO PARRILLO
1:50 Variant cover by KAEL NGU
$5.99 US (Card Stock)
ON SALE 9/7/21A story over a year in the making and set into motion with Infinite Frontier #0, Fear State begins! Batman played into the hands of the Scarecrow, who has unleashed a coordinated attack on Gotham City through his manipulation of Simon Saint and Peacekeeper-01! But there are other forces at work with the emergence of an Anti-Oracle spreading fake news across all channels and inciting terror and violence on the streets of Gotham!
Backup: Clownhunter has turned down help from Batman, Leslie Thompkins, the Red Hood, and everyone else who has offered it to him, thinking that he can handle being a vigilante on the streets of Gotham City by himself. But when he takes a shot at fighting the Scarecrow one-on-one, he’ll learn very quickly how much in this city he’s not ready for yet.
NEW HERO – PEACEKEEPER X!
2. More 5G refuse
The proposed ‘5G’ line-wide event that never happened has seen some of its proposed changes come to DC’s books in a variety of ways. While we haven’t seen Jon Kent and Tim Fox replace Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne, they’ve each launched their own titles. And now, Brandon Thomas and Diego Olortegui are making Jackson Hyde the ‘new’ Aquaman, which feels like another idea from that time.
I actually think this move may make the most in-story sense. Arthur Curry is a new dad, is Atlantean royalty, and often seems like superheroics are beneath him. I’d love to see Arthur in a more diplomatic/ceremonial role, and see Jackson as the superhero Aquaman. Let’s hope this miniseries isn’t the beginning and ending of that concept.
AQUAMAN: THE BECOMING #1
Story by BRANDON THOMAS
Pencils by DIEGO OLORTEGUI
Inks by WADE VON GRAWBADGER
Cover by DAVID TALASKI
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES | 1 of 6
Variant cover by KHARY RANDOLPH
1:25 Variant cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
$4.99 US (Card Stock)
ON SALE 9/21/21Jackson Hyde finally has it all. Mentors who support him, a community that loves him, an honest relationship with his mother, a cute new guy in Amnesty Bay who’s caught his eye, and access to Aquaman’s private training facility in Atlantis. Well, he had it all—until that training facility and half of the Atlantean palace got blown to kingdom come with Jackson in them. Now Jackson stands accused of wrecking the life he worked so hard to build. Aqualad’s going to need all of his skills, wit, and cunning just to prove his own innocence, let alone graduate from sidekick to Aquaman!
1. Business is good!
When Priest’s “Deathstroke” run wrapped up, it seemed like DC was going to move on from the title by, basically, ignoring it. I don’t say that to be overly negative, but it is rare that a run is so beloved and yet so self-contained. You can collect it in a shiny omnibus and reference it when you like, but not really grow new fruit from its seeds.
However, “Deathstroke, Inc” seems to not forget that Priest’s run happened, but actually build off of it, at least thematically. Joshua Williamson teased this title in “Infinite Frontier” #0, but the surprising inclusion of Black Canary and the promise of a DCU-wide mystery makes this a truly exciting proposition.
DEATHSTROKE INC. #1
Story by Joshua Williamson
Pencils and inks by Howard Porter
Cover by Howard Porter
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
Variant covers by Francesco Mattina and Adam Hughes
1:25 Variant cover by Dima Ivano
Team variant cover by Gerardo Zaffino
$4.99 US (Card Stock)
ON SALE 9/28/21After suffering too many losses, Slade Wilson decides it’s time for a change. When he’s enlisted to work with an ages-old secret organization called T.R.U.S.T. who want to take down the heavy-hitter villains, he’s all in. They’ll supply him with an all-new team and resources for his new mission into the depths of the weirdest parts of the DCU, including a new partner…Black Canary!
Wait what?! Enjoy explosions, kick-ass action, and new outrageous adventures as DC’s meanest S.O.B. gets tangled up in a major mystery building in the shadows of the DCU.
Check out the full solicitations over at Newsarama.
