DC has a big December planned, with the ‘Dark Matter’ line really launching, some new creative teams, some character returns, and more. We probably could’ve done 20 highlights this month, as the reprint department is doing some interesting stuff, too (“Black Lightning: Year One,” Greg Rucka’s “Checkmate”), but check out our highlights, and then sound off in the comments about what you’re most excited about.
10. Aqua-Team Hero Force
It is my observation that part of the ‘Rebirth’ initiative was “give characters back important supporting casts.” Almost all the most successful ‘Rebirth’ titles have had an expansion/refocus on the characters in their little corner of the DC Universe. “Aquaman” is no exception, and this new, sadly Sejic-less arc, seems to focus on Arthur teaming up with Mera, Vulko, and Dolphin to take back Atlantis. I think this makes the book far more interesting and varied than what Geoff Johns did on “Aquaman,” which was to focus on Arthur being some sort of silent badass. This run feels special, in part, because of how it has made Atlantis feel like a place that is more lived in, and given us more than just your standard 2-3 Aquaman associates running around.
AQUAMAN #31
Written by DAN ABNETT
Art by RICCARDO FEDERICI
Cover by STJEPAN SEJIC
Variant cover by JOSHUA MIDDLETON
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details. Includes a code for a free digital download of this issue.
“Take Back the Throne” part one! Arthur joins forces with his new ally Dolphin, his loyal frenemy Vulko, and the love of his life Mera, to rally the underworld of Atlantis and end the reign of the nefarious King Rath! But even as Rath doubles his efforts to destroy “the Aquaman,” dangerous new enemies begin to emerge from unexpected places…some vying for the throne themselves!
On sale DECEMBER 20 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
9. Superfriends by Tom King? Oh God No…
December sees a two-issue arc of “Batman” called ‘Superfriends.’ This is a Batman/Superman story, and the solicits are making me gag already. I purposely included the solicit to part 2, #37, because of this phrase, which strikes me as absolutely misunderstanding the basic relationship between Bruce and Clark: “And yet, one is still the spoiled rich boy, and the other is still the naive farm boy.”
Maybe, maybe Bruce sees Clark as a naive farm boy, but Clark would never see Bruce as a spoiled rich boy. Clark would be filled with empathy for that boy growing up without parents in a lonely mansion, and remind Bruce how lucky he is that he had an Alfred in his life. There’s nothing about Bruce’s upbringing that Clark would take any issue with whatsoever – that’s just not who Superman is. The constant pitting of Clark and Bruce is so tiresome, and reducing them to stereotypes about the way they grew up is so impossibly lazy.
BATMAN #37
Written by TOM KING
Art and cover by CLAY MANN
Variant cover by OLIVIER COIPEL
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
“SUPERFRIENDS” part two! The stunning conclusion to the two-part story. Torn apart by betrayal, Batman and Superman try to find a way back to friendship, to trust. Both understand that the future of the DCU depends on this relationship; both understand that without the help of the other, their lives will fall apart. And yet, one is still the spoiled rich boy, and the other is still the naive farm boy. Men from two worlds confront each other and try to see the hope behind the madness.
On sale DECEMBER 20 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
8. Together again
Batman and the Ninja Turtles are two properties that can either go campy or dark at the drop of a hat. Both have been more on the dark side as of late, and this crossover seems to continue that, especially with the introduction of Bane into the equation. I was lukewarm on the first crossover, but the idea of Bane, Bebop, and Rocksteady messing around is enough to get me to bite on at least the first issue or two of this.
Continued belowBATMAN/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II #1
Written by JAMES TYNION IV
Art and cover FREDDIE E. WILLIAMS II
Variant cover by KEVIN EASTMAN
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
The team behind the smash-hit crossover series is back to reunite the Dark Knight and the Heroes in a Half-Shell. When Donatello goes looking for a new mentor to help him improve his fighting skills, he opens a doorway to another reality, hoping to summon the Turtles’ one-time ally, Batman. But instead, he gets sent to Gotham City and someone else comes through the open portal—Bane! Suddenly, there’s a new gang boss in New York and he’s out to unite all the other bad guys under him. Can Donnie get back in time and bring Batman with him to help his brothers before Bane causes irreparable destruction? Co-published with IDW.
On sale DECEMBER 6 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
7. Bringing you good cheer
It is 85 degrees in suburban New Jersey as I write this, but it is beginning to be that time of year when all attention turns to the holidays. DC is following up its super fun holiday special from last year with another full of insane talent: Rucka, Priest, Lemire, Fontana, Epting, Evely, Schmidt, Manapul, Landis…well, maybe not that last one. But some of these tag lines fill me with such joy: Sgt. Rock fighting Nazis on Hanukah? Swamp Thing having seasonal affective disorder? Count me in!
DC UNIVERSE HOLIDAY SPECIAL 2017 #1
Written by GREG RUCKA, TOM KING, DENNIS O’NEIL, JEFF LEMIRE, MAX LANDIS, CHRISTOPHER PRIEST, SHEA FONTANA, JOSHUA WILLIAMSON and others!
Art by STEVE EPTING, RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE, BILQUIS EVELY, OTTO SCHMIDT, NEIL GOOGE, FRANCIS MANAPUL and others
Cover by ANDY KUBERT
DC Comics’ finest talents have assembled to bring you a holiday special like you’ve never seen before! Join Superman, Wonder Woman and the Flash as they deliver powerful messages of hope like only The Worlds Greatest Super-Heroes can! Plus: Sgt. Rock fights the Nazis on Hanukah, the Teen Titans take on the literal ghost of Christmas past, and Swamp Thing battles that creeping feeling of existential dread! And don’t miss the legendary Denny O’Neil’s return to comics with an all-new Batman story!
ONE-SHOT • On sale DECEMBER 6 • 96 pg, FC, $9.99 US • RATED T
6. Super Sons of Tomorrow
I’ve been loving the quick fire crossovers DC has been doing, where a few books cross over in the span of a month or two, no muss, no fuss. This crossover between three strong titles, “Superman,” “Super Sons,” and “Teen Titans” is going to be especially dope because it involves a time traveling Batman. What’s not to love? Plus, Peter Tomasi is scripting the whole thing and, no offense to Ben Percy, that will make for a more consistent story.
SUPERMAN #37
Written by PETER J. TOMASI and PATRICK GLEASON
Art by DOUG MAHNKE and JAIME MENDOZA
Cover by IVAN REIS
Variant cover by JONBOY MEYERS
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
“SUPER SONS OF TOMORROW” part one! The four-part crossover between Superman, the Super Sons and the Teen Titans starts here! The Batman of Tomorrow travels to the present to prevent a cataclysmic disaster before it happens, revealing that Superboy will soon be responsible for the death of millions. But Superman will do anything to protect his son…and the Batman of Tomorrow is unwavering in his resolve to take down the Boy of Steel. Don’t miss a clash of titanic proportion in the opening chapter of this game-changing story!
On sale DECEMBER 20 • 32 pg, FC, • $2.99 US • RATED T
5. A new writer, hopefully a new direction
So, last month I thought “Cyborg” was being cancelled. I was wrong, but it is being slightly rebooted with new writer Kevin Grevioux (“Odyssey of the Amazons”) taking over the book from John Semper, Jr. This arc takes Vic to Africa, and while the solicit doesn’t jump out as a ‘must-read,’ DC needs to do something about Cyborg, a character they keep investing in, but with non-existent returns.
Continued belowCYBORG #19
Written by KEVIN GREVIOUX
Art by WILL CONRAD
Cover by CLIFF RICHARDS
Variant cover by CARLOS D’ANDA
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details. Includes a code for a free digital download of this issue.
“WRETCHED OF THE EARTH” part one! While on an exploratory scientific mission in Africa, Cyborg encounters an ancient African Jinn who grants him his heart’s desire. But when the local warlord lays claim to this ancient and terrible power as well, Vic discovers that magic has dangerous consequences that he never expected.
On sale DECEMBER 6 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
4. Long Live New Super-Man!
Even writer Gene Luen Yang thought “New Super-Man” was getting the axe, but that’s not the case! The solicit information seems to suggest that the book will be changing, and my guess is that it will be more of a Justice League of China book going forward. But let’s take a moment to celebrate the fact that DC is giving more time to this idiosyncratic book filled with new characters, taking place half a world away from the vast majority of its readers.
Of course, this could be a play to the Asian market, but that’s okay, too. I’m just happy I get more “New Super-Man.”
NEW SUPER-MAN #18
Written by GENE LUEN YANG
Art by JOE LALICH and RICHARD FRIEND
Cover by BILLY TAN
Variant cover by BERNARD CHANG
Retailers: This issue will ship with three covers. Please see the order form for details. Includes a code for a free digital download of this issue.
“EQUILIBRIUM” finale! Kenan Kong and the Justice League of China have faced so many threats since their debut—but none so great as the forces All-Yang have unleashed! It will take all the New Super-Man of China has learned to defeat All-Yang and the demigod invasion of the west, and our young hero will face a choice: save the world, or save himself. Don’t miss this thrilling concluding chapter to see where this adventure ends—and where the next begins!
On sale DECEMBER 13 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
3. Booster!
Booster Gold is back! Booster Gold is back! Booster Gold is back! Booster Gold is back! Booster Gold is back! Booster Gold is back! Booster Gold is back! Booster Gold is back! Booster Gold is back! Booster Gold is back! Booster Gold is back! Booster Gold is back! Booster Gold is back! Booster Gold is back! Booster Gold is back! Booster Gold is back! Booster Gold is back! Booster Gold is back! Booster Gold is back! Booster Gold is back! Booster Gold is back! Booster Gold is back! Booster Gold is back! Booster Gold is back! Booster Gold is back! Booster Gold is back! Booster Gold is back! Booster Gold is back! Booster Gold is back! Booster Gold is back!
Do I need to say anything else?
Oh, but Brett Booth is drawing him. Life is hard.
ACTION COMICS #993
Written by DAN JURGENS
Art by BRETT BOOTH and JOE PRADO
Cover by DAN JURGENS and TREVOR SCOTT
Variant cover by NEIL EDWARDS and JAY LEISTEN
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
“BOOSTER SHOT” part one! As Superman struggles to cope with Mr. Oz’s true identity, the Man of Steel turns to the only “hero” he knows who can prove once and for all if Oz’s story is true: Booster Gold! But a massive power doesn’t want our heroes venturing through time, and will do anything it can to sabotage their journey!
On sale DECEMBER 13 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
2. Dark Matter rises
There’s a joke to be made about a trio of books by Jim Lee, Tony Daniel, and John Romita Jr. being delayed before they were even solicited, but here we are: the first three ‘Dark Matter’ ongoings start here, with James Tynion IV and Jim Lee’s “The Immortal Men,” “Silencer” from Dan Abnett and John Romita Jr, and “Damage” by Robert Venditti and Tony Daniel. “Damage” is the one I’m most skeptical and excited about, because that is also the name of a book/character that I absolutely adored in the 1990s. There have been hints given that there will be some connection to the Grant Emerson version of the character, but we shall see.
Continued belowBut these books are all $2.99 with no variants, and have committed to at least three issues by the solicited creative team. Mark my words: “Damage” will last the longest with the artist on board, then “Silencer.” “Immortal Men” will get a new artist with #4. Bet you a Coke?
DAMAGE #1
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art and cover by TONY S. DANIEL and DANNY MIKI
Ethan “Elvis” Avery just wanted to serve his country. Instead, he’s been changed into a monster!
Tasked as the government’s own living, breathing, ticking time bomb, Ethan retains no control when the monster takes over. Cheaper than a nuclear warhead and twice as effective, Ethan fights to rein in the damage he unleashes when the beast inside him springs free for one hour a day. With everyone around him in danger, Ethan struggles to contain the DAMAGE he inflicts on the DC Universe.
On sale DECEMBER 20 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • FOLDOUT COVER • RATED T+
1. Finally, a creative team worth of “Justice League”
Christopher Priest and Pete Woods on “Justice League” was announced the same time as Sam Humphries and Bernard Chang on “Nightwing.” Both are nice bits of news, but Priest on “Justice League” is DC3cast cat-nip. Priest is doing some of the best work of his career on “Deathstroke,” and with Woods in tow, it looks like he is shaking up “Justice League” from his first issue. He’s not focusing not on the sci-fi quests of Bryan Hitch’s run, but instead begins with a tale of a sleepy Batman messing something up. I love it, I’m so on board, and I can’t wait.
JUSTICE LEAGUE #34
Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
Art and cover by PETE WOODS
Variant cover by NICK BRADSHAW
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
“LOST” part one! When the Justice League is confronted by three concurrent threats, a sleep-deprived Batman makes a crucial error that causes an unthinkable—and potentially unforgivable—tragedy. Legendary Eisner Award-nominated writer Christopher Priest (Deathstroke) is joined by artist Pete Woods for a brand-new must-read Justice League story like you’ve never seen before!
On sale DECEMBER 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
For the full solicitations, check out Newsarama.
