Happy New Year! We are back with our look at DC’s upcoming slate for March, and it’s an interesting cross section of their overall publishing plans, all smooshed together.
10. Hugo is strange
A lot of times, DC will publish/repackage stories based on a character becoming especially prominent, either in comics or one of their adaptations. It appears that will be the case with Hugo Strange, as DC has collected Strange stories going all the way back to 1940 for this new collection. I know that Strange has been a part of Gotham, but to my (limited) knowledge, that’s the last big push for the character. I’m fascinated to see how/if he gains some relevance, or if this collection is simply a random publishing decision.
BATMAN: ARKHAM — HUGO STRANGE TP
Written by BILL FINGER, STEVE ENGLEHART, GERRY CONWAY, DEVIN GRAYSON and others
Art by BOB KANE, MARSHALL ROGERS, DON NEWTON, ROGER ROBINSON and others
Cover by BRIAN BOLLAND
One of the Dark Knight’s oldest enemies, Hugo Strange was the first foe to determine Batman’s true identity as Bruce Wayne! BATMAN ARKHAM: HUGO STRANGE collects some of the villain’s greatest stories by some of comics’ greatest creators from DETECTIVE COMICS #36, #471-472 and #942, BATMAN #356, BATMAN ANNUAL #10 and BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #8-11.
On sale APRIL 18 • 240 pg, FC, $19.99 US • ISBN: 978-1-4012-7470-2
9. Wait, what is this?
I’ve praised DC in the past for bringing miniseries back to prominence, but we may have reached a tipping point: I literally had no idea what this series was when looking through the solicits. Upon doing a little research, this is based on a Telltale game, which makes sense. Again, this is a smart/good book for DC to publish – people love those games, and if you can target that audience, that’s great.
BATMAN: SINS OF THE FATHER #2
Written by CHRISTOS GAGE • Art and cover by RAFFAELE IENCO
It’s a deadly game of cat and mouse as Batman tries to stop Deadshot from killing former Arkham Asylum employees, while also trying to determine just who he is and why he’s targeting them. Then Batman goes up against the Black Spider—does he work for Deadshot or one of the new mystery figures making waves in the Gotham underworld?
On sale MARCH 21 • 32 pg, FC, 2 of 6, $2.99 US • RATED T+ • DIGITAL FIRST
8. “Trinity” push?
It is still unclear if “Trinity” has a regular creative team, but it appears that the book is now shipping twice monthly, or at least is for March. If James Robinson and Patch Zircher are the new creative team, this could be a very fun book. Robinson, thus far, has been very much acting as a fixer/aligner for DC, taking some of their stray stories of the past 5 years and trying to bring them into some semblance of sense and order.
But is this really a book that is popular enough to ship twice monthly? I guess we’ll find out.
TRINITY #20
Written by JAMES ROBINSON • Art by PATCH ZIRCHER • Cover by GUILLEM MARCH • Variant cover by BILL SIENKIEWICZ
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.
“Man Down” part one! As the Trinity deals with the fallout of the battle for Skartaris, each set out to search for the missing Steve Trevor. But looming on the horizon are the magical armies of Deimos and their plan to lay siege to the entire planet! Deimos’ true goal will bring Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman to their knees!.
On sale MARCH 28 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
7. Super-writers team up
This is now the second time that Steve Orlando has nabbed a co-writer for “Supergirl;” fFirst, Jody Houser co-wrote an arc, and now Vita Ayala is joining the book with Orlando and Jamal Cambell on art. I love the fact that Orlando is bringing in different perspectives to help him on this book, a book that is probably more important than DC realizes. Despite her television series and her popularity as part of the DC Super Hero Girls initiative, Kara’s solo book has not attracted the sort of big push that DC reserves for its higher tier books.
Continued belowBut Orlando gets it, and by bringing in different voices, he’s doing his part to help Kara be what she absolutely needs to be: a voice of compassion and inspiration for all readers, but especially kids.
SUPERGIRL #19
Written by STEVE ORLANDO and VITA AYALA • Art by JAMAL CAMPBELL • Cover by JORGE JIMENEZ • Variant cover by STANLEY “ARTGERM” LAU
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.
In his search to write a CatCo piece on the truth about Supergirl, Ben Rubel interviews a young kid named Lee Serano, who recently became friends with the Girl of Steel. As Lee struggles with their parents and bullies at school for acceptance as non-binary, Supergirl is caught between punching her way through the problem and standing beside Lee as a symbol of hope.
On sale MARCH 14 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
6. Tim Eternal
Two of the best parts of “Detective” under James Tynion’s pen are the focus on Tim Drake and the attention paid to the recent past of the Bat family. So many times, a writer comes in and instantly brings the book places that ignore what came before – not Tynion. By naming this arc “Batmen Eternal,” it is clear that he’s comfortable dabbling in the past 5 years of Bat-stories, but you already knew that by having Azrael part of the team.
But the focus on Tim is really special. Tim can sometimes be the forgotten Robin, and that’s a shame, as he held the mantle for the second longest span of any Robin thus far. But not only that, he occupies a totally different place in the Bat-family than any other Robin. Tynion recognizes all of this, and is helping to establish Tim as a cornerstone of the Bat-universe for the first time since his solo book ended in 2009 (as much as I loved the “Red Robin” solo series, it was a tertiary book).
DETECTIVE COMICS #976
Written by JAMES TYNION IV • Art by JAVIER FERNANDEZ • Cover by EDDY BARROWS • Variant cover by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
“BATMEN ETERNAL” part one! With his team completely shattered, Batman must confront Red Robin about the future of their partnership…if there even is one!
On sale MARCH 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
5. The New Age of Heroes continues to grow
After lots of delays (and still no word on “New Challengers” by Scott Snyder and Andy Kubert), we are finally starting to see the full scope of the ‘New Age of Heroes’ initiative, with the release of both “The Curse of Brimstone” and “The Immortal Men.” While “Brimstone” seems like an introduction to a new character with vaguely familiar characteristics, “The Immortal Men” shoots itself directly into my wheelhouse. Secret histories, long-forgotten DC heroes returning – it is like someone at DC is checking off all my boxes on purpose.
Continued belowTHE IMMORTAL MEN #1
Written by JAMES TYNION IV • Art and cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS
Retailers: This issue is resolicited. All previous orders are cancelled. See the order form for information on a special ordering incentive.
“THE END OF FOREVER” part one! There is a secret history to the DC Universe of heroes who have protected humanity from the shadows since the dawn of time…and who can live forever. Enter the Immortal Men! The team, headed by the Immortal Man, has waged a secret war against the House of Conquest for countless years—but Conquest has dealt a devastating blow. When their base of operations, known as the Campus, is savagely attacked, the Immortal Men must seek out their last hope—an emerging metahuman known as Caden Park! Caden’s emerging powers may be able to ensure the Immortal Men’s survival—but will Conquest get to him first?
RESOLICIT • On sale MARCH 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • FOLDOUT COVER • RATED T
4. BKV!
Again, allow me to speculate: DC is publishing a collection of Brian K. Vaughan’s DC work this spring, seemingly for no reason. Now, I’m a huge BKV fan, but this collection seems wholly unnecessary unless DC has Vaughan coming back into the folk. None of these stories are essential, or particularly beloved, or even particularly remembered. And, while BKV is a big name in the comics world, he’s not that big of a name, to sell this book without some sort of modern connection. You’ve heard it here first: BKV on a book being announced between now and the April 11th street date.
THE DC UNIVERSE BY BRIAN K. VAUGHAN TP
Written by BRIAN K. VAUGHAN and others
Art by CULLY HAMNER, SCOTT KOLINS, STEVE SCOTT, NORM BREYFOGLE, TREVOR McCARTHY, CARY NORD and others
Cover by CARY NORD and MARK LIPKA
These tales of Titans, the Justice League, Green Lantern and many other heroes of the DC Universe are beautifully told by superstar writer Brian K. Vaughan (Y: THE LAST MAN, Saga). This hardcover includes TITANS #14, SINS OF YOUTH: WONDER GIRLS #1, JLA ANNUAL #4, GREEN LANTERN: CIRCLE OF FIRE #1-2, GREEN LANTERN/ADAM STRANGE #1, GREEN LANTERN/THE ATOM #1 and a story from YOUNG JUSTICE #22.
On sale APRIL 11 • 248 pg, FC, $19.99 US • ISBN: 978-1-4012-7827-4
3. The end of an era
In April, the 1000th issue of “Action Comics” will be published. That’s an insane milestone, and one DC is set to milk for all it is worth, as they should. But for now, we get the end of an era. I can’t imagine Dan Jurgens and Brett Booth are the creative team after #1000, so let’s pour one out for the most 90s creative team DC could manage.
ACTION COMICS #999
Written by DAN JURGENS • Art and cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND • Variant cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
“The General”! Superman’s journey through time has crashed to a halt, and at the end of the line General Sam Lane stands face to face for the first time with his grandson, Jon. Buckle up, because the most awkward super-family reunion in history is about to begin!
On sale MARCH 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
2. The Leagues, in league
Priest is the best, and he’s doing something I’ve been itching for since “Justice League of America” debuted – a meeting between the two Leagues. Well, three if you count the Justice League of China, but they’ve already encountered the OG League. Priest and Woods are going into fun territory and, judging by the cover to #41, seen above, there are a few extra guest stars, too.
I haven’t been this excited about a Justice League comic in a very long time.
JUSTICE LEAGUE #40
Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST • Art by PETE WOODS • Cover by DAVID YARDIN • Variant cover by J.G. JONES
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
“JUSTICE LOST” part one! Trapped aboard the crippled Watchtower, the combined Justice League and Justice League of America teams clash over leadership and the urgent question of who can be rescued…and who will be left behind. Meanwhile, the Green Lanterns face critical choices over how to deal with the League’s two most powerful figures!
On sale MARCH 7 • #41 on sale MARCH 21 • EACH 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
1. Gerard Way invented the remix
Last, but certainly not least, March begins the second wave of ‘Young Animal’ books, with all non-“Doom Patrol” books getting ‘remixed’ and “Eternity Girl” debuting. We’ve talked about this before, but it bears repeating: this is a really creative way to keep these stories going, reinvigorating them, and giving the books a little kick in the ass.
Most exciting, though is “Eternity Girl,” as both Mags Visaggio and Sonny Liew are incredibly talented, and the book sounds absolutely intriguing. I love what Way is doing here, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Continued belowETERNITY GIRL #1
Written by MAGDALENE VISAGGIO
Art and cover by SONNY LIEW
Variant cover by PAULINA GANUCHEAU
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
Caroline Sharp has been a lot of things, including both a superhero and a super-spy. But now, with those days behind her and her powers proving unreliable, Caroline finds herself stuck in a life weighed down by her depression and an inability to change. You see, Caroline is going to live forever, and there is no escape to be had. The very act of living reminds her that, to the rest of existence, she is an anomaly.
All of that could change, however, when her old foe, Madame Atom, comes to her with an intriguing offer. Madame Atom can give Caroline the power to end her life; she just has to destroy the rest of the world.
This brand-new DC’s Young Animal miniseries spins out of the Milk Wars event, written by GLAAD Media Award-nominated writer Magdalene Visaggio (Kim and Kim) and illustrated by Eisner-winning artist Sonny Liew (The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye).
On sale MARCH 14 • 32 pg, FC, 1 of 6, $3.99 US • MATURE READERS
For the full solicits, check out our friends at Newsarama.
