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Soliciting Multiversity: DC’s Top 10 For October 2016

By | July 29th, 2016
Posted in Columns | % Comments

‘Rebirth’ is settling in nicely – this is the first month without a ‘Rebirth’ issue, and while we get some ongoings launching, this month is far more about what is happening around the fringes of the initiative. This month features a number of miniseries, a fantastic reprint, and more. Read on!

10. Crossover…HO!

For fans of a certain age, of which I find myself, this crossover seems like it must have already happened, because we all created this in our basements with our toys. I am honestly shocked it took this long for a ThunderCats/He-Man crossover to happen, because it just seems too perfect, doesn’t it?

Aside from Freddie Williams II, I’m not overly familiar with the creators, as it seems they’ve only done He-Man related work in comics. But hey, that means (hopefully) that they have a good grasp on what makes these characters tick.

HE-MAN/THUNDERCATS #1
Written by ROB DAVID and LLOYD GOLDFINE
Art and covers by FREDDIE E. WILLIAMS II
Wraparound coloring book cover by FREDDIE E. WILLIAMS II
Retailers: This issue will ship with three covers. The covers shown below will arrive in stores in a split of approximately 50/50. Please see the order form for details.
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe team up with the ThunderCats—the epic crossover event you’ve waited thirty years to see! In his ever-living desire to destroy the mighty ThunderCats, Mumm-Ra quests for a weapon that can rival the legendary Sword of Omens: He-Man’s Sword of Power! But his dimension-spanning scheme kick starts a cataclysmic crisis that will embroil heroes and villains—Masters, Mutants and ThunderCats—in a mind-blowing six-part saga!
On sale OCTOBER 5 • 32 pg, FC, 1 of 6, $3.99 US • RATED T

9. This month is childhood overload

I have a cousin who is seven years my senior, and he was the gauge for what was cool when I was a kid (it led me to some amazing stuff, but also Def Leppard). He loved The Lost Boys, and it isn’t hard to see why: vampires, Los Angeles, the most 80s fashion and music you can imagine. The film was both fun and legitimately scary, and still makes me really happy to think about. It is a film I’ve been meaning to rewatch for a few years now, and here is the perfect opportunity to do so: Tim Seely and Scott Godlewski making a sequel comic.

Seeley is the perfect guy to handle this script – he has all the elements that made the original so great, and Godwleski’s style will definitely embrace the horror aspects of the film.

THE LOST BOYS #1
Written by TIM SEELEY
Art by SCOTT GODLEWSKI
Cover by TONY HARRIS
Variant cover by JOËLLE JONES

Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
The stakes are raised in this nostalgic and unstoppable sequel to the ’80s cult classic vampire film, The Lost Boys. Veteran horror writers Tim Seeley (GRAYSON, NIGHTWING, Hack/Slash), and Scott Godlewski (THE DARK & BLOODY, Copperhead) deliver a gruesome and stylish return to the bloody boardwalks and big hair of 1987!
Santa Carla, California is on edge. The eccentric coastal town and haven for the undead was finally returning to “normal” after its last supernatural scuffle left the local coven’s head vampire dead and gave newcomers Michael and Sam Emerson a housewarming both violent and bizarre. Now the brothers must once again team up with militant vampire hunters Edgar and Allan Frog when a new gang of ruthless, stunning, life-sucking nightcrawlers known as the Blood Belles emerges from the aftermath to collect Michael’s love interest and their lost sister, Star.
On sale OCTOBER 12 • 32 pg, FC, 1 of 6, $3.99 US • MATURE READERS

8. My daughter is so excited

DC SUPER HERO GIRLS VOL. 2: HITS AND MYTHS TP
Written by SHEA FONTANA
Art and cover by YANCEY LABAT

“Intro to Epics” is one of Wonder Woman’s favorite classes at DC Super Hero High, but even for an overachiever, balancing high school literature assignments with learning to be a superhero can be tough. But you know what they say about learning—experience is the best teacher! So when Wonder Woman, Batgirl, Supergirl, Bumblebee, Poison Ivy, Katana, and Harley Quinn fight a cyclops, a witch, and a bevy of sirens, they’re sure to learn a thing or two about The Odyssey—if they survive their epic battle in the underworld!
On sale NOVEMBER 2 • 128 pg, FC, 6” x 9”, $9.99 US

Continued below

I have a four year old daughter who adored her Free Comic Book Day “DC Super Hero Girls” book, and equally adores the first graphic novel (look for our joint review of that next week – seriously), and so she’ll be very excited to see that there is a second one coming out.

The line is an incredibly smart move for DC. It is kid-friendly but not vapid, designed beautifully, and exudes fun in a way that is different from the irreverent Teen Titans GO!, and will be perfectly poised to get a generation of girls into these characters. Why this wasn’t happening for years is a mystery to me.

7. A collection that belongs on your shelf

$24.99 might be a bit high to pay for just “Batman/Hellboy/Starman,” but I would argue that those two issues represent the best inter-company crossover of all time (as discussed here), and everything else here is just the icing on that cake.

But I digress.

DC and Dark Horse had a number of crossovers in the 90s, many of which are represented here and, while you may not be dying to see how Batman and Ghost interact, there are some serious gems in here. Lots of interesting licensed properties interacting with classic DC superheroes make for some fun stories, and stories that you’re likely to never see again.

On top of that – art by Alex Maleev, Steve Pugh, and Mike Mignola? C’mon!

DC/DARK HORSE: JUSTICE LEAGUE VOL. 1 TP
Written by DAVID MICHELINIE, ALAN GRANT, JAMES ROBINSON and MIKE KENNEDY
Art by ALEX MALEEV, STEVE PUGH, MIKE MIGNOLA, RYAN BENJAMIN and others
Cover by MIKE MIGNOLA

The greatest crossovers featuring Justice League members Superman, Batman, Starman and Batgirl against Predator, Terminators and other characters in DC COMICS/DARK HORSE COMICS: JUSTICE LEAGUE VOL. 1. This new collection includes SUPERMAN VS. PREDATOR #1-3, SUPERMAN VS. THE TERMINATOR: DEATH TO THE FUTURE #1-3, BATMAN/HELLBOY/STARMAN #1-2 and GHOST/BATGIRL #1-4.
On sale NOVEMBER 9 • 408 pg, FC, $24.99 US

6. Dat cover

I love everything about this cover and this solicit. You will, too.

THE FLASH #9
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
Art by NEIL GOOGE
Covers by CARMINE DI GIANDOMENICO
Variant covers by DAVE JOHNSON

Retailers: These issues will ship with two covers each. Please see the order form for details.
“KID FLASH OF TWO WORLDS!” In this single-issue tale, Wally West meets Wally West! The original Kid Flash meets his cousin for the very first time in this special issue, which continues The Flashes’ investigation into the events that began in DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH #1.
On sale OCTOBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

5. A return of a (partially) forgotten character

Vigilante is not one of the characters that instantly pops in your head when you think “classic DC,” but the character – with a few folks all wearing the mask – has been a part of some fantastic comics in the past. DC is wisely giving him a new secret identity, making the character African-American, and setting it in Los Angeles, making this a story that can actually mean something.

And hey, a few more street level characters could lead to an interesting DC team book in the future, something their line is really missing if you ask me.

THE VIGILANTE: SOUTHLAND #1
Written by GARY PHILLIPS
Art by ELENA CASAGRANDE
Cover by MITCH GERADS
Variant cover by TONY S. DANIEL

Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
Donny was feeling pretty settled in his cushy life. Even though his girlfriend was politically active, he never gave social justice or racial issues any time. So, when Dorrie discovers something she shouldn’t have and ends up dead, no one expects Donny to be the guy to carry on her work—but that’s exactly what he does, putting on a mask and taking to the streets. He soon finds himself tangled in family history, political conspiracy, and a plot that goes far deeper than he ever imagined.
Set in the heart of Los Angeles, this new VIGILANTE series raises an old question while making it relevant to our times: when you witness bad things being done, how far would you go to set them right? Written by Gary Phillips, noted writer of the Ivan Monk series of novels, and drawn by Elena Casagrande (Suicide Risk), this hard-hitting tale of revenge and redemption takes the Vigilante into a whole new danger zone.
On sale OCTOBER 26 • 32 pg, 1 of 6, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

Continued below

4. Romance and Deadman? Swoon

I’ve long been beating the drum for the return of romance comics in the mainstream, and DC is finally doing it, albeit it in a very unusual and fun way. Having a gothic romance comic starring Deadman is an idea so crazy that it just may work. Plus, Lan Medina’s art is going to make it gorgeous looking, and Sarah Vaughn coming to DC to work on this is outstanding. This is exactly what a miniseries should be: exciting creators paired with a concept that maybe the industry isn’t going to accept as an ongoing just yet. I’m very excited, and I think this could be the sleeper hit of the year – mark my words.

DEADMAN: DARK MANSION OF FORBIDDEN LOVE #1
Written by SARAH VAUGHN
Art by LAN MEDINA
Cover by STEPHANIE HANS

Trapped inside an old gothic mansion, Deadman must battle the forces of darkness alongside Berenice, a young woman with a complicated love life who is gifted—or cursed—with the ability to communicate with the dead. Romance, mystery, and evil await in the new, bimonthly miniseries DEADMAN: DARK MANSION OF FORBIDDEN LOVE, by Sarah Vaughn (Alex + Ada) and Lan Medina (FABLES)!
On sale OCTOBER 5 • Prestige Format, 48 pg, FC, 1 of 3, $5.99 US • RATED T

3. SPACE FRENEMIES

Adam Strange and Hawkman – two bros who just can’t get along due to their heritage, but come to realize, hey, we’re not so different after all! They are essentially a buddy cop movie, set in outer space. In fact, the solicit, having Adam “retired,” makes it seem even more like Lethal Weapon on Rann. And I am totally down with that. I love seeing these two teamed up, and this could (and should) lead to a new, intergalactic team book (see how much I love them?). I’ve been talking to anyone that will listen about a “Justice League Cosmic” book, and you’ve got your co-leads right here. Throw in Supergirl, and that’s a solid core to build around.

HAWKMAN AND ADAM STRANGE: OUT OF TIME #1
Written by MARC ANDREYKO
Art and cover by AARON LOPRESTI
Variant cover by WALTER SIMONSON

Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
Residing on Earth and out of the hero game, Adam Strange finds himself trying to live a “normal” life, until he’s literally pulled back into adventure again when a seemingly normal Zeta beam transmission returns him to the planet Rann, where he hopes to be reunited with his beloved Alanna. But instead he finds the once-great city of Ranagar in ruins, with millions dead, and the once peaceful Alanna is now calling for the blood of Rann’s oldest enemy, Thanagar, home of the Hawkmen. Sensing something is amiss, Strange finds an ally in Hawkman, who also is trying anything possible to avert war. Don’t miss the start of this sensational new six-issue miniseries!
On sale OCTOBER 5 • 32 pg, FC, 1 of 6, $3.99 US • RATED T

2. DC’s power couple is back

Everyone wanted this, from this writer, and we are getting it. Hot damn! Steve Orlando, who so masterfully wrote “Midnighter” for 12 issues, is back to tell the tale of these lovers reuniting. Another miniseries that, likely, will lead to them joining a team down the road, Fernando Blanco has the chance to further raise his profile and give the people a really beautiful looking book, too. Again, there’s a tinge of romance tied into this, and I love it. Bring it on!

MIDNIGHTER AND APOLLO #1
Written by STEVE ORLANDO
Art by FERNANDO BLANCO
Cover by ACO
Variant cover by HOWARD PORTER

Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
You wanted it? You got it—six more issues of Midnighter madness! Together again after too long apart, Midnighter and Apollo take on subway pirates in Los Angeles and demons in Opal City…but their reunion is about to take a shocking turn and send them both on an epic journey beyond all belief!
On sale OCTOBER 5 • 1 of 6, $3.99 US • RATED T+

Continued below

1. Young Animal ramps up

I’ve chosen to highlight “Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye” over “Shade, The Changing Girl,” but really, you can take your pick here. Both of these look to be fantastic, but what sets “Cave” apart is the Tom Scioli vehicle “Super Powers,” the teaser for which is the stuff dreams are made of (seriously, check this shit out).

Young Animal is going to be something special, so long as a) DC gives Gerard Way the latitude to do something really weird and cool, and b) Way has the time to commit to it.

Is it the fall yet?

CAVE CARSON HAS A CYBERNETIC EYE #1
Written by GERARD WAY and JON RIVERA
Art and cover by MICHAEL AVON OEMING
Variant cover by MATT WAGNER
Variant cover by BILL SIENKIEWICZ

Retailers: This issue will ship with three covers. Please see the order form for details.
Cave Carson has done it all: survived countless adventures below the Earth’s surface, met the love of his life, and gotten a cybernetic eye…somehow. After he and his wife, Eileen, sent their only daughter Chloe off to college, Cave was ready to become just another mundane member of the surface world. That is, until Eileen got sick. Newly widowed, Cave tries to piece his life back together when a knock on the door of his secret underground lab pulls him back into a past that he and Eileen thought they had left buried deep within the Earth.
Adding to his troubles, Cave must determine if his recent hallucinations and visions are the work of his mind or his mysterious cybernetic eye. (Spoiler: It’s the eye.)
Written by Gerard Way (DOOM PATROL, Umbrella Academy) and Jon Rivera (Heartbreak), and illustrated by Michael Avon Oeming (Powers), this is an absurdist action-adventure story unlike any other!
On sale OCTOBER 19 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • MATURE READERS

See the full solicitations over at Comic Book Resources.


//TAGS | Soliciting Multiversity

Brian Salvatore

Brian Salvatore is an editor, podcaster, reviewer, writer at large, and general task master at Multiversity. When not writing, he can be found playing music, hanging out with his kids, or playing music with his kids. He also has a dog named Lola, a rowboat, and once met Jimmy Carter. Feel free to email him about good beer, the New York Mets, or the best way to make Chicken Parmagiana (add a thin slice of prosciutto under the cheese).

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