Month two of ‘Rebirth’ is here, and while there are some surprises in the solicit text, this is about what we would expect from July 2016. There are a few interesting developments however – read on!
10. Who is Kent Conrad?
There are a few moments in this month’s solicitations where I’m legitimately not sure if something is a mistake or an odd storytelling choice. This is the most clear of these – first of all, I am surprised/impressed that “Doctor Fate” is getting a minimum of 15 issues. But here’s the weirdness: the ‘original’ Doctor Fate is listed as Kent Conrad – a name that has never been used in conjunction with the character before. Historically, Doctor Fate has been Kent Nelson – is this a change due to ‘Rebirth’ coming (maybe a way to distinguish pre-“Flashpoint” Doctor Fate with ‘New 52’ Doctor Fate?
DOCTOR FATE #14
Written by PAUL LEVITZ
Art by INAKI MIRANDA
Cover by IBRAHIM MOUSTAFA
Kent Conrad, the original Doctor Fate, has come to New York to try to assist the newest bearer of the power, Khalid Nassour, in learning how to use and control it. But when their lessons lead to an Efreet emerging through a portal and lighting New York afire, Khalid and Kent must defeat it and take it back to where it came from. But when the smoke clears, will one of them be stuck on the wrong side?”
On sale JULY 20 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
9. Sorry kids, not those Avengers
When I was a kid, I would often get fooled in the TV Guide (hi, folks – I’m old) when I would see a TV listing for The Avengers, and I would think there was a new cartoon featuring Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, etc. Instead, it was a British spy show from the ’60s that I had absolutely no interest in.
Well, sorry folks, “Batman ’66” is crossing over with the characters from that show, the less confusingly titled Steed and Mrs. Peel. To be fair, I’ve never gone back and investigated the show, so it might be awesome. That said, Jeff Parker not writing a “Batman ’66” book is decidedly less awesome, even if the creative team still looks pretty solid.
BATMAN ’66 MEETS STEED AND MRS. PEEL #1
Written by IAN EDGINTON
Art by MATTHEW DOW SMITH
Cover by MICHAEL ALLRED
Variant cover by CAT STAGGS
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
England swings and so does the Dynamic Duo in this historic pairing of two of the hippest shows from 1960s television. DC Comics and BOOM! Studios join forces to bring these iconic characters together for the first time!
As Bruce Wayne shows the beautiful head of a UK electronics company the sights of Gotham, they are interrupted by the felonious feline Catwoman! Unwilling to leave Miss Michaela Gough unprotected, Bruce resigns himself to the fact that Batman cannot save the day. But some new players have arrived in town — though even as the lovely, catsuit-clad Mrs. Peel and her comrade John Steed take control of the situation, nefarious plots continue apace!
On sale JULY 6 • 32 pg, FC, 1 of 6, $3.99 US • RATED E • DIGITAL FIRST
8. Giggity
I really don’t have too much to say about this statue, other than please buy it for me?
BATMAN BLACK & WHITE: ROBIN BY FRANK QUITELY STATUE
Designed by FRANK QUITELY
Sculpted by PAUL HARDING
From the pages of BATMAN AND ROBIN, artist Frank Quitely’s rendition of the Boy Wonder is the latest in the very popular BATMAN BLACK & WHITE statue series!
Limited edition of 5,200
Measures approximately 6.25″ tall
$80.00 US • On sale November 2016 • Allocations May Occur
7. The post-modern Stone Age family
There are few things the world needs less than a reimagining of The Flintstones, especially because John Goodman, Rick Moranis, Elizabeth Perkins, and Rosie O’Donnell stuck the landing when they adapted it for the big screen in 1994, amirite?
Continued below(True story – at one point I owned The Flintstones film soundtrack on CD. I’m a sad, sad person)
This book looks like it somewhat splits the difference between the tone of the other Hanna-Barbera properties that DC is rolling out this summer. This looks less traditional than “Future Quest,” but more true to the source material than “Wacky Raceland” or “Scooby Apocalypse.” The solicit text does sort of bury the lede that this is a book about the advent of an economy based on work – that should sort of be the headline, right?
THE FLINTSTONES #1
Written by MARK RUSSELL
Art and cover by STEVE PUGH
Fred and Wilma variant cover by IVAN REIS
Barney and Betty variant by WALTER SIMONSON
Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm variant cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
Cave Pets variant cover by DAN HIPP
Coloring book cover by STEVE PUGH
Blank variant cover • Retailers: This issue will ship with seven covers. Please see the order form for details.
Welcome to Bedrock, where Paleolithic humans head to dinner for a taste of artisanal mammoth after shopping at Neandertall & Big Men’s Clothing, where Wilma shows her modern art, and where, if you take a plane, you could literally end up sitting ON the tail section. Join Fred and Barney as Mister Slate sends them on a mission to show some Neanderthals a night on the town in hopes of luring them into this new system called “working for a living.” In Slate’s Quarry, of course. Is Fred’s ship about to come in? Find out when the gang finishes out the evening at the employee hot tub party, where they learn how the one percent lives here in Bedrock, home to the world’s first civilization and the modern stone-age family — The Flintstones. Don’t miss this extra-sized debut issue!
On sale JULY 6 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
6. Dat cover
“DC Bombshells” is one of the more underrated books that DC is currently putting out, especially as the source material is a line of collectibles based around a flimsy concept (‘What if DC characters were more cheesecake-y?’). Marguerite Bennett has really done an incredible job making the book something special, and I think just about everything great about the series is found in this cover. It is pin-up-y, for sure, but it isn’t exploitative, it has a sense of humor, and it is an intriguing visual.
DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS #15
Written by MARGUERITE BENNETT
Art by LAURA BRAGA and MIRKA ANDOLFO
Cover by ANT LUCIA
Mera adjusts to a life without her powers — and starts to fall in love with Arthur. Meanwhile, as Batwoman reunites with Renee Montoya in hopes of freeing Jewish prisoners from concentration camps, Harley and Ivy encounter Zatanna and Constantine, and plans to form a rebellion begin.
On sale JULY 13 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T • DIGITAL FIRST
5. “American Vampire” brings in the goods
One of the aspects of Vertigo that has continued on from the early days is the concept of anthologies set in the world of some of the biggest characters – think “Sandman” – and “American Vampire” continues that tradition. This issue only has a few names leaked out, but it is an impressive list: Kieron Gillen, doing his first work at DC ever, Joelle Jones, Steve Orlando, Marguerite Bennett – it is a veritable who’s who (pun intended) of creators I wish were doing more at DC. Plus, you get a Snyder/Albuquerque joint to go along with it. 80 pages for $7.99 still seems a little steep, but that’s pretty close to market rate right now.
Continued belowAMERICAN VAMPIRE ANTHOLOGY #2
Written and illustrated by various
Cover by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE
This special features nine amazing stories set in the world of AMERICAN VAMPIRE, with lost tales, new characters and old favorites. Series creators Scott Snyder and Rafael Albuquerque will be joined by other amazing creators such as Kieron Gillen (The Wicked and Divine), Steve Orlando (MIDNIGHTER), Marguerite Bennett (DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS), Elliot Kalan (The Daily Show with Jon Stewart), Joëlle Jones (Lady Killer), Clay McLeod Chapman (Storage Space), and many more!
On sale JULY 27 • 80 pg, FC, $7.99 US • MATURE READERS
4. “Justice League” spoils ‘Rebirth’ – sort of
So, let’s talk. We all knew that pre-“Flashpoint” Superman was coming back, but this solicit confirms that he is the Superman of the ‘Rebirth’ era. How will that paragon of truth and justice deal with folks who were used to a more impulsive, sort of dick-ish Man of Steel?
Beyond that, this book is remarkably dull sounding, from the creative team to the lineup. Sure, it is nice to have two different Lanterns in this book, but where’s Shazam? Where’s Mister Miracle? Where is any character that doesn’t naturally fit – except for Martian Manhunter and Black Canary, two ‘founding members’ who have been excised in the New 52.
After having “Justice League” as the flagship book of the New 52, this seems like a major step backwards.
JUSTICE LEAGUE: REBIRTH #1
Written by BRYAN HITCH
Art by BRYAN HITCH
Cover by TONY S. DANIEL
Variant cover by JOE MADUREIRA
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
Spinning out of the events of DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH #1, a new day dawns for Earth’s greatest heroes as they welcome three new members to the team, including…Superman? Who is this strange visitor from a dead world — and can he be trusted? Batman and Wonder Woman aren’t so sure.
On sale JULY 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
3. A certain special lady has a birthday coming up!
DC is pulling out all the stops – save for giving her the second ongoing that she deserves – to celebrate Wonder Woman’s 75th aniversary. First up is a box set that features four beginnings to four classic runs by writers Brian Azzarello, Gail Simone, Greg Rucka, and Geeorge Perez. I like this idea on one hand, as it gives readers four potential starting places for a character that has precious few ‘classic’ runs. However, how these books are put together is something of a mystery. Are these simply the first arcs of the runs? Well, if that’s the case, then certain runs will require purchasing, essentially, a second book featuring these stories, as some runs are only in print in larger, not-quite ominibus sized collections.
However, if these are simply the in-print first volumes of the runs, that’s a very nice box that is worth a purchase.
WONDER WOMAN 75 BOX SET
Written by BRIAN AZZARELLO, GEORGE PEREZ, GREG POTTER, LEN WEIN, GREG RUCKA and GAIL SIMONE
Art by CLIFF CHIANG, GEORGE PEREZ, TERRY DODSON, BERNARD CHANG, DREW JOHNSON and others
In the WONDER WOMAN 75TH ANNIVERSARY BOX SET, DC Comics packages graphic novels from four monumental creators — Gail Simone, Brian Azzarello, George Pérez and Greg Rucka — in a beautiful new slipcase set perfect for collectors. Includes the WONDER WOMAN VOL. 1: GODS AND MORTALS TP, the WONDER WOMAN: DOWN TO EARTH TP, the WONDER WOMAN: THE CIRCLE TP and the WONDER WOMAN VOL. 1: BLOOD TP
On sale NOVEMBER 2 • FC, $49.99 US
DC has been putting out these “A Celebration of 75 Years” books for a couple of years now, and they are a nice primer on the character they’re focusing on, but they are also a bit of a tease. It is great to both see the progression of a character and also to get a feel for what creator’s run you might want to seek out, but often times the one story printed isn’t enough to get a ‘real’ flavor, either.
Continued belowWONDER WOMAN: A CELEBRATION OF 75 YEARS HC
Written by WILLIAM MOULTON MARSTON, ROBERT KANIGHER, BRIAN AZZARELLO, PHIL JIMENEZ, GAIL SIMONE, GREG RUCKA
and others
Art by H.G. PETER, MIKE SEKOWSKY, MIKE DEODATO, CLIFF CHIANG and others
Cover by CLIFF CHIANG
Celebrate over seven decades of the awe-inspiring Wonder Woman, from early years as one of the first female superheroes in the comics industry, to today. This character has seen countless waves of feminism in her time as one of DC’s favorite heroes, what better way to honor her than by collecting the best Wonder Woman stories!
On sale SEPTEMBER 28 • 400 pg, FC, $39.99 US
2. Never mind reprints, here is some new Wonder Woman ish
Jill Thompson is one of those creators that I never feel we get enough from – not that I expect her to do more, but that I always want more. Her work is so beautiful and well constructed, that it can’t help but inspire the desire for more. So, to get 128 pages of her doing an all ages Wonder Woman story is truly a gift from Zeus himself.
This is a soapbox I’ve been on for years now, but DC’s lack of Wonder Woman books, marketing, and focus is absurd. It looks like that may be changing, but who knows. If nothing else, this is a set in the right direction, for sure.
WONDER WOMAN: THE TRUE AMAZON HC
Written by JILL THOMPSON
Art and cover by JILL THOMPSON
WONDER WOMAN: THE TRUE AMAZON is Jill Thompson’s original graphic novel reimagining of the early years of the Amazon Princess Diana, who would grow up to become Wonder Woman. This fully painted graphic novel is unlike any Wonder Woman tale you have ever read, told as only Eisner Award- winning writer/artist Thompson could. When young Diana has the fawning attention of a nation, she grows spoiled. But a series of tragic events take their toll, and Diana must learn to grow up, take responsibility, and seize her destiny.Steeped in the mythology of this iconic character’s original conception, WONDER WOMAN: THE TRUE AMAZON is designed to appeal to a wide range of readers. It’s a fresh, stand-alone interpretation of the most famous and iconic female superhero of all time and the fulfillment of a dream project by one of contemporary comics’ most acclaimed creators.
On sale SEPTEMBER 28 • 128 pg, FC, $22.99 US
1. “New Super-Man” brings the thunder
This is another solicit where I’m not sure if there is a mistake or a subtle decision being made. Calling the character Kong Kenan is consistent with how many Asian names are given in their native countries, but in the west, we tend to give names given name first, family name second. However, DC published a piece by series writer Gene Yang about how he named the character, and he is consistently referred to as Kenan Kong.
Regardless, the book looks really interesting for a few reasons – the setting, the circumstances of the character coming into these powers, the creative team, etc. This is as close to a must buy as ‘Rebirth’ offers, and I am legitimately surprised that the hype machine hasn’t been doubled over due to this book. This is exactly the type of book that can blow up in a good way for the publisher – they should be pushing it to the moon!
NEW SUPER-MAN #1
Written by GENE LUEN YANG
Art and cover by VICTOR BOGDANOVIC
Variant cover by BERNARD CHANG
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
“MADE IN CHINA” Chapter One: An impulsive act of heroism thrusts an arrogant young man into the limelight of Shanghai as China begins to form its own Justice League of powerful heroes. Rising from the ashes of The Final Days of Superman, award-winning writer Gene Luen Yang and on-the-rise art star Victor Bogdanovic introduce readers to Kong Kenan — the New Super-Man! When the world needed a new hero, China made him!
On sale JULY 13 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
For the full list of solicitations, check out Comic Book Resources.
