We are already at the third month of ‘Rebirth’ solicits and, in addition to new series being rolled out, there are still vestiges of the New 52 coming out, and, due to double shipping, the first arcs of some books are already wrapping up. This is quite a weird month.
Note: In case you’re worried/wondering, nothing about “DC Universe Rebirth” #1 will be discussed here – in fact, a book was left off this list to keep potential spoilers out of the discussion.
10. Note: “Damaged” Face Tattoo Not Included
When I was scrolling through solicits, I saw this item and got a big goofy smile, because who could forget this episode from Batman: The Animated Series? B:TAS is the best, and Mark Hamill’s Joker portrayal is about as good as it gets. I like to spotlight a collectible once a month because there are some people out there who love these characters, but don’t read comics and do buy collectibles. I know, that seems odd, but I know a few of these folks, and they truly exist. It helps remind me that we need to do a better job of showing someone who might want this toy what comic they should also check out. Good comic stores do that, but those are fewer than there should be, too.
This is our battle, folks. Take up your shield and follow me.
BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES: CHRISTMAS WITH THE JOKER ACTION FIGURE
From the classic Batman: The Animated Series episode “Christmas with The Joker,” the Clown Prince of Crime is decked out for his holiday TV appearance designed to lure the Dark Knight to his doom! Comes with candy cane, Christmas tree, elf and extra hands.
Measures approximately 6”
$28.00 US • On Sale December 2016
Allocations May Occur
9. Reprinting Rebirth’s Past
One of the most anticipated books for ‘Rebirth’ is “Super Sons,” the adventures of Damian Wayne and Jon Kent, but some younger fans might not be aware that the concept of the Super Sons isn’t a new one, and was around 30+ years before either Jon or Damian were a glint in DC’s eye. Personally, I’ve never read these stories (or, at least don’t remember reading them), so I’m very interested in checking this out.
SUPERMAN/BATMAN: THE SAGA OF THE SUPER SONS TP NEW EDITION
Written by BOB HANEY and DENNIS O’NEIL
Art by Curt Swan, Dick Dillin, Kieron Dwyer, Ernie Chan and others
Cover by NICK CARDY
The complete saga of the Super Sons is back in a new edition starring the sons of Batman and Superman! Features stories from the pages of WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #215-216, 221-222, 224, 228, 230, 231, 233, 238, 242, 263 and ELSEWORLDS 80-PAGE GIANT #1!
On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 192 pg, FC, $16.99 US
8. Still Chugging Away
One of the things that I really like about how ‘Rebirth’ is being rolled out is that DC didn’t try to get all these books ready for one month of release, like the New 52 did. What is odd, however, is that certain books, as of August, are still going, and don’t bear the ‘Final Issue’ designation just yet. Especially odd is the case of “Batman Beyond,” which is part of the fall wave of ‘Rebirth.’ It makes sense to let “Doctor Fate” wrap up, but he’s supposedly a supporting character in “Blue Beetle” (more on that later), so it is weird to see him in two places at once – unless that Fate is the Earth 2 version maybe? But I thought that “Earth 2: Society” was rumored to be continuing, unaffected by ‘Rebirth?’ Guys, my head hurts.
Continued belowBATMAN BEYOND #15
Written by DAN JURGENS
Art and cover by BERNARD CHANG
With the downfall of Brother Eye, a power vacuum has opened up in Gotham City and a longtime villain has stepped into the void to take control. As Tim Drake finds it increasingly difficult to call this future world home, Batman and Rewire become uneasy allies as they’re forced to confront the emerging threat of…Spellbinder!
On sale AUGUST 3 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US RATED T
7. First Arcs Ending Already?
While none of the solicits give 100% clear indications that the first arcs are wrapping up, we are getting to the fifth and sixth issues in some cases of these books, and that is either the end of an arc or getting awful close, and that pace is something that I think will benefit ‘Rebirth,’ even as the multiple artists on each book will hurt it. It is a balancing act that I hope DC gets right. One of the frustrations with the New 52 was that it was an entirely new world that we had so many questions about, but because the books were monthly, it felt like it took forever to get a true sense of the tone of any book/corner of the DCnU (as we used to call it around these parts). That is one problem that ‘Rebirth’ won’t have – by the time Labor Day hits, we will have a really clear indication of what is going on in this brave new ‘Rebirth’ world.
>DETECTIVE COMICS #939
Written by JAMES TYNION IV
Art and cover by EDDY BARROWS and EBER FERREIRA
Variant covers by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE
Retailers: These issues will ship with two covers each. Please see the order form for details.
“Rise of the Batmen” part six! The full scope of the Colony’s plans, and their mysterious leader, have all been revealed…so what’s it going to take to stop them? Believe us, you are not prepared for the last scene!
On sale AUGUST 24 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
6. The Sustained Popularity of the “Hitman” Supporting Cast
Here’s my best guess: DC has a project that they really want Garth Ennis to do, and they’ve been buoyed by the positive reaction the Preacher show has received. So, to keep Ennis happy, they’re letting him do, essentially, whatever he wants for a bit, and he wants to keep revisiting parts of the “Hitman” canon that aren’t Hitman. OK! Works for me, especially because Dogwelder is one of the more insane ideas in comics, let alone one to get his own six issue miniseries. Viva la welder!
SIXPACK AND DOGWELDER: HARD-TRAVELING HEROZ #1
Written by GARTH ENNIS
Art by RUSS BRAUN
Cover by STEVE DILLON
Variant cover by NEAL ADAMS
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
In the tradition of the original Hard-Traveling Heroes, Green Lantern and Green Arrow, Sixpack and Dogwelder are ready to bring their allegedly socially aware brand of justice to the lands beyond Gotham City!
After the events of ALL-STAR SECTION EIGHT, Sixpack is fighting to keep what’s left of his team together. Dogwelder has gone in search of his past, while newlyweds Bueno Excellente and Guts are dealing with some fidelity issues. Could Section Eight be done for good?
But everything changes when a mysterious trenchcoat-wearing chain smoker offers our favorite dog enthusiast some clues about his true nature. Is Dogwelder everything he seems? Or is he meant for something greater?
On sale AUGUST 24 • 32 pg, FC, 1 of 6, $3.99 US • RATED T+
5. Suicide Month
Corporate synergy is even more powerful than the heroes of the DCU, so it should come as no surprise that this month features a number of books featuring the Suicide Squad, the same month the film opens. Not only is the series launching for ‘Rebirth,’ but we also get a John Ostrander-penned one-shot, and the start of this miniseries – a miniseries that features members of the Squad that you’ll also be seeing on the big screen that month. The reason that “Suicide Squad Most Wanted: El Diablo and…” is interesting to me is that it features contributions from some writers who went through the first round of DC’s Writers Workshop, including site favorites Michael Moreci and Chris Sebela.
I’m not a huge fan of the recent “Suicide Squad” runs, but I have faith in these writers to tell interesting stories with these characters, so I’m excited to see what this miniseries has in store.
Continued belowSUICIDE SQUAD MOST WANTED: EL DIABLO AND BOOMERANG #1
Written by JAI NITZ and MICHAEL MORECI
Art by CLIFF RICHARDS and OSCAR BAZALDUA • Covers by MIKE HUDDLESTON
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
From the pages of SUICIDE SQUAD comes an all-new series featuring two of the team’s most infamous heroes, El Diablo and Boomerang! First, a sudden pardon frees the fiery El Diablo from Belle Reve prison, much to the shock (and irritation) of team leader Amanda Waller. Chato returns to his old neighborhood to reunite with his family, but when he’s attacked by a heavily armed local gang and their leader, the deadly, super-powered Bloodletter, will his freedom and his life get cut dramatically short?
Meanwhile, in the first chapter of two-part tale written by Michael Moreci (from DC’s Writers Workshop program) with art by Oscar Bazaldua, Boomerang and the Squad embark on a mission to take down a ruthless dictator within a small, unstable Central American nation, but when the mission goes awry, the Squad must jump in a helicopter and flee as all hell breaks loose. But amid the chaos, the team realizes one of them was accidentally left behind: Boomerang! How can he stay alive long enough to be rescued when a whole army wants him dead?
On sale AUGUST 10 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T+
4. Featuring the All-New Hack-arang
I haven’t read a Scott Snyder Batman comic I don’t like, and his New 52 “Batman” run made me a believer in Greg Capullo, an artist I had written off as a Todd McFarlane crony. But my fandom can only go so far, and I honestly don’t know if I can buy a Batman comic where he looks like how John Romita Jr. drew him on this cover.
JRJr is a legend in the industry, but his work as of late has done very little for me, and this cover is indicative of the type of work he’s been doing to the extreme. Batman looks ill-shaped, and he’s holding some sort of hacksaw batarang? The fact that Declan Shalvey is doing backups might be enough to get me to buy this series, but the 5 months or Romita art, if it looks anything like this cover, is going to be rough.
ALL-STAR BATMAN #1
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art and cover by JOHN ROMITA JR., DANNY MIKI and DECLAN SHALVEY
Cover by JOHN ROMITA JR. and DANNY MIKI
Variant cover by JOHN ROMITA JR. and DANNY MIKI Variant cover by JOCK
Variant cover by DECLAN SHALVEY • Blank variant cover
Retailers: This issue will ship with five covers. Please see the order form for details.
“My Own Worst Enemy” part one! Superstar writer Scott Snyder explodes into an all-new Batman series alongside legendary artist John Romita Jr., reimagining some of the Dark Knight’s greatest villains. First up: Two-Face! Batman must take Two-Face to a destination out of Gotham City, but the duplicitous villain has a two of spades up his sleeve. Every assassin, bounty hunter and ordinary citizen with something to hide is on their tails with one goal: kill Batman! Handcuffed together on the road to hell, this is Batman and Two-Face as you’ve never seen them before!
On sale AUGUST 10 • 40 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T
3. A Secret, Over $2.99 ‘Rebirth’ Issue?
So, one of DC’s big talking points was that all ‘Rebirth’ monthly issues would be only $2.99. Now, annuals are obviously oversized issues that always cost more, but this “Gotham Academy” annual is odd for a few reasons. First of all, the regular series wrapped up a few months ago, so this annual is appearing out of nowhere. Secondly, the book is relaunching for ‘Rebirth’ in the fall, so this is almost like a ‘Rebirth’ special. But, it is also two bucks more than the ‘Rebirth’ specials are.
Pretty sneaky, DC…
Continued belowGOTHAM ACADEMY ANNUAL #1
Written by BECKY CLOONAN and BRENDEN FLETCHER
Art by ADAM ARCHER, MICHAEL DIALYNAS and CHRISTIAN WILDGOOSE
Cover by KARL KERSCHL
When the Gotham Academy student body comes down with a mysterious disease, Pomeline and Colton disagree on the origin of the threat, causing a fissure in Detective Club! The team fractures to get to the bottom of the case…but who will solve it first? Will Maps be able to reunite her friends? Will they ever eat pizza together again?! Join the search for clues in the first ever Gotham Academy Annual, precursor to Gotham Academy: Second Semester!
On sale AUGUST 31 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T
2. Giving Them Another Try
There are two titles this month that DC has tried to get right a few times, that they’re taking very different approaches with. The first is “Blue Beetle,” which is being handled in a very safe way. You’re getting both Jaime Reyes and Ted Kord, so fans old and new can dig the book. It is also being written by Keith Giffen, once a creative juggernaut who has become one of DC’s go to guys to execute an editorially driven story with a lot of moving parts. Scott Kollins is a perfectly capable creator whose style could be really interesting on the book – or, he cold be the artistic version of Giffen, just hired to make something palatable.
BLUE BEETLE: REBIRTH #1
Written by KEITH GIFFEN
Art and cover by SCOTT KOLINS
Variant cover by CULLY HAMNER
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
Lost in the desert with no memory of the past few years, teenager Jaime Reyes must find his way home again—but when he reaches his town, he’s shocked to find it abandoned and in the hands of government officials…officials who are very interested in the Blue Beetle and the scarab that gives him his power! How can Jaime find his family and uncover the secret behind the town’s seizure—and why Kord Industries is helping keep the world from learning the truth?
On sale AUGUST 24 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
The other book is “Deathstroke,” a book so nice, the New 52 tried it twice. Both runs had creator changes in the middle of it, and neither exactly captured the audience’s interest beyond a few issues. So, DC decided to go the other way from “Blue Beetle,” and hire a writer of great esteem, Christopher Priest, and pair him with one of their finest draftsmen, Carlo Pagulayan, who they poached from Marvel for “Convergence.”
Deathstroke, as a character, is one of DC’s best (and most misused) villains. As a character carrying his own series, I am less convinced of his ability. But, with Priest on board, so am I.
These two books represent the two sides of my fandom: I love Blue Beetle as a character, so I’m trying that book. I love Priest as a writer, so I’m trying that book. ‘Rebirth’ needs both approaches to be successful, but we’ll see if it is.
DEATHSTROKE: REBIRTH #1
Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
Art by CARLO PAGULAYAN and JASON PAZ
Cover by ACO
Variant cover by STEPHEN PLATT
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
A thousand enemies, a thousand kills—Deathstroke is the world’s greatest assassin. Stalked by an unseen foe, Slade Wilson is confronted by his own troubled past and challenged to reinvent himself before he loses everything and everyone in his life. Can Deathstroke be redeemed? Or will his addiction to violence destroy him?
On sale AUGUST 10 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
1. Super Sisters are Doing it For Themselves
Here, to me, is where the bang is this month: the ladies of the Superman line. Supergirl has a TV show, but didn’t have a monthly comic, which is one of DCs biggest mistakes of the past year or so. But if it led to this – a Steve Orlando penned, Emanuela Lupacchino drawn Kara book, it might have all been worth it.
Orlando is one of the most talented writers in DC’s stable, and he has the ability to get across big, high concept stories that still have a ton of heart and fun. I can’t wait to see what he does with Kara.
Continued belowSUPERGIRL: REBIRTH #1
Written by STEVE ORLANDO
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO and RAY McCARTHY
Cover by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO
Variant cover by ADAM HUGHES
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
Supergirl turns to the shadowy organization known as the D.E.O. (Department of Extranormal Operations) to restore her lost powers once and for all! But as a fateful experiment sends Kara Zor-El rocketing toward the sun, disaster strikes at home in the form of the lost Kryptonian werewolf Lar-On! All the epic action of the brand new Supergirl series starts here!
On sale AUGUST 17 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
This is the book I’m most curious about this month – not necessarily most excited, but most interested in. Jiminez’s beautiful cover draws you in, and having a Lois Lane book is a really smart move for DC. Of course, we don’t know “which Lois it is, but I’m pretty sure it’ll be the New 52 Lois, leaving other Lois to be Jon’s mom and Clark’s wife over in “Superman.”
I still want a “Gotham Central” style book about the Daily Planet with Lois as the lead, but until we get that, this is still pretty cool.
SUPERWOMAN #1
Written by PHIL JIMENEZ
Art by PHIL JIMENEZ and MATT SANTORELLI
Cover by PHIL JIMENEZ
Variant cover by TERRY DODSON and RACHEL DODSON
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
“Who Is Superwoman?” part one! Lois Lane takes flight! Now powered up with the abilities of Superman, Lois pledges to carry on the super-legacy as Superwoman! There’s only one problem: Lois’ new powers are killing her, and neither she nor her friend and confidant Lana Lang know what to do about it. Will Lois even survive long enough to learn the deadly secret of Ultra Woman?
On sale AUGUST 10 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
For the full list of solicitations, check out Comic Book Resources.
