With a ton of creative shake ups, special covers, cancellations, and hinted at returns of fan favorites, DC’s April looks to be pretty insane. Let’s dive right in, shall we?
Gatefolds
Dubbed, apparently, “Holy Shit!” month by DC execs, most New 52 books will feature a gatefold cover this month, and we have only been given looks at one half of the covers. The idea, supposedly, is that each gatefold will reveal a “secret” revelation for the buyer. While this could be a fun tool, the covers, as they stand, leave a lot to be desired. Some, like the above “Dial H” cover, work fine on their own, where others, like the “Batman, Incorporated” cover below, aren’t exactly appealing, and what is a cover if not an advertisement for the book?
I, Vampire Gets Staked
As we reported last week, “I, Vampire” is one of the two cancelled New 52 books, and it is one that seems to be bumming a lot of people out, Multiversity staff included. This book was a unique, beautifully illustrated corner of the DCnU, and seeing it go is really a shame. Look for an interview with series writer Joshua Hale Fialkov later this week, discussing the series as well as his upcoming work.
DC Universe Presented
DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #19
Written by TONY BEDARD
Art by JESUS SAIZ
Fold-out cover by JESUS MERINO– In this final issue, what time displaced-hero has arrived on our world–and is the destruction he brings the herald to a great disaster?
Also gone is “DC Universe Presents,” which can’t really be called unexpected, but is still a shame. For this style book, one dynamite story might have been able to get people to stick with it past its current arc, but DC never really found that. Instead, idiosyncratic characters were given solid, if unspectacular, stories, many times created by creative teams without anything to prove. If this was, instead, a place for new creators to “try out” for a big book, it could have been exciting. Or, if breakout characters were given arcs, or if new characters were given real, meaningful stories, it could have been a success. Instead, minor characters were given minor stories, and got minor sales. Fare thee well.
Wally West?
Call this a crackpot theory, but with The Flash popping up all over the place this month (including front and center on the final “DC Universe Presents”), the question must be asked: is this finally where Wally West returns? The clues are there: a “time displaced hero,” a new, unnamed Flash villain in his solo title, Justice League Dark battling an “unexpected” threat, even popping up in “Dial H?” This seems like a whole lot of Flash, but not so much for, say, two Flashes.
OR, and here me out here, what if Wally is the new Reverse Flash?
I’ll let you sit with that one.
Newer creative teams
We’ve been through this before, but here is the long and short of it. First, the planned ones: James Tynion IV/Mico Suayan on “Red Hood and the Outlaws,” Charles Soule/Kano on “Swamp Thing,” Jim Starlin taking over writing “Swamp Thing.” As for the weirder ones: Christy Marx replacing Jim Zub on “Birds of Prey,” and Ray Fawkes and Jeff Lemire replacing Robert Venditti on “Constantine.” While it is hard to call any creative moves smart or stupid without reading an issue, I think everyone can agree that the way this has been handled has been less than effective, and has given DC even more bad press to deal with.
Superboy versus the Banana Slicer?
SUPERBOY #19
Written by TOM DeFALCO
Art by R.B. SILVA and ROB LEAN
Fold-out cover by ARDIAN SYAF– Superboy discovers he is more than a clone–but what is the shocking secret behind his origin and birth?
I know the above solicit doesn’t mention this at all, but it appears that Superboy is facing noted internet meme the Banana Slicer:
Continued below
For Fuck’s Sake, Call It #900!
Reaching 900 issues is a big deal. “Detective Comics” will be publishing its 900th issue this month, but because of the re-numbering shenanigans, the cover will say #19. However, the solicit is winking at the actual numbering:
DETECTIVE COMICS #19
Written by JOHN LAYMAN
Art and fold-out cover by JASON FABOK
Backup story art by ANDY CLARKE– In a special oversized celebratory issue, Batman is challenged by the “Mystery of the 900!”
This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.
If you’re going to go to all the trouble to write the number 900 into the book, just put it on the cover and celebrate your milestone. It doesn’t mean going back to the old numbering, it means recognizing the incredible milestone you’ve reached. This is foolish, dumb, and foolishly dumb.
At Least the Lantern Books Aren’t Crossing Over Right Now
For the first time since August, the Lantern books are all standing on their own without a crossover event happening. This is a joy, especially because the above image, mixed with the below solicit, hints at a glorious return:
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #19
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by FERNANDO PASARIN and SCOTT HANNA
Fold-out cover by ANDY KUBERT and SANDRA HOPE– One of biggest Green Lanterns rises from the dead? Will he help save the corps, or ruin it?
This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.
MOGO!
Saucer Country Secedes
This could not be considered a shock, due to its low sales, but “Saucer Country” is cancelled as of #14. While Cornell has promised more “Saucer Country” in the future, it is still a sad state of affairs that led to this. This leaves Vertigo at a whopping 3 ongoing series going forward, two of which are “Fables” related. New titles must be coming soon, or else why did they bother to even name new people to their Vertigo positions?
Superman Family Adventures Says Aww Bye
Much to the chagrin of smart people and children everywhere, “Superman Family Adventures” is going away for good. Despite being highlighted by a much bigger character than “Tiny Titans” ever was, “Superman Family Adventures” only lasted a quarter of the time that “Tiny Titans” did. This continues the trend of the Big 2 just not caring about or focusing on comics for younger readers. In 15 years time, that will look like a giant mistake. But for now, more “Savage Hawkman!”
You can view the full solicitations over at Comic Book Resources.
