As the calendar year winds down, DC is giving Joker fans a ton of Christmas presents, while those fans of Superman might have some coal in their stockings.
We Are Almost After “Before Watchmen”
While nowhere near the total disaster it could have been, I think I speak for all of us when I say that “Before Watchmen” is thankfully winding down. This month sees the end of “Night Owl” and “Moloch,” and the penultimate issues of “Minutemen” and “Comedian.” Of the three titles coming out this month (I really can’t judge “Moloch” because its first issue has yet to be released), only “Minutemen” has been worth the paper its printed on, and the less said about “Nite Owl” and “Comedian” the better.
Ch-ch-ch-changes
A bunch of creative teams are getting shaken up this month, mainly due to some high profile departures from the writing side of DC. Rob Liefeld’s three books all have new writers, with Frank Tieri taking over “The Savage Hawkman” and “Grifter,” and Justin Jordan taking on “Deathstroke.” It appears that “Deathstroke” is the only book not, at least initially, working off of Liefeld’s plots. Also, Judd Winick leaving “Batwing” is an opportunity for Fabian Nicenza to get back in the DC loop, as he takes over the adventures of the Batman of Africa. And, in a really interesting move, Ray Fawkes joins Jeff Lemire as co-writer on “Justice League Dark.” For those not familiar with Fawkes, well you should read our site more! Lemire has previously brought Matt Kindt into the DCnU, could Fawkes be the next talent recruited by Lemire? I, for one, hope so.
On the artistic side of things, Ivan Reis and Joe Prado take over as the “Justice League” illustrators, while Ardian Syaf replaces them on “Aquaman.” Alberto Ponticelli somehow pencils both “Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E.” #15 and “Dial H” #7, but appears to be the new regular artist on “Dial H.”
C-c-c-consistancy
If the solicits are to be believed, then Joshua Hale Fialkov and Andrea Sorrentino should be applauded for making it 15 issues without a fill in writer or artist, a feat nearly unmatched in current comics. Plus, their work is really good, which makes it even better.
Great Covers
Three of DC’s most consistent and high profile books have simply stunning covers this month. Check out “Wonder Woman” #15 by Cliff Chiang (featuring Orion!), “The Flash” #15 by Francis Manapul, and “Batman” #15 by Greg Capullo.
The Third Army Enters Its Third Month
I didn’t expect this crossover to go on for so long – let’s hope it is a good one!
Of interesting note about the cover to “Green Lantern” #15 that you see above is that the file name provided by DC for this actually indicated this as the cover to #18. I don’t know if that is a clerical error, or DC just decided to use this cover early. Either way, kudos to Doug Mahnke for having March’s cover done already!
Fare Thee Well, “G.I. Combat”
From the files of “Told You So,” this is the first of the second wave of titles to be cancelled. It is the only book announced as cancelled this month, so people are wondering if others will be announced as not returning closer to their release dates, or if this is really the only one going away. I think, because it is such an isolated book, continuity wise, they axed it earlier than others, which need time to tie up loose ends. With Grant Morrison leaving “Action Comics” in January, I could see some other books wrapping up their runs with #16, especially when “Justice League of America” is scheduled to begin in February. I’m going to bet on “Blue Beetle,” “Grifter,” and “The Fury of Firestorm” biting the dust, with an outside shot going to “Batman: The Dark Knight,” since it was created as a showcase for David Finch, who is moving on to “Justice League of America.”
Continued belowAll-Star “Superman” in H’el
As EIC Matt pointed out to me, this image, along with the solicit, is basically directly out of “All Star Superman.” Hey, if you’re going to steal, there are worse sources to steal from. But still, don’t steal, Lobdell!
Also, the H’el crossover is still going on. Again, if that turns out to be Bizarro, I’m pissed.
The Joker, Shoehorned In
The current Bat-plans from DC seem to be “whatever Scott Snyder is doing needs to be embraced by the entire line!” And so, because Snyder and Greg Capullo are bringing the Joker into “Batman,” a million other books must follow suit. While something like “Night of the Owls” made sense for a crossover, this all reeks of a big cash grab.
This can’t really appeal to fans of the books that feature the Joker, as the story lines are being interrupted for a diversion that, most likely, won’t have any real ramifications. And for those who do love the Joker, wouldn’t they rather one great Joker story than 8 books all trying to shoehorn him in?
Eclipso (or, It Must Be That Time of the Month)
Eclipso and, more specifically, his black diamond, are all over the solicits this month. “All Star Western (seen above),” “Catwoman,” “Demon Knights,” and “Team 7” all mention the black diamond. Everyone’s favorite once-a-month villain is an interesting villain to span these books, and even more so because each book takes place in a different time period of the DCU. This is actually a fun way to do an Eclipso event – to show the effects of the black diamond over time.
Will “Arrow” Hit Its Target?
“Arrow,” the digital comic, launches this month, and sets out to fill in gaps in the new show of the same name. If they can match the tone, this could be a great sign of TV/Comics crossovers in years to come. I wouldn’t be shocked if Marvel does the same for their upcoming S.H.I.E.L.D. show.
What Tunes Would a Skull Whistle?
It seems like every month, there is a release that gets me talking about how DC is trying to stay on the good sides of creators by letting them do their pet projects in return for doing more company work. “JSA: The Liberty Files – The Whistling Skull,” from B. Clay Moore and Tony Harris seems to be exactly that. An Elseworlds-style mini about Nazis, early heroes and alternate timelines probably won’t blow the roof off, sales wise, but will hopefully please fans of their work and keep them happy and in the DC stable of talent.
Bombs Away
Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti, two of the busiest writers in the business, are back with their third “Freedom Fighters” based mini, “Human Bomb.” After some solicit confusion last month, it turns out that their “Phantom Lady” miniseries is, in fact, wrapping up at the end of November, confirmed by DC in an email on September 19. How long before a “Freedom Fighters” series is announced? My guess is #1 will be released in June 2013.
Off the Chain
One of DC’s bigger announcements at San Diego Comic Con this year was “Django Unchained,” from the film script of the same name by Quentin Tarrantino, with art by R.M. Guera. While I’m very excited for the film, I’m not sure how many people are dying for a comics adaptation of the shooting script.
New Year, New Collections: Sleeper Omnibus, Global Frequency
Solicited this month, but not being released until 2013, are a few exciting collections from Vertigo. First up is the “Sleeper” Omnibus, due out in February, which collects the entire Ed Brubaker/Sean Phillips saga in a sturdy hardcover. Another Omnibus announced is “House of Secrets,” collecting the entire series, as well as some ephemera from the same time. At $75 a piece, these aren’t cheap, but are more than worth it in terms of presentation and quality of product. Get on it, ya goofs!
Continued belowOf note is also the “Global Frequency” trade, which collects the entire Warren Ellis series in one trade for the first time.
And Finally, Sweet Tooth Bids Us Farewell
That image says it all.
See you next month!
