This is a jam-packed series of solicitations (see the full listing here, courtesy of our pals at Comic Book Resources), and so I made the decision to not cover anything that has been released ahead of Tuesday’s full solicits by DC. So, if you want to read about the new Vertigo Quarterly, the new creative team on “The Flash” or “Detective Comics,” “Aquaman and the Others,” “Justice League United,” “Sinestro,” the “Teen Titans” cancellation, Lex Luthor joining the Justice League or the new “Secret Origins” book, click the appropriate links.
SMALLVILLE SEASON 11: LANTERN #1
Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER
Art by MARCIO TAKARA
Cover by CAT STAGGSThe Green Lantern ring for space sector 2813 was inactive for years after Krypton’s end, until the creation of the Argo colony recalled it to service. As none of Zod’s followers are suitable candidates, the ring’s search brings it to the nearest Kryptonian it can recruit! SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 continues in “Lantern” part 1 of 4!
As has recently been discussed, DC’s digital first offerings tend to target fans of non-comics versions of comics characters, but “Smallville: Season 11” has done a nice job of bringing a lot of DC universe stuff to the book, and this mini seems like another step in that direction. The “Earthward” team of Miller and Takara is a winning combination, and that cover by Cat Staggs is nice as well.
SUPERMAN UNCHAINED #9
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art and wraparound cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS
Backup story art by DUSTIN NGUYEN
1:25 Variant wraparound cover by DAVID FINCH
1:50 Variant wraparound cover by BRYAN HITCH
1:100 B&W Variant wraparound cover by JIM LEEThis is it – the extraordinary finale of Scott Snyder and Jim Lee’s Superman saga, surrounded by an epic wraparound cover! It’s a battle in the sun as Superman and Wraith accept their destinies…and Lex Luthor pulls the trigger on his ultimate weapon!
9 issues in 10 months is, more or less, on time from Jim Lee, who is no doubt breathing a huge sigh of relief for being done with his latest DC book. This has been a weird book – enjoyable, but seemingly pointless, a huge seller, but not one that is exactly lighting up the internet comics intelligentsia. For those that hoped Snyder would be on a Superman book for the long haul, sorry.
GODZILLA HC
Written by MAX BORENSTEIN and GREG BORENSTEIN
Art by ERIC BATTLE, YVEL GUICHET, ALAN QUAH and LEE LOUGHRIDGE
Cover by ARTHUR ADAMSIn May 2014, audiences will witness the epic rebirth of the King of Monsters as Legendary and Warner Bros. bring Godzilla to the big screen. To pave the way for the iconic creature’s return, Legendary Comics is proud to present the official Godzilla graphic novel!
Delve into an incredible mystery, generations in the making. At the dawn of the atomic age, humanity awakens lifeforms beyond imagination, unleashing monumental forces of nature. This explosive, larger-than-life adventure is the perfect way for fans to experience the new Godzilla before seeing it in theaters.
This announcement, buried towards the bottom of DC’s solicits, was weirdly not talked about. It seems like a Godzilla graphic novel adaptation would be a great bookstore crossover item, and yet, there seems to be no one talking about it. What gives, DC?
Also, listing “Legendary Comics” as the publisher but having this in DC solicits is really unusual, especially since Legendary and Warner Bros are no longer in business together.
Oh, wait – that is why it is buried. Ok, then.
Continued belowLARFLEEZE #10
Written by KEITH GIFFEN and J.M. DeMATTEIS
Art by SCOTT KOLINS
Cover by TYLER KIRKHAMIt’s a dog-eat-dog world when “legendary” Green Lantern G’nort shows up to pick a bone with Larfleeze!
After a brief cameo in “Green Lantern” #20, it is nice to see G’nort get some New 52 love. Call me nostalgic, call me foolish, but I don’t care – I have many, many fond memories of G’nort, and I will be buying (and loving) this issue.
SUPERBOY #30
Written by AARON KUDER
Art by JORGE JIMENEZ
Cover by KEN LASHLEYA FOREVER EVIL aftermath issue! Superboy is returning to the world post-FOREVER EVIL, but it may not be strong enough to survive this twisted Teen of Steel and his allies from the future. His plan is simple: Wipe out all Super Heroes!
One of, if not the, best Villains Month books DC put out was “Parasite,” written and illustrated by Aaron Kuder. Kuder, the regular (amazing) artist on “Action Comics,” has only that one comic published as a writer, but that is enough to make me optimistic about this book. So far, this title has not been able to stick with anything for too long, at least not since Scott Lobdell left the book mid-way through its 30 issues. Justin Jordan tried, as did Marv Wolfman, but both were playing in Lobdell’s sandbox, and both suffered. Here, though, Kuder has a chance to step away from what Lobdell and co. did, by bringing Kon-El back to the present and re-establishing him. Good luck and Godspeed, Aaron.
NIGHTWING #30
Written by JAMES TYNION IV
Art by MEGHAN HETRICK
Cover by EDDY BARROWS
1:25 MAD Variant coverThe Bat Family is forced to face the brutal aftermath of FOREVER EVIL, but after everything they’ve been through, can they stand together?
This still all reads like a con job to me. There is no way that Dick Grayson is dying at the end of “Forever Evil,” right? This is just too clearly what they want us to think for that to actually happen. Instead, I believe that this will lead to Dick going underground, perhaps even ditching the Nightwing persona, and doing something else instead.
Regardless, it is a bummer that Kyle Higgins couldn’t have finished out the book. Instead, fellow Scott Snyder acolyte James Tynion IV closes the book on Dick Grayson’s solo adventures – for now.
STORMWATCH #30
Written by STERLING GATES
Art and cover by JEREMY ROBERTSA “FUTURES END” prelude! The original Stormwatch team returns, as this story sets up the organization’s role in the future of the DC Universe!
The ending of this book comes as a surprise to literally no one – DC announced it months ago – but the reinstating of the “original” (in the New 52 world) team is an odd one. First of all, this is a stunning mea culpa on the part of DC. Just as Jim Starlin’s weird mind wipe brought a “new” Stormwatch last year, the old team is back.
What is more interesting, however, is that “Futures End” gets referenced here, and Stormwatch being a part of it. That sounds like a good use of these much-maligned characters, and seems like DC might actually have plans for the group. When the New 52 launched, there was a ton of hype surrounding the team, and then nothing came of it. 30 issues later, and still nothing has – maybe its swan song can change that.
SUICIDE SQUAD #30
Written by SEAN RYAN
Art by IG GUARA and RUY JOSE
Cover by PATRICK ZIRCHERIn the ashes of FOREVER EVIL, A.R.G.U.S. and Task Force X leader Amanda Waller must face the consequences of her failure to protect the United States from the Crime Syndicate.
A few months ago, I tried to forecast the future of the New 52. I botched a few things, but I called the ending of this series. I felt, and feel, that the New 52 “Suicide Squad” was a showcase for Harley Quinn and, therefore, rendered obsolete when her solo series launched. The more I think about this, however, between Gail Simone writing Rag Doll in the pages of “Batgirl,” King Shark and Deadshot no longer having a book, and Bane getting a post-“Forever Evil” boost, I can see Gail Simone getting over the eventual cancellation of “The Movement” by getting to bring back her, perhaps, most beloved book: “Secret Six,” coming June 2014. You heard it here first.
Continued below
EARTH 2 #22
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art by NICOLA SCOTT and TREVOR SCOTT
Cover by ANDY KUBERT
1:25 MAD Variant coverWhen all looks lost – Green Lantern returns!
This, my friends, is the downfall of solicits. Since the end of James Robinson’s run, Green Lantern has been presumed dead. This would have made a great final page reveal for issue #21 but, because of the age we live in, this gets spoiled two months early.
That said, as a fan of “Earth 2,” the book has needed him, and this is a good move for the book. Especially because, if the Earth 2/New Earth crossover ever happens, Scott is the character most likely to get left on the New 52 Earth, so they need him back at full strength, popularity wise.
BATMAN ETERNAL #1
Written by SCOTT SNYDER, JAMES TYNION IV, JOHN LAYMAN, RAY FAWKES and TIM SEELEY
Art and cover by JASON FABOK
1:50 Variant cover by ANDY KUBERTDon’t dare miss the start of the Bat-story so big it’s going to take every week of the month to tell! A massive cast of Gotham City’s best (and worst) examines the relationship between Batman, his allies and his city. In this debut issue, Commissioner James Gordon is caught on the wrong side of the law!
BATMAN ETERNAL #2
Written by SCOTT SNYDER, JAMES TYNION IV, JOHN LAYMAN, RAY FAWKES and TIM SEELEY
Art and cover by JASON FABOKA notorious Batman adversary appears for the first time in The New 52 continuity!
BATMAN ETERNAL #3
Written by SCOTT SNYDER, JAMES TYNION IV, JOHN LAYMAN, RAY FAWKES and TIM SEELEY
Art and cover by JASON FABOKA gang war erupts in Gotham City, but the G.C.P.D. doesn’t plan to help Batman stop it. Plus: The return of a fan-favorite Batman supporting character: Stephanie Brown!
BATMAN ETERNAL #4
Written by SCOTT SNYDER, JAMES TYNION IV, JOHN LAYMAN, RAY FAWKES and TIM SEELEY
Art by DUSTIN NGUYEN
Cover by JASON FABOKBatman battles Batgirl as Jim Gordon’s troubles take a turn for the worse!
Sure, we’ve covered this before, but now we have some real details. Three issues by Fabok, one by Dustin Nguyen, and a few solicits that are sure to get Bat-fans excited: a returning villain! A returning Stephanie Brown! Jim Gordon in trouble!
I think this book has the power to make DC relevant again, and the $2.99 price point is a huge step in that direction. Don’t let us down, DC – make this series work. We beg of you!
