With big changes promised come April, DC has a few more months of the same old same old before the supposed shake-up that is coming. Unfortunately, this is one of those months. That said, there are some interesting things to discuss. Let’s get to it!
10. Forever Evil Lurches Towards an Ending
FOREVER EVIL #6
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Illustrated by DAVID FINCHThe final fate of Nightwing! The most unlikely of allies have set the Crime Syndicate in their sights — and they’re playing for keeps while the life of a hero hangs in the balance! Plus, the identity of the mysterious man in the hood is finally revealed!
If you feel like “Forever Evil” has been going on forever, you are not wrong. This is month 6 of the crossover, and with no less than 8 official tie-ins, the main series, and a few books that are spinning out of it, it is still the main thrust of the DCU for February. Thankfully, next month wraps up all the villain-centric madness, and hopefully shakes up the entire line, because this is the third or fourth dull month in a row. Marvel seems far more adept at creating buzz around something each month, whereas DC tends to ride big events for a half a year at a time.
9. Steampunk Covers Represent DC’s Mindset Painfully Accurately
Steampunk, a pop culture “phenomenon” that peaked in approximately 2006, is the inspiration for a slew of 1:25 variant covers this month. While the talent doing the titles is quite impressive (Howard Chaykin, Dave Johnson, Matteo Scalera, and Tommy Lee Edwards to name a few), this seems like a gross misuse of resources. If you have guys of that talent level ready and willing to do covers for your company, put them to use on books that either a) could use a boost from their services or b) a book where they could develop an interesting relationship with, over the course of a few months. Instead, these gimmicky covers will be forgotten come May, and the work of these great artists was used on a misread of a cultural trend.
8. Good Grief That Is An Amazing “Earth 2” Cover
EARTH 2 #20
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Illustrated by BARRY KITSON
Cover by JAE LEESuperman’s plans for Earth 2 finally come to light as Batman, Hawkgirl and Red Tornado join a new ally who could turn the tide in the war with Apokolips.
Let us bask in the glory that is this Jae Lee cover.
7. Tim Seeley!
TALON #16
Written by TIM SEELEY
Illustrated by JORGE LUCASCalvin Rose must find a Lazarus Pit to bring himself back from the dead. But first he must fight another undead villain with the same notions: Lord Death Man!
It is great to see Seeley, a Multiversity favorite, take his place among the Bat-writers, even if it is just for a two-issue run of a probably cancelled series. Seeley is part of the team behind “Batman: Eternal,” is my bet for someone who is going to blow the roof off the industry in 2014.
6. It’s Ladies Month (Oh, What a Month!)
SUPERMAN: LOIS LANE #1
Written by MARGUERITE BENNETT
Illustrated by EMANUELLA LUPACCHINO
Cover by KENNETH ROCAFORTLois Lane is known for chasing down stories — but what happens when the story is her family? As her father gains more power in the government, Lois’s sister Lucy has become involved with a deadly drug scene! Meanwhile, Lois thought she was rid of the influence of Brainiac, but now she finds that the the computer tyrant of Colu is calling out to her again!
DC has two female-centric one-shots coming this month, both from the pen of Maguerite Bennett and the pencil of two up and coming female artists. The one that has me most excited is the Lois Lane one-shot featured above, illustrated by Emanuela Lupicchino. Lois Lane is perhaps the 5th or 6th most recognizable character in all of comics, and yet is often marginalized by DC into the most minor of supporting roles. It is nice that this, and allowing the “new” Superboy to be the son of her and Clark in a possible future, is putting her back into the spotlight for her 75th anniversary.
Continued belowLess exciting is the Joker’s Daughter one-shot, illustrated by Meghan Hetrick. This character, a poorly conceived one if there ever was, sold so incredibly well during Villains Month, that she is getting another one-shot, just 6 months later. Bennett, a former student of Scott Snyder’s (much like DC rising star James Tynion IV), hasn’t done too much for DC just yet, but DC must think quite highly of her to give her these two issues which, rightly or wrongly, will get lots of attention this month.
5. The Royals
THE ROYALS: MASTERS OF WAR #1
Written by ROB WILLIAMS
Illustrated by SIMON COLEBYThe year is 1940. As the Blitz destroys London and kills thousands, the Royal Family looks on. But in this world, the only people with special abilities are Royalty, and the purer the bloodline, the greater their abilities. So why don’t they stop the carnage with their powers? A truce between the Earth’s nobles has kept them out of our wars—until now. When England’s Prince Henry can take no more and intervenes, will it stop the planet’s suffering or take it to another level?
Writer Rob Williams (Judge Dredd: Trifecta, Low Life, ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN and Daken) and artist Simon Coleby (The Authority, Judge Dredd: Year One and Trifecta) team up to bring you this epic of World War proportions. History will be transformed in a way you’ve never seen before.
Another new Vertigo miniseries, which we talked about a few weeks ago, debuts this month. I have to admit, the topic is unexpected, but isn’t hooking me just yet. I try to give all Vertigo series at least a 1-3 issue test period to hook me, so we’ll see. I don’t recall a Vertigo title’s announcement met with less of a response than the comics internet has given this.
4. Titles as Art
ACTION COMICS #28
Written by GREG PAK
Illustrated by AARON KUDERWho or what is the Ghost Soldier, and what mysterious ties does he have to The Man of Steel? Will he side with Superman as he is caught in the middle of the military’s battle with subterranean monsters?
This may be a weird thing to notice (quit judging me, internet), but the three solo Superman titles this month all have their titles as part of the art on the cover, as opposed to being added later. I don’t know if Jim Lee, Aaron Kuder and Ed Benes just really wanted to draw bubble letters this month, or if there was a thematic decision made for the month, or if this is the new way Super-covers are done.
Regardless, they look sort of cool.
3. Cybernetics Central
SUICIDE SQUAD #28
Written by MATT KINDT
Illustrated by PATRICK ZIRCHER
Cover by STEVE SKROCEThe Thinker unleashes OMAC on the Suicide Squad at the doors of Belle Reve! In this epic clash, not all will survive!
Cyborg is back. So are the Metal Men. So is OMAC. DC is bringing many of its biggest computerized/metallic characters back this month, and I for one applaud them. I doubt it is intentional, but those are three fun characters who have been woefully underused in the past twenty years, so I’m glad to see them back.
2. Boy, Aquaman Sounds Fun!
Jeff Parker is great, and this “Aquaman” solicitation sounds better than just about any issue of “Aquaman” that I can remember:
AQUAMAN #28
Written by JEFF PARKER
Illustrated by PAUL PELLETIERHe’s saved a diver from a vicious shark attack – but he’ll soon regret it. His most powerful weapon has been stolen from his care – and he’s never even heard of the man who took it. But Aquaman’s greatest challenge yet may be Amnesty Bay’s ten year high school reunion!
I hope this means that his run will be less dour than the current, brooding “Aquaman.”
Continued below1. Flip Book Fun
GREEN LANTERN/RED LANTERNS #28
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI and CHARLES SOULE
Illustrated by BILLY TAN and ALESSANDRO VITTI
GREEN LANTERN Cover by BILLY TAN
RED LANTERNS Cover by STEPHEN SEGOVIADon’t miss this amazing flip-issue with two covers at a special price of just $2.99! This DOUBLE ISSUE contains both GREEN LANTERN #28 and RED LANTERNS #28! With dozens of sectors in open rebellion against the Green Lantern Corps, Hal Jordan is faced with a crisis in the sector most important to him: 2814, home of Earth…as well as Ysmault, home of the Red Lanterns. Hal made a dangerous bargain with Guy Gardner, and now it’s time to pay up! Plus: Guy and the Red Lanterns take over policing Sector 2814! And you’ll want to keep reading RED LANTERNS next month to see what happens to their newest member: SUPERGIRL!
It has been documented how on board I am with the current machinations of the Lantern titles, and this is another stroke of genius: a $2.99 “flip book” featuring both “Green Lantern” #28 and “Red Lanterns” #28. They have a hook – Supergirl is a Red Lantern! – they have a cheap price-point (especially for 48 pages), and they have a viable solution to encourage people to actually read “Red Lanterns,” at least for an issue. Color me impressed.
The complete solicitations can be found over at Comic Book Resources.
