While none of the DC Annuals so far have actually arrived a year after their debut, all of the DC Annuals have offered one of two things: the chance for an additional “important” story (important being subject to debate, obviously) and a type of closure for fans. For DC’s October Annuals announced today, that is given up in spades.
Starting with an “Action Comics” annual, the book sees back-up writer Sholly Fisch get a shot at a full-length story, after doing numerous shorter ones that add little flourishes to Grant Morrison’s run. Illustrated by important DCnU illustrator Cully Hamner (who has done much of the design work for the rebooted characters), the book deals with more of the “missing five years” between Clark first came to Metropolis and what is known as the present day within the DCnU.
The book will still feature a back-up, though, as Chronicle screenwriter Max Landis writes a back-up story with Ryan Sook on art.
The next slated annual looks to be a “Batgirl” annual from current series writer Gail Simone and artist Admira Wijaya, with a cover from former Simone collaborator Ed Benes. There is not too much revealed about this issue, although the solicit text notes that it deals with Batgirl hunting down Catwoman and someone coming after Batgirl. The cover appears to have what looks to be a Talon from the ‘Night of the Owls’ crossover as well, which could be that “someone” mentioned in the solicit.
The “Justice League Dark” Annual seems to be less of an annual and more of an excuse to have an over-sized finale to a storyline, as the issue is solicited to be just that: the finale to Lemire’s first arc on the book since taking over as writer. The issue still features Mikel Janin on art with a cover by Ryan Sook, and promises to guest star both former-Lemire character Frankenstein as well as Amethyst, showing DC’s plans to integrate the character into the DCnU beyond just a one-shot for their Zero Issue line in September.
However, the most exciting announcement is that of the “Swamp Thing” Annual, which will see Becky Cloonan once again work with Scott Snyder (as the two are slated to collaborate on an upcoming issue of “Batman” after the ‘Court of Owls’ storyline wraps). The issue deals with the birth of Rotworld and the rivalry between Holland and Arcane, so for those of you digging the current run on “Swamp Thing,” this sounds like a can’t miss issue. (Really, anytime Cloonan does interior art on a book, it’s a can’t miss issue.)
All of these annuals are slated to come out in October at 48 pages a pop for $4.99.
