Rob Liefeld is stirring up some trouble on Twitter, claiming to have advanced knowledge of a new DC book or two, as well as some cancellations.
So, Tomasi, Meltzer, Hitch..New Superman, New Superman/ Batman…Legion Lost, Grifter, Frankenstein, Blue Beetle gone-Put those to NYCC test
— robertliefeld (@robertliefeld) October 9, 2012
Oops, forgot to connect Aquaman in there…
— robertliefeld (@robertliefeld) October 9, 2012
Let’s unpack these one at a time. (Peter) Tomasi, (Brad) Meltzer, and (Bryan) Hitch on a new Superman or (and?) a new Superman/Batman book. This seems like a reasonable prediction, as Hitch has hinted at a big project at DC for some time now. Add this to the ‘Jim Lee and Scott Snyder launching “The Man of Steel” in January’ rumors, and it looks like DC’s Superman line is about to get shaken up. Incidentally, DC’s press releases for New York Comic Con have all put a large emphasis on changes coming to the Superman line, so this could make sense.
As for “Legion Lost,” “Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E.,” “Blue Beetle,” “Grifter” and “Aquaman” being cancelled, about half of those seem right. A WildC.A.T.S. book has been teased forever, so folding “Grifter” and putting both Cole Cash and Voodoo in a WildC.A.T.S. book makes sense. “Blue Beetle” doesn’t sell and isn’t particularly good, so that would be a clear choice for cancellation, as would “Legion Lost.” However, “Frankenstein,” though not exactly a top seller, is a critical favorite with a multi-issue tie-in to ‘Rotworld’ coming up – cancelling that after potentially grabbing sales due to the tie-in seems odd.
But the oddest of the bunch is the implication that “Aquaman” would be cancelled. The book is hugely popular (somehow), and is a common point of pride brought up by DC. Perhaps Liefeld’s tweet that “Aquaman” is ‘connected’ means that Tomasi or Meltzer will be taking over “Aquaman?” Both have co-written with Geoff Johns in the past, and so would make sense as a potential replacement writer. Cancelling “Aquaman” seems like a silly move – again – after having it cross over with “Justice League” stating in December.
Is Liefeld just trolling us? Was he fed false information? How much longer with Hawkman be his Twitter avatar? Only time will tell.
UPDATE (12:41pm):
Aquaman’s not canceled @multiversitycom I never said that. Not even close..
— robertliefeld (@robertliefeld) October 10, 2012
So there you go.
In other DC news, The Source announced that Ethan Van Sciver will be taking over for David Finch as the monthly artist on “Batman: The Dark Knight.” Below is the cover for issue #16, where Van Sciver and writer Gregg Hurwitz will launch an arc featuring the Mad Hatter.
