by Francis Manapul
DC Comics are charting their heroic history and future with a series of five prestige format comics chronicling their 80-year history. The first, May’s “Generation One: Age of Mysteries,” is written by Andy Schmidt, with art by Doug Mahnke. The series has a grand overarching story by Schmidt, Brian Michael Bendis, Dan Jurgens, Robert Venditti, and Joshua Williamson, brought to life by artists like Mahnke, Bryan Hitch, Mikel Janín, Ivan Reis and David Marquez. The series will feature covers by Jim Cheung with variant covers by Gary Frank.
“The ‘Generation’ series of specials are built to bring the new DC timeline to life,” said DC Publisher Dan DiDio. “With ‘Generation One: Age of Mysteries’ and every subsequent volume we’ll be shining a spotlight on the 80-plus-year publishing history of the DC universe while charting the course for the bright future of DC’s characters. All of our greatest stories and events will create the backdrop and context for the great new adventures we have planned. Everything counts, and we guarantee there’ll be surprises along the way!”
This first issue charts the rise of early heroes like Wonder Woman and the JSA, promising to let readers see through the eyes of Wonder Woman, Lucius Fox, Alfred Pennyworth, the first Green Lantern Alan Scott, The Spectre and Mister Terrific. The issue will also pose key questions like what began the Age of Mysteries; what happened to the Wayne Estate after the death of Thomas and Martha Wayne; who brought on the dawn of superheroes; and what truly caused the retirement of the JSA?
The 48-page first issue will release on May 27nd after DC’s “Generation Zero: Gods Among Us” FCBD one-shot. “Generation Two: Age of the Metahuman,” “Generation Three: Age of Crisis,” “Generation Four: Age of Rebirth,” and “Generation Five: Age of Tomorrow” will release monthly after this and lead DC into its next, bright future.
