Here we go again. Months away, but don’t you want to know the big stuff coming your way next year? As always, Newsarama has the complete solicits.
BLACKEST NIGHT #7
On Sale February 24 • 7 of 8 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US
Written by Geoff Johns • Art and cover by Ivan Reis & Oclair Albert • Variant cover by Rodolfo Migliari • Sketch variant cover by Ivan Reis
As Nekron continues to wage war on life throughout the universe, Hal Jordan discovers the grim, true mission behind the villain’s return. But the truth is so cosmically abysmal that it threatens to expose a secret that could tear the very universe asunder. You can’t miss this stunning, penultimate issue to the year’s biggest event!
Hmm. That’s some hype that is pretty hard to live up to. “so cosmically abysmal… could tear the very universe asunder.” I’ve got to think we’ll be seeing White Lanterns by this point too. I do find it interesting that Hal is the only character mentioned in the solicits too.
GREEN LANTERN #51
On Sale February 17 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by Geoff Johns • Art and cover by Doug Mahnke & Christian Alamy • Variant cover by Greg Horn
The most epic battle in BLACKEST NIGHT yet comes to a shocking conclusion as Hal Jordan makes the ultimate move to take on the Black Lantern Spectre. But what price comes with the unleashing of Parallax? And what does this mean for the future of the emotional spectrum’s avatars?
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Doug Mahnke & Christian Alamy), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Greg Horn). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
I hope the future of the emotional spectrum avatars is that they are gone. That’s been the weakest concept in the already shaky “rainbow” corps. Other than Parallax the space bug, I don’t think any of them are relevant.
BLACKEST NIGHT: FLASH #3
On Sale February 17 • 3 of 3 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by Geoff Johns • Art and cover by Scott Kolins • Variant cover by Francis Manapul
It’s a case of the chicken-or-the-egg as Barry Allen takes on the Black Lantern Reverse-Flash and seeks answers to the very nature of Professor Zoom’s impending resurrection. Plus, the Rogues witness an act so horrifying that it changes one of their own forever.
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Scott Kolins), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Francis Manapul). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
Impending resurrection, so Zoom will be back again, it seems. I’m curious if the rogue’s experience will turn him good or make him go around the bend evil. The new Trickster and Weather Wizard are the two with the least amount of current characterization, so I’d figure it would be one of them.
BLACKEST NIGHT: JSA #3
On Sale February 24 • 3 of 3 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by James Robinson • Art and cover by Eddy Barrows & Nei Ruffino •Variant cover by Gene Ha
The bloodthirsty combat in Manhattan reaches its stunning conclusion here! Earth-2 Superman returns to prove that the true legacy of the Justice Society of America is death. Can our heroes rise up to defeat their dead mentors, role models and villains? And can even the third- smartest man in the world, Mr. Terrific, devise a way to destroy them – or will Manhattan and the world perish under Nekron’s might?
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Eddy Barrows & Nei Ruffino), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Gene Ha). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
This sounds like a great crossover tie-in. The combat should be wide-spread and Robinson should have lots of opportunities to spotlight folks. I’m looking forward to this. Didn’t Kal-L get taken out in Blackest Night: Superman though?
ADVENTURE COMICS STARRING BLACK LANTERN SUPERBOY #7
BLACK LANTERN GREEN ARROW #30
These two don’t look good for the leads. There’s not enough in the solicits to make any definite guesses, but I’m worried about the direction of the titles.
SECRET SIX #18
On Sale February 10 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by John Ostrander & Gail Simone • Art by Jim Calafiore • Cover by Daniel LuVisi
It’s the exciting conclusion of John Ostrander and Gail Simone’s epic team-up! The Black Lanterns have both the Suicide Squad and the Secret Six up against the wall. But Amanda Waller always has a plan. That plan: Manhunter! Plus, Deadshot is forced to make the decision of his life!
Manhunter! I actually didn’t recognize him, I thought it was one of the GL robots. I know Mark Shaw was alive in the last volume of Manhunter, but it looks like he actually puts on the old gear this issue. I always thought he’d make a good Azrael, actually.
BATMAN AND ROBIN #8-9
Issue #8 on sale February 10 • Issue #9 on sale February 24 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by Grant Morrison • Art and Variant covers by Cameron Stewart • Covers by Frank Quitely
BATMAN AND ROBIN double-ships in February with part 2 and 3 of “Blackest Knight” guest-starring Batwoman, Knight and Squire! Only months into his new role as Batman, Dick Grayson faces perhaps the biggest threat of his life. In hopes of attaining his heart’s desire, has Dick instead unleashed a terror the likes of which the world has never seen?
Meanwhile, back in Gotham City, Alfred and a recuperating Robin are at the mercy of someone both fearsome and familiar…
So is this an actual crossover or just a punny title? From that cover, it certainly looks like Bruce is coming back from a Lazarus Pit, which probably isn’t a good idea (although Black Canary turned out ok). I’m looking forward to seeing Cameron Stewart’s take on Batwoman. Heck, I’m just pleased she’s being incorporated more into the greater bat-family. Two issues in one month is always fun too.
OUTSIDERS #27
On Sale February 17 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by Dan DiDio •Art and cover by Philip Tan
Geo-Force’s actions put the Outsiders at the center of a political dispute that will have dramatic consequences for them and the entire Earth. Plus, the new Masters of Disaster pay a visit to Markovia, and they intend to stay true to their name…
Is this Dan DiDio’s first issue? I’m tempted to try this, although Philip Tan’s recent Batman & Robin arc has me a bit worried. That cover work here looks fantastic. Is that really the same guy?
HUMAN TARGET #1
On Sale February 10 • 1 of 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by Len Wein & Peter Johnson • Art by Bruno Redondo, Sergio Sandoval, Chris Sprouse & Karl Story • Cover by Lee Bermejo • Photo variant cover
On the heels of the highly anticipated Human Target Fox television series comes a brand-new adventure pitting Christopher Chance against the organized crime…of the world! When he’s tasked with protecting a highly placed informant and collecting damaging evidence throughout Europe, every assassin and goon from Paris to Prague will be gunning for the Human Target!
From series creator Len Wein comes an all-new, action-packed adventure featuring the art of Bruno Redondo (PUSH) and covers by some of the industry’s most popular creators! As a bonus, we’ve also got a backup story by Peter Johnson, executive producer of the Fox series, with art by the amazing Chris Sprouse (TOM STRONG)!
I love the Human Target concept from the excellent Peter Milligan series from the 90s. Len Wein is usually solid too, so this should be a decent book. Probably a trade book for me.
MILESTONE FOREVER #1
On Sale February 3 • 1 of 2 • 48 pg, FC, $5.99 US
Written by Dwayne McDuffie • Art by John Paul Leon, MD Bright, Romeo Tanghal & others • Cover by Admira Wijaya
DC Comics and Milestone Media entered into an unprecedented creative partnership 16 years ago this month by producing 14 interlocking, creator-owned titles including HARDWARE, ICON, and the multimedia hit that would best be known as STATIC SHOCK. Now, nine Parents Choice Awards, four Eisner Award nominations, and one Emmy and Humanitas Award-winning hit TV series later, Milestone is back, its continuity mysteriously merged with the DCU. While we saw the DC side of the story in JUSTICE LEAGUE: WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE, the 2-issue MILESTONE FOREVER gathers the original artists from Milestone’s launch titles – including John Paul Leon, Mark Bright, Chris Cross and Milestone founder Denys Cowan – to complete the tales told in the original runs of STATIC SHOCK, ICON, HARDWARE, SHADOW CABINET and BLOOD SYNDICATE. Milestone editor-in-chief Dwayne McDuffie reveals the final fate of each of Milestone’s launch characters in a bittersweet tale that chronicles the literal end of a universe and the birth of something new…with major consequences for the future of the DC Universe.
There is no way I’ll miss this. I adored the Milestone Universe so I have to see how things were supposed to turn out. I will admit I don’t really remember how things ended off though, that was over 10 years ago. I trust Dwayne McDuffie to make it new-reader friendly though.
THE BRAVE & THE BOLD #32
On Sale February 17 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Art and cover by Jesus Saiz
Terrors of the deep! A horrifying lost city has risen at the bottom of the ocean, and Aquaman must call on the supernatural might of Etrigan, the Demon to stand between humanity and the dark menace that lurks inside that forgotten realm! It’s an undersea chiller like no other!
These continuity-free stories are perfect for JMS. I’m liking the oddball team-ups he’s using too. I don’t think I’ve ever seen “undersea chiller” used before either!
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA ANNUAL #1
On Sale February 3 • 56 pg, FC, $4.99 US
Written by Keith Giffen & Matthew Sturges • Art by Tom Derenick • Cover by Freddie Williams II
Reflecting developments in both MAGOG and JSA ALL-STARS this month, Magog finds himself the odd man out during a massive escape from Haven – and his own team thinks he’s somehow responsible for the prison break! Turns out, Magog may have exposed one of the DC Universe’s biggest cover-ups! Featuring 56 pages of thrilling JSA adventure from writers Keith Giffen and Matthew Sturges and artist Tom Derenick.
Looks like a JSA crossover month! The Society turning on Magog would be good enough, but with the Haven escape, we have a breakout story going too. I’m a sucker for super-villain escape stories, so this is right up my alley. I know a lot of people are down on the JSA corner of the DCU these days, but I’m really digging it.
THE WEB #6
On Sale February 24 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US
Written by Matthew Sturges • Co-feature written by John Rozum • Art by Roger Robinson & Hilary Barta • Co-feature art by Tom Derenick and Bill Sienkiewicz • Cover by Stanley “Artgerm” Lau
Matthew Sturges (JSA ALL-STARS, JACK OF FABLES) comes aboard to spin the tales of the Web! Plus, the Hangman’s limitations are about to be tested by the crime lord known as Dead Man Legendre!
Matthew Sturges takes over the Web. I’m really digging the current book and Sturges coming on is going to make this hard to pass up. I still love Roger Robinson and Hillary Barta’s work too. Too bad I’m sure this book is destined for an early cancellation, it really is quite good. Give it a try if you are looking for solid super-hero action without the compnany-wide crossover influence.
WONDER WOMAN #41
On Sale February 24 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by Gail Simone • Art and cover by Aaron Lopresti
It’s a knock-down, drag-out war in the sky between the mightiest females in the DC Universe as Wonder Woman fights Power Girl! Meanwhile, that disturbingly creepy circle of hellion kids known as the Crows do everything they can to destroy Diana’s life and loved ones!
I’m a trade-waiter on Wonder Woman, but how can I pass up a fight with Power Girl? Should be great.
THE AUTHORITY #19
On Sale February 3 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by Marc Bernardin & Adam Freeman • Art by Al Barrionuevo • Cover by Mark Bagley & Trevor Scott
The rejuvenated Carrier has left Earth. Destination: Unknown. Who made it on board? Who got left behind? As Jack Hawksmoor and Christine Trelane battle for command of the Carrier, an all-new Authority – with Deathblow and Grifter running point – must deal with uncivilized chaos from within.
Ok, so the Authority’s high concept going forward will be a super-team guarding a spaceship leaving post-apocalyptic Earth. Cool. But will we get to see more of the cool new heroes from Numbers of the Beast? I’ve been waiting to see where all those guys ended up! I’m not familiar with either of the writers though, so that has me a tad worried. I’ve really been enjoying the Wildstorm U recently, but this may be a jump-off point for me.
WILDCATS #20
On Sale February 24 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by Adam Beechen • Art by Tim Seeley & Ryan Wynn • Cover by Mark Bagley & Trevor Scott
The bloodthirsty crew of the legendary Kheran warship Red Blade is back, and they’ve got revenge on their minds and plan a mission to conquer Earth! With Voodoo and Grunge on a desperate mission to get the world’s battle-weary defenders the help they desperately need, conflicts rage in UnLondon and at the North and South Poles. It’s all-out war, and you’ll never believe who becomes a casualty!
So Wildcats is the Earth-based team after the apocalypse. Could be very cool, depending on who is on the team. Adam Beechen has been hit or miss with me though, so I’m not sure this is a sure-buy for me.
Trades:
- Batman: Heart of Hush
- Superman: Brainiac
- Wonder Woman: Ends of the Earth
