Brightest Day keeps rolling along and I’m still happy to see it coming! JMS takes over the headliners and Grant Morrison makes a triumphant return. Check out the details and see what you want to order in June!
You guys know the drill now, my comments are in italics. As always, the full solicits are available at Newsarama.
SUPERMAN #700
On sale JUNE 23 • 56 pg, FC $4.99 US
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI, JAMES ROBINSON & DAN JURGENS • Art by EDDY BARROWS, BENARD CHANG, DAN JURGENS & J.P. MAYER • Cover by GARY FRANK • 1:25 “DC 75th Anniversary” variant cover by Eduardo Risso • 1:75 “DC 75th Anniversary” variant black and white cover by Eduardo Risso
DC Comics proudly presents the 700th issue of SUPERMAN, a 56-page extravaganza full of tales celebrating the Man of Steel’s past, present and future! First up is a story by the man who actually killed Superman, Dan Jurgens! Then, James Robinson brings his epic run on the title to a close with a touching story featuring art by Benard Chang that brings Superman back to Earth after his time on New Krypton. Finally, we preview the exciting new SUPERMAN ongoing creative team as J. Michael Straczynski and Eddy Barrows provide a story that sets the stage for an explosive, all-new direction for The Man of Steel! (Seriously! Wait till you read this!)
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with three covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
I’m excited about JMS taking over Superman, but Eddy Barrows is an odd choice to draw the book. His gritty, modern style doesn’t seem like the best mesh with JMS’ style. Well, that is if JMS takes an iconic approach like he is with his Brave & the Bold run.
BATMAN #700
On sale JUNE 9 • 56 pg, FC, $4.99 US
Written by GRANT MORRISON • Art by TONY DANIEL, ANDY KUBERT & FRANK QUITELY
Cover by DAVID FINCH • 1:25 “DC 75th Anniversary” variant cover by MIKE MIGNOLA
1:75 “DC 75th Anniversary” variant black and white cover by MIKE MIGNOLA
Grant Morrison returns to BATMAN with this oversized special! And he’s brought an all-star roster of artists along with him including Andy Kubert, Tony Daniel and Frank Quitely to celebrate this milestone 700th issue featuring stories spotlighting each of the Batmen from different eras – Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne. You won’t want to miss this blockbuster story that paves the way for the return of Bruce Wayne and sports mind-boggling covers by superstars David Finch (BRIGHTEST DAY) and Mike Mignola (BATMAN: GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT, Hellboy)!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with three covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
Grant Morrison back on Batman! I’m a little bummed that Bruce is back so soon, I think Dick Grayson made a heck of a Batman, to be honest. I’m also unhappy that Tony Daniel is drawing the book still. Couldn’t we have gotten a Batman & Robin collaborator on this title?
WONDER WOMAN #600
On sale JUNE 30 • 56 pg, FC, $4.99 US
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI, GEOFF JOHNS, GAIL SIMONE & others Art by GEORGE PÉREZ, PHIL JIMENEZ, JOE MADUREIRA & others • Cover by GEORGE PÉREZ
1:25 “DC 75th Anniversary” variant cover by ADAM HUGHES • 1:75 “DC 75th Anniversary” variant black and white cover by ADAM HUGHES
You’re invited to the gala celebration featuring WONDER WOMAN talent from the past and present to commemorate this landmark issue! Renumbered to reflect Wonder Woman’s starring role in 600 issues, this book features the industry’s top talent – including Geoff Johns, Phil Jimenez, George Pérez, Gail Simone, Joe Madureira and more! Plus, readers won’t want to miss a chance to check out the exciting, all-new direction for the Wonder Woman universe as new ongoing writer J. Michael Straczynski (SUPERMAN, BRAVE AND THE BOLD, Amazing Spider-Man) provides a story of his own!
Retailers please note: This issue ships with three covers. Please see Previews Order Form for more information.
I had been enjoying Gail Simone’s run on the book, so I’m disappointed to see her go. I’m curious what JMS has to say about the Amazonian Princess. Do we know who the regular artist is going to be?
GREEN LANTERN #55
On sale JUNE 30 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by GEOFF JOHNS • Art and cover by DOUG MAHNKE & CHRISTIAN ALAMY
BRIGHTEST DAY marches on as the Main Man, Lobo, goes head-to-head with Red Lantern Atrocitus – with Hal Jordan caught in the middle! It doesn’t get more brutal than this! Plus, Hector Hammond returns . . . to join the new Guardians?
Lobo, the Main Man! This should be a lot of fun. Doug Mahnke art is perfect for Lobo, so I bet this is one pretty book. I like the idea of big-headed Hector Hammond hanging around regularly too.
GREEN ARROW #1
On sale JUNE 23 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US
Written by J.T. KRUL • Art by DIOGENES NEVES • Cover by MAURO CASCIOLI
1:25 Variant cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER
BRIGHTEST DAY shines its light on Star City in this oversized first issue from up-and-coming writer J.T. Krul (BLACKEST NIGHT: TITANS, GREEN ARROW #30) and future superstar artist Diogenes Neves (New Mutants)! “The Fall of Green Arrow” has ended. Now who carries the heavy bow of the Emerald Archer? Coming out of the devastation, what miraculous event has occurred in Star City and what mysteries await inside that bring the forces of good and evil in search of its lone protector? Aim for a whole new era starring Green Arrow in this exciting ongoing series!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
JT Krul has been impressing me recently and I think he’s a great choice to relaunch Green Arrow. I’ll assume that Oliver is still going to be Green Arrow, it really doesn’t make sense to transfer the title to anyone else. My big question now is how does Krul view Connor Hawke? Any chance he’ll appear regularly again?
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #46
On sale JUNE 30
40 pg, FC, $3.99 US
Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art by MARK BAGLEY & ROB HUNTER
cover by MARK BAGLEY & JESUS MERINO
BRIGHTEST DAY continues with the start of an all-new, 5-part JLA/JSA crossover! The return of one hero heralds the release of the powerful Starheart that empowers Green Lantern Alan Scott. Now this chaotic force is unleashed on Earth, causing magic to go wild – and new metahumans to emerge! It’s more than one super-team can handle, but can even the combined efforts of the Justice League and the Justice Society contain the light and dark power wielded by one of their own? Witness the transformation of the moon and a journey into the Shadow Lands that will corrupt a hero!
Continued in next month’s JSA #41, this epic event features a 5-part connected cover spotlighting both teams in glorious action illustrated by Mark Bagley with inks by Jesus Merino!
I’m a sucker for the JLA/JSA team-ups, so I’m looking forward to this. I really like the idea of mixing the art teams of Bagley and Merino on the covers. I’ll admit the combo doesn’t look so great on that cover, though. This promises to be fun.
THE JOKER’S ASYLUM ONE-SHOTS
RIDDLER on sale JUNE 2
HARLEY QUINN on sale JUNE 9
MAD HATTER on sale JUNE 16
KILLER CROC on sale JUNE 23
CLAYFACE on sale JUNE 30
32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
THE JOKER’S ASYLUM: THE RIDDLER #1
Written by PETER CALLOWAY
Art by CLAYTON HENRY
Cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER
THE JOKER’S ASYLUM: HARLEY QUINN #1
Written by JAMES PATRICK
Art by JOE QUINONES
Cover by CLAUDIO CASTELLINI
THE JOKER’S ASYLUM: MAD HATTER #1
Written by LANDRY WALKER
Art and cover by BILL SIENKIEWICZ
THE JOKER’S ASYLUM: KILLER CROC #1
Written by MIKE RAICHT
Art by DAVID YARDIN
Cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA
THE JOKER’S ASYLUM: CLAYFACE #1
Written by KEVIN SHINICK
Art and cover by KELLEY JONES
A surprising number of the first Joker’s Asylum one-shots were actually good. At first glance, I’m intrigued by Killer Croc and Clayface. I don’t know enough about the writers to be certain to pick up any of these, but Kelley Jones drawing Clayface makes it an easy decision to pick up.
RED HOOD: LOST DAYS #1
On sale JUNE 2 • 1 of 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by JUDD WINICK • Art by PABLO RAIMONDI • Cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA
1:25 variant cover by BILLY TUCCI
Judd Winick (BATMAN: UNDER THE HOOD) returns to write the adventures of Jason Todd in this special 6-part epic exploring the lost days of this misunderstood character. Learn what secret events led Jason on his eventual path of death and destruction. Guest-starring Ra’s al Ghul and Talia with amazing artwork by Pablo Raimondi (BATTLE FOR THE COWL: THE UNDERGROUND, X-Factor).
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
Don’t care. Couldn’t care less, in fact. I hate Jason Todd coming back from the dead and I don’t care about him as the Red Hood. I hated how Winick brough him back with silly continuity punches and I have no interest in seeing how JT passed the time since his return.
BATMAN BEYOND #1
On sale JUNE 30 • 1 of 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by ADAM BEECHEN • Art by RYAN BENJAMIN • Cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
1:25 variant cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III
Terry McGinnis – the Batman of the future – and an elderly Bruce Wayne – the original Batman – are the sworn protectors of Neo-Gotham. But when someone targets The Dark Knight’s old foes, the new Batman must begin a case that reaches back into Bruce Wayne’s past and puts Terry’s future directly in danger!
Don’t miss the long-awaited return of the popular Batman Beyond franchise in this 6-issue adventure from Emmy Award-nominated animation writer Adam Beechen (Batman: The Brave and the Bold) and artist Ryan Benjamin (BATMAN & THE OUTSIDERS). And be sure to check out the SUPERMAN/BATMAN ANNUAL #4 from writer Paul Levitz and artist Renato Guedes starring the Batman Beyond characters!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
I know some people love Batman Beyond. I don’t know anything about him, so I ask you, is this a good creative team for the character? What do you fans think?
DETECTIVE COMICS #866
On sale JUNE 23 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US
Written by DENNIS O’NEIL
Art and cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
1:25 “DC 75 Anniversary” Variant cover by WALTER SIMONSON
Continuing the spirit of celebration from BATMAN #700, comics legend Dennis O’Neil’s returns to the Batcave in this stand-alone, 40-page issue! O’Neil spins a tale of the Dick Grayson Batman intertwined with those classic days when Batman and Robin, the Boy Wonder, patrolled the mean streets of Gotham City!
And come back next month for the return of The Question and Batwoman!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
I’ll always check out Denny O’Neil’s return to the Bat-books. I bet this will be a solid little one-parter with something for everyone. O’Neil knows how to tell a story, so I’ll pick this up.
RED ROBIN #13
On sale JUNE 2 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by FABIAN NICIEZA
Art and cover by MARCUS TO & RAY MCCARTHY
Fabian Nicieza joins RED ROBIN as the new regular writer! A surge of organized mobs spreads across Gotham City like a virus! Who are The Socials and what is their mysterious agenda in moving young people across the city in self-organizing crowds? Is it mind-control or simply youth boredom? What starts as fun and games becomes deadly serious and leads to an unexpected confrontation between Red Robin and Robin!
Fabian always does good work with youthful heroes so I’m looking forward to his take on Red Robin. The book has been surprisingly good so far, so keeping up the quality may be more of a challenge than I would have thought.
ACTION COMICS #890
On sale JUNE 30 * 40 pg, FC $3.99 US
Written by MARC GUGGENHEIM * Art by PETE WOODS * Cover by DAVID FINCH
Look out, Metropolis – Lex Luthor is back! The dynamic new creative team of Marc Guggenheim (Amazing Spider-Man) and Pete Woods (SUPERMAN: LAST STAND OF NEW KRYPTON) hits the scene with an oversized issue packed with non-stop action! That’s not all! Superstar artist David Finch (BRIGHTEST DAY, New Avengers) joins ACTION COMICS this issue as new cover artist!
I always like to see Pete Woods getting regular work, but I’m not a huge fan of Marc Guggenheim. He’s not bad, he’s just not my favorite. That said, if this is a “classic” Superman title with lots of good villains and team-ups, I may give Guggenheim a chance to win me over. I just want Superman fighting Atomic Skull, Silver Banshee, and Luthor in power armor. Is that too much to ask?
POWER GIRL #13
On sale JUNE 23 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by JUDD WINICK
Art and cover by SAMI BASRI
Power Girl dives headfirst into the next chapter of her life on Earth with new series writer Judd Winick (JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST) and artist Sami Basri (THE SHIELD)! And what events will draw her to her former JLI teammates from JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST?
No thank you. I’m really tempted when I hear the JLI will be involved, I’m just not confident enough that I’ll like the book to pre-order it. This book had been on the cusp of my cancellation list already; losing Amanda Conner drops it over the edge.
Of course I’m not surprised, but I am saddened to see The Shield and The Web both get cancelled. They were fun little superhero books that died because they didn’t “matter” in the grand scheme of things. I hope the creative teams get picked up somewhere else because these really were good books. I guess DC is replacing this Red Circle line with the First Wave pulp books. I predict they will get cancelled just about as quickly.
Oooh, JSA vs. Kobra is finally coming out in trade. Sold!
If anyone wants to read my opinion on comics I’ve actually read, check out my blog at comic-per-day reviews.
