Thursday, July 09, 2009

DC Preview Review for September Part 1 of 2

Jim: So DC has done a very good job with the re-launch of Batman, the Superman books have been decent and I’m looking forward to Blackest Night, so I'm as happy with DC as I have been in quite some time. Let’s see what September brings.
Lee: Yeah yeah yeah but I want to know who’s gonna get a neon sign this month. More neon!
Gwen: Oh for goodness sake, enough with the neon signs *rolls eyes*

SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN #1
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Gary Frank & Jon Sibal
Covers by Gary Frank
Hot on the heels of their acclaimed run on ACTION COMICS, superstars Geoff Johns and Gary Frank reunite to present a 6-issue event that spells out the definitive origin of Superman for the 21st century – and it all starts with a gigantic 48-page issue! Chronicling Clark Kent’s journey from the cornfields of Smallville to the skyscrapers of Metropolis, you'll witness a whole new look at the beginnings of Lex Luthor, the Legion of Super-Heroes, Lois Lane, Metallo, Jimmy Olsen, the Parasite and more! It's a look at the mythic past of the Man of Steel with an eye toward the future!
On sale September 23 • 1 of 6 • 48 pg, FC, $3.99 US

Jim: I love origin stories and even one that has been done to death can be entertaining if done well. Of course ever since the “One Year Later” jump I have been confused as to what the hell is true continuity for Superman, so maybe we will get some answers. Of course it is only good for about five years anymore.
Lee: Do we really need this? Didn’t John Byrne do a six issue everything you needed to know about Superman in the 80’s? WAIT didn’t Thomm review that series a last month? Didn’t Loeb and Sale do a Superman for all seasons? Is there anything that hasn’t been told about Superman’s origin. I’m sorry but this seems ridiculous to me.
Gwen: I thought that about the GL secret origins Lee, and that one eneded up being really well done. If nothing else I know my boyfriend will enjoy it.

SUPERGIRL ANNUAL #1
Written by Sterling Gates
Art by Fernando Dagnino & Raúl Fernandez
Cover by Renato Guedes
In SUPERGIRL #34, Supergirl took the new secret identity of Linda Lang. But how long until someone finds out her secret? Now, for the first time ever, witness Supergirl's initial attempt to live her double life in “Linda Lang: Day One”!
Plus! The secret origin of Superwoman revealed! What drove Lucy Lane to become the superpowered threat known as Superwoman? How did she transform from Lois Lane's little sister into Project 7734’s secret weapon? Find out here!
On sale September 2 • 48 pg, FC, $3.99 US

Jim: I’m not going to say that Supergirl is a can’t miss book or anything, but I do believe DC has finally gotten her right again and Sterling Gates has been a steady hand on the book.
Lee: Well, there’s one person who thinks that Supergirl is being done right. Maybe Rusty (Local store owner) will actually order two copies every month now. I’m sorry but I still can’t past the ludicrous costume.
Gwen: While Kara's costume definitely is in line with current teenage fashion... well, why would Kara care about current Earth teenage fashion? Her costume is a bit much. Still, I also thing her character has been fixed. Took long enough!


DETECTIVE COMICS #857
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by JH Williams III; co-feature art by Cully Hamner
Cover by JH Williams III
“Elegy” part 4 of 4! Batwoman faces off against Alice in an attempt to stop the villainess from unleashing a toxic death cloud over all of Gotham! But Alice has more up her sleeve than just poison, and Batwoman’s life will never ever be the same again.
Plus, The Question’s search for a missing girl leads Renee to a human trafficking ring, and the Question suddenly finds herself in way over her head.
On sale September 23 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

Lee: Ummmm, is that a sword in her pocket or is she just happy to see me? Maybe it’s a strap on sword? That just happens to look like a … strap… on… sword.
Jim: Lee, sometimes a banana is just a banana.
Lee: That's no banana! It's a sword. A HUGE SWORD! Ask yourself this, if you was a criminal standing in a dark alley and she jumped out of the darkness, pulled back her cape, to reveal that big sword... wouldn't you be scared?
Jim: No I wouldn't be scared. I'd just whip out my big gun and start blasting away. BANG BANG BANG. She'd never know what hit her.
Lee: Yeah, yeah, you have a big gun. I get it. But, imagine if she started waving that sword all around. It'd be scary. She'd be flinging that thing around...liable to poke a feller in the eye with a big sword like that. It's intimidating seening a big sword like that in public.
Jim: Are we talking about that little sword in the picture because it really sounds like you sword envy. That's why I have a big gun so I don't have to worry about tiny swords like yours.
Gwen: You both need therapy!
(Editor's Note : Jim's comments for this book were also by Lee)

THE SHIELD #1
Written by Eric Trautmann; co-feature written by Brandon Jerwa
Art by Marco Rudy & Mick Gray; co-feature art by Greg Scott
Cover by Francis Manapul
Spinning out of August’s “Red Circle” event from superstar writer J. Michael Straczynski comes the new ongoing adventures of the patriotic Shield and the mysterious man on the run, Inferno! Eric Trautmann (CHECKMATE) and Marco Rudy (FINAL CRISIS) take Lt. Joe Higgins, a.k.a. The Shield, into the hotspots civilians dare not go. His first mission takes The Shield to the razed country of Bialya, destroyed by the rage of Black Adam in 52. Something lurks in the mountains beyond militia activity, and The Shield must investigate! Plus, Inferno stars in a fast-paced co-feature from writer Brandon Jerwa (G.I. Joe) and artist Greg Scott (GOTHAM CENTRAL)! Who is Inferno, and why is he being pursued by the Dark Men? He’d better find out fast because Green Arrow and Black Canary have questions of their own for the new hero! On sale September 9 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

THE WEB #1
Written by Angela Robinson; co-feature written by John Rozum
Art by Roger Robinson & Hilary Barta;co-feature art by Tom Derenick & Bill Sienkiewicz
Cover by Stanley “Artgerm” Lau

Spinning out of August’s “Red Circle” event from superstar writer J. Michael Straczynski comes the new ongoing adventures of the selfish rich-boy hero the Web, and the mysterious-undying Hangman. Writer/director Angela Robinson (D.E.B.S.) and artist Roger Robinson (BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS) spin the tales of The Web, a man who has only recently come to understand the burden of true heroism. He’s fighting crime on his own terms, and for his first mission he’s hunting down the men responsible for killing his brother! Plus, the Hangman stars in his own co-feature with a touch of urban noir from writer John Rozum (DETECTIVE COMICS) and artists Tom Derenick and Bill Sienkiewicz, the team behind REIGN IN HELL! The Hangman haunts the streets of San Francisco and touches lives as he works to discover whether his powers are a blessing or a curse. On sale September 23 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

Jim: Now this is the way to do it. JMS gave us the set-up for these characters and here we have immediate follow-up and not one, but two new series. With the second feature system DC is using we get two of the Red Circle characters in one book, which is a good idea as I can support two new comics, but not four new series. This is the right way to integrate characters into the DCU as opposed to the shot gun approach that the Milestone characters have gotten.
Lee: I have to agree here. This is a smooth start. I am looking forward to these books.
Gwen: While this is well done on a business level, I don't really care about the series themselves. I'd still read them and see, but at the moment I'm intrigued but not overly excited.

THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #27
Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Art & cover by Jesus Saiz
The wait is over as J. Michael Straczynski arrives on THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD! First up, the best-selling scribe pairs Batman and…Dial H For Hero? Robby Reed and his grandfather thought their brief visit to Gotham City would go smoothly until one of Gotham’s petty thieves made the score of the century in the form of Robby’s H-Dial! Batman’s on the case, but The Joker’s crime wave has the city in a panic, and the power of the H-Dial has had a very unexpected effect on the hood who stole it. The choices he makes could change his life – and Robby’s – forever! Features the stunning art of Jesus Saiz (OMAC PROJECT)!
On sale September 16 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Jim: I had just dropped this book, but with Straczynski behind the keyboard I’m back on board. Now if he can just finish the last four issues of “The Twelve” for Marvel.
Lee: Planetary, Fell, Desolation Jones…. The Twelve has joined some illustrious company. But, enough about unfinished titles. This… eh. I lost interest a long time ago. If it has rave reviews then I’ll catch up.
Gwen: Oh good, a decent team on this book again.


JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA 80-PAGE GIANT #1
Written by Chuck Kim, Josh Williamson, Rich Fogel and others
Art by Mahmud Asrar, Adrian Syaf and others
Cover by Jay Anacleto
With a tale this massive, we could only fit it in an 80-page giant! When a battle between Epoch and the Time Commander spills over into our era, the Justice League finds itself scattered throughout time. That leaves Superman and Dr. Light fighting alongside a tornado-powered Samurai, Green Lantern and Red Arrow locked in a showdown with Cinnamon in the Old West, Green Arrow and Firestorm facing the Bride of Frankenstein in WWII, John Stewart and Vixen drawing swords alongside the Shining Knight, and Black Canary and Zatanna evading gangsters with the original Crimson Avenger!
Reintroducing the classic, extra-sized issues for a whole new generation, this special issue features the writing of TV’s Chuck Kim (Heroes) and Rich Fogel (Batman Beyond, Justice League) along with writer Joshua Williamson (Dear Dracula) and artists such as Mahmud Asrar (Dynamo 5) and Adrian Syaf (BLACKEST NIGHT: BATMAN)!
On sale September 30 • 80 pg, FC, $5.99 US

Jim: These always feel like try out books. I’m not buying this thing unless it hits on a light comic week for me and I’m feeling generous.
Lee: I’ll pass too. Back in the day, I would have jumped on this just to see the new artists. I’ll wait until the $1 sale.
Gwen: Eh, nothing exciting to see here.

MAGOG #1
Written by Keith Giffen
Art and variant cover by Howard Porter & John Dell
Cover by Glenn Fabry
Introducing the latest member of the Justice Society of America to break out into his own monthly series!
Tired of chafing at the restraints that being a member of the JSA put upon him, Magog decides to take justice into his own hands and track down who’s behind the dealing of high-tech arms to lowlife scum around the DC Universe! Be here as the hunt starts Magog on the path to discovering his own unavoidable destiny thanks to writer Keith Giffen (JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL, DOOM PATROL) and artists Howard Porter and John Dell, the acclaimed team behind JLA! Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 10 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Glenn Fabry), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Howard Porter & John Dell). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale September 2 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Jim: Again, maybe if I feel like what the heck, when it comes out, but I did not order it. Magog – are they kidding? Plus Howard Porter has never been a great artist at all, this book reeks of early cancellation.
Lee: Haven’t you already complained about this book? Is there a limit on historical book complaining?
Gwen: I can't stand Howard Porter's art. Ugh.


RED TORNADO #1
Written by Kevin VanHook
Art by Jose Luisí & J.P. Mayer
Cover by Ed Benes & Mariah Benes
Think you know everything there is to know about the mighty Red Tornado? Well think again! This miniseries shines a new light on the true origin of Red Tornado, the Justice League of America’s resident android Super Hero! You’ll not only discover a crew of characters new to the DC Universe, if Red Tornado has his way, you’ll also uncover the hero’s true android family! But will it cost him the love of his adopted human one? Get caught in the whirlwind of this exciting new series from writer Kevin VanHook and artist Jose Luisí
On sale September 2 • 1 of 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Jim: This has to worse then Magog. Brad Metzler and Dwayne McDuffie have just both done “defining” arcs on this character. Is this character that popular? My happiness glow with DC is starting to wear off.
Lee: This sounds more like a try out book than the JL 80 page giant. Sadly, I remember VanHook from when he wrote Shadowman for Valiant. I’ll probably pass on this too.
Gwen: Another character I don't care enough about to want to read a miniseries that stars them. Why can't we do a spotlight on Misfit from BoP? Or heck, I'd be behind another Manhunter series.

CHECK BACK TOMORROW FOR PART 2

No comments:

Post a Comment