DC Preview Review for November

Jim: So by the time these books come out I will be crying the blues about how bad the Ravens are playing. Let’s see if this month Lee and Gwen can play nice together. (Editor note: Lee took a month off from DC due to commentary burnout and trust me when you do all the Preview Reviews we do it is a good thing to try and take a break on occasion.)
Gwen: Apparently Lee and I can play very well together this month as Lee is too busy to comment on DC this time around. He's a pretty old guy so I understand how he can get a bit tired.

SGT. ROCK: THE LOST BATTALION #1 Written by Billy Tucci Art by Billy Tucci Cover by Billy Tucci and Mark SparacioDC’s iconic soldier for the ages returns in a 6-issue miniseries written and illustrated by multi-Eisner nominee Billy Tucci. From the bloody beaches of Normandy to the muddy forests of the Vosges Mountains, a cut-off Easy Company led by Sgt. Rock will be joined by Johnny Cloud and the Haunted Tank as they battle for their lives behind enemy lines against a force ten times their size. Based on actual events, SGT. ROCK: THE LOST BATTALION is a story of heroism and humanity as one small band of men defy all odds to survive.On sale November 12 • 1 of 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Jim: I love Sgt. Rock and Billy Tucci is a decent creator and this project had been announced a long time ago. I was going to skip it and then I read about how much research and work Billy is putting into it and I’m buying the monthly and the hard cover.
Gwen: Okay, this is a terrible first pick for me as I have no idea what this is about. I'm not a fan of war stories in general (some can be great it's just not a genre I'm fond of) and thus I have little to no interest in it. If Jim sends it to me I'll give it a shot but that's all I can say at this point.

TERRA #1-2 Written by Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin GrayArt and cover by Amanda ConnerFrom the pages of TERROR TITANS and the minds of Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Amanda Connor comes a new rock-slinging heroine! As Terra's earth-shaking stunts grab the attention of the world, a new threat rises from beneath the surface. Will Terra live to fight another day, as she takes on the blaze and fury of Pyrite and the Lavarians? And what is the secret behind this new mover and shaker's powers? Guest-starring Power Girl and Doctor Mid-Nite!Issue #1 on sale November 5, issue #2 on sale November 191 and 2 of 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Jim: Hey the husband and wife team (Jimmy and Amanda) have invited a third to join in. Power Girl with dark hair seems interesting; oh it’s a new Terra. So this must be old announcements finally get solicited month at DC?
Gwen: I think this looks interesting. I'd like to see Terra as a hero for once, as villain Terra was just a psycho and they only gave her a nice burial for Gar and Geoforce's sake. Still, the original Terra story was one of the best Titans story arcs ever written. I may be biased as it also introduced Nightwing :)

BATMAN: CACOPHONY #1 Written by Kevin SmithArt by Walt J. Flanagan & Sandra HopeCover by Adam KubertVariant cover by Andy KubertSketch cover by Andy KubertBest-selling comic book writer/director Kevin Smith (GREEN ARROW, Daredevil, Clerks) steps into Gotham City to write this 3-part miniseries event! Practically from out of nowhere, the mysterious masked killer known as Onomatopoeia returns and sets his sights " and sounds " against The Caped Crusader!On sale November 12 • 1 of 3 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

Jim: Looks like this book is more about multiple covers then anything else. Kevin Smith is one of my least favorite comic writers, so this is a very easy pass.
Gwen: I will say I've enjoyed quite a few of Kevin Smith's movies, but I am also not a fan of his comic books. I'm not sure why, maybe he just doesn't translate as well in comics. Eh. I also find little to no interest in only one sentence that gives any clue as to the content of this story.

SUPERMAN/SUPERGIRL: MAELSTROM #1-2 Written by Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin GrayArt and cover by Phil NotoA vicious Apokolptian villain known as Malestrom has arrived on Earth to kill Superman so that she might become The Bride of Darkseid! Superman and Supergirl join forces to battle the villain but at what cost to Metropolis? From Earth to Apokolips and beyond, Superman and Supergirl face unexpected challenges in this action-packed tale examining what it means to be a hero.Issue #1 on sale November 5, issue #2 on sale November 19 • 1 and 2 of 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Jim: Another DC series that I can easily pass on. I still like DC, just these projects feel like a waste of time and money.
Gwen: Actually I'd be curious to read this as I usually enjoy Palmiotti's work to some extent. Still, Supergirl has been so disappointing as a relaunch hero. The original Kara Zor'el was one of my favorite characters and I STILL miss Matrix-Linda-Supergirl so I keep hoping someone will do a good job with this current version of Kara. I probably hope in vain *sigh*.

GUARDIAN OF METROPOLIS SPECIAL #1 Written by James RobinsonArt by Pere PerezCover by Aaron LoprestiVariant cover by Victor Ibánéz“New Krypton” part 3! At last! The true origin of the Guardian of Metropolis is revealed! Following directly on from last month's SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN SPECIAL #1, we learn the fantastic and sometimes terrible past of one of DC's most mysterious heroes. How did the first clone of the Golden Age Guardian come into existence at the hands of the Cadmus Project? We’ll also introduce a mysterious young girl the Guardian has sworn to protect " even at the expense of the Cadmus Project, and, if need be, his very life!On sale November 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Jim: Hard to believe that DC has me so excited about their Superman books that I’m happily ordering this tie-in to the Krypton Saga.
Gwen: I used to have little to no interest in Superman-related books, but thanks to all the work on the 1YL Superman books this looks like it could be a fun read.

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #27 Written by Dwayne McDuffie Art and cover by Ed Benes A “Sightings” tale! Doctor Light is missing, and her former Justice League teammates intend to find the man responsible and make him pay. But before they do that, they'll have to get past his Shadow Cabinet of powerful superbeings who have sworn to "Save humanity from itself." Milestone Comics characters Icon and Hardware make their first modern DCU appearance, but this time it’s not clear whose side they’re on!On sale November 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Jim: Sweet Christmas Icon in the DCU. The Milestone characters were decent for the most part; they were crushed by the flood of product during the nineties. It will be interesting to see how they work out in the DCU proper and are we getting new origins or what?
Gwen: Intriguing despite the fact that I really dislike the JLA books these days.

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA KINGDOM COME SPECIAL: MAGOG #1 Written by Peter J. TomasiArt by Fernando PasarinCover by Alex RossVariant cover by Dale Eaglesham & Nathan MassengillHe was Lance Corporal David Reid of the Justice Society of America until he was killed in action and resurrected by Gog as his herald - MAGOG. But who is David Reid? Does he truly believe in Gog? And to what lengths will he go in order to find justice in this world?On sale November 12 • 48 pg, FC, $3.99 US
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA KINGDOM COME SPECIAL: THE KINGDOM #1 Written by Geoff Johns Art by Fernando Pasarin Cover by Alex Ross Variant cover by Dale Eaglesham & Nathan MassengillGog rewards those he deems fit. Starman has regained his sanity, Sandman his sleep, Dr. Mid-Nite his sight, Damage his pride and Citizen Steel…? What "wish" will the indestructible hero be granted? And more importantly, what drawbacks do these wishes come with? Plus, Starman's true mission is revealed!On sale November 19
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA KINGDOM COME SPECIAL: SUPERMAN #1 Written by Alex Ross Art and cover by Alex Ross Variant cover by Dale Eaglesham & Nathan MassengillSpinning out of the “One World, Under Gog” storyline, the Kingdom Come Superman’s struggle with his place in the world brings a final conflict between the Supermen of Earths 1 and 22! Feeling the weight of his own world’s loss on his shoulders, the transplanted Superman searches for answers to the mystery of his life’s seemingly cursed existence and encounters “old acquaintances” on the way. This is the first fully written and illustrated adventure by KINGDOM COME co-creator Alex Ross, building to the storyline’s conclusion in JUSTICE OF SOCIETY OF AMERICA #22!On sale November 5 • 48 pg, FC, $3.99 US • 48 pg, FC, $3.99 US

Jim: I love the JSA and think Johns is one of the top writers in the industry, but this JSA story is really going on for a long, long time. I hope this three extra books is a signal that this story line is wrapping up.
Gwen: OH WOW, Starman's true mission revealed. JOY! I am most assuredly looking forward to Thom being back in his right mind (at least for the time being).

DC COMICS CLASSICS LIBRARY: SUPERMAN " KRYPTONITE NEVERMORE! HC Written by Dennis O’NeilArt by Curt Swan & Murphy AndersonCover by Neal Adams, Curt Swan & Murphy AndersonOriginally published in 1971, this story turned Superman’s status quo on its head by featuring a story in which all Kryptonite was destroyed! But that leaves The Man of Steel anything but invulnerable as his powers slowly begin to fade and a doppleganger Superman arrives on the scene with strange powers of its own.The first in the new DC COMICS CLASSICS LIBRARY line collecting memorable tales in their entirety, this volume contains SUPERMAN #233-238 and #240-242 and contains a momentous story for the Man of Tomorrow that you won’t want to miss!Advance-solicited; on sale January 28 • 192 pg, FC, $39.99 US

Jim: This is the one DC hard covering I’m ordering from this solicitation. This is how DC has to start doing their collections, especially from the Bronze Age. DC was not like Marvel with a character having a continuing continuity from issue to issue. This book is taking a great story line and presenting that and not worrying about what happened in issue #232 as it was not important. DC did so many one and done adventures that never necessarily reflected on what happened before. The Archive format is a publication of every issue and DC has such a huge library of titles it would take forever to get to everything. Doing highlights is the right way to go. Now let’s see what type of paper and binding we are getting.
Gwen: This looks like fun material, I don't think I've had the chance to read it before. I'll have to borrow it from Jim at some point.

SHOWCASE PRESENTS: STRANGE ADVENTURES VOL. 1 TP Written by John Broome, Otto Binder, Joe Kubert, Bill Finger and othersArt by Carmine Infantino, Gil Kane, Joe Kubert, Murphy Anderson and othersCover by Gil KaneBlast into the mind-bending science fiction of the mid-’50s with this collection spotlighting STRANGE ADVENTURES #54-73 as humanity faces a bevy of menaces!Advance-solicited;on sale December 31512 pg, B&W, $16.99 US

Jim: I swore that I was not buying anymore of these collections and I skipped the Brave and Bold one, but this one has monkey on the cover and is 50’s sci-fi. I had to have it.
Lee: My only comment… I was going to give up all the essentials but DC 50’s sci-fi titles are such high camp I can’t pass it up. This and 70’s house of mystery will get me every time. (Editor’s note Lee could not resist at least remarking on one book.)
Gwen: A monkey on the cover... sorry, still not going for this. I'm sure you two will have fun with it.

PUSH #1-2 Written by Marc Bernardin & Adam FreemanArt by Bruno RedondoCover by JockIn anticipation of next year’s blockbuster new movie Push, comes this action-packed prequel miniseries! A secret war is about to begin, fought on battlefields obscured in shadow . . . and the weapons in this new conflict will be the human mind! The United States government set up the ultra-secret Division to fight this war and take the forefront in this unique arms race. Enter agent Ezra Lowe, an operative in the Division trained from an early age in psychic warfare, until one mission went horribly wrong...From writers Marc Bernardin and Adam Freeman (THE HIGHWAYMEN, Genius) and newcomer Bruno Redondo comes a brutal tale in the first chapter of a secret war!Issue #1 on sale November 12, issue #2 on sale November 26 • 1 and 2 of 6 • 32 pg, FC, $3.50 US

Jim: The Wildstorm side is doing a lot of TV and Movie tie-in comics. There must be a reason why so many have happened recently.
Gwen: I have no idea what this is. Oh well.

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA SERIES 1 ACTION FIGURES DESIGNED BY ALEX ROSS Based on the painted covers of the JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA series, award-winning artist Alex Ross’ unique interpretations of DC Comics’ Golden Age characters have been turned into action figures! Amazingly realistic, the Justice Society of America figures are must-haves!These figures are in scale with other Ross-designed series, including Justice and Kingdom Come. Each figure features multiple points of articulation and a base. 4-color peggable window box packaging.Figures included:Starman • 7.25” hGolden Age The Flash • 7.5” hGolden Age Green Lantern •7.5” hSandman • 7.5” hAdvance-solicited; on sale April 15, 2009 * Action Figures * PI

Jim: As badly as I want these figures I’m not ordering them now. Of course by April ’09 when they come out they may find their way to my house.
Gwen: Ok, I have to admit, these are pretty neat looking.

Jim: DC was very hit and miss in my book this month, but I’m very anxious to see what their new format hard cover will look and feel like.
Gwen: Some good and some that I have no interest in at all. Regardless I still read more DC than anything else (only if you include Vertigo as DC though).