DC Preview Review for January 2011 Part 1 of 2

Gwen: Here's my first run at picking DC myself. It won't be based on bloody covers or half naked women... sorry for those I'm disappointing.
Lee: You're disappointing me! My picks were not that bad... ok maybe they were slightly lopsided but that's no reason to kick me off picks!

STARMAN /CONGORILLA #1
Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art by BRETT BOOTH
Cover by GENE HA
In this tie-in to the “JLA Omega” storyline, the new blue and gold team of Congorilla and Mikaal Tomas work to unlock the secrets behind the toxic Omega Man’s dark energy, which encases Washington D.C. To do this they must embark on a quest to find the Fountain of Youth, encountering diverse heroes from the DCU along the way including Animal Man, Sirocco and a certain wonder dog named Rex. And all the while, Mikaal and Congorilla must outrun and outwit a cadre of terrorist assassins from Gorilla City. This is a breakneck chase through the DCU, but with a serious end-goal – saving the lives of their fellow members of the JLA!
ONE-SHOT • On sale JANUARY 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99
Gwen: I did, however, pick this book because of the monkey on the cover. Of course he's actually a gorilla, not a monkey. Either way DC seems to be in love with these two characters for no apparent reason - sure they are amusing and all, but I still have a hard time seeing them as JLA material. Maybe it's just me though...
Lee: What defines a great cover? How about giant monkey with his/her legs spread as wide as can be with a nipple ring? Yep, I thought it was awesome too! Good picking so far! I like it.


SHAZAM! #1
Script by ERIC WALLACE
Art by CLIFF RICHARDS
Cover by CLIFF CHIANG
Blaze, the current ruler of Hell, has an offer for Mary and Billy Batson that may be too good to pass up! Left powerless, will the two former heroes have the strength to deny the devil? Can Freddy Freeman save them? And how does the Titan Osiris fit into it all?
ONE-SHOT • On sale JANUARY 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99
Gwen: I'm pretty happy to see this book coming out. I've kind of wondered what's been going on with these characters as we've seen very little of them as of late. Personally I miss Mary Marvel but I like Freddie as the current Captain Marvel. It will be nice to see what's been happening with this group.
Lee: I hope it works out because I've always like Captain Marvel as a character. The problem is that no one seems to know how to write him effectively.


BATMAN BEYOND #1
Written by ADAM BEECHEN
Art by RYAN BENJAMIN & JOHN STANISCI
Cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
Yep, you read that right – the future of the DC Universe continues, as BATMAN BEYOND becomes an ongoing series! Terry McGinnis and Bruce Wayne are stronger than ever after the battle with “Hush” brought their alliance close to the breaking point. But now a super-powered criminal has gotten in way over his head – and the whole Justice League has come to Neo-Gotham to hunt him down! To top it all off, the crook’s taken hostages... including Terry’s mom! It’s the start of a story that will change Terry’s life — and the BEYOND universe — forever... so don’t miss out! On sale JANUARY 5 • 32 pg, FC $2.99
Gwen: Awesome. This is a great way to pull in some new readers too, the Batman Beyond cartoon had a lot of fans. Of course it's a side universe and all but the success of Batman Beyond on furthers the idea that people would be willing to continue to read comic books even without the same person under a mask. Also, old man Bruce Wayne still kicks butt.
Lee: Everyone seemed to love the limited series so this is a good idea. I'm not sure we need another bat book, even one set in the future, but at least it's something different.


BATGIRL #17
Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER
Art by PERE PEREZ
Cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
Batgirl has been given her first sanctioned Batman Incorporated assignment solving a series of high-profile kidnappings, and she’s thrilled! Well, she was – until Damian Wayne decided to ride shotgun. Can the Dysfunctional Duo stop fighting long enough to save the children of Gotham City’s elite? On sale JANUARY 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99
Gwen: This has been a great series and has become one of my favorite cape books. Stephanie working with Damien should be fun to read.
Lee: I haven't read this. I think it's because her costume covers her entire body. Maybe if she wore a metal bikini made out of shiney bat-a-rangs I would read it. Then again, maybe not.


SUPERGIRL #60
Written by NICK SPENCER
Art by BERNARD CHANG
Cover by AMY REEDER & RICHARD FRIEND
SUPERGIRL welcomes aboard writer Nick Spencer (JIMMY OLSEN, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS, Morning Glories) and artist Bernard Chang (WONDER WOMAN, SUPERMAN) for a Girl of Steel story unlike any other! Someone is trying to kill the young heroes of the DC Universe! Who is this villain, and how can Supergirl stop him? Maybe her friends can help – namely, Batgirl, Blue Beetle, Miss Martian, Static and…Robin?! Buckle up, folks, because this one puts the pedal to the metal on page one and doesn’t let up for a second! On sale JANUARY 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99
Gwen: Why can't DC keep a creative team on this book? I was pretty happy with the current team but with how often this book has been handed around it's difficult to get into. Even so the cover is shiny - I love Amy Reeder's art.
Lee: I can't believe this book is still being published. If there was ever a poster child for books that needed the ax, this would be one. I haven't heard a good word about this in years.


TITANS #31
Written by ERIC WALLACE
Art and cover by FABRIZIO FIORENTINO
The Atom and the Justice League guest-star as Ray Palmer comes to some dark conclusions regarding Ryan Choi’s murder. Meanwhile, the Tattooed Man must finally decide what kind of man he is when Deathstroke hands him his son’s killer, while Osiris has already chosen his path in bringing back his sister Isis – but what will Osiris do when he runs into Shazam? On sale JANUARY 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99
Gwen: It's about time there was some follow up to Ryan's murder. I am still upset they killed him. It was really pointless.
Lee: It's about time? Who cares anymore? Comics, more than most mediums, is about what have you done for me lately. Re-visiting a plot point that was best known for getting DC called racist, seems silly to me.


SECRET SIX #29
Written by GAIL SIMONE
Art by J. CALAFIORE
Cover by DANIEL LUVISI
The explosive ACTION COMICS / SECRET SIX crossover concludes here! At the paid request of Lex Luthor, the Secret Six rush headlong into a deadly confrontation with Scandal’s villainous father, Vandal Savage. But the Six have a score of their own to settle with Luthor, and unlike Superman, the Six fight dirty. Don’t miss this grudge match finale between DC’s smartest villain and DC’s weirdest team! On sale JANUARY 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99
Gwen: Outside of Bird of Prey this has been Gail Simone's best book. In some ways I like it even better than BoP because it's funnier.
Lee: I have to agree, this is good month in and month out.


R.E.B.E.L.S.: SONS OF BRAINIAC TP
Written by TONY BEDARD
Art by CLAUDE ST. AUBIN and SCOTT HANNA
Cover by KALMAN ANDRASOFZKY
While super-genius Vril Dox begins rebuilding his interplanetary police squad L.E.G.I.O.N. in these stories from issues #15-20, Starfire joins the team! Plus, Dox confronts his father – the Superman villain Brainiac – while his own son, Lyrl, tries to destroy their home planet of Colu.
On sale FEBRUARY 2 • 144 pg, FC, $14.99
Gwen: Excellent, HC treatment for this story arch. Unfortunately that means I'm less likely to be able to afford it, but $14.99 isn't a terrible price. This story has be great so far, it's so exciting to see the Brainiac family feud.
Lee: Why would you afford it, just make the call... Daddy I need a shiney new hc! I'm sure it'll show up. We all know Jim's a big softee that spoils you rotton.


PART 2: Coming up next!