DC Preview Review for January 2011 Part 2 of 2

Part 2 as promised!

SUPERMAN: MON-EL VOL. 1 TP
Written by JAMES ROBINSON, RICHARD DONNER and GEOFF JOHNS
Art by RENATO GUEDES, JAVIER PINA, PABLO RAIMONDI, JESUS MERINO, ERIC WIGHT and JOSE WILSON MAGALHAES
Cover by ANDREW ROBINSON
Superman has left Earth. Luckily, Metropolis still has heroes like Mon-El. But after years of knowing nothing but the solitude of the Phantom Zone, how will Mon-El acclimate to society? And Guardian has his hands full with his new position in the Science Police. Collecting SUPERMAN #684-690, ACTION COMICS #874 and elements from ACTION COMICS ANNUAL #10! On sale FEBRUARY 9 • 224 pg, FC, $17.99 Gwen: In some ways I think I enjoyed reading about Mon'el in the Superman books more than reading about Superman. Ah well, it was a good way to allow Superman to go off to New Krypton for awhile and give Mon'el a little spotlight time. This will probably read well as a trade.
Lee: I think you are one of the three people that enjoyed this. I think your love comes from all things LSH. For the rest of us this was a forgettable tangent in Superman lore.


YOUNG JUSTICE #0
Written by GREG WEISMAN and KEVIN HOPPS
Cover and art by MIKE NORTON
Based on the upcoming hit animated show from Warner Bros. debuting on Cartoon Network! Robin, Superboy, Kid Flash and Aqualad star in this explosive issue kickstarting an all-new ongoing series! They’re four young superheroes learning how to be a team…and maybe doing a bit of growing up along the way – but only just a little bit! On sale JANUARY 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99
Gwen: I really enjoyed the older Young Justice stuff when I was a kid so I think it's pretty cool that they are launching it as an animated show. Maybe it'll be better than Teen Titans. Either way the line up is a little odd but sometimes these animated shows are a great way to draw in more interest for comic books.
Lee: Three comments on this: (1) I too enjoyed Young Justice, and I wonder why DC hasn't reprinted that yet. (2) DC has been surprisingly absent from the animated world on TV so I'm glad they are getting back into the game, and finally (3) Assuming that Robin and Superboy are the most recognizable characters on the team, why does some unknown girl with an arrow have the most prominent spot. Bad marketing if you ask me.


VICTORIAN UNDEAD II: SHERLOCK HOLMES VS. DRACULA #3
Written by IAN EDGINTON
Art by DAVIDE FABBRI
Cover by RYAN SOOK
Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson form an uneasy alliance with Van Helsing and learn the dark, sordid history of Count Dracula. But what could his true goal be – and is the entire British Empire at risk? The epic miniseries continues! On sale JANUARY 12 • 3 of 5 • 32 pg, FC $2.99
Gwen: I don't know why but I'm really amused by this. A little reminiscent of the League of Extraordinary Gentleman but more upfront about the characters they're playing off of. I love the idea of Sherlock Holmes trying to outwit Dracula.
Lee: This is actually the second Victorian Undead series. I have the first in trade but haven't read it yet. Someday soon, I promise.


FABLES #101
Written by BILL WILLINGHAM
Art by ERIC SHANOWER & RICHARD FRIEND
Cover by JOAO RUAS
No, this isn’t Fables 101, a primer on the wonderful worlds of FABLES. Instead, we check in on Bufkin, Frankie and the Magic Mirror in the lost Business Office to see what they’ve been up to since slaying Baba Yaga. You won’t believe what they’re up to. So we won’t even try to tell you.
On sale JANUARY 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99
Gwen: Fables is just an excellent comic book and this should be another fun issue. Bufkin is a great character too!
Lee: More hc's of Fables please. DC is criminally missing the boat on this one.


DELIRIUM’S PARTY: A LITTLE ENDLESS STORYBOOK HC
Written, Art and cover by JILL THOMPSON
The diminutive versions of the Endless from Neil Gaiman’s SANDMAN mythos are back by popular demand in DELIRIUM’S PARTY: A LITTLE ENDLESS STORYBOOK. In an effort to rid Despair of her unhappiness once and for all, Little Delirium throws a party for her dour sister and invites siblings Dream, Destruction, Death, Destiny and Desire. But this is no ordinary affair. We’re talking about a party planner who is the personification of delirium, so you can only imagine that this event will be as outrageous and unpredictable as Little Delirium’s haircolor. But whether Delirium’s party will be a smashing success – or whether it will end in tears – is anyone’s guess. On sale MARCH 9 • 64 pg, FC, $14.99
Gwen: I've never actually read these Little Endless stories but the dolls they put out for them were awesome. Either way from what I've heard these are well done all-ages books with pretty artwork.
Lee: I love all things Jill Thompson. But, I need to cut spending a little and this might not make it. If I were still in the states and could readily give this to the kids it would be a quick sale, but the overseas thing is killing me.


AIR VOL. 4: A HISTORY OF THE FUTURE TP
Written by G. WILLOW WILSON
Art and cover by M.K. PERKER
In this final AIR volume collecting issues #18-24, Blythe uncovers the most advanced airship ever built. Then, she must untangle a mystery surrounding the disappearance of legendary aviator/author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and discover the hidden meaning of a lost manuscript by Jules Verne. On sale FEBRUARY 9 • 168 pg, FC, $14.99
Gwen: While Air wasn't a book for everyone I really enjoyed it. The last arch brought in a lot of existential philosophy but it wrapped up the story well. I'm especially happy Blythe's personal story was able to conclude and I personally enjoyed the guest appearance of Saint-Exupéry.
Lee: This is one series that I really wanted to enjoy but the so-so reviews killed it for me. Maybe now that it's done I'll revisit the entire thing.


BLACKEST NIGHT: RED LANTERN 1:4 SCALE POWER BATTERY AND RING PROP REPLICA SET
Born of anger, crystallized in blood, the red spectrum of rage ignites in crimson light. Flames of hatred mixed with unbridled rage and revenge, unleashing a deadly combination of unchecked slaughter. Beware the rage of the Red Lanterns. For nine consecutive months in 2011, DC Direct releases a 1:4 scale light-up Power Battery and light-up ring prop replica set featuring a color from the spectrum of the hugely popular DC Comics’ epic BLACKEST NIGHT. The Red Lantern 1:4 Scale Power Battery and the Red Power Ring sit in a translucent red display and are removable from the stand. Both light up, featuring manual on/off switches. The Power Battery measures approximately 2.875” high (minus handle) x 1.75” wide x 2.375” deep and is made of PVC/ABS. The Power Ring fits most sizes and lights up when worn. The translucent red acrylic display measures approximately 1.5” high x 2” wide x 3.25” deep. The set is packaged on a 4-color blister. On sale June 8, 2011 * Mini Prop Replica Set * $35 US
Gwen: Okay, so I actually picked this to make fun of it... then I saw that it wasn't actually ridiculously overpriced! It's still a bit silly but it's kind of cool at the same time. I mean it lights up! How cool is that? Of course when they say the ring fits most sizes they mean most guy sizes :(
Lee: I can't believe you picked this. Then after reading the hype I can't believe that DC is planning on releasing 9 of these next year. You can get them and string them around your room like Christmas lights.


Gwen: Well that was a fun month of picking out DC for the first time. There's actually some interesting books coming out and I'm looking forward to the Sons of Brainiac HC.
Lee: Good picks! But I bet they misses my pointless sarcasm... and boob covers.