Tuesday, October 27, 2015

January 2016 Solicits


The complete DC Solicits for January 2016 have dropped and there was a couple of nice surprises in the mix. I will be covering most of the super-solicits here but if you want to look at all the solicits, head to Newsarama here: http://www.newsarama.com/26405-dc-comics-full-january-2016-solicitations.html

A couple of notes before the solicits.

First off, again there is no Supergirl solo title solicit this month. I am done trying to figure out this decision by DC Comics. It makes no sense to me at all.

Second, I am not going to cover the Max Landis' American Alien solicits here. Sorry. Just no.

Third, there are a bunch of books which look so interesting to me. There is a great Birds of Prey reunion over in Batgirl. There is a Dick/Kory reunion in Starfire. The Legend of Wonder Woman by Renae DeLiz looks intriguing. And I may or may not be into Titans Hunt, but Hawk and Dove are there. That is a big lure.

On to the solicits.


JUSTICE LEAGUE 3001 #8
Written by KEITH GIFFEN and J.M. DeMATTEIS
Art and cover by SCOTT KOLINS

As Lady Styx’s legion reigns over the Commonwealth, an all-new Justice League rises from the ashes of the old. But can they topple a tyrant who’s embraced by the very people she’s conquered?

How great is it that Supergirl is finally on the cover, front and center, in an iconic pose. Her costume is a bit garish to me, a throwback to some of the wonky variants from the Adventure run in the 70s.

This seems to be the 'all female' League that Giffen and De Matteis hinted at. I'm on board!

I keep waiting for the 'Final Issue' tag. But I am going to enjoy this book while it lasts!



DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS #8
Written by MARGUERITE BENNETT
Art by LAURA BRAGA and MARIA LAURA SANAPO
Cover by ANT LUCIA

Now serving on the side of the Allies as part of the Amanda Waller’s Bombshells program, Supergirl and Stargirl wonder if they still are being used as instruments of propaganda. Meanwhile, mythological creatures and the undead legions of Tenebrus attack the Allied forces, bringing Wonder Woman into the fray. Can she count on the newest Bombshells to help?

How great is it that Supergirl is finally on the cover, flanking Wonder Woman with her sister Stargirl! Finally!

I like that Supergirl is trying to work through her life as a person and as a symbol. I am looking forward to reading the story where she defects. That should be something of a major moment for this character, something that shouldn't happen easily. And I hope she continues to question it.

Lastly, love the Wonder Woman 'You Can Do It' Bombshell costume.



SUPERMAN: LOIS and CLARK #4
Written by DAN JURGENS
Art and cover by LEE WEEKS

The mysteries surrounding Lois and Clark are just starting to unfold! In this issue find out what happened to the man who would have been the Cyborg Superman! Learn what else is hidden in this Superman’s Fortress! And discover why Lois gave Clark his new, black uniform!

We finally have a Superman comic I can get behind. This is a 12 issue mini-series so we are 1/3 through at this point. Certainly the solicit is a great one, hinting at mysteries still to unfold. And a Fortress specific to this Superman ... fascinating. And I keep wondering why this Superman, who wants to remain hidden, would wear a S-shield costume. So why would Lois give him one?

I don't know if I like seeing Lois brandishing a gun. 


ACTION COMICS #48
Written by GREG PAK and AARON KUDER
Art and cover by AARON KUDER

“The Savage Dawn” begins! Following recent events in the SUPERMAN ANNUAL, Superman is becoming increasingly desperate to regain his powers! The situation is dire, as he must rescue his fellow Justice Leaguers and save the lives of the soldiers facing Vandal Savage!

Onto the fallout of The Truth, a story which still seems to be falling out.

Savage Dawn is a nice name given the Vandal Savage/Dawn Patrol elements. I am guessing this costume Superman is wearing is a sort of solar boosting exoskeleton.

I was hoping that this would be over by now. At least we get Pak/Kuder together.



SUPERMAN #48
Written by GENE LUEN YANG
Art and cover by HOWARD PORTER

“The Savage Dawn” continues! Time is running out, and Superman must make a fateful choice! Can he risk exposing himself to the one thing that could save him: Kryptonite?

Enter the Howard Porter era of Superman. I love Porter's art so I am on board for that.

And the idea that Kryptonite might be the cure for what is happening is at least innovative. Am I curious about this story? Yes. And honestly, I haven't been curious about the Super-books other than when they will reset to something classic.

BATMAN/SUPERMAN #28
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art by ROBSON ROCHA
Cover by YANICK PAQUETTE

It’s an untold tale from the early days of Bruce and Clark’s crime-fighting careers! A new 3-part epic from another time begins here as Batman and Superman are pitted against a menace that will test their partnership—and their friendship!

With James Gordon as Batman and Superman depowered, having a Batman/Superman book is tricky. How do you wrangle those two to interact? The answer is 'with some difficulty'. Currently, the book is Superman/Bat-Family. So now we get a three parter of the 'pre-Truth' days.

I am a bit worrisome about Tom 'Injustice' Taylor writing this. But love the Paquette cover.



SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN #25
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by DOUG MAHNKE
Cover by ED BENES

“The Savage Dawn” continues! Diana presents a badly wounded Superman to the Greek Gods to see if they will restore him to his former self. But before they can decide, they first must determine if he is truly worthy.

Are they still a couple?? Hard to tell from this solicit.

I haven't read the Wonder Woman book since Azzarello/Chiang run ended. Glad to see those versions of the greek gods still around.

All this said ... I am ready for the depowered, angry Superman stories to be done. Let's rewrite history with Vandal Savage!



SUPERGIRL (TV) SUPERGIRL STATUE
SCULPTED BY ADAM ROSS

In the new CBS series from Warner Bros. Television, Supergirl, born Kara Zor-El on the doomed planet Krypton, arrived on Earth many years after being lost in the Phantom Zone. Raised by her adopted family, the Danvers, Kara grew up in the shadow of her foster sister, Alex, and learned to hide the phenomenal powers she shares with her famous cousin, Superman. Years later, living in National City and working as an assistant at Catco Worldwide Media, Kara decides to embrace her superhuman abilities and become the hero she was always destined to be. With the help of Daily Planet photographer James Olsen, her bioengineer sister Alex, and the research of the super-secret, off-the-grid Department of Extra-Normal Operations (DEO), Kara takes to the skies to protect her world.
Measures Approximately 12.5" Tall
$130.00 US • On Sale March 2016 

So if this is solicited in this month's previews, that gives us all 5 months to save up. Can we all out $26 bucks a month aside?

Love this statue! So iconic!
 





4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Supergirl looks downright powerful on the cover of JL 3001. The red shoulders hint at the version of Supergirl that Giffen is trying to write while looking distinctive enough that we won't confuse her with, say, a future publication of Supergirl (unless it's somehow a spinoff of JL 3001, which is nigh impossible right now).

As for no main DCnU continuity Supergirl book right now... maybe I'm overreacting, but after the latest Superman/Wonder Woman comic, I'm actually kind of relieved about that. A new Supergirl book would definitely fall under the auspices of the Superman office (especially since even the main Wonder Woman book somehow has been subsumed into that as well).

The best thing right now seems to be for the TV Supergirl to take off (and she's off to a super start), leave DC's head honchos scratching their heads, and have them reconsider the whole universe-wide grimdark "DARKNESS!!! NO PARENTS!!!" thing they have going on.

... Then give me my main universe Supergirl book ;)

Anonymous said...

One day after the premiere, CBS is proclaiming that Supergirl is the number one new TV show!

Anonymous said...

Um, why are you saying that "Superman: Lois and Clark" is a 12 issue miniseries? I don't remember reading that anywhere in the solicits or in the articles announcing this series.

I was under the impression it was an ongoing. I hope you're wrong in calling it an miniseries.

Gerry Beritela

Anonymous said...

Anj isn't wrong I'm afraid Gerry. Jurgens said in an interview that Lois and Clark is only lasting for 12 issues at the moment. It's a 12 mini series unfortunately, not an ongoing. Hopefully that might change if it gets enough traffic but it could well be temporary.

And good on you for not covering American Alien, Landis has been talking a big game but his actions speak louder than words. People are getting sucked in and thinking this will be something different than it will be.

Louis