10 Titles Announced!

I’m a bit behind getting this up, but DC announced 10 of the new titles today, and it’s mainly good, if not great news.

Aquaman by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis.  This was already announced but now it’s definite and I will be reading it.  Geoff Johns has been very passionate about this project for quite awhile and Ivan Reis always does such beautiful work.

Captain Atom by JT Krul and Freddie Williams II.   This is most likely a miss for me. 

DC Universe Presents.  This is going to be arcs from various superheroes, but they are starting with Deadman so we’re reading it. 

Firestorm by Gail Simone, Ethan Van Sciver, and Yildiray Cinar.  Yay Gail!  We’re still waiting to hear what else she’s working on, but I’m excited to see her take on this series.

The Flash by Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato.  I’m really excited to see Francis Manapul take the reigns on this series.  His art on the previous Flash was gorgeous and I’m looking forward to where he takes the Flash family.

Green Arrow by JT Krul and Dan Jurgens.  I’m disappointed with this.  JT Krul and I completely disagree on the Green Arrow journey.  I think he’s a good writer, I would just like to see the story go in a different direction and I think Mia and Connor are pivotal characters.  Good or bad though, I’m a sucker for Green Arrow and I’m not going to stop reading it.  I’ll just keep sighing heavily.

Hawkman by Tony Daniel and Philip Tan.  The previous rumor had been that James Robinson would be writing this series and while I like him, I was lukewarm about that idea.  With Tony Daniel though, I’m there with bells on.

Justice League International by Dan Jurgens and Aaron Lopresti.  The solicit cover for this is filling me with warm fuzzies for a variety of reasons.  First though, let me say I was a little sad that Judd Winick isn’t writing it, but Dan Jurgens is great so no worries there.  Let’s look at this line up though: Booster Gold, Guy Gardner, Vixen, Fire, Ice, Rocket Red, August General in Iron, a mysterious woman in black (could be Donna, could be Gypsy, time will tell), and Batman.  Now if Batman is also in JLA, does this mean that the Batman in JLI is Dick?  Fingers crossed people!

Mister Terrific by Eric Wallace and Roger Robinson.  I’ll pick up the first issue and check it out, I honestly have no opinion either way on this one.

Wonder Woman by Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang.  This is a jump and down with joy kind of team.  Super stoked!

 

Response to DC Reboot

Everybody is talking about the news from DC today regarding the reboot of the ENTIRE DCU so I thought I would throw in my two cents.  The word from DC is that while continuity will remain, everything is starting at number 1 after Flashpoint.  The second big piece of news is that Geoff Johns and Jim Lee are taking over JLA and returning it to the original group.  While the second piece of news fills me with joy, I guess I just don’t get the point of the reboot.  There’s a nice sense of tradition in the journey of the major books.  Wonder Woman just got renumbered to put her back in the 600’s, so why go back to number 1 now?  Action, Superman, and don’t even get me started on the Batman books.  Detective Comics going back to number 1?  Really?

The concept of “continuity” is ambiguous right now because we don’t know know how much Flashpoint is going change the DCU.  Will there be lingering effects?  Major changes?  On the other hand some of the series I hold near and dear have been having some problems and a shake up is not necessarily a bad thing.  A reboot for Green Arrow would be a welcome change, and while I’ve enjoyed James Robinson’s JLA for the most part, I think the new plans for that are good.  I wouldn’t call the current team bad, I just miss the interaction from some of the major characters who have been gone awhile.  It won’t be a perfect JLA team though, because Black Canary is missing from the line-up.

So let’s get into the nitty gritty a little bit.  First of all, the Bat Family.  Is this the end of Batman Inc.?  And if so, where does that leave Dick Grayson?  Word on the street is that Babs is going to keep being Oracle which was not the Batman Inc. plan.  There are a lot of monthly Bat books and I have a feeling that we will not be getting all of them back.  Will J.H. Williams’ Batwoman ever see the light of day?

The Flash just got a new series and we’re back to number 1?  Granted Flashpoint is going to affect the future of the Flashes a lot, but I know I’m not the only one who would like to a see a real Flash series that includes Wally as much as Barry. 

Green Lantern…do we get to keep all three Green Lantern books?  I’m not willing to sacrifice any of them at this point.  Emerald Warriors just got off the ground and I’m loving it.

Birds of Prey and Secret Six don’t need a reboot.  Birds just started its second volume and while Secret Six is part of the DCU, it lives on the periphery and that’s just where I like it.  

The next couple weeks are going to be full of announcements which will hopefully ease my concerns but right now I’m overloaded with a sense of dread.

Reviews

Nemesis Issue #3
Written by: Mark Millar
Art by: Steve McNiven

Three issues in and we have to say, our interest is piqued.   However, the lack of character development is troubling.  There was more character development in Wanted and that’s saying a lot.  The actions played out by Nemesis are indeed shocking and dare we say, disturbing, but until we actually care about any of these people, does it really matter?  On the other hand, shock value and ultra violence have their place and despite our reservations, there is sense of satisfaction once finished.  This issue revolves around the consequences of what happens when Nemesis is arrested and boy howdy are there consequences!  The only word that comes to mind with the big reveal is…ew.


Justice League: Generation Lost Issue #10
Written by: Judd Winick
Pencils by: Joe Bennett

First of all, let’s begin by saying that we have enjoyed Generation Lost from the first issue.  The story has been interesting and engaging despite the presence of characters that we aren’t generally familiar with.  Magog: not interesting…kill him; and hopefully that’s exactly what Judd Winick intends for Max Lord to do.  Honestly, in this issue, the main characters don’t have a lot to do.  There is a touching moment between Fire and Ice, but mainly Booster, Beatle, and the rest of the gang talk to each other for most of the issue.  What is interesting however, is the addition of a scene involving Batman and Power Girl, where we reader finally think our heroes are going to get some help only to have our hopes shattered when we realize the scope of Max Lord’s grip on the world.  Not excited about the introduction of the Metal Men, but curious to see where Judd takes our heroes next.


Power Girl Issue #16
Written by: Judd Winick
Art by: Sami Basri

When it was first announced that Amanda Connor would be leaving Power Girl there was much sadness in our house, but while we still love Amanda, we are happy to say the art is beautiful!  The tone of the art has changed, much like the story has with the changing of the writing guard.  Where Jimmy Palmiotti gave Power Girl a charming silliness, Judd Winick has kept the humor but brought a larger arc to her world, contextualizing her character to the rest of the DC universe.  This is the first issue by Judd that feels like he’s making it his own and we are really happy with the direction it appears to be taking.  We have new relationships, murders, and a mysterious villain, who could ask for more?  Jac’s Two Cents: The second guest spot by Dick Grayson this week!  Love it. 


The Flash Issue #5
Written by: Geoff Johns
Art by: Francis Manapul

All we have are questions:  Why is Barry being so naive?!?  What’s in that box?!?  What’s the deal with the Mirror Lords?!?
This review: To be continued next month, when we know what the hell is going on.  (We will most likely be disappointed as next month’s issue takes place in the future.)