DC's January previews reviewed

What super-comics will I be complaining about in on Wednesday evenings in January of 2009? There are two ways to find out. We could just wait until January, or we could take a look at the just-released previews (available here) and get started on the complaining now. First up, DC, with Marvel to follow later tonight...


100 BULLETS #99
Written by Brian Azzarello
Art by Eduardo Risso
Cover by Dave Johnson
The penultimate issue of the award-winning series sees old scores settled and new bloodshed! As questions are answered, truths come to light in this startling issue. With one issue to go in this epic series, you won’t believe what happens next. Also, this is not a jumping-on point in case you were wondering.

So, is this Eduardo Risso guy any good?



ACTION COMICS #873
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Pete Woods
Cover by Ladrönn
The “New Krypton” finale and a “Faces of Evil” issue! The rapidly rising tensions between the people of Kandor and Earth can only lead to expulsion or war! But even as the governments of Earth begin passing anti-Kryptonian laws, Superman's people have plans of their own – beyond anything you can imagine! Writer Geoff Johns and artist Pete Woods (SUPERMAN: NEW KRYPTON SPECIAL #1) wrap up this cosmically important chapter in Superman’s life by introducing a major change to The Man of Steel’s status quo!

Please let the major change be that Bizarro moves in with Clark Kent and becomes his new roommate…



BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #1
Written by Matt Wayne
Art by Andy Suriano & Dan Davis
Cover by James Tucker
Jumping out of your TV and into your comics comes the highly anticipated new cartoon BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD! Each month, The Dark Knight Detective faces challenges that only he can solve – with a little help from his DC Universe pals! Thrill as Batman visits new places and old friends. Chill as he chases down the most powerful villains in the DCU, armed with only his Bat-gadgets and his wits! In this awesome first issue, show writer Matt Wayne (Justice League, Ben 10: Alien Force) joins forces with Andy Suriano and Dan Davis to bring you "The Panic of the Composite Creature," a tale of terror and adventure! All this action plus Batman's secret files await you each and every month. So hang on to your seats, and get ready for the read of your life!

Not to be confused with Batman or The Brave and the Bold or Showcase Presents: The Brave and the Bold—The Batman Team-Ups.

I was pretty psyched about this cartoon after seeing the “trailer” for the first season online, even though I won’t be able to see it until its on DVD in, like, months. So this comic should tide me over quite nicely. Hell, they’ve even got two of my very favorite-est superheroes right on the cover!


BLACK LIGHTNING: YEAR ONE #1-2
Written by Jen Van Meter
Art and cover by Cully Hamner
Jefferson Pierce returns to his old stomping grounds – the infamous Suicide Slum of Metropolis – in order to bring some hope to the residents of his downtrodden former neighborhood. He’ll quickly learn, though, that a lawless place sometimes requires a lawless vigilante to drag it into the light. Acclaimed writer Jen Van Meter (CINNAMON, OUTSIDERS) and kinetic artist Cully Hamner (BLUE BEETLE, RED) combine forces to retell the electrifying origin of DC’s most honorable hero, the bold and brave Justice Leaguer known as Black Lightning!

I do hope Van Meter took into account Jefferson Pierce and my concerns about the coloration of the lightning he shoots. Because this is a post-continuity reboot origin story, it’s going to be DC’s one chance in a long time to make sense of this aspect of Black Lightning.



BOOSTER GOLD #16
Written by Dan Jurgens
Cover by Brian Stelfreeze
Art by Dan Jurgens & Norm Rapmund
Part 2 of the 4-part "Reality Lost" arc continues in this “Faces of Evil” issue as Booster Gold finds himself stranded in the midst of the battlefields of World War I and comes face-to-face with the infamous Hans von Hammer, a.k.a. Enemy Ace! Meanwhile, Goldstar and Skeets continue their search for the missing Rip Hunter!

I wasn’t sure if I should drop this title or not after the Geoff John and Jeff Katz writing team turned the reigns over to Dan Jurgens. A glance at this cover answered that question.

Way to go Jurgens! That’s one down, 64 more to go!


FACES OF EVIL: DEATHSTROKE #1
Written by David Hine
Art by Georges Jeanty
Cover by Ladrönn
Deathstroke nearly died fighting Geo-Force in DCU: LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT, and now he needs to rebuild himself. He's not about to let a near death experience make him lose his place as one of the most dangerous villains in the DCU. Where will he start? What's next for the Terminator? And how high will the body count be when he's finished?

So Last Will and Testament was actually in continuity? Huh.



So, as per this Green Lantern cover and this preview of Rage of The Red Lanterns, I guess the Red Lanterns all projectile vomit blood?

Charming.


MANHUNTER #38
Written by Marc Andreyko
Art by Michael Gaydos
Cover by Brad Walker & Livesay
In this final issue, Manhunter fights metahuman terrorists while Kate Spencer prepares for the most heart-wrenching case of her legal career! Battle lines are drawn in the Super Hero community when long-buried personal secrets are revealed! FINAL ISSUE

Sorry Manhunter fans; this is partially my fault. I’ve been trade-waiting the new issues.




MYSTERIUS: THE UNFATHOMABLE #1
Written by Jeff Parker
Art and cover by Tom Fowler
“Will all patrons please be seated? Tonight you will witness supernatural feats that no mortal mind can comprehend! Your very senses will reel as Mysterius the Great takes the stage after years in absentia! And now please welcome his newest stalwart, the brave and beautiful assistant who will accompany our host on a journey beyond the boundaries of science and reason...the Lovely Delfi! Now, all join hands...” Acclaimed creators Jeff Parker (X-Men: The First Class, Agents of Atlas) and Tom Fowler (GREEN ARROW, CAPER) make their WildStorm debut with this exciting, offbeat new miniseries!

Woah, woah, woah…Jeff Parker, probably the best super-comics writer Marvel cuts checks to these days, isn’t exclusive?! Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited to get more Jeff Parker, and to see him flexing his writerly talents on something that isn’t an old Marvel super-character. I’m just shocked that Marvel hasn’t signed him to an exclusive and bricked the doors to his house shut so he can’t get out.



ROBIN #182
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Freddie E. Williams II
Cover by Brian Stelfreeze
The stunning conclusion to “Search for a Hero” and a “Faces of Evil” issue! In order to stop Anarky, do you impose order with an iron fist or embrace chaos? Or can Robin find a different way? After “Batman R.I.P.,” Gotham City demands a better class of hero, and the new Robin is going to give them exactly what they deserve...

I thought I was maybe just seeing things last month, but I guess not: Anarky is now totally dressing like an idiot. Come on man, you're anarchy symbol doesn't even resemble an anarchy symbol anymore.



SUPER FRIENDS #11
Written by Sholly Fisch
Art by Chynna Clugston
Cover by J. Bone
Batman’s got a fan club! But it’s a mischievous fan club of one known as Bat-Mite, and he just can’t stand the other Super Friends saving the day alongside Batman. Will The Caped Crusader be forced to fly solo from now on? Not if Mister Mxyzptlk can help it!

This past Wednesday was the first time I read an issue of Super Friends, and while I kinda enjoyed it (particularly the dress-up portion), I wasn’t sure if I’d be reading it again.

At least until reading this preview, which reveals that January’s issue will feature:

—The whole Justice League in Batman-ized costumes

—Batman apparently saying "Oh dear!" on the cover

—Bat-Mite

—Mr. Mxyzptlk

—Art by EDILW favorite Chynna “Blue Monday” Clugston. If she were gonna be working for DC, I’d rather see her drawing and writing Teen Titans, but I’ll buy whatever she draws.



Monstrous cover from horror master Bernie Wrightson or no monstrous cover from horror master Bernie Wrightson, I think we can all agree that the one thing the Composite Superman never needed was fucking stitches.



Fun fact: Art Baltazar draws the best Alfred that isn't drawn by Jim Aparo.



VIGILANTE: CITY LIGHTS, PRAIRIE JUSTICE TP
Written by James Robinson
Art by Tony Salmons & Bret Blevins
Cover by Mark Chiarello
The motorcycle-riding, two-gun hero called The Vigilante stars in this new volume collecting the four-issue miniseries from 1995, written by James Robinson! Greg Saunders, better known as The Vigilante, hits Hollywood to appear in a movie – but heads into action when his sidekick runs afoul of gangsters!

I was happy to see this show up on the solicits. I’ve only read a single issue of the series, which I found in fifty-cent box of back issues, and haven’t had any luck tracking down the other three.

Um, nothing snarky to say or bad jokes to attempt on this one, sorry. I’m just genuinely pleased to see this get solicited.

Man, what a lame ending for this post…