December will bring the conclusion of the seven-part Dark Nights: Death Metal event series, and its seemingly endless string of one-shot tie-ins. While the sixth and seventh issues of the main series ship in December, so to do a trio of books that sound like they are meant to be epilogues and/or tie-ins of one sort or another—Dark Nights: Death Metal: The Secret Origin #1, Dark Nights: Death Metal: The Last Stories of The DC Universe #1 and Dark Nights: Death Metal: The War of The Multiverses #1. These each have one-third of a large group image by Gary Frank, that seems to depict the Golden Age, the Silver and Bronze Age and, pictured above, the late-1980s (Hello Dream of The Endless; you lost, or what?). There's a scrap of cape seemingly emanating from somewhere off to the right of the final image though, suggesting another generation (or two?) worth of heroes to depict; I would guess that it's supposed to be Bloodwynd's cape, and the next image would feature '90s characters. (It's weird though, as Captain Marvel/Shazam and Mary Marvel/Whoever have their New 52 costumes on, while everyone else is wearing versions of their costumes more specific to particular eras).
There's also another one-shot that lacks the Dark Nights: Death Metal branding in the title, but mentions it in the solicitation copy, and seems to similarly deal with the DC Multiverse's continuously evolving continuity.
There's also another, smaller event series. Reading the solicitations for DC's December, one gets the sense that the new or next status quo is going to be established and, hopefully, explained in December.
What else goes on? Let's take a look...
BATMAN ANNUAL #5
written by JAMES TYNION IV
art by JAMES STOKOE
cover by DERRICK CHEW
...
ON SALE 12/29/20
$4.99 US | 48 PAGES | FC | DC
...
The riveting new vigilante known as Clownhunter was a breakout star of “The Joker War”— but what’s the tragic origin of this teenage assassin? How did his parents die at the hands of The Joker, and is there a place for him in the evolving Gotham City? Can there be redemption for the infamous Clownhunter?
GENERATIONS SHATTERED #1
written by DAN JURGENS, ANDY SCHMIDT, and ROBERT VENDITTI
art by IVAN REIS, BRYAN HITCH, KEVIN NOWLAN, AARON LOPRESTI, FERNANDO PASARIN, PAUL PELLETIER, and others
cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
...
PRESTIGE FORMAT
ONE SHOT | ON SALE 1/5/21
$9.99 US | 80 PAGES | FC | DC
A threat of cosmic proportion to DC’s newest (and oldest) universe compels one of the most unusual groups of heroes ever assembled to take on the most mysterious foe they have ever encountered. What started in Detective Comics #1027 explodes out of Dark Nights: Death Metal to tell the story of the generations-spanning history of the DC Universe! Join the original Batman, Kamandi, Starfire, Sinestro, Booster Gold, Dr. Light, Steel, and Sinestro in their quest to save the universe before time runs out…
JUSTICE LEAGUE: ENDLESS WINTER #1
written by ANDY LANNING and RON MARZ
art by HOWARD PORTER
backup story art by MARCO SANTUCCI
cover by MIKEL JANÍN
card stock variant cover by DANIEL WARREN JOHNSON
ON SALE 12/1/20
$4.99 US | 40 PAGES | 1 OF 2 | FC | DC
CARD STOCK COVER $5.99
“Endless Winter” chapter one! The crossover event of the season begins here! The Justice League encounters an extinction-level global storm brewing at the former site of the Fortress of Solitude. Enter the Frost King, a monster mad with power with an army at his command! What devastating mystery lies in his past? And how does he tied to Queen Hippolyta, Swamp Thing, Viking Prince, and their reluctant ally, Black Adam? Two timelines will reveal further clues and secrets throughout each chapter of this blockbuster tale!
With Dark Nights: Death Metal finally wrapping up, it would seem to be the time for the next Justice League creative team to be announced, as the title has become something of an anthology book with rotating creative teams since Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV ended their run with a cliffhanger that essentially said "See Dark Nights: Death Metal."
written by JAMES TYNION IV
art by JAMES STOKOE
cover by DERRICK CHEW
...
ON SALE 12/29/20
$4.99 US | 48 PAGES | FC | DC
...
The riveting new vigilante known as Clownhunter was a breakout star of “The Joker War”— but what’s the tragic origin of this teenage assassin? How did his parents die at the hands of The Joker, and is there a place for him in the evolving Gotham City? Can there be redemption for the infamous Clownhunter?
This epic tale reteams writer James Tynion IV and artist James Stokoe, the storytellers behind the definitive Clownhunter tale from Batman: The Joker War Zone #1!
James Stokoe, drawing more Batman! That's exciting! He must really like this Clownhunter character, I guess. I have no idea why they didn't put Stokoe's art on the cover (the above is the variant by Inhyuk Lee), as Stokoe's art is so idiosyncratic that it pretty much sells itself (And if you buy this because you like Chew or Lee's covers, well, you're going to be in for a surprise when you open the book up and see something very, very different).
BATMAN BLACK AND WHITE #1
written by JAMES TYNION IV, J.H. WILLIAMS III, PAUL DINI, EMMA RIOS, and G. WILLOW WILSON
art by TRADD MOORE, J.H. WILLIAMS III, ANDY KUBERT, EMMA RIOS, and GREG SMALLWOOD
cover by GREG CAPULLO
variant cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III
...
PRESTIGE FORMAT | ON SALE 12/8/20
$5.99 US | 48 PAGES | 1 OF 6 | FC | DC
The iconic anthology series returns with a brand-new slate of comics’ most exciting and innovative storytellers to explore the Batman mythos in stark black-and-white!
In this debut issue:
• James Tynion IV and Tradd Moore explore the world of Ra’s al Ghul and the League of Assassins
• J.H. Williams III returns to DC Comics for a trip through the Dark Knight’s history
• Emma Rios explores the eternal struggle of the Dark Knight
• Paul Dini and Andy Kubert pit Batman against an infestation of ninja Man-Bats in the Batcave
• G. Willow Wilson and Greg Smallwood portray Batman in his strangest standoff ever with Killer Croc
With a lineup this strong and a cover by legendary Batman artist Greg Capullo, you won’t want to miss the start of this tremendous collection of Batman tales by some of comics’ top creators!
More Batman: Black and White is always good news. I still have very vivid memories of the very first 1996 miniseries (especially that Alex Toth cover to the fourth issue!). Of this batch of creators, I am probably most excited about seeing Tradd Moore and Emma Rios draw Batman.
That said, I'm totally trade-waiting this.
James Stokoe, drawing more Batman! That's exciting! He must really like this Clownhunter character, I guess. I have no idea why they didn't put Stokoe's art on the cover (the above is the variant by Inhyuk Lee), as Stokoe's art is so idiosyncratic that it pretty much sells itself (And if you buy this because you like Chew or Lee's covers, well, you're going to be in for a surprise when you open the book up and see something very, very different).
written by JAMES TYNION IV, J.H. WILLIAMS III, PAUL DINI, EMMA RIOS, and G. WILLOW WILSON
art by TRADD MOORE, J.H. WILLIAMS III, ANDY KUBERT, EMMA RIOS, and GREG SMALLWOOD
cover by GREG CAPULLO
variant cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III
...
PRESTIGE FORMAT | ON SALE 12/8/20
$5.99 US | 48 PAGES | 1 OF 6 | FC | DC
The iconic anthology series returns with a brand-new slate of comics’ most exciting and innovative storytellers to explore the Batman mythos in stark black-and-white!
In this debut issue:
• James Tynion IV and Tradd Moore explore the world of Ra’s al Ghul and the League of Assassins
• J.H. Williams III returns to DC Comics for a trip through the Dark Knight’s history
• Emma Rios explores the eternal struggle of the Dark Knight
• Paul Dini and Andy Kubert pit Batman against an infestation of ninja Man-Bats in the Batcave
• G. Willow Wilson and Greg Smallwood portray Batman in his strangest standoff ever with Killer Croc
With a lineup this strong and a cover by legendary Batman artist Greg Capullo, you won’t want to miss the start of this tremendous collection of Batman tales by some of comics’ top creators!
More Batman: Black and White is always good news. I still have very vivid memories of the very first 1996 miniseries (especially that Alex Toth cover to the fourth issue!). Of this batch of creators, I am probably most excited about seeing Tradd Moore and Emma Rios draw Batman.
That said, I'm totally trade-waiting this.
Oh hey, do note the cover, by J.H. Williams III. Did you know that Batman's mom was wearing pearls on the night she was gunned down in front of him in Crime Alley? It's true! Perhaps this comic will explore that obscure, often over-looked aspect of Batman lore.
BATMAN: THE CAPED CRUSADER VOL. 5 TP
written by ALAN GRANT, CHUCK DIXON, and PETER MILLIGAN
art by TOM LYLE, NORM BREYFOGLE, JIM APARO, and others
cover by NORM BREYFOGLE
ON SALE 1/5/21
$29.99 US | 248 PAGES | FC
ISBN: 978-1-77950-601-6
Some of Batman’s most memorable early 1990s adventures are back in this new collection! With the Ghost Dragon gang committing daring warehouse robberies, Batman and Robin chase the gang’s lieutenant Lynx, through the streets. When Robin discovers that an old nemesis—the Ghosts’ dead leader, King Snake—might be alive and out for his head, the stakes only get higher. Plus, Batman travels to Rio de Janeiro to track a serial killer known as the Queen of Hearts and battles through a bizarre dimension known as the Idiot Zone! Collects Batman #466-473 and Detective Comics #639-640.
This contains three Grant/Breyfogle/Mitchell standalone stories (one of which is a technical tie-in to the War of The Gods event featuring Maxie Zeus, and another of which is one of the better Killer Croc stories I've ever read); Dixon and Lyle's sequel to their Robin miniseries, in which King Snake, Lynx and the Ghost Dragons arrive in Gotham City and "The Idiiot Root" crossover with Detective Comics, featuring work by Milligan, Breyfogle, Aparo and Mike DeCarlo.
I've read all of these except the Detective chapters of the four-part "Idiot Root." But I'm still going to buy and read the hell out of this.
BATMAN/CATWOMAN #1
written by TOM KING
art and cover by CLAY MANN
...
ON SALE 12/1/20
$4.99 US | 32 PAGES | 1 OF 12 | FC
DC BLACK LABEL
...
At last, Tom King returns to the rocky, romantic saga of Batman and Catwoman with his Heroes in Crisis collaborator, superstar artist Clay Mann!
Echoing plot points from King’s epic Batman run, this sweeping tale is told across three timelines: the past, when the Bat and the Cat first fell in love; the present, where their union is threatened by one of Batman’s lost loves; and the future, where the couple have a happy life and legacy—including their daughter Helena, the Batwoman. And as the story begins, after a long marriage, Bruce Wayne passes away—which frees Selina Kyle to settle an old score.
BATMAN: THE CAPED CRUSADER VOL. 5 TP
written by ALAN GRANT, CHUCK DIXON, and PETER MILLIGAN
art by TOM LYLE, NORM BREYFOGLE, JIM APARO, and others
cover by NORM BREYFOGLE
ON SALE 1/5/21
$29.99 US | 248 PAGES | FC
ISBN: 978-1-77950-601-6
Some of Batman’s most memorable early 1990s adventures are back in this new collection! With the Ghost Dragon gang committing daring warehouse robberies, Batman and Robin chase the gang’s lieutenant Lynx, through the streets. When Robin discovers that an old nemesis—the Ghosts’ dead leader, King Snake—might be alive and out for his head, the stakes only get higher. Plus, Batman travels to Rio de Janeiro to track a serial killer known as the Queen of Hearts and battles through a bizarre dimension known as the Idiot Zone! Collects Batman #466-473 and Detective Comics #639-640.
This contains three Grant/Breyfogle/Mitchell standalone stories (one of which is a technical tie-in to the War of The Gods event featuring Maxie Zeus, and another of which is one of the better Killer Croc stories I've ever read); Dixon and Lyle's sequel to their Robin miniseries, in which King Snake, Lynx and the Ghost Dragons arrive in Gotham City and "The Idiiot Root" crossover with Detective Comics, featuring work by Milligan, Breyfogle, Aparo and Mike DeCarlo.
I've read all of these except the Detective chapters of the four-part "Idiot Root." But I'm still going to buy and read the hell out of this.
written by TOM KING
art and cover by CLAY MANN
...
ON SALE 12/1/20
$4.99 US | 32 PAGES | 1 OF 12 | FC
DC BLACK LABEL
...
At last, Tom King returns to the rocky, romantic saga of Batman and Catwoman with his Heroes in Crisis collaborator, superstar artist Clay Mann!
Echoing plot points from King’s epic Batman run, this sweeping tale is told across three timelines: the past, when the Bat and the Cat first fell in love; the present, where their union is threatened by one of Batman’s lost loves; and the future, where the couple have a happy life and legacy—including their daughter Helena, the Batwoman. And as the story begins, after a long marriage, Bruce Wayne passes away—which frees Selina Kyle to settle an old score.
At every stage of their relationship, Bruce and Selina have an unwelcome chaperone: The Joker!
Oh, and that lost love of Bruce’s? It’s Andrea Beaumont—a.k.a. Phantasm. Just thought you’d want to know.
Stupid question, but is this supposed to be canonical? I can never tell with DC's "Black Label" book, as the majority of them certainly seem to be what would have previously been considered "Elseworlds" stories. This certainly doesn't sound like it's meant to be canonical, if one of the timelines is a retelling of the old Earth-2 Batman stories, but given how much of King's Batman run dealt (rather poorly) with this Batman/Catwoman relationship, one imagines that this series will continue events started during it.
On the other hand, the villain from 1993's Batman: Mask of The Phantasm (the second best Batman movie ever made), is going to be involved, and I don't think she's been integrated directly into the comics canon before, but, on the other hand, she might have been and I had completely forgotten it and, of course, DC's current canon is such that everything seems to be occurring on Earth-Shrug Emoji, so...
Oh, and that lost love of Bruce’s? It’s Andrea Beaumont—a.k.a. Phantasm. Just thought you’d want to know.
Stupid question, but is this supposed to be canonical? I can never tell with DC's "Black Label" book, as the majority of them certainly seem to be what would have previously been considered "Elseworlds" stories. This certainly doesn't sound like it's meant to be canonical, if one of the timelines is a retelling of the old Earth-2 Batman stories, but given how much of King's Batman run dealt (rather poorly) with this Batman/Catwoman relationship, one imagines that this series will continue events started during it.
On the other hand, the villain from 1993's Batman: Mask of The Phantasm (the second best Batman movie ever made), is going to be involved, and I don't think she's been integrated directly into the comics canon before, but, on the other hand, she might have been and I had completely forgotten it and, of course, DC's current canon is such that everything seems to be occurring on Earth-Shrug Emoji, so...
Oh, I quite like that cover by Daniel Warren Johnson (I assume). He also draws one for Justice League: Endless Winter #2.
BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT DETECTIVE VOL. 4 TP
written by ALAN GRANT, MARK WAID, and BRIAN AUGUSTYN
art by NORM BREYFOGLE, VAL SEMEIKS, and others
cover by NORM BREYFOGLE
ON SALE 1/19/21
$29.99 US | 328 PAGES | FC
ISBN: 978-1-77950-749-5
It’s a new collection of tales from the start of the 1990s, including the four-part “The Mud Pack,” a creepy story centered around the villainous Clayface, in which Batman must enlist the help of Etrigan, the Demon! Plus, a new vigilante called Anarky debuts, and Batman attends the funeral of...the Penguin? This volume also includes “Blood Secrets,” a story co-written by comics superstar Mark Waid, with Batman taking on white supremacists. Collects Detective Comics #601-611 and Detective Comics Annual #2.
This volume collects a good chunk of the heart of the Grant/Breyfogle/Mitchell run on Detective Comics, inlcuding "Tulpa" (featuring The Demon), "The Mud Pack" (featuring all four Clayfaces and a Jason Todd "appearance" that Jeph Loeb "borrowed" for inclusion in his "Hush" story arc), the first appearance of Anarky and a Penguin two-parter. All of these issues were included in the Legends of The Dark Knight: Norm Breyfogle collections, which I think DC should continue to publish until it runs out of Breyfogle Batman comics, but you really can't have too many versions of these comics in your house (I have all of these in singles already, for example).
The annual by Mark Waid, Brian Augustyn, Val Semeiks and Michael Bair is an interesting one to re-read in 2020, as I did just this past summer. Check out Brian Bolland's excellent cover:
I reread it after having read Gene Luen Yang and Gurihiru's Superman Smashes The Klan, as it seemed from its cover to be a tale of Batman smashing the Klan. As it turns out, it's not about Batman so much as a young, in-training Bruce Wayne, and it's not the Klan he smashes, but a klan. It's still a pretty good comic, and reads differently in 2020 than it did when I first read it in the early '90s, or in 1989, when it was originally published.
written by ALAN GRANT, MARK WAID, and BRIAN AUGUSTYN
art by NORM BREYFOGLE, VAL SEMEIKS, and others
cover by NORM BREYFOGLE
ON SALE 1/19/21
$29.99 US | 328 PAGES | FC
ISBN: 978-1-77950-749-5
It’s a new collection of tales from the start of the 1990s, including the four-part “The Mud Pack,” a creepy story centered around the villainous Clayface, in which Batman must enlist the help of Etrigan, the Demon! Plus, a new vigilante called Anarky debuts, and Batman attends the funeral of...the Penguin? This volume also includes “Blood Secrets,” a story co-written by comics superstar Mark Waid, with Batman taking on white supremacists. Collects Detective Comics #601-611 and Detective Comics Annual #2.
This volume collects a good chunk of the heart of the Grant/Breyfogle/Mitchell run on Detective Comics, inlcuding "Tulpa" (featuring The Demon), "The Mud Pack" (featuring all four Clayfaces and a Jason Todd "appearance" that Jeph Loeb "borrowed" for inclusion in his "Hush" story arc), the first appearance of Anarky and a Penguin two-parter. All of these issues were included in the Legends of The Dark Knight: Norm Breyfogle collections, which I think DC should continue to publish until it runs out of Breyfogle Batman comics, but you really can't have too many versions of these comics in your house (I have all of these in singles already, for example).
The annual by Mark Waid, Brian Augustyn, Val Semeiks and Michael Bair is an interesting one to re-read in 2020, as I did just this past summer. Check out Brian Bolland's excellent cover:
DC’S GREATEST DETECTIVE STORIES EVER TOLD TP
stories and art by VARIOUS
cover by MICHAEL WM. KALUTA
ON SALE 1/12/21
$29.99 US | 232 PAGES | FC
ISBN: 978-1-77950-594-1
Batman may be the World’s Greatest Detective, but he’s hardly the only sleuth in the DC Universe. This new title collects key adventures starring Lois Lane, the Question, the Sandman (Wesley Dodds), Detective Chimp, Slam Bradley, and of course, the Dark Knight Detective. These tales span DC’s history, from 1937 to today, and even include a special appearance by the granddaddy of all detectives: Sherlock Holmes. Collects stories from Adventure Comics #51, Batman #441, Detective Comics #2, #329, and #572, Lois Lane #1-2, Secret Origins #40, and The Question #8.
stories and art by VARIOUS
cover by MICHAEL WM. KALUTA
ON SALE 1/12/21
$29.99 US | 232 PAGES | FC
ISBN: 978-1-77950-594-1
Batman may be the World’s Greatest Detective, but he’s hardly the only sleuth in the DC Universe. This new title collects key adventures starring Lois Lane, the Question, the Sandman (Wesley Dodds), Detective Chimp, Slam Bradley, and of course, the Dark Knight Detective. These tales span DC’s history, from 1937 to today, and even include a special appearance by the granddaddy of all detectives: Sherlock Holmes. Collects stories from Adventure Comics #51, Batman #441, Detective Comics #2, #329, and #572, Lois Lane #1-2, Secret Origins #40, and The Question #8.
This is one of those collections that seems quite compelling simply because of curiosity over what DC includes, which here would indicate what comics the publisher considers its greatest detective stories, and which characters it considers it's greatest detectives. I do wish they had listed a few creators; aside from the cover story, I can't tell from looking which of these I've read and which I haven't.
DC’S VERY MERRY MULTIVERSE #1
written by TOM KING, IVAN COHEN, DEREK FRIDOLFS, THOMAS SNIEGOSKI, PAUL SCHEER, NICK GIOVANETTI, SHOLLY FISCH, BRANDON THOMAS, JAY BARUCHEL, and others
art by ELEANORA CARLINI, DUSTIN NGUYEN, STEVE LIEBER, SCOTT HEPBURN, VANESA DEL REY, and others
cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
PRESTIGE FORMAT | ONE SHOT | ON SALE 12/8/20
$9.99 US | 80 PAGES | FC | DC
Joy to all 52 worlds—it’s time to celebrate the holiday season across the DC Multiverse! In ten stories that will light your yule log and spike your eggnog, Batman decks the gaslit halls, Lobo goes Old Testament in space, Ragman learns the true meaning of Saturnalia, President Superman attempts to figure out how Bizarro stole Christmas, and Harley Quinn tries her hand at interdimensional caroling. These seasonal sagas are sure to help you have yourself a very merry Multiverse!
written by TOM KING, IVAN COHEN, DEREK FRIDOLFS, THOMAS SNIEGOSKI, PAUL SCHEER, NICK GIOVANETTI, SHOLLY FISCH, BRANDON THOMAS, JAY BARUCHEL, and others
art by ELEANORA CARLINI, DUSTIN NGUYEN, STEVE LIEBER, SCOTT HEPBURN, VANESA DEL REY, and others
cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
PRESTIGE FORMAT | ONE SHOT | ON SALE 12/8/20
$9.99 US | 80 PAGES | FC | DC
Joy to all 52 worlds—it’s time to celebrate the holiday season across the DC Multiverse! In ten stories that will light your yule log and spike your eggnog, Batman decks the gaslit halls, Lobo goes Old Testament in space, Ragman learns the true meaning of Saturnalia, President Superman attempts to figure out how Bizarro stole Christmas, and Harley Quinn tries her hand at interdimensional caroling. These seasonal sagas are sure to help you have yourself a very merry Multiverse!
I love DC's holiday anthology specials. As is usually the case, they don't give complete information on the creators, characters or stories in the solicitation copy, meaning there will be a degree of surprise when it comes to the precise contents.
Generally, we can expect somewhere in the neighborhood of eight stories here, which is kind of two bad, as that's only eight Earths in the DC Multiverse covered. Surely Harley will visit more than one in her story, but it would be pretty amazing if DC produced one of these with stories set on all 52 Earths...
written by DAN JURGENS, ANDY SCHMIDT, and ROBERT VENDITTI
art by IVAN REIS, BRYAN HITCH, KEVIN NOWLAN, AARON LOPRESTI, FERNANDO PASARIN, PAUL PELLETIER, and others
cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
...
PRESTIGE FORMAT
ONE SHOT | ON SALE 1/5/21
$9.99 US | 80 PAGES | FC | DC
A threat of cosmic proportion to DC’s newest (and oldest) universe compels one of the most unusual groups of heroes ever assembled to take on the most mysterious foe they have ever encountered. What started in Detective Comics #1027 explodes out of Dark Nights: Death Metal to tell the story of the generations-spanning history of the DC Universe! Join the original Batman, Kamandi, Starfire, Sinestro, Booster Gold, Dr. Light, Steel, and Sinestro in their quest to save the universe before time runs out…
I am now far enough behind on DC's doings that I don't know what the state of their continuity is—although it appears from what is being solicited herein that the Dark Nights epilogue books will be exploring whatever changed as a result of that event, and/or the likes of Doomsday Clock and other goings-on—but the title of this at least makes me curious if this was perhaps repurposed from DC's plan of relaunching their continuity with generations of heroes again or not, including a new "fifth" generation.
I'm on the fence about ordering this one. I like enough of the characters and creators to be interested, but I'm not sure if it will work if I haven't read anything else leading up to it.
GREEN LANTERN: CIRCLE OF FIRE TP
written by JUDD WINICK, BRIAN K. VAUGHAN, JAY FAERBER, and SCOTT BEATTY
art by DARRYL BANKS, M.D. BRIGHT, DALE EAGLESHAM, RON RANDALL, CARY NORD, TREVOR McCARTHY, PETE WOODS, and others
cover by DARRYL BANKS and KEVIN NOWLAN
ON SALE 2/9/21
$39.99 US | 416 PAGES | FC
ISBN: 978-1-77950-905-5
A new era begins for Green Lantern Kyle Rayner! It begins as Nero escapes a mental institution and finds himself in possession of a yellow power ring, thanks to the Qwardians. Now with the power to materialize the inner workings of his mind, the madman looks to destroy the planet. And as the Justice League attempts to fight his hordes of minions, Kyle must find a way to defeat a ring-bearer more powerful than he is! Then, when Rann is attacked by the entity known as Oblivion, Green Lantern enlists other heroes to join the “Circle of Fire,” as Power Girl, Firestorm, Adam Strange, and the Atom answer the call. Collects Green Lantern #129-136, Green Lantern/Firestorm #1, Green Lantern/Adam Strange #1, Green Lantern/Atom #1, Green Lantern/Green Lantern #1, Green Lantern/Power Girl #1, and Green Lantern: Circle of Fire #1 and 2.
written by JUDD WINICK, BRIAN K. VAUGHAN, JAY FAERBER, and SCOTT BEATTY
art by DARRYL BANKS, M.D. BRIGHT, DALE EAGLESHAM, RON RANDALL, CARY NORD, TREVOR McCARTHY, PETE WOODS, and others
cover by DARRYL BANKS and KEVIN NOWLAN
ON SALE 2/9/21
$39.99 US | 416 PAGES | FC
ISBN: 978-1-77950-905-5
A new era begins for Green Lantern Kyle Rayner! It begins as Nero escapes a mental institution and finds himself in possession of a yellow power ring, thanks to the Qwardians. Now with the power to materialize the inner workings of his mind, the madman looks to destroy the planet. And as the Justice League attempts to fight his hordes of minions, Kyle must find a way to defeat a ring-bearer more powerful than he is! Then, when Rann is attacked by the entity known as Oblivion, Green Lantern enlists other heroes to join the “Circle of Fire,” as Power Girl, Firestorm, Adam Strange, and the Atom answer the call. Collects Green Lantern #129-136, Green Lantern/Firestorm #1, Green Lantern/Adam Strange #1, Green Lantern/Atom #1, Green Lantern/Green Lantern #1, Green Lantern/Power Girl #1, and Green Lantern: Circle of Fire #1 and 2.
This is one of those comics I read in single issues, but might still buy in collected form in order to reread it completely in a way that reading the serial issues didn't allow, and to have it book shelf-handy, rather than buried in various plastic sleeves in a long box somewhere in my comics midden.
Among the fun aspects of this book was meeting a bunch of brand-new (if unfortunately temporary) Green Latnerns, seeing an early-ish attempt to rebuild the Green Lantern Corps concept after "Emerald Twilight" got rid of it and seeing a bunch of then relatively little-seen, book-less DC heroes.
I suppose now it will be further note because of the participation of Bryan K. Vaughan, whose star has rose considerably since his earlier super-comics writing like this and X-Men for Marvel.
I don't see his name in the credits, but Norm Breyfogle is one of the "and others" who drew parts of this.
I don't see his name in the credits, but Norm Breyfogle is one of the "and others" who drew parts of this.
There was also a two-part "epilogue" to this event in issues of Impulse by Todd DeZago, Eric Battle and Buzz, which doesn't look like it's being included. That's fine. Those issues weren't integral, and seemed more like Impulse horning into the event anyway. Also, they have Ethan Van Sciver covers, and fuck that guy; no one wants to be reading a Green Lantern adventure for 400 pages only to suddenly be reminded of Van Sciver's hateful opinions and poisonous behavior.
JUSTICE LEAGUE: ENDLESS WINTER #1
written by ANDY LANNING and RON MARZ
art by HOWARD PORTER
backup story art by MARCO SANTUCCI
cover by MIKEL JANÍN
card stock variant cover by DANIEL WARREN JOHNSON
ON SALE 12/1/20
$4.99 US | 40 PAGES | 1 OF 2 | FC | DC
CARD STOCK COVER $5.99
“Endless Winter” chapter one! The crossover event of the season begins here! The Justice League encounters an extinction-level global storm brewing at the former site of the Fortress of Solitude. Enter the Frost King, a monster mad with power with an army at his command! What devastating mystery lies in his past? And how does he tied to Queen Hippolyta, Swamp Thing, Viking Prince, and their reluctant ally, Black Adam? Two timelines will reveal further clues and secrets throughout each chapter of this blockbuster tale!
With Dark Nights: Death Metal finally wrapping up, it would seem to be the time for the next Justice League creative team to be announced, as the title has become something of an anthology book with rotating creative teams since Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV ended their run with a cliffhanger that essentially said "See Dark Nights: Death Metal."
It would seem that way, but DC's apparently not quite ready to announce the next team (Ooh, I hope it's me and Evan "Doc" Shaner! Is that how it works? Will I just get a knock on my door some day, and find an editor outside saying "Congratulations, you're the new writer of Justice League." I mean, the behind-the-scenes work at modern comics seems so strange and impenetrable to me it might as well be magical. Maybe that's how it works!)
So it's yet another fill-in arc, but instead of simply filling up issues of Justice League, this one will take the form of a nine-issue, five-week "event" crossover series, including issues of Justice League, issues of comics featuring Justice Leaguers and some specials, like this one.
The writing team is interesting, consisting of two old hands who I don't think I recall ever collaborating on a comic before, although I have to admit the clues to the plot presented in the various solicits remind me an awful lot of Marvel's War of the Realms, what with armies of frost giants and a Viking prince and so on. I guess we'll see...
JUSTICE LEAGUE #58
written by ANDY LANNING and RON MARZ
art by XERMANICO
backup story art by MARCO SANTUCCI
cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
...
ON SALE 12/15/20
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES | FC | DC
“Endless Winter” chapter five! In this turning point issue, the Justice League is scattered across the snow-covered globe, trying to stave off the frozen doom, leaving Green Lantern John Stewart to stand alone. At the Hall of Justice, he begins to piece together clues that could help turn the icy tide that threatens to overwhelm them all. But then an unexpected visitor arrives on cue: the Frost King himself! In the past, however, Queen Hippolyta, Swamp Thing, and Viking Prince witness a terrible decision made by Black Adam—one that will haunt them forever.
I'm not sure which artist gets credit for designing Batman's latest cold-weather costume (this cover is drawn by Francis Manapul, but the costume presumably appears in the interiors, as it also appears on one of Johnson's covers), but it is both kind of cool and kind of lame that one of its components appears to be a fluffy white bathrobe worn over his costume.
Here is your monthly reminder that holy shit can Kyle Hotz draw. This is his cover for Justice Leaguer Dark #29, which will be part seven of the "Endless Winter" story. He does not draw the interiors, though.
written by GRANT MORRISON, GARTH ENNIS, and others
art by DOUG MAHNKE and others
new cover by DOUG MAHNKE
ON SALE 1/19/21
$49.99 US | 416 PAGES | FC
ISBN: 978-1-77950-434-0
These tales spotlight Doug Mahnke, one of DC’s most dynamic artists, including stories starring Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, and more. Collects stories and art from Action Comics #775 and #1000; Batman #645; Batman: The Man Who Laughs #1; Batman and Robin Annual #2; Black Adam: The Dark Age #1; Detective Comics #1000; Final Crisis: Requiem #1; Green Lantern (2011) #0 and #50; Green Lantern (2016) #50; Hitman/Lobo: That Stupid Bastich #1; JLA #61 and #65; Justice League #25; Justice League of America #25; Justice League: Elite #1; The Multiversity: Ultra Comics #1; Seven Soldiers: Frankenstein #1; Superman #8-9; and Superman: The Man of Steel #87.
This looks like a very interesting package, one that shows off the range of tone Doug Mahnke can achieve in his highly-stylized, incredibly detailed artwork. Sure, these are all superhero comics, and among them are some modern classics (the "What's So Funny About Truth, Justice and The American Way" critique of Warren Ellis, Mark Millar and company's cynical millennial output; a first Joker/Batman encounter in The Man Who Laughs, etc), but there are straightforward superhero comics, inspirational superhero comics, parody superhero comics, lighthearted superhero comics, serious superhero comics, overly serious superhero comics, superhero comics with effective jokes in them, and violent, gory, borderline horror superhero comics.
I think I've bought and read all of these individually before, but I wouldn't min reading them in this curated package. My only complaint? It's too bad there's no Major Bummer included; that short-lived 1997 series written by John Arcudi was the very first time I encountered Mahnke's work. He was one of those artists whose style was distinct enough that I learned his name immediately upon reading his work for the first time, and never forgot it. I doubt I was the only one.
Writer Steve Orlando has been on my personal Do Not Read list since the conclusion of his run on Justice League of America featuring Promethea, so that's one of a couple of reasons I'll avoid this one-shot, but I think the cover is worth lingering on for a second just to acknowledge the redesign of Alan Scott's Green Lantern costume. Changing his shirt from red to green makes a sort of obvious sense, and I do really like the look of it as it appears on the cover. His "light" looks different, being a more yellow-orange fiery shade, which is perhaps to distinguish it form the green of his shirt, but might also have a story reason. There are certainly a few differences aside from the color (note the spikes or scallops on his wrists, too).
Ultimately, I don't know if this looks kind of cool simply because it is such a sharp departure from his normal costume, in the same way that seeing, say, Superman with red tights and a blue cape might, or if it's a genuine improvement. I've always thought there was a real charm to the Golden Age Green Lantern costume, which in addition to having as much red and purple as green in it also just looks really homemade and slapped together, like a last-minute Halloween costume put together from stuff found in your attic. In that sense, I think it's one of the quintessential Golden Age costumes; like, few if any superhero costumes say "Golden Age" to me as loudly or eloquently as the Green Lantern one.
(On the subject of Alan Scott costume design, I'm not crazy about every element of this redesign that Dean Trippe did, but I do really like the idea of an Alan deputized by the Green Lantern Corps, and thus having two rings, and a costume blending his Golden Age get-up with something more Space Age).
TALES FROM THE DARK MULTIVERSE: WONDER WOMAN: WAR OF THE GODS #1
written by VITA AYALA
art by ARIEL OLIVETTI
cover by DAVID MARQUEZ
PRESTIGE FORMAT
ONE SHOT | ON SALE 12/1/20
$5.99 US | 48 PAGES | FC | DC
The realms of the gods have been turned upside down and inside out, on the verge of engulfing Earth and its people. Only one hero stands to defend it: Wonder Woman! But that is another world and another story. Behold the mirror image of this tale taking place in the Dark Multiverse, with a Wonder Woman who is ready to destroy it all! Cursed by the evil goddess of magic, Hecate, our beloved Diana has become a weapon of vengeance ready to tear down any god or superhero that stands in her way. Will Earth and its heroes survive her might? Or are they doomed to worship the dark princess of the Amazons for the rest of eternity?!
The first round of these were all deeply unpleasant, and there's no reason to believe that these will be any less so, but I still think we should congratulate Vita Ayala on having produced a script for a one-shot version of the War of The Gods event. I have to assume that, in preparation, she read the entire event, and that is not easy to do, given how incredibly long it is, and how little connective tissue to many of the tie-ins had to the actual story. I recently tried re-reading it a couple of times, having purchased the 2016 collection, and it defeated me both times.
NUBIA: REAL ONE TP
written by L.L. McKINNEY
art and cover by ROBYN SMITH
ON SALE 2/2/21
$16.99 US | 208 PAGES | 6" x 9" | FC
ISBN: 978-1-4012-9640-7
Nubia has always been a little bit...different. As a baby she showcased Amazon-like strength by pushing over a tree to rescue her neighbor’s cat. But despite her having similar abilities, the world has no problem telling her that she’s no Wonder Woman. And even if she were, they wouldn’t want her. Every time she comes to the rescue, she’s reminded of how people see her: as a threat. Her moms do their best to keep her safe, but Nubia can’t deny the fire within her, even if she’s a little awkward about it sometimes. Even if it means people assume the worst.
written by L.L. McKINNEY
art and cover by ROBYN SMITH
ON SALE 2/2/21
$16.99 US | 208 PAGES | 6" x 9" | FC
ISBN: 978-1-4012-9640-7
Nubia has always been a little bit...different. As a baby she showcased Amazon-like strength by pushing over a tree to rescue her neighbor’s cat. But despite her having similar abilities, the world has no problem telling her that she’s no Wonder Woman. And even if she were, they wouldn’t want her. Every time she comes to the rescue, she’s reminded of how people see her: as a threat. Her moms do their best to keep her safe, but Nubia can’t deny the fire within her, even if she’s a little awkward about it sometimes. Even if it means people assume the worst.
When Nubia’s best friend, Quisha, is threatened by a boy who thinks he owns the town, Nubia will risk it all—her safety, her home, and her crush on that cute kid in English class—to become the hero society tells her she isn’t.
From the witty and powerful voice behind A Blade So Black, and with endearing and expressive art by Robyn Smith, comes a vital story for today about equality, identity, and kicking it with your squad.
From the witty and powerful voice behind A Blade So Black, and with endearing and expressive art by Robyn Smith, comes a vital story for today about equality, identity, and kicking it with your squad.
Okay, now this is one I did not expect.
Nubia, a Wonder Woman character introduced in 1973 during the sometimes quite awkward "relevant" period of super-comics history, can sometimes feel like one of those brow-raising characters that modern creators and the publishers can feel a little hesitant about, and, when reference or used, are done so quite differently than how they originally appeared (For example, when first introduced, she was Wonder Woman's lost dark twin, one of two babies sculpted from clay and brought to life; when she was finally reintroduced after Crisis in the late '90s, Nubia became Nu'Bia, and she was a former Amazon champion akin to Wonder Woman, but not her literal dark twin.
That said, this looks and sounds pretty interesting, and I think DC's track record on these OGNs for younger readers has been particularly good, so I'm really looking forward to seeing what L.L. McKinney and Robyn Smith come up with here.
SUPERMAN: ENDLESS WINTER SPECIAL #1
written by ANDY LANNING and RON MARZ
art by PHIL HESTER and ANDE PARKS
cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
...
ONE SHOT | ON SALE 12/8/20
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES | FC | DC
“Endless Winter” chapter three! Superman finds himself at the center of an epic battle as the Frost King’s hordes of ice monsters come to life. Is this frozen onslaught too much for the Man of Steel, or can he stop it before it rampages across the chilling wasteland the world is becoming and reaches civilization? The answer to this question comes from an unlikely source close to Clark Kent’s earthly roots!
I just wanted to note that this one-shot tie-in to this month's Justice League event will feature art by Phil Hester and Ande Parks, an art team whose work I like a lot, and which I have encountered anywhere in some time.
Nubia, a Wonder Woman character introduced in 1973 during the sometimes quite awkward "relevant" period of super-comics history, can sometimes feel like one of those brow-raising characters that modern creators and the publishers can feel a little hesitant about, and, when reference or used, are done so quite differently than how they originally appeared (For example, when first introduced, she was Wonder Woman's lost dark twin, one of two babies sculpted from clay and brought to life; when she was finally reintroduced after Crisis in the late '90s, Nubia became Nu'Bia, and she was a former Amazon champion akin to Wonder Woman, but not her literal dark twin.
That said, this looks and sounds pretty interesting, and I think DC's track record on these OGNs for younger readers has been particularly good, so I'm really looking forward to seeing what L.L. McKinney and Robyn Smith come up with here.
SUPERMAN: ENDLESS WINTER SPECIAL #1
written by ANDY LANNING and RON MARZ
art by PHIL HESTER and ANDE PARKS
cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
...
ONE SHOT | ON SALE 12/8/20
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES | FC | DC
“Endless Winter” chapter three! Superman finds himself at the center of an epic battle as the Frost King’s hordes of ice monsters come to life. Is this frozen onslaught too much for the Man of Steel, or can he stop it before it rampages across the chilling wasteland the world is becoming and reaches civilization? The answer to this question comes from an unlikely source close to Clark Kent’s earthly roots!
I just wanted to note that this one-shot tie-in to this month's Justice League event will feature art by Phil Hester and Ande Parks, an art team whose work I like a lot, and which I have encountered anywhere in some time.
Ultimately, I don't know if this looks kind of cool simply because it is such a sharp departure from his normal costume, in the same way that seeing, say, Superman with red tights and a blue cape might, or if it's a genuine improvement. I've always thought there was a real charm to the Golden Age Green Lantern costume, which in addition to having as much red and purple as green in it also just looks really homemade and slapped together, like a last-minute Halloween costume put together from stuff found in your attic. In that sense, I think it's one of the quintessential Golden Age costumes; like, few if any superhero costumes say "Golden Age" to me as loudly or eloquently as the Green Lantern one.
(On the subject of Alan Scott costume design, I'm not crazy about every element of this redesign that Dean Trippe did, but I do really like the idea of an Alan deputized by the Green Lantern Corps, and thus having two rings, and a costume blending his Golden Age get-up with something more Space Age).
TALES FROM THE DARK MULTIVERSE: WONDER WOMAN: WAR OF THE GODS #1
written by VITA AYALA
art by ARIEL OLIVETTI
cover by DAVID MARQUEZ
PRESTIGE FORMAT
ONE SHOT | ON SALE 12/1/20
$5.99 US | 48 PAGES | FC | DC
The realms of the gods have been turned upside down and inside out, on the verge of engulfing Earth and its people. Only one hero stands to defend it: Wonder Woman! But that is another world and another story. Behold the mirror image of this tale taking place in the Dark Multiverse, with a Wonder Woman who is ready to destroy it all! Cursed by the evil goddess of magic, Hecate, our beloved Diana has become a weapon of vengeance ready to tear down any god or superhero that stands in her way. Will Earth and its heroes survive her might? Or are they doomed to worship the dark princess of the Amazons for the rest of eternity?!
The first round of these were all deeply unpleasant, and there's no reason to believe that these will be any less so, but I still think we should congratulate Vita Ayala on having produced a script for a one-shot version of the War of The Gods event. I have to assume that, in preparation, she read the entire event, and that is not easy to do, given how incredibly long it is, and how little connective tissue to many of the tie-ins had to the actual story. I recently tried re-reading it a couple of times, having purchased the 2016 collection, and it defeated me both times.
1 comment:
The rights to Major Bummer reverted back to John Arcudi and Doug Mahnke a few years ago. They released the complete series as a collection via Dark Horse!
https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Major-Bummer-Super-Slacktacular/dp/1595825347
https://www.comixology.com/Complete-Major-Bummer-Super-Slacktacular/digital-comic/230830?ref=c2VhcmNoL2luZGV4L2Rlc2t0b3Avc2xpZGVyTGlzdC9pdGVtU2xpZGVy
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