Wednesday, March 26, 2014

June 2014 Solicits

DC's June solicits have been released and it is going to be a busy month with a number of Supergirl sightings and one nice semi-surprise. If you want to review all the solicits, head to Newsarama here:
 http://www.newsarama.com/20593-dc-comics-full-june-2014-solicitations.html

On to the solicits which grabbed me.



SUPERGIRL #32
Written by TONY BEDARD
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO and RAY McCARTHY
Cover by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO

“Red Daughter of Krypton” rages though this issue! Supergirl’s Red Lantern powers – and allies – are about to be tested as a Worldkiller1 arrives from Kara’s past to destroy her!
Retailers: This cover was originally scheduled to appear on SUPERGIRL #31.

So we see the same cover solicited for #31 and #32 which means the cover for #31 will be a surprise.

As I said before, the reveal that Kara isn't World Killer #1 is a great addition to her history, removing one of the potential stains on her past. It also diminishes Zor-El's sins.

Plus, I like a bruiser as an addition to Kara's Rogues gallery. Maybe this will be her equivalent of Mongul.

Still a Red Lantern.



RED LANTERNS #32
Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art by J. CALAFIORE
Cover by ANDREA SORRENTINO

Guy Gardner has a difficult decision to make: deciding if the newest Red Lantern, Supergirl, is fit for battle…especially when that battle is against Atrocitus himself! The war between the two factions of Red Lanterns is on, and there will be blood!

And it looks like she will be battling another big bad in Atrocitus in her team book Red Lanterns. "There will be blood!" Let's hope Supergirl maintains some control during this stage of her life.

I can't wait to see Califiore draw Kara. I love the commission I have from him.

Still a Red Lantern.



JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED #2
Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art and cover by MIKE McKONE

It’s all out battle issue as Hawkman has a showdown with Lobo as the League is teleported to Rann to face the shape-changing alien called Byth! This looks like a job for Supergirl!

And she is battling another big bad in her other team book JLU! We don't see her on the cover so hard to know if she is in Red Lantern mode in this book. Regardless she'll be a bull-headed loner. I was hopeful for this book at first ... maybe not so much now.

As an old-school (Kubert) Hawkman fan and as someone who loved Tim Truman's Hawkworld, I am thrilled to see Byth back again.




ACTION COMICS #32
Written by GREG PAK
Art and cover by AARON KUDER

“SUPERMAN: DOOMED” continues with “ENEMY OF THE STATE” as Superman struggles against the Doomsday virus – but is he losing the fight? How much longer can he stay in control? And how far will he be pushed when he’s faced with a world against him and a shocking betrayal at the end of this issue?

I have a bad feeling about this 'Doomed' storyline. I just don't know if I trust something driven by Lobdell and Soule to do Superman justice. Having Pak also on board is a very good thing. Pak I trust.

And I love this cover, giving a trapped feel to Superman. And it is a 'Doomsday Virus'? Hmmm...



SUPERMAN #32
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and wraparound cover by JOHN ROMITA, JR. and KLAUS JANSON

“THE MAN OF TOMORROW” chapter 1! A NEW ERA for SUPERMAN begins as Geoff Johns takes the reigns – and he’s joined by the legendary super-talent of John Romita, Jr. in his first-ever work for DC Comics as they introduce Ulysses, the Man of Tomorrow, into the Man of Steel’s life. This strange visitor shares many of Kal-El’s experiences, including having been rocketed from a world with no future. Prepare yourself for a run full of new heroes, new villains and new mysteries! Plus, Perry White offers Clark a chance to return to The Daily Planet!

Okay. So here is the big announcement for the month as Geoff Johns returns to Superman with a big name artist. This should be big news. I loved Johns' work on the Superman books in the past. And we see Clark being offered a chance to return to the Daily Planet meaning Johns might try to return to more classic Clark than what Lobdell was doing.

That said, I have found much of Johns' recent work (on JL and Forever Evil, and his opinions on villainy and the brutal nature of the violence in his books) to be a bit coarse. I mean, in June solicits he talks about a treacherous Doom Patrol, more darkening of the DCU. Will he bring this new sensibility of evil being relative and villains more interesting and cooler than heroes to this book? I hope not.



BATMAN/SUPERMAN #12
Written by GREG PAK
Art and cover by JAE LEE

Retailers: This issue will ship with four covers. Please see the order form for more information. This story was previously scheduled to appear in BATMAN/SUPERMAN #11.
A new arc begins following the events of “FIRST CONTACT.” The worlds of Batman and Superman come to an explosive clash as something terrible happens to the World’s Finest team, and a Dark Knight who is not quite himself must team up with Lois Lane to find a missing Man of Steel. Meanwhile, Selina Kyle encounters a person of amazing strength who has no idea who he is.

Deja vu!

This is the solicit we saw for Batman/Superman #11.

I liked it then and I like it now. In particular, on re-viewing, I love this cover showcasing the differences in the main characters.



SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN #9
Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art and cover by TONY S. DANIEL

“SUPERMAN: DOOMED” continues with “ENEMY OF THE STATE”! As things get more dire on Earth for him, the Man of Steel may have to go into exile in space, but the self-proclaimed protectors of Sector 2814, the Red Lanterns, don’t want him there either! Don’t miss this deadly face-off between Kal and Kara!


The issue of 'Doomed' by Charles Soule includes a 'deadly face-off between Kal and Kara!' Just what I need to see. And Superman seems rather spiky, reminiscent of Grant Morrison's Super-Doom. Sad.

I was going to drop this title but Doomed will keep me around for a bit. And I have been loving Tony Daniel's art so I will be looking forward to his drawing Kara (even if it is as a Red Lantern).



WORLDS’ FINEST #24
Written by PAUL LEVITZ
Art by R.B. SILVA and JOE WEEMS
Cover by BARRY KITSON

Get ready for action as Power Girl and Huntress begin their journey back to Earth 2! Plus, Desaad returns!

Kitson as a cover artist is a brilliant stroke. I love his style and would love for him to be doing the interiors over RB Silva's devolving style.

But it sounds like the Worlds' Finest duo might be heading back home. Interesting. Maybe when they relocate we'll get a new creative team for a 'bold new direction'.



SMALLVILLE SEASON 11: LANTERN #3
Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER
Art by MARCIO TAKARA
Cover by CAT STAGGS

A rain of yellow “stars” falls on Gotham City even as Superman and the Green Lantern John Stewart face a threat from Oa’s past that has reappeared on the moon. Batman, Nightwing, Green Arrow and the Wonder Woman from the DEO are doing their best, but they need help. When Clark returns to Earth, will John’s luck run out?

I have been thrilled to see more and more of a DCU showing up in Smallville. We have a Justice League that is growing, a group of Titans, a Bat-family. This arc has Green Lanterns showing up.

So why not Yellow Lanterns!

Digging this book so much right now. Especially love Diana.



ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #14
Written by MAX LANDIS and FABIAN NICIEZA
Art by JOCK, PHIL HESTER and ERIC GAPSTUR
Cover by JOCK

The Joker’s in town...and he wants to meet Superman! Find out what happens next in this one-of-a-kind story from Chronicle writer Max Landis and legendary artist Jock (GREEN ARROW: YEAR ONE)! Plus, don’t miss Clark Kent’s babysitting adventures as he looks after none other than Sugar and Spike!


Ugh ... Max Landis.

More interested in the Sugar and Spike story.



TINY TITANS: RETURN TO THE TREEHOUSE #1
Written by ART BALTAZAR and FRANCO
Art and cover by ART BALTAZAR

The Eisner Award-winning series is back for an all-new six-issue miniseries! Superboy and Supergirl return to the treehouse to discover…IT’S MISSING! Or is it just…really small? Who could have done such a thing?! Find out as all your favorite Tiny Titans search for answers!

Talked about this before. So thrilled to have this book back even if it is for a six month mini-series. 

A small treehouse ... Superboy and Supergirl investigating ... can anyone say Brainiac shrink ray??



SUPERGIRL VOL. 4: OUT OF THE PAST TP
Written by MICHAEL ALAN NELSON, SCOTT LOBDELL, JUSTIN JORDAN
and TONY BEDARD • Art by DIOGENES NEVES, YILDIRAY CINAR and others
Cover by MAHMUD ASRAR

Supergirl’s world has been shattered! Kara searches the stars for a new home, only to encounter one of Superman’s deadliest enemies in his
New 52 debut: Cyborg Superman! Collects SUPERGIRL #21-26, ACTION COMICS #23.1: CYBORG SUPERMAN and SUPERMAN #25!

DC has done a good job including some nice extras in these trades so hopefully that will continue. This trade finishes up the pre-Tony Bedard stories which include some rough appearances.

One thing that irks me is that the Cyborg Superman issue is here. It clearly was a Supergirl book. Couldn't she have merited the Villains Month issue instead of it being one of many Superman books?


DC COMICS – THE NEW 52: BATGIRL, SUPERGIRL AND NIGHTWING ACTION FIGURES
Based on their designs from their monthly comic books comes the latest action figures joining the DC Collectibles lineup.
SUPERGIRL – 6.44"
$24.95 US
On Sale September 2014 

And we get a release date for the Supergirl New 52 action figure. September 2014.

I think this figure looks pretty slick (outside of the K-knife).

I better start saving my pennies.
 

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