June 2018 Solicits

The June solioits for DC Comics have been released and it is a big month for Superman fans. Finally the Bendis era takes over. Here is a link to all the solicits:
https://www.newsarama.com/39119-dc-comics-june-2018-solicitations.html

I just don't know what to think about this whole upheaval of Superman. I suppose this is what I was feeling in 1987 when Byrne completely uprooted and replanted the entire mythos. In the end, I was pretty happy with Byrne reinvigorating the property. But much of that was I felt the stories had become tepid before he took over. Right now I feel we are in a Renaissance for the Superman and his family.  So now seems like an odd time to blow things up. And this is my biggest concern. After years of suffering, we finally had a Superman I could read and enjoy. Will this be a step back?


 THE MAN OF STEEL #1
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Art by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
Cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO

A new era begins for Superman as a threat from his earliest origins reemerges to destroy the Last Son of Krypton. As Superman struggles to come to grips with what has happened to his wife and son, he must also face a new threat that’s determined to burn down Metropolis! 

Sigh.
I wish we could just let Krypton die in peace.
But now we have some new information about its destruction and it impacts Superman's legacy.
Sigh.

I'll try to stay open minded.

THE MAN OF STEEL #2
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Art by EVAN “DOC” SHANER
Cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO

With an arsonist loose in Metropolis, Superman’s powers are almost useless in finding the culprit. And back at the Daily Planet, everyone wants to know what’s going on with Lois Lane. How can Clark hold on to the secret of what happened to Lois and Jon much longer? 

So what has happened to Lois and Jon? I am hopeful this isn't something terrible. And I certainly hope the dynamic doesn't change coming out of this mini. The family relationship has been one of the biggest gains in the Rebirth/Reborn time.

And how can Superman's powers be useless against an arsonist?

Doc Shaner on Superman is fantastic!

THE MAN OF STEEL #3
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Art by RYAN SOOK
Cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO

The merciless killer and zealot calling himself Rogol Zaar has searched the cosmos for Superman—and when he reaches the Fortress of Solitude, his actions will cut Superman to the core.

And now the villain has a name ... Rogol Zaar. A merciless killer and zealot.

I have heard here and there that he somehow is trying to stop Superman from becoming the universe's greatest hero. But that the idea of Kal as this hero is somehow almost predestined. I guess We'll have to wait and see how it plays out.

I like the cover here, an homage to Grant Morrison's Action Comics #5.  And nothing wrong with Ryan Sook!

THE MAN OF STEEL #4
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Art by KEVIN MAGUIRE
Cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO

Rogol Zaar has committed a string of atrocities across the cosmos that have led him to the Fortress of Solitude—and now Superman and Supergirl plan to crush his schemes! But are even two Kryptonians enough to stop his sinister machinations? 

A mention of Supergirl so this makes me happy. We caught a glimpse of Kevin Maguire's art and I have always loved his take on Supergirl so this is the first solicit that grabbed me. Plus ... a string of atrocities across the cosmos? Hmmm ...

THE MAN OF STEEL #5
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Art by ADAM HUGHES
Cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO

Beaten by Rogol Zaar, his city burning at the hands of an unknown arsonist and the secret of what happened to Lois and Jon drawing closer to revelation—even Superman feels powerless against all that stands before him. 

Unfortunately this solicit says that the cousins lose to Zaar, I suppose no big surprise since there are two more issues.

Again, an arsonist in the midst of this feels like a weird side plot. And Lois and Jon still missing? Will Lois not be in this entire miniseries redefining the mythos?

Adam Hughes art! Sign me up! Hope Kara is in this issue!

THE MAN OF STEEL #6
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Art by JASON FABOK
Cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO

The fate of Lois Lane and Jon Kent is revealed! Metropolis’ survival hangs in the balance! And Superman must somehow put an end to Rogol Zaar’s rampage! It’s do-or-die time for the Man of Steel in the final chapter of this explosive miniseries! 

Fabok on the finale!

At the very least, the art lined up for this mini-series is incredible!

NEW SUPER-MAN AND THE JUSTICE LEAGUE OF CHINA #24
Written by GENE LUEN YANG
Art by BRENT PEEPLES and MATT SANTORELLI
Cover by PHILIP TAN; Variant cover by BERNARD CHANG

“Fear the Future”! New Super-Man and the Justice League of China prepare for their final mission, and the fate of the Chinese metahuman future lies in the treacherous realm of ghosts! The team must enter the realm and confront their greatest fears to discover the path forward for their country—and help restore balance to the entire world in the process! 

Final mission in the solicit makes me think next issue will have Final Issue as tagline.

There is also a little finality to this solicit. Will the team be shunted into this dimension, erased from DC, so Kenan isn't part of the new Bendis super-worldview?

SUPER SONS/DYNOMUTT SPECIAL #1
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art and cover by FERNANDO PASARIN and OCLAIR ALBERT; Variant cover by DOUG MAHNKE

It’s no fun for Jon Kent to be visiting Big City with his parents for the funeral of an old friend. So his best pal Damian Wayne decides to follow along and give him the inside scoop on the city. But when they go to meet Robin’s local friend, Dynomutt, they find him injured and in need of help. And Dynomutt’s human superhero companion, Blue Falcon, has seemingly turned evil. What’s the reason for this betrayal between once-loyal companions, and what role might the evil Red Vulture play in this scenario? 

Well, I loved Bugs Bunny/Legion and I loved Batman/Elmer Fudd. And I know I'll be missing the Super Sons since their book got unplugged. So I guess I am in.

We better get some Krypto and some Ace in this book!

JUSTICE LEAGUE #1
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art by JIM CHEUNG and MARK MORALES
Cover by JIM CHEUNG;Variant cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS
“THE TOTALITY” part one! A brand-new era begins here! Comics legends Scott Snyder and Jim Cheung launch the Justice League into a cosmos-shaking mystery that will draw out their most terrible foes…in ways our heroes couldn’t possibly imagine! In this debut issue, Martian Manhunter struggles to protect the team from an incoming threat that will shatter the world as they know it, while a familiar face strikes out on a dark path… 

JUSTICE LEAGUE #2
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art and cover by JORGE JIMENEZ ;Variant cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS
“THE TOTALITY” part two! The League faced an impossible decision…and now they must face the consequences! While Martian Manhunter and Batman attempt to recruit an old ally back into the fold, The Flash and Hawkgirl are blindsided by new challenges that could rewrite their mythologies!

Not exactly a super-book but I had to post to say I am probably more excited about this book than any Justice League book since Morrison took over JLA. I think it is the synchronicity of Snyder and Cheung/Jimenez. That is a creative team! And I love that the team is the big 7 plus Cyborg and Hawkgirl! Just a touch of Timm-verse there!

SUPERGIRL BY PETER DAVID BOOK FOUR TP
Written by PETER DAVID
Art by LEONARD KIRK, SEAN PHILLIPS, JASON ORFALAS and others
Cover by LEONARD KIRK and ROBIN RIGGS
Everything is coming at Linda Danvers, a.k.a. Supergirl! Comet, the newest hero in Leesburg, is being chased by someone named Fracture, and in the meantime, in her civilian identity, Supergirl speaks out against a bigot on her college campus. And Parasite is spotted in Paris. All just typical problems in a day in the life of one of the most powerful girls on planet Earth! Collects issues #32-43. 

Now you may have noticed no Supergirl solo book on the shelves. It is all-Bendis all the time.

We do get the fourth Peter David Supergirl trade. This run is ramping up to the major last arc of the Earth Angel fighting the Carnivore. Here we have Supergirl starting to realize her power, getting into battles of faith, and facing off against the Parasite. Solid stuff.

DC DESIGNER SERIES: SUPERGIRL BY MICHAEL TURNER STATUE
BASED ON ART BY MICHAEL TURNER • SCULPTED BY IRENE MATAR
Based on the exceptional art of Michael Turner, this statue puts Supergirl in the spotlight and recreates the iconic cover to SUPERMAN/BATMAN #13.
Sculpted by Irene Matar, this detailed 15.3" tall statue features a seminal design of one of Earth’s most powerful Kryptonians, posed for an aerial battle. Limited to 5,000 pieces, it also includes the trademark shield base.
DC DESIGNER SERIES statues are based on art from the comics industry’s top creators and recreates their vision in vivid 3-D detail.
Limited Edition of 5,000 and individually numbered.

And the merch train continues to chug along for Supergirl. I am not a big fan of the Turner costume. And this is definitely inspired by him with the very elongated torso and super-crop top. So I don't think I'll be getting this one. But for Turner fans, this is a very dynamic piece. I love the cape action!

So what are people thinking about Man of Steel? Optimism? Pessimism? Wait and see?

Posted in: Reviews