February 2020 solicits

The February solicits for DC Comics have been released and there are a couple of surprises worth mentioning. Overall, we still seemed a bit mired in The Year of the Villain. And the Superman books take a turn that I don't know that I agree with. And hey ... I become a comic book character.

So overall it looks like 2020 might be coming in hot!

To see all of the DC solicits, here is a link to Newsarama's coverage:
https://www.newsarama.com/47882-dc-comics-february-2020-solicitations.html

Onto the books.

SUPERGIRL #39
written by JODY HOUSER
art by RACHAEL STOTT
cover by KEVIN MAGUIRE
card stock variant cover by DERRICK CHEW

After the Lasso of Truth reveals something unexpected about Supergirl’s infection, Wonder Woman is quickly running out of ways to try to bring Kara back peacefully. Making matters worse, the government has sent robotic military backup to Smallville to deal with the possible atomic threat of Infected Supergirl—and neither Wonder Woman nor Supergirl is prepared for the innocent casualties this could mean for the town.

What do you think the unexpected truth is?

I'd bet good money that Kara 'wasn't really corrupted, she always felt that way' or some such Dark Supergirl nonsense. Hopefully I am wrong.

I am interested to see what Jody Houser will do with the character once this crossover stuff ends. I liked the Orlando/Houser back end of the pre-Andreyko run. So I actually have high hopes.

ACTION COMICS #1020
written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
art and cover by JOHN ROMITA JR. and KLAUS JANSON
card stock variant cover by LUCIO PARRILLO

The alliance between Leviathan and the Legion of Doom has fractured—and all hell breaks loose! The Justice League and Young Justice guest star as the Year of the Villain hits a powerful note. Metropolis won’t be the same after this massive battle for the future of the world. It’s another block-buster Superman epic by iconic writer Brian Michael Bendis and legendary artists John Romita Jr. and Klaus Janson!

I am just not a fan of JRJR.

Interesting that Leviathan will stick around as an active villain right after the Event Leviathan mini-series. I feel I need to know more about the Leviathan takeover.

This one sounds like a brawl, with lots of guest stars. So I'm in.

SUPERMAN #20
written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
art and cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
card stock variant cover by BRYAN HITCH

The United Planets is a perfect, beautiful idea…that completely flies in the face of everything the barbaric Mongul has been fighting for his entire life. Mongol will destroy the United Planets and Superman with it. And he said something about using Earth as his toilet. Which doesn’t sound very nice. The return of one of Superman’s biggest and baddest villains…bigger and badder than ever!

I may remember Mongul getting recently trashed in the Naomi book and in the Superman book as a nice workout Superman needed to blow off steam. So I am glad he will be back and hope he puts up a better fight. I like Mongul when he can stand toe to toe and be a threat.

LOIS LANE #8
written by GREG RUCKA
art and cover by MIKE PERKINS
variant cover by KAMOME SHIRAHAMA

As the world comes to realize Lois Lane is also the wife of Superman and mother of Superboy, the DC Universe’s most acclaimed reporter finds herself hunted by a deadly assassin code-named the Kiss of Death. The only thing standing between Lois and execution is the Question, but can Renee Montoya stop the Kiss before she fulfills her contract?

The Kiss of Death is a cool villain name. Surprised it hasn't been taken.

I do hope there is significant fallout to Superman's reveal. How he can think Lois won't be the immediate target for everyone out there who Superman has crossed is ludicrous.

SUPERMAN’S PAL JIMMY OLSEN #8
written by MATT FRACTION
art and cover by STEVE LIEBER
variant cover by BEN OLIVER

Ooh ooh, aah, aah—Jimmy see, Jimmy do! Jix and Jimmy go back to Gorilla City, where they had a one-night marriage-stand. (Don’t believe it? Go reread Superman: Leviathan Rising #1!) Jimmy’s sister Janie and Doc Mantel get to Gorilla City to warn Jimmy about what Doc saw in the future, only to find it’s the attack of the 50-foot Jimmy!

This clues into a couple of Silver Age Jimmy stories so I am thrilled.

I'll miss this series when it is over. Such wonderful nonsense!

SUPERMAN: VILLAINS #1
written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS, MATT FRACTION, GREG RUCKA, and JODY HOUSER
art by BRYAN HITCH, STEVE LIEBER, MIKE PERKINS, and EDUARDO PANSICA
cover by BRYAN HITCH

The Man of Steel’s greatest villains react to the biggest news to ever rock the DC Universe. Lex Luthor, Mongul, Toyman, The Joker, and more of the world’s greatest villains must come to grips with how the world changes now that the truth has been revealed by Superman. Some of comics’ most unique and creative voices unite to tell a story that changes all the rules.

Let's face it, every villain Superman lost will now know who to attack in Superman's personal life after this reveal. The Kent's graves? Lois? Lana? Perry?

I don't get it.

Hopefully these creators will show my how this won't happen.

LEVIATHAN DAWN #1
written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
art and cover by ALEX MALEEV

Exploding out of the pages of the Event Leviathan miniseries, this all-new special blasts the DC Universe into a dangerous and brave new future! With Leviathan arrived, its leader’s identity revealed, and its plans known, what happens next? Now the heroes fight back! Leviathan changed the rules of the game, so now’s the time for the biggest players to get together and figure out a new strategy in this brave new world. It’s an extra-sized super-spy yarn from the Eisner Award-winning team of writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Alex Maleev!

I liked the Event Leviathan mini-series. It was a great mystery. And yes, my Leviathan Theory was wrong.

But I do like the idea of a huge sect who poses a threat to Superman. So I am glad Leviathan is sticking around as an entity and a group. 

Oh by the way, it stars me!

BATMAN/SUPERMAN #7
written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
art and cover by NICK DERINGTON
card stock variant cover by ANDY KUBERT

In the aftermath of “The Infected,” Batman and Superman create new measures to prevent hidden and dangerous super-villain plots in the future. Using new technology to track villains throughout the DC Universe, the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel are startled to discover that General Zod has returned to Earth—and that his new target is...Ra’s al Ghul! What is Zod’s plan, and what does it have to do with the destroyed bottle city of Kandor? Find out in the first chapter of a two-part epic featuring the work of artist Nick Derington!

Zod turned out to be on the road to redemption on New Krypton.

So why would he come to Earth and target Ra's? My guess is he wonders if he can Lazarus Pit the dead Kandorians to return them to New Krypton. Don't raise the dead ... brrr!

Looking forward to Nick Derington on art!

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #4
written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
art and cover by RYAN SOOK and TRAVIS MOORE
card stock variant cover by ALEX GARNER

The secret origin of the Legion of Super-Heroes revealed! Exactly how did this ragtag group of idealistic, super-powered teens from all across the galaxy find each other? What pulls them and keeps them together? Another gorgeous issue of DC’s future superstars also reveals clues to how Aquaman’s lost trident may be the key to Earth’s future and survival!

This Garner cover is gorgeous!

And a secret origin issue! I'm in! Will RJ Brande be on a spaceship? Or is this a completely new Legion??

I'm in!

Posted in: Reviews