May 2020 Solicits

Last week DC released their May 2020 solicits. A look at all the books can be found here at Newsarama:https://www.newsarama.com/49036-dc-comics-may-2020-solicitations.html

The big news is the cancellation of Supergirl, a topic I covered here. I keep hearing these rumblings of another universal reboot. I am hearing some behind the scene whispers that Supergirl is going to be left untouched for a bit. I already ranted. Just know it makes absolutely no sense to keep a marketable character like Supergirl on the shelf. Ridiculous.

SUPERGIRL #42
written by JODY HOUSER
art by RACHAEL STOTT
cover by CARMINE DI GIANDOMENICO
card stock variant cover by DERRICK CHEW

Deemed a threat by the U.S. military, Supergirl is now a wanted villain! General Corvid has come for our hero—and she won’t give up until Kara’s gone for good. Meanwhile, the superstorm rages stronger than ever, while hundreds remain helpless against it. Can Supergirl prove that she’s the hero the people once believed her to be? Or will she let everyone down—including herself? Find out in the pulse-pounding series conclusion! FINAL ISSUE

We go out with a sob. Instead of the book ending with Supergirl as a hero, redeemed the solicit makes it sound like she's a fugitive. That is a far cry from the National City citizens cheering for their hero when she returned from space.

Who can I blame for this complete misunderstanding of a character and the character's fanbase?
I have no choice but to blame Dan Didio who has been in charge for all of these dark takes.

On to the rest of the Super books.

ACTION COMICS #1023
written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
art and cover by JOHN ROMITA JR. and KLAUS JANSON
variant cover by LUCIO PARRILLO

Just days after Clark Kent’s own shocking revelation, the facts behind who actually owns The Daily Planet have been revealed—and all hell has broken loose! The fallout from the Superman: Villains special starts here! No one is safe as a new era of Superman stories begins! Plus, now that the dust has settled, is the Red Cloud hero or villain?

As sad/angry I am about the Supergirl cancellation, I am pretty pumped for the Superman books. The continued presence of Apex Lex irks me. But the Leone reveal, the Red Cloud subplot, and the presence of Leviathan excites me.

Too bad Romita Jr is still around.

SUPERMAN #23
written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
art and cover by KEVIN MAGUIRE
variant cover by BRYAN HITCH

With Superman’s secret identity suddenly revealed to the world, many in his life are worried that he has been tricked or duped into destroying his own privacy! All the more worrisome is Superman has been very susceptible to mysticism. Could all this madness be magic related? It’s time to call the doctor…Dr. Fate!

I am a big Dr. Fate fan.
I like the idea of people wondering if Superman was duped into the reveal.
Maguire's art is always a treat.
Another book I'm interested in.

BATMAN/SUPERMAN #10
written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
art and cover by CLAYTON HENRY
card stock variant cover by RICCARDO FEDERICI

Devastation in Gotham City! Following the events of a massive explosion in midtown, Batman and Superman pick up the pieces to learn who rigged the Atomic Skull like a bomb...and will they do it again? All will be revealed as the horrific plan of the Ultra-Humanite rains terror down on the lives of the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel!

Nothing like an intelligent, mutated gorilla to spice up a title.
I am a fan of Clayton Henry's art so I am more interested in this issue than I thought.

LOIS LANE #11
written by GREG RUCKA
art and cover by MIKE PERKINS
variant cover by JOËLLE JONES

The braid begins to unravel as Lois, Renee Montoya, Midnight, and Sister Clarice all come together. Now the intrepid reporter must face the reporter’s dilemma—what truths to tell, and at what cost?

Does this mean we actually will get some plot progression in this book. Not much to hang my hat on here but this is the penultimate issue.

SUPERMAN’S PAL JIMMY OLSEN #11
written by MATT FRACTION
art and cover by STEVE LIEBER
variant cover by BEN OLIVER

Hey, look—it’s issue 11 of a 12-issue series, so it’s the perfect jumping-on point for new readers! Mysteries get solved, criminals are revealed, and a secret ally emerges from the shadows. Want more? There are robots, aliens, and The Daily Planet faces a threat to its existence at the same moment the actual planet faces the same! Now’s the time to get on board, guys!

I will miss this series.

Let's hope that we get some specials now and then.

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #7
written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
art and cover by RYAN SOOK
card stock variant cover by ALEX GARNER

Jonathan Kent, intergalactic fugitive! The United Planets is less than thrilled with the decision to bring Superboy a thousand years into the future to protect the past. Planet Gotham is under siege. Ultra Boy’s homeworld is on the verge of all-out war. And as if that weren’t enough, new Legionnaire drama unfolds as Saturn Girl and Cosmic Boy throw down over who should take on the Legion’s leadership! Plus, Brainiac 5 will reveal a secret that will make one Legionnaire quit the team—and we ask the burning question: Who is the strongest Legionnaire? Find out in the only book telling you the future of the DC Universe every month!

I have been loving this book so far. The fact that there are 6 plots listed in the solicit sounds like a Legion. But of all of these, a Legionnaire quitting is the line that grabbed me.

Long Live the Legion!

ESSENTIALS: DCEASED HARLEY QUINN, DCEASED SUPERMAN, DCEASED THE FLASH, AND DCEASED SUPERGIRL ACTION FIGURES
Based on the popular DC Comics miniseries from 2019, DCeased, this DC Essentials action figure series takes the most popular characters in the line and turns them into zombielike creatures.
DCEASED SUPERGIRL
• 6.47" tall

This isn't for me. But there is a zombie Supergirl action figure being solicited. I guess this is a decent repurposing of that DC Essentials figure mold.

Okay, did I miss anything?
Can I find joy?

Posted in: Reviews