DC April 2020 Solicits

The April 2020 solicits for DC Comics came out last week and there were a couple of interesting surprises and a 'not surprised' solicit as well. There are plenty of anniversary issues and plenty of dollar facsimile comics as well. Not a bad springtime month.

Here is a link to all the solicits for you to peruse over on Newsarama:
https://www.newsarama.com/48662-dc-comics-april-2020-solicitations.html

And now onto the blog-specific solicits.

SUPERGIRL #41
written by JODY HOUSER
art by RACHAEL STOTT
cover by CARMINE DI GIANDOMENICO
card stock variant cover by DERRICK CHEW

Free of the infection and reeling after the events of Year of the Villain: Hell Arisen, Supergirl crash-lands in an area being devastated by a catastrophic storm. Suffering from a series of hallucinations and memories of her past, Kara struggles to keep her mind clear enough to save the people she swore to her cousin she’d protect. She’s got a lot to prove after endangering Smallville and all its inhabitants. Will she be able to save everyone including herself? Or is this the end for our hero?

Well it looks like we are back to Supergirl, freed of the infection which made her dark and edgy.

That means we have reached the 'redemption' portion of the Supergirl cycle of 'hero-edgy-redemption' plotlines.

As I have said I am a bit tired of this cycle. I also am a bit tired of the endless different looks at Supergirl's Kryptonian memory. Maybe we can settle on something this time?

Looking forward to see what Houser/Stott do away from a crossover.

ACTION COMICS #1022
written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
art and cover by JOHN ROMITA JR. and KLAUS JANSON
variant cover by LUCIO PARRILLO

First, Metropolis was hit with the biggest ground battle in the history of the city and barely survived. On top of that, Leviathan threw down his gauntlet for the entire world to see, and Superman revealed the truth of his identity as Clark Kent. Now the city is in a state of shock—and Clark and Conner Kent need to figure out what’s next for them and the city they protect! Guest-starring Wonder Comics’ Young Justice in a unique crossover!

I am pretty eager to see how Superman responds to seeing this Superboy, especially given the sudden absence of his own son who used the same codename.

Hoping JRJR isn't on this title too long.

SUPERMAN #22
written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
art and cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
variant cover by BRYAN HITCH

The battle for the United Planets hits a fever pitch as the galactic conqueror Mongul beats some of the rulers of the galaxy to death and then heads for Earth! The only thing standing in his way? Superman! Meanwhile, back on Earth, the truth that Clark Kent is Superman continues to spiral out all over the world, and now the Daily Planet’s competition is gunning for his wife, Lois Lane!

Someone endangering Lois Lane after the reveal?? Impossible! #sarcasm

Maybe the competition is wondering if Lois could be objective or had an unfair advantage. So maybe it isn't a physical danger but an occupational hazard.

All that said, I wonder if this Mongul throwdown will be epic!

BATMAN/SUPERMAN #9
written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
art and cover by CLAYTON HENRY
variant cover by MIKE MAYHEW

“Atomic” part one! The Atomic Skull is dead. When Batman and Superman arrive on the scene of his explosive demise, they discover that this villain-turned-would-be hero was one of many people to be the subject of grisly—and sometimes fatal—experiments. But who is pulling the strings of these bizarre and unnecessary surgeries? Whom will they experiment on next? And what does one of Superman’s oldest foes, the Ultra-Humanite, have to do with this deadly mystery? 

I hope beyond hope that it isn't STAR Labs again. Let's have them become good guys again.

And the Skull hasn't been seen in a while. The last time he was smitten with Lois and was a hero. So will he really be dead?

LOIS LANE #10
written by GREG RUCKA
art and cover by MIKE PERKINS
variant cover by TULA LOTAY

Armed with new information about the assassin stalking her, Lois goes on the offensive, while Renee struggles with wielding what may be the most powerful weapon of them all: the truth.

Pretty brief solicit here. How will Lois go on the offensive? Reporting on Kiss of Death's prior killings?

I am hopeful Rucka can wrap this up!

SUPERMAN’S PAL JIMMY OLSEN #10
written by MATT FRACTION
art and cover by STEVE LIEBER
variant cover by BEN OLIVER

Jimmy continues his world tour, risking his life for more of your sweet retweets, likes, and faves! Plus, the mastermind behind Jimmy’s assassination is revealed… and the insidious secret he’s willing to kill for will upend everything everywhere forever, assuming by “everything” you mean “everything in the pages of just this comic.” Also...you’ve heard of Arm-Fall-Off-Boy? Get ready to meet the entire Fall-Off-Family. What connection do they have to all this nonsense? Probably not much, but hey, you never know.

Arm Fall Off Boy!

Every Legion fan is giggling right now.

That alone tells you all you need to know about how awesome this book is!

LEGION OF SUPERHEROES #6
written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
art and cover by RYAN SOOK
card stock variant cover by ALEX GARNER

Meet the latest crop of Legionnaires: Gold Lantern! Monster Boy! Doctor Fate! Each a new face in the DC Universe, each with dark secrets, and each with a reason to be part of the Legion’s goal to bring the values of the Age of Heroes to the 31st century. And one of them has a surprising connection to Jon Kent, a.k.a. Superboy. All of this and the tensions between the United Planets and the Legion of Super-Heroes have gone public! The future of the DC Universe continues to unfold! 

Given Nabu is immortal, I like seeing a Dr. Fate here. Monster Boy must be the feral/cat-like looking Legionnaire in the group pics. And Gold Lantern ... hmmm ... what emotional spectrum is that ring on?

I have been thrilled with this book so far. So bring it on!

EVENT LEVIATHAN: CHECKMATE #1
written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
art and cover by ALEX MALEEV
variant cover by BRYAN HITCH

From the award-winning creative team behind last year’s Event Leviathan comes the next surprising chapter in DC Comics’ deadliest saga. Leviathan has agents and acolytes all over the world—but what is the secret behind its power? The planet’s last, best hope to infiltrate Leviathan may be this motley collection of spymasters, now teamed up to try to take back the world that was stolen from under us all! Green Arrow, the Question, Talia al Ghul and other unlikely allies converge to tackle Leviathan as members of the new Checkmate—but who is the surprise hero behind this team? Big clues to the future of the DC Universe start here! 

Another Event Leviathan comic! A surprise hero behind the team? Maybe another mystery? Another #LeviathanTheory set of posts. And you know how much I loved the Leviathan Theory posts here.

I am going to guess the hero is the Simonson Manhunter, Paul Kirk. 

DC DESIGNER SERIES: SUPERGIRL BY MICHAEL TURNER MINI STATUE
based on artwork by MICHAEL TURNER
sculpted by IRENE MATAR

This Designer Series mini statue brings the popular art of Michael Turner to 3-D life. Based on the iconic cover to Superman/Batman #13, this statue is now featured at a 1:10 scale and at an affordable price point. $95.00 US.

Not a bad statue and not a bad price point.

I think I need a new piece for the shrine. So expect to see me get this!

What did I miss?

Posted in: Reviews