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- Justice League #1 — August 31st — @GeoffJohns0 and @jimlee00 confirmed by @DC_NATION (1000th tweet, hell of a way to celebrate) #
- I really hope there is still space in DC’s Brave New World for @JamesDRobinson ‘s azure-gay-alien and size-changing golden-gorilla. #
Monthly Archives: May 2011
Asides From Twitter for 2011-05-31
Justice League #1 by Johns and Lee
USA Today (retweeted by @DC_Nation) has just confirmed that Geoff Johns and Jim Lee will be taking over Justice League post-Flashpoint. The news was scooped what Bleeding Cool had announced Bleeding Cool a few hours beforehand.
Justice League (vol. 2)
From the USA Today article:
Starting this summer, the publisher will re-number its entire DC Universe of titles, revamping famous characters such as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and others from its 76-year history for a more modern and diverse 21st century.
The first book to be released under this new era: Justice League No. 1, out Aug. 31, a series by writer Geoff Johns and artist Jim Lee that reunites the famous lineup of Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Wonder Woman and Aquaman.
Johns promises a focus on the interpersonal relationships within DC’s trademark superteam. “What’s the human aspect behind all these costumes?” he says. “That’s what I wanted to explore.”
This should be really good – some of the highlights of Blackest Night were the Barry Allen and Hal Jordan interactions. This will be the second volume to be called just Justice League – the post-Crisis on Infinite Earth series was also called that before it was rebranded as Justice League International (there is a still a previously announced JLI series lurking around somewhere). The JL series launches in the same week as Flashpoint #5.
Updated 01/06/2011: A second USA Today article included more details on the JL series:
Guided by writer Geoff Johns and artist Jim Lee, Justice League will begin its first year with an updated secret origin reflecting DC’s new initiative, giving the group a reason for coming together that it lacked when the league first appeared in 1960. And while it will ultimately boast 14 members, at its core will be DC’s A-list do-gooders: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern and Aquaman.
The original image that DC released was a crop of the above image and didn’t show the Flash or Cyborg.
Revamp? Reboot?
This is also a revamp. Jim Lee from the article:
This was a chance to start, not at the beginning, but at a point where our characters are younger and the stories are being told for today’s audience.
In a letter to Comics Retailers DC goes into a bit more detail on the changes:
We are positioning ourselves to tell the most innovative stories with our characters to allow fans to see them from a new angle. We have taken great care in maintaining continuity where most important, but fans will see a new approach to our storytelling.Some of the characters will have new origins, while others will undergo minor changes. Our characters are always being updated; however, this is the first time all of our characters will be presented in a new way all at once.
A new approach to storytelling? This could very well be as major as the post-Crisis on Infinite Earths reboots or as minor as the post-Infinite Crisis relaunch. I do have concerns about what the status quo will be. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I was struggling with my more pessimistic tendencies on this one. I’ve see too many relaunches and reboots at DC before. I hope it will be brilliant, I know the people involved should ensure that, but we’re really going to have to wait and see how this one plays out.
Day and date digital
The reason for the relaunch given in the article is a complete, linewide shift to day-and-date digital distribution. I read all of Generation Lost digitally so I’m use to it, but they will have to do something about the price point. $2.99 for a digital comic is too high if you don’t have some sort of download to hard-disc option – it’s just too much money to lock into one company’s digital vault.
Prediction for the next few years: Comixology will be bought by somebody big, really big. Given that Amazon bought Audible I could well see them making a play for Comixology, if the digital comics market continues to expand.
3 CommentsMarvel’s take on DC’s Universe
In the latest Cup O’Joe CBR talked with with Marvel editor Tom Brevoort about what he thought of DC’s hush-hush plans for September. While he’s not being in on the loop himself, Brevoort did at least comment on the methods behind relaunches:
It seems like, from what we can suss out from what’s being said out there, that rather than being something like The Heroic Age, this is closer to a Heroes Reborn or what was rumored to be happening 25 years ago with “Crisis.” The idea was that they’d somehow remake the DC line, and everything would start over fresh as a new entry point. In terms of the reason why we’d do a coordinated launch such as Heroic Age, it’s because releasing a number of titles at once around a common theme gives you a certain amount of critical mass. It gets some attention for what’s going on both in the hobby market and out in the larger world. The more stuff you have going on at once, the bigger and more important it all seems to be.
I liked his comments about how anything that shifts more comics is good for the industry. He also commented on DC’s tendency to “tear it all down” and to reboot characters:
I think there’s definitely value in doing that, or at least keeping your eyes open towards it. I don’t think of it in terms of “tearing things down,” though. I think that’s more of a DC thing than a Marvel thing in that DC, a couple of times over the last 25 years, has done a story that restructures their continuity to the point where almost on a month-by-month or year-by-year basis, you can’t be sure what the bedrock of these characters is. For years, the founding members of the Justice League were slightly different people. Wonder Woman was one of them or not, depending on where you happened to be in the flow of things. They’ve managed that as well as they could. They were dealing with whatever the particular need was at that moment, but in the long-term, it kind of makes it difficult to trust the veracity of the stories you’re reading.
I find his comments interesting as their a considered appraisal of where he things his Distinguished Competition have gone wrong in the past and are heading next. We fans can guess all we want, but its interesting to hear this sort of analysis from somebody who’s actually in the same game as DC.
Asides From Twitter for 2011-05-27
- RT @maguirekevin Beautiful day….to…sit inside and draw JLI #
Are we in the [JLA] Dark?
Something is afoot with the DC Universe. The Flashpoint crossover shows a DC Universe that is radically different from the one we know. Aquaman’s Atlantis and Wonder Woman’s Amazons are locked in an all out war that has virtually destroyed Europe, Africa is under the control of Gorilla Grodd, Batman is Bruce Wayne’s father, and it is Cyborg not Superman who is America’s greatest hero.
The Flashpoint World Map (via The Source)
Only Barry Allen and Booster Gold remember the old world and there is a lot of story to cover before the series wraps with Flashpoint #5 at the end of August. August is a five-week month and the Flashpoint conclusion is the only book shipping in the fifth week. Not only that, but a suspicious number of ongoing plotlines, arcs, and stories are wrapping immediately beforehand. DC looks like they are deliberately clearing the decks for whatever comes after Flashpoint and that has ignited a firestorm of speculation and rumour.
Comics Alliance have a good run down of the evidence for some sort of thresh hold event and detail a dozen different conclusions/story breaks that are happening in August. These include:
- The infamous J. Michael Straczynski arcs for Superman and Wonder Woman, “Grounded” and “Odyssey,” conclude after being taken over by Chris Roberson and Phil Hester respectively.
- “Rise of Eclipso” wraps up in Justice League.
- Batman: Gates of Gotham ends, and Batman gets a fill-in issue discussing an “identity crisis” for Dick Grayson, implying he might leave the Batsuit in September.
- Scott Snyder, Jock and Francesco Francavilla’s excellent “Black Mirror” storyline concludes in Detective Comics.
- “Reign of the Doomsdays” wraps up in Action Comics.
- [etc]
What does this mean for the Justice League? Well this is the Justice League solicitation for August:
Justice League of America (vol. 2) #60
- Credits: Writer: James Robinson; Penciller: Daniel Sampere; Inks: Wayne Faucher; Colourist: Andrew Dalhouse; Letterer: Rob Leigh; Cover Penciller: Ivan Reis; Cover Inker: Joe Prado; Cover Colourist: Peter Steigerwald; Variant Cover Artist: David Mack; Editor: Rex Ogle, Eddie Berganza
- Solicitation copy: In the aftermath of “Eclipso Rising,” the team faces an uncertain future. Be here for a tale of love, friendship and heroism when this incarnation of the JLA must decide whether they have anything left to offer the DC Universe. And the mystery of Jesse Quick’s wavering speed powers is solved in a revelation that will shock everyone.
- Published: 17 August 2011
- Length: 32 pages
- Cost: $2.99
It certainly sounds like an end or break point.
A few weeks ago Bleeding Cool announced that they’d discovered that DC’s next big thing was called “The Dark”, but they had to admit that they didn’t have a clue about what it was. Then Newsarama’s blogger Graeme McMillan, among a piece on the desensitizing escalation of destruction levels at DC and Marvel, observed that:
and JLA is, I am now convinced, running the secret lead up to whatever that “The Dark” launch is going to be for DC
Which sort of makes sense. The entire "Eclipso Rising" arc features villains and heroes who are tied to the Shadowlands – the vestigial primordial chaos left unilluminated when the creator commanded “let there be light”. And that certainly would fit the bill for something described as “The Dark”. (Let us also remember that James Robinson has stated that he’s working on an upcoming Shade series of some sort.)
Now Bleeding Cool have fuelled that suspicion with another rumour:
But I do have the first title for whatever Dark may be.
Justice League Dark.
This is post-Flashpoint, folks.
We’re talking an A-list creative team as well.
All very believable, but the conspiracy theory engines got dialled to eleven when DC themselves announced that Geoff Johns and Jim Lee would on Saturday, June 11 at the Hero Complex Film Festival in Hollywood for an “exclusive on-stage conversation” regarding the future of Superman. The date is important as it’s before the September solicitations which is when DC will have to spill the beans on while titles are available for order in September.
Could Geoff and Jim new the new A-list creative team on Justice League Dark? We’ll find out on June 11th.
Asides From Twitter for 2011-05-22
- Finally got the bugs worked out of WordPress so here is the proper version of my JLA #57 post http://bit.ly/kGRLKi #
Asides From Twitter for 2011-05-20
- Graeme McMillan http://bit.ly/iC9I4r observes that “Rise of Eclipso” may stealth lead into rumoured “The Dark” event http://bit.ly/jgfZjb #
- Something screwy is going on with the new posts. Sigh, this is going to require some php spelunking. #
Justice League of America (vol. 2) #56
Issue Credits
- Writer
- James Robinson
- Penciller
- Brett Booth
- Inker
- Norm Rapmund
- Colourist
- Andrew Dalhouse
- Letterer
- Rob Leigh
- Cover Penciller
- Brett Booth
- Cover Inker
- Norm Rapmund
- Cover Colourist
- Andrew Dalhouse
- Variant Cover Artist
- David Mack
- Associate Editor
- Rex Ogle
- Executive Editor
- Eddie Berganza
Quotes
Congorilla: I’ve met your kind before. Elder god? Many-sided one? CODSWALLOP! Sulking brutes and bullies, the lot of you!
The Shade: Ahh, Batman. Hello. Hello. What is it when you and one other her team up — oh, yes, now I remember — so which am I? Brave or bold?
Synopsis “Eclipso Rising Part Three: The Battle for the Emerald City”
Previously: Eclipso reappeared due to mystical disturbances caused by the Starheart’s battle with the JSA and JLA. He forcibly recruited a group of eclipsed shadow-powered heroes and villains and used them to stage an assault on the Emerald City (the community of magical creatures established on the Moon in the wake of the Starheart’s defeat). He eclipsed the JLA’s Jade while Jesse Quick rushed the frail Alan Scott to safety. At that same moment the League’s forces were split between the Emerald City and the sudden reappearance of Doomsday. It rapidly trashed the JLA’s Watchtower satellite and teleported away with Supergirl.
JLA Solicitations for August 2011
Something is afoot in the DC Universe. August sees the Flashpoint crossover double-shipping and Flashpoint #5 is the only DCU comic out that week (August 24th). Furthermore, many of the DCU titles carry descriptions (CBR, Newsarama) that sound like the end of major plot lines – even when those issues are not specifically marked as “final” issues. The main JLA title is one of those and features a one issue “Rise of Eclipso” postscript with artist Daniel Sampere. How this will play out isn’t known, but we do get a gorgeous Ivan Reis cover.
The lack of normal DC issues on August 24th doesn’t stop DC stuffing in a few reprints and this includes the beautiful JLA: Heaven’s Ladder by Mark Waid and Bryan Hitch. Their JLA run started spectacularly, but for one reason or another Hitch wasn’t suited to the monthly schedule and eventually left DC to create The Ultimates with Mark Millar. Millar also features in the newly solicited collections as several of his JLA stories from the Grant Morrison era have been added to the softcover release of JLA Vol. 1 (rather annoying if you’ve already bought the expensive JLA Vol. 1 Deluxe hardcover).
Oddly Young Justice seems to have been forgotten from DC’s normal comic book solicitations, but it is listed on their website (despite them getting the writer’s name wrong). This is the first YJ ongoing issue (not issue #0) to be written by YJ producer Greg Weisman and series writer Kevin Hopps.
Ongoing Series
Justice League of America (vol. 2) #60
- Credits: Writer: James Robinson; Penciller: Daniel Sampere; Inks: Wayne Faucher; Colourist: Andrew Dalhouse; Letterer: Rob Leigh; Cover Penciller: Ivan Reis; Cover Inker: Joe Prado; Cover Colourist: Peter Steigerwald; Variant Cover Artist: David Mack; Editor: Rex Ogle, Eddie Berganza
- Solicitation copy: In the aftermath of “Eclipso Rising,” the team faces an uncertain future. Be here for a tale of love, friendship and heroism when this incarnation of the JLA must decide whether they have anything left to offer the DC Universe. And the mystery of Jesse Quick’s wavering speed powers is solved in a revelation that will shock everyone.
- Published: 17 August 2011
- Length: 32 pages
- Cost: $2.99
Young Justice (vol. 2) #7
- Credits: Writer: Kevin Hopps, Greg Weisman; Penciller, Cover Artist: Christopher Jones; Inker: Dan Davis; Colourist, Cover Colourist: Zac Atkinson; Letterer: Carlos S. Mangual; Assistant Editor: Michael McCalister; Editor: Jim Chadwick
- Solicitation copy: When night descends on Gotham City, Artemis takes to the streets. Prowling the rooftops and the alleyways for the first time, this teen archer has a choice to make: Will she fight on the side of the angels or follow a darker path?
- Published: 24 August 2011
- Length: 32 pages
- Cost: $2.99
Oneshots/Specials
DC Retroactive: Justice League of America – The ’80s #1
- Credits: Writer: Gerry Conway; Artist: Ron Randall; Cover Artist: Ron Randall
- Solicitation copy: Between their traditional Silver Age incarnation and the tongue-in-cheek Giffen/DeMatteis run, there was…JLA Detroit! Series scribe Gerry Conway revisits what may have been the most controversial lineup of DC’s iconic team book ever. (Who can forget the breakdancing Vibe?) Then experience a classic tale reprinted from the ‘80s!
- Published: 10 August 2011
- Length: 56 pages
- Cost: $4.99
DC Retroactive: Justice League of America – The ’90s #1
- Credits: Writer: Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis; Artist: Kevin Maguire; Cover Artist: Kevin Maguire
- Solicitation copy: It's time to "Bwah Ha Ha" all over again as this classic JLA team tells a lost tale from one of the JLA's most popular eras. The Injustice Gang is back! Not the truly menacing, more recent incarnation, but their not-so competent predecessors. Still, when they stumble upon a device they should never be allowed to have, the results might prove more disastrous than if they actually knew what they were doing! A previously released story from the era rounds out the issue.
- Published: 24 August 2011
- Length: 56 pages
- Cost: $4.99
Reprints
DC Comics Presents JLA: Heaven’s Ladder #1
- Credits: Writer: Mark Waid (Heaven's Ladder) and Ron Marz (GL #1,000,000); Penciller: Bryan Hitch (Heaven's Ladder, GL #1,000,000); Inker: Paul Heary (Heaven's Ladder, GL #1,000,000) and Andy Lanning (GL #1,000,000)
- Solicitation copy: The powerful graphic novel from 2000 is reprinted, along with GREEN LANTERN #1,000,000! When the Earth is wrenched from its orbit and transported into a massive alien craft, The Justice League quickly begins an investigation to discover the identity of the culprit and his scheme. Earth’s greatest heroes soon learn that an eons-old race of scientists on the verge of extinction is acquiring planets in the hopes of finding a homeworld. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash and The Atom must save these disparate worlds while aiding the godlike race in their quest. And in the story from GL #1,000,000, also illustrated by Bryan Hitch, Kyle Rayner must adapt to a challenge in the 857th century when a rampaging interstellar menagerie is set loose. During the struggle, Kyle learns that there’s a traitor among the future JLA!
- Published: 24 August 2011
- Length: 96 pages
- Cost: $7.99
Trade Paperbacks
JLA Vol. 1 TP
- Credits: Writers: Grant Morrison & Mark Millar; Artists: Howard Porter, John Dell, Oscar Jimenez; Cover Artists: Howard Porter & John Dell
- Solicitation copy: The legendary 1990s JLA series written by comics mastermind Grant Morrison (FINAL CRISIS) with stunning art by Howard Porter and others is now collected in trade paperback, including issues #1-9 and JLA SECRET FILES #1. The action begins as the JLA reunites to stop the Hyperclan, who have come to Earth posing as a new group of Super Heroes. But as their true nature comes to light, only the World’s Greatest Super Heroes can stop them! Standing side by side, Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash, Green Lantern and the Martian Manhunter take on alien posers and come to realize that Earth needs a protectorate made up of only the mightiest icons. This new trade paperback includes several issues written by Mark Millar (Kick-Ass, Ultimate Fantastic Four) that were not collected in the hardcover JLA DELUXE EDITION series.
- Published: 28 September 2011
- ISBN: 1401233147
- Length: 256 pages
- Cost: $19.99
Justice League of America: Team History TP
- Credits: Writer: James Robinson; Artists: Mark Bagley & Rob Hunter; Cover Artists: Mark Bagley & Rob Hunter
- Solicitation copy: Now in trade paperback! In this first volume collecting stories by James Robinson and Mark Bagley from issues #38-43, the JLA is reborn with a new roster of heroes: Batman, Green Lantern, The Atom, Green Arrow, Donna Troy, The Guardian, Cyborg, Mon-El, Starfire and Congorilla. Also in this volume, the BLACKEST NIGHT darkens the skies over the Justice League. Can the team get it together in time to survive the return of the undead, villainous Dr. Light?
- Published: 14 September 2011
- ISBN: 1401232604
- Length: 192 pages
- Cost: $17.99
Hardcovers
Justice League: Generation Lost Vol. 2 HC
- Credits: Writer: Judd Winick; Artists: Aaron Lopresti, Fernando Dagnino, Joe Bennett and others; Cover Artist: Dustin Nguyen
- Solicitation copy: In this second JLGL collection featuring issues #13-24 of the twice-monthly series, the U.N. revokes Checkmate’s charter, Captain Atom is wanted for murder, and Blue Beetle is . . . dead? Don’t miss the second half of this can’t-miss epic!
- Published: 12 October 2011
- ISBN: 1401232833
- Length: 320 pages
- Cost: $39.99
Asides From Twitter for 2011-05-16
- Distant hills which appear to need more polygons. #signsyouarestillinthematrix #
- An accident with the tissue compression eliminator had made it rather difficult for the Master to use his walkman http://bit.ly/msJsFE #
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