Spoiler I really wish Johns just went away. The JSA is my favorite superhero team, and Johns JSA is what made me a fan, but I don't want a post New 52 Johns to touch anything related to any character I like. Well, at least Power Girl probably won't be the shitty New 52 Earth 2 version that was literally a dumb bimbo who partied/slept her way to getting what she wanted, before transitioning to being a whiny asshole whose whole existence revolved around Val Zod for some reason. Say what you want about Johns comic writing, he's not as psychotically misogynistic as many of the New 52 writers were and usually treated Power Girl pretty well. As for the rest of the team, Beth and Yolanda should have stayed dead, they're only back because of that shitty Stargirl show. Hourman looks like shit, and no Jesse Quick/Liberty Belle II is a deal breaker anyway. I hate Alan Scott's new costume, but I'll never acknowledge the new version of Alan Scott anyway (yes, I'm one of the handful of people people who remember and really enjoyed Alan's relationship with Molly Scott and his backstory with the golden age Rose/Thorn, and fuck the New 52 for ruining that forever). Seeing the creative team involved, I can't wait for ten issues of to get released over 19 months before the book gets cancelled because even that rate of release is too much for the creative team
August Solicitations are out! Personal thoughts and notes: - Batman crossover "Fear State" launches with a one-shot. Also, John Ridley immediately follows his just concluded "Next Batman" Jade Fox miniseries with a ne "I am Batman" Jade Fox miniseries. Plus, Secret Files for Clownkiller. They sure are going to the Batman well a lot. I'm so glad I don't buy those regular Bat-books anymore. - Batman: The World, anthology HC from international creators, out in September. Theoretically okay, but not willing to pay 25 dollars for it. Maybe if they reprint it as a softcover for ten bucks less at some point. - The trio of Milestone titles is complete with the launch of Hardware. Sure buy for me. - Finally, Batman '89 and Superman '78 launch. I'm tempted to go with the variant cover of Batman '89 #1, Jerry Ordway and Billy Dee Two Face are strong arguments. Note: Superman '78 is listed as 1 of 6, Batman '89 isn't. Does that mean Bats gets an ongoing? And will Superman '78 be followed with a second miniseries next year? - Pennyworth TV series gets a sequel 7-issue comic series. Kinda tempted, but budget demands setting priorities. Probably will buy the trade down the line, though. - They are certainly preparing for The Suicide Squad movie, with all those collections. Still planning to get around to buying and reading the classic Ostrander collection down the line, so I'm probably just gonna get the Greatest Hits one. 200 pages for 13 bucks is a good deal. - While I don't read the monthly Suicide Squad title, the Annual focusing on Connor Kent, and teasing a secret behind his origin (maybe the Suicide Squad member isn't even the real Connor Kent?), I'm very tempted to buy this. - Once again, several titles double-ship. Among them are Detective Comics, Infinite Frontier (meaning the miniseries will conclude in September), Justice League, Superman & the Authority (also condluding in September), and Wonder Woman (who, it seems, is exploring the multiverse, allowing for some classic costumes to return). - Superman: Red & Blue concludes with #6. - The August issue of Truth & Justice stars Zatanna. Yaaayyy!!!! - Wonder Woman digital-first series Agent of Peace gets first trade paperback. Probable buy. - Further sure buys among the new launches for me: Superman vs. Lobo, Aquaman 80th Anniversary oneshot, Batman/Superman Annual, GL Annual - Side notes: Love the covers for Crush & Lobo, Green Lantern, and Nightwing.
Just got an update on the DC Round Robin, where members of the DC Infinite service can vote for different titles and concepts. And the two finalists are frustratingly predictable.
Going through the solicits it seems that wow, if you're a Bat-family fan, you'll be happy. And broke.
Ty Templeton has announced he's stepping down as artist of "Batman: The Adventures Continue" after he was diagnosed with cancer:
September solicits are out! Notes & thoughts: - Did they forget the '0' in Batman #1012, and again in #1013?! - New Gotham "transhumanist vigilante" Miracle Molly?! Actually, I don't even wanna know. - A crossover between Batman and Fables. Too bad I never read Fables. Heard good things, but it's the old problem, so many good things to consume, so little time/cash. - New Deathstroke (Inc.) book, co-starring Black Canary. Kinda tempted with this one. Maybe trade-wait. Also, just how many books is Josh Williamson writing?! - Two new Aquaman-related mini-series, Aquaman: The Becoming starring Jackson Hyde "graduating" from Aqualad to Aquaman (whatever that means for Arthur), and Black Manta. Mildly interested, but right now I'd say I'm probably not gonna read 'em. - Miniseries tie-in to Harley Quinn TAS, following the events of season 2. Probably gonna read this one. - King Shark mini. Uh, no. - Halloween special titled Are You Afraid Of Darkseid. Clever title, but these holiday oneshots are always a mixed bag, and none of the listed creators is a big enough draw for me to spend ten bucks on this. - Titans United miniseries, starring Dick, Raven, Starfire, Beast Boy, Donna, Hawk & Dove, Red Hood, and Conner Kent. Don't give a shit about Jason Todd at this point, but with the rest of the line-up, hell yeah! - Oh god. I'm gonna have to spend fifty bucks for that Milestone Compendium. Sure, it's fifty bucks, but, fuck, that's just too good a deal to pass on. - Ominous cover and synopsis for Action #1035. - Batman/Superman ends with #22. Enjoyed the ride, but there's more than enough other titles to hold me over (so little time/cash). - GL: Jo Mullein vs Sinestro! - The Infinite Frontier miniseries ends. Darkseid! - Sensational Wonder Woman ends. See above comment on Batman/Superman - The Wonder Woman by George Perez collection comes to its conclusion with volume 6. Still my favorite WW run.
Either he's dead, or inline with Young Justice Outsiders has opted to hand over the mantle so that he can focus on Atlantis.
I think they'd make a bigger fuss over Arthur dying. He's also still a member of the JL. There is the other option of a shared name like with The Flashes.
It looks like DC is still implementing its 5G plan, but just in a more subtle way. As for Aquaman, my guess is that it will be a shared name--Arthur has "died" several times over the last couple of decades.
I had the same thought. It's just with most heroes they seem less like replacements and more like concurrent namesakes. Kinda like how Marvel is doing it with Spider-Man and Captain America, and DC themselves with the Flash. Also, supposedly, DC is working with a four year plan, with Death Metal as the starting point, which also sees another Crisis event in 2022, so any new status quo probably won't stay the status quo for long.
It never is, but the financially successful characters stick around after the Crisis. We had a pretty good story through Rebirth--New 52 had some good things--I like a lot of the new characters so I am curious to see where DC is headed. They have tried and failed to include diversity after Infinite Crisis--maybe now is the right time to bring in new readers. People always say they are for diversity as long as their favorite characters aren't changed. DC seems to be taking on that challenge.
They've posted an interview with Thomas Brandon, the writer of Aquaman: The Becoming. The article says that Arthur will be focused on raising his daughter, Andy, so it sounds like he's stepping down to that, and Jackson will be taking over.
DC has released a digital version of the Denny O'Neil tribute story from the recent Green Arrow 80th Anniversary oneshot free to read.