DCU Dark

[Fearless Agent Orange Find all posts View Profile Close Fearless]

Yeah, that whole crossover debacle nearly killed my purchasing the title, but the storytelling is still pretty good when given a chance to stand on its own, and that's coming from a guy who never even wanted to look at the title when it was announced.

[d3v1lb0y Red Lantern Black Ops Find all posts View Profile Close d3v1lb0y]

that Steel armor looks cool
don't tell me that ANOTHER GL on the Animal Man book?
the I, Vampire cover looks nice!!!

[Space Cop The Dandy Find all posts View Profile Close Space Cop]

Yeah, that whole crossover debacle nearly killed my purchasing the title, but the storytelling is still pretty good when given a chance to stand on its own, and that's coming from a guy who never even wanted to look at the title when it was announced.

Yeah. It sucks that they do this. I share this title with my mother (I lend her most of my horror or stange Sci-fi comics) and she likes it but the JLD and Stormwatch (and Constantine) stuff confused her.

[W.West Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close W.West]

DCU DARK Solicitations for January 2013



THE PHANTOM STRANGER #4

Written by DAN DIDIO
Art by BRENT ANDERSON and PHILIP TAN
Cover by BRENT ANDERSON
1:25 B&W Variant cover by BRENT ANDERSON

On sale JANUARY 9 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for more information.
• John Constantine and Justice League Dark are about to learn the hard way why it’s never a good idea to make the Phantom Stranger angry!
• But why do the defenders against the dark arts need the Stranger’s presence in the first place?

SWORD OF SORCERY #4

Written by CHRISTY MARX
Backup story written by MARC ANDREYKO
Guest art by TRAVIS MOORE
Backup story art by ANDREI BRESSAN
Cover by WALTER SIMONSON
1:25 B&W Variant cover by WALTER SIMONSON

On sale JANUARY 23 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for more information.
• Amaya travels home to Earth from Gemworld only to find new trouble! What will happen to her powers when she becomes Amy Winston again?
• Guest-starring John Constantine!
• And in the new backup story, enter a world of modern magic and terror with Stalker, the man without a soul!

ANIMAL MAN #16

Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art by STEVE PUGH, TIMOTHY GREEN II and JOSEPH SILVER
Cover by STEVE PUGH

On sale JANUARY 9 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
• “ROTWORLD: THE RED KINGDOM” part four!
• Animal Man has Constantine, Steel, Black Orchid, Beast Boy, Frankenstein and a whole army of patchwork men and women at his back — but is that enough to go up against Anton Arcane at the heart of the Rot?
• Team Red sets off for Metropolis to recruit a powerful new ally!

SWAMP THING #16

Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art and cover by YANICK PAQUETTE

On sale JANUARY 9 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
• “ROTWORLD: THE GREEN KINGDOM” races toward its epic conclusion!
• It’s Swamp Thing vs. Rotmonster as Superman as Arcane’s ultimate plan is revealed!
• What sacrifice must Swamp Thing make to cleanse the Earth of the Rot?
• And what secret did Batman leave behind in the ruins of Gotham City?

JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #16

Written by JEFF LEMIRE and RAY FAWKES
Art and by MIKEL JANIN

On sale JANUARY 30 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
• The team is trapped on a magic-less planet that makes a horrible mockery of their powers!
• With time running out, Tim Hunter may be the team’s last chance to escape…if Steve Trevor doesn’t seal their fate first!
• Keep an eye out for a new character based on a winning design from SyFy’s popular show Face Off!

FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. #16

Written by MATT KINDT
Art and cover by ALBERTO PONTICELLI and WAYNE FAUCHER

On sale JANUARY 16 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T • FINAL ISSUE
• Don’t miss this final issue finale!
• Frankenstein and his team of misfit S.H.A.D.E. agents are sent in to stop a group of superpowered biological terrorists from detonating a
dirty bomb in Central City!

DIAL H #8

Written by CHINA MIEVILLE
Art by ALBERTO PONTICELLI and DAN GREEN
Cover by BRIAN BOLLAND

On sale JANUARY 9 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
• The Centipede creeps in and strikes!
• Nelson and Roxie are on the trail to unlock the mysteries of the H-dial while being stalked by the mysterious Centipede, who may have the answers they are looking for...and his own dark and deadly motivations.
• Everything combusts when Flame War appears and ignites a confrontation that must be read to be believed!

DEMON KNIGHTS #16

Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by BERNARD CHANG

On sale JANUARY 16 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
• It’s the DC debut of new writer Robert Venditti (X-O Manowar, The Surrogates)!
• It’s been thirty years since the Demon Knights last rode together — and they’re less than happy to see each other!
• What has happened during this time? Who lives? Who’s dead? Who’s going to stop the massive vampire invasion that threatens all life? The Demon Knights had better find some answers fast!

I, VAMPIRE #16

Written by JOSHUA HALE FIALKOV
Art by DENNIS CALERO
Cover by ALEX GARNER

On sale JANUARY 30 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
• The true origin of vampires in The New 52 is revealed here through the life and times of Cain!
• Andrew’s plans as King of Vampires are coming together, and that’s not good for humanity.

[Space Cop The Dandy Find all posts View Profile Close Space Cop]

Wait, Frankenstein is ending? How did I miss that?

[Hypo Lil' Leaguer Find all posts View Profile Close Hypo]

Wait, Frankenstein is ending? How did I miss that?

It was just revealed today with the solicits, lol.

Who's Ray Fawkes?

[Space Cop The Dandy Find all posts View Profile Close Space Cop]

It was just revealed today with the solicits, lol.

Oh, good. It was just so casual, I thought I might've missed something.

[Hypo Lil' Leaguer Find all posts View Profile Close Hypo]

I suppose the news was basically teased when they announced that Ponticelli would be leaving the book to take over Dial H.

[Space Cop The Dandy Find all posts View Profile Close Space Cop]

Good point. Never put it past DC to be obtuse or cagey.

[d3v1lb0y Red Lantern Black Ops Find all posts View Profile Close d3v1lb0y]

where will I see Ressurecction Man??

[Fearless Agent Orange Find all posts View Profile Close Fearless]

NOT having his title resurrected...

[W.West Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close W.West]

DEMON KNIGHTS Jumps Forward 30 Years With New Writer

[Hypo Lil' Leaguer Find all posts View Profile Close Hypo]

Annuals Spotlight: JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK ANNUAL #1

This Halloween, DC Comics will release its next batch of Annuals. These special oversized issues will not only build off of the events in their respective series, but will also greatly impact the expanding DC Universe. Leading up to their October 31 releases, we’ll be putting individual spotlights on each of these Annual issues by giving you special sneak peeks at what’s to come! First up? JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK ANNUAL #1.

Continued from this week’s JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #13, JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK ANNUAL #1 not only concludes writer Jeff Lemire and artist Mikel Janin’s epic premiere story arc, but also guest-stars three faces: the Agent of S.H.A.D.E. himself, Frankenstein, I, VAMPIRE’s Andrew Bennett, and SWORD OF SORCERY’s Amethyst!

“This Annual fulfills the promise of Jeff Lemire’s run so far on JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK — big stakes, big guest stars, and an even bigger climax. Seriously, this tale has everything but the kitchen sink — although there is a kitchen sink in the House of Mystery, so there’s that, too!” teased editor Brian Cunningham.

“I don’t say this often about a story, but there are single moments in this one that will completely shock and thrill even the most jaded of readers. This 38-pager takes the mystical and macabre to the mainstream. From the regular JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK creative team, this Annual ends the story that they began six months ago. Which, of course, only serves to set up our next amazing arc!”

“One of the biggest reasons why I’m excited by this issue is the spectacular art of our series artist Mikel Janin, who has quickly become one of my favorite artists working in comics — and, as many can attest, I’m not always an easy editor to please!” Cunningham continued. “Mikel took a terrific tale and elevated it to an entirely new level of bold, in-your-face, dynamic art, reminiscent of some of the great masters in comics. If you’re not reading JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK right now, you are missing out on a future master in the making, and you heard it here first!”

Below, take a sneak peek at JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK ANNUAL #1 by checking out some of Janin’s interior art. And don’t forget to pick up the issue when it hits stores next Wednesday!

[Hypo Lil' Leaguer Find all posts View Profile Close Hypo]

Annuals Spotlight: SWAMP THING ANNUAL #1

This Halloween, DC Comics will release its next batch of Annuals. These special oversized issues will not only build off of the events in their respective series, but will also greatly impact the expanding DC Universe. Leading up to their October 31 releases, we’ll be putting individual spotlights on each of these Annual issues by giving you special sneak peeks at what’s to come! You’ve already seen us tease JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK ANNUAL #1 and BATGIRL ANNUAL #1. Today, journey into “Rotworld” with SWAMP THING ANNUAL #1.

Examining the classic rivalry between Alec Holland and Anton Arcane, SWAMP THING ANNUAL #1 shows not only the duo’s first encounter, but also introduces Alec to the beautiful Abby. Planting the seeds of “Rotworld,” this must-have issue is co-written by Scott Snyder and Scott Tuft and features stunning art by Becky Cloonan.

“Several years before the gory encounter seen in SWAMP THING #0, Alec Holland and Anton Arcane met for the first time, in the twisted little town in the Carpathians that Anton calls home,” teased Associate Editor Chris Controy. “But it wasn’t just Anton that Alec met there — he also fell hard for the tragic love of his life, Abigail Arcane. So why don’t either of them remember that meeting? How did Alec survive Anton’s wrath? And who’s the mysterious benefactor that comes to Alec’s aid?”

“Scott Snyder and Becky Cloonan’s first collaboration on BATMAN #12 was a spectacular success, so reuniting them on a classic, spine-tingling monster story was irresistible,” Conroy continued. “Becky had a blast drawing a story that combined romance and horror (as she put it: ‘I live to draw tension building up to a kiss ... and people peeking through doors’), and Scott’s co-writer on the acclaimed SEVERED, Scott Tuft, brought a modern take to the ‘evil town in the mountains’ vibe of Arcane’s seat of power. Wrap it up in a framing sequence set in ‘Rotworld’ by Andrew Belanger and Karl Kerschl, which features a brief taste of events to come in SWAMP THING #14, and you’ve got an Annual we’re awfully proud of! And getting a double-sized serving of Swamp Thing on Halloween? TOO perfect. We’re happy to be that one house in your neighborhood that gives out the full-size Snickers bars, instead of the wimpy ones.”

Below, take a sneak peek at SWAMP THING ANNUAL #1 by checking out the first page of art seen in this special issue, which arrives in stores this Wednesday! And stay tuned to THE SOURCE for an exclusive preview of the issue later today.

[Hypo Lil' Leaguer Find all posts View Profile Close Hypo]

Lemire casts spell with 'Justice League Dark' spectacle

For the end of his magical superheroes' latest story line, Justice League Dark writer Jeff Lemire has an extra-sized trick up his sleeve.

Guest stars, plot twists and large spectacle are all jam-packed into DC Comics' Justice League Dark Annual No. 1 (available Wednesday digitally and in comic shops) that pits antiheroic con man John Constantine and his motley crew of oddball supernatural types vs. his old mentor Nick Necro to save the world.

Necro's riding the House of Secrets (yes, a residence that moves through interdimensional limbo) to the Nanda Parbat in order to find the mystical Books of Magic — four tomes that hold all knowledge in the universe — and face off with his former apprentice while holding his former love Zatanna hostage.

But to combat Necro's forces — which include the traitorous Dr. Mist, Felix Faust, Blackbriar Thorn and Black Boris, who've been big bads in Lemire's current arc — Constantine's rallied a few extra members to the House of Mystery to fight alongside Deadman, Black Orchid and the rest of his team against Necro.

"Everything revolves around Constantine, whether they like it or not," Lemire says. "Even if he's (ticking) everyone off, you have to follow him."

The writer wanted the extra space of a double-sized annual (illustrated by Mikel Janin) to have "a really bombastic finale," he says, but he also hoped to stop the trend of the last decade or so when "annuals in my mind stopped counting anymore."

Back in the 1980s, annuals in superhero books were usually where fans found their crossover events and big, line-wide summer story lines.

For example, the four-part "The Judas Contract" adventure in the pages of Tales of the Teen Titans ended in an annual in 1984. "It was pretty much my favorite comic as a kid," Lemire says.

A bunch of superheroes made cameos in that annual, and the same goes for Lemire's Justice League Dark one — namely Sword of Sorcery heroine Princess Amaya of House Amethyst, I, Vampire star Andrew Bennett and the title monster from Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E.

The Sword of Sorcery comic just launched and DC wanted to raise its sword-wielding girl's profile, so she'll be around for a few issues, Lemire says. "It's fun to play her as a fish-out-of-water teenage character against somebody like Constantine who's jaded and cynical."

Bennett enters the fray when Constantine calls in a favor — "It seemed like the perfect time to play that card because he needs some muscle," Lemire says — and the writer included Frankenstein, whose DC series Lemire launched last fall, because the team needed somebody really great at punching people.

Plus, Lemire says, "he's like a foil for Constantine's arrogance." (Frankenstein will also be sticking around the series, as his own book ends in January.)

Another character who plays an important role is Timothy Hunter, the boy created by Neil Gaiman in 1990 who's destined to become the world's greatest sorcerer. His appearance and the climax of the annual sets up the Lemire's second Justice League Dark story line beginning in issue 14 (out Nov. 28).

Constantine hopes Tim lives up to his prophesized billing, "but something completely different happens," Lemire says. "It was what his true destiny was that was sort of misinterpreted."

Going into his second arc after first taking over from Peter Milligan with the ninth issue and moving it in a more Indiana Jones-style action-adventure direction, Lemire says he's surprised about how difficult the book has been to write when it comes to his team and their magical abilities.

"I've had to be real careful in not making anyone too powerful. Then you have this 'Get Out of Jail Free' card."