DC Comics announce Forever Evil: Blight

DC have been making a big deal out of their current event, Forever Evil, and understandably so, it's been pretty great so far, revolving around the Crime Syndicate of Earth 3 ( effectively an evil Justice League, consisting of Ultraman, Owlman, Superwoman, Power Ring, Johnny Quick, Deathstorm and Atomica ) claiming to have killed the main earth's Justice League, and that "The World is Theirs".

The Crime Syndicate's presence has had impacts on every corner of the DC Universe, and now it's heading for Constantine, with who DC claim to be the physical manifestation of evil, named Blight.

 

Tony Daniel posts pencils to his "Damian: Son of Batman" variant

DC Comics artist, Tony S. Daniel set up a new twitter account recently, this has been a great place to go for first looks at the interiors of his upcoming series, Superman/Wonder Woman ( written by Charles Soule ), but today the artist posted his pencils to a variant cover for the first issue of Andy Kubert's Ex-Robin centred October miniseries, "Damian: Son of Batman", check out the image below...

This looks pretty impressive, definitely want to pick this one up, I'd also suggest keeping an eye on Daniel's Twitter page for some preview pencil pages.

"Damian: Son Of Batman" #1, written and pencilled by Andy Kubert is set for release next month, also being released next month is Tony Daniel and Charles Soule's new series "Superman/Wonder Woman"

Source: Tony S. Daniel's Twitter page

DC Comics' 'Batman' solicits for December 2013

Here are DC Comics' solicits for all of the Batman group books being released this December, but I would lower your expectations of Christmas Spirit in these stories if I were you, this is Batman, after all...

FOREVER EVIL: ARKHAM WAR #3
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by SCOT EATON and JAIME MENDOZA
Cover by JASON FABOK
1:25 B&W Variant cover by JASON FABOK
On sale DECEMBER 11 • 32 pg, FC, 3 of 6, $2.99 US • RATED T As the battle for control over Gotham City escalates, a new protector rises. But first, it’s the face-off you won’t want to miss: Killer Croc vs. Bane!










BATMAN/SUPERMAN #6
Written by GREG PAK
Art and cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND
1:25 Variant cover by CLIFF CHIANG
1:100 B&W Variant cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND
On sale DECEMBER 4 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
Throughout the cosmos, one name commands respect and fear above all others. That name is MONGUL, and the world-conquering despot has his eyes set on Earth! And unless Batman and Superman can take down the mad, monstrous might of Mongul, the whole world will suffer! This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.





HARLEY QUINN #1
Written by AMANDA CONNER and JIMMY PALMIOTTI
Art by CHAD HARDIN
Cover by AMANDA CONNER
1:25 Variant cover by ADAM HUGHES
On sale DECEMBER 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
 Harley is set to begin her new life, but she needs a job first! Enter the Coney Island Roller Derby! It’s game time as Harley sets out to destroy her competition—literally!










DAMIAN: SON OF BATMAN #3
Written by ANDY KUBERT
Art and cover by ANDY KUBERT
1:25 Variant cover by PATRICK GLEASON
1:100 B&W Variant cover by ANDY KUBERT
On sale DECEMBER 31 • 32 pg, FC, 3 of 4, $3.99 US • RATED T
 Damian Wayne has been bruised and beaten to a pulp…but nothing before will compare to his latest confrontation with the horde of villains in this issue. When pitted against Professor Pyg, DC villain’s month darling Jakanapes and other baddies, how will Damian survive—especially when he finds a certain clown waiting for him at the finish line?

BATMAN #26
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art by GREG CAPULLO and DANNY MIKI
Cover by GREG CAPULLO
1:25 Variant cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
1:100 B&W Variant cover by GREG CAPULLO
On sale DECEMBER 11 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
 ZERO YEAR continues! With Gotham City thrown into total chaos by The Riddler, Batman and Jim Gordon must learn to work together!
This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.







DETECTIVE COMICS #26
Written by JOHN LAYMAN
Art by AARON LOPRESTI
Cover by JASON FABOK
1:25 B&W Variant cover by JASON FABOK
On sale DECEMBER 4 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
 Batman works to contain a swarm of genetically altered killer bats, as well as She-Bat and other humans who have been mutated into bat-people. This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.



BATGIRL #26
Written by GAIL SIMONE
Art and cover by FERNANDO PASARIN and JONATHAN GLAPION
Cover by ALEX GARNER
On sale DECEMBER 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
 The shocking conclusion of “Batgirl: Wanted”! Can Barbara save her father’s life without compromising the truth about her brother’s death?

BATWING #26
Written by JUSTIN GRAY and JIMMY PALMIOTTI
Art by EDUARDO PANSICA and JULIO FERREIRA
Cover by DARWYN COOKE
On sale DECEMBER 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Luke’s journey to Italy gets him deeper into the criminal underworld – unfortunately for him, that means fighting superpowered villains in a death tournament where he can’t use the Batwing armor!










BIRDS OF PREY #26
Written by CHRISTY MARX
Art by ROMANO MOLENAAR and JONATHAN GLAPION
Cover by JORGE MOLINA
On sale DECEMBER 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
 The Birds strike back! Canary cuts loose against Regulus! Condor cuts loose on Tsiklon! Batgirl and Strix cut loose on everybody! Will it be enough for them to escape with their lives?











NIGHTWING #26
Written by KYLE HIGGINS
Art and cover by WILL CONRAD
On sale DECEMBER 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
 With the events of FOREVER EVIL looming, Nightwing enters the final stages of life as he knows it!














CATWOMAN #26
Written by ANN NOCENTI
Art by RAFA SANDOVAL and JORDI TARRAGONA
Cover by TERRY DODSON and RACHEL DODSON
On sale DECEMBER 31 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
Catwoman’s adventure in the Gotham Underground comes to a deadly end as she tries to pull off a heist by pitting Doctor Phosphorus, Warhog and The Joker’s Daughter against each other!










 BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #26
Written by GREGG HURWITZ
Art by ALEX MALEEV
Cover by CHRIS BURNHAM
1:25 B&W Variant cover by CHRIS BURNHAM
On sale DECEMBER 31 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
 A sweeping visual tale of Gotham City’s forgotten citizens: the abused and the voiceless. Will these desperate souls find their angel in The Dark Knight? Find out in this special mostly silent issue.









 BATMAN AND TWO-FACE #26
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art and cover by PATRICK GLEASON and MICK GRAY
On sale DECEMBER 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
 It’s double trouble as Batman investigates Harvey Dent’s past to try to find him in the present—but is he ready to face the dark truth behind Two-Face’s origin?












 BATWOMAN #26
Written by MARC ANDREYKO
Art by JEREMY HAUN
Cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III
1:25 Variant cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III
On sale DECEMBER 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
 Kate Kane's life has always been one of intrigue and adventure, but since she took on the mantle of Batwoman, things have been in overdrive with no sign of slowing down! Join us as Batwoman starts her next chapter and faces a threat that might just have her rethinking her career as a hero!








TALON #14
Written by JAMES TYNION IV
Art by EMANUEL SIMEONI
Cover by EMANUEL SIMEONI
On sale DECEMBER 31 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
 The Court of Owls’ machinations threaten to tear Gotham City apart, and no one but Calvin Rose can take them down once and for all!












RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #26
Written by JAMES TYNION IV
Art by JULIUS GOPEZ and RAY McCARTHY
Cover by STEPHEN SEGOVIA
On sale DECEMBER 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
 The last stand of Jason Todd? Ra’s al Ghul is back and more powerful than ever! The Outlaws are being held captive and Jason Todd has lost his memories…can things get any worse for the team?










No, not looking very Christmassy, not Christmassy at all...

So, Zero Year's still going, and I'm really hoping that by the point it's reached in December I won't be tired of it, I do think eleven months of Batman's origin is a bit of a risk, but Snyder and Capullo are a good creative team, so I'm sure they'll manage it...

Also, I've noticed that DC have grouped Andy Kubert's 'DAMIAN: SON OF BATMAN' as a New 52 book, rather than "Beyond the New 52", which I guess implies it's part of main continuity, since most of the elseworlds stories are in the beyond group...

And Harley Quinn looks like quite a fun book, glad there's going to be at least one comedic book in the New 52, unless DC editorial have demanded the tone to be changed by the release date...

Finally, I'm expecting a cover change for Batwoman #26, after JH Williams III ( along with Haden Blackman ) walked off of the book after DC denied them the chance to write a story containing Batwoman's marriage to her girlfriend, causing a lot of controversy, and I'm assuming DC are going to want to bury any trace of problems when the new writer comes aboard with issue 25, which is why I'm expecting a different cover to the one shown above...

( Source: DC Comics)

Review: Forever Evil #1

It's finally time for the New 52's first Universe-Wide event, Forever Evil, but was the first issue worth all the hype? Check out my review of Forever Evil #1 below! But a bit of a warning here, there will be spoilers for the series below...

 

 

 

 

I have to say, just before I start the main review, I'm a little bit confused as to why DC Comics had trailer Trinity War for so long as their next massive event, when it was simply a set-up event for Forever Evil, and they couldn't have just focused on the current event that I'm talking about here, but I won't let that get in the way of what I thought about this issue...

 

Anyway, I did really enjoy this issue, which is an odd thing to say considering it's very bad for the heroes of the DC Universe, but still, a great issue, and the Crime Syndicate seem like a really interesting group of villains for the series.

I always love reading how Geoff Johns' starts these big event comics, this one begins with a rather sinister business deal being made by Lex Luthor, and it really shows you how evil and self-obsessed he is as a character, that he's perfectly happy to threaten and ruin people's lives just to expand on his empire. I think this scene is deliberately used as an example of how vile a character Luthor is, since we know this series will feature him leading a group of his fellow villains to attempt to save the planet, and I think what Johns wanted to do was demonstrate how desperate the people of Earth are that somebody this evil will have to save them, and the scene is a clever way to show this.

 

I think the method that the Secret Society use to broadcast their message to the world is interesting, and provides a good way to show reactions from characters all around the world, but I do think it's a bit too similar to the how General Zod spoke to the people of Earth, both ways including taking over every device that with a screen or a speaker, such as a phone, an earpiece, televisions...

 

Now, I think the most important part of this issue is what happens to Nightwing, and while I won't spoil what actually happened in this post, I can say that it's massive for the character, and a major change in the status quo, I hope it has an immediate effect on his solo series, which would make Forever Evil really feel like a major event. I am glad this was put in the first issue of the series, because I'm not too keen on events that take months to have a major happening, or a shocking moment, I feel like this kicks off the story well ( obviously not for Dick Grayson, though... ).

 

One problem I do have with the issue though is how annoying Power Ring is, I feel like Johns is forcing the concept that he's the opposite of Green Lantern because he's so cowardly and afraid on us, and it got a bit tedious for me...

 

Now onto the art, and I really can't seem to find any problems with the art at all; I've looked over the issue several times now and there's no fault that springs to mind with it, David Finch's pencils work brilliantly with Richard Friend's inks and Sonia Oback's colours.

 

My favourite sections of the art throughout the entire issue were the four page fold out, showing what I'm almost certain is around one-hundred DC Universe villains ( with three from the Teen Titans animated series, which made me really happy ), and the final page, featuring Lex Luthor, which sums up how lost the world seems at this point, Finch along with Friend and Oback, is a great fit for this series.

 

In conclusion, I think this was a brilliant issue, and it shows you just how powerful the villains are, reading the ways that make the Secret Society the opposites of the Justice League was really interesting. Great writing,  great art, my only real complaint is that I got a little bit bored of Power Ring, apart from that, I really enjoyed it. I definitely suggest picking up this series, a major event for the DC Universe, and a must read for all DC fans.

 

Rating: 9/10

 

 

DC Comics' Green Lantern solicits for November 2013

Throughout yesterday, DC Comics were releasing their solicitation sfor November of this year, I've already posted the Batman, Dark and Edge groups' solicits, and now it's time to find out what the Green Lantern characters are doing in three months time!


GREEN LANTERN #25 Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by BILLY TAN and ROB HUNTER
Cover by BILLY TAN
1:25 B&W Variant cover by BILLY TAN
On sale NOVEMBER 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $3.99 US
Retailers: This issue will ship with three covers. Please see the order form for more information.
The shockwaves of “Lights Out” are just starting to be felt, as Hal Jordan makes a controversial decision that will change the mission of the Green Lantern Corps! But not everyone agrees with Hal’s goals, and the dissent could weaken the Corps further!
This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.







GREEN LANTERN CORPS #25 Written by VAN JENSEN and ROBERT VENDITTI
Art and cover by BERNARD CHANG
1:25 B&W Variant cover by BERNARD CHANG
On sale NOVEMBER 13 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for more information.
A BATMAN: ZERO YEAR tie-in! When The Riddler throws Gotham City into total darkness, a young Marine named John Stewart is deployed as part of the peacekeeping measures. But he gets much more than he expected when he must deal with the costumed chaos known as ANARKY!






GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS #25 Written by JUSTIN JORDAN
Art by BRAD WALKER and DREW HENNESSY
Cover by STEPHEN SEGOVIA
1:25 B&W Variant cover by STEPHEN SEGOVIA
On sale NOVEMBER 20 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for more information.
After the stunning end of “Lights Out,” where is Kyle Rayner?! Or...WHEN is Kyle Rayner? And more important, WHY is Kyle Rayner? Answers to all these questions and more as the series rockets off to the outer limits of the DC Universe!









LARFLEEZE #5 Written by KEITH GIFFEN and J.M. DeMATTEIS
Art by SCOTT KOLINS
Cover by TYLER KIRKHAM
On sale NOVEMBER 27 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
In the wake of the revolt of the Orange Lanterns, Larfleeze faces his worst nightmare: living as the possession of someone else!








RED LANTERNS #25 Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art and cover by ALESSANDRO VITTI
1:25 B&W Variant cover by ALESSANDRO VITTI
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for more information.
On sale NOVEMBER 27 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
As the dust settles from “Lights Out,” Earth is no longer under the protection of the Green Lanterns. Sector 2814 is now the sole province of Guy Gardner and the RED LANTERNS! Criminals beware…psychopaths beware…hell, EVERYONE beware! How did this happen, you ask? Jump onboard with this issue and find out!




(Source: Newsarama)

I have to say, I'm a bit dissapointed that the upcoming "Lights Out" event is going to finish in it's forst month, events like that always seem to... crammed in, and it doesn't really do Justice to the story...

DC Comics' Edge solicits for November 2013

So far today I've posted the solicits for DC Comics' Batman and Dark groups, and now here they are for the series in the Edge group being released this November, check them out below!









SUICIDE SQUAD #25 Written by MATT KINDT
Art by PATRICK ZIRCHER
Cover by JASON PEARSON
On sale NOVEMBER 13 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
A FOREVER EVIL tie-in! A villain from the early days of The New 52 has taken over Belle Reve, and he’s formed the Reverse Suicide Squad! But who—or what—is the Reverse Suicide Squad? Harley Quinn is about to learn the hard way that Power Girl is one of its members…

ALL-STAR WESTERN #25 Written by JUSTIN GRAY and JIMMY PALMIOTTI
Art by MORITAT
Cover by HOWARD PORTER
On sale NOVEMBER 27 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+
Jonah Hex goes from bounty hunter to wanted criminal due to the events of last issue. Can Hex survive long enough to make it back to his own place in time?

THE GREEN TEAM: TEEN TRILLIONAIRES #6 Written by ART BALTAZAR and FRANCO
Art and cover by IG GUARA and J.P. MAYER
On sale NOVEMBER 27 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
The Green Team is trapped in space, and a meteor’s headed toward Earth! Who will make the supreme sacrifice to save the world?

THE MOVEMENT #6 Written by GAIL SIMONE
Art by FREDDIE WILLIAMS III
Cover by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE
On sale NOVEMBER 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
As the Graveyard Faction terrorizes Coral City, the Movement is nowhere to be found!

STORMWATCH #25 Written by JIM STARLIN
Art by YVEL GUICHET and
LeBEAU UNDERWOOD
Cover by JIM STARLIN and ROB HUNTER
On sale NOVEMBER 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
Midnighter recalls the final pieces of his and Apollo’s origin just as the Lobo and the Stormwatch team are getting their faces kicked in by The Exec!



(Source: Newsarama)


I have to say, that Suicide Squad cover is brilliant, for some reason, though, Harley's mask looks ike the best part to me...

DC Comics' Dark solicits for November 2013

Yesterday, DC Comics released the solicits for all of their New 52 books coming out this November. I've already posted the Batman group solicits, but here are the solicits for DC's "Dark" group:







JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #25 Written by J.M. DeMATTEIS
Art and cover by MIKEL JANIN
1:25 B&W Variant cover by MIKEL JANIN
On sale NOVEMBER 27 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for more information.
A FOREVER EVIL tie-in! Alone in a world where Super-Villains reign, John Constantine must enlist the aid of Swamp Thing in order to turn the tide.







TRINITY OF SIN: PANDORA #5 Written by RAY FAWKES
Art by FRANCIS PORTELA
Cover by JULIAN TOTINO TEDESCO
On sale NOVEMBER 20 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Following the shocking events of TRINITY WAR, Pandora can now physically harm the Seven Deadly Sins! But by going after Greed and Sloth at the same time, she may have bitten off more than she can chew. Plus: A surprising new player takes the stage, determined to end the immortal Pandora’s life!









CONSTANTINE #8 Written by RAY FAWKES
Art and cover by EDDY BARROWS and EBER FERREIRA
On sale NOVEMBER 13 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
Caught in a twisted romance with the sadistic Sargon the Sorceress, John Constantine must make a painful choice: lose everything or join forces with his greatest enemies!












TRINITY OF SIN: THE PHANTOM STRANGER #13 Written by J.M. DeMATTEIS
Art by FERNANDO BLANCO
Cover by GUILLEM MARCH
On sale NOVEMBER 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Months ago, The Question came close to ending the Stranger’s life—and now the Stranger wants some payback!












ANIMAL MAN #25 Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art and cover by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE
On sale NOVEMBER 20 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
Buddy Baker invades Hollywood to battle Brother Blood—and that’s before things get really weird!












SWAMP THING #25 Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art and cover by JESUS SAIZ
On sale NOVEMBER 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
The evolution of Swamp Thing that began in SWAMP THING ANNUAL #2 is complete! But is it enough to defeat Seeder, who is so much more than he seems? Plus: A twist ending that will reshape Swamp Thing’s world!



(Source: Newsarama)

NYCC 2013: DC Comics' New York Comic-Con 2013 poster revealed

The official poster for this year's New York Comic Con has been revealed, and it features Superman and Wonder Woman. The poster shows the comic book couple above the streets of New York city, check it out below:

The artist of the poster is Stephane Roux.

Kevin Maguire takes on Guardians of the Galaxy

There's been a lot of talk in recent days over Kevin Maguire's firing from his ( previously ) upcoming Justice League 3000, but that doesn't need explaining now, if you check the previous pages in my blog, you'll find information. What needs discussing now is Kevin Maguire now drawing Brian Michael Bendis' Guardians of the Galaxy #10, and presumably more after that.

In a quote, Bendis said:

As I have made it very clear on this tumbler I think artists like Kevin are a national treasure and should be treated as such by publishers and readers alike. as Matt fraction said at dinner last night he is probably one of the most influential comic artists of this generation but doesn’t get enough credit for it. you can see his influence in a lot of places.
we have been talking about working together on an off for a while but the stars never aligned. I am not exactly sure what happened to him this week but I would like to thank whoever it was that made it possible for  Kevin to join me on guardians of the galaxy number 10. which I hope will be the first of many projects together.
I may have just announced something I wasn’t supposed to :-)

This is pretty good news, considering a lot of people's upset of Maguire leaving DC, glad to see him on a big book so soon!

Howard Porter replaces Kevin Maguire on Justice League 3000, Maguire speaks about the change

Yesterday, Kevin Maguire sent out a tweet announcing that he'd been fired, and taken off of the Justice League 3000 series he was doing with Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis, which was due for release in October. In the following hours, discussions took place over twitter about possible new offers for Maguire, before he later spoke out on his facebook page.

Today, it's been announced that DC have already found a replacement artist for Maguire, Howard Porter.

Porter's Superman design for
Justice League 3000

You'll probably know his work from the character designs that he did for the series a few months ago, featuring future counterparts of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash and Green Lantern.

This also comes with the news that Justice League 3000's release date has been pushed back from October to December, to accommodate for the big changes on the art side of the series.

Also, today, Maguire took to the Bleeding Cool forums to speak a bit more about his current situation:

Well, I don’t want to make any big deal about it but I suppose I should say something. This is, as I tweeted, very humiliating. Obviously, I was looking forward to working on a fairly high profile book. I haven’t had a top ten book since the 80s and I thought this would finally be my shot at doing one. But it’s DC‘s book, it’s their property, they can do whatever they want with it. They don’t owe me anything. I’ve been told they wanted a book that was “dark and gritty”, so I’m perplexed as to why they chose us for that. We did exactly the kind of book you would expect from us. Lots of action and humor. AND I turned down a Bendis X-Men project to do JL3K.


As for my doing other projects with DC, they offered me a four page story and a 10 page digital first story. They’re paychecks, so I’m grateful for that, but they’re no Justice League #1. I really don’t want to do back ups and fill-ins for my career. So, right now, I’ll do the four pager and then I think that’ll be it for me and DC for a while. I’ve received some interesting offers from other companies. Marvel generously offered me an issue of a cool book, so I’m going to do that for now, then see what happens.


I was supposed to do Baltimore Comic Con next month with Giffen and DeMatteis, but I’ll be canceling that for obvious reason. Apart from the fact that I no longer have a project to promote with them, Giffen’s Newsarama quote, which I’m certain had no intended malice, still kinda stung.


That’s it. That covers all I have to say about this. It’ll be forgotten news by next week and we all move on with our lives.

I have to say, I was looking forward to seeing Maguire's art on this series and the original idea of what it would've been like seems to have changed since I interviewed writer, Keith Giffen a few months ago. It's a bit of  a shame, really...

(Sources: Bleeding Cool and Newsarama)

Brett Booth to join Batman/Superman in November!

Now I could've just named this post "YAAAAAYY!" but I think it needed a bit more explanation.

DC Comics artist ( and my favourite ), Brett Booth, will be taking on the role of pencilling the new series Batman/Superman this November, with issue five!

Brett has recently finished drawing Nightwing, Justice League of America and his next project before starting Batman/Superman will be a Doomsday one-shot this September for DC's Villain Month. I'm really excited to see this, as Brett is my personal favourite artist ( you can probably tell from the top 10 posts list on the right hand side of this post.)

From Booth's first issue of his run on Batman/Superman, #5

Booth will be taking over from current artist Jae Lee ( who has an extremely different style of art ) and says "I guess now they're going to be switching back-and-forth between me and Jae", which is brilliant news!

Brett Booth will be working with series writer, Greg Pak, and his usual collaborators Inker, Norm Rapmund and Colourist, Andrew Dalhouse. They start their run on the series in November with a Horizontal issue, which should be interesting. I think he mentioned him working on his next project ( which would be this ) for six-issues in my last interview with him, so expect to see his art lead through into the first few months of next year!

( Source: CBR)

The Flash comes to Gotham for Zero Year

Over the last two days, DC Comics have been releasing details of the books that will be tying into Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's "Batman: Zero Year" story.  So far, I've posted about them here and here. Now, DC have added to the list of series with a new tie-in, in the form of "The Flash"

The issue takes place in Gotham City, and features Barry Allen before he becomes the Scarlet Speedster that he is today, and it apparently solidifies his decision to become a forensic scientist for the police force.

The Flash #25 will be written by Brian Buccellato and Francis Manapul with art by Chris Sprouse and Karl Story, it'll be released sometime this November.

I also think this cover might give some clues to what the key moment in Zero Year that links all of the tie-ins together is, possibly a breakout in Arkham Asylum, or more likely, Blackgate prison?

There's still one more Zero Year tie-in to be revealed sometime soon, but I think this is the last non- Batman related series in the event.

(Source: MTV Geek)

DC Comics' Zero Year tie-in solicits ( so far )

This November, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's "Zero Year" story will be affecting a number of other series throughout the DC Universe. The tie-ins are mostly Batman related books, but there are a few exceptions. Here are all of the solicits released so far:

BATGIRL #25Written by MARGUERITE BENNETT
Art by FERNANDO PASARIN and JONATHAN GLAPION
Cover by ALEX GARNER
On sale NOVEMBER 13 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
A BATMAN: ZERO YEAR tie-in! Barbara Gordon is forced to protect her brother and her homestead in anticipation of the upcoming storm—but it’s here that she learns the true meaning of “home” and “hero.”


(Source: The Mary Sue)

 

BATWING #25Written by JUSTIN GRAY and JIMMY PALMIOTTI
Art by EDUARDO PANSICA and JULIO FERREIRA
Cover by AMANDA CONNER
On sale NOVEMBER 6 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
A BATMAN: ZERO YEAR tie-in! As Gotham City descends into chaos, young Luke Fox is the only one who can stop one of his classmates from causing more destruction—but he didn’t count on his friend being so…VENOMOUS!   (Source: ComicVine)

 

Catwoman #25
Written by John Layman
Pencils by Aaron Lopresti
Cover by Terry and Rachel Dodson
(No Solicit available)

(Source: IGN)

Green Arrow #25
Written by Jeff Lemire
Art and Cover by Andrea Sorrentino
( No solicit available, but we do know it has something to do with Killer Moth and an inexperienced Oliver Queen)

(Source: MTV Geek)




 

 Green Lantern Corps #25
Written by Robert Venditti and Van Jensen
Pencils and Cover by Bernard Chang
(No Solicit Available)

(Source: IGN)

 



NIGHTWING #25Written by KYLE HIGGINS
Art and cover by WILL CONRAD
On sale NOVEMBER 13 • 40 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T
A BATMAN: ZERO YEAR tie-in! Dick Grayson frantically tries to find Haly’s Circus—and his parents—as Gotham City is plunged into total darkness!

(Source: Newsarama)















RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #25Written by JAMES TYNION IV
Art by JULIUS GOPEZ and RAY McCARTHY
Cover by GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI and CAM SMITH
On sale NOVEMBER 20 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
A BATMAN: ZERO YEAR tie-in! There’s a dark force of nature that’s forming in Gotham City...A face laughing in the dark that will one day tear Jason Todd’s life apart. What are his plans for the Red Hood Gang? And who else will rise out of the shadows to guide Jason Todd one step closer to his destiny?  (Source: ComicVine)

We know that DC will be releasing more of these solicits soon, so I'll be sure to report on them as they're revealed!

Fired? DC Artist, Kevin Maguire sends out extremely suggestive tweets... (THIRD UPDATE)

There's been a lot of talk over recent months over the firings and resignations of DC Comics creators. Specifically, ones whose runs on series hadn't even begun yet ( e.g. Joshua Hale Fialov on Green Lantern Corps and Red Lanterns, Andy Diggle on Action Comics etc.) and it looks like another creator may have just been fired. Kevin Maguire, artist for the upcoming Justice League 3000 series from DC.

Earlier today, Maguire tweeted this:

Since those comments, Maguire hasn't made any more comments on twitter, of course, this could be some sort of joke ( who remembers the James Robinson Namor business? ), but if this topic is brought up again, I'll try to update this.

I'm not extremely familiar with Maguire's work, but I was looking forward to seeing what he'd do on the Justice League 3000 series, and it'd be a shame if he has been fired...

Update:

Just a few minutes ago, Marvel editor-in-chief, Axel Alonso tweeted this:

“@PEDROANGOSTO1: @axelalonsomarv #KevinMaguire needs work!” Not any more!
— axel alonso (@axelalonsomarv) August 8, 2013

Could Maguire have found new work already over at Marvel?

SECOND UPDATE:

It seems he almost definitely has...

@maguirekevin someone you like is calling you very soon.
— BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (@BRIANMBENDIS) August 8, 2013

I love the fact that today I've managed to sit through the firing and hiring of Kevin Maguire... and it's pretty much all been seen on Twitter.

Third update:

Later, Maguire posted this on his facebook page:

Well, first off, thanks everyone for your warm regards. After a few confusing hours, I kind of know where things stand and why. Though I’m still a bit perplexed as to how it got to this point. As for work, I’ve been offered some fun interesting stuff, many of which came from DC,who were very eager to keep me working there, so I’ll be fine on that score, but it would have been great to do another Justice League with Giffen and DeMatteis. Oh,well…onward and upward…

First look at Villains Month issues for Darkseid, Bizarro, Deadshot and many more...

Earlier today, DC Comics, gave a first look at the Villains Month issues for The Joker, Two-Face, Poison Ivy and the Ventriloquist. As promised, DC have released more preview art, this time for ( in order now ), Cyborg Superman, Desaad, Bizarro, The Creeper, Count Vertigo, Darkseid, Deadshot, Relic and Gorilla Grodd. Check out all of the pages below!