I Reads You Juniors March 2019 - Update #89

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From TheNewYorker: Françoise Mouly and Genevieve Bormes have "A Conversation with Jaime Hernandez About His New Graphic Novel" (entitled "Is This How You See Me?).

From Newsarama:  DC Comics introduced a new logo for "Detective Comics," which it will debut in Detective Comics #1001.

From Deadline:  Here is a first look at actress Courtney Whitmore in costume as "Stargirl" from the DC Universe's streaming series.

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing looking to sell $25 million in stock to fund projects.

From Newsarama:  Here is a first look at a teaser for Epix's upcoming series, "Pennyworth," the Alfred Pennyworth TV series.

From HuffPost:  Jeffrey Veregge is bringing Native American representation to comic books.

From BleedingCool:  Bill Sienkiewicz is illustrating "Santa: My Life & Times" for Titan Comics.

From Deadline: "Bitter Root," the Image Comics miniseries from creators David F. Walker, Sanford Greene, and Chuck Brown has had its film rights picked up by Legendary Pictures.

From BleedingCool:  Two of Marvel's characters created for the Chinese and Asian markets, Sword Master and Aero, will appear in Marvel's domestic comics.

From Newsarama:  Here is a preview of Marvel's upcoming, "History of the Marvel Universe," which still does not have a release date.

From Newsarama:  This article looks at every centennial cover after Detective Comics #27 (#127, 227, and so on).  The article also has a link where you can view all 80 variant covers for Detective Comics #1000.

From Newsarama:  The annual "Star Wars" event known as "May the 4th" coincidentally falls on the same day as Free Comic Book Day 2019.  Marvel Comics will release a free Star Wars sampler comic book for the day.

From BleedingCool:  Jonathan Hickman is coming back to Marvel Comics to write "House of X" and "Power of X," two six-issue miniseries due July 2019.

From Newsarama:  Writer Tini Howard signs as an exclusive creator with Marvel Comics.

From Newsarama:  Writer Kurt Busiek and artist Alex Ross will produce a one-shot "Marvels" comic book to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original "Marvels" miniseries.  No release date has been announced.

From ComicBook:  Sandy King, known for her work as a movie producer for her production company, Storm King Productions, talks about the state of horror comics, which she also publishes.

From Newsarama:  Get paid to watch the Marvel Cinematic Universe marathon...

From Newsarama:  Former Marvel publisher, Bill Jemas, has a new comic book publishing venture, "Artists, Writers, and Artisans" (AWA).  A number of star comics creators have joined, including Garth Ennis, Frank Cho, and Reginald Hudlin, to name a few.

From Newsarama:  DC Comics is hiring a "Managing Editor" to oversee its comics publishing division. Although a new position, the late Dick Giordana was "Managing Editor" of DC in the 1980s.

From THR:  "Jesusfreak" is a graphic novel due in June from Image Comics.  Writer Joe Casey talks to "The Hollywood Reporter" about it.

From CBR:  Changes are coming to "The Amazing Spider-Man" newspaper daily comic strip.  That includes the end of Roy Thomas' tenure writing the strip, the end of the current story line, and the beginning of a period of reprints.

From Newsarama:  Bryan Hitch is leaving DC Comics' "Hawkman" to work on two new DC projects.

From Newsarama:  After 69 years, legendary inker, Joe Sinnott, has retired from comic books.  Sinnott is probably best known for inking some of Jack Kirby's best work.

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From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media to publish OEL (original English language) manga through an imprint, "VIZ Originals."  They will be looking at submissions through 2019.

From VIZ:  The VIZMedia webpage dedicated to "VIZ Originals."
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From BleedingCool:  Unpublished "Doom Patrol" comics to be appear in "Doom Patrol Bronze Age Omnibus."

From Newsarama:  One of the most popular "Incredible Hulk" creative teams, writer Peter David and artist Dale Keown, are reunited for an oversized Hulk one shot entitled, "Incredible Hulk: Last Call."

From THR:  Apparently, Ezra Miller, the actor playing "Flash" in Warner Bros. DC Comics films, will join legendary comic book writer, Grant Morrison, in writing the script for a Flash movie.

From Newsarama:  The current release date for Frank Miller and John Romita, Jr.'s "Superman: Year One" is June 2019 for the release of 3 issues released in a special large, format.

From Newsarama:  A list of the 16 titles that DC Comics will publish through its DC Ink and DC Zoom young readers imprints from Spring 2019 to early 2020.

From Newsarama:  Matt Wagner and Dark Horse has announced a new "Grendel" comic book, "Grendel: The Devil's Odyssey."  The eight-issue will be colored by Brennan Wagner and lettered by Dave Lanphear and begin publication in October 2019.

From Newsarama:  Warner Bros.'s DC Comics film, "Shazam," is tracking for a $40 million dollar opening weekend.

From Newsarama:  Bryan Singer has been dropped from the "Red Sonja" film reboot project.

From Deadline:  Actor Esai Morales will portray Deathstroke in the DC Universe's streaming series, "Titans."

From Newsarama:  DC Comics gives Swamp Thing the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" spin in the "DC Zoom" title, "The Secret Spiral of Swamp Kid."

From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics will pick up "Second Coming," the controversial Mark Russell-Richard Pace comic book that DC Comics/Vertigo did not have the backbone to publish in the wake of complaints from Christian religious extremists.

From SlashFilm:  Marvel Studios is producing a TV series based on its "What If" comic book series for the streaming service, Disney+.

From HuffPost:  "Captain Marvel" may have sneakily introduced a new black female superhero.

From YahooEntertainment:  "Captain Marvel" and her historic worldwide box office debut conquers the trolls.

From BleedingCool:  "Marvel's Illustrator's Sketchbook" coming in October 2019.

From Newsarama:  The "Avengers Start Here Sampler 2019" is a free comic book that will appear ahead of "Avengers: Endgame."

From Newsarama:  Animation writer Amy Wolfram will be writing new DC Super Hero Girls.

From CBR:  Seth McFarlane's Fox TV series, "The Orville," will have a comic book adaptation.

From CBB:  Webcomics Spit episode #2 in English
From CBB:  Webcomics Spit episode #2 in French

From THR:  How "Captain Marvel" comic book writer, Kelly Sue DeConnick, revamped the hero.

From ComicBookBin:  Herve St. Louis reviews the "Captain Marvel" movie for CBB.

From BleedingCool:  There is now cover art and a release date for the long-delayed Frank Miller-John Romita, Jr. project, "Superman: Year One."  The current announced release date is November 12, 2019 under DC Comics' "Black Label" imprint.

From THR:  Andy Serkis has reportedly joined Fox's film adaptation of the comic book, "Mouse Guard."

From Variety: Disney CEO Bob Iger says that the Disney/Fox merger is closing soon.

From Newsarama:  Actress Adrienne Barbeau who appeared as Abigail Barbeau in the 1982 film version of "Swamp Thing."  She says that she will appear in DC Universe's streaming "Swamp Thing" in a role she did not disclose.

From Newsarama:  Comic book writer Kelley Sue DeConnick, who was instrumental in the development of Carol Danvers as Captain Marvel, talks about the character and her other comics ("Bitch Planet").

From DeseretNews:  7 things you definitely didn’t know about Captain Marvel's back story from the Marvel comic books.

From THR:  Comic book writer, Brian K. Vaughn, will is writing a live-action movie based on the long-running and hugely popular "Gundam" anime series and franchise.

From Deadline:  Actor Ernie Hudson ("Ghostbusters") will appear in The CW's "Arrow" in guest role this season.

From Newsarama:  DC Comics is apparently going to relaunch/reboot its "Green Arrow" comic book and make it a bigger part of its DC Universe (DCU).

From Newsarama:  Mike Deodato, Jr. recently announced that he will be leaving Marvel in the near future.  His first non-Marvel project will be "Berserker Unbound," a creator-owned comic book from Dark Horse Comics that will be written by Jeff Lemire.

From BleedingCool:  Some of IDW Media's investors want the company put up for sale.

From GoFundMe:  There is a campaign to help the ailing and acclaimed cartoonist, Gahan Wilson, who is apparently suffering from dementia.

From ANN:  Shueisha's "Weekly Shonen Jump" magazine will be the home of a new manga from creator, Hiroshi Shiibashi ("Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan").  The manga, titled Kamio Yui wa Kimi wo Yui (Yui Kamio Does Hairdressing), will debut in the March 11th, 2019 issue of the magazine.

From Crunchyroll:  With the debut of its 92nd tankobon (graphic novel) volume, One Piece has 450 million copies printed worldwide.

From Comichron:  January 2019 comic book sales to comic book shops, according to Diamond Comic Distributors.

From BleedingCool:  Is Bryan Hitch drawing a "Batman" comic book that Warren Ellis is writing?

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics will publish "The Art of Jim Lee" hardcover book for Christmas 2019.

From Newsarama:  Mike Deodato says that is will leave Marvel Comics, for whom he has worked for 24 years, to pursue creator-owned comic books.

From TCJ:   Alex Dueben of "The Comics Journal" interviews longtime comic book creator, Joe Giella, best known for inking a number of Silver Age artist luminaries.

From Nerdist:  The new Manga Art Hotel is a capsule hotel in Tokyo with over 5,000 manga shelved floor-to-ceiling for its lucky guests to read all night long.

From GayStarNews:  The Dutch version of the Donald Duck comic books will feature its first lesbian character, thanks to the campaigning of a 10-year-old-girl.

From ComicBook:  Len Wiseman shares first footage from his "Swamp Thing" series for DC Universe.

From ANN: Titan Comics announced last week that it will release Eldo Yoshimizu's "Ryuko" manga as the first Japanese title in its "Hard Case Crime" line.

From BleedingCool:  "We’re Now In A Period Of Change" – former DC Comics VP, Bob Wayne Explains the Rules in ComicsPRO Keynote Address

From BleedingCool:  Who’s to Blame For Falling Comics Sales? And What’s to be Done? Brian Hibbs at ComicsPRO

From BleedingCool:  Trevor Von Eeden, veteran comic book artist and co-creator of DC Comics' Black Lightning, says that the U.S. Secret Service visited him over posts he wrote about President Trump and Vice-President Pence.

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From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics to host a panel at this year's SXSW conference in Austin Texas (March 8 to March 17, 2019).

From BleedingCool:  Joe Quesada and Marvel Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski may really need to be at SXSW to pump up Marvel Comics.
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From YahooMovieUK:   The DC Extended Universe or DCEU is over because of the success of the "Wonder Woman" movie says Warner Bros’ chief Kevin Tsujihara

From Newsarama:  DC Comics co-publisher, Dan DiDio, says that DC is "rethinking" its collected editions (trade paperbacks, hardbacks, archives, etc.) due to a perceived glut of product on the market.


MARCH 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama: 01 First Second for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Adhouse Books for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Alterna Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Avatar Press for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Avery Hill for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for March 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for March 2019
From BleedingCool:  Cave Pictures Publishing for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Devil's Due/1First Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertaiment for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books for March 2019
From BleedingCool:  First Second for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Graphix for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Humanoids for March 2019
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Impact Theory for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Lion Force for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama: Oni Press for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Rebellion for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for March 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for March 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for March 2019
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for March 2019

APRIL 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  All publishers' solicitations link in one place.
From Newsarama:  01 First Second for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Albatross Funnybooks for April 2019
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Aftershock Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Amigo Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Alterna Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for April 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Caliber Press for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Cave Pictures Publishing for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Drawn & Quarterly for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Heavy Metal for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Hero Tomorrow for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Humanoids for April 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Joe Books for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Keenspot for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Lion Forge for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for April 2019
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Titan Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for April 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for April 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for April 2019
From Newsarama: Yen Press for April 2019

MAY 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:   All publishers' solicitations link in one place.
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Alterna Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for May 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for May 2019
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for May 2019
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for May 2019
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Kevin Eastman Studios for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Lion Forge Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Rebellion/2000 AD for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for May 2019
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for May 2019
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Yen Press for May 2019
From Newsarama:  Zenescope Entertainment for May 2019

JUNE 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  AC Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Aspen Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for June 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Hero Tomorrow for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for June 2019
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for June 2019


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Review: SIDEWAYS #1

SIDEWAYS No. 1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Dan DiDio and Kenneth Rocafort
DIALOGUE: Dan DiDio and Justin Jordan
ART: Kenneth Rocafort
COLORS: Daniel Brown
LETTERS: Carlos M. Mangual
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (April 2018)

Rated “T” for Teen

Sidways created by Kenneth Rocafort and Dan DiDio

“Fun and Games”

DC Comics has launched a new superhero comics initiative, “The New Age of DC Heroes,” coming out of its Dark Nights: Metal event miniseries.  This line of comic books will consist of eight new comic book series:  The Curse of Brimstone, Damage, The Immortal Men, New Challengers, The Silencer, The Terrifics, The Unexpected, and the subject of this review, Sideways.

Sideways is written by co-creator Dan DiDio, co-creator Kenneth Rocafort and Justin Jordan; drawn by Rocafort; colored by Daniel Brown; and lettered by Carlos M. Mangual.  Sideways focuses on a Puerto Rican high school junior who can create rifts in midair to leap through dimensions at will.

He accidentally fell through a rift into the dark matter dimension (as seen in Dark Nights: Metal).  Sideways #1 finds Derek James invading the personal space of his girlfriend, Ernestine a.k.a. “Ernie.”  She knows about Derek's power to create rifts in midair.  She is the one who designed and created the uniform that allows Derek to become the new superhero, “Sideways.”  Derek dons his new costume and goes “rifting,” introducing the world to what it means to go “Sideways.”  Not everyone or every entity is exciting about that.

I enjoyed the first “New Age of DC Heroes!” comic book, Damage, but I did not enjoy the second one, The Silencer.  “Sideways” is a little better than The Silencer.  I am overly fond of artist Kenneth Rocafort's overly cute drawing style.  However, the story has some potential.  All I can tell you is that I am genuinely curious about Sideways.  I don't think that it will be a great comic book, but if the creators try something different from the same-old-DC/Marvel-Comics, this could be unique.

Seriously, y'all, we can hope.

5.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: THE KAMANDI CHALLENGE #1

THE KAMANDI CHALLENGE No. 1 (OF 12)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Dan Didio; Dan Abnett
PENCILS: Keith Giffen; Dale Eaglesham
INKS: Scott Koblish; Dale Eaglesham
COLORS: Hi-Fi
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Bruce Timm
VARIANT COVER: Keith Giffen with Hi-Fi; Dale Eaglesham with Jason Wright
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (March 2017)

Rated “T” for Teen

Kamandi created by Jack Kirby

“The Rules” and “K -- is for 'Kill'!”

Kamandi, The Last Boy on Earth was a comic book created by writer-artist Jack Kirby and published by DC Comics. The series, which ran from 1972 to 1978, starred Kamandi, a teenaged boy in a post-apocalyptic future, in which humans have been reduced back to savagery in a world ruled by intelligent, highly evolved animals.

Kamandi, The Last Boy on Earth #1 (cover dated: October 1972) opens some time after a huge event called “The Great Disaster,” which wiped out human civilization.  In “Earth A.D.” (After Disaster), many animals have become humanoid, bipedal, and sentient, and also possess the power of speech. These newly intelligent animal species have equipped themselves with weapons and technology salvaged from the ruins of human civilization and are constantly at war in a struggle for territory.

The world of Kamandi returns in the new DC Comics miniseries, The Kamandi Challenge, bringing together 14 teams of writers and artists.  Each issue will end with an cliffhanger.  The next creative team will resolve that cliffhanger before creating their own, which the next creative team after them will have to resolve... and so on.

The Kamandi Challenge #1 opens with “The Rules” by the team of writer Dan DiDio and artists Keith Giffen and Scott Koblish.  In a pastoral borough, a teenage boy awakens, late for the school bus.  Rushing to school, everything seems normal until the sky cracks opens and giant talking rats attack, revealing that nothing is what he thought it was.

“K -- is for 'Kill'!” is by the second creative team of writer Dan Abnett and artist Dale Eaglesham.  The story places the boy, Kamandi, in a world full of animals that walk and talk like humans.  Specifically in “Tiger City,” our young hero is thrown into the arena of blood sport and he must survive the giant man-ape, “Tiny”

I don't follow the part of the comic book Internet that breaks news about new comic book projects, not like I used to do.  I think I need to start again because I only recently heard about The Kamandi Challenge, and after reading The Kamandi Challenge #1, I know it would have been sad to have missed this fantastic first issue.

Telling a complete story in a single comic book might seem like a lost art in these last three decades of multi-issue story arcs produced in order to be collected into trade paperbacks – sometimes called graphic novels – for the bookstore market.  However, the two creative teams in The Kamandi Challenge #1 prove that they can tell a story that seems complete – even with a cliffhanger ending – in a single issue.

DiDio-Giffen-Koblish's 12-page introduction works as a standalone story and is a nice homage to Jack Kirby's visual and graphical art style.  I also wonder if the borough, burg, town depicted in the opening chapter is an homage to the early 20th century New York City in which Jack Kirby grew up.

The Abnett-Eaglesham team ably picks up the DiDio-Giffen-Koblish cliffhanger from “The Rules” and delivers a gem in “K -- is for 'Kill'!”  Dan Abnett turns his story into a flight of fancy set in world that is part old-school, EBR-style, pulp science fiction and part Planet of the Apes.  Using powerful, muscular compositions, Dale Eaglesham delivers art and storytelling that conveys both the bizarre nature of a world ruled by humaoid animals and the threat of weapons of mass destruction in a post-apocalyptic world that does not understand these lethal relics of war from the distant past.

It's obvious, isn't it?  I really enjoyed reading The Kamandi Challenge #1.  I can't wait for the second issue and I recommend this one.  It is the fun-to-read comic book for “all-ages” that many comic book readers keep saying they want.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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DC Comics Announces New Books and New Focus for June 2015

DC Entertainment Announces New Books, New Creators, Broader Focus for the DC Universe

Iconic Super Heroes & Super-Villains Universe is Diversifying To Make Room for More Types of Storytelling, More Fans

June Slate of Titles Includes Long-Awaited Return to DCU of Bryan Hitch, Garth Ennis; Gene Luen Yang & Ming Doyle Join Team of Top Talent

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This summer, DC Entertainment launches a bold new direction for the DC Universe (DCU) that is even more inclusive and accessible to a wider group of readers as the publisher continues to evolve comic storytelling for its next generation of fans. Award-winning, critically acclaimed writers are headlining the June 2015 slate of DC Comics’ new periodicals and graphic novels, including Gene Luen Yang, Bryan Hitch, Garth Ennis, and Ming Doyle.

    “Whether you’ve been a DC fan your whole life, or whether you are new to comics – there will be a book for you beginning in June.”

Beginning June 3rd, the DC Comics line of comic books will consist of 24 brand-new series that will begin at issue number one, as well as 25 on-going, bestselling fan favorite series that will continue without a break in the issue numbering. The total number of periodicals in the DCU will be 49, with additional new titles debuting throughout the year.

“This heralds in a new era for the DC Universe which will allow us to publish something for everyone, be more expansive and modern in our approach and tell stories that better reflect the society around us,” said DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Dan DiDio. “Whether you’ve been a DC fan your whole life, or whether you are new to comics – there will be a book for you beginning in June.”

DC Comics will be keenly focused on going back-to-basics with its legendary characters, like BATMAN, SUPERMAN and WONDER WOMAN, while also reinventing key characters, such as BLACK CANARY, BIZARRO, CYBORG and STARFIRE, with a new contemporary tonality to ensure a diverse offering of titles. Top writers and artists, as well as emerging fresh voices, are on board to help create an expansive lineup of comics that appeals to a broad audience of fans.

Depicting some of these iconic characters in a more contemporary light include National Book Award finalist Gene Luen Yang who will join artist John Romita Jr. in the ongoing adventures of SUPERMAN. Comic superstar artist Bryan Hitch will write and draw new tales of the world’s greatest heroes in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA. The pitch perfect team of Garth Ennis and John McCrea returns to DC Comics for a limited series called SECTION EIGHT featuring characters from their popular Hitman comic. VERTIGO creator Ming Doyle will be lending her talents to DC Comics, penning CONSTANTINE: THE HELLBLAZER along with newcomer artist Riley Rossmo.

“More than ever before, DC Comics fans are being exposed to our rich portfolio of characters through multiple sources, including an unprecedented number of highly successful TV shows, video games and upcoming major motion pictures,” said Co-Publisher Jim Lee. “We are looking to extend that experience within publishing to ensure there is a comic book for everyone. For example, fans of the ARROW television show may want more stories about BLACK CANARY. Now they can find modern, fresh takes on the character in the pages of her standalone series both in stores and digitally.”

Breakout star, Brenden Fletcher, co-writer behind the all new, highly successful BATGIRL book will also be writing the new BLACK CANARY series launching in June. Fan favorites Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti will be the creative team on new titles STARFIRE and HARLEY QUINN/POWER GIRL and will continue to helm the perennially bestselling HARLEY QUINN.

“Beyond character and creators, the June slate will showcase different styles and approaches to storytelling as we add offbeat, irreverently funny titles such as BIZARRO, BAT-MITE and PREZ,” said Lee. “Truly there will be something for everybody as we simultaneously celebrate our rich legacy while embracing new voices and concepts.”

A first look at upcoming storylines will be the focus of DC Entertainment’s Free Comic Book Day issue – DC COMICS: DIVERGENCE – available Saturday, May 2, featuring three 8-page previews for the June releases of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s BATMAN, as well as Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok’s launch of the Darkseid War within JUSTICE LEAGUE featuring the biggest villains in the DCU – Darkseid and the Anti-Monitor, and Gene Luen Yang's DC Comics debut with celebrated artist John Romita, Jr on SUPERMAN. More than half-a million free issues of the DC Entertainment sampler will be given away at comic book retailers globally.

“In this new era of storytelling, story will trump continuity as we continue to empower creators to tell the best stories in the industry,” said DiDio.

To learn more about the June DC Universe slate, visit www.dccomics.com.

About DC Entertainment:
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the world’s largest English-language publisher of comics.

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"Before Watchmen" - Watchmen Prequel Comic Books Announced

The following was taken from a DC Comics blog post written by David Hyde:

DC ENTERTAINMENT OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCES “BEFORE WATCHMEN”

This summer, DC Entertainment will publish all-new stories expanding on the acclaimed WATCHMEN universe. As highly anticipated as they are controversial, the seven inter-connected prequel mini-series will build on the foundation of the original WATCHMEN, the bestselling graphic novel of all time. BEFORE WATCHMEN will be the collective banner for all seven titles, from DC Comics.

“It’s our responsibility as publishers to find new ways to keep all of our characters relevant,” said DC Entertainment Co-Publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee. “After twenty five years, the Watchmen are classic characters whose time has come for new stories to be told. We sought out the best writers and artists in the industry to build on the complex mythology of the original.”

Stepping up to the challenge is a group of the comic book industry’s most iconoclastic writers and artists – including Brian Azzarello (100 BULLETS), Lee Bermejo (JOKER), Amanda Conner (POWER GIRL), Darwyn Cooke (JUSTICE LEAGUE: NEW FRONTIER), John Higgins (WATCHMEN), Adam Hughes (CATWOMAN), J.G. Jones (FINAL CRISIS), Andy Kubert (FLASHPOINT), Joe Kubert (SGT. ROCK), Jae Lee (BATMAN: JEKYLL AND HYDE), J. Michael Straczynski (SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE) and Len Wein (SWAMP THING).

BEFORE WATCHMEN includes:

RORSCHACH (4 issues) – Writer: Brian Azzarello. Artist: Lee Bermejo

MINUTEMEN (6 issues) – Writer/Artist: Darwyn Cooke

COMEDIAN (6 issues) – Writer: Brian Azzarello. Artist: J.G. Jones

DR. MANHATTAN (4 issues) – Writer: J. Michael Straczynski. Artist: Adam Hughes

NITE OWL (4 issues) – Writer: J. Michael Straczynski. Artists: Andy and Joe Kubert

OZYMANDIAS (6 issues) – Writer: Len Wein. Artist: Jae Lee

SILK SPECTRE (4 issues) – Writer: Darwyn Cooke. Artist: Amanda Conner

Each week, a new issue will be released, and will feature a two-page back-up story called CURSE OF THE CRIMSON CORSAIR, written by original series editor Len Wein and with art by original series colorist John Higgins. There will also be a single issue, BEFORE WATCHMEN: EPILOGUE, featuring the work of various writers and artists, and a CRIMSON CORSAIR story by Wein and Higgins.

“The original series of WATCHMEN is the complete story that Alan Moore and I wanted to tell. However, I appreciate DC’s reasons for this initiative and the wish of the artists and writers involved to pay tribute to our work. May these new additions have the success they desire,” said Dave Gibbons, WATCHMEN co-creator and original series artist.

“Comic books are perhaps the largest and longest running form of collaborative fiction,” said DiDio and Lee. “Collaborative storytelling is what keeps these fictional universes current and relevant.”

The New 52 Review: O.M.A.C. #1

O.M.A.C. #1
DC COMICS

WRITERS: Keith Giffen and Dan DiDio
PENCILS: Keith Giffen
INKS: Scott Koblish
COLORS: Hi-Fi
LETTERS: Travis Lanham
32pp, Color, $2.99

OMAC is a superhero comic book created by Jack Kirby in 1974. The series was set in a near future where OMAC was a corporate nobody named Buddy Blank. An A.I. satellite called “Brother Eye” changed Buddy, via a “computer-hormonal operation done by remote control,” into the super-powered One-Man Army Corps (OMAC).

DC Comics is currently re-launching its superhero comic book line. Produced by Keith Giffen and Dan DiDio, a new O.M.A.C. series is part of that launch. O.M.A.C. #1 opens on a peaceful afternoon at the headquarters of Cadmus Industries, the corporate leader in genetic research and cutting edge medical technologies.

Jody Robbins is fretting over her boyfriend, Kevin Kho, also works at Cadmus, but is missing. Suddenly, O.M.A.C., a powerful behemoth of a creature, assaults the complex and begins tearing his way down through the lower levels. What is he seeking? And where is Kevin?

Over the course of his four-decade career, Keith Giffen has often showed the influence of Jack Kirby on his work. In O.M.A.C., Giffen blends the powerful compositions and graphic design of Kirby with his own sharp line work to create some of the best comic book art to come out of “The New 52.” Giffen captures the raw power of a creature like O.M.A.C. by depicting destruction on massive scale in panels both small and big and especially in a double-page spread that is… awesome. I think this is a book worth a second and third look.

A-

August 31st
FLASHPOINT #5
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/flashpoint-5.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/justice-league-1.html

September 7th
ACTION COMICS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/action-comics-1.html
ANIMAL MAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/animal-man-1.html
BATGIRL #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batgirl-1.html
BATWING #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batwing-1.html
DETECTIVE COMICS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/detective-comics-1-2011.html
HAWK AND DOVE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/hawk-dove-1.html
JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/justice-league-international-1.html
MEN OF WAR #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/men-of-war-1.html
STATIC SHOCK #1 2.99
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/static-shock-1.html
STORMWATCH #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/stormwatch-1.html
SWAMP THING #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/swamp-thing-1.html

DC Comics' "The New 52" Release Schedule

DC Comics Launches Historic Era of Comic Books With 52 New #1 Issues

The World's Greatest Super Heroes Get a Makeover as Comic Book Giant Starts Titles at #1 and Launches All Titles Digitally

[Posted by Leroy Douresseaux on Patreon.]

BURBANK, Calif., Aug. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- DC Comics is making history today as it relaunches its entire line of comic books with all new first issues, which, for the first time, will all be available for purchase digitally on the same day they are released in print.

The release of JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 officially kicks off "The New 52" as part of DC Comics' plan to launch an entire comic book line of 52 new number one issues this fall. Written by best-selling author Geoff Johns and drawn by legendary artist Jim Lee, JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 is a new beginning for the world's greatest super hero team, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash and other iconic characters from the pages of DC Comics.

With "The New 52," DC Comics' most iconic super heroes will be presented in a younger and more contemporary way, including new costumes, characters and storylines. "The New 52" also marks a new era in digital availability for comics, as all books will launch the same day digitally with their physical counterparts. This groundbreaking initiative makes DC Comics the first major publisher to release all of its comic book titles digitally the same day as they are available in print. All new issues can be downloaded to PC, tablet or mobile devices on the Windows, iOS and Android platforms.

"For us, it's always been about the fans and we wanted to channel all of the excitement they've shown by giving back with a big event," said Dan DiDio, co-publisher, DC Entertainment. "We're really excited about 'The New 52' and we think all fans - old and new - will love the journey we're about to embark on."

Since the historic launch was announced earlier this year, fans from around the world have been eagerly anticipating the books to get a first look at the changes in store. Comic retailers have also embraced the arrival of "The New 52." More than 50 stores held local Midnight Madness events around the country last night to celebrate the launch and accommodate fans clamoring for the first issue.

Additional #1 titles will be available for sale every Wednesday through September 28. For more information about how to subscribe to DC Comics, visit our digital store at http://www.read.dccomics.com/ or locate a comic book shop near you.

Book Release Schedule:

August 31st
JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 3.99
FLASHPOINT #5 3.99

September 7th
ACTION COMICS #1 3.99
ANIMAL MAN #1 2.99
BATGIRL #1 2.99
BATWING #1 2.99
DETECTIVE COMICS #1 2.99
GREEN ARROW #1 2.99
HAWK AND DOVE #1 2.99
JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1 2.99
MEN OF WAR #1 3.99
OMAC #1 2.99
STATIC SHOCK #1 2.99
STORMWATCH #1 2.99
SWAMP THING #1 2.99

September 14th
BATMAN AND ROBIN #1 2.99
BATWOMAN #1 2.99
DEATHSTROKE #1 2.99
DEMON KNIGHTS #1 2.99
FRANKENSTEIN AGENT OF SHADE #1 2.99
GREEN LANTERN #1 2.99
GRIFTER #1 2.99 2.24
LEGION LOST #1 2.99
MISTER TERRIFIC #1 2.99
RED LANTERNS #1 2.99
RESURRECTION MAN #1 2.99
SUICIDE SQUAD #1 2.99
SUPERBOY #1 2.99

September 21st
BATMAN #1 2.99
BIRDS OF PREY #1 2.99
BLUE BEETLE #1 2.99
CAPTAIN ATOM #1 2.99
CATWOMAN #1 2.99
DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #1 2.99
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1 2.99
LEGION OF SUPER HEROES #1 2.99
NIGHTWING #1 2.99
RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #1 2.99
SUPERGIRL #1 2.99
WONDER WOMAN #1 2.99

September 28th
ALL STAR WESTERN #1 3.99
AQUAMAN #1 2.99
BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #1 2.99
BLACKHAWKS #1 2.99
FLASH #1 2.99
FURY OF FIRESTORM #1 2.99
GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS #1 2.99
I VAMPIRE #1 2.99
JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1 2.99
SAVAGE HAWKMAN #1 2.99
SUPERMAN #1 2.99
TEEN TITANS #1 2.99
VOODOO #1 2.99


About DC Entertainment
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash, etc.), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables, etc.) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating across Warner Bros. and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment, and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world.

Jim Lee and Dan DiDio Announced as DC Comics Co-Publishers

Press release from DC Comics:

Jim Lee and Dan DiDio Named Co-Publishers DC Comics

Geoff Johns to Serve as Chief Creative Officer

John Rood Named EVP, Sales, Marketing and Business Development

Patrick Caldon Named EVP, Finance and Administration

(February 18, 2010 – New York, NY and Burbank, CA) DC Entertainment, founded in September 2009 to unleash the power of the DC Comics library of characters across all media platforms, has named its executive management team, including new co-publishers of DC Comics and a Chief Creative Officer, as well as heads of Sales/Marketing/Business Development and Finance/Administration. Diane Nelson, President, DC Entertainment, made the announcement today.

The new senior executive team includes Jim Lee and Dan DiDio, who have been named Co-Publishers of DC Comics, and Geoff Johns, who will serve as Chief Creative Officer of DC Entertainment. Additionally, John Rood has been named Executive Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Business Development, and Patrick Caldon will serve as Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration. Each of these executives will report directly to Nelson.

“DC Entertainment’s new executive team is a creative ‘dream team,’ with accomplishments and talent unrivaled in the business,” said Nelson. “This announcement continues and underscores DC’s legacy as the ultimate destination for creators. We’ll benefit enormously from the deep experience this team represents, while re-energizing the direction and focus of the company. I’m excited and honored to have each of them with me at the helm of DC Entertainment.”

“With this new leadership team, Diane will be able to fully and respectfully integrate DC’s brand and characters, not only as key content drivers in the film division, but across all of the businesses of Warner Bros. and Time Warner,” said Jeff Robinov, President, Warner Bros. Pictures Group. “I am very proud and excited about the accomplished executives who are charged with expanding this powerful library. They each have a diverse and complementary skill-set and are deeply committed to contributing to the DC Comics legacy.”

Prior to his current post, Lee served as Editorial Director, where he oversaw WildStorm Studios and was also the artist for many of DC Comics’ bestselling comic books and graphic novels, including “All Star Batman and Robin, The Boy Wonder,” “Batman: Hush” and “Superman: For Tomorrow.” He also serves as the Executive Creative Director for the upcoming DC Universe Online massively multiplayer action game from Sony Online Entertainment.

Lee is an award-winning comic book illustrator/creator/publisher who started his professional career at Marvel Comics where his work on the X-Men continues to hold the all-time sales record for single issue sales at eight million copies sold in one month. At Marvel, he also drew the Punisher and co-created many characters, the most popular being Gambit, featured in 2009’s “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” feature film. In 1992, he started his own production company, WildStorm Productions, and co-founded Image Comics, an independent comics company which quickly grew to become the number-three North American comics publisher. His most notable creations, “WildCats” and “Gen 13,” saw life beyond comic books as a CBS Saturday morning cartoon and as a direct-to-video animated movie distributed by Disney, respectively. In 1998, he left Image Comics and sold WildStorm to DC Comics.

DiDio most recently served as Senior Vice President and Executive Editor, DC Universe, overseeing the editorial department for the DC Universe imprint, including the ongoing adventures of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and scores of heroes and villains. He also worked to develop new titles with the industry’s premier writers and artists. At DC Comics, DiDio has spearheaded such bestselling projects as “All Star Batman and Robin, The Boy Wonder,” “Identity Crisis,” Green Lantern, Teen Titans and The Outsiders.

Before joining DC in 2002, DiDio was with Mainframe Entertainment, where he most recently served as Senior Vice President, Creative Affairs, overseeing the development, distribution, marketing and promotion of all Mainframe’s television properties. Prior to that, he served as Executive Director of Children’s Programming for ABC, where he was also a publicity manager, having started his television career at CBS, working in a variety of positions.

Johns builds on his current role at DC from being one of today’s most prolific, popular and award-winning contemporary comic book writers with this new executive role. He is a New York Times bestselling author who has written highly acclaimed stories revitalizing Green Lantern, Superman, the Flash, Teen Titans, and the Justice Society of America for DC Comics.

Johns began his comics career creating and writing “Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E.” for DC Comics while at the same time working with film director Richard Donner. After acclaimed runs on Flash, Teen Titans and the bestselling “Infinite Crisis” mini-series, Johns co-wrote a run on Action Comics with his mentor, Donner. Johns has also written and produced for various other media, including the acclaimed “Legion” and “Absolute Justice” episodes of Warner Bros. Television’s “Smallville” and Adult Swim’s “Robot Chicken” and “Titan Maximum.” He also wrote the story of the DC Universe Online massively multiplayer action game from Sony Online Entertainment.

Rood returns to Warner Bros. after 10 years with the Disney ABC Television Group, where he most recently was Senior Vice President of Marketing, ABC Family. While at ABC, he also consulted for ABC News during the recent transitions at “Good Morning America” and “ABC World News with Diane Sawyer.”

Prior to Disney, Rood worked for six years at Warner Bros. Consumer Products, negotiating promotional deals with national advertisers using Warner Bros.’ properties, including the DC Comics characters. He has also worked in promotions for Equity Marketing on the Burger King account and in advertising for Leo Burnett on the McDonald’s and Miller Brewing accounts.

Caldon most recently served as Executive Vice President, Finance and Operations of DC Comics and MAD Magazine. Before that, he served as Senior Vice President, Finance and Operations, and his other posts at DC include Vice President, Finance and Operations, and Controller, the position in which he joined the company in 1985. Prior to joining DC Comics, Caldon spent a decade at Warner Communications in corporate accounting and as Senior Vice President and CFO of the Cosmos soccer team (owned by Warner Communications at the time).

DC Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Entertainment, is charged with strategically integrating the DC Comics business, brand and characters deeply into Warner Bros. and all its content and distribution businesses. DC Entertainment utilizes the expertise the Studio has in building and sustaining franchises to prioritize the DC properties as key titles and growth drivers across all of the Studio, including feature films, television, interactive entertainment, direct-to-consumer platforms and consumer products. The DC Comics publishing business is the cornerstone of DC Entertainment, releasing approximately 90 comic books through its various imprints and 30 graphic novels a month as well as continuing to build on its creative leadership in the comic book industry. [END]