DC's OCTOBER HIGHLIGHTS

[MattBrady]

While our friends at Comic Book Resources will have DC’s full solicitation text up shortly, we’ve run through the full list to pull out some of the highlights of the publisher’s October-shipping books.

You’ll feel old if you remember buying Grant Morrison and Dave McKean’s Arkham Asylum at the comic shop when it first came out – the 15th Anniversary Edition HC is hitting in October, with Morrison's complete final script annotated by both himself and original editor Karen Berger, many of his original thumbnail breakdowns, samples of how the story and art came together, and more surprises.

“War Games” continues in the Bat-titles, wrapping with Batman #633, by Bill Willingham, with art by Kinsun & Aaron Sowd.

DC continues its digest line with Batman Adventures Digest Vol. 1: Rogues Gallery and Volume 2: Shadows and Masks. Volume 1 collects Gotham Adventures #50 and Batman Adventures #1-#4, while volume 2 collects Batman Adventures #5-#9. Meanwhile, the first ten issues of Teen Titans Go! are collected into two digests.

The second volume trade collection of “Hush” by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee hits in October as well.

Superman: Birthright is collected as a hardcover, and will feature an introduction by Smallville television producers Al Gough & Miles Millar, plus a sketchbook section showcasing Leniel Yu's development work in addition to notes by writer Mark Waid.

Those watching…and waiting…for a hint of the past in Firestorm will get a taste with issue #6, whose solicit reads: “A special issue that ties into IDENTITY CRISIS, featuring guest art by Chris Batista (THE LEGION) & Dan Green (Uncanny X-Men)! With the pressures of his family life and the gargantuan responsibilities of the powers of Firestorm weighing heavily on him, Jason Rusch finally decides to blow off some steam! But what will be the consequences of his recklessness…especially when the JLA reveals what happened to Ronnie Raymond? “

Identity Crisis also spills over into the ongoing Flash storyline in October, “Sins of the Father.”

Green Lantern: Rebirth #1 gets that ball rolling. The solicitation reads: “Hal Jordan was one of the greatest heroes in the DCU until tragedy turned him into one of its greatest villains. Today, his soul searches for redemption as the Spectre. But redemption may not be what Jordan himself needs...or wants. The fates of Kyle Rayner, John Stewart, Guy Gardner, and the rest of the Green Lantern mythology unfold in this colossal tale of heroism involving the entire DCU!”

Kurt Busiek takes over JLA with issue #107, teaming with Ron Garney and Dan Green on art. The solicitation reads: “Fan-favorite writer Kurt Busiek (ASTRO CITY) joins the JLA art team of Ron Garney & Dan Green for “Crime Syndicate of Amerika,” an 8-part story that explodes from the pages of Busiek’s JLA/AVENGERS!

“Research has continued on the mysterious “space egg” left behind at the end of JLA/AVENGERS, leading the JLA to take steps to ensure that Krona stays put in his “prison.” But this distraction could prove fatal, since the real threat at the moment may come from another Earth!”

Over in Outsiders #17 John Walsh of “America’s Most Wanted” guest stars. The solicit reads: “The Outsiders are an aggressive super-team, taking the fight to the bad guys and preying on super-criminals. But when one of the criminals they’re chasing turns out to be a real predator, Nightwing and his teammates seek aid from an unlikely source. John Walsh helps the Outsiders deal with a very real problem that hits home with Arsenal, Grace and Walsh himself: child abduction.”

Not shipping until December, DC Comics Rarities Archives was also announced for pre-order. The solicit reads:

Written by Jerry Siegel, Gardner Fox, Sheldon Mayer,
William Moulton Marston, Bob Kane and various
Art by Joe Shuster, Bob Kane, Harry G. Peter,
Jack Burnley, Shelly Moldoff, Creig Flessel and various
Cover by Sheldon Mayer, Howard Purcell, E. E. Hibbard and various

For the first time ever, in one huge collection, three of DC Comics’ most hard to find early anthology titles are reprinted in their entirety! DC COMICS RARITIES ARCHIVE Vol. 1 is a whopping 348-page hardcover collecting NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR 1939, NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR 1940 and BIG ALL-AMERICAN COMIC BOOK #1 (1944).

This volume, with an introduction by Roy Thomas, features appearances by virtually every early Golden Age DC hero: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Sandman, Hawkman, Scribbly, The Atom, Green Lantern, Mr. Terrific, Jonny Thunder and Wildcat! Plus, loads of backups, funny animals, gag strips, text pieces and information about the Fair!

The two World's Fair Comics were specially created to be distributed at the legendary New York World's Fair of 1939-40 and feature adventures revolving around the DC heroes’ visits there. Most of the strips included in this very special Archive have never been reprinted! This is truly a testament to the diversity of the Golden Age of DC Comics that no serious comic collector should be without.

Long in development, the Mark Chiarello shepherded project, Solo finally debuts.

SOLO #1
Written by Tim Sale, Brian Azzarello, Jeph Loeb, Darwyn Cooke, and Diana Schutz
Art and cover by Sale

What happens when some of the most talented artists in comics are free to unleash their creative vision across 48 pages? The answer is SOLO, a unique new bimonthly series that showcases the best of the best of the biz!

Unfettered by the constraints of a regular monthly series, SOLO’s artists work in a variety of genres — using whichever characters — they wish! SOLO debuts in style with fan-favorite artist Tim Sale (CATWOMAN: WHEN IN ROME, BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN) in an issue that features a must-read follow-up story to SUPERMAN FOR ALL SEASONS (written by Jeph Loeb), a Catwoman/Batman tale (written by Brian Azzarello), a Supergirl adventure (written by Dark Horse Comics editor Diana Schutz), and more!

Future SOLO issues will feature such A-list talent as Richard Corben, Paul Pope, Howard Chaykin, Jordi Bernet, Mike Allred and Darwyn Cooke.

Announced last year, Toe Tags Featuring George Romero finally kicks off in October. The solicitation for the issue reads:

Cult movie writer/director George Romero helps kick off TOE TAGS, a series of miniseries featuring the work of a number of creative luminaries from a variety of media! Best known for his trio of zombie films — Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, and Day of the Dead — Romero launches TOE TAGS with an all-new horror classic for comics: the 6-part “The Death of Death,” featuring bloodcurdling art by Tommy Castillo (DETECTIVE COMICS) & Rodney Ramos (GREEN LANTERN).

Overnight, the world has been turned upside down, and zombies rule the day! It’s up to a college professor named Hoffman, his assistant Damien Cross, and his gal Judy to figure out exactly how and why the undead have taken over. But even if they do get to the bottom of the plague, is it too late to save the world?

Humanoids titles in October include: MILO MANARA’S ODYSSEYS OF GIUSEPPE BERGMAN TP, THE METABARONS VOL. 2: AGHNAR & ODA TP, and SON OF THE GUN TP.

2000 AD titles shipping in October include: DEVLIN WAUGH: SWIMMING IN BLOOD TP, and Mark Millar’s RED RAZORS TP.

On the Wildstorm front, Ed Brubaker’s first issue of The Authority ships, and it’s a new #1, The Authority: The Revolution #1. The solicit reads:

They’ve saved Earth from annihilation over and over again. Now they want to rule the world…

Four-time Eisner-nominated writer Ed Brubaker (SLEEPER, GOTHAM CENTRAL) and fan-favorite artists Dustin Nguyen and Richard Friend (BATMAN, WILDCATS VERSION 3.0) bring their unique vision to one of comics’ most controversial titles: THE AUTHORITY! “Come the Revolution” is the first part of a massive 12-issue arc that will shake the team to its very core and send shock waves through the WildStorm Universe.

Following the dramatic events of COUP D’ÉTAT, the Authority has settled into its role as governing body of the United States. The other major world powers have adjusted to the regime change and are slowly coming to terms with the meaning it has for the future. But many Americans are unhappy to lose their inalienable rights. Can a second American Revolution be far behind?

Coup D’eat meanwhile, gets collected as a trade.

Warren Ellis and Chris Sprouse’s Ocean begins, sporting covers by Michael Golden. The solicitation copy reads:

Warren Ellis returns with a universe-spanning science fiction tale! The 6-issue miniseries OCEAN is a fast-paced science-fiction story with brains, attitude and style told by fan-favorite writer Warren Ellis (ORBITER, TRANSMETROPOLITAN) with stunning art by Chris Sprouse & Karl Story (TOM STRONG) and covers by Michael Golden (STORMWATCH: TEAM ACHILLES)!

Beyond the inner planets lie the gaseous giants, Jupiter being the largest of all. Orbiting Jupiter is the moon Europa, a hard orb floating in frigid space. Lying beneath Europa's half-mile-thick mantle of shear ice is an ocean, the only one in the solar system that’s not on Earth. And within those cold waters could rest the key to life on Earth — and quite possibly its extinction!

Kurt Busiek and a host of artists provide the Astro City: A Visitor’s Guide in October as well: “Planning a getaway this holiday season? Searching for a new or exotic locale to take the family? Look no further than Astro City!

Everything you need to know about the city and its many special places and faces is in one handy volume: ASTRO CITY: A VISITOR’S GUIDE! This cleverly designed guide features all the info you need about Astro City: neighborhood guides, restaurant recommendations, highlights, local interests, ads for local businesses, and even a guide to the who's-who of the hero elite, illustrated by such fan-favorite artists as George Pérez, Carlos Pacheco, Dave Gibbons, Michael Golden, Jason Pearson and more! Plus, a special treat for all potential visitors: an all-new 8-page story illustrated by Brent Anderson & Ben Oliver!”

John Ridley makes his sophomore appearance at Wildstorm, with the debut of The Razor’s Edge: Warblade #1 a new series deisgn to showcase Wildstorm characters. The issue’s solicitation reads:

A new era in the WildStorm Universe begins as THE RAZOR’S EDGE debuts! This new monthly series features story arcs written and illustrated by some of comics’ hottest talent, spotlighting WildStorm characters both familiar and new!

Following his comics debut with THE AUTHORITY: HUMAN ON THE INSIDE original hardcover graphic novel, acclaimed novelist and screenwriter John Ridley (Three Kings) teams up with international superstar Simon Bisley (LOBO) for a brutal 5-issue story featuring Warblade, from the original incarnation of Jim Lee’s W.I.L.D.Cats!

After his bloody showdown with the infamous Sarajevo in WILDCATS Vol. 2 #7, Warblade takes a harsh journey of realization that turns deadly, since the former super-hero isn’t welcome in a land razed by war and run by organized crime!

Planetary #21 is scheduled to ship.

Sandman Mystery Theater is finally collected, with two trades offered in October.

[jedifish]

Kurt Busiek on JLA. That is awesome. Follow that up with Dan Slott and Dan Jurgens for 7 issues and it looks like JLA is heading in the right direction. Too bad I've had to drop JLA from my pull list for the next 6 issues. I hate having a hole in my collection.

[algertman]

Authority = Dead Horse?

not yet, if wjat Rucka does on the title turns to crap, then bury it

Birthright HC: come on there far more deserving of a HC treatment than birthright

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

"Sandman Mystery Theater is finally collected, with two trades offered in October."

If it features Guy Davis art, I'm in! I'm hoping...

-Augie

[Jordan D. White]

LOL

"W.I.L.D.Cats" ??

I think you mean WildC.A.T.s?

[Kolimar]

Speechless... Well, almost

Yay DC!! Thank you for remaining the best publisher out there, with your wide variety in contents, formats, etc., always pushing the envelope and bringing joy to us loyal fans.

I personally recomend anything from Manara, especially "El clic" and any and all adventures of Miel (hehehe). Giuseppe Bergman is great. The story based on Fellini's oniric script is another great one.

I want more digests!!

Peace.

[Truthseeker]

Man those are some highlights! Buseik on JLA, SOLO finally starting, Toe Tags, more Astro City! Man I am gonna be spending some bucks in october!

[algertman]

and once again in the words of Alex Ross

"we won"

[xdemon]

Kurt Busiek takes over JLA with issue #107, teaming with Ron Garney and Dan Green on art. The solicitation reads: “Fan-favorite writer Kurt Busiek (ASTRO CITY) joins the JLA art team of Ron Garney & Dan Green for “Crime Syndicate of Amerika,” an 8-part story that explodes from the pages of Busiek’s JLA/AVENGERS!

“Research has continued on the mysterious “space egg” left behind at the end of JLA/AVENGERS, leading the JLA to take steps to ensure that Krona stays put in his “prison.” But this distraction could prove fatal, since the real threat at the moment may come from another Earth!”

I thought JLA/Avengers was supposed to take place in its own "pocket universe" and not be in continuity? I may pick this issue up.

[Starpilot]

Originally posted by jedifish
Too bad I've had to drop JLA from my pull list for the next 6 issues. I hate having a hole in my collection.

Funny you should mention that. I'll have the same hole in my JLA collection. I just could not fathom wasting my money on another underwhelming Chuck Austen story. And that after the equally underwhelming Claremont/Byrne prequel to Doom Patrol.

Gotta vote with your dollar and DC needs to know when they're putting out books we don't want.

[Johnny Triangles]

Originally posted by algertman
and once again in the words of Alex Ross

"we won"

Not really. Keep in mind that a big name art team is the only thing that'll keep a Hal Jordan book alive, and even then maybe aT 20 issues tops. Once Van Sciver and Johns leave, I give the book maybe 8 issues before cancellation.

Hal Jordan is synonymous with 4 things: boredom, cancellation, nostalgia, and more cancellation.

[Iago27]

Yes!!

Ever since Morrison, and then Waid, left JLA, I've been itching for a return to that level of consistent greatness that it started out as.

Sorry to everyone who disagrees, but I just haven't liked a single storyline that spun out of Kelly's run on the book. The only thing I enjoyed was Major Disaster. Thought what they did there was great.

But Busiek? This is a good idea. He has a fantastic handle on group dynamics and from JLA/Avengers, he clearly understands the characters he's going to be working with. It's a good choice and I'm excited about what he's going to do with the characters.

I do think he should restrict himself to operating with the "big Seven" though, with Plastic Man. That's the best JLA, in my opinion.

[Zadillo]

Man, lots of stuff I'm looking forward to...... GL: Rebirth..... Brubaker taking over the Authority (I've been amazed by everything Brubaker has done so far that I've read)........ this SOLO project sounds like a lot of fun.....Busiek on JLA sounds great to me, I'll definitely pick that up.

-Zadillo

[dr.no]

Posted by World Famous J Triangle
Hal Jordan is synonymous with 4 things: boredom, cancellation, nostalgia, and more cancellation.

LOL I salute thee dear sir!

[Kolimar]

Originally posted by Iago27
I do think he should restrict himself to operating with the "big Seven" though, with Plastic Man. That's the best JLA, in my opinion.

I agree he should focus on a core group of characters, although not necessarily the "big seven". But he should not "restrict" himself to those characters. He will have a big sandbox there, and I expect he's itching to play in it. I know I am, just waiting to see what he comes up with. Good luck, Kurt..

[tralfaz]

Originally posted by algertman
Authority = Dead Horse?

not yet, if wjat Rucka does on the title turns to crap, then bury it

Birthright HC: come on there far more deserving of a HC treatment than birthright

Rucka? it's Brubaker

[Somebody]

Heh. I thought Solo had been quietly canned, given how it's been over a year since we heard anything about it.

[Aaron]

Originally posted by MattBrady
DC continues its digest line with Batman Adventures Digest Vol. 1: Rogues Gallery and Volume 2: Shadows and Masks. Volume 1 collects Gotham Adventures #50 and Batman Adventures #1-#4, while volume 2 collects Batman Adventures #5-#9.

What's this all about? These Batman Adventures digests came out a few months ago. I just finished reading them last night, as a matter of fact. I'd love to see more. Was this a typo and Volumes 3 and 4 are in fact coming out?

Those watching…and waiting…for a hint of the past in Firestorm will get a taste with issue #6, whose solicit reads: “A special issue that ties into IDENTITY CRISIS, featuring guest art by Chris Batista (THE LEGION) & Dan Green (Uncanny X-Men)! With the pressures of his family life and the gargantuan responsibilities of the powers of Firestorm weighing heavily on him, Jason Rusch finally decides to blow off some steam! But what will be the consequences of his recklessness…especially when the JLA reveals what happened to Ronnie Raymond? “

Too little, too late, IMHO. This book failed to hold my interest after issue #2. Why is it that DC fails to understand that Firestorm's the Spider-Man of the DCU? He's a wise-cracking funny guy with a terrific rogue's gallery. This new Firestorm has none of the charm of the original series and, instead, goes for dark, depressing stories over Super-Hero fun. Bad idea.

Kurt Busiek takes over JLA with issue #107, teaming with Ron Garney and Dan Green on art. The solicitation reads: “Fan-favorite writer Kurt Busiek (ASTRO CITY) joins the JLA art team of Ron Garney & Dan Green for “Crime Syndicate of Amerika,” an 8-part story that explodes from the pages of Busiek’s JLA/AVENGERS!

Interesting... I remember reading that JLA/Avengers would trickle into the mainstream books, and with Kurt Busiek steering the ship I'm excited. The only downside of this story is that JLA continues to be arc-driven rather than serial in nature. Shuffling creative teams makes the book lack any kind of consistency, which makes it disposable, at best.

Plus, it appears that DC is now, unofficially, unspooling everything from the Crisis. We've got reboots and restarts left and right, history being rewritten willy-nilly and multiple earths popping back up. Since I've long accepted that DC has decided to dispose of any semblance of internal continuity, why not seal the deal and just say Wonder Woman WAS a founding member of the JLA?

[algertman]

Originally posted by tralfaz
Rucka? it's Brubaker

DOH! Slaps head

[BillReed]

Busiek on JLA, huh? Another reason not to buy the title.

I thought they shelved Solo, too. Nice to see it finally debut, although I won't be getting the Sale issue. Bring on Cooke and Allred!

Looking forward to the eventual Superman: Birthright softcover... And Ocean seems pretty snazzy.

And in other solicitations news, nice to see Human Target hasn't been cancelled yet! Woohoo!

[paulski]

Busiek doing JLA, huh? Very, very cool. Actually sounds like the first decent storyline on the book since The Burning, too. Just forget about these frickin' rotating creative teams and stick the guy on as full-time writer.

And I could be in the minority here - for the life of me I can't figure why - but how is Ron Garney getting so much plum work on such a high profile title? His work in recent times has been pretty disappointing, IMHO.

[Tinnitus Tim]

My points of interest:

- JLA with Busiek

The quality should be back with this arc...

- Detective #27 in softcover

Way more affordable than the hardcover

- Green Lantern: Rebirth

A nice way to come back to the character to see what's happening

- Solo

A good concept and top-rated talents. A no miss!

[Kolimar]

Originally posted by Aaron
Too little, too late, IMHO. This book failed to hold my interest after issue #2. Why is it that DC fails to understand that Firestorm's the Spider-Man of the DCU? He's a wise-cracking funny guy with a terrific rogue's gallery.

No, no. The Spider-Man of the DCU is Blue Beetle. Created by Ditko, even (I think, ).

Originally posted by Aaron
Plus, it appears that DC is now, unofficially, unspooling everything from the Crisis. We've got reboots and restarts left and right, history being rewritten willy-nilly and multiple earths popping back up. Since I've long accepted that DC has decided to dispose of any semblance of internal continuity, why not seal the deal and just say Wonder Woman WAS a founding member of the JLA?

Just wait, it's coming...

[spyflip]

I like Busiek on JLA i might get back into this title. As for the rest retooling retooling and anthologies. Why is it when Marvel does this everyone say's they are evil and corrupt, when DC does it all the DC "people" start screaming out Genius, hail the mighty DC and if you say anything different they start foaming. anyone with me on this or am i getting burned for my sacrileges view

[The_Adventurer]

Yeah, good stuff coming out from that catalog, just none of it listed up there.

ADAM STRANGE #2 (of 8)
EX MACHINA #5
OCEAN #1 (of 6) (This looks AWESOME)
ASTRO CITY: A VISITOR’S GUIDE
TERRA OBSCURA VOL. 2 #3 (of 6)
FABLES #30
THE LOSERS #17
Y: THE LAST MAN #27

Those books are where it's at.