MANHUNTER RETURNS IN JUNE

[MattBrady]

DC’s Manhunter - it was dead, it was alive, and then not…and then maybe…coming back, but it wasn’t?

The question marks around DC’s Manhunter series will be removed in June, as the publisher has confirmed for Newsarama that the series will return with issue #31, written by Marc Andreyko, with art by Michael (Alias) Gaydos.

A quick history lesson – back in 2006, Manhunter (starring Kate Spencer as the newest iteration of the hero) was cancelled with issue #25. It was the common comics story – the series was acclaimed by critics, loved by its fans, and lauded by Andreyko’s fellow professionals. But, as history has shown, that’s often not enough to keep the wolves away, and the series was axed.

Cue fan outcry and one sympathetic DC Universe Executive Editor Dan DiDio.

As DiDio announced at WizardWorld: Philadelphia in 2006, he and DC had reconsidered, and gave the book five more issues to prove itself. It did just that with issues #26-#30, so much so that DiDio later announced that the series would be returning on an ongoing basis.

And then a year passed. The character continued to appear throughout the DC Universe, and when fans asked, DiDio’s stock reply was that the series would restart when there was enough material in hand to ensure a solid run of issues. To bring things back full circle, that point DiDio was mentioning? That’s June.

“Marc and I are passionate about this book, and we’ve both wanted to work with Michael for a long time, so it’s a huge thrill to be able to make it happen with Manhunter,” series Editor Joan Hilty told Newsarama. “Michael’s doing a dark, gorgeous, completely fresh take on Kate Spencer’s world but still makes it all feel like he’s been aboard from the very beginning of the series. And as the Law & Order of the DCU it’s still like no other book we publish, even more so this time; ‘Forgotten’ is a controversial story, and we will only raise the stakes from there.”

The solicitation for the first issue reads:

Los Angeles is Manhunter’s town — so when Kate Spencer learns of the disappearance of hundreds of women along the Mexican border, she’s on the case both as law-breaking D.A. and costumed vigilante.

Meanwhile, Kate’s bloodline tie to the JSA returns to haunt her — and it looks like her sidekick’s most notorious supervillain ex-boss is doing the same to him.

Covers for the series will be illustrated by Liam Sharp.

Look for an interview with Andreyko and Gaydos coming next week here on Newsarama.

[HazMatMan]

Ever notice the resemblance to Wildstorm's Nemesis? Or vice versa...

[scottmdavis]

Too Little Too Late? Maybe, but I know a ton of people will be happy to see this back.

Maybe I'll get off my duff now and get the rest of the trades.

[Jovencub]

COULDNT BE MORE HAPPIER!
Amazing series and im glad as hell that its coming back (with fantastic artist Michael Gaydos no less!)
Thank you D.C. for bringing back a little series that can.

[defjoe]

Give it up... jeezzz.. it doesn't sell.

[jmcl89]

After that long a hiatus, I'm surprised they aren't starting with a new #1. The book can use all the sales help it can get.

[Gordon Lee]

I'd really like to see the fans return for this book AND the title gains newer fans too!!

[SpaceButler]

Awesome. I will have to make room in my budget somehow.

Edit: All this and the Joker too!

[kdmelrose]

Fantastic news!

[biffordmichael]

How freaking awesome is this gonna be! FINALLY! While I love it's starting back with issue 31 I wonder if starting it over at issue 1 might have worked better?

Biff

[Chesscub]

Michael Gaydos on art?!

That should bring in a few extra readers. :-)

[Punchy]

Gaydos eh? Quite the coup.

But I must re-iterate the suggestion of a new #1.

[vfxdammerung]

I have all the trades from the series, granted it was a hit-and-miss for me, but overall a decent reading experience. I'm really glad that Michael Gaydos is onboard....his work on Alias was fantastic (a much better series than Manhunter, IMO), and I really hope he can work a little of that magic here.

P.S. Huntress needs a MONTHLY! (Should've posted in the "Ivy Madison/Huntress: Year One" thread but what the heck--another Bird Of Prey who has her own monthly while the Huntress doesn't....)

[Nobody]

Wow. Michael Gaydos. Excellent indeed...

[Moriarty]

As I've said before, "O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!"

[Korvac]

THAT'S SO AWESOME. What a great team this will be. I miss this book!!

[vfxdammerung]

I just remembered what I didn't like about the series--

All of the court scenes. I've watched way too many court movies/TV shows to know the difference between great courtroom drama and contrived melodrama. Unfortunately, Manhunter's court scenes fall under the latter category.

But I think I loved everything else....

[Zenstrive]

Oh yeah, the return of one of coolest designed characters, basically a female batman that is not named "bat-"

[Mundungus]

I've only read Vol. 1 and got a huge kick out of it, and even though I probably won't get subsequent trades by the time this comes out, I'll definitely start picking it up based on my enjoyment of the first trade.

[Bane122]

Hell yeah! So happy this is back.

[Gordon McAlpin]

Originally Posted by defjoe

Give it up... jeezzz.. it doesn't sell.

The trades sell well, or they wouldn't have brought it back.

[Kamandi2]

Originally Posted by jmcl89

After that long a hiatus, I'm surprised they aren't starting with a new #1. The book can use all the sales help it can get.

In this relaunch crazy market, it's refreshing to see a title retain the old numbering. This way there won't be a huge sales drop off. The people buying issue 31 will be people who are buying the book because they enjoy it and will most likely continue to buy it and not the people who just buy things because there is a big number 1 on the cover and then drop the book.

[J.D. Lombardi]

So Gaydos is the regular artist on the book now? If that is the case I'm totally back onto this title when it comes out.

[ultraaman]

Originally Posted by Zenstrive

Oh yeah, the return of one of coolest designed characters, basically a female batman that is not named "bat-"

except she drinks, smokes, is divorced, has a kid, and kills

i blew off this book for the longest time then decided to pick up the final story arc. it seemed to be the ONLY place where any real discussion would occur of the implications of what Wonder Woman did. i liked it so bought the first trade...which i did not like.

here's hoping the book continues in the direction it left off. i'll try it and see

[Darquehex]

This book is phenomenal. So much so that I'm surprised it's published by DC. For those of you on the fence, and I still can't understand why that would be, read the second TPB. Kate has a hard fought position in the DCU, but more importantly she is her own woman. She's not bright and shiny, she's dedicated and not always sure of herself but badass in a way that makes her interesting without being kitschy. Past that, where else are you going to see Obsidian, Cameron Chase, Director Bones and and the Order of St. Dumas all at once? For fanboys, this book is a b-listers paradise and for everyone else the book gives action and asks for nothing in return.

Past that, her sidekick is named Dylan Battles. I dare you to find a better name. Go ahead. I'll wait.