DC Solicits for August 2013

Is Pandora breaking the nu52?

With the New 52 chugging right along, I’m down to collecting just a handful of DC books. I buy Batman Inc. on Comixology, and I have a subscription to Batman and Green Lantern. (I’m not doing so well keeping up with GL, though.)

I am trying to keep up with DC books through my local library. The price is right, and if I can’t finish a collection, I can pop it right back on the shelf.

Now let’s look at the August 2013 Solicits and see if there is anything I need to put a hold on…

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #7
Written by GEOFF JOHNS and JEFF LEMIRE
Art by DOUG MAHNKE and CHRISTIAN ALAMY
Cover by DOUG MAHNKE
1:25 Variant cover by MIKEL JANIN
1:00 B&W Variant cover by DOUG MAHNKE
“We Can Be Heroes” Blank variant cover available
On sale AUGUST 14 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
Retailers: This issue will ship with five covers. Please see the order form for more information.
TRINITY WAR CHAPTER 4! The hunt for a murder suspect leads Superman and his new teammates to the secret behind the Secret Society, while Batman finds the key to the crime—and one of the Leaguers will be forever changed by it. Plus, who is the Secret Society of Super-Villains and what are their plans for Pandora?
This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.

JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #23
Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art by MIKEL JANIN
Cover by DOUG MANHKE
1:25 Variant cover by MIKAL JANIN
1:100 B&W Variant cover by DOUG MAHNKE
On sale AUGUST 21 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with three covers. Please see the order form for more information.
TRINITY WAR CHAPTER 5! The Justice Leagues continues to fracture as the murder of a hero is solved—and the line between justice and vengeance blurs as they head off to find those responsible! TRINITY WAR CHAPTER 5! The Justice Leagues continues to fracture as the murder of a hero is solved—and the line between justice and vengeance blurs as they head off to find those responsible!

JUSTICE LEAGUE #23
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
Cover by DOUG MAHNKE
1:25 Variant cover by MIKAL JANIN
1:00 B&W Variant cover by DOUG MAHNKE
On sale AUGUST 28 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
Retailers: This issue will ship with four covers. Please see the order form for more information.
TRINITY WAR CHAPTER 6! Trinity War concludes! But that doesn’t mean all ends well for our heroes. The secret behind Pandora’s Box is revealed and it means the end of the Justice Leagues!
This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.

There was a time I would have been all wound up about the phrase “murder of a hero” as I worried about my B-tier favorites in the DCU. Now I’m just curious. Even killing Martian Manhunter would be enough to get me riled up now! 

CONSTANTINE #6
Written by RAY FAWKES
Art by RENATO GUEDES
Cover by EDDY BARROWS and EBER FERREIRA
On sale AUGUST 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
On the verge of death, John Constantine fights for his very soul against his own former protégé!

Hellblazer is one of those books that I always meant to read, but never got around to picking up. But I feel like I have a pretty good feel for the character from a litany of covers over the years. This just doesn’t look like Constantine, does it? 

THE FLASH #23
Written by FRANCIS MANAPUL and BRIAN BUCCELLATO
Art and cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
1:25 B&W Variant cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
On sale AUGUST 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for more information.
The Flash makes a desperate play to save Iris from Reverse-Flash—and you can’t be sure who will be left standing by this issue’s end!

Wow! That is not what I picture when I think of the Reverse Flash. Weird! 

EARTH 2 #15
Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art by NICOLA SCOTT and TREVOR SCOTT
Cover by JUAN DOE
1:25 B&W Variant cover by JUAN DOE
On sale AUGUST 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for more information.
Dr. Fate, Red Arrow, The Flash, Green Lantern and The Atom all fall victim to the Hunger Dogs of Apokolips as the war against the forces of Steppenwolf continues!

All this Kirby talk has me interested. Does this book really stand-alone in the new 52? Does it have that Kirby flair? Which James Robinson writes the book these days?

BATMAN, INCORPORATED SPECIAL #1
Written by CHRIS BURNHAM, JOE KEATINGE, DAN DIDIO and others
Art by CHRIS BURNHAM, ETHAN VAN SCIVER, JASON MASTERS and others
Cover by CHRIS BURNHAM
1:25 Variant cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER
On sale AUGUST 28 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for more information.
An all-star special featuring the various members of Batman Incorporated—Man-of-Bats, Red Raven, El Gaucho, Dark Ranger, Knight, Batman himself and more! In the wake of their epic struggle with Talia al Ghul, the Heretic and Leviathan see what’s next for the members of Batman’s army. Featuring stories written and drawn by a collection of industry greats! Plus: Bat-Cow makes her solo debut in a tale by writer Dan DiDio and artist Ethan Van Sciver!

Hey, I love what Chris Burnham has brought to this title. But I can’t help but notice that one big name is missing. Can anyone figure out who it is? 

BATMAN #23
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art by GREG CAPULLO and DANNY MIKI
Backup story art by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE
Cover by GREG CAPULLO
1:25 Variant cover by GARY FRANK
1:100 B&W Variant cover by GREG CAPULLO
On sale AUGUST 14 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
Retailers: This issue will ship with four covers. Please see the order form for more information.
Witness the moment Bruce Wayne becomes Batman as “Zero Year” makes history! And in the backup story, a young Bruce Wayne fights for his life in a death match in Russia!
This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.

As long as Snyder stays clear of the Year One content, I don’t see a problem with the Year Zero concept. It sure looks like it will read pretty close to Batman Begins’ origin. Synergy! 

TALON #11
Written by JAMES TYNION IV
Art and cover by MIGUEL SEPULVEDA
On sale AUGUST 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
The clash between Talon and Bane’s forces comes to an epic finale on Santa Prisca as Casey Washington desperately seeks Batman to help him eliminate the Court of Owls once and for all.

Please tell me that’s not Bane. I don't think I'll be able to sleep if this is an "improved" redesign. 

BATWING #23
Written by JUSTIN GRAY and JIMMY PALMIOTTI
Art by EDUARDO PANSICA and JULIO FERREIRA
Cover by KEN LASHLEY
On sale AUGUST 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Luke Fox’s personal life is already in turmoil, but as Batwing he must confront a dangerous new threat in the form of assassin for hire Lady Vic as she makes her first appearance in The New 52!

I like the look of the new Batwing suit, and… wait! I actually still recognize Lady Vic! Cool!

GREEN LANTERN #23
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art and cover by BILLY TAN and RICHARD FRIEND
1:25 Variant cover by RAGS MORALES
On sale AUGUST 7 • 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.
Hal struggles with his new role as leader of the Green Lantern Corps while he tries to solve the mystery of why the universe is atrophying! And an escaped prisoner has gotten hold of a power that makes her nearly unstoppable! The stage is set for the ultimate test against Relic!
This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.

Have we ever seen Hal as the big boss of the whole Corps? I can’t remember seeing it. A neat idea. 

THRESHOLD #8

DIAL H #15

DEMON KNIGHTS #23

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #23

Demon Knights was the only one of these books that I had planned on checking out from the library. Is the 23 issue run worth looking in to? And the big question, can I hold out hope that some of these vacancies in the “52” could be filled by Multiversity books set outside the nu52?

STORMWATCH #23
Written by JIM STARLIN
Art by YVEL GUICHET and LeBEAU UNDERWOOD
Cover by JIM STARLIN and ROB HUNTER
On sale AUGUST 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
The true nature of the Kollective is revealed, and the mystery surrounding past Stormwatch teams grows!

C’mon, doesn’t this look like a solicit from 1998?

SUICIDE SQUAD #23
Written by ALES KOT
Art by PATRICK ZIRCHER
Cover by JASON PEARSON
On sale AUGUST 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
Suicide Squad is sent on a mission to take down a dictator who is planning to create his own metahuman army. But what the Squad doesn’t know is that he already has a batch of super-powered soldiers ready to defend him—cue the mayhem! Plus, the true nature of Waller’s new deal with the team is revealed!

Ooh! Fantastic Jason Pearson cover, and Patrick Zircher on interiors. Is this book worth checking out? Does it feel like Ostrander’s old Squad? Who is this Ales Kot?

DC UNIVERSE VS. THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE #1
Written by KEITH GIFFEN
Art by DEXTER SOY
Covers by ED BENES
On sale AUGUST 28 • 32 pg, FC, 1 of 6, $2.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for more information.
After narrowly escaping his last battle with He-Man, Skeletor has fled to the most unexpected realm to recover: EARTH! Once there, he sets a plan in motion to siphon off Earth’s core magic. Forging an unlikely hunting party, He-Man and company go in search of Skeletor. Finding themselves at odds with the heroes of the DC Universe, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe must find a way to stop Skeletor and his mysterious new master!
This debut issue features two covers by Ed Benes, both available for ordering: one featuring the heroes of the DC Universe, and the other featuring The Masters of the Universe!

Oh man. As a fan of the G.I. Joe and Transformer comics, I shouldn’t laugh… but c’mon! He-Man in the DCU???? The only problem with mocking this book is that I'm a tad intrigued!

ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #4
Written by DAN ABNETT, ANDY LANNING, TOM DeFALCO and ROB WILLIAMS
Art by WES CRAIG, PETE WOODS and CHRIS WESTON
Cover by BRUCE TIMM
On sale AUGUST 28 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T • DIGITAL FIRST
Join comics’ finest talents as they celebrate The Man of Steel himself: Superman! This issue features The Last Son of Krypton in timeless tales of truth and justice, featuring appearances by Lex Luthor and Brainiac! Plus: A meteor that’s headed straight for Earth!

This is a pretty great creative line-up. This is the book that still has Superman Classic, right? Is it cheaper to buy these online?

BATMAN ‘66 #2
Written by JEFF PARKER
Art by RUBEN PROCOPIO and DEAN HASPIEL
Cover by MICHAEL ALLRED
1:25 Variant cover by CULLY HAMNER
On sale AUGUST 21 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T • DIGITAL FIRST
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for more information.
From the sands of time and halls of higher learning comes one of Batman’s deadliest foes: King Tut! Tut returns to assert his royal status and challenge the Dynamic Duo with his most far-reaching plan yet to rule the modern Thebes, Gotham City! Also in this issue, doors smash in and jaws crack from the fists of the newest tough in town: introducing the 1966 incarnation of that reptilian rogue Killer Croc! How can Batman battle this brawny brute?

As a stand-alone title, I’m mighty tempted by this book. The creative team is strong, and as far as I can tell, everyone looks recognizable. I might subscribe to this one!

All in all, I think there are probably four or five books I'm tempted to pick up. That's actually an upswing for the DCU!  

That said, with so many awful costumes and my lack of interest in any of the event storylines like Superman and Justice League, I'm afraid the Energy Analyzer has declared these solicits: EVIL