It’s new comic book day! What are you all getting? Sound off in the comments below. While you wait for shops to open, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web.
(W) Tom King, Ed Brisson, Christopher Cantwell, and Dan Mora (A) Mitch Gerads, Jeff Spokes, Javier Rodriguez, and Dan Mora In Shops: May 16, 2023 SRP: $7.99
Coming off the spectacular success of Batman – One Bad Day: The Riddler, the Eisner Award-winning team of Tom King and Mitch Gerads reunite for a horrifying four-part retelling of the first bloody clash between The Joker and the Batman. A tale of loathing, lies, and laughter, this may be the most frightening Joker story in a generation. Everyone is going to be shocked. Everyone is going to be talking about it. The Justice League may be gone, but its enemies aren’t. Who’ll protect the world from the worst of the worst? Ed Brisson and Jeff Spokes pick up the story started in the Wildstorm 30th Anniversary Special as Director Bones and his new covert StormWatch team travel the globe on black-ops missions to take super-powered weapons of mass destruction off the board. But this is StormWatch, and as always, not all is as it seems. Down with the Kings starts here! Superstar artist Dan Mora (Batman/Superman: World’s Finest, Detective Comics) makes his writing debut kicking off a new series of Batman Black & White short stories. In a Gotham City overrun by the cybernetic henchmen of The Joker, the only person who can save us is the mysterious motorcycle-riding, bat-costumed hero of urban legend… In The Order of the Black Lamp-Part I, from writer Christopher Cantwell (Halt and Catch Fire co-creator, Briar, Iron Man) and artist Javier Rodr guez (Daredevil, Defenders), Superman finds a decoder ring with a secret message- Save me -which sends him on a quest to solve a mystery with ties to the Man of Steel’s past.
We’re fans of anthology series, so we’re excited for the upcoming Batman: The Brave and the Bold, a new series debuting May 16th. A “classic” title, the series has been a launch pad for some of the most well known teams and character like The Suicide Squad, Justice League of America, Metamorpho, The Element Man, Teen Titans and more. It has also featured some amazing team-up stories featuring Batman.
Returning in May, the new Batman: The Brave and the Bold features more tales of the Dark Knight as well as stories featuring other superheroes from around the DC Universe. The first issue features four thrilling tales, including the writing debut of one of DC’s top artists.
Tom King and Mitch Gerads reunite for a horrifying four-part retelling of the first bloody clash between The Joker and the Batman. A tale of loathing, lies, and laughter, this may be the most frightening Joker story in a generation.
Artist Dan Mora makes his writing debut kicking off a new series of Batman Black & White short stories. In a Gotham City overrun by the cybernetic henchmen of The Joker, the only person who can save us is the mysterious motorcycle-riding, bat-costumed hero of urban legend…
The Justice League may be gone, but its enemies aren’t. Who’ll protect the world from the worst of the worst? Ed Brisson and Jeff Spokes pick up the story started in the Wildstorm 30th Anniversary Special as Director Bones and his new covert StormWatch team travel the globe on black-ops missions to take super-powered weapons of mass destruction off the board. But this is StormWatch, and as always, not all is as it seems. “Down with the Kings” starts here!
In “The Order of the Black Lamp—Part I,” from writer Christopher Cantwell and artist Javier Rodríguez, Superman finds a decoder ring with a secret message—“Save Me”—which sends him on a quest to solve a mystery with ties to the Man of Steel’s past.
This 64-page blockbuster debut issue arrives in comic book stores and on participating digital platforms on Tuesday, May 16. Issue #1 features a main cover by Simone Di Meo, with open to buy variant covers by Jim Cheung and Frank Cho, with a 1 in 25 ratio variant cover by Bryan Hitch, and a 1 in 50 ratio variant cover by Nathan Szerdy.
“Dawn of DC” is kicking off in January 2023. It’s a year long storytelling initiative from DC Comics. The initiative picks up on the Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths and DC Universe: Lazarus Planet events. The world’s superheroes have emerged from the biggest, most devastating battles of their lives and are reinvigorated in their fights against evil. Readers can expect “epic new storylines,” over 20 exciting new titles, superstar creative teams, and villains that will push the heroes beyond their limits in bold adventures, this line-wide, multievent narrative initiative kicks off with January’s Action Comics#1051.
All year long, DC will be celebrating the classic characters while also embracing the next generation of new heroes, as everyone will be needed to help fight against the darkness. Dawn of DC will shine the spotlight on a number of fan-favorite superheroes and super-villains that haven’t been front and center for some time.
Dawn of DC is an easy entry point for both lifelong readers and those picking up a comic for the first time to dive into the new stories. Over 20 new comic titles will be launching throughout 2023 as part of Dawn of DC, featuring Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Shazam, the Doom Patrol, Green Arrow, Cyborg, the Penguin, and more.
Kicking off in January with the previously announced Action Comics #1051, Dawn of DC features an exciting new era for the Man of Steel. Action Comics #1051 is the start of a format change that will see three new stories included in each issue from writers Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Dan Jurgens, and Leah Williams. In Superman #1 out in February, from writer Joshua Williamsonand artist Jamal Campbell, Clark Kent is settling back into his life on Earth while iconic and new enemies erupt from the shadows to take him on. Jon Kent will also get to forge his own path and will take on the man responsible for his kidnap and torture, Ultraman, in Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent #1 by Tom Taylor and Clayton Henry available at local comic shops in March.
Spinning directly out of Lazarus Planet, the world’s strangest superheroes are saving the world by saving its monsters! In the team’s first main line series in over a decade, the Doom Patrol returns in Unstoppable Doom Patrol by Dennis Culver and Chris Burnham, available in March.
Clark and Jon won’t be the only Kent family members with their own series. Superboy: The Man of Tomorrow by Kenny Porter and Jahnoy Lindsay will launch in April. Determined to find his place in a strange universe, Conner Kent/Superboy leaves Earth behind. But his journey of self-discovery brings him face-to-face with a group of freedom fighters who challenge not just everything Conner stands for but what it means to bear the Superman crest.
Green Lantern fans will have their pick of Green Lanterns in 2023 when both Green Lantern: Hal Jordanand Green Lantern: John Stewart fly into comic book shops! Green Lantern: Hal Jordan by Mariko Tamaki and an artist yet to be announced will be available in April. Fan favorite Hal Jordan returns to Earth and to his blockbuster superhero action storytelling roots. Spinning out of that series and launching later in the year, Green Lantern: John Stewart is by writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson and an artist to be announced at a later date. The beloved John Stewart gets back to basics as the military-trained, gritty, but heroic Green Lantern.
Oliver Queen has been lost since Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths, and his family is determined to find him—but there are dangerous forces just as determined to keep them apart at any cost. Green Arrow by writer Joshua Williamson and artist Sean Izaakse, which launches in April, is an action-packed adventure across the DC Universe that sets the stage for major stories in 2023.
A classic title returns with tales of the Dark Knight and core stories building out Dawn of DC! Coming in May, Batman: The Brave and the Boldfeatures top writers and artists, including Tom King, Mitch Gerads, Guillem March, Gabriel Hardman, Dan Mora, Rob Williamsand more.
Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths forever changed Victor Stone, and now, as Dawn of DC rises, he might just hold the secret to Earth’s future! He gets his own series, Cyborg, in May from a talent team that will be revealed at a later date.
The creative team behind the smash-hit Batman/Superman: World’s Finest, writer Mark Waid and artist Dan Mora, is reunited once again on Shazam!, available in June. Billy Batson is back as the champion in the action-comedy comic about a boy with powers that rival Superman’s and a whole lot of growing up left to do. We’ll see Shazam hanging out at the Rock of Eternity, his secret clubhouse that can travel through space and time, as well as punching dinosaurs in the face, seeing how long he can hold his breath on the moon, and getting into wild and fun adventures with his tiger, Tawky Tawny, by his side.
After escaping Gotham City and his criminal past to happily retire to Metropolis, the Penguin is forced back into organized crime by the U.S. government! The feathered felon, and Gotham City, will never be the same. Spinning out of the pages of Batman, The Penguin (working title) will be available in June from writer Tom King and artist Stefano Gaudiano.
Just in time for his 30th anniversary, John Henry Irons must bring Metropolis into the future while trusting his niece Natasha to carry the mantle of Steel. Steelworkswill be available in June from a talent team that will be revealed at a later date.
Stay tuned as more from Dawn of DC, including the titles releasing in the second half of 2023, will be announced soon!
The fearsome fan-addict forces behind the Batman: The Brave and the Bold fired on all bat-cylinders for this fantastic sophomore season that skillfully blends super-heroics, sly satire, and a leviathan scope for an animated concoction embracing the fun of the past with the pow! of the present. Thanks to the series’ first season, Batman: The Brave and The Bold – The Complete Second Season goes even farther beyond the expected grim and grit of the Dark Knight in both its narrative approach AND in the fun.
Across the 26-episode second season – presented in HD and widescreen as it was meant to be seen – you’ll find a vacationing Aquaman, a requiem for a Scarlet Speedster, the legendary Justice Society, the celebrated Justice League International, the Super Batman of Planet X (voiced by Kevin Conroy), Batman’s Strangest Cases featuring a team-up with one snack-loving, mystery solving mutt, and an overarching story arc that climaxes in a stunning battle against Starro the Conqueror!
Joining Diedrich Bader (Batman) in this epic second season are some very special guest voices, including Adam West, Julie Newmar, Paul Reubens, Mark Hamill, Tom Kenny, John DiMaggio, Tara Strong, Stephen Root and many more!
And making this collection even more fab is the fact that the episodes are presented in the producer’s preferred order for the first time anywhere – including the The Mask of Matches Malone! in the correct aspect ratio!
Check out the list of episodes of the two disc set below the jump.
McDonalds and Burger King are competing as far as comic book related toys for their kids meals. After their current Rio promotion, McDonalds will again be diving into Batman: The Brave and the Bold for their Happy Meals with a new set of figures. Many are new characters not offered before, and with each meal comes three toys.
Their competitor Burger King will be playing host to toys based off of Thor.
Make sure to consult a doctor before trying to ingest enough fast food to get you one of everything.
Batman The Brave and the Bold available at McDonalds, Thor available at Burger King
While I got our third Marvel toy from the current McDonald’s Happy Meal promotion, I decided to look at the bottom of the box and see what was coming next. It looks like McDonald’s will be hopping into bed with DC.