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DC Announces Second Wave of Their New 52 and Some Cancellations

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Official Press Release

In May of 2012, DC Comics will release a “Second Wave” of titles as part of its historic DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 initiative. Six new, ongoing series will build on the shared universe and bold concepts introduced in September 2011 with the renumbering of DC Comics’ entire line of comic books.

Featuring a variety of different genres and storytelling sensibilities, the titles in the “Second Wave” will be helmed by some of the most legendary writers and artists in the comic book industry, and will also feature the first ongoing comic book series written by acclaimed novelist China Miéville.

“The excitement of the initial launch of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 was in seeing the re-imagining of these classic characters and concepts,” said Bob Harras, DC Entertainment Editor-in-Chief. “The ‘Second Wave’ is all about world-building.”

DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 “Second Wave” includes:

  • BATMAN INCORPORATED – Writer: Grant Morrison. Artist: Chris Burnham. The acclaimed ongoing writer of ACTION COMICS, Grant Morrison, presents a fresh take on BATMAN INCORPORATED, in which the Batman brand is franchised globally in preparation for a major international threat.
  • EARTH 2 – Writer: James Robinson. Artist: Nicola Scott. The greatest heroes on a parallel Earth, the Justice Society combats threats that will set them on a collision course with other worlds.
  • WORLDS’ FINEST – Writer: Paul Levitz. Artists: George Perez and Kevin Maguire. Stranded on our world from a parallel reality, Huntress and Power Girl struggle to find their way back to Earth 2. Perez and Maguire will be the artists on alternating story arcs.
  • DIAL H – Writer: China Miéville. Artist: Mateus Santoluoco. The first ongoing series from acclaimed novelist China Miéville, this is a bold new take on a cult classic concept about the psychological effects on an everyman who accidentally gains powers to become a hero.
  • G.I. COMBAT – Writer: J.T. Krul. Artist: Ariel Olivetti. Featuring the return of a classic DC Comics series, THE WAR THAT TIME FORGOT, along with rotating back-up stories and creative teams – including THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER, with writers Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti and artist Dan Panosian; and THE HAUNTED TANK, with writer John Arcudi and artist Scott Kolins.
  • THE RAVAGERS – Writer: Howard Mackie. Artist: Ian Churchill. Spinning off from TEEN TITANS and SUPERBOY, this series finds four superpowered teens on the run and fighting against the organization that wants to turn them into supervillains.

The six new series will replace BLACKHAWKS, HAWK AND DOVE, MEN OF WAR, MISTER TERRIFIC, O.M.A.C. and STATIC SHOCK, all of which will conclude with their eighth issues in April.

“Many of the characters from our canceled books will appear in DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 titles, and in some very surprising ways,” said Harras. “We’re developing stories that reach from cultures around the globe to parallel worlds. We’re just getting started.”

My Overall Take on the New 52

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So, I did it. I bought all 52 of the new DC reboot first issues. So DC wins the first round. And they got me in the regular habit of buying comics every Wednesday again, so Marvel and Image win, too, with the possibility of other companies picking up some of my dollars, too.

But does DC win in the big picture? They obviously got huge sales this month, and that’s likely to carry over for the next few months as well, with the newness still being a novelty and with enough quality comics being produced to keep some issues going. But what happens after that? Did it work?

My take is that no, it didn’t really work. For my own part, I’ll buy a few more DC comics than I was buying, but most of my money will go to Marvel for a variety of reasons. 1. I think Marvel has better characters. 2. I think Marvel has better stories, particularly the big events. 3. Marvel’s continuity, as crazy as it is, makes more sense than DC’s, particularly now that Flashpoint has made it even more ridiculous. 3. I like more of Marvel’s writers and artists. 4. I think Marvel does a better job, most of the time, of presenting us with diverse characters, strong characters that aren’t white, American, straight men, and characters that are more realistic and connected to things I identify with. 5. Seems like Marvel’s overall take on the world is more progressive than DC’s.

This isn’t to say that Marvel is without its faults — for instance, if the reports I’ve read are correct, Marvel has no African American writers (DC has only one) — but they just seem to do the “big comic book company” thing a bit better than DC. That’s also not to say that DC doesn’t do some things well, they obviously do. But I think they did miss a big chance to change the game here. I don’t know if it was because they rushed the whole reboot, or that the people in charge don’t know what they are doing, or if they just don’t have enough quality creators or if it’s just the fact that their properties, for the most part, aren’t as good. Or, more likely, the fact that they didn’t really take any real chances, didn’t think outside the box, didn’t do research on their fans and potential readers and decided to go with the same old gimmicks and tricks. The New 52 includes quite a bit of good work, but I’m not really seeing it as more good work than they were doing before the New 52 and I don’t see how this gets them a lot of new fans or changes the game in any way. My prediction is that before long, the shine will wear off and they’ll revert to the old numbering system, or reboot again, or have another crisis or something like that. Yeah, they already had a “Final” crisis, but since none of those crises is canon anymore, they can start all over!

Some of the breakdowns follow…

The verdict:

I will keep buying: I, Vampire, Animal Man, Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E., OMAC

I will continue to read, in trade or used form: All Star Western, Detective Comics, Batwoman, Suicide Squad, Batman, Justice League, Aquaman, Justice League Dark, Green Lantern, Superboy, Superman, Batman and Robin, The Flash, Red Lanterns, Blue Beetle, Green Lantern Corps, Batgirl, Swamp Thing, Wonder Woman, Teen Titans, Nightwing, Batman: The Dark Knight

I will definitely give a chance, for at least for a few more issues: Blackhawks, Batwing, The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men, Birds of Prey, Mr. Terrific, Supergirl, Legion of Super-Heroes, Action Comics

I might give another chance, but am skeptical: Green Lantern: New Guardians, Voodoo, Deathstroke, Demon Knights, Legion Lost, Justice League International

I am not likely to read any more: Stormwatch, Resurrection Man, Captain Atom, DC Universe Presents, Green Arrow

I will never buy or read again: Red Hood and the Outlaws, Catwoman, Hawk And Dove, Grifter, The Savage Hawkman, Static Shock, Men Of War

Overall ratings:

10: 2
9-9.75: 12
8.8.75: 11
7-7.75: 17
6-6.75: 4
5-5.75: 3
4-4.75: 1
2-2.75: 2

Best art:

5. Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #1
4. All Star Western #1
3. Batwoman #1
2. I, Vampire #1
1. Animal Man #1

Best writing:

5. Batman #1
4. Suicide Squad #1
3. Detective Comics #1
2. Animal Man #1
1. I, Vampire #1

Ten best overall comics

10. Aquaman #1
9. Justice League #1
8. Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #1
7. Batman #1
6. Suicide Squad #1
5. Batwoman #1
4. Detective Comics #1
3. All Star Western #1
2. Animal Man #1
1. I, Vampire #1

Ten worst overall comics

10. Legion of Super-Heroes #1
9. Grifter #1
8. Green Arrow #1
7. The Savage Hawkman #1
6. Static Shock #1
5. Action Comics #1
4. Men Of War #1
3. Red Hood and the Outlaws #1
2. Catwoman #1
1. Hawk And Dove #1

The Guide To All Things DC Entertainment At SDCC 2011

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Official Press Release

THE GUIDE TO ALL THINGS DC ENTERTAINMENT AT SDCC 2011

New York, NY (Friday July 15, 2011) Throughout San Diego Comic-Con DC Entertainment has a robust schedule of activities, including give-aways, interactive experiences and a chance to hear from your favorite creators. For ease of convenience here’s a comprehensive list of everything DC Entertainment related:

SDCC GREEN SCREEN PHOTO KIOSK:

  • If you’ve always dreamed of being a super hero, here’s your chance for a once-in-a-lifetime photo shoot. DC’s all-new booth at SDCC will feature an interactive green screen photo kiosk that gives you a chance to “join” the JUSTICE LEAGUE. The kiosk background will be the new JUSTICE LEAGUE, with art by Jim Lee, offering a sneak preview of one of the most-anticipated titles of The New 52. You’ll get a printed photo in the booth and can pick up a digital copy online to easily share with your friends who can’t make it to the show.

SDCC EXCLUSIVE COMIC-CON GIVE-AWAYS:

JUSTICE LEAGUE OVERSIZED BAG:

  • The famous oversized bags handed out at registration will feature the new JUSTICE LEAGUE, with art by Jim Lee, and are expected to be a must-have item, not to mention handy for lugging around giveaways at the show.

THE NEW 52 #1 SAMPLER:

  • Starting on Wednesday, July 20th, comic book shops worldwide will be giving away copies of DC COMICS – THE NEW 52 #1 for free. Featuring a 6-page preview of Geoff Johns and Jim Lee’s JUSTICE LEAGUE #1, the cover art for all of the books, never-before-seen sketches, and insights from creative teams, DC COMICS – THE NEW 52 #1 is a complete and comprehensive guide to all of the books being published this September as part of DC Comics—The New 52. Copies will be distributed throughout the duration of the convention at both the DC Entertainment booth and at the Warner Bros. booth.

WAYNE CASINO CHIPS:

  • In the world of FLASHPOINT, Thomas Wayne is Batman. He funds his crime efforts in part by being the head honcho of Wayne Casinos. To celebrate FLASHPOINT, The DC booth will be distributing 5 different collectible Wayne Casinos poker chips as exclusive giveaways at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. Don’t miss your chance to get your hands on these limited chips because they’ll each only be available on specific dates. The colors, dollar denominations, and availability dates for the chips are as follows:

$1 Chips (White) – Wednesday, July 20th
$5 Chips (Red) – Thursday, July 21st
$10 Chips (Blue) – Friday, July 22nd
$25 Chips (Green) – Saturday, July 23rd
$50 Chips (Orange) – Sunday, July 24th
$100 Chips (Black) – These will be given away at DC panels throughout the convention to attendees who ask the best questions!

SDCC ADDITIONAL IN BOOTH GIVE-AWAYS:

PINS, POSTERS and CHECKLISTS:

  • DC Entertainment’s Booth (#1915) Giveaways include; postcard checklists for DC Comics – The New 52 and FLASHPOINT, 22” x 34” posters of JUSTICE LEAGUE (featuring Jim Lee artwork), BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY, FLASHPOINT, and the GREEN LANTERN graphic novels backlist written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by the industry’s top artists, various Green Lantern pins, BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY #1, DC Direct Summer 2011 Collectibles booklet.

SDCC EXCLUSIVE ITEMS:

DC THE NEW 52 LIMITED EDITION COVER PORTFOLIOS

  • Limited edition portfolios featuring DC COMICS: THE NEW 52 COVERS will be available exclusively at San Diego Comic-Con from DC Direct and Graphitti Designs.  On Thursday through Sunday a different portfolio volume containing 13 covers will go on sale each day in the Graphitti Designs booth for $39.95.  Only 520 copies of each volume will be available per day.

SDCC EXCLUSIVE ZOOM ACTION FIGURE:

  • In August, four FLASHPOINT action figures (manufactured by DC DIRECT) will be shipping to retailers. San Diego Comic-Con is the only place where you’ll be able to complete your FLASHPOINT action figure collection. Head over to Graphitti Designs Booth (#2315) to purchase an extremely limited DC DIRECT action figure of one of FLASHPOINT’s central villains: Zoom. Zoom stands approximately 6.5” inches high, features multiple points of articulation and includes a removable display base. Due to its rare availability, attendees will each be limited to only one Zoom figure each.
  • FLASHPOINT #1 Wraparound Variant Cover:
    FLASHPOINT #1 is already up to its third printing. And now you can purchase an exclusive edition of FLASHPOINT #1 with a stunning wraparound variant cover by series artists Andy Kubert, Sandra Hope, and Alex Sinclair. This exclusive edition of FLASHPOINT #1 will sell for $10 at the Graphitti Booth (#2315) while supplies last.

SDCC Official San Diego Comic-Con Souvenir Book and T-Shirt:

  • An exclusive JUSTICE LEAGUE image by Jim Lee will serve as both the cover for the convention’s official souvenir book and official T-shirt. The 192-page souvenir book will be distributed for free (while supplies last) to all convention attendees. The T-shirt, made by Graphitti Designs, will be available exclusively at the Comic-Con Boutique (booth #2515 in the Exhibit Hall). Prices range from $18.95 – $24.95 (depending on size) and supplies are limited.

SDCC EXCLUSIVE PREVIEWS:

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER FIRST LOOK AT AQUAMAN:

  • THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER includes an exclusive first look at Aquaman #1 written by DCE CCO Geoff Johns with art by Ivan Reis and Joe Prado.

TV GUIDE MAGAZINE/Warner Bros. COMIC-CON SPECIAL ISSUE:

  • DC Entertainment includes content in the TV GUIDE MAGAZINE/Warner Bros. comic-Con special issue devoted solely to programming from WBTV and the Studio. The issue is packed with inside scoop, including several DC Entertainment related features including:
  • An exclusive look at three superhero costume re-designs by bestselling artist and DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Jim Lee, for DC Comics-The New 52, the upcoming historic renumbering of the entire DC line of comic books with 52 first issues.
  • A classic MAD magazine “Spy vs. Spy” from writer/artist Peter Kuper, celebrating 50 years of the popular feature created by Antonio Prohias.

DC ENTERTAINMENT’S SDCC PANEL SCHEDULE:

The full DC Entertainment SDCC panel schedule can be found here: http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2011/07/07/dc-comics-sdcc-panel-schedule/.

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