It’s new comic book day! What has you all excited? What do you plan on getting? Sound off in the comments below. While you think about that, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web.
Known for her acclaimed Star Wars novels, Evernight series, and other sci-fi/fantasy works, YA author Claudia Gray is coming to DC next January to share a brand-new vision of the destruction of Krypton, one of the most famous tragedies in all of comics. In House of El, Gray will explore life on Krypton through the eyes of Zahn and Sera—two teenagers who are different in every way—as they come together to investigate the dangers threatening their planet. The three-part young adult graphic novel series will be brought to life by illustrator Eric Zawadzki, and the first installment will debut January 5, 2021.
House of El Book One: The Shadow Threat
Written by Claudia Gray Illustrated by Eric Zawadzki Colored by Dee Cunniffe Lettered by Deron Bennett On sale: January 5, 2021 MSRP: $16.99 Available to pre-order now.
Welcome to a brand-new vision of one of the most famous tragedies in all of comics from New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray and illustrator Eric Zawadzki. In this first graphic novel in a trilogy, explore Krypton like never before: through the eyes of two teenagers on opposite sides of the same extinction-level event.
Zahn is one of Krypton’s elites: wealthy, privileged, a future leader. Sera is one of Krypton’s soldiers: strong, dedicated, fearless. Their rule-bound society has ordained that their paths should never cross.
But groundquakes are shaking the planet’s surface. Rebellious uprisings are shaking the populace. Krypton’s top scientists—Jor-El and Lara—conduct a secret experiment that is meant to reform their planet from the cellular level up. Zahn and Sera must join forces to investigate the hidden dangers truly threatening Krypton. In the process, they form a bond that just might endure past the end of the world…
The 2019 convention for the American Library Association (ALA) kicked off with huge news that DC was consolidating its line under three “brands.” That left many to wonder about the future of the DC Zoom and DC Ink graphic novel lines. Launched last year, the new graphic novel imprints were focused on the young adult and middle grade readers and have been hits so far. DC followed up those concerns with an announcement of a slate of graphic novel releases aimed at those young adult and middle grade readers.
These graphic novels continue the focus on stories not part of DC’s ongoing continuity making them accessible to new fans. The releases also focus on the original mandate of YA titles being about “everyday aspirations, struggles, and triumphs,” while the middle grade releases being focused on stories about “friends, family, and growing up.”
Spring 2020 Lineup
Young Adult Titles
Wonder Woman: Warbringer – Written by Leigh Bardugo and illustrated by Kit Seaton (January 2020)
Gotham High – Written by Melissa de la Cruz and illustrated by Thomas Pitilli (February 2020)
The Oracle Code – Written by Marieke Nijkamp and illustrated by Manuel Preitano (March 2020)
Shadow of the Batgirl – Written by Sarah Kuhn and illustrated by Nicole Goux (April 2020)