Beginning in June, after DC’s reality smashing Convergence event, the New 52 will be over. 25 of the highest profile titles will remain unhindered by the event, but 24 new ones will begin on June 3rd. With a focus on story over continuity. So before you start screaming “another reboot!” I assure this is anything but. Some creative teams are changing, some are staying the same, but the emphasis is on diversity.
Geoff Johns is off Superman after issue #39, with a incredibly short run that saw him introduce a new superpower and supersuit for the Kryptonian God. Who knows what comes next for The Man of Tomorrow other than Eisner-winning comics creator Gene Luen Yang, known for his graphic novels “American Born Chinese” and “The Shadow Hero,” makes his DC Comics debut by taking over writing duties on “Superman.”
Elsewhere in the DC Universe sees James Tynion IV take over what’s currently known as “Justice League Dark” and evolve it into “Dark Universe” perhaps in an attempt to streamline the title with the upcoming Guillermo Del Toro picture of the same name. He’ll be assisted by Ming Doyle on art duties. Then, we have what I consider the most exciting change to the lineup with Ming Doyle taking over scripting duties on “Constantine: The Hellblazer” and handing over art duties to none other than Riley Rossmo. Rossmo is not only the perfect choice to revamp the ailing hero after the loss of his Vertigo series, but his art will add a dark charm that the whole of DC comics line was missing.
I’m also ecstatic to see Steve Orlando making his DC Comics debut with ACO on a new “Midnighter” ongoing. As the greatest tactician in all of mankind emerges onto the scene,make sure to watch Orlando cut out his own corner of the superhero world with his sharp and surreal writing style. This is one series to watch.
These changes will be handled after the DC offices move from New York to Burbank and begin a new era for the publisher. Giving the imprint a renewed focus on accessibility and diversity. The new creative teams really show it.
“This heralds in a new era for the DC Universe which will allow us to publish something for everyone, be more expansive and modern in our approach and tell stories that better reflect the society around us,” DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Dan DiDio said in the press release. “Whether you’ve been a DC fan your whole life, or whether you are new to comics — there will be a book for you beginning in June.”
Bryan Hitch makes his long anticipated return to DC with “Justice League of America.” Garth Ennis returns to collaborate with his Hitmen co-creator John McCrea for a new limited series called “Section Eight.” Additional new titles announced by DC include a “Black Canary” book written by “Batgirl” co-writer Brenden Fletcher; “Starfire,” written by the “Harley Quinn” team of Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti, “Cyborg,” “Bizarro,” “Bat-Mite” and “Prez;” the latter three of which are described by Jim Lee in the press release as “offbeat, irreverently funny titles.”
The 25 ongoing series set to continue in June, most with current creative teams, are: “Action Comics,” “Aquaman,” “Batgirl,” “Batman,” “Detective Comics,” “Batman/Superman,” “Catwoman,” “Deathstroke,” “The Flash,” “Gotham Academy,” “Gotham By Midnight,” “Grayson,” “Green Arrow,” “Green Lantern,” “Harley Quinn,” “Justice League,” “Justice League United,” “Lobo,” “Secret Six,” “Sinestro,” “New Suicide Squad,” “Superman,” “Superman/Wonder Woman,” “Teen Titans” and “Wonder Woman.”
CBR has the full details on the new series.
New/Rebranded Series
Batman Beyond — W: Dan Jurgens, A: Bernard Chang
Bat-Mite (6-issue limited) — W: Dan Jurgens, A: Corin Howell
Bizarro (6-issue limited) — W: Heath Corson, A: Gustavo Duarte
Black Canary — W: Brenden Fletcher, A: Annie Wu & Irene Koh
Constantine: The Hellblazer — W: Ming Doyle, A: Riley Rossmo
Cyborg — W: David Walker, A: Ivan Reis
Dark Universe — W: James Tynion IV, A: Ming Doyle
Green Lantern: Lost Army — W: Cullen Bunn, A: Jesus Saiz & Javi Pina
Doomed — W: Scott Lobdell, A: Javier Fernandez
Earth 2: Society — W: Daniel Wilson, A: Jorge Jimenez
Dr. Fate — W: Paul Levitz, A: Sonny Liew
Harley Quinn/Power Girl (6-issue limited) — W: Jimmy Palmiotti & Amanda Conner, A: Stephane Roux
Justice League of America — W: Bryan Hitch, A: Bryan Hitch
Justice League 3001 — W: Keith Giffen, A: Howard Porter
Martian Manhunter — W: Rob Williams, A: Ben Oliver
Midnighter — W: Steve Orlando, A: ACO
Mystic U — W: Alisa Kwitney, A: Stay tuned for artist info!
Omega Men — W: Tom King, A: Alec Morgan
Prez — W: Mark Russell, A: Ben Caldwell
Red Hood/Arsenal — W: Scott Lobdell, A: Denis Medri
Robin, Son of Batman — W: Patrick Gleason, A: Patrick Gleason
Section Eight (6-issue limited) — W: Garth Ennis, A: John McCrea
Starfire — W: Jimmy Palmiotti & Amanda Conner, A: Emanuela Lupacchino
We Are Robin — W: Lee Bermejo, A: Khary Randolph
