At this point, DC is rolling out their new #1s in such a way that when the solicitations for September are finally released there aren’t going to be any surprises. Regardless, showing stuff off a bit at a time like they have been is pretty smart. This way, we won’t be overwhelmed by all the new. Of course, they’ll all be on the shelf at your local comic shop at the same time, so it’s still going to be a deluge. Anyway, let’s get to it!
Seven heroes from the 31st century have traveled back to the present day. Their mission: Save their future from total annihilation. When the future tech they brought with them fails, they find themselves trapped in a nightmarish world and an ultimate struggle to survive. LEGION LOST #1 will be written by Fabian Nicieza and illustrated by Pete Woods, fresh off an acclaimed run of Action Comics.
I like the Legion, I don’t have any particular expectations of this book, but at least it doesn’t look like it’s been rebooted again… I hope. Also, just for clarity’s sake: Some bloggers have been wondering if the young black man is a rebooted Cosmic Boy. I don’t think it is. I think it’s Tyroc, the sonic-powered Legionnaire who has become much more prominent lately.
In the 31st century, the Legion of Superheroes is reeling from the loss of seven of their finest — and trying desperately to keep their youngest recruits alive against a series of terrible new threats. LEGION OF SUPERHEROES #1 will be written by fan-favorite Legion writer Paul Levitz and illustrated by Francis Portela.
It’s nice to see that the Legion is still going to have two books a month, since they’re being ousted from Adventure Comics. I’m not digging Chameleon Boy morphing into a weapon though. If I’m not mistaken (which is totally possible), that’s not how his power is supposed to work.
Tim Drake is forced to step out from behind his keyboard when an international organization seeks to capture or kill super-powered teenagers. As Red Robin, he must team up with the mysterious and belligerent powerhouse thief known as Wonder Girl and a hyperactive speedster calling himself Kid Flash in TEEN TITANS #1, by Scott Lobdell and artists Brett Booth and Norm Rapmund.
I don’t want to be super-vitriolic about this, but it is really hard not to be. DC had the opportunity to give Superboy a proper costume, but instead he looks super-douchey. Secondly if Kid Flash and Wonder Girl are the same characters from before the relaunch, man are they just… wrong. It’s nice to know Tim Drake has a place in the relaunched DCU, but this is the first book I have absolutely no excitement about.
Virgil Hawkins has been gifted with incredible electrical powers. Adopting the persona of Static, he faces super-powered street gangs, raging hormones, homework, and girls in STATIC SHOCK #1, co-written by John Rozum and Scott McDaniel, with McDaniel also illustrating along with Jonathan Glapion.
This on the other hand, I am all in for. It’s a complete no-brainer. I’d probably buy a Static book no matter the creative team, but this one seems like a fine fit. I do think it’s a bit pretentious for DC to tout themselves on the cover art like that, though. It’s kind of like them saying “Hey! we have black characters that we want to promote now! We’re joining the 21st century only a decade late!”
It’s up to the living avatars of war and peace to root out the hidden forces who look to plunge the country into a deadly civil war in HAWK AND DOVE #1. The exciting new series will be written by Sterling Gates and illustrated by legendary superstar comics artist Rob Liefeld.
Finally, Hawk and Dove. I was just going to make my comments on this one a giant hahahahaha string, but then I realized that Rob Liefeld has now worked on Hawk and Dove more than Steve Ditko, their creator has, and that made me sad.
Well, there’s that. Is anyone keeping a tally of announced titles thus far? There can’t be too many left. Are you still holding out hope for any books to be relaunched? We also haven’t seen any of the Super-titles yet… Still have my fingers crossed for Blue Beetle, but those hopes diminish each time we get a wave of these announcements.