So far, the DC relaunch titles that we know about pretty much are all about superheroes, “dark” titles notwithstanding. Today’s reveals are a different animal entirely. We’ve got your war book, your western book, your espionage book, and yeah a few superheroes. One of which is very welcome. As always, I’ll show off the titles and give my quick impressions. On with the show!
Stormwatch is a dangerous super human strike force whose existence is kept secret from the world. Jack Hawksmoor and the rest of the crew look to recruit two of the deadliest super humans on the planet: Midnighter and Apollo. And if they say no? Perhaps the Martian Manhunter can change their minds. Featuring a surprising new roster, STORMWATCH #1 will be written by the critically-acclaimed Paul Cornell (Superman: The Black Ring, “Dr. Who”) and illustrated by Miguel Sepulveda.
Well, isn’t this interesting? Normally, I would write this off, as I am not huge into the WildStorm characters, but it’s great to see J’onn have a role somewhere. Also, after his run in Action Comics, Paul Cornell gets an automatically “I’ll try anything he writes” pass.
Blackhawk is an elite group of mercenaries made up of brave men from around the world equipped with the latest in cutting-edge hardware and vehicles. Their mission: Kill the bad guys before they kill us. A set of contemporary tales that battle the world’s gravest threats, BLACKHAWKS #1 will be written by Mike Costa and illustrated by Ken Lashley.
This could go either way for me. I like the original Blackhawks, and this makes me wonder what’s going to happen with Zinda Blake aka Lady Blackhawk. At any rate, if you like Checkmate-style covert ops stuff, this is probably right up your alley.
The grandson of the original Sgt. Rock assumes the command of Easy Company, a team of crack ex-military men financed by a covert military contractor, as they brave the battle-scarred landscape carved by the DC Universe’s super-villains. SGT. ROCK AND THE MEN OF WAR #1 is contemporary military story fighting under modern conditions, and will be written by Ivan Brandon and illustrated by Tom Derenick.
I’ve never been into war books, but this is a really ballsy move by DC. An all new Sgt. Rock? It could work. It makes a lot of sense to have a modern day war comic, as I don’t think I’ve seen an ongoing that tells stories after the Vietnam War.
Even when Gotham City was just a one-horse town, crime was rampant – and things only get worse when bounty hunter Jonah Hex comes to town. Can Amadeus Arkham, a pioneer in criminal psychology, enlist Hex’s special brand of justice to help the Gotham Police Department track down a vicious serial killer? Featuring back-up stories starring DC’s other western heroes, ALL-STAR WESTERN #1 will be written by the fan-favorite Jonah Hex team of Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti and illustrated by Moritat.
No brainer. Gray and Palmiotti have been the Jonah Hex go-to guys for a long time now, and even though that book may not sell like hotcakes, it’s pretty awesome. If a new high-profile #1 gets more people to try it out, then I think it’s a great idea. Also, ever since I saw the Justice League episode with all of the western heroes, I’ve wanted to see more of them. The back ups in this book will fit the bill nicely.
A metahuman mercenary who made a living taking out the toughest targets, Deathstroke will reclaim his fearsome legacy by any means necessary in DEATHSTROKE #1, a new series from rising star Kyle Higgins (Batman: Gates of Gotham) and artists Joe Bennett and Art Thibert.
I like Deathstroke when he’s not overused. I like super-awesome villains, don’t get me wrong, but when they get used a lot and they lose, they aren’t as badass. He’s interesting and all that, but I didn’t buy his old series, and I probably won’t buy this one either.
Ex-black ops agent Cole Cash is a charming grifter that few can resist. And yet he’s about to be branded a serial killer when he begins hunting and exterminating inhuman creatures hidden in human form – creatures only he can see. Can the biggest sweet talker of all time talk his way out of this one when even his brother thinks he’s gone over the edge? Find out in GRIFTER #1, written by Nathan Edmondson with art by CAFU and BIT (the team behind T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS).
So um, the 90’s live, huh? Well, that’s not fair, I guess. I know nothing about this guy. This book doesn’t appeal to me, but it’s wrong to write it off just because I don’t think I’ll like it.
A man loses control of his life as the omnipresent Brother Eye transforms him against his will into a powerful killing machine OMAC #1, written by DC Comics Co-Publisher Dan DiDio and co-written and illustrated by Keith Giffen and Scott Koblish.
I had heard rumblings of a new OMAC book, not with this exact creative team though. I was hoping for more Kirby and less “killing machine”. This is some kind of hulk-out hybrid. It could be good, it could be a train wreck. I’ll check it out at least. It always weirds me out when DiDio writes a book though. I’m not saying he doesn’t have the chops, it’s just odd for him to take time out of his other duties.
That was it for today until another two books popped up. I am very, very excited one about these, so check em out!
Harley Quinn! Deadshot! King Shark! They’re a team of death-row super villains recruited by the government to take on missions so dangerous – they’re sheer suicide! Who will be the first to crack under the pressure? Find out in SUICIDE SQUAD #1, written by Adam Glass (FLASHPOINT: LEGION OF DOOM) with art by Marco Rudy (THE SHIELD).
I have never seen this creative team’s work, and some of the characters in it have me worried about the future of Secret Six, one of my favorite DC books being currently published. It could be good, and I will try it, but this really has me wondering what’s up with the Six… Also, I am not sure about Harley Quinn being all “Psychotic Crazy” as opposed to “Playful Crazy”.
It’s not easy being Jaime Reyes. He has to deal with high school, family and all the drama that comes with being a teenager. Also, he’s linked to a powerful scarab created by an alien race who seek to subjugate planets – or annihilate them. It’s up to one teen hero to turn this instrument of destruction into a force for good in BLUE BEETLE #1, written by Tony Bedard (GREEN LANTERN CORPS) and illustrated by Ig Guara (FLASHPOINT: GRODD OF WAR) and Ruy Jose.
YES!!!!!! Ahem, I love Jaime as Blue Beetle, I love Bedard’s work on Green Lantern Corps. His last ongoing was one of the most awesome books I have read, ever. I will buy this book and buy extra copies to give to others. Thank you DC for giving Jaime another ongoing.
So it’s kind of a mixed bag for me this time, but that last bit just bowled me over. What do you have to say about them?