"It’s true. Ethan and I are co-plotting, and I am scripting, a new FURY OF FIRESTORM book that is honest to god one of the best things either of us has ever done. The art is by Yildiray Cinar, who is SLAYING IT. Lots of books are electric. This thing is NUCLEAR. It’s a MONSTER. I am dying for you guys to see it!
[responding to a question about who Firestorm is going to be at that point] I can’t say who. But…damn, guys. I know you get inundated by hype all the time. The book is the real deal. Remember when Green Lantern just exploded? Now it’s Firestorm’s turn. I am SO EXCITED," is what Gail Simone, script-writer of the upcoming Fury of Firestorm ongoing series said today on her Facebook after The Source announced the series, along with ten others.
It became official today that ten new series (out of 52) have been announced by DC. Those series are the following: Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aquaman, The Fury of Firestorm, The Savage Hawkman, Green Arrow, Justice League International, Mister Terrific (yes, the Mister Terrific from the JSA), Captain Atom, and DC Universe Presents would all be joining the new Justice League series in the company-wide relaunch in September.
As for my fears that the JLI series would get fucked up, I'm half-concerned and half-excited for this series now.
Here is DC's official announcement:
"A team of internationally-drafted superheroes fight each other and their bureaucratic supervisors as much as they do global crime in JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1 from writer Dan Jurgens and artist Aaron Lopresti. The cover to issue #1 is by Aaron Lopresti."
The other series also raise a concern for me, too. Like The Fury of Firestorm series. I think it's kind of...odd that Ethan Van Sciver would do a Firestorm series. But not only is it odd that he would do one either way, but it's the fact that he is...WRITING IT!!! WHAT THE FUCK!!
Well I am certainly glad we have SOME writing talent on this series, at least; Gail Simone will be doing the scripts. Thankfully. Here is the official description by DC:
"Welcome to a major new vision of the Nuclear Man as writers Ethan Van Sciver and Gail Simone team up with artist Yildiray Cinar to deliver THE FURY OF FIRESTORM #1. Jason Rusch and Ronnie Raymond are two high school students, worlds apart – and now they’re drawn into a conspiracy of super science that bonds them forever in a way they can’t explain or control. The cover to issue #1 is by Ethan Van Sciver."
Next series: Savage Hawkman. Probably my LEAST favorite announcement of them all, today. It seems like things can't get any worse for poor Carter Hall.
"Batman writer Tony Daniel will team up with artist Philip Tan (GREEN LANTERN: AGENT ORANGE, THE OUTSIDERS) for THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #1. Carter Hall’s skill at deciphering lost languages has led him to a job with an archeologist who specializes in alien ruins – but will the doctor’s latest discovery spread an alien plague through New York City? No matter the personal cost, Carter Hall must don his cowl and wings and become the new, savage Hawkman to survive. The cover to issue #1 is by Philip Tan."
Hopefully Carter's luck turns for the better...maybe it'll be a sign that DC is coming to their senses.
Next series: Aquaman.
Arthur Curry gets his first ongoing series to himself ever since he was killed in Sword of Atlantis a few years back.
"Geoff Johns, one of comics’ greatest storytellers, reunites with GREEN LANTERN and BRIGHTEST DAY collaborator Ivan Reis to bring you a thrilling new take on the fan-favorite hero of the sea in AQUAMAN #1. The cover to issue #1 is by Ivan Reis and Joe Prado."
I'm being hopeful. DC has decided to keep Diana's suit the way it was during JMS's bullshit over the past year. I sincerely hope that means that DC won't fuck her up again. I mean look at what has happened to Diana. She gets what was supposed to be a great story by someone who typically did great stories, JMS. Her outfit got revamped (to one that isn't too terribly bad), but her story sucked major ass. I don't think a single person enjoyed JMS's Wonder Woman OR Superman runs. It was so bad that JMS ran out on them halfway through and hasn't been heard from since. Diana is keeping the new outfit--albeit with a few tiny changes--but is hopefully going back to her original origin story. Please, DC. Don't fuck Wonder Woman up any more than needed. My 10-year-old sister is about to get into comics and she loves Diana. Don't ruin comics for her by having a crappy Wonder Woman.
Have a look at the official announcement from DC:
"New York Times bestselling writer Brian Azzarello, author of The Joker and 100 Bullets, teams up with the immensely talented artist Cliff Chiang (Neil Young’s Greendale) for WONDER WOMAN #1, an exciting new series starring the DC Universe’s greatest superheroine. The cover to issue #1 is by Cliff Chiang."
Alright I have one main thing to say about Green Arrow lately: I'm tired of all this "anti-hero" bullshit. Keep that for characters like Jason Todd. Ollie was a good character without all of that. It looks like he is going to go back to being the millionaire playboy from the Silver Age comics. I'm not sure how I feel about that, but it's better than being stuck in a forest with a lunatic "named" Galahad, talking to a tree all day. So here's to hoping Ollie is better off as a millionaire playboy. Though I do wish Brett Booth would go on an odd series like this.
Check out the official announcement from DC:
"Oliver Queen is an orphan who grew up to fight crime as the Green Arrow, a billionaire playboy who uses his fortune to become a superhero – able to fight the most powerful super-villains in the universe with nothing but a bow and arrow. JT Krul will write GREEN ARROW #1 with art by superstar artist Dan Jurgens. The cover to issue #1 is by Brett Booth."
That's right, boys and girls. One of the lamest African-American characters ever to be created, Mr. Terrific, is getting his own ongoing series. Why couldn't someone like...I don't know, Black Lightning get his own series? What about John Stewart? Vixen? SOMEONE!? The cover honestly makes him look like he is Cyborg mixed with Mr. Terrific with some lipstick on. The only badass thing about him is that he has the "Fairplay" thing tattooed on his arm instead of on a jacket. His theme is now silver instead of black & red.
Read the official announcement from DC:
"The world’s third-smartest man – and one of its most eligible bachelors – uses his brains and fists against science gone mad in MISTER TERRIFIC #1, the new series from writer Eric Wallace and artist Roger Robinson. The cover to issue #1 is by J.G. Jones."
Well I'm glad they aren't completely ending Flash as an ongoing series. It's good that he'll have his own series, and I certainly don't mind Johns not being a part of it. Hopefully this won't be too big of a request, but don't have Wally & Bart be erased from DC. Please. Or at least don't shove them into the background. They deserve front-and-center roles. Please give them it in this series or another. I've always wanted DC to make a series called like "Speed Force" or "Speedsters" or something that has a rotating cast of Wally, Bart, Barry, Jay, and any other speedster with their own story arc. No such luck.
Read the statement DC said:
"Rising superstar Francis Manapul, fresh off his acclaimed run on THE FLASH with Geoff Johns, makes his comics writing debut in THE FLASH #1, sharing both scripting and art duties with Brian Buccellato. The Flash knows he can’t be everywhere at once, but what happens when he faces an all-new villain who can? The cover to issue #1 is by Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato."
He's not a member of the JLI. Neither is Power Girl. Where they both belong. This is rather scary. If it means that PG gets her own series, too, then it isn't nearly as bad. But that is unlikely at this rate. Captain Atom is an awesome character, or at least was before the relaunch. He is someone that I would have read a series for if someone like, say, Judd Winick was writing it. And it was part of the current DC Universe. But it isn't. So fuck it all. I'm not going to read this series at all. NO THANK YOU, DC!!!
I don't know why anyone would bother to continue reading about these shitty releases, but if you're still around then read the official announcement from DC:
"Captain Atom has all the power in the world, but no hope of saving himself. Charged by nuclear energy, possessing vast molecular powers, he has the potential to be a god among men – a hero without limits. But the question is this: Will he lose himself in the process? JT Krul and artist Freddie Williams II take the character in a bold new direction in CAPTAIN ATOM #1. The cover to issue #1 is by Stanley “Artgem” Lau."
The first story arc in this series is about Deadman, Boston Brand. This seems like a good idea. I might end up picking up some of this series at some point, though probably not the first arc. Read the announcement:
"The anthology series gets a new look in DC Universe Presents, a new series that will focus on multi-issue story arcs each featuring a different superhero from the DC Universe’s rich cast of characters, told by some of comics’ most exciting writers and artitsts. DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #1 kicks off the first arc of the series: a Deadman story by Paul Jenkins and Bernard Chang. The cover to issue #1 is by Ryan Sook."
Dear Chairman Johns, Dan Didio, and Jim Lee, plus whoever else may be in charge of this,
I like the idea of making things more relative and stuff, but to completely relaunch everything and expect fans to just go along with it? You've made one too many dire mistakes. Johns' and Lee on Justice League? Amazing. I've always wanted something like that. Especially with six of the "Big Seven" back in the lineup. And to give characters like Firestorm, Aquaman, Flash, and Hawkman their own series, that's fine. But to have Captain Atom and Mr. Terrific have their own series' announced on the first day of the announcements...well, I'm not too terribly excited.
Please don't revert Donna Troy, Dick Grayson, Wally West, and the like back to their original standings as sidekicks...well, I will drop DC like a drop my phone--easily. Please don't kick Kyle Rayner, Damian Wayne, and the like back into the background. I know you will lose just as many fans, if not more, than you think you will gain.
From your concerned fan,
Caz
