Heading into Year 2 of the "New 52"

WARNING: THIS POST HAS SPOILERS FROM ISSUE #12 OF "JUSTICE LEAGUE". IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THIS ISSUE, YOU DEFINITELY SHOULD. ANYTHING THAT ISN'T SPOILER-RIFFIC IS MY OWN PERSONAL OPINION.

At the end of "Justice League" #12 we got our first look at the second year of both "Justice League" itself and what may be happening in the rest of the New 52.

This is what we see at the end of "Justice League" #12. I believe that the page on the left is teasing the four major story arcs that will be happening in issues #13-23. Obviously we know that two of those issues will be devoted to the panel on the far left (which will be the League vs. Cheetah).

The second panel shows Aquaman and the Atlanteans coming out of the ocean with a full-scale invasion force. I'm wondering whether that means that the Justice League refuses his leadership of the team. Maybe Aquaman tries to take charge of the League and they don't want him to and ultimately shove him away. Now this is very unlikely, but you have to wonder what about the surface world would set Arthur off so badly that he would go back to Atlantis (who has tried to kill him many different times).

Next up, is the panel of Shazam punching Superman. I assume that will probably be a one-off issue, as I can't figure out what exactly how long a story arc we could have to introduce Billy to the League. It seems pretty simple, though. Shazam and the League have an initial fight, then end up teaming up.

The last panel is the only one that isn't very straight-forward at all. All we know from the last panel is that the League allows someone into membership (I'm assuming it isn't Shazam as he will probably be a member for a longer period of time) who ultimately ends up betraying them. And I'm going to guess that that person is not a member of Trevor's soon-to-be-created "Justice League of America."

The question I have about the page on the right ("AND COMING IN 2013") is the picture of the League shows Green Lantern who, if you read #12, we all know quit the League. And obviously since he kind of just, well...died...in the Green Lantern Annual #1, it makes sense that he doesn't stay with the League.

What are your thoughts on the next year of "Justice League" and in the second year of the New 52 overall? Sound off below if you want.

Geoff Johns, David Finch "Justice League of America" to Start in 2013

 So, looks like we have a new "Justice League of America" book coming next year starring, from right to left, Green Arrow (bottom), Hawkman (top), Katana, Stargirl (top), Martian Manhunter (bottom), Green Lantern Baz (top) Steve Trevor ((bottom)don't we see enough of him in regular "Justice League"?), Catwoman, and Vibe (below/behind Catwoman). Interesting line-up, considering the Manhunter just left Stormwatch, GA was repeatedly rejected from the League, and Baz will be fighting the League in November, and Katana is already a Birds of Prey member. You also have to ask yourself, what will bring the heroes together. Is it Trevor? He recruited Ollie in Justice League #7, did he bring the rest of them together? Will this be the new "Government-Backed" Justice League, or the exact opposite? Trevor's presence is making me curious. Maybe Trevor has realized that the "regular" League can't handle threats properly after the current fight with David Graves? Why is Catwoman joining a Justice League team? Isn't Baz seeming to be a bad guy? Will this League fight the regular League? Does this mean that the "Trinity" in the "Trinity War" is the Justice League, JLA, and JLD? A million questions pop into mind. Maybe we can find out some answers in this interview.

Interview with Geoff Johns and David Finch from MTV Geek:

As just announced at FanExpo Canada, DC Comics is launching a brand new version of the Justice League of America in 2013! Written by Justice League's Geoff Johns, and pencilled by Batman: The Dark Knight's David Finch, the title brings together a disparate group of heroes under the leadership of Steve Trevor to fight the Secret Society of Super Villains. We had a chance to sit down and talk with Geoff Johns and David Finch about the title - which will be running side by side with Justice League - in advance of the reveal, and found out more about the line-up (hey, there's Vibe and Stargirl!), how they come together, and why this might be the start of something even bigger:
MTV Geek: Geoff, David, thanks for chatting... Other than David doing covers, this is the first time you two have worked together, right?
Geoff Johns: Yeah, I’m super excited about that!
David Finch: I’ve been wanting to work with him for a long time.
GJ: I think I met you at Toronto, it must of been seven years ago or something.
DF: I remember, we were walking back from the convention.
GJ: We were talking about working on something together someday, and lucky seven years later, we’re doing it!
Geek: So then how did this end up being the right project? Why Justice League of America?
GJ: I think they knew we wanted to work together on something, we were talking about the book, and I think David, they approached you about doing a book like this?
DF: I really wanted to work with you, so that was really the only criteria. [Laughs] When I heard about the book, I was very excited, and I’ve loved everything I’ve seen so far. It’s just so cool.
Geek: I’m pretty excited about the roster for the team, but before we get to that, what’s the idea of the book? Why do they get together?
GJ: The idea of why the JLA forms, and what it is, and what it’s in reaction to... It kind of spins out of Justice League #12; what happens in that, and then subsequent issues, because JLA comes out next year some time. But the book itself is a group of heroes that aren’t necessarily coming together because they want to be together... They’ve been selected specifically. They all want, or need something that Steve Trevor, and the other person behind the scenes that’s in charge of this team can provide.
The first arc is going to deal with something they learn is called The Secret Society of Super-Villains.
Geek: I’m curious, how specific is the “Of America” part of the title?
GJ: It’s specific because its run by A.R.G.U.S. They have a team they feel they can now control. Whether or not that ends up being the case is up for debate.
Geek: From your side of things, how did this team come together?
GJ: We talked about characters that were League members, like Green Arrow and Hawkman that felt like they belonged... Characters that were unexpected, like Vibe and Catwoman. Obviously, Martian Manhunter is a big piece of it, and we hinted about this team back in Justice League #8, both with Green Arrow, Martian Manhunter, and Steve Trevor. And Katana was a new character. Stargirl is coming back, obviously a character that I have a huge affinity for. And then the new Green Lantern.
DF: For me, it was much more important to know who the characters were in their head, and be able to talk to Geoff about where the characters are coming from, and what they’re about. I know from my one experience drawing this kind of book that it makes all the difference for me when I can believe in the characters as people.
Geek: Is there anything different for you about drawing a team book like this, versus a solo book like Dark Knight?
DF: Any solo book I’ve ever done has been a Batman-ish kind of book. I feel I’m not so much going from multiple characters from a single character, so much as something that’s a little more real world, and brighter, and broad, to something that’s dark, angry... Already in the first couple of pictures I’ve done for this one, I feel like I’m enjoying it a lot more than Batman, which is killing me! I love being able to draw a character like Batman, but it’s so great to draw Stargirl, who’s smiling... A range of colorful people. It’s a lot more muscles to flex, I guess.
GJ: The characters that are selected like Stargirl, and Vibe, and Green Arrow, they have a lot of personality. If you remember the first couple of issues of Justice League, with their larger than life personalities, and the development... This takes it to the fifteenth degree, because we’re dealing with characters that are... Like, you don’t know where Vibe is coming from. He’s recruited to the JLA by his older brother, and he says, “Why would they want me? I’m just this kid from Detroit. I’ve stopped three liquor store robberies, and one was by mistake.” His brother looks at him and says, “Maybe they see potential in you that you and I don’t see.” And he’s like, “Thanks a lot.”
So you get these weird characters that are unexpected, and they’re thrust into the forefront of Justice League of America... You’ll see why they’re selected, and why this team is going to give the real Justice League a run for its money; because the relationships in this team are going to be incredibly significant. There’s going to be a real learning curve with all the teams, but has the benefit of a true leader in Steve Trevor. Steve Trevor has a heart and soul that’s going to bring these characters that, on first glance, might not ever gel - what does Stargirl ever have in common with Catwoman? How’s that going to work?
Geek: It’s also probably going to be tough for Steve to lead since he died in Justice League #11, right?
GJ: [Laughs] Exactly.
Geek: Let’s talk about the characters a bit... I think I was the most excited to see Stargirl coming back, and you writing her again. What’s the take on her? Is this the same Courtney Whitmore we know and love?
GJ: Yeah, it is! She’s slightly different... She is the opposite of Lindsay Lohan and Amanda Bynes. She is this real, All-American, wholesome superhero from Hollywood that is a phenomenon out in Los Angeles. She got her start on Hollywood Boulevard, she is incredibly altruistic, and idealistic. She is probably the one hero that goes against everything that the Paris Hilton generation is. That’s where she comes from, so she brings a different voice, a different perspective to the team.
She’s younger, probably seventeen or eighteen years old. She’s very exuberant, positive, optimistic... You’ll learn a little bit more about her background and why she became Stargirl, and how she’s connected to another superhero named Starman... Pat Duggan will be in there. It’s very true to the original origins of Stargirl, but I think she’s even more relevant now. And I love that if she has an article on TMZ? It’s only positive.
Geek: On the other end of the spectrum, the character I was most surprised to see in there was Catwoman. How does she end up in the mix?
GJ: Catwoman is a very different perspective, and is brought in for a very different reason. She stays because they have something that she wants... And it’s not at all what you’d expect. It’s not a big diamond, it’s not a get out of jail free card, it’s something she’s been searching for that’s going to lead to a whole exploration of a side of Selina Kyle we haven’t yet seen.
But she is going to have a lot of fun on the team, she is going to be the Veronica to Stargirl’s Betty, if you will, and she has a new dynamic because we haven’t really seen her interact much with all these characters. Some of them not at all, like Vibe, and Stargirl... There’s not a lot of interaction between her and Martian Manhunter, and I don’t think she’s ever interacted with Steve Trevor that I can remember. Catwoman has a very different reason for being on the team.
Geek: Who’s the Archie then? Is Martian Manhunter the Archie stuck in the middle of Catwoman’s Veronica, and Stargirl’s Betty?
GJ: Oh no, Martian Manhunter isn’t the Archie. You saw how David draws Martian Manhunter, he’s as imposing as they come. If there’s an Archie, it’s probably Steve. And Reggie is definitely Oliver Queen.
Geek: I’m trying to figure out who’s Jughead then.
GJ: That’s Vibe. That’s easy. [Laughs] We could do this all day, I mean, Hawkman’s Moose...
Geek: [Laughs] Okay, so what can you tell us about where you going to be sending these guys in the first couple of issues?
GJ: It’s funny, the book feels very much like JSA, because there’s a lot of character interaction, a lot of characters that aren’t necessarily the A-List, which is always really fun to work with... I love working with non A-List characters. And having David draw those, they become A-List. So if you look at David’s art, and this has influenced the book tremendously, he has this great power to his figures, this very great superhero art...
But if you look at The Dark Knight, he also has these fantastic emotions, and getting emotion out of the characters, really seeing these characters on a journey together; the book is going to have a tone that is JSA, the original Ostrander Suicide Squad, which was very character driven, and again utilized characters we don’t necessarily see together a lot. Those are the two biggest influences on where the book is going.
And then there’s things we’re going to do, like Martian Manhunter, we really want to set him up as one of the most, not just powerful, but also influential characters in the DC Universe, and you don’t even know it - there’s a lot to be revealed about that. So the book really has a lot of layers, and the first arc will have them tackling something that... All they know is that the word on the street is that it’s called The Secret Society of Super Villains. This will be an exercise in team building, and working together, and how different personalities have to rise to that occasion.
Geek: You’re still going to be writing Justice League ongoing, at the same time as JLA, correct?
GJ: Yup.
Geek: So what’s the coordination between those titles, and potentially Justice League Dark going to be like?
GJ: Brian Cunningham is the Editor, and he edits all of those, so all three of the books - and I talk to Jeff Lemire a ton, Jeff is a fantastic writer - but all three of those books will be set in the same universe, and things will be tying into one another. We’ve got some plans for that, but I don’t want to get too ahead of ourselves yet, though.
One of the main goals for JLA when we launch this is to establish a cohesive team, and the relationships for that team, before we go into any big stories or crossovers, or anything like that.
Geek: So I hesitate to ask this then, but with three Justice League teams, if they were to go to war, that might be some sort of... Trinity War, you might call it?
GJ: It could be, but you’re a little off. How’s that for an answer?
Geek: Pretty good, I’ll take it! [Laughs] Just to start wrapping up here a bit, David, what are you looking forward to on the art end of things?
DF: I love the fact that its not every single most popular character in the company, it’s characters that don’t really have the same kind of exposure some of them? So it really gives us a chance to define those characters, and put our stamp on them. That’s really exciting to me. The chance to take them, make them larger than life, but also we get real, and grounded, and as believable as we can make it. Everything I’ve seen so far, it’s going to be a lot of fun.
GJ: I love characters that are more obscure. On Justice League, Shazam will be joining, and the team dynamics will be changing quite a bit on that team, but this is going to be such a great opportunity to work on characters like Katana, who I think is such a great asset, and getting deeper into characters like Vibe... Reintroducing Stargirl... Seeing the new Green Lantern with Green Arrow, and revisiting that relationship with Green Arrow and Hawkman, because we think we know it, we think they’re always at odds... And we want to turn it on its head a little bit, and delve into it more, and see what makes those two characters tick, to find out there’s something in common they both have despite their differences.
So creating dynamics between these characters, and really making it a character driven, intense, intriguing book... One of the words I have on the outline for the series is intrigue. What I mean by that is I always want you to wonder why. Why is this happening, what is their motivation, what are they after, what do they need, what do they want? I just look forward to writing a book that harkens to some of my favorite team books, and mystery books... And hopefully its something that you won’t know what to expect, and when you get it you’ll think it’s what it should be, but you never could have imagined it.
And there’s a big twist in the first issue that I don’t want to spoil, but it will explain exactly what’s happening, and what the team is doing, and everything else.


Hmmm... Super villains. Super heroes. Geoff Johns. David Finch. I'm in. How about you?

Check in for more info, interviews, and previews to do with "Justice League of America" in the coming months here on Opionions, Reviews, and Previews

Justice League #1 Review!

This is the beginning of a whole new era of DC Comics. I'm so excited, you don't even know. Even though there are only about 20 series that I would even think about following, so I can wait for those other 32 series to come, but series like Justice League International, Action Comics, and Justice League itself. But I'd like to say one thing before I start the review: Only four characters from the new line-up actually APPEAR in this first issue. So without further wait...I present Justice League #1-Geoff Johns & Jim Lee

Summary
The issue opens with Batman running on top of rooftops chasing some hooded figure, while being chased by the F.B.I. Batman manage to get them off of his tail for a couple seconds, and tackles the hooded figure who seems to kind of look like Killer Croc (though we know it isn't because some of us know who the real villain is of the story arc). Then a bright green firetruck construct comes out of nowhere and smashes into the monster-thing and nearly knocks Batman off the roof with it.

Then an uncalled for splash page where we see Green Lantern hovering above Batman. Bruce tells him to turn off his lights, but then GL just puts up some constructs in between the F.B.I. and he. Or at least that's who I think it is. Then the monster guy smashed back and apparently has wings or something ridiculous like that and so GL and Bats are out of the way for a moment and the monster guys spits fire and blows up a few of the F.B.I. helicopters. GL makes the save, then the monster becomes a spider-guy? Or as GL said "some kind of dog."

They fly (or Batman swings) off after the beast. The then go down into the sewers (GL floats down, Batman climbs down). GL starts asking what Bruce's "powers" are. Then he realizes he has no powers..hahaha. That's what you get, Bats. The most powerful guy in the Universe is laughing at you.

So in return for getting totally dissed by Hal, Bats decides to take his ring and "study" it. Though Hal didn't even notice him take it. (Yeah, that's the badass Batman we all know! Maybe this relaunch won't be so painful after all!)

The little spider-monster-guy is attaching something to a wall and it, according to Hal, becomes armed. Then the spider-monster yells "FOR DARKSEID!" and blows up. So GL puts a safe (yes, like one from a bank) around them and it keeps them, well...safe. I guess this is the first time Hal's ring was unable to identify the bomb thing that was left behind.

They agree that it "looks alien" and agree, also, that they should go find Superman (who both of them have apparently never met before).

Then we skip to a highshool football star, named Vic Stone. It basically tells the beginnings of Cyborg's introduction into the DCnU. They win the game in a blowout and we see someone who Vic wanted to reserve a seat for, never showed up. All of the scouts are offering full scholarships. Apparently his dad is busy at work and couldn't come to talk to the scouts. Then, of course, we see a Green Fighter Jet fly over the stadium.

They find where Supes is and Batman warns GL about entering. So GL puts Batman in a little protective box and says that he can handle it. So what happens in the next panel? Superman takes him down with one punch. (Handled that REALLY well, eh?) Then the last page in a splash page of Superman standing in front of Superman in his red undies-less DCnU outfit.

What I Thought
Let me put this out there: As much as I love Geoff Johns and just about every story he writes, this was about average. And starting out with a 6-issue origin story FIRST probably wasn't the best idea he's ever had (but at least it wasn't as bad as Swamp Thing being the Champion of Earth. Yeah, remember that that was only five months ago). I figure that I would have just opened with a story arc that the entire line-up would be involved in so that you get "all the new readers" in at a point that you can introduce them quickly and proficiently so that they aren't thinking "What the hell? Is the League only going to be Batman and Green Lantern fighting other heroes like Superman? Never buying this again." And since they probably don't care enough to look up websites like "Comic Book Resources" or JT's and my blog to figure out that, yeah...all those characters on the cover WILL BE HERE SOON! I PROMISE! But Geoff Johns' script: Average, but humorous still. Jim Lee's art: As always...beautiful.

I'll give this issue an 8.5/10.

Batman: "Space Sector?"
Green Lantern: "It's my beat. I'm not the only Green Lantern out there. There're thousands of others patrolling the Universe. A whole corps--"
Batman: "Uh, huh."

I Will Be Reviewing "Justice League" #1 and "Flashpoint #5 on Wednesday morning before most shops open

That's right. I'm announcing that I will be able to review Justice League #1 before JT will be able to. Lol. It'll be the only time I will be reviewing a comic (for now, at least) the day it actually comes out. I will also be reviewing the Digital Edition of the Justice League issue and seeing how well the Digital sales work.

So here's to the first comic of the DCnU. A comic that I have been waiting for for several months. Here's to hoping it's amazing. And here's to hoping the DCnU will be prosperous and get many, many sales.

I'll see you guys Wednesday morning with "Reviews and Spoilers of the DCnU." Sleep tight, everybody.

Flashpoint...Setting Up For the DCnU Justice League Line-Up?

Starting in Flashpoint #3, Batman & the Flash set out to recreate the Justice League. By the end of issue #3, they had a group of Batman, Cyborg, and the Flash, with Supes having just flown off to who-knows-where. In a preview for Flashpoint #4, you see Cyborg, Batman, & Flash being attacked by a bunch of soldiers and then Element Woman attacks the guards and takes them down. The last page of the fight is seen here.

So far in Flashpoint we've seen Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Hal Jordan (without the ring, but Abin Sur is alive), Firestorm, Mera, Aquaman, Cyborg, Deadman, and Green Arrow (plus maybe the white haired girl that no one can identify). All we need is for Hawkman and the Atom be seen somewhere is issue #4 or #5 and there's our JLA line-up.

So does this mean we'll see all of these characters at the very end of Flashpoint #5 take on the Reverse-Flash, which will then lead into Justice League #1? What does this mean for our new JLA line-up?

I think we'll probably see either Hal Jordan or Abin Sur join in on the JLA in Flashpoint #4 or #5.
I was kinda hoping to see the Flashpoint-JLA on the cover of Flashpoint #5, but there was no such luck.

I could see #s 4 & 5 being the lead-up in which the other members of the JLA team-up against Wonder Woman & Aquaman, while the Flash & Batman go after the Reverse-Flash. And maybe something happens to make Aquaman & Wonder Woman end their war against one another. Or something like that. I've read Flashpoint #s 1-3 and I'm actually finding it kind of interesting. But maybe that's because I'm more interested in finding out how #5 basically creates the DCnU.

Top 10 DC Comics-August 31st & September 2011

10. The Fury of Firestorm #1
Written by ETHAN VAN SCIVER and GAIL SIMONE; Art by YILDIRAY CINAR; Cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER
"Jason Rusch and Ronnie Raymond. These two high school students are 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 dark secrets of the murderous Dog Team and its Firestorm Protocol force them to put aside their differences to confront a threat so terrifying that it may lead to a new Cold War! Welcome to a major new vision of nuclear terror from writers Ethan Van Sciver and Gail Simone with astonishing art by Yildiray Cinar!"

I mean I've always loved Firestorm as a character. His powers are pretty awesome, you have to admit. I'm not sure how I feel about this series and the whole reboot of Firestorm's character. But...hey, it's a place to see Ronnie and Jason, plus Ethan Van Sciver covers and read Gail Simone writing. So...I'll pick it up.

9. Batwing #1
Written by JUDD WINICK; Art and cover by BEN OLIVER
"Africa, a land of beauty – and of great horror. A land of creation and conflict. It is in desperate need of a defender, and from the ranks of Batman Incorporated comes a soldier to carry on the legacy of The Dark Knight in the most tumultuous region on Earth. Meet Batwing, the Batman of Africa!"

I love Judd Winick, I've researched some Ben Oliver art and it looks pretty cool, and I'm totally up for supporting a series that is racially unique. Plus I don't have anything against Batwing. He looks like a pretty cool guy. I'll gladly check it out.

8. Legion Lost #1
Written by FABIAN NICIEZA; Art and cover by PETE WOODS
"Seven heroes from the 31st century have traveled back to the present day. Their mission: Save their future from annihilation. But when the future tech they brought with them fails, they find themselves trapped in a nightmarish world that, for them, is the ultimate struggle to survive!

Don't miss the start of this all-new LEGION series illustrated by Pete Woods – fresh off his spectacular run on ACTION COMICS – who is joined by writer Fabian Nicieza (RED ROBIN)!"

I've liked what I've read of Red Robin, I like Pete Woods art, I like the whole Legion-concept, and they're in the present day DCU, which means that it won't be all confusing trying to figure out what exact year they're in!

7. Green Lantern #1
Written by GEOFF JOHNS; Art by DOUG MAHNKE and CHRISTIAN ALAMY; Cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO; Variant cover by GREG CAPULLO
"The red-hot GREEN LANTERN team of writer Geoff Johns and artist Doug Mahnke introduce an unexpected new Lantern."

I usually like Geoff Johns stories, I'm kinda into Doug Mahnke art, Sinestro's pretty badass... But all thrown in together? I dunno. I'm giving it a chance because I like any individual combination of these three, but meh. Hopefully DC isn't giving up it's best-selling series because of this stupid move to take Hal's ring away.

6. Action Comics #1
Written by GRANT MORRISON; Art by RAGS MORALES and RICK BRYANT; Cover by RAGS MORALES; Variant cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS
"The one and only Grant Morrison (ALL-STAR SUPERMAN) returns to Superman, joined by sensational artist Rags Morales (IDENTITY CRISIS), to bring you tales of The Man of Steel unlike any you've ever read! This extra-sized debut issue is the cornerstone of the entire DC Universe!"

Grant Morrison, Rags Morales, a perfect time for me to start reading at least one Superman story...yeah. Sign me up.

5. Red Hood and the Outlaws #1
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL; Art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
"No sooner has Batman's former sidekick, Jason Todd, put his past as the Red Hood behind him than he finds himself cornered by a pair of modern day outlaws: Green Arrow's rejected sidekick Arsenal, the damaged soldier of fortune, and the alien Starfire, a former prisoner of intergalactic war who won't be chained again.

As a loner, Jason has absolutely no interest in this motley crew of outlaws. So what's he going to do when they choose the Red Hood as their leader? Find out in this hot new series from writer Scott Lobdell (WILDC.A.T.S, Uncanny X-Men), featuring art by rising star Kenneth Rocafort (ACTION COMICS)!"

Jason Todd, Roy Harper, and Starfire.. All vigilantes. Jason has never been part of a real team dynamic. He was never a member of the Titans. I think there'll be a lot of humor since Jason doesn't really WANT Kori and Roy along with him. I'd like to see whether Roy is gonna have everything back to how he used to be. His daughter back to the living, his arm perfectly normal, etc. Plus from the Kenneth Rocafort art that I've seen, I like it.

4. Aquaman #1
Written by GEOFF JOHNS; Art and cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
"The superstar creators from BLACKEST NIGHT and BRIGHTEST DAY reunite to take AQUAMAN to amazing new depths!

Aquaman has renounced the throne of Atlantis – but the sea will not release Arthur Curry so easily.
Now, from a forgotten corner of the ocean emerges… The Trench! A broken race of creatures that should not exist, an unspeakable need driving them, The Trench will be the most talked-about new characters in the DC Universe!"

Okay...let me get this straight. Geoff Johns. Ivan Reis. Aquaman. Piranha-looking villains. Hmm... Well I'll let the Piranha-thing slide. And who knows, maybe they'll actually be pretty badass. Plus they released a scan from #1 and it shows a very iconic-looking Aquaman. It was really pretty awesome. Can't fucking wait.

3. Green Lantern: New Guardians #1
Written by TONY BEDARD; Art and cover by TYLER KIRKHAM and BATT
"Kyle Rayner has assembled the most powerful team in all the universe, selected from the full spectrum of corps. But can he even keep this volatile group together?"

Okay, you don't even understand how awesome Kyle Rayner is. Plus Saint Walker. And Munk. I love it, already. And if I've said it once, I've said it a million times...I LOVE TYLER KIRKHAM ART!!

2. Justice League International #1
Written by DAN JURGENS; Art by AARON LOPRESTI and MATT RYAN; Cover by AARON LOPRESTI
"With the growing presence of super beings around the world, the United Nations resolves to create a new group called Justice League International.

Batman, Booster Gold, Green Lantern Guy Gardner, August General in Iron, Fire, Ice, Vixen and Rocket Red are charged with promoting unity and trust – but can they reach that goal without killing each other first?"

Okay, I love it. Booster Gold, Batman, Guy Gardner, Fire, Ice, and Rocket Red were all original JLI-ers from back in the late-80s. They reformed during Justice League: Generation Lost. They chased don Max Lord, but he still managed to escape. I really hope that Max Lord exists in the DCnU, that he has mind control powers still, and I hope the JLI still wants him taken down. I also wish Power Girl, Captain Atom, and Blue Beetle were all on the team. But they aren't. Still, this line-up is very powerful and it sounds like Batman isn't along with the U.N.'s sanction of the group, he kinda just joined in because he said so. Which sounds like Batman. So I can't wait for this.

And last but not least is... 1. Tiny Titans #44
Written by ART BALTAZAR and FRANCO; Art by ART BALTAZAR and FRANCO • Cover by ART BALTAZAR
"It's the issue of doom! Join the Tiny Titans as they – walk to school! Beast Boy takes a wrong turn when confronted by the crossing guards he calls The Doom Patrol. Plus, witness Beast Boy's first encounter with the Crossing Patrol Boys of Doom! Crossing the street has never been so tough!"

I love the Tiny Titans. They're funny, childish, and the artwork is...wait. You know I'm kidding right?

Here's the actual 1. Justice League #1
Written by GEOFF JOHNS; Art and cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS; 1:25 Variant cover by DAVID FINCH
"Comics superstars Geoff Johns and Jim Lee make history! In a universe where super heroes are strange and new, Batman has discovered a dark evil that requires him to unite the World Greatest Heroes!"

It's the return of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, and Aquaman to the Justice League line-up. PLUS, we get to see Hawkman, Green Arrow, Firestorm, Mera, Element Woman, the Atom (which has been hinted to being Ryan Choi), Deadman, and an unidentified, white-haired, woman. Plus Jim Lee and Geoff Johns? I cannot wait.

Upcoming Ongoings: Justice League

Justice League is getting "back to the basics" pulling Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, The Flash, Green Lantern, and Aquaman back into the line-up for the first time in several years.

Now, they haven't exactly SAID which Flash it's going to be, I'm going to have to assume it's Barry Allen. Which means that Wally is STILL nowhere to be found. They've already said that it isn't Wally in the Titans. It's still Bart, which I really don't mind. But apparently (though I never heard this before), Geoff Johns claimed that they would be having a Speed Force ongoing series soon. Which, assuming Barry stays in The Flash, would hopefully star Wally. Yeah, well if they would be announcing it anytime soon, it would probably be later this year. Hopefully it will be an addition next year (or later this year) like the Batman, Inc. series will be next year.

Over the past year (probably even longer), the line-up for the JLA has consisted of a bunch of C-List characters (excluding Dick Grayson, who I would consider B-List). And that would be a compliment. If anything, it's a bunch of characters that DC couldn't fit in anywhere else, but a few random fans might have wanted to see again and so they threw it on a series that should be one of DC's best selling like it was when Meltzer started the series off and when McDuffie first started.

Now, don't think that I haven't given the current line-up a chance; I have! I read the story arc before this current one which was called "Omega." Not only did I read the entire story arc, but I ALSO bought the Starman/Congorilla One-Shot tie-in issue back in January.

Last summer, the JLA/JSA crossover happened again and it included Jesse Quick joining the team. So here is the current membership for the JLA:
1. Batman (Dick Grayson)
2. Donna Troy
3. Jesse Quick (though she's losing her speed powers, so...yeah)
4. Jade
5. Congorilla
6. Starman (not any Starman that people have known for years, some random one that Robinson created in Cry For Justice)
7. Supergirl

For some damn reason, DC and James Robinson thought THIS could be the JLA. Sure, it limits the amount of power on the team so it makes for a more strategic story (which, in my opinion, is great). But, honestly...it's about time the REAL JLA comes back.

Which brings me to September; the return of the Big Seven to the JLA, minus Martian Manhunter.

Meaning that the return of six main members to the line-up:
1. Superman
2. Batman (Bruce Wayne)
3. Wonder Woman
4. Flash (Not sure, yet, assuming Barry Allen)
5. Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)
6. Aquaman (Arthur Curry)

Plus, the addition of Cyborg to the line-up. I thought I heard somewhere (though I may be wrong) that this would be a 16-member line-up. If that's true, I'm just trying to think of who would be the other eight members.

Despite all of the questions about the relaunch that are still out there, a lot of the writers/artists that are on series have agreed to interviews from Newsarama, ComicBookResources, or iFanboy. So there is one way to learn more about the stories.

I am rather excited for September.

Check out Justice League #1 by Geoff Johns & Jim Lee. But we'll see how long that creative team stands. I have a bet for $20 that it will be a year at most. How long do you think?

UPDATE: Apparently this was "accidentally" leaked onto the internet earlier this week/this past weekend. I think it was actually DC's cheap way of throwing it out there without making a whole big announcement. But ANYWAY, that little poster-teaser-thingy up there shows the main line-up for the League, plus eight more characters on either side. Honestly, it's a beautiful piece of artwork. But that's beside the point.

This poster reveals that the line-up will include:
Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Aquaman, the Flash, Cyborg, Deadman (isn't he in Justice League Dark, already?), the Atom (is that Ryan Choi?), Element Woman (created in Flashpoint), Firestorm (looks like Ronnie), Green Arrow (pretty sure that's Ollie), Hawkman, some random white-haired chick (has been said by Johns that it isn't Power Girl or Black Canary, so keep guessing), and Mera (really? One Aqua-person is enough, thank you).

I actually think most of these people aren't that surprising (Firestorm, Hawkman, Green Arrow, the Atom), but there are some characters that I think "What the fuck were you thinking, Chairman?" (Element Woman, Deadman, Mera). Sound off below!

DC Comics Announces Company-Wide Relaunch to Start August 31st

Well, guys, the rumors are true. DC Comics announced something that would confirm the rumors and speculations that have been going around over the past several weeks since August solicitations were announced.

Let me start by posting the statement that DC said on their blog, The Source on Tuesday;

"On Wednesday, August 31st, DC Comics will launch a historic renumbering of the entire DC Universe line of comic books with 52 first issues, including the release of JUSTICE LEAGUE by NEW YORK TIMES bestselling writer and DC Entertainment Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns and bestselling artist and DC Comics Co-Publisher Jim Lee."

This is, obviously, an attempt by DC to grab more readers. I, personally, think that it may succeed...but for a short amount of time. Being the second or third of my blogging community to report on this, I have decided to do as much research on the topic as possible.

Now, with Johns and Lee on a new Justice League ongoing series, marking the first time the two bestselling DC-people have teamed-up on a project, I'm honestly rather excited for this. But with a relaunch of 52 series, while there are currently 56 ongoing series out there, I have to ask myself the obvious: "Which series' will be replaced, and what will be replacing it?"

A few months ago, DC announced Johns and former-Green Lantern artist, Ivan Reis, would launch an Aquaman ongoing series. I was excited purely for Reis' art. Earlier in the year, DC also announced a Red Lantern Corps series would be launched, written by fan-favorite horror-y writer, Peter Milligan. Sounds good. When I read Justice League: Generation Lost #24's last page, and say the announcement of the new ongoing series...I was fucking ready for my new-favorite series to come out.

But, then, I thought to myself "But, wait...This can't be right. Three new GREAT ongoing series starting in late-2011 for no APPARENT reason?" Soon enough, August's solicitations rolled around and it was revealed that on the 31st, only Flashpoint #5 would be released for that day. The rumors immediately started flying. It seemed like in only a matter of time, DC would have to make some sort of announcement as to their Post-Flashpoint plans.

On Tuesday, it was official. DC was going to relaunch every ongoing series with a new (or for the first time) issue #1.

There have only been about eight new series' officially announced;
[A] Superman [series]-Written by Grant Morrison

Wonder Woman #1-With a whole new creative team and all of JMS's bullshit GONE!!! YESSSSS!!!

Green Lantern #1-Still written by Geoff Johns and the events of Blackest Night and the whole Emotional Spectrum still intact

Hawkman #1-by James Robinson

Aquaman #1-Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis

Justice Society of America-New creative team still to be announced

Birds of Prey #1-without fan-favorite writer, Gail Simone

and Teen Titans #1-written by Red Robin writer Fabian Nicieza

Okay. Great. Cool. Welcome to the club, guys. These are all obvious series (excluding Birds of Prey and Hawkman) to come out. Whatever. What I'm most interested in is the series like Secret Six, Booster Gold, and Batgirl (which are all fan-favorites). Will these be the three unlucky series to disappear forever to never be seen again? Or will it include series like Power Girl, Green Lantern Corps., Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors, or Green Arrow that include relatively popular superheroes, that aren't necessarily selling in the high-range right now?

I was pretty much preparing to revamp the series' that I buy after Flashpoint was over; starting with series like Power Girl, Booster Gold, the JLI, Batman, and the Teen Titans. The only series that I am 100% certain will still be around after the relaunch is the Justice League International.

I figured, "Hey, maybe after Flashpoint I can jump onto Power Girl, the JLI, Batman, the Teen Titans, and, best of all, Booster Gold!" But, now... I'm just purely concerned.

But this announcement wasn't only to announce the relaunch of the entire DC Universe...it was to also announce every issue would be released same-day-as-print in digital! Cool...I guess. Whatever.

The only new thing that I'm looking forward to coming out of this relaunch besides (possibly) a good jumping on point, is the new Justice League series by Johns and Lee. The promotional art shows the return of the "Big Seven" (excluding Martian Manhunter) to the team, along with ten other heroes who haven't been stated yet. Check out this promotional art:

Oi. So I'm tired and I gladly got this post out to you guys before Thursday! Yay! Comment and such, guys. Thanks for reading!

Reign of Doomsday pt. 1

Even though we're a few months into the Reign of Doomsday storyline, I figured I'd post something about it.
So far this series has been featured in a Steel one-shot from January, Outsiders #37 (feat. the Eradicator), and Justice League of America #55 (feat. Supergirl & Cyborg Superman) with upcoming crossovers in Superman/Batman Annual #5 (feat. Supergirl and Cyborg Superman, Superboy #6 (feat. Superboy), Action Comics #900-902 (feat. Superman, Supergirl, Superboy, Cyborg Superman, the Eradicator, & Steel). Doomsday has been fighting his way through the DC Universe for the past three months and this month he is hitting three more stops.
The new-and-improved Doomsday has been hitting the Superman Family hard, taking them down easily. On the DC Universe blog, The Source, someone expressed the concern of Doomsday becoming a DCU character, rather than a Superman character. This is an equal concern I had, but after seeing how Reign of Doomsday has been going, I'm excited.

COMING ON SATURDAY: What Is Coming: Action Comics #900
COMING ON TUESDAY: Flashpoint previews part 1...the Mini's
Thanks for reading!