Martian Sightings for May, 2011

BOOSTER GOLD #44
Written by DAN JURGENS
Art and cover by DAN JURGENS and NORM RAPMUND
Dan Jurgens returns to BOOSTER GOLD just in time for this FLASHPOINT prelude. Booster Gold returns to Rip Hunter’s lab after the events of TIME MASTERS and finds that this world isn’t the same one he left behind.
On sale MAY 18 • 32 pg, FC $2.99 US • RATED T

Blog reader mathematicscore, who recommends the original Elseworlds mini-seriesFlashpoint, posited the theory that this series' Batman is actually the Martian Manhunter. Between the little red circle behind the bat-symbol and this Batman's ability to trade blows with the Flash, I could see where he was coming from. However, we're both somewhat biased, so I set M.C.'s theory aside... until I saw the red eyes on the upcoming Batman action figure. M.C. called it!

FLASHPOINT #1
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by ANDY KUBERT
1:25 Variant cover A by ANDY KUBERT
Variant cover B by IVAN REIS and GEORGE PÉREZ
Not a dream, not an imaginary story, not an elseworld. This is Flash Fact: When Barry Allen wakes at his desk, he discovers the world has changed. Family is alive, loved ones are strangers, and close friends are different, gone or worse. It’s a world on the brink of a cataclysmic war – but where are Earth’s Greatest Heroes to stop it? It’s a place where America’s last hope is Cyborg, who hopes to gather the forces of The Outsider, The Secret 7, S!H!A!Z!A!M!, Citizen Cold and other new and familiar-yet-altered faces! It’s a world that could be running out of time, if The Flash can’t find the villain who altered the time line!
Welcome to FLASHPOINT!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with three covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale MAY 11 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

I'm still not going to buy this book, because I'm burnt out on the DCU, never liked the junior Kuberts, and don't care about the Flash or alternate timelines. However, I'm suddenly reminded that Barry Allen and J'onn J'onzz had a relationship, as co-stars in a Brave & the Bold and teammates in the 1960s. J'onn was M.I.A. throughout the 1970s, and only came back as Barry was heading out the door in the mid-80s. The Martian Manhunter never really had much to do with Wally West, but a Flash friendship might be worth revisiting in the near future.

DC COMICS PRESENTS: SON OF SUPERMAN #1
Written by HOWARD CHAYKIN and DAVID TISCHMAN
Art and cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III and MICK GRAY
Reprinting a classic Superman tale featuring the art of J.H. Williams III!
Fifteen years after the disappearance of Superman, a teenage Jon Kent awakens one day to learn that not only is he the son of the Man of Steel, but he has suddenly inherited his powers. Looking to follow in his father’s footsteps, Jon joins a rebel organization that fights against the now completely corrupt U.S. government and their plan for total economic segregation. But by becoming an enemy of the state, the son of Superman instantly becomes a target of the government-run Justice League. Now in order to live up to the legacy of his father, Jon must defeat corrupted and deviant versions of Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Aquaman, and The Flash.
On sale MAY 4 • 96 pg, FC, $7.99 US

I couldn't remember if I liked this one or not, so I dug up my review of the book from the old Martian Manhunter: The Rock of the JLA site, and will post it soon.

BRIAN BOLLAND COVER TO COVER HC
Written by BRIAN BOLLAND
Art and cover by BRIAN BOLLAND
Artist Brian Bolland, best known for his work as illustrator of the best-selling title BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE, is the subject of this new hardcover collecting his covers for DC Comics. Featuring highly detailed and meticulous craftsmanship combined with dramatic takes on the world’s best-known Super Heroes, Bolland’s work has been featured on GREEN LANTERN, BATMAN, WONDER WOMAN, THE FLASH, ZATANNA and the Vertigo series THE INVISIBLES and ANIMAL MAN. This spectacular collection includes rarely seen and never-before-published art, along with commentary from Bolland.
On sale AUGUST 31 • 208 pg, FC, 8.625” x 11.625”, $39.99 US

Argh! I cannot afford this at this time, but it will be mine eventually! Bolland is one of the greatest cover artists of all time-- one of those guys that will get you to buy the book for the cover alone. Bolland has produced all that many Martian Manhunter images, but most of the ones he has were instant classics. See: Animal Man #9, The Flash #165, Secret Origins tpb (1989) and Superman: "Whatever Happened To the Man of Tomorrow Deluxe Edition.

JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE TP
Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art by MAURO CASCIOLI and SCOTT CLARK
Cover by MAURO CASCIOLI
Following the deaths of Batman and Martian Manhunter – both charter members of the Justice League of America – a new team of heroes arises, determined to stop evil from ever striking. But when the JLA’s foe Prometheus plans his revenge on the heroes, will this new team be ready to pay the cost for the justice they seek? Collected from the 7-issue miniseries!
On sale JUNE 15 • 232 pg, FC, $19.99 US

Nothing quite says "dated" like a new trade paperback about a super-team formed to avenge the death of J'Onn J'Onzz, although it was an admittedly brief afterlife.

JUSTICE HC
Written by JIM KRUEGER and ALEX ROSS
Art by ALEX ROSS and DOUG BRAITHWAITE
Cover by ALEX ROSS
The best-selling 12-issue series illustrated by Alex Ross is now available as a single volume hardcover at DC’s standard trim size.
The villains of the Legion of Doom — led by Lex Luthor and Brainiac — band together to save the world after a shared dream that seems to be a vision of the Earth’s demise. They are confronted by the Justice League of America, who doubt their motives—and as their true plans unfold the two teams do battle.
On sale JULY 27 • 384 pg, FC, $39.99 US

I promise to finish my synopsizes of this, just as soon as I can be bothered to finish reading the damned dumb thing.


Miss Martian

SUPERGIRL #64
Written by JAMES PEATY
Art by BERNARD CHANG
Cover by AMY REEDER and RICHARD FRIEND
It’s the brutal conclusion of “Good-Looking Corpse”! The true identity of the villainous Alex has been revealed, and he’s taken over the minds of Miss Martian, Robin and Blue Beetle. His first order? Destroy Supergirl by any means necessary!
On sale MAY 18 • 32 pg, FC $2.99 US • RATED T

TINY TITANS #40
Written by ART BALTAZAR & FRANCO
Art and cover by ART BALTAZAR
Because you demanded it, the wait is finally over – it’s the all-Kroc issue! Ever wonder if you’re doing things the right way or the wrong way? How about the Kroc way? This issue is filled with household, how-to, and cooking tips – the Kroc way! Don’t worry, the Tiny Titans will be there, too!
On sale MAY 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED E

I've given up on Young Justice featuring Miss Martian, so the listing is dropped.

Jemm, Son of Saturn

SUPERMAN: NEW KRYPTON VOL. 4 TP
Written by JAMES ROBINSON and GREG RUCKA
Art by PETE WOODS and RON RANDALL • Cover by GARY FRANK
Leaving Earth behind for a life in the Kryptonian military, Superman must make many sacrifices to appease his people while averting a conflict with the other planets. But an attempt on the life of a high-ranking Kryptonian sends Superman to Earth on a mission that may ignite the very conflict he’s been avoiding in these tales from SUPERMAN: NEW KRYPTON #6-12.
On sale JUNE 1 • 192 pg, FC, $17.99 US

This collects Jemm's appearances in the mini-series, but not the coda that explains why he was bothered with from Adventure Comics.


Lobo

R.E.B.E.L.S #28
Written by TONY BEDARD
Art by CLAUDE ST. AUBIN and SCOTT HANNA
Cover by AARON LOPRESTI
With Starro the Conqueror on the verge of complete victory, our rebel fighters Lobo, Vril Dox, Adam Strange, Starfire and the gang pull out all the stops in this series’ bloody conclusion!
On sale MAY 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US, FINAL ISSUE • RATED T

I decided to spotlight Lobo one more time to commemorate the passing of R.E.B.E.L.S. This volume never held a candle to Tom Peyer's work, but it was overall and enjoyable series that brought DC's sci-fi characters together and cleaned up a lot of the messes made since Infinite Crisis Still, the book never really came together, and seemed adrift after the premature resolution of the Starro arc. Here's hoping L.E.G.I.O.N. turns up in that inevitable Martian Manhunter ongoing series, assuming the L.E.G.I.O.N. itself doesn't make a comeback after Flashpoint

WEIRD WORLDS #5
Written by KEVIN VANHOOK, AARON LOPRESTI and KEVIN MAGUIRE
Art by JERRY ORDWAY, AARON LOPRESTI and KEVIN MAGUIRE
Cover by MIGUEL SEPULVEDA
It turns out the target Lobo hauled across half the cosmos isn’t quite the man he thought he was – but did that fact just double The Main Man’s payday or leave him holding the bag? Meanwhile, Garbage Man crosses paths with the one person to treat him kindly since the accident that turned him into a monster – but does he have time to make friends with Batman closing in on his trail? And when Tanga told the soldiers holding her at gunpoint to take her to their leader, she wasn’t expecting it to go quite this poorly!
On sale MAY 4 • 5 of 6 • 40 pg, FC $3.99 US • RATED T

Lobo still has his solo anthology slot for one more month, but this sure was a Solicitation of the Long Knives. The always confused and aimless The Outsiders with or without Batman that Martian Manhunter was supposed to be a part for more than a couple of issues got the ax. The first Doom Patrol volume I put off reading rather than actively avoiding since Morrison is gone. I doubt many tears will be shed over the ham-fisted Freedom Fighters, which has yet to last much into a second year in any incarnation.