STORMWATCH #12Well, this was unexpected. Who wants to bet all that negative space on the last cover ends up filled with green skin? I had such high hopes for this merger of the DC and Wildstorm Universes, but the book has been a complete mess, and it looks to be resegregating. My reaction is bittersweet, since I won't miss wasting my money on a title with consistently poor writing, but this also means all the potential that got me interested will be squandered. Given that this is the Alien Atlas' second one-manhunter brawl against an entire team in recent months, and that I don't believe he's making a heel turn, I strongly suspect new plans are afoot for the character in another title. A solo series would be nice, but there are other options...
Written by PETER MILLIGAN
Art by IGNACIO CALERO and SEAN PARSONS
Cover by SCOTT CLARK and DAVID BEATY
On sale AUGUST 1 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
• MARTIAN MANHUNTER battles STORMWATCH!
• A major turning point for the DC Universe as MARTIAN MANHUNTER quits STORMWATCH forever!
• Don’t miss STORMWATCH this month in I, VAMPIRE!
I, VAMPIRE #12Given the cover featured characters and events above, I'm not sure if Martian Manhunter will be in this one. I'll probably order it just in case.
Written by JOSHUA HALE FIALKOV
Art by ANDREA SORRENTINO
Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN
On sale AUGUST 22 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
• ANDREW BENNETT’S hold over the vampires is about to collapse as STORMWATCH attacks.
JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL #1The most recent issue with actual sales numbers (#8) sold over 30K and was ranked at #67 in the top 100. It's more than reasonable to expect that it's being revised into a stronger replacement that clears out dead weight like Godiva, Rocket Red, O.M.A.C., Batwing and August General. Especially once you factor in the guest writing team, it's safe to assume the #0 issue will hue closer to the JLI of old, or will at least offer a more bankable line-up. Could that include Martian Manhunter? It's worth noting that Keith Giffen is M.I.A. of late, as well.
Written by GEOFF JOHNS and DAN DIDIO
Art and cover by JASON FABOK
On sale AUGUST 29 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T
• Will this issue be the final adventure ever for JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL?
• The true nature of O.M.A.C. revealed!
• Ties in to the shocking events of JUSTICE LEAGUE #12!
• Guest-starring BLUE BEETLE!
LEGION LOST VOL. 1: RUN FROM TOMORROW TPProbably J'Onn J'Onzz's biggest guest appearance to date, since he played a major part in the resolution of the first arc, and had more screen time in one issue than his two appearances in Green Lantern Corps.
Written by FABIAN NICIEZA and TOM DeFALCO
Art by PETE WOODS and MATT CAMP
Cover by PETE WOODS
On sale SEPTEMBER 19 • 160 pg, FC, $14.99 US
• Collecting the present-day LEGION LOST series!
• Stranded in the 21st century, can this cadre of LEGIONNAIRES adjust to a different world?
• Collects LEGION LOST #1-7!
BRIGHTEST DAY VOL. 3 TPBrand new; you're retro.
Written by GEOFF JOHNS and PETER J. TOMASI
Art by PATRICK GLEASON, ARDIAN SYAF, SCOTT CLARK and others
Cover by IVAN REIS
On sale SEPTEMBER 12 • 224 pg, FC, $16.99 US
• In this final BRIGHTEST DAY volume, the mystery of the heroes’ and villains’ return is resolved and the secret of the white forest is revealed.
• Collecting issues #17-24!
Miss Martian
YOUNG JUSTICE #19I didn't think about this last month, but tying Grodd to Miss Martian strengthens his role as a Vile Menagerie candidate. I love Grodd, but I've long had reservations about his being given full consideration among that lot. If he has dual animosity with franchise players though, that would make the Super-Gorilla exceptional amidst their number. That's a pretty glorious army he's got there, too.
Written by GREG WEISMAN
Art and cover by CHRISTOPHER JONES
On sale AUGUST 29 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED E
• THE BRAIN, MONSIEUR MALLAH and THE ULTRA-HUMANITE have captured the team.
• What does GORILLA GRODD want with MISS MARTIAN?
Whoa, this is big news about J'Onn. I recall reading an interview where some writers at DC discussed J'Onn as one day perhaps being part of the Justice League, but that would be a surprising move. (I am not sure that would work, as J'Onn was long used as the jobber for the villain of the month.) I imagine that Stormwatch may cross one of J'Onn's lines, and he may have to stop them. I just hope that he is portrayed well in his leaving Stormwatch. (I will chuckle if it turns out he infiltrated Stormwatch on behalf of the Justice League and implanted the battle in JL #8 in their minds as false memories -- as someone at CBR speculated.)
ReplyDeletePart of the problem with Stormwatch is it lacked consistency -- even if I like some of the characters. I keep on expecting more than I see in issues, and have to wonder where Stormwatch is going in the long run. I guess J'Onn's destiny lies elsewhere, and I hope that he finds a good team and a good solo series. Ironically, J'Onn may know the secrets of a lot of the major players in the DCnU, so we will see if anything is done with this.
I really don't want J'Onn in the Justice League, but creative team and teammates might sway me. I like much of the Stormwatch cast, but not enough to continue buying the book. It would have been neat to see a Wildstorm League, where instead of doing a half-assed Authority, they just put all their most popular characters on one team with appropriate DC inclusions. All highly debatable, of course.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the cover with "negative space" you're referencing? I don't follow.
ReplyDeleteThis one. If J'Onn sides with the Shadow Lords over Stormwatch, maybe he's in there somewhere?
ReplyDelete