It’s looking like a great summer if you love to read comics. It looks like DC is making up for lost time after last year’s craziness. Four major titles were announced today, and they have all caught my eye for different reasons. Let’s look at them one at a time, shall we?
Wonder Woman: Black & Gold
Since we’re celebrating 80 years of Wonder Woman, why not add a pop of color? Continuing in the tradition of what I now call the “Black And” series, it’s time to get golden. Wonder Woman: Black & Gold really pops on that cover from the great Jen Bartel. You’ll also see covers from Ramona Fradon, Yanick Paquette and Joshua Middleton.
The first issue is a whopping 40 pages, written by John Arcudi, Becky Cloonan, Amy Reeder, AJ Mendez Brooks and Nadia Shamas with art by Ryan Sook, Becky Cloonan, Amy Reeder, Ming Doyle and Morgan Beem. Some stories will have a Golden Age vibe, there will be a family reunion, stories of past failures and much more. That’s a lot of story, and a lot of gold, for just the first issue. Wonder Woman: Black & Gold kicks off it’s six issue run on June 22nd.
Green Arrow 80th Anniversary 100 Page Super Spectacular
Look at who else is celebrating 80 years this year? It’s great to see the Emerald Archer getting the attention that he deserves. I’ll admit, I was pleasantly surprised to see the announcement of this 100 page spectacular.
Some of the big names working on this celebration will be Mike Grell, Jeff Lemire, Phil Hester, Otto Schmidt, Ben Percy, Tom Taylor, and Devin Grayson alongside new Green Arrow contributors, including Stephanie Phillips, Mariko Tamaki, Ram V, Vita Ayala, Nicola Scott, Chris Mitten, Laura Braga, Max Fiumara and Brandon Thomas. Dan Mora will handle the main cover, but there will be some decade variants as well. They are:
1940’s Variant: Michael Cho
1950’s Variant: Daniel Warren Johnson
1960’s Variant: Neal Adams
1970’s Variant: Derrick Chew
1980’s Variant: Gary Frank
1990’s Variant: Howard Porter
2000’s Variant: Jen Bartel
2010’s Variant: Simone Di Meo
We’ll get stories including other fan favorites like Black Canary, Connor Hawke, Arsenal, Red Arrow, Speedy, Onomatopoeia, Count Vertigo and more. It’s hard to believe that More Fun Comics #73 was 80 years ago! Green Arrow 80th Anniversary 100 Page Super Spectacular arrives on June 29th.
Batman: Reptilian
Now it’s time for DC Black Label to get in on the fun. You see the title of Batman: Reptilian and you probably think that you know where this is going. Let’s see if you’re right.
This six issue miniseries will be written by Garth Ennis with art from the incredible Liam Sharp. Cully Hamner and Bill Sienkiewicz will provide variant covers.
This story follows, “Gotham City is filled with murderous creatures who stalk the shadows–foul villains with murderous impulses who strike fear into the hearts of every man, woman, and child in the city. But what strikes fear into the hearts of those who terrorize the city? It used to be Batman, but something far more frightening than a mere man has begun stalking the shadows—and it’s after Gotham’s villains. How savage must a monster be to haunt the dreams of monsters?“
So this might not be the Croc you thought after all. Find out when Batman: Reptilian stalks it’s way onto shelves in June 22nd.
The Nice House On The Lake
Continuing with DC Black Label, James Tynion IV brings his band of horror to the publisher with a brand new story. The Batman writer will be joined by artist Álvaro Martínez Bueno and colorist Jordie Bellaire for The Nice House On The Lake.
Before you head to Airbnb to book your reservation or call your realtor, you should know what the story is about. “Everyone who was invited to the house knows Walter—well, they know him a little, anyway. Some met him in childhood; some met him months ago. And Walter’s always been a little…off. But after the hardest year of their lives, nobody was going to turn down Walter’s invitation to an astonishingly beautiful house in the woods, overlooking an enormous sylvan lake.
It’s beautiful, it’s opulent, it’s private—so a week of putting up with Walter’s weird little schemes and nicknames in exchange for the vacation of a lifetime? Why not? All of them were at that moment in their lives when they could feel themselves pulling away from their other friends; wouldn’t a chance to reconnect be…nice? Wouldn’t an escape from the horrors of their everyday lives be…idyllic?
Would you accept this invitation from one of your oldest friends?”
After this first 12 issues, you might have to check your anxiety level. If you have read some of Tynion IV’s other non-superhero titles, you know what he is capable of. The Nice House On The Lake begins it’s terrifying tale on June 1st.
So if you didn’t have a summer reading list before, you probably do now. Which of these titles are you most excited for?
Photo Credit: DC Comics