Superman June Solicitations

Exclusive June solicitations for all the Superman related titles from Comic Book Resources:

SUPERMAN UNCHAINED #2
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art and cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS
Backup story art by DUSTIN NGUYEN
1:300 B&W Variant cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS
On sale JULY 10 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
The technological terrorists called Ascension are growing bolder with every attack, creating problems only can solve—and that’s with help from the world’s greatest detective, Batman! But the mystery that’s really got them both worried is the unknown figure that’s been shadowing Superman! And in this issue’s backup tale, Jimmy Olsen takes center stage as Metropolis reacts to an event that’s shaken the city to its core!
This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.

SUPERMAN UNCHAINED DIRECTOR’S CUT #1
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art by JIM LEE
Backup story art by DUSTIN NGUYEN
Cover by JIM LEE
On sale JULY 24 • 64 pg, FC, $5.99 US • RATED T
The debut issue of the red-hot new series is back in a special Director’s Cut edition! Shot directly from the pencil art by Jim Lee and Dustin Nguyen for SUPERMAN UNCHAINED #1, this new edition also includes Scott Snyder’s full script to this blockbuster story!

ACTION COMICS #22
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art and cover by TYLER KIRKHAM and BATT
Backup story art by PHILIP TAN
1:25 B&W Variant cover by TYLER KIRKHAM and BATT
On sale JULY 3 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
A group of warriors from space come to Earth in search of their new king—and they’ve set their sites on Superman to lead them!
This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.

SUPERMAN ANNUAL #2
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL and FRANK HANNAH
Art by PASCALE ALIXE
Cover by ANDY KUBERT
On sale JULY 31 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T
What repercussions lurk beneath the surface from Brainiac’s first attack—and how does it all set the stage for the battle of Metropolis? Plus, how can the Man of Steel fight something he can’t physically stop!

SUPERMAN #22
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
1:25 B&W Variant cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
On sale JULY 24 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Confronted with a Psi War, Superman falls before one of its leaders, the H.I.V.E. queen!

SUPERBOY #22
Written by JUSTIN JORDAN
Art by R.B. SILVA and ROB LEAN
Cover by KEN LASHLEY
On sale JULY 10 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Has Superboy met his match: Psycho and the Teen of Steel continue to track down what they believe are H.I.V.E. psi operatives, with the help of Lois Lane—who Superboy feels a bond to that Psycho isn’t revealing. And Kon’s double may complicate things even more!

SUPERGIRL #22
Written by MICHAEL ALAN NELSON
Art and cover by MAHMUD ASRAR
On sale JULY 17 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Careful what you wish for! Kara may have found a home away from Earth, but it’s at a price that Superboy will have to pay to a major Superman foe!

BATMAN/SUPERMAN #2
Written by GREG PAK
Art and cover by JAE LEE
1:25 Variant cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
1:100 B&W Variant by JAE LEE
On sale JULY 3 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
Batman and Superman travel to Earth 2, where they find familiar heroes who are trying to kill them!
This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.

Marvel's March Madness

When DC relaunched all of it's titles in the company-wide event the New 52, they finally had Marvel up against the ropes for a considerable amount of time. Renewed interest had been brought back to the company and to comic books over all. Marvel had no choice but to shake up it's titles as well. They chose not to go for a reboot, instead bringing new creative teams across the board with fresh story arcs while keeping the past continuity.

DC and Marvel have been neck and neck since the new boom which is a great thing for readers and both companies. Numbers are in for the March sales and it looks like Marvel is currently taking in a large amount of readership with their newest titles and the current big event Age of Ultron. Marvel has to be pretty excited that Guardians of the Galaxy #1 is at the top of the list as they prepare to make that franchise a huge film event next summer.

Check out the official update below from IGN:

Diamond Comic Distributors has released their best-selling comics and graphic novels of last month, where Marvel had an extremely strong showing. With a dollar share of 39.96% and a unit share of a whopping 43.78%, Marvel trumped DC's 27.09% and 29.88% respectively.

The top 10 comics of the month were:

1. Guardians of the Galaxy #1 (Marvel)
2. Age of Ultron #1 (Marvel)
3. Batman #18 (DC)
4. Wolverine #1 (Marvel)
5. Age of Ultron #2 (Marvel)
6. Justice League #18 (DC)
7. Age of Ultron #3 (Marvel)
8. Superior Spider-Man #5 (Marvel)
9. Justice League of America #2 (DC)
10. All-New X-Men #8 (Marvel)

As for the top 10 trade paperbacks and graphic novels, that list looks like this:

1. Batman Vol. 2: The City of Owls HC (DC)
2. Batman Vol. 1: The Court of Owls TPB (DC)
3. Hawkeye Vol. 1: My Life as a Weapon TPB (Marvel)
4. Avatar: The Last Airbender Vol. 4: Search Part 1 TPB (Dark Horse)
5. The Walking Dead Vol. 1: Days Gone Bye TPB (Image)
6. Avengers vs. X-Men TPB (Marvel)
7. Kick-Ass 2 TPB (Marvel)
8. Kick-Ass 2: Hit-Girl HC (Marvel)
9. Saga Vol. 1 TPB (Image)

Earth 2 Vol. 1: The Gathering HC (DC)

Flashpoint Animated Film Synopsis and Release Date

DC shook up their entire comic universe in 2011 with the now company wide changing story Flashpoint. While the general consensus of how the new 52 is playing out is mixed among fans, there's no doubt that the move gained DC as well as Marvel and other comic companies a lot of new readership. The story became so pivotal that eventually a straight to home video animated feature was announced to be in development shortly after.

Warner Bros. Animation has finally released a full synopsis today as well as the expected date fans can finally pick up the epic event.

When time travel allows a past wrong to be righted for The Flash and his family, the ripples of the event prove disastrous as a fractured, alternate reality now exists where a Justice League never formed, and even Superman is nowhere to be found. Teaming with a grittier, more violent Dark Knight and Cyborg, Flash races to restore the continuity of his original timeline while this new world is ravaged by a fierce war between Wonder Woman's Amazons and Aquaman’s Atlanteans. With breath taking action and an all-star voice cast, it's a bold, emotional vision that will forever change the landscape of the DC Universe."

While we can't reveal the full cast just yet (and we wish we could), we can share a few. Kevin Conroy leaked his return to the role of Batman in the film, and WBA confirmed the actor will be playing Bruce Wayne/Batman in the non-Flashpoint era sections of the film. Ron Perlman will be back as Slade Wilson, Deathstroke, Dana Delany returns to Lois Lane. We can also announce that Vanessa Marshall, no stranger to superhero animation having played Mary Jane Watson, Black Canary, Black Widow, Poison Ivy, and more, will be reprising her role from Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths as Wonder Woman. Other pivotal castings including Flash, Cyborg, Reverse Flash, Aquaman, and Thomas Wayne/Batman will be revealed soon.

Along with the casting, release date, and description, see the first official still from The Flashpoint Paradox to your right, featuring The Flash in action.

Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox comes from DC Entertainment, Warner Bros Animation and Warner Bros Home Entertainment July 30, 2013.

Jeff Parker Takes Batman Back to '66

One of the more interesting announcements from DC recently was a digital first comic written by Jeff Parker that will take place within the Adam West Bat-verse. No doubt this is probably the first memory of Batman for a lot of fans, even as camp filled as it is I can remember trips to the beach specifically looking forward to browsing the cable channels in hoping to find repeats of this show.

This will be a great starting point for fans who have yet to give the digital format a chance as there will probably be a very loose continuity attached to it from the show. With Mike Allred, currently seen on Marvel's FF, doing covers DC has sold me on this series for at least the first issue to see a light hearted side of Batman. IGN was able to sit down with Jeff Parker at WonderCon and get his thoughts on this era of the Caped Crusader, and how he will bring in modern storytelling for such a classic interpretation.

IGN: So it sounds like you’re updating the storytelling a bit, while also paying homage to this campy version of Batman. Has it been a challenge making that balance work?

Parker: It’s actually not that hard, because I like it so much. I just kind of have a sense of what to do. But Jonathan Case was perfect to lead off because he also had -- like immediately, his first sketches of the Joker, he knew to include his mustache. You don’t leave that stuff out. And there’s not all that stuff that makes it, but there are certain things that get the tone and the humor right. As long as you obey that and keep working off of it, you’ll see that I expand some things that were conventions of the show a little further just to see what else we can get out of them.

Again, you want to keep it a surprise for readers. It’s like you’re getting new things, so you don’t want it feel like you’re just doing a retread. At the same time, Adam West Batman talks in a specific way, and it’s got to sound like him. Generally, if you just keep the characters in character it’s gonna feel right.

Read the full article over at IGN.

Snyder Revisits Batman's Origin In Zero Year

Frank Miller's take on the origin of Bruce Wayne in Year One is considered essential reading material for any Batman fan or comic fan in general. It has inspired countless other stories after it, a recently released animated feature, and even the basis for Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins. Now 26 years later, DC is finally taking some major steps in giving fans and new readers an origin that will fit within the new 52.

No surprise here that Scott Snyder will be the one to bring the updated tale as he has been the #1 Batman writer since his first appearance with the character back in Batman #871. Snyder brought about the clever history of Gotham with a secret society called the Court of Owls and recently redefined the long standing Batman/Joker feud with Death of the Family.

Comic Book Resources has an exclusive video with the writer who promises not to copy Year One word for word and that he and his collaborator Greg Capullo definitely have some interesting things for fans who come aboard.

Marvel's Infinity

This book was originally announced as Marvel's issue at FCBD 2013, and now it gets realized as a six issue mini-series this August. Current Avengers and New Avengers writer Jonathan Hickman will be joined by Jerome Opena, Dustin Weaver and Jim Cheung introducing a new threat called the Builders.

Marvel will be heavily promoting this story with FCBD, having the actual t-shirt with the cover you see above, while we wait until August for the full series to begin.

The biggest super heroes in comics today – the Avengers, X-Men, Guardians of the Galaxy, Fantastic Four, Inhumans, Superior Spider-Man & more!

The most dangerous threat in the Marvel Universe – Thanos!

The grandest Marvel Comics event of all time - INFINITY!

This May for Free Comic Book Day, prepare yourselves for the greatest battle for survival ever waged in the Marvel Universe as Marvel marches towards Infinity! In this all-new story by the blockbuster creative team of Jonathan Hickman and Jim Cheung, witness the opening shots of the war that will be heard around the galaxy. Plus, get a sneak peek behind a major Marvel release that hasn’t been announced yet and relive Thanos’ first solo story.

With the entire Marvel Universe on the brink of intergalactic war, no fan can miss this year’s Free Comic Book Day!

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2013: INFINITY
Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Pencils & Cover by JIM CHUENG
ON SALE – MAY 4th, 2013!

Action Comics #19 Preview

A few weeks ago Andy Diggle let known on his Twitter feed that he was stepping down as the writer of Action Comics. It came as a surprise to everyone anticipating his run on the book because his first issue hasn't even hit stores yet. He cited professional reasons for leaving Superman behind which raises a lot of questions towards DC's editorial department.

Diggle is one of many to leave a title or the company because of creative/professional reasons. Something definitely doesn't smell right over at DC at the moment, but hopefully they can get all the problems ironed out before it leads them into an even worse spot.

Comic Book Resources has a preview of the upcoming release this week where artist Tony Daniel will be finishing up the first arc and moving on to another project at DC.

"Soulfire" Vol. 4 - #4 Preview

J.T. Krul – Story / Mike DeBalfo – Art / Nei Ruffino  - Colors

Michael Turner’s epic fantasy adventure surges forward into a new era!

Possessed by the chaotic spirit of Oris, Grace seems all but unstoppable as her reign of terror storms across the globe. Cities are being destroyed. People are dying. In the Everlands, one of Malikai's closest friends is facing death from Grace's violence. Can the combined power of magic and technology save them? And if so, will the result be a miracle…or an abomination?"

From veteran SOULFIRE scribe J.T. Krul, and featuring the amazing art of Michael DeBalfo along with fan favorite colorist Nei Ruffino, this is the SOULFIRE tale three volumes in the making! New and returning fans will NOT want to miss out as the biggest SOULFIRE story ever told continues right here!

SOULFIRE (vol 4) #4 is in stores March 20th, 2013!

Aspen's "Charismagic #1" To Feature Personalized Retailer Exclusive Covers

Aspen plans to kick off their summer with the fantasy adventure series Charismagic as the fourth release in their successful “10 for 10” initiative starting on May 1st. The debut $1 issue by creator and writer Vince Hernandez with art by Vincenzo Cucca and Emilio Lopez and will feature special Retailer Exclusive incentive covers. Aspen’s Frank Mastromauro discusses these special individualized covers:  

“Our retailer partners have been overwhelmingly supportive of our “10 for 10” initiative thus far, and especially towards the Retailer Exclusive cover incentive. Each store’s cover has been painstakingly designed to be unique for each and every retailer that participates. The response so far has been extremely positive and we expect to continue that trend with this awesome new Charismagic playing card themed cover.”

Fans and new Aspen readers who add each of the “10 for 10” titles to their comic shop’s local subscription service will be eligible to receive the special Aspen Reserved Edition variant covers. Those fans who collect all ten Aspen Reserved Edition #1 covers will receive a free full-size Aspen “Perfect 10’s” Jam Poster featuring all ten “10 for 10” covers on one image colored by superstar colorist Peter Steigerwald. The Charismagic #1 Aspen Reserved Edition cover features artwork by volume one artist Khary Randolph with Steigerwald. Charismagic will also feature upcoming covers by J. Scott Campbell, Amanda Conner, Eric Basaldua and more to be announced.

Aspen encourages everyone to check out the release of Charismagic #1 for only $1 on May 1st.

"Executive Assistant: Assassins # 9" Preview

Vince Hernandez – Writer / Jordan Gunderson – Art / Teo Gonzalez - Color

Can anyone hope to survive the Extinction?

The massive “Executive Extinction” crossover begins to tear apart the bounds of friendship and loyalty, as Lily, Orchid and Aster arrive in Tokyo on their final push to eliminate Mazutsu and end his cycle of bloodshed. However, the arrival of Executive Assistant Ivy has created a challenge for the girls’ revenge plan, as her past reveals dark secrets which may lead to all of their demise!

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: ASSASSINS #9 is in stores March 20th, 2013!