DC's December Solicits

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!!!! My favourite Monday of the month is here! The third one! That means that DC's solicitations for three months from now come up. It's a chance to anticipate upcoming storylines, see what new trades are in the pipeline for the next several months, and see what's coming in the next 9 months or so from DC Direct. Marvel's will be along tomorrow morning, but given my growing disinterest in Marvel, that's not nearly as important to me. Now, let's look at the highlights of DC's offerings in December, 2008, capping off a year that saw DC struggle to find their footing, story-wise, only to come back strong as the summer dawned with the thus-far superb "Final Crisis". Let us begin...

Final Crisis

FINAL CRISIS: LEGION OF THREE WORLDS #4

Written by Geoff Johns
Art by George Perez & Scott Koblish
Covers by George Perez

Don't miss this issue as lightning strikes again in the DC Universe! The Crisis of the 31st century continues as a great hero falls and another returns to help Superman and the Legion combat the murderous Superboy-Prime! Meanwhile, the Time Trapper makes his move against the three Legion founders, Polar Boy's bizarre mission comes to an end and Superman makes a shocking discovery that will redefine the terms of this war. On sale December 24 * 4 of 5 * 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

Thus far, we're only one issue into the "Legion of Three Worlds" story, but it's got me hooked thus far. It's looking very much that Bart Allen will return during this storyline, which means that by the time that "Flash: Rebirth" starts next year, all four of the Flashes will be active in some respect in the DCU. It's also a little unfortunate that there's no issue of Final Crisis solicited yet, but I would wager it's because they're trying to hold off the conclusion of the storyline until all the tie-ins have finished up. Either that, or there's just more delays.

FINAL CRISIS: REVELATIONS #5

Written by Greg Rucka
Art and covers by Philip Tan & Jonathan Glapion

The sky rains blood, Darkseid's legion of slaves rampage across the planet, and in Gotham City, The Question and Huntress struggle to defend the few men, women and children who remain free. But without the Spectre, do they even have a chance against the might of Cain and the Spear of Destiny? The final battle is at hand, and the fate of the DCU hangs in the balance. On sale December 31 * 5 of 5 * 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US


Revelations has surprised me thus far. It was the only one of the three main tie-in series that I wasn't THAT stoked about, but I was buying it because the minimal tie-ins meant I could afford to get the whole shit and shebang. That being said, I've been very impressed with it so far. None of the characters are THAT familiar to me, and with only two issues currently released, they haven't had much time to become familiar to me, but I'm starting to dig on them. The Spectre is the viewpoint character, which is a somewhat odd choice, given that the Spectre is far and away the most powerful character in DC Comics. Being the Wrath of God tends to make a character somewhat unrelatable. Still, it sounds like the story is going to have one hell of a conclusion, as it's also been the tie-in series to most closely associate with the main story of Final Crisis.

Batman

DETECTIVE COMICS #851

Written by Dennis O'Neil
Art by Guillem March
Cover by Guillem March
Variant cover by Tony Daniel

"Last Days of Gotham" part 1 of 2! Longtime BATMAN writer and editor Dennis O'Neil returns to The Dark Knight for this special two-part tale. Joined by artistic rising star Guillem March (JOKER'S ASYLUM: POISON IVY), O'Neil's "Last Days of Gotham" dives into the soul of a city that has lost its most famous citizen, its favorite son, its beloved protector. How will Gotham City react in the wake of the horrible tragedy that has befallen The Caped Crusader?On sale December 3 * 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

BATMAN #684

Written by Dennis O'Neil
Art by Guillem March
Cover by Alex Ross
Variant cover by Tony Daniel

"Last Days of Gotham" part 2 of 2! In a world without a Batman, what happens when Commissioner Gordon lights the Bat-signal, in desperate need of assistance against the growing tide of crime sweeping his city? What does Nightwing do when his longtime partner fails to aid him in yet another of Two-Face's villainous assaults against Gotham? Without The Dark Knight to protect its walls, Gotham City may be facing its final days!On sale December 24 * 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US


RIP is over, and Batman is gone. But where to? I really need to know. RIP started off a little weird, but has really picked up, and I'm anxious for the world afterwards. For probably the first time ever, the DCU will be in the shadow of no Bat.

Green Lantern

GREEN LANTERN #37

Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Ivan Reis & Oclair Albert
Cover by Shane Davis & Sandra Hope

The prelude to "The Blackest Night" marches on with "Rage of the Red Lanterns" part 3! Hal Jordan continues his journey into the deepest depths of Ysmault, unlocking the strange secrets behind Atrocitus's crimson power and witnessing a bizarre prophecy all his own. On sale December 31 * 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #31

Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Art by Pat Gleason & Drew Geraci
Cover by Pat Gleason

A prelude to "Blackest Night" chapter! As the growing power of the Star Sapphires intensifies, the next law is burned into the Book Of Oa by the Guardians resulting in further life-altering reverberations amongst the personal lives of the Corps. Meanwhile Kyle and Natu battle Kryb for the soul of Lantern Amnee and Matoo's infant son.On sale December 10 * 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US


Ah, my beloved Green Lantern! The build for the Blackest Night continues, and it's making me all a-quiver with anticipation. I want to know it all, and I want to know it now.

Starman

THE STARMAN OMNIBUS VOL. 2 HC

Written by James Robinson
Art by Tony Harris, John Watkiss, Guy Davis, J.H. Williams III, Chris Sprouse, Craig Hamilton, and others
Cover by Tony Harris

In this second volume, Jack Knight's disturbing dreams drive him to New York City to meet the Golden Age Sandman! Collecting STARMAN #17-29, STARMAN ANNUAL #1 and stories from SHOWCASE '95 #12 and SHOWCASE '96 #4-5. Advance-solicited; on sale February 25 * 416 pg, FC, $49.99 US


WEEEEEEEE!!!! I loves me some Starman, and it comes out less than 2 weeks after my birthday! W00T!

Jack

JACK OF FABLES #29

Written by Matthew Sturges & Bill Willingham
Art by Tony Akins & Jose Marzan
Cover by Brian Bolland

The siege is on! In Part 2 of the status quo annihilating storyline, "The Siege of the Golden Boughs," Bookburner's army storms the gates and the fight begins in earnest! After this issue, the JACK OF FABLES universe will never be the same! Of course, whenever even the most minuscule event happens, the universe isn't technically "the same" afterward, but you get what we mean. Go buy it! On sale December 31 * 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US * MATURE READERS

Jack of Fables is my only Vertigo monthly that I buy on an ongoing basis, but there's a reason for that. It's ungodly funny. Seriously, go buy it.

DC Direct

SUPERMAN/BATMAN SERIES 7 ACTION FIGURES
DESIGNED BY SHANE DAVIS
The popular Superman/Batman series of action figures hits lucky 7!From the popular story arc "Search for Kryptonite," in which Superman and Batman attempt to rid the world of Kryptonite, this series also features Aquaman and Live Wire!

Another Batman and Superman to add to my collection. A drain on resources, but they're just so damn pretty.