DC Previews Picks: March 2013
“Constantine,” the rebooted DCU version of “Hellblazer” debuts this month. *starts sharpening knives*
…What are you looking at me like that for?
Action Comics #18: Andy Diggle and Tony Daniel replace Grant Morrison and Rags Morales on the title. I’ve mentioned before how I’ve generally liked what I’ve read from Diggle, save for his work on “Daredevil,” but I’m not sure about this. Everything the man has done before has either been set in the real world, or had some kind of “grounded” street-level element to it. It’s why I’m looking forward to his upcoming arc on “Thief of Thieves,” but he’ll either show us that he’s capable of going beyond his limits here or wind up grounding the Man of Steel. Given that he doesn’t have nearly the amount of clout Morrison does, I can’t help but wonder if we’ll be hearing how he departed the title due to the kind of “editorial interference” that has infested the DC offices of late.
Birds of Prey #18: Speaking of the editorial issues that led to Gail Simone’s departure from “Batgirl” over the weekend, Rich Johnston noted that DC is increasingly turning to Image creators looking to boost their profile. I’ve never been big into this series, but if Jim Zubkavitch of “Skullkickers” fame can bring more attention to that book, then more power to him. If he makes “BoP” into a title that I’d also want to read, then that’s good too.
Constantine #1: Once again, Robert Venditti finds himself on the wrong end of a creative change. First it was replacing Paul Cornell on “Demon Knights” now he’s got the unenviable task of writing a John Constantine who mixes with superheroes on a regular basis. What really annoys me about this title is that Renato Guedes will be providing the art. As he has shown on “Wolverine” and “Avengers,” Guedes can do competent “house-style” superhero art, but his work has always struck me as being free of any kind of distinctive atmosphere or mood. So that effectively kills any hope I had of this carrying on any kind of stylistic inheritance from “Hellblazer” (which is likely what DC planned). There is an alternate cover from Juan Jose Ryp of “Black Summer” and “No Hero” fame/infamy who would be capable of some great gonzo supernatural action, but the cover featured is from Guedes. Oh well.
Phantom Stranger #6: Now co-written by J.M. DeMatteis with the hopes of it sucking less! This issue also features art from Gene Ha and Zander Cannon, because Dan Didio knows where the bodies are buried.
Batman Incorporated vol. 1: Demon Star: Collects the first half of Morrison’s swan song for the character. If that gets you down, then be advised that there will be a lot more stylistic consistency here than in the previous volume. Great up-and-coming star Chris Burnham does the majority of the work here with Frazer Irving contributing… well, I really don’t know but since it’s him I’m sure whatever he does here will be good.
Dial H vol. 1: Into You: China Mieville’s reinvention of “Dial H For Hero” has been described as “deeply weird” by most of the reviews I’ve read. I think that’s a good thing. Giving this volume a bittersweet feel to it is that it’s going to be one of the last titles edited by Karen Berger before her departure from the company. Mieville apparently demanded that she remain as editor on the book or else he’d leave, and DC acquiesced. That just makes me appreciate him more.
Superman — Action Comics vol. 2: Bulletproof: Collects issues #9-12, 0 and Annual 1. That’s enough material to justify the cover price, even if it isn’t all written by Morrison. What bugs me is that this only leaves four issues left in the writer’s run to collect. Will DC issue a four-issue hardcover for them? Will I actually buy it? The answers are, “I fucking hope not,” and, “Yeah, probably.”
The Authority vol. 1 HC: This is listing as collecting issues #1-12, which is the entirety of the Warren Ellis/Bryan Hitch run and is essentially the apex of both creators’ work in the Wildstorm Universe. What’s funny is that Mark Millar and Frank Quitely, who followed and brought even more buzz and controversy to the title, are also listed as contributors here. I’d make more of this, but it’s likely a misprint. I’m mainly bringing this up because this was a great run on a great book that belongs in your library even if you’re not an Ellis completist like me.
Batman: Year 100 (New Edition): Still undecided about whether or not you want to pick up Paul Pope’s “The One Trick Rip-Off/Deep Cuts” in January? Then wait until March and read this first to see why you’ll need to have that book in your collection. I honestly can’t believe that DC let this book go out of print. It may not be an in-continuity Bat-tale, but it’s easily one of the best.
Punk Rock Jesus: The collected edition clocks in at $17 for 224 pages of B&W comics. Based on what I’ve heard, that’s a very good price for a book that shows artist Sean Murphy to be a pretty capable writer along with being a fantastic artist.
Hellblazer vol. 5: Dangerous Habits (New Edition): While the title story is my pick for best “Hellblazer” story ever, and one of my all-time favorite comics, it’s… odd to see it collected like this. You see, the majority of this volume is the last of original writer Jamie Delano’s run which was VERY different in style compared to what Garth Ennis did on the series. It’s not bad work, but putting these two runs together is like trying to mix oil and water. For those of you just looking to get “Dangerous Habits,” I think that it alone is worth the $20 cover price and the Delano issues will likely provide interesting anthropological value on the title’s origins if nothing else.