Comics In My Future

It's that time of the month again.  DC Comics has announced their June schedule and I've listed out everything from them that I'm interested in for the month.  I'm not sure I'm going to buy everything listed here (depends on what the grand total of my order comes to when I place it), but I certainly would like this all.


(My comments will be in red throughout this post.)



FLASHPOINT SERIES 1 ACTION FIGURES
First, the DC Universe was plunged into darkness with BLACKEST NIGHT. Then BRIGHTEST DAY burned away the night.
And now? 
EVERYTHING CHANGES IN A FLASH!
Comics’ next big event is not a dream, or an imaginary story, or an elseworld.
But for Barry Allen?
It could be his worst nightmare.
The world as Barry Allen knows it has changed. With humankind on the abyss’ edge of a cataclysmic war, Earth’s Greatest Heroes are nowhere to be found. It’s up to Cyborg, America’s last hope, to gather forces new and old from across the Universe.
If The Flash can’t find the villain who altered the timeline, the world may have no future at all. 
Written by Geoff Johns with art by Andy Kubert, FLASHPOINT changes the DC Universe as we know it!
All four Flashpoint figures feature multiple points of articulation and include a display base. Character-appropriate accessories are also included.
CYBORG - 6.75” h
THE FLASH - 6.75” h
WONDER WOMAN - 6.75” h
BATMAN - 6.75” h

BLACKEST NIGHT ACTION FIGURE BOX SET
From the pages of BLACKEST NIGHT!
Included in this set are action figures of Indigo Munnk, Green Lantern Hal Jordan, Black Lantern Blue Beetle and Star Sapphire Fatality, as well as a 48-page book entitled BLACKEST NIGHT SPECIAL EDITION #1, which includes the following stories: GREEN LANTERN #40 and #41 (written by Geoff Johns, with art by Philip Tan and Eddy Barrows) and BOOSTER GOLD #27 (written and drawn by Dan Jurgens).
Each figure stands approximately 6.75” high.

GREEN LANTERN SERIES 4 ACTION FIGURES
The Universe is a big place …
And there are enough Lanterns in the Corps to police it all!
All four figures feature multiple points of articulation and include a display base.
Character-appropriate accessories are also included.
GREEN LANTERN ARKKIS CHUMMUK - 6.75” h
GREEN LANTERN HAL JORDAN (POWER GLOW) - 6.75” h
RED LANTERN GUY GARDNER - 6.75” h
GREEN LANTERN STEL - 7” h

As for all these action figures, as much as I'd like them all, I'm not going to be able to swing them all, at least at first.  I've really been digging the Blackest Night line and am working on filling in some of the missing holes in that collection right now.  Some of the GL toys look cool, too.  I'm not sure about the Flashpoint line yet, but I'm intrigued.

THE SECRET SOCIETY OF SUPER-VILLAINS HC
Written by GERRY CONWAY, PAUL LEVITZ and others • Art by Various
Cover by RICH BUCKLER and JACK ABEL
Sinestro, Gorilla Grodd, Captain Cold and more star in stories from SECRET SOCIETY OF SUPER-VILLAINS #1-15, DC SPECIAL #27, DC SPECIAL SERIES #6, SUPER-TEAM FAMILY #13-14, JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #166-168, CANCELLED COMICS CAVALCADE #2 and THE AMAZING WORLD OF DC COMICS #11.

I have all the above listed appearances with the exception of the Cancelled Comics Cavalcade and Amazing World of DC ones.  It's foolish to buy this just for those, but I really want it.  The book was cheesy, but fun.  This was originally going to be a Showcase book, but I'm kind of glad it's a full blown, four color hardcover.

OUTSIDERS: THE GREAT DIVIDE TP
Written by DAN DIDIO • Art by PHILIP TAN and JONATHAN GLAPION
Cover by DAVE JOHNSON
The Outsiders go their separate ways following shocking events that lead to their being wanted for acts of war. While Geo-Force, Katana and the Eradicator build a new team in Markovia, Black Lightning, Owlman and Metamorpho find themselves at the home of an old friend who just happens to want Metamorpho dead! Collecting issues #32-37!

GREEN LANTERN: EMERALD WARRIORS VOL. 1 HC
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by FERNANDO PASARIN and CAM SMITH
Cover by FELIPE MASSAFERA
A new chapter in the epic GREEN LANTERN saga begins!
Green Lanterns Guy Gardner, Kilowog and Arisia explore the unknown sectors of the galaxy, determined to shine their emerald light in the darkest corners of the uncharted to bring order to the universe. But what is Guy’s secret mission for the evil Red Lantern, Atrocitus, that brings him into conflict with Hal Jordan? Collecting the first seven issues of the new hit series!

I didn't start picking this up from the beginning because the first couple issues of this book listed at $3.99.  I made a decision that any $3.99 book was going to be picked up as a collection.  A couple months into the run, DC did away with that price point, but it's too late now.  I'm buying it in trade (except the few issues that crossover into the War of The GLs.)

FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MAN TP
Written by GERRY CONWAY
Art by AL MILGROM, GEORGE PEREZ, KLAUS JANSON and others
Cover by AL MILGROM
For the first time, the stories that introduced Firestorm are collected from issues #1-5 of his 1970s series, plus stories from THE FLASH #289-293. After Ronnie Raymond is tricked into nearly blowing up a nuclear reactor, he and Professor Martin Stein are caught in a nuclear incident. Their personalities merge, forming the being called Firestorm!

Like the SSoSV book, I've got all these issues, but I love the idea that they're collecting this.

SHOWCASE PRESENTS: THE TRIAL OF THE FLASH TP
Written by CARY BATES and JOEY CAVALIERI
Art by CARMINE INFANTINO, DENNIS JENSEN and others
Cover by CARMINE INFANTINO and KLAUS JANSON
Following the murder of The Flash’s wife by The Reverse-Flash, the two foes are locked in a round-the-world battle that ends in the death of the evildoer. Collected from THE FLASH #323-327, 329-336 and 340-350.

I love the Showcase line and wish they were still coming out as often as when the line first launched.

GOTHAM CITY SIRENS: STRANGE FRUIT HC
Written by TONY BEDARD and PETER CALLOWAY • Art by ANDRES GUINALDO and LEE GARBETT • Cover by GUILLEM MARCH
Catwoman deals with the aftermath of battling her sister in this new title collecting issues #14-20 of the monthly series. Secrets from the “Return of Bruce Wayne” storyline affect all three Sirens, setting them against each other in a brutal display of their villainous roots. And don’t miss guest appearances by Zatanna and Talia al Ghul.

I've been enjoying this book quite a bit.  This volume appears to have no Paul Dini written stories, which saddens me.  I really like his stuff.

ZATANNA #14
Written by PAUL DINI
Art by JAMAL IGLE and JON SIBAL
Cover by ADAM HUGHES
Zatanna’s struggle against Brother Night forces the Maid of Magic to reach into the darkest places for a mystic edge in battle. But now that she’s fighting as dirty as Night, will Zatanna’s own soul be lost in the process?

Well here's Paul Dini now.  I keep thinking I should switch this over from monthly to trades.  I haven't made the switch yet, though.

TITANS #36
Written by ERIC WALLACE
Art and cover by FABRIZIO FIORENTINO
As the Tattooed Man battles Vixen, Deathstroke and The Titans finally put aside their differences to escape the telepathic madman Drago. And if they do manage to meet up with Osiris and his sister Isis, will they be able to survive the long-awaited confrontation with the JLA?

A book I seem to buy out of habit.  I've followed the Titans for as long as I've been reading comics and I can't not buy it.  This series was a poorly conceived relaunch that never took off.  The Judd Winick run, while full of good intentions, was a piece of garbage.  He left and the book meandered for a while until this new direction started.  I'm mildly interested in it now, but that's not saying a lot.  Certainly better than the shit Judd gave us.

TEEN TITANS #96
Written by J.T. KRUL
Art and cover by NICOLA SCOTT and DOUG HAZLEWOOD
One by one, The Titans have fallen! Now it’s up to the oldest Titan and the newest Titan, as Beast Boy and Solstice battle demonic forces to save their teammates and keep an unspeakable evil from laying claim to the entire world. It’s all-out war – with Beast Boy like you’ve never seen him before!

This book really lost it's way after Geoff Johns left and it took DC years to start steering it back on it's right path.  One thing DC is horrible at is recapturing the momentum a book has once it's lost it.  

ADVENTURE COMICS #527
Written by PAUL LEVITZ
Art by GERALDO BORGES and MARLO ALQUIZA
Cover by EDUARDO PANSICA and EBER FERREIRA
A “Legion Academy” single-issue story starring the enthusiastic (and sometimes ditzy) Legionnaire-in-training, Comet Queen! We learn her origin tale and the tragedies she has endured on her path to graduation.
On sale JUNE 1 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #14
Written by PAUL LEVITZ
Art and cover by YILDIRAY CINAR and JONATHAN GLAPION
The Legion of Super-Villains gains the upper hand in their fight with the Legion on Colu! Will the LSV and the powerful entity behind them prevail?

I'm loving the Legion books so much.  So, so much.

SUPERMAN #712
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI and CHRIS ROBERSON
Art by EDDY BARROWS and J.P. MAYER
Cover by JOHN CASSADAY
1:10 Variant cover by GEORGE PÉREZ
Meet Los Angeles’s newest super hero in the latest Chapter of “Grounded”: Sharif! But Sharif discovers that in today’s current cultural climate, some people don’t want his help – they just want him gone. Can Superman aid Sharif and quell a prejudiced public, or are there some problems too big even for the Man of Steel to solve?
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.

This book is finally starting to make some sense again.  This whole Straczynski plotted thing has been a disaster.  Like I said before with DC and momentum.  The World Of Krypton thing was some of the strongest Superman stuff in years and it's followed up by hitting a brick wall.

DETECTIVE COMICS #878
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art JOCK and FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA
Cover by JOCK
Off the coast of Gotham City, with no help for miles, the vicious smuggler and pirate Tiger Shark holds Batman captive on his ship. Can Batman escape in time, or will he become food for Tiger Shark’s deadly pets? Plus: The saga of James Jr. continues. Is he a victim of circumstance or vicious killer? You decide. Don’t miss the shocking conclusion to “Hungry City.”

This is my favorite Batman book right now.  I'm loving the whole mood that Scott Snyder and Jock are bringing to Batman.

BATMAN #711
Written by TONY DANIEL
Art by STEVE SCOTT and RYAN WINN
Cover by TONY DANIEL
Batman acts on his suspicions of a newly elected political figure in Gotham City and finds himself in deep water. With piranhas. Meanwhile, Two-Face fights his way back from the brink of death to find an unlikely ally who will show him that there are two sides to every story.

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #58
Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art and cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND
1:10 Variant cover by AARON LOPRESTI
After last issue’s devastating battle with the Spectre, Eclipso now has the power to split the moon in two, an omen that the end of days has begun. With life on Earth at stake, Batman much hatch a desperate plan involving Shade, Starman and the Atom. At the same time, another member of the team steps forward, not knowing how vital she is to mankind’s survival. Prepare for “Eclipso vs. Donna Troy” – with an ending that will shock you!

I like this book, but this isn't the Justice League.  If this book had any other name, I think it would be great.  I see what James Robinson is trying to do with it and I appreciate it, but it's just not the Justice League to me.  Especially since it took him about a year to find a little bit of focus.

ACTION COMICS #902
Written by PAUL CORNELL
Art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
1:10 Variant cover by JON BOGDANOVE
“Reign of Doomsday” marches on! A deadly new foe has risen following the events of ACTION COMICS #900 – and he represents Superman’s worst fears personified. Even with Steel, Superboy, Supergirl and the Eradicator by his side, Superman is still in for the fight of his life – and considering his life, you know that’s gotta be some fight!

The whole Lex Luthor storyline over the last year has been great.  I hope this next chapter of Action Comics is just as fun.

GREEN LANTERN #67
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art by DOUG MAHNKE and CHRISTIAN ALAMY
Cover by DOUG MAHNKE
1:10 Variant cover by SCOTT CLARK and DAVID BEATY
The blockbuster “War of the Green Lanterns” comes to a universe-shattering conclusion! How will Krona’s rampage ultimately affect the Green Lantern Corps? All we can say is it will change EVERYTHING!

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #61
Written by TONY BEDARD
Art and cover by TYLER KIRKHAM and MATT BANNING
1:10 Variant cover by SCOTT CLARK and DAVID BEATY
In the aftermath to “War of the Green Lanterns,” John Stewart and Kyle Rayner’s world is left completely shattered. And they start to pick up the pieces starting right here and now. It won’t be pretty.

GREEN LANTERN: EMERALD WARRIORS #11
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by FERNANDO PASARIN and CAM SMITH
Cover by FELIPE MASSAFERA
1:10 Variant cover by SCOTT CLARK and DAVID BEATY
The “War of the Green Lanterns” is over! But for Guy Gardner and Kilowog, their post-“War” story has only just begun!

The Green Lantern books have been riding extra high since Blackest Night.  I have all the faith in the world that the War of The Green Lanterns will continue that streak.

FLASHPOINT #2
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by ANDY KUBERT and SANDRA HOPE
1:25 Black and White Variant cover A by ANDY KUBERT
Variant cover B by IVAN REIS and GEORGE PÉREZ
The world-changing miniseries continues! Where are the World’s Greatest Super Heroes? Barry Allen is on a mission to find out or die trying – and that may be what’s happening as he tries to make lightning strike twice! Meanwhile, around the submerged Paris, the pirate Deathstroke confronts Emperor Aquaman!

Geoff Johns makes me happy.  I'm slightly worried about Flashpoint and I don't know why.  What he's done in the last couple of years has been, in my opinion, fantastic.  Flashpoint should live up to that, but I still worry.  Maybe because DC is going all-out on this.  They're releasing Marvel Comics levels of comics related to this.  They've never gone this all-out before.  I hope it doesn't blow up in their face.

BOOSTER GOLD #45
Written by DAN JURGENS
Art and cover by DAN JURGENS and NORM RAPMUND
Booster knows that the Flashpoint world isn’t his own. But how does he get back? How does he make things right?

FLASHPOINT: BATMAN – KNIGHT OF VENGEANCE #1
Written by BRIAN AZZARELLO
Art by EDUARDO RISSO
Cover by DAVE JOHNSON
FLASH FACT! He spends his days running Wayne Casinos!

FLASHPOINT: SECRET SEVEN #1
Written by PETER MILLIGAN
Art by GEORGE PEREZ and SCOTT KOBLISH
Cover by GEORGE PEREZ
FLASH FACT! One among them will betray them all!

FLASHPOINT: ABIN SUR – THE GREEN LANTERN #1
Written by ADAM SCHLAGMAN
Art and covr by FELIPE MASSAFERA
FLASH FACT! He survived the crash!

FLASHPOINT: THE WORLD OF FLASHPOINT #1
Written by REX OGLE and others
Art by PAULO SIQUIERA
Cover by SHANE DAVIS
FLASH FACT! Everything you know changed in a flash – but how?

FLASHPOINT: EMPEROR AQUAMAN #1
Written by TONY BEDARD
Art and cover by ARDIAN SYAF and VICENTE CIFUENTES
FLASH FACT! He will drown the world – then rule it!

FLASHPOINT: DEATHSTROKE AND THE CURSE OF THE RAVAGER #1
Written by JIMMY PALMIOTTI
Art and cover by JOE BENNETT and JOHN DELL
FLASH FACT! He will stop at nothing to find his lost treasure!

FLASHPOINT: FRANKENSTEIN AND THE CREATURES OF THE UNKNOWN #1
Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art by IBRAIM ROBERSON
Cover by DOUG MAHNKE
FLASH FACT! They can’t survive unless they find their maker!

FLASHPOINT: CITIZEN COLD #1
Written by SCOTT KOLINS
Art and cover by SCOTT KOLINS
FLASH FACT! He loves someone he should not!

FLASHPOINT: WONDER WOMAN AND THE FURIES #1
Written by DAN ABNETT and ANDY LANNING
Art by SCOTT CLARK and DAVID BEATY
Cover by ED BENES
FLASH FACT! If she can’t have the world – no one will!

FLASHPOINT: DEADMAN AND THE FLYING GRAYSONS #1
Written by J.T. KRUL
Art by MIKEL JANIN
Cover by CLIFF CHIANG
FLASH FACT! For their last performance – an escape act!

FLASHPOINT: LEGION OF DOOM STARRING HEATWAVE #1
Written by ADAM GLASS
Art by RODNEY BUCHEMI and JOSE MARZAN, JR.
Cover by MIGUEL SEPULVEDA
FLASH FACT! They have to kill the president!

FLASHPOINT: LOIS LANE AND THE RESISTANCE #1
Written by DAN ABNETT and ANDY LANNING
Art by EDDY NUNEZ
Cover by EDDY NUNEZ and SANDRA HOPE
FLASH FACT! She is ready to reveal the Amazons’ secret!

FLASHPOINT: THE OUTSIDER #1
Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art by JAVI FERNANDEZ
Cover by KEVIN NOWLAN
FLASH FACT! He won’t join the war! (It could dirty his new suit.)

FLASHPOINT: KID FLASH LOST STARRING BART ALLEN #1
Written by STERLING GATES
Art by OLIVER NOME
Cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
FLASH FACT! Where is he? Or should we say when?

FLASHPOINT: PROJECT SUPERMAN #1
Plot by SCOTT SNYDER
Script by LOWELL FRANCIS
Art and cover by GENE HA
FLASH FACT! They experimented on him in a lab for years!

FLASHPOINT: HAL JORDAN #1
Written by ADAM SCHLAGMAN
Art by BEN OLIVER
Cover by RAGS MORALES
FLASH FACT! He never got the ring!

FLASHPOINT: GRODD OF WAR #1
Written by SEAN RYAN
Art by IG GUARA
Cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
FLASH FACT! Africa belongs to him!

FLASHPOINT: REVERSE FLASH #1
Written by SCOTT KOLINS
Art by JOEL GOMEZ
Cover by ARDIAN SYAF and VICENTE CIFUENTES
FLASH FACT! He’s more powerful than ever…

FLASHPOINT: GREEN ARROW INDUSTRIES #1
Written by PORNSAK PICHETSHOTE
Art by MARK CASTIELLO
Cover by VIKTOR KALVACHEV
FLASH FACT! He makes money from war!

FLASHPOINT: THE CANTERBURY CRICKET #1
Written by MIKE CARLIN
Art and cover by RAGS MORALES
FLASH FACT! His power is his curse!

BRIGHTEST DAY AFTERMATH: THE SEARCH #1
Written by JONATHAN VANKIN
Art by MARCO CASTIELLO
Cover by ARDIAN SYAF and VICENTE CIFUENTES
1:10 Variant cover by TBC
Following the events of Brightest Day, the new protector of Earth has been chosen. But one reluctant hero making his return to the DCU is trying to convince Batman, Superman and the others heroes of the DC Universe that this may not be a good thing, because he can see that things are not right and mankind’s brightest days are indeed over.


Brightest Day wasn't as strong as Blackest Night, but I'm enjoying it.  I'm not quite sure what this is all about, but I'm curious.




BIRDS OF PREY #13
Written by GAIL SIMONE
Art and cover by JESUS SAIZ
Things get ugly as The Birds of Prey are trapped in a cunning puzzle box of a skyscraper, pursued by a nightmarish killer who holds all the cards, leaving only the Huntress, the reluctant aide of Renee Montoya, and The Question to free them! And what effect does the death of Oracle have on the team as they race to escape from hell?


I'm glad Gail is back on BoP.  When she left, the book went straight to hell.  I'm pretending the book was cancelled when she left the last time.