BATMAN #686
Written by Neil Gaiman
Art by Andy Kubert & Scott Williams
Covers by Andy Kubert and Alex Ross
Variant sketch cover by Andy Kubert
“Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?” part 1 of 2! Best-selling author Neil Gaiman (THE SANDMAN) and superstar artist Andy Kubert (BATMAN, Marvel 1602) join forces for a special 2-part BATMAN event! “Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader” is a captivating and mysterious tale the likes of which Batman and friends have never experienced before. Delving into the realms of life, death and the afterlife, Gaiman leaves no stone unturned as he explores every facet and era of Bruce Wayne’s life.
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers by Andy Kubert and Alex Ross that will ship in approximately 50/50 ratio. For every 50 copies of the Standard Editions, retailers may order one copy of the Variant Sketch Edition (with a cover by Andy Kubert). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale February 11 • 48 pg, FC, $3.99 US
DETECTIVE COMICS #853
Written by Neil Gaiman
Art by Andy Kubert & Scott Williams
Cover by Andy Kubert
Variant sketch cover by Andy Kubert
“Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?” part 2 of 2! This second part of Neil Gaiman and Andy Kubert’s special collaboration is sure to be a BATMAN story for the ages. This extraordinary tale, told as only Gaiman and Kubert can, explores the intricate relationships between Bruce Wayne and his friends and adversaries and builds toward an exciting and unexpected climax. It’s a classic in the making!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 50 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Andy Kubert), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Sketch Edition (with a cover by Andy Kubert). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale February 25 • 48 pg, FC, $3.99 US
I'm not a fan of events or variant cover silliness, but Gaimin and Kubert are a promising team. I've checked into the current Morrison- and Dini-scripted Batbooks lately and must confess that I find them interesting and entertaining, even though I'm not crazy about where mainstream comics have gone in recent years. I may check these out.
ADVENTURE COMICS #0
Written by Otto Binder
Art by Al Plastino
Cover by Aaron Lopresti
One of the cornerstone stories of the DCU is reprinted in this special issue priced at just $1.00 featuring an important “Origins and Omens” backup tale! To celebrate the upcoming ADVENTURE COMICS #1, we’re reprinting a Silver Age classic from the title’s prior volume — ADVENTURE COMICS #247, the first appearance of the Legion of Super-Heroes! Witness Superboy’s first encounter with three super-powered teens from the 30th Century – Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl! Featuring a new cover by Aaron Lopresti that’s an homage to the original!
On sale February 4 • 32 pg, FC, $1.00 US
Here's a story that's been reprinted a zillion times. But it's cool that DC is resurrecting the Adventure Comics name. Always loved that title.
DC COMICS CLASSICS LIBRARY: BATMAN — THE ANNUALS HC
Written by Bill Finger, Edmond Hamilton and others
Art by Lew Sayre Schwartz, Dick Sprang and others
Composite cover by Curt Swan and others
Some of the greatest Batman tales ever are collected in this new hardcover! Reprinting the classic BATMAN ANNUALs #1-3 from 1961 and 1962, this can’t-miss collection reveals the secrets of the Batcave, the Bat-Signal and more!
Advance-solicited; on sale April 22 • 256 pg, FC, $39.99 US
This, my friends, is awesome. It'll be a blast having these great annuals in between hardcovers.
THE BATMAN CHRONICLES VOL. 7 TP
Written by Don Cameron, Bill Finger, Jack Schiff and Joseph Greene
Art by Bob Kane, Jerry Robinson, Jack Burnley and others
Cover by Jerry Robinson
The chronological reprinting of every Batman story continues with this new set of tales from the 1940s in which Batman and Robin meet Two- Face for the first time! Collecting BATMAN #12-13, plus stories from DETECTIVE COMICS #66-70 and WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #7.
Advance-solicited; on sale March 18 • 192 pg, FC, $14.99 US
More Golden Age reprints, in color, in an affordable package. What's not to like about that?
SHOWCASE PRESENTS: AMBUSH BUG VOL. 1 TP
Written by Keith Giffen, Robert Loren Fleming, Paul Kupperberg and Paul Levitz
Art by Keith Giffen, Robert Oksner, Carmine Infantino, and others
Cover by Keith Giffen & Bob Oksner
Collecting DC COMICS PRESENTS #52, 59 and 81, SUPERGÎRL #16 (1984), stories from SECRET ORIGINS #48, ACTION COMICS #560, 563 and 565, AMBUSH BUG #1-4, SON OF AMBUSH BUG #1-6, AMBUSH BUG STOCKING STUFFER #1 and AMBUSH BUG NOTHING SPECIAL #1 — whew!
Advance-solicited; on sale March 25 • 480 pg, B&W, $16.99 US
I enjoyed the 80s Ambush Bug comics. Don't know how well they hold up, however. And I'm skeptical about how well Giffen's art will translate into black and white. I like his style but, frankly, sometimes it's so stylized that's it's a bit difficult to follow what's going on storywise. And the lack of color may not help matters.
SHOWCASE PRESENTS: JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA VOL. 4 TP
Written by Gardner Fox and Dennis O’Neil
Art by Mike Sekowsky, Dick Dillin, Sid Greene, George Roussos and Joe Giella
Cover by Neal Adams
The JLA continues to fight evil in this new bargain-priced volume collection JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #61-83. These epic tales feature the JLA debuts of the Red Tornado and Black Canary, plus the annual adventure with the Justice Society of America!
Advance-solicited; on sale March 11 • 544 pg, B&W, $16.99 US
On the other hand, these tales should look just dandy in black and white. These are Dick Dillin's first JLA issues, right? He was the JLA artist I grew up with. I loved his work.
BILLY BATSON AND THE MAGIC OF SHAZAM #4
Written by Mike Kunkel
Cover and art by Mike Kunkel
This is it: the exciting conclusion to the face-off between Captain Marvel and Black Adam! With Black Adam back to full power and four of the seven Evils still at his side, Billy and Mary need to team up to figure a way to defeat him. All this, plus a trip to the Rock of Eternity! This issue is resolicited. All previous orders are canceled.
RESOLICIT • On sale February 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US
I love this title. Great, fun stuff. The wait between issues has been a bit long at times, but well worth it. Kunkel is a funny, warm-hearted writer and has a great style all his own. If you enjoy fun comics, check this one out.
THE FLASH: GOLDEN AGE 1:6 Scale Deluxe Collector Figure
Jay Garrick, the original Flash, is portrayed in his prime as the latest addition to DC Direct’s popular line of 1:6 scale deluxe collector figures – the first Golden Age JSA character to get the 1:6 scale treatment! This version of The Flash is dressed in an intricate and authentically detailed costume, including a chrome-plated helmet. The figure comes with a display base and is packaged in a deluxe 4-color window box with a fifth panel.
Advance-solicited; on sale July 8, 2009 * Collector figure * $99.99 US
I'd never buy this. But it's good to know it exists.
THE HISTORY OF THE DC UNIVERSE SERIES 2 ACTION FIGURES
BASED ON THE ART OF GEORGE PÉREZ
Includes:
Creeper • 6.75” h
Aquaman • 6.75” h
The Flash • 6.75” h
Black Lightning • 6.75” h
The exciting new action figure line continues! DC Direct presents figures to add to the ongoing line that spans the history of the DC Universe, as presented by artist George Pérez in the classic book THE HISTORY OF THE DC UNIVERSE!
Planned to include more characters than any DC Direct line ever, THE HISTORY OF THE DC UNIVERSE will help fulfill the requests for many fan favorite characters.
Each figure features multiple points of articulation and a base.
4-color clamshell blister card packaging.
Advance-solicited; on sale July 15, 2009 * Action Figures * PI
I don't really think these figures look much like George Perez's art. But it's cool that there's a 70s-style Black Lightning figure available.
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