New DCU Titles So Far - Part 2

Part 2 of my take on the DC titles announced so far as part of the launch of the New DCU.

Justice League International: Looking forward to this title. Loving the fact that the August General in Iron from China is part of the team. Icelandic Icemaiden (or just “Ice”) and Green Flame or "Fire" from Brazil. Rocket Red from Russia, and Vixen from Africa. Add in Guy Gardner and Booster Gold, there is a lot of potential for some interesting character dynamics here. Not all of these characters are going to get along, but it should be fun to watch. Apparently series artist artist Aaron Lopresti has said that the woman in the bottom left is not Donna Troy. Interesting. Is Black Canary going to finally let her hair go natural? It is a kind of martial-artsy pose. The multi-talented Dan Jurgens is writing this one.

Mister Terrific: Glad to see him getting his own series. If he is half as cool as Michael Holt has always been in the JSA, I am going to enjoy this. Also, note that Mr Terrific showed up as part of the JLU on the animated series. I expect to see the same hold true here. This is also a step towards diversity in the right way, in my opinion. He is a great character who is black, rather than creating a black character and trying to make him catch on. Not to mention, like Cyborg, another black character who doesn't have "Black" in his name, and isn't a stereotype. The description of this book makes it seem like it almost has a pulp feel to it, which I hope is the case. Written by Eric Wallace and art by Roger Robinson. Anything written by someone who has worked on Eureka is worth checking out.

Captain Atom: JT Krul is writing one of my less-favorite heroes in Green Arrow, and one of my all-time favorites in Captain Atom. I love his last ongoing. I dug him when he crossed over into the Wildstorm Universe. I am fascinated by the potential of this character. It looks like JT Krul is too, as it looks like they are taking the "Dr. Manhattan" approach to the character (many of the characters in Watchmen were expies of Charlton characters). "Captain Atom has all the power in the world, but no hope of saving himself. Charged by nuclear energy, possessing vast molecular powers, he has the potential to be a god among men – a hero without limits. But the question is this: Will he lose himself in the process?" Freddie Williams will be doing the art chores on this book.

DC Universe Presents: An anthology book. I love anthology books. I love that rotating creators get a place to tell stories about their own personal favorite characters, and that those b-list, c-list or lower characters get a chance to shine. Unfortunately, these kinds of books are frequently not successful. Though there have been exceptions, like Marvel Comics Presents, although that one was bolstered by having 4 different stories in it, nearly one of which was always Wolverine. This one is starting off with a Deadman story told by Paul Jenkins and Bernard Chang. I've never been a huge Deadman fan, but I respect his longevity and important role in the DC Universe. Regardless, I'm kind of geeking out on this title, and will definitely be following it for as long as it is around.

And now, to their own little corner of the DCU: Green Lantern and his extended mythology are getting 4 of the 52 books. Only Green Lantern #1 has a cover release, and so far, I have seen it referred to as a "teaser."



Green Lantern: They are not even committing at this point to this being Hal Jordan. But there will be a Green Lantern book. Geoff Johns will be writing with Doug Mahnke and Christian Alamy handling the art. I believe it will be Hal, and I think that will come out shortly. One of the most consistent parts of this launch is that Green Lantern's continuity since Rebirth will be held to.

Green Lantern Corps: Guy Gardner and John Stewart as well as "an elite Green Lantern strike force" will be featured in this one. I would suspect there will be some crossover between the characters in this one and in the film. Written by Peter J. Tomasi with art by Fernando Pasarin and Scott Hanna. I like Tomasi's writing, and he seems to like large casts, so I am looking forward to this one.

Green Lantern: The New Guardians: Tony Bedard will be writing, and Tyler Kirkham and Batt will be bringing the visuals of a team led by Kyle Rainer, Hal's replacement as Green Lantern when Hal was possessed by the fear monster Parallax. This team is made up of representatives of emotional spectrum from the last several years worth of Green Lantern tales. There is some interesting possibility for character interaction here, with representatives of avarice and rage on the same team as hope, compassion and love. I'm definitely looking forward to this one. Bedard is a writer who I have greatly enjoyed in the past. His work with Hourman and Bane in JSA Classified, and on Exiles for Marvel were great.

Red Lanterns: Atrocitus, and his corps of rage-fueled Red Lanterns are getting their own series. "This Lantern Corps takes no prisoners, they are judge, jury and executioners!" No offense to Peter Milligan, who is writing this, or to Ed Benes and Rob Hunter, who are sure to make this a great-looking book, but I tend to like my DC a little lighter, and this book may well not satisfy that. However, I have also read my fair share of Lobo, and Milligan will bring a British sensibility to this, so maybe this will end up appealing.

And that wraps it up. These are all the titles that have been announced so far.