DC Comics Relaunch: The First Batch Of New #1’s For September Announced

News, Top Story

Following up on their Tuesday announcement of the sweeping changes to their flagship comic book line, Thursday morning DC Entertainment revealed the titles and creative teams of titles they say are “spinning out of Geoff Johns and Jim Lee’s Justice League.”

Here is how DC describes the new series…

“”New York Times bestselling writer Brian Azzarello, author of The Joker and 100 Bullets, teams up with the immensely talented artist Cliff Chiang (Neil Young’s Greendale) for WONDER WOMAN #1, an exciting new series starring the DC Universe’s greatest superheroine. The cover to issue #1 is by Cliff Chiang.

Skitch Commentary: 100 Bullets was a great series. I did not like Azzarello’s work on Batman, but I do think he can bring something unique to Wonder Woman.

“Geoff Johns, one of comics’ greatest storytellers, reunites with GREEN LANTERN and BRIGHTEST DAY collaborator Ivan Reis to bring you a thrilling new take on the fan-favorite hero of the sea in AQUAMAN #1. The cover to issue #1 is by Ivan Reis and Joe Prado.

Skitch Commentary: I will admit, I am not a fan of Aquaman unless Peter David is writing him, but I do love Johns and Reis working together, so I will likely check this one out.

“Rising superstar Francis Manapul, fresh off his acclaimed run on THE FLASH with Geoff Johns, makes his comics writing debut in THE FLASH #1, sharing both scripting and art duties with Brian Buccellato. The Flash knows he can’t be everywhere at once, but what happens when he faces an all-new villain who can? The cover to issue #1 is by Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato.

Skitch Commentary: I am very curious about which Flash this is. Assuming Barry, which isn’t necessarily a selling point for me. I definitely prefer Wally or Bart, but I have enjoyed Flash in the past, and I am real curious about this new addition to the Rogues.

“Welcome to a major new vision of the Nuclear Man as writers Ethan Van Sciver and Gail Simone team up with artist Yildiray Cinar to deliver THE FURY OF FIRESTORM #1. Jason Rusch and Ronnie Raymond are two high school students, worlds apart – and now they’re drawn into a conspiracy of super science that bonds them forever in a way they can’t explain or control. The cover to issue #1 is by Ed Benes.

Skitch Commentary: This definitely sounds like a great way to tell a Firestorm story. Excited about this one!

“Batman writer Tony Daniel will team up with artist Philip Tan (GREEN LANTERN: AGENT ORANGE, THE OUTSIDERS) for THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #1. Carter Hall’s skill at deciphering lost languages has led him to a job with an archeologist who specializes in alien ruins – but will the doctor’s latest discovery spread an alien plague through New York City? No matter the personal cost, Carter Hall must don his cowl and wings and become the new, savage Hawkman to survive. The cover to issue #1 is by Philip Tan.

Skitch Commentary: Never been a huge Hawkman fan, and even though I love Robinson, I don’t see that as enough to win be over.

“Oliver Queen is an orphan who grew up to fight crime as the Green Arrow, a billionaire playboy who uses his fortune to become a superhero – able to fight the most powerful super-villains in the universe with nothing but a bow and arrow. JT Krul will write GREEN ARROW #1 with art by superstar artist Dan Jurgens. The cover to issue #1 is by Dan Jurgens and Norm Rapmund.

Skitch Commentary: Ollie is one of my favorite characters. I think I might have preferred Jurgens WRITING this series, but I can’t wait to see him as the regular artist on a Green Arrow book. Jurgens art is just as terrific as his writing.

“A team of internationally-drafted superheroes fight each other and their bureaucratic supervisors as much as they do global crime in JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1 from writer Dan Jurgens and artist Aaron Lopresti. The cover to issue #1 is by Aaron Lopresti.

Skitch Commentary: JURGENS AND LOPRESTI ON JLI!! Anyone who doesn’t buy this does not deserve to be a comic fan!! Easily the book I am most excited about on this list.

“The world’s third-smartest man – and one of its most eligible bachelors – uses his brains and fists against science gone mad in MISTER TERRIFIC #1, the new series from writer Eric Wallace and artist Roger Robinson. The cover to issue #1 is by J.G. Jones.

Skitch Commentary: I am clearly a moron, but I read this as Mister Miracle, and was thrilled he was getting a new series. That said, I like Mister Terrific too, so this sounds like a series I will need to pick up.

“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? JT Krul and artist Freddie Williams II take the character in a bold new direction in CAPTAIN ATOM #1. The cover to issue #1 is by Stanley “Artgem” Lau.

Skitch Commentary: As much as DC tries, I really can’t bring myself to care about Captain Atom. Along with Hawkman, this is one of the two series that don’t interest me here.

“The anthology series gets a new look in DC Universe Presents, a new series that will focus on multi-issue story arcs each featuring a different superhero from the DC Universe’s rich cast of characters, told by some of comics’ most exciting writers and artitsts. DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #1 kicks off the first arc of the series: a Deadman story by Paul Jenkins and Bernard Chang. The cover to issue #1 is by Ryan Sook.”

Skitch Commentary: I love anthology series. Showcase, DC Comics Presents, Secret Origins, etc have always been among my favorite DC series. Starting with Deadman is a really good idea.


Just about all of these series really appeals to me. Even Hawkman and Captain Atom sound decent, I just have no interest in those characters. And the timing could not be better with DC doing digital distribution. I just hope they can keep the price point down. If they manage to keep them around 2 bucks, I would very likely pick up all ten of these series. Can’t wait to see what else they are announcing. If these ten are any indication, it is a very exciting time to check out DC.

Mike Maillaro is a lifelong Jersey Boy and geek. Mike has been a comic fan for about 30 years from when his mom used to buy him Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Adventures at our local newsstand. Thanks, Mom!! Mike's goal is to bring more positivity to the discussion of comics and pop culture.