DC Comics Reading List: Relaunch Edition: With 7 Firestorms ???, Green Arrow, Justice League, JLI & More

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So, it’s quite clear that with the DC Comics Relaunch in September 2011, that my DC pull list will also require overhauling. DC has announced their first 15 titles so far out of 52 planned #1’s.

There was the announcement of the Justice League, then the next 10 books, and lastly 4 Green Lantern related titles.

So, what do I plan to add to my new pull list? Some may surprise you. While others are no-brainers.


Fury of Firestorm #1 (ships September 2011)Well, I’m intrigued by Fury of Firestorm #1.

This seems to be a complete revamp of what it is to be Firestorm. The solicit confirms this, but the cover reveals more.

“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.”

Looks like we have Firestorm Red and Yellow, but are there also four more Firestorms in the DC Universe now too? If you look at the “Frankenstein” Firestorm above Ronald and Jason, you’ll notice he has each character’s emblem in the top two spheres on its chest. You’ll note there are four other unpopulated spheres. Hmmm.

So are there seven Firestorms now… Jason, Ronald and six others, plus Frankenstorm :) ? Is this part of the super science conspiracy?


Green Arrow #1 (ships September 2011)For anyone that knows my tastes, I’ve been waiting for a decent intrepretation of Oliver Queen as Green Arrow for a long time. DC’s solicit for its new #1 doesn’t reveal too much, but it seems to be a back-to-basics intrepretation by creators I respect.

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.”

My hope is that the book captures the genuine urban feel of Mike Grell’s classic run with a bit more super-heroics thrown in. Also, if Oliver wears a mask, it should be because his identity is a secret, unlike in the character’s current series.

And, that’s a nice Brett Booth cover. I hope he stays as cover artist in addition to his interior Teen Titans work in the new DC.


Captain Atom #1 (ships September 2011)Captain Atom #1 seems like an overhaul too. And, this is my second JT Krul penned book of September. The solicit confirms the reimagining, but I’m not digging the nuclear mohawk. My hope is that is just the character exuding power.

“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.”

I’m a sucker for military espionage. If the book has that flavour to it, I may be sticking around. I’m curious about how the character is revamped. I hope he isn’t detached from humanity. That would be too predictable, and unlike the true spirit of the character.


NOT ACTUAL COVERI don’t plan on picking up four Green Lantern books, but I am intrigued by Kyle Rayner’s new role in the DCU leading the New Guardians that seemingly represent each of the emotional spectrum corps. Green Lantern: New Guardians has had a solicit released, but not its cover.

“Who are The New Guardians? The power of Rage, Avarice, Fear, Will, Hope, Compassion and Love combine to be the most powerful (and colorful) team in the corps under the leadership of Kyle Rayner. Beware their power . . . and their volatility! GREEN LANTERN: THE NEW GUARDIANS #1 will be written by Tony Bedard and illustrated with cover by Tyler Kirkham and Batt.”

The solicit seems bland, but slightly interesting in the absence of a cover confirming who will be in the New Gaurdians with Kyle. That said, I’m glad Kyle is stepping up again in the DCU.


NOT ACTUAL COVERRed Lanterns #1 confirms news that this series was coming. I’m intrigued by anti-hero type books and I am hoping this has a different vibe from the other corps books or other books that have starred gray characters. The cover wasn’t released yet, but the solicit has been.

“Going solo. Atrocitus and his Red Lantern Corps return in their own series, battling against injustice in the most bloody ways imaginable. This Lantern Corps takes no prisoners, they are judge, jury and executioners! RED LANTERNS #1 will be written by Peter Milligan with art and cover by Ed Benes and Rob Hunter.”

I’m curious about the hook here and if there will be a recognizable earth born character joining the Red Lantern Corps. Should be a different kind of book I hope.

Even I was surprised that I won’t be reading the Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps books. However, Red Lanterns and New Guardians should give me my lantern fix.

As will the next two books.


Justice League International #1 (ships September 2011)Dan Jurgens writing Justice League International had me sold despite some of the roster tweaks from Generation Lost. However, Guy Gardner satisfies my lantern fix, and the addition of the Great Ten’s August General in Iron has me excited. The solicit and cover have been released.

“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.”

My hope is that JLI is a new UN-sponsored Checkmate or original Stormwatch or vintage JLI type team. Would be nice if Wildstorm’s Weatherman was the team’s new coordinator.

Not sure I dig Booster Gold‘s new costume though.


Justice League #1 (ships August 31, 2011)And, naturally, the new big guns Justice League. Plus Geoff Johns writing and Jim Lee drawing. What more do I need? :) My hope is that it lives up to the hype. And, there’s another Green Lantern in Hal Jordan on my monthly read list. I haven’t seen a solicit for the book, but we have heard from Geoff Johns in various areas including USA Today.

“The first book to be released under this new era: Justice League No. 1, out Aug. 31. The series by writer Geoff Johns and artist Jim Lee reunites the famous lineup of Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Wonder Woman and Aquaman. Johns promises a focus on the interpersonal relationships within DC’s trademark superteam. “What’s the human aspect behind all these costumes? That’s what I wanted to explore,” he says.

Hopefully, the Justice League will be DC’s flasgship title and sales leaders. It should be.

Time will tell, but the future looks promising.


What’s next?

Well, there are another 37 books left to announce by DC. Here are a few I’m expecting in some fashion that I’d add to my regular DC Comics reading list.

Justice Society #1 as an inter-generational team book.

Sandman #1. The character appears to be a character in Flashpoint. So, maybe he has more profile coming.

Legion of Super Heroes #1. Interesting to see what the future of the new DC looks like.

Booster Gold / Rip Hunter / Time Masters #1 type book to explore the past and future of the new DC Universe.

Teen Titans #1.

Titans / Justice League Next #1 type book featuring Dick Grayson and the other original Teen Titans.

Hawk and Dove #1.

Speed Force / Wally West Flash centric #1 title.

Deathstroke / Ravager #1 type title.

Marvel Family / Shazam / Captain THUNDER #1 type book. I wonder if DC is tired of not calling the book after its title character? Captain Thunder on the way or another Shazam-in-title book?

Suicide Squad / Secret Six #1 type book.

Doom Patrol #1.

Grifter #1.

And, the previously announced Who’s Who #1 maxi-series introduction to the new DC Universe.

That’s 20 ongoing books and 1 maxi-series for me if all things come to pass. Perhaps more in the future or less once all 52 #1’s are unveiled.


Your Turn. ;)

So, what do you think are the next #1’s to be announced by DC Comics? And, what announced #1’s do you like so far?

Hello new DC. :)

Good bye ye olde DC. Thanks for the memories. :(

Farewell Classic DC

John is a long-time pop culture fan, comics historian, and blogger. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief at Comics Nexus. Prior to being EIC he has produced several column series including DEMYTHIFY, NEAR MINT MEMORIES and the ONE FAN'S TRIALS at the Nexus plus a stint at Bleeding Cool producing the COMICS REALISM column. As BabosScribe, John is active on his twitter account, his facebook page, his instagram feed and welcomes any and all feedback. Bring it on!