Wednesday Comments – Looking Ahead

Columns, Top Story

At the start I want to point out that I totally called Talon ending, two months ago. I could tell just by the tone and phrasing during NYCC that the book was wrapping up. I intuited it. I got it right. Hooray for me!

Now onto the column proper.

This week I’m focusing on the future. Since 2013 is ending I thought I’d look ahead to some of the things that I’m looking forward to next year. The beauty of comics is that we’ve pretty much always got a glimpse at the months ahead for solicits and sometimes longer for books that’ve been announced. So here are some books that have me excited.

Miracleman!

Miracleman is finally being rereleased next month. It’s been a very long time coming, but it’s finally happening. While I’ve read as much of the saga as has been published (let’s just say I know a guy who knows a guy) but I’m looking forward to buying it, holding it and reading it again.

I seriously can’t wait for this one. I’m also looking forward to seeing the reaction to it from readers online, both first time readers and longtime fans critiquing the alterations.

Batman Eternal

I’m a sucker for weeklies. I’ve read the good (52), the bad (Countdown) and the in-between (Trinity). DC’s got a history of making weeklies work, for the most part. I’m looking forward to Batman Eternal for a couple reasons.

First off, if there’s any character or city in the DCU that can support a weekly book, it’s Batman and Gotham. We already know Red Robin and Stephanie Brown will be players in the title. I’m hoping we’ll see GCPD storylines as well.

On that note, I’m curious what format will look like. Will it be like Trinity? Or will it be more like 52 and Countdown. Honestly, Gotham is so rich they could even go the Action Comics Weekly approach and make it a full on anthology and the book would still work.

Batman’s 75th Anniversary

Speaking of Batman, next year is his 75th anniversary. We know that Detective Comics 27 will be a huge extravaganza and that Batman Eternal is part of the celebration. But I’m very interested in what else is going to be done to commemorate the event.

Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato heading to Gotham

I loved their run on The Flash, where they accomplished some amazing things, most notably making a compelling story involving Barry Allen. But now the critically acclaimed creative team is moving to Gotham, where they’ll have to play nice with others (sharing characters with other creators.) I’m looking forward to what they’ve got up their sleeves.

American Vampire and The Unwritten ending

Next year begins the end of American Vampire and The Unwritten. They’re both two books that I thoroughly enjoy. They also happen to be two of Vertigo’s longest running books, currently.

American Vampire is the book that brought Scott Snyder to the attention of many readers, so I want to see how the closes things out. And The Unwritten is a book that’s totally captured my imagination, so while I’m sorry it’s ending, I’m anxious to find out where it goes.

Will Pfeifer’s Return!

I’m a pretty big supporter of Will Pfeifer. I absolutely loved his work on H*E*R*O and Catwoman. And he first came to my attention with his work on Aquaman. I still have nightmares about Sub Diego and the Pat Gleason illustrated panda.

Anyway, he’s returning to write a few issues of Red Hood & the Outlaws. It’s a book that I’ve dropped, but that I’m totally going to pick up when he comes aboard. His return is something I’ve been waiting for, for far too long.

James Robinson on Fantastic Four

I’m not the biggest Fantastic Four fan, but I do enjoy James Robinson’s work. Obviously Starman and The Golden Age are classics, but his recent work on Earth 2 was equally strong.

I’m going to go ahead and venture outside of my comfort zone and try out Fantastic Four because I want to see what he’s going to do with them. I’m looking forward to being impressed.

So there you have some of the things that I’m looking forward to next year. Feel free do drop me a line and let me know what you’re looking forward to.

And on that note, I’m calling it a week. It’s Wednesday go and pick up for fresh new comic books from your friendly local comic shop.