DC Makes Huge Announcements Regarding New 52’s First Anniversary

News

From DC Blog:

Timed to the one year anniversary of the launch of the historic DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 initiative, DC Comics will introduce 0 month.

In September 2012, DC Comics will release 0 issues—and we don’t mean we aren’t publishing any titles—but what we will be doing is numbering every DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 title #0.

#0s will be stand-alone stories. “Some issues will tell the origins of a character or a team, or in some case where an origin has already been told, they will fill in the blanks in terms of questions readers may have about the New 52 DC Universe,” said Bob Harras, DC Entertainment Editor-in-Chief. “Each of these issues promises to reveal something surprising.”

And debuting at #0 are four new comic book series:

TALON – Co-Writers: Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV. Artist: Guillem March.
Meet Calvin Rose, the only Talon to ever escape the grasp of the Court of Owls. This former assassin of the Court is trying to live a normal life … but that’s impossible when he’s being hunted by his former masters!

SWORD OF SORCERY – Writer: Christy Marx. Artist: Aaron Lopresti.
Featuring the return of Amethyst, Amy Winston leads a strange life on the road with her mother and resents it. She’s about to learn it’s all been necessary when she discovers she’s the lost princess of Gemworld—and she’s being hunted by her murderous aunt. With a back-up story written by Tony Bedard with art by Jesus Saiz, set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, the monstrous warrior Beowulf is charged with finding and defeating the evil Grendel.

THE PHANTOM STRANGER – Writer: Dan DiDio. Artist: Brent Anderson.
Spinning out of his recent appearances in JUSTICE LEAGUE and DC’s Free Comic Book Day story, learn more about the true origin of The Phantom Stranger and his connection to the mysterious Pandora.

TEAM SEVEN – Writer: Justin Jordan. Artist: Jesus Merino.
Set in the early days of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, threads of the entire DC Universe collide. As Superman emerges, so does the world’s counter measures against him and his kind. Team 7 is comprised of Dinah Lance, Amanda Waller, Steve Trevor, John Lynch, Alex Fairchild, Cole Cash and Slade Wilson — and their story will change everything you know about DC COMICS-THE NEW 52.

The four new series will follow with issue #1s in October and other series will resume their numbering.

Their covers can be found here.

Skitch Commentary: Count me among people really curious about some of the back stories of the New 52! I might end up picking up most of these 0 issues!

Grey is going to be thrilled about a Team 7 book. He’s always speculating who is on the Team 7 that was mentioned in Justice League. LYNCH IS BACK, BABY!!

I was pretty surprised to see Amethyst back in her own book. I bet most people don’t even remember this character!

Talon sounds like it could be great, but Guillen March doing art means they might be pulling him from Catwoman, which is one of my favorite titles!

Phantom Stranger is kind of cool, but not really sure I like the origin they gave the character in New 52, so I’m not sure how excited I am about that one.

Either way, it looks like DC is keeping up the momentum moving into the second year of new 52. To be honest, when I first saw this announcement, I was very concerned that they were going back to the old universe. I have really enjoyed DC Relaunch, and want this to stay the status quo!

I am curious if this means DC is cancelling three more books to keep it as “52” comics (Justice League International is already cancelled). Any speculation on which series might get the heave-ho?

======================

Update!  On his Facebook page, Dan DiDio announced some information about DC Comics Presents:

Of special note (meaning I don’t want it lost in the shuffle), as part of Zero Month, Keith and I are doing a special 10 page Origin of OMAC (from Brother Eye’s perspective) in the zero issue of DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS. OMAC with appearing in that issue with 3 other 10 pagers featuring Mr. Terrific, Hawk & Dove, and Mother Machine. best, DD

Nice to see some of the cancelled books getting one last hurrah!  I especially liked Hawk & Dove and OMAC

======================

UPDATE 2!  Rob Liefeld confirmed that his series are not cancelled, on Twitter:

Hawkman #0, Deathstroke #0 and Grifter #0 on the way in September! DC ZEROmonth has great revelations for all our titles

Skitch Commentary:  I am a huge Liefeld fan, so I am glad to hear this!  I still miss him on Hawk & Dove, so I was glad to hear he would be doing the 10 page story for DC Comics Presents 0.

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.