DC Comics’ May 2014 and June 2014 solicitations were both a New 39 of ongoing core super-hero series.
However, DC co-publisher Dan DiDio had indicated that the company changed its position on what the New 52 stood for as it would now also include its weekly maxi-series of which there are three: Batman: Eternal launched in April 2014 (teaser/spoilers here), The New 52: Futures End launching in May 2014 (teaser/spoiler here) and Earth 2: World’s End hits stands in October 2014 (teaser/spoiler here). (All three “end” in March 2015, as does Grant Morrison’s Multiversity, hinting at a DC’s big 2015 event being in April 2015 or in May 2015 to kick off during Free Comic Book Day (FCBD).)
July 2014 will see three new ongoing series launch spinning out of Forever Evil #7 and a fourth series has also been announced with no solicitation or associated launch date identified yet (read on for these four new series).
Doing The Math
If we add these three solicited ongoing series to New 39 count of June, we get the New 42 for July 2014. That leaves DC Comics with 10 books to fill into his publishing plan to get to their magical New 52. Adding the yet-to-be solicited series we get the New 43 at some point. That leaves nine books to fill in DC’s schedule. If we assume each of DC’s three weeklies count for one series, we creep up to the New 46 by October 2014. That leaves us with six books left for DC to announce and schedule.
The first three entries below are the new ongoing series debuting in July 2014 as part of DC Comics New 52 solicitations. There may be more, but DC hasn’t released any other new series details. Following those three is the new series announced at a DC retailer show that has yet to be solicited.
New Suicide Squad
New Suicide Squad #1 by writer Sean Ryan and artist Jeremy Roberts.
Amanda Waller, Harley Quinn and Deadshot are joined by Deathstroke, Black Manta and the Joker’s Daughter. Waller apparently no onger has the autonomy she once did running the team. Their first adventure will take the team to Russia.
Long-time fans will remember the 1980’s “Flight of the Firebird” arc that had the Suicide Squad with the Penguin in tow with a classic mission to the then U.S.S.R. This 2014 trip seems like a great idea to get the book back to its international espionage roots. And, not a surprise DC wants this book to do well since the Suicide Squad made their small screen debut in a recent episode of CW’s Arrow.
However, its interesting that with Deadshot, Harley Quinn and the Joker’s Daughter (who just had her origin revealed after headlining DC’s 2013 Villains Month), three Batman rogues gallery members make up half of the new Suicide Squad. Aquaman villain Black Manta and Teen Titans villain Deathstroke join Justice League villain Amanda Waller on the team.
To that end, I would love to see Mark Shaw a.k.a. the Manhunter (a core character in the Cheetah edition of Wonder Woman for Villains Month in 2013) and The Duchess join the team since they were ditched from the Forever Evil: A.R.G.U.S. mini-series when its writers changed.
The New Suicide Squad’s artist spoke to IGN.
New Teen Titans
New Teen Titans #1 written by writer Wil Pfeifer and artist Kenneth Rocafort.
The team consists of Red Robin, Wonder Girl, Raven, Bunker and Beast Boy (who was red/brown when he debuted in the New 52, but was green in a future New 52 iteration of himself). The roster will likely to grow later.
No representative of the Flash or Superman families are present. As you may know:
- Supergirl is busy with Justice League United with issue #0 out this week.
- Superboy may be dead with his ongoing series taken over by Jon Kent the evil son of a future Superman and Lois Lane.
- Kid Flash, Bart Allen, seen the last issues of Teen Titans appears to be a homicidal maniac from the future.
- HOWEVER, the New 52 Wally West appears to be debuting in Flash #30 out this week and will be a major part of that series going forward.
So we’ll see how the future shakes out for the New Teen Titans. More from the creative team over at Newsarama.
Grayson
Grayson #1 by writer Tim Seeley and former CIA operative Tom King with former Justice League Dark artist Mikel Janin.
After having his identity outed in Forever Evil #1, Dick Grayson is no more Nightwing.
Batman convinces Dick Grayson in the new series:
- To be a hero in a different way: be a secret agent for Spyral; the organization debuted during Grant Morrison’s Batman Incorporated run.
- To not tell his loved ones and friends including Batgirl, Alfred Pennyworth and others that he’s alive.
This series looks interesting. Action-adventure is intriguing for this medium, but will fans buy (literally) Dick Grayson, who had a credible run as Batman himself, in a non-costumed role? Several other options were explored.
The creative team sat down with USA Today to talk about the series.
Star Spangled War Stories
Star Spangled War Stories #1 Featuring G.I. Zombie was announced at March 2014’s DC Entertainment’s Retailer Roadshow.
It will be written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray with Scott Hampton on art chores. A decades old G.I. Zombie is facing modern era terrorists.
The book has not be solicited yet and no art has been released to date.
UPDATED: This book will have its debut issue hits stands in July 2014. The cover is to the right.
Thanks for reading. All feedback welcome.
