A KC COLUMN by KC Carlson

Here are some of the things I’m looking out for — listed in Previews this month and shipping in MAY or later.

DC COMICS

Generation One

This got my attention immediately because I love projects about the history of DC Comics and its heroes. Beginning in May, DC launches a series of special one-shots that detail the origins and history of the DC Universe. First up is Wonder Woman — who DC is now indicating is DC’s first superhero — and it looks like we’ll get a lot more details about the project when it debuts on Free Comic Book Day — Saturday May 2, 2020 — with Generation Zero and continues in May with Generation One. Oddly, there is no mention of creators for this issue — but this Prestige Format one-shot will be 48 pages for $5.99 and will hit comic shops on May 27.

Manhunters: The Secret History #1 (of 5)

Speaking of DC’s history, it’s also being examined in a new five-issue, 32-page miniseries, also debuting in May. Manhunters: The Secret History #1 is written by Marc Andreyko, with art and cover by Renato Guedes. Manhunter Kate Spenser returns to uncover how deep Leviathan’s plans go — and it turns out that the conspiracy goes back to the origins of DC history!

Fans of DC’s animated line will be excited to hear of Batman: The Adventures Continue in May, with Paul Dini and Alan Burnett as writers and Ty Templeton as artist. This will be a six-issue miniseries and the first issue cover is by Dave Johnson, with a variant by Dan Mora. Fore more details, check out the lengthy article about the return in DC Previews!

The Dreaming: Waking Hours #1 (of 12)

Also debuting this month is this new Sandman Universe title written by Hugo and World Fantasy award-winning writer G. Willow Wilson and illustrated by Nick Robles. Features Dream and Ruin (or should I say Dream Vs. Ruin!) Cover by Bill Sienkiewicz.

DC Comics: The Astonishing Art of Amanda Conner HC

Is this a first?— A sequel to an art book, the mega-popular DC Comics: The Sequential Art of Amanda Conner! DC presents more of Ms. Conner’s artwork from projects including Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre #1-4, Harley Quinn 25th Anniversary Special #1, The Kamandi Challenge #3, Harley Quinn: Be Careful What You Wish For #1, Batman #68, and the Supergirl stories from Wednesday Comics #1-12. 256 pages, 7.0625” x 10.875”, and available on June 6, 2020. (But be sure to order it now!)

Of course I have to mention The Legion of Super-Heroes: Five Years Later Omnibus Volume 1. This 1,424-page Omnibus might actually be more weapon than book in the wrong hands! The hardcover collects Legion of Super-Heroes #1-39, Timber Wolf #1-5, Legion of Super-Heroes Annual #1-3, and Adventures of Superman #478 (just to be random). This was written by Keith Giffen, Tom and Mary Bierbaum, Dan Jurgens and Al Gordon, and artists include Giffen, Jason Pearson, Colleen Doran, Curt Swan, Stuart Immonen, and Dan Jurgens.

Unfortunately, I don’t remember much of the story. Apparently the United Planets become a darker place (LSH standard plot #2). I believe, at some point in the future, I will be repeatedly hit on the head with this Omnibus, causing what’s left of my brain to be trapped somewhere in the 30th century — which we’re getting closer to every minute we keep talking about it… Oh yeah, the cover of the book is by Dusty Abell and Bob Smith! (Did I mention that this book is 1,424 pages? What was DC thinking?) (What was I thinking? Shortly after this storyline wrapped up, I became the editor of Legion of Super-Heroes, which became both challenging and fun!)

It’s on sale Aug 12, 2020. (Or if you have a Time Cube, you can go pick one up right now!)

Oh, wait, I forgot to mention Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s Dark Nights: Death Metal #1 (of 6). (Or did I…. ?)

MARVEL COMICS

Empyre enters month #3 of crossover action, as the Avengers & Fantastic Four head to Wakanda to head-off a Vibranium-powered threat, a long-lost Avenger returns to active duty, and both the Kree and the Skrulls are restless! Plus, are you ready for Plants Vs. (Mutant) Zombies! (Yeah, I’m not either, but what the heck!) Also available: Empyre: Savage Avengers #1 (starring Conan the Barbarian!), Empyre: Captain America #1, Empyre: Stormranger #1, Empyre: Thor #1, Empyre: Squadron Supreme #1, Empyre: The Invasion of Wakanda #1 (Aw, that trick never works…), Empyre: Avengers #1, Empyre: Ghost Rider #1, Lords of Empyre: Celestial Messiah #1, and Empyre: Spider-Man #2. Good gosh! Where’s Empyre: Obnoxio The Clown #1?

Wait… There’s MORE!

The Union #1

A brand-new super-team based in the United Kingdom features Union Jack, Snakes, Kelpie, Choir, and their fearless leader, Brittania. Written by Paul Grist (Jack Staff)and art by Andrea Di Vito, with covers by R.B. Silva and the ever-popular TBA.

There’s lots of activity surrounding the classic Marvels concept with brand-new series from all over the Marvel Universe — Past, Present, and Future.

The Marvels

All-new ongoing series by Kurt Busiek and Yildiray Cinar, with covers by Alex Ross.

Marvels X #5 (of 6)

Written by Alex Ross & Jim Kruegar, art by Well-Bee with covers by Ross and Well-Bee. Apparently all of humanity (except the Avengers?) are turned into monsters! And even Reed Richards, Tony Stark and Bruce Banner can’t find a cure!

Marvel #3 (of 6)

Writers/artists include Alex Ross, Alan Weiss, Bill Sienkiewicz, and others. Weiss presents a lost tale of Namor, Sienkiewicz revives the techo-organic Warlock, Scott Gustafson checks in with Rocket Raccoon, and Ryan Heshka tells a tale of the Golden Age Black Widow!

Marvels Snapshots seems to be a new imprint (of sorts) spotlighting Marvel’s greatest characters from the Golden Age to today! Check out 40-page one-shots staring Iron Man and the Amazing Spider-Man in May!

Thor #6 brings us THE DEATH OF KING THOR! Well, that didn’t take long… Looking for work (?): writer Donny Cates and Nic Klien.

Jane Foster: Valkyrie #11

So, going by the cover, it looks like Loki is attempting to pick up Valkyrie in a bar (there even a reverse image of it in the huge MIRROR behind the bar!)… and no that’s not a punch line to this issue… or IS IT? And, of course, no Thor to help out… because he’s APPARENTLY DEAD in his own comic book.

Giant Size X-Men: Tribute to Wein & Cockrum

Thirty-seven of Marvel’s top artists draw one page each of this classic story (first published 45 years ago!). Artists include Alex Ross, Kevin Nowlan, Chris Samnee, Marcus To, Siya Oum, Stephen Segovia, Marguerite Sauvage, Carmen Carnero, Bernard Chang, Aaron Kuder, Takeshi Miyazawa, Juann Cabal, Gurihiru, Mark Brooks, Kris Anka, Phil Noto, Valerio Schiti, Leinil Francisyu, Matteo Lolli, Ema Lupacchino, Carlos Gómez, Iban Coello, R.B. Silva, Ramon Rosanas, Joshua Cassara, David Baldeón, Marcelo Ferreira, Javier Garrón, Rod Reis, Javier Rodríguez, Marco Checchetto, Jen Bartel, Mike Del Mundo, Rahzzah, Pepe Larraz, and Mike Hawthorne.

New Anniversary Covers are by Adi Granov, Ed McGuinness, two by Dave Cockrum (who died in 2006 — I’m guessing these may have been in storage somewhere for a while…) — and the ever-popular TBA (that guy gets around!) provides a variant cover. 48-page one-shot.

Venomnibus … No I’m not actually plugging this. I just wanted to try out typing it. Kinda fun… Volume 3 is available in September, so plenty of time for you to forget I even mentioned this.

Thanos: The Infinity Saga Omnibus

This hardcover volume is almost 1,000 pages (actual count: 984) of story and art by Jim Starlin, Ron Lim, and Alan Davis. Besides the title guy, other comic personas include Adam Warlock, Annihilus, Pip the Troll, and Thanos’ brother Starfox. Cosmic Saga as you like it!

________________________

KC CARLSON: “Sometimes you feel like a nut. Sometimes you don’t.” Name that slogan’s actual product!

WESTFIELD COMICS is not responsible for the stupid things that KC says. Especially that thing that really irritated you. Any guesses about what’s ticking me off this month… ?