Happy 75th Anniversary DC Comics

This year DC comics is celebrating its 75th anniversary by releasing variant covers based on classic issues. Some of these new covers are making me consider waiting for them instead of the standard cover.

Detective Comics #866

Once again the Joker captures the reader's attention with a more sinister appearance and larger guns than his appearance on the original cover. However, the length and unruliness of Joker's hair is a bit ridiculous. While there is no change in Robin's appearance, Batman has shoulder spikes on his cape for unknown reasons. This cover does make me consider buying the issue because it looks like the story will be a classic Batman and Robin story.

 

Superman #700

Both of these Superman covers have something in common, they both begin new eras in the Man of Steel mythos. While the original cover was the first part in the classic Kryptonite Nevermore story arc (where Kryptonite no longer has any effect on Superman), Superman #700 is the first part of Superman's life after New Krypton. Also the image of Superman breaking from a kryptonite chain proves why he's one of the most powerful superheroes in the DC Universe.

Justice Society of America #41

There really isn't much of a difference between the covers. The only thing difference is Doctor Fate and the Atom are included in the increased spotlight. Also its good to see some Golden Age heroes on some recent covers.

Batman #700

The Red Hood Identity is a prominent element in the Batman mythology. It was the identity used by the Joker before his skin was bleached and is currently used by Jason Todd (the second Robin) since his resurrection. Batman #700 features stories about Batmen from different eras (Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, and Damian Wayne). Since the 700th issue will feature different Batmen, maybe different versions of Red Hood will appear as the antagonists for the stories.

Adventure Comics #12 (#515)

This issue of Adventure Comics celebrates the return of  fan-favorite writer, Paul Levitz. What better way to celebrate Levitz's return to the Thirtieth Century than with an reinterpretation of the final chapter in The Great Darkness Saga. Also Levitz's stories on Adventure will focus on the Legion when they were kids and Superman was Superboy.

Green Lantern #60

The original story involved Sinestro stealing energy from Hal Jordan's power ring to increase his own ring. Now this new redesign shows the two with fully charged rings and ready to fight each other. While Sinestro and Hal have a temporary truce, this cover really captures how the two were once at odds and ready to knock each other out.

Superman #701

What better way for DC to celebrate its anniversary than with a new redesign of the first issue of Superman. Superman flying over Metropolis in this iconic image is just another great way of saying the Man of Steel has returned to Earth.

Overall these anniversary covers look awesome and I'm definitely looking for most of them when they come out later in the year.

New Comics for May 19, 2010

Here's my pull list for the week of May 19, 2010

What new comics am I excited for?

Avengers #1

There's going to be at least six Avengers books coming out this summer as part of Marvel's Heroic Age. The classic Avengers is something I'm excited for because the line up looks great and the first story involves the time traveling villain, Kang. The only flaw is that the writer, Brian Michael Bendis, has failed to impress me with his final issues of New Avengers and some of the dialogue during Siege was pretty weak. Plus, I (like many fans) was expecting Steve Rogers to return to the Captain America identity. Although Bucky has grown into the role, its going to feel different having a new Avengers series and someone else as Captain America on this new team. Overall, I expect this new Avengers series to be a fun and entertaining ride, and hopefully Bendis will do a better job with this team.

Legion of Super-Heroes #1

A new series staring the classic Legion plus its written by Paul Levitz. What Legion fan wouldn't want to pick this up next week. The Legion has been through a lot of changes due to events such as Zero Hour and other Crisis stories. Thankfully the first Legion of Super-Heroes returned during Geoff Johns' run on Action Comics and the Legion of 3 Worlds mini-series. Now the Legion that fans know and love has returned in a new series by Paul Levitz. Levitz's work on the Legion has been favored by many fans and this new series will recieve as much praise as Levitz's work in the past.

 What current comics am I excited for?

Invincible Iron Man #26

Matt Fraction's Invincible Iron Man has become one of my favorite series. I've enjoyed reading the first two graphic novels of the series as well as the recent Stark Disassembled story. The new Bleeding Edge armor has yet to show its true power but so far it looks really awesome. My only complaint about this series is that Tony's new business decision seems too similar to what happened during the Iron Man move. Overall, I'm still pretty excited for this issue. 

War of the Supermen #3

So far I've been enjoying War of the Supermen mini-series. I like how DC decided to release the entire series during the month of May. Plus I enjoyed how General Lane used some giant weapon in each issue (ex. Bomb obliterating New Krypton in #1 and the red sun bomb at the end of #2). Part of me does want this series to end so DC can get back to making stories that have Superman back on Earth fighting villains like Lex Luthor or Parasite. I'm really looking forward to the last half of this story.

What comics am I least excited for?

Brightest Day #2

Although I was excited for most series coming out during DC's Brightest Day event (ex. Green Lantern books and the Flash), so far the Brightest Day series has been a swing and a miss for me. I did enjoy the set up in the first few issues for the resurrected characters, however there has not been anything to get me excited for future issues of this series. I'll still continue to get this to see if anything develops but I would not expect too much to happen.

Justice League of America #45

I initially started to get this series because James Robinson's League initially featured some good characters such as the Titans, but that was short lived. Now the only members on the team are Batman (Dick Grayson), Donna Troy, Starman (Mikaal Tomas), and Congorilla. Plus I'm not too excited about Jade's re-appearance from the last issue because I have not read any stories featuring her. I'll probably stop getting this series after its crossover with the JSA.

So thats my list of new comics for May 19th. Comment if you think I made any wrong decisions regarding my excitement for next week.