A Week of Blockbuster Announcements, Packed Panels
And Top of the Line Talent Leaves Fans Eager for More
SAN DIEGO, CA (July 12, 2015) – DC Entertainment continued to rollout a series of nonstop announcements that kept comic book fans eager to read the exciting next wave of DCE books. Every day, on a majority of the publisher's 20 panels during the five days, fans were treated to significant news. Here's a recap of the announcements:
DC Comics and Milestone Bring Back the Dakota Universe with “Earth-M”
DCE Co-Publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee, along with Producer Reggie Hudlin and original Milestone co-founders Denys Cowan and Derek T. Dingle revealed plans to plans to bring “Earth-M” to the DC Comics multiverse, home to the culturally and ethnically diverse characters from the Milestone imprint of the early 90’s. Groundbreaking Milestone characters like ICON, HARDWARE, ROCKET and XOMBI, along with new heroes and villains return in a series of original graphic novels and miniseries featuring talent top guns like legendary Milestone writer Christopher Priest, as well as DC icons Geoff Johns and Jim Lee.
New Details For “THE DARK KNIGHT III: THE MASTER RACE”
Fans got the announcement they’ve been waiting anxiously for, as Andy Kubert and Klaus Janson were revealed as the artists for THE DARK KNIGHT III: THE MASTER RACE, the epic conclusion to THE DARK KNIGHT Trilogy, and rounding out a dream cast of creative talent, joining the writing dream team of comics legend Frank Miller and acclaimed writer Brian Azzarello. This eight-issue series will feature 32 pages of incredible story, plus a 16 page bonus “Dark Knight Universe” comic affixed in the book’s center, and feature a rotating cast of guest artists and characters.
During Friday nights’ Eisner Awards ceremony, Frank Miller was awarded the prestigious Will Eisner Comics Industry Hall of Fame Award for his work on DC Comics titles like ALL-STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN and THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY, among others.
VERTIGO Announces 12 New Fall Titles
Another blockbuster announcement came in the form of a new Fall slate of titles from VERTIGO. Executive Editor Shelly Bond was on hand with a superstar lineup of talent, including Scott Snyder and Rafael Albuquerque, Darwyn Cooke, Gilbert Hernandez, Michael Allred, Gail Simone and Lee Bermejo among others to introduce an incredible lineup of titles beginning in October: TWILIGHT CHILDREN, SURVIVORS CLUB, CLEAN ROOM, ART OPS, LUCIFER, RED THORN, UNFOLLOW, SLASH & BURN, NEW ROMANCER, LAST GANG IN TOWN, JACKED and SHERIFF OF BAGHDAD.
Geoff Johns Reveals JUSTICE LEAGUE: GODS AND MEN
New York Times bestselling writer Geoff Johns (JUSTICE LEAGUE, BATMAN EARTH ONE VOL. 2) treated fans to a one of a kind experience in an “Inside the Actors’ Studio” style panel hosted by DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Dan DiDio. Johns revealed his plans for October’s JUSTICE LEAGUE: GODS AND MEN, a series of six one-shots based on his current “Darkseid War” story arc, featuring art by rising star Jason Fabok. Each issue highlights a key character in the struggle to prevent universal Armageddon at the hands of Darkseid and the Anti-Monitor.
Grant Morrison Wows Fans With MULTIVERSITY TOO, BATMAN: BLACK & WHITE
Iconic writer Grant Morrison broke incredible news during his panel, not only talking about his MULTIVERSITY comics, but revealing to fans for the first time two new projects he’s working on for 2016/17: MULTIVERSITY TOO is a series of hardcover graphic novels where Grant takes characters from DC’s rich history and applies them to his Multiverse, where anything can happen!He also announced his first title in the series, MULTIVERSITY TOO: THE FLASH. Grant will also be providing fans with his own unique take the world of The Dark Knight in BATMAN: BLACK & WHITE, teaming up with an all-star collection of artists in a series of hardcover original graphic novels.
New DC Comics Miniseries in 2016
The excitement actually began a little early when DC announced last Monday plans for eight six-issue miniseries coming in 2016, reuniting iconic writers with the characters they made fan favorites: Marv Wolfman (RAVEN), Gerry Conway (FIRESTORM), Len Wein (SWAMP THING, METAL MEN) and Mike W. Barr (KATANA: CULT OF THE COBRA). Expanding on the vision of the New DC Universe, new creative voices were invited to put their own unique spin on DC Comics legacy characters: Amy Chu (POISON IVY: CYCLY OF LIFE AND DEATH), Keith Giffen (SUGAR & SPIKE) and Aaron Lopresti (METAMORPHO).
New Products From DC Collectibles
During a packed Thursday panel, DC Collectibles introduced a bevy on new statues and action figures. Fans got their first look at a new action figures based on BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES, in addition to some behind the scenes footage of a new DC Collectibles commercial, featuring, film director and comics writer Kevin Smith. Fans also got their first look at the next wave of Batman action figures, with designs based on the art of superstar BATMAN artist Greg Capullo, plus a line of collectibles based on the highly anticipated feature film, BATMAN vs SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE..
Happy 75th Anniversary, Robin
In celebration of comics’ original sidekick, two new projects were announced during a Friday panel spotlighting The Boy Wonder: BATMAN & ROBIN ETERNAL, a six-month weekly series that revisits a disturbing case from Dick Grayson’s early crimefighting career with the Batman. BATMAN scribe Scott Snyder leads a great cast of rising star writers, including James Tynion IV, Tim Seeley and Steve Orlando. Plans were also announced for a multi-title crossover event in which Robins from the past and present face off against each other in the “ROBIN WAR (working title).”
“TRUTH,” “JUSTICE” and Two New Superman Projects
Comic-Con was also where Superman fans got some exciting news about the Man of Steel. Comics icon Neal Adams was on hand to provide some early details on his COMING OF THE SUPERMEN, scheduled for December. Not to be outdone, Hollywood screenwriter and Eisner-nominee Max Landis announced his plans for a seven-issue miniseries, SUPERMAN: AMERICAN ALIEN. Landis will be joined by an all-star roster of artists to tell the story of Clark Kent’s evolution from Kansas farmboy to the legendary hero loved by millions worldwide.
New SUPERMAN writer Gene Yang joined ACTION COMICS co-writer Greg Pak to talk further about the “TRUTH” story arc that began in June (including SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN and BATMAN/SUPERMAN monthly titles), but also let fans in on what they can expect as they move into “JUSTICE” beginning this month, with a Superman that’s de-powered, without a secret identity, and a Metropolis Police Department that’s out to make his life even more difficult.
New Ongoing Series Spinning Out of CONVERGENCE
Saturday morning began with even more blockbuster news. At a press breakfast, DCE Co-Publisher Dan DiDio announced plans for three new ongoing series based on April’s CONVERGENCE event: CONVERGENCE weekly series writer Jeff King returns to chronicle the further adventures of TELOS, Dan Jurgens will write SUPERMAN: LOIS & CLARK with art by Lee Weeks, and Robin, Speedy, Aqualad, Donna Troy and the rest of the Teen Titans solve the mystery of the forgotten Titan in TITANS HUNT, written by Dan Abnett with art by Paulo Siquiera.
News From the Source – Meet The Co-Pubs
DC Entertainment Co-Publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee finished the Con with a closer look at the announcement of THE DARK KNIGHT III: THE MASTER RACE, in addition to revealing for the first time the latest additions to the successful line of “EARTH ONE” line of original graphic novels. Francis Manapul will be putting his own spin on the King of the Seas in AQUAMAN: EARTH ONE, while popular Sci-Fi writer J. Michael Strazynski provides a new perspective on the Scarlet Speedster with THE FLASH: EARTH ONE.
