Deadman. Hawkman. Hawkgirl. Reverse-Flash. Maxwell Lord. Captain Boomerang. Aquaman. Firestorm. Martian Manhunter. Hawk. Osiris. Jade.
They're back -- for a reason.
This isn't a time for words to adorn the pictures. Let's get right to the preview, courtesy of the superstar team of Geoff Johns, Peter J. Tomasi and artist Fernando Pasarin (along with those lovely covers from David Finch and Ivan Reis).
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I know what you're thinking -- "Didn't they just announce a new ACTION COMICS writer?" Well, we did. But stuff has changed and we'll get to that in one second.
Firstly, starting in June, HUGO award-nominated writer Paul Cornell will join interior artist Pete Woods and cover artist David Finch on ACTION COMICS. Cornell comes to DC with a very shiny resume, including work as a novelist and in comics and television -- notably, for the Dr. Who series. Cornell steps in at a critical point for our hero, coming out of THE WAR OF THE SUPERMEN. So, what does he have in store? Well, let's ask him. Take it away, Paul:
"I'm proud and honored to be taking on such a historic title. It's particularly great to begin by featuring Lex Luthor, who's always been one of my favourite characters. So many legendary creators have written this title in the past that I'm giddy and frankly terrified at the prospect of following in their footsteps."
And who wouldn't be psyched to work with artists like Woods and Finch? As you can see from the Luthor image above by Mr. Finch and the Woods images below, ACTION promises to earn its title in spades.
But what of Marc Guggenheim, who we announced as the new ACTION writer a ways back? Well, we swung by Superman Group Editor Matt Idelson's office for some info. Matt?
"I'm very bummed to be missing out on this chance to work with Marc who I think would have kicked some serious butt on ACTION. The story he pitched began to evolve into something quite different, something Marc knew would be great, but he had concerns about whether he was the man to write this tale. Rather than do a disservice to the book, the readers and himself, Marc decided to step away from ACTION, and we both know that sometime in the future, we'll be collaborating on Superman for sure.
“With Guggs out of the picture, there was only one person to turn to, one writer who could bring this book to those Guggian heights while still making it his own—Paul Cornell. Shockingly, he accepted the challenge. In the short time we’ve been working together, his enthusiasm has blown me away!
Happily, no sooner had Marc stepped off than another editor swooped in to work with Marc on a project that will be announced in the near future."
So, wait -- we get an ongoing ACTION COMICS series from Cornell, Woods and Finch and a top-secret Guggenheim series? Sold.
Stay tuned to THE SOURCE for more on what's next for Marc, and for some more upcoming SUPERMAN and ACTION COMICS art.
Greetings DC Nation! Are you ready for WonderCon? We're so ready to go that I took a practice run to the airport this morning and then I held a rehearsal DC Universe panel on the street in front of our offices. We are THAT ready. From April 2-4 we will be at the Moscone Center South in San Francisco and we will be the best prepared comics publisher you have ever seen! You will be in awe of the precision of our details and the smoothness of our delivery.
In all seriousness though - we couldn't be more excited to be attending WonderCon this year. We have an incredible list of DC creators that will be on hand including - Amanda Conner, Darwyn Cooke, David Finch, Adam Hughes, Geoff Johns, Jimmy Palmiotti, James Robinson, Greg Rucka, Gail Simone, Kevin Smith, Ethan Van Sciver and Judd Winick. In fact, this is the first show David Finch will attend as a member of the DC Nation so be sure to give him an extra big welcome when you see him.
We have panels every day of the show so be sure to take a look at the schedule below and join us for as many as you can. DC Nation on Friday make be a little bit different than you're expecting and Brightest Day is the first panel we'll have on the subject post-Blackest Night #8 so be sure to check that out as well. Also be sure to remember how awesome our friends in Seattle were with the doughnuts when you make plans to come to the DCU panel on Saturday. Seriously.
And before I go pack my bags I want to remind you that our booth number is 607 and that we have the BEST free stuff at any convention!
See you at the show!
- Ian Sattler, Senior Story Editor DCU
WONDERCON '10 Panel Descriptions
FRIDAY
DC NATION!
4-5pm, Room 103
SATURDAY
DCU EDITORIAL PRESENTATION
12-1:30pm, Room 103
BRIGHTEST DAY
5:30-6:30pm, Room 103
SUNDAY
SUNDAY CONVERSATION
2:30-3:30pm, Room 236-238
Not a lot I need to add here, beyond -- wow.
We talked to the man responsible for this great piece of Bat-art. Take it away, David:
"Batman is such an iconic character and I've been a huge fan for so long that it was a surreal and amazing experience to draw him officially for the first time. I really have to thank Mike Marts for letting me be a part of such an important mile stone in the history of this book."
Thanks, David! And because it's Friday -- here are the pencils to that jaw-dropping cover.
A series doesn't get to #700 every day, so this is a moment to be celebrate -- and watched. BATMAN #700 hits in June, the same month as SUPERMAN #700 and WONDER WOMAN #600.
I'm not much of a mind reader, but I'm pretty sure some of you were wondering this while reading the first issue of LAST STAND OF NEW KRYPTON: What is Pete Woods doing next?
Well, he's doing two more issues of LAST STAND, that's a given. And those'll be a treat, brought to you by the writing team of Sterling Gates and James Robinson, and a perfect lead-in to the "100-Minute War" that's kicking off in WAR OF THE SUPERMEN.
And, starting in June, Mr. Woods will be joining new writer Marc Guggenheim as the regular artist on ACTION COMICS. Pete's done a spectacular job chronicling Kal-El's adventures on New Krypton, so it was a no-brainer to have him swing on over to one of the ongoing titles. But what does he have to say about it all? Take it away, Pete:
"I am absolutely thrilled to be working with Marc on Action Comics. I also feel incredibly blessed to have David Finch doing covers- I have
been a fan for years. Marc and I have some fun plans for this book and intend for it to live up to it's name!"
Oh, and we have some art to show, of course. Here are a few pages from the next issue of LAST STAND.
And if you're going to be in the Seattle area this weekend, make sure to say hello to Pete, who'll be at the Emerald City show as well.
But that's not all we have to talk about here. In addition to Woods coming on board as the regular artist, ACTION COMICS will also be sporting a new cover artist in superstar David Finch, who kicks off his run with this menacing look at Lex Luthor.
The questions appear often and in variations: What is BRIGHTEST DAY? How does BLACKEST NIGHT end? And what's next for the DCU?
Well, we won't spoil it all for you here, but we can throw another major piece to the puzzle on the table, and that's this amazing David Finch cover to BRIGHTEST DAY #2, featuring a certain King of the Seas. And we not only have art to show, but we caught up with BRIGHTEST DAY writer Geoff Johns to give us his thoughts. Take it away, Geoff:
“Brightest Day’ is about second chances. I think it’s been obvious from day one that there are major plans for the heroes and villains from Aquaman to take center stage in the DC Universe, among many others, post-Blackest Night. ‘Brightest Day’ is not a banner or a vague catch-all direction for the DC Universe, it is a story. Nor is ‘Brightest Day’ a sign that the DC Universe is going to be all about ‘light and brighty’ superheroes. Some second chances work out…some don’t.”
Check back tomorrow morning for more BRIGHTEST DAY news.
AS: I know the artists doing the interiors on BRIGHTEST DAY are still under wraps, but can you say anything about the cover artist?
DD: Yes we can. As some of you may have noticed, we announced last week that David Finch had joined the DCU exclusively. We’ll be announcing more details about his projects in the coming months. But first, we’re excited to announce that he’ll be the regular cover artist on all the BRIGHTEST DAY books. I see this as a wonderful way to have David touch on all aspects of the DCU, and it gives fans the chance to see his interpretation of the entire DCU and its characters.
AS: That’s great news. Now, I know I said I only had one questions. But I lied. Earlier you mentioned that we’d be announcing some new titles bearing the BRIGHTEST DAY banner –what’s the deal with those?
DD: Well, since we’ve discussed so much today, I don’t want to reveal everything about the BRIGHTEST DAY books just yet. But readers should tune in for the rest of the week for more news on BRIGHTEST DAY and the DC Universe in 2010, right here on The Source.
AS: Thanks, Dan. It’s been fun. And readers – you heard it here. Welcome to DCU IN 2010: BRIGHTEST DAY AND BEYOND. Swing by tomorrow and every day this week for some more BRIGHTEST DAY news.
And for more from Geoff Johns on all things BRIGHTEST DAY, BLACKEST NIGHT and the next GREEN LANTERN arc – “NEW GUARDIANS,” visit IGN.com for an interview with the superstar writer.
You didn't think we'd come into 2010 quietly, did you?
Of course not. Take a few deep breaths. We know the headline's a doozy. But it's also true: Mega-popular artist David Finch, who's made a name for himself working on every title under the sun for Marvel will be calling the DCU his home base for the foreseeable future -- and we couldn't be happier.
Where can you expect to see Finch's hyperkinetic pencils and expressive linework? Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves, shall we? Take a moment to bask in the glow of the news. Done? OK. We managed to get a few minutes of David's time to discuss his decision to come to DC. So take it away, Dave:
"I'm absolutely thrilled to be joining the DC family! It feels too good to be true that I'm going to have the chance to draw some of the most dynamic, iconic, and fun characters in the business. I've been a DC comics fan for a very long time, so it's a very big honor to finally have a part in their creation."
For more on Finch's move to DC, swing by COMIC BOOK RESOURCES to read the first interview with the newly-minted DC creator.
