pier gallo | DC Comics

SUPERBOY takes off in November

And we’ve got some nice art to show.

Some of you may have missed this during the tornado of news that was San Diego, but this piece definitely merits repeat viewing:

That's the cover to SUPERBOY #1, courtesy of Rafael Albuquerque (Vertigo’s AMERICAN VAMPIRE). Isn’t it a beauty?

The cover helps kick off writer Jeff Lemire and artist Pier Gallo’s new ongoing series, as they take Superboy on a journey to a side of Smallville not even Superman knows about. What mysteries can be found beneath the surface of the prototypical all-American town? You’ll find out in November. Until then, click on that Rafael cover one more time.

Tags:

jeff lemire, pier gallo, superboy

JEFF LEMIRE ON SUPERBOY #1 AND BEYOND

“Superboy had plenty to do during LAST STAND OF NEW KRYPTON and WAR OF THE SUPERMEN, and of course now he’s back with the TEEN TITANS, but he still doesn’t have a book to call his own. Well, that all changes this fall.

“After the events of Geoff Johns & Francis Manapul’s great ADVENTURE COMICS run, Superboy has finally let the baggage that is Lex Luthor go from his life. Returning to Smallville and moving in with MA KENT, Conner is finally starting to feel at home. He’s found a new sense of responsibility in keeping the Kent farm running and of course protecting the town when it needs him. And there’s also KRYPTO, his loyal super-dog. For the first time in his turbulent life, Conner is feeling a real sense of community.

“But as great as things should be, Conner can’t help but feel that all his new commitments are starting to take their toll on him. His girlfriend Cassie Sandsmark, a.k.a. WONDER GIRL, is usually busy with the Teen Titans on the other side of the country, and maintaining a long-distance relationship isn’t easy. (Speaking of TEEN TITANS, I’ve been in close contact with that book’s new writer J.T. KRUL about everything the future holds for the Boy of Steel, both in Smallville and throughout the DCU.) Superboy’s also having a hard time juggling being a good student, making time for his best friend (the brilliant SIMON VALENTINE), and sorting out his feelings for his sort-of cousin LORI LUTHOR.

“To make matters worse, THE PHANTOM STRANGER suddenly shows up, carrying with him a dire warning that will lead Conner to a secret evil as old as Smallville itself, and set into motion his greatest and most deadly adventure!

“And aside from The Phantom Stranger and all the weirdness that he brings, you’ll see members of the Teen Titans showing up regularly, along with a face or two from the BATMAN stable of books (and I’m not necessarily talking about the good guys!). And there just might be a new SUPERBOY/SUPERGIRL team-up in the works (whatta you think, Sterling?).

“The best part is that you don’t have to wait until November for the book to start. We’ll be giving you a sneak peek in ACTION COMICS #892, in August, and it really is a sneak peek. Instead of just previewing the first issue, incredible series artist PIER GALLO and I will be telling an original 10-page story that is actually a ‘flashforward’ right into the heart of all the strange and disturbing happenings coming to a certain small town in Kansas.

“Superboy will hit the ground running, delving deep into what it would really be like to be a super-powered teenager in the heart of rural America.”

ACTION COMICS #892, featuring the 10-page Superboy teaser story with art by PIER GALLO, will be on sale August 25th.

Tags:

jeff lemire, pier gallo, superboy, Superman

Jeff Lemire takes on SUPERBOY ongoing series

It’s the kind of thing that pops into your head and just clicks – who’s better suited to pen the adventures of a super-teen in middle America than Jeff Lemire, author of the touching, evocative ESSEX COUNTY and Vertigo’s SWEET TOOTH?

So, it makes perfect sense to announce today that Jeff Lemire, along with artist Pier Gallo, will be launching a SUPERBOY ongoing series later this year, with a special, one-off co-feature debuting in the August issue of ACTION COMICS (#892), which will give fans a primer for the full series.

What can readers expect from Lemire and Gallo? Well, let’s check in with the writer himself. Take it away, Jeff:

“I am really excited to be taking over the adventures of Conner Kent/Superboy in a new monthly series! The book will combine many of the classic touchstones of the Superboy mythos along with new supporting characters, new villains and new ideas, building a strong foundation that can support the Boy of Steel for years to come. I really want to work with our amazing artist Pier Gallo to combine a classic storytelling feel with a thoroughly modern sensibility and explore what it would really be like to be a super powered teenager, in the heart of rural America.”

And because it’s not a SOURCE announcement without some lovely art, here’s a look at one of Gallo’s prelim sketches of the Boy of Steel:

Tags:

jeff lemire, pier gallo, superboy

Look ahead to ADVENTURE COMICS #8

We pride ourselves on being able to answer your questions about upcoming storylines and such, and we're able to do that here. Many of you have been wondering what the plan is for ADVENTURE COMICS immediately after writer Geoff Johns and artist Francis Manapul swing over to Central City to take over FLASH. Well, we'll tell you! Or, better said, ADVENTURE COMICS Assistant Editor Wil Moss will tell you. Take it away, Wil:

ADVENTURE COMICS #8 is the start of a four-issue arc connecting ADVENTURE to the next big Superman story - "Brainiac & The Legion of Super-Heroes." James Robinson & Julian Lopez will provide a 10-page story about the Legion members who are in the 21st Century; Sterling Gates & Clayton Henry will provide a 10-pager about the Legion in the 31st Century; and Eric Trautmann & DC newcomer Pier Gallo (wait till you see this guy's stuff!) will provide a 10-pager about General Lane's Human Defense Corps.

The Superman writers have crafted a really fun and epic story in "Brainiac & The Legion of Super-Heroes" (which will run in ADVENTURE, SUPERMAN, SUPERGIRL and a tittle-to-be-named-later in March). Featuring Superman, Supergirl, Superboy, Mon-El and the Legion of Super-Heroes, it not only brings to a head all the Legion subplots that DC has been laying down since the JLA/JSA "Lightning Saga" story, but also sets the stage for this summer's blockbuster Superman event!

Thanks, Wil. And, as promised, here's the cover to ADVENTURE COMICS #8 by Francis Manapul with colors by Brian Buccellato - the sketches, the inks and the colors.