The characters take center stage in January

This coming January, you’ll notice something unique about the cover treatments for DCU titles hitting that month.

Here, let me show you a few.

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But it’s not just about iconic poses. As you can see, each title gets a unique and yet familiar logo treatment that brings the focus on the characters and stars of their respective books. New year. New beginnings. New focus.

This January will see a handful of one-shots spotlighting some of the key players in the DCU by an A-list assortment of creators, including James Robinson, Eric Wallace, J.T. Krul and more. Here’s the breakdown:

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STARMAN /CONGORILLA #1

Written by JAMES ROBINSON

Art by BRETT BOOTH

Cover by GENE HA

In this tie-in to the “JLA Omega” storyline, the new blue and gold team of Congorilla and Mikaal Tomas work to unlock the secrets behind the toxic Omega Man’s dark energy, which encases Washington D.C. To do this they must embark on a quest to find the Fountain of Youth, encountering diverse heroes from the DCU along the way including Animal Man, Sirocco and a certain wonder dog named Rex. And all the while, Mikaal and Congorilla must outrun and outwit a cadre of terrorist assassins from Gorilla City. This is a breakneck chase through the DCU, but with a serious end-goal – saving the lives of their fellow members of the JLA!

ONE-SHOT • On sale JANUARY 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

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SHAZAM! #1

Script by ERIC WALLACE

Art by CLIFF RICHARDS

Cover by CLIFF CHIANG

Blaze, the current ruler of Hell, has an offer for Mary and Billy Batson that may be too good to pass up! Left powerless, will the two former heroes have the strength to deny the devil? Can Freddy Freeman save them? And how does the Titan Osiris fit into it all? Find out here, in this one-shot special written by Eric Wallace (TITANS) with art by Cliff Richards (THE ROAD HOME: BATMAN & ROBIN #1)!

ONE-SHOT • On sale JANUARY 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

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STEEL #1

Written by STEVE LYONS

Art by SEAN CHEN

Cover by ALEX GARNER

John Henry Irons is a normal human being who managed to overcome all odds and become a hero who Superman considers a peer and colleague. What kind of determination drives a man to reach such heights? Find out here as a battered and bruised Steel defiantly stands as the only thing between Metallo and the destruction of Metropolis! Doctor Who novelist Steve Lyons and artist Sean Chen (ACTION COMICS, SALVATION RUN) deliver a story that shows why Steel is a true DC Universe icon!

ONE-SHOT • On sale JANUARY 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

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WONDER GIRL #1

Written by JT KRUL

Art by ADRIANA MELO & MARIAH BENES

Cover by NICOLA SCOTT & DOUG HAZLEWOOD

Spinning out of the pages of TEEN TITANS comes this spotlight on Cassie Sandsmark, the wonderful Wonder Girl! Even though not every moment of Wonder Girl’s life is spent being a Titan, strange adventures still follow her everywhere. In this issue, she’ll cross paths with the odd new hero known as Solstice!

ONE-SHOT • On sale JANUARY 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

We checked in with Co-Publisher Dan DiDio for his thoughts on the January theme. Take it away Dan:

“This January, we’re putting the focus squarely on the characters and iconic heroes of the DCU,” said DCU Co-Publisher Dan DiDio. “Not only will we tell new stories some of the more-deserving with special one-shots, but we’ll be giving every title in the line a unique treatment that puts the spotlight on the heroes and villains that populate the DC Universe.”

THIS JUST HAPPENED: Arrow in the city, Grodd gone wild and more

First, let me get the obvious out of the way: There’s a ton of exciting stuff happening in the DCU.

Whether it’s Bruce Wayne returning, BRIGHTEST DAY’s ongoing mysteries and reveals or the edgy adventures of the SECRET SIX, nearly every title has its share of surprises and “Wow” pages and moments. And those pages include some great art. So why not put the spotlight on a few of those moments?

That’s the conceit behind “This Just Happened.” Simple, right? So, let’s grab this week’s stack and check out some of the cool moments or shots from the latest week of DCU books.

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Can Jesus Merino draw Alan Scott or what? JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #43, which serves as an epilogue to the JLA/JSA crossover “Dark Things,” features a lot of soul-searching and reflection. Which is to be expected when you’re coming out of a major crossover event featuring two of the DC Universe’s biggest teams. But look at that splash page. Merino has a knack for making every scene dynamic, and this panel’s a perfect example.

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A lot of people forget just how deadly Gorilla Grodd can be. Maybe they’re fooled by his frighteningly sharp intellect or by the fact that he’s a giant gorilla, and some people think gorillas are cute. Well, this one isn’t. And he’ll tear your head off in a second if given the chance. Now, show that via the pen of Sean Chen and we’ve got an image none of us want to see come to life.

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J.T. Krul has a knack for Green Arrow. Heck, he’s got a knack for most of the characters he’s writing. This is Ollie in his element, roaming the streets of Star City and pinning down his enemies with a well-timed trick arrow. Artist Diogenes Neves manages to pull off a hat tip to the lies of Mike Grell and Neal Adams while putting his own spin on writer J.T. Krul’s take on the Emerald Archer.

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Now, we knew Don Kramer could draw an excellent Wonder Woman, right?

How about scary, creepy and straight up ugly monsters?

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Yeah, he can do that, too.

Cool, huh?

Now, lemme turn it to you, Source readers — what were the cool moments you saw this week?

Lex learns the meaning of “Do not mess with Grodd”

Paul Cornell and guest artist Sean Chen join forces to reveal the latest chapter in Lex Luthor’s ongoing quest for power. But when a raid on Gorilla Grodd’s home turf goes awry, only bad can follow.

Also, this issue marks the first installment of writer Nick Spencer and artist R.B. Silva’s JIMMY OLSEN co-feature, which includes the DCU debut of Smallville’s own Chloe Sullivan.

The story’s already gotten some love from the folks at TV GUIDE and you’ll be able to download the first installment of the co-feature for free via the DC Comics and Comixology apps, too. How can you say no?

ACTION COMICS #893 hits 9/29.

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Sean Chen steps in on ACTION #893

In ACTION COMICS #893, Lex Luthor will be dealing with not just one guest star, but two. First up we have Gorilla Grodd, the menacing giant and the latest villain to cross paths with Lex during his quest for power. The next? None other than veteran artist Sean Chen.

Stepping in to give regular artist Pete Woods a breather, Chen brings his versatile hand to the Superman books in a few short weeks, as Lex crosses paths with the maniacal Grodd. We’ve got a few images to show off, below. But be warned – it’s not for the squeamish.

ACTION COMICS #893 hits 9/29.

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