DC Digital Comics: Celebrating Black History Month

From the honor and strength of John Stewart, to the pure techno power of Cyborg, to the energy and humor of Static Shock, DC’s African-American heroes have become both inspirations and favorites of DC fans the world over. John Stewart first joined the Green Lantern Corps in the 1970s and remains the definitive Green Lantern to a generation of fans who grew up with the Justice League animated series. Cyborg has overcome great injury and physical change and now fights alongside Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman in the Justice League. Static Shock has appeared in multiple DC Comics universes and headlined his own hit animated series. These three favorites have joined with other pioneering African-American super heroes in representing the best in all of us, blazing new trails while defending our world and the universe as a whole from injustice.

 

In February, millions of us nationwide take time to remember and celebrate our African-American heritage in what’s become known as Black History Month. With so much of our history here at DC Comics now available digitally, there’s never been a better time to discover or rediscover DC’s African-American trailblazers. Throughout all of February, look for discounted prices on the titles that helped forge new territory in comics. Whether you’re discovering these stories for the first time, or rediscovering classic tales that you may not have read in a while, we hope you join with us in celebrating Black History Month and appreciating the important role these African-American characters have played in our comic books and popular culture as a whole.

 

Look for different titles available each week in February—all only 99 cents an issue. Starting 1/31/13 in the DC Comics Digital Store.

 

An unexpected ally joins in the battle against the Doomsdays

As Steel, Superboy, and Supergirl use all of their might to beat Doomsdays across the world into submission, Superman faces down with the real mastermind behind the reign of terror. But even with all of their powers combined, is the super-team strong enough to defeat all of the Doomsdays? Perhaps the help of an unexpected ally will bring them the victory they’re hoping for and stop the Reign of the Doomsdays once and for all.

Written by Paul Cornell and with art by Axel Gimenez, ACTION COMICS #903 arrives in stores tomorrow.

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STEEL #1 sells out and goes back to press

STEEL #1, the first part of the REIGN OF DOOMSDAY storyline, has sold out and gone back for a second printing, this time with a blood-red cover. Foreboding, right? Check it out below.

Along with that, we have a few more variants for you. First up is Andy Clarke’s variant cover to Finch’s BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #2 followed closely by another dynamic Felipe Massafera variant to GREEN LANTERN: EMERALD WARRIORS #7. Rounding out the batch is Kevin Maguire’s cover to JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST #19.

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DCU in 2011: What does Doomsday want?

Doomsday's back - and while we agree that that’s not a good sign for the heroes of the DCU, we can still ask: why did Doomsday return?

Well, I asked, and I got a hint back in return. Here's a few words from DC Executive Editor Eddie Berganza about Reign of Doomsday:

“Doomsday is back - and he's hunting down each of the four characters that rose from his first strike on Earth: Steel, Superboy, The Eradicator and Cyborg Superman. Something about those four has drawn him back... And nothing is getting in his way, not even the JLA. That’s all I’ll say for now!”

And here's another news nugget. This story is so big that we can now announce that the SUPERMAN/BATMAN Annual 5 is part five of what appears to be a visceral tale of collateral damage and revenge.

As for Part 6, hmmm... We're not saying. Yet.

Part 1: STEEL #1

Part 2: OUTSIDERS #37

Part 3: JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #55

Part 4: SUPERMAN/BATMAN ANNUAL #5

Part 5: SUPERBOY #6

Part 6: ???

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Can Steel stop the monster who killed Superman?

Next year's "Reign of Doomsday" storyline is still shrouded in mystery. We've done a couple teases here on The Source, and here's another: this great splash by Ed Benes from STEEL #1!

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Excited? Me too.

In STEEL #1 — which kicks off "Reign of Doomsday" – Doomsday has returned to Metropolis, and Steel is the only hero who can keep him from destroying the city. But how can Steel, a normal human, possibly hope to stop the monster who killed Superman?

Find out when the issue hits store in January!

DCU in 2011: The Reign of Doomsday

Doomsday is coming back.

A few of you drew this conclusion from last week's tease, and we'll confirm here that the Kryptonian killing machine will return to Earth early next year - and you don't need me to tell you that's never a good sign for the heroes of the DCU.

Doomsday will first make his presence known this January in STEEL #1 - but I can promise you, he won't be the only hero facing Doomsday's wrath for long. The story will continue with:

Part 2: OUTSIDERS #37

Part 3: JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #55

Part 4: SUPERBOY #6

Part 5:  ... ????

"Doomsday is one of the most popular villains in Superman's canon of foes," says Editor-in-Chief Bob Harras, "He injects a feeling of dread and chaos into the DC Universe that few other characters can."

In other news, one of the exciting pieces of news to come out of last week's DC Digital Store launch is the launch of some amazing back list titles in digital format - including The Death and Return of Superman. And if you haven't read those stories before, you might want to do it sooner rather than later. Y'know, just sayin'...

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.”

Prepare for 'The 100 Minute War'

You read that correctly. An interstellar conflict waged at superspeed.

Could this be in any way related to THE WAR OF THE SUPERMEN, which we announced not too long ago?

Same thing, folks, and it's all hitting in May, courtesy of writers Sterling Gates and James Robinson.

An epic, defining battle for the Man of Steel unleashed in one month. Because super-beings that fly fast? Well, they fight pretty fast, too.

But let's move past the high concept and dive into the nitty gritty, shall we? We pestered Superman Group Editor Matt Idelson on his day off to give us the goods, so take it away, Matt:

"The war between New Krypton and Earth has been the worst kept secret in comics the last several months. The number of mocking 'Wouldn't a world of supermen defeat Earth in five minutes?' questions I've been assaulted with have undone years of therapy. Now, thank Freud, the time for secrets is over, as the two sides are finally going to war! And it's going to last a lot longer than five minutes--100, to be exact, told in 25 minute increments. That doesn't count the few minutes before the clock starts, in WAR OF THE SUPERMEN #0, our contribution to this year's FREE COMIC BOOK DAY. There, we'll bring new readers up to speed on everything they really need to know, while hitting our regular loyalists with a tense tale the ending of which baps you between the eyes. Yay, war!

Jokes aside, this 100 minute thing made us realize that spreading the story over several months would kind of deaden the impact of the timeframe device, not to mention starting the war a month after #0. Besides, with five covers by Mr. Eddy Barrows, and Eddy being joined on this thing by the likes of Aaron Lopresti, Jamal Igle and Eduardo Pansica, why wait to put the issues out?"

But there's more.

With Superman caught between the war-hungry factions of General Zod and General Lane, could any victory be much more than Pyrrhic? What side will Supergirl take, and could it find her at odds with her cousin? Where are the other "Supermen" of the DCU, like Steel and Superboy? Right in the thick of it, is the answer.

War is declared. Time is of the essence. May is going to be a game changer for Superman, and if you don't believe me yet, maybe these stunning in-progress Eddy Barrows WAR OF THE SUPERMEN covers -- along with the cover to #0 -- will help sway you.

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