The time has come to look at the Superman related solicitations for the month of April. For some reason I thought these were going to come out last week but here they are so here I am. This is not a comprehensive list of the Superman related comics that DC will be publishing in April. They are just the ones that caught my eye.
All cover images yanked from the Superman Homepage.
Doing a break thing here in case you ran across this on the main page and don’t want spoilers.
Because I care.
Main Books
ACTION COMICS #977
“Superman Reborn Aftermath” part one! Following the epic struggle against [REDACTED], Superman examines his entire history-the birth of Jon, the marriage of Lois and Clark, their lives at the Daily Planet-to discover who tried to destroy his life. Who is waiting in the shadows? Who is Mr. Oz? All questions the Man of Steel cannot answer alone. It is time for him to unite the entire Superman-Family!
On sale APRIL 12. 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US. RATED T
ACTION COMICS #978
- Written by DAN JURGENS.
- Art by IAN CHURCHILL.
- Cover by ANDY KUBERT.
- Variant cover by GARY FRANK
“Superman Reborn Aftermath” part two! Superman’s life has been changed, some good is back, but the bad is back as well-with a vengeance! As Superman’s allies gather to address the looming threat of Mr. Oz, another Squad seeks revenge against the Man of Steel-and you won’t believe who made the team!
On sale APRIL 26. 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US. RATED T
My Take
Action Comics continues to be my favorite title of the Rebirth era, which is saying something because outside of New Super-Man I’ve loved all of the Superbooks. The idea of uniting the entire Super Family to investigate Mr. Oz has me all kinds of excited. Some of my favorite stories from the late ‘90s and early ‘00s were the ones where Superman had to team up with Steel, Supergirl, and Superboy to take on a bigger threat. This rarely happened in the New 52 and when it did it was usually lackluster in execution. I’m also jazzed that Jurgens will be going through this Superman’s history and I have always liked Ian Churchill’s art so his involvement makes me happy as well.
SUPERMAN #20
- Written by PETER J. TOMASI and PATRICK GLEASON.
- Art by PATRICK GLEASON and MICK GRAY.
- Cover by PATRICK GLEASON.
- Variant Cover by Tony Daniel
“Superman Black” part one! A “Superman Reborn Aftermath” tie-in! As the smoke clears the Kents are faced with leaving Hamilton to go back to Metropolis, but someone or something doesn’t want them to leave! Batman and Robin discover something is mysteriously wrong with the son of Superman-he’s losing his powers!
On sale APRIL 5. 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US. RATED T
SUPERMAN #21
- Written by PETER J. TOMASI and PATRICK GLEASON.
- Art by DOUG MAHNKE and JAIME MENDOZA.
- Cover by PATRICK GLEASON.
- Variant cover by TONY S. DANIEL
“Superman Black” part two! A “Superman Reborn Aftermath” tie-in! The Man of Steel is challenged to break his code against killing in front of his son as the mystery surrounding Hamilton deepens.
On sale APRIL 19. 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US. RATED T
My Take
Tomasi and Gleason have made me love the idea of a “married with children” Superman. If the copy from these solicits are accurate we might be at the end of the line regarding the Kents living in Hamilton. That’s a bit disappointing because new settings have a short shelf life in the modern DC Comics. It seems like every time a new city or home that a character is sent to live in lasts a year if we’re lucky. There are exceptions to be sure but I prefer more long term planning when it comes to these things. Having Batman and Robin guest star is a little worrying because despite the fact that Damien and Jon are going to be BFFs in Super Sons I don’t want them to be in this book all that much. Still, these solicits have me excited and I am looking forward to both issues.
Super Family Titles
SUPERGIRL #8
- Written by STEVE ORLANDO.
- Art by MATIAS BERGARA.
- Cover by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO and RAY McCARTHY.
- Variant cover by BENGAL
A “Superman Reborn Aftermath” tie-in! Superman and Supergirl meet again for the first time to face the evil of the Emerald Empress! Plus, what does it mean for the Girl of Tomorrow when tomorrow promises a Dark Knight? Shocking revelations, all-powerful sorceresses from the future, the Batgirl of Burnside and dinner in the Wild West-they’re all here in this amazing issue!
On sale APRIL 12. 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US. RATED T
SUPERWOMAN #9
- Written by K. PERKINS.
- Art by STEPHEN SEGOVIA and ART THIBERT.
- Cover by BILLY TAN.
- Variant cover by RENATO GUEDES
“SUPER WOMEN” part one! In this story tying in to “Superman Reborn Aftermath,” Lois Lane and Lana Lang find themselves reunited at last! Along with the Man of Steel, their reunion is cut short by the return of Cannon and Saber, who arrive to wreak havoc on the newly restored Metropolis. The mantle of Superwoman will be decided in this debut chapter of “Super Women”!
On sale APRIL 19. 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US. RATED T
SUPER SONS #3
- Written by PETER J. TOMASI.
- Art and cover by JORGE JIMENEZ.
- Variant cover by DUSTIN NGUYEN
“When I Grow Up” part three! It’s Super-Son vs Bat-Son as the exciting new series continues! Kid Amazo is ready to rip the hearts out of the world’s not-so-finest super duo. Face to face with their newest-and first-villain, Jonathan and Damian strike out the only way they know how…at each other!
On sale APRIL 19. 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US. RATED T
TRINITY #8
- Written by CULLEN BUNN.
- Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO and RAY McCARTHY.
- Cover by CLAY MANN.
- Variant cover by BILL SIENKIEWICZ
A “Superman: Reborn Aftermath” tie-in! In this essential chapter of the “Superman Reborn Aftermath” epic, Kal-El reveals to Batman and Wonder Woman what had happened to him-and how they all may be in danger!
On sale APRIL 19. 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US. RATED T
My Take
I haven’t written much about it here but I am so excited that there is a group of comics currently being published that can be considered part of “The Superman Family of Titles”. The mid to late ’90s were the prime of my comic book collecting and after 1996 I religiously bought all of the Superman related titles and even though Superboy and Supergirl were around in the New 52 it didn’t feel the same. To be fair the current crop of books don’t feel exactly the same either but it feels close enough that I get that comfort food feeling when I look at the solicits for these books.
Having written all of that, it should come as no surprise when I follow it up with the the main thing that has me excited for all of these books is the repeated use of the phrase, “A Superman: Reborn Aftermath tie-in”. Super Sons is not part of that but the rest are and I love that Superman: Reborn is apparently such a giant story that its fallout requires getting the whole family together. It gives the books an epic feeling. I realize part of it is a marketing gimmick to get you to buy all of the line but I’ve never minded that because at the end of the day I can say no to spending money. No one is forcing me to do so. I do it because I want to and because it’s fun.
Supergirl is exciting because I like to see her and Superman team up. The dynamic is a bit different here. This is almost like the Pre-Crisis Superman teaming up with Power Girl but the involvement of the Emerald Empress is just freaking cool. Superwoman‘s solicit was interesting because Phil Jimenez’ name is not listed as writer. I wasn’t aware that there was going to be a creative change but at the same time I haven’t been keeping my ear pressed to the ground. The reveal that Lois is back was a tad disappointing but at the same time I knew that was coming and it probably won’t happen the way I think it will. Then again it might not happen at all. I look forward to what K. Perkins will bring to the title.
Super Sons is such an amazing concept. The first issue comes out next month and it is one of the main Rebirth books that I have been looking forward to. I don’t hate Damien anymore and the “pilot” that went down over in Superman was fantastic. We have another creative change in Trinity and I’m not sure how to feel about it. I liked Cullen Bunn’s issues of Superman/Batman back in 2011 but I heard bad things about his Aquaman run. I’m keeping an open mind but it is the one solicit that has me concerned.
Collected Editions
SUPERGIRL VOL. 1: REIGN OF THE CYBORG SUPERMEN TP
Written by STEVE ORLANDO
Art by BRIAN CHING and EMANUELA LUPACCHINO
Cover by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO
Supergirl moves to National City! As Kara Danvers, high school student, Supergirl must balance her life as a superhero with her new life on Earth. But some demons from her Kryptonian past are coming back to haunt her, and Kara will find herself face to face with her father, the sinister Cyborg Superman! Collects SUPERGIRL: REBIRTH #1 and SUPERGIRL #1-6.
On sale MAY 17. 168 pg, FC, $16.99 US
SUPERWOMAN VOL. 1: WHO KILLED SUPERWOMAN? TP
Written by PHIL JIMENEZ.
Art by PHIL JIMENEZ, MATT SANTORELLI, JACK HERBERT, EMANUELA LUPACCHINO and RAY MCCARTHY.
Cover by PHIL JIMENEZ
Imbued with the powers of Superman, Lois Lane and Lana Lang pledge to use their powers to protect Metropolis as Superwomen! The only problem is their new powers are killing them, and neither one knows how to stop it. Can they survive long enough to uncover the deadly secret of their new foe, Ultra-Woman? Collects SUPERWOMAN #1-7.
On sale MAY 3. 168 pg, FC, $16.99 US
THE DC UNIVERSE BY MIKE MIGNOLA HC
Written by NEIL GAIMAN, JOHN BYRNE, PAUL KUPPERBERG, ROGER STERN, JERRY ORDWAY and GEORGE PEREZ.
Art by MIKE MIGNOLA and others.
Cover by MIKE MIGNOLA
This new title collects Mike Mignola’s work on comics including SUPERMAN: THE WORLD OF KRYPTON #1-4, ACTION COMICS ANNUAL #2, SUPERMAN #18 and 23, BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #54, BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #36, SWAMP THING ANNUAL #5, PHANTOM STRANGER #1-4 and more! Also collects dozens of covers by Mignola!
On sale MAY 10. 400 pg, FC, $39.99 US
SUPERGIRL VOL. 3: GHOSTS OF KRYPTON TP
Written by GEOFF JOHNS, KELLEY PUCKETT, KURT BUSIEK and FABIAN NICIEZA
Art by RENATO GUEDES, DREW JOHNSON, RAY SNYDER and LEE FERGUSON
Cover by DREW JOHNSON and RAY SNYDER
A new story begins with a bizarre delivery to Kara’s apartment that quickly has her hoppingdimensions and traveling through deep space! These tales from ACTION COMICS #850 and SUPERGIRL #23-33 guest star Superman, Batman and the Green Lantern Corps!
On sale MAY 31. 304 pg, FC, $29.99 US
THE SUPERMAN ADVENTURES VOL. 3 TP
Written by MARK MILLAR, CHRIS DUFFY, DEVIN GRAYSON and others
Art by NEIL VOKES, ALUIR AMANCIO, BRET BLEVINS, MIKE MANLEY and TERRY AUSTIN
Cover by RICK BURCHETT and TERRY AUSTIN
Spinning out of Superman: The Animated Series, the Man of Steel’s exploits continue in these stories from SUPERMAN ADVENTURES #17-25! In these tales, Superman must protect the president of the United States from an attempted assassination, and also encounters Brainiac, Parasite, Livewire and heroes Supergirl and Batgirl!
On sale MAY 24. 248 pg, FC, $19.99 US
My Take
I like that DC is scattering the Rebirth trades over several months. This makes them feel special instead of dumping a bunch of collected editions all at once. Supergirl and Superwoman are both fantastic books so I will be picking these up to have on the shelf. The Mike Mignola collection is interesting. I forgot how much Superman he did in the late eighties though I wonder how Action Comics Annual #2 will read outside of the context of Exile. Forty bucks is pricey but any excuse to reprint the Post Crisis World of Krypton is okay by me.
Part of me feels that I should be annoyed that they are reprinting the Pre-Flashpoint Supergirl series in larger trades but I can see where they are coming from. A lot of that stuff fell out of print and there is a successful television series to tie into. SOOOO excited that more of the Superman Adventures series is getting reprinted. That was a fun series that much, like its Batman counterpart, had solid Superman stories that both older and younger readers can enjoy.
Quick Hits
Both Superman: The Final Days of Superman and Superman and Wonder Woman Vol 5: Savage End are getting softcover collections in May, so if you didn’t pick up the hardcovers or prefer that format there you go. The Final Days of Superman was a fantastic story and was a satisfying end to The New 52. I am going to pick up issue seven of Cave Carson Has A Cybernetic Eye for the Superman appearance. Superman has guested in a number of books since Rebirth started so I am happy to see that continue. I’m glad to see that Red Hood and the Outlaws is sticking around for the moment. I still have to catch up on the last few issues but I love the concept and the team.
April is shaping up to be another great month for Superman, which is nice to write. It was a dire five or so years and DC has definitely turned into the skid and managed to right the ship, to mix some metaphors. I am not the biggest fan of New Super-Man but I’ll still support it because it is well written with great art.
Below is a gallery of the images you saw above. I hope Steve doesn’t mind me copying the images from the Homepage.
