New books, new creative teams, and a first look at the DC Universe after Convergence coming June 3rd.
More Harley Quinn, more comedy books and the fate of fan-favorite creative teams and titles revealed.
Plus your first look at Darkseid War.
Here’s the official DC Comics statement:
“Iconic Super Heroes & Super-Villains Universe is Diversifying.
To Make Room for More Types of Storytelling, More Fans.
June Slate of Titles Includes Long-Awaited Return to DCU of Bryan Hitch, Garth Ennis; Gene Luen Yang & Ming Doyle Join Team of Top Talent.
This summer, DC Entertainment launches a bold new direction for the DC Universe (DCU) that is even more inclusive and accessible to a wider group of readers as the publisher continues to evolve comic storytelling for its next generation of fans. Award-winning, critically acclaimed writers are headlining the June 2015 slate of DC Comics’ new periodicals and graphic novels, including Gene Luen Yang, Bryan Hitch, Garth Ennis and Ming Doyle.
Beginning June 3rd, the DC Comics line of comic books will consist of 24 brand-new series that will begin at issue number one, as well as 25 on-going, bestselling fan favorite series that will continue without a break in the issue numbering. The total number of periodicals in the DCU will be 49, with additional new titles debuting throughout the year.
“This heralds in a new era for the DC Universe which will allow us to publish something for everyone, be more expansive and modern in our approach and tell stories that better reflect the society around us,” said DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Dan DiDio. “Whether you’ve been a DC fan your whole life, or whether you are new to comics – there will be a book for you beginning in June.”
DC Comics will be keenly focused on going back-to-basics with its legendary characters, like BATMAN, SUPERMAN and WONDER WOMAN, while also reinventing key characters, such as BLACK CANARY, BIZARRO, CYBORG and STARFIRE, with a new contemporary tonality to ensure a diverse offering of titles. Top writers and artists, as well as emerging fresh voices, are on board to help create an expansive lineup of comics that appeals to a broad audience of fans.
Depicting some of these iconic characters in a more contemporary light include National Book Award finalist Gene Luen Yang who will join artist John Romita Jr. in the ongoing adventures of SUPERMAN. Comic superstar artist Bryan Hitch will write and draw new tales of the world’s greatest heroes in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA. The pitch perfect team of Garth Ennis and John McCrea returns to DC Comics for a limited series called SECTION EIGHT featuring characters from their popular Hitman comic. VERTIGO creator Ming Doyle will be lending her talents to DC Comics, penning CONSTANTINE: THE HELLBLAZER along with newcomer artist Riley Rossmo.
“More than ever before, DC Comics fans are being exposed to our rich portfolio of characters through multiple sources, including an unprecedented number of highly successful TV shows, video games and upcoming major motion pictures,” said Co-Publisher Jim Lee. “We are looking to extend that experience within publishing to ensure there is a comic book for everyone. For example, fans of the ARROW television show may want more stories about BLACK CANARY. Now they can find modern, fresh takes on the character in the pages of her standalone series both in stores and digitally.”
Breakout star, Brenden Fletcher, co-writer behind the all new, highly successful BATGIRL book will also be writing the new BLACK CANARY series launching in June. Fan favorites Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti will be the creative team on new titles STARFIRE and HARLEY QUINN/POWER GIRL and will continue to helm the perennially bestselling HARLEY QUINN.
“Beyond character and creators, the June slate will showcase different styles and approaches to storytelling as we add offbeat, irreverently funny titles such as BIZARRO, BAT-MITE and PREZ,” said Lee. “Truly there will be something for everybody as we simultaneously celebrate our rich legacy while embracing new voices and concepts.”
A first look at upcoming storylines will be the focus of DC Entertainment’s Free Comic Book Day issue – DC COMICS: DIVERGENCE – available Saturday, May 2, featuring three 8-page previews for the June releases of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s BATMAN, as well as Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok’s launch of the Darkseid War within JUSTICE LEAGUE featuring the biggest villains in the DCU – Darkseid and the Anti-Monitor, and Gene Luen Yang’s DC Comics debut with celebrated artist John Romita, Jr on SUPERMAN. More than half-a million free issues of the DC Entertainment sampler will be given away at comic book retailers globally.
“In this new era of storytelling, story will trump continuity as we continue to empower creators to tell the best stories in the industry,” said DiDio.
Here’s the list of NEW books:
Batman Beyond Dan Jurgens & Bernard Chang
Bat-Mite Dan Jurgens & Corin Howell
Bizarro Heath Corson & Gustavo Duarte
Black Canary Brenden Fletcher & Annie Wu
Constantine: The Hellblazer Ming Doyle & Riley Rossmo
Cyborg David Walker & Ivan Reis
Dark Universe James Tynion IV & Ming Doyle
Green Lantern: Lost Army Cullen Bunn & Jesus Saiz & Javi Pina
Doomed Scott Lobdell & Javier Fernandez
Earth 2: Society Daniel Wilson & Jorge Jimenez
Dr. Fate Paul Levitz & Sonny Liew
Harley Quinn/Power Girl Jimmy Palmiotti & Amanda Conner & Justin Gray & artist Stephane Roux
Justice League of America Bryan Hitch
Justice League 3001 Keith Giffen & Howard Porter
Martian Manhunter Rob Williams & Ben Oliver
Midnighter Steve Orlando & ACO
Mystic U Alisa Kwitney
Omega Men Tom King & Alec Morgan
Prez Mark Russell & Ben Caldwell
Red Hood/Arsenal Scott Lobdell & Denis Medri
Robin, Son of Batman Patrick Gleason
Section Eight Garth Ennis & John McCrea
Starfire Jimmy Palmiotti & Amanda Conner & artist Emanuela Lupacchino
We Are Robin Lee Bermejo & Khary Randolph
Continuing Titles:
Action Comics Greg Pak & Aaron Kuder
Aquaman Cullen Bunn & Trevor McCarthy
Batgirl Cameron Stewart & Brenden Fletcher & artist Babs Tarr
Batman Scott Snyder & Greg Capullo
Detective Comics Francis Manapul & Brian Buccelato
Batman/Superman Greg Pak & Ardian Syaf
Catwoman Genevieve Valentine & David Messina
Deathstroke Tony S. Daniel
The Flash Robert Venditti & Van Jensen & artist Brett Booth
Gotham Academy Becky Cloonan & Brenden Fletcher & artist Karl Kerschl
Gotham By Midnight Ray Fawkes & Juan Ferreyra
Grayson Tom King & Tim Seeley & artist Mikel Janin
Green Arrow Ben Percy & Zircher
Green Lantern Robert Venditti & Billy Tan
Harley Quinn Jimmy Palmiotti & Amanda Conner & artist Chad Hardin
Justice League Geoff Johns & Jason Fabok
Justice League United Creative team to be announced.
Lobo Cullen Bunn & Cliff Richards
Secret Six Gail Simone & Dale Eaglesham
Sinestro Cullen Bunn & Bradley Walker
New Suicide Squad Sean Ryan & Carlos D’Anda
Superman Gene Luen Yang & John Romita, Jr.
Superman/Wonder Woman Peter J. Tomasi & Doug Mahnke
Teen Titans Will Pfeifer & Kenneth Rocafort
Wonder Woman Meredith Finch & David FinchBy Editor
Here are more covers, sketches and promo art below:
What do you think of the new books, teams and lineup?
Tell us the books you’re most excited to check out or books you will miss in the comments below.
By Editor