Is it just me, or do the weeks seem to be getting shorter? I blame the 4:49 sunsets here, but the good news is that as the temperature drops, so does the judgment for being in pajamas reading a comic with a cup of tea by 7:30pm. It was honestly a surprising quiet week for new announcements this week, but lots of first looks were posted to get excitement going for next month’s pre-holidays releases and the new titles coming out for February 2022.
DC:
The big title announcement from DC this week is the new Aquamen title, headed by writers Chuck Brown and Brandon Thomas with artists Sami Basri and Adriano Lucas. Following up Jackson Hyde’s story from Aquaman: The Becoming and the events of Black Manta, Aquamen focusesonthe potential devastation a secret that Arthur Curry is keeping from everyone- including Mera, Tula, Jackson, and both Atlantis and the surface- could cause. The title launches February 22nd, 2022, with Black Manta #6 releasing February 8th, and Aquaman: The Becoming #6 releasing February 15th to lead into the new title.
There is another upcoming title featuring a team up of a particular group of heroes, but this one focuses more on the sky than the sea. DC released a first look at Batgirls from Micheal Conrad and Becky Gordon with art by Jorge Corona this week, and from the interview, it looks like they’ve finally heard our pleas for quality Steph, Cass, and Barbara content beyond the boys’ books. While there was a tease of a potential Betty Kane appearance, I’m most excited about how they discussed the importance of Bab’s disability representation. While her spinal implant allows her the ability to walk again, Conrad and Gordon said we’d see her using mobility devices and discussing her limitations. Bab’s disability has caused a ton of conversation (and twitter arguments) with her physical representation, particularly recently in Nightwing. The writers also discuss the importance of not letting the physical limitations be central to Bab’s character- her disability helps to shape her, but doesn’t define her. They also talked about Steph’s story, as she’s been very much defined by the people around her- including Cass. It’s very clear from the interview that the writers love these characters as much as the fans do. I’m very excited to finally get a chance to see these girls taking center stage, and I’ve got a feeling it’s going to be a similar response as Wayne Family Adventures- another title that finally acknowledges the family and relationship aspects of the Bat-family. Batgirls hits stands December 14th.
Bouncing off the Bat, there was also a first look at next month’s Nightwing #87. It’s no secret I adore the creative team’s current run on my favorite character, and I fully admit my bias. But seeing next month’s issue just highlights the talent this team has brought to this title. Nightwing #87 is one single image. I’m so excited to see how artist Bruno Redondo manages to connect all of the pages, especially as his designs are so fluid and full of motion. It’s going to be a very cool issue when it hits stands December 21st.
This week also marked the release of Superman: Son of Kal-El #5, another title headed by Nightwing writer Tom Taylor. Of course, this issue has been hot gossip since last month, when it was released that Jon Kent would be pursuing a romantic relationship with fellow journalist Jay Nakamura. Like father, like son. This week, Alex Jaffe, a freelance writer with DC posted his own reflection on the issue, and how it impacted him as a member of LGBTQIA+ community. I’m a huge fan of the title of the issue, as it harks back to Lois Lane’s line from the 76 Superman film when she asks “Who’s got you?”. I think it’s great to bring this storyline full circle. Superman: Son of Kal-El #5 is out now.
And soon, the comic shop won’t be the only place where the DC heroes make a difference. DC and the Biden/Harris administration are teaming up to make vaccine distribution a little more fun for kids. Posters and activity books are being distributed to hospitals and vaccination sites so that kids see getting their COVID-19 vaccine as less scary and a little more super.
Marvel:
The biggest news Marvel dropped this week was the release of a new trailer for Spider-Man: No Way Home, releasing in theaters December 17th. This trailer offered the first glimpse of what kind of plot we’d be seeing in this film, including villains from Sam Rani’s original Spider-Man films, and the 2000’s Amazing Spider-Man films. I will say, I’m worried for MJ as she pulled some major Gwen Stacy vibes in the trailer.
The movies aren’t the only place the Spider-Man multiverse is making an appearance. Marvel announced Spider-Gwen: Gwenverse. The five issue mini-series takes Gwen Stacy through the multiverse where it seems she’ll be meeting all kinds of Gwens- spider and not! Written by Tim Seely with art from Jodi Nishijima, Spider-Gwen: Gwenverse releases in February.
The undisputed king of the Multi-verse, Miles Morales, is taking a look at other realities in What-if…Miles Morales. This new title features Miles as Captain America in What If… Miles Morales #1 written by Cody Ziglar with art from Paco Medina. This series will also see Miles taking on the mantles of Wolverine, Thor, and Hulk in March.
If waiting until March is too long, Miles will also be appearing in Marvel Voices: Legacy #1 in February, along with Sam Wilson, Black Panther, Luke Cage and more. With stories from Marvel’s Stormbreaker writer Natacha Bustos, Cloak and Dagger and Jessica Jones writer J. Holthman, novelist Victor LaValle, and Amazing Spider-Man writer Cody Ziglar.
Image:
The February solicitations were released from Image comics for February 2022, as well as a new title announcement. This past February, Image released Radiant Black and next February, Radiant Black and Kickstarter comic Inferno Girl Red crosses over with a new title called Rouge Sun. The description for this new title see a teenage boy finding out that he’s the newest Rouge Sun and has to protect the world from supernatural threats and figure out who murdered the last Rouge Sun- who also happened to be his estranged father.
BOOM:
BOOM has announced that in February 2022, the series The Killer will see a new title called The Killer: Affairs of the State, written by Matz, with art from Luc Jacamonbefore the release of the Netflix adaptation. The original title focuses on a mercenary/spy, and this version will see him trapped in the scariest of all places- working for the government and balancing civilian life.
BOOM also returns to the world of Faithless for the third volume from Brian Azzarello and Maria Llovet’s erotic thriller. Faithless III releases in February 2022, and also features variant covers not openly available for preview because of their explicit nature, which will only be available as incentive covers, so preorder this one if you’re looking for the spicy covers.
For something a little less spicy, Boom has also spotlighted three graphic novels that are releasing in 2022. There’s The Many Deaths of Lalia Starr, which follows a young woman who was once Death and is now stuck just having a quarter-life crisis like the rest of us- unless she can figure out how to change things. There’s A Spark in the Forge, which is a Young Adult Dystopian novel set in the world of Ember in the Ashes. And there’s also Eve, which focuses on a young girl who awakes in a post-apocalyptic world and has to figure out how to save… well, everyone.
Outside the pages, next week Marvel’s Shang-Chi star Simu Liu and DC COO Jim Lee will both be on hand to welcome a new resident to Sesame Street! It’s quite neat to see how representation and comics bring people of all ages and races together. It’s something to be thankful for.
And that’s it for this week! If you’re in the US, enjoy your Thanksgiving and I’ll see you next week! (after my food coma.)
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