DCU Dark

[Pyro Man]

Been a while since I posted on here (life and my local store's terrible title selection have gotten in the way the past few months) but I will say that so far the DCU Dark titles have been the most enjoyable for me and I think they've all been pretty new reader friendly. I have issues with the continuity between alot of the other titles because the selective rebooting has made things confusing. I think Swamp Thing, Animal Man, Resurrection Man and Demon Knights have all been new reader friendly and not had much continuity issues for me. There's very few other titles I've felt like I could wholeheartedly recommend to non comic readers I know and not have to explain a bunch of continuity to them or apologize for some flaw in the book.

In particular, Animal Man has been the top title for me, its accessible, fun, shows a promising arc and it even stars a boring old married fart like me as the hero (except with kids so I suppose I'm not as boring and old as Animal Man would be to Dan Didio in real life)!

 

[Mystirious]

I haven't read Ressurection Man yet but I definitely want to check that one out

 

[Keyser Soze]

My review of Resurrection Man #1:

http://johnleescomics.wordpress.com/2011/09/16/review-resurrection-man-1/

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Resurrection Man was pretty good. Interesting premise that should provide some good exploration of the theological side of the new DC universe. Those teardrop dudes are f***ing crazy.

 

[Keyser Soze]

Here are the solicitations for December's Dark comics:

ANIMAL MAN #4
Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art and cover by TRAVEL FOREMAN
On sale DECEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
After coming face to face with the mysterious Totems, Buddy learns the truth about Maxine’s destiny – but it may be too late, as The Red is infiltrated by agents of The Other, and Buddy struggles to control his new, unfiltered powers with deadly results! Meanwhile, Ellen and Cliff must face the last Hunters alone!

SWAMP THING #4
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art by VICTOR IBANEZ
Cover by YANICK PAQUETTE
On sale DECEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
All across the world, those with a primal connection to the forces of life and death can feel that something is very wrong. The war between The Green andThe Other has begun, and the knights of decay walk the Earth unchecked – but without Alec Holland, the Green has no champion strong enough to fight back!

DEMON KNIGHTS #4
Written by PAUL CORNELL
Art by MIKE CHOI and DIOGENES NEVES & OCLAIR ALBERT
Cover by MIKE CHOI (Not final cover)
On sale DECEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
It wasn’t a coincidence that the Shining Knight found herself in Little Spring as the Horde massed at the village gates. She’s on a quest, and has been all her long life – whether she’s known it or not! Now, a powerful vision will reveal to her the true stakes of the battle for Little Spring and pull back the curtain on one of the biggest secrets in the DC Universe! Don’t miss “Merlin Watches The Storm,” featuring guest art by the sensational Mike Choi (X-Force)! And yes, “storm” is a hint.
** Not final cover

FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. #4
Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art by ALBERTO PONTICELLI
Cover by J.G. JONES
On sale DECEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
“Monster Planet” comes to its world-shattering conclusion as Frankenstein and Nina take on the massive Sea Monster, while Lady Frankenstein and the rest of the Creature Commandos go head to head with the colossal Ogre Titan. Plus: Don’t miss the debut of the G.I. Robot Squadron and the new War Wheel!

RESURRECTION MAN #4
Written by DAN ABNETT and ANDY LANNING
Art by FERNANDO DAGNINO
Cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
On sale DECEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
Who is the Transhuman? And why is he risking his life for the Resurrection Man? And even with his help, will our hero be able to fend off the bounty-hunting Body Doubles and the forces of both Heaven and Hell?

I, VAMPIRE #4
Written by JOSHUA HALE FIALKOV
Art by ANDREA SORRENTINO
Cover by JENNY FRISON
On sale DECEMBER 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
Straight from the pages of JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK comes John Constantine! Problem is, rather than help Andrew in his war against the Queen of Blood, Constantine figures it would make more sense to just wipe out all of the vampires, including Andrew!

JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #4
Written by PETER MILLIGAN
Art by MIKEL JANIN
Cover by RYAN SOOK
On sale DECEMBER 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Madame Xanadu’s plan is working! Zatanna, John Constantine, Shade the Changing Man, Mindwarp and Deadman are all being brought together. But will Xanadu’s manipulations blow up in her face when she learns that Enchantress has grown too powerful to be controlled?

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Looks good. I figured the rot in both the Green and the Red would be some kind of common enemy. Looking forward to getting some details on the Other.

Also, I think I'm gonna try Justice League Dark after all. The supernatural books have so far been among the best I've tried of the new 52.

 

[hippie_hunter]

Yeah, I'm coming to the same conclusion. I've been loving Frankenstein, Animal Man, Swamp Thing, and Demon Knights, so I might try out Justice League Dark.

 

[Secret Fawful]

Frankenstein is just great cheesy fun. I mean...the MONSTER PLANET? Frankenstein takes vacations on MARS? Damn that's awesome!

 

[Mystirious]

Looks good. I figured the rot in both the Green and the Red would be some kind of common enemy. Looking forward to getting some details on the Other.

Also, I think I'm gonna try Justice League Dark after all. The supernatural books have so far been among the best I've tried of the new 52.

Justice League Dark does look pretty darn fab doesnt it. I'm looking forward to checking the series out

And Demon Knights and Frankenstein are both looking amazing. So far the DCU Dark titles have been great and I'm pretty interested to find out what the connection is between Demon Knights and Stormwatch too

 

[Keyser Soze]

I do love how much of an interconnected, almost self-sufficient corner of the DCU the Dark titles have made for themselves, and as the title would suggest, in Justice League Dark it even has its own lynchpin team book in the vein of Justice League. I was already a fan of Deadman and Zatanna, and was excited to see John Constantine back in the DCU, but thanks to Demon Knights I'm also getting into Madame Xanadu, so this is looking like something of a dream team. I'm definitely going to be picking it up, out of the #1s not released yet its one of the ones I'm most excited about.

 

[Mystirious]

You should absolutely read the Vertigo Madame Xanadu series Keyser its a seriously great comic book definitely one of Vertigo's best

I just love the thought of Madame Xanadu, John Constantine, Shade the changing man and Zatanna all being on this supernatural version of the Justice League. And Milligan writing it means its almost definitely going to get a from me

 

[Keyser Soze]

I'm not a big fan of the Justice League Dark title, but I totally understand the reasoning behind them naming it as such. And if it's a choice between a Justice League Dark that sells like gangbusters and so can have a long and healthy run and a Shadowpact that doesn't, I'll take the former option.

And I'm definitely gonna give Madame Xanadu a try. My LCS holds a book club, and offers a 20% discount for members who buy books while attending the meeting. I'll probably pick up the first volume then.

 

[CrimsonMist]

All of that looks good. The "storm" hint isn't really a hint, since it was seen in Stormwatch.
I intend to check out Resurrection Man next week, and with Constantine showing up in I, Vampire, I may check out that book too.

That Frankenstein cover is gorgeous.

 

[Watchman]

Frankenstein is just great cheesy fun. I mean...the MONSTER PLANET? Frankenstein takes vacations on MARS? Damn that's awesome!

And a gorgeous J.G Jones cover to boot.

Moons and Monster Planets. We know the enemy and it's evil celestial bodies!

Frankenstein and Animal Man have been the highlights of the relaunch for me. I'm glad that Lemire is the breakout star of the reboot.

 

[Mystirious]

I'm now going to assume that all planets and moons are evil

I'm not a big fan of the Justice League Dark title, but I totally understand the reasoning behind them naming it as such. And if it's a choice between a Justice League Dark that sells like gangbusters and so can have a long and healthy run and a Shadowpact that doesn't, I'll take the former option.

And I'm definitely gonna give Madame Xanadu a try. My LCS holds a book club, and offers a 20% discount for members who buy books while attending the meeting. I'll probably pick up the first volume then.

That is very cool of your comic shop to do something like that

I really hope that you enjoy Madame Xanadu and JL Dark is looking like its going to be such a good series. Though I really hope they dont kill the Enchantress off. I like her

 

[Watchman]

I'm now going to assume that all planets and moons are evil

As you should. Look at 'em up there...plotting.

 

[Secret Fawful]

As you should. Look at 'em up there...plotting.

 

[Keyser Soze]

I'm now going to assume that all planets and moons are evil



That is very cool of your comic shop to do something like that

I really hope that you enjoy Madame Xanadu and JL Dark is looking like its going to be such a good series. Though I really hope they dont kill the Enchantress off. I like her

Judging by the concept art and some interviews I've read, it seems like Enchantress will likely join the team after serving as the villain for this opening arc.

 

[Mystirious]

That would be neat if Enchantress did join the team I think she could be a fun addition to it and it would be interesting to see how she interacts with the others

As you should. Look at 'em up there...plotting.

Mars is sinister as hell

Its full of Ice Warriors and spooky water monsters

And its named after the god of war I dont trust it

 

[X Knight]

so who's the "Shining Knight"?

 

[Mystirious]

so who's the "Shining Knight"?

There have been a few but this one is apparently the one from Seven Soldiers of Victory. They're a medieval magical hero who in Demon Knights Merlin apparently has a plan for

I the character design

 

[Keyser Soze]

Depending on how much I like Justice League Dark, I might use it as a basis for future back catalogue reading.

I've already talked about getting the Madame Xanadu Vertigo series, but I may also try Shade the Changing Man, the original Neal Adams Deadman, some more of Ennis' Hellblazer (I've not read past Dangerous Habits, and maybe even Paul Dini's Zatanna.

 

[Mystirious]

Depending on how much I like Justice League Dark, I might use it as a basis for future back catalogue reading.

I've already talked about getting the Madame Xanadu Vertigo series, but I may also try Shade the Changing Man, the original Neal Adams Deadman, some more of Ennis' Hellblazer (I've not read past Dangerous Habits, and maybe even Paul Dini's Zatanna.

I've not read much Deadman but Shade the Changing Man, Hellblazer and Zatanna are all well worth reading

I hope you dig them if you do decide to pick them up Keyser

 

[X Knight]

There have been a few but this one is apparently the one from Seven Soldiers of Victory. They're a medieval magical hero who in Demon Knights Merlin apparently has a plan for

I the character design

thanks!

 

[Mystirious]

No problem

Did you like Demon Knights issue one