DC Comics announces BOMB ASS diverse post-‘Convergence’ slate of comics
It appears that Marvel and DC are getting into a little bit of a diversification Arms Race. Works for me. DC has announced they’re nixing the “New 52” label after the upcoming event, Convergence. Following that MEGASPLOSIONVENT they’re unleashing a torrent of new titles. And baby, some of them are tasty. Black Canary drawn by Annie Wu? Fuck yeah. Section Eight by Garth Ennis and John McCrea? Constantine written by Ming Doyle and drawn by Riley fucking Rossmo? Word.
In a high-profile move, Eisner-winning comics creator Gene Luen Yang, known for his graphic novels including “American Born Chinese” and “The Shadow Hero,” will make his DC Comics debut by taking on writing duties on “Superman,” joining current series artist John Romita Jr. Yang follows DC Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johnson the series.
Additionally, long-time comics veteran Bryan Hitch, who illustrated multiple titles published by DC including “The Authority” and “JLA” before moving to Marvel, is returning to DC to write and draw a new “Justice League of America” series. The “Hitman” creative team of Garth Ennis andJohn McCrea are also back at DC, for the limited series “Section Eight,” featuring characters originally introduced in “Hitman.”
Ming Doyle, currently artist on Vertigo series “The Kitchen,” moves to writing duties in the DC Universe with “Constantine: The Hellblazer,” which takes the place of “Constantine” in DC’s publishing line, and adds the “Hellblazer” name from the character’s Vertigo days. Riley Rossmo, a veteran of multiple series at Image Comics, will illustrate the series.
Additional new titles announced by DC include a “Black Canary” book written by “Batgirl” co-writer Brenden Fletcher; “Starfire,” written by the “Harley Quinn” team of Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti (who are also writing a new “Harley Quinn/Power Girl” series in addition to the solo “Harley Quinn”), “Cyborg,” “Bizarro,” “Bat-Mite” and “Prez;” the latter three of which are described by DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Jim Lee in the press release as “offbeat, irreverently funny titles.”
DC’s press release announcing the new lineup stresses a progressive approach aimed at appealing to a wide range of fans. The words “inclusive” and “accessible” are used, with DC looking to target its “next generation of fans.” These changes follow the two-month“Convergence” event running in April and May, coinciding with the move of DC’s editorial department from New York City to Burbank, and featuring short stories drawing upon multiple aspects of DC history and continuity.
“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,” DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Dan DiDio said in the press release. “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.”
…and just like that, Caff-Pow fucks were given about DC Comics again.