This batch of DC superhero titles includes Mary Marvel becoming SHAZAM, Arthur Curry and Jackson Hyde sharing a title as Aquamen, Gene Luen Yang launching a new title, some Simon Spurrier Suicide Squad action, and the upcoming Wonder Woman crossover event the Trial of the Amazons.
NEW CHAMPION OF SHAZAM #1
Written by JOSIE CAMPBELL Art and cover by EVAN "DOC" SHANER
$3.99 US | 32 pages | 1 of 4 |
ON SALE 2/22/22
Mary Bromfield has always struggled to determine who she is outside her family...kinda hard to do when you're all superheroes! Now, after Billy Batson's heroic sacrifice, the power of Shazam has vanished, and she's been left powerless. Most heroes would be distraught, but not Mary. It's finally time for a voyage of self-discovery as she prepares for her freshman year of college and a civilian life. But nothing is ever truly normal for this young hero, because she's just been chosen as the new champion of Shazam! (At least according to a talking rabbit sent by her estranged brother Billy.) Will she embrace the power? Or will it die alongside this world's hope of survival against the mysterious magical forces waiting to take control?
Find out in Mary's first solo miniseries, brought to you by up-and-coming comics writer Josie Campbell (Future State: Green Lantern) and fan-favorite Shazam! artist Evan "Doc" Shaner (Strange Adventures, Convergence: Shazam!)!
Why this caught my eye:
A SHAZAM centric title with art by Doc Shaner? It must be my birthday. Oh wait, it releases on my actual birthday. Well then.
AQUAMEN #1
Written by CHUCK BROWN and BRANDON THOMAS Art by SAMI BASRI
$3.99 US | 32 pages | Variant $4.99 US (Card stock)
ON SALE 2/22/22
Dive deeper following the thrilling conclusions of Aquaman: The Becoming and Black Manta! When a terrorist in Middle America is revealed as an Atlantean sleeper agent seemingly gone rogue, the Aquamen—Arthur Curry and Jackson Hyde—are on the case. But it soon becomes clear that the tragedy was not just a single bad actor, but the beginnings of a much larger and more dangerous chain reaction…and the heart of an explosive Atlantean conspiracy! If Arthur's not careful, the secrets he's keeping—from Mera, Tula, Tempest, Atlantis, the surface, and even Jackson—could cause a rift from which the Aquamen might never recover!
Why this caught my eye:
I'm down with the shared title, especially if it means DC continually embracing legacy and really spending time with the Jackson character.
MONKEY PRINCE #1
Written by GENE LUEN YANG Art and cover by BERNARD CHANG
$3.99 US | 32 pages | Variant $4.99 US (Card stock)
ON SALE 2/1/22
Introducing the newest hero in the DCU, the great sage, equal to the heavens, better than his predecessor the legendary Monkey King, even better than the Justice League—and definitely the Teen Titans—(actually, all the heroes combined), everyone put your hands together for…the Monkey Prince! Marcus Sun moves around a lot because his adoptive parents are freelance henchpeople, so this month he finds himself as the new kid at Gotham City High School, where a mysterious man with pig features asks Marcus to walk through a water curtain to reveal himself as who Marcus really is…someone who has adventured through The Journey to the West, can transform into 72 different formations, can clone himself using his hairs, and is called…the Monkey Prince!
Why this caught my eye:
Gene Luen Yang projects are always worth checking out, and in this case it will be interested to see how he decides to integrate elements of Journey to the West into the DCU.
SUICIDE SQUAD: BLAZE #1
Written by SIMON SPURRIER Art and cover by AARON CAMPBELL
$6.99 US | 48 pages | 1 of 3 | 8 ½" x 10 7/8"
ON SALE 2/8/22
The attacks begin without warning. Brutal, sudden…cannibalistic. A metahuman with all the power of Superman but none of his humanity. An unstoppable being ruled only by hunger and instinct, striking at random across the world. To stop this threat, Harley Quinn, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang, and King Shark have been assigned to corral, nursemaid, and if necessary execute five deadly new recruits: the expendable products of a secret government procedure called BLAZE. They're ordinary prisoners, endowed with incredible power…and the certain knowledge that it'll burn through them like wildfire. They have six months to live, maximum. If you're staring down life in prison, maybe that's a good deal—especially if you're Michael Van Zandt, desperate to reunite with the mad lover who forsook you after your Bonnie-and-Clyde crime spree.
But that power? It's surprisingly transferable. As each member of the Squad dies…the others get stronger. What would a hardened criminal do with that knowledge? Worse yet: What would a desperate, lovesick idiot do with it? One thing's certain: this time the Suicide Squad's bitten off more than it can chew. Win or lose—they all burn.
Simon Spurrier and Aaron Campbell, the creative team behind the critically acclaimed John Constantine: Hellblazer, have been turned loose on the one DC title even more horrific and blackhearted than that one! We suggest you brace yourselves…
Why this caught my eye:
Loves me some Spurrier.
TRIAL OF THE AMAZONS #1
Written by BECKY CLOONAN, MICHAEL W. CONRAD, JOËLLE JONES, VITA AYALA, and STEPHANIE WILLIAMS
Art by JOËLLE JONES, ELENA CASAGRANDE, LAURA BRAGA, & SKYLAR PATRIDGE
$4.99 US | 40 pages | 1 of 2 | Variant $5.99 US (card stock)
ON SALE 3/1/22
After the events of Nubia & the Amazons, the dangers of Doom's Doorway have found their way to Man's World and garnered the attention of not one, but all three Amazonian tribes. The Bana-Mighdall consider it to be a weakness in the current regime and have decided to return to the shores of Themyscira to stake their claim over the island. Little do they know, the Esquecida are not far behind, but instead looking for help to combat the evil unleashed. Tempers rise and swords are brandished as the women argue about the best course of action.
Now Queen Nubia must show them all the way to peace by calling for one of the most famous Amazon traditions…the Contest. Who among them is worthy of leading them into the future? Find out as the bravest, wisest, and fiercest warriors compete to be champion of all the Amazons!
DC Comics proudly presents the first Wonder Woman crossover of its kind, brought to you by the writers behind Wonder Woman, Nubia & the Amazons, and Wonder Girl and some of the best and brightest artists in the industry. You won't want to miss this monumental story that brings all the Wonder Woman titles and characters together and changes them for good!
Why this caught my eye:
There's an article saying this is the first Wonder Woman crossover in 30 years and at first I was like, well that doesn't sound right because Amazons Attack was 14 years ago. But then if this means we're all ignoring Amazons Attack then I'm ok with that declaration. Seriously, they had the Amazons kill civilians and children, I straight up hated that event. Anywho, this sounds fun and has some great talent involved.
That's it for this batch, we'll look at some indy superhero material on the next installment!