Jeff Lemire Taking Over DC’s Justice League Dark
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Somebody pinch me on the calf. This is a great way to start your Tuesday.
Just announced on the DC Source blog and his personal blog, Jeff Lemire is taking over the Justice League Dark book starting with issue #9. This will come right after the team’s crossover with the I, Vampire book for issues 7 and 8. Mikal Janin is staying on art.
There’s a lot of enthusiasm from Lemire, as he gets to write a character he has treasured for ages and has been itching to gets his hands on. From his CBR interview:
“What got me really, really interested in comics was Alan Moore’s “Swamp Thing” run, so I feel like Constantine’s always been a part of my life as a reader of comics. He’s such a simple character yet so compelling and he just never gets old. I love that he’s back in the DC Universe because I love seeing him interact with all of these things that he despises, like superheroes. He just really doesn’t want to be a part of the bigger DCU but he doesn’t have much choice and that creates an interesting tension, which I like exploring.”
Peter Milligan’s start to this franchise was a good start, albeit it was a very slow burn that I think turned some readers off. Sure enough, Lemire being awarded this franchise is a sign that DC sees more potential in what he could do based on his continuing success with Sweet Tooth and the break-out hit of the new 52 in Animal Man. It definitely has me excited as I’m sure others are too who still love the Vertigo-like qualities of this new DCU.
CBF Quick Picks #101 – I, Vampire #3
Your post-Thanksgiving comic book festivities include the following:
- I, Vampire #3 introduces new companions and adds another layer to a broader war that vampires will be unleashing on the new DCU.
- Justice League Dark #3 is a slow burn, but a good slow burn. Long as we keep getting more Deadman.
- Manapul still on Flash #3 is just fine with me.
CBF Quick Picks #97 : Justice League Dark #2
Peter Milligan gets the ball moving with Justice League Dark #2, giving us a taste of a super-hero team-ups against the occult. There’s a lot to like with this new team, particularly with Zatanna’s more hard-edged personality and a surprising continuation of a key relationship from Brightest Day. Makes me wonder if the story arc ties into the aforementioned event.
Not so far behind it was The Sixth Gun #16. Cullen Bunn is continuing to build an epic in his western mythology, this time focusing on more second-tier characters to tie into that mythology. This one needs to get on more people’s radar more – truly something for the fans of Lord of the Rings, but with a magical twist.
And lastly, the X-Men universe continues to go strong post-Schism. Jason Aaron’s Wolverine and the X-Men #1 has a great mix of comedy, action, and heart that fits well with Logan’s new team. Chris Bachalo can be hit or miss at times, but he brings very crisp pencils to the new school and its inhabitants.
Don’t forget that the 100th Quick Picks is coming soon! Send us your thoughts, comments, and emails on topics for the show!
CBF Quick Picks #93 : The New DCU – Week 4 Part 1
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We’re getting there, people! One more week and you get to do it all over again with the #2 issues. Or you can mix and match with the other publishers out there. I’m not one to judge.
Week 4 has one of the more diverse weeks for the new DCU and it can be shown in the following:
- Aquaman #1 acknowledges the large elephant in the room that is Aquaman’s lame duck status, but does it in a very good and deconstructive way that doesn’t demean the new direction. Thank Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis for getting this off on the right note.
- All-Star Western #1 is Jonah Hex’s foray into the land known as 1800′s Gotham and it’s a great start. If you know Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti’s work on Hex’s previous run, then you know what to expect in the great characterization of the bounty hunter.
- You never know what to expect when somebody writes and draws a book, but Francis Manapul pulls it off with Flash #1. Easily accessible and in a re-boot that has been comprised of lots of dark and gritty tales, this one can be considered an all-ages pick-up.
- I had high hopes for Justice League Dark #1 and while it shows potential, the heavy exposition and character introductions takes away from the story. Hoping that is not a trend to come in this series.
Part 2 coming up later this week! And don’t forget to check out the our iTunes feed to download the latest and greatest from CBF!
DC Announcement of New Books – Take 5,421,290
I’m posting this at the 11th hour, but it’s worth doing it any way because heck knows by tomorrow morning, DC will already have announced 20 more new titles for their big September re-launch.
Today’s latest from the DC Source blog delves into the supernatural realm of the DCU. What’s interesting is that the blending of Vertigo characters into the DCU still seems to be in place despite the massive re-launch. I’m about to drop dead soon, so I won’t be able to talk about all of them, but here’s the top 3 that piqued my interest today:
Animal Man by Jeff Lemire, Travel Foreman, and Dan Green
Kudos to DC for giving Lemire more to play with. You may not applaud his Superboy work too much, but you should applaud his Sweet Tooth work. I unfortunately missed Grant Morrison’s take on the character long ago, but I’m willing to give this a shot.
Justice League Dark by Peter Milligan and Mikel Janin
Constantine, Deadman, Shade, and Madame Xanadu. Yeah, I’m buying this book.
Swamp Thing by Scott Snyder and Yannick Paquette
No surprise that this character is sticking around after the Brightest Day push. What’s surprising is Snyder taking the reigns. Looks like they’re going to keep the horror vibe going even with him now back in the mainstream DCU and that will play well to Snyder’s strengths.
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