The DCU is about to undergo it;s most significant change since the New 52. Here are all of the exciting details.
Iconic Super Heroes & Super-Villains Universe is Diversifying
To Make Room for More Types of Storytelling, More Fans.
June Slate of Titles Includes Long-Awaited Return to DCU of Bryan Hitch, Garth Ennis; Gene Luen Yang & Ming Doyle Join Team of Top Talent.
This summer, DC Entertainment launches a bold new direction for the DC Universe (DCU) that is even more inclusive and accessible to a wider group of readers as the publisher continues to evolve comic storytelling for its next generation of fans. Award-winning, critically acclaimed writers are headlining the June 2015 slate of DC Comics’ new periodicals and graphic novels, including Gene Luen Yang, Bryan Hitch, Garth Ennis and Ming Doyle.
Beginning June 3rd, the DC Comics line of comic books will consist of 24 brand-new series that will begin at issue number one, as well as 25 on-going, bestselling fan favorite series that will continue without a break in the issue numbering. The total number of periodicals in the DCU will be 49, with additional new titles debuting throughout the year.
“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,” said DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Dan DiDio. “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.”
DC Comics will be keenly focused on going back-to-basics with its legendary characters, like BATMAN, SUPERMAN and WONDER WOMAN, while also reinventing key characters, such as BLACK CANARY, BIZARRO, CYBORG and STARFIRE, with a new contemporary tonality to ensure a diverse offering of titles. Top writers and artists, as well as emerging fresh voices, are on board to help create an expansive lineup of comics that appeals to a broad audience of fans.
Depicting some of these iconic characters in a more contemporary light include National Book Award finalist Gene Luen Yang who will join artist John Romita Jr. in the ongoing adventures of SUPERMAN. Comic superstar artist Bryan Hitch will write and draw new tales of the world’s greatest heroes in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA. The pitch perfect team of Garth Ennis and John McCrea returns to DC Comics for a limited series called SECTION EIGHT featuring characters from their popular Hitman comic. VERTIGO creator Ming Doyle will be lending her talents to DC Comics, penning CONSTANTINE: THE HELLBLAZER along with newcomer artist Riley Rossmo.
“More than ever before, DC Comics fans are being exposed to our rich portfolio of characters through multiple sources, including an unprecedented number of highly successful TV shows, video games and upcoming major motion pictures,” said Co-Publisher Jim Lee. “We are looking to extend that experience within publishing to ensure there is a comic book for everyone. For example, fans of the ARROW television show may want more stories about BLACK CANARY. Now they can find modern, fresh takes on the character in the pages of her standalone series both in stores and digitally.”
Breakout star, Brenden Fletcher, co-writer behind the all new, highly successful BATGIRL book will also be writing the new BLACK CANARY series launching in June. Fan favorites Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti will be the creative team on new titles STARFIRE and HARLEY QUINN/POWER GIRL and will continue to helm the perennially bestselling HARLEY QUINN.
“Beyond character and creators, the June slate will showcase different styles and approaches to storytelling as we add offbeat, irreverently funny titles such as BIZARRO, BAT-MITE and PREZ,” said Lee. “Truly there will be something for everybody as we simultaneously celebrate our rich legacy while embracing new voices and concepts.”
A first look at upcoming storylines will be the focus of DC Entertainment’s Free Comic Book Day issue – DC COMICS: DIVERGENCE – available Saturday, May 2, featuring three 8-page previews for the June releases of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s BATMAN, as well as Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok’s launch of the Darkseid War within JUSTICE LEAGUE featuring the biggest villains in the DCU – Darkseid and the Anti-Monitor, and Gene Luen Yang’s DC Comics debut with celebrated artist John Romita, Jr on SUPERMAN. More than half-a million free issues of the DC Entertainment sampler will be given away at comic book retailers globally.
“In this new era of storytelling, story will trump continuity as we continue to empower creators to tell the best stories in the industry,” said DiDio.
To learn more about the June DC Universe slate, visit www.dccomics.com.
New Titles |
|
Title | Creative Team |
---|---|
Batman Beyond | W: Dan Jurgens A: Bernard Chang |
Bat-Mite | W: Dan Jurgens A: Corin Howell |
Bizarro | W: Heath Corson A: Gustavo Duarte |
Black Canary | W: Brenden Fletcher A: Annie Wu |
Constantine: The Hellblazer | W: Ming Doyle A: Riley Rossmo |
Cyborg | W: David Walker A: Ivan Reis |
Dark Universe | W: James Tynion IV A: Ming Doyle |
Green Lantern: Lost Army | W: Cullen Bunn A: Jesus Saiz & Javi Pina |
Doomed | W: Scott Lobdell A: Javier Fernandez |
Earth 2: Society | W: Daniel Wilson A: Jorge Jimenez |
Dr. Fate | W: Paul Levitz A: Sonny Liew |
Harley Quinn/Power Girl | W: Jimmy Palmiotti & Amanda Conner & Justin Gray A: Stephane Roux |
Justice League of America | W: Bryan Hitch A: Bryan Hitch |
Justice League 3001 | W: Keith Giffen A: Howard Porter |
Martian Manhunter | W: Rob Williams A: Ben Oliver |
Midnighter | W: Steve Orlando A: ACO |
Mystic U | W: Alisa Kwitney A: Stay tuned for artist info! |
Omega Men | W: Tom King A: Alec Morgan |
Prez | W: Mark Russell A: Ben Caldwell |
Red Hood/Arsenal | W: Scott Lobdell A: Denis Medri |
Robin, Son of Batman | W: Patrick Gleason A: Patrick Gleason |
Section Eight | W: Garth Ennis A: John McCrea |
Starfire | W: Jimmy Palmiotti & Amanda Conner A: Emanuela Lupacchino |
We Are Robin | W: Lee Bermejo A: Khary Randolph |
Continuing Titles |
|
Title | Creative Team |
Action Comics | W: Greg Pak A: Aaron Kuder |
Aquaman | W: Cullen Bunn A: Trevor McCarthy |
Batgirl | W: Cameron Stewart & Brenden Fletcher A: Babs Tarr |
Batman | W: Scott Snyder A: Greg Capullo |
Detective Comics | W: Francis Manapul & Brian Buccelato A: Francis Manapul |
Batman/Superman | W: Greg Pak A: Ardian Syaf |
Catwoman | W: Genevieve Valentine A: David Messina |
Deathstroke | W: Tony S. Daniel A: Tony S. Daniel |
The Flash | W: Robert Venditti & Van Jensen A: Brett Booth |
Gotham Academy | W: Becky Cloonan & Brenden Fletcher A: Karl Kerschl |
Gotham By Midnight | W: Ray Fawkes A: Juan Ferreyra |
Grayson | W: Tom King & Tim Seeley A: Mikel Janin |
Green Arrow | W: Ben Percy A: Zircher |
Green Lantern | W: Robert Venditti A: Billy Tan |
Harley Quinn | W: Jimmy Palmiotti & Amanda Conner A: Chad Hardin |
Justice League | W: Geoff Johns A: Jason Fabok |
Justice League United | Stay tuned for creative team info! |
Lobo | W: Cullen Bunn A: Cliff Richards |
Secret Six | W: Gail Simone A: Dale Eaglesham |
Sinestro | W: Cullen Bunn A: Bradley Walker |
New Suicide Squad | W: Sean Ryan A: Carlos D’Anda |
Superman | W: Gene Luen Yang A: John Romita, Jr. |
Superman/Wonder Woman | W: Peter J. Tomasi A: Doug Mahnke |
Teen Titans | W: Will Pfeifer A: Kenneth Rocafort |
Wonder Woman | W: Meredith Finch A: David Finch |