Yesterday DC announced DC All In, a new initiative launching in October that will create a jumping-on point for new readers and introduce the Absolute DC Universe. Today the publisher has released more details about the one-shot that will kick off the initiative, as well as storyline and creator information for both mainline and Absolute DCU titles shipping in October and November.
First, the official description for the DC All In Special, out on Wednesday, October 2nd to coincide with the conclusion of the currently-running Absolute Power event:
As Absolute Power ends (issue #4 on sale October 2), DC’s All In initiative begins with a single-issue mega-event, presented as a startling, symmetrical flipbook!
Following the events of Absolute Power, the heroes of the core DC Universe have fought against the deep divisions in the world around them to usher in a new era of unity.
And it’s just in time, too—because Darkseid has returned! Superman gathers every DC Super Hero on Earth to hold the line against a vastly different version of the Lord of Apokolips as they raise our cosmic defenses and prepare for war. And when the first blows land, the shock waves will ripple across DC’s core series, shaking the nature of their realities to their very foundation!
But a greater threat looms on the horizon in the Absolute Universe. Here, DC’s biggest icons come of age with fewer advantages while facing greater opposition than ever before and retaining the immutable heroism that continues to inspire and entertain fans. But can they really protect the light that shines inside them when the world in which they live is hurtling toward a terrible destiny?
Co-written by Scott Snyder (Absolute Batman) and Joshua Williamson (Superman), the flipbook DC All In Special #1 features art by Wonder Woman artist Daniel Sampere when read in one direction and Deadly Class co-creator and series artist Wes Craig when read in the other direction. The 64-page one-shot features a main cover by Sampere, with variant covers by Rafa Sandoval, Wes Craig, and John Giang.
Not a ton new there from what was discussed in the video announcement yesterday. Here are the aforementioned variant covers by Sandoval and Craig:
The video also teased Snyder and artist Nick Dragotta on Absolute Batman. Snyder and Dragotta will be joined in the Absolute universe by Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman on Absolute Wonder Woman in October, and Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval on Absolute Superman in November:
Snyder launches this new universe with the release of Absolute Batman #1, featuring art by Nick Dragotta. In this iteration, fans will be introduced to a version of the Dark Knight that doesn’t have the money, mansion, or butler of his core-line counterpart. Readers will quickly find out what makes this the “Absolute” version of Batman when the debut issue arrives at participating comic book shops and digital retailers Wednesday, October 9.
For Diana, there is no island paradise, no sisterhood to shape her, nor a mission of peace—so what is the purpose of an Amazon warrior in this new universe? Eisner Award-winning writer Kelly Thompson and breakout artist Hayden Sherman reinvent her from the ground up in Absolute Wonder Woman #1, on sale October 23.
Writer Jason Aaron and artist Rafa Sandoval join forces to present a new Man of Steel with the launch of Absolute Superman #1. This Superman has no family, no Fortress of Solitude, and no home. Will he still stand for truth, justice, and a better tomorrow in this new universe? Readers can find out when Absolute Superman #1 hits participating comic book shops November 6.
Meanwhile, back in the mainline DCU, artist Carmine Di Giandomenico will join Chip Zdarsky and Jorge Jiménez on the ongoing Batman series for the beginning of a double-shipping arc; Tom Taylor and Mikel Janín will take over as the new creative team on Detective Comics; the Superman Superstars will continue as Action Comics ships weekly in October, with Mark Waid and Clayton Henry telling a Phantom Zone-centric story in the main feature, and Mariko Tamaki and Skylar Patridge spinning a Supergirl tale in the backups; Dan Mora joining Williamson on the ongoing Superman series for the introduction of a new Superwoman and the return of Doomsday; Tom King and Daniel Sampere continuing their ongoing Wonder Woman storyline; and the conclusion of Williamson’s run on Green Arrow, and the arrival of that title’s new creative team, Chris Condon and Montos. More details:
Batman #153-154 (October 2, 16) – Chip Zdarsky, Jorge Jiménez, and Carmine Di Giandomenico are back with a vengeance with a new story arc, “The Dying City,” featuring an unexpected turn from the Riddler, a mysterious new Super Hero named Commander Star, and the shocking murder of one of Gotham City’s greatest citizens as Batman ships twice monthly in October.
Zdarsky and Jiménez staying on Batman is a welcome, if somewhat unexpected development after what felt like a natural end point to their run’s ongoing Failsafe storyline. Readers saw some of Zdarsky’s take on The Riddler during that storyline, so it’ll be fun to see him front and center for this new arc.
Detective Comics #1090 (October 23) – Following “Gotham Nocturne,” another of DC’s most historic titles gets a new creative team in the form of superstars Tom Taylor and Mikel Janín, and a new story arc, “Mercy of the Father.” Years after the tragic murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne, a ghost from Gotham City’s past has been lying in wait to strike at Batman ever since that fateful night in Crime Alley. This story will result in major changes for the Dark Knight, and things may never be the same again.
Taylor moving from Nightwing to Detective feels natural given how connected the former series was to the action in Gotham, and Janín is no stranger to Batman’s adventures, either. And of course nothing will ever be the same…
Action Comics #1070-1073 (October 9, 16, 23, 30) – Another one of DC’s foundational titles goes weekly beginning in October! “Death of the Phantom Zone” spins directly out of Absolute Power and Batman/Superman: World’s Finest, as writer Mark Waid and artist Clayton Henry plunge Superman into the Phantom Zone to prevent an otherworldly horror from laying waste to Metropolis. And in the second story, “Supergirl: Universe End,” Eisner Award winner and Zatanna: Bring Down the House writer Mariko Tamaki and artist Skylar Patridge take Supergirl to the farthest reaches of space in pursuit of a mysterious threat only she can handle.
Insert an Action Comics Weekly joke of your choice here. Waid has done a masterful job since his DC return of tying all of his stories to each other, and the appearance of Mon-El in that teaser image is kind of exciting given the writer’s affinity for the Legion of Super-Heroes. The Supergirl backup stories mark a return to the character for Mariko Tamaki, who penned the 2016-2017 miniseries Supergirl: Being Super with artist Joëlle Jones.
Superman #19 (October 23) – Superstar artist Dan Mora joins Joshua Williamson in a new story arc spinning out of Absolute Power. One of Superman’s most lethal enemies returns as the Man of Steel and Superwoman (Lois Lane) deal with the return of the rampaging Doomsday, but how long will Lois’s newfound powers last? And as if Doomsday isn’t trouble enough, another one of Superman’s greatest enemies lurks in the shadows: the Time Trapper.
Speaking of the Legion of Super-Heroes, the Time Trapper! Mora on Superman was announced yesterday but it’s still exciting news, though a shame it’s taking him away from Batman/Superman: World’s Finest with Waid.
Wonder Woman #14 (October 16) – Courtesy of Tom King and Daniel Sampere, the tide is turning in Wonder Woman’s battle against the Sovereign as Steve Trevor takes matters into his own hands, with deadly consequences. But Steve’s end could be the beginning of Diana’s greatest adventure yet—motherhood!
No change to the creative team or ongoing storyline on Wonder Woman, so it’ll be interesting to see how they make this issue a jumping-on point for new readers.
Green Arrow #350 (October 23) – This oversize anniversary issue features legacy numbering as writer Joshua Williamson closes out his acclaimed run on DC’s Emerald Archer. Oliver Queen faces the aftermath of his actions in Absolute Power, having done the unthinkable to protect his loved ones, and the ramifications of his involvement may have gone too far for his family and friends to forgive. This can’t-miss issue also debuts the opening chapter of Green Arrow’s next adventure, from the new creative team of writer Chris Condon (The Enfield Gang Massacre, That Texas Blood) and artist Montos (Green Lantern: War Journal).
Williamson has made Green Arrow a must-read book each month, and while it’s a bummer that he’s leaving at least it’s in the capable hands of Chris Condon, making his DC debut on this series.
All in all, a lot of changes and a lot of things staying the same. Look for more information on DC All In, Absolute DC, and surely much more during next week’s San Diego Comic Con. Until then, check out a whole slew of covers below for other DC All In titles set to arrive this fall.
If Waid is bringing back the Legion, hopefully it’s not the Bendis Legion.
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