As this semester is ending, I wanted to do a massive summer preview with everything coming out over the summer including events and major storylines, brand new series and movies. So here it is, The Summer Event Blow-Out!
MAY
New Series:
“The Movement” – DC Comics launched the first of its two new series on May 1. The series, written by Gail Simone with Freddie Williams II on artistic duties, features a group of teenage vigilantes trying to fight corruption in Coral City. So far it has been met with approval from fans and critics alike, but only time will tell what this series holds.
“The Green Team: Teen Trillionaires” – On May 22, DC Comics launches “The Green Team,” which deals with the opposite of “The Movement,” super-rich teenagers with so much money they decide to fight crime. The series will be written by Art Baltazar and Franco with Ig Guara covering the book’s artwork. Since the series’ writers have done projects in the past such as “Superman Family Adventures” and “Tiny Titans,” this series has a lot of potential to be fun, which is something that DC desperately needs.
“Adventures of Superman” – DC has recently launched their brand new Superman digital-first series to serve as a continuity-free series that deals with certain events from Superman’s past. The series features a variety of writers and artists including Aaron Johnston, Jeff Parker, J.M. DeMatteis, Matt Kindt, Stephen Segovia, Guiseppe Camuncoli and many other.
“Kick-Ass 3” – Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. continue their Kick-Ass saga just in time for the debut of the second movie. The series is the final chapter in the story of Kick-Ass and Hit-Girl and could spell out the end of Kick-Ass forever. The series launches on May 15 under Marvel’s Icon imprint
Events/Storylines:
The Secret Origin of Tony Stark – Kieron Gillen delivers a story that will combine Tony’s current problems and events involving the Stark Seven, a group that Howard and Maria Stark put together. The storyline launches in Iron Man #9 in stores and on stands on May 1 and will last about 11 or 12 issues.
Avengers: The Enemy Within – Ghosts from The Avengers’ past are popping up in Manhattan and Captain Marvel will have to deal with the fallout and could have something to do with her current condition, which is forcing her to stay grounded. The series will crossover into “Captain Marvel” and “Avengers Assemble” and launches with the one-shot “Avengers: The Enemy Within” on May 15. The event ends with the #14 issues for each series. Kelly Sue Deconnick writes the series and various artists handling the art.
Movies:
“Iron Man 3” – Robert Downy Jr. returns as Tony Stark as he faces his greatest enemy yet, The Mandarin. The movie has already opened internationally to great success and critical acclaim. The movie also stars Ben Kingsley, Guy Pearce, Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle and Rebecca Hall and releases on May 3.
JUNE
New Series:
“Daredevil: Dark Knights” – Lee Weeks is writing and drawing this new eight issue miniseries from Marvel featuring Daredevil. The series is serving as a companion to Mark Waid’s current series and involves Daredevil trying to help a little girl that desperately needs a heart transplant. The series launches on June 5.
“Superman Unchained” – Scott Snyder and Jim Lee launch this new series. Superman is dealing with a mysterious event that that promises to bring about the truth decades old secrets. The series is highly anticipated and will launch on June 12.
“Batman/Superman” – This new series from writer Greg Pak and artist Jae Lee showcases the friendship between Batman and Superman. The first story arc deals with their first meeting since the start of The New 52. The series launches on June 5.
“Larfleeze” – The Orange Lantern himself, Larfleeze gets his own ongoing series. The series is spinning off of the backups in “Threshold.” Keith Giffen writes and Scott Kolins handles the art for this series available on June 26.
“Trinity of Sin: Pandora” – The mysterious member of the Trinity of Sin, Pandora gets her own series after she managed to have a cameo in every #1 in the launch month of The New 52. The series will also serve as a lead-in to the upcoming storyline The Trinity War. Ray Fawkes writes the series and the art will be done by Daniel Sampere and Jonathan Galpion.
Events/Storylines:
Batman: Zero Year – Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo launch their 11-issue storyline that will reestablish Batman’s origins in The New 52. Everything will be updated and built upon. The storyline launches with “Batman” #21 on June 12. A director’s cut issue for the first issue in the storyline will also be released on July 31.
Movies:
“Man of Steel” – DC’s highly anticipated Superman reboot from producer Christopher Nolan, screenwriter David Goyer and director Zack Snyder. The movie is hoping to serve as a launching pad for DC’s movie universe and is looking to be one of the best Superman films ever. The film stars Henry Cavill, Michael Shannon, Amy Adams, Russell Crowe, Laurence Fishburne, Kevin Costner and Diane Lane.
JULY
New Series:
“Avengers A.I.” – Spinning off from the ending of “Age of Ultron,” this new Avengers series deals with artificial intelligence individuals as they have to stop a major threat. The team’s roster includes Hank Pym, The Vision, Victor Mancha, Doombot, Alexis and Monica Chang. Sam Humphries write and Andre Lima Araujo is on artistic duties. The series launches in July.
“The Superior Foes of Spider-Man” – This series involves Boomerang and other Spider-Man rogues form a team. Not much other information is available, but Nick Spencer is writing the series and art will be done by Steve Lieber.
“Superior Carnage” – This five-issue miniseries from Kevin Shinick with art by Stephen Segovia brings Carnage back into the Marvel universe. The series promises a “superior carnage” created from experiments.
“Superior Spider-Man Team-Up” – This new series is Spider-Man’s take on A+X. It teams up Spider-Man with any member of the Avengers or X-Men in what most likely be single story issues. Christopher Yost writes the series with art from David Lopez.
“Batman ‘66” – Jeff Parker takes readers back to the 1960s in this new Batman series based off the classic 1960s television show. The series will reimagine the show in a new light and feature the characters as imagined for the show. Get your Bat Shark Repellant ready. The artwork will be by Jonathan Case. The series will be digital first and the first issue hits stores on July 31.
Events/Storylines:
What If? AvX – Jimmy Palmiotti brings a new take on the events of 2012’s “Avengers vs. X-Men” storyline. The story will heavily feature Hope and Magneto in addition to the larger cast of Avengers and X-Men. The miniseries will last for four issues, each coming out in June. Jorge Molina takes on the art for this minseries.
The Trinity War – DC launches their massive crossover among its Justice League books in July and it promises not to disappoint. Taking place in the 22 and 23 issues of “Justice League” and “Justice League Dark” and six and seven issues for “Justice League of America,” the event pits Justice League against Justice League against Justice League and will bring about a huge change in the DC Universe. It all starts with “Justice League” #22, available on July 3. The event will be written by Geoff Johns, Jeff Lemire and Ray Fawkes with artwork from Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Doug Mahnke, Christian Alamay and Mikel Janin. The event ends in August and will feature tie-in issues from “Trinity of Sin: Phantom Stranger,” “Trinity of Sin: Pandora” and “Constantine.”
Movies:
“The Wolverine” – Hugh Jackman returns for a brand new Wolverine movie. The story is based the limited series “Wolverine” from Chris Claremont and Frank Miller. Logan finds his way to Japan and engages an old enemy from his past. The movie releases on July 26.
AUGUST
Note: At the moment, DC Comics or Marvel have not released their solicitations for their series, but no on-going series will be launching.
Events:
Infinity – Marvel is releasing another massive event in August called Infinity. Not much is known about the event, but on May 4, Marvel will release a Free Comic Book Day Issue to start the transition toward the event. Jonathan Hickman will be writing the series and it will crossover into “Avengers” and “New Avengers.” Events in “Thanos Rising” and “Guardians of the Galaxy” will also affect the series.
Movies:
“Kick-Ass 2” – After the events of the last Kick-Ass, a new wave of heroes emerges and Kick-Ass and Hit-Girl join them to fight crime. Red Mist swears vengeance and the fight between the two groups elevates. Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloe Grace Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Lyndsey Fonseca return to reprise their roles from the original and Jim Carrey joins the cast. The film releases on August 16.
