I can’t believe it has almost been a year since DC Comics relaunched their whole line of comics with new number one issues, rewriting the history of characters and changing some to the very core. Personally, I don’t like what they did to Superman and his “family” of books. The character just doesn’t feel like the character I grew up reading. To celebrate “one year later” in the new DC Comics Universe, in September they are releasing all new number zero issues for their whole line of titles.

Today I’m just focusing on the Superman family of titles…

Action Comics #0 (above left)
Writers: Grant Morrison and Sholly Fisch
Artist: Ben Oliver
Official Description: The Boy Who Stole Superman’s Cape- Grant Morrison weaves the history of Clark Kent’s early days in Metropolis!

Superman #0 (above right)
Writer: Scott Lobdell
Artist: Kenneth Rocafort
Official Description: The new creative team of Scott Lobdell and Kenneth Rocafort as they take us back to the days when Jor-El learned the truth about Krypton’s imminent destruction! Plus: More on the introduction of the Eradicators!

Supergirl #0 (above left)
Writer: Michael Green and Mike Johnson
Artist: Mahmud Asrar
Official Description: On the eve of Krypton’s destruction, who sent Supergirl from Krypton to Earth — and why? The answer is not what you think! Plus: Learn the answer to a mystery that’s been driving Supergirl mad for months: Who shot her father, Zor-El?!

Superboy #0 (above right)
Writer: Tom DeFalco
Artist: RB Silva and Rob Lean
Official Description: Mysteries are revealed as we learn Harvest’s reasons for creating Kryptonian clones! This bloody chapter of Superboy’s history ties directly into issue #1 of the series — and the future of the entire DC Universe!

Action Comics #0 hits stands on September 5th, followed by Superboy #0 on September 12th, Supergirl #0 on September 19th, and lastly, Superman #0 on September 26th. Will you be checking them out?

This July, IDW Publishing resurrects the spirit of vengeance with an all new The Crow series from John Shirley, the writer of the original Brandon Lee starring 1994 dark thriller. Shirley also wrote the 2009 movie The Tomb with Wes Bentley and Michael Madsen, and episodes of BraveStarr, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and others.

The Crow was last seen in comic book format in 1999 when it was published by Image Comics and lasted 10 issues. Movie wise, three sequels followed the 94 film with the last being The Crow: Wicked Prayer starring Edward Furlong as the title character. A television series, The Crow: Stairway to Heaven followed the last movie, but was short lived. You can check it out over on Hulu.

This new series come hot off recent news of a Crow “reinvention” movie being in the works from Relativity Media and Dimension Films, to be written by Jesse Wigutow and directed by F. Javier Gutiérrez. Wigutow wrote a 2006 TV movie The Prince with Amber Heard, while Gutiérrez directed the 2008 Spanish film Before the Fall.

THE CROW #1
“Death and Rebirth,” Part 1. THE CROW is reborn—in Tokyo. Can a dark spirit fight for the light? THE CROW has always done just that—striking from the shadows, a kind of shadow himself. The spirit of the Crow is back, transfiguring Jamie Osterberg, an American studying in Tokyo and deeply in love with his Japanese girlfriend, Yumi… until the love of his life is stolen. The Crow must once more make the wrong thing right—but this time he might have to do it by killing his own true love…

THE CROW #2
“Death, My Revelation.” The Crow has been reborn in blood and loss through something that may be worse than death. Displaced spirits, torn from their living bodies, wander Tokyo as the mystery deepens. The Crow is on a mission of vengeance, his samurai sword splashing blood… but he must also uncover hidden truths as he penetrates level after level of secrets within the shadowy corridors of Biotrope… and the dark recesses of a mysterious island off the coast of Japan.

The series features art by Kevin Colden. Issue #1 comes out in July while issue #2 comes out in August. Hopefully this series will have longer legs than the last attempt at an ongoing title.

Sure, the big screen adaptation of Deadpool with Ryan Reynolds in the title role is no closer to being made, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get our monthly fill of the merc with the mouth. In June, Deadpool gets “Reborn” by writer Daniel Way and artist Shawn Crystal. Marvel has released cover images (above) for the issues and official descriptions (below). Then get excited for August, in addition to the regular title we get a weekly 4-part mini-series, Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe, from writer Cullen Bunn and artist Dalibor Talajic. Hey, if anyone could take down the Marvel universe, it’d be Deadpool.

DEADPOOL #56
Deadpool is beaten badly. By the dumbest member of the Intelligencia. Guest-starring Taskmaster!

DEADPOOL #57
Wrapping up the “Deadpool: Reborn” arc! Will Deadpool and Taskmaster pull of their heist? Will Trapster beat the glue out of this new Deadpool?

You can read Deadpool issue #56 on June 13, 2012 and Deadpool issue #57 hits stands on July 04, 2012, both from Marvel Comics.

If you are anything like me, then you egarly wait for new issues of Joss Whedon’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. Season 9 has been different. Unexpected, but not completely fulfilling- yet I still run to the store when new issues are released. 

Angel & Faith has been the better of the two titles, it has a clear focus and I feel like it is progressing towards something big. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 on the other hand, like Buffy herself, lacks a real focus. (mild spoilers) The pregnancy scare was intriguing and it was great to see Robin Wood again along with bits and pieces of his mother’s past. Yet the book took a detour that I wouldn’t describe as good and opened up a lot of plot holes which I doubt will ever get filled. And am I the only one who doesn’t enjoy Spike’s alien ship with giant bugs? I hated the giant psychic fish at IDW, but these guys (save for a few very funny one liners) are just as bad and useless.

Anyhow, previews for both title’s issue 10:

ANGEL & FAITH #10 (above left, cover by Rebekah Isaacs)
Angel and Faith are forced into battle, less by choice and more by circumstance, when two mysterious women from Giles’s past call on the unlikely duo for help. But that’s only the beginning of Angel and Faith’s troubles as the ladies settle in for the night! Series writer Christos Gage (Avengers Academy) and guest artist Chris Samnee (Thor), the creative team of Vertigo’s Area 10, reveal more about Giles’s past and further Angel’s quest in bringing the Watcher back from the dead! Samnee and Gage reunite!

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER SEASON 9 #10 (above right, cover by Georges Jeanty)
While Buffy is undertaking an away mission with Spike and Andrew, the SFPD is starting to really feel the effect of the rapid zompire population growth . . . With Buffy out of town, as the only Scoobies in the vicinity, Xander and Dawn have been approached for guidance. Buffy needs to get herself back together and home to SF quick, but facing Slayer Simone and her unexpected ally is going to make it a rough job! Zompires attack the SFPD! Executive produced by Joss Whedon!

Angel & Faith hits stands on May 30th, while the new issue of Buffy comes out on June 13th.

A month from now, on June 20th, the controversial prequel Before Watchmen: Comedian #1 hits stands and the digital market.  Whether you are for or against all of the “Before Watchmen” titles, you have to admit, these are some pretty nifty covers that DC Entertainment released earlier today. The one on the left is a variant cover by Eduardo Risso, while the one of the right is by the living legend, Jim Lee. DC released a third cover over on its blog.

Official issue description: “I’m a funny guy…” Written by Brian Azzarello and illustrated by J.G. Jones. Plus: Don’t miss the CRIMSON CORSAIR backup story by writer Len Wein and artist John Higgins!

Who watches reads the Watchmen?

Trying to attract new readers via this summer’s epic crossover movie comes Marvel Comic’s Avengers Assemble #1, an all new Avengers series that focuses on the cast of the upcoming movie and eases the movie audience into the vast Marvel Universe.

The Avengers Versus The *Brand-New* Zodiac! • One Of The Greatest Avengers Villains Of All Time Gets Reinvented For The Modern Age Just In Time For The Blockbuster Movie Event Of The Summer! • A Perfect Jumping-On Point Featuring The Cast Of The Summer Blockbuster But In Marvel Universe Continuity!

The issue hits stands on Wednesday, March 14th, 2012, written by Brian Michael Bendis with art from Mark Bagley.

While the new “season” of Buffy the Vampire Slayer started slowly, the last two issues have really sped things forward and the season’s arc is becoming more clear. We have two weeks until the newest issue (out on 3/14/12) and I really am on the edge of my seat.

Dark Horse’s official description: “Still seeking normalcy in the midst of zompire-stricken San Francisco, Buffy contemplates a life-changing decision the likes of which few Slayers have ever faced. Meanwhile Spike rushes to the aid of Detective Dowling, who’s in over his head with his recent investigation into the undead bloodsuckers plaguing the city. Buffy settles down with . . . Spike?! A cliffhanger certain to shock fans!“

Last issue, it was great to see Principal Wood back in the fold and I loved the flashbacks that showcased his mother, a slayer who Spike killed (and where he got his iconic leather jacket). Will the shocking cliffhanger be another returning character?