I Mock the DC March 2008 solicitations.

And now, DC:

TANGENT: SUPERMAN’S REIGN #1
Written by Dan Jurgens
Art by Matt Clark, Fernando Pasarin & Jesse Delperdang
Cover by Carlos Pacheco & Jesus Merino
The Tangent Earth and the DC Earth are about to collide! In the years since the Tangent world was last seen, a mind-reading, telekinetic Superman has taken control and brought peace, but at the cost of the world’s freedoms. And as the walls between the Tangent Earth and the DC Earth being to fall, the Tangent Superman’s visions are about to get even grander! Spinning out of the events of JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #16, the 12-part TANGENT: SUPERMAN’S REIGN maxiseries will introduce members of the Tangent world to their DC counterparts, with events and results that will change both worlds forever!
On sale March 19 • 1 of 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Because, you know, everyone just LOVES the Tangent Universe.

JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE NEW FRONTIER SPECIAL
Written by Darwyn Cooke
Art by Cooke, J. Bone & David Bullock
Cover by Cooke
Celebrating the DVD release of the New Frontier movie comes this collection of never before seen stories including “New Frontier: The Lost Chapter,” with script and art by Darwyn Cooke! This tale provides a first-hand look at Faraday’s quest to outlaw masked vigilantes, culminating with the day Superman goes to Gotham to bring down Batman. Also included are two back-up stories featuring Wonder Woman, Black Canary, Sgt. Rock and others, as well as behind-the-scenes bonus material from the movie!
On sale March 5 • FC, 48 pgs, no ads, $4.99 US

• The book that brough Jeff back to DC Comics.

SUPERMAN #674
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art and cover by Renato Guedes & José Wilson Magalhaés
It’s a time of new beginnings for Superman as art sensation Renato Guedes joins the team! Plus, the superhuman mastermind Paragon is loose in Metropolis, Clark and Lois are hunting for a new place to live after the events of “Insect Queen,” and worse, they’ve got relatives coming to visit — namely, a certain blonde cousin of Lois’s from Smallville. It all sets the stage for a major new addition to the cast in next month’s anniversary issue! Can you say “Chloe Sullivan”? We thought you could…
On sale March 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Yeah, I don't know how I feel about this. I love Chloe on the series, but the comic and Smallville are two different things. I have a sort of "never the two shall meet" feeling about the whole thing.

THE ALL-NEW ATOM #21
Written by Rick Remender
Art by Pat Olliffe & John Stanisci
Cover by Ladrönn
Shrinking uncontrollably, the Atom discovers his blood houses a population of microscopic, matter-consuming creatures that may hold the very secrets to his powers! When one of the inadvertently enlarged alien bugs escapes his lab, can The Atom save the citizens of Ivy Town from the touch of the thing from within?
On sale March 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• The mass Gail Simone exodus continues, as another of her series is lost to the ravages that is writing Wonder Woman. Remender has good word of mouth, but I am still sad to see Gail go.

BLUE BEETLE #25
Written by John Rogers
Art and cover by Rafael Albuquerque
The stunning conclusion of “Endgame”! Light-years from home, Beetle fights for control of the Scarab in a spectacular last stand against the Reach — and the World’s Greatest Heroes have his back!
On sale March 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Whew! The last issue wasn't the last issue. I really wish this wasn't so in danger of cancellation.

THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #11
Written by Mark Waid
Art by Jerry Ordway
Cover by George Pérez
Superman and Ultraman of the Crime Society…together? What situation could be so dire that it would cause this team-up? Will two men who are the exact opposite of each other be able to work together long enough to save the day? Featuring guest art by Jerry Ordway!
On sale March 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Perez taking a breather? Bad, but I knew it had to happen eventually. Jerry Ordway filling in? Excellent!!!

THE FLASH #238
Written by Tom Peyer
Art and cover by Freddie Williams II
“Fast Money” begins! Don’t miss the kickoff of this provocative new storyline by Tom Peyer (HOURMAN), as the Flash is pulled into an intense moral dilemma about superpowers — and Keystone’s plagued by a menace who’s using familiar mind-bending tactics!
On sale March 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Hmmm. You know what this title seems to have been missing the past few months? Mark Waid. Is it too early to call all of those rumors of his run only being six issues true? And how long before the excitement for this series, if there is any, wanes?

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #19
Written by Alan Burnett
Art by Ed Benes & Sandra Hope
Cover by Benes
Don’t miss the final chapter of “Salvation,” as the JLA turn themselves over to the U.S. government to be sent to prison off-world! What old foe will they have to rely on to save themselves from planet hell?
On sale March 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• What happened to Dwayne McDuffie? Although, the JLA on the Salvation Run planet is an interesting premise, but one that seems like a lot of plot liberties had to be taken to make it work.

TRIALS OF SHAZAM #12
Written by Judd Winick
Art & Cover by Mauro Cascioli
The Trials of Shazam conclude…and win or lose, Freddy Freeman may still need the help of the Justice League to survive the “verdict”!
On sale March 26 • 12 of 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

• Anybody out there still care about this series? Anyone? Bueller?

THE STARMAN OMNIBUS VOL. 1 HC
Written by James Robinson
Art by Tony Harris, Wade Von Grawbadger and others
Cover by Harris
At last — the hit series created by James Robinson (BATMAN: FACE THE FACE) and Tony Harris (EX MACHINA) of the 1990s is collected in a series of six spectacular hardcover editions. This inaugural volume features a new cover by Harris and collects STARMAN #0-16, originally published from 1994 to 1996.
Advance-resolicited; on sale May 21 • 6.75” x 10.25” • 448 pg, FC, $49.99 US

• Excellent, Smithers! Excellent!

THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN: BLACK DOSSIER — THE ABSOLUTE EDITION
Written by Alan Moore
Art and cover by Kevin O’Neill
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen returns in this amazing new Absolute Edition! England in the mid 1950s is not the same as it was. The powers that be have instituted…some changes. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen has been disbanded and disavowed, and the country is under the control of an iron-fisted regime. Now, after many years, the still youthful Mina Murray and a rejuvenated Allan Quatermain return and are in search of some answers. Answers that can only be found in a book buried deep in the vaults of their old headquarters, a book that holds the key to the hidden history of the League throughout the ages: The Black Dossier.
This amazing new Absolute Edition is sure to thrill fans, and includes a 3-D section complete with custom 3-D glasses, plus text pieces, maps, and a stunning cutaway double-page spread of Captain Nemo's Nautilus submarine by Kevin O'Neill. As if this wasn’t enough, also included is a NEW rarity: a 45-rpm vinyl recording of the song "Immortal Love," sung by Alan Moore himself!
Retailers please note: This title is published in the United States only.
Advance-solicited; on sale June 11 • 8.25” x 12.5”
200 pages, FC/B&W, $99.00 US • Mature Readers

• I assume they will be adding more than a cutaway and a .45 RPM record to justify the $70 price increase. I am curious to hear Alan Moore sing, but not $70 curious.

ABSOLUTE SANDMAN VOL. 3
Written by Neil Gaiman
Art by Various
Cover by Dave McKean
The third volume collecting Neil Gaiman’s seminal, award-winning series starring the Dream King in deluxe format. ABSOLUTE SANDMAN VOL. 3 presents several key SANDMAN tales in a slipcased hardcover edition, including “Brief Lives,” in which the Sandman’s sister Delirium prevails upon her older brother to help her find their missing sibling, Destruction. But their journey through the Waking World has dramatic repercussions for their family and also for the relationship between the Sandman and his wayward son, Orpheus. Also included is the spectacular short story “Ramadan,” a tale of a young king of ancient Baghdad and the deal he strikes with The Sandman to grant his city immortality, with spectacular illustrations by P. Craig Russell (Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde, The Jungle Book).
Never-before-collected bonus features include pin-up pages from galleries in THE SANDMAN #50 and SANDMAN SPECIAL #1, the Desire story from VERTIGO: WINTER’S EDGE #3, THE ENDLESS GALLERY #1, script and thumbnails from THE SANDMAN #50, and a section on the Endless retail products (poster, statues, t-shirts, Little Endless and more)! Plus, an introduction by artist Jill Thompson.
Advance-solicited; on sale May 28 • 8.25” x 12.5” • 616 pages, FC, $99.00 US

• Man, they are just carpet bombing us with volumes of this series. Didn't Volume 2 just come out?

YOUNG LIARS #1
Written by David Lapham
Art and cover by Lapham
Indie comics auteur and SILVERFISH creator David Lapham hasn’t embarked on a monthly series since STRAY BULLETS, his magnum opus that garnered industry awards and international acclaim. Now Lapham’s back with YOUNG LIARS, his first full-color monthly series, about a group of misfits and their desperate attempt to salvage their crushed dreams.
“I haven’t had this much fun since my Uncle Chuck took me on a crime spree in the fourth grade.” — David Lapham
At the core of YOUNG LIARS is the disturbing relationship between Danny Noonan, a habitual liar and crap guitar player from Texas, and Sadie Dawkins, the object of his desire. Sadie was a poor little rich girl until a bullet lodged in her brain turned her into an adrenaline junkie who only listens to Danny.
But who shot Sadie is only part of the mystery that drives YOUNG LIARS, from the twisted club scene of lower Manhattan to absurdist hijinx on the high seas. And from the hot shores of Ibiza to the haunted castles of Spain, Danny, Sadie and their entourage of losers will run from poorly disguised assassins, demented billionaires, and psychotic midgets — not to mention each other — in an absurd quest to get rich and famous. Or kill each other trying. YOUNG LIARS will provide relentless action, suspense, sex and murder in the way that only David Lapham can deliver.
A sneak peek will run in DMZ #28. Watch for a graphic trailer at dccomics.com.
On sale March 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • MATURE READERS

• I have come around to the cult of Lapham. I guess I have to pick this one up.

100 BULLETS #89
Written by Brian Azzarello
Art by Eduardo Risso
Cover by Dave Johnson
The final story arc of the series begins here! With all his soldiers in place and his final plan in motion, Agent Graves finally has a chance to kick back and enjoy his success — but is the cork-popping premature? And where does a south-side Chicago crime syndicate fit into the plan?
On sale March 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • MATURE READERS

• Man, that first sentence depresses the hell out of me. I love, love, love 100 Bullets.Now, that the end is nigh, maybe I'll gather up the entire series one weekend and read it all in order.

JACK OF FABLES #21
Written by Bill Willingham & Matthew Sturges
Art by Tony Akins
Cover by Zachary Baldus
Jack’s sidekick Gary — the Pathetic Fallacy — takes center stage in the Golden Boughs Theatrical Society’s production of Hamlet! With: Alice as Ophelia, a pair of squash rackets as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and Wicked John as Laertes! But who’s using the play as cover for an escape attempt? Find out in this thrilling issue that even your freshman Lit professor would be proud of! Note: This issue may contain streaking.
On sale March 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
MATURE READERS

• I love this series as well. "This issue might contain streaking." Hilarious!

JLA BUILD-A-SCENE STATUE: PART 1
Based on the art of Ed Benes
Sculpted by Alterton Bizarre

Ed Benes’ legendary image from the cover of JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #7 stands tall as it becomes a multi-part statue! Sold in three parts, each features two of the world’s greatest superheroes and includes a piece of a bonus Red Tornado figure. (To fully assemble Red Tornado, all three Build-a-Scene statues are needed.) All of the pieces slide together to make a complete cover scene in striking 3-D!

• The first part of the statue includes Batman, Wonder Woman, and the base and tornado portion of Red Tornado.
• Part two will include Superman, Black Canary, and the torso of Red Tornado.
• Part three will include Green Lantern, The Flash, and the head and cape of Red Tornado.

The JLA BUILD-A-SCENE STATUE is a limited-edition, hand-painted, cold-cast porcelain statue measuring approximately 8” tall x 14” wide x 10” deep when fully assembled. (Each piece measures approximately 8” tall x 5” wide x 5” deep, except for Red Tornado, which measures approximately 10.375” tall x 8.5” wide x 5.5” deep.) It includes a certificate of authenticity and is packaged in a 4-color box. This limited edition statue is manufactured to order.

Advance-solicited; on sale August 13, 2007 * Statue * $150 US

Minor assembly is required.

• I am amazed that there is a strong enough market to support the occasional $150 superhero statue, let along one strong enough to support one where you have to buy 3 $150 statues to complete the scene. Amazing!