A New Dawn for DC Comics: All In on Exciting New Adventures
DC Comics is gearing up for a thrilling new era with its "All In" banner, promising a fresh wave of creative energy across its universe. While the Absolute Universe is poised to shake things up, the core DC universe is also undergoing a dramatic overhaul. This includes new creative teams helming beloved heroes and exciting additions to the roster: four brand new comics centered on the compelling characters of Batgirl (Cassandra Cain), Black Canary, the Question (Renee Montoya), and Black Lightning.
Batgirl: A Return to Glory
"Batgirl", written by Tate Brombal ("House of Slaughter") and illustrated by Takeshi Miyazawa ("Silk"), promises to be a thrilling return to form for the fan-favorite Cassandra Cain. The story kicks off with Cass defending herself from a random assassin attack, leading to an unexpected partnership with her own mother, the formidable Lady Shiva.
Brombal teases a "jaw-dropping, martial-arts filled adventure" that will celebrate Cass’ 25th anniversary and her unique fighting style. This new series marks a significant milestone for the character, as it’s her first solo title as "Batgirl" in quite some time. Brombal vows that Cass will "kick ass the way only Cass can do. […] The world won’t know what hit it."
Black Canary: Best of the Best
In "Black Canary: Best of the Best", Tom King ("Batman") and Ryan Sook ("Mister Miracle") embark on a six-issue miniseries that pits Dinah Lance against Lady Shiva in a battle to determine the ultimate fighter. This epic showdown will see Dinah hone her skills under the tutelage of mentors such as her mother, Batman, and Wildcat.
King describes the series as a "gorgeous, epic, heartbreaking, heartwarming miniseries dead focused on what makes Dinah unique and uniquely awesome." Sook’s stunning artwork will be featured on every page of every issue, creating a visual feast for the eyes.
The Question: A Noir Mystery on the Watchtower
"The Question: All Along the Watchtower" by Alex Segura ("Secret Identity") and Cian Tormey ("Injustice") plunges Renee Montoya into a thrilling noir mystery set on the Justice League’s iconic Watchtower.
Following the events of "Absolute Power", the Trinity calls on Renee, a seasoned detective, to investigate a murder on the space station. Influenced by classic detectives like Sherlock and Agatha Christie, as well as modern mystery writers such as Walter Mosely, Laura Lippman, and George Pelecanos, this story will delve into the dark underbelly of the Justice League’s galactic headquarters.
Segura credits the success of Renee to creators like Denny O’Neal, Greg Rucka, Denys Cowan, and Cully Hamner, emphasizing that he’s "taken to heart the stories they’ve told with Renee, where we see her trying her best to overcome her own demons to do the right thing." He further explains that Renee will be "walking among an array of heroes that are akin to gods," akin to iconic superhero mysteries like "Batman: Long Halloween", but on a "much bigger and more surreal stage" with the Watchtower.
Tormey adds that the Watchtower will be "as much a character in this as Renee herself. […] Trust me when I say, there’s a lot of thought put into all those backgrounds you won’t be able to see under all the blood and shadows!"
Black Lightning: A Family Affair
"Black Lightning" by Brandon Thomas ("Black Manta") and Fico Ossio ("Mister Miracle: The Source of Freedom") sees Jefferson Pierce and his daughter Jennifer (Lightning) take on a crucial role: heading up the Justice League’s new metahuman outreach program.
The story unfolds as Anissa (Thunder) seeks her father’s help with her newly emerging powers, just as a new iteration of the Masters of Disaster surfaces in Metropolis’s Suicide Slum. It falls to the Pierces to deal with this emerging threat.
Thomas summarizes the series as a tale of family and duty, stating, "While the Pierce family struggles to hold it all together, a mystery rival consolidates power and legitimacy, weaponizing public sentiment that declares that ‘Waller was right’ to fear these power mad gods."
A Timeline of Excitement
The release dates for these eagerly awaited titles are starting to roll in. "Batgirl" will be the first to hit shelves on November 6th, followed by the five-issue "Black Lightning" on November 13th. The six-issue arc of "Black Canary: Best of the Best" will begin its run on November 27th. As of now, a specific release date for "The Question: All Along the Watchtower" is yet to be announced.
A New Era of Comic Book Storytelling
With these exciting new series, DC Comics is making a bold statement about its commitment to fresh stories, compelling characters, and high-quality creative talent. Whether you’re a long-time fan or just starting to explore the world of comics, this new wave of titles promises something for everyone. Get ready to plunge into a world of action, mystery, and intrigue as DC Comics kicks off an exciting new era.
