Exclusive Preview: DC’s Year of the Villain #1

Earlier this year, the Legion of Doom broke the Source Wall and unleashed a cosmic goddess who was hidden for eons. Now, the bad guys are stepping up their game in DC’s Year of the Villain #1! DC is kicking off their latest event with a special .25 cent issue that touches on several major ongoing stories. That includes Bane’s reign in Gotham City, as well as the dark plans of the Batman Who Laughs.

In Superhero Hype’s exclusive preview for DC’s Year of the Villain #1, Scott Snyder and Jim Cheung reunite for a Luthor-centric LOD story. For years, Luthor has presented himself to the public as a philanthropist billionaire or even a hero. But in these pages, Luthor drops all pretense of that persona. Luthor’s soon to be ex-employees are convinced that he’s finally going to kill Superman. That seems like a reasonable guess, but Luthor actually has much bigger ambitions. He wants to replace Superman and the Justice League as Earth’s primary protectors. This time, he may actually win.

Here’s the official description from DC: “Evil is winning! Lex Luthor and The Legion of Doom conspire with Cosmic Gods, bending mankind toward a dark destiny. Elsewhere, the scourge of Leviathan spreads unchecked, seizing power in every corner of the world. And all the while the Batman Who Laughs busies himself in the shadows, aligned with no one-yet with sinister plans for all. The carnage starts here as the bad guys take center stage in ‘The Year of the Villain,’ the most treacherous event in DC Comics history.

Some act with united goals, others with plans selfish and secret, every one of them on a monstrous collision course against Batman, Superman and the heroes of the DC Universe. And our heroes will fail us. Don’t miss the start of “The Year of the Villain,” featuring the talents of writers Brian Michael Bendis, Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV, artists Jim Cheung, Alex Maleev and Francis Manapul and cover artist Greg Capullo-all for just $0.25!”

DC’s Year of the Villain #1 will hit comic shops on Wednesday, May 1. Let us know what you think in the comment section below!