DC Comics is arguably entering the next wave (or phase) of the New 52 this upcoming October if recent news is any indication. There has been a host of creative team changes, new books announced, and surely more to come with SDCC right around the corner. For now, the following is a list of DC Comics’s changes so far with a brief description.

New Books

Gotham Academy – Written by Becky Cloonan (Demo, first female artist on Batman) and Brenden Fletcher (Wednesday Comics) and drawn by Karl Kerschl (Adventures of Superman, Teen Titans: Year One), this book looks to be a breath of much needed fresh air for DC. The book has been described as a teen drama that takes place at Gotham City’s most prestigious prep school (the aforementioned title). If it’s one thing the New 52 has been lacking so far, it’s books that can be easily pointed to as being teen or even kid friendly. Gotham Academy seems like it will fill that void and will be a fun read come October 1 for readers of all ages.

Arkham Manor – Written by Gerry Duggan (Deadpool) and drawn by Shawn Crystal (Deadpool) is perhaps the most confusing title for readers but arguably the most interesting. Arkham Manor finds everybody’s friendly neighborhood lovely psychopaths ending up taking residence in a newly constructed prison for them…in Wayne Manor! Of course, this was perhaps hinted at awhile back with the cover of Batman #28. Be sure to catch this one on October 22.

Lobo – Written by Cullen Bunn (Sinestro) and artist Reilly Brown, this title coming October 1st may be the most controversial of the new batch of comics. Of course, this is largely due to the changes that DC has made in Lobo’s character since reintroducing him into the New 52. However, this will give readers a chance to see what they will end up doing with Lobo, and Cullen has a solid track record of writing anti-heroes.

Klarion – Written by Ann Nocenti (Catwoman, Katana, Green Arrow) and artist Trevor McCarthy (Batwoman, Batman Eternal), Klarion is the only other title other than Teen Titans that is currently classified by DC under the “Young Justice” bloc. This book serves as the New 52 introduction to Klarion the Witch Boy. This title is also controversial because of Nocenti, who has been largely criticized by fans with her New 52 runs on the aforementioned titles. However, Nocenti has given readers some great work in the past (Daredevil) and has the opportunity to do so here as well, starting October 22. If the rumors are true, I look forward to seeing Zatanna, and Spectre make appearances.

Deathstroke – Call it Deathstroke Take 2. Coming October 22 from Tony S. Daniel (Batman: Detective Comics, Batman, The Savage Hawkman) with art from Daniel and Sandy Florea marks the addition of another anti-hero book. Deathstroke had a title at the beginning of the New 52 that was eventually cancelled, however he has gotten a good deal of attention recently thanks to Arrow and Batman: Arkham Origins. It will be interesting to see what new direction Daniel will take the character this time around.

Trinity of Sin – J.M. Dematteis (Justice League International, The Phantom Stranger, Justice League Dark, Larfleeze) with art by Yvel Guichet launch this promising book in October. After the cancellation of The Phantom Stranger and Pandora, many readers were left wondering what would end up happening to these characters. However, it looks like we won’t have to wait long to see them again, with the addition of fan-favorite The Question rounding out the trio. The book promises to be reader friendly for those who didn’t read either book and I am personally extremely excited to see more of The Question. Considering how the three of them dislike each other but will be forced to work together will surely make for an entertaining read.

Earth 2: World’s End – The first book announced for October announced all the way back in February! This weekly series will run through March (DC’s rumored new crisis event is suspected to occur here) with way too many writers to list here, but it will include current Earth 2 writer, Tom Taylor. Award winning novelist Daniel H. Wilson will serve as “showrunner” on the series.

New Creative Teams

Catwoman – Genevieve Valentine (Girls at the Kingfisher Club, Mechanique, Geek Wisdom) replaces Nocenti on Catwoman alongside artist Garry Brown (Five Ghosts, Iron Patriot) starting October 22. This marks the first time that Valentine, a nebula award nominated writer, has written a comic book. However, her non-comic book work has received stellar reviews and her upcoming time on Catwoman seems promising. Especially with the tease that Catwoman is going to become the mob boss of Gotham City (something that has been hinted at previously).

Green Arrow – This is arguably the saddest news so far from the announcements for October. Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino have not only given readers a fantastic well-written 18 issue-run but some of the most beautiful art coming out of the New 52. The new team, Andrew Kreisberg and Ben Sokolowski (Arrow) and artist Daniel Sampere will prove to be interesting. The writers will be looking at some of the elements from the well-received show alongside the character’s comic book run. Although this line from Sokolowski in a LA Times interview makes me excited: “”We really want to bring the old-school Oliver Queen voice back to the character. In other words, the opinionated, liberal Robin Hood-esque hero that has fall through the cracks a bit.” This is the Ollie that I grew up with and look forward to seeing again.

Wonder Woman – Husband and wife team David Finch and Meredith Finch take over Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang’s arguably legendary run this November. Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang are also one of the few remaining creative teams that has stayed together consistently throughout the New 52. The book has promised to move away from Diana’s family and more so towards her relationships with the Amazons and the Justice League. I’m just hoping that it will be more like Finch’s work on Forever Evil and less like his work on the first volume of Batman: The Dark Knight. For those left wondering what I mean, this image speaks a thousand words and then some.

Earth 2 – Marguerite Bennett (Batman Annual #2, Lois Lane one-shot) is the new co-writer alongside the remaining Tom Taylor starting October 8 as Nicola Scott departs. Andy Smith takes over art duties. Taylor and Scott have done a wonderful job, making Earth 2 one of my favorite titles on a monthly basis. Bennett has done some fantastic work thus far in her short time at DC and this looks to be a promising opportunity for her.

Batgirl (Edited) – The latest creative team shakeup comes from Gail Simone’s Batgirl. Starting in October, Cameron Stewart and Brenden Fletcher will be writing the series alongside artist Babs Tarr. It will be interesting after more than thirty issues to see what new direction and art style that Batgirl is taken in.

Speculation (News ends here)

We will most likely see Lemire and Sorrentino working on an additional book now that they’re off Green Arrow. Whether that’s together or separate remains to be seen.

The addition of Klarion leaves DC with 46 titles (not counting the weeklies as four as Dan Didio confirmed here). That leaves us with 6 possible new titles coming.

Lex Luthor – Everybody’s favorite new Earth savior looks to be featured prominently in Justice League for the future. I’m guessing between that and my personal speculation of Luthor’s involvement in Future’s End that he may get his own title. It wouldn’t be surprising considering the number of anti-hero books being added in October (3, possibly 4) alongside the 6 or so that already exist. Although that may raise a larger point about the rising popularity of DC having anti-hero books.

Cyborg – The only member of the Justice League to not have his own title in the New 52. This seems like an oversight on DC’s part.

Shazam – He’s been in Justice League for awhile now and supposedly getting his own movie. At this point it’s a matter of when, not if.

Zatanna – DC looks like it needs another Dark title and Zatanna fits the bill. As the current leader of the Justice League Dark team, she seems like the perfect fit to have her own book. It would also be wise on DC’s part considering they want to market towards more women. Which in the wake of Birds of Prey being cancelled, is needed more than ever.

Booster Gold – Booster has been low-key in the New 52 after Justice League International was cancelled, although he did make appearances in All-Star Western. Perhaps with the additional of Blue Beetle, this book could give DC a much needed jumpstart in the humor area with the cancellation of Larfleeze.

Red Robin and Bluebird – This is by-far the most unlikely of the books I’ve speculated about. However, their recent interaction in Eternal leaves me to believe they would make a good pairing. Plus, Red Robin really deserves a book after not getting one in the New 52 despite having one of the best monthly series prior to Flashpoint. This would also give DC an opportunity to show off their newest bat character but at the same time alleviate their risk from a business standpoint by pairing her with one of DC’s consistent bat characters.

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