Best to worst DC Comics solicitations for October 2017

More Dark Days: Metal one-shots, the reveal of Mr. Oz’s identity, and a heroic version of the Joker make this list of best to worst DC Comics solicits.

Number 1

"BATMAN: WHITE KNIGHT #1Written by SEAN MURPHYArt and cover by SEAN MURPHYVariant cover by SEAN MURPHYRetailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.In a world where Batman has gone too far, The Joker must save Gotham City.He’s been called a maniac, a killer and the “Clown Prince of Crime” but “white knight”? Never. Until now…Set in a world where the Joker is cured of his insanity and homicidal tendencies, The Joker, now known as “Jack,” sets about trying to right his wrongs. First he plans to reconcile with Harley Quinn, and then he’ll try to save the city from the one person who he thinks is truly Gotham City’s greatest villain: Batman!Superstar writer and artist Sean Murphy (PUNK ROCK JESUS, THE WAKE) presents a seven-issue miniseries of a twisted Gotham City with a massive cast of heroes and villains that, at its heart, is a tragic story of a hero and a villain: Batman and The Joker. But which is the hero—and which the villain?On sale OCTOBER 4 • 32 pg, FC, 1 of 7, $3.99 US • RATED T+"

Commentary: This isn’t the first Batman story where the Joker became sane, nor is it the first Batman story where Batman and Joker reversed roles. However, the notion of a former villain seeking redemption while a hero becomes more corrupt is still a fascinating concept. Having this story be written and illustrated by Sean Murphy also makes it appealing. This also feels reminiscent of Batman: Year 100 by Paul Pope, which took a common Batman story into a unique direction, as well.

Number 2

"ACTION COMICS #989Written by DAN JURGENSArt by VIKTOR BOGDANOVICLenticular cover by NICK BRADSHAWVariant cover by NEIL EDWARDS and JAY LEISTENRetailers: This issue will ship with three covers. Please see the order form for details.“THE OZ EFFECT” part three! The startling revelation of Mr. Oz’s origin has stopped the Man of Steel dead in his tracks. With Superman distracted by disasters looming around the world, Mr. Oz has the time to confront Lois Lane.On sale OCTOBER 11 • 32 pg, FC • LENTICULAR COVER $3.99 US • NON-LENTICULAR COVER $2.99 US • RATED TACTION COMICS #990Written by DAN JURGENSArt by VIKTOR BOGDANOVICLenticular cover by NICK BRADSHAWVariant cover by NEIL EDWARDS and JAY LEISTENRetailers: This issue will ship with three covers. Please see the order form for details.“THE OZ EFFECT” part four! If Superman refuses to join Mr. Oz’s cause, maybe Superboy will! The mysterious villain hits Superman where it hurts when Oz and Jon join forces. But the stakes are raised when the Last Son of Krypton is forced to choose between his son and saving his adopted home planet.On sale OCTOBER 25 • 32 pg, FC • LENTICULAR COVER $3.99 US • NON-LENTICULAR COVER $2.99 US • RATED TACTION COMICS #991Written by DAN JURGENSArt by VIKTOR BOGDANOVICLenticular cover by NICK BRADSHAWVariant cover by NEIL EDWARDS and JAY LEISTENRetailers: This issue will ship with three covers. Please see the order form for details.“THE OZ EFFECT” part five! After being revealed as [REDACTED], Mr. Oz makes his last moves against the Man of Steel and his family and leaves the Man of Tomorrow wondering what other secrets and lies await him in the future as “The Oz Effect” comes to a close.On sale NOVEMBER 8 • All 32 pg, FC • LENTICULAR COVER $3.99 US • NON-LENTICULAR COVER $2.99 US • RATED T"

Commentary: Technically, there’s still just two issues of Action Comics for October since issue #991 comes out November 8th. There’s already rumors circulating that Mr. Oz could very well be a version of Jor-El. If so, this would explain why Jon Kent would side with him, if Mr. Oz basically says, “I am your grandfather.” In any case, DC is definitely setting up something big the closer we get to Action Comics #1000. Also, get ready for two different sets of sales figures thanks to the Lenticular covers.

Number 3

"DETECTIVE COMICS #966Written by JAMES TYNION IVArt and cover by EDDY BARROWS and EBER FERREIRAVariant cover by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUERetailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.“A LONELY PLACE OF LIVING” part two! Tim Drake has been locked in Mr. Oz’s fortress—but now he’s free and roaming the prison while his captor faces off against the Man of Steel. But is he the only prisoner who’s been freed?!On sale OCTOBER 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED TDETECTIVE COMICS #967Written by JAMES TYNION IVArt and cover by EDDY BARROWS and EBER FERREIRAVariant cover by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUERetailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.“A LONELY PLACE OF LIVING” part three! It’s a race to save the future of Tim and his team as Red Robin tries to escape his prison outside of time and find his way back to Earth.On sale OCTOBER 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T"

Commentary: A nice bit of continuity in how this story takes place during the same time as “The Oz effect” over in Action Comics. It’s quite fitting how two different stories tackling the “Who is Mr. Oz” mystery are taking place simultaneously in the two longest running comic books. Makes me wonder if both stories will also cross over into each other as well, yet still be read on their own.

Number 4

"BATGIRL AND THE BIRDS OF PREY #15Written by JULIE BENSON and SHAWNA BENSONArt by ROGE ANTONIOCover by YANICK PAQUETTEVariant cover by KAMOME SHIRAHAMARetailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details. Includes a code for a free digital download of this issue.“MANSLAUGHTER” part one! It’s flu season in Gotham City, but something odd is happening…only the men are getting sick, including those closest to the Birds of Prey! With Commissioner Gordon on his deathbed and Batman fighting a foe even he can’t beat, only the Birds of Prey have the strength to stand up to what’s happening and keep the city from spiraling into chaos!On sale OCTOBER 11 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T"

Commentary: Looks as though Catwoman and Poison Ivy will be teaming up with the Birds of Prey. Also, this story about a virus which only affects men sounds an awful lot like “Fury” from Justice League: The Animated Series. Of course, that affected the world instead of just Gotham City, but it’s same basic plot. This also makes me wonder why Poison Ivy would even side with the Birds on this. Wouldn’t she see this virus as something protecting her precious plants from “evil men?”

Number 5

"WONDER WOMAN #32Written by JAMES ROBINSONArt by CARLO PAGULAYAN and JASON PAZCover by BRYAN HITCHVariant cover by JENNY FRISONRetailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.“CHILDREN OF THE GODS” part two! Wonder Woman must find out who is targeting Zeus’ children before their sights are set on her! What kind of monster has the power to murder a demigod?!On sale OCTOBER 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED TWONDER WOMAN #33Written by JAMES ROBINSONArt by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO and RAY McCARTHYCover by BRYAN HITCHVariant cover by JENNY FRISONRetailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.“TIMES PAST” part one! Grail, the daughter of Darkseid, has been on a quest to restore her father to his full power and glory after the events of Darkseid War! She must challenge children of the gods to steal their energy for the almighty Darkseid. Will any hero of myth be able to withstand her onslaught?!On sale OCTOBER 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T"

Commentary: I like how the Wonder Woman #32 solicit tries keeping the identity of the villain secret, only for the Wonder Woman #33 solicit to then spoil it. Wouldn’t it have made more sense for #32’s solicit to reveal the villain’s identity instead of #33’s? Nevertheless, I do appreciate how we’re now getting stories building off the Darkseid War, and how it personally affects Diana.

Number 6

"GREEN LANTERNS #32Written by SAM HUMPHRIESArt by SCOTT GODLEWSKICovers by RICCARDO FEDERICIVariant cover by BRANDON PETERSONRetailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.“HOUSE PARTY”! Their trip through space and time complete, Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz find themselves back home on Earth, but new family strife makes the duo wonder if the threats of the cosmos were less taxing than dealing with your siblings.On sale OCTOBER 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED TGREEN LANTERNS #33Written by TIM SEELEYArt by CARLO BARBERI and MATT SANTORELLICovers by RICCARDO FEDERICIVariant covers by BRANDON PETERSONRetailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.“WORK RELEASE”! Being a member of an intergalactic police force and the Justice League isn’t easy, but Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz face their most dire threats when they return to Earth and are forced to…get jobs?!On sale OCTOBER 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T"

Commentary: Perhaps this is the result of decompressed storytelling, but it feels very redundant having two back-to-back issues deal with Simon and Jessica’s readjustment on Earth. Even so, I still like the idea the writers on Green Lanterns are exploring here. What often gets overlooked about the Green Lanterns is although they wield powerful cosmic rings, they’re still ordinary people with ordinary lives. Hopefully, both of these issues will tackle this same idea well.

Number 7

"SUPERMAN #32Written by PETER J. TOMASI and PATRICK GLEASONArt by DOUG MAHNKE and JAIME MENDOZACover by PATRICK GLEASONVariant cover by JORGE JIMENEZRetailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.“IMPERIUS LEX” part two! As the conflict continues, Superman teams with Lex Luthor to bring peace to a leaderless and warring Apokolips as a new warrior enters the battlefield: Lois Lane, female fury. May Granny Goodness have mercy on all their souls…On sale OCTOBER 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED TSUPERMAN #33Written by PETER J. TOMASI and PATRICK GLEASONArt by DOUG MAHNKE and JAIME MENDOZACover by PATRICK GLEASONVariant cover by JORGE JIMENEZRetailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.“IMPERIUS LEX” part three! Steppenwolf, field general of Apokolips, enlists Superman’s son Jon into his Canine Cavalry to stop Superman from helping Luthor reclaim the throne once held by Darkseid.On sale OCTOBER 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T"

Commentary: Two different Superman stories where Jon Kent sides with someone against Superman? And it’s coming off the heels of another story where Jon teamed up with another Superman villain? I would think the editors of the Superman comic would want to avoid doing similar plots one right after the other. Oh well, at least it’s offering the potential drama of Superman and Lex Luthor teaming up.

Number 8

"BATMAN #32Written by TOM KINGArt and cover by MIKEL JANINVariant cover by OLIVIER COIPELRetailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.“THE WAR OF JOKES AND RIDDLES” finale! This is the finale everyone will be talking about for years to come! In BATMAN #24, we gave you the question; in BATMAN #32, you get the answer. As the Riddler and The Joker desperately fight for supremacy in Gotham City, Batman reveals how far he had to go to end the war. Now, knowing Batman’s greatest sin, Catwoman must make her decision: Will she marry Batman?On sale OCTOBER 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED TBATMAN #33Written by TOM KINGArt and cover by JOELLE JONESVariant cover by OLIVIER COIPELRetailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.“A DREAM OF ME” part 1! Following his marriage proposal to Catwoman, Batman leaves Gotham City on a quest of renewal and redemption. As he travels and fights, he encounters members of his family—each disturbed by Batman’s journey, each ready to stand in his way, each ready to push back against Batman’s stubborn determination to evolve into something better than a superhero.On sale OCTOBER 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T"

Commentary: I find it hilarious that “The War of Jokes and Riddles” is essentially Bruce Wayne telling Selina Kyle, “I did something really, really bad during a gang war between Joker and the Riddler. You still want to marry me?” What would be even more hilarious if the reason for the Bat family being so disturbed by “Batman’s journey” is because he’s marrying Catwoman. Either way, it sounds ridiculous on paper, if that is what will indeed happen.

Number 9

"TITANS #16Written by DAN ABNETTArt and cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUNDVariant cover by DAN MORARetailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details. Includes a code for a free digital download of this issue.“Death Race”! After suffering a major cardiac episode due to his weakened heart, Wally West is dead…or is he? In a race against time and death itself, Wally reaches out to another speedster for help: Kid Flash! Can the two of them jump start Wally’s heart…or is there about to be one less Wally West?On sale OCTOBER 18 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T"

Commentary: Raise your hands if you believe the Pre-Flashpoint Wally West will die? Yeah, I didn’t raise my hand either. It would just be so cheap of DC to kill off the original Wally after going through the trouble in bringing him back, especially since he’s the catalyst behind DC Rebirth. For that reason, I still think we’ll have two Wally Wests when all is said and done. Even so, it’s still a decent hook for an issue.

Number 10

"JUSTICE LEAGUE #30Written by BRYAN HITCHArt by FERNANDO PASARIN and OCLAIR ALBERTCover by BRYAN HITCHVariant cover by NICK BRADSHAWRetailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.“LEGACY” part five! Sovereign has come, and she’s brought Olympus with her. The Great Darkness is growing, and it’s ready to consume the Earth—and the Justice League is missing! Batman, Wonder Woman and the future children of the Justice League must put aside their differences if the present and the future are to be saved!On sale OCTOBER 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED TJUSTICE LEAGUE #31Written by BRYAN HITCHArt by FERNANDO PASARIN and OCLAIR ALBERTCover by BRYAN HITCHVariant cover by NICK BRADSHAWRetailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.“LEGACY” finale! The truth about Sovereign is revealed—and her identity will shake the Justice League to its core! The Darkness is out of control and if the Justice League and their future children don’t triumph over its evil, it will mean the end of everything, everywhere, forever.On sale OCTOBER 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T"

Commentary: Let me guess? The Sovereign is either the future version of Wonder Woman or Jessica Cruz. Given how the solicit for Justice League #30 says she’s “brought Olympus with her,” it’s probably the future Wonder Woman. Because every dystopian future in DC Comics these days either involves an evil Superman or an evil Wonder Woman. Unless Bryan Hitch pulls some out-of-nowhere swerve, it doesn’t seem like this will matter much despite what these solicits claim.

Number 11

"BATMAN LOST #1Written by SCOTT SNYDERArt by OLIVIER COIPEL and BENGALCover by BENGALTrapped in the Dark Multiverse, Batman must face his greatest fears!ADVANCE SOLICITED • ONE-SHOT On sale NOVEMBER 8 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • FOIL-STAMPED COVER • RATED T+"

Commentary: I guess this explains the story behind the Jim Lee cover for Dark Days: The Forge #1. One thing I do wonder about this event, with its different one-shots and tie-in comics, is how DC expects their readers to follow it. Even if there’s a reading order checklist, it will still be a lot of comics to keep track of and follow. I’m well aware that’s how comic book events have been these past several years, but it still makes such a practice ridiculous as it is annoying.

Number 12

"BATMAN: THE DEVASTATOR #1Written by FRANK TIERIArt by TONY S. DANIELCover by JASON FABOKAs the events of DARK NIGHTS: METAL rock the DC Universe, the creatures of the Dark Multiverse stand ready to invade our world! How can the World’s Greatest Heroes stop a horde of deadly beings that appear to be powerful nightmare versions of familiar figures? Find out in these special tie-in issues!ADVANCE SOLICITED • ONE-SHOT • On sale NOVEMBER 1 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • FOIL-STAMPED COVER • RATED T+THE BATMAN WHO LAUGHS #1Written by JAMES TYNION IVArt by RILEY ROSSMOCover by JASON FABOKAs the events of DARK NIGHTS: METAL rock the DC Universe, the creatures of the Dark Multiverse stand ready to invade our world! How can the World’s Greatest Heroes stop a horde of deadly beings that appear to be powerful nightmare versions of familiar figures? Find out in these special tie-in issues!ADVANCE SOLICITED • ONE-SHOT • On sale NOVEMBER 15 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • FOIL-STAMPED COVER • RATED T+"

Commentary: At this year’s San Diego Comic Con, DC confirmed the main bad guys during Dark Nights: Metal would indeed be evil variations of Batman. Six of them, including “The Devastator” were revealed. The only one who wasn’t is “The Batman Who Laughs” which will obviously be a Batman version of the Joker. As I said last time, I’m not all that excited over the Justice League going up against evil versions of themselves who are also different versions of Batman too.

Number 13

"THE FLASH #33Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSONArt by HOWARD PORTERCover by NEIL GOOGEVariant cover by HOWARD PORTERRetailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.“JUSTICE INSURGENCE” part one! After the harrowing events of DARK NIGHTS: METAL #3, the JUSTICE LEAGUE has scattered around the world to find the only artifacts that can fight back against the invasion of the Dark Multiverse. The League thinks they know how to take back their world, but they are not prepared for who is standing in their way. The Seven Dark Knights of the Dark Multiverse. All the brilliance of Batman, but none of the morals. Barry Allen, The Fastest Man Alive, is the first to get a taste of their plan, as BATMAN: THE RED DEATH takes him on at the Fortress of Solitude.On sale OCTOBER 25 • 32 pg, FC $2.99 US • RATED T"

Commentary: This is the first solicit which defines and clarifies who The Seven Dark Knights are. It’s somewhat surprising their official names are the same as the title for their respective one-shots. It also looks as though each one will go up against their Justice League counterpart in these Dark Nights: Metal tie-ins too. If that’s the case, why bother with the one-shot tie-ins at all? Also, why is there a Batman version of Doomsday, but not one of Superman? I guess they just want to combine Superman vs. Doomsday and Superman vs. Batman into one super fist fight.

Next: Best to worst DC Comics solicitations for September 2017

What’s your opinion about these DC Comics solicits, and do you agree with these rankings? Do you think DC is making a mistake with how they’re organizing their Dark Days: Metal event? Now that DC is providing answers, are you satisfied with how Rebirth is turning out? Finally, is there a particular solicit I didn’t include which caught your interest? Feel free to mention this and other comments below.

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