DC Comics is kicking off another week full of announcements in a big way by first outlining the mini-series to not only follow on from the acclaimed Blackest Night, but also define the DC Universe going forward. Much more about this mini-series and its related titles should come to light (pun intended) with DC’s April Solicitations, which you’ll be able to check out right here on Pop Culture Zoo next Monday. Here’s a run-down of what’s being announced and keep checking back as we will be updating this throughout the day!
Following Blackest Night will be a new mini-series entitled Brightest Day. This will be a 26 issue, bi-weekly mini written by Geoff Johns and Peter Tomasi, with the art for it’s 0 issue being handled by Fernando Pasarin. This series has been referred to in DC meetings as DCU: Rebirth, so expect it’s scope to encompass the breadth of the DC Universe. In fact, a number of titles, most prominently Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps, will carry “Brightest Day” banners on their covers to signify their importance to the story.
Says Dan DiDio of the mini-series: “…I’m happy to announce that for the DCU, after the BLACKEST NIGHT will come a BRIGHTEST DAY this April. A biweekly, 26-issue series, kicking off with BRIGHTEST DAY #0. We have a number of wonderful artists slated to contribute to the book, which we’ll be announcing soon.”
The first title announced to carry the “Brightest Day” banner is the new ongoing Flash title. This title was no secret, yet little has been revealed about it apart from the creative team. Again, from Dan DiDio:
“We’ll be launching the new FLASH ongoing series, by Geoff and Francis Manapul in April with a BRIGHTEST DAY banner, and there will be several more titles utilizing it come May and June. With this book, Geoff and Francis are really bringing Barry Allen back into the spotlight and cementing him as the premiere Flash in the DCU in his own monthly. It’s no secret that I’ve been waiting a long time to see this. I’ve always been a huge Barry fan, and I can say that Geoff and Francis are reinvigorating him as a character in much the same way Geoff did with Hal Jordan. Should be fun.”
The Next title announced to fall under the “Brightest Day” banner is Titans which has previously been mentioned as targeted for some big changes. Writer Eric Wallace and artist Fabrizio Fiorentino take over the regular series following the upcoming TITANS: VILLAINS FOR HIRE SPECIAL. The two will have the Titans longtime foe Deathstroke recruit a new group of Titans comprised of villains.
As far as who may be a part of the new team, Dan DiDio says, “Seeing as how the creative team is coming off a great mini-series like INK, it’s not a surprise that the Tattooed Man will be a member of Deathstroke’s Titans team. [And] it wouldn’t be much of a Deathstroke team if there wasn’t a femme fatale in the mix, and we’ve definitely got one – with ties to the original Titans, to boot – in Cheshire. We’ll save the full roster for a later date.
Next up, Dan and Alex revealed that April’s Justice League of America #44 would not only carry the “Brightest Day” banner, but would also see new members joining the team. The cover seems to herald a crossover with Justice Society of America which makes me wonder if the teams may be swapping some members. Dan did not reveal anything else about this particular issue so we will all have to pick up issue #44 to find out!
To wrap things up Dan and Alex also revealed that David Finch, newly exclusive to DC, will be the cover artist for all 26 Brightest Day issues. They also promised more Brightest Day news as well as further announcements regarding DCU 2010 throughout the week. Stay tuned to Pop Culture Zoo as we bring you the latest!