Whilst Warner Bros. Pictures was bringing the noise in SDCC Hall H, DC Comics were reminding us all that comics are fun for everyone with panel previewing several upcoming titles.
Writer and Artist Sina Grace (Iceman, Ghosted in L.A.) announced his upcoming original young adult graphic novel Superman: The Harvests of Youth, on sale October 3, 2023. The book looks at a young Clark Kent, in high school in Smallville, as he grapples with the mortality of his friends and family, teen isolation and the seductive nature of online subcultures built around hate and anger. It features characters familiar to longtime Super-fans, like Lana Lang, as well as introducing new characters. Grace is joined on the book by colorist Cris Peter (Casanova). Written and drawn by Sina Grace, the book promises to be a moving look at the difficulties of growing up, and all the pressures and fear that surround that, as well as the joy of taking flight.
Here’s a look at the book’s cover art:
DC also shared a clip of the Max Original award-winning audio-series Batman: The Audio Adventures, written by Dennis McNicholas (SNL) and streaming now on HBO Max, and shared a first look at the seven issue tie-in comic series Batman: The Audio Adventures, also written by McNichols, with art by Anthony Marques (The Green Hornet) and J. Bone (Batman: The Brave and The Bold), and cover by Dave Johnson (100 Bullets). Picking up right after the season finale of the audio-series, the comic follows a string of attacks that have plagued Gotham City’s seedy underbelly, sending criminals into a panic. But it’s not Batman who is striking at the heart of the city, it’s a group of mysterious assailants on the hunt for an ancient artifact. As Batman hunts down these assassins, he finds clues that keep drawing him to their true goal: the sword of King Scimitar! Issue #1 will be available September 27.
New York Times bestselling writer Kami Garcia (Teen Titans: Raven, Beautiful Creatures) also shared a first look at her upcoming original young adult graphic novel Constantine: Distorted Illusions. Drawn by Isaac Goodhart (Victor & Nora) the book tells a reimagined story of a young Constantine, a new version of a character with foibles and weaknesses that will feel very familiar to longtime fans.
John Constantine is, and has always been, a magician of the highest caliber—who decides he doesn’t need any additional training or guidance. Sensing an opportunity for independence, Constantine falsely accepts an apprenticeship in the United States to instead become the lead singer of his best friend’s punk band, Mucous Membrane. When the band begins to dabble in magic, a complicated spell gets out of hand with disastrous consequences that might be more than Constantine can handle. With stunning art, pulling direct references from iconic Punk venues in their heyday, this book is a fantastic, fast-paced look at punk rock, magic, friendship, and recovering from bad decisions. Constantine: Distorted Illusions is on sale September 27.
Writer Josh Trujillo (Captain America) shared some news about his upcoming series Blue Beetle: Graduation Day. With art by Adrián Gutierréz (The Rejects), the upcoming series will follow Jaime Reyes as he grapples with heroics and his future. When The Reach interrupts Jaime’s high school graduation, he has to decide what’s best for his future while grappling with both The Reach and his Scarab. Trujillo talked about bringing Starfire into the series, writing mentorship, and introducing a new location, Palmera City, to the DC Universe!
Also shared on the panel was a preview of Issue #4 of the fan-favorite Jurassic League, as well as the upcoming series Sgt. Rock vs. The Army of the Living Dead, written by horror-icon Bruce Campbell who stopped by the panel to surprise the fans!
