Harleen #1 - Comic Series Preview

With works like Sunstone, Switch, and Justice League Odyssey, Stjepan Sejic has set himself as one of the most iconic singular creators. One of his newest projects, Harleen, will hit the comic stores on the 25th of September and the spotlights are, we believe, right to be pointed at it.

Harleen will depict the story of Harley Quinn, and it is compiled by three acts, and with their turn, each act will consist of three issues. The first act will be Gotham, the second will be the story of her and Joker while the third will be about her split up with Joker with the friend of her new friend, Poison Ivy.

"Harleen is a story about the birth of a villain. It’s a story about somebody who wanted to do good but in the end made bad decisions and fell from grace." said Stjepan in an interview with Nerdist.

As readers, we have the privilege of knowing how this story ends in a way. We know that Dr. Harleen Quinzel ends being Harley Quinn and even though we have that spoiler embedded within us, Stjepan has a mastery of writing about relationships and this is no exception.

From what we so far know for "Harleen" is that we, in a way, might feel in a way that Dr. Harleen actually believed or wanted to believe that she will save Joker from his insanity, that she might be able to pull him out of it. In the words of Sejic, this is a Beauty and the Beast story with a twist. In the same interview as above Sejic mentions, "It’s an age-old romance archetype except with a twist. In most versions of romance novels where, you know, Beauty helps the Beast regain his humanity or be, you know, a wealthy billionaire with a penchant for BDSM at the end of it all, you know, it’s always Beauty helps Beast gain his humanity. In this case, it doesn’t go like that. The Beast pulls the Beauty a bit deeper into the pit. And that’s where the Beauty grows her own fangs."

So if you really want to experience the life of Dr. Harleen Quinzel and the birth of a new villain, Harley Quinn then head over to your favorite comic store or get your copy online from Amazon or Ebay.

Hellblazer to Enter Sandman Universe

Last year DC launched the Sandman Universe, a series based on the work of the incredible Neil Gaiman, in order to tap into the vast universe and to expand the mythos of Dreaming.

The Sandman Universe already expanded to four on-going series - House of Whispers, Lucifer, The Books of Magic, and The Dreaming. All of the series are currently overseen by Gaiman but have new creative talents working ensuring that the comics will have fresh new stories from various points of view and so far it has worked wonders with some of the comic books being the best comics published this year.

A few days ago DC confirmed that Hellblazer aka John Constantine will also find a new home in the Sandman Universe starting October 30. Starting off with a one-shot written by Simon Spurrier and illustrated by Marcio Takara called "The Sandman Universe Presents Hellblazer #1" followed by the on-going series "John Constantine, Hellblazer" again written by Spurrier but illustrated by Aaron Campbell.

“Year One was just the start. Now you get to inhabit the worlds, books, and houses we built for you,” says Gaiman. “I was thrilled when I was told that John Constantine—the original, demon-haunted one who first showed up in SWAMP THING’s “American Gothic” story—is coming back to his murky and dangerous roots. More magic and more darkness and not a few gods and dreams are here for you to explore.”

As for ourselves as Hellblazer maniacs, we just can't wait to see what the future of John Constantine looks like within the Gaiman universe. If you are as excited as we are, stay up to date with everything related to The Sandman Universe and John Constantine by signing up to our newsletter or just keep reading about it at 101comics.com.

DC to Unite All Publishing Under One Banner

DC to unite all publishing under one banner by 2020 using three aged-specific labels to better organize their titles. DC Kids, DC and DC Black Label will absorb all existing titles and that way it will not only help the readers understand what sort of titles they are reading but also will help the characters mature with the readers. As a result, DC sunsets its imprint Vertigo which operates since 1993 by the end of the year.

“We’re returning to a singular presentation of the DC brand that was present throughout most of our history until 1993 when we launched Vertigo to provide an outlet for edgier material,” said DC Publisher Dan DiDio. “That kind of material is now mainstream across all genres, so we thought it was the right time to bring greater clarity to the DC brand and reinforce our commitment to storytelling for all of our fans in every age group. This new system will replace the age ratings we currently use on our material.”

DC Kids will focus on young readers of the age 8-12 and it will offer stories created specifically for middle grade.

DC will focus on 13+ and will portray the current DC stories and characters.

DC Black Label will focus on stories for the age of 17+.

“What we’ve done here is apply an ages and stages organizing philosophy that will strengthen what we’re already doing well, whether that is our move into the young adult and middle grade audience or our long track record of success with creator-driven pop-up lines,” said DC Publisher and Chief Creative Officer Jim Lee. “We will also continue to publish creator-owned projects, and will evaluate and assign to the appropriate label to help our fans find the best books for their interests. These new labels not only bring greater consistency and focus to our characters, but they also open up a wealth of new opportunities for the talent working on our books.”

Batman/Catwoman Limited Series to Launch 2020

Get ready for some serious changes in 2020 with DC's fan-favorite superhero - Batman getting another strategy overhaul. Returning to a monthly schedule instead of bimonthly, DC incorporates Batman into the larger DC universe and continuity.

In the same time spots are now available for new storylines such as the Batman/Catwoman 12 issue series by Tom King and Clay Mann while the rest of the Bat-family comic series such as Detective Comics, Catwoman, Nightwing and Batgirl are set to continue with no changes in 2020.

“We’re making changes to our comic book publishing line to set DC up for continued success,” said DC’s editor-in-chief Bob Harras. “We’re starting with the bestselling BATMAN comic after ‘City of Bane’ wraps up in December. ‘City of Bane’ is an incredible story and an integral part of our overall ‘Year of the Villain’ campaign, and a new Tom King and Clay Mann Bat/Cat series in 2020 fills the gap once BATMAN begins to ship monthly.”

“Batman and Catwoman is a chance to do what Morrison and Quietly did in Batman and Robin: launch an ambitious, accessible, beautiful, thrilling new series that concludes years of stories and defines what Batman is, can, and will be,” said Tom King. “This will be a comic about what the best Batman comics are always been about, how our greatest hero turns fear into bravery, pain into hope, trauma into love. It’s the story I always wanted to tell, and I’m telling it with the man I consider to be the greatest artist in comics, my brother Clay Mann.

“It’s tough to leave Batman,” added King. “It’s a gift and a joy to be on that book. But I’m leaving it to work on the biggest, most ambitious projects of my career, comics I get to make with the best collaborators in comics. And that’s a gift and a joy too.”

“We’re excited for fans to get more of what they love from DC,” said Harras. “With Joëlle Jones continuing on CATWOMAN, a new creative team on BATMAN, plus titles like DETECTIVE COMICS, BATGIRL, NIGHTWING, RED HOOD: OUTLAW and BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS, our Gotham City protectors and the talent behind them will continue to offer great stories that cater to the tastes of as many Bat-fans as possible in 2020 and beyond.”

DC Universe to Add 10.000 Comics This Week

DC Universe is about to expand with 10.000 new comics added in its already big library.

As per the official statement, DC will be adding comics that were published from the mid-'80s until the early 2010s. Some exciting titles that readers should expect is in the likes of Adventures of Superman, hundreds of Action Comics and of course the fan favorite, Batman along with Catwoman, Batgirl and more.

This is all part of the "20.000 comics on platform" that DC has promised which is dedicated in bringing a closer look to comics that might have otherwise be lost in longboxes during the years.

The service is currently only available in US but DC has mentioned that they have plans on expanding in many countries in the near future.

Gerard Way's "Young Animal" Returns This July

DC's "Young Animal" imprint returns this July with a new chapter of their flagship comic title "Doom Patrol" and two entirely new and unique stories that will captivate all "Young Animal" fans out there, that have been waiting for this announcement to come from DC for a year since it was last sighted.

DC's "Young Animal" made its debut in 2016 as a pop-up imprint of curated stories by Gerard Way (My Chemical Romance) and after four regular series and three miniseries, it falls in hibernation up until now.

July 3rd marks the day of DOOM PATROL: WEIGHT OF THE WORLDS followed by COLLAPSER in July 17 and FAR SECTOR later this year.

As with all new comic series, new creative teams make their appearance with Mikey Way (MCR), Shaun Simon (Neverboy, Killjoys) and artist Ilias Kyriazis (G.I. Joe: First Strike) bring us COLLAPSER, and author N.K. Jemisin (The Broken Earth, Inheritance trilogies) making her comic book writing debut with FAR SECTOR.

As usual "Doom Patrol" creative team will consist of Nick Derington for Covers and a series of talented artists for interior illustrations such as James Harvey, Doc Shaner, Nick Pitarra, Becky Cloonan and more.

“We are thrilled to revitalize DOOM PATROL, and to present both COLLAPSER and FAR SECTOR, two books that push the medium of comics and their respective genres through uncharted territory. Readers can expect everything from high doses of cosmic weirdness and positivity, to deep examinations of anxiety and emotions while wielding immense power, to sci-fi explorations of authority and control and what it means to be a guardian while a world hangs in delicate balance. More fantastic comics outside the norm, as only DC’s Young Animal can do.”
Gerard Way

Talent

Writer: Gerard Way & Jeremy Lambert
Artist: James Harvey, Doc Shaner, Nick Pitarra, Becky Cloonan
Publisher: DC's Young Animal
Release Date: July 3, 2019
Cover Price: TBA

Gerard Way and the World’s Strangest Super Heroes return in an all-new series that takes them beyond the borders of time and space! The Doom Patrol will go on an epic road trip around the solar system, facing off against the unusual and bizarre including the fanatical fitness fiends of planet Orbius and the Marathon Eternal. Big changes are coming for these unusual heroes, including Robotman coming to terms with his new life as a human.

Talent

Writer: Mikey Way & Shaun Simon
Artist: Ilias Kyriazis
Publisher: DC's Young Animal
Release Date: July 17, 2019
Cover Price: TBA

Liam James is a wannabe DJ whose life goals are almost completely dashed by his crippling anxiety—until a package arrives in the mail containing a black hole that gives him amazing powers and draws him into a cosmic conflict far beyond anything he’d ever imagined. But Liam will discover that when it comes to life, love, mental health and superhero responsibilities, there’s no such thing as a quick fix, and that power comes with a cost.

Talent

Writer: N.K. Jemisin
Artist: Jamal Campbell
Publisher: DC's Young Animal
Release Date: Late 2019
Cover Price: TBA

Newly chosen Green Lantern Sojourner “Jo” Mullein has been protecting the City Enduring, a massive metropolis of 20 billion people, for the past six months. The City has maintained peace for over 500 years by stripping its citizens of their ability to feel. As a result, violent crime is virtually unheard of, and murder is nonexistent.
But that’s all about to change.
This new series introduces a dizzying game of politics and philosophies as Jo discovers a brewing revolution in the City, aided and abetted by some of its most powerful citizens.

Mera: Tidebreaker #1 Comic Review

The princess of Xebel finally gets the long-awaited attention that she deserved from the hands of bestseller author of Dorothy Must Die, Danielle Paige, and artist Stephen Byrne.

Even though advertised as a teenager adventure, Mera: Tidebreaker is easy to read book for all ages. Admittedly many of the scenes will remind you a romance teenagers tv series and there could be (or should be) more actions, especially in parts, were it was required, the creative team chose to go with something more subtle. But it brings out a point of view in the youth years of Mera and Arthur that is much appreciated.

It's not the greatest story we have seen lately but it's as interesting as any. There is a new view for the teenage years of Mera and Arthur that certainly took us back decades when Arthur was living at the lighthouse by the sea.

Stephen Byrne technique of not using a huge palete of colors brings out the one color we should focus as readers. Not wanting to spoiler the amazing use of red but it's something we will be keeping on our shelves at a prominent position.

The Green Lantern (2018) #1 Review

Pure excitement. This is what it feels to get your hands on "The Green Lantern #1" by Grant Morrison and if you are a fan you probably already know this but if you are new or into the Grant Morrison effect or even in the Green Lantern "universe" then you are in for a treat. Green Lantern made it clear that belongs to the best DC Comic Series of 2019!

The Green Lantern #1 is as Grant Morrison as it can get with a ton of information, masterfully compressed into one issue and even though some might find this intimidating it is a form of art Morrison so gracefully uses that wont take a toll on your mind. Having said that, it is going without saying that when reading a Grant Morrison, you get a lot of information on the second or third go.

The art from Liam Sharp is also spot on making this one a modern-classic.

I get it, you might say that "Everything is said to be a modern classic this days" and I agree. There is a tendency to portray a good modern comic as a classic because we so much love the bronze or silver age of comics yet this is the real deal. Just as Grant Morrison is bringing Green Lantern into the light once more, Liam Sharp is bringing us the vibe of the Bronze Age art that we loved.

As I previously mentioned Grant Morrison can fit a lot into a few pages and I am going to talk about a few of them below so if you want a review spoiler free this will probably be the end of it.

Spoilers Below!

Ye that passes through the valley of the review shall find spoilers hidden beneath and thou shall be rewarded with knowledge.

The story begins with the introduction of some Green Lanterns that are trying to take down some Space Pirates and as per usual even though the odds are heavily against them they are victorious. At least for a short while.

What makes the story interesting and what we love about Morrison and GL is that there is always something unique and no matter how old it gets it always feels fresh.

I mean Floozle Flem? this might be our new favorite character.

Hal Jordan comes in, down on his luck wasting his days on earth after being "fired" from the Green Lantern Corp, just lost his job at a gas station and spends some quality time with his lady.

Next day he is on his way when a stranger approaches. Not to prolong this, Hal figures out that the stranger is not from Earth, and being good at what he does he beats the shit out of the alien even without the powers of his ring since the Guardians have taken his power battery.

Hal finds Chriselon, another GL, hurt real bad. Chriselon explains that he was carrying the space pirates and they are on their way to lay waste to everything they find. He hands Hal his battery and here comes our favorite Green Lantern again.

There is so much more happening in this one issue than if you'd really have to go through the pages yourself!

Best DC Comics of 2019 (so far)

DC Comics has been making a great start in 2019 with some amazing comics making it to the shelves. DC popularity has never been greater with superhero movies making it to the big screen and a huge collection making it to the small screens and with DC Wonder Comics launching amazing unique series such as Naomi and Young Justice, there was never a more perfect time to jump on board.

In an effort to highlight the best comic series of 2019, 101Comics has set up a list to help you find the best dc comics of 2019 so you will never miss out.

Naomi #1 & Young Justice #1 Return in a 2nd Printing

DC Wonder Comics, Brian Michael Bendis and DC new line of comics targeting mainly teens, made a huge impact with Naomi #1 and Young Justice #1 early this year. So strong they basically sold out all of the prints and they are now looking to reprint them both.

Both Naomi #1 and Young Justice #2, 2nd printing is set to hit the shelves on the 27th of February and will feature a recolored version of their original covers.