Article by Sharna Jahangir
With months of quarantine, knowing that new comics are finally coming through is a delight. As comic innovators, DC have been able to keep their Digital First stories coming and allowed their creative teams to keep creating stories at a safe distance. Art and entertainment have kept the world grounded.
Publishers are dolling out the titles. After two weeks of the shutdown, the team has moved to work-from-home protocols to deliver these issues to you safely. The immediate Press release is below:
DC ANNOUNCES THE EXPANSION OF
DC DIGITAL FIRSTA new slate of comics, released digitally seven days a week,
joins DC’s existing Digital First catalogHere marks the expansion of DC’s DIGITAL FIRST publishing program, home of bestselling titles Injustice: Gods Among Us, DC Comics: Bombshells, the new Batman: The Adventures Continue, and many more fan-favorite comics. Under the robust new program, comic book readers will have more variety of content and immediate access to stories that have never been available on digital platforms.
“Comic book fans want more access to content than ever before,” said Jim Lee, DC Chief Creative Officer and Publisher. “This strategy is intended to get daily content to fans immediately, and also to ensure that when comic shops open back up for business, they will have new content and product that their customers will want. In the meantime, we will have properly stoked and protected the demand for comics, keeping fans interested in our characters and stories.”
The first week of DC DIGITAL FIRST titles include Superman: The Man of Tomorrow by Robert Venditti, Paul Pelletier, Drew Hennessy, and Adriano Lucas, Batman: Gotham Nights featuring a story by Sal Giunta, Brad Meltzer, Jim Lee, Scott Williams, and Alex Sinclair with a second story by Larry Hama, Mirko Colak, and John Kalisz, Wonder Woman: Agent of Peace by Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, Inaki Miranda, and Hi-Fi, Aquaman: Deep Dives by Steve Orlando, Daniel Sampere, Juan Albarran, and Adriano Lucas, Flash: Fastest Man Alive by Gail Simone, Clayton Henry, and Marcelo Maiolo, DC Super Hero Girls: Infinite Frenemies by Amanda Deibert and Erich Owen, and Swamp Thing: New Roots by Mark Russell, Marco Santucci, and John Kalisz. These series are new to DC Digital First, having previously been exclusive to DC Giants.
“I really want to stress that regularly scheduled and solicited print comics, traditionally available on Wednesdays, will continue to be available day-and-date digitally on Tuesdays moving forward,” added Lee. “On the other hand, DC DIGITAL FIRST comics will be released seven days a week, with a strikingly different trade dress that will distinguish these titles from physical versions.”
In addition, on Monday DC is launching DC ESSENTIAL READS, a free digital promotion providing first issues of some of the most iconic graphic novels and collected editions in the DC library. Available until June 8th on a variety of digital platforms, DC ESSENTIAL READS titles include Watchmen #1 by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, Batman #608 by Jeph Loeb, Jim Lee, Scott Williams, and Alex Sinclair, The Sandman #1 by Neil Gaiman and Sam Kieth, Dark Nights: Metal #1 by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo, Doomsday Clock #1 by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank, Crisis on Infinite Earths #1 by Marv Wolfman and George Perez, Mister Miracle #1 by Tom King and Mitch Gerads, and more.
DC DIGITAL FIRST comics and DC ESSENTIAL READS free issues will all be available from participating digital retailers, including ReadDC.com, Comixology, Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and more.
So, without further ado! The comics for Week 4, starting with our beloved Dark Knight.
Week 4
Batman Tuesday: Batman: Gotham Nights #4
“The Dragnet” by Mark Russell, Ryan Benjamin, Richard Friend, Alex Sinclair and Troy Peteri
Batman goes after the biggest criminals in Gotham City: Bruce Wayne’s billionaire peers. But when these blue-blooded businessmen turn to the Joker for help, they find themselves in over their heads. It’s up to Bruce Wayne to step in and save them…even though he may be just as guilty as the rest.
Metropolis Monday: Superman: The Man of Tomorrow #4
“Buried Past” by Rob Venditti, Paul Pelletier, Drew Hennessy, Adriano Lucas and Clayton Cowles
A monstrous creature is appearing in the countryside outside of Metropolis and putting the beatdown on Superman. Can Clark Kent solve the mystery behind this muck beast or will Superman be buried for good?!
Wonder Women Wednesday: Wonder Woman: Agent of Peace #4
“Hope Springs Eternal” by Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, Daniel Sampere, Juan Albarran, Hi-Fi and Travis Lanham
Wonder Woman visits an old friend on her last day, but afterward, Diana’s day turns into a nightmare. Meanwhile, the Penguin gathers a group of villains to enact a new plan against their heroic enemies!
Tidal Thursday: Aquaman: Deep Dives #4
“Worth” and “A Father’s Favor” by Dave Wielgosz, José Luis, Adriano Di Benedetto, Rex Lukus and Wes Abbott
“Worth” — Aqualad fights off a surprise attack from the Electrocutioner!
“A Father’s Favor” — Black Manta recruits Aqualad to assist him on a very personal mission.
Flash Friday: Flash: Fastest Man Alive #4
“Flash Forward” by Gail Simone, Clayton Henry, Marcelo Maiolo and Rob Leigh
The Flash has arrived in the 25th century to face down the villainous Eobard Thawne, the REVERSE-FLASH! But what Barry discovers isn’t a city in ruins, but a utopia filled with people who can use the Speed Force the same way he does. Can the Flash stop the sinister speedster when he’s surrounded by people who would die for him?
Saturday Morning Cartoons: DC Super Hero Girls: Infinite Frenemies #4
“Fall Festival” by Amy Wolfram, Agnes Garbowska, Silvana Brys and Gabriela Downie
The girls are excited about this year’s Fall Festival, but Harley Quinn has other plans! Will Bumblebee be able to stop her and keep the pumpkinsfrom flying?
“A Sticky Zit-uation” by Derek Fridolfs, Agnes Garbowska, Silvana Brys and Gabriela Downie
Zatanna learns that magic isn’t always the solution for everything—especially when that thing is bright red and in the middle of your forehead!
Supernatural Sunday: Swamp Thing: New Roots #4
“Strategic Outcomes” by Mark Russell, Marco Santucci, John Kalisz and Dave Sharpe
At Sunderland’s request, the U.S. military is testing ways to annihilate the monstrous threat known as the Swamp Thing. From swamp to city they’ll hunt him, and while their target tries to keep the innocent from becoming collateral damage, the same can’t be said of his pursuers…
Week 3
Batman Tuesday: Batman: Gotham Nights #3
“Law of the Jungle” by Michael Grey, Ryan Benjamin, Richard Friend, Alex Sinclair and Troy Peteri
Batman is hot on the trail of a series of murders in Brazil, where government officials and various captains of industry have been mysteriously murdered by their own bodyguards. None of the assailants knew each other, but the Bodyguard Murders story went viral. As the Dark Knight starts assembling the pieces of the puzzle, he notices the things all these victims have in common are a connection to the logging industry, a penchant for bribes…and a woman who goes by the name POISON IVY.
Metropolis Monday: Superman: The Man of Tomorrow #3
“Dangerous Games” by Rob Venditti, Paul Pelletier, Drew Hennessy, Adriano Lucas and Clayton Cowles
The Toyman is loose in Metropolis, and he has his sights set on one man: LEX LUTHOR! Can Superman get to the bottom of Toyman’s assault on Lex, or will the villain’s terrifying toys take down LexCorp-and Metropolis with it?
Wonder Women Wednesday:Wonder Woman: Agent of Peace #3
“Planned Extinction!” by Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner, Daniel Sampere, Juan Albarran, Hi-Fi and Travis Lanham
Wonder Woman thinks she’s saved the day when she stops an asteroid from crashing into the Earth-but a fragment of it lands near the shores of Gorilla City, unleashing an alien horror upon the unsuspecting simians. Now the Amazing Amazon must stop the creature before the entire gorilla race is destroyed!
Tidal Thursday: Aquaman: Deep Dives #3
“Tempest” by Steve Orlando, V. Ken Marion, Sandu Florea, Andrew Dalhouse and Wes Abbott
Aquaman and Tempest race to stop an enraged monster that has escaped its magical tomb under the city of New York.
Flash Friday:Flash: Fastest Man Alive #3
“The Accelerated and the Infinitesimal” by Gail Simone, Clayton Henry, Marcelo Maiolo and Rob Leigh
Temporal travesties are wreaking havoc on the streets of Central City, and the Flash needs an extra pair of hands to keep the city safe-he just didn’t realize how tiny those hands would be!
Saturday Morning Cartoons:DC Super Hero Girls: Infinite Frenemies #3
“Gone to the Dogs” by Amanda Deibert, Erich Owen and Gabriela Downie
Jessica hopes her dog adoption fair will help some adorable pups find loving homes, but Catwoman plans to help herself! And when someone special catches Star Sapphire’s eye, will her jealous rampage ruin the day…or be the key to saving it?
Supernatural Sunday: Swamp Thing: New Roots #3
“Gods of the Abyss” by Mark Russell, Marco Santucci, John Kalisz and Dave Sharpe
Word has gotten out about the existence of Swamp Thing—and now tourists are swarming the swamp looking for a glimpse of the bigfoot of the bayou. The sudden popularity only accelerates Sunderland Corporation’s plans to destroy him, but Swamp Thing finds help from an unexpected quarter…whether he wants it or not.
Week 2
Tuesday: Batman: Gotham Nights #2
“Bad Actors” by Michael Grey, Ryan Benjamin, Richard Friend, Alex Sinclair and Troy Peteri
It’s a mad dash as Batman races to stop a murderous plan—but when the villain is revealed to be in two places at once, and the victim turns out to be not so innocent, Batman must make the ultimate choice in a fight against Clayface.
Monday: Superman: The Man of Tomorrow #2
“Against the Odds” by Rob Venditti, Paul Pelletier, Drew Hennessy, Adriano Lucas and Clayton Cowles
Someone is running bets on Superman’s exploits throughout Metropolis and putting ordinary citizens in harm’s way. Can Superman locate this villainous gambler in time or will the house take all?!
Wednesday: Wonder Woman: Agent of Peace #2
“The Curse of K2” by Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner, Daniel Sampere, Juan Albarran, Hi-Fi and Travis Lanham
Wonder Woman must rescue Lois Lane on an expedition to the treacherous mountain K2! Lois is hot on the trail of a missing group of female climbers who are hoping to conquer the peak. But what dangers lurk in k2’s snow-covered caverns—and can Princess Diana keep the Daily Planet’s intrepid reporter safe?
Thursday: Aquaman: Deep Dives #2
“Sea Devils” by Michael Grey, Aaron Lopresti, Matt Ryan, Hi-Fi and Wes Abbott
Aquaman and the Sea Devils team up to stop a group of polluters—and a radioactive creature from the deep!
Friday: Flash: Fastest Man Alive #2
“Run Like There’s No Tomorrow” by Gail Simone, Clayton Henry, Marcelo Maiolo and Rob Leigh
A time-traveling soldier arrives in Central City and her mission is to kill the Fastest Man Alive! But what is it that the Flash did (or will do) to destroy her world—and is there a way he can prevent it without dying?
Saturday: DC Super Hero Girls: Infinite Frenemies #2
“Panicked at the Disco” by Amanda Deibert, Erich Owen and Gabriela Downie
It’s time for the greatest teenage tradition of them all: the school formal! But when Livewire attacks and sets everyone’s toes a-tapping, the girls will have to put on their dancing shoes to save the day!
Sunday: Swamp Thing: New Roots #2
“Everything Eats, Everything Dies!” by Mark Russell, Marco Santucci, John Kalisz and Dave Sharpe
Swamp Thing scours the bayou when an old friend goes missing, but all the while, an unexpected enemy is coming for Swamp Thing himself…
Week 1
Tuesday: Batman: Gotham Nights #1
“Medal of Honor” by Sal Giunta, Brad Meltzer, Jim Lee, Scott Williams, Alex Sinclair and Chris Eliopoulos
To save a friend from seemingly insurmountable odds, the Dark Knight Detective must summon every ounce of his skill and bravery! This tale is based on the true story of U.S. Army Specialist Salvatore A. Giunta, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his service in Afghanistan—the first living soldier to receive that honor since the Vietnam War.
“Honor Code” by Larry Hama, Mirko Colak, John Kalisz and Travis Lanham
Katherine Kane has worked hard to establish herself as one of Gotham’s most intelligent and strategically cunning vigilantes. But before she was Batwoman, she was a West Point cadet—and when she gets drafted into a covert mission as brigade XO, she’ll need every bit of training that the Army gave her!
Monday: Superman: The Man of Tomorrow #1
“Power Play” by Robert Venditti, Paul Pelletier, Drew Hennessy, Adriano Lucas and Clayton Cowles
Metropolis, the City of Tomorrow, is plunged into a blackout. Superman needs to find the cause of the crisis but is he prepared to face the energy-hungry Parasite?
Wednesday: Wonder Woman: Agent of Peace #1
“Commitment to Chaos” by Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, Inaki Miranda, Hi-Fi and Travis Lanham
During a run-in with a villainous crime syndicate, Wonder Woman learns about a hit list whose biggest target is a familiar name—Harley Quinn! Can the Champion of Paradise Island track down the Clown Princess of Crime before it’s too late?
Thursday: Aquaman: Deep Dives #1
“Double-Edged” by Steve Orlando, Daniel Sampere, Juan Albarran, Adriano Lucas and Wes Abbott Black Manta blasts into a museum looking for an Atlantean artifact!
Friday: Flash: Fastest Man Alive #1
“All The Teeth, Glittering & Sharp” by Gail Simone, Clayton Henry, Marcelo Maiolo and Rob Leigh Barry Allen and Iris West
Take a vacation to rest and recuperate, but their relaxation is cut short when their cruise ship is attached by King Shark! Can the Fastest Man Alive save a sinking ship when there’s no land in sight—or will he be fish food?
Saturday: DC Super Hero Girls: Infinite Frenemies #1
“Birdbrained” by Amanda Deibert, Erich Owen and Gabriela Downie
Kara is excited to have a whole weekend to herself to get up to all kinds of moshing mayhem, but the other girls keep interrupting her “me time.” When Kara’s wish for solitude comes true as one by one the girls become obsessed with a new app that was just released, it’s up to Supergirl to save Metropolis—and the girls—on her own!
Sunday: Swamp Thing: New Roots #1
“The Beet Goes On” by Mark Russell, Marco Santucci, John Kalisz and Jimmy B.
The Sunderland Corporation has a new plan to trap and exploit Swamp Thing. With enemies surrounding him, who can Swamp Thing trust?
These sound so great. Which ones will you be picking up? Let us know.