Looks like 2023 could be a big one for DC Comics as a new dawn arrives.
The new year is looking promising for many DC fans!
According to a news release, “DC Comics is embarking on a yearlong storytelling initiative: Dawn of DC. Following the events of Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths and DC Universe: Lazarus Planet, the world’s superheroes have emerged from the biggest, most devastating battles of their lives and are reinvigorated in their fights against evil. With epic new storylines, over 20 exciting new titles, superstar creative teams, and villains that will push the heroes beyond their limits in bold adventures, this line-wide, multievent narrative initiative kicks off with January’s Action Comics #1051.”
During the whole year, DC will be celebrating its classic characters while also embracing the next generation of its heroes. “Dawn of DC” is expected to “shine the spotlight on a number of fan-favorite superheroes and super-villains that haven’t been front and center for some time.”
“After the near-Multiverse-ending events in Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths and DC Universe: Lazarus Planet, the DC Universe will be heading toward the light,” said DC publisher and chief creative officer Jim Lee. “With brand-new series and story arcs from some of the top creative members in comics, Dawn of DC is one of our most ambitious initiatives ever and is a chance for us to tell bigger and bolder stories across our line.”
A lot of DC’s popular characters will be back on the stands, and that includes Superboy, the Doom Patrol, two Green Lanterns (Hal Jordan and John Stewart), Green Arrow, Cyborg, Steel, and Shazam!
Of course, Batman is still a big deal for the company, so Batman: The Brave and The Bold will be back, teaming up the Dark Knight with other DC characters.
There are going to be three “Dawn of DC” books available this year for Free Comic Book Day in May. I hope they prove to be excellent launching pads for their established as well as new heroes.
Of course, there are a few comics that tickle my fancy more than the others, so let me mention them here!
Green Lantern: Hal Jordan. YAYYY! I’ve been noticing Hal’s absence for a long time, so it does my heart good to see him back in action! Mariko Tamaki (from Crush & Lobo) will be scripting, and I haven’t yet heard who the artist will be, but I am one happy Hal fan! April can’t get here soon enough for me!
Green Lantern: John Stewart. Phillip Kennedy Johnson is one of the all-star creators in comics today, taking on high-octane franchises and doing them well! I’m sure he has big plans for John!
Green Arrow. Writer Joshua Williamson, one of the main scripters there, will be there in April, and artist Sean Izaakse (Thunderbolts) will provide the art. It’s supposed to be “action-packed adventure,” so it will be interesting to see how DC treats the character who I think was great in The CW series Arrow.
Cyborg. I always say that Vic is “low-hanging fruit” for DC—obvious, painfully so, in that he’s a character of color and technology, so he’s been a favorite since his New Teen Titans days.
The Unstoppable Doom Patrol. Again, this is an easy one since the HBO Max live-action series has been a lot of fun to watch!
Steelworks. John Henry Irons has been an excellent character whenever he’s appeared, and that includes The CW’s Superman and Lois series. This book is coming in June, and I hear his niece Natasha is expected to be part of it!
I know it’s impossible to give EVERY DC character his or her time in the sun, but there are some others that I hope will get this kind of attention soon!
Hawkman and Hawkwoman. Anyone who has read my columns over the past few years knows I’m a huge Hawk-fan. I’m not sure how to follow up the absolutely terrific version provided by Robert Venditti not long ago, but I hope DC will give it a solid try! I miss those characters! I know that Geoff Johns did a terrific version of the Hawks, too!
The Atom. Be it Ray Palmer or Al Pratt or Ryan Choi, I’ve liked this character for a long, long time. If a creative team can give this hero a terrific spin, I’d be there!
Infinity Inc. Now that the JSA is back, how about giving their offspring and sidekicks another chance? I enjoyed this team—the originals, especially—and would like to see someone give them a try!
Justice League. I know they want to re-examine the team after they recently “died,” but we need a team of the best and the brightest in DC. They need to be back soon, and then they can team up with the JSA again!
As big a Bat-fan as I am, I don’t think DC could survive with such a focus on the Dark Knight as they have the last year or two. Eventually, the bubble bursts, and then what? DC needs to broaden its scope to give other heroes and characters a chance. (Of course, don’t give up on Batman—keep telling great stories with him, too!)
I’ve been a fan of Bruce Wayne and Co. for decades now, and I do like what DC has been doing with him in his title, in Detective Comics, and in new books to come like The Brave and The Bold.
Last time, I talked about how DC is giving Superman some love. Well deserved! Clark and his family have grown into a special “team” of their own, so I’m looking forward to their adventures, including Conner Kent’s new tales in a Superboy comic.
It encourages me to see Hal Jordan come back as well as the other heroes who are getting new books to shine in. As much as we can, DC fans need to step up and support the heroes we enjoy so they can get new stories told!
I think Marvel has been successful at building individual characters up, then making a team out of them. They didn’t originate that kind of storytelling, and they won’t be the last to engage in it. For now, though, I’m optimistic about 2023 and DC!
What do you think? Are there new DC titles you expect to succeed? Are there ones that you think will not make it? What can DC do to make more of their characters shine? Whatever your opinions, be sure to share your thoughts below!
Dear Spoilerite,
At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.
Wayne Hall creates the Wayne's Comics Podcast. He’s interviewed Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, John Layman, Kyle Higgins, Phil Hester, Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray, David Petersen, Christos Gage, Mike Grell, and Matt Kindt. On this site each week, he writes his "Comics Portal" column (general comics comments and previews) and reviews comics.