UPDATED – More solicitations have been added and there is now a Part 2 and Part 3 of this villains month guide.
UPDATEx2: Due to the cost of the manufacturing the 3D covers DC Comics had set the print run before final orders had been set. As a concequence many of the villain titles had orders exceeding that of what will be printed. Retailers have now been allocated 3D covers on each title with the rest of the order having 2D covers to make up the difference. A 2nd printing of the 3D covers has been scheduled for December. If you are wanting a 3D cover I would contact your local retailer soon.
To celebrate the second anniversary of the New 52 DC Comics has let the villains take over for the month of September. The titles will be temporarily replaced with a villain that is well associated with the character for a one-shot story. As part of the special month all the covers will be 3D motion covers, something that hasn’t been done on this scale before. An example of this can be seen in GIF form below.
Each title will renamed the name of the villain for the month and the numbering of each issue will have a decimal point. In the case some titles there will be four one shots, a new one each week of the month, and they have been labelled .1 – .4. All of the titles are self-contained so you shouldn’t have to read them all or in any order, although some of the villain one-shots may tie into on-going stories in the regular title.
This is part one of a guide that inform what villains will be taking over what books and what they are about but also for those unfamiliar with the villain I have written a little about each one.
This post will be regularly updated when more information come to light.
Forever Evil #1
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND
1:25 Villain A cover by TBD
1:25 Villain B cover by TBD
1:25 Villain C cover by TBD
3-D motion variant cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
1:200 B&W variant cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
On sale SEPTEMBER 4 • 48 pg, 1 of 7, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
Retailers: This issue will ship with seven covers. Please see the order form for more information.
The first universe-wide event of The New 52 begins as FOREVER EVIL launches! The Justice League is DEAD! And the villains shall INHERIT the Earth! An epic tale of the world’s greatest super-villains starts here!
This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.
Batman #23.1: The Joker
Title Replaces: Batman
Replaced with: The Joker
Official Solicitation:
Written by ANDY KUBERT
Art by Andy Clarke
3-D motion cover by JASON FABOK
On sale SEPTEMBER 4 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
The Joker has FOREVER been the face of EVIL in the DC Universe…but what led him on this devious path of treachery? Andy Kubert pens this early adventure showcasing the maniacal exploits of the Crown Prince of Gotham—the JOKER!
Preview of Batman #23.1: The Joker
Who is The Joker?:
Most people, even those outside of comics, are familiar with The Joker. He is twisted, insane, intelligent and commits crimes for pleasure instead of personal gain. Early in the New 52 Joker had his face cut off and was wearing the skin as a mask. The Joker is Batman’s greatest enemy.
Batman #23.2: The Riddler
Title Replaces: Batman
Replaced with: The Riddler
Official Solicitation:
Written by SCOTT SNYDER and RAY FAWKES
Art by JEREMY HAUN
3-D motion cover by GUILLEM MARCH
On sale SEPTEMBER 11 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
With The Dark Knight out of the picture, The Riddler engages in an epic game of wits. Learn what maddening early moments led a young Edward Nygma to evolve into Gotham City’s Prince of Mischief! And see how events of ZERO YEAR continue to affect The Riddler today!
Preview of Batman #23.2: The Riddler
Who is The Riddler?:
While he hasn’t been seen in the New 52 as of yet The Riddler is making an appearance in the Year Zero in June. The classic interpretation of character is that he is a criminal that is obsessed with riddles, word games and puzzles.
Batman #23.3: The Penguin
Title Replaces: Batman
Replaced with: The Penguin
Official Solicitation:
Written by FRANK TIERI
Art by CHRISTIAN DUCE
3-D motion cover by JASON FABOK
On sale SEPTEMBER 18 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Follow The Penguin’s latest quest for power as he prepares to undermine one of Gotham City’s most powerful politicians. What does the criminal mastermind stand to gain?
Preview of Batman #23.3: The Penguin
Who is The Penguin?:
Seen regularly in Detective Comics, The Penguin is disfigured mobster who has a love for birds and carries a weaponized umbrella with him at all times. The Penguin is one of the first of Batman’s arch-villains.
Batman #23.4: Bane
Title Replaces: Batman
Replaced with: Bane
Official Solicitation:
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by GRAHAM NOLAN
3-D motion cover by GUILLEM MARCH
On sale SEPTEMBER 25 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Batman is gone, and the inmates of Arkham Asylum are running wild in the streets! Bane is in Gotham City with one goal…to take it over no matter who he has to break!
Who is Bane?:
You might have seen him in The Dark Knight Rises so you may be familiar with the character. If you are not Bane is not only incredibly strong but incredibly smart. He most famously known for breaking Batman’s back.
Green Arrow #23.1: Count Vertigo
Title Replaces: Green Arrow
Replaced with: Count Vertigo
Official Solicitation:
Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art by ANDREA SORRENTINO
3-D motion cover by ANDREA SORRENTINO
On sale SEPTEMBER 4 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Get set for the twisted origin of Count Vertigo! Why is the Count in Vancouver on the hunt for Green Arrow, and what could have happened to make him such a sadistic adversary?
Preview of Green Arrow #23.1: Count Vertigo
Who is Count Vertigo?:
While he will be making his New 52 debut in July’s issue 22, Count Vertigo has classically been known as a descendent of royalty from a small Eastern European country turned supervillian. He has the ability to create a vertigo effect that create dizziness and alters balance. Count Vertigo has been seen recently in the TV show Arrow.
Justice League of America #7.1: Deadshot
Title Replaces: Justice League of America
Replaced with: Deadshot
Official Solicitation:
Written by MATT KINDT
Art by PASQUAL FERRY
3-D motion cover by TONY S. DANIEL and MATT BANNING
On sale SEPTEMBER 4 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Is it a death wish that makes Floyd Lawton put on the mask of Deadshot? Or is something more sinister pulling at Floyd when he becomes a relentless assassin who feels nothing for his victims? Discover the truth behind Deadshot’s secret history in this issue!
Who is Deadshot?:
Deadshot is an assassin that, thanks to his bionic eye, has excellent marksmanship. For much of the New 52 Deadshot has been associated with the team Suicide Squad.
Justice League #23.1: Darkseid
Title Replaces: Justice League
Replaced with: Darkseid
Official Solicitation:
Written by GREG PAK
Art by PAULO SIQUERIA
3-D motion cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
On sale SEPTEMBER 4 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
For Darkseid, Lord of Apokolips, you conform or die. Now born into his realm is an anomaly who looks to challenge that. A trickster, who will go to any length to survive even if it means sacrificing worlds to do it—leading to an Earth shattering confrontation between The Man of Steel and a Dark Lord.
Preview of Justice League #23.1: Darkseid
Who is Darkseid?:
Darkseid is an evil war-like God from an other dimension. 5 years ago he attempted to take over Earth but was foiled by the Justice League. He is essentially immortal, extremely powerful and is able shoot multi-directional lasers out of his eyes.
Superman #23.1: Bizarro
Title Replaces: Superman
Replaced with: Bizzaro
Official Solicitation:
Written by SHOLLY FISCH
Art by JEFF JOHNSON and ANDY SMITH
3-D motion cover by AARON KUDER
On sale SEPTEMBER 4 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Lex Luthors’s sinister plan to manipulate Superman’s genetic material to create a mindless soldier under his control results in the monster known as Bizarro: opposite of Superman in every way, with no compassion, no remorse and no mercy!
Preview of Superman #23.1: Bizarro
Who is Bizzaro?:
The classic interpretation of the character was that the Bizzaros are from a planet where everything is backwards. Yes is no, up is down etc. For every person there is a Bizarro equivalent, with the most famous of all the them being Bizarro Superman. Bizarro Superman has the same powers Superman but opposite eg. instead of heat-vision he has frost-vision.
Although according to the solicitation it looks like Bizarro in the New 52 is created by Lex Luthor.
Green Lantern #23.1: Relic
Title Replaces: Green Lantern
Replaced with: Relic
Official Solicitation:
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by RAGS MORALES and CAM SMITH
3-D motion cover by BILLY TAN
On sale SEPTEMBER 4 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Who is Relic, and why must he kill every being in the universe who might wield the light of the emotional spectrum? Relic’s power could be the most formidable force the Lanterns have ever seen!
Preview of Green Lantern #23.1: Relic
Who is Relic?:
Relic is a new character and at this stage not much is known about him. He will debut in Green Lantern #22.
Batman & Robin #23.1: Two Face
Title Replaces: Batman & Robin
Replaced with: Two Face
Official Solicitation:
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by GUILLEM MARCH
3-D motion cover by CHRIS BURNHAM
On sale SEPTEMBER 4 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Two-Face is approached to join the Secret Society! Which side will his coin land on?
Preview of Batman & Robin #23.1: Two Face
Who is Two Face?:
Two Face is a mobster that suffered horrible disfigurement down one half of his body. He carries a coin that he flips in order to make decisions. Two Face is another of Batman’s oldest villains.
The Flash #23.1: Grodd
Title Replaces: The Flash
Replaced with: Gorilla Grodd
Official Solicitation:
Written by BRIAN BUCCELLATO
Art by CHRIS BATISTA
3-D motion cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
On sale SEPTEMBER 4 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Grodd believed he was destined to become the bearer of light—until The Flash raced onto the scene! What will Grodd do now that The Flash has disappeared with the rest of the world’s heroes? Conquest is on the horizon as the world becomes—Forever Evil!
Preview of The Flash #23.1: Grodd
Who is Gorilla Grodd?:
Grodd is a war-like leader of Gorilla City who is one of the many arch-enemies of The Flash. Grodd has been known for his mind control abilities through various devices.
Action Comics #23.1: Cyborg Superman
Title Replaces: Action Comics
Replaced with: Cyborg Superman
Official Solicitation:
Written by Michael Alan Nelson
Art by Mike Hawthorne
3-D motion cover by Aaron Kuder
On sale September 4 – 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US – RATED T
Deep in space sits a cybernetic force of evil unlike any other. What terrible connection does Cyborg Superman share with Krypton? And what alien force commands the robotic terror? Find out here!
Preview of Action Comics #23.1: Cyborg Superman
Who is Cyborg Superman?:
While he hasn’t been seen in the New 52 yet, but in the old universe he was organically identical to Superman and enhanced with cybernetics.
Earth 2 #15.1: Desaad
Title Replaces: Earth 2
Replaced with: Desaad
Official Solicitation:
Written by PAUL LEVITZ, Art by YILDIRAY CINAR
3-D motion cover by KEN LASHLEY
On sale SEPTEMBER 4 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
As a member of Darkseid’s inner circle, Desaad is the Apokoliptian god of fear and pain. And since being stranded on Earth because of the events of EARTH 2 #1, Desaad has looked for a way home. He has the means, in the form of Boom Tube technology, but could not power it…until now!
Preview of Earth 2 #15.1: Desaad
Who is Desaad?:
Desaad is one of the many followers of Darkseid (who is mentioned above). He is also the Apokoliptian god of fear and pain.
Justice League Dark #23.1: The Creeper
Title Replaces: Justice League Dark
Replaced with: The Creeper
Official Solicitation:
Written by ANN NOCENTI
Art by CHRISCROSS
3-D motion cover by MIKEL JANIN
On sale SEPTEMBER 4 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Freed from his mystical prison, The Creeper walks a path littered with gore and misery—and there may be no way to stop him! Many will be caught in his web, including the Justice League of America’s Katana and Jack Ryder, The Creeper’s unwitting human host. Where will The Creeper strike next?
Who is The Creeper?:
Once a talk-show host but after an accident with regenerative serum he back the Creeper. Slightly insane and monstrous in appearance.
Swamp Thing #23.1: Arcane
Title Replaces: Swamp Thing
Replaced with: Anton Arcane
Official Solicitation:
Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art by JESUS SAIZ
3-D motion cover by JESUS SAIZ
On sale SEPTEMBER 18 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+
Behold a being so vile and deadly that even the Parliament of Decay could not control him! Now take a journey to a place beyond hell—the personal prison of Anton Arcane! Plus: the return of The Rot’s new avatar, Abigail Arcane!
Preview of Swamp Thing #23.1: Arcane
Who is Anton Arcane?:
He was once the avatar for the Rot, an elemental force of death. He went corrupt with the power and attempted to destroy all life, both plant and animal.
Keep your eyes peeled to How to Love Comics throughout the coming weeks as we bring more information on Villains Month.
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