In another big, direction altering move, DC Comics will be reviving Adventure Comics starring the Legion of Super-Heroes come February 2009. And although it will relaunch with a new #1, Adventure Comics’ original number count (starred in 1935 and running through 1983) had it behind only Action Comics, Superman, Detective Comics, and Batman for DC’s longest running title.
This revival has been rumored for some time, as well as DC giving fans some heavy handed hints by renaming the Guardian special (Part 3 of New Krypton) to Adventure Comics Special: featuring the Guardian, along with the recent cancellation of the current Legion of Super-Heroes on-going, and having Geoff Johns handle everything currently starring the Legion. There has just been a lot of pieces falling perfectly into place. So if anyone is still wondering about the state of the Legion post Final Crisis: Legion of 3 World, wonder no longer. They will still be around, and very much vital to the DCU.
The official announcement about Adventure Comics dropped during a sit down interview conducted by the LA Times with Dan Didio, DC Comics Editor-in-Chief. It was then reaffirmed a day later in DC’s February solicitations. In fact, February will see a #0 issue of Adventure Comics which will reprint the Legion’s first appearance, #247, to familiarize readers with the characters. But unfortunately, a reprint means the writer/ artist duo taking over the title at issue #1 is still under lock and key at DC. But if you ask any religious fan of DC Comics, they will instantly point their finger at Geoff Johns, teamed with artist extraordinaire Gary Frank. These two already did an arc involving Supes and the Legion during their run on Action Comics, and Johns has been the figurehead of the Legion property the last two plus years, carrying his epic Legion opus through three different titles.
Also, in more surprising Superman news, Didio confirmed in that same LA Times interview that Superman would be leaving Action Comics (giving up the starring role for only the second time, the first being his death). Instead, that book will be replaced by a number of unknown stars; my guess being the supporting cast James Robinson has been building for Metropolis over in Superman.
Plus, the Superman title will follow Kal-El’s adventures in space. Most likely stemming from the anti-Kryptonian sentiment the Earth inhabitants possess post “New Krypton.”
Whew.
So let’s get all this straight in our heads, because this is a lot to take in. Superman will be leaving Action Comics, replaced by different, yet-to-be-revealed stars, instead migrating to Adventure Comics to take part in adventures with his childhood buddies, the Legion, sure to be handled by Geoff Johns (I hope). Well if Action Comics is going to begin starring Metropolis’ supporting cast, the same group James Robinson has spent valuable time building up in Superman and his Jimmy Olsen centric specials, it only makes sense he would take over the title (the solicits do have February’s Action Comics #874 credited to James Robinson), thus leaving Superman up in the air.
So this is where fanboy speculation begins, so let’s do this! Well, DC’s major event next year is “Blackest Night,” which is sure to be space centric. There is also a lantern Corps forming following the motto of “hope.” And there isn’t a better candidate for the position than Superman. And while this would be a complete 180 from the current direction of the Super-books (focusing more on the human side of Superman), I can’t help but squeal like a sissy little girl at the thought of Superman wearing a blue power ring and becoming directly involved with the “War of Light” and the “Blackest Night” prophecy. And would it be too much to ask for Geoff Johns to handle this title as well? Giving him two Super books (Adventure and Superman) and making this fan cry tears of joy.
Also, where does Supergirl fit into all this? Because before “New Krypton” kicked off, Supergirl was suppose to become a staple of the Superman franchise, but now it seems to be left out in the cold with this status quo altering announcement.
It’s only going to be a matter of time before some concrete details arrive at our doorstep and make us really happy about this direction, or really pissed off. If things go the way I just speculated, I would be ecstatic. How about everyone else?
