In September 2011, DC relaunched its entire line of comics under the “New 52” banner, throwing out decades of stories and history and streamlining its comic universe into a (hopefully) fresh, more accessible brand. One year later, in September 2012, they celebrated one year of the New 52 with #0 Month, which aimed to reveal the origins of its reinvented cast of characters. So what do they have planned for this year’s second anniversary? A focus on this world’s villains under the banner Forever Evil!
The most fearsome evil-doers of the DCU will be taking over their heroic foes’ comics for a month, sporting cutting edge moving cover images. But that’s not all. In October, DC will launch four tie-in miniseries showcasing perhaps the two most beloved Rogue’s Galleries in DC Comics, The Flash’s and Batman’s as well as one focused on Justice League of America‘s Steve Trevor in addition to the Geoff Johns’ penned Forever Evil seven-part miniseries.
Via IGN, from DC’s press release, famed artist and DC’s Co-Publisher Jim Lee stated:
“September has always been a big month for us and we look for an opportunity every year in September to do something big that really redefines the line and invites anyone who hasn’t been following comics to step right in. We launched the New 52 with all-new continuity and new costumes, Zero Month was all about origins of our heroes, and now the villains are taking over. One of the strengths of the DC Universe has been the strength of the rogues gallery. Often times they’re as famous – if not more infamous – than our heroes.”
The issues will feature double “.1” (or higher) numberings, for example Batman #23.1 is also The Joker #1.
And the “3D Motion Covers” aren’t old-fashioned holograms or lenticular images. Lee explains, “It’s called a 3D motion cover and it’s essentially artwork that’s been separated onto different layers, so when you hold the cover, which is a premium stock cover, and you slightly rotate the comic book left or right or up and down, the images move a bit.”
Fellow Co-Publisher Dan DiDio elaborated, “It’s an incredible 3D effect that shows depth of field on the covers. It’s the full cover stock, so it’s not anything that’s been glued on. More importantly, it’s actually pliable and soft to the touch – it’s a brand new technology and we’re going to be the first ones debuting in this fashion.”
As for those miniseries, launching in October, three will consist of five issues:
Forever Evil: Rogues by Brian Buccellato and Patrick Zircher, showcases Captain Cold and The Flash’s other Rogues.
Forever Evil: Arkham War by Peter Tomasi and Scot Eaton will star Batman’s Rogue’s (presumably battling one another).
Forever Evil: A.R.G.U.S. by Matt Kindt and an artist to be determined which features Steve Trevor investigating the shady government agency that employs him as well as the Justice League of America and unbeknownst to him, The Suicide Squad.
Meanwhile, Forever Evil, written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by David Finch, will last seven issues and as described by Johns is “a chance for David and I to work on the greatest villains in comic books. It’s literally everybody. I don’t even know if there’s anybody not in it. We’re really exploring what darkness means and the different kinds of darkness that are within these villains.”
Thanks to Newsarama, here is at least a partial list of which villains will be taking over which titles:
Bizarro – Superman
Grodd – The Flash
Cyborg Superman (making his New 52 debut) – Action Comics
Relic – Green Lantern
Darkseid – Justice League
The Creeper – Justice League Dark
DeSaad – Earth 2
Two-Face – Batman and Robin
Count Vertigo – Green Arrow
Deadshot – Justice League of America
The Batbooks appear to be getting multiple “replacements.” Batman will become The Joker (#23.1), The Penguin (#23.2) and Bane (#23.3). Batman: The Dark Knight will be usurped by The Ventriloquist (#23.1), Mister Freeze (#23.2), Clayface (#23.3) and The Joker’s Daughter (#23.4). Detective Comics will temporarily serve as home to Poison Ivy (#23.1), Harley Quinn (#23.2), The Scarecrow (#23.3) and Man-Bat (#23.4).
It’s possible other franchises will see multiple villains appearing in their own showcase episodes as well. But so far these are the only reveals.
No word on Catwoman or Suicide Squad, two books that already star villains. Will another villain step in? In an ironic twist, will a hero take over those books? (I doubt that one.) We’ll have to wait and see.
Are you excited for Forever Evil? Which titles and miniseries will you be picking up? Is there a villain you’d like to see in the spotlight that hasn’t been announced yet? Leave a comment below!
