Titans Sales Watch: June

DeTroyes from ComicBloc has posted another excellent sales analysis:

June sales estimates have now been posted. Time for the monthly sales analysis.

As always, sales estimates courtesy of ICv2:
http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/15338.html

FORMAT:

TITLE
Issue # / Release Month / Year / # Units Sold / +/- Previous Month

Teen Titans (Ongoing)
#71 May 2009 3,734 n/a (NOTE: REORDERS!!)
#72 June 2009 32,512 -1,598
(see note below concerning these numbers!)

Titans (Ongoing)
#14 June 2009 32,321 -2,022

Tiny Titans (Ongoing)
#17 June 2009 8,640 -204

Superman/Batman (Ongoing)
#61 June 2009 38,228 -1,303 w/The Justice Titans

*******

Analysis:

Teen Titans: OK, this is going to take some explaining. You may remember that last month the following sales figures were reported for Teen Titans:

Teen Titans (Ongoing) #71 May 2009 30,376 -5,036

Note the 5k drop. That seemed a pretty steep drop-off, far more than the title has been trending for the last few years. A variety of reasons were speculated, but even so, that still seemed like an ominous number. It didn't seem likely that there would be any significant reorders, since none worth recording have ever shown up before. But low and behold, a significant number of re-orders (or more likely, lagging orders that for some reason did not get figured into the original May numbers) did show up in the June numbers. This means that the May numbers for Teen Titans #71 now officially look like this:

Teen Titans (Ongoing):
#71 May 2009 34,110 -1,302
(May - 30,376; June - 3,734)

A much smaller drop-off, and one that fits much more securely in the title's general trend. Still not great, considering where the title was, but at least not as much as was originally feared.

Titans: As I originally predicted a few months ago, Titans has now officially dipped below Teen Titans in sales numbers. This has happened not because of better sales for Teen Titans, but because Titans drop-off numbers have been generally steeper than Teen Titans have been. *sigh* Titans #14 was a "Day in the Life" issue, so the dip was pretty much expected. The real test will be next issue, which will have the return of Tempest and is being billed as a Blackest Night tie-in. Still, the numbers keep going down, which does not bode well.

Tiny Titans: While I don't think its bad news, I would point out that the sales numbers for June were the lowest they've ever been for this title. Still, for a Johnny DC title, those numbers are quite healthy. And the compilations sell very well, so there's no chance this one is going anywhere.

Overall: The sales numbers have resumed their downwards trends. While they haven't reached cancellation levels yet, both titles are starting to run out of room. With permanent writers announced for both titles we can hope that those numbers will stabilize, but if so, it has to happen soon.

************

Supplement:

I had at least one request to keep tracking the numbers on Vigilante, so here they are for June:

Vigilante (Ongoing)
#7 June 2009 11,483 -7,394

Wish I had better news to report on this title, but I don't. Vigilante has gone right back to the numbers it had prior to "Deathtrap", and that's a shame.

Cancellation by the end of this year. Sorry, but that's my prediction.

Eric Wallace's Titanic Task

In his first interview about his new “Titans” assignment, Wallace told CBR News he hadn’t discussed the interworkings of the two titles with [Teen Titans writer] Henderson just yet, but teased the two teams will be crossing over in the months ahead.

You also mentioned you were a big fan of the legendary Wolfman/Pérez run on the original “Teen Titans.” Have you been plowing through those back issues in preparation for this assignment?

Definitely. I love those stories, but I hadn’t read a lot of them in over a decade, so I wanted to brush up my familiarity with the world. Now I don’t plan on copying any specific storylines, but I do want to recapture the sense of immediacy and deep characterization they gave to their tales. And of course, throw in tons of action, because I really like to see things blow up.

“Titans” #14 focused on Cyborg. Will Vic Stone be a major player during your run? And if so, what makes him such compelling subject matter?

Yes… and no. I can’t really go into that too deeply yet, because exact storylines and how they affect the characters are still being developed. I can say that what makes him so compelling for me is his duplicity. He’s a man trapped in a computerized body. And in the modern computerized age that’s a huge advantage in every way, except when it comes to being a man. By that I mean affairs of the heart and all the other interesting stuff that comes with being human.

By the way, if there’s anything I specifically want to do on my run of “Titans” it’s to make sure that readers can recognize the characters on this team as deeply human. That means they’ll have flaws, they’ll get into arguments, some of them might even sleep with each other or at least try really hard to, and of course they’ll occasionally need to have some laughs and blow off some steam. After all, they’re not teens anymore, they’re adults, and it’ll be my responsibility now with these upcoming stories to write them that way.

Another character you admitted great affinity towards was Red Arrow. What do you love about Roy Harper?

What’s not to love about Speedy? Yes, I actually used to read “Teen Titans” as a kid before the Wolfman/Pérez run. You know, back when the Joker’s daughter was a member? And Hawk and Dove were around? Actually, they were my older sibling’s comic books, but I used to borrow them and read them after school. So I’ve actually been following Roy for a long time as a fan.

Read the whole article here.

I haven't really formed an opinion on Wallace one way or the other. It does seem like everyone at DC keeps talking about these "big plans" for the Titans, yet the two titles have been in flux for some time now....

Geoff Johns on Blackest Night Titans

In his discussion of Blackest Night, Geoff Johns has some things to say about Blackest Night: Titans:

NRAMA: There are several three-issue mini-series that tell the stories of characters like Batman and Superman and The Titans. Why that choice?

GJ: These stories are being told because they have a clear reason for being told. Blackest Night: Titans has a clear reason that fits into the bigger DC Universe story of Blackest Night.

And there's so much emotional material to get out of that. I mean, Superman and Superman of Earth 2 – there's a lot that James Robinson is getting out of those two characters. The same with the Titans. You've got Beast Boy and Terra. So there's just story potential and emotional potential to explore these characters, each very differently, by looking at the people that they've loved and lost, or feared and lost. That's the reason for the various mini-series that tie into Blackest Night.

[...]

GJ: So in the case of Blackest Night: Titans, which I think is going to be the sleeper of all the mini-series, it's not there so much to explain who Terra is, but it's there to explore Beast Boy and the Titans through Terra and through the other deceased Titans. It's to explore who these characters are now through who they were and where they're going next.

Sounds... interesting?

TITANS #15 Preview: Tempest Returns

The DCU Blog has posted a preview for TITANS #15.

My magic blogging eight-ball just said “Blogging Will Be Light,” so I’m going with that. Oh, and it’s a holiday weekend. So, yes. This’ll be it for today. But, we bring you some more fun news from the DCU editorial gang. Specifically, TITANS editor Brian Cunningham. What say you, BC?:

“When is Tempest coming back?”

More often than not, that’s been the question fans have asked since TITANS launched last year. A fair query, since Tempest has been AWOL from the DC Universe for seemingly longer than the Jonas Brothers have been alive.

So when we here at DC started discussing the mega-event called BLACKEST NIGHT with writer Geoff Johns, we all figured, “Let’s bring back Tempest in style.” So, bam, he’s smack in the early pages of BLACKEST NIGHT #1. If that’s not style, I don’t know what is. (This coming from a guy who still wears shirts from 1996. But let’s stay on topic here.)

Okay. So, Tempest is in BLACKEST NIGHT. Huzzah! But then we figured, “Wait. Let’s find out where he’s been first. What’s kept him from appearing all this time?” That’s where TITANS #15 comes in. We find out exactly where he’s been and what he’s been doing. It’s pretty heavy and not for non-swimmers.

With the spiritual guidance of Geoff Johns, writer J.T. Krul plumbs the depths of Garth’s soul, while also setting him up for his future in the DC Universe, which we’ll see in BLACKEST NIGHT and in the BLACKEST NIGHT: TITANS mini-series. With gorgeous art by José Luis and J.P. Mayer, I really feel that we’ll surprise people. The last page of TITANS #15 alone should certainly provoke a strong reaction.

So mark you calenders for July 15 when TITANS #15 goes on sale in comic stores. In the meantime, check out this exclusive excerpt below. It’ll whet your appetite for more Tempest. And quite possibly some shellfish.

Didio Names TITANS Creative Team

This from Dan Didio's 20 Answers:

4. Felicia Henderson was announced as the new Teen Titans writer. She’s new to comics, so what qualities does she have, in your view, what suits her to the job, and what body of work do you look at to gauge that?

DD: I’d met Felicia several times over the last year or so, and primarily, our discussions centered around the fact that she’s a huge comic fan and enjoys what we’re doing. Quite honestly, I look at her body of work over the years, but one of the things that I found most interesting is over the last couple of years, her work on shows like Fringe and Gossip Girls. She has a unique voice and a unique style, and brings a fresh set of eyes to our characters, and will hopefully bring us new ideas and stories, and even though we’re constantly working on story ideas and direction, a new sensibility and a vibrancy to the book. That’s what we’re striving to do day in and day out.

The bottom line is that she’s an incredibly talented writer, and I feel lucky to be able to give her a shot at working with us on this book.

5. Is there a similar announcement about the Titans creative team coming up?

DD: I’m sure there will be shortly.

NRAMA: Got a ballpark on time?

DD: How about right now? We’re happy to say that the team that’s working on Final Crisis Aftermath: Ink right now, Eric Wallace and Farbrizio Fiorentino will become the new regular team on the series after the current stories wrap up, but when they do come on board, expect dramatic changes in the world of the Titans.

9. Are there plans for Donna Troy outside of the Titans titles?

DD: Donna has a reunion with her family in Blackest Night: Titans #1.

NRAMA: Her family’s dead.

DD: Which is why it makes sense that she meets them in a Blackest Night crossover.

"Dramatic Changes"? Again?

What do we think of this? Do we like the new creative team on TITANS?

Preview: Adventure Comics #1

At the DCBlog.

Geoff Johns. Francis Manapul. Superboy. Adventure Comics. Enjoy.

enjoy.

Batwoman & Flamebird Family History

In the WordBalloon podcast , Greg Rucka mentions that Bette Kane (retconned as Kate Kane's cousin rather than niece) will appear in Kate's origin story, beginning in Detective Comics #856:

Rucka: "When we put [Batwoman] in 52 we did it in haste...it was in response to the [New York Times] thing...and consequently there were certain problems that had to be reconciled ...like for her to be Betty Kane's aunt ...there has to be (a sibling relationship to Kate)... so they are now cousins ..you'll see Betty in #856.""

First, it's "Bette" not "Betty." Unless we're ret-conning her name again.

And, I dunno.... Bette is like, what? 23-25 years old? And the new Batwoman (Kate Kane) is what, mid-30s? She could be her aunt OR her cousin. Pretty simple and non-convoluted. Kate's brother (Bette's father) could be 10-15 years older than Kate.

I do prefer the "aunt" angle, though. It created a nice mirror to Bruce/Dick, so I don't see the need for the "cousins" thing. With Batwoman's brother as Bette Kane's dad... that's a more interesting dynamic to me, especially if they bring Bette's dad onto the canvas and develop him as well. Whatever HIS story is, it could create some interesting story dynamics between Batwoman and Bette.

Maybe Kate was the "baby" of the family; The spoiled youngest child. Maybe she had a bunch of wild teen years. Maybe her older brother resents her, because he was the responsible one. Maybe he doesn't like Kate's influence on his daughter. Maybe he resents the fact that Bette likes "Aunt Kate" more than her own parents. Does he even know Bette was/is Flamebird? What happened when he found out, if he did?

I think having Better's father/Kate's brother open up more story possibilities than "cousins"

Titans News from HeroCon

Titans News from HeroCon, as reported by Newsarama:

Will the Teen Titans roster be settling down soon? a fan asked. Cunningham said that the arc that starts in #72 will “change things slightly in an awful way for our characters...they’re not going to like it.”

“There’s a definite plan that Brian and his team are driving towards, and we’re going to get there, but there’s a bumpy road between here and there,” Sattler said.

Hmmm. "change things slightly in an awful way" and "a bumpy road." Sounds like DC really just wants to drive away any remaining Titans fans....

Titans Sales Watch

Sales on TITANS and TEEN TITANS are slowly eroding peice by piece, month by month. I'm re-posting DeTroyes' excellent "Titans Sales Watch" analysis (thanks, DeTroyes!) from ComicBloc:

May sales figures have been posted, so I guess that means its time again to bore everyone with numbers and statistics.

Here is the raw data for May 2009, courtesy of ICv2:

http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/15147.html

FORMAT:

TITLE
Issue # / Release Month / Year / # Units Sold / +/- Previous Month

Titans (Ongoing)
#13 May 2009 34,343 -1,671

Teen Titans (Ongoing)
#71 May 2009 30,376 -5,036

Tiny Titans (Ongoing)
#16 May 2009 8,844 -363

Vigilante (Ongoing)
#6 May 2009 18,877 -2,413

Superman/Batman (Ongoing)
#60 May 2009 39,531 N/A w/The Justice Titans

Analysis:

Titans - Titans managed to hold on to the top spot, but it's drop-off was pretty bad. That's rather disheartening, since it was starting to level off in the months leading up to "Deathtrap". I'd say Titans #14 is probably going to be not much better, but Titans #15 will be a shot in the arm due to its connection with Blackest Night (especially considering the number of Titans fans who seem genuinely pumped for BN:T). After that, no idea. A lot will depend on who they ultimately give the title to as the permanent writer; if its another unknown like Felicia Henderson, then the title may be toast.

Teen Titans - Huge, huge drop-off. Several factors would be my guess: people just aren't interested in the "new" new-new-new line-up, the loss of Sean McKeever, and the failure for the teen team to be anything more than just walk-ons for "Deathtrap" come immediately to mind. And with fill-in writers for the next several months and a complete unknown as the new ongoing writer, I just don't see how TT can pull out of its dive anymore - and what's more, I think DC knows it. Further evidence, I think, that DC is just putting this title on "holding pattern" status and gearing up for some kind of big relaunch next year.

Vigilante - Sorry guys, but its toast. If "Deathtrap" couldn't get it to stay above 20k on the very last issue of the crossover, then nothing will. Marv Wolfman might be able to string it along for a few more months, but he'll be trying to outrun the devil in doing so. My guess is, the title will survive long enough to get one or perhaps two TPBs, then they'll pull the plug on the monthly and maybe make it a back-up feature somewhere.

BTW, this is probably a good point to recap the sales figures for "Deathtrap":

Deathtrap Prologue: Teen Titans Annual 2009 #1 - 32,525
Deathtrap, Pt. I: Titans #12 - 36,014
Deathtrap, Pt. II: Vigilante #5 - 21,290
Deathtrap, Pt. III: Teen Titans #70 - 35,412
Deathtrap, Pt. IV: Titans #13 - 34,343
Deathtrap, Pt. V: Vigilante #6 - 18,877

I'd say that was evidence for some serious disinterest in this crossover. Vigilante #6, which was suppose to be the climax of the crossover, SHOULD have carried numbers comparable to the other titles. Instead, no one seemed interested in the outcome, and the sales numbers showed it.

(BTW, unless people want me to continue with it, I plan to drop coverage of Vigilante with next month's sales figures, as the title will then be moving away from interaction with the Titans)

Superman/Batman - Included for the Justice Titans. This was actually the biggest selling Titans-related title for the month of May.

Tiny Titans - A negligable drop-off. This one is doing just fine.

*****

*sigh*

That's it for this month.

New TEEN TITANS Writer: Felicia D. Henderson

You may ask, "Who Is Felicia D. Henderson?"

The September listings revealed the new TEEN TITANS writer within the solicit: "Come celebrate our gala 75th issue with an all-star cast of Titans past and present! Joining this issue for the extravaganza is new ongoing writer Felicia D. Henderson, a co-executive producer on TV’s hit show Fringe!"

IMDB gives some of her writing credits:

"Fringe" (1 episode, 2008)
"Gossip Girl" (4 episodes, 2007-2008)
"Everybody Hates Chris" (1 episode, 2006)
"Soul Food" (9 episodes, 2000-2003)
"The Parkers" (1 episode, 1999)
"Movie Stars" (1999) TV series (unknown episodes)
"Moesha" (2 episodes, 1996-1997)
"Family Matters" (5 episodes, 1994-1996)
"The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" (1 episode, 1995-1997)

The thing that worried me most? Read the solicit. It says NOTHING about the issue's plot. All we've seen are band aids and "fill ins" coming up, and now -- even with a new writer -- I wonder if there is any direction at all. I'm guessing Felicia D. Henderson will be another stop-gap, until the next band-aid.

Now, Henderson may be a fine writer. But, the track records of untested Hollywood writers on comic books has not been great. The Titans franchise sorely needs a comic book pro that knows the team's history and can establish their niche within the DCU again.

At any rate, you can get to know a little more about Felicia in this interview.

What do you think, Titanic Ones? Are you excited? Dismayed? Angry? Hopeful?

Titans In September

Full solicits here!

TEEN TITANS #75
Written by Felicia D. Henderson; co-feature written by Sean McKeever
Art by Joe Bennett & Jack Jadson; co-feature art by Yildiray Cinar & Júlio Ferreira
Cover by Joe Bennett & Jack Jadson
Variant cover by Andy Clarke
Come celebrate our gala 75th issue with an all-star cast of Titans past and present! Joining this issue for the extravaganza is new ongoing writer Felicia D. Henderson, a co-executive producer on TV’s hit show Fringe! Don’t miss this start to a fresh new take on DC’s premier teen team!
And in the Ravager co-feature, Rose lies nearly dead in the Arctic when a horrific discovery chills her even more!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Joe Bennett & Jack Jadson), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Andy Clarke). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale September 30 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

TITANS #17
Written by Pat McCallum
Art by Angel Unzueta & Wayne Faucher
Cover by Angel Unzueta
Spotlight on Beast Boy! Gar Logan grows tired of not being taken seriously by his Titans teammates. And what he plans on doing about it will shock you!
On sale September 9 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

BLACKEST NIGHT: TITANS #2
Written by J.T. Krul
Art and cover by Ed Benes & Rob Hunter
Variant cover by Brian Haberlin
Titan-on-Titan violence! Black Lantern Hawk has his talons set for the female Hawk and Dove! Meanwhile, Red Star faces a frightful family reunion with Black Lanterns Pantha and Wildebeest, and Donna Troy faces her worst possible nightmare! Plus, Black Lantern Terra terrorizes Beast Boy! Continuing the 3-issue miniseries from writer J.T. Krul (JSA CLASSIFIED, Fathom) and superstar artist Ed Benes (JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA)!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Ed Benes & Rob Hunter), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Brian Haberlin). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale September 30 • 2 of 3 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

TINY TITANS #20
Written by Art Baltazar & Franco
Art and cover by Art Baltazar
Raven conjures a black hole to get to school on time, and soon black holes are popping up everywhere! The Titans try to avoid them, but they keep falling in and ending up...who knows where? Also: black holes aren't the only way to travel – some of the Titans discover the joys of jetpacks!
On sale September 16 • 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US

WEDNESDAY COMICS #9-12
• THE TEEN TITANS, written by Eddie Berganza with art by Sean Galloway.

ADVENTURE COMICS #2
Written by Geoff Johns; co-feature written by Geoff Johns and Michael Shoemaker
Art by Francis Manapul, co-feature art by Clayton Henry
Covers by Francis Manapul
Superboy is back and living out his teenage years in Smallville. But all is not as it seems in Superman’s hometown. And while Conner reunites with his former girlfriend, Wonder Girl, to see if they have a future together, Lex Luthor and Brainiac form a partnership that will cause havoc throughout the DC Universe. But what do their plans have to do with Conner and the other students at Smallville High?
Plus, in the Legion of Super-Heroes co-feature, which takes place all the way in the 31st century, Lightning Lad travels to the prison planet of Takron-Galtos to confront his brother, Lighting Lord. There, Lightning Lord informs Lighting Lad of a shocking family secret that sets the pieces in motion for a war that will decide the future of the universe. Yeah, the universe. No big.
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 10 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Francis Manapul), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Francis Manapul and renamed ADVENTURE COMICS #505). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale September 9 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

THE FLASH: REBIRTH #6
Written by Geoff Johns
Art and covers by Ethan Van Sciver
In a battle along the outskirts of time, the secrets of the Speed Force have been revealed! The new archnemesis of those who ride the lightning is coming for Iris Allen. And the Barry Allen you knew is gone forever...or is he? What change does Wally West face? What destiny will Kid Flash choose? Prepare to meet a Flash Family that's both familiar and different...and get to the starting line for the next epic adventures of the Speed Force!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Ethan Van Sciver), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Ethan Van Sciver). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale September 30 • 6 of 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

DOOM PATROL #2
Written by Keith Giffen;
co-feature written by Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis
Art by Matthew Clark & John Livesay;
co-feature art by Kevin Maguire
Cover by Matthew Clark
Variant cover by Matthew Clark and Kevin Maguire
It's a black hole, but it's not a black hole. If you're a Doom Patrol fan, that made perfect sense. And even if not, then you're in for one hell of a ride as the Doom Patrol face off against the most annoying alien this side of G'nort. Who's G'nort? What, do we have to spoon-feed this stuff to you?
Oh, and we send the Metal Men into space. Just because.
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 10 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Matthew Clark), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Matthew Clark and Kevin Maguire). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale September 9 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

Krul Talks Blackest Night: Titans

Krul Talks Blackest Night: Titans at Newsarama:

The writer said the three-issue Blackest Night series will stand on its own -- without crossing into the regular Titans series – but "obviously, the effects of Blackest Night will be felt in the main books."

But the mini-series is also important because it tells the stories that Blackest Night isn't able to take a break and tell in detail, Krul explained. "Blackest Night is such an epic story that has grave (that's a pun right?) implications for many in the DC Universe," he said. "These other titles allow the opportunity to dig deeper and explore the conflicts and challenges the Titans, for instance, will face during this ordeal. It's literally like we are taking a small segment of Geoff's Blackest Night story and shining a spotlight on it."

Krul said there are a lot of candidates for Black Lanterns among the Titans because "I guess as a team, the Titans have suffered more than most others."

Check out the whole interview for more.

Dan Didio: 20 Answers

Newsarama reports: " Time for DC Universe Executive Editor Dan DiDio to answer 20 reader questions, and fire back with one of his own. This time out, we hit the changes in the Batman family, upcoming Red Circle developments, beat the dead horse of re-numbering series, talk some Titans talk, and much more."

Some Titans highlights:

13. Will Adventure Comics launch on its own legs, or will it be pulled into the Superman Family of titles from the get-go?

DD As a matter of fact, it starts on its own legs. Even though the storyline begins with Superboy’s return, and he’s operating out of the Kent’s home in Smallville, it’s very much his own story, and not something that’s leaning heavily on the current events in Superman and Action Comics.

But, there’s a good chance that those two worlds will converge later down the line.

14. While we’re speaking of Superboy – a reader asked that with Superboy and Kid Flash back, and a new Robin taking up the role, might we see a return to a “Big 7” style Teen Titans soon – possibly one that doesn’t involve someone being brutally murdered every six issues?

DD Well, yes and no, then (laughs). For Teen Titans, it’s the same as with the Justice League – we’re not just going to jam every book with every character we can just because we think they should be there, or everybody’s asking for them to be there. There was a version of the Teen Titans that ran like that, true, but we’re looking at the cast, the roles they fill, the story potential, where they are in the DC Universe at that moment, and we try to build the best teams that make sense in order to tell the best stories that we can tell. If that involves the “Big 7,” great, if it involved two of the “Big 7” style Titans, that’s great too, but it matters to me that we have the proper mix of characters.

As for the death issue, yeah, it’s always cute when someone makes a reference like that, but from my standpoint, we don’t shy away from any stories that we think are strong, and we’re just not arbitrarily killing characters, either, because we have too many at a given moment. Also, I said this last time, but the post Blackest Night DC Universe is a lot more sensitive to character death and resurrection, and there’s a much keener sensibility in regards to what that’s all about following Blackest Night.

Not "arbitrarily killing character?" Oh, Dan... please.

As far as being "a lot more sensitive to character death and resurrection", the same thing was said following INFINITE CRISIS... and look where we are now.

IGN: Geoff Johns on Superboy

IGN sat down to talk with Geoff Johns about GREEN LANTERN, FLASH: REBITH and ADVENTURE COMICS starring Superboy. Here's some Superboy highlights:

IGN Comics: Conner Kent is going to star in Adventure Comics. What's the hook or general premise of that series?

Johns: We're bringing Conner Kent back to the land of the living. And just a quick aside: there' a definite reason we're dealing with all these resurrections now. Conner Kent and Kid Flash will both play a role in Blackest Night. But Adventure Comics sees Conner Kent come back and plant a flag in the greatest place on Earth, Smallville. He has a definite, clear mission, and he's probably more focused than he's ever been and just exuberant about being back. There's a moment we've shown in the preview pages where he's looking at Smallville wondering how he could ever not want to be here. He's realized how beautiful this place is. But he'll soon learn there's much more to Smallville right now, because of him.

IGN Comics: And I assume you'll be dealing with the complicated question of his two fathers, Lex and Superman?

Johns: Yes. The book will feature Luthor. You'll see Brainiac, you'll see supporting cast members like Wonder Girl, Kid Flash, the Teen Titans. Throughout the first arc of Adventure Comics, you'll see him revisit a number of his relationships.

IGN Comics: Will it share a tight link with the other Superman books?

Johns: It will be focused on Superboy. It will be in the Superman Universe and it is a Superman Family book, but in the beginning with Conner Kent coming back it really is its own story. I think it's important to do that early on. The book is very much in the same tone as Action Comics with Gary Frank. My approach to the Superman Universe is a little bit different than my take on Green Lantern or Flash. It's a little bit more open, and Americana. Adventure Comics will be extremely accessible. And of course the back-up will feature the Legion. The first back-up is Starman.

Read the whole interview here.

Wednesday Comics' Teen Titans

The DCUBlog has posted a preview of Wednesday Comics' Teen Titans:

Well, it’s not actually Wednesday, but that’s never stopped us from posting cool images from WEDNESDAY COMICS, has it? The new weekly series, slated to launch in July, is the brainchild of DC Art Director Mark Chiarello, who has collected an impressive array of creators for the book.

This time around, we have a look at writer Eddie Berganza and artist Sean Galloway’s TEEN TITANS strip, which, as you can see, is really a delight. Enjoy.