This week in Super Folk, Publishers Weekly’s look at goings-on in the superhero industry, we look at what’s coming down the pipeline at DC Comics, details on upcoming Marvel titles, Dark Horse's The Goon and Xerxes, Big orders for Free Comic Book Day , and Valiant’s new logo.


On the Horizon at DC

The earliest details emerged last week for DC Comics about the publisher’s major plans for the fall and beyond. First, a line-wide event, the first for the New 52, called “Trinity War.” Although not yet officially confirmed (the news first broke on Bleeding Cool), “Trinity War” presumably centers on Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman (often referred to by DC as the trinity), but it may be the event surrounding the secretive Pandora figure that has vexed fans since September. It seems all will be revealed in the publisher’s The New 52! Free Comic Book Day offering, on stands May 5th. Next, DC Comics is planning to release all #0 issues for all its titles in September, with #13 issues continuing a month later. Also unconfirmed, the zero issues may shed light on some of the events alluded to in the New 52 which occurred prior to issue #1. Currently there’s a five year gap between some of the DC’s series (Action Comics takes place five year before Justice League) and perhaps the issues deal with that. Or maybe they too will connect with Pandora? Only time will tell.

A Quiet and Not-So-Quiet Departure at DC

Last week, two writers left the books they were working on for DC Comics, with one of the departures gaining a lot of attention. First, Ethan Van Sciver, current writer on Fury of Firestorm, told fans via Facebook that he will be leaving the series to focus on some Green Lantern work and an undisclosed original graphic novel. Series Co-writer Joe Harris and artist Yildiray Cinar both remain on the book, which had also lost writer Gail Simone a few months earlier. The other writer to leave DC was writer Chris Roberson, who’s worked on titles such as Superman, two Fables spin-offs starring Cinderella, iZombie and most recently Fairest (another Fables spin-off), who announced his departure (following his current run on Fairest) on Twitter, citing DC’s seemingly unethical actions surrounding Before Watchmen as well as its supposedly notorious mistreatment of talent over the years. The news gained attention fast and within two days DC dismissed Roberson from Fairest (future plans for the title remain unknown at this time).

Marvel’s Creators Open Up on New Series

Marvel’s creators opened up on what to expect in their upcoming titles announced at C2E2 last weekend. First writer David Asmus talked Gambit with ComicsAlliance, and how he’s purposefully playing up the playboy-antihero image the character has acquired since the he appeared in the classic X-Men cartoon from the 1990s. He also commented on portraying Gambit as authentically Cajun and promised the mutant will don his signature trench coat, as well as fast-paced storytelling reflective of Gambit’s impulsive style of living.

ComicsAlliance also spoke with writer Matt Fraction about his upcoming Hawkeye series and how writing something so different from what he usually does turned him on to the idea, which was first proposed by series artist David Aja. Fraction emphasized his excitement in writing the ace archer who doesn’t possess any superpowers, but is still a member of The Avengers. He also said that he wants to give Hawkeye an arch villain i.e. Kingpin (Daredevil) or Doctor Doom (Fantastic Four). Both Asmus and Fraction didn’t hint at large future plans for their series, but for now want to keep it small and approachable.

Finally, editor Mark Paniccia and The Ultimates writer Sam Humphries took to Marvel’s Comics News blog about the upcoming “Divided We Fall” crossover, encompassing Ultimate X-Men and Ultimate Spider-Man. The crossover begins in July, but readers needn’t buy all three titles to follow the story, as each series will focus on the events from its respective character’s viewpoint. While The Ultimates will contain most of the widescreen action, Ultimate X-Men writer Brain Wood is taking a more ground-level approach. The crossover also hails the return of the Ultimate universe Captain America, who, as Humphries describes him, is returning “in an unexpected way” to an America that may be “too far gone to save.”

Marvel’s Digital Comics Shop

On Monday Marvel announced its new Marvel Digital Comics Shop, the latest past of the publisher’s “ReEvolution” initiative which combines modern digital techniques with traditional comics storytelling. According to the company’s press release, the shop will allow readers to share their digitally purchased comics on all their devices including desktop computers and laptops. Marvel also reemphasized the free digital download code included in all its titles priced at $3.99.

Bunn on Cap

The last word on Marvel comes from writer Cullen Bunn (Wolverine, The Sixth Gun), who will will join series writer Ed Brubaker on Captain America for four issues beginning with issue #15 in July. The story arc will focus on Cap as he endures a negative media campaign against him, and although Mavel has often used cowriters as a transition from one writer to another, Bunn said he’ll only last for the four issues.

Dark Horse on The Goon and Xerxes

At the Dark Horse Panel as C2E2 last weekend, writer Eric Powell announced that his long-running supernatural crime series The Goon, will switch from a bi-monthly to a monthly schedule beginning this year. His reason for the switch was to be able to put out more trades paperbacks of collected issues per year. In a three part interview with ICv2, Dark Horse publisher Mike Richardson spoke briefly about Xerxes, the rumored sequel to Frank Miller’s popular graphic novel 300. He claimed to be closer to it’s inception than a year ago and that Miller was on board.

Record Free Comic Book Day Orders

At the retailer summit at C2E2 last weekend, Diamond Comics Distributors announced record breaking orders of Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) comics, as well as a new “second” annual event scheduled for Halloween. According to Diamond, there were over 3.5 million FCBD orders, compared to 2.7 million last year, representing a 23% increase. Diamond also announced the start of another free comics event to take place on Halloween each year, with publishers putting out Halloween themed books.

Valiant Gets a New Logo

Valiant Entertainment released a new logo and trade dress for its line of books set to debut this summer. The new logo, designed by Rian Hughes, updates the publisher’s original compass design with a more modern appeal. Valiant’s first new title, X-O Manowar hits stands in May.