New DC Comics Give Fan Favorites The Spotlight They Deserve

In a few months, DC Comics will have a new comic series under its All In banner. The main attraction is the brand new Absolute Universe, but the main DC universe will continue with new leading art teams, and in some cases, completely new books joining the list.

DC has four new comics coming out focusing on beloved heroes Batgirl (Cassandra Cain), Black Canary, and The Question (Renee Montoya). The first is from Tate Brombal (House of Slaughter) and Takeshi Miyazawa (Silk), and sees Cass fending off a random assassin’s attack that leads to her teaming up with her mother, Lady Shiva. Working together is their only option, and the sequel is teased by Brombal as “a jaw-dropping, martial arts show” celebrating the character ahead of her 25th birthday. It’s also Cass’s first solo title under the Batgirl moniker in a while, and Brombal teased that she’ll “kick some ass like only Cass can.” […] The world won’t know what hit it.”

Next up, Tom King and Ryan Sook Black Canary: The Best he will pit Dina against Shiva to decide which of them is the better fighter. As he fights his way to that game, he’ll pick up new moves from other opponents like his mother, Batman, and Wildcat. King went on to praise the six-volume book, calling it “a beautiful, epic, poignant, touching service that focuses on what makes Dinah unique and uniquely beautiful.”

I have to show off about this. Another stunning, visceral, perfect line art from Ryan Sook of BLACK CANARY: THE BEST OF THE BEST. Sook does every page in every magazine. So I am proud of this book. Out 11/27-Black Canary Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/pDJIyT3wKE

— Tom King (@TomKingTK) August 15, 2024

Question: Throughout the Watchtower by Alex Segura (Private ownership) and Cian Tormey (Injustice) says that Renee did her detective work on the Justice League space station. Set after some time Absolute Power, Trinity calls him to investigate a murder in a noir fiction inspired by classics like Sherlock and Agatha Christie, as well as modern murder mysteries. Speaking to Polygon, Segura listed writers such as Walter Mosely, Laura Lippman, and George Pelecanos as additional influences. But in terms of comedy, he credits Renee’s success with co-creator Denny O’Neal, writer Greg Rucka, and artists Denys Cowan and Cully Hamner.

“I have taken to heart the stories they shared with Renee, where we see her trying her best to overcome her demons to do the right thing,” he explained. For him, Renee “will be walking among the ranks of godlike heroes,” in the line of superhero mysteries like himself. Batman: The Long Halloweenbut on the “greater and more rewarding stage” through the Watchtower. Tormey said the station will be “as much a character in this as Renee herself.” […] Trust me when I say, there’s a lot of thought put into all those backgrounds that you can’t see under all the blood and shadows!”

Finally, Black Lightning by Brandon Thomas (Black Manta) and Fico Ossio (Mister Miracle: The Fountain of Freedom) puts Jefferson Pierce and his daughter Jennifer (Lightning) in charge of the new Justice League outreach program. Not long after his daughter Anissa comes looking for help with her newfound thunder powers, a new version of the Masters of Disaster appears in Metropolis’ Suicide Slum, and it falls to the Pierces to stop it. “While the Pierce family struggles to hold it all together, a mysterious rival combines power and legitimacy,” Thomas told ComicsBeat, “arming the public’s ‘Waller was right’ fear of the crazy gods.”

Batgirl will begin on November 6, followed by five stages Black Lightning the following week on November 13. At the end of the month, Black Canary: The Best begins its six-issue run on November 27. At the time of writing, a specific release date has not been locked in Question: Throughout the Watchtower.

Looking for more io9 news? Check out when you can expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe in film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.