DC’s “Dawn of DC” timeline just revealed its plans for the summer at the ComicsPRO convention: Knight Terrors — written by Joshua Williamson (Superman) with art by Howard Porter (The Flash), Guillem March (The Joker), and more. There’s also exciting news from DC’s partnership with Kodansha, the Japanese publisher is going to make three of its DC centric manga comics available in English for the first time ever. Superman vs. Meshi, Batman: Justice Buster, and Joker: One Operation Joker will all be initially released as serialized digital exclusives for DC Universe Infinite subscribers, and then in physical form later this year.
Starting in July, Knight Terrors is a miniseries featuring Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman dealing with the body of an old foe in the Hall of Justice. The case will lead our heroes through the land of the living, past the land of the dead, and smack into a nightmare world. It’s a harrowing journey that will result in the fate of the world landing on some unlikely shoulders: Deadman.
“I love horror comics, and it’s been a blast bringing the energy to Dawn of DC. Knight Terrors showcases the horror side of our heroes as a brand-new villain confronts them with their worst nightmares,” said Joshua Williamson. “It’s a fun and horrific event that brings together all of the heroes and villains of DC, along with some surprises!”
Halloween comes early to the DC publishing line as this horror-themed event continues in July and August with multiple two-issue miniseries from as-yet-named beloved creative teams. Each miniseries will highlight a DC Hero or Villain coming face to face with their worst nightmares in a “Nightmare Realm”. Gotta keep in mind though, anything that happens in the Nightmare Realm affects the Waking World too.
Free Comic Book Day, May 6th, will feature a sneak peek at Knight Terrors with the Dawn of DC Knight Terrors Free Comic Book Day Special Edition employing iconic comic artist Chris Bachalo (Doctor Strange, Deadpool) making his return to DC in over 20 years with the help of Williamson and Porter. Damian Wayne slumbers after another long night of crime-fighting with Batman, his father. But it is a fitful sleep as terror overtakes his dreams. Nightmares aren’t new for Damian, he’s seen his fair share, but there’s something different about this one.
The best-selling Kodansha manga book series centered around DC characters — Superman vs. Meshi, Batman: Justice Buster, and Joker: One Operation Joker — is coming to the United States complete with English translations first as digital chapters and then as trade paperbacks. In honor of their exclusive launch on the DC Universe Infinite platform there will be a special manga-friendly reader update. After the digital launch, DC will release these titles as collected editions at participating comic book shops, bookstores, and other retailers in the fall. DC Universe Infinite is not available in all territories and is not intended for children.
Joker: One Operation Joker features a brand-new side of Joker never seen before…a single father!? When the Dark Knight is freakishly de-aged into a baby, Joker decides he’s got what it takes to raise the kid into his beloved Bats. But…does he? How could the Clown Prince of Crime possibly fathom what it means to be the Batman, or, for that matter, what it means to be a single father? Joker: One Operation Joker is written by Satoshi Miyagawa (Uchuu Senkan Tiramisu) with art by Keisuke Gotou.
Batman: Justice Buster sees Gotham City under siege by a new class of criminal since the vigilante known as the Batman took to protecting its streets. Bold, more brutal foes have risen to the challenge in the short time the Dark Knight’s been around. But, Batman’s got ROBIN — a computer system he designed — to help him breakdown and stem the tide of crime, and maybe one day eliminate crime in Gotham for good. Batman: Justice Buster is written and illustrated by Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi (Ultraman).
It’s not all doom and whacky sitcom premises though, in Superman vs. Meshi, the Man of Steel is interested in only one thing: lunch! From hearty bowls of curry to conveyer-belt sushi, Superman is down to engulf the delicious delicacies this country puts out. So, every day he makes a stop in Japan to try a new place. And, because Supes is such a nice guy, he’ll even be inviting other Justice League members to share in the fantastic culinary experience. Superman vs. Meshi is written by Satoshi Miyagawa with art by Kai Kitago.
