Today’s Superman panel at New York Comic Con was a source of multiple new announcements from DC Comics. The January-launching titles revealed will launch what the publisher is calling “The New Era of Superman,” and include a relaunched Jon Kent series, a new format for Action Comics, and the debut of an all-new Superman ongoing series from Joshua Williamson and Jamal Campbell.

Starting with January’s Action Comics #1051, each issue of the series, which has already been including both a main story and a backup story, will expand in size with another backup feature. The main features will continue to be written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, who will be joined by artist Rafa Sandoval for a story picking up on the events of the previous issue in which “the world’s relationship with Superman is forever changed.”

Character designs by Dan Mora

Backup stories in the issue will include one from the creative teams of Dan Jurgens and Lee Weeks, the Lois & Clark team who are reuniting for a sequel storyline, Lois & Clark 2: Doom Rising, about a young Jon Kent. The other story, by Leah Williams and Marguerite Sauvage, will star Power Girl and spin out of the recently-announced Lazarus Planet storyline.

Here are all the variant covers for Action Comics #1051, from artists Dan Nakayama, Sergio Davila, Jorge Fornes, Steve Beach, Rafa Sandoval, and Jack Herbert:

In a statement announcing the format change, Kennedy Johnson described the team’s approach to the series, which harkens back to Superman comics of both the late ’70s and the ’90s:

“My one-word mission statement for Action Comics in 2023 is ‘Super-Family,’ and I draw inspiration from the 100-page Giant ‘Superman Family issues,” said writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson. “We’re giving everyone in the House of El their own role and personal journey while still keeping Superman at the forefront, and tying all the Super-titles together in a way that’s reminiscent of the Triangle Era. I couldn’t be more excited to be part of this new era of Action Comics, and doing it alongside such a consummate artist as Rafa Sandoval and comics titan Dan Jurgens truly makes it a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

DC also announced a new Superman ongoing series from Williamson and Campbell, which will see the Man of Steel facing new threats. In a statement, Williamson expressed his enthusiasm at taking on Superman’s solo adventures, and teased Nick Dragotta as another artist on the series:

“After the darkness of the last year in the DCU, there is no character better suited to lead DC into the light than Superman,” said Joshua Williamson. “It’s an understatement to say I’m honored to be writing DC’s flagship series. I’m very excited to take Clark Kent on a fun, pulp style adventure in Metropolis against his greatest villains. We’re also going to be introducing new concepts and new challenges for the Man of Steel and to be doing it with wonderful partners like Jamal Campbell and Nick Dragotta is a dream come true. Every page explodes with awesome energy. The Superman line that Tom, Phillip and I are putting together with DC is going to lead the way for an exciting 2023.”

Variant cover by Clayton Henry

The final announcement of the panel was that of a new Jon Kent miniseries, The Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent. Jon’s adventures will continue to be guided by writer Tom Taylor, joined by artist Clayton Henry on the series. The storyline will also feature the Val-Zod Superman, and will follow Jon as he finally faces off once more against Ultraman. The series will also likely tie in to the events of Lazarus Planet.

“I couldn’t be more excited for Jon Kent to headline the iconic Adventures of Superman,” said Tom Taylor. “It’s a real testament to the fantastic response of fans to Jon as Superman. This series is going to be one of the most action-packed books I’ve ever written and Jon is going to be tested more than ever before. While we can tell you the Superman of Earth-2, Val-Zod, and Jon’s nemesis, Ultraman, will be key characters in the early part of Adventures of Superman, what we’re going to reveal at the end of issue #2 will have everyone talking and issue #3 launches us in a direction that no one will see coming.”

Variant cover by Rafael Sarmento

Look for more from this panel and the new direction for the Superman titles later today.

Miss any of our other NYCC ’22 coverage? Find it all here!

2 COMMENTS

  1. Excited for the return of a Superman book. Both Jamal Campbell and Nick Dragotta are great choices on art.

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