Marvel and DC Announce Diverse New Comics

Today was a big day for comic books, as massive announcements came from both sides of the Marvel/DC aisle. Marvel made their big announcement that was supposed to appear on The View today (it ended up on their website and mashable instead), and DC announced a whole lineup of new books. The wonderful thing is that a great many of the new books are led by diverse casts - the comic book industry is starting to change. Hit the jump for the full announcements.

Coming in May - "the Avengers are gone!" Last September, Marvel made waves with the announcement that Thor would be female. Now, a new announcement - in Marvel Comics' post-secret wars re-imagining of the Marvel Universe, a new team is assembling. They are called the the A-Force. The all-girl group makes their debut in May, in "Secret Wars." Front and center are She-Hulk, Dazzler, Medusa and Nico Minoru. (Nico! So excited! -Ed) Other fan favorites will also be featured, as you can see in the image above. The series will be written by Ms. Marvel and X-Men writer G. Willow Wilson and Angela: Asgard's Assassin writer Marguerite Bennet. It will be drawn by X-Men artist Jorge Molina.

Over at DC Comics, several heroines will be getting their own books. Starting in early June, the new line of comics will consist of 24 new series that will start with issue number 1, as well as 25 continuing series that will not have a break in issue numbering. Brandon Fletcher, co-writer behind the new Batgirl book will also be tackling the new Black Canary series that launches in June. Amanda Connor and Jimmy Palmiotti will be the creative team for the new Starfire book. (Holy crap, they're drawing her closer to an actual living person. - Ed) DC is going to be making some changes and updates to various other characters as well, and getting back to basics with Batman and Wonder Woman.

So far, it looks to be that while Marvel is putting out a whole team of empowered women, DC is going at girl power from an angle of independence and individual strength characteristics. It's about time that Marvel and DC realize that girls read comics too! Check out the full list of DC's announcements below, and let us know which series you're most excited for in the comments!

Bat-Mite by writer Dan Jurgens and artist Corin Howell

Batman Beyond by writer Dan Jurgens and artist Bernard Chang

Black Canary by writer Brenden Fletcher and artist Annie Wu

Bizarro by writer Heath Corson and artist Gustavo Duarte

Constantine: The Hellblazer by Ming Doyle and Riley Rossmo

Cyborg by writer David L. Walker and artists Ivan Reis and Joe Prado

Dark Universe by writer James Tynion IV and artist Ming Doyle

Dr. Fate by writer Paul Levitz and artist Sonny Liew

Doomed by writer Scott Lobdell and artist Javier Fernandez

Earth 2: Society by writer Daniel H. Wilson and artist Jorge Jimenez

Green Lantern: Lost Army by Cullen Bunn, art by Jesus Saiz and Javi Pina

Harley Quinn/Power Girl by writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner, with artist Stephane Roux

Justice League 3001 by Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis and Howard Porter

Justice League of America by writer/artist Bryan Hitch


Martian Manhunter by writer Rob Williams and artists Ben Oliver and Paulo Siqueira

Midnighter by writer Steve Orlando and artist ACO

Mystic U (tentative title) by writer Alisa Kwitney and artist Mauricet

Omega Men by writer Tom King and artist Barnaby Bagenda

Prez by writer Mark Russell and artist Ben Caldwell

Red Hood/Arsenal by writer Scott Lobdell and artist Denis Medri

Robin, Son of Batman by writer/artist Pat Gleason

Section Eight by writer Garth Ennis and artist John McCrea

Starfire by writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner, with artist Emanuela Lupacchino

We Are Robin by writer Lee Bermejo and artists Rob Haynes and Khary Randolph