NYCC: DC plots a new course for the Family of Steel in 2023

DC’s plans for Superman and the Superfamily became clearer at New York Comic Con this weekend, as the publisher revealed a new format for Action Comics, a new Superman title starring Clark Kent and an Adventures of Superman title featuring his son, Jon.

Following Action Comics #1050, a special oversized issue that comes out on the last Tuesday of 2022, the comic will see a format change with Action Comics #1051. It’ll feature three stories — one focused on Clark, one focused on Jon and one focused on Power Girl that spins out of Lazarus Planet.

“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.”

Here’s the description of Johnson and Sandoval’s story in Action:

Following the bombshell events of Action Comics #1050, the world’s relationship with Superman is forever changed, the upper limits of his supercharged powers have yet to be reached, and the House of El’s transformation of Metropolis, led by Steel, has begun. But Lex Luthor has found the perfect instrument with which to undo everything Superman is working to achieve: Metallo, whose hatred of Superman is matched only by his hatred for Luthor himself. 

Veteran Superman writer Jurgens will team with Lee Weeks on “Lois and Clark 2: Doom Rising,” which will “tell the tale of young Jon Kent on the farm with his parents, learning about his abilities, coming of age… and battling the Doombreaker?!” 

Here’s a look at a variant cover for that issue by Weeks:

Finally, Power Girl return in a three-part story by Leah Williams and Marguerite Sauvage. And she appears on two variant covers for that issue, by David Nakayama and Sergio Davila:

Action Comics #1051 will be available at local comic shops on Jan. 24 (and then on DC Universe Infinite Ultra a month later). Here are more covers for that issue, by Sandoval, Jack Herbet, Jorge Fornes and Steve Beach:

Then in February, a brand-new Superman ongoing monthly series will launch from writer Joshua Williamson and artist Jamal Campbell.

Here’s the description: Superman has returned to Metropolis and his greatest enemy Lex Luthor is finally behind bars. The future of the Superman family has never been brighter! As Clark Kent settles back into his life, iconic and new enemies erupt from the shadows to strike down the Man of Steel!

“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 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.”

The “Tom” he’s referring to is Tom Taylor, writer of Superman: Son of Kal-El, which will end with issue #18. But Taylor will continue to chronicle the adventures of Jonathan Kent with artist Clayton Henry in a new six-issue miniseries, Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent. It will feature both Ultraman and the Superman of Earth-2, Val-Zod.

“I couldn’t be more excited for Jon Kent to headline the iconic Adventures of Superman,” said 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.”

Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent kicks off in March.