ACTION COMICS #12
Plot by EXCITER
Writing and Art by WALT SIMONSON
“THE SUPERMAN CHALLENGE” part four, conclusion “THE EXPERIMENT”
He wanted to prove a point: people are bad. He knew this from reading minds all his life. At 16 years old, the self-styled “Psych Lord” decided to demonstrate just how bad everyone in Metropolis, the town he grew up in, really was. These people only stayed in line because of Superman. Without that big, blue hall monitor, they’d turn on each other instantly. So the young metahuman made everyone within the city limits forget the Man of Steel... and waited for the chaos to roll in.
When it didn’t, he psychically urged people towards chaos. Yet, even then, unlikely “heroes” like Catman, Superwoman, Woman-Bat, and Bizarra stepped up to do their part. Obviously, these interfering do-gooders needed to be mentally controlled and urged towards chaos themselves. To prove the point, of course.
This looks like a job for Superman... but even Clark Kent doesn’t recall his secret identity. Jimmy Olsen, however, inspired by the Question’s detective work, believes that plain old Smallville farm-boy Clark Kent may actually be the only one capable of talking to the troubled youth... of making him realize that, although the world can seem brutal and uncaring, you cannot let hard times poison your perception. Will “Psych Lord” ever understand that it’s not Superman that makes Metropolis good, but Metropolis that inspires Superman to be good on a daily basis?
Next Month: HOUSE OF S!
32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99
AQUAMAN #4
Plot by EXCITER
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art by JIM LEE
“WELCOME TO AMNESTY BAY”
Guest starring Batman!
Amnesty Bay’s famed Lighthouse has been expanded by recent construction. The seaside landmark now hosts the official Atlantian Embassy to the United States of America - and the diplomat in charge is a humble former fisherman appointed by special request of the Atlantian throne: Thomas Curry!
His son, Arthur “Aquaman” Curry, is on a quest to restore Atlantis’ greatness. But before he can do that, he’s got to secure peace with the landlubbers. He arrives personally to address the Embassy’s first major diplomatic challenge: the Trench, a swarm of vicious humanoid sea creatures, have recently made landfall in Barbados. This is uncharacteristic for the species and far from their traditional territory... as if someone were directing their movements. But who? Distrust abounds as the United States government thinks it might be Atlantis’ doing - and so does the Batman!
Meanwhile, Black Adam has determined that a U.S.-Atlantis alliance is not in the best interests of his middle eastern nation, Kahndaq. He attempts to hire the world’s premier amphibious mercenary to eliminate Thomas Curry and demolish the Embassy, but to his surprise, David Hyde volunteers to accept the job at cost. It seems Black Manta has reasons of his own to hate the Currys!
When a distracted Aquaman allows concern for his father to give Batman the upper hand in their confrontation, Arthur gasps “Thomas... got to... save... Thomas...” This changes everything. Can two heroes end their feud when they discover their fathers have the same name? Or is it too late to work together against the real threats?
32 PGs./Rated T+ …$2.99
BAT-WING #19
Written By Malcolm Jones
Art By Ben Oliver
Plot By Marvell2100
WE OWN THE NIGHT!
With the capture and arrest of the Jackal gang members, David escorts Lena back to her hotel suite. She offers him to come in for a nightcap but he refuses saying that he needs to return to his office and file a report on tonights' events. As she opens the door, she notices that there is someone else in the room. A light is turned on to reveal her brother Usan Killian, the true leader of The Jackals! Lena tells her brother that he moved too soon and that he could have exposed his connection to Cadmus. They must use caution and patience before they can proceed with flooding the entire East coast of Africa with HTW(hi-tech weapons)!
Elsewhere, Kia and the vigilante Dawn have shut down another HTW operation by a new threat, Shadowlord! Kia tells Dawn that she nearly ruined her undercover operation and that she needs to leave it to the police to take down these criminals. Dawn tells her that they're on the same side and want the same thing. She proposes that they share info and could be a lot more effective working together as a team.
David returns to the Congo Intelligence Bureau ready to write his report when enters his office and sees DEO agent Steve Trevor. Surprised, david asks Trevor why he's in his office when he tells him they need to have a little chat about Bat-Wing!
32 PGS./Rated T+...$3.99
DEADLY HANDS OF CONNOR HAWKE #19
Plotter: MARVELL2100
Writer: JEFF LEMIRE
Artist: ANDREA SORRENTINO
MY BOYFRIEND IS A FORMER ASSASSIN. SHOULD I KEEP HIM?
After the harrowing events of the past few weeks, Connor returns to San Francisco and the flower shop to spend time with Avila. He tells her everything, his past, why he left and why he came back. It's a lot for her to take in and he understands if she wants him to leave.
Naomi and Jax are also in San Francisco and are looking to hook up with old friends. One of those friends is Alba Garcia, someone they knew when they were street hustlers back in New York. Alba runs a cannabis shop and helps troubled teens. She tells them that there's a lot of underground buzz about them and some guy named Connor. Naomi bluntly asks her if she is planning on trying to claim the bounty on them?
Elsewhere, The Magus wakes up and looks around. He remembers fighting Connor and then being stabbed in the back by Billy Badass. Now, everyone is gone including Billy. He now has to wonder if he made a mistake in confronting Connor the way he did. He contemplates whether to go after him again but decides maybe it's time he turned to someone else for help...like Connors' mother!
32 PGS./Rated T+...$3.99