Comic Vine has revealed that that DC Comics will release two new 48-page one-shot specials in February 2014, both to be written by Marguerite Bennett. Superman: Lois Lane #1 will be illustrated by Emanuela Lupacchino, while Meghan Hetrick will serve on art duties for Batman: Joker’s Daughter.
Bennett has previously written for Batman, Batgirl and Lobo, while Joker’s Daughter was introduced in Batman:The Dark Knight #23.4.
If this is an attempt to get more female-led books into the DCU, we salute DC for at least trying to go down this path. The recent release of Superman/Wonder Woman was critcised for defining Wonder Woman by a relationship to her man in advance of the release, but the debut issue was a balanced portrayal of two heroes in their prime. Unfortunately, in the cases of the two new titles, the books are still outwardly linked to the men in their life.
The interview with Bennett quotes her as saying, “Superman is an aspect of Lois’s story, but in the New 52, so much of what Lois is capable of can be seen in who she is beyond Superman…heroic in her own right, braving a superhuman world on beautifully human terms.” Yet the series isn’t called Lois Lane: Star Reporter or Lois Lane: Independence Day, but rather Superman: Lois Lane. They may as well have gone with the old-school title of Superman’s Girlfriend Lois Lane. Then again, Joker’s Daughter doesn’t even have a name yet.
(For an alternative take on Lois, see what Tom Taylor is doing with her over in Earth 2 at the moment. Now that’s a bold move).
Solicitations and cover art (via Comic Vine) below:
SUPERMAN: LOIS LANE #1
Written by MARGUERITE BENNETT
Art by Emanuela Lupacchino
Cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
One-shot • On sale FEBRUARY 26 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T
Lois Lane is known for chasing down stories — but what happens when the story is her family? As her father gains more power in the government, Lois’s sister Lucy has become involved with a deadly drug scene! Meanwhile, Lois thought she was rid of the influence of Brainiac, but now she finds that the the computer tyrant of Colu is calling out to her again!
BATMAN: JOKER’S DAUGHTER #1
Written by MARGUERITE BENNETT
Art by MEGHAN HETRICK
Cover by GEORGES JEANTY
One-shot • On sale FEBRUARY 5 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T
Who is The Joker’s Daughter? What horrors lurk in the mind of this deranged lunatic, and why is there more to her than meets the eye? More than just a crazy person who stumbled upon The Joker’s face, more than just a woman with a mission, The Joker’s Daughter sees herself as a woman on the path of greed, dominance and lordship over the Gotham Underground. This special issue tells a sordid tale in the life of one of DC’s most popular new villains!
