DC announces 100-Page Giant comics exclusive to Walmart

[Captain Comics]

Available July 1, Monthly Anthology Titles Combine All-New Stories by Top DC Writers with Classic Tales from DC’s Deep History

Original Stories Featuring Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner, Dan Jurgens and Tim Seeley

12-Part Superman Story by Tom King and 12-Part Batman Story by Brian Michael Bendis to Follow in September

 (June 22, 2018 – Burbank, CA, and Bentonville, AR) – This summer, Walmart shoppers will receive a personal invitation to discover the lore behind their favorite DC experiences as DC Entertainment announced today that a series of “giant” monthly comics will be sold exclusively in more than 3,000 participating Walmart stores around the country.

Available for $4.99, each 100-page anthology features all-new stories written exclusively for these books by some of DC’s top creative talents, including Tom King (BATMAN, MISTER MIRACLE, HEROES IN CRISIS), Dan Jurgens (ACTION COMICS, BATMAN BEYOND), Brian Michael Bendis (SUPERMAN, ACTION COMICS, THE MAN OF STEEL), Andy Kubert (NEW CHALLENGERS) and others. Each title will also include additional story arcs drawn from fan-favorite DC eras such as the New 52, Rebirth and the New Age of DC Heroes.

Each of the four titles – SUPERMAN GIANT, JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA GIANT, BATMAN GIANT and TEEN TITANS GIANT – will arrive in stores by July 1. Beginning in August, the Superman and Justice League of America titles will arrive in week one of each month, with the second pair, Batman and Teen Titans, arriving approximately two weeks later.

 “We are extraordinarily excited about working with Walmart to expand the reach of our books,” said DC Publisher Dan DiDio.  “These new monthly books combine new and accessible stories with reprints of classic comic series. It’s a great way for new readers to get into comics and follow the characters they’ve grown to love in TV and film.”

The debut title lineup includes:

SUPERMAN GIANT #1

SUPERMAN GIANT #1 features chapter one of the two-part “Endurance,” an original story written by Jimmy Palmiotti (HARLEY QUINN, ACTION COMICS) with art by Tom Derenick (HARLEY QUINN, CYBORG, BATMAN/SUPERMAN). The Daily Planet sends Clark Kent to Tornado Alley to do a story on the area, but when the storm hits, it turns out that this mild-mannered reporter is more helpful as Superman.

The issue also includes:

THE TERRIFICS #1­ (2018) – From this year’s New Age of Heroes and born of the events of DC’s hit series DARK NIGHTS: METAL. Mr. Terrific, Metamorpho, Plastic Man and Phantom Girl are a team of heroes bound together by fate and united by the spirit of exploration and discovery. Together these heroes plumb the depths of the fantastic to learn what it means to become family.

GREEN LANTERN #1 (2005) – Written by best-selling writer Geoff Johns with art by Ethan Van Sciver and Carlos Pacheco, this first chapter launches the fan-favorite three-part story “No Fear,” in which Hal Jordan makes his return to the DC Universe as the Green Lantern, casting the light of justice on the darkest corners of Space Sector 2814.

SUPERMAN/BATMAN #1 (2003) – The iconic fan-favorite story arc, “Public Enemies,” returns, courtesy of writer Jeph Loeb, with artists Ed McGuinness and Tim Sale. Batman and Superman unite when President Lex Luthor accuses the Man of Steel of a crime against humanity and assembles a top-secret team of powerhouse heroes to bring Superman in by any means necessary.

September’s SUPERMAN GIANT #3 features Eisner Award-winning writer Tom King’s first return to the Man of Steel since his poignant and heartfelt tribute story, “For Tomorrow,” in the pages of ACTION COMICS #1000. Together with DC Master Class artist Andy Kubert, this powerhouse team will take readers on a new 12-part adventure titled “Up in the Sky!” When a little girl is kidnapped and taken from Earth, Superman embarks on a galaxy-spanning mission to find the perpetrators…but has to decide what lengths he will go to in order to save one life!

TEEN TITANS GIANT #1

In this original six-part Teen Titans story by Dan Jurgens with art by Scot Eaton, Wayne Faucher and Jim Charalampidis, the Teen Titans’ pizza dinner is interrupted by the introduction of a new villain, the Disruptor. Teaming up with the Fearsome Five and working as an agent of H.I.V.E., he had one mission: kill the Teen Titans! The battle spills onto the streets of San Francisco, putting its citizens at risk, while H.I.V.E. uses this distraction to begin their plan for world conquest!

Additional issue #1 stories include:

SUPER SONS #1 (2017) – From DC’s smash-hit Rebirth event, writer Peter J. Tomasi and artist Jorge Jimenez reintroduce the sons of Superman and Batman, Jonathan Kent and Damian Wayne, in part one of “When I Grow Up.” As Robin, Damian’s more than ready to take his place at the heroes’ table and has zero plans to wait his turn. And he’s dragging Superman’s son along for the trip, whether Jon likes it or not!

SIDEWAYS #1 (2018) – Also from the New Age of Heroes, this story written by Dan DiDio with art by Kenneth Rocafort introduces fans to high schooler Derek James who, during the events of DARK NIGHTS: METAL, has acquired powers from the Dark Multiverse and stepped into the role of superhero! But when cracks begin to appear in the space-time continuum, he soon learns that with that much power comes even greater liability!

TEEN TITANS #1 (2003) – Written by best-selling author Geoff Johns with art by Mike McKone. Cyborg, Raven, Starfire and Beast Boy welcome in a new roster of young heroes to train to defend humanity—Wonder Girl, Impulse and a Superboy who’s been cloned from Superman’s DNA!

BATMAN GIANT #1

Batman is on the case of a missing girl in “One More Chance,” an all-new story by writer Jimmy Palmiotti and artist Patrick “Patch” Zircher. Batman is the world’s greatest detective, but what happens when the trail in his newest case leads him back to a place from his past that he never expected to revisit?

BATMAN GIANT #1 also includes:

BATMAN #608 (2002) – Written by Jeph Loeb with art by comics icon Jim Lee, issue #608 kicks off “Batman: Hush,” one of the most popular storylines in the Dark Knight’s fabled history. When Batman sets out to unmask the mystery character wreaking havoc in his life, he teams up with an unexpected ally (Catwoman) and finds himself facing off against not only his deadliest foes, but some of the toughest characters in the DC Universe, including Poison Ivy, Killer Croc and even Superman!

NIGHTWING #1 (2011) – From DC’s New 52, this story by writer Kyle Higgins and artist Eddy Barrows debuted a new look for Dick Grayson as he dives into a tale of murder, mystery and superhuman evil against the backdrop of Haley’s Circus, the place that started him on his path from acrobat to orphan to sidekick and ultimately superhero!

HARLEY QUINN #1 (2011) – Also from the New 52, writer Jimmy Palmiotti and artist Amanda Conner break Harley Quinn out of The Joker’s shadow with all the force of a giant mallet!

Beginning with BATMAN GIANT #3 in September, superstar writer Brian Michael Bendis makes his DC debut on the Dark Knight with a 12-part story, “Universe.” Batman’s run-in with the Riddler leads the Caped Crusader into a mystery that spans the globe!

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA GIANT #1

Justice League member Wonder Woman is spotlighted in “The Conversion,” an all-new story from NIGHTWING writer Tim Seeley and artists Rick Leonardi and Steve Buccellato. In this single-issue story, Wonder Woman comes face to face with Ares, god of war—who sees her as a promising new recruit!

JUSTICE LEAGUE GIANT #1 also includes:

JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 (2011) – From the incomparable team of writer Geoff Johns and artist Jim Lee comes this version of the League from the New 52. In this alternative spin on the union of Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, the Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg, superheroes are a strange and new phenomenon. The mysterious Batman discovers a dark evil that requires him to unite these reluctant heroes to protect Earth from a cosmic-level threat!

THE FLASH #1 (2011) – In this New 52 version of the Fastest Man Alive, writer Brian Buccellato and artist Francis Manapul introduce Barry Allen to a villain who not only can be everywhere at once, but is also a close friend of the Scarlet Speedster!

AQUAMAN #1 (2011) – Award-winning writer Geoff Johns and dynamic artist Ivan Reis team up on this story from the New 52! Aquaman has given up the throne of Atlantis, but the sea still has plans for Arthur Curry as a broken race of undersea creatures, the Trench, emerges from the ocean depths, bent on destroying the surface world!

In issue #2, Seeley teams up with artists Felipe Watanabe and Chris Sotomayor on “Mother’s Day,” a stand-alone story where Wonder Woman returns to Paradise Island for the first time since her exile, only to find that the Amazons – and Queen Hippolyta – have been abducted by Echidna, the mythological Mother of Monsters, with a brood of unstoppable beasts as children!

Issue #3 begins another original 12-part Wonder Woman story by HARLEY QUINN co-writers Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti called “Come Back to Me.” When Steve Trevor’s plane crashes on an island outside of time itself, it’s up to Wonder Woman to rescue him from this mysterious land, full of monsters, dinosaurs and some very surprising citizens.

 

[Rob Staeger (Grodd Mod)]

I don't know much about Target distribution of these books. I've heard it might be happening in areas where there aren't Walmarts, but I don't know for sure. As for other stores, I have no idea. (But they're all available for comic shops to stock, via Diamond, at the dates on the schedule I post now and then,including on Friday.)

[Doctor Hmmm?]

I've seen them at a local Target. It's not for the lack of local Walmarts.

[Rob Staeger (Grodd Mod)]

Hm, OK. I'll have to check my Target out again, and see what I can find. In what area are they stocked?

[Rob Staeger (Grodd Mod)]

And suddenly, DC's solicitations in Previews start taking the Giants seriously -- releasing complete contents information on June's releases (and the Wonder Woman 84 Giant, retro-solicited for May!) Here goes!

THE FLASH GIANT #5
Cover by CULLY HAMNER
Written by GAIL SIMONE
Art by CLAYTON HENRY
The Flash races against the Reverse Flash in the hopes of freeing the future Central City from Eobard Thawne’s grasp! At every turn, Eobard is right on Barry’s heels. Can the Scarlet Speedster evade the Reverse Flash’s pursuit and save the future?
Written by DAVE WIELGOSZ
Art by DAVID LAFUENTE
It’s Flash Day in Central City, and the parade is in full swing, but one person isn’t thrilled: Barry Allen. Hating the attention, Barry just wants the day to be over, but that might come sooner than expected when Tar Pit shows up!
Plus these reprint tales:
• “Gorilla Warfare Part Five,” The Flash #17 (2013)
• “The Death and Life of Oliver Queen Part Four” from Green
Arrow #4 (2016)
• “Secrets Part One,” from Blue Beetle #5 (2006)
ON SALE 06.10.20 | $4.99 US | FC | 96 PAGES | DC

My favorite Flash book on the stands right now. 

SWAMP THING GIANT #5
Written by MARK RUSSELL
Art and cover by MARCO SANTUCCI
Murder has come to the bayou, in the form of a cult that aims to destroy civilization and rebuild with Swamp Thing as their king. Even more horrifying, the Sunderland Corporation has used Swamp Thing’s DNA to create self-harvesting clones!
Written by PHIL HESTER
Art by TOM MANDRAKE
Swamp Thing has been following the eerie light of the Fifolet as the spirit leads him to those in need. But what if the mysterious light has a deeper purpose? What if it knows more about Swamp Thing’s past than it lets on…and what if it’s trying to lead Alec Holland home? Plus these reprint tales:
• “Emerald Apocalypse,” Swamp Thing #5 (2016)
• “The Poison Truth Part Five,” from The Hellblazer #5 (2017)
• “Double or Nothing,” from Zatanna #5 (2010)
ON SALE 06.24.20 | $4.99 US | FC | 96 PAGES | DC

Only one issue left in the Wein/Jones Swamp Thing reprint. Then what?

TEEN TITANS GO!/DC SUPER HERO GIRLS SPECIAL GIANT #1
Cover by YANCEY LABAT
Written by AMANDA DEIBERT
Art by ERICH OWEN
Kara is excited to have a whole weekend to herself to get up to all kinds of moshing mayhem, but the other Super Hero Girls keep interrupting her “me time.” When Kara’s wish for solitude comes true as one by one the girls become
obsessed with a new app, it’s up to Supergirl to save Metropolis—and her fellow heroes—on her own!
Written by DEREK FRIDOLFS
Art by AGNES GARBOWSKA
In this Super Hero Girls tale, Bumblebee is tired of always being tiny! Karen sets her mind to creating a device that will make her big instead of small, but when things don’t go as she planned, the other girls will get a crash course in seeing the world through Bumblee’s eyes!
Plus these reprint tales:
• “Robin the First,” Teen Titans Go! #4 (2014)
• “Teen Titans Go...Fish!” from Teen Titans Go! #4 (2014)
• “Prank’d,” from Teen Titans Go! #5 (2014)
• “Don’t Look,” from Teen Titans Go! #5 (2014)
• “But Games Can Never Hurt Me,” from Teen Titans Go! #6
(2014)
• “Sleep Over,” from Teen Titans Go! #6 (2014)
ON SALE 06.03.20 | $4.99 US | FC | 96 PAGES | DC

This looks like a good mix. The new stories were the best part of the one DC Super-Hero Girls Giant I read (the reprints were skewed too young for me to enjoy), and there are a ton of great TTG stories I've never read. 

WONDER WOMAN 1984 GIANT #1
Cover by NICOLA SCOTT
Written by ANNA OBROPTA and LOUISE SIMONSON
Art by BRET BLEVINS
In this tie-in to the WW84 film…When a failed burglary attempt causes a hostage situation at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, Diana Prince is forced to leave her teenage tour group behind so Wonder Woman can save the day! But will Wonder Woman be able to bring ten gunman to justice and get back to her tour group in time?
Written by STEVE PUGH
Art by MARGUERITE SAUVAGE
“Honey, I Shrunk My Friends”
It’s the 1980s, and greed is good for those that already have it all. Wonder Woman and Steve Trevor hunt down the reckless mastermind who makes the ultimate power move…the theft of Diana’s golden lasso!
Plus these reprint tales:
• “Deadly Arrival” from Wonder Woman #3 (1987)
• “Blood of the Cheetah,” Wonder Woman #301 (1987)
• “Dark Challenger,” from Wonder Woman #301 (1983)
ONE-SHOT | RETRO-SOLICITED
ON SALE 05.27.20 | $4.99 US | FC | 96 PAGES | DC

Look at that! Two Perez-era reprints (the "Blood of the Cheetah" story is from 1987's WW #9, not 1983's WW #301), and a pre-Crisis one from the 80s, as well!

[Rob Staeger (Grodd Mod)]

That brings the calendar to this:

March 4: Superman 2
March 11: Aquaman 3
March 18: Titans 1
March 25: From Beyond the Unknown 1

April 1: Batman 4
April 8: Flash 4
April 15: Wonder Woman 4
April 22: Swamp Thing 4
April 29: Our Fighting Forces 1

May 6: Superman 3
May 13: Aquaman 4
May 20: Titans 2
May 27: Wonder Woman 84 1

June 3: Teen Titans Go/DC Super-Hero Girls
June 10: Flash Giant 5
June 17: NOTHING SOLICITED
June 24: Swamp Thing 5

June 17 sure seems like it could use a Batman Giant... but who knows what, if anything, is in store?

[Gregory Glaz]

Picked up four of this month's titles at local Wally World here is SE Georgia,, Did not see any copies of Our Fighting Forces #1,, I will check a store in Jacksonville in the next day or so assuming the zombies hold off taking over the world. 

Everyone be safe and follow your local Emergency Management officials directions,, 

[Rob Staeger (Grodd Mod)]

Also, there's this:

THE FLASH: UNITED THEY FALL TP
written by GAIL SIMONE
art and cover by CLAYTON HENRY
Barry Allen and Iris West take a vacation, but their relaxation is cut short when their cruise ship is attacked by King Shark! Can the Fastest Man Alive save a sinking ship when there’s no land in sight—or will he be fish food? This and more in stories featuring the Flash taking on his greatest rogues, including Captain Cold, Mirror Master, Heat Wave, Captain Boomerang, and Weather Wizard! Collects stories from The Flash Giant #1-7 (first wave) and The Flash Giant #1-5 (second wave).
ON SALE 07.15.20
$17.99 US | 184 PAGES

I *love* this book. The Simone/Henry Flash stories are the closest to the Flash stories that made me love the character as a kid; Clever, self-contained, and packed with fun. (By self-contained, I mean that while there are threads that lead from one story to another, each chapter is distinct and has it's own distinct character. For example, the first 7 issues tell 7 interconnected stories, instead of one 7-issue long story.)

[Wandering Sensei: Moderator Man]

I will definitely buy this one, Rob. Thanks! Sounds perfect.

Rob Staeger (Grodd Mod) said:

Also, there's this:

THE FLASH: UNITED THEY FALL TP
written by GAIL SIMONE
art and cover by CLAYTON HENRY
Barry Allen and Iris West take a vacation, but their relaxation is cut short when their cruise ship is attacked by King Shark! Can the Fastest Man Alive save a sinking ship when there’s no land in sight—or will he be fish food? This and more in stories featuring the Flash taking on his greatest rogues, including Captain Cold, Mirror Master, Heat Wave, Captain Boomerang, and Weather Wizard! Collects stories from The Flash Giant #1-7 (first wave) and The Flash Giant #1-5 (second wave).
ON SALE 07.15.20
$17.99 US | 184 PAGES

I *love* this book. The Simone/Henry Flash stories are the closest to the Flash stories that made me love the character as a kid; Clever, self-contained, and packed with fun. (By self-contained, I mean that while there are threads that lead from one story to another, each chapter is distinct and has it's own distinct character. For example, the first 7 issues tell 7 interconnected stories, instead of one 7-issue long story.)

[Rob Staeger (Grodd Mod)]

I think you'll love it, Sensei. The stories feel like a modern take on the Bates/Novick approach to storytelling. 

[Rob Staeger (Grodd Mod)]

While I still haven't seen a preview of Our Fighting Forces Giant #1, We've got info on Superman Giant #3 and Aquaman Giant #4. 

In Aquaman Giant 4, we get an Aquaman/ Sea Devils teamup vs the Trench, by Steve Orlando, V Ken Marion and Sandu Florea. Also, there's a story called "Whale Watch" with Aquaman and Mera, by Cecil Castellucci and artist Pop Mhan.

The reprints continue as expected: "Throne of Atlantis chapter three," from Justice League #16 (2013); "Xebel Heart," from Mera: Queen of Atlantis #4 (2017); and "Blood of the Manta chapter two: The Secret Lives of Parents," from Teen Titans #10 (2018). The Teen Titans/Aqualad story should wrap in issue 5, and the Mera story will end in issue 6. 

In Superman Giant 3, we get "Dangerous Games," featuring the Toyman, by Robert Venditti with artists Paul Pelletier and Andrew Hennessey. The lead stories in the Superman Giants have been 24 pages -- longer than the regular monthly comic. 

For the reprints, we get: "Mad World," from Supergirl #56 (2010); "The Boy Who Stole Superman's Cape," from Action Comics #0 (2012); and "Brainiac part three," from Action Comics #868 (2008). So it looks like we're not continuing with reprints of the Tomasi/Gleason run, at least not right away. This story is from early in the Morrison New 52 run on Action, and it's a one-shot. Who knows what's coming in issue 4? 

Well, we know the Supergirl story will last till issue 4 (and the Gates/Igle run continued for two issues after that), and the Braniac story will last till issue 6. But having a space for one- and two-part stories seems like a good idea to me.   

[Rob Staeger (Grodd Mod)]

When I was picking up some things at Walmart today, I stopped off and found the fourth issues of Batman, Flash, Wonder Woman, and Swamp Thing Giants. I did not see Our Fighting Forces Giant 1 -- and the cover and contents of it still hasn't shown up on Previewsworld.com. I'm starting to think it's been cancelled/postponed again. 

[Lee Houston, Junior]

My personal guess on Our Fighting Forces is that May/Memorial Day would be more appropriate for that Giant.

Otherwise, I can confirm what Rod said about all the other Giants being available via my local Walmart, but good luck trying to buy anything COVID-19 related there right now!