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)]

These were the first couple I've seen. I might duck into Walmart next week to see if I can get ahold of the Superman issue.

[Lee Houston, Junior]

Superman and Justice League seem to be mid-month releases, with Batman and the Teen Titans end of the month issues. That does honor the "twice a month" blurb on the front of the display box while not bankrupting the average person's budget.

So far, my local Walmart has plenty of copies of every issue one and two available, but the people responsible for the display (which also seems to be the same group who does the trading cards and other collectibles Walmart carries) just "stuffs" the box and leaves the rest on the side next to it.

So if you don't see a copy of what you're looking for in plain sight, check the entire stock to confirm your objective isn't there.

[Richard Willis]

I've finally made a note to look for them when I visit Walmart next time. I always forget. 

[Rob Staeger (Grodd Mod)]

More Walmart titles are coming. There'll be a Flash 100-Page Giant ongoing starting in February, and another ongoing title as well, still unannounced. In addition, there'll be a Swamp Thing Halloween Horror Special one-shot in the beginning of October, and a DC Holiday Special in November. The Beat has the details.

[Lee Houston, Junior]

A Flash ongoing would be interesting. Maybe move Green Lantern reprints over to it and start rerunning Green Arrow stories there as well, although he might be a better fit in Batman with the basic dark, crime fighting theme. If Supergirl reprints were going to start, I would suggest doing them in the existing Superman title first.

Have no idea at the moment what the unnamed sixth title could or should be. Personally I would love to see something with a science fiction theme, but if I was in DC's shoes, I would never extend the entire 100 page line past 8 titles total, making it two weekly releases per the average 4 week month.

Either way, they're going to need a larger, redesigned display box next Spring.

[Rob Staeger (Grodd Mod)]

Didio has said his intentions are to make it up to 8 titles eventually, if the line is successful. (And from this announcement, it sounds like it is.)

For the sixth title, I'd actually choose Supergirl. She's the star of a TV show, and that helps a lot. I'd put Supergirl, Batgirl, and Legion reprints in her book. Harley Quinn is another headliner I'd consider -- her stories skew a little older than Walmart might like, but she's crazy popular.

For Flash, I think I'd back him up with Green Arrow and the Vibe book that Geoff Johns wrote a number of years back. TV synergy all the way.

[Richard Willis]

I looked for the book the other night at the closest Walmart. I was in a hurry and the checkout lines were long. I'll have to look again when I have more time.

Did they include an ad for the Comic Shop Locator Service? Maybe Walmart would have objected to the competition.

[Rob Staeger (Grodd Mod)]

They do have ads for comicshoplocator.com. A full-page ad with Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman on it. 

The ads in these books are entirely house ads, actually -- with the possible exception of the back cover ad for Teen Titans Go! to the Movies, which might be a paid ad from another WB department (robbing Peter to pay Paul). The other ads are pretty uniform -- stark white and blue backgrounds showing various DC trade paperback and hardcover collections. They're not flashy, but they're clean and clear designs.

[Richard Willis]

I finally went to my closest Walmart when I had time to look thoroughly. They had absolutely no display anywhere of the DC 100-pagers. This was a regular Walmart that was widened to be almost a Supercenter. If/when I have time I'll go to the full-blown Supercenter that is further away and see if they have any.

[Dave Palmer]

I’ve looked for them at various Walmarts here in Nebraska and South Dakota with no luck.  I checked the books/magazine section and toys. Turns out they were with the cards—baseball cards, gaming cards, etc.  Try there. It’s not a big display; it was a mess (end of the day) and easy to miss.

Richard Willis said:

I finally went to my closest Walmart when I had time to look thoroughly. They had absolutely no display anywhere of the DC 100-pagers. This was a regular Walmart that was widened to be almost a Supercenter. If/when I have time I'll go to the full-blown Supercenter that is further away and see if they have any.

[Captain Comics]

I haven't ever seen any card displays at our Walmarts. I've checked checkout (front and back), toys, games, stationery, office supplies, magazines, paperbacks ... I can't find them.

[Rob Staeger (Grodd Mod)]

I've been in two Walmarts since these were released, and they were both in basically the same place. When I walk in, the first thing I see is an area with self-checkout machines. On the side of that area -- between the self-checkers and the row of cashiers -- is a shelf with Magic the Gathering cards, Yu-Gi-Oh, and other things...including the cardboard DC Comics stand. It's tough to find.