New details on the relaunched Superman

[BMK!]

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/dcnu-superman-lois-lane-break-up-110718.html

Superman and Lois Lane are breaking up, and that's not the only major change coming to the world's most iconic superhero.

September's Action Comics #1 and Superman #1 will introduce several major alterations to the character, sources at DC confirm.

Husband and wife since 1996 in the comics, the new status quo will find Clark Kent and Lois Lane not only unmarried, but not even together. Lois will have a new, as-yet unrevealed, boyfriend, and Clark will be a bachelor.

Additionally, Superman's alien origins will be emphasized in a big way, with the character described as "more Kal-El from the planet Krypton than Clark Kent from Kansas." Superman's deep connection to his Kryptonian heritage also explains his new costume, as seen on the cover of Superman #1. It's "ceremonial armor" from his home planet, with the traditional red trunks abandoned.

Perhaps part of the reason Superman's embracing his alien nature is the loss of his adopted parents. Jonathan and Martha Kent are both dead in DC's post-Flashpoint continuity, a pronounced change from the recent past, and a return to the pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths status quo in that regard.

Action Comics, which focuses on Superman's early superhero career, depicts a "younger, more brooding" Man of Steel, who "can leap tall buildings but can't fly in space."

Kal-El's present will be told in Superman, with a "new status quo at the Daily Planet." Additionally, DC says the series will show that "there's a price to pay for being Superman" and a a brand-new villain, one more powerful than the Man of Steel, will debut.

DC's impending relaunch consists of their entire existing slate of DC Universe titles being scrapped, with 52 new titles debuting in their place this September. The first, Justice League #1, is the initial appearance of Superman's new look and in stores on August 31.

Since the announcement of the "DCnU" relaunch, rumors and speculation have flourished that Superman's marriage was as good as dead, but this is the first confirmation from the publisher. Last month, DC co-publisher Dan DiDio told the site PopcornBiz that the marriage was being "reexamined."

Action Comics #1 is scheduled for release on September 7, with Superman #1 out on September 28.

[BMK!]

From DC's The Source blog...

http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2011/07/18/the-new-man-of-tomorrow/

He has been called the Man of Steel, the Last Son of Krypton and a strange visitor from a distant planet.

He is Superman, the Man of Tomorrow. As part of DC COMICS – THE NEW 52, this September will usher in a new Superman for the new century.

In the pages of ACTION COMICS, writer Grant Morrison and artist Rags Morales will present humanity’s first encounters with Superman, before he became one of the World’s Greatest Super Heroes. Set a few years in the past, it’s a bold new take on a classic hero.

* This Superman is very much an alien, one struggling to adjust to his adopted home. In the series, he must come to terms with both the loss of his home world, as well as the loss of both of his adopted parents. He is more Kal-El from the planet Krypton than Clark Kent from Kansas. He’s a loner trying to find his place in the world.

* The series’ first storyline will explore the origins of Superman’s costume, as it evolves from a look that includes jeans and work boots to a new look: a suit of battle armor that pays tribute to his Kryptonian past.

* His great powers have limits. When the series begins, Superman can leap tall buildings, but his ability to fly is in its infancy.

And in the SUPERMAN ongoing comic book series, by writer George Perez and artist Jesus Merino, will be set in present day continuity and will unleash a series of new challenges for Superman and his alter ego Clark Kent.

* Clark Kent is single and living on his own. He has never been married.

* Lois Lane is dating a colleague at the DAILY PLANET (and his name isn’t Clark Kent) and she has a new position with the paper.

Timeless and modern, classic and contemporary, but younger, brasher and more brooding, this is Superman. The New Man of Tomorrow.

ACTION COMICS issue 1 goes on sale on September 7 and SUPERMAN issue 1 goes on sale September 28.

[Great Rao]

* Lois Lane is dating a colleague at the DAILY PLANET (and his name isn’t Clark Kent) and she has a new position with the paper.

I hope it's not Olsen (too young) or Lombard (too stupid) - that leaves Ron Troupe.  I'm also guessing that her "new position" is Editor in Chief and that there is no Perry White on staff.

Whoever it is though, I'll be very thankful if she's not dating Lex - as Byrne had her doing in 1986's Man of Steel.  Yuch...

[BMK!]

Cover & solicits to Superman #2...



SUPERMAN #2
Written by GEORGE PEREZ
Breakdowns and cover by GEORGE PEREZ
Art by JESUS MERINO
On sale OCTOBER 26 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
The all-new adventures of Superman continue! Everyone can see the new villain who’s attacking Superman – except The Man of Steel! How can he stop a threat that none of his super-senses can detect? Meanwhile, a Daily Planet reporter starts digging up some dirt on Superman, including a secret that could ruin him forever!

[BMK!]

Cover & solicits to Action Comics #2...



ACTION COMICS #2
Written by GRANT MORRISON
Art by RAGS MORALES and RICK BRYANT
Cover by RAGS MORALES
Variant cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER
1:200 B&W variant cover by RAGS MORALES
On sale OCTOBER 5 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with three covers. Please see the order form for more information.
In his weakest moment, Superman is taken down – but by whom? And if the world wasn’t ready for a man with super powers, they’re utterly unprepared for the rage of a Superman cornered! The cornerstone character of the new DCU continues his debut adventure!

[BMK!]

Cover & solicits to Supergirl #2...



SUPERGIRL #2
Written by MICHAEL GREEN and MIKE JOHNSON
Art by MAHMUD ASRAR and DAN GREEN
Cover by MAHMUD ASRAR
On sale OCTOBER 19 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Get ready for a super-smackdown as Supergirl fights her cousin, The Man of Steel! What could cause these two to come to blows? Can the teenage Supergirl hold her own against the adult Superman? Well, let’s just say she’s got a trick or two up those fancy new sleeves of hers...

[BMK!]

Cover & solicits to Superboy #2...



SUPERBOY #2
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art by RB SILVA and ROB LEAN
Cover by ERIC CANETE
On sale OCTOBER 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Project N.O.W.H.E.R.E. has put a lot of effort into creating their Superboy, and they intend to make sure he performs to their standards. And what better opportunity for him to demonstrate his raw power than to throw him into an alien prison riot? Good luck, Superboy... you’re going to need it!

[India Ink]

The cape does look a little silly with the T-shirt and the jeans, but I suspect it serves some in-story purpose. Maybe it gives him his power.