There have been rumblings for a while now that DC was set to announce a new book for red-hot writer Jeff Lemire and today it was announced that he will be taking over Justice League Dark beginning with issue 9. Where does that leave current writer Peter Milligan? He’ll be sliding over to Stormwatch to fill the hole made when Paul Cornell departed, the hole that will be filled briefly by Paul Jenkins.
Over on The Source, Lemire had this to say:
This is my dream gig at DC Comics, no doubt about it. The characters in Justice League Dark are my absolute favorite in the DC Comics stable, and I can’t believe I’m actually getting a chance to write John Constantine, Zatanna and Deadman (as well as a few new team members!).
I have a huge amount of respect for Peter Milligan. I’ve loved everything he’s done since his original SHADE run in the pre-Vertigo days of DC to his current run on Hellblazer and JL Dark. It’s a bit daunting to take over this title from someone who I revere as much as Peter, but at the same time I can’t help but be inspired by the work he’s already done with this book.
I obviously have my own ideas for the title as well, and can’t wait to share them with readers. One of the things I’m anxious to explore is just why the name “Justice League” is in the title of this book? I want to explore and create new connections between this team of mystical misfits and Geoff and Jim’s big guns in The Justice League. On that note, Geoff and I have had many discussions on how to link our two books and make the Justice League franchises connect in new and unexpected ways. More on that in the near future…
So, what else can you expect from the “New” Justice League Dark? Well, you’ll see an old haunt becoming the team’s new HQ. Constantine, the master manipulator that he is, will emerge as the clear leader of the team, and there will be 2 new members as well! (Hint one’s a man and one’s a woman. One uses magic, one doesn’t.) Not enough….hmmm…how about a classic Justice League villain re-imagined as The Justice League Dark’s new arc-enemy? And that’s just the start. I have a huge storyline planned with implications across the Dark line of books.
Click through the link above to read the rest of his statement.
Meanwhile, Milligan released a brief statement of his own that read, in part:
Stormwatch has the craziness, the paranoia and the occasional bursts of odd humor that really grab me. This is my kind of book. In other words, when I re-read Paul Cornell’s excellent first series with a view to taking over the writing duties I was really excited. And I’m excited too by what I have planned, from Stormwatch facing a ferocious character from the Red Lantern Corps, to hidden secrets being revealed about the origin of Stormwatch, and some shocking revelations about the mysterious Shadow Lords. It’s going to be a very intense ride.
This is an exciting development. I’ve been really enjoying Justice League Dark and I had no intentions of dropping the book, but now? Now I’m even more excited. Justice League Dark, with its darker misfit characters, is perfect for Lemire’s sensibilities.
UPDATE!
Indie sensation Matt Kindt has been announced as the new writer of Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. beginning with issue 10.
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I just got a lot more interested in JLDark! I tried the first issue and it didn’t grab me, but the tone of this book really seems to fit in Lemire’s new wheelhouse. If its anything like Animal Man, he’s got me for the long haul
I’m very interested in checking out Lemire on Justice League Dark. I never got my traction with the title, even though i liked the characters and the concept. I might jump back on with him writing it. I hope they can pair him up with a really interesting artist for his run.
Guess I’ll be reading JL Dark.
I can’t say that I was enjoying the current run. I actually decided to drop it after last issue. But now this is exciting news. I guess my struggle to cut a couple books will have to look elsewhere.
My previous statement refers to JLD…. There are a lot of books mentioned in this article, wanted to clarify.
These two moves are very nice and they completely work for the tone of the book. Lemire can easily make JLA Dark a great horror book and Milligan is the right fit for what Cornell was doing with Stormwatch.
I’m on trade wait for both series but I might just jump in when both take over.
And Lemire is quitting Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. :'( I enjoyed his run on that series far more than his one on Animal-Man (I’m probably the only one), so seeing him go makes me sad.
I recently dropped JLD though, I might jump back on board now that Lemire is at the helm of it. Might drop Stormwatch though…
Really disappointed that Lemire is leaving Agent of Shade. I’ll try Kindt, but I might drop and moved to JLD. Really disappointing for Frank
Yea, Frankenstein isn’t cancelled yet!
And I wholeheartedly endorse all of these new assignments.
I’m just throwing this out there but the way DC has been constantly moving up Snyder and Lemire rapidly through the ranks my money would be that within 2-3 years Snyder will dethroning Geoff Johns as DC’s top writer and Lemerie will probably be taking Snyder’s place on the Bat books. Just my two cents
Also I’m back on board JLD once Lemire takes the helm. If it’s even half as good as Animal Man I will be happy.
These are all exciting moves. Milligan is a great choice for Stormwatch and I will probably actually keep reading that book now. I may still skip the Jenkins issues. I had no intention of stopping JL Dark or Frankenstein and I certainly don’t now.
Also dropped JLD couple of issues ago. Definitely gonna buy at least the first issue of Lemire’s, to see what he does with it.
yay! i’ve been meaning to get started on jld and this seems like the perfect opportunity. love lemire on animal man and frankenstein. it’ll be interesting to see what a different writer will be doing with frankenstein. i’m just glad it’s not liefeld on frankenstein (although franky already has an unreasonable gun and pouches…)
also, franky would make a great addition to jld. just sayin’.
I don’t think Frankenstein would be a great permanent member, but it could make for an interesting cross over.
The way Lemire talks about the book, I’d be more surprised if Frank didn’t show up for an arc. Seems like Resurrection Man and Animal Man would be natural fits as well. Over on CBR, Lemire states 2 members will be leaving and 3 will be joining. Who else could join? Etrigan? Swamp Thing? Voodoo?
Any chance the non-magic user is Wonder Woman? She can fight magic but she doesn’t actually use it.
And for the bloke is The Shade a possibility at all? Or is the guy with the crazy coloured coat actually the Shade cause they have the same name don’t they?
DC is on a roll! I love Matt Kindt. I’d love to see him draw an issue …
It was a REALLY slow burn for me as Milligan was writing JLD. That being said, Lemire on JLD next has me bouncing off walls in excitement. You can really see how much DC is putting trust in him and Snyder to help lead the direction of the new DCU.
I was ready to drop JLD, looks like I’m not.
Lemire, your first order of business is to put Zatanna back in her proper costume!
Definitely going to be keeping my I on JLD now.
I was thinking of switching to trades on Justice League Dark, but I think I’ll stick with it in issues now. I’m eager to see what Lemire can do with it.
I’m fine with all of these changes.
My only real concern is that it seems more and more like a lot of these titles are being “written” by the editors, and that’s why we’re seeing so much turnover so quickly on the DCnU writing teams. It feels like the heavy hand of the editorial team is coming down left and right, where one writer’s direction is tossed out so a “fresh, new” writer can be brought on… just so long as that new writer tows the line.
I know it happens, and it’s certainly happened (and continues to happen) at Marvel, but it’s just concerning to see this much turnover in such a short timespan.
That’s exactly what I was thinking.
Is 5 months long enough for a writer to get his stride going?
I feel like they are turning these guys over a bit too quickly because maybe the response on certain books hasn’t been what they hoped.
Personally, I’ve been enjoying JLD and Milligans slow burn about how the team gets its bearings (and not really being a team perse). It was a nice change from JLA where it just seemed way too quick. But I think that’s my own personal hurdle.
But YAY Lemire on JLD, that is a nice swap of the writers.
I didn’t make it beyond issue 1 on any of these titles. I originally intended to with Frankenstein for Lemire, but never felt the desire when it came time.
I am definitely a lot more interested on Justice League Dark now that Lemire is on board. That book’s profile just raised considerably. Kindt could be interesting on Frankenstein. But I’m not sure the premise is one I care too much about. Stormwatch continues to do nothing to draw me in.
Wow i am super excited now for JLA Dark because like ive been saying all this time that there are great characters that are involved in that book and super potential that i dont feel its been living up to. With Lemire behind the helm now though it looks like i wont be dropping the book anytime soon and am looking forward to it.
I am although Majorly dissapointed that Lemire is going to be leaving Frankentstein in order to do this 🙁 . Ive been loving it so far and dont think ill be continuing with it after he leaves the title.
Although does Kindt write as well?? Ive generally only known him as an artist as of recently and if so is he a great writer to follow onto this project in your opinions ifanbase??
3 Story: The Secret History of the Giant Man by Matt Kindt was a book of the month once if I remember correctly. It’s a fantastic book.
Im interested to see what Matt Kindt can do in a superhero universe. Correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t this the first time he’s tackled a mainstream title (outside of Sweet Tooth)?
No, he wrote on MY GREATEST ADVENTURE before this.
http://www.dccomics.com/dccomics/comics/?cm=20445
I’ve only read the first issue of MGA, but I didn’t like the Robotman story at all. It seemed really pretentious. I have the other issues and will have to check them out and hope it gets better. That’s my only exposure to Matt Kindt’s work and I had high hopes after hearing good things – I will keep Frankenstein on my list and give it a shot but with tempered expectations.
All of these moves sound good. I just cut Stormwatch from my stack, but I probably won’t hop back on unless I hear good things about Milligan’s issue. I’ll definitely check out Lemire on JLD, which has been underwhelming, and I’m excited for Kindt on Frankenstein.
Bummed about Frankenstein. Maybe give the new writer an issue.
really hope Matt Kindt can carry the flame on Frankenstein: AoS, that’s one of my favourite books.
looks like I’ll be picking up JLD, and I’ll definitely be continuing with Frankenstain since Lemire and Kindt have worked together in the past, which might give Kindt more insight than a 100% fresh writer
I always confuse Peter Milligan with Paul Jenkins (vice versa). I don’t know why.
Dropped JLD a few issues back but now I’m looking forward to reading it again because of Lemire. Still don’t really dig the art from Mikal Janin but whatever….it’s passable.
JLD is one of my favorite series and this news makes me very excited for the future of it. Milligan on StormWatch is a great move will jump back on board with him at the helm and Frank taken over by Kindt intrigues me..All good moves by DC
JLD has been a solid book for me, I had no plans of dropping it. And since i don’t read Lemire other books, this gives me a chance to check out his writing chops.
I feel the same way. This is probably the only book I read that is more because of the characters rather than the creators. The book has been solid but one of it’s weak points for me has been the characterization of Constantine. Nothing really bad just a little off. I am hoping this change will fix that.
For those keeping track of DC 52 titles either canceled or embarking on a “bold new direction” by issue 9, my count is …
Omac
Mr Terrific
Blackhawks
Hawk and Dove
Men of War
Stormwatch
Justice League Dark
Voodoo
Deathstroke
Grifter
Green Arrow
Hawkman
Static Shock
Legion Lost
Superman
It seems like the Edge titles in particular have been hard hit
That’s a telling list. Most of the ‘experiments’ where lesser characters were given their own title outside of the more ‘traditional horror’ titles.
The only real disappointment would have to be Superman. Ouch.
It goes to show you something about the direction comics are going when no one knows how to write an adventure story and make it stick. It seems that the only stories that get attention from both good writers and readers (at DC at least) are the dark and serious titles which is everything Bat-related and noir-y, a newly horror-fied Wonder Woman, the new straight up horror titles and an Aquaman experiencing his own ‘horror monsters of the deep run’. If it weren’t for JLA, Action and the Flash we could say that the age of adventure comics was well and truly on the slide. At least at DC, anyway.
Matt Kindt on Frankenstein sounds intriguing.
Lemire off Frankenstein Agent of Shade? Awww…
But, Matt Kindt is the replacement! Yey! Onitlikeabonnet.
It’d be great if Lemire could draw an issue or two to compliment the issues of Sweet tooth Matt drew, but given Lemire’s work schedule probably not gonna happen.
Haven’t read Justice League Dark since the first issue – there was only so many New 52 titles I could stick with, but now OMAC’s time is all but up (sniffle) maybe I could be tempted back by Jeff Lemire.
I have been enjoying JLA Dark but lost interest in Animal Man after the second issue so this will be interesting.