DC Comics has been advertising Brian Azzarello and Rags Morales' First Wave mini-series for months now. First Wave aims to create a new noir-ish universe in which classic pulp heroes like Doc Savage and The Spirit exist side-by-side with the grittier DC mainstays like Batman and Black Canary. DC is going all out with this new universe it seems, as they announced today the existence of two brand new ongoing monthly comics, Doc Savage and The Spirit, both set to debut in April.
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Doc Savage is being handled by the best-selling author Paul Malmont and art from Howard Porter, featuring cover work by comics all-stars JG Jones and John Cassaday. The opening arc is titled "The Lord of Lightning", and will see Doc in the middle of quite the predicament in the First Wave universe's New York City. In addition, Doc Savage will feature a Justice Inc. co-feature courtesy of Jason Starr (Vertigo Crime's The Chill) and artist Scott Hampton.
As for The Spirit, whose first DC series was a critical success under the tutelage of Darwyn Cooke, this new ongoing will feature a return to Denny Colt's pulp roots within the spectrum of First Wave. Written by Mark Shultz and art from Moritat (don't know him? Check out a sample of his Spirit work below), the first arc promises appearances from the Octopus, crime syndicates, and of course, sexy assassins. The Spirit will feature a co-feature as well, though decidedly more unique; The Spirit: Black & White will feature 8 pages of story with various creators trying their hand at Will Eisner's longstanding hero. With comics legends Denny O'Neil and Bill Sienkiewicz tackling the first installment, I can't wait to see who else DC has up their sleeve. The Spirit #1 features a cover from Ladronn, shown above.
There's a ton of new books coming from DC this spring and time will tell if this First Wave business has the legs to stand on its own, but the prospect of Doc Savage and The Spirit returning to monthly comics is exciting, to say the least. Stay tuned to CraveOnline for our coverage of First Wave!
