This has been a tumultuous year for the comic book industry. The pandemic caused various shifts in organizational structures for big publishers and delays and changes to schedules unexpected by anyone.
Beyond that, the big publishers, Marvel and DC, have been primarily pushing big name events with the hope to feed the market and bring business back to comics for publishers and sellers alike.
DC has started an event this month called Endless Winter and I think this event is worth picking up as in a year full of uncertainty and chopping and large scale storytelling, Endless Winter provides an engaging, entertaining and familiar backdrop with which to enjoy our comic book story.
Endless Winter is Written by Ron Marz and Andy Lanning with art by Howard Porter, Marco Santucci and more names than I can count on the middle parts.
As of writing this post, three of the nine part story have been released. This is initial thoughts, however I genuinely am recommending reading the book.
Endless Winter has two focuses. It focuses on the broader scale story in the beginning and ending Justice League titled books and in the middle is more personal and smaller scale stories of how the event is effecting the loved ones and supporting cast of our heroes - so far we have looked at the cast of The Flash and Superman.
The Justice League initial issue gives great callback feelings to elements of the Animated Series and the JLA series that started with Grant Morrison. It feels like a stock standard and familiar story where an element that is alien to earth pops up and starts to cause trouble. With no mention of alternate earths, multiverses or creators of God’s, the book gives a sense of being toned down while also being a story about the whole planet being in a literal Endless Winter.
The two so far released single character tie-ins focused on the supporting casts of the characters well while also progressing the plot. Tie-in issues for event books almost always contribute nothing to the core story, whereas these tie-in issues still manage to progress the plot while also keeping the story personal and intimate. It was great to check in with Iris West, Lois and Jimmy and Ma and Pa Kent.
The artwork is enjoyable if not just for the sense that I am able to see a slew of artists on the various books that I wouldn’t have had a chance to see otherwise. An example is in the Superman issue, one of the artists, and I apologize but due to there being three artists I can’t pinpoint who did this section - there is a scene in the book where Superman fights ice monsters in Metropolis and this section had art that was reminiscent of classic 2000s Superman that really gave me an enjoyable and nostalgic feeling. It’s fun to see the stylized Superman art in a time where Superman has for a long time been drawn by artists such as Ivan Reis and John Romita Jr. These artists aren’t bad to have on the character, however having a diversity of styles keeps it fun and enjoyable.
I recommend checking the book out at your local comic book store on through Comixology. Endless Winter is a fun but personal story set for an enjoyable read these holidays.
The title lineup for Justice League: Endless Winter includes:
Justice League: Endless Winter #1 (on sale December 1) with art by Howard Porter and Marco Santucci and cover by Mikel Janin
The Flash #767 (on sale December 8) with art from Clayton Henry and Marco Santucci and cover by Clayton Henry
Superman: Endless Winter Special #1 (on sale December 8), art by Phil Hester, Ande Parks, and Marco Santucci and cover by Francis Manapul
Aquaman #66 (on sale December 15), with art by Miguel Mendonça and Marco Santucci and cover by Mike McKone
Justice League #58 (on December 15), art by Xermanico and Marco Santucci, with cover by Francis Manapul
Teen Titans: Endless Winter Special #1 (on sale December 15), featuring art by Jesus Merino and Marco Santucci, and cover by Bernard Chang
Justice League Dark #29 (on sale December 22), art by Amancay Nahuelpan and Marco Santucci, cover by Kyle Hotz
Black Adam: Endless Winter Special #1 (December 22), art by Brandon Peterson and Marco Santucci, featuring cover by Dale Eaglesham
Justice League: Endless Winter Special #2 (December 29), with art by Howard Porter, Carmine Di Giandomenico and Marco Santucci, and cover by Mikel Janin