Jeff Lemire is getting to be quite a busy guy. With SWEET TOOTH and ANIMAL MAN (and SUPERBOY, pre-New 52), the writer has established his presence at DC Comics. Lemire now has another title to take on to shape under his direction.
DC's The Source announced today that after the JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK/I, VAMPIRE crossover in issues #7 and 8, Lemire will become the new writer for JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK.
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!).
One of the first things Lemire will deal with is why the name "Justice League" is in the title. What is the connection between this team and Geoff Johns' JUSTICE LEAGUE? Constantine will emerge as the true leader of the team and two new members will be joining ("one's a man and ones a woman, one uses magic, one doesn't").
In terms of art, Mikal Janin will be staying on the title. JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #9 should be on sale the final week of May.
Update
For those wondering what happens to Peter Milligan now that he's not writing JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK, DC just announced that he'll be taking over STORMWATCH with issue #9 along with continuing RED LANTERNS.
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.
It’s a bit of a wrench leaving JL Dark, of course, and not working with the increasingly outstanding Mikel Janin. But the fact that Jeff Lemire is taking over makes me very sanguine. I think Jeff is great. And I think he’ll be great for this book. It’ll be intriguing to see how he handles the great conman mage, John Constantine, whose twisted life I’m continuing to chronicle over in Vertigo’s Hellblazer.