Last year, DC Comics hosted a Round Robin tournament, allowing fans to vote on which comic series would actually see publication. Now, a new tournament is beginning with brand new titles. Last year's crown went to Robins - an outcome many fans called from the start - but with Batman's sidekicks absent from the running this year, it will be interesting to see if a new favorite emerges early.
Voting is about to open to give a new series a chance to be selected. Sixteen new titles have been presented, starring a variety of lead characters. The tournament winner will debut in September 2022 on DC Universe Infinite. This year's title will also be enjoyable by even more fans since the comic subscription service is now available in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand with service coming to the United Kingdom, Brazil, and Mexico soon!
The first round of DC Round Robin 2022 opens today and will close on April 3 at 11:59 PT. For this round, fans are only able to see the titles and the loglines. In future rounds, more information will be revealed as each title fights to be fans' number one pick. Just like last year, fans are currently privy only to the characters and base concepts. Eight of these DC titles will advance to round two, where the writer, artist, pitch, and cover art will be shared. Like last year, fans should look to DC Twitter, DC Instagram, and DC Universe Infinite Community to follow all the tournament action and place their votes.
Hawkman & Hawkwoman: The Changeling will focus on the sudden appearance of Hektor Hol, a teen who claims to be their son despite the two never having children together. It is paired against Wildcat: Nine Lives, which features the titular hero having just one life left after his many bouts against the DC Universe's heaviest hitters, placing him in a position where he may not be so fearless. Renee Montoya will contend with an army of faceless vigilantes in The Questions: Grand Solution, up against Constantine & the Demon: Vacation from Hell, which will see the roguish mage play host to Etrigan on an apocalyptic mission.
Suicide Squad: Dark will be led by Vampire Batman as the team seek to assassinate Earth-13's League of Shadows, while its immediate rival Justice League [Redacted] sees Green Arrow bringing together a black-ops Justice League including Nemesis, Killer Frost, Manhunter, Metamorpho, and Cheshire. Firestorm: Fourth World Problems pits the nuclear heroes against Darkseid, and competes against another big bad in Kid Flash: The Speed of Fear, where Reverse-Flash will blend with Parallax. Green Lantern: The Light at the End of Forever features John Stewart in a dark future where he has forgotten his past and the Green Lanterns Corps appears to be missing, up against Black Canary: When Canaries Cry, in which Dinah Lance will engage in international intrigue. Animal Man: The Metamorphosis sees the titular hero's life fall apart so it can change into something new, versus DC Horror Presents: Ghost Tour from Hell, which will tell a supernatural story starring Madame Xanadu, Etrigan, and Deadman.
Green Lantern: The Birth of Conspiracy stars Alan Scott as his absence coincides with three UFO events in America's history, and is up against Captain Carrot & His Best Friend Darkseid, which features the cartoon animal Zoo Crew trying to save the newest New God from Darkseid's wrath. Superboy: The Man of Tomorrow is the story of Conner Kent leaving Earth behind to find himself and a place within the universe, but fans will have to choose between that and Cyborg: Cyber Gods, in which Vic Sage will get a serious upgrade, but potentially at the cost of his soul. Half of these titles will fall in the first round of DC's Round Robin fan vote, so comic readers should make sure their vote counts!