After a long hiatus, Milestone Media is relaunching through DC Comics with three new series releasing digitally and in print on the same day. While it will make for a slight delay from Milestone's previously announced date, there's a lot of promise that the wait will be worthwhile.
Milestone Media originally debuted in the ‘90s, featuring diverse and groundbreaking titles such as Static, Icon, and Hardware, amongst others. In the subsequent years, fans have anxiously been waiting for their favorite superheroes to receive the revival they deserve. Readers have already had a glimpse of what’s to come with Milestone’s relaunch in the recently released digital preview issue, Milestone Returns #0: Infinite Edition, which showcased key moments from the first installments of each new series. The preview featured scenes from Static: Season One - written by Vita Ayala, with layouts by ChrisCross and finishes by Nikolas Draper-Ivey. It also included Icon and Rocket: Season One - written by Reggie Hudlin and Leon Chills, with art by Doug Braithwaite. Lastly, it provided a glimpse at Hardware: Season One, written by Brandon Thomas, with art by Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz. Milestone Returns #0: Infinite Edition is set to debut in print on Tuesday, May 25.
If that wasn't enough to get Milestone fans excited, now, DC Comics has announced that the three debut titles will be releasing this summer both in print and on digital platforms on the same day. Static: Season One will release Tuesday, June 15. Icon and Rocket: Season One comes Tuesday, July 27. Rounding out the bunch, Hardware: Season One debuts Tuesday, August 10. DC Universe Infinite subscribers will also have access to each issue’s release on the same day as the books hit comic book shop shelves.
Previously, the three series were set to be digital-first, with Static originally slated for April. However, Static’s two-month delay is meant to give fans of the print format a chance to check out the preview issue before the relaunch officially begins. As an extra incentive, it has also been announced that the three series will have a selection of variant covers, with exclusives for participating comic book shops. So far, it has only been revealed that Static: Season One #1 will have a “team” variant cover illustrated by Olivier Coipel (House of M, The Unworthy Thor), though more announcements are likely to come.
Since Static will be the opening series for the rebooted Milestone roster, a team-up cover between the characters seems fitting. Also, a crossover cover might allude to a finale that brings the three series together following their respective first seasons, each of which is currently scheduled for six issues. Previously announced cover artists for Milestone include Khary Randolph for Static, Taurin Clarke for Icon and Rocket, and Mateus Mahanini for Hardware. More details regarding the retailer variant initiative will be unveiled in DC Connect #12, which fans can tune into on April 23.