dc-logo-272x350DC Comics has just released their new solicits for December 2013, and it looks as if there are even more shake ups in the creative teams than the recently announced Batwoman change that saw J.H. Williams III and Haden Blackman out. So just who is out and who is in?

As we already mentioned, Williams III and Blackman have left Batwoman, and now we can say the title will at least be in good hands with writer Marc Andreyko (who actually takes over with November’s issue #25). It is still very sad to see Williams and Blackman leave after a spectacular run so far, but I couldn’t imagine the comic in better hands than anyone other than Kate Kane’s creator, Greg Rucka. Andreyko already has experience with another lesbian protagonist, named Kate, who has kicked butt in Gotham, Manhunter. Marc knows how to writer a powerful female lead and I expect his Batwoman will stand beautifully next to Rucka and William’s runs, even if we don’t get the marriage many fans hoped for. Current Batwoman artist, Jeremy Haun, is set to stay on board as originally solicited, while the comic continues onward.

Another big name leaving his comic, albeit under better circumstances, will be Geoff Johns on Aquaman. Many fans believe Johns heavily revived the characters of Aquaman and Mera in recent years, with Geoff having held the title for 25 strong issues before leaving this December. Taking over for Johns on issue #26 will be writer Jeff Parker, starting with a new storyline called Sea of Storms. Fans of Johns can still find him on Justice League and Forever Evil, as well as writing a few episodes of the next season of Arrow (which will feature The Flash, Barry Allen).

Speaking of The Flash, that is another comic getting a brand new creative team, as Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato move on together, preparing for a brand new series that DC comics has yet to announce but will be in stores March of 2014. The writing and art duo will pass on their baton to a new team all set to run with the crimson speedster, and that team is Christos Gage (Angel & Faith, Absolution) and Neil Googe (Wildcats, Injustice). Gage has written speedsters recently with Quicksilver being a lead character in his Marvel series, Avengers Academy, and Googe is a talented artist who once did a lot of work with Wildstorm and has recently done a few single stories at DC, long deserving of a good on-going title to show off his talent on. They’ll both kick things into high gear in a stand alone story that comes out New Years’ Eve, via The Flash #26.

So far that makes 2 changes just on the writing end and one full creative team switch. But there are more creative team shake ups on the art end, with the first major shift happening on Decembers issue of Animal Man. Jeff Lemire has written Animal Man for a while now with Rafael Albuquerque providing art. Albuquerque brings a very keen and unique look to the title, but sadly issue #25 is his last. Thankfully, the talented Cully Hammer, who helped heavily redesign many of the classic DC comics characters for the New 52, will be hopping on board with issue #26. Of course, if you still want some of Albuquerque’s great Animal Man art, just look to the cover of issue #26, which is still drawn by Albuquerque.

The regular interior artist staying on for at least one last cover might actually be a December trend at DC, as the same can be said over on Detective Comics. Regular artist, Jason Fabok, makes issue #25 of Detective his last, but his art can be seen on the cover of issue #26 while new series artist, Aaron Lopestri, provides interiors.

Finally, in one of DC’s more recent titles that hasn’t been running since the creation of the New 52, Constantine will get a new series artist. Renato Guedes is stepping down and Aco is up to bat for the magical bastard known as John Constantine in his 9th issue of the self-titled DC comic series. The cover on this one sadly wont be by Guedes, but Howard Porter provides some magnificent cover art that also features a few familiar costumes that are likely even more familiar thanks to the fall out of Trinity War. For more of what DC is doing this December, check back tomorrow for DC’s full December comic solicits!