Posted in Comics, SFW on 09/02/2010 12:00 pm by fanboi
Secret Six has been one of the consistently surprising titles in my buy pile. I hope they don’t deviat TOO much from the group we’ve had since the beginning… I liked the addition of Black Alice, but I don’t know how much I’d follow a team with the likes of Dwarfstar and Lady Vic.
This is the showdown you’ve been waiting for, as two Secret Six teams head for a nasty collision, courtesy of writer Gail Simone and artist J. Calafiore. Who is left standing, and will there even be a Secret Six when the dust settles? Bad guy guests galore in this turning point issue.
When the smoke clears after “The Reptile Brain” (whats up with that name for the story arc?) I hope we’ll still have much of the same gang. I wouldn’t mind seeing Giganta stick around. The
There are a handful of artists in the homoerotic genre that can truly be considered pioneers. One such trailblazer is Dom "Etienne" Orejudos, born on July 1st, 1933 in n Chicago IL. Many do not know that the internationally known erotic artist known as Etienne (A.K.A. "Stephen" his middle name and the English translation of his French pseudonym) danced with and was the Illinois Ballet Company’s resident choreographer for 13 years, choreographing over 26 ballets, including The Tin Soldier, The Firebird and Metamorphosis of the Owls. The recipient of three National Endowment for the Arts grands and three Emmy Awards, Dom Orejudos’ critically acclaimed choreography talents were sought for by ballet companies around the country.
A gymnast at McKinly High School, in his home town of Chicago, Etienne received a scholarship to the Ellis-DuBoulay School of Ballet and from there continued on to the Illinois Ballet Company. While still in High School, Dom was publishing his erotic works under the exotic sounding name of "Etienne" in pre-Stonewall gay “physique” magazines such as Tomorrow’s Man, Adonis, Physique Pictorial and The Young Physique.
He gradually refined a distinction in artistic names based on the medium he was working in. He kept Dom for his more ambitious oils, acrylics and pencil works (giving homage mythical men of might and brawn. Sometimes these large works show strong relationships to classical paintings of the past although he often interchanged the Greek and Roman gods with his leather-clad tough boys and waterfront thugs) and used Stephen for his cartoon-style pen & ink works.
While only 16 or 17, Dom met his future partner in 20 year old Chuck Renslow (Photographer and founder of physique pictorial publisher Kris Studios in the 50s). Chuck approached Dom and high school buddy Jim Klaja at the "Oak Street Beach" to ask him to pose for photographs. Chuck was immediately smitten with the young artist and helped and encouraged Dom to become a published artist. In 1963, when Renslow founded the physique magazine Mars, Etienne was a regular contributor. The two shared a relationship that lasted for over 40 years, partnering together for a number of ventures including International Mr. Leather, the Gold Coast Bar, Man’s Country, Zolar, Pyramid and Center Stage.
Etienne was a big fan of the work of Tom of Finland and vice versa. The two were introduced by mutual friend Durk Dehner (President of the Tom of Finland Foundation) who had this to say about the Etienne…
Etienne will go own in homoerotic history as being the quintessential humorist. His typical formats have one or more characters as the brunt of the joke, many times under severe physical torment, all for the sexual gratification of another of his ruffians. His relaxed mastery of figurative cartoon illustration, along with a superb ability for gutter dialogue, produced the kind of stories that we were always wishing for when reading Flash Gordon and Spider Man, but never got until Etienne/Stephen entered our lives.
Under the name of Stephen, Dom published story booklets filled with beautiful masculine studs (military men, ranch hands and other "tough guy bad boys from the wrong side of the tracks") in bizarre situations where the only release from the threat of death or severe sexual punishment was performing perverse, oftentimes humorous, sexual acts. "In fantasy anything is possible and nothing has consequences; for it’s just make believe." Like his friend and contemporary Tom of Finland, Dom worried that over time people might misinterpret his works. Etienne and ToF mutual friend Durk Dehner says that both artists believed "within the realm of fantasy and art there are no limits, and that is the fun of it, yet in the real world such unsafe "no-limits" scenarios are not acceptable.
Dom "Etienne" Orejudos died at the age of 58 of AIDS on Sept. 24 1991 in Boulder CO (where he had lived since 1981) and was posthumously inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame in 1992.
Two perviously published volumes collecting his work may available thru the tertiary links found on the Etienne page of the QueerSUPE store. I haven’t found any more recent publications, Please let me know if you have knowledge of any others.
Posted in Comics, SFW on 08/30/2010 04:59 pm by fanboi
So we finally get to meet Jackson Hyde, the new multicultural Aqualad. I’m all for new blood, but Garth gave up on the Aqualad identity long ago, so why did he have to die to make room for this character?
The resurrected have discovered their purpose for being back, but where will the knowledge lead them? Who is the new Aqualad? And what strange event is taking place around the White Power Battery in New Mexico?
So this is Black Manta Jr? Black Manta used a tech suit to give him powers until Neron transformed him into some kind of human/manta hybrid. It looks like this kid is using hard water abilities… so if he didn’t get them from Dad? Looks like Mera has more secrets than being an assassin sent to kill Aquman.
I posted a mute preview of this last week, but now we have a version with some dialog and additional pages… I do wonder how Mags is going to react to his newfound gay grandson dating a Kree/Skrull hybrid.
THE RACE IS ON as the Avengers, the Young Avengers, and the X-Men compete to be the first to find the Scarlet Witch. When the Young Avengers discover the secret of Wanda Maximoff’s disappearance, the Avengers attempt to neutralize the Scarlet Witch before the Young Avengers can find her. But their efforts soon lead to an all-out war between the Avengers and the X-Men that only the Young Avengers can stop.
This recently released Ethan van Sciver cover image from the 50th issue of Justice League of America (can we go back to the old numbering system – when I add up issues from other JL titles, it’s around 550) shows the current team fighting evil JLA analogues… the Crime Syndicate. With the new line up we’ll be seeing slightly different pairings thane we are used to… Donna Troy vs. Superwoman, Supergirl vs. Ultra-Man, Power Ring vs. Jade, Batman vs. Owlman, and Jesse Quick vs. Johnny Quick.
This Titan heavy team still just doesn’t feel like the JLA to me. I’ve been unimpressed with Robinson’s run thus far. The Starheart saga was a bore and I’m STILL annoyed that no one has mentioned Obsidian’s boyfriend Damon Matthews. There better be a tearful reunion SOMEWHERE! Todd has been missing for a LONG time.
Posted in Comics, SFW on 08/30/2010 10:31 am by fanboi
Longtime readers remember how excited I was when DC used Legion of 3 Worlds to resurrect Conner Kent after his premature death in Infinite Crisis AND how happy I was to see him featured in the pages of Adventure Comics. Well now I have reason to cheer again as November will mark the launch of the 4th volume of Superboy as an ongoing series. The title will continue to chronicle the adventures of Conner Kent the teen of steel in Superman’s home town of Smallville.
Superboy is back in a brand-new ongoing series! Join Jeff Lemire (SWEET TOOTH) and amazing up-and-coming artist Pier Gallo as they take Superboy on a journey to a side of Smallville not even Superman knows about!
What mysteries lurk beneath the surface of this all-American town – and what are their direct ties to Superboy? The start of the next great DC Universe epic begins right here!
The first Superboy title ran from 1949 to 1977 before becoming Superboy and the Legion of Superheroes until he left the team and the title in 1979. The second volume (based on the TV show of the time) ran from 1988 to 1992. Conner Kent (Kon-el) debuted during the Death of Superman storyline (in Adventures of Superman #500 – June 1993) and was soon the star of a 3rd ongoing Superboy title which ran from 1993 to 2002.
Hmmm who is powerful enough to possess Doctor Strange and the Son of Satan? Well it’s definitely NOT a “D-level demon from some #$%#$ dimension.” We’re talking A-list all the way.
Who is the true master of the mystic arts? Well, it ain’t Doctor Strange and it ain’t Doctor Voodoo. The bad news is he’s here and he is in charge. And he is gleefully ripping this dimension apart, piece by piece, in his search for relics of power.
How are the legacies of Iron Fist, Doctor Strange and Wolverine connected?
Did you recognize the mysterious (spoiler click)big bad when he was a blurry silhouette in a VERY familiar headdress? I did. Didn’t he die long ago? Hasn’t his spirit been seen since, sans this attitude? So what pissed him off and who is his flunky?
I was psyched to see Mags show up on the last page of the first issue. I’d been so focussed on the Scarlet Witch being Wiccan and Speed’s mom, that I forgot all about their grandfather (and uncle for that matter – did they talk to Pietro in Mighty Avengers?). Here are some unlettered preview images from #2!
Magneto confronts the two Young Avengers claiming to be his grand-children, in the hopes of finding his lost daughter, The Scarlet Witch. But he’s not the only one on her trail—the Avengers and the X-Men are both out looking to fulfill their own agendas.
Will they be able to work together or will the heroes of the Marvel Universe find themselves in another war over the Scarlet Witch? Find out in Avengers: Children’s Crusade #2!
I’m very glad to hear that the X-Men will be playing a part in this epic story as well. But questions abound… Where is Wanda? How will they find her? How will her old Avengers buddies feel about her when they do? How do the X-Men figure in? Do the mutants want/deserve revenge for M-Day?
Still not that pleased with his costume design, but the trailer looks pretty cool. I think it is Anthony Hopkins as Odin that could elevate this a bit.
With a live action Avengers movie looming on the horizon of 2011, a top notch animated series is a no-brainer. It’s about time Marvel gave us an animated team show on the level of Justice League Unlimited.
What do you think? Is this it? Or are we left wanting? From the looks of the trailer and preview art, I’m not sure. I like some of what I this shows, but need to see more.
When the planet is threatened by Super Villains, time traveling conquerors, alien invaders, mythical monsters or mad robots bent on the total destruction of humanity, when the forces of evil are so overwhelming that no single hero has the power to save the world, when there is no hope left…the AVENGERS ASSEMBLE!
Will “The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes,” the All-new animated series from Marvel Animation premiering this fall on Disney XD work on that level. I see potential. I like the general look and tone of it, but some moments seemed a bit more cartoony than others. Someone should have shown these designs to the movie people, because this is how Thor SHOULD look. I’m also happy to see Wasp, and Hawkeye popping up as well as the heavy hitters. I have high hopes to see Quicksilver, the Scarlet Witch, Ms Marvel and Spider Woman eventually.
Posted in Comics, SFW on 07/28/2010 10:56 am by fanboi
DC Comics has made a habit of releasing these epic yet cryptically prophetic images hinting at the future of the DCU. What does this say to YOU?
Clockwise from Upper left, I see: Hawkman and Hawkgirl taking their place among their past corpses on the portal to Hawkworld and some bird people, Ganthet, Guy Gardner and Atrocitus working together to build something (perhaps a memorial – looks like they moving a coffin), the white-clad blond bleeding figure in the remains of a White Lantern (saw him on a future cover and looks like a big “A” is part of his costume… White Lantern Animal Man?), the face of the Anti-Monitor looms in the smoke above and to the right of him, Martian Manhunter appears to be starting a forest fire in Star City, the discarded boomerangs probably are about Digger Harkness’ leftover Black Lantern abilities, Aquaman’s trident lays broken at the feet of the new Aqualad, Deadman wears a White Lantern power ring and carves RISE on a tombstone, Mera mourns a dessicated Aquaman (wearing his Black Lantern pants), Hawk and Dove carry an unmoving Jade, and 2 civilians dig up a gold shield and a Black Lantern (but which one? look like Superman boots, sleeves look puffy – but BL Firestorm’s logo is not in center of chest – who is that?).
Comic Con 2010 has left me with more news than is fit to print. Lets start with the revelations about the Green Lantern movie. The logo and first set of movie posters have been officially released. Other tidbits include the dropping of some Green Lantern names to be included in the film: Sinestro, Tomar-Re, Kilowog and Bzzd (who is dead in current continuity).
This YouTube clip of the Green Lantern mivie panel at Comic Con 2010 is exceptionally slow to load – so walk away and let it download and play in its choppy manner – than replay it after.
These images gives us a bit more to go on than the scant few published a few weeks ago in Entertainment Weekly. The cover image is thus far the only shot we’ve seen of the Green Lantern costume. While some hardcore fanboys are crying foul (as is want to happen whenever a 4 color hero goes live-action for the silver screen) because of some obvious differences between the traditional GL togs and what Ryan Reynolds is sporting in the photo. The familiar white gloves and black sleeves are gone, replaced with a muscle hugging GCI suit made of light. When asked about the differences, Reynolds said the following…
The white gloves aren’t there, and I think that’s fine because, specifically, they’re lame. Truthfully, we’ve only seen a tiny glimpse of the suit. We haven’t seen it in motion, and we haven’t seen the full suit as well.
I’m trying to be better about calling out references (both positive and negative) to LGBT characters and issues as I come across them in mainstream comics. There have been a number if significant sightings recently. Hot on the heels of Captain America’s thoughtful support of Wiccan and Hulkling’s relationship and The Rawhide Kid swishing and shooting his was across the old west we have a major development in the fan favorite romantic relationship between Rictor and Shatterstar…
Now I don’t want to give the end of the argument away because i LOVE Peter David’s work, so I’ve just included part of it, and will keep this focused on what happens in these 2 pages. This is the first time I’ve ever seen 2 men discuss their relationship on this level in a comic book. And I’d put money on it being the first time 2 men have talked about having an “open relationship” in a comic book that didn’t come from Class Comics. While on some level, I’d have preferred a traditional monogamous relationship for the pair (as an example to readers both gay and straight), I think Peter David’s choice here is the right one. It fits the character and history of Shatterstar perfectly.
Shatterstar is a very athletic fighter bred for a single purpose that didn’t include knowledge of or preparation for sex or emotional relationships. Once he became aware of the physical act, a warrior such as him might embrace it and excel at it but not understand the feelings that may come along with it. Peter David as always has done an excellent job of logically expanding upon what has gone before while still managing to break new ground and keep his audience surprised. I’ve said it before, Peter David Rocks!!!
Posted in Comedy, Comics, SFW on 07/26/2010 11:20 am by fanboi
I can say with a fair amount of certainty that in last week’s issue #3 of The Legion of Super-Heroes, the often-intangible Phantom Girl meant to say she “may only be the” ghost girl NOT the “goose girl”. The goof up seems pretty obvious to anyone who has ever seen her appear in a story and use her powers. Or anyone who knows what a goose is. Proofreaders and plain old common sense aside, I would think that DC comics would employ letterers who have some minor level of familiarity with the characters of the book they work on. But apparently not.
I don’t know what the script that letterer Sal Cipriano received said. Maybe the “goose girl” mistake was a typo in that script, even so, it considering the Legionnaire in question is NOT sporting a beak and wings, it should have rung a bell as something odd and a single call to Paul Levitz would have confirmed it as a mistake, so how does something like this get by everyone? I have NO idea but would be happy to take up the job of reading all their comics for typos – looks like they should be hiring .
In an earlier feature about LGBT Characters and issues in mainstream comics, I mentioned seeing a second title featuring an LGBT leading character this week… Marvel’s Rawhide Kid and the Sensational Seven #2 is a tougher call than the Young Avengers issue previously mentioned. The tongue in cheek nature of both the current and the last Rawhide Kid miniseries’ written by Ron Zimmerman work for me despite the fairly stereotypical depiction of the gay elements of the Rawhide Kid’s character. He dresses fancy, learned to style hair in Paris and introduces the Cosmo to the Wild West. But he also kicks ass, takes names and has the respect of some of the most famous gunslingers in the history of the Marvel U (apparently including having an ancestor of Ghost Rider on old west speed dial) while looking Fabulous, and as a gay man I cannot condemn anyone, fictional or not for Fabulousness.
These all too comedic scenes aren’t nearly as progressive as the treatment that Hulkling and Wiccan got (Rawhide has no caring boyfriend or significant love interest aside from an old discarded trick in the form of Sheriff Seth Bullock). The homosexual tendencies are definitely used for laughs, but in this context it doesn’t bother me like some might think. In fact with the Old West setting, I’d think this is as positive a portrayal as we could ask for and not have the tolerance seem incongruous and forced. I’d still like to see a rough-n-tumble gay cowboy sometime who is a bit less of a girl, but how would his straight compatriots look at his gay exploits? I think this reaction is as good as it gets for the period. I’m enjoying this mini. My biggest complaint is not enough Howard Chaykin drawn manflesh. I stuck by Howard through American Flagg and many of his more Hooterific titles, but hopes he might shine his exploitative light on the boys for a change, but this titles has probably been the least sexy of all his work. Rawhide walked in on Kid Colt with 2 hookers and they were all clothed? C’mon Howard! Lets see some pecs at least.
Posted in Comics, SFW on 07/16/2010 01:46 pm by fanboi
Action Comics #890 featured the “frighteningly familiar face” of Superman’s greatest foe – Lex Luthor. For the near future that title will be chronicling the quest for power sparked by Lex’s short but sweet taste of the Orange Lantern during Blackest Night. With the major milestone of Action Comics #900 only a mere 10 issues away, I expect new ongoing writer Paul Cornell is building towards something quite memorable.
And if I had any doubts, check out who will be showing up on Action Comics #894 (on the heels of Deathstroke and Gorilla Grodd in # 892 & 893 respectively)… It seems Death of the Endless is coming for him! Really? Now you have my attention. By the way she is apparently used here with Neil Gaiman’s blessing.
Though the worlds of the Sandman and the DC superheroes have bled into one another from time to time, ACTION COMICS #894 marks a unique moment for not only Death, but the star of ACTION – Lex Luthor. Luthor, as fans of the series know, is in the midst of a storyline that takes him on a winding and dangerous quest for power – a quest that will bring the megalomaniacal villain into close proximity with characters in and beyond the far reaches of the DC Universe.
DC Direct has treated the geek community with a rare pre-comicon action figure revelation… The first 2 waves of Brightest Day Series 1 & 2 Action Figures. These look particularly good.
Starting in March 2011, DC DIRECT will kick off another series of high-quality and story-specific product, this time based around the hit biweekly series, BRIGHTEST DAY. We’ve got a first look at the first two waves, which include Hawkgirl, Green Arrow, Deadman, Aquaman, Hawkman, Martian Manhunter, Firestorm and Mera.
So if you already have a collection of their killer Black Lantern figures, this is probably going to be the next droolworthy item on your toy wishlist. LOVE the Aquaman – he’s a must have – probably get Mera too. Firestorm I like, but unless he comes with flight stand like the Jason Rusch version I’ll skip it. I want the Hawks, Martain Manhunter and Green Arrow too. All things considered, a great line up. Hope we get a wave 3 with Osiris, Maxwell Lord, White Lantern Deadman and Ice (in the RIGHT costume!!!).
I’ll be featuring whatever mainstream comics that I come across featuring LGBT characters and issues. Last week there were two mainstream Marvel comics with gay male characters in leading roles. In the first, our favorite teen gay couple, Hulkling and Wiccan will finally be getting some page time together in the 9 part, bi-monthly maxi-series starring the pair and their teammates in the Young Avengers as they begin a quest to find The Scarlet Witch. Since their creation, Marvel has really done an outstanding job of handling their sexuality in a nonchalant, matter of fact way that shows it to be no big deal.
To have Captain America literally say “I have no problem with that” and then have Jarvis make up their room sends an powerful message to the masses out there… Its OK to be gay. While you and I may know that, we don’t all live in San Francisco. I was a bit worried when Disney first bought Marvel, but with their pro-lgbt record (watch a few Family Channel shows sometime), I should have known better. Kudos to Marvel, Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung on the first chapter of a story that I can’t wait to see unfold. By the way… GREAT LAST PAGE on first issue! Who could it be? Think, who are potential blood relatives to Wiccan and Speed!
Posted in Comics, SFW on 06/30/2010 07:15 pm by fanboi
DC Entertainment is not only redesigning the costume of Wonder Woman, writer J. Michael Straczynski and DC Comics Co-Publisher Jim Lee are completely reimagining the amazing amazon by actually changing her past… At some point about 20 years ago or so, the time stream was changed. Paradise Island was destroyed, and Princess Diana was smuggled out as an infant before Hyppolyta and her people were killed. She was raised by guardians sent with her, and some surviving Amazons. Diana now has “a foot in two worlds, the urban world and the world of her people, which still exists in the shadows, underground.”
This doesn’t look or feel like Wonder Woman to me. Hell, it doesn’t even look like Wonder Girl. Apparently the idea was to approach the costume without deference to any of her prior history or the 1940s sensibility of which she was born, instead using a 20th century perspective as if they were designing a new character. I personally think this is a mistake. Her iconic nature is a strength, not a weakness.
JMS mentions that "while Batman to Superman and others throughout the DC Universe, have undergone substantial changes over the years, Wonder Woman has remained pretty much the same in appearance." OK sure, Bats and Supes HAVE had costume changes… but NONE of them stuck for long. They always revert to some new variation on the classic motif. Wonder Woman has in fact worn a few outfits that were significantly different than her tried and true togs over the years. From the semi-classic 60’s white catsuit revisited in the early issues of Gail Simone’s relaunch to the trampy 90’s revamp by Mike Deodato and her occasionally seen golden armor, Diana never seems to stay out of her star spangled swimsuit for long. She’ll work through the arc and defeat whomever changed history, restoring the original timeline and don a new variation on the classic.
A choker? and what is with the spur straps on her feet? Just say no to spurs. What would Tim Gunn say?
I think the Jim Lee’s redesign of Wonder Woman that was used for the oneshot title featuring Just Imagine Wonder Woman as she might have been if created by Stan Lee was MUCH better than this. That was regal, and really reflected the strength and power of the character. This looks just like a new costume for Gypsy.
I think this retcon is a cheap way out of the corner DC seems to feel Wonder Woman has been written into. And what the hell does this new history mean for Donna Troy and Wonder Girl?
Posted in Comics, SFW on 06/19/2010 06:36 pm by fanboi
I’m a HUGE fan of the Young Avengers so this is by far the Heroic Age title that I’ve been most eagerly anticipating. Wanda Maximoff (a.k.a. The Scarlet Witch) will be a major part of the story and her relationship to twins Wiccan and Speed finally addressed head on, so it really is THE YA story we’ve all been awaiting. Here is an unlettered preview if the first issue which hits stores Thursday 7/8 due to the 4th of July mail delay.
From original Young Avengers creators Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung comes a new tale chronicling the Scarlet Witch’s return to the Marvel U. With three words, the Scarlet Witch changed everything. So what will she do next?
Did Hulkling really kiss that terrorist as a diversion? A bit surprised they’d go there. I love that it is a 9 issue epic, but HATE that it is bi-monthly. It’s going to take 18 months to tell IF THEY CAN STICK TO THE SCHEDULE.
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