Posts Tagged ‘DC Comics’

JLA not the only roster shakeup at DC Entertainment…

DC Entertainment’s blog TheSource is all atwitter with big news! Diane Nelson, President, DC Entertainment named DCE’s new executive management team, including new co-publishers of DC Comics and a Chief Creative Officer, as well as heads of Sales/Marketing/Business Development and Finance/Administration. The new senior executive “dream team” reports directly to Nelson.

Jim Lee (former Editorial Director/Overseer of WildStorm Studios and fan favorite artist) and Dan DiDio (former Senior Vice President and Executive Editor) have been named Co-Publishers of DC Comics (replacing outgoing Publisher Paul Levitz).

In this statement from the new Co-Publishers, they said…

Our mission is to reinvent DC Comics to prepare it for the challenges and opportunities in this quickly changing world. With the Co-Publisher structure, it’s going to allow us to be in many places at once, both literally and metaphorically; to better position DC as one of the great creative engines which fuels and defines so much of our world’s Pop Culture while making sure we continue to address and redefine what makes DC’s characters so great.

I’m most familiar with Jim Lee from his work on the X-Men back in the 90s (I was a BIG fan at the time) and his Hush storyline from Batman (which I picked up for his name). He lost me on his All Star Batman and Robin (didn’t like the modernizing of their meeting). I hadn’t realized he was responsible for the Wildstorm Universe, so if he was behind the cataclysmic events there then I’m not sure about doing a big happy dance over this.

As to the choice of DiDio, I’m not really all that pleased. He was at the helm during the current upswing in unnecessarily violent deaths, tortures and maimings designed to drive sales. Killing off or forever changing characters that readers have loved for years.

I’m most excited by the news that superstar writer Geoff Johns, will serve as Chief Creative Officer of DC Entertainment. Johns is responsible for many of DC’s biggest wins – including the current event Blackest Night, the successful relaunches of JSA, Green Lantern and Teen Titans (which rocked until he left it) as well as 3 of the best Smallville episodes in its long history.

When describing Johns, Nelson said…

Geoff Johns has an unparalleled creative mind and a huge heart. He brings a level of enthusiasm, passion and optimism to every discussion I have with him that is so motivating. He will be instrumental in establishing the tone and culture of creative risk and business growth that we intend for DC Entertainment. And he will ensure the integrity of how we bring these characters and stories to fans across every entertainment platform.

With Geoff Johns’ proven skill at taking a character or characters with a rich and beloved history and managing to enrich it by interweaving exciting new elements into a complicated mythos without disturbing what has been written in the past, Johns is a wonderful choice for this position. I’m positively thrilled! As long as he keeps writing too. But that shouldn’t be a problem according to this statement from Johns himself

Under the leadership of Jim and Dan, I’ll continue writing and giving my creative input as I have been in comic books. But expanding onto that, Diane’s asked me to take our comic book world, embrace it (as I do) and use it to lead the creative charge on bringing it all to film, toys, television, video games, animation and beyond. The Justice Society appearing on Smallville was only the beginning.

Additionally, John Rood has been named Executive Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Business Development, and Patrick Caldon will serve as Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration.

via TheSource

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After Blackest Night comes Brightest Day

In a much hyped, yet rare early morning interview over at DC’s TheSource, Dan Didio has revealed that after the Blackest Night, DC will publish Brightest Day… a 26 issue bi-weekly series written by Geoff Johns and Peter Tomasi. It was also said that Fernando Pasarin will be handling the art on BRIGHTEST DAY #0, but otherwise, all Didio would say about the artists was that a number of wonderful artists will contribute to the book. Read Geoff Johns thoughts on Brightest Day here

Now, for those of you who are sick and tired of all these events, I feel for you. One bit of good news. It seems that other than the main Brightest Day book, the series WILL spill over into other DCU titles, but instead of a plethora of tie in miniseries, a number of regular monthlies will have a Brightest Day banner on the cover instead.

Brightest Day is a 26 issue bi-weekly miniseries following Blackest Night The Flash - Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul are really bringing Barry Allen back into the spotlight and cementing him as the premiere Flash in the DCU in his own monthly. The Titans - Writer Eric Wallace and artist Fabrizio Fiorentino will be the new Titans creative team as of Titans: Villains for Hire Special. Lead by classic Titans enemy Deathstroke the Terminator, the team includes Tattooed Man and Cheshire, amongst other unnamed villains on the squad. The JLA will be getting a new member (or members)

Of course Green Lantern and the Green Lantern Corps will fall under the Brightest Day banner. As part of the event, DC is launching a new Flash monthly featuring Barry Allen. The Titans becomes a team led by Deathstroke with members including Cheshire and the Tattooed Man. What will it mean for the JLA? Answers to these questions and more when this kicks off in April! I think there is still more to be announced so expect an update later!

Guesses on who the glowing heroine on JLA #44 is? Halo? Dove?

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DC Superheros are in fashion at Bloomingdales

I was doing a bit of shopping at Bloomingdales here in San Francisco a few weeks ago and happened upon these fabulous new tshirts from their new collection commemorating DC Comics 75th Anniversary. Usually when you see comic book t-shirts, the art is somewhat generic and the shirts are not much better. These shirts sporting artwork by comic book legends like George Perez and Neal Adams on shirts by designers like John Varvatos are a step above the rest. A few are DEFINITE must haves for the chic gay geek… check em out!

Trunk LTD designs for Bloomingdales 75th Anniversary T-Shirt collection Trunk LTD designs for Bloomingdales 75th Anniversary T-Shirt collection Trunk LTD designs for Bloomingdales 75th Anniversary T-Shirt collection Trunk LTD designs for Bloomingdales 75th Anniversary T-Shirt collection
Trunk LTD designs for Bloomingdales 75th Anniversary T-Shirt collection Trunk LTD designs for Bloomingdales 75th Anniversary T-Shirt collection Converse by John Varvatos designs for Bloomingdales 75th Anniversary T-Shirt collection Converse by John Varvatos designs for Bloomingdales 75th Anniversary T-Shirt collection
Junk Food designs for Bloomingdales 75th Anniversary T-Shirt collection Junk Food designs for Bloomingdales 75th Anniversary T-Shirt collection Junk Food designs for Bloomingdales 75th Anniversary T-Shirt collection Junk Food designs for Bloomingdales 75th Anniversary T-Shirt collection

I couldn’t resist buying the Neal Adams GL/GA shirt at upper left and George Perez JLA at lower right (mine pictured below), but upon reflection, I’m going to have to get the JLA on red and at least one of the Detective Comics.

A Moment in time - this timeless classic is here because the world needs it. Heroes are always in style. There''s no limit to their powers, but there is a limited edition of this garment. Like a hero, it's rare and uncommon and is there when you need it. ENJOY. TrunkLTD.com Green Lantern by TrunkLTD and JLA by JunkFood - both only at Bloomingdales of all places!

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Superman Batman Public Enemies

Due out 9.29.09 is Superman Batman Public Enemies…

A desperate solution for a troubled country: Lex Luthor for President with the Justice League in the service of the government. Only Batman and Superman stand against the new regime – and their disloyalty proves to be exactly what Luthor intended. Using their outcast status to instigate a scandal against Superman, Luthor finally tastes a victory in his vendetta against The Man of Steel.

From Executive Producer Bruce Timm and voiced by the cast from both hit Batman and Superman animated TV series including Kevin Conroy, Tim Daly and Clancy Brown, this DC Universe Original Animated Movie of Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness’s popular graphic novel seethes with political intrigue and action-packed battles between heroes all believing they’re on the right side of the law.

via Official Site

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A new Bat-costume for the new Batgirl?

UPDATE: Second Image of costume and Issue #2 Preview added.

I like this idea for a new Batgirl costume in theory but not so much in execution. It looks more like a runner up on Project Rooftop. With former Spoiler Stephanie Brown wearing the mantle of Batgirl it’s natural that a new costume might have some of her signature purple thrown in. That is IF she want to advertise that she’s the “adventurer formerly known as Spoiler.”

As a gay fanboy, I’m glad they didn’t stick her in a tube top and go the T&A route as they did with Huntress’ unfortunate belly-shirt phase, but it could at least be a LITTLE sexy. That costume would look just as good if not better on a Batboy.

Batgirl #4 Batgirl #5

Having enemies knowing that she is Spoiler could be a problem if they study her old moves. It might even attract old enemies… Is Spoiler even important enough to have a rogue’s list? Though someone pointed out that having Cassandra’s enemies knowing she’s a new Batgirl might be OK considering her rogues list ir far more formidible than Steph’s.

IMO, the new duds are NOT a great way to maintain a low profile. She’d be better served remaining more mysterious with something less drastic – a reworking of Cassandra Cain’s costume or something new but with more aspects of previous costumes combined to keep foes guessing. But this just looks like the Spoileresque version of Nightwing and Flamebirds bulky outfits from over in Action Comics.

Here is a preview of Batgirl #2 on shelves today.

As the new Batgirl continues her nightly mission, the mystery of her secret identity intensifies. Now she has become the target of both Gotham City’s heroes (can you say “Oracle”?) and its villains. Now that you know who the new Batgirl is and you’ve seen her new costume, all the more reason to head down to your shop and follow Stephanie Brown’s ongoing adventures, no?

Batgirl #2 Batgirl #2 Batgirl #2 Batgirl #2 Batgirl #2

via the Source

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Blackest Night: Titans #2 of 3 B&W PREVIEW

Since we first found out the concept behind Blackest Night, it was obvious that the Titans would have a worse time of it than most teams due to their long list of fallen members. The first issue of their part of this epic tale did not disappoint and from the looks of these pages the 2nd part just gets better/more terrifying.

Blackest Night: Titans #2 Blackest Night: Titans #2 Blackest Night: Titans #2
Blackest Night: Titans #2 Blackest Night: Titans #2 Blackest Night: Titans #2

Donna Troy deals with Black Lantern versions of her long dead husband – Terry Long and baby Robert (WTF? he wasn’t a baby – he was 3 when he died). Plus after Omen’s illusion is interrupted, Gar does his best to stop first love Terra from ripping out his heart literally (she’s already done it figuratively). Oh yeah, it also looks like the new Hawk has lost her heart to the original. Dove managed to avoid being touched by one Black Lantern Hawk, how will she far against two?

With top notch story and characterization by JT Krul and dazzling art by Ed Benes, Blackest Night: Titans is definitely one of the do not miss aspects of this series.

via The Source

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Warner Brothers forms “DC Entertainment”

Time Warner Inc.’s Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. announced on 9.9.09 that it has formed DC Entertainment Inc., a new company focusing on bringing the DC Comics brand and characters to “all media and platforms.” The studio named former Walt Disney Director of National Promotions, Diane Nelson as the president of DC Entertainment (she reports directly to Jeff Robinov, President, Warner Bros. Pictures Group).

Paul Levitz, who has served as President & Publisher of DC Comics since 2002, will segue from that role to return to his roots as a writer for DC (working on the title he made great as both a writer and editor, ADVENTURE COMICS) and become a contributing editor and overall consultant to DCE. This transition will take place as expeditiously as possible without disrupting DC`s business operations. In his new role, Levitz will be called upon for his deep knowledge and more than three-decade history with DC Comics, both as a comic creator and an executive. Besides serving as a writer on a number of DC Comics titles, he will be a contributing editor and consultant to DC Entertainment on projects in various media.

Sounds like they are keeping him on as captain of continuity.

Methinks that this organization is in response to Marvel’s recent relocation under the Disney umbrella. I think Warner has started to reconsider what they have with DC and hopefully the pressure applied by a direct competitor with a slew of recent hits and a big bucks corporate relationship in the honeymoon stages will force them to step things up a bit. Sure Dark Knight and Watchmen were fantastic, but what do they have planned for the next 2-3 years?

No one knows yet EXACTLY what this will mean for movies and TV properties dedicated to the DCU, but it’s not BAD news. Currently only the Ryan Reynolds-attached Green Lantern movie and a recently announced Guy Ritchie Lobo project are the only DC heroes being considered for big screen treatment.

Here are the DCU properties I want to see on the big screen! What is on YOUR short list?

Wonder Woman is the final member of the trilogy and deserves a movie of her own Green Lantern is a natural for an FX bonanze - here's hoping Ryan Reynolds rocks as Hal Jordan The Flash would make a great film... Barry Allen or Wally West? And once we have WW, GL and Flash films it will be time for a Justice League live action spectacular
New Teen Titans: The Judas Contract was supposedly in consideration for both animated AND feature length adaptions - but they stalled somewhere - time to GREENLIGHT The 31st century setting of The Legion of Super-Heroes has a wealth of characters and exciting sci-fi situations not usually part of a typical superhero story Zatanna Zatara - descendent of DaVinci and daughter of a great stage magician/ gifted sorcerer would make a GREAT lead character for a tv series about a stage magician/sorcerer/private detective The sheer breadth of the history of the Justice Society of America makes them ripe for a whole series of movies from WW2 to the present
The Killing Joke is one of the greatest Joker stories ever told Identity Crisis showed the humanity of the heroes of the DCU Kingdom Come might be a bit epic to produce today, but with the leaps and bounds that Hollywood is progressing - i wager it will be viable in next 5-10 years Crisis on Infinite Earths might be a bit epic to produce today, but with the leaps and bounds that Hollywood is progressing - i wager it will be viable in next 5-10 years

But who knows, with DC Entertainment working specifically to bring DC Comics 4 color characters to life, the chances movies adaptions of the 12 properties above ACTUALLY making it to screen in our lifetimes are getting stronger by the minute.

via The Source, Marketwatch and Reuters

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Alex Ross’s dustcover for DC’s Absolute JUSTICE

The Justice League has seen their foes band together on a number of occasions… as the Legion of Doom, the Injustice League and the Secret Society of Super Villains. Alex Ross’ amazing maxi-series JUSTICE is a beautiful telling of a classic tale of good vs evil. It’s silver-age setting appeals to longtime fanboys (and girls) and the breathtaking art of each and every panel takes the reader back to those unjaded moments of youth when a simple comic book was every-bit as as exciting as todays FX laden movies.

Click on the image below for a ridiculously large version suitable for your desktop.

Absolute Justice Hardcover

ABSOLUTE JUSTICE, is a beautiful collectible hardcover, collecting the series from writer Jim Krueger, artist Doug Braithwaite and some guy named Alex Ross hits in November. And because we can never get too much Ross goodness, above is the previously-unseen dustjacket from the collection, and below you can find some character sketches that will also be in the Absolute edition.

Alex Ross Justice sketches Alex Ross Justice sketches Alex Ross Justice sketches

via the Source

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Green Lantern – Not the Movie

Not freaking bad for a fan-made trailer. Sure makes me believe that A Green Lantern movie could be the next big thing for DC if they get their act together. Watch carefully and you’ll spot a number of fan fave Green Lanterns Corps members (besides Dr. Horrible nemesis (and potential Celebrity Beefcake) Nathan Fillion as Hal Jordan), including:Abin Sur, Killowog, Ch’p (or some other squirrelish Lantern), Galius Zed and Tomar-Re

Casting Captain Hammer as Hal Jordan? This might be the only way Hollywood could make up for giving us a Whedon-less Buffy movie.

This is jaronpitts‘ vision for a Green Lantern movie starring Nathan Fillion as Hal Jordan. He cobbled it together using AfterFX, zBrush and highlights from the following movies, tv shows, and trailers: Planet of the Apes, Serenity Trailer, Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Stardust Trailer, The Lord of the Rings – The Fellowship of the Ring, Firefly, Dragonball Evolution Trailer, Galaxy Quest, The Fountain Trailer, Superman Returns Trailer, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Smallville, Justice League TAS, GI Joe Trailer, Contact, Star Trek Enterprise, Star Wars Episode III, The Mutant Chronicles Trailer, Iron Man, Star Trek Trailer, Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe Cutscene, The Chronicles of Riddick, Kamen Rider, Bedtime Stories, MIB 2, Escape from Witch Mountain Trailer, The Matrix Revolutions, The Chronicles of Narnia – Prince Caspian and White Noise 2.

via PinkKryptonite and TVSquad

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Teen Titans #69: The New Deal Finale

At this point no surprises here, but next week, at long last the Teen Titans get a new line-up. From the cover, it looks like Aquagirl, Static, Bombshell, Miss Martian and Kid Eternity will be joining Wonder Girl, Blue Beetle and Red Devil on the front lines for the upcoming Vigilante/Titans/Teen Titans crossover… Deathtrap! Having M’gan back will be good for the team as it has been lacking is power with recent defections.

Get ready for the debut of the new Teen Titans line-up! What surprising heroes show up as part of the team? Who made the cut and who got sent home? And where do they go from here?

Teen Titans #69
Teen Titans #69 Teen Titans #69 Teen Titans #69 Teen Titans #69

Those of you who haven’t enjoyed the recent ride should be happy to hear that Sean McKeever is abandoning writing the main series after issue #71. I haven’t minded so much and actually enjoyed the Wonderdog subplot. I’m also inrigued that the ailing Wendy is the daughter of the Calculator who blames the Titans for her injuries. McKeever will still write the Ravager back-up stories that will be included with Teen Titans as of issue 72. I hope they bring her back into the Titan’s fold.

via CBR

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Batman & Robin: Who are the New Dynamic Duo?

Batman & Robin is a new forthcoming series due in June from the creative team of Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. Morrison revealed this week that seeds for this series were planted as far back as 2007’s Batman #666 – a story set in a possible future starring the Damien Wayne, the son of the Bat and Talia al Ghul as the new Batman.

Other details mentioned include some hints as to the identities of the new dynamic duo. The series will have a reversal to the usual relationship between the two heroes by featuring a more light-hearted, more spontaneous Batman and a really bad-ass, violent Robin… hmmm any guesses? Damien Wayne or Talon would be the obvious choices for a violent Robin, but who could the happy-go-lucky Bats be? (If only Earth-3’s nemesis of the evil Owlman (a Batman doppelganger) The Jokester had survived Countdown, I’d want to see him take over for awhile with Talon at his side).

Lets hope it makes more sense than R.I.P. or Final Crisis! Here is some more work by Frank Quitely… his version of the ORIGINAL dynamic duo, his Wonder Woman, his Superman and core memberships of the Justice League and Crime Syndicate.

All Star Batman and Robin by Frank Quitely Wonder Woman  by Frank Quitely All Star Superman  by Frank Quitely
JLA earth 2 (tho it used to be 3 and now is again)

via CBR

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Teen Titans #68 – To Hell and (hopefully) back!

Since the not so new Brother Blood took a bite outta Red Devil, his powers have been down. This issue Kid Eternity is going to help him get them back. Problem is they have to go to Hell to do it…

Is it just me or is Kid Eternity kinda sexy? Am I just projecting or is he a potential Friend of Northstar? Maybe it is just because he managed to keep his supermodel hair looking so fabulous despite the lack of product in Hell, or maybe it is the red sash belt and leather boots. But I’m not the first to think so

Kid Eternity is back in this issue featuring an “Origins and Omens” backup tale! But is he here to stay? In part 3 of “The New Teen Titans,” learn how the Kid’s struggle with the Lords of Chaos and Order has progressed, why his abilities are on the fritz and how his arrival creates major problems for his teammates!

Here is a torrent to issues 1-16 of the early 90’s Kid Eternity series from DC’s Vertigo imprint.

Teen Titans #68
Teen Titans #68 Teen Titans #68 Teen Titans #68 Teen Titans #68 Teen Titans #68

via Newsarama

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Jericho has 2 sets of Titans in a Deathrap

News of this came out awhile ago, but I wanted to sit on it until the last 2 covers in the 5 part polytych were revealed so I could assemble the complete image for you. The “Deathtrap” crossover runs in “Teen Titans Annual 2009,” “Titans” #12-13, “Vigilante” #5 and “Teen Titans” #70-71.

Following the events of “Teen Titans Annual 2009,” on sale April 1, writers Sean McKeever and Marv Wolfman team-up with artists Fernando Dagnino and Raul Fernandez to tell a five-part crossover in the pages of “Teen Titans,” “Titans” and “Vigilante.” The story is part of DC Comics’ Faces of Evil campaign, whereby whereby the villains of the DC Universe take center stage in a series of one-shots and special issues of existing series.

Covers to crossover issues involved in the upcoming Titans Deathrap arc

In the story called “Deathtrap,” the featured Face of Evil is none other than Jericho, a former Titan and the son of classic Titans supervillain, Deathstroke the Terminator, whose plan of attack is to eliminate both teams of Titans in one fell swoop.

I’ve been liking Teen Titans a lot better than Titans lately – I’m eagerly anticipating seeing the new line-up (allegedly Static, Bombshell, Blue Beetle, Miss Martian, Kid Eternity, Wonder Girl, Kid Devil and Aquagirl) in action. I hope Ravager ends up on their side of the line as well. I””m a big fan of Rose Wilson.

via CBR

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The Gay Comic Geek’s Angry Comic Book Nerd Rant, or what makes a Crisis good?

The Gay Comic Geek was so livid about Final Crisis he felt the need to change his nom de plume to the Angry Comic Book Nerd and share a Valentine rant encouraging viewers to take a dump on copies of it they see on shelves. I wouldn’t recommend doing so as I think your local comic book store may frown on that.

His rant is preceded by a very concise explanation of the previous Crises and their merits. Like myself and many others, he found Final Crisis disjointed and confusing at best and at worst a stinking pile of crap, but he really does his best to sum it all up while amassing a list of unanswered questions.

Noone can deny a number of extremely dynamic moments – but the plot threads were woven too loosely and the ending completely failed to pull them together into any sort of clear picture. I can handle experimental storytelling, but you at least need to pull it together at the end so someone can get a true idea of what happened.

A few interesting quotes from Grant Morrison’s Newsarama Final Crisis Exit Interview, parts 1 and 2

The A was Anthro and the Z was Kamandi. First Boy to Last Boy, with the whole DC Multiverse in between. In the end, as I got really into the story, it changed shape a little and now concludes, as it began, with the First Boy, now an Old Man.

And the Grant Morrison explanation for why I kept thinking I’d missed a chapter as I was reading…

I choose to leave out boring, as I saw it, connective tissue we didn’t really need for this story to work. I choose to leave out long-winded caption-heavy explanations that bring readers ‘up to speed’, even as they send them to sleep. And we left out the line-wide crossover tie-ins that have every detail of backstory spelled out laboriously by writers desperate to get back to their own plotlines. Otherwise, the whole thing is there on the page in word or picture form…and when interestingly-shaped story spaces can be opened out to make room for enthusiastic speculation and debate that adds to the fun. Looking up characters you thought were simply generic cavemen or monsters and finding they have histories you can explore and adventures you can read adds another interactive layer that takes you deeper into the mysteries and complexities of the DC virtual reality.

ummmmm – BIGTIME cop out. Story cheat. Sure he knows the whole story – but the reader is left guessing. When I want to guess, I read a whodunit.

As for why it was a FINAL crisis, it was the Final Crisis of the Monitors as well as the Final Crisis of the Fourth World, but even Morrison seemed doubtful it is really all that final.

the Grant Morrison definitive “reading order”…

FINAL CRISIS # 1- 3
SUPERMAN BEYOND # 1- 2
SUBMIT
FINAL CRISIS # 4 – 5
BATMAN #682 – 683
FINAL CRISIS # 6 – 7

Not to mention FINAL CRISIS: Legion of 3 Worlds which still has 2 more issues but happens (in the future) before Final Crisis #7. My brain hurts. No wonder people are confused.

via GayComicGeek and Newsarama

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Long touted Batwoman mini finally finds a home in Detective Comics

But it won’t be a miniseries anymore. Instead it will be a multi-issue arc of Detective Comics from Greg Rucka and J.H. Williams III, starting in April’s #854.

I guess they decided to test Batwoman out in a long running title that completists will keep buying in order to get people more used to her. Might be a good move. Or at least better than a mini-series that could have low sales, sinking the character. Then again the whole lesbian angle usually plays well with fanboys.

Problem is straight fanboys don’t want to picture the sexy svelte Batwoman with the mannish fedora-wearing Question (talk about a butterface). Don’t get me wrong, I love Renee Montoya as the Question, but sexy? No. The whole faceless thing just doesn’t work unless there is a glory hole involved. I say introduce a sexy lesbain villainess to play Catwoman to Kate’s Batwoman and make it a triangle – THAT would sell a mini to the fanboys.

What do you think DC should do with Batwoman?

Batwoman in Detective Comics #854
Batwoman in Detective Comics #854 Batwoman in Detective Comics #854 Batwoman in Detective Comics #854 Batwoman in Detective Comics #854

I’m looking forward to her having some pages to hopefully develop into more than a cardboard cut out. We really know very little about Kate Kane’s character. Lets hope the writers give her some.

via CBR

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Legion of 3 Worlds also known as how an Epic DC Event SHOULD read!

I’m loving Legion of 3 Worlds. I just wish it shipped faster. Each issue is a hell of a read with spectacular art from the team of George Pérez and Scott Koblish illustrating Geoff John’s of good vs evil on a multidimensionally epic scale. If you miss the issues, it will be a must-buy trade paperback.

Issue #3 hits stands on Wednesday!

The Legion of Super-Heroes call in the reinforcements against Superboy Prime and the Legion of Super-Villains as the Crisis of the 31st Century continues. While Superboy Prime comes face-to-face with the last of the Green Lanterns, Brainiac 5 and XS attempt to ignite an electrical storm using the lightning rod, which is destined to turn the tide of the war. And what are Polar Boy, Dawnstar and Wildfire up to in the 20th Century?

FINAL CRISIS: Legion of 3 Worlds #3 of 5
FINAL CRISIS: Legion of 3 Worlds #3 of 5 FINAL CRISIS: Legion of 3 Worlds #3 of 5 FINAL CRISIS: Legion of 3 Worlds #3 of 5 FINAL CRISIS: Legion of 3 Worlds #3 of 5

To me FINAL CRISIS: Legion of 3 Worlds is everything the main Final Crisis title wasn’t. Consistent in its artwork, epic (if not quite cosmic – yet) in scale while remaining easy to follow and self contained, a battle involving scores of costumed characters with potentially cosmic ramifications that is observed on many fronts while not leaving the reader wondering who these people are and what the hell is going on. After reading Grant Morrison’s Final Crisis and some of Batman R.I.P. and comparing it Geoff John’s Legion of 3 Worlds, New Krypton, JSA and Green Lantern work, not to mention his Smallville episode. There is just no comparison.

via Newsarama

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Legion of 3 Worlds
Accessorizing with Legion of Super-Heroes: Two Rings!
Geoff Johns to pen LoSH episode of Smallville!

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Final Crisis finale! Lets hope it all makes sense!

This week sees the much anticipated last issue of both Final Crisis and Final Crisis: Revelations – wrapping up the DCU’s latest epic miniseries.

The dramatic finale to the epic, seven-part saga of the DC multiverse concludes with an apocalyptic battle for the soul of humanity that must be seen to be believed! Can the heroes of 52 Earths save the multiverse? And is the only way to save it, to change it forever?

OK, isn’t that ALWAYS the only way to save it? If previous Crises are any judge then it is. And forever is only until the next creative team pitches something that gets the management excited. But until then who knows what the outcome of Final Crisis will be… DC’s never been QUITE as world altering in their events.

Final Crisis #7 of 7
Final Crisis #7 of 7 Final Crisis #7 of 7 Final Crisis #7 of 7 Final Crisis #7 of 7 Final Crisis #7 of 7

Looking back, it seems, their Crisis change the past more than the present. Unlike Marvel’s Civil War, Secret Invasion and now Dark Reign, the events of the DCU seem to be more about altering past continuity and have offered very little in lasting change to the day to day operations of the DCU (aside from a token significant death).

So we’ve have our heroic significant death and it’s time to rally and save reality by making some completely random alterations to the history of the DCU. Rah. Rah. I can’t wait. I just don’t see them leaving the DCU dark for any real length of time and future solicits don’t seem like a world imbued with evil, so I think the white hats are going to win.

I’ve enjoyed Final Crisis, but don’t really know if I see it as a worthy successor to the original Crisis on Infinite Earths or even the subsequent Infinite Crisis. The thought I seem to have as I read each issue is – did I miss some pages? I keep hoping that there will be a special edition hardcover with all the missing pages magically reinserted.

I’m not sure if I just have a problem with Grant Morrison’s writing – (Batman R.I.

via CBR

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31st Century enters Smallville TONIGHT at 8!

The founding members of the 31st century’s Legion of Super Heroes are making their primetime debut on Geoff John’s much anticipated episode of Smallville tonight. Not only is this an eagerly awaited story written by one of the biggest name in Comics today, but it is also the first new episode since November. And it looks like there’s a lot going on in the the eighth season of Smallville.

For Geoff Johns, who wrote the episode after pitching the Legion’s appearance to the Smallville producers, the chance to bring the Legion to a live action series fits right along with his revitalization of the team in comics during the last year. As the Legion celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2008, Johns re-introduced the original Legion team to his Action Comics series and later launched the current Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds mini-series with George Perez for DC.

I myself am not watching the clips because I like to be surprised. But if you enjoy spoilerific teasers…watch these!



As comics readers know, the Legion of Super-Heroes is a group of super-powered teenagers from 1,000 years in the future who are inspired by the historic legend of Superman. When the Legion was introduced in comics, the founders of the team, Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl and Lightning Lad, traveled back in time to meet a young Clark Kent and became some of his closest friends.

Now the story from the comics will be echoed in “Legion,” this week’s Smallville episode, as actors Alexz Johnson (Saturn Girl), Calum Worthy (Lightning Lad) and Ryan Kennedy (Cosmic Boy) portray the three Legion founders as they travel back in time to meet Smallville’s young Clark.

via AintItCool and Newsarama

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Batman slain by Darkseid in Final Crisis – um wait a minute… didn’t he just die a few months ago?

Well someone should tell Grant Morrison that being killed by Darkseid’s Omega beams just as you blow him away with a specially engineered god-killer bullet is cooler than dying on an exploding helicopter. Final Crisis beats Batman R.I.P.

But that fact that I’m discussing whose story about killing Batman is better should make you think. If one of these stories happened before the other, then therefore logically wouldn’t Batman have to rise from the dead at some point? And don’t start in about Bane breaking his back – that is beside the point. In fall 2008 Grant Morrison wrote Batman R.I.P. a story that culminated in the “death” of Batman. I just don’t understand what is going on with DC these days. Is it really that hard top keep comics current with each other and release stories in a chronological and timely order?

Batman confronts Darkseid
Batman takes out Darkseid while the Omega Effect homes in on him Darkseids Omega beams hit Batman point blank
Superman rages into the scene Superman takes out a bunch of anti-life posses forces width= Superman holds Batman's corpse

And while I am kvetching… Superman comes speeding down from on high with fire in his eyes and takes out most of the anti-life possessed in the immediate area the suddenly he’s holding up Batman’s corpse. Where did he pick up Bats? He wasn’t carrying anything as he flew down. That whole scene was outdoors and Batman confronted Darkseid indoors, yet there is not mention of Superman going looking for Bats. That is my major problem with Final Crisis – I keep getting the feeling that someone left some pages out.

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Teen Titans #66 – The New Deal: Choices

Time for a membership drive! Any guesses on who the new Teen Titans will be? I recognize some of the heroes on the cover (Supergirl, Spoiler, Bombshell, Speedy and Misfit) but not all (not sure who the flying girl with the staff and guy with the helmet are… but the guy with the cat is Klarion the Witch Boy after a really awkward growth spurt. When is Kid Eternity showing up?

Teen guest stars galore! With only four members left, it’s time for the Teen Titans to hold a recruitment drive! Who will make the cut, and who will be sent packing? Who will refuse to even show up, and who will bring a boatload of trouble with them?

Teen Titans #66
Teen Titans #66 Teen Titans #66 Teen Titans #66 Teen Titans #66 Teen Titans #66

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