Folks, the column is rather abbreviated this week because I have left for North Carolina. This was all the information that I could convey up to Friday, which is why none of the Convention news is here. Don’t worry; I will senselessly spout my opinion on the matter when I return. Until then, enjoy this tidbit of my scathing wit (or utter incompetence) while I getting baked by N.C.’s sun to a nice, screaming red.
Well, Robin Did Always Seem Like a Girl’s Name
There’s a new Robin in town and, although this one may be a wonder, she’s no boy! The Dark Knight Detective is taking on Spoiler as a pupil after Tim Drake gives up being Robin. Spoiler’s dreamt of being the Batman’s partner, but is the reality going to be all she’s expected? Writer Bill Willingham’s very tight-lipped about what this summer holds for the new Robin, but we did get a few details to whet appetites.
What, it did. Anyway, swing your way through a bleak nightmare city to The Pulse
It is always nice to see a creator playing hardball with an interviewer. Sure, it is not like Willingham is an adulterous celebrity or lying politician and thus, he probably does not have a huge need to be as dodgy, but I appreciate it. For one thing, the interview yields no spoilers (ooh, a pun, hahahahahaha) to ruin the experience of the upcoming storyline. Considering how quickly we all knew that Spoiler was taking over, it would be nice to have some surprises come out of all of this.
On the other hand, the man is undone by DC solicitations. Already, through the descriptions of future issues of Robin available online and the promo artwork for Gang War, we know that Tim is back in the togs and there is no mention of what happened to Stephanie. Sure, we don’t know how we are going to get there and that is a big part of the fun, but it is still frustrating. I remember a few (or maybe like 5 now, damn, I am so old) years ago when Kesel and Nord were on Daredevil I read the solicitations for the next issue of Daredevil, in an issue of Daredevil no less, that gave away that Rosalind Sharpe was Foggy Nelson’s real mother. Now, that might not mean much to you, but it was a pretty huge revelation at the time, especially to give away with such ease. That is how I view this situation. Even if the change is only temporary, comics still want to give off the impression that it may be permanent. Here, it is so obviously not. Thus, all suspense equals naught.
That having been said, I still guarantee that Steph’s final fate will NOT be death in Identity Crisis.
A Trinity of Deus
Look, up in the sky!
It’s a bird! It’s a plane!
Actually, it’s the new DC Comics/Wildstorm series “Ex Machina,” a creator owned project from writer Brian K Vaughan and artist Tony Harris, which details the exploits of the world’s first superhero and first superhero politician. CBR News is presenting a two day event to let readers know about this exciting new project and to kick things off, Vaughan explained the premise of the series.
Check out the Father (or the first part, if you prefer to ruin the motif) at Comic Book Resources
He’s definitely a star, man, but for those who have missed seeing Tony Harris’ interior art on a regular basis, you’re in for a treat in June. With the release of “Ex Machina,” Harris returns to monthly pencilling and he couldn’t be more excited. It also marks the first “in house” monthly series production by Jolly Roger Studio, a studio comprised of JD Mettler, Tom Feister and Harris (all of whom work on this book in some artistic capacity). In part 2 of the spotlight on this new DC Comics/Wildstorm series, CBR News spoke with the acclaimed artist and learned a bit more about the book.
And the son at Comic Book Resources
Blame it on the god in the machine.
As a special addition to CBR’s spotlight on “Ex Machina,” the new DC Comics/Wildstorm series from writer Brian Vaughan and artist Tony Harris, CBR News is bringing you some exclusive pages from what promises to be one of the big hits of the year. Thanks to Harris, you’ll be seeing some color pages from “Ex Machina #1” before anyone else, spotlighting the first time that his Jolly Rogers studio has collaborated on all the visual aspects of an ongoing series. Check out the pages and don’t miss CBR’s interview with Vaughan and Harris, in which they shared this information:
What information do they share? You’ll never know unless you check out umm… the Holy Spirit (and preview pages) at Comic Book Resources
Beautiful art, great concept, two very talented dedicated creators behind the book, what else could you ask for? Well, I guess a hundred could be a Mets fan instead of a Yankees fan (woo, go Mets), but hey, nothing is perfect. I am more excited for this than I have been for any brand new ongoing in recent memory. And Vaughan makes an excellent point, kids. Register to vote. Think of it as your responsibility/honor. Or whatever. Just do it, okay? Thanks.
Personally, Un Gajje wants to fight the dragon
