Happy No More Summer (not officially, but post- Labor Day is basically the end of summer)! Yay! The endless abyss of seasonal depression is upon us! Bring on the early darkness, the barren trees, and the long looks at the cold emptiness of my soul and the human condition.
Actually, I really do enjoy my New England falls and winters. Still, I will miss the days of summer when I only had to work a full time job. Now, I got to work a full time job AND go to school. Good time happy fun!
Well, I have rambled on far too long already so, enjoy this brief addition of DCNV.
The Answer is The Question
The Charlton line of super-heroes, which saw its heyday in the late ’50s and in to the ’60s, play an important role in the history of the comics industry. The company boasted talent like Denny O’Neill, Joe Staton, Steve Ditko and Pat Boyette among many with characters like Blue Beetle, Captain Atom and The Question. In 1983 the characters were sold to DC Comics and in 1986 Charlton closed up shop for good, but that sale ensured that the characters would live on for a long time.
In 1985, when DC Comics launched the mini-series “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” the various Charlton heroes were merged into the DC Universe. And in Alan Moore’s proposal for the groundbreaking series “The Watchmen,” the Charlton heroes were originally to be the stars of the series.
Following the events of “Crisis,” DC launched a number of series based on the Charlton heroes. Blue Beetle, The Question and Captain Atom all received their own series.
One of the more popular (yet enigmatic) characters from the Charlton stable has to be Vic Sage AKA The Question. Sage is a popular TV journalist who always seems to have the scoop on breaking news stories. Of course, his alter ego as the faceless Question allows him access to areas of the world most journalists wouldn’t dream of going in to. His relentless battle against crime re-emerges this November in a new six-issue series written by Rick Veitch with art by Tommy Lee Edwards. CBR News caught up with both Veitch and Edwards to learn more about the series. Today, we sit down with Veitch to learn more about the series.
Throw Vic a Welcome to Metropolis Party at Comic Book Resources
Yesterday, writer Rick Veitch spoke with CBR News about his plans for the November debuting title “The Question” from DC Comics. Today, CBR News presents part two of our look at the series, this time with artist Tommy Lee Edwards, who’s not only providing the art for the series, but is coloring his own work as well.
Watch Tommy Lee Edwards do it all and realize what a slacker you truly are at Comic Book Resources
When Superstorm (the Wildstorm/Metropolis characters collaboration) was first announced, I was very excited. The Luthor book in particular seemed like a great idea, but Vigilante and The Question looked to be titles that I would at least pick up issue #1 on then.
But then Micah Wright happened.
Vigilante was derailed either because of his lying about being a soldier (which is what my gut tells me) or because of “creative differences” arising from a desire to change the direction of the book (DC’s party line). It was probably a combination of both. Eventually Bruce Jones signed up, but the book was delayed because of it.
Meanwhile, the Luthor story is not due out until March, I believe, to coincide with Azzarello’s lightened workload as his Superman stuff will be wrapping up around then as well.
In all that, I forgot all about The Question.
And, here it is, the only one of the three to reach the launch date on time. So bravo on that Mr. Sage.
Despite forgetting about this project, my interest has been renewed by the preview art and the interview piece. Glad to hear that there will be unifying theme to Superstorm, that of the Science Spire, apparently, as I think it is a nice way to draw the 3 Metropolis “street level/human level” stories together.
Edwards art is just incredible here. I love the cover to issue #2 and the preview pages featuring Superman redirecting what looks to be a missile are beautiful. I suddenly find myself very excited to check out this series that I had managed to forget about.
Batman, Monolith, and Coker”¦Just Chillin’
It’s safe to say that every comics professional working today is doing so because of their love for comics. Whether it’s a childhood hobby or something picked up later in life, it’s not a career choice that you fall into. Whether it’s the dream to work on your favorite childhood title, or create something of your own, the dedication and admirations that comics professionals have is just as genuine and honest as the fans who read their comics today.
For artist Tomm Coker, his love of comics almost forced him to leave the industry entirely. One of the many artists brought in during the heyday of the mid ‘90s, Coker grew tired of the direction comics were headed at the time and moved on to the field of animation. Now, several years later he has returned with a matured style on such books as Blood & Water, and guest spots on Stormwatch: Team Achilles and most recently The Monolith. Newsarama had time to catch up with him to find out what draws him to comics, and what he does when he’s not drawing.
Welcome Tomm back with open arms at Newsarama
I have to say that I really respect the fact that Mr. Coker would drop out of the industry for a time because he disagreed with the direction it was going. I’m not sure I would have handled it the same, but I recognize that the man had the strength of his convictions and there isn’t anything that isn’t impressive about that.
In that spirit, do yourself a favor and check out the interview. He is very thoughtful and the way he talks about art and his job (particularly when it comes to filling in for Winslade) is unique and very interesting.
Beautiful Batman Art
Ramon Bachs is no stranger to the Batman family. He’s worked on Legends of the Dark Knight, had a hand in the Batman: War Games and was chosen as the right art man for the job of illustrating the upcoming Batman City of Crime story which will be running through twelve issues of Detective Comics. Bachs said this is a “dark and gritty” story with Batman using “terror as his main weapon.” The story begins in Detective Comics # 801.
Seriously, it is just gorgeous. Look here,The Pulse, if you don’t believe me.
I said this when I covered the Lapham article relating to this storyline, but I’ll say it again here. Wow! Bachs draws a great looking Batman. It looks so great in black and white, they could not color the whole storyline and I would not mind at all.
On another note, both the artists in this week’s column who are drawing Batman favor the smaller eared approach. As does Carlos Pacheco in the upcoming Superman/Batman (and in the JSA/JLA crossover he drew) story. Heck, even Quitely’s Batman in the Earth 2 OGN (well worth picking up, by the way) rocked the short ears. This is worth noting because when I was first reading the Bat books, the long eared approach was in vogue. It, of course, reached it’s peak with Kelley Jones who’s Batman, if he existed, would have had, roughly speaking, 3 foot high ears. Just goes to show you, everything in the industry is cyclical. Just like politics, or movies, or TV.
Or life.
God”¦I am so deep.
Ragstime!
During the Toronto Comic Book Expo 2004, I was privileged enough to have the chance to sit down with Rags Morales and talk about how he got into comics, who he’d like to work with, what he’d like to work on, future plans, and of course, Identity Crisis.
Someone went to Canada to get this interview. Thankfully all you have to do is go to ComiXtreme and entirely bypass that frozen wasteland. (I hassle those upper North Americans because I love them.)
I love how honest he is in the appraisal of his own work. The fact that he just comes right and says that he thinks his Kyle Rayner Green Lantern sucks and his Superman still is not where he would like him to be is impressive to me. I think his art in general is incredibly strong and with those 2 characters specifically, I have yet to note any sort of incredible screw up. Still, for him, it must be there. To not whitewash that fact even while the series is about halfway through is very honest of him and something that I have a great deal of respect for.
By the way, I can’t say this enough, but Identity Crisis is just great. I really, really dig it.
A Grant Morrison Interview”¦But Where Are the Hulk Hands?
Last week’s release of Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s We3 has once again shown that its never safe to guess what will next spring from Morrison’s mind. The story about three cybernetic animals (a dog, cat, and rabbit) used by the government to assassinate enemies and eliminate targets is as different from Morrison’s last, Seaguy as Seaguy was from New X-Men.
The quick jist of issue #1 – well, three cybernetic animals trained as weapons are to be decommissioned, but instead, they escape, and are now on the run. The first issue of the three issue miniseries (#2 in October, and #3 in January) struck more than one reader as being perhaps the most touching of Morrison’s works in years. Sure, the mad, wild ideas were still there in force, but aided in part by Quitely’s dead-on expressions on the faces of the animals, the story was more prone to bring a lump to the throat, rather than a question of “Huh?”
With the first issue out, we spoke with Morrison about his inspirations for the story, as well as his approach to its look and feel, as well as his thoughts about animal rights.
Did you know that Morrison feels passionate about animal rights? Well you will after you visit Newsarama
First off, I would be remiss not to share this dandy of a link with you, Comix Experience. Damn funny stuff that, at points, almost seems real. Trust me, you will not be disappointed.
After reading that link, read this interview and compare and contrast. Even though this is a more straight forward Morrison interview (for example he doesn’t proclaim that WE3 will taste like rocket fuel although, presumably, it could), it is interesting how well the writer of the first link nails the Morrison tone.
As for the “real” interview here, it is some good stuff. And in service of a great book. Cover to cover, WE3 is a great effort on the part of all involved. The covers look great, Quitely crushes on interiors, and the high concept, which could have failed miserably, is carried off quite nicely by Morrison’s script. Pick it up next time you hit the comic shops.
Ex Machina Becomes Deus ex Vendos
WILDSTORM’S EX MACHINA #1 SELLS OUT AT DC COMICS!
” … Seamlessly blends the political drama of The West Wing with super-hero deconstruction and quirky Big Apple history to craft one satisfying read that’ll be the talk of the comics campaign trail. ” – Wizard
” The combination of the red-hot writer of Y: THE LAST MAN and the original artist of STARMAN promises a great read and it definitely delivers. ” – Variety.com
One of the summer ‘ s most highly anticipated debut issues, EX MACHINA #1 (APR040356), has sold out at DC Comics. The new, ongoing WildStorm series is written by Brian K. Vaughan with art and covers by Tony Harris & Tom Feister.
I apologize for my lousy Latin, so just read the damn press release at Newsarama
The last time a book I loved sold out, I went on and on about being an industry trendsetter. That book, as it turned out, was Monolith. The reality of that was that DC had criminally under printed the book. They had done so to the point that if only 6 people in America had picked up a copy, the book would have been sold out. I know that sounds like an exaggeration, but it is not.
Anyway, past being burned moments aside, I think this is great news. I am not sure how many copies went out, but any press that this book can check is incredibly well deserved. Congrats to the creative team.
Identity Crisis Sells Out”¦But Not in the Bob Dylan in Lingerie Ads Sort of Way
IDENTITY CRISIS #1 (APR040316), the first issue of the blockbuster DCU miniseries, has sold out at the publisher. The miniseries is written by New York Times best-selling author Brad Meltzer, with art by Rags Morales & Michael Bair and covers by Michael Turner.
Pay homage to the best miniseries out there at Newsarama
See my reaction to Ex Machina selling out above. Same deal.
Wow, that was a brisk jaunt through the news of the week. Hope you dug it. Or if not, hope you have the good sense to visit the message board and tell me how to improve it.
Oh, and say hi to Mathan while you’re there. Because, really, its Mathan’s world, the rest of us are just reading comics in it.
GOOD NIGHT!
Un Gajje: One of the More Popular (Yet Enigmatic) Characters from the Comics Nexus Stable
