This week is a little thin on news. I guess the comic industry is probably taking a little lie down in anticipation on all that sweet sweet turkey and turkey related fix-ins. Speaking of which, to all my fellow Americans, enjoy your Thanksgiving this Thursday. Remember and give thanks for the Native Americans who were nice to us and, in essence, saved many of our ancestors’ lives. Enabling us to TOTALLY own them for the next hundred years or so. The lesson being…well, I’m not sure. Still, thanks are no doubt in order. (Did you know Canada celebrates its Thanksgiving the second Monday in October? That’s CRAZY!)
With the thinness of the news, let me link to this week’s Lying in the Gutters. I usually steer clear of rumors here in DCNV, just for the sake of simplicity and not getting all worked up about that which might never come to pass. However, I do get my Johnston fix weekly and this week’s column had one doozy of an Identity Crisis theory. I don’t believe it for a second, but the man is so utterly convinced that he is right that…well, it bears a look. If you’d like a good giggle, check out Jericho Wilson’s theory towards the end of the page. It’s…well, it’s something.
Finally, to fatten up the column, I’ve got a little Smallville diatribe at the end. We’ll discuss that when we get to it. For now though, grab a serving spoon and ladle out a nice big serving of this Thanksgiving edition of DCNV.
Remember All Those Reprints Last Week? Wayne’s Got the Scoop
They’ve been the subject of press release after press release coming from DC Comics – second editions. Third editions. Going back to press on DC’s hottest books: Green Lantern: Rebirth and Identity Crisis. To date, Identity Crisis #1 has had three printings, while issue #2 has seen two printings. Green Lantern: Rebirth #1 has also gone back for two additional printings (making three, total), will #2 has seen two printings.
We spoke with DC’s VP – Sales & Marketing Bob Wayne last August when the publisher was experiencing a similar rash over second editions, but with another wave moving through the market, we thought it was a topic that needed revisiting, so we spoke with him again, specifically about Rebirth and Identity Crisis.
See what Wayne has to say at Newsarama. Who knows, maybe Bendis will show up and the two can argue again?! Probably not, but admit it, you’re intrigued now.
Straight forward and concise. Nothing really stunning or surprising here, but hopefully it will do something to dispel the myths of a DC (or Marvel) Conspiracy that is based on under printing an issue to a.) sell it out quickly and b.) then reprint with new covers so as to get lots of press and hit the same people up twice for cash. I do not think that the major comic companies are nearly as actively evil as we seem to think. It would be cool if they were (in the dramatic sense), but I just do not find it to be the case.
Sit Down Kids, It Is Time for Uncle Morrison to Take the Mic
Okay – so Grant Morrison’s Seven Soldiers #0 hits in February, featuring a collection of characters that’s somewhat…odd, to say the least. Frankenstein, Shining Knight, Klarion, the Witch Boy; Mister Miracle, Bulleteer, Zatanna, and The (Manhattan) Guardian. Under Morrison’s guidance, they will save the world…
Watch Morrison spit it so sweet (like a photo of your granny’s picture) at Newsarama
“The current vogue in superhero comics, post-“Hush” is for the ‘definitive’ take, which tends to manifest itself as creators playing it safe by cherry-picking and re-packaging all the best and most popular elements of an already successful feature. It’s a commercial strip-mining kind of approach to a given property that seems to make a lot of sense until you realize it can really only work once before you find yourself in the awful position of having to make up stuff again. Seven Soldiers is an attempt to clear some new ground and make stories for people who want something a little different from ‘greatest hits’ reworkings of books they’ve already read.”
That’s just a brilliant quote and not in the typical Grant Morrison, “did he really just say he wanted to make love to the DCU” sort of way. I think there is and always shall be a need and a place for “definitive” takes, but it is dangerous to rely to heavily upon it.
That having been said…boy could this be some sort of disaster. And by disaster, I mean an earth scorching all encompassing fireball of unstoppability (so unstoppable, in fact, that it caused me to make up a word). Which is SO cool to me that DC is still giving this a shot. Granted they didn’t call Howard Mackie to write it and Stephen Platt to draw it (does anyone else remember him?), so they are hedging their bets, but it is still pretty far from a sure thing. We may love it, we may hate it, but isn’t it nice to see the Old Grey Lady of the comic book industry taking a shot?
(Editor’s Note: For those of you who want to get Tim’s joke above about Stephen Platt here’s a hint, he worked for Rob Liefeld back in the early Image years…)
Sciver Gives Us Five Minutes…After He Already Has Given Us So Much (Cyberfrog Anyone?)
Ethan Van Sciver began his career in the comics industry in 1994, when he created Cyberfrog for Hall of Heroes. After just two issues, the book was picked up as a miniseries for Harris Comics, where Ethan was commissioned to do several other Cyberfrog-related projects as well. By 1997, DC Comics noticed his art and gave him a shot as the guest penciller for Impulse #41. In 1998 he went over to DC Comics full-time as the regular penciller on the Impulse book, starting on issue #50, and continuing all the way through #67. Most recently, he was providing art for Grant Morrison’s New X-Men before once again landing at DC – this time with an exclusive contract – and providing the visuals behind the relaunch of the year – green Lantern: Rebirth.
We gather together to ask Sciver what is cooler than bad @$$ robot frogs…oh, and other stuff too, at Dynamic Forces
Sadly there is not a whole lot here for you folks to sink your teeth into. I mostly included it because of the Cyberfrogs thing, (What? I liked frogs and I liked superheroes. It made sense to me. I mean, they were never as cool as my own creation, Captain Toad, but they were still neat), which I had no idea Van Sciver had been connected with and because of the quote at the end about his wife. I think any and all comic fans are used to that sort of reaction from their significant others. Except Hatton, because Danielle is way more knowledgeable about comics then him or, really, any of us at the site. Seriously…it is scary.
Remember that Fallen Angel Issue Coming Out in February? Forget it.
Posting on his weblog, Peter David has announced that Fallen Angel #19, the first part of a two part story featuring his and George Perez’s “Sachs and Violens” won’t ship in February, as the recently released DC solicits for the month revealed.
You may travel over the river and through the wood, but you will still not find #19 in stores in February. Take a brief respite over at Newsarama to find out why.
Well, if it was easy for Peter David to sell this book, it would get boring. To paraphrase the West Wing, sometimes DC needs no opposing company; they do a fine job getting in their own way.
Still, for Fallen Angel fans, the series continuing, even a few months late, is better than it being cancelled. And I say this as a Monolith fan (and an Aztek fan, and a Chase fan, and a Stars and STRIPE fan and…well, you get the idea) so trust me, I know of what I speak.
Morrison Frozen in Gotham
Robbie Morrison has worked on a variety of projects in his comics career, but this November is one of the first times he gets to examine the ins and outs of one of Batman’s cooler foes, Mr. Freeze. Morrison is working with his White Death collaborator Charlie Adlard on a Batman: Gotham Knights story that showcases the villain after the Batman: War Games saga.
The weather may be cold and crisp in Gotham, but at The Pulse it is all about Grandma stuffing the turkey and umm…Robbie Morrison’s comments.
I have to admit, I bought this issue purely on the basis of its beautiful cover by Jae Lee (boy, do I dig his work). Also, I have yet to read it.
After this interview, however, I can hardly wait to get home and crack it open.
I am sucker for parlor scripts (one room, the majority of the action relying on strong back and forth dialogue), be they in TV, film, book, or comic. In particular, I enjoy a good Batman parlor script as they are very rare and show off the intellect of Bats in a way that tends to be omitted in your slam bang action scripts. In fact, one of my favorite Batman stories is “A Gotham Tale” which rang in issues 477 and 478 of Batman and focused on Batman being locked in a vault with two strangers. As the trio rapidly runs out of air, it is decided that they will all tell one story and on the basis of those stories decide which of the three is to die so that the other two may survive on the remaining oxygen. The plot eventually involves a villain called the Gargoyle, but I’ll keep the how a secret. It is a short arc worth scavenging the back issue bins for if you enjoy that sort of story as much as I do.
Anyway, this Mr. Freeze story sounds similar in approach (but, obviously, not in plot) and thus, I am on board. Tune in next week to see what I thought. Did I just pimp my own column in my own column? Damn right I did!
)Editor’s Note: Please do not blame Tim for this flagrant act of self-promotion. He’s apparently been spending too much time with the Overlord, and his evil tendencies are beginning to rub off. However, if Tim begins referring to himself in the third person, even the Overlord will start to worry.)
Wonder Woman Oppose Everyone Getting “Stoned”. Dylan Cannot be Reached for Comment
All told, there have been better times to be Wonder Woman. Maybe like when she and Steve Trevor were jetting around and the pleasingly plump Etta was hanging around to, and no one every really put up that much of a fight, or maybe, at worse, there was some spanking.
The Wonder Woman of today is probably wishing she could go back to 1940s era worries about hair, dreamy Steve Trevor, and the rather wimpy villains, rather than have to deal with the events of this week’s issue #210 – “Stoned, part 5.”
Did you know that Thanksgiving was discontinued for some 45 years in the 1800’s until President Lincoln reinstated it in 1863? It is true. It also is apropos of nothing having to do with this Wonder Woman article at Newsarama but whatever. It sure is interesting.
Newsarama did this with two issues this week, Wonder Woman #210, as you probably guessed, and Captain America #1. Now, I am contractually obligated not to discuss Captain America #1 in this column (although I did review it for the site this week, FYI), but let me just say that I love this new feature. I think it is a genius idea, getting creators to comment on a single issue a few days after its release when the hype is done and the early spoilers no longer matter. Plus, this installment gave rise to a great discussion about whether or not what happened to Diana is an example of the “Women in Refrigerators” phenomenon or an advancement of the character. Also, we get all sorts of little side conferences about the nature of comic book change (this will only last three months, etc) whether character evolution is achieved through facing and overcoming obstacles, and, of course, is this title too damn slow. It’s worth a look. And let’s hope this feature is kept alive.
OPINIONS ON THE WORK OF PEOPLE FAR MORE TALENTED THAN I
BIRDS OF PREY #76
Simone and Benes (with an assistant from Prado on layouts) ride together once more and the book remains just great. The cheesecake factor that disappoints many has been reined in pretty tightly here, (although, sadly, it appears that this town has experienced a shortage of fabric and the young women have heroically sacrificed the bottom halves of their shirts so that others may have full shirts), without handcuffing the energy of Benes’s (and Prado’s) art. The design on the hero/villain that the Birds encounter is a strong one, maintaining a singular look while still conveying the morphing nature of her abilities. The conclusion is unique and the message of it is suitably subtle. So far the new BoP status quo fits quite nicely.
HERO #22
A great conclusion to a great series. When a cancelled series is allowed to wrap up this nicely, it lessens the blow significantly.
JLA #108
Two issues in and it still feels as though Busiek is searching for his rhythm. He writes the CSA well enough that this issue feels like an extension of JLA: Earth 2. That is a compliment considering my great love of that OGN, but in feeling like an extension, it also fails to break any new ground. This is probably useful to those new to the CSA, but for those who have had exposure before it feels like an exercise in redundancy. Just be aware.
Also, the ending of last issue does not synch up very well with the opening or events of this issue. Conceivably, this issue and last issue might be ending in essentially the same place, but there is nothing in the text to convey this approach.
I have high hopes for Busiek on this title and, for now, he just does not seem to be reaching those heights.
MANHUNTER #4
The book continues its alternating action with talking approach this issue as Spencer tracks down a former engineer to the supervillain set. Nice to see a seemingly incongruous aside from two issues ago actually meant something as the worst waiter in the world makes a second appearance and in a much larger capacity. The art and the writing on this book continue to be just great. Of all of DC’s struggling books at the moment (Hard Time, Human Target, Bloodhound, etc) I feel like this might have the best chance of digging in and gaining some sales ground. I’d like to see it happen to all of them, but this is my pick for underselling title that can make it.
Editor’s Note: I hate to but in here again, but I have to second Tim’s recommendation here. Manhunter is by far the best new DC book on the shelves if not one of the best new books on the market. I haven’t seen a lot of press on this title but it really deserves it. Everyone should do themselves a favor and go check this puppy out. Come to think of it, maybe I should write a column about it…)
TEEN TITANS #18
Since I heard about this arc in San Diego I have been excited about it. The first issue confirmed that my excitement was not ill advised and this issue confirms that last issue was no fluke…if that makes a lick of sense. Johns and McKone are hitting on all cylinders. Tim (Robin) and Tim (Batman) are hitting each other. My inner possible future story geek is doing a dance of delight that is very unbecoming, but very joyful.
HUMAN TARGET #16
I gush on this issue here but I really do run on at the keyboard a bit. Seriously, it is really embarrassing how meandering that review is on closer inspection. Thus, I will boil it down here for you. Milligan redeems an arc who’s second issue I felt was a let down buy putting a new twist on the old questions of identity that Chance is always wrestling with and reconnecting with some ideas from the first issue of the arc that I found to be intriguing. It is one of the best books out there and if you don’t read it you bring shame to your entire family.
BLOODHOUND #5
A crossover issue with Firestorm. Find my review for it here
FIRESTORM #7
The lesser of the crossover, but still good. Sharpe’s art seems somewhat ill fitting here and Firestorm’s loss of control crisis is too easily and quickly resolved. On the other hand, Jason remains an intriguing character and Clevenger showing up anywhere is cause for celebration.
GOTHAM CENTRAL #25
This analysis of Gotham’s new status quo, told from the cop’s perspective, is nice companion piece is the Detective #800 from a few weeks back. My only complaint is the cover. I could have sworn that I have seen and bought that cover on an earlier issue of Gotham Central. Obviously, I am wrong, but I nearly skipped over this issue because of it. And yes, my poor memory is still reason enough for me to complain, thank you very much.
GREEN ARROW #44
A mixed bag here. Winick veers close to after school special at points, especially the doctor’s explanation of HIV and AIDS. It is admirable that Winick wishes to educate the public, but the speech is too stilted and feels like it was copied out of a health textbook on the topic. Thus, sadly, that means most readers will scan through it and not pick up some pertinent facts to the virus that they might have otherwise been unaware of.
At other times, however, Winick still displays his deft way with words. In particular, the laughing through the tears tone of Connor and Mia’s encounter in the courtyard has a nice, real flavor to it. Plus, I’m a sucker for putting Connor in the front seat of any story and here he continues to march to the forefront of the book, proving a much more well adjusted and well rounded individual than his father.
Special props to the cover, a stark, impressive bit of art. Some felt that it was too exploitative, but I disagree. First, it is eye catching (which many of us complain that covers have, as of late, failed to be) and second, it does a great job conveying Mia’s sense of isolation. Finally, I would point out that the statistics on it did not appear in any of the promotional material, only on the final cover. In my estimation, something cannot be exploitive if no one tried to exploit it.
IDENTITY CRISIS #6
See, this is what I mean. Last month, I said that issue #5 had not connected with me as well as the others, but I was sure it was merely a blip on the map. Issue #6 proves that that was, in fact, the case. Another excellent installment of this excellent miniseries. My compliments to all involved.
JSA #67
Dr. Mid-Nite is one of my favorite legacy heroes. I have been hooked on him since Matt Wagner’s surreally illustrated miniseries and was thrilled when he finally joined the JSA. I am predisposed to like any issue where he is given a prominent role.
Of course, he needs to be portrayed well or my inherent like of the character will not make a bit of difference. Johns nails his voice here as the almost entirely silent Mid-Nite narrates his push to unravel the ID Crisis killer’s identity (pun? No, I think not!). Building on past hints at his feelings of isolation, Johns shows us a Mid-Nite who is almost entirely cut off from his teammates and the world in his quest for truth. While they all run home to protect their family and friends (literally in Flash’s case), Mid-Nite stays behind in the lab. Even with Terrific on hand, things are largely silent as any and all extraneous conversation is left unsaid.
And, hey, having the guy that drew Watchmen on hand does not suck either.
NIGHTWING #99
A decent issue that is really hurt by the art. However, what got me the most was an inability to suspend disbelief during the closing moments of the story. Dick and Bruce have their umpteenth clash (in which Dick, moments before wracked by guilt over his role in Blockbuster’s death, comes across as uncharacteristically hypocritical) and Dick takes off. On a motorcycle. Which would be all well and good if a.) Dick was not nursing a pretty bad gunshot wound, b.) he was wearing a shirt, and/or c.) he was wearing any shoes. Plus, regardless of what happened with Bruce and how he (or the reader) feels about it, Dick is being wildly rude to Alfred who only a few pages before poured out his heart to Dick. Nightwing ends up looking a lot like a spoiled child at the end of this thing.
TIME TO COMPLAIN ABOUT SMALLVILLE
There are certain TV shows that are “hit or miss” and you decide that they are not worth your time. The last several seasons of ER, for example. There are certain shows that are “hit or miss” and you simply accept them for their “hit or miss” ness and move on and deal. Smallville is such a show to me. In fact, at times, I have even had fun with its unevenness, as when Ben and I used to watch and comment upon the numerous times Jonathan Kent drove Lex closer to being as evil as he was being accused of by questioning every altruistic act that Lex ever performed. Or the multiple times, Clark and Lana seemed to make progress only to have their relationship reset by the end of the episode. Or when Peter (god rest his soul) would, for reasons unarticulated, randomly slip into a style of slang that no one else in Smallville spoke in.
I accepted these excesses and underwhelming parts of the show. I understood that, for some reason, the writers decided that having Clark and Lana eternally dance the same dance was a lot more interesting then having them truly be together or truly be done with this “might they” nonsense. I was okay with the insane amounts of krypto villains, although they were usually the least interesting part of the show.
What I can no longer accept is how Clark gets ridden so bad for radical changes in behavior when everyone else does it and everyone else is let off the hook for it. Except for Lionel Luthor, no one seems to be punished for his indiscretions as much as Clark. Even Lex who has legitimately done some bad things without the benefit of body switching or mind altering plants has been let off the hook easier by most of Smallville (Clark and his Dad being the exception).
To whit: the most recent episode saw Chloe, Lana, and Lois all done up in goth gear and possessed by centuries departed witches. The goal, apparently, was to show that Clark has another thing to fear besides the green K…magic. Oh, and also, near as I can tell, to dress up Chloe, Lana, and Lois in goth gear to get some folks drooling. Hatton, I am looking at you.
Anyway, they do all sorts of dastardly stuff, but are eventually cured and forgiven. By everyone, including Clark who was tortured by them and might have lost his chance to go to Princeton because of them and by Lex who was made to play piano til his fingers were bloody messes. Now compare this to the body-swapping episode two weeks before, where Lionel seized control of Clark. He raises Hell, pisses off Chloe, etc. When Clark tries to tell her it was not him, she rebuffs him, suggesting he get help. Why can everyone else by the victim of these things except for Clark?!
And this is hardly the first time. Lana, Chloe, Peter, and Mr. Kent have all had their personalities altered by a flower. Chloe and Lex have been imitated by shape shifters. In each case, all was eventually forgiven? So why, when Clark gets whacked a few times with red K and gets mean, is he suddenly the world’s biggest bastard? Of particular insanity is the episode where Clark, Pete, and Chloe all undergo personality shifts and only Clark is held accountable for his actions.
Anyway, that is just my two cents.
Well, there it is. The end of the Thanksgiving week column. Now go, see the fam, eat till your silly, and watch football. It was what all the pilgrims intended for us. And to everyone not in the US…carry on as you were.
Un Gajje’s gonna eat himself some biscuits and gravy Thursday. Sure enough, he is.
