In taking a quick review of this column, this is apparently my “Tim gets mad about a whole bunch of stuff” edition. First, we have me worrying about Watchmen. Then I tee off on a Loeb interview about Superman/Batman, which is followed by me taking fans to task for being too much like punk music fans. Finally, I bring it all together with a little self righteous whine about exclusive contracts. If this doesn’t get you to the message boards to tell me how wrong I am, I’m not sure what more I can do.
Don’t believe me? Why don’t you check out the NEWS then.
Moore Movies, Moore Feuding
Alan Moore, co-creator of the “V For Vendetta” comic, has publicly disassociated himself from the upcoming Warner Brothers movie project based on the comic book and written and produced by the Wachowski Brothers. And as a result, he has cut his remaining ties with DC Comics, including future volumes of the “League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen.”
This is from week one of Johnston’s transition from rumors to more of a “hard news” approach to comic book reporting, so before we get to the actual story let me just say that while I would miss Lying in the Gutters as a rumor style column, Johnston clearly knows his stuff and would be an asset on the hard news side of things. Perhaps he can be hard news three weeks of the month and rumors for one? Just brainstorming out loud.
Poor DC. After kind of backdooring Moore back into the DC fold by buying/getting a hold of Wildstorm (and thus, ABC Comics), things seemed to be going fine. Then, they weren’t and the Watchmen anniversary product push they had planned fell apart. Still all was not lost as Moore chose to remain with ABC (and thus, DC) and continue to produce work. A sign of détente seemed to have resurfaced when DC announced that there would be a beautiful new hardcover edition of Watchmen (with EXTRAS!) offered as well as a new edition of V For Vendetta.
But then this happened.
Poor Alan Moore. The man can’t seem to catch a break Hollywood style, can he? The best adaptation of his work is probably From Hell and that’s hardly what one would call an exciting film legacy (even if it was the first film Janelle and I saw together). League was all sorts of irredeemable awful, particularly since he committed the worst sin a big, loud summer blockbuster can: it was boring. I was excited for V if for no other reason than the cast and pedigree (hate on the last 2 all you want, Matrix is still a breathtaking piece of sci-fi), but it doesn’t sound like this is going to be Moore’s day on this film now either. Plus they misquote him in a giant press conference? Boo to Silver and Co. And a chuckle to them for think Guy Fawkes’ Day only happened 100 years ago.
As far as how this effects my life? Eh, not so much. I have tremendous respect for Moore, but ABC largely never did anything for me and while I bought the whole of League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Volume 1 and enjoyed it, I’ve never had any desire to revisit the series and when I failed to locate a copy of the first issue from Vol. 2, I really lost no sleep over that at all.
My only concern is the new Watchmen hardcover. While I have no desire to see DC milk cash out of it if Moore would prefer they not (it is he and Gibbons thing after all, even if that is only in the artistic sense of it) I also have no desire not to eventually own such a book. In light of what happened last time DC and Moore had a falling out that happened to correspond to the release of a new, fancy, edition of Watchmen, I don’t think it is beyond the pale to be concerned about it happening here as well. Again, I’m all for artistic rights and such and ultimately if it is a choice between Moore getting screwed and me owning something that I already own but in a cooler edition, I’ll side with Moore. I’m just hoping I won’t have to make that call at all.
Rebranding, DC Style
While the publisher’s Countdown issue may have been the kickoff to a sweeping change in DC Comics’ editorial vision, “Countdown” also seems to have implications inside DC as well, as, from recent events, it grows increasingly apparent that DC Comics is entering a period of change unlike it has seen in decades. What will the “new DC” look like at the end of the “countdown,” and will it be the same publisher and company its long-time fans recognize?
Industry observers have noted many sweeping changes within the company in recent months, ranging from the abrupt restructuring of its sales and marketing departments to the dismissal and buy out of certain long-tenured executives working behind the scenes. The recent unveiling of a new logo for the company is yet another sweeping change that signals a significant restructuring and corporate strategy adjustment that will be felt for years to come.
Is this another logo story> You know it is! And Newsarama’s got it.
It is always interesting how nervous we, as comic fans, get about this sort of thing. Any appeal to the mainstream is read as either a.) selling out and becoming corporate and/or b.) abandoning us, the fans. It’s like being a fan of punk music. While we complain about how no one else reads what we read or “gets” who interesting/complicated/artistic, etc comics are, the moment they make any attempt to catch with a wider audience, be it via a logo change or concentrating on licensing or whatever we become angry. We don’t want comics “taken” away from us. We like supporting the art form that gets no respect. In some ways, we prefer it that way. Because as long as that’s the situation, the comic book companies need to work to make us happy. The more buyers of comics, the less the companies need to worry about making us in particular, the hardcores if you will, pleased. Obviously, not all comic fans fall into this category, but a lot certainly do. And the talkbacks for this article definitely illustrate that point nicely.
This is not to say that aren’t worthy concerns, there are some in there. Ceding crearive power to a corporation is always a dangerous balancing act, (Of course DC has been “corporate as long as I’ve been reading comics, but I suppose that point’s neither here nor there), and going mainstream is often interpreted in cases such as these as an invitation to produce pedestrian, conventional works. So, yeah, there are justified concerns in there. I just think our kneejerk “not to my comics” mentality is not always the most sensible way to respond to things.
Superman/Batman: To the Maximum!
The first week of June marks the start of “With a Vengeance” in DC’s Superman/Batman #20. Along with pitting Superman and Batman against some…kinda familiar opponents, the six-issue arc marks the return of original series original art team of Ed McGuiness and Dexter Vines to the book, as well as the final arc of writer Jeph Loeb.
For now?
We caught up with Loeb to talk about the upcoming storyline, as well as reports that the arc’s antagonists, “The Maximums” are…well, somewhat like something else.
Just take one guess who the Maximums are at Newsarama
This is getting a bit much for me to take. I think this is about the 10th or 15th interview with Loeb that I’ve read where he talks about Bendis having Lois Lane beat up in the Pulse (I still don’t see it. I think Bendis scripted a woman reporter to be killed and threw the name in there for fun, not as an F-U! to DC. But then, I don’t look for trouble in between the covers of a comic) and how this arc is all about being a response to that. By this point, no matter how loudly his assures us that this is all a joke in good fun, it still comes across as that friend of yours who always jokes sarcastically about the time you all went to the baseball game without him. Sure, he says it was no big deal and he’s just having a good time with it, but would he really keep bringing it up if he was okay with it?
Plus, this sort of thing happens on both ends. Millar was doing it with the Americans over in The Authority long before The Pulse hit the streets or Marvel relauched Squadron Supreme as Supreme Power. And by the by Gruenwald wrote Squadron Supreme in the 80’s, JMS did not create it. If anything, his take on it is farther away from their models over in DC then Gruenwald’s initial effort. And what of the Cyborg and his three cohorts in Superman. Were they not Fantastic Four emulates? And so on and so on. It’s cool if Loeb is pissed about Supreme Power or the Pulse. I don’t get it, but it’s his choice. I just wish he wouldn’t spin it like Marvel fired the first shot in some sort of war here. It feels forced, like some of the worst stunts Jemas pulled when he went out trolling for controversy.
Of course, I hate the whole DC v. Marvel mentality, so maybe I’m just being oversensitive.
Hal Reborn
So there was this new series from DC that debuts today – you may have heard of it, as it had a little buzz: Green Lantern. Not just any “Green Lantern,” but, in the eyes of many, “the” Green Lantern – Hal Jordan, fresh from Green Lantern: Rebirth, which brought him back as the earth’s main Green Lantern.
We managed to corner Green Lantern writer Geoff Johns for a few minutes this morning to squeeze a few comments out about Hal, the series, and where things are coming.
Welcome THE Green Lantern back to fold at his homecoming party in the luxurious Newsarama hotel.
I was disappointed to see Black Hand not get more play in Rebirth (I think he’s get a great look and great potential as a GL baddie) so it is heartening to hear that he’ll get more face time in the second arc of the new book. It is also good to hear that despite popular perception, Hal just hasn’t been given a free pass on everything that happened post-Coast City on his way to becoming Parallax and beyond. I hope that means that Hall will be a bit more of complex character than simply the square jawed uber-hero that he came across bit like in the later chapters of Rebirth.
Take a Sip from the Fountain
Along with Darren Aronofsky, Ari Handel is the co-screenwriter of The Fountain, a very unique project with singular ties to the comic book world. Five years ago The Fountain was supposed to have been made for $70 million with Brad Pitt starring. That fell apart once Pitt left the production over “creative differences,” and now the film has been shot with Hugh Jackman filling Pitt’s shoes but for half the budget. The script had to be extensively rewritten by Aronofsky and Handel to accommodate the new budget. They didn’t throw the old script away however, instead they gave it to Kent Williams to draw as a graphic novel to be released by DC’s Vertigo imprint later this year.
Like Ponce de Leon before you, follow the Newsarama map to eternal youth.
So very excited for this. So. Very. Excited.
Villains Are Always Greedy
Villainy continues to spread through comics shops everywhere as the VILLAINS UNITED #1 Second Printing has sold out at DC Comics nine days before its in-store date of May 18.
Now, DC Comics sends this issue back to press for a new, third printing, scheduled to arrive in stores on June 8. The cover of this printing features an inked and colored version of the second printing’s cover, with art by Dale Eaglesham & Wade von Grawbadger.
Here they come, trying to steal yet more of your money at Newsarama
I like this cover colored even more. Still not gonna buy another copy of a book I already own though (except in the case of that fancy-schmancy Watchmen hardcover, of course).
Come See the Comic Side of Sears
Bart Sears, acclaimed artist of Captain America and the Falcon and former Art Director for Crossgen, has signed a 2-year exclusive agreement with DC Comics.
Visit the mall of Comixtreme for further details
I wonder what they’ve hired him for? Actually, I think this is my new annoyance with exclusive contracts. I’ve accepted that they are the new world order. I can finally stomach that. But now, I’m kind of tired of the endless exclusive announcements that seem as though Marvel or DC are just collecting pieces off the board to have them just in case. I mean, eventually all these people do get projects, but at time it feels like, “We’ll scoop up now and worry about using them later.” It bugs me for some silly reason.
UPDATED: Looks like I spoke too soon. Apparently, Sears will be working on LOTDK and Warlord. So in the short term, it looks like DC does have a plan for him. Sorry ’bout that.
Pop is So In Right Now
In his most recent update to his website http://www.popmhan.com/, artist Pop Mhan says he has taken over DC’s Batgirl with issue October’s issue #69.
See why they’re talking about Pop…Pop Mhan at Newsarama
I don’t know if this is the right choice or not. I do know that I really liked Mhan’s work on the Black Flash storyline from a few years back. So…good for him getting some work.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
VILLAINS UNITED #2
Yay for Gail Simone! Yay for Dale Eaglesham! Yay for more villain-on-villain craziness! Yays all around!
SEVEN SOLDIERS ZATANNA #2
With the exception of Shining Knight, every Seven Soldiers book has delivered on the promise of the concept. Even items like the superhero support group which struck me as sort of lame in the abstract, actually worked in the telling. With this be, Sook’s doing some of his best artwork to date and the mystery of the young girl with Zatanna’s gift for backtalk has piqued my interest.
OPINIONS ON THE WORK OF PEOPLE FAR MORE TALENTED THAN I
BATMAN SCARECROW YEAR ONE #1
I already covered this guy here but allow me to summarize. Not a worthy investment of your time or money.
DAY OF VENGEANCE #2
Fun. I’m still not in love with the book, but it’s entertaining and Detective Chimp has actually proven himself beyond simply being a novelty character to point at and giggle about. Not so sure about the Enchantress being able to read Eclipso’s mind though.
FLASH #222
The Top shows his hand. It’s eerie how all the Rogues who I mentioned in Who’s Who two weeks ago showed up here, but I’ll just amount that to Johns’ excellent ability to foreshadow and not a latent psychic ability on my part. Captain Cold was great as always as was the look on Heat Wave’s face when Top “undid” his changes.
Not so sure about an again wholly evil Trickster because I dug his forays into being a rogue for the good guys (see Underworld Unleashed). Also, wasn’t thrilled with Flash’s “solution” to the problem of Piper just because it further undoes the changed status of Flash identity laid out in Ignition. Then again, I preferred him as a public hero, so maybe I should just pick a side and stick with it. I guess it is probably because it just seemed so simple.
GREEN LANTERN #1
This hurts to say, but…I don’t think I’ll be picking this book up consistently. That Black Hand appearance might bring me back though.
OMAC PROJECT #2
I know many people who feel like this mini is moving too slow or nothing is happening, but it doesn’t feel that way to me. Saiz’s art (I have a soft spot for his Batman, in particular) and Lord’s dealing with the Black Queen and White King and Queen were particular highlights for me.
SLEEPER SEASON TWO #12
Check out my take on the end of Sleeper here. It’s pretty short and sweet so I doubt you need any sort of summary.
****REVIEWS FROM THE FUTURE****
MATADOR #2
Less Matador equals not as cool an outing for me as the debut issue. Plus, it gives Stelfreeze less of a chance to cut loose and, dammit, I like when Stelfreeze cuts loose. Still the character work is very well done. I can’t believe that an officer like Grant wouldn’t have gotten in a little bit of trouble for sexual harassment given his ways, I can’t deny that his a ton of fun to read when you know he’s only fiction.
So all in all, a good follow up to the first issue. Now bring back the Matador.
You’ve got to think I am wrong with at least one of my opinions. I know you do. Let me have it at the Comic Nexus message boards or via e-mail at parallax2@juno.com. You’ll feel so much better.
Un Gajje: Crying Not Unlike a Little Girl with A Skinned Knee
