We’re kind of thin for news this week and what’s there isn’t exactly all that thrillin’. Plus, here on the East Coast it is about a billion degrees out. So, sorry in advance, but this week is going to be a pretty quick, no frills edition.
Art! Like Lightning!
DC exclusive artist Josh Middleton has given fans an early look at art to the first issue of his and writer Judd Winick’s four-issue Shazam/Superman: First Thunder limited series.
Debuting in September, Middleton called the first issue, “30 pages of old-school, superhero antics” and “my first and probably last foray into mainstream men-in-tights”.
See what kind of tasty recipe comes out of the Man of Steel and the Big Cheese being mixed in a bowl at Newsarama
It’s amazing the sheer amount of people who posted to inform everyone of one of two things. Either a.) they weren’t a fan of the art or b.) they aren’t a fan of Winick’s writing. Now, some of them mixed it up and said things like, “Not a fan of the art, but I love Captain Marvel so I’ll still probably get this” or “Not a fan of Winick’s writing, but look at that art.” I’ve never seen a talkback so totally devoted to derivatives of those two comics before so it took me a bit by surprise.
Anyway, the art sure is pretty but there’s nothing else here to base an opinion on. I’d recommend waiting to see some dialogue and/or a better explanation of what the story will be (although giant robots do always rule).
Adversary: Revealed?
It’s been nearly four years coming.
In August, Vertigo’s Fables #40 hits, and in it, the revelation of the Adversary’s identity will be made clear.
The story, revealing the leader of the forces that forced the Fables – characters, creatures, and people of myth – from the Homelands has been one of the many carrots series creator Bill Willingham has dangled in front of readers since the series began. It’s the oldest carrot by far, but for many fans, it’s only become sweeter with age.
Mount your stead and return to the Homeland called Newsarama
There’s basically nothing revealed here about the future that hasn’t been found from reading Fables and/or any of the previous interviews with Willingham. I did think his commentary of how Blue Boy supplanted Bigby as the invader of the Homelands was interesting and that he did indeed make the right call. Bigby is a big player and I am excited for his return, but he would have been too obvious a choice. With such a large cast of characters, why not give someone like Blue Boy a chance to shine?
The Shameful Secrets of Astro City
This week marks a welcome return in comic shops as Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson re-team for the long-promised Astro City:” The Dark Age #1, the first issue of a 16-issue maxi series chronicling the darkest period of the city’s history, as well as the final fate of the Silver Agent.
Originally announced at Comic Con International; San Diego in 2003, The Dark Age saw some delays as writer and artist jockeyed their respective schedules to find the time needed to make the project a reality.
We sat down with Busiek to discuss the project.
Uncover Astro City’s seedy past at Newsarama
It’s great to have Astro City back again. I’ve been missing it something fierce and with the 2 years running up to this series hitting stand, I’ve definitely been looking forward to Dark Age. I like that Busiek is taking his cue for this story more from the real world during the 70’s then the darkening of comics during the same period. That’s not to say that there couldn’t be some interesting meta-commentary there, I just think that history is a more fertile staging ground to draw inspiration from.
They Keep Perez Busy
George Perez, who recently signed a five-year exclusive agreement with DC Comics, should have no problem filling that time with work. He’s inking several DC projects, including The Return of Donna Troy, and has tons of offers for even more work within the company.
See how the man can afford his…unique fashion sense at The Pulse
A nice little retrospective on the man, in reference to Titans in particular. It’s also good to hear that while psoriasis might be giving him fits he a.) can still work and b.) feels like the worst is behind him. It’ll be a shame not to see him in San Diego but I am sure I speak for the comic population when I say that I prefer him to be getting better at home then making himself feel even worse at a convention.
Pfeiffer’s Smiling Like the Cat that Caught the Canary
There’s a new man trying to tame the heart of the Catwoman this year, when writer Will Pfeifer takes over the scripting duties this summer. He’s looking forward to getting to write a character he considers to be one of the only women who is an “equal” to the Dark Knight Detective. “Selina is the only one who knows what it’s like to run across the rooftops of Gotham under the moon, hanging out in the underworld and tangling with some of the worst psychos the DCU has to offer,” said Pfeifer.
Take some time at the scratching post at The Pulse
So there’s something weird about this interview. I had the vague feeling I read it before, but I get that a lot just given the amount of times I read and respond to articles that cover very similar subject matter. However, take a look at what Pfeiffer says he’s up to right now: “Well, I’m writing the dialogue for John Byrne’s BLOOD OF THE DEMON series, which hits the stands in March.”
It sure did hit, in March. Only thing is is that it’s almost July now.
I still don’t think this is an interview I’ve read before, but it certainly is an old one. It seems funny that the Pulse would hold on to an interview for at least five months, but I don’t have any other explanation for it.
The People Love Their Action
The first two parts of the Gail Simone penned Action Comics have sold out from DC Comics. Simone credits it to the creative team of John Byrne, Nelson, and Guy Major, but we suspect her scripting also has something to do with the initial success of the run. Simone said she wanted to get back to the heart of Superman – the core of what makes this hero fight for truth and justice.
Dig to the heart of Superman at The Pulse
Oooo, look, it’s Superman in a hoodie.
Sorry, don’t have much to say, just being silly.
To get serious for a second though, wow, Byrne truly does look like the Byrne of old here. See, what did I tell you folk? Get him another inker and he does great work.
Cliff Chiang, Meet Dick Grayson
Quick Con Notes from Heroes
I also got to say hi to Cliff Chiang, whose art I simply adore.
It’s not Human Target, but it’s still pretty great news at Comics Worth Reading
It’s sort of sad for me this news because that means Hester/Parks must be taking a break. I really have a fondness for their art. Then it occurs to me that this is Cliff Chiang we are talking about and it makes everything all right. I wonder how long it’s going to be before we get to see those Chiang issues…I don’t think I’ve seen them solicited yet.
Well, whenever they come will be excellent.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
FLASH #223
I met Howard Porter a few weeks ago (actually, re-met. We had a surreal encounter in San Diego) and he assured me that this issue was excellent. As was the previous one. And as will be the next one.
I see no reason not to trust him.
OMAC PROJECT #3
OMAC!!!!!!!!!!!!
PLANETARY #23
This book may come out roughly every millennia, but it’s still gorgeous and brilliant. Very excited to see who the “real” Drummer is, underneath all that tech nerd attitude and such.
OPINIONS ON THE WORK OF PEOPLE FAR MORE TALENTED THAN I
TEEN TITANS #25
I’ve said this on the boards (which you can find here. Please do take the time and offer me some feedback. Thanks) but I’ll say it here too. I hate (and by hate, I mean hate hate hate hate hate) the battlesuit Lex. I think it was a terrible regression of the character. However, if everyone wrote him like Johns does here, I’d be liable to change my opinion on the matter. Perfectly self-righteous and arrogant, he felt like business man Lex and just happened to look like he was dressed up for Halloween. The green and purple can’t go quick enough as far as I’m concerned but I’m willing to overlook in this case.
Besides an excellent Lex, we have some great attempts by both Wonder Girl and Kid Flash (you know, Impulse who?) to break Superboy out of his trance. It was impressive that Johns had all those characters in the book and still managed to do things like that, keeping the focus fully on Titans, without just ignoring the Outsiders.
Finally, because I made mention of it in my least review of this book, Clark does a strong job on art and the elements that led to confusion last time out are not here. His action panels are more clearly laid out and do a better job at telling the story. His figure work hasn’t suffered at all from last month either, so all in all, a successful venture on art.
What’d I tell you? Short this week, no? Kind of makes me wish I hadn’t used my retro review last week. Ahh well, nothing to be done for it. Thanks for your time, please visit the boards or drop me a line at parallax2@juno.com.
They Say There is a Man who Molds Men’s Lives with but a Word. They Say This Man is Called, “Un Gajje”
