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To my fellow Americans, Happy Belated Columbus Day. To our northern neighbors in the fair state of Canada, Happy Belated Thanksgiving. To my Jewish brothers and sisters, I hope you have an easy fast, that your sins are forgiven by the time the book is sealed, and that the sound of Shofar signals a new year of happiness and peace for you and yours this Yom Kippur (Thursday). To everyone else, hahaha, you don’t get to celebrate anything this week. Unless you love Sausage Pizza. Apparently, if you do, Wednesday is a big day for you.


The Future is Now!

The DCU future is 10 issues old.

More or less.

That is to say that issue #10 of the new Legion of Super-Heroes hit a few weeks ago, continuing Mark Waid and Barry Kitson’s new take on DC’s revered team of teen heroes in the future.

And when we say “new” take we mean it – “new.” The first issue of the series which debuted late last year showed it to be a completely top to bottom reboot. The ties with the “old” Legion (itself a Andy Lanning and Dan Abnett helmed 1999 revamp of a Waid-helmed 1994 reboot of a Kieth Giffen-helmed 1989 revamp of a 1980 quasi-revamp of the Legion) were severed, and cast aside. This team, while some of the names may be familiar, is its own beast.

In the first of two interviews, we sat down with Waid to talk about the world the Legion inhabits.

If you don’t go to Newsarama to read this story, Mathan will demand answers from me.

That summary at the beginning of the revamps/reboots of the previous revamps/reboots…that’s rough. My heart goes out to you diehard Legion fans that have stuck with it through all of that.

“NRAMA: As you say though, historically, connecting the Legion with the contemporary DCU has led to continuity problems down the line – is that going to be avoided with this incarnation?

MW: Not long-term, no.”

Am I misinterpreting something or did Mark Waid just announce that he is not going to avoid what has been a problem with the Legion over and over again? That strikes me as either very bold (“I will be the one that makes this work!” and then does), very foolhardy (“I will be the one that makes this work!” and doesn’t), or just odd (“I know this doesn’t work, but eh…everyone else did it, right?”). Then again, maybe I am just not reading the quote right.

It all so sounds so interesting to me when Mark Waid talks about it. But then, I pick up and issue and…nothing. I just don’t get the spark, you know? But, having read Waid’s comments here, I’m guessing I’ll give it another go when the trade comes out. We’ll see.

The Future is Still Now

Continuing our discussion with Legion of Super-Heroes writer Mark Waid, we move from the “world” of the Legion to the characters and the storyline.

SPOILER WARNING: If you haven’t read issue #10 yet, and prefer your surprises to come from the comics themselves rather than an interview, you’ll want to steer waaaaay clear of the bottom of this article.

Seriously, go to Newsarama. I fear more “why don’t you read Legion” questions and this is how I sent the balance of the universe right.

Whoa…Star Boy…making a better window than a door now…and I apparently have nothing else to say.


Retrospect of Vengeance

As next Wednesday draws closer, more and more pieces of the Crisis have begun to fall into place. One of the first to land was the conclusion of Day of Vengeance, the six issue miniseries by Bill Willingham and Justiniano that took the magic side of the DC Universe and shook it, snowglobe style.

Of course, if you can’t guess: SPOILER WARNING!

Magic yourself on over to Newsarama before the Spectre comes for you too!

So the directive was that the series had to end with Spectre and Shazam, toe to toe, but Willingham was free to get from A to B basically however he wanted? I buy that. What still bugs me though is why Willingham couldn’t have done a better job of bringing Shazam into the story more fully. I mean, we see him once in an early issue and then not again until the last one. I still liked the series overall, I just wish the beginning and middle connected with the end better. Instead, the beginning and the middle build up the Shadowpact while the end sees them shoved aside for a Shazam/Spectre dust up. There’s no objective correlative here and it undercut my ability to care about Shazam’s fate. Especially since he started out as ghost and there is very little to indicate he cannot return to that state. Heck, there was not even a body, was there?

On the other hand, the very brief mention about magic now being wild finally made that idea click with me. When I first read the last issue and Shazam mentioned it for some reason I was very much, “Oh, DC, don’t make magic wild again,” and I really cannot explain why, looking back. In any case, I quite like the idea now. It also makes my idea of Doctor September series especially viable (see what I am talking about here in the Welcome to the Revamping section). It won’t happen of course, but hey, a boy can dream.


The OMAC Look Back

The second of the Countdown miniseries to wrap, The OMAC Project by Greg Rucka and Jesus Saiz was the location where the bulk of the destruction of the relationship between Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman was found, and also, the most controversial of the four, not only because of its storyline (which saw Wonder Woman kill an enemy in cold blood), but also because of the side stories that were told in other series (“Sacrifice” ran through the three Superman titles and Wonder Woman in July, and filled in the gap between OMAC #3 and #4).

Enough has been said about “Sacrifice” (or, if you think enough hasn’t been said, feel free to click the above link and continue the conversation), but now that issue #6 has hit, writer Greg Rucka was free to talk about the larger picture – the intricacies of the OMACs and, perhaps more importantly, how the elements from the story will feed in to next week’s Infinite Crisis.

Mondo Spoiler Warnings

Like a giant eye in the sky, gaze upon Newsarama

First, before I even get into the interview, I question the term “cold blood”. I fail to see what Wonder Woman did as being premeditated or some sort of sociopathic stunt (the criteria, for me anyway, for “cold blooded murder”). She might not have hesitated when the moment arrived (actually, the art indicates she sort of did), but I do not think it was a move she made lightly or with brutal intent.

On an entirely superficial note, am I the only one who would prefer that Brother I was actually Brother Eye?

I understand what DC is going for with Brother I (I just don’t like it) releasing the Wonder Woman footage at the end, but even with Rucka’s explanation, I’m not sure I buy it. Yes, people, particularly Americans, do love to see heroes pulled down off their podium. However, typically, at least that many people are dedicated to seeing their heroes stay aloft. Look at Michael Jackson or Kobe Bryant for two recent examples. Sometimes, when dealing with people’s heroes, a smoking gun is still not enough for everyone. Not to mention that, as Rucka points out, the scene is devoid of context. No doubt some people would say, “Wonder Woman attacked that gentleman for no reason!” but I expect just as many (if not more) would say, “Wait, isn’t that the Wonder Woman that killed that Gorgon? Isn’t that the Wonder Woman that saved Boston and Gateway City several times? Maybe, just maybe, this guy had it coming.”

Overall, I liked the mini. I’m one those people that will shout “OMAC!!!” at the drop of a hat. I just think that the public turning on the heroes because of something like this is a bit of comic book logic that I’ll never fully embrace (see also: the hero team breaking up after being mind controlled to fight one another. I don’t get it and I never will.)


The Return of the Plot Summary

Taking the opportunity not only to showcase the return of Donna Troy, the recently completed DC Special: The Return of Donna Troy miniseries by Phil Jiminez, Jose Garcia-Lopez and George Perez answered what has become a recurring question in the DCU: who is Donna Troy?

This time, it looks like the answer might stick.

Oh, and before we get rolling too far: Spoiler warning!

See what confusion distills to at Newsarama

So everything that was ever told about Donna Troy is true? Because she existed in different timelines/worlds/whatever? And now all that stuff is merged? And this is supposed to make sense? Man…and I thought Jiminez made Tempest complicated.


Azzarello Unconcerned About a “Loveless” Life

Brian Azzarello is a writer who stays away from typical comic books. He took the crime genre, almost completely neglected by comics, and revitalized it with his and Eduardo Risso’s award-winning 100 Bullets. Even his Batman run featured the heavy draping of a pulp story. Now with Marcello Frusin, his former collaborator on Hellblazer, Azzarello plans to revitalize another mainly forgotten genre in comic books: the western.

Be Azzarello’s huckleberry at The Pulse

“That’s brilliant and sounds like a helluva challenge.”

I hate to be this guy because I really dislike when people ride “comic journalists” for their lack of reporting, etc (it is a different bag people!) but, really, what the heck kind of thing is that for a reporter to say to his interview subject? Why not just simply declare, “Mr. Azzarello, sir, you are awesome. And this book will be awesome. Because everything you do is awesome.” It would be about as objective.

“Yeah, I went on vacation and I road a pony.”

Having heard Azzarello speak in public (and dress down a fan or two) makes this quote all the cooler to me. I can just hear his tone of voice. Oooooo…chilling.

“Brian, what would it take to make you write a happy story?”

Again, what? Are Brian and the interviewer buddies or something? If not…what’s up with that question?!

Overlooking the too friendly tone of the interview to discuss the book (like I probably should’ve been in the first place), I could see myself buying this. The Western, particularly in comics, is not a genre I typically seek out. However, I do love a great deal of Westerns (let’s hear for Tombstone! Am I right, people? Come on now!) and Azzarello finally truly connected with me as a reader for the first time with Lex Luthor, so yeah, I can see giving it a shot.


How Can Putting “Dead” “Boy” and “Detectives” in the Same Title Not Yield a Hit

Jill Thompson loves a good mystery. She took all the elements from that genre and combined them in the recent Deadboy Detectives manga from Vertigo. This time around, Edwin and Charles are trying to keep one step ahead of Death, as they go from England to Chicago to investigate the disappearance of wealthy boarding school residents.

See if you can stay ahead of Death as well by cowering beneath your blanket at The Pulse

I’m kind of embarrassed to say I never even saw this book on the shelves. It does look like a whole bunch of fun though, even if I am not its target demographic.


DC a Little Confused About How to Endear Themselves to Mr. Moore Again

DC Comics has announced plans to collect every Alan Moore DCU story in one volume. The publisher has also released a list of its collected editions from January and February. Which are on your must read list? Why?

The Pulse demands answers. Why, dammit, why?!

Man…on the strength of “For the Man Who Has Everything” and “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow” this is a hard collection to pass up. What clinches it for me though?

“Mogo Doesn’t Socialize”.

You’re goddamn right he doesn’t. He’s too busy being all sorts of awesome. MOGO FOREVER!!!

(I honestly can’t even tell if I’m joking or I’m serious when I talk about Mogo anymore. Has the lie become the truth or was it, deep down inside, the truth from the beginning?)

As for the other January and February trades, there is not a lot that jumps out at me. I think that Seven Soldiers trade is a bit wrongheaded. I’d go ahead and collect the first four minis in two separate volumes, both featuring #0 too. With only the first two issues of each mini, it just doesn’t seem all that fair to me. Plus, further collecting would seem to be a nightmare of logistics. But I could be wrong.

The other one that I took note of would also be a Morrison joint, Kid Eternity. From what I’ve heard, it is one of his lesser works and 15 bucks for three issues (which is actually more like 6 issues of a normal length comic) is not an incredible deal. However, it is very likely that I will feel weak when I see it and pick it up anyway. I like enough of Morrison stuff that I find it hard not to give everything of his, eventually, a fair shake.


The Flash Wins Another Lap of the Race

GEOFF JOHNS WRAPS UP FLASH RUN WITH SOLD-OUT ISSUE #225

Writer Geoff Johns’ phenomenal 61-issue run on THE FLASH reached its conclusion with issue #225, the final chapter of “Rogue War” – an issue that sold out at DC Comics ten days after reaching stores on August 31. This leaves only FLASH #223 (APR050335), chapter 4 of the 6-part “Rogue War” story, still available for reorder.

See Johns’ finish his run off with a break through the tape at The Pulse

Great to see it all end on a sales high note. Well earned sales high note, I might add. (Or I might not. I’m crazy like that. Real unpredictable.)


COMING ATTRACTIONS

BREACH #10

Second to last issue (penultimate, if you prefer)! So sad. Well, I’ve gotta enjoy it while I still can.

INFINITE CRISIS #1

This is a small indie type boutique book that DC is putting out. I think it may surprise, though, with some high sales and a decent amount of buzz when it hits stands. I’m thinking, sleeper hit.

EX MACHINA #15

New storyline! Road trip! Two of the beautiful phrases in the English language about one of the best books on the stands.

VILLAINS UNITED #6

Finally, we’ll have an answer to “Who is Mockingbird?” I just hope Mathan’ll let it go after this.

OPINIONS ON THE WORK OF PEOPLE FAR MORE TALENTED THAN I

GOTHAM CENTRAL #36

Smart, strong conclusion. I think I would place this storyline on par with Half a Life and Unresolved, that’s how much I dug it.

JSA #87

Much better after last month’s incredibly disappointing effort. Read me review here.

SHOOTING BACK AT THE GRIMACE

Hey right you how you were talking about changing Batman into being more than The Asshole Batman? Specifically in them finding a balance between the darkness of the current Batman with the sorta light Silver Age Batman. Well, I think Peter David could do it.

Seriously, I mean all you have to do is check his Madox series or his legendary run on Spider-Man to know that he likes to balance film noir type writing (which is where Batman excels at) with attempts at humor. True Batman dose not need to filled with quips like Spider-Man but I still think that Peter David would be Da Man that would be able to
find a balance.

Plus he’s not exclusive, a pretty big name, and has obviously written for DC before. I just don’t how what he thinks about Batman sans the “Dude it’s Batman, duh he rocks” mentality.
So what do you think?
Robb

P.S: Keep up the good work.

Hmm…I wouldn’t have thought of Peter David, but now that you mention it…that could be very interesting indeed. I’m not the huge David fan that a lot of comic people are, but let’s just take a look at the facts:

1.) You mentioned Spider-Man and one of David’s most famous Spider tales was the Death of Jeanne DeWolfe, a story that very easily could have occurred in the Batverse. That story is evidence that he can nicely mix street level crime with a super villain type threat. Who doesn’t love Batman fighting street level crime perpetrated by super villain types? Anyone? Didn’t think so.

2.) He wrote/will write again Fallen Angel. That means that the man gets the kind of atmosphere that Gotham would wear nicely. Obviously, the transition is not one to one but its close enough that he’s at least in the same ballpark as Gotham.

3.) Although much of his humor in books like Young Justice can be broad, punny, or very visually based, he demonstrated with Hulk that he can apply the sly, sarcastic humor well. This is the sort of thing Bruce and Alfred should engage in over yet another wound suturing or meal gone uneaten.

Wow! I’m impressed. That’s a really good call that I never would have thought of on my own. I don’t know if DC’s collective head is in the same place about future Bat teams or if David would ever be remotely interested, but it is quite a choice.

Thanks for the kind words there at the end as well. Much appreciated.


Another week, another solid page count. Nice to see the column back up and kicking. I hope you are too. Let me know if you are (or aren’t) and why at parallax2@juno.com or the all too quiet message boards. Also, on an entirely unrelated note to my column, check out our newest columnist Danielle O’Brien and her first column this week. I think you’ll dig her efforts.

Un Gajje, Asking All of You to Forgive Him for Any of His Broken Promises of the Past Year