People dug the Christmas list last week. I don’t expect that that will translate into gifts for me, but a lot of folk did appreciate my picks. Two people however pointed out what they thought were mistakes.
First, I did not ask for the Aztek action figure. Right you are. That was an error on my part. I would LOVE to have that toy and would even be willing to put up with the other 2 in the three pack to acquire it. I figure, until DC Direct wises up, that’s the only Aztek figure I’m ever going to see. (So sad.)
Second, The Warriors video game. Yes, I want this as well. However, as it is not related to comics, I chose not to put it on the list. I also chose not to list Shawshank Redemption (I think I owned it on DVD once, but it is nowhere to be found…stupid moving), dress shirts, a new coat, and boxer shorts. For those of you who are completists out there, there you go. Happy now?
Hope so, because here comes the NEWS!
Robin Victory from the Jaws of Defeat
Continuing our prospectus look at the post-Infinite Crisis slash “One Year Later” DC Universe, we caught up with upcoming new Robin writer Adam Beechen, who along will penciler Karl Kerschl (Adventures of Superman) will make up the new ongoing series’ new regular creative team.
Though like all DCU writers right now, Beechen could only talk in varying degree of detail regarding his, Kerschl, and editor Eddie Beganza’s plans, but we didn’t manage to pry a few interesting thoughts from him on the future of Robin, the Boy (maybe ?) Wonder.
First of all, for readers maybe not yet familiar with Beechen and his work, we asked the writer for a quick introduction…
Is that the first sign of spring at Newsarama or is that just another costumed adventurer?
I will give him this, Beechen can certainly talk a good game. That whole “four pages into our first issue” gambit can quite easily result in disaster. Especially since it is a few months before Beechen takes over and, therefore, there is plenty of time to speculate and come up with this super secret happening (Check out New Avengers’ recently completed storyline “Ronin” for a fine example of talking too much too soon and paying the price). Also, I seem to remember a similar boast from Willingham about his new villain Johnny Warlock and boy, did that fall flat.
Beechen does his best to fan the “is it going to be Tim in the Robin suit” flames here, but I’m still not buying. Removing Tim, again, after having already resorted to that plot twist about a year ago is a really poor way to start a run on the title. Not only is it repetitive, it is repetitive of a storyline that largely did not work. Stephanie spent all of three issues in costume before being shuffled off to be tortured and killed. Someone might get a chance to do this sort of storyline correctly in the future, but I’ve got to believe that the idea of replacing Robin is still radioactive in the minds of DC folk. At least, I hope it is, for all of our sakes.
Of all the teases, #5, “Robin’s relationship with Batman, at least to start, will be “somewhat strained, owing to something Robin has done. In fact, a number of heroes will be wary of Robin, and with good reason,” is the only one that piques my interest all that much. I like the idea of Robin the Detective, but he loses points the moment he mentions CSI (it calls to mind most of the work being done in labs, blue lighting everywhere, and overstretched franchises) and an adjustment to the costume is “eh” in my opinion.
What really concerns me though is Beechen’s constant need to immediately undermine what he is talking about by saying, essentially, “but mostly ACTION!!!” He talks about detecting and the process of being a teen hero, but then says, “it won’t be a mystery book though”. He talks about the fears and convoluted life that must go along with being a teen hero, but then says, “it won’t be an introspective book though.” I know the idea is assure those people out there who loathe an approach to superheroes like Bendis has used in Daredevil or Azzarello used in Superman (to varying degrees of success), but it comes across as scatterbrained. What is meant as message to fans that “this will still be a comic book, so it is cool if it has mysteries and introspection as well” comes across as “this book will be all over the place trying to keep everyone happy.”
But that’s just how I am reading it.
Willingham Marks a Dark Agreement
Still following up on last week’s blitzkrieg of DC news and announcements, we chased down Bill Willingham, who will be both writing and drawing the new Shadowpact series, which spins out of Day of Vengeance. Willingham was more than willing to talk, although he wanted to do it his way.
This is the guy who brought back Detective Chimp as an alcoholic ape who hangs out in a bar after all, so “his way” is a little…different.
Without further ado then, Bill Willingham.
To truly understand the headline, make use of a thesaurus. Then, take your newly enriched self on our to Newsarama
It’s funny, when DOV was announced, it was the miniseries that I was least interested in. Willingham, however, won me over with a great first issue that did an excellent job of “seeing” everything from Ragman’s perspective. I was pleasantly surprised and remained so for the next two issues. However, after that, the thing sort of unspooled for me. It lost its way a bit and the narration pieces did not feel as insightful or interesting or, worst of all, necessary.
All that being said, I’m still interested in revisiting these characters in this format. I was not sure that I was, but after this interview, I realize that there is no sense in lying to myself. There is nothing in particular that Willingham said that has made Shadowpact more palpable to me; it is just in reading again about the project I realized, “hey, this does sound good to me.”
I do have to say that I enjoy his cavalier “it is this way because, well, I wanted it to be. But we’ll be saying that it is magic,” attitude. It could end up being a bad thing, but I respect that he at least had the nerve to come out and be honest about it.
Oh, and any book that makes him leave Robin behind…that’s a book that is a-ok with me.
Just When You Thought Comic Collecting Couldn’t Get Any More Geeky
Official announcement came today that the comic book publisher that put “Truth, Justice, and the American Way” on the map will get a nod from the US Post Office next year, when DC Comics characters get their own postage stamps, this according to a USPS release listing the various stamp designs coming in 2006.
Meet the new wave of speculators sure to cripple the industry, stamp collectors, at Newsarama
I have no problem with this. Comic characters are just as viable for stamps than the umpteenth rendition of the American flag or whatever Elvis they ended up choosing. I’m not willing to say that comics have turned a corner because of this nod from the USPS, but it is still sort of, kind of cool. Not that I’ll request them from the post office. Don’t want them to think I am some sort of weird stamp collector or anything.
Batman: Guilty or Innocent?
It’s been discussed, is still being discussed, and will continue to be discussed.
And we’re all for bandwagon jumping when the jumping is easy.
In some ways, it’s taken the place of the ’70s and ’80s discussions of whether or not Batman is insane. Post The OMAC Project, it’s all about is Batman responsible for the deaths of thousands, including his colleagues, innocents, and, by extension, Maxwell Lord?
While Batman’s culpability isn’t the main issue of Infinite Crisis, it’s certainly one of the issues that will be playing out, and potentially have the most serious ramifications. It’s also a very timely one, as month after month, and new case or cause comes up in the public debate in regards to the culpability and/or guilt of manufacturers of products in light of the individual’s use (or misuse) of said product.
We’re getting a little far afield here, so let’s bring it back to comics. Batman created the Brother Eye satellite to monitor heroes. The satellite, and its artificial intelligence system was taken by Maxwell Lord, corrupted, and is now the heart of the OMACs – massively powerful, unstoppable soldiers who’ve killed heroes, and many others in collateral damage.
Is Batman responsible?
That’s the question we put to two regaulr Newsarama contributors, Alex Segura and Troy Brownfield. We gave ’em the question, told them they had three rounds to duke it out, told ’em to keep it a clean fight, rang the bell, and let them go at it.
The Quintessons prepare to issue their verdict at Newsarama
Well…that was a tad disappointing. I had such a high hopes for this article when I read the headline. “Interesting,” I thought, “what a good idea for a debate.” The thing is though…it really is not.
For one, this is Batman we are talking about here. Of course he’s not a villain. It can’t happen. He might be wrong. He might be arrogant and pigheadish and selfish, but he cannot be a “villain”. I know that is a terrible card to play in a debate, but think about it a second. I’m kind of right, huh? The only exception to the rule is when someone else is in the Batsuit (Jean Paul Valley, anyone?) but then, that’s not really Batman, is it?
Therefore, any argument based on the idea that Batman is a villain is, well, silly. You already know the outcome, you know he is not and will prove it soon enough. Thus, attempting to say otherwise seems like a poor way to spend your breathe or a hundred or so typed words.
But, removing the “rule” above for a moment, pretending we live in a world where Batman could, possibly, ever be a villain, is he?
My answer, unsurprisingly, is no. What he did was reckless and irresponsible. A few have died and many have suffered because of what others did with what the Dark Knight built. And there is not a day, I’m sure, that he will not think of that, from now on.
And there, ladies and gentlemen, is the proof. Despite one of the writer’s poo-pooing of desire and intent, that is, in the world of comics, how one becomes a villain. There may be differences as to why they desire to do the things they do, some might do it for power or money or because, in their minds, they are oppressed and it is time to fight back. However, the intent is always the same. To do damaging things to others for their own gain and they do so knowingly. What Brother I was ultimately used for was not the intention of its creator and he took no delight in the results. Because of this, because he neither perpetrated the act or enjoyed its results, Batman cannot be a comic book villain. The profile, to steal a page from Hunter Zolomon, simply does not fit.
Manhunt-ing Sales
Though the book is not in imminent danger of cancellation, ManhunterComics.com, a fansite for DC’s Manhunter series has made it’s “20K Challenge” in an attempt to see the title rise to more comfortable sales levels.
Support your gal in red at Newsarama
I do not know if my new story, Wild Pig Comics II, here in Jersey is doing this (but rest assured, I will find out). However, I do know that the one, the only Wayne from my old store (Heroes and Hitters, on the Silas Deane Highway in good ol’ CT) is. And Wayne is the finest comic retailer in the world. So, if your comic store is looking to do the right thing they need look no farther than Wayne to know what that is. In other words, if Wayne is doing it, so should they.
Plus, this is Manhunter. Manhunter is awesome. Heck, I may buy those five copies myself, that’s how serious I am about this.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
SEVEN SOLDIERS MISTER MIRACLE #2
New artist. That makes me nervous. Everything else though, is still all good. Very interesting first issue, so I’d be silly not to be looking forward to this. Especially since, even if the art is no good, this new guy is only working on this issue.
OPINIONS ON THE WORK OF PEOPLE FAR MORE TALENTED THAN I
BATMAN #647
My review of this will be up on Thursday, but allow me to reiterate my constant talking point. Best monthly Bat book being offered right now. And that’s even when you toss in the satellite books (Batgirl, Robin, Nightwing).
Goodness, what a short weak. So, what do you think? Is Batman a villain? Are you looking forward to the stamps? Will your comic book store join the revolution and take the Manhunter Challenge? Let me know at parallax2@juno.com. Or, if you prefer to talk to the community, not just one man, visit the DC News & Views forum. You won’t regret it. Talowolf and Mathan and I are there and we are all very good people. Honsest.
Un Gajje Would Say, “Honest Injun” but He’s Pretty Sure That’s Inappropriate
