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This column is so filled with news, images, and snark that there is literally no space for small talk, Revamping, or reader comments. Sorry. We’ll get to ‘em next week. For now”¦ NEWS!


A Date With Dan

Another period of waiting has ended, and Infinite Crisis #4 hits today, with major developments in the future of Bludhaven, Superboy (both Prime and DCU), revelations about Alex Luthor’s plans, as well as perhaps, the fruition of his mission.

Perhaps.

DC Executive Editor Dan DiDio has stopped by again to take questions about Crisis, 52, One Year Later and more. As a word of warning to those for whom this is new…no, Dan’s not going to give away story points, though he probably will tease incessantly…and yeah, he was probably smiling when he did it.

All right – enough intro. Let’s get this baby rolling.

Shh, baby. Didio’s gonna make it all smooth at Newsarama

These are tough to write about because when they are released, they are still timely. However, by the time I get to them, the newest issue of Infinite Crisis has already come out and most of the questions have definitive answers, not Didio hints.

But, we’ll comb through and see if we can find some gems.

Someone asks why Superboy Prime has whined so much. He’s had what, like 6 lines before issue #4? When did all this whining take place?

Joke’s on the third panel of the second to last page of issue #7!!! Oh”¦should I have said “Spoilers” there?

Seven Soldiers is post-Crisis. So, even after Crisis, the world might still end. Gotta feel good about that, eh?

We will see Superboy wearing that Anti-Monitor armor like the DC Direct toy. So, I guess he isn’t dead? By the way, DC Direct, boooooooooo for spoiling that. Also, boooooo for still not releasing the first wave of Identity Crisis figures. What up with that?

Arrgh”¦when will Aztek return?!! When, Lord, (or Didio), When?!! When’s our time?!

“¦”¦..sorry”¦”¦..

“?:Can you give any specific teases about the new series a week throughout June and July?

DD: Something old, something new, something borrowed and something”¦.. green?”

Not sure about all of them, but dollars to donuts that last one is Martian Manhunter. If its not, I’ll eat flan. And I hate flan”¦a lot.

“?:Hector and Lyta Hall’s deaths were not “meaningful deaths”. Are they candidates to return?

DD: Unfortunately not.”

I can’t decide if Didio just isn’t taking the bait with that question or he’s agreeing. If he’s agreeing, good for him, because he’s right. Poor deaths. I mean, I doubt I’ll miss them, but weak deaths nonetheless.

And the big announcement that you might have missed: Geoff Johns is not returning to JSA. It’s buried in there, but it is still there. Too bad that news, too bad.


Obscure References A Go-Go

It’s that time of the month again.

If a month of anticipation, and then finally reading Infinite Crisis #4 this week have left you worn out, you’ve come to the right place. Just as we did last month, it’s time for some “Crisis Recovery”, and hopefully, a reminder that, in the end, it’s all just funny books.

And again, for those easily offended, that “funny books” thing was only the first thing that is going to come out of this that will upset you, for sure.

And yes, be warned – we will try too hard to make jokes, some of the references will go right over your heads, and some will go right over our heads. So – with tongue firmly planted in cheek, we’ve got your Infinite Crisis #4 page by page guide with mild annotations, some of which may even be correct.

While it may seem obvious to most, a page-by-page guide WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS.

Let’s roll, and start at the start.

Lost? Disoriented? You may have Earth 2 syndrome. Ask Dr. Newsarama.

These are so much fun. Plus, they make me feel good about my DC knowledge. I guess editing Mathan has made me a better person after all.

Also, this column explained to me who the heck that sword wielding fella who met an untimely end was. His name was Bushido and he will be missed.


Bushido

2000-2006

Goodbye Bushido, we hardly knew ye.

They are also kind enough to find where the heck Breach in on the tower. Sadly, he has not escaped so he can save the day. He’s just colored like the Tower. Which is way depressing.

The best part of it though? The discussion of Smallville’s numerous signs.


Kyle Rayner: Take 4

Later Monday DC’s April 2006 solicitations will be released to the public, and they include the debut issue of writer Ron Marz and artist Greg Tocchini’s new ongoing Ion series starring Kyle Rayner.

Though we previously spoke to Marz a few months back about Ion immediately following the announcement of the series, Newsarama thought it was time to check back in with the writer to see what more he could reveal to readers now that the book is being offered for order”¦

Embrace the new at Newsarama

Am I the only one who misses Kyle’s “classic” crabface mask? I thought it was cool.

That said, I dig this costume too. One thing I will say for Kyle is that he does tend to get interesting, unique costumes, regardless of which one he decides to sport on any given day. I am being serious here, take a look. We have:

Ol’ Crabface

Ion the First

Jim Lee Redesign

And, finally”¦
Ion the Second

For that many costume redesigns, Kyle has had a spectacular rate of success. I mean, he could’ve had Tho’s luck and ended up with this:

And no one wants that.

I appear to be in the minority, opinion wise on this, but hey, I won’t be shamed into withdrawing my opinion. Because I have integrity. Or something.

This interview is not that exciting, but I’ll still take a look at the first issue. Marz + Kyle Rayner (“Homecoming” notwithstanding) = good stuff and I have no reason to believe that that will not be the case here as well.


Ahh”¦My Eyes!

Back from yesterday’s National Holiday when their offices were closed in observance, DC has provided Newsarama with a three-page color preview of Ron Marz and Greg Tocchini’s Ion #1, the April debut issue of their new ongoing series.

The goggles do nothing at Newsarama

Wow”¦that’s”¦that’s”¦really ugly. The pencils might be okay, but the inking looks like it was done with a tip as thick as a crayon and the coloring is very, very muddy. Yuck.

In fact, it is so ugly, I need some Crabface to soothe my nerves.

“¦ahh”¦all better now.


Bludhaven is Totally the New Gotham

Though a relative pup of a metropolis as compared to DC’s other storied fictional cities, Bludhaven – the soon-to-be former stomping ground of Nightwing and Robin – is about to change, and take on major importance in the post-Infinite Crisis, “One Year Later” DC Universe.

How will it change? Why will it become so important? The writers of the April-debuting, twice-monthly, six-issue limited series Crisis Aftermath: The Battle for Bludhaven (with art by Dan Jurgens) have some crazy notion that readers should read about these developments in the pages of Infinite Crisis and the limited series first itself instead of online. We tried to talk them out if it, but they were adamant.

But we did sit down for a brief conversation with Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti to talk about what could be revealed now, and they make one thing very clear – something big is about to go down in Bludhaven”¦

Escape from er”¦ into Newsarama

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you”¦. FORCE OF JULY!!!! That’s right, people, Force of motherf______ing July. Get onboard. If you are not with them, you are against them. And being against the Force of July. That’s just crazy talk.

By the way, the use of a censored expletive above is part of my New Yea’s resolution: a lot more vulgar/tough guy language for no discernible reason. For example: “I went to school today and took a test. I b!+c#ed it!” See, no reason to talk like that. Other than it makes me awesome. Or”¦more awesome.

Annnnnnnnnnyway”¦

The big question here, for me, is how much will prove too much? I mean, people have been complaining since this thing started about the amount of crossovers and minis and so on that they “needed” to buy to be up on the current DCU. If you figure that it all began with Identity Crisis and is continuing at least through 52* and Battle for Bludhaven, you are looking at approximately 3 years of increasingly tightly knit continuity that is often sparked or played out in books that are not regular monthly series. So, when will this complaining turn into real action and people begin to turn away? Or is DC being shrewd enough in this that they will dodge that particular bullet? I’m curiosu to see how that all shakes out.

My guess is that Jimmy and Justin will finally have a bonafide hit on their hands after many attempts that have met with varying degrees of (but never total) success.


Bruce Jones Cannot Be Stopped

In July of 2004, Bruce Jones signed an exclusive with DC Comics. Since that time, he’s kept busy at the company writing “Year One: Batman/Scarecrow” and the six-issue miniseries “Vigilante.” Well, as of this February, it appears DC plans on getting their full money’s worth out of Jones by adding two ongoing series his workload: “Nightwing” and “Warlord.” CBR News had a chat with the scribe to find out his plans for these two characters and what readers can look forward to from both of these series.

Even Comic Book Resources falls before him.

“The first major villain gives Nightwing at least twice as much trouble as the average tough he’s dealt with in the past.”

Two-Face? These twin acrobat theives? Body Doubles? Arnold and Danny?

What? Twins is a film classic and anyone that says otherwise is just hatin’.


Titans Together! Eventually!

Looks like Firestorm, Ion and a certain wall-crawler are not the only ones getting new duds in the months to come.

At his blog, Teen Titans artist Tony Daniel revealed that he’s redesigning the Teen Titans and the Doom Patrol when the DC Universe moves forward One Year Later (OYL) this spring.

Spring is the best time to redo your wardrobe, according to fashion guru Newsarama

I like Daniels’ new stuff, the little they show of it here. I guess the return of Titans East and Doom Patrol is cool too, but I need a little more to go on before I start to feel one way or another about it.


Editor in the Spotlight

Last week we began the first in an eight-part weekly series with the DC Universe Editors and Senior Editors about One Year Later and other DC Universe titles in 2006 and beyond. This week we continue with a conversation with Group Editor Eddie Berganza.
Perhaps best known to readers as editor of the Superman titles over the last several years, with ‘OYL’ comes a change to Beganza’s roster. One of DC’s most prolific editors will be moving on from the Superman family, and his current line-up includes Teen Titans, Supergirl, Ion, Superman/Batman, and the upcoming Justice League of America…
Oh yeah, he also edits a little something called Infinite Crisis.
Berganza spoke to us about parting ways with Superman, and while he keeps a lot of details close to the vest in regards to his OYL titles, he oes share some thoughts with readers on each…
Find a Berganza Bonanza at Newsarama

Whoa”¦are there two Supergirls there? Two?! Because one wasn’t enough?!?! Well”¦maybe it’ll be good. Or not bad. Or whatever.

I’ll give it a pass for now.

Poor Berganza though. He’s already off the Superman books (basically) and people are still complaining about his editing on them. Talk about beating a dead horse, eh?


Ladies and Gentlemen: A Story About DC’s Best Book

This week in the pages of Manhunter # 18 the identity of Damon’s boyfriend is going to be revealed, and comic fans might be surprised to learn which former member of the Justice League it is.

Join or die at The Pulse

“None at all. DC has always been pretty open to gay stories and, in fact, wanted a visible gay character. We all agreed on not wanting to make the gay part a “big deal” for the character. We’ve all seen, ad nauseum, the gay guy who:
a.) gets bashed
b.) is HIV+
c.) is tormented by his gayness

We all agreed it would be nice, and realistic, to have a fairly normal guy who just happens to be gay and is fine with it.”

Might I say, it is about damn time. Bravo to Manhunter for another great issue, another great reveal, and actually handing someone being gay as a everyday thing as opposed to a publicity courting event or a melodramatic near tragedy.

Plus, it is nice to finally have it stated outright. Anyone who had the inner fortitude to stick with the Gerard Jones’ Justice League received constant hints about this being the case, but it was never just said. Also, to anyone who had the inner fortitude to stick with the Gerard Jones’ Justice League, congrats. You are brave, brave souls.


When Superboys Go Wild

(As usual, kids, it’s spoiler warnings on . . .)

Welcome back once again to a brief examination of the history of the DC Universe. I’m Professor Brownfield, part of the adjunct faculty here at Newsarama. On previous class days in Crisis & Culture: Infinitely Recurring Motifs in a DC Universe, we’ve discussed the import and impact of Earth-2 Superman, Power Girl, and Earth-2 Batman. Today, we come to Superboy.

They will never be Supermen at Newsarama

“After splitting from the renamed Legion title, Superboy got his own brand-new solo book. It only ran for four years. A year after that, a mini series called Superman: The Secret Years showed the heretofore unrevealed tale of when Superboy finally adopted the name Superman (one can only imagine that there was much kidding in the super-villain community at this: “Oh, you’re SuperMAN now! What co-ed did you convince to take care of that for you?” That’s a joke there, about the rather carnal measuring stick society sometimes places on when a “boy” becomes a “man.” You see the villain would be suggesting that”¦oh, forget it.)”

Now that is humor, ladies and gentlemen. As opposed to what you read in this column. Which is more”¦well”¦not funny.


DC Snags Another

Dan Jurgens, whose thrilling artwork has graced DCU projects including the classic “Death of Superman” storyline and the upcoming miniseries INFINITE CRISIS AFTERMATH: THE BATTLE FOR BLUDHAVEN, has signed an exclusive contract with DC Comics.

Soon there will be no one to speak for you at Silver Bullet Comic Books

And some point, these exclusives are so prevalent they lose all impact. Ladies and gentlemen, my sometime is now. Thus, from now on, barring an exclusive that really excites me, I will only note them in the column and not bother commenting on them. Sort of like I do with the sales figures. I’m tired of getting blood from a stone comment wise and I can’t help but think that most of you are sick of reading me trying to do just that.


A Little Variant Never Hurt Anyone, Right?

Ian Churchill, the acclaimed artist of SUPERGIRL, has created a special variant cover for AQUAMAN: SWORD OF ATLANTIS #40. The issue, scheduled to arrive in stores on March 1, is the first by the new creative team of writer Kurt Busiek and artist Butch Guice.

One out of ten ain’t bad at Silver Bullet Comics Books

And variant covers are probably bound for the “noted, but no comment” file, too. Especially when the variants are this”¦plain. What’s the point of having a variant cover if the image is so bland?


Do You Think He Can Afford to Get that Scar Fixed Now?

JONAH HEX #1 and 2, the first two issues of the hot new DCU western series, have sold out at DC Comics. The series is written by Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray and illustrated by Luke Ross.

Ride on out to Newsarama to see how the West was won.

Wow”¦remember when above I was talking about Gray/Palmiotti’s inability to get a real hit? Apparently, I’m a liar.

On the other hand, the first issue of The Monolith sold out too, so”¦no guarantees here, I guess. Still, two sellouts in a row can’t be an entirely bad thing, right?


BEWARE THE FUTURE’S AWESOME MIGHT

Play along with the hottest new game in America at Comic Book Resources. Oh, and the hottest new game, in case you didn’t know, is reading me talk about the solicitations.

What can I say? We Americans are hard up for entertainment these days. We can’t all afford Xbox 360s, okay?

Moving on”¦

Detective Comics 818Is Bard the new Commissioner then? If so, I’m the one who first conjured that up out of scant solicitation details. And thus, I am awesome.

If he’s not”¦please pretend like I never even mentioned it.

Batman #652No two ways about it, that Robin is way creepy.

Robin #149Is that Batgirl’s costume I spy? Uh-oh”¦

Superman: Cover to CoverThe Batman was net to take a look at and I’m sure this one will be too. I’d never buy it, but it remains neat to look at nonetheless.

Superman/Batman #26Such a cool memorial for Sam Loeb. It’s great to see all that talent working together on this.

Infinite Crisis #7Here is my confession. I know George Perez is excellent and all, but I keep buying the Jim Lee covers (except for issue #1). I can’t help myself. They are just so much more dynamic and interesting to me. Please don’t hate me.

Checkmate #1Check out this cover:

I don’t know who half the players on it are, but boy, Bermejo sure does make it all look so good, doesn’t he?

Ion #1Kyle Rayner= dangerous lunatic? Ahh, DC, will you never learn?

Showcase Presents Haunted TankReally? It appears the DC has borrowed a page from Marvel’s book of “Let’s Choose Really Random Titles to Reprint” (Nova, anyone?). Good for them.

JSA #84I just thought of something. If Geoff Johns is out, does this mean Paul Levitz might be in, long-term? The mind boggles.

Manhunter #21Yay for Doctor Mid Nite appearances!

Seven Soldiers #1EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Ex Machina Special #1I love Ex Machina, but I’m not sure how I feel about this. Hmm”¦

Sandman Mystery Theatre Vol. 4Awesome!

Infinite Crisis Series #1Spoilers in solicitations I can handle. But in toy releases? Poor form DC Direct, poor form.

Huh”¦that seemed an abnormally short solicitations. Oh well.


COMING ATTRACTIONS

Slim pickings, DC-wise, this week. I only have one book I’m excited for.

BATMAN #649

Batman, Jason Todd, Black Mask, and Joker. Written by Winick and rendered by Doug Mahnke. All wrapped in a Jock cover. Happy days!


OPINIONS ON THE WORK OF PEOPLE FAR MORE TALENTED THAN I

PLANETARY #24

It kills me to do this, but”¦

I didn’t think this was a very good issue.

Don’t get me wrong, I still love Planetary. It’s just”¦for the last three or four issues, the book has gotten very insular. Planetary used to be about exploring the strange world we live (and keeping it that way) and that gave it a great sweeping scope that made me fall in love with it. Now, the book still takes us all over the map but it feels less and less like it. More and more, the issues have been devoted to answering questions, but only through narration or monologues, not plot revelations. I like a good talking issue as much as anyone (probably more than most), but”¦I’m ready for Planetary to start blowing my mind again.

It should be noted, however, that I have yet to give this issue was traditional second reading (as I do with all issues of Planetary because of the large gap of time between each one) so I could have a completely different feeling towards it after that.

EX MACHINA #17

Good setup, but that’s all the issue pretty much is. Still not bad though, just not as much as I’ve come to expect from this title. It was nice to see Mitchell’s reporter girlfriend(?) is still on the scene though.

SEVEN SOLDIERS MISTER MIRACLE #3

The new artist is not as strong as I had hoped (and expected, given his preview pages) but that’s about the only bad thing I have to say about this book. Of all the Seven Soldiers, I have the least idea of how this one is going to fit in, but it is the first time I am really digging the New Gods (Cosmic Odyssey aside) so I am inclined to not worry so much about that and just enjoy the ride.

For the faint of heart, however, I would let you know that this book can be disturbing in places. The violence against Mr. Miracle, in particular, is very rough (although the art is quite subtle and there is a great bit of commentary about becoming desensitized to violence). However, for me, the most disquieting part is the conversion of two supporting characters to “plastic”. Creeeeeeeepy.

NIGHTWING #116

This is a good issue. Probably the best from Grayson since the “Living in the Mob” arc started. However, like all recent issues of Nightwing, there are logic gaps a mile wide. For example, if this was Dick’s plan all along why his constant cynicism for the past year? And if it was his plan all along, why does he talk about losing his confidence and doing the right thing not being enough? Either it was his plan or it wasn’t and, if it wasn’t why the hell did he do it. And if it was, why the hell was he so morose.

It is kind of weird too that the cliffhanger at the end of the issue is resolved in Infinite Crisis #4 but neither book directs you to the other.

Still it is nice to have a strong issue of Nightwing or two before Jones comes aboard.

MANHUNTER #18

Well”¦I certainly did not see that ending coming. Obviously, it is not going to stick, but it was a surprise.

Andreyko continues to write some of the best/scariest takes on DC villains. Dr. Moon was all sorts of unnerving. And Phobia”¦she is certainly something isn’t she.

I could go on and on, but let me just highlight a few quick standout moments
1.) Chase is still here and still great.
2.) Todd Rice, (aka Obsidian) finally it is official.
3.) The fate of Signal Man”¦brrrr. That was disquieting.

There was more too, of course. Buy this book.

JSA CLASSIFIED #7

Yay for heist books. Yay for well written villains. Boo for this arc coming to an end.

INFINITE CRISIS #4

Where to start”¦where to start?

I did say that I thought this should be the issue where it all picks up and boooooooooy, was I right about that. I really like the Superboy stuff (although isn’t the next issue of Teen Titans supposed to be all about Superboy v. Superboy). Appropriately brutal (especially poor Risk”¦that had to hurt) and his (temporary) defeat was a good one. I honestly do not think that’ll be the last we see of Wally or Bart. They are not dead, mark my words. Or maybe they both are. In which case”¦boooooo.

Oh and to those who like to intimate that Superboy and Luthor might have been”¦involved, check out the page where Luthor kisses Power Girl. I didn’t agree with you before, but wow if Superboy does not look a bit put out by that.

Hmm”¦what else? The Donna Troy part of the story was not too invasive, but it is also making me question why it is there at all. Four issues in and it really has not yielded any sort of dividends at all (except a cool scene with Animal Man last issue). I admit that I think less is more when it comes to space opera, but I still want enough of it to justify it being there in the first place.

But that sort of thing is just nitpicky, because I really am enjoying this story. It is appropriately wide in scope and intensity and Johns really let things take off this issue.

BIRDS OF PREY #90

I done already covered this”¦fool on the front page.
ALL STAR SUPERMAN #2

Starman Matt says in his column this week that no one who gave Loeb a hard time for bringing Silver Age components into his Superman and Superman/Batman stories should be enjoying this book. It is an interesting idea. It’s just too bad it is wrong.

For one thing, it is the level of craftsmanship involved. I think Morrison is just a plain better writer. Loeb is good, but Morrison is better.

For another, it is context. All-Star Superman is not DCU Superman. I am willing to accept things here that I am not willing to accept or enjoy with mainstream Supes.

The biggest thing is how the story is crafted. With Morrison, they may be Silver Age elements, but they still feel current. It is the Silver Age evolved for the Modern. With Loeb, however, you could still see the dust on them. He did not attempt to incorporate them into the now, he just kind of dropped them in. Superman used to have a dog? Boom, now he has one again. Superman used to a have superpowered cousin? Boom, here is another one. And so on and so on. They were Silver Age, yes, but they brought none of the fun or energy of the Silver Age to the table, only the nostalgia factor. And honestly, I think we have enough of that already.

So what makes this better than Loeb’s stuff is this: Morrison is a better writer, this is not “real” Superman, and Morrison makes it all feel new while Loeb makes it clear we’ve seen all this before.


Alright. We are out. E-mail is parallax2@juno.com or try the message board. See you soon.

This is How Un Gajje Rolls