It’s a great week because there is so much Manhunter related stuff this time out. Happy day, no?
Answer: Yes.
But for those of you who don’t get Manhunter, that’s okay. There is plenty of stuff for you folks too.
HERE’S NEWS!
Oh How I Love It So
Yesterday, CBR News talked with “Manhunter” writer Marc Andreyko about the difficulties that the critically acclaimed DC Comics series faces. But with the upcoming one year time jump in all the DC super hero comics, Andreyko hopes that fans will use this “jump on” point to get onboard with one of DC’s most nuanced female characters. If you want to know what’s next for Kate Spencer, the titular heroine, then you’ve come to the right place.
Get the inside scoop on my favorite DC book at Comic Book Resources
I know not everyone gets why I love this book like I do, but I do. Let me try to sum it up best for you right here, right now.
Watching the world wake up from history.
Ahem”¦sorry.
Annnnnnnnnnnyway, here we go.
1.) The lead character: Kate feels real to me. Not real in a Grant Morrison, the DCU is sentient kind of way, but real in a realistic way. She’s no where near perfect. She’s sort of a lousy mom (although well meaning), she can be aloof and selfish, and sends her ex all sorts of mixed messages. On the other hand, she clearly believes in the ideal embodied by her “day job”. Even if she undermines that ideal every time she indulges in her “night job”.
Despite having a well defined character, however, she is not allowed to just coast on that. She’s grown as a person and her personality and back story have deepened and become more complex.
Plus, it never hurts to have another strong female character running around in comics.
2.) The rest of the cast: Andreyko has smoothly integrated a strong supporting cast from all walks of life. Best selling authors (Kate’s ex) rub elbows with dissociative disorder addled superheroes (Mark Shaw). Government agents (Cameron Chase) interact with former high tech thugs (Derek Battles). A little boy (Kate’s son) plays inches from a psychotic dying super villain (Kate’s father). And all that’s without even mentioning Kate’s co-workers or a certain tabloid journalist. It all seems overstuffed, but it all works.
3.) It’s a haven for the obscure: I’m a comic book fan who certainly loves his well known heroes, your Batmen, your Flashes, your GLs. However, more often than not, I embrace the lower rung of the hero biz. Aztek, Chase, Chronos, and so on. Clearly, Andreyko shares my sensibilities. Not only does this book have the feeling of one of those cancelled too soon treasures (which, admittedly, this book may end up being too), but it often incorporates elements of them. There are nods to Infinity, Inc., Chase, Darkstars, prior Manhunters, and JSA members long since gone. It’s a book that is not afraid to wear its love of comics on its sleeve, but never does so at the expense of telling a good story.
4.) Villains: I also happen to be a huge fan of villains and Andreyko seems onboard with that too. So far he’s made Copperhead, Dr. Moon, Phobia, Shadow Thief, Monocle, and Merlyn into legitimate characters who you feel something for. Usually terror or disgust (Dr. Moon and Phobia, in particular) but also sympathy (the babbling, broken Shadow Thief, the remorseful, and then deceased, Monocle). A hero is only as good as his or her villain and Manhunter boasts some of the most crisply written.
I could go, pointing to specific moments that got me hooked, but those 4 overarching reasons, I feel, give a very good indication of where I am coming from. Simply put, it is a great reading experience month in and month out. It is not rewriting history or a mega event of the month comic, but that’s more than okay. It excels at what I expect comics to excel in. Every time I finish an issue, I am looking forward to the next one.
If It Was Easy, They Couldn’t Call Them “Heroes”
Last December, writer Marc Andreyko did something that’s often hard to find in an industry full of spin, half-truths and hype: he told it like it is. Andreyko e-mailed friends and posted a challenge of the GeoffJohns.Com boards, where he explained that his acclaimed DC Comics series “Manhunter” needed a sales boost. The writer’s frank discussion and lack of spin endeared many to him and he’s been rewarding fans with new twists ever since. The latest issue, #18, revealed that longtime JSA member Obsidian is gay and in past issues we’ve learned that our lead heroine, Manhunter, has a familial relation to the world’s first superteam. As part of a two-day series, CBR News caught up with Andreyko to further discuss what it’s like to sell a new character in this day & age, while also reintroducting readers to the very concept driving “Manhunter.”
The future isn’t all roses at Comic Book Resources
Here’s what bothers me about this piece”¦no love for Comics Nexus. We promote the heck out of this book. Look on the message boards. We have a “Help Manhunter” topic pinned. It literally never stops being on top. And we’ve had weeks where 3 to 4 daily updates (those teases at the top of the page) focused on Manhunter with photos. All I’m saying is, “Mr. Andreyko, please throw us a bone. We love you so, show us some love too. Thanks.”
Will Hilty Crack
Heading into the final turn in our eight-part series of interviews with the editors of the DC Universe, we spend a few moments with Joan Hilty. Hilty sports one of DC’s most diverse slate of titles, and in addition to her Johnny DC All-Ages books, she edits some of the DCU’s most “intrigue”-ing and mysterious titles, including the upcoming The Flash, Blue Beetle, Manhunter, The Outsiders, Birds of Prey, and Checkmate.
We tried to get as much information out of her about what’s coming up for her titles “One Year Later” without her having to kill us…
Watch as the editor and Newsarama engage in a battle of wits.
I have to say, of all the editors Newsarama has covered so far, Hilty has my favorite slate of titles. I am reading currently or will be catching out all of them. She’s the first editor to receive that distinctive honor. I have no doubt that wherever she is, when she reads this, she will do an unapologetic dance of joy. As she should.
Heh”¦that little bit about the mystery element in Blue Beetle just about tripled my interest in the title. Not that it was very high to start with, but still. And no, my lack of initial interest was not a “the only Beetle for me is Ted Kord” thing. I just hadn’t heard anything (until now) that made me particular excited for the title.
“Kate has switched sides” says to me that Kate is now a defense attorney. Just a guess. No idea why that would be nor do I necessarily endorse the switch, but that’s my guess. Either way, it is grand to see Obsidian back in the saddle and not totally insane again.
Kobra?! Bring it on.
Repeated Requests for “Filthy Words” Went Unrequited
Over the course of our weekly series of interviews with the editors of the DC Universe, the one constant theme has been “time”. We’ve talked about skipping ahead a year, and filling in a missing year. We’ve talked about titles set in the past, and titles set in the future.
This week, our “time” theme takes on a different meaning and today’s key number is “20” – that being the number of years former Executive Editor and current Senior Group Editor Mike Carlin has been with DC editorial.
During that time Carlin has seen and has been directly involved in some of DC’s and this industry’s highs and lows, and over the next few minutes, we’ll look back at some key moments, but mostly look to the future with someone who’s seen and learned a lot from history…
All Carlins are not the same at Newsarama
I have tremendous respect for Mike Carlin, but I have to disagree with his “guiding principle” for running the Superman comics when he was in charge of them. Well, not so much the principle as the strategy to carry out those principles. Can’t we remind everyone of how excellent Superman is without killing him, bringing in 4 “might be” Supermen, or turning him blue and red? I think that characterizing one of the problems I had with the Superman books during that time. They only seemed to really excel with events and sometimes not even then (Superman: Blue, I’m looking at you). It was all about Superman proving his worth by being replaced, killed, or altered, never proving his worth by just being Superman.
Oooh, Justice League Detroit, in the spotlight again. It just goes to show you, no matter how silly or bad a concept may seem to you, there are at least a handful of people who miss it and wish it would come back. In the case of the Detroit League, those people are crazy. But they are still out there.
The Rucka Speaks
Greg Rucka knows how to keep busy. In 2005, the books he wrote included “Adventures of Superman,” “Wonder Woman,” “Gotham Central” and “The OMAC Project” – and that was just for DC Comics alone! In addition, he’s been working on novels and his “Queen & Country” book for Oni Press. Basically, the man bleeds ink.
2006 is going to be a year of change for Rucka, at least in regards to those DC titles. Of the books mentioned above, he won’t be writing any of them come spring (well, he will be writing an iteration of the OMAC Project, but more on that below). What DC fans will see from Rucka includes the following: “Supergirl,” “The OMAC Project: Infinite Crisis Special,” “Checkmate” and several issues of the weekly “52” from DC Comics. So while the titles of Rucka’s books may be changing, his output remains the same (heck, it may even be more than his present levels, if that’s possible).
CBR News contacted Rucka to see what we could find out about a few of these upcoming books, and we also talked about the end of a series near and dear to the writer’s heart, “Gotham Central.” While he was hesitant to reveal too much, Rucka did share a few details that DC fans will find interesting, particularly about the new team members of the One Year Later (OYL) Checkmate. But before we get to that, let us begin with”¦
And when The Rucka speaks, you listen, just like Comic Book Resources did.
I can’t get over the fact that Supergirl has been on the scene for almost 2 years now. (No snark here, I promise). Logically, it makes sense, but it just really does not feel like she has been kicking around that long. Perhaps delays in her title and Superman/Batman (especially Superman/Batman) contribute to that feeling.
But that has nothing to do with Greg Rucka, so let’s get back to him, eh?
I’m a fan of the new partial lineup he reveals for Checkmate here. Any book that brings me more Mr. Terrific tends to get my nod, but the rest of the cast are equally inspired and smart choices. The idea of “balance” makes sense to me as well, not only because of the new UN connection but also just due to the whole “White King, Black King” setup that Checkmate has always had.
By this point, the “Didio requested Jim Corrigan in the book” thing has been pretty well turned over. However, what I still haven’t heard is why Didio wanted him. Rucka mentions here that Didio said fans would notice and “start eating their legs”, but was that the end game? Rucka, to his credit, did something with it so the question is largely intellectual now, but I still can’t help but ask it. If Rucka had not made Corrigan the most corrupt cop in Gotham, where was Didio hoping for this to go? Did he really just want to drive fans nutty? I wonder”¦
Van Scive’s So Fast, He Has Plenty of Time for Interviews
Does anyone remember that fifth-week DC Comics event where the editors thought it would be an inspired idea to remove the America from “Justice League of America” and replace it every week with a different place? There was the “Justice League of Arkham,” the “Justice League of Atlantis,” the “Justice League of Assholes””¦all sorts of fun one-shots like that.
Yeah, I don’t really remember it either.
But I do remember that one of the one-shots, “JL?” featured the artwork of some up-and-comer called Ethan Van Sciver. It caught my eye, with its interesting stylistic mix of Bolland and Perez, and I made a mental note to keep an eye out for his work in the future.
Just a few years later Ethan Van Sciver has become one of the most sought-after superstars in the industry. He’s worked with Grant Morrison on the uber-popular “New X-Men,” reinvented the Green Lantern legend for a new generation with Geoff Johns, and recently he was named Wizard’s Artist of 2005.
Now he is taking over “Superman/Batman,” DC Comics’ best-selling ongoing series for two years before it was surpassed by Van Sciver’s work on “Green Lantern.” He’s teaming with on-the-rise writer Mark Verheiden. Van Sciver took a few moments away from the drawing board to sit down and talk all things “Superman/Batman” and a few things “Green Lantern.”
See how Van Sciver fills his oh-so empty schedule at Comic Book Resources
I know Van Sciver moves like molasses, but I still love the fella’s art. And I won’t feel bad about that. Yup, that’s right, I am espousing my enjoyment of a perpetually late artist. I’m part of the problem, America”¦me.
Moving on”¦
Actually, there is not much to move on to. The initial Superman/Batman issues have made that book so radioactive to me that even with a creative change that includes the excellent Van Sciver, I find it hard to get excited about the comic. I’ll probably peek the first issue, but I really have an almost zero level of interest in it. I guess it is a “fool me once, fool me twice” kind of thing.
Shane, Come Back!
This March, DC Comics delivers Batman Annual #25 by Judd Winick, Shane Davis, and Mark Morales. While the issue is a return to Annuals for the publisher and title, the story features the answer to a burning question that’s been bugging fans for months, ever since the Red Hood showed up: how Jason Todd survived death at the hands of the Joker. To find out more about the up-coming annual, working with Judd Winick, and life in the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon & Graphic Art, we spoke with artist Shane Davis.
Oh wait, he was at Newsarama all along. Sorry, false alarm.
Some pretty work there from Shane Davis. I still think its odd he got an exclusive contract, but I’m excited to see him on a little more full time gig.
A New ‘Storm on the Horizon
Though it’s been widely known since last August or so that a Wildstorm relaunch was coming (with Grant Morrison and Jim Lee helming Wildcats no less), only a few further details had hit.
As for why a relaunch of the entire universe with him in one of the captain’s chairs was needed, Lee told Newsarama last year:
“I’ve been meaning to jump back into the WSU for some time now; in fact, it was supposed to be after ‘Hush,’ but then I kept getting hooked up with dream assignment after dream assignment in the DCU which kept pushing my return date back further and further. But as for the ultimate reason why? Obviously, the WSU needs a shot in the arm, and I knew that if Grant Morrison signed on as the writer…well, that we could collectively blow the doors off the universe and really pull in old and new readers alike. So waiting the couple of years for me to get my career back up to speed so to speak probably will help make it a bigger deal in the long run.”
The “revamp” of the Wildstorm Universe has already begun, albeit a might subtlety with Captain Atom: Armageddon, a nine issue miniseries that sent Captain Atom from the DC Universe into the Wildstorm Universe. Since the miniseries launch in October, writer Will Pfeifer has been dropping major hints that something serious is going to happen if and when Captain Atom leaves the WSU.
All of that in mind, we sat down with WildStorm Executive Editor Scott Dunbier to run down the full list of titles and roster of talent joining up for the various series and find out a little more just what is going on.
Grab your slicker and your microphone and grit your teeth while staring into the camera at Newsarama
Generally speaking, I don’t peek in on the Wildstorm Universe a whole lot. I mean, I love Planetary (as you know), I really enjoyed the first 2 years of the Authority (and the Stormwatch stories that led to it), Wildcats, the corporate years, was fascinating and ended too soon, and I vaguely remember Gen13 being a fun book during the mini and for like 6 issues following that (was it even Wildstorm back then?). However, I never got into the universe as a whole and never really seemed to follow more than a title or two at any given time.
I might be tempted to dip a little farther in though, with this lineup. Morrison and Simone, in particular make the prospect very tempting. Ennis’s stuff could be fun as well as Midnighter is definitely a character that could benefit from Ennis’s approach.
An Alternative to Super Speed to Catch Up
In a recent Crisis Counseling session here at Newsarama, DCU Executive Editor Dan Didio said that he’s been taking any steps necessary to make sure all of DC’s books hit their schedules so that the “One Year Later” jump would be line-wide – without any stragglers.
As Monday’s press release from DC revealed, sometimes “any steps” may mean wrapping up an arc one issue earlier than planned, as Supergirl #5 will now be the final issue of Jeph Loeb and Ian Churchill’s run as a creative team on the series. The two will end their storyline in a 32 page issue, clearing the decks for Greg Rucka and Ed Benes to come on with issue #6, which will be the series’ first “One Year Later” issue.
Watch as 6 becomes 5 like magic at Newsarama
This seems like a pretty decent solution considering. DC gets to do OYL on time, Loeb gets to wrap up his run, and Churchill can catch a little break. Sounds good. Not perfect, I am sure, but a fair thing all around. Good work, DC, good work.
Your Name”¦ in Lights!
With the highly anticipated Warner Bros. motion picture Superman Returns set to open on June 30, DC Comics is pleased to offer retailers the opportunity to order an exciting new promotional item: the SUPERMAN S-SHIELD NEON SIGN! Ideal for window display, the SUPERMAN S-SHIELD NEON SIGN measures 5 ” deep by 20 ” tall by 27 ” wide and is in the familiar shape of Superman’s chest emblem.
Well, if your name is Superman, that is. Go to where the lights are always brightest, Newsarama, to see what this racket is all about.
I included this item because I can scarcely imagine how much improved my life would be if I had one of these neon signs. I’d be able to run faster, jump higher, and Janelle would love me so much more. Sadly, when I presented these facts to Janelle, she claimed that she thought the apartment was “plenty decorated already.” Whatever that means.
Please, for me, buy one. Then, at least one of us will be living the dream.
FOC! FOC! FOC!
The upcoming weekly series 52 will be the first project from DC Comics retailers will order using DC ‘ s new Final Order Cutoff (FOC) dates.
Marvel (oops) at my mastery of retail lingo at Newsarama
Bravo to DC for doing right by the retailers. I’m surprised they don’t already do this since Marvel does, but hey, better late than never, right?
Another Comic Is Free!
With Free Comic Book Day set for May 6, DC Comics is adding a second knockout title: the SUPERMAN/BATMAN #1 FCBD Edition (DEC058382).
Free at last, free at last, thank Newsarama almighty, free at last.
(So how many people do you think will be offended by that link line? Mocking a spiritual and God in the same sentence? Go me!)
Free Comic Book Day isn’t about us, it is about recruiting new fans. So this is probably a good idea, being that it showcases the two most recognizable icons in the DCU. I do question, a bit, the idea of giving a new reader part 1 of 6, but it could work. I am putting aside my personal feelings of loathing for this book and simply saying that it is probably a good idea.
Now Leaving: Gotham City
Writer Andy Lieberman told us what it was like spending his last few days in Gotham with the final issues of Batman: Gotham Knights.
Drive fast, take chances, and never look back as you cruise towards The Pulse
I know people out there like it (Mathan, I’m looking at you), but I’d be lying if I said I’d miss this book in the least.
Lieberman is pretty honest here about taking Hush and making him the lead character. It could have been a good move, but the story was too drawn out and Hush never really evolved into anything more interesting than he was in the story that introduced him. To become a protagonist, as opposed to a heavily shadowed villain, there needed to be something to him. Sadly, there was just never any character to his character. Since the aim of the book was to make him the lead, the whole affair could not hold.
He also does not love the Prometheus arc. That’s cool because neither do I. Although the revelation that it was supposed to be someone else (Onomatopoeia, perhaps?) helps explain, in part, why the hell thing seemed so ill conceived.
Geoff Johns: A Look Back Part 1
It’s easy to call someone a “people person.” But the meaning of that term changes a little when you use it to describe Geoff Johns.
Cue the schmaltzy music from the Newsarama orchestra
Look, Geoff Johns name checked Phantom Tollbooth. I name check Phantom Tollbooth all the time. Such a great book. So good.
Johns also talks about trading comics and how he does not think that happens much anymore. I suspect he’s correct, but the store I used to go to (Heroes and Hitters in Rocky Hill, CT) was always great about it. Wayne (nicest guy in comics) would give you some cash and some trade credit for whatever you brought in. I wonder if my new (also great) store does that”¦
The rest of the biography stuff is pretty interesting. Nothing new if you’ve read a bio piece or two of Johns already, but still interesting.
Geoff Johns: A Look Back Part 2
When we last left Geoff Johns, he had just told us about how, after hitting California right after college, he’s landed a job with Richard (Superman: The Movie) Donner, and had begun writing comics more and more”¦until”¦well, he was going to have to have a talk with his boss about moving on.
Now fade up the lights on the Newsarama set.
I don’t have much else to say about this part. Johns has a great way of talking about comics and he clearly loves them so it is worth reading for that alone. Not a lot of scoopage, but eh, not everything needs to be. If you like Johns stuff, both parts are worth reading.
Everyone’s Favorite Writer
Name your favorite superheroes. Spider-Man. Superman. The X-Men. Now name some of your favorite real life heroes. Athletes. Firefighters. Police Officers. What do they all have common? Chuck Austen has written about them all, and this summer, he’ll tackle baseball in Tokyopop’s “Boys Of Summer.” It’s been some time since CBR News last spoke with the writer, whose 2005 exit from “Action Comics” surprised many, as the series had seen a sales upswing, but since then, fans have seen little of Austen. For the loudest of his detractors, that’s a blessing, but for the devoted fan base, it’s been a burden to bear.
Make sure you make it over to Comic Book Resources to give Austen a big hug.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are at work when you are reading this column, you may not want to click the above link. There’s adult art and stuff.
Because I feel the need to do this with widely disliked creators, I just want to clarify my own personal feelings on Chuck Austen. I don’t really care about him one way or another. I don’t mean that in a dismissive manner, only to say I have never formed an opinion about him. I think I’ve read maybe 4 Austen written books in my life and found them to be fine. Nothing that made me rush out to snap up everything he’s done, but also nothing that ever made me squeal in horror. He was just another guy in the comic book making field far as I was concerned.
Anyway, this article is pretty humanizing. Even if you still hate his stuff, I hope you’ll read it and then divorce him as a man from him as a writer. I doubt it, but I still hope so.
Oh, and as an added bonus it (kind of) answers who J.D. Finn is/was.
Remembering Sam
A unique feature of this medium of comic books is how often we like to explore “alternative timelines” – variant “dimensions” and “universes” that deviate due to a singular event, causing ripple effects that change the entire world.
In such an alternative universe, perhaps a young writer with the familiar last name of Loeb – in this case Sam – follows up his first published work in Dark Horse’s Tales of The Vampires #5 with a one-shot issue of Superman/Batman #26. On the strength of that work he is assigned his first limited series, and then eventually an ongoing series. Perhaps in short order the comics industry finds its next Eisner winner, familiar name to the pages of Wizard and Newsarama, and fan-favorite panelist at the San Diego Comic-Con.
But that’s just an “alternative timeline”. In June of 2005, seventeen year-old Sam Loeb, son of comic book writer Jeph Loeb, died after a three-year battle with cancer.
Prepare the waterworks before visiting Newsarama
I’m not gonna lie. I read the Loeb/Sale story at the end of this article and I teared up a little. Or, you know, a lot. Anyway. I can’t even imagine what Mr. Loeb or Sam’s other family and friends have gone through since he passed in June. I wish them all the best I can and hope that it all gets a little easier, day by day.
BEWARE THE FUTURE’S AWESOME MIGHT
Here’s the link to play if you are in our home audience.
Robin #150– Wow! Robin’s at #150. I remember the first issue just after Knightfall. Which means Knightfall was almost 13 years ago. Goodness, that’s depressing.
Anyway, I still hate the costume.
Superman Returns: The Movie Adaptation– Boy do I hate when comic adaptations of movies come out before the movies themselves. Actually, I think I just comic adaptations of movies, period. A man has to take a stand sometime, I suppose.
Superman #652– Who’s that blank smiley faced guy in the foreground of this cover?
He looks to be up to no good. I respect that.
Superman/Batman #27– Huntress in a really old costume? Could this be Earth-2 nonsense?
Birds of Prey #94– Good to see Prometheus getting some work. Hopefully, Simone can return him, somewhat, to his past glory after the complete degeneration of the character we witnessed in Gotham Knights. Ugh. Even thinking of it now makes me stomach hurt.
Blood of the Demon #15– Is this really a conflict that “had to happen”? Really? Because that smells like hyperbole to me.
52– Hmm”¦haven’t heard of this project. I wonder if it will sell?
JLA Classified #22-23– Isn’t using the word “amazing” to describe the Detroit Justice League illegal, or, at the very least, immoral?
I also get a kick out of Jerry Ordway’s parenthetical credit being “Deadshot covers”. Because, obviously, that’s what most of us remember him for.
Secret Six #1– Yay! Glorious.
Majestic #17– Good bye Majestic, we hardly knew ye.
Matador #6– Finally.
Who’s Who Mystery Box Set #2– I don’t really understand the attraction of these. Can anyone explain it to me?
COMING ATTRACTIONS
BATMAN #650
The best way to keep up with Batman’s adventures while you wait for Grant Morrison.
GREEN LANTERN #9
Batman! A new Tattoo Man! Van Sciver art! The book is hit or miss for me, but I won’t pretend that I’m not looking forward to this issue and/or picking it up.
OPINIONS ON THE WORK OF PEOPLE FAR MORE TALENTED THAN I
BATMAN YEAR ONE HUNDRED #1
Still feeling this one out. It hits the ground running and Pope’s artwork is a joy, as always. However, storywise, it didn’t compel me all that much. I’ll give it a second read and see if I change my mind. 6 bucks a pop is a lot for something that doesn’t grab you.
BIRDS OF PREY #91
There are good fill-ins, bad fill-ins, and this. Ugh. Check out my review for my exact feelings on the matter.
MANHUNTER #19
I love the book. Peek the top of this column where I explain exactly why. This issue is just more of that.
WELCOME TO THE REVAMPING
This is being reproduced, with permission from a Who’s Who column almost 2 months ago. Sorry that I didn’t bring it over earlier, but I had actually forgotten about it. Given the constraints of that column, it is actually shorter than a typical Revamping. Hope you still enjoy it.
Dr. Fate
Please, bear in mind that this was inspired by a dream I had a while back so, if it seems to have holes in it, blame it on my subconscious.
Doctor Fate has disappeared from the earthly plain some nine months ago. In that time, his tower in Salem has been purchased by a weathly but eccentric (are there any other kind of wealthy people, really?) recluse, Arthur Alberts. Its connection to the dimensions has been severed, but in the center of the house sits the artifacts that we recognize as Fate’s helmet and medallion but the new owner seems uneducated about. He is, however, fascinated by them, so he invites five former college classmates, all very successful in various fields, to help him crack their mystery.
As the classmates, Elena Marisco, Tom Grige, his wife Sally, Nadia Dominick, and Chester Denville, begin to unlock the secrets and powers of talismans, things begin to get complicated. It becomes more and more clear that Alberts is not as unaware of the talismans’ purposes as he originally claimed and is, in fact, in search of unending power. As the tower comes alive once more and the five race against time to stop what they have unwittingly started, some will not make it out alive. Most in fact. When the dust settles, who will possess the power of Fate?
So…what do you think? Would it work?
SHOOTING BACK AT THE GRIMACE
We haven’t checked in on the mailbag in a few weeks, so let’s take a look at its secret contents. Oooooooooooo
Hay man,
The tirades are a great addition to the column. Keep them up. Re: Dark Knight 2, it’s certainly nowhere near the first for sheer quality, but I have to admit that I do enjoy it. The thing is, it’s not a Batman story. If it was told as a DCU story, or a future JLA story, it would be just fine; but to package it as a Batman story is just false. One question though: what was GL doing when he came back to Earth? So he made himself really big and held the Earth in his hand?
peace,
-Colin Pigeau
I believe, although I could be wrong, that GL heals the world, for lack of a better way to put it.
Anyway, I’d agree that it was more of a JLA tale than a Batman one, but even considering that I still just don’t enjoy it. I read it again just before I responded to your letter and I still find it an ugly mess that is neither funny nor smart. But that’s just me.
Finally, as far as the tirades go, I am certainly hoping to keep those going, three out of every four weeks or so.
Except Jayna & Zan are the wonder twins, not Marvin & Wendy. And since I have probably never mentioned it, I like your column.
-Joshua Crawley
Good point. So who the heck are Marvin and Wendy then?
Uh-oh”¦that’s it. We out. Parallax2@juno.com= e-mail. Visit the message boards. You know it’s the right thing to do.
Un Gajje is a Big Manhunter Fan”¦In Case You Couldn’t Guess
