We actually have longish column this week, so let us waste no further time and jump right into THE NEWS!
DC, Wave Goodbye to SB
According to Variety, in a summary judgment, Los Angeles Federal Judge Ronald S. W. Lew ruled that Joanne Siegel and Laura Siegel Larson, the heirs of Jerry Siegel, have “successfully recaptured the Superboy rights as of Nov. 17, 2004.”
Feel the sting of justice, The Pulse style
Ahh, comic book legal stuff. My Achilles heel. Still it’s interesting, it has possible widespread consequences and it ironically coincided with Superboy’s death in Infinite Crisis. Worth a look for comic fans, I should say.
Qxe2+
Throughout the One Year Later titles, DC creators are showing the subtle (and sometimes overt) changes that have been made to the DCU in the months following Infinite Crisis. One of the major changes to the DCU as a whole – the addition (or re-emergence for all the old school fans) of the Checkmate organization to the mix.
On the whole, the group is tasked with keeping the line held against metahumans. That is, allow them to exist and operate in their own sphere of influence, without causing major problems by moving out of said sphere. No, it’s not as simple as casting the Checkmate agents as the cops of the superhero/villain world. The new series focusing on the Checkmate is written by Greg Rucka after all (with art by Jesus Saiz), so there are a few more layers than that. The organization operates within the world of global politics and superheroes, so”¦well”¦yeah, it’s a little more complicated than that.
We sat down with Rucka to talk about the series, the group, the players, and to get some hints about what’s to come.
Rock that chess notation with all the Grandmaster known as Newsarama
First, The Rucka seems really relaxed in this interview. A little too relaxed if you ask me. What’s going on The Rucka? No one’s gotten to you, have they?
The next thing that I feel bears commenting on is a poster that has, apparently, made it his life’s mission this weekend to go on every Checkmate thread and write something to the effect of “Fire kills people now. Sigh”¦” in reference to the panel(s) above. The implication, of course, being that Fire does not or should not kill people.
For all I know, he may be right. However, also for all I know, he could be wrong. The Rucka’s reasoning for this seems sound, Fire used to be an espionage agent in Brazil (it was Brazil, right? I forgot and I’m too lazy to look at my copy of OMAC Project Special right now). Even if it was never out right stated, it seems sensible that she would have had to get her hand dirty in that line of work including, possibly, killing enemy combatants. Just because that’s not how she acted as a hero in the Justice League does not guarantee that was an aspect of her past. If it was ever stated that Fire did not/would not kill back in the day, well that was poor logic. It’s like Darwyn Cooke’s own misstep in New Frontier. I know we all like our heroes to be the unkilling kind, but truly, the idea of a fighter pilot or an espionage agent never fatally engaging enemy combatants is beyond far fetched. So, I have no problem accepting Fire slitting a man’s throat. Also note that The Rucka specifically mentions that she’s not pleased about this development.
So here’s the thing. Me, and people like me, are who this title is being written for. We are not well versed in Fire’s continuity and thus have no issue accepting a fairly logical behavior for an agent coming from her. Those who know Fire backwards and forwards might know a dozen instances that indicate that The Rucka is wrong if he thinks Fire capable of killing while in the line of duty. The thing is, a dozen examples of something, especially for an obscure character without a huge fan following, matters very little. The casual fans and the more serious fans who missed Fire’s Justice League exploits can make the leap and, ultimately, there is a lot more of us than there are of the Fire fanatics. Thus, DC is way more likely to aim a book our way than the Fire brigade’s way. It is simple math. Hard to hear, yes, but it’s true.
Do I say this to crush hopes and dreams? No, I say this for this reason only. The world of comics is not just about you or you or you or me. I am a Darkhawk fan. God knows why. I know a large chunk of his appearances suck huge. I get that. But still, I dig the character. If tomorrow, Marvel gave him a title where he ate children for fuel, I’d be pretty disappointed. I hope I’d be strong enough not to buy it. However, if it led to new fans and those new fans thought these stories were great, I’d hope I’d be man enough not to feel the need to disparage the writer, the artist, the editor, the book, the company, etc at every turn. I like Darkhawk and I like many of the stories I have read featuring him. And tomorrow if he does end up being a baby eater, the Darkhawk I liked will still be there for me to read. And, probably, eventually someone like me will roll up who will turn back the clock and bring back the non-baby eating version of the character.
In other words, the stories, these characters, they are not just ours, even if we saw them first. A baby eating Darkhawk or a throat slitting Fire maybe someone else’s original recipe Darkhawk or Justice League Fire and it’d be nice if we, as fans, could see and appreciate that and every now and again take one of the chin and let that future group of fans have their characters too.
Wow”¦that turned into a little Tim’s Tirade there, eh?
Breaking Down a Universal Break Down
Here we go again”¦
Infinite Crisis #6 is in stores and DC hopes now in your collection, and while the issues answers a lot of questions, if you have any about the issues itself, we hope the following may contain some answers, and provide a smile or two.
And as always; 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 #6 page by page guide with mild annotations, some of which may even be correct”¦
And now its time for a breakdown. Never gonna get it, never gonna get it. Never gonna get it, never gonna get it. Never gonna it, never get. WaWoooWooWooooooooooo at Newasrama
I have to say that this is one of my favorite things about Newsarama these days. I LOVE the post-issue breakdowns.
This week is no exception. Some favorite moments this time include:
1.) The constant mentions of Hal Jordan being a test pilot. It’s almost like read a GL comic these days.
2.) “Who am I? I’m the goddamn Booster Gold.”
3.) The “It’s a lot bigger than I thought it’d be” joke.
4.) Batman’s running discussion of Independence Day
5.) How the viruses would affect Brother Eye.
There’s other good stuff too. As in funny. By this point, they’ve already answered any confusing questions the beginning of IC brought up so it’s just coasting on the funny. I like funny though, so I like this. You may not. Because you are joyless.
There, I said it. I’m sorry, but it’s true and someone needed to tell you.
Hey, It’s Mario
Wednesday marks the release of the penultimate issue of Infinite Crisis, and we understand this is the issue where the “stuff” really hits the fan.
Of course with the release of another Infinite Crisis, that means DC Executive Editor Dan DiDio is back to talk you all through it. And your questions were so good this month, we just shut-up and let you all have the floor.
So here’s the latest on Infinite Crisis, 52, “One Year Later” and the present and future of the DC Universe in general.
And as a reminder to you West Coasters or folks at work or school who haven’t been to the comic shop yet, DiDio talks about the events of Infinite Crisis #6 openly, so be fore-spoiler-warned.
Oh, sorry. It’s Dan. My mistake. Hey, did you know that Mario’s last name is Mario? How messed up is that? Anyway, Dan (not Mario) is answering all manner of query at Newsarama
Gladys is gone?! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
Is it because Booster once wore this getup?
“You know, ladies dig massive gold shoulder pads.”
If so, come back, Gladys. He promises to never wear it again. Honest.
That’s just the worst news I’ve heard all week.
Maybe the news that Ultra the Multi Alien will be in 52 will cheer me up.
Moments later, Multi utilized his fantastic powers to also beat off logic and fashion sense.
Nope”¦still nothing. Just so sad”¦
Preparing for a Fables-ous Year
How many fairy tales do you know? Ten? Twenty? You may even be one of the rare few who could list off a hundred. But compared to writer Bill Willingham (“Fables,” “Day of Vengeance,” “Shadowpact”), you’re just a novice.
Willingham is the writer and creator of the ongoing series “Fables,” which is published under DC’s Vertigo imprint. In the book’s universe, it seems that all the fairy tales we were told as children are true. The characters of these various tales (who call themselves Fables) live in a dimension not easily accessible from our world. Unfortunately, one of the more famous fairy tale characters (I won’t spoil it by saying who) turned evil and became known as a malevolent being called the Adversary. All Fables that didn’t want to live under the Adversary’s rule escaped and made their way to the “real” world (not the TV show), setting up a little community for themselves tucked away in a corner of New York – a place they’ve aptly named Fabletown.
There’s so much more to Willingham’s story that my description barely scratches the surface of all its levels. Needless to say, he’s taken the wonder we felt from fairy tales as children and brought it back to us exponentially as adults. Just read “Fables” and you’ll know what I mean.
For fans such as myself, Willingham has great news – much more “Fables” goodness is on the way. This June, we’re treated to forty-eight pages of goodness in the book’s 50th issue. Then in July, “Fables” gets a spin-off title with “Jack of Fables” (starring the famous Jack who chopped down the beanstalk). And finally, in October, the long-awaited “Fables” original graphic novel (OGN) arrives. Its title is “Fables: 1,001 Nights of Snowfall” and it contains painted art from some of the industry’s finest artists.
CBR News contacted Willingham to see if we could learn a few more details about this “Fables” extravaganza heading our way. The master storyteller was happy to oblige”¦
Grab that beanstalk and climb right on up to Comic Book Resources
“Suck it, Geico Gecko! Now who’s laughing?” The Frog Prince said in a moment of unexpected vulgarity.
Isn’t that James Jean work above just absolutely gorgeous? I don’t kiss a lot of amphibians, but that frog there? I’d be tempted to lay lips on him, sure enough.
Well, kissing frog princes aside, this is decent enough interview full of hints and teases sure to frustrate and delight. If you are a Fables fan, you might want to take a look. No worries about spoilers though. Willingham plays it close (but not too close).
Back Together and Feels So Good
Jerry Ordway is one of the latest in a growing list of artists and writers to sign an exclusive with a major comics publisher. In March Ordway signed a two-year deal with DC Comics and is working on covers and interiors for a variety of projects. He’s covering the Steve Englehart JLA Classified story, which features the Detroit era of the team. He’s also covering some issues of Birds of Prey. Along with the cvoers, Ordway drew and inked a few sequential pages for the Infinite Crisis # 6.
See the tear soaked, heartfelt airport reunion at The Pulse
Not much here really, so please, enjoy two black and white Ordway drawn Birds of Prey covers on me.
No, no need to thank me. Seeing Black Alice will be back is thanks enough.
Ornithology for Artists
Before his work at DC Comics, artist Paulo Siqueira was best known for his sequentials and cover work with Avatar Press. Now he’s the penciler on the Birds of Prey and having fun working on these female icons. He told us he’s trying to be respectful to the characters. “I like that the women I draw appear sexy and beautiful, without appealing to cheese-cake shots, and stuff like that. After all, they are beautiful, but they are also super-heroines and icons. So I try to respect that, without being vulgar.”
Grab your binoculars and climb the tree overlooking The Pulse’s bird refuge.
Siqueria’s work on Birds of Prey has yet to thrill me. It’s good, but not quite great yet. I have hope for his future on the book, but so far his sketches impress me more than his final art.
MISC.
Sell Outs/New Printings
BLUE BEETLE #1, the premiere issue of the new series written by Keith Giffen & John Rogers and illustrated by Cully Hamner, has sold out at DC Comics and is going back to press for a new printing!
COMING ATTRACTIONS
CRISIS AFTERMATH: BATTLE FOR BLUDHAVEN #1
I admit to you right now that this book could be a disaster. Just a big honkin’ disaster. I mean, come on. Force of July (or whatever they have been renamed in a horrifically conceived decision by DC)? The Monolith? These guys rarely guarantee sales even if I do love ‘em so.
And then you Gray and Palmiotti. They have amassed more quickly cancelled series in the past five years than any single writer or duo has in the past ten. Jonah Hex seems to still be going strong, but that’s more of an exception than the new rule. So, that’s less than heartening.
Finally, you have the fact that it’s a “Crisis Aftermath” book which could be interpreted as a bit of a cash grab. Also, it superficially (or perhaps more than that) resembles No Man’s Land with more superheroes.
But you know what? Screw it. I’m still looking forward to it. After all, I did like Monolith.
AMERICAN VIRGIN #2
The first issue was not the home run that I was banking on, but it was still pretty damn good. I liked that Seagle was not interested in simple straight up satire because, as I’ve said before, that would only be fun for a bit. Instead, we’ve got a book that could stand to actually be an investigation of a movement that turns my stomach a bit (truth be told) but has many young people fervently embracing it and should not be ignored.
The twist at the end also ups the ante considerably. Now, the book is not only about waiting but what happens when the one you are waiting for, the one God has chosen for you, is no longer an option and will never be again. If you truly believe God speaks to you and that he has a plan for you, how do you reconcile that? Do you even try?
Hopefully, issue #2 gives me that home run I was looking for. But, if not, I’ll settle for just plain ol’ damn good.
OPINIONS ON THE WORK OF PEOPLE FAR MORE TALENTED THAN I
DETECTIVE COMICS #818
I continue to enjoy this table clearing/table setting arc, but I have noticed that one thing an issue just bugs me. In the first issue it was the ham handed “hinting” of events that we the readers missed (the whole “one year ago” “six months ago” “three months ago” sequence). Last issue it was Poison Ivy taking a dive without putting up the slightest of fights. This issue? The Robin love.
Sorry, that sounded dirty.
What I mean to say is it bugged me when, post-fight sequence, Batman turns to Robin and basically says, “A few more years and you’ll kick Nightwing’s ass up and down the street.” Don’t get me wrong, I like Tim Drake a lot. If push came to shove, I’d probably declare him my favorite Robin (I like Dick as Nightwing better). But let us come to the conclusion that Tim could surpass Dick. Otherwise, as it does here, it comes across awkward and forced and frankly makes me resistant to the idea. That sort of designation needs to be earned, not given over in two word balloons.
But that’s just me making a mountain out of a molehill.
Otherwise, I was all about this issue. Harvey being not quite sane, (but not killer crazy, I’m guessing); Bullock’s thinking out loud about why all those villains seem to end up in Gotham; the villain kille’s not victim; Batman and Alfred talking; Batman and Bard talking”¦I liked it all. It’s just too bad the whole affair grinds to a momentum robbing/infuriating moment on around page 12 whenâ€â€
Well, I already talked about that. Without the Robin pandering, I’d probably give this book an A. With it though, it gets a B.
EX MACHINA #19
Let’s see. Strong writing? Check. Great art? Check. Near perfect coloring? Check.
Yup, Ex Machina is typically strong this month. I find myself looking for just a kick more of adrenaline, but otherwise, what’s there to complain about.
INFINITE CRISIS #6
First, I’ve got to address a few pet peeves. One is the reaction to the multiple earths exploding. Shouldn’t someone be worried about that? The only guy who seems remotely concerned is Psycho Pirate and I just don’t feel good about Psycho Pirate being more concerned with billions of lives than Superman. Green Lantern whistles? Donna Troy’s team watches from space doing nothing until Wonder Woman and Superman may die? I know they are just formed planets, but they have a history to them (instant though it may be) and they are fully populated by people, hero, villain, and regular joe alike. Knowing you cannot do anything to stop it is one thing, watching and whistling? That crosses a line to me.
Problem #2, when the heck is a Superman (I don’t even care which one at this point) going to get it together and act heroic. When you start with a thesis that Superman has let people down by being inactive and thus uninspiring, you have to undo that and have Superman reclaim his crown as Hero Numero Uno. Yet, with an issue left, either Superman’s big moment was quick welding a broken building. He has, however, found time to get yelled out by Robin and get in a fight with his older Earth-2 version. Obviously, Superman’s going to come up huge next month and possibly sacrifice his powers in the effort, but I worry that that great moment has been put off too long to be as powerful as it should be.
Finally, Donna Troy’s team. Could we have jettisoned this whole thing without it hurting the story in the least? Yup, pretty sure we could.
So I hated this book, huh?
Actually, no. I liked it. I liked it a lot actually. Most of what’s here is very well done. The problem with that is that the flaws therefore stand out so much more because of that. So, now that I’ve expressed my peeves, why did I still like it?
The generational thing gets a lot of play here and Johns makes it work without forcing it down our throats. Unlike Robinson having Batman call Robin “amazing” or whatever in Detective, Johns lets the actions of Wonder Girl, Superboy, and Nightwing prove that they are worthy heirs to their predecessors’ legacy.
The rest of the Tower stuff was great too. Black Adam teaching Psycho Pirate a proverbial lesson was a strong bit of recall/foreshadowing of Adam’s ambiguous role in the DCU. The rest of the Tower captives stepping up to the plate was also something I enjoyed, (even if Breach just got to be in the background of one group shot).
The two biggest moments for me, however, were Batman’s mission and, of course, Superboy’s fate. Sadly already spoiled by Superman OYL and some leaked pages online, Superboy going down like a hero was not much of a surprise. The surprise is not what is important, though, it is the way you tell the story and Johns does that well. Superboy’s rant against the hypocrisy of a murderous “hero” killing to bring back the glory days showed a Connor finally accepting his role in the DCU (and was also a nice bit of metatextuality). Even though it was short lived, given his demise, it was mirror to the rest of the DCU as well. It’s time to step up to the plate and be heroes, consequences be damned, and it took a clone in jeans and a t-shirt to make that clear.
Batman’s mission was a companion piece to Superboy’s death in that way. Batman, master planner of the DCU, finally accepts that planning for yourself is not nearly as effective as planning for many and, as such, mounts a quick and dirty assault on Brother Eye that leaves it crippled and falling from the sky and the OMACS free and human once more. Black Lightning and Mr. Terrific hassling each other was just the icing on that cake.
The OMAC PROJECT: INFINITE CRISIS SPECIAL
Perfunctory. Unnecessary. Superfluous. These are some of the words that you might want to use when describing this issue.
Speaking as one who enjoyed the deliberate pacing of the OMAC Project miniseries, I still admit that this one takes its time going nowhere. A few pages in Infinite Crisis #6 and Checkmate #1 easily could have achieved the same results.
Only Saiz’s art, the return of The Wall, and Sasha’s excellent new metal eye (Cable, watch out!) save this thing.
PLANETARY #25
We are still in “here’s a bunch of exposition to explain everything before the series wraps up” mode this time out, but I minded it less. Maybe that’s because #24 came out fairly recently (in comparison to the wait between #23 and #24). Or maybe it’s because Jakita and John punch each other in the face for awhile. It could be either.
Planetary has me so hooked though, they could publish an entire issue of Snow just talking about making a really good Reuben and I’d still love it.
As a matter of fact, I wonder if I write Warren Ellis if he’ll slip in one extra issue of Planetary covering that subject matter. I really could use a good Reuben recipe and what’s another 3 month wait amongst friends?
TEEN TITANS #34
Huh”¦for a page or two there, I could’ve sworn that I was reading an adaptation of Robocop. They even threw in the “two people making out in front of the seemingly unconscious half metal guy”. Good times.
Even if we’ve seen the device before, though, it works. It’s a nice way to introduce the OYL passage of time as well as tantalizing us with bits of randomness (Zatara? Aquagirl? Gar leaving?).
The rest of the issue flies by as Cyborg becomes familiar with the world he has been sleeping through for the past year. Some moments, like Wonder Girl seeing him for the first time, work, some don’t, (Cyborg finding out about Superboy’s demise fails to elicit an emotional reaction despite his robot tears). The new lineup has promise though, especially if Wonder Girl signs back up. Between Tim in full leader mode (with a touch of Batman’s “they don’t need to know this” attitude), Ravage’s cattiness towards Wonder Girl and general creepy playfulness (check out her “I’m a good girl now” comment or the way she drapes herself on Robin), the general “WHA?!”-ness of including Wendy and Marvin, and Kid Devil’s”¦well, I’m not quite sure what Kid Devil brings to the table yet. But, even without knowing that, the team is nicely diverse and full of little fissures, rivalries, and friendships that could lend themselves to all avenues of storytelling.
The ending, however, is most likely what’s going to catch your attention. It’s a great surprise, to be certain, but I find myself hoping it does not go anywhere. We do not need a “Bizarro Boy” (despite its obvious alliterative pleasures) and having Superboy return just does not feel quite right to me.
SHOOTING BACK AT THE GRIMACE
You write about Aztek, you get tons of mail. That’s the lesson here. Who’d thunk?
Hi, just got through reading your column, and wanted to put in my 2 cents about you Aztek revamps.
While I honestly never read his actual comic (I’m sorry!), I did enjoy him in the JLA during Rock of Ages et al. I like both of your proposals alot, but maybe because I’ve never had a chance to read the original, I think I’d like to see the second one more. Not that I have a problem with new characters taking up old mantles, but I’d like the original to have more of a chance to shine.
Look forward to your next column!
-Patrick Struke
Well you should be sorry Patrick. You should be. But because you wrote me an e-mail and you have my brothe’s first name, we’ll call it a wash.
You will also be happy to know you were in the majority. Of the 11 e-mails I got about the Aztek revamp (trust me, that’s a ton in comparison will my usual e-mail load), eight preferred the second “return of the classic” to a new wearer of the mantle. And that includes the man who requested it in the first place.
hey Tim,
Thanks for choosing my character as the revamp target, I appreciate it. I just read your column, and I think that the Revamp Option #2 was real solid, as it sticks with the character and costume and such. Anyways, I am delighted with both choices.
Kudos,
Andy
Glad to hear it Andy. I was happy to be of service to the world’s other biggest Aztek fan.
But there were dissenting opinions, including this one.
As much as I liked your second option for Aztek’s return, I’ve got to call bull$#!+. Aztek blew himself up. Oh yeah, and he did it in space. No way is he coming back. Even if Superboy did punch reality a lot.
Also, it would just be nice to have another female superhero around. She would be following in another hero’s footsteps but that’s better than just being a female version of another hero.
-Tara Mansfield
Purely by the fact that she read comics and is a woman, Tara is my favorite letter writer this week. Unfair? Sexist even? Probably. But with so few open female fans, I always enjoy meeting them.
Anyway, I dig what you are saying. More female heroes are always good things. But I don’t think the fourth dimension battery thing was too far fetched. Then again, I did dream it up, so I’m biased.
As for Superboy punching stuff, thanks for giving me another excuse for bringing back Uno.
That’s all the letters I’m printing this week, but here’s a tantalizing list of other suggestions for Revamps that were sent in. I’m not saying which ones I will tackle, but these are some that might make the cut:
1.) Bloodhound
2.) Team Titans
3.) Young Justice
4.) Madmen
5.) Crazy Quilt
6.) Kite Man
7.) Savitar
And, oddly enough
8.) “Your mom”
That last one disturbs me a little bit. As for the rest? Who knows? Come back next week and find out who, if anyone, gets the nod. And keep those suggestions rolling into my e-mail box (parallax2@juno.com) as well as any other comments about the column you might have.
That’s it, I’m done. Tapped out. Finished. I’ll be back next week though, with news, views, reviews, a Tirade, a revisiting of recent comic that I didn’t like but plenty did, and perhaps even a revamping. See you then. Or before then, why not stop by the good ol’ message board
Un Gajje is Shooting Down the Walls of Love. Bang Bang.
