Sadly, over this holiday weekend, comic book great Alex Toth died. He had a visual style (see below) that many feel has been unmatched. Also, without him, the greatness that is Adult Swim probably never would have been possible. No doubt, he will be missed.
A sample of Toth’s work.
Matthew Clark, artist on The Outsiders currently, suffered a heart attack over the weekend. DCNV and all the folks at Comics Nexus wish him the best of luck and a speedy recovery.
And now, the NEWS!
Buxom, Lipstick= Adjectives to Describe Batwoman?
Hinted and teased about for months, Sunday’s New York Times (already being delivered in the New York area) confirms that DC is brining back a staple of its Silver Age: Batwoman.
Embrace the hissy fit about “alternative” lifestyles at at Newsarama
First, any chance we can retire the term “alternative” lifestyles? God, that is a condescending term.
Anywho, welcome to what we all knew was coming: Batwoman’s return! Whee! Go nuts pre-Crisis lovers! Except, wait, what’s this…she’s gay?!?!?! OH DEAR GOD, THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!!
Well, before we get hysterical, let’s break it down.
Actually before we get to any of that, can we give it up for the writer of the New York Times article, George Gene Gustines. Good ol’ Triple G really seems to have our number as evidenced by this quote from the article, “But comics devotees are notorious for buying titles out of loyalty, whether from completist compulsion or from a need to be able to complain about what they don’t like, and DC knows it.” Ouch that stings! Mostly because it is pretty damn true. Next time you cannot figure out why comic companies continue to “dick you around” with subpar products, remember this quote. This is why.
Alright, back to the matter at hand. First, just dealing with her as a new Batwoman…eh. Much like my feeling on Supergirl(s), I’m not a huge fan of building “families” around DC’s lead characters. If the character’s good, I’m willing to overlook it, but I’d just assume DC introduce a new character with a unique name. She can still operate in Gotham and have ties to Batman, but have her own superhero identity. Of course, that would make her Huntress, so maybe that wouldn’t work.
Next, that Kathy Kane thing. Whatever. It’s a nod to pre-Crisis continuity. If those fans like it, it was nice of DC to throw it out there. It does not really affect me one way or another.
Onto that alternative lifestyle thing. First, big ups to the Newsarama crowd for waiting a full 3 pages and 63 posts before playing this wonderful old chestnut (from a poster called Jerry Smith), “Does anyone else find this sick? Pushing alternative lifestyles on all-ages books? No offense to gays–who anyone sleeps with is their business. But alternative lifestyles belong in non-mainstream books intended for older audiences. DC is truly obsessesed with homosexuality and pushing it on their audience–even more than Marvel. They are totally misjudging their audience. Does comics’ mostly male audience want all gay, all the time comics? You’d think so, judging from DC’s output. No scene of same sex couples in the bedroom or other intimate behavior is too outrageous for Dan Didio.
If I was in charge of DC this nonsense would stop immediately and Didio and all editors would be fired (or transferred to Vertigo, whose titles are of an adult, mature nature). Potentially pushing this stuff on kids is again, sick. What happened to true heroes fighting crime? That’s all gone now. Everyone wants to make a social/political statement.”
Wow…just wow. I know everyone is entitled to their opinions and I should respect it, but…it’s just such naked hostility. It is almost inviting me to fly off the handle and proclaim this guy and his ilk idiots and go on a lengthy diatribe about the myth that being “exposed” to anything but “good, straight living” somehow recruits kids to “join up.” I’m not going there though because some things, (for example, comments on comic message boards) are not worth getting worked into a lather on. I’ll just say my piece thusly: being gay is just as valid as being straight or Christian or Muslim or Jewish or Buddhist or Atheist or black or Hispanic or Asian or white or…etc, etc, etc. Thus it is just as worthy of being featured in a comic book.
Finally, “buxom, lipstick”? I hope that was the Times own spin on it and not the buzzword for Batwoman around the DC office because man…that smacks of awfulness.
Didio Talks About, Well, What I Just Went On and On About Above
As the New York Times broke yesterday, Batwoman is coming back to the DCU and Gotham City in the form of Kathy “Kate” Kane, lesbian who has a history both with Renee Montoya and with…apparently, Bruce Wayne.
As the news was filtering out through various channels, we caught up with DC Executive Editor Dan Didio to talk about the new character, the role her sexuality will play, and what the future holds for the new Batwoman.
Watch Didio weigh in on Batwoman at Newsarama
Sadly, there is not much here one way or another. I appreciate the assurance that her sexuality is part of her life (and thus stories about her) but it is only an aspect of it. Still, I would’ve been shock if Didio said otherwise. I wish that Newsarama could’ve asked about the “lipstick” thing, but, eh, that’s just me.
Also, smart idea to build interest in her via the Punisher approach as opposed to dropping her into her own book right away.
Wacker Chat!
DC editor Stephen Wacker is back with us for his allotted 10 minutes in-between 52 deadline madness to talk about this week’s issue of the weekly series.
In 52 #3 a body is found, John Irons and Natasha continue to clash, Power Girl clashes with you-know-who over the skies of Khandaq, while Booster continues his campaign to become superhero numero uno …oh, and some more Luthor sneakiness..!
Editor Steve’s got all you need to know about this week’s 52 at Newsarama
So friggin’ scary!
First, gaze at the above picture in horror. It has mystical powers, I swear it!
Now, look here! Quickly! Before the picture takes your mind!
Good job. Terrifying no?
Now tell me what the heck Wacker means by Soul Patrol? Deadman? Spectre? Both?
NUMBER$
The big theme in DC Comics’ March 2006 output was “One Year Later,” a publishing event spinning out of the successful INFINITE CRISIS series which saw most of the company’s mainstream titles jump twelve months ahead on their timeline, coupled with numerous creative and conceptual changes. In addition, DC revisited the concept of annuals with BATMAN ANNUAL and TEEN TITANS ANNUAL, released an INFINITE CRISIS SECRET FILES special and launched the new ongoing titles BLUE BEETLE and AMERICAN VIRGIN and the limited series BATMAN: SECRETS and RED SONJA/CLAW: DEVIL’S HANDS.
A note on this month’s long-term comparisons: CBG recently made sales estimates going back as far as April 1997 available at their website. You can find those numbers here: http://www.cbgxtra.com/Default.aspx?tabid=695 . Since these estimates are based on the same source data provided by Diamond Distributors as ICv2.com’s, and because ICv2.com’s only go back to 2001, I’ve decided to switch from ICv2.com’s estimates to CBG’s for the years prior to 2003. Given that the estimates are in the same ballpark, it doesn’t really matter which ones we’re using, in terms of comparability, because the 2003 break in Diamond’s reports affects both sets, anyway.
However, please bear in mind that those estimates — those from prior to March 2003 — were for INITIAL ORDERS only (rather than ACTUAL SALES, which is what the estimates since March 2003 refer to), so those comparisons should be taken with a bigger grain of salt than usual. The estimates from prior to March 2003 are therefore marked with an asterisk (*) in the statistics below.
18 of DC’s March 2006 releases in the Top 300 remained relatively stable, deviating from the sales of their previous issues by less than 2.0%. 23 titles showed increases of more than 2.0% over their previous issues, 15 of them more than 10.0%, 9 of them of more than 20.0%, 2 of them more than 50.0% and 1 of them more than 100.0%. The issue to show the biggest gains in February was AQUAMAN: SWORD OF ATLANTIS #40, which saw a sales increase of 105.2% over the previous issue. The sales of 22 titles dropped by more than 2.0% since their previous issues, meanwhile, 4 of which by more than 10.0%, and 2 of which by more than 20.0%. The largest issue-to-issue drop came from THUNDERBOLT JAXON, which lost 24.0% with its second issue.
Of DC Comics’ 73 recorded new releases in March 2006 (Feb 2006: 72; Mar 2004: 72; Mar 2005: 78) which made the Top 300, 48 were DC Universe titles. (Feb 2006: 44; Mar 2004: 43; Mar 2005: 46.) The average new DC Universe release in March 2006 had a cover price of $ 3.02 (Feb 2006: $ 2.84; Mar 2004: $ 3.03; Mar 2005: $ 2.67) and sold an estimated 44,854 copies. (Feb 2006: 40,823; Mar 2004: 39,727; Mar 2005: 34,864.)
Via its Vertigo imprint, DC Comics released 10 new titles in March 2006. (Feb 2006: 12; Mar 2004: 11; Mar 2005: 12.) The average new Vertigo release in March 2006 had a cover price of $ 2.92 (Feb 2006: $ 2.91; Mar 2004: $ 2.81; Mar 2005: $ 2.81) and sold an estimated 15,812 copies. (Feb 2006: 15,026; Mar 2004: 16,445; Mar 2005: 13,094.)
Through its WildStorm label, the publisher released 10 new titles in March 2006. (Feb 2006: 9; Mar 2004: 6; Mar 2005: 12.) The average new WildStorm release in March 2006 had a cover price of $ 3.39 (Feb 2006: $ 3.10; Mar 2004: $ 2.95; Mar 2005: $ 3.48) and sold an estimated 14,210 copies. (Feb 2006: 13,610; Mar 2004: 16,833; Mar 2005: 12,798.)
The average new DC Comics release recorded in the Top 300 in March 2006 had a cover price of $ 3.00 (Feb 2006: $ 2.89; Mar 2004: $ 2.92; Mar 2005: $ 2.79) and sold an estimated 34,116 copies. (Feb 2006: 29,741; Mar 2004: 29,569; Mar 2005: 25,237.)
See below for a more detailed account of the changes.
Thanks to Milton Griepp and ICv2.com for the permission to use their figures.
An overview of ICv2.com’s estimates can be found here:
http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/1850.html
An overview of CBG’s estimates can be found here:
http://www.cbgxtra.com/Default.aspx?tabid=695
Kneel at the altar of capitalism found at The Pulse
COMING ATTRACTIONS
CRISIS AFTERMATH: THE SPECTRE #1
Let’s see. We have one of my favorite artists, Cliff Chiang. So that’s excellent. We have a writer, Will Pfiefer, who I like a lot and am hoping to see him garner more high profile work. We have a Gotham Central character who also happens to be one of the most recognizable and interesting from that book. And, last but not least, we have the semi-dormant property of the Spectre who’s been kicking around the DCU but hasn’t really been The Spectre since Ostander’s book.
So, yeah, I’m excited. Aren’t you?
OPINIONS ON THE WORK OF PEOPLE FAR MORE TALENTED THAN I
52 WEEK 3
You’ve gotta respect a guy like Black Adam, a man who finds an approach to life that works and sticks with it. By this, of course, I mean pushing people faces out the back of their skulls if they displease you. Also, though, he’s not afraid to mix things up with a good vivisection in front of the cameras of the world’s cable networks. He stays the course, but does it with flair.
Black Adam’s story is not the only one going on this issue, but it is the most interesting. The rest of the issue’s focus is Steel. (There’s a bit of Booster, but its nothing that we did not already know was going on, i.e. the past is not acting exactly the way he and Skeets seem to think it should.) I like Steel so normally I would be favor of this, but man…he’s a bit of jerk these days. The stuff with Luthor was great, with Steel having to bite the bullet and admit that, in fact, there was “another” Luthor running around, thus giving Luthor an out for his crimes (again). However, Steel’s interactions with niece/surrogate daughter are just harsh. Maybe its just because I’m young enough to remember the righteous indignation of being a teenager with overprotective parents, but he comes across to me as unyielding and self righteous. It’s as if because the world does not fit his scheme of responsibility and reward and he cannot seem to change that, he’ll take it out on Natasha. That’s not to say he should take her “D” in English lightly. He should. But it seems less about that and more about him exerting control over something. I actually think that’s a pretty interesting characterization, so I appreciate it. But for now, I’m not loving Mr. John Henry like I used to.
Oh and because I forgot to mention it last week, please skip the backup feature. There’s nothing to be gained from taking the time to read and much to be lost (interest in the DCU, five minutes of your life, and dwindling sympathy you might have for Donna Troy). I’ll give you a heads up when its okay to start reading it again.
BATMAN #653
I like the thesis of this issue which essentially amounts to, “If Harvey Dent had only taken the law into his own hands as a vigilante rather than becoming a DA, there would have been no Two-Face.” It is an interesting idea and while I have no idea if there is any prior evidence to point us in that direction (I suspect that there is not a lot of it) I think it works in the context of the story.
The plot does not go anywhere we did not expect that it would have to at same point and some will bristle at the issue long monologue, but neither aspect particularly bothered me. I got swept up in the tête-à-tête between Harvey and the man in the mirror and did not worry about Batman, Robin, Bullock, Gordon, Jason Bard, or Gotham until I closed the issue and thought, “Wait…what about -?”.
It’s not a brilliant exploration of Dent’s condition, but it’s a good one.
BIRDS OF PREY #94
First let me be a ridiculous fanboy (knowing full well that this makes me a hypocrite given the hard time I give to ridiculous fanboys in my various writings for this site) about Prometheus. His hair is white, not blond. Normally, who cares? But the white hair thing is an important part of origin. Well, maybe “important” overstates it. But the condition of his hair color does have some significance to his character and his motives.
Like I said, ridiculous fanboy.
Especially considering how nicely Simone returns Prometheus to his rightful place as scary ass villain (yes, that’s a technical term). He is no longer Hush’s whipping boy/errand boy (thank god!). Instead, he is back to being the arrogant anti-Batman who cannot wait to tangle with some heroes for the sheer delight of humiliating them. The fact that he’s doing it for the society is immaterial. This is the sort of thing he’d do anyway. (I would say that Simone almost makes him too competent given his fight with Shiva, but I’m just too damn happy to have him back to nitpick).
The Canary plotline is coming along nicely as well. Dinah is given more of a clear reason for being there and it introduces some interesting consequences to what following in Shiva’s footsteps means, beyond dealing with Mother and the local army. What was, in the first OYL issue, my least favorite part of the book is something I look forward to checking in with.
Finally, on the art side, Siqueira is advancing nicely. I’m still not sure he’s on par with previous pencillers, but his work is showing definite improvement. He does slip up once, however, drawing a character in shadow as Shiva when, given the dialogue, she clearly should be Zinda. But it’s two panels of a final product and hardly even a strike up against him.
Besides, when Prometheus is awesome again, I’m willing to accept a lot.
CHECKMATE #2
If only they had made this be Checkmate #1, I would not have almost left this book on the stands.
Everything that seemed perfunctory or weak in issue #1 is improved upon here. The dialogue is sharper, the concept of what Checkmate is and how it operates clearer, the characters more interesting.
By turning the book’s gaze inward to the behind closed door workings of Checkmate (as opposed to how Checkmate affects the outside world and vice versa), Rucka gives himself a lot more room to explore his protagonists’ “world”. He begins to mine the inherent conflicts (and odd convergences, e.g. Michael and Sasha’s coupling) in Checkmate’s bicameral structure.
I can only hope that, after the book’s flat debut who’s pacing was crippled by too much chess terminology, people do have enough faith to give #2 a shot.
SECRET SIX #1
Poor Brad Walker. He keeps getting fill-in gigs for artists that are clearly stronger than he is at this point. This time out that’s not strictly true, but the Six are already associated with Dale Eaglesham and, in comparison, Walker’s work definitely suffers. It’s not bad, especially when the team is in costume. His Mad Hatter is actually pretty darn scary. However, his work lacks the feeling of grime and desperation (while still being larger than life) that Eaglesham’s penciling achieves. Also, his facial work can be rough at times, especially when he’s working on Floyd (Deadshot), for some reason.
On the story side of things, it is a bit thin. The dialogue is still there and Rag Doll is a scene stealer of the highest order. However, the opening action sequence fails to impress (although I do appreciate how it nicely illustrates the group’s altruistic/mercenary nature) and the book ends just as it seems to be revving up. The small snippets of the Six’s lives when they aren’t on the clock are kind of neat too, but they don’t go deep enough to satisfy. I can’t help but feel that if Simone had devoted more time to either the quiet stuff the “crew” does when they not on missions or the bookending action sequences, we would have ended up with a much more satisfying book.
TEEN TITANS #36
Ooo, creepy.
The Titans visit the Doom Patrol this time out and the creep factor is palpable. It’s nice to see that the Chief’s past has not been forgotten or erased and that his machinations continue today as has basically the entirety of the Doom Patrol trapped with him by playing on their fears, insecurities, and feelings of responsibility. It feels almost like a classic Dracula piece as no one is, strictly speaking, imprisoned with the Count (Chief in this case), but yet no one seems to be able to walk away either. Nicely done.
Unfortunately, I cannot shake the feeling that Titans OYL is a pick full of characterization in search of a plot. Yes, we’ve had the building conflict with the Brotherhood, but that has unfolded as if it was a subplot. Similarly, Kid Devil’s “phone calls”, Robin’s basement experiments, Ravager and Wonder Girl’s issues, and Cyborg’s attempts to adapt to the OYL world are all interesting, but all subplots. They are good enough that I don’t think the grade should suffer, but a few more issues of this and I might be inclined to change my tune.
A shorter one this week, but I’ll blame that on Memorial Day.
Speaking of which, Americans out there, don’t forget that your books won’t be coming in until Thursday. So don’t harass you local comic purveyor on Wednesday, okay?
See you next week.
Un Gajje Thinks More People Should Show Clarence Carter Love
