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Tim, I just finished the fourth season of Homicide: Life on the Street. We got to meet Luther Mahoney and Frank had a stroke. Since I’m living the past, why don’t you share what current shows you’re enjoying?

Here in the present, Mondays are busy days for myself and my recorders. Fox brings Prison Break and 24, CBS has How I Met Your Mother (the best traditional sitcom on TV), and NBC has the excellent Heroes and the wildly inconsistent Studio 60 that I can’t seem to quit. Tuesday is quieter with only Veronica Mars. On Wednesday, Lost has finally returned and not a moment too soon as far as I’m concerned. Finally, NBC’s Thursday comedies are the finest lineup that they have ever assembled. Yes, arguably, Seinfeld is a better show than any of them and Friends was more popular, but end to end, from 8 til 10 (Eastern Time, of course), My Name is Earl, The Office, Scrubs, and the surprisingly funny and continually improving 30 Rock is stronger than any of the lineups NBC built around those past flagships.

Links

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Also check our our DC Boards where we debate legacy characters, spit on Superboy’s grave and ponder the epic battle that is Extant vs GUNFIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tim any linking this week?

Indeed I am. Not sure how many of you are aware of it, but Wizard has retooled their website with a lot more unique online content. The best of the bunch? Thursday Morning Quarterback, a weekly feature that sees four Wizard staffers discuss, at length, the week’s three biggest releases and spend a little time on several smaller ones. Nexus alum Ben Morse is usually in the mix and it is always, always good stuff.

What I Read Last Week

Nightwing #129 – Wow, I read this book and I see shades of The Titans. It makes me sad. And even more sad that I’m an optimist.

The Atom #8 – Grant Morrison’s fingerprints are all over this issue. Full of concepts, light on entertainment.

Huh…I said more or less the same thing in my review.

Supergirl #14 – I really enjoyed this issue. I dug Boomer’s broken heart. I dug Power Boy’s creepiness. I even liked the fight between the two girls and the nutty way in which it ended. I really can’t explain why I like Kara Zor-El yet despise her presence.

Outsiders #45 – Poor Judd, trying to clean up a mess of his own making. He tries to restore Black Lightning’s honor and does so clumsily. I’m not his biggest critic (not even his biggest on this site) but not even I can defend this sloppy mess.

I can’t believe I got suckered into buying this arc by Red Hood and he appears not at all in this issue. ARRGH!

Astro City: The Dark Age #2 – The human stuff was more enjoyable than the super stuff. The characters are so vivid, this book is quite worth the wait.

52 Week Forty – Loved the Lex stuff. I was rooting for Lex and for John to go out in a blaze of glory. And I really dug the twist on “look, up in the sky.”

Since Steel didn’t die in this fight, isn’t it pretty much smooth sailing for him from here on out? Or is WWIII going to be his undoing?

Loveless #15 – Atticus spotlight issue? It rocks as much as you’d expect. Plus it looks like our Sheriff is still among the living.

Scalped #2 – Aaron has crafted a “worst case scenario”, but at least this issue offers up a positive character in Falls Down. It’s an enjoyable read for what it is; a work of fiction.

Detective Comics #828 – First the Penguin and now the Riddler; I’m loving these “reformed” criminals. The Riddler is the star of the issue.

I agree 100%

Fell #7 – Seriously Tim, you need to check out this issue. It’s another “interrogation” issue but it’s so great. I reviewed it too.

Action Comics Annual #10 – I also reviewed this book. It has good points and not so good points. But it ends up breaking my heart in the end.

Wilford Brimley takes a break from hawking oatmeal to catch up on current comic

you give me information about Superboy-Prime? I don’t know a durn thing about him. What about Alexander Luthor? I’ve only heard about him from your column. The last time I knew an Alexander was when I was fought at the Alamo with James Alexander, and all I had to fight with was a brown sock full of pesos

Mr. Brimley it would be an honor to answer your question. I just hope that one day I can grow as manly a mustache as you have.

As for Superboy-Prime first appeared in DC Comics Presents #87 released in 1985, the same year as your classic film Cocoon. In that issue we meet the Superboy of Earth Prime, the Earth that up to this point was devoid of heroes and was where we, the readers, resided.

Superboy-Prime was quickly caught up in the DCU altering Crisis on Infinite Earths maxi-series. In that same series we meet Alexander Luthor, the son of Earth Three’s sole hero Lex Luthor. Y’see on Earth Three, the folks of the JLA are super powered criminals leaving only Lex to defend the people.

At the end of Crisis on Infinite Earths the multiverse is destroyed leaving only a single reformed earth. Unfortunately some characters are left out of the mix most notably the Golden Age Lois Lane, the Golden Age Superman, Superboy-Prime and Alex Luthor. Alex transports the whole bunch to a dimension where they couldn’t bother anyone.

But after spending years in that dimension, they were itching for some action and to make things right. So Alex convinced Superboy-Prime and the Golden Age Superman that the reformed Earth needed to be “fixed.” What resulted was pretty much detailed in Infinite Crisis.

After that Alex was dead and Superboy-Prime was held under the watch of 32 Green Lanterns. But every indication seems to say that Superboy-Prime will escape to cause havoc in the DCU another day.

Tim, do you want to see more Superboy-Prime?

Actually, I really don’t. It is inevitable that I will but I really, really don’t want to. He did his duty for DC’s blockbuster crossover machine and now he should be retired.

Aaron sees the times, they are a-changing

One thing I’ve noticed since my triumphant return to the funny books is advertisements that include quote praise from mainstream media like “Entertainment Weekly”, “The Miami Herald”, etc. Is such mainstream coverage for comics a relatively new phenomenon? I sure don’t remember comics getting reviewed in newspapers and magazines 15-20 years ago.

First off I think that it should be noted that Entertainment Weekly and DC Comic both fall under the Time Warner banner so that might have something to do with it. And Entertainment Weekly is actually turning 17 years old today. So there’s that.

Yay for EW!!!!!!!!!!

But besides that tons of things have happened in the past 20 years that have caused a shift in how comics are viewed. Here are some things that have happened:

Vertigo Comics – Vertigo was officially founded 14 years ago as a home of more adult or mature comics. It was acclaimed for its pushing of boundaries in the field and for actually writing to an adult audience. Vertigo is the home of the critically acclaimed Sandman, Swamp Thing and Animal Man.

Comic Book Films – There have also been plenty of films based on comic books in the past decade and a half. Here are a few of them:

A History of Violence

Blade

Road to Perdition

American Splendor

The Crow

Hellboy

League of Extraordinary Gentlemen

The Mask

Mystery Men

Sin City


Behold! The single greatest comic film ever!

Now obviously when you’ve got Hollywood looking at a medium as a fertile ground for storytelling others are going to follow and critique. The more attention the films get the more attention the source material and medium will get.

Comic Books Are Cool – It’s true, they are. After comics became trendy in the early 90’s, (which nearly caused the industry to go belly up) they became cool. Kevin Smith has probably created more fanboys than Geoff Johns. Quentin Tarantino and Samuel L. Jackson are unabashed comic fans. Both Ghostface Killah and Method Man have comic inspired pseudonyms. Clearly the fact that comics are cool cannot be disputed.

I think that those three are the primary reasons for why comic books have received such mainstream attention.

Tim, can you think of any other reasons why comics are being respected so?

Because they’re awesome!!!!

Oh…you are probably looking for a little more than that.

I think there are a few factors. The first is that comic folk have gotten savvier when it comes to the press. They are still miles away from TV, film, and books in terms of their PR departments or the yielding of them, but they gotten better about making the “mainstream” press sit up and take notice.

Also helpful is the number of people in “power” now who fell in love with comics during the mid-80’s when titles like Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns gained national press and showed the potential of the medium. These guys do not have the kind of knee jerk reaction to comics as a “kids’ thing” and therefore see no problem with reviewing them, commenting on trends in comics, etc. Tom Russo and Ken Tucker from EW (again with them!) are prominent examples, but they are hardly the only ones.

Beyond that, perhaps there is something to Grant Morrison’s “Every 20 Years” theory. After all, it was about 20 years ago that comics dominated the press this much and were gaining this much media respect.


“Like there is any doubt I am right? Don’t you know who I am?”

Wilford Brimley comes right out of left field

What happened to the comic book: Obadiah Oldbuck? I bought that comic at the Mercantile when I was 15 after walking Laura home from Mrs. Crabapple’s class. I even had it autographed by the author, he was sweeping the porch at the time.

Technically Mr. Brimley this isn’t a DC question, but since I’ve got so much respect for you, I’ll answer it.

The Adventures of Obadiah Oldbuck was first published in Europe in 1837, and in the United States in 1842 which many believe makes it the first comic published in the United States. Take that The Yellow Kid!

While it uses captions rather than word balloons and was a singular 40 page offering, many people point to the fact that it told a story to pictures as evidence that it’s America’s first comic.

Sadly Obadiah Oldbuck never appeared again. However I’m pretty sure that the character is now public domain, which means that anyone can utilize the character for their works.

Tim if there were ever a character that was in need for a Revamping® it is Obadiah Oldbuck. Right?

Are you supporting this idea? Or is the scary guy from The Firm? If it’s him, yes, absolutely. If it’s you…come on, you know better than that Mathan.

The Shade does not mind resorting to name calling

Is the rumor true that James Robinson’s original plans for the series was to use obscure villain The Dummy but changed it to be his own creation Simon Culp at the last moment?

I’ve looked around and I can’t find anything to verify that. I’m guessing that it’s just a rumor.

But I can see how it got started. I mean when you look at how Robinson reworked Golden Age foes like The Shade, The Mist and Rag Doll, and made them not only viable threats but interesting characters, it would kind of make sense that “the bad dwarf” would be an equally established character.

However given that Culp and the Shade have such a linked past it would make equal sense that The Dummy wouldn’t quite work in that capacity. Culp had the same powers and it was implied that the two got the powers in the same incident. I don’t know if The Dummy would really fit in at the time the Shade’s origin.

Actually the more I think about it, having the Dummy revealed as the mastermind might have felt as though Robinson were grasping to make the character relevant and to cram Starman with revitalized Golden Age characters. I’ve really got no problem with the Culp reveal.

Tim, do you think that The Dummy would have worked in the role of Simon Culp?

Not as the story was structured, no. However, I’m sure Robinson could’ve kept some elements, chucked the rest, and made it work. But no way as it stands.

The Shade is hopelessly self involved

Will we ever see that origin of the shade?!?

Ever? Sure. I’m guessing that at some point in the future we’ll find out the origin of The Shade. What I don’t know is how long it’ll take for that story to see the light of day.

I mean James Robinson is a Hollywood player. He wrote the screenplay for The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Hot Wheels. He also wrote and directed Comic Book Villains. Clearly the guy is living the dream. Why would he come back to comic books?

Well, “dream” is certainly one way to refer to that resume.


Nothing can triumph over the Hot Wheels…not even the Shade.

I guess I could see Robinson coming back for the occasional project that met his fancy. After all the guy did kick off the Batman OYL books with Face the Face, but that was probably pitched to him. I doubt the powers that be at DC are clamoring for the origin of The Shade to be told.

Plus it’s been almost six years since Starman ended and the buzz on that book has long since died out. Apart from the diehard fans, I think that a one-shot, mini, or graphic novel detailing the origin of the Shade would probably be a tough sell for the buying public.

Then again, if DC really wanted to they could probably have another writer do provide an origin for The Shade. I bet that if they were in a pinch they could probably entrust Scott Beatty to handle the story with care. I mean the guy tells good tales and knows his DCU history.

But I really think that the origin will be told when Robinson gets around to telling it. I just don’t know when that’s going to be.

Tim, will the Shade’s origin be told before Chinese Democracy is released?

No way! Axl promised we’ll see it soon and I totally believe him this time. He wouldn’t let us down like that. I mean, besides the number of times he already has, of course.

The Shade likes his aliens blue and hooked on drugs

Was Mikaal a new creation or was he an established character.

Mikaal was indeed an established character. To Robinson’s credit he incorporated every “Starman” that DC published.

Obviously Ted Knight was the original Starman. The “Starman of ’51” was based on Detective Comics #247. In that issue Batman was doused by Professor Milo with a phobia liquid and made him fear anything related to bats. To compensate Bruce Wayne adopted the persona of “Starman” to continue fighting crime and thwart Milo.

And yes, Mikaal was equally established. And I mean “equally established” as the Starman of ’51. Mikaal Tomas appeared in a total of one issue before he found a resurgence in the 1990’s. Mikaal’s career began in First Issue Special #12. First Issue Special was basically a showcase of comic book debuts. Sometimes they spawned successful books or characters (Manhunter, Warlord, The Creeper), others weren’t as successful (Lady Cop, The Green Team, and Starman).

And thus you have Mikaal’s less than exciting history as a character.

Tim, would you care to read about Mikaal’s further exploits?

I’d love to see more of Mikaal in the late 60’s/early 70’s, wandering the streets in a drug induced haze and occasionally fighting crime in an impressive looking leisure suit, but somehow I doubt DC’s looking to make that an ongoing.

On the other hand, you and I might have room to write those tales in our upcoming “Justice Experience” book. The era is right and who’s to say that Mikaal never encountered them. In fact, I’ll go so far as to say that he must’ve. So, Mikaal fans, look to the solicits and wait. Soon you’ll see his further adventures as penned by…by…well, Mathan and I. But I am working on an excellent nickname for us. Like Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning are called DnA. Except, as noted, out nickname will be very cool.

The Shade is looking a bit gray these days

When did Solomon Grundy become the nice version of him as seen in the early episodes of the series? Was this a James Robinson creation or was it established in another series.

Solomon Grundy, ironically enough, is a character full of nuance. The first time he showed anything other than rage was when he grew affection for the Huntress. Of course this was back in the pre-Crisis days so in terms of continuity it doesn’t count. However, in terms of influencing writers it certainly had an effect.

Of course most people are familiar with the crush that Grundy had on Jade in Infinity Inc. It was so powerful that Grundy even aided the team in their heroic pursuits. With that in mind the Grundy who appeared in Starman wasn’t really a stretch in terms of character. However that Grundy was downright docile.

But given these permutations in character, I’ve really got no problem with how Grundy is currently being portrayed on the pages of Justice League of America. Given his history it was really only a matter of time that a version of Grundy this intelligent showed up.

Tim, any thoughts in Grundy or his personality shifts?

I’ve grown to be okay with it, but I still don’t think that last page reveal in issue #4 (or was it #3) has nearly the impact that they were going for. Instead of “OMG!!!!!!!”, most reactions seemed to skew more, “Oh…really? Huh. Does that make any sense? Well given Starman, I guess so. Still a bit unexpected though.”

So an interesting turn for the character to be sure (and one almost sure not to last), but I think it failed in its attempt at “your ears and eyes will be bleeding, check to see if you are still breathing” type shock.

The Shade is stuck in the past

Will we see a second Times Past trade so I can have a full set?!?

I consulted with my Magic 8-Ballâ„¢ and it said, “Reply hazy, try again.” I’m pretty much less than happy with that answer. Little known fact; I consult with a specialized DCU Magic 8-Ballâ„¢ while doing this column every week.

For instance whenever someone asks a question about the “top ten characters…” I check with the DCU Magic 8-Ball and it usually responds; “Batman.” If I get a question about Superman it usually comes up; “For the Man Who Has Everything.” I’m telling you, it’s an amazing contraption.

But back to your question; maybe. I don’t know if that’s really high on the list of pressing “trades that need to be released.” Starman isn’t Sandman or even Preacher. Starman is a DCU book that’s not even 100% in continuity anymore (damn you Birthright!!) so I can’t say for sure it’s going to see the light of day.

Also I’m pretty sure that most of the early Starman trades are out of print. I know this because I was trying to get my cousin the first trade for Christmas, but couldn’t find it at any of the comic shops in Vegas. In fact at the shop across the street from my house they laughed at me in a sort of “good luck” fashion.

Hopefully those “Times Past” tales will find their way into trade sooner rather than later. But I wouldn’t hold my breath. I’d put money on this second trade being collected to coincide with release of the long awaited origin of the Shade.

Zing!

And how!

Tim, what’s your stance on trades and the people who wait for them?

I think they get a bum rap. I personally wait for the trades on titles like Fables and Y: The Last Man and I absolutely love the reading experience it grants me. I’ll never turn my back on the monthlies, but I do enjoy being able to collect certain titles via trades instead of floppies.

However, for the sales of trades to truly be effective, DC needs a trade policy more like Marvel’s. A few titles over there have been saved by great trade sales (Runaways, for one) and though it is only a few that is still more than on the DC side.

As far as Starman trades go, isn’t odd that a book otherwise completely collected in trades would omit one set of stories, even if they were periodic one offs in the midst of a vast tapestry? That just seems silly to me. Oh well, silly or not that’s the way it is.

For those who care, Starman Vols.1 and 2 are available for order, but numbers 3-5 are not. I think the rest of the trades after that are also still orderable. Why 3 through 5 should not be, I could not tell you. It is like a second Times Past trade all over again.

The Shade proposes splitting a son from his father

Would you buy a reappearance of Jack Knight if it wasn’t written by James Robinson?

Tough question. Are we talking a mini or just a one-shot? Or are maybe even a series?

First off I’d probably pick up anything with Jack Knight if it had the James Robinson stamp of approval. I mean if James Robinson says it’s kosher who am I to not support it?

But if we’re talking something completely devoid of James Robinson, I’ll be torn. I mean I love Jack Knight, but I’d really be afraid of Jack written by another writer.

If it were an ongoing series I’d probably avoid it. I mean, Jack retired to be a family man. Having him in an ongoing monthly it’d be darn near blasphemous.

If it were a miniseries I might pick up the first issue, to see what would draw Jack out of retirement, but if it smelled fishy at all I’d be out and I’d pretend that it never happened. And for the same reasons I’d probably pick up a one-shot.

I really don’t know. I think that this is one case in which it’d probably take the artist to really sell me on the project if Robinson’s not involved.

Tim, would you support a Robinson-free Jack Knight?

It would be like any other book to me. If I like the team or the concept, I’ll give it a role. If it works and I enjoy it, I’ll stick with it. If its bad and it doesn’t, I won’t.

Jack is Robinson’s, no doubt of that. But he has been written by others that did him justice (in my opinion) so I’m faithful that Jack need not be a one creator only creation.

However, Jack’s arc had such a perfect ending to it, I kind of hope that is never a decision I’ll have to make.

Wilford Brimley is a dirty, dirty old man

You scoundrels need to clarify something for me: When is this lesbian Batwoman comic coming out. My wife don’t let me watch no Cinemax, so I got to get my fix where I can, since I got kicked out of the Victoria Secret Store.

Mr. Brimley, given your years of service entertain and helping the American people I think that you certainly deserve a Batwoman comic book. But DC has yet to announce anything definitive.

I don’t think that she’s really strong enough to hold her own solo title, but I don’t think that a miniseries is out of the question.

However I think that it’s just as likely that she’d end up Birds of Prey which is a pretty female oriented book that features female creators and a female cast of characters. I’ve never read the title but I’m sure that Tim will go on and on about how much he loves Legion of Super-heroes Birds of Prey.

Tim, take it away.

Birds of Prey is an excellent book and anyone who does not read it is an enemy of freedom.

Aaron ponders to take a character off life support

How many chances should a character get before it becomes obvious that he/she can’t sell? I’ve been a fan of Aquaman for as long as I can remember, but I’ve never, ever been enamored with any of his solo titles. Obviously, that’s an example laden with personal bias, but are there examples of DC continuing to try’n shove a character or group down the throats of a buying public that just…won’t…take?


Aquaman does not appreciate your tone.

Wait. You didn’t care for when Peter David was writing Aquaman? Dude, that title rocked, before Larsen took over.

Aquaman is a unique case. He’s an icon and a marquee character. Everyone knows who he is and DC will never give up on him. He lived out most of the 80’s in a series of miniseries. But he was kept around.

DC will always be willing to take a chance on Aquaman, provided it’s a unique pitch from an acclaimed talent. The aforementioned Peter David helmed title was a new direction from a big name talent. The current title launched from a new direction by Rick Veitch, a writer well known for his Vertigo work. Even the OYL change in direction was orchestrated by Kurt Busiek, a fan favorite writer. So if got a big name writer with an interesting new direction you’re going to see an Aquaman title.

The same can be said of the Legion of Super-Heroes, albeit you don’t need to be a big name writer. I’ve read quotes to the effect of “there will always be a Legion in the DCU.” The Legion hasn’t been a breakaway success in my lifetime, but DC will never give up on that franchise.

There are a few things that you can count on in the DCU: Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern and the JLA will always have titles and Aquaman will always get a shot. He’s like the Robert Downey Jr or Courtney Love of the DCU.

Of course at the same time other titles get cancelled prematurely. Column favorites Aztek, Chronos, Chase Manhunter and Black Lightning all met early demises because they didn’t necessarily have the commitment from DC to keep the books afloat.

I don’t really see anything wrong with DC giving up on a book if it’s had the chance to succeed. If the current Aquaman title gets the axe I’ve got no beef, I haven’t enjoyed it since before OYL. If Hawkgirl has its plug pulled I can’t complain because the book hasn’t done anything for me since before Infinite Crisis. Those titles had ample opportunity to find success and I don’t think they have.

I’d guess that Wonder Woman would probably be an example of DC keeping a character around after their prime. DC isn’t forcing her down anyone’s throats, but she’s clearly being published because of who she is and what she represents rather than on popularity.

I think Dr. Fate also fits the bill. DC always seems to be doing something new to drum up interest in the character and I’ve yet to see anything that takes, and that includes the upcoming title.

Can you think of any characters or concepts that DC just won’t pull the plug on, Tim?

Wonder Woman is a great one because she is often more popular for being an icon than a character. We all know Wonder Woman, but many of us would have a hard time naming three significant storylines. Or ask a casual fan who her villains are? Now try that with Batman or Superman. Notice the difference?

Sadly, I feel Martian Manhunter is a victim of this. DC keeps trying to convince the comic buyers of the world that he’s a solo player but every solo book for him is a.) not very good or b.) short lived or c.) usually some combination of the two. I don’t discount the man’s Martian’s time in the DCU and I really do believe that he could have a successful, interesting, well written, lengthy series. History, unfortunately, tells me otherwise though.


“All by myself…don’t wanna be all by myself…anymooooore.”
J’onn can be a pretty morose guy sometimes.

I think it’s time to pull the plug on this week’s edition.

But it still had so much to live for!

But we’ll be back next week possibly addressing Trident, Arsenal, Azrael and the Bleed. And if you get your question to me it might be there too.

Seriously we might even answer your question, provided you get it to me. You can email me, or post it on our thread. It’s a blast and it’s easy to do.

Before we go, here’s my question to you;how do you feel about the “return to the Silver Age” approach that DC seems to be taking?

“Cause there’s always repercussions when you’re dating in school.”