And here we are. Marvel fans, sorry, DC had more news this week and therefore they were chosen to start the rotation. Next week is Marvel’s, regardless. So, get excited for that.
For you DC fans (or those of you who, god forbid, manage to like both companies at once) this news is for you.
But first, I must acknowledge the sad passing of an artist who was particularly well known for his contributions to Batman. Working with Steve Englehart on Detective Comics, the artist in question, Marshall Rogers, helped define Batman for many. You want the closest approximation of Batman: The Animated Series in comic book form (not counting, of course, the couple of series that were directly spun from the show) look no further than Englehart and Rogers so-called “Dark Detective†era. Gone at only 57 years old, he will be undoubtedly missed by his friends, families, colleagues, and the medium as a whole. Comics Nexus sends all of them our condolences.
To read about him from people a bit more informed than I, please head over to Newsarama. They probably be updating the article as they obtain more details as well.
From that sad opening, I’ll do my best, (and I hope you’ll allow me), to play the clown as we get into this week’s news.
Blue Beetle: Year Two
When a little blue scarab crawled across Jaime Reyes’ bedroom floor and attached itself to his spine, it was the making of comic book history — a moment featured in Infinite Crisis, one of the top-selling comics of the decade, that had superhero fans everywhere excited about this new Blue Beetle’s story.
But it wasn’t all that exciting for Jaime. He was just plain scared.
A year after the launch of the Blue Beetle title last March, Jaime has come a long way from that frightened kid who thought this crazy caped world he’d entered was too overwhelming. The reluctant teenaged hero has since started to figure out his armor, traveled into space and back, discovered the New Gods, and enlisted the help of a whole network of supporters as he decisively gives this superhero thing a try.
I know that headline is way generic, but if you think about DC’s love of Year _____ projects, it actually works well. Also, Newsarama used, more or less, the same headline, so I’m obviously on the same pages as those geniuses over there. They get me, even if you don’t.
Wow…longest way to give the article link ever. For shame, Tim, for shame.
For all of you who are whiny about how dark the DCU is and how you hate the murdering and such, guess what? This book, Blue Beetle, is the solution. Yes, I know. Ted Kord, the previous Blue Beetle, got himself shot in the head. And yes, that incident, arguably, started the era that so many of you hate so much. And yes, Keith Giffen, he of 52 and “kill ‘em all†comments co-wrote the book for a bit. Guess what? It’s still damn fun and it is superheroing that is likely to fit very nicely into what you’re looking for in a superhero comic.
So…why are you not buying it?
I’m just going to assume it is because no one ever told you it was good and fun before (but still smart) and now that I have, you’ll start buying it. Please don’t disappoint me.
Okay, sales pitch done.
John Rogers outlines the whole wiki/message board process that happens to each issue of Blue Beetle and it is pretty fascinating stuff. Well, for those of us into the process, the push-pull of editors and writers, creative and corporate interest, and technology anyway. For the record, I fit into the first two categories, but not the third. Technology terrifies me.
I’ve gotta wonder if other writers at DC are doing this too. Does Geoff Johns undergo the same process for each Justice Society issue and arc? How about Mark Waid on The Brave and the Bold? Is it John Rogers personal approach? His editor’s (Joan Hilty)? Something DC does with their newer talent?
Yes, I’m a bit of a process/behind the scenes nerd. Why do you think I can tolerate (and even enjoy) Studio 60?
For others in the audience who might be more interested in say, I don’t know, the comic itself, there’s some good info as well. Rogers’ approach to writing Beetle’s encounter with Batman in issue 7 is an interesting one that I don’t know that I’ve seen before.
Wait…that’s still sort of process.
Umm…give me a sec here…how he writes accurate young characters? No, that doesn’t fit. How about how he writes accurate Hispanic characters? Same problem there. Umm…hmm…ahh…got it! Appearances by Guy Gardner and Eclipso and Jaime eventually having to face down the alien race that invented the scarab!
See, I can talk about in-comic stuff too.
Anyway, for those of you still on the fence about whether or not this comic is fun, I bring you photographic (well…sort of) evidence!
Guy Gardner and beer! Underage drinking is always fun! Am I right or am I right?!
Exhibit Two
Space travel and cape yanking! You know Superman’s gotta love someone pulling on his cape! FUN!
Exhibit Three
Jaime being crawled all over by blue beetle scarabs! Actually, that might not be so much fun. Nevermind that one.
See? Convinced, aren’t you?
Fate’s Fate? Delays
DC Comics has cancelled orders for DOCTOR FATE #1 (FEB070270), DOCTOR FATE #1 Variant Edition (FEB070271) and DOCTOR FATE #2 (MAR070199). These issues will be resolicited at a later date.
See what a cruel mistress destiny truly can be at Newsarama
Ouch. You hate to see this coming out of the gate.
Upset that Dr. Fate Was Delayed? Blame this Guy!
DC has announced that fan-favorite artist, Justiniano, will be taking over the art chores on the new Dr. Fate series, written by comics legend, Steve Gerber. In the past few years, Justiniano has become well-known and respected for his work for DC, like The Creeper and Day of Vengeance, and for other work like Chastity for Chaos! We had a chance to chat with him about Fate, his career, and comic books in general.
Seriously, Newsarama would love you to spray your bile all over their message boards. And I’m sure Justiniano would too!
Since when does Justiniano draw like this?
It’s so polished and still…not what I’ve come to expect from him at all. Always nice to see an artist showing some versatility.
Versatility or not, new gig or not, turning down Hulk for Evil Ernie is way, way nutty. That’s one of those “succeeding in spite of†situations, not “succeeding because ofâ€. Then again, I have no job drawing comics currently, so perhaps I have no idea what I’m talking about. I can’t see how that could possibly be true though.
Oh look, another unexpected piece from Justiniano.
This one doesn’t look like his other stuff or that previous one. Nice Donna Troy Wonder Girl though. He made the costume work and I usually don’t much care for it.
Ahh, here we are.
That feels more like the Justiniano I know. I do like the other two though.
Booster’s Three Boosters
One of the surprise announcements from last weekend’s WizardWorld LA came in the DC Nation panel with the announcement of a new Booster Gold series to launch this summer, co-written by Geoff Johns, Jeff Katz and drawn by Booster Gold’s creator, Dan Jurgens.
While we spoke with Johns over the weekend about the announcement, we wanted a fuller picture of how the book came to be, along with what could be told about the new series’ storylines, so we got all three creators on the horn.
Newsarama goes back to the future for the scoop
I don’t really care about Booster so instead, I’ll nitpick
“All just grfeta stuff.â€
Goodness! Whatever does “grfeta†mean? Is that Greek?
And no, that is not an opening for you to make an, “It’s all Greek to me†joke. Never. Ever. Make. That. Joke. EVER.
Moving on.
As I’ve said, I don’t care about Booster. I’m fine with him, but if he disappeared, I don’t much think I’d miss him. He’s kind of like Daron in that way. (I kid, I kid).
However, the combination of the “time cop†angle (love me some Time Cop!) and Mr. Geoff Johns does hook me a touch. Not ultimately enough, at least not yet. But I’m certainly more interested in this Booster project than anything else involving him ever. So that’s a start.
I have no doubt DC will be psyched at the news.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
Batman #664
Yes, Grant hasn’t quite hit a homerun on this book yet. But, he’s Grant Morrison! I’m keeping hope alive. Plus, it has a keen (yes, I said keen) throwback cover courtesy of papa Kubert.
Blue Beetle #13
Remember that book I was all jawing about and such earlier in the column? This is it! A new issue! Start your fun campaign here and now!
Connor Hawke: Dragon’s Blood #5
CONNOR HAWKE APPEARANCE!!!!!
Just in case you didn’t know.
Our time together. But cry not. We’ll see each other again, very soon.
In the meantime e-mail at parallax2@juno.com or visit the message board.
Un Gajje is Too Hot to Handle, Too Cold to Hold
