I have a guilty pleasure.
You see, back in the 90’s when I started reading X books, I started getting ALL of the X books. I had no idea about the continuity, I mean, trades and hardcovers weren’t as plentiful, and wikipedia didn’t exist yet. So my knowledge came from editors’ boxes, mentions in books, and Wizard. Not much, you know? So most characters I knew by brief mention at the most. X-Force was like this more than most as I didn’t have a clue how anyone was, just that I was enjoying it. And then one day I got an issue, saw the cover, and I swear it was love at first sight.
Dani Moonstar.
Admittedly, it was probably the short shorts and little top, given that I was probably twelve or thirteen, but the imagery stuck.
She had returned in X-Force as an MLF member, though she was actually working for SHIELD (which was cool, I mean, secret agent hottie!), and then she joined X-Force! Sure, I had no real idea who the fuck she was, but I dug her. The Native American with fear powers and arrows, who apparently had been a Valkyrie at some point. Now, finally reconnected with all of her old friends, and road tripping all around as they did their own things without Cable. And it was well written! It aged well!
And she had a flying horse! How freaking awesome is that?!
Sorry, mark out over. Nostalgia passing.
Dani hung around X-Force about as long as I did, since I bowed out of comics before Pete Wisdom took over the team and she left. Then, oddly enough, she came back to books about the same time as I did. It was fate, she LOVED me. New Mutants by Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir came out within a few months of my return, and it promised to be a Dani heavy series. So I bought it, and adored it, and followed it into New X-Men.
Or, more appropriately, I followed Dani. Who, after New Mutants, wasn’t alone. I’d grown quite fond of Elixir, Hellion, Prodigy, Wallflower, and Surge as well. I was happy when I heard that Dani was turning down a spot on the X-Men to teach, it was the perfect spot for her. She was a natural fit with the kids as she bridged the age gap in a way that none of the actual X-Men could really manage. She was a prominent figure around the mansion all the way up until she got neutered by the Decimation, and Emma Frost used it as an excuse to kick her out of the mansion.
Since then Dani has turned up over in Initiative as a specialist to help Trauma master his abilities, and then over in Young X-Men where….all right, fine, so Dani isn’t enough to sell that book to me. I tried, it failed.
There really isn’t much to say about Dani, aside from her return in the upcoming New Mutants reunion, but hey, she’s got staying power. She survived the X explosions of the 90’s, from X-Force to OZT all the way through Onslaught. She’s never been a ‘main event’ talent, but she’s got necessity written all over here. So here’s to Dani in 09, may she get her powers back!
Now let’s segue to my thoughts on DC in June. And by that I mean that I’m going to start with Adventure Comics and the Legion, and wrap up talking about the Bat.
So here’s the cover for Adventure Comics #1, a new vehicle for the Legion in all of its forms (among other things).
Well, has anyone else noticed that while Final Crisis was worked out to make sure it got out on time, Legion of Three Worlds has steadily slipped further and further back to the point where it’s set to wrap in May. The more I see this, the more I think that the delays are intentional, and that the book is set to lead directly into Adventure Comics. But why could that be? We already got the awesome return of Kid Flash in the most recent issue, and a little tidbit earlier in the issue gave me some thoughts. Why would they need the hair of Lex Luthor? What would his DNA bring to the table? And also, when you think of the Legion, who is the one character who ties in?
Superman, right? Well, no, Superboy. And no, Superboy Prime doesn’t count, he’s the bad guy. I mean a real and true good guy Superboy.
I mean Conner Kent, Kon El, Superboy. Who died during his fight with Superboy Prime, after becoming the Earth 247 Legion’s (post Zero Hour Legion) Superboy. He began life as a clone, and the original Brainiac 5 obviously hasn’t exhaused his bag of tricks just yet. My money is that Legion of Three Worlds #5 is Superman and Superboy vs Superboy Prime, and that following that he’ll be starring in Adventure Comics, possibly as a member of all three Legion’s (thus explaining why the book would feature all three).
Just my guess, so take that for what it’s worth.
Now how about the Goddamn Batman? Here’s what we know; in June the franchise gets moving again with a guaranteed lists of titles
- Batman
- Batman and Robin
- Red Robin
- Batgirl
- Detective Comics
- Gotham City Sirens
- Streets of Gotham
- Outsiders
Now there hasn’t been a whole lot revealed about these yet, but I’m going to try and compile the facts right here. Greg Rucka and JH Williams are the creative team on Detective Comics, which is planned for the next twelve to fourteen issues to focus on Batwoman (Kate Kane). Gotham City Sirens is supposed to focus around the team of Catwoman, Harley Quinn, and Poison Ivy in the wake of the recent Hush storylines. Streets of Gotham is mentioned to feature Batgirl, Huntress, and the new DA of Gotham City; Kate “Manhunter” Spencer. Outsiders, I’m assuming, is the current series which was just given a shot in the arm by “Classy” Peter Tomasi, and I seriously doubt they’re going to cancel and reboot it three months later. We also know that Greg Rucka, Paul Dini, Grant Morrison, and Fabian Nieceza.
From a recent issue of Robin, and yes, that is Tim.
So those were the facts, time for my thoughts. First, let’s assign the writers. Paul Dini is obviously writing Gotham City Sirens, as if you look at the roster and what it’s following up on, well, it’s a follow-up to his story, featuring Catwoman and Harley Quinn. That’s case enough for me. Streets of Gotham I’m predicting to be written by Marc Andreyko since I can’t imagine anyone else writing District Attorney Katherine Spencer, and this seems like the picture perfect retooling to boost her popularity enough to continue her title. One can hope that Michael Gaydos returns for the art chores. Red Robin is going to be the Tim Drake book, and will be written by Fabian Niceza; in the aftermath of Battle for the Cowl Tim will more or less strike out on his own, as he doesn’t support the new Batman. Batman and Robin will be featuring the new Robin, Damien Wayne, and I propose to be written by Grant Morrison as something of a dark horse choice for the writer. And then I see the new Batman being none other than Dick Grayson, as without a new Nightwing title his options are Batman or death, and this book I also figure to be written by Grant……wait, no, who am I kidding. Batman written by…..”Classy” Peter J. Tomasi! He wrote an amazing Nightwing, now let’s see him write Dick as the Bat!
Now let’s talk politics!
Well, okay, not really politics, but we’re going to talk about the way some laws in this country absolutely destroy good people. How an American hero can be shut down and knocked down from grace due to a simple action. How being forced to admit a mistake that isn’t really a mistake is costing a good man his entire future.
I am, of course, talking about Michael Phelps who has been the subject of far too much controversy, and has lost his multimillion dollar Kellog’s endorsement with potential for more to go away along with it. No, he didn’t get a DUI, or get arrested for possession, or get busted shooting up heroin or paying off a hooker. No, he got caught smoking a bowl of weed.
BIG FUCKING DEAL! IT’S WEED! YOU CAN BUY IT LEGALLY IN FOURTEEN STATES!
FOURTEEN!
Yeah, you need a card saying that its doctor prescribed, but you know what? I have friends in five of those states who each walked in, talked to a doctor for a few minutes, and walked out with a card that lets them walk into a store and buy weed without worry of sketchiness.
And yet Michael Phelps was kicked off the Corn Flakes box because it doesn’t go along with “their image”.
Anybody remember after the 2004 Olympics when he got busted for a DUI? No? Funny that, going unmentioned for so very long, while we’re not being allowed to forget that he smoked a bowl.
Now let’s go and add on the fact that eight people have been arrested for their part in this. The bong owner, the guy who took the picture, the people who lived there. You know what happens if I get caught smoking a bowl? I might get a warning, and the biggest financial issue isn’t going to be my bail to get out of jail. No, it’s going to be the money invested in the weed I just had to hand over.
It’s a plant, a plant that can get you high, but still it’s just a plant. Year after year more and more benefits are revealed or accepted, and honestly, one day in the not so far flung future it’s going to be legalized period, not just medicinally. This entire situation is just beyond retarded, and it kills me.
Michael Phelps is MY Olympic Hero. It’s true, it’s DAMN true.
And I’m there before she knows it, I’ll be gone before she sees me, Got my hand around her waist, I pull her back to safety. By the time she knows what happens, There will be someone else who needs me, Because time keeps dragging on
From this point on, Peter Tomasi will be known as “Classy” Peter J. Tomasi. Well, when I can remember to type that out. He deserves it, I mean, four books in two weeks and all were really fucking good. How many other writers can claim that? No, Bendis, sit down, you can’t, I said GOOD.
REBELS launched this past week, Tony Bedard’s new take on LEGION and Vril “Brainiac 2” Dox. My main man Aaron “I need a pornstar stache” Glazer was ragging on it saying it had no hook, but I see a perfectly good one. Brainiac 2, a smug and cocky bastard, on the run. And did I see a 20th century version of Validus? I believe I did! For someone who is like me, and not only loves all things Legion or LEGION, but also goes crazy over most of Tony Bedard’s work, this is a must read. Sure, as first issues go, it’s hardly the best, but it’s definitely sporting the potential to build into a strong series. Here’s hoping that DC gives it the chance it deserves.
Thor #600 is possibly the first time I’ve picked up an oversized anniversary issue that was jam-packed with extras for a hefty added price and actually felt like it was worth the price of admission. Usually the reprint material bores the hell out of me and goes over the top, but this issue featured an inclusion of a Mini Marvels style take on Thor that covers the past few years of his continuity up until now. It was comical, it was quick, and it got the point across perfectly. Mini Marvels is the perfect extra…..I mean, I love them, but I’m never going to actually go and buy a book just of them. They just make perfect backups. Also, the old school Baldar stories were a nice little read.
“Classy” Peter J. Tomasi and Keith Champagne launched their new creator owned book, “The Mighty”, and it was as sexy as anything else he does. Of course, being me, I did scout out some reviews to see how my dignified colleagues in this fine industry of comic book blogging reacted to it, and I was not surprised. Quite a few reviewers took similar takes on the issue as they did to the beginning of his Nightwing run, and as those of us who read it can tell you, it was awesome. Not every book needs to start with a blow away issue, just a solid one, and that’s what this was. Slow and methodical set up, creating the atmosphere for a story that exists outside of the DC multiverse in its own little niche hereby known as the Tomasi-verse, it’s not something you can do in just twenty-two pages. So I say give it a shot, read the first issue, stick around for the next few, or worst case, wait for the trade. Just read it. You won’t be disappointed.
At the same time, hunt down his Nightwing run. He spent the time he had on the book (when he wasn’t bogged into crossovers in banner only) redefining Dick as someone who, while the son of Batman (adopted, FTW), was very much his own man. He gave him a homebase , a job (a museum curator), a girlfriend that wasn’t Babs or Kori (though it should have been Babs), and even a hobby (skydiving). On top of that, we were granted the excellent little contrast to his mentor in that Dick is the ultimate “Everybody loves…..” character in the DC Universe. This book was famous for cameos, by the JSA more than most people, and they all made sense. Dick is the kind of guy who works to keep up relationships both in and out of costume, and it’s important to his character. I’m hoping that this isn’t forgotten, which it won’t be if my prediction is correct and Tomasi is writing Dick as Batman!
Whatever happened to the Kubert brothers? They signed DC exclusives a few years back and have done very little. One did a Superman arc, one did a Batman arc, both did some covers, a few one shots, but where’s the meat???? Yes, I read and loved the first part of Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader, but these guys are phenomenal artists and can definitely do more than a few covers and a one shot a year. It feels like a waste of their talents to not use them to their fullest. I’d personally love to see Andy Kubert on Flash, while Adam took over a Superman book fulltime. That’s just me though.
Holy shit, this is scary and not comic related. I’m sitting here watching Raw on my DVR while I type this up, and I’m seeing Edge as World Heavyweight Champion, and I swear to God for a second I saw Triple H. And I mean that in the best possible way, I mean, yeah, his hair is getting darker like Hunter’s, but that’s not what I mean. Hunter is the master at carrying himself like a champion should in this day in age, he just radiates this confidence that makes him completely believable in the role. I just looked at Edge and all I could see was “Champion”.
Legion of Three Worlds is a wet dream for this fanboy. All the little things I love all coming together at once, and all the little bits of humor and fan nods. Mmmmm. A few favorite moments include the three Ultra Boy’s kicking ass while the three different Phantom Girl’s (well, one was Apparition) all swooned, or the Waid/Kitson Brainy being the biggest dick of them all. Or better yet, my favorite three Legion moment had to be when original Brainy helped Livewire turn back into his own body (he’d been in Element Lad’s body since his return in Foundations), and then Livewire and his sister Spark hugged excitedly. You’ve got them hugging, and Lightning Lad and Light Lass from the Waid/Kitson Legion holding onto each other happily, and then the original Garth and Ayla just can’t help but wonder why they can’t do that anymore. Six different people, and yet it’s just the Ranzz twins. Of course, I’m sad that Sun Boy from the most recent Legion died, quite a bit more sad then I was when Black Invisible Kid ate it. But hey, a few deaths gave us back the one and only Bart “Kid Flash” Allen, so I can live with it.
Secret Six was one giant fucking twist and I love it. A team full of bad guys you have to anticipate some hardcore serious back stabbing, and it wouldn’t be back stabbing if someone didn’t take a bullet between the eyes before someone else got run over. Love love love this book!
Tony Stark, you pimp you! It’s not enough that you’ve gone and given Pepper Potts a new Iron Man style pacemaker, or even her own Iron Woman suit, but you had to go and tap Maria Hill’s well toned ass in the middle of one of your armories! You dog!
Secret Warriors was a very pleasant surprise for this reader, as while I’d heard a few things about Jonathon Hickman, I hadn’t actually read anything of his. Sure, this issue is listed as co-written by him and Bendis, but it doesn’t feel like a Bendis read. That’s a good thing. It’s already been pull listed, and I’m also kinda hoping that the book keeps up with the cool little extra shit in the back. I love little dossiers and journals and stuff, it gets you so much more involved into the story by giving you all these little details that dialogue just can’t accomplish. Fun style, hope it sticks up. And hey, it’s got Casselli on art, that means bank.
Iron Fist is back on track, not that it ever got off the tracks, but it’s back none-the-less. How so? Simple, it’s time for kung fu fighting! But not just any kung fu, no, kung fu…..in the city of hell!
Tomasi in GLC this past week gave us the next steps, and first level of intimacy, of the Kyle Rayner and Soranik Natu relationship. I’ve been quietly hoping for this since the first moment I laid eyes on her back in Green Lantern Corps: Recharge, as I think that a strong capable woman who also happens to be a Lantern is just what Kyle needs. I loved Donna, and Jade was perfect for him, but Kyle has grown and his love life SHOULD be in the Corps. And with the new rule it makes the romance forbidden which only makes it that much more interesting. Sure, other shit happened too like Mongul vs Akrillo and the enslaving of Daxam, but Kyle and Natu is a match made in heaven. Please Tomasi, don’t kill her! Let Kyle have a happy life with her! My boy deserves it!
And on a final little note, Friday is now the best night for TV. Monday might have Chuck and Heroes, but Friday has Terminator, Dollhouse, and Battlestar Galactica. That’s called awesome in a three hour chunk. Check it.
What I read this week:
- Action Comics
- Batman
- Batman and the Outsiders Special
- Booster Gold
- Green Lantern Corps
- Nightwing
- REBELS
- Amazing Spider Girl
- Thor
Best of the week:
- Batman
- Green Lantern Corps
- Thor
What I read last week:
- Adventure Comics
- Authority
- Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds
- Mighty
- Secret Six
- Cable
- Deadpool
- Immortal Iron Fist
- Invincible Iron Man
- Punisher
- Secret Warriors
- War of Kings: Darkhawk
Best of the week:
- Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds
- Secret Warriors
- Secret Six
The Gold Standard
