Hey, everybody. What up, my peeps! I just want to thank all the e-mails that came in expressing all sorts of “sorry for your tough week, man” sentiments. Not to mislead you, they totaled 12 (fourteen if you count Mathan and Ben), not hundreds, but considering that I only get three or four e-mails, typically, a column the outpouring was a bit of a surprise. To update those who wonder: things are better round here. The problem is not solved, but it is on its way to be and things are not nearly as crazy. Thanks again.
Enough about me. What about DC? Let’s show that giant corporation some love, eh?
DC Claims Two More Souls
Dale Eaglesham, the dynamic illustrator of VILLAINS UNITED, has signed a 2-year exclusive agreement with DC Comics.
Don Kramer, penciller of the monthly JSA series, has signed a 2-year exclusive agreement with DC Comics.
Watch these artists sign their contracts IN BLOOD at The Pulse
Both fine creators with an impressive body of DC work. This strikes me as a good call.
Byrne-ing Down the Rumor Mill
There have been a lot of rumors and speculation about what happened with Gail Simone and John Byrne’s run on Action Comics (#835, cover at right, will be the team’s final issue), with Byrne’s comments more often than not, fueling even more speculation. To end all the rumors and speculation we spoke with the creator himself.
Comics most beloved man can be found at Newsarama
Strange things seem to happen whenever there is a story about John Byrne. You are guaranteed to see people who will either a.) rush to make every statement out to be the rantings of a mad man or b.) explain away every comment as if others just are not smart enough to understand the genius of John Byrne. Here, as is typically the case, they are both wrong. Byrne’s clarification here is pretty reasonable and not histrionic at all. However, by the same token, his explanation for it earlier (involving blaming Wizard, the fickle nature of fans, and implying that “young” creators do not deserve the attention they get) was pretty nasty and unnecessary. Finally, to those who implied otherwise, the interviewer did his job. His asked questions that were smart and related to the topic at hand. “Harsh” questions are not out of line provided they are fair and these were.
Spoilers United
The concept was simple enough, and stated pretty clearly in the title – the villains of the DC Universe were going to unite in Villains United, one of the four Countdown miniseries leading to Infinite Crisis written by Gail Simone with art by Dale Eaglesham and Wade von Grawbadger (with an issue #2 fill-in by Val Semeiks and Prentis Rollins).
The six issue miniseries wrapped last week, and while delivering a helluva memorable last issue, the ramifications of the major reveal of the issue are yet to be seen.
Oh – and of course, if you haven’t read the final issue of the miniseries yet, be warned -there are spoilers ahead.
Take a look at the mugshots at Newsarama
First, I want to clear up something. The Lex Luthor on the cover looks like Ed Harris. He does not look like Michael Rosenbaum or Kevin Spacey or a Vulcan (?) as is suggested in the talkback section. Not all men without hair look the same. I promise.
After close consideration, I will declare this my favorite of the Countdown minis. I enjoyed every issue and while this may not prove the most influential of the bunch (my money is on Donna Troy or Rann/Thanagar, which is ironic considering those are my least favorite) I thought it had the strongest ending. Gail Simone, I tap my hat to thee once again.
VARIANT PARTY!
Supergirl Gets Another Outfit
One of DC Comics’ hottest new series, SUPERGIRL, will feature a variant cover on issue #4, scheduled to arrive in stores on December 14!
As with the previously announced ALL STAR SUPERMAN #1 VARIANT EDITION, qualifying retailers may order the SUPERGIRL variant edition under a new item code.
Retailers may order one copy of the variant edition for every ten copies of the standard edition ordered.
You might say she’s covering herself with a “variant” at Newsarama
Nine pages?! Why, on God’s green earth, does a Supergirl variant cover article warrant nine pages of back and forth? Infinite Crisis only had about five in the same amount of time.
What’s worse is that a large chunk of it is devoted to debated Supergirl’s costume. Apparently, a lot of fans think that’s she’s a whore, dressed like that. And a lot of other fans think that those fans are prudes. And all of them make my head hurt.
As for this “incentive” variant cover…eh. It is a neat gimmick, I guess, but it cannot entice me to pick up Supergirl.
An All-Star Deserves Two Covers
DC Comics has provided Newsarama with the first look at Neal Adams’ variant cover for All-Star Superman #1, due in stores on November 16th. Retailers will be able to order one copy of the Adams variant cover for every ten copies of the regular cover All-Star Superman #1 they order.
According to Bob Wayne, DC’s VP Sales the variant availability was developed in consultation with retailers. Similar variant covers for Wildsiderz, Supergirl and All Star Batman and Robin are forthcoming, and presumably will have similar availability.
It is all part of Superman’s rider at Newsarama. Along with a bowl of blue M&M’s (only blue!) and a shark sandwich.
Meanwhile, Neal Adams alternate cover of Superman only gets 3 pages of comments. What a world.
I like this cover. Adams still has a great sense of design and anatomy. However, I love the Quitely cover with Superman sitting on the cloud glancing over his shoulder. It is such a different image for Superman that it immediately grabs my eye. Thus, Adams may be the legend, but Quitely gets the nod.
The Loneliest Manhunter on Earth…or Mars
Pity poor J’onn J’onzz, sometimes known as the Martian Manhunter. While the general public knows Aquaman as a walking punchline, the image of J’onn’s bald green head usually produces nothing but puzzled expressions.
Read The Onion give J’onn his due.
I just included this because, if you scan do to the last item, The Onion declares J’onn the most underrated superhero. And they are right.
BEWARE THE FUTURE’S AWESOME MIGHT
This is something I keep wanting to do and then forgetting. Not this time! And what this is? Pawing over the just released solicitations and making comments on those that catch my eye. You can play along at Comic Book Resources.
Detective Comics #815– How can Cliff Chiang not have a consistent job at DC when he is giving them work like this. It boggles the mind.
Batman: Gotham Knights #73– “When last we saw him, the Clown Prince of Crime had been beaten by Hush, barely escaping with his life.”
Actually, the last time we saw Joker, he was trading blows and quips with Black Mask in War Crimes with no explanation on how he survived his beating at the hands of Jason Todd. Just mentioning.
Gotham Central #39– Okay, okay. You convinced me. I’ll keep reading the book.
Supergirl #5–So now there’s TWO Supergirls?!? Wow…that’s just awesome guys…thanks.
Infinite Crisis #4– Yay for Perez/Ordway interior art! Oh, and I’m on board for that shocking Batman/Nightwing confrontation IF you can promise we that that’ll be the last time we go to that well for awhile. Please?
Green Lantern #8– So, yes, Mongul has become little more than a punching bag as of late (see: Infinite Crisis #1), but that does not make this any less cool. Ouch. Nice to see Bianchi’s art put to good use. I doubted it would fit Green Lantern and I was wrong.
DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore– I hear this guy does decent work. Maybe this trade’ll be worth a look. Maybe.
JSA #81– Stargirl, back in the spotlight. Her being one of Geoff Johns’ favorite characters (and also one he created), it would be foolish to miss this one.
JLA Classified: Cold Steel– Because…someone demanded it?
JLA Classified #16– Gail Simone on the JLA? Sounds good. Too bad they couldn’t be use giant mechs. (I kid Cold Steel, I kid).
Manhunter #18– Why mention this? Because it is going to be awesome.
Seven Soldiers: Mister Miracle #3– I’m nervous about Patton being able to catch the splendor of Ferry’s first issue and, sadly, this cover does little to dissuade me from that opinion. Still, it is only a cover, so that’s probably a bit unfair. And it is being written by Grant Morrison. So there is really no use in pretending that I’m not going to be buying it, regardless.
Teen Titans #32– Another very diggable cover. I’m looking forward to the other doppelganger fight (Red Hood v. Robin) more but this has me interested too.
Vigilante #5– Regardless of how the rest of the series works out, there is no denying that Michael Golden, and whoever the colorist on the covers is, are doing great work on these covers.
Albion #6– Is anyone out there besides my good friend Mathan reading this? Anyone?
Team Zero #2– DIXON!!!!
Planetary #24– But I need it NOW…please?
The Exterminators #1– This book has my attention based on the purely surreal solicitation that plays it so close to the vest I’m having a hard time figuring out if they are being tongue in cheek about it. (My official vote is yes, it is tongue in cheek, but…). Covers by Philip Bond do not hurt a bit either.
Y: The Last Man #41– I read this book in trade. (That’s right. This and Fables! I’m KILLING the comic industry). Every time I read the solicitations though, I’m tempted to stop that policy. So. Very. Tempted. This month is no exception.
Superman/Batman Series 2: Supergirl– I’m including the image right in the column because this toy is something, truly, to behold.
Now, most are going to complain about her elongated torso. Whatever. I get it, I guess, but it does not bother me. What freaks me about this toy are those eyes. Good God, what is that all about? Who allowed this to take place? It is just a photo of the toy and I can feel its eyes following me. Imagine owning the damned thing (and I mean damned in the traditional sense of the word here, folks). Goodness…it’s creepy.
Well, there you go. That’s the solicitations for January, at a glance. If a book you like did not make it, nothing personal. I might still like it. I just did not have anything to say about it
COMING ATTRACTIONS
LOVELESS #1
I do not have a huge infatuation with Westerns, but this intrigues. Mostly, I cannot imagine a better fit between genre and creative team.
OPINIONS ON THE WORK OF PEOPLE FAR MORE TALENTED THAN I
BATMAN #646
It was worth the wait to get back to this story. Whew…what a relief! Everything I dug about the first Red Hood arc is still present here. Strong characterization, good dialogue, dynamic (if fill-in provided) art, and a heaping portion of action are all found in this issue. Plus a rocket launcher! I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, this is the best “modern” Bat book out there. It is consistently head and shoulders above ‘Tec or Gotham Knights.
BIRDS OF PREY #87
You can wait until Thursday to read my review or, if you promise to keep it secret, I’ll let you look at it right here.
GREEN LANTERN CORPS RECHARGE #2
What happened to the art? It is not as bad as some would have you believe, but it is definitely a step down in quality for the usually top notch Gleason. Is it an inking thing, perhaps?
I suppose, in the end, it really does not matter since we have Mogo in the book. Mogo, in many very real ways, makes everything else okay.
MANHUNTER #15
My review of this is already up and available on the main page or, if you prefer, via this handy dandy link.
SEVEN SOLDIERS KLARION THE WITCH BOY #4
Another Seven Soldiers book wraps and I find myself pleased with this ending as well. It does a great job of wrapping up this series plotlines while still launching Klarion forward to appear in Seven Soldiers #1. For those of you who want to know how to end a miniseries that is “only a prologue” or a tie-in properly, this is a book to look to.
I’ve also have to taken a moment out to throw some praise to Irving. His work on this book has been nothing short of pitch perfect.
Next week, we are back on my sort of schedule. That means a Welcome to the Revamping! Sure, it is two weeks late (three by then) but I hope to make it worth your wait. Also letters! Including one about The Rucka (you foolish, foolish people, taking on The Rucka)! Keep those e-mails coming to parallax2@juno.com and let’s see what we can do about resurrecting the DC News & Views thread. I’ll promise to be there more if you promise to comment more. Heck, I might even make a few wildly inaccurate, potentially litigious statements, just to keep things interesting. Also, I’m calling out Steve Ditko. A real objectivist would come out and face my silly, childish taunting. So what do you say Steve? Do you have the strength of your convictions?
Oh dear…I’m going to be in so much trouble for this.
Un Gajje is Gunning For You, Legendary Steve Ditko
