http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2010/03/17/batman-beyond-returns-in-june/
This has been mentioned at cons over the past couple of years as a possibility and I am thrilled we are not only getting an annual but a mini series. Batman Beyond was a cartoon that really captured the spirit of DC and the whole multiverse concept. If you haven’t seen it, do yourself a favor and grab one of the seasons on DVD. It takes place in a possible future where Batman is retired.
I’ve been very curious to see who will be involved in the Superman titles, as I have been enjoying them greatly. I am thrilled Pete Woods is going to be on Action as the artist. I’ve liked his take on Clark’s world since the breathtaking Up,Up, and Away arc from OYL. The past year has made me very Superman happy and I am looking forward to the new teams taking that even farther.
http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2010/03/12/who-is-the-black-mask/
I am chomping at the bit for this issue. I’ve shared on the show, over multiple segments, who I think Black Mask is. Being totally honest, even if I am wrong on his identity, the most sincere compliment I can give Tony Daniel is that I actually care. I wanted to follow the mystery. I wanted to look at the clues. I want to know who Black Mask is and retrace the steps. That’s the sign of a very well crafted mystery. This is a great example of why the Dick Grayson Batman is so cool.
http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2010/03/11/fabian-nicieza-signs-up-as-regular-red-robin-writer/
I am thrilled by this news. I thought the run Fabian had to close out the Robin series really showed his understanding of what makes Tim Drake such a fantastic character. When he did an interview with us back then, he mentioned how he’d love to do a story that shows the hero Tim really is. I’ve loved what Chris Yost is doing and think this is the perfect choice to continue bringing the character back into the “light”. He’s been through a great deal and now we have him transitioning back to the character we have loved for so long.
I can’t wait to see what the next year brings for Tim Drake and his relationship with the Batman world. Will he remain Red Robin? What will he be like as Bruce’s return gets closer? What will his relationship with Dick be like now that so much of Gotham has changed? Will he be a part of team Batman or more of a free agent? I am just so excited that my head is running through so many possibilities. I am glad he has transitioned back into the character we know and love and it happened gradually. Fantastic news!
Some interesting and exciting news about the future of Wonder Woman and Superman. JMS is taking over both in July.
Continue reading Straczynski to write Superman and Wonder Woman (Updated)
Life in the Gutter by Mandy Stegall
Yep, I’m still alive. Trust me, it was never my intention to stay away this long. I’ll spare you the list of reasons, though. It’s long and boring and involves pain killers, doctor visits, and fear of broken bones in my leg.
Gearing up for C2E2 in the next month or so, I’m going to attempt to be better at updating. I don’t have the specifics down quite yet, but I AM going to be in Chicago for the blessed event, and I’m looking forward to hopefully meeting many of you.
Without further ado, let’s get on to the main event: the comics.
Justice League: Cry for Justice
I’m really torn on my feelings about this series. First off, let me say that I think there were too many people involved. I don’t think Congorilla and Mikaal really contributed to the story enough to justify their presence, and I felt like they were just…there. I can’t say that I saw their presence as anything more than the blue guy making friends with the man trapped in the gorilla’s body.
Continue reading LITG: Cry for Justice, Nemesis: The Imposters, JSA All Stars, Adventure Comics
http://www.superherohype.com/news/supermannews.php?id=9131
I was really hoping that the plans to make it to 10 seasons would pan out. There is some tremendous progression this year for the series and I am glad Smallville will get a chance to play out the story the way it is currently intended. I am hoping for another Geoff Johns episode next season as well.
http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2010/03/04/source-special-geoff-johns-talks-the-flash-part-1/
http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2010/03/05/source-special-geoff-johns-talks-the-flash-part-2/
I’ve shared earlier this week that I am drooling for a new Flash series. If you don’t read the Source regularly, you definitely need to be checking it out for great two part interviews such as this one with Geoff Johns. Plus you get to look at more of that great preview art.
http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2010/03/04/the-last-stand-of-new-krypton-starts-here/
As an additional note, I am hoping any Superman fans out there picked up this week’s Adventure Comics. There are some great moments explaining much of what has been going on with the Legion would have been in our time for the past couple of years. It’s cool that this is something we’ve seen since the Meltzer JLA run. There is a greater sense of long term infiltration because they knew what was coming. I feel like I have been a part of their journey due to the sense of time passage. I am curious to see if the Legion’s involvement will be enough to completely hold off Brainiac and the plans of General Lane.
First Wave #1 is released today and I figured it would be cool to remind everyone that you have the chance to read it with Geoff Johns and Jim Lee if you follow them on Twitter. I think this is a cool way to make use of Twitter and add a different dynamic to the reading experience.
http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2010/03/03/get-a-signed-copy-of-the-flash-1-via-twitter/
I mentioned yesterday how stoked I am about the new Flash book. There’s a cool chance to get a collector’s item copy. If you are a trivia buff, starting April 7, they are offering 5 lucky winners each day a chance to get a signed copy.
I am glad to see so much focus on making the comics experience interactive and fun. This is a great use of internet technology.
http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2010/03/02/a-look-at-francis-manapuls-artwork-from-the-flash/
Ok, gotta rant a bit about how good the Flash looks. I love that the focus is getting us back to a Flash monthly. This really looks to be exactly what Flash storytelling is all about, faced paced action, jugging the real issues of life in a superhero world, and fun visual adventure.
I am a Flash nut. Mark Waid brought me to the dance when he took over Wally’s book. I liked it so much that I went back and got all of the issues from issue 1. My exposure to Barry was appearances in that book, Justice League, Crisis, and team ups. That being said, I am extremely Barry happy right now. I want to read more of his past stories. Johns is a master at pulling great concepts from the past, staying true to them, yet making them relevant again.
I really like that Barry’s M.O. is hope. It’s great to have a character that inspires that and I hope that continues to be a focus of his series. There is something different about the accessibility of the Flash world and this art reminds me that a city with a Flash living in it, is a place you want to call home. It just looks cool. This series can’t be released soon enough for me.
http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2010/03/01/cutter-continues-in-detective-comics-862/
Detective Comics: This is a great example of another consistently beautiful book that has rotated from one visually stylish art team to another. Rucka is crafting a great story here with Batman and Batwoman’s current cases bringing them together. This just feels like great bat universe storytelling. It’s crime drama, detective work, great character development and a gritty look that just feels right for these characters. The preview pages look amazing. Gotta give major props to friend of the show David Baron, who really understands the mood and tone of Gothamesque storytelling from Batman Confidential. He also understand how to grab what Jock is bringing about emotionally in the visuals. I am looking very forward to this.
The Source Blog from DC has been really kicking into overdrive the past few months with preview art at various stages and I hope this continues to be the norma and increases. I literally visit daily.
Side Note: I am running Windows 7 and whatever operating system you are using, if you have the ability to rotate desktop wallpaper, the Source has been a great way to get some amazing comic art previews as desktop backgrounds.
Sean “DrNorge” Whelan