Wednesday, November 25, 2015

A Good Death? There's No Such Thing...

In 1986, The Dark Knight Returns was released to nearly overwhelming critical acclaim.  The near-dystopian future painted by writer/artist Frank Miller depicted an aged Batman, who had long since retired, donning the cape and cowl again.  This, unprecedented, prestige format, four-issue book influenced a generation of fans and made its mark on pop culture, being adapted, not on into its own animated feature, but serving as story inspiration for both The Dark Knight Rises and next year’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.


In 2015, it is Miller who returns, this time as co-writer (along with Brian Azzarello), on a brand new outing featuring his take on the Dark Knight.  Available in comic shops today, Dark Knight III: The Master Race starts in a similar fashion to the original Miller story: Batman has been out of action, now he’s back.


This first issue reads quickly, but serves its purpose to set up the following issues.  The hallmarks of Miller’s Dark Knight Universe are all there: political commentary, talking heads, weird future slang, and neon lights.  Just as The Dark Knight Returns features Superman heavily, this issue features Wonder Woman.  I’m sure the role the Amazon Princess plays in this story will be fleshed out a little more in upcoming issues; her appearance here felt like nothing more than an action sequence.


One of the more cool things about this was that the middle of the book contained a small (pun intended) interlude.  A mini-comic starring The Atom is attached to the inside of every copy of Dark Knight III: The Master Race #1.  If you’re wondering what “master race” the title refers to, my thought is that you need look no further than this mini-comic.


The art of the book evokes Miller’s style quite well, despite being drawn by Andy Kubert.  A lot of this could probably be attributed to Klaus Janson (Miller’s original inker on TDKR and current inker on Superman), who joins the creative team on this book. 


Ultimately, I’d say that this will read extremely well in a collected edition, but with an event nearly 30 years in the making such as this, who could wait?  Head to your local comic book retailer and pick up issue #1 (and one of it’s 70+ variant covers) today.

Thanks for reading!


-Josh

Batman, related characters, and images in this blog are owned and trademarked by DC Comics, a division or Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.

Thursday, September 10, 2015

"Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated"



As it tends to do, life has gotten in the way recently.  Creative energies have been focused elsewhere (predominately on the web series that I’m in the midst of writing and kicking off production soon!), but there were entirely too many great comics I read this week to not do a few quick, spoiler-free reviews.

Batman #44

Cover art by Jock
I’m amazed at how this book has maintained its high level of quality since launching in September 2011.  With the same creative team (writer Scott Snyder and artist Greg Capullo) at that.  It is a testament to how well these guys mesh.  This issue, however, sees the artistic talents of Jock (one of my personal favorite Batman artists) filling in for Capullo.  The current ongoing story in the main Batman title centers around the replacement of Bruce Wayne by the Gotham City Police Department-backed Jim Gordon as the new Batman.  This issue in particular serves as a flashback of sorts and highlights part of the origin behind the villain with whom the new Batman is facing off in present day, Mr. Bloom.

I loved seeing Bruce back in the cape and cowl, even if it was a flashback.  Even at $4.99 (a dollar jump from the normal price), the sustained quality of the issue made it well worth the price of admission.

Star Wars: Shattered Empire #1

Cover by the always impressive Phil Noto
On December 18th of this year, the dreams of many a Star Wars fan will come true, as the seventh installment of (arguably) the biggest cultural phenomena hits theatres.  Having only seen two or three trailers with maybe three minutes of footage total, I know I’m already pretty jazzed for it and I’m not even a Star Wars guy.

The Walt Disney Corporation acquired Lucasfilm in late-2012 and, already having Marvel Entertainment (a.k.a. Marvel Comics) under their umbrella, it only made sense to utilize a team-up of both of those entities.  Earlier this year, Marvel launched several new comic book series’ under the Star Wars banner: a main book simply titled Star Wars, Darth Vader, and two mini-series, Princess Leia and Star Wars: Lando, all in a post-A New Hope setting.  With the release of Episode VII: The Force Awakens looming, Marvel (and Disney) are setting the stage for the grandiose return to a galaxy far, far away with "Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens".  The multimedia "event" is a compilation of novels, children’s books, technical manuals, and… You guessed it, comic books.

This series, Star Wars: Shattered Empire, takes place during and directly after the end of Return of the Jedi.  Penned by superstar writer Greg Rucka, Shattered Empire will run four issues and lay the groundwork for the opening to The Force Awakens.  Like I said, I’m decidedly not a Star Wars guy, but this was an amazing book.  Looking forward to issue #2 in two weeks.

Action Comics #44 & Batman Superman #24

Action Comics #44
I’m lumping these books together because of the shared nature of the story.  Along with the main Superman book and Superman/Wonder Woman, Action Comics and Batman Superman are all telling various aspects of the same “Truth” storyline: Superman’s secret identity having been revealed to the world.  Writer Greg Pak, has wrapped up what seems to be the opening block of this comprehensive story in a great way.  I love how interwoven all four of the Superman-titles have been over the past couple of months.  Seeing the interactions between Clark and the new Batman, Jim Gordon, was fun, but ever so slightly forced.  That notwithstanding, the stage now seems to be set for the showdown between Superman/Clark and the true villain behind his troubles since even prior to his identity being revealed.

Batman Superman #24
Greg Pak, as I mentioned, is doing great, but Action Comics artist Aaron Kuder is killing it.  The addition of veteran artist Howard Porter to both Action and Batman Superman only made the reading experience all the better, in my opinion.  I have to say that, in all my years of reading comics, this is the first time I’m not only enjoying, but also looking forward to, Superman comics.

Star Trek Green Lantern #3

Not the greatest cover ever...
I don’t want to give a single thing away, so all I’m going to say is this:

The last page is the first time (I think ever) a comic book has made me say “oh shit” in anticipation of what comes next.

If you only pick up one of these books, my endorsement has to go to Batman.  But if you’re a Star Wars fan, Shattered Empire is an absolute must.

Thanks for reading!

-Josh


All characters, and images in this blog are owned and trademarked by DC Comics, a division of Warner Bros., Marvel Comics, a division of The Walt Disney Corporation, and Paramount Pictures, a division of Viacom.


Monday, July 13, 2015

SDCC 2015: Rounding Up All the News and Announcements



I greet each and every July with equal parts excitement and sorrow.  July is home to Comic Con International, a massive comic book and entertainment media convention held annually in San Diego.  The event has grown to gargantuan proportions since the first, one-day dry run in 1970.  Tickets sell out months in advance and hotels are booked to capacity.  Thus my sorrow.  Every year produces a cornucopia of news and announcements to get genre fans jazzed for the following year.  This year was no different.

The biggest thing coming out of Hall H (the main theatre at SDCC) was undoubtedly the debut of the new Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice trailer.

For someone who prides himself on skills of oratory nature and use of the written word, I am left speechless.  Granted, I am biased (DC over Marvel and Batman over, well, everything), but this trailer was simply amazing.  Since the film was announced, I’ve said that the “versus” part of this title will only last 30 minutes of the movie (maybe the entire first act), before the eventual team-up to take on the true villain.  After this trailer, however, I’m backpedaling ever so slightly on that claim.  The team-up is still inevitable, but I’m thinking our heroes will be at odds for longer than it takes for you to finish that popcorn and $15 Coke.  Either way, I can’t wait until March 25th of next year.


Supplemental information on Ben Affleck’s future as Batman is making its rounds on the rumor mill.  We know he will appear in Suicide Squad (a film that saw a trailer debut as well) in at least a cameo, but the new tidbit to speculate on is that Ben is co-writing alongside DC Comics writer Geoff Johns (Justice League, Green Lantern, Batman: Earth One) and will direct a solo Batman film with a targeted release of 2018.  If true, this has the potential to be the greatest Batman film thus far.  Geoff Johns would not be my first choice to co-write a Batman script, but Affleck’s writing is solid; look no further than Good Will Hunting and The Town.  The idea that he will direct the movie has me more excited than anything.  2012’s Argo, Ben’s most successful movie to date, garnered (no pun!) the filmmaker Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and Academy Awards in the Best Director and Best Picture categories.  I hope there’s truth to this rumor.
 
"Desert Batman" promo image released earlier today
From the comic book realm, both of the Big Two (DC and Marvel) made big announcements concerning their publishing lines for the upcoming months.  The biggest of which (in my book) was the reveal of a new series and a crossover event.


Batman & Robin Eternal, a sequel to last year’s Batman Eternal, will be a weekly series set to launch in October and run for six months.  The series looks to highlight all of Batman’s current (and some past) sidekicks.  October will also play host to a crossover event titled Robin War.  A five-issue event, the story will run through Robin: Son of Batman, Gotham Academy, We Are Robin, with two Robin War issues book-ending the event.  No details were available other than that, so I don’t know the premise of the event.  What I do know is that these two events are in celebration of The Boy Wonder’s 75th Anniversary which takes place this year (Robin first appeared in Detective Comics #38 in 1940).
 
The Evolution of Robin through the ages
Over on the television side, AMC revealed trailers for both Season Six of The Walking Dead and the debut season of Fear The Walking Dead.


Also shown in Hall H was the trailer for Heroes Reborn, the revival of the popular superhero show that ran from 2006-2010.


DC Comics’ shows on The CW had a great showing at the convention as well.  The Flash confirmed the debut of Jay Garrick (to be played by Teddy Sears) for Season 2 and revealed its central villain in Zoom.  Arrow welcomes the casting of Neal McDonough (who plays Dum Dum Duggan in the Marvel Cinematic Universe) as Damien Darhk.  Perhaps the coolest thing, though, was Stephen Amell taking the stage in Hall H to reveal Oliver Queen’s new costume and the fact that he referred to himself as the Green Arrow.
 
Green Arrow's Season Four costume
Back in the comic world, Marvel announced a crossover event for their Star Wars and Darth Vader books titled Vader Down.  The story, co-written by Jason Aaron and Kieron Gillen with art by Mike Deodato and Salvador Larroca, will feature the Dark Lord of the Sith being trapped behind enemy lines, leading to a showdown between Vader and the Rebel Alliance.
 
Cover art for "Vader Down"
Part of its initial slate, Marvel’s Star Wars line featured a Princess Leia limited series.  This was followed by a limited-series starring Lando Calrissian (simply titled Lando).  Marvel will follow this trend of launching a new limited-series when the other ends.  Chewbacca, written by Gerry Duggan and drawn by the incomparable Phil Noto, launches in October.
 
Chewbacca #1 variant cover by Phil Noto
One of the seminal works featuring Batman is Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns.  It has influenced the character in some way, shape, or form since its debut in 1986.  Miller, who was inducted into the prestigious Will Eisner Hall of Fame this past weekend, will finalize his trilogy with The Dark Knight III: The Master Race.  Co-written with Brian Azzarello with art by Andy Kubert and long-time Miller collaborator Klaus Janson, the edgy-titled series will have eight-issues, with no release date announced other than "Fall 2015".


Back in November, I got the opportunity to meet the iconic artist and legend that is Neal Adams.  When I asked Neal what he was working on at the time, all he would tell me is that he was working on a New Gods (a near-omnipotent race of legitimate gods in the DC Universe) book.  Over the weekend, the series, Coming of the Supermen, was announced.  Essentially billed as “Superman vs. the New Gods”, the series launches in October.  It will be joined by several other Superman related series- Superman: American Alien, a telling of Clark Kent’s formative years; Superman: Lois & Clark, an alternate Earth story spinning out of the pages of Convergence; also coming out of that event will be Telos and Titans Hunt, a series uniting the original Teen Titans.

Lighting round:
  • Grant Morrison will return to the Bat-world with Batman: Black & White, a multi-issue series and a list of “superstar artists” attached.  It was also announced that Grant will pen several original graphic novels serving as sequels to his alternate Earth-spanning series, Multiversity.  These books will each have subtitles, but will have the umbrella title: Multiversity Too.
  • DC Universe Animated Original Movies will release an adaptation of the classic Batman story The Killing Joke in 2016.  So excited for that.  Also, two new animated series were announced: Batman: Bad Blood and Justice League vs. Titans.  No other details on the series were available.
  • Barnes & Noble announced plans to double their comic and graphic novel section in each of their stores across the country.  I’ll always encourage the purchase of books in a local comic shop to help support retailers, but the more available products are to consumers, the better.
  • The CW will expand their comic book television shows to include a live-action Archie show.  If the series takes cues from the recently released Archie comic by Mark Waid and Fiona Staples, it’ll be astounding.
  • Batman meets The Avengers (no, not those Avengers).  A crossover in the Batman ’66 comic featuring the British agents of the same decade.
  • The previously announced Green Lantern film slated for 2020 has been revealed to be a Green Lantern Corps film.  That will be cool.
  • Continuing the Earth One graphic novels (so far there have been three volumes of Superman, two of Batman, and one Teen Titans), two more OGNs were announced:  Aquaman: Earth One (by J. Michael Straczynski) and The Flash: Earth One (by Francis Manapul).  The Earth One original graphic novels serve as alternate origin stories for these characters.
  • IDW Comics announced an “Academy” comic book series to accompany their current Star Trek line.  This new series will feature Kirk, Spock, and Uhura during their Starfleet Academy years on Earth with “familiar faces” appearing throughout.
  • While Marvel Studios took this year off, 20th Century Fox did not.  The “final” trailer for August’s Fantastic Four was shown alongside debut trailers for X-Men: Apocalypse and Deadpool.
I didn’t cover even close to all of the news and announcements out of San Diego this past weekend, but the highlights are here.  I have to say that I am overly excited for the things to come later this year and into 2016 (and ’17 and ’18 and…)

Thanks for reading!

-Josh

Sources: Comic Book Resources; Wikipedia; Newsarama

All characters, and images in this blog are owned and trademarked by DC Comics, a division of Warner Bros., Marvel Comics, a division of The Walt Disney Corporation, and NBC Universal, a division of the Comcast Corporation.

Thursday, July 2, 2015

All-New, All-Different: A Look at the New Marvel Universe

When the dust settles following the end of Secret Wars, Marvel Comics will re-launch their entire publishing line.  Earlier this week, Marvel officially announced 45 titles launching this October with creative teams and taglines for each series accompanying cover art for each new #1 issue.
All-New, All-Different Marvel Promo Image
Much like DC’s New 52 re-launch and the “DC You” re-launch that I’ve chronicled the last four weeks, the “All-New, All Different Marvel” initiative looks to create a clean jumping-on point for new and returning readers to Marvel books.

The second All-New, All-Different Marvel promotional image
As predominantly a DC reader, this is a great opportunity for me to begin a journey into the Marvel Universe.  Let’s take a look at some of the books launching this October.

Invincible Iron Man #1 - “Upgrade.”

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis, Artist: David Marquez
The premier Marvel writer for the last 15 or so years will give us his take on the premier character of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).  It’s clear that the company wants to elevate the status of Ol’ Shellhead to headliner of their comic line.  Take a look at his placement in the teaser images above.

The Totally Awesome Hulk #1- “Who is the Hulk?”

Written by Greg Pak and drawn by Frank Cho.  As the tagline states, this Hulk is not Bruce Banner.  So, who is?

Doctor Strange #1- “Some surgery requires a scalpel – some, an axe.”

Written by Jason Aaron and drawn by Chris Bachalo.  When Benedict Cumberbatch was announced to play The Sorcerer Supreme in an upcoming film, it was only a matter of time before a new solo series was announced.  I’d say the character is in good hands with writer Jason Aaron.

Star-Lord #1- “Feels like the first time. Feels like the very first time.”

Writer: Sam Humphries, Artist: Javier Garron
Foreigner lyrics in the tagline.  He’s Star-Lord, man.  Can’t go wrong?

Daredevil #1- “The devil’s apprentice”

Writer: Charles Soule Artist: Ron Garney
Never mind the fact that Daredevil’s Netflix series is a critical and financial success, The Man Without Fear is one of Marvel’s most enduring characters, so it’s only natural that he would receive a new series.  The tagline suggests that Daredevil will receive a sidekick.  Even though the writer is denying it (or simply playing coy), he sure looks a lot like Gambit…

All-New Hawkeye #1- “Hawkeye vs. Hawkeye”

Written by Jeff Lemire and drawn by Ramon Perez.  Lemire just launched the last volume of All-New Hawkeye back in March and the series never really got a chance to get off the ground.  It appears that Kate Bishop seems to be in the lead role and will be taking on the older Clint Barton from the “Old Man Logan” universe.

Guardians of the Galaxy #1- “The raccoon’s in charge.”

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis, Artist Valerio Schiti
If the series can capture the fun and exuberance of the film in this volume a little better than it did in the last volume, it will remain on my reading list.  Also, Star-Lord is now Star-Lady?  With Peter Quill on his own adventures, most signs point to Kitty Pryde (who guest starred heavily in the last volume of GoTG) taking on the role.  If that’s the case, I can guarantee I’ll keep reading as Kitty is my favorite X-Person of all time, and one of my favorite Marvel characters in general.

All-New X-Men- “On a mission to make their own future”

Writer: Dennis Hopeless, Artist: Mark Bagley
The youthful versions of Cyclops, Beast, Iceman, and Angel (we’ll get to young Jean Grey later on) are joined by X-23, who is the new Wolverine.  I’m glad to see the time displaced X-Men remaining in the contemporary Marvel Universe.  Having new Wolverine on board (and continuing her relationship with Angel?) is a good bonus.

Amazing Spider-Man #1- “Your friendly neighborhood just got bigger.”

Writer: Dan Slott, Artist: Giuseppe Camuncoli (this teaser is done by Alex Ross)
Dan Slott remains on the title to continue spinning the web (get it!?) he started way back in 2008.  With Peter Parker going global and Parker Industries becoming a technology powerhouse, we’re going to see an interesting take on this character.  “Philanthropist Spidey” has a certain ring to it.  The new costume doesn’t look bad, either.

Sam Wilson, Captain America #1- “Who do you stand with?”

Writer: Nick Spencer, Artist: Daniel Acuña
I have to say that I was disheartened to see that Steve Rogers won’t be picking the shield back up this fall.  At least not yet.  I haven’t particularly liked Falcon-Cap, but I do plan on reading #1.  The tagline evokes memories of Civil War.  Perhaps this story will work as a prep for next year’s Captain America: Civil War film.

The Vision #1- “A bold new Vision for the Marvel Universe.”

Writer: Tom King, Artist: Gabriel H. Walta
The breakout character of Avengers: Age of Ultron, Vision will star in his own solo series this fall.  I like Tom King’s writing and I truly hope this series is a success.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1- “Keeps your friends close and your enemies closer.”

ABC’s hit television series influenced the launch of this series, there’s no doubt.  The cover features Agent Coulson, but one has to wonder if the rest of the gang from the show will star as well.  (Keeping my fingers crossed for Skye.)

All-New Wolverine #1- “Best there is at what she does”

Writer: Tom Taylor, Artist: David Lopez
As previously mentioned, X-23 will be taking over the role of Wolverine.  With the real deal still dead (I guess, whatever), the void has to be filled.  I’ve always liked X-23 as a character.  More so than the real Wolverine, anyway.

Extraordinary X-Men #1- “Still hated. Still feared. Still standing.”

Writer: Jeff Lemire, Artist: Humberto Ramos
Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus, Iceman, Magik, Jean Grey (the time displaced version, not the dead one), and… Old Man Logan.  I’m actually pretty excited to read this book.  In Lemire I trust.  Let’s keep the old Wolverine-young Jean pervy stuff to a minimum, eh Jeff? 

Silk #1- “The Sinister Silk”

Writer: Robbie Thompson, Artist: Stacey Lee
Silk is the most interesting character introduced in the Marvel Universe since…  I don’t even know.  The tagline teases a turn to the dark side for Cindy Moon.

Ant-Man #1- “Once a criminal…?”

Written by Nick Spencer and drawn by Ramon Rosanas.  Another MCU-influenced book and another book teasing a villainous turn.  Marvel has always had some anti-heroes in their books.  I’m willing to bet Ant-Man will be more in that vein than an out-and-out bad guy.

Uncanny Inhumans #1- “The silence is broken.”

Written by Charles Soule and drawn by Steve McNiven.  There’s two simple reasons why I’m even going to try to read this book:  the creative team and Beast.  Steve McNiven’s art is amazing and I love the character of Hank McCoy.  I really hope this book is good.

Old Man Logan #1- “Older. Wiser. Sharper.”

Writer: Jeff Lemire, Artist: Andrea Sorrentino
The original Old Man Logan story is fantastic.  Having Old Man Logan in the present day Marvel Universe?  I don’t know.  Jeff Lemire is writing this and the character’s other appearance in Extraordinary X-Men, so at least his characterization will be consistent.

Spider-Man #1- “Welcome to the Marvel Universe, Miles Morales. Hope you survive the experience!”

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis, Artist: Sara Pichelli
Marvel’s now defunct Ultimate Universe was designed as a retelling of the origins of Marvel’s characters.  When that universe’s Peter Parker died, he was replaced as Spider-Man by Miles Morales.  I tried reading the first series starring the new hero, but it just did not hook me in anyway.  Now that the Ultimate Universe is gone thanks to Secret Wars, Miles finds his home in the main Marvel Universe.  I’ll give it a shot, but my Spider-Man is red and blue.  No offense, Miles.

All-New All-Different Avengers #1- “Earth’s mightiest most dedicated heroes.”

Writer: Mark Waid, Artist: Adam Kubert, Cover Art: Alex Ross
An Avengers book I actually want to read.  A diverse team.  A brilliant writer and an excellent artist.  The flagship book of the new Marvel Universe looks perfect on paper.  Which is good, because that’s what comic books are printed on.

Looking forward to October!

Thanks for reading!

-Josh

Sources: Comic Book Resources; Wikipedia; marvel.com

All characters, and images in this blog are owned and trademarked by Marvel Comics, a division of The Walt Disney Corporation.