We’re closing back in on the “present” — 1986 — as we look at superhero revamps following the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths. So far, we’ve seen the changes in Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, the Justice League and Robin, as well as a collection of villains. Next up is Captain Marvel as DC tries once again to introduce the denizens of Fawcett City into the DCU.
The Power of Shazam! (DC Comics, 1994) — Jerry Ordway updates the lives of the wizard, Shazam, Billy Batson, Captain Marvel, Mary Marvel, Black Adam and Sivana, among others. Things start out with Billy and Mary’s archeologist parents and explode from there.
Legends of the DC Universe 6: Robin and Superman (DC Comics, 1998) — Through team-ups in the pages of World’s Finest, Superman is almost as much an influence on the man young Dick Grayson will grow up to be as Robin’s “father,” Batman. This story reflects that influence and pays homage to those classic silver age tales by teaming the Man of Steel and the Boy Wonder.
The Brave and the Bold: Flash and Green Lantern 1-6 (DC Comics, 1999) — This is yet another tribute to the friendships and team-ups of the silver age, focusing on the friendship between Hal Jordan and Barry Allen. But along the way, their various extended families and relationships also play a role, so there are cameos by Iris West, Carol Ferris, Alan Scott, Jay Garrick, Ralph and Sue Dibny, Wally West, Oliver Queen, Dinah Lance and Roy Harper.
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight 127-131 (DC Comics, 2000) — “The Arrow and the Bat” brings Green Arrow and Batman together and let’s the sparks fly between these two intense and explosive personalities. Along the way, both heroes are forced to examine the reasons why they put on their respective costumes and battle crime.
Batgirl Year One 1-9 (DC Comics, 2003) — Batgirl Barbara Gordon was another character changed pretty drastically by the Crisis, but mostly by accident. The character wasn’t seen much in the few years preceding Crisis. During the various revamps of Batman’s origin, the Dark Knight’s supporting cast was changed to the point where it was no longer possible for Barbara to be Police Commissioner James Gordon’s biological daughter and still be the right age to be Batgirl. So Barbara becomes Gordon’s niece, and later, his adoptive daughter. Still intact is the young girl’s fascination with Batman. This series also shows how others also inspired the young Batgirl, heroines like Black Canary.
The Batman Chronicles 9 (DC Comics, 1997) — Another element retained in Batgirl’s new origin is the infatuation Robin had for the new crime-fighter and how Batgirl felt the same way, up to a point. In the silver age, the two young heroes shared a number of adventures together. The first story in this comic shows more of that budding relationship that wouldn’t mature until several years later.
Legends of the DC Universe: Flash 15-17 (DC Comics, 1999) — These three issues focus on an early adventure of the Flash, or rather, his alter-ego, police scientist Barry Allen, and showcases a number of the Flash’s colorful rogue’s gallery.
Short entry today, but not as much time this time around. Check back next time for more stories revamping the past of the DC Universe in the wake of Crisis.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Everything You Know Isn’t Wrong ... Just Some Of It
Welcome back for some more retro-reviews, the kind that show some of the changes introduced in the aftermath of the Crisis on Infinite Earths. Not everything changed, of course. As far as I know, there were no major changes in the origin of the Barry Allen Flash, for example. But subtle changes were introduced in the origins of some heroes in the years following the Crisis. Krypton, for instance, became a sterile, emotionless world. Joe Chill was no longer the gunman who killed the Waynes, being replaced with a nameless shooter who was never caught. And Wonder Woman was no longer exactly a contemporary of the other Silver Age heroes. Continuing with these re-imaginings ...
Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn II 1-6 (DC Comics, 1991) — The first Emerald Dawn miniseries introduced some personal weaknesses into the character of test pilot Hal Jordan. Along with meeting the dying Abin Sur and inheriting the GL power ring, the growth Hal underwent in the story was learning to take responsibility for his actions.
In this series, the newly responsible Jordan turns himself in and is sentenced to serve 90 days in jail for drunken driving. At the same time, the Guardians of the Universe assign Hal a trainer, someone to teach him the GL ropes, someone who has excelled at being the best GL by keeping his own sector of space in order — Sinestro. This series gives readers just as much insight into Sinestro’s psyche as it does that of Hal Jordan. It also gives us some early brief looks at the lives of some future Lanterns.
The Man of Steel 5 (DC Comics, 1986) — This issue re-introduces Bizarro as a creation of Lex Luthor’s failed attempts to clone Superman. This new/early version of the creature never speaks and eventually sacrifices himself to help another, proving that there was some part of Superman in him after all.
Green Arrow: The Wonder Year 1-4 (DC Comics, 1993) — This series came out of Mike Grell’s successful run on Green Arrow. He takes GA’s previous origin and expands it so that the part readers knew before is just one small portion of an overall tapestry. The only real glitch this series’ placement causes is that by the end of the story, Oliver Queen is wearing the costume designed by Neal Adams in the 1970s. But since this is Ollie’s origin as Green Arrow, he really should have the green tunic and leggings with the red boots and gloves. But it’s a minor detail.
Catwoman annual 2 :Year One (DC Comics, 1995) — All of DC Comics’ annuals in 1995 played off the Year One theme. Many of them included “modern” framing sequences, so they won’t show up in my collection until the other comics from 1995. This one however, is a story firmly set in the past, yet Selina Kyle has obviously been Catwoman for a little bit when the events unfold. This story expands on the details of Selina’s backstory from Batman: Year One and the Catwoman minseries from 1991, adding in a martial arts element to explain some of the skills the character was regularly using in her own title at the time.
Legends of the DC Universe 7-9: Green Lantern and Green Arrow (DC Comics, 1998) — This story is obviously an early pairing of these two heroes, occurring before superhero team-ups became a common thing. The two heroes meet in an Asian nation and confront their ideological differences.
Legends of the DC Universe 26-27: the Joker and Aquaman (DC Comics, 2000) — Now this tale doesn’t so much change established continuity as it builds upon what has gone before. During the classic Englehart/Rogers run of Detective Comics, they had a truly perfect Joker story called The Laughing Fish. At the end of the story, the Joker disappears into the Gotham River and is presumed dead. In this story, the fledgling hero called Aquaman happens to be swimming by and thinks the Joker is merely a drowning surface-dweller. The naive hero offers the “persecuted” villain a place under the waves before he learns the Joker’s true nature.
The Man of Steel 6 (DC Comics, 1986) — The final issue of the Superman re-vamp shows us Clark’s revelation that he is really from the planet Krypton, information he did not possess before that point. Clark, as well as Jonathan and Martha Kent, learn this from Jor-El himself, via hologram. The revelation of his alien origins prompts Clark to wonder about his future, but he concludes: “I may have been conceived out there in the endles depths of space ... but I was born when the rocket opened on earth, in America. ... It was Krypton that made me Superman ... but it is the earth that makes me human!!” And thus the stage is set for the new Superman.
Batman: Shadow of the Bat annual 3: Year One (DC Comics, 1995) — Yet another Year One annual, but the Batman-themed annuals in 1995 all focused on villains. This story is a story, then, about Pamela Isley, Poison Ivy Year One, showing the first encounter between the Queen of Green and the Batman.
Catwoman 38-40 (DC Comics, 1996) — This three-issue story arc is subtitled Catwoman Year Two. Batman and Catwoman cross paths again, and each feels attracted to the other. Catwoman initially springs the Joker, Penguin and Two-Face from lock-up in an effort to distract Batman. The other villains don’t much like being someone else’s decoys and their machinations end up pushing together the Bat and the Cat.
Detective Comics 575-578 (DC Comics, 1987) — Having dealt once again with Catwoman, Batman gets his own Year Two treatment, going up against a new villain named the Reaper in this four-issue arc. It also has Batman questioning his decision never to use guns in his war on crime.
JLA Year One 1-12 (DC Comics, 1998) — We’ve spent a great deal of time re-introducing a number of heroes, and even had a few of them team-up from time to time. But eventually, there would come a day when a threat arose which no single hero could overcome alone ... oops, wait, wrong company, but you get the idea. Eventually all of these heroes had to get together, and one fine day, the Flash, Aquaman, Green Lantern, Black Canary and Martian Manhunter did just that. Green Arrow, Batman and Superman also play their respective roles. And Hawkman comes along as a representative from the legendary Justice Society to make sure the “kids” don’t screw up. In addition to the drama, this story includes some great character moments, especially the fact that noone can hear Aquaman’s mumblings when he talks in their early adventures. Seems sound waves travel better in water than air, and he’s never had to speak up before. Along the way, the team also meets other heroes such as the Doom Patrol, the Metal Men, the Blackhawks and the Freedom Fighters.
Batman Chronicles: The Gauntlet (DC Comics, 1997) — While the members of the new Justice League get used to each other, back in the Batcave, Batman is getting used to his new partner, a young lad named Dick Grayson, aka Robin, the Boy Wonder. This is the tale of Robin’s first real trial-by-fire.
Robin Year One 1-4 (DC Comics, 2000) — Next, Robin gets the Year One treatment in a four-issue prestige series depicting his first encounters with some of the worst of Batman’s growing list of rogue’s — characters like the Mad Hatter and Two-Face. But even those villains are no match for Batman’s wrath when Robin disobeys orders and is stripped of his costumed identity by his mentor.
Lex Luthor: Man of Steel 1-5 (DC Comics, 2005) — This story is a typical early match-up between Superman and his arch-nemesis, but it is told from Luthor’s perspective. In yet another bid to out-do Superman, Lex creates his own female superhero with the intent of using her to best Kal-El, then do him in. Batman guest-stars.
Batman: Full Circle (DC Comics, 1991) — This prestige format one-shot brings back the Reaper for a rematch with Batman.
Teen Titans Spotlight 11: The Brotherhood of Evil (DC Comics, 1987) — Few of these re-vamps seem to focus on villains, but this one does. It looks at the formation of the New Brotherhood of Evil, villains who would later take on the New Teen Titans. But the Titans group is not in existence at this point. Instead, a government agency is tracking the movements of the Brain and Mallah as they gather recruits, including a teleporter named Warp. Agents sabotage Warp’s power, sending the new group to an alternate reality where they meet future versions of Tin-Tin, the character created by Hérge, and his friends.
And, I think that’s far enough for today. Believe it or not, we’ve covered the majority of the re-vamps on our way back to comics which occurred in 1986. Again, not every character got a major overhaul following Crisis, and some who did, established the new changes within the context of “current” stories. So, there’s really not that much more to go to “catch up.”
Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn II 1-6 (DC Comics, 1991) — The first Emerald Dawn miniseries introduced some personal weaknesses into the character of test pilot Hal Jordan. Along with meeting the dying Abin Sur and inheriting the GL power ring, the growth Hal underwent in the story was learning to take responsibility for his actions.
In this series, the newly responsible Jordan turns himself in and is sentenced to serve 90 days in jail for drunken driving. At the same time, the Guardians of the Universe assign Hal a trainer, someone to teach him the GL ropes, someone who has excelled at being the best GL by keeping his own sector of space in order — Sinestro. This series gives readers just as much insight into Sinestro’s psyche as it does that of Hal Jordan. It also gives us some early brief looks at the lives of some future Lanterns.
The Man of Steel 5 (DC Comics, 1986) — This issue re-introduces Bizarro as a creation of Lex Luthor’s failed attempts to clone Superman. This new/early version of the creature never speaks and eventually sacrifices himself to help another, proving that there was some part of Superman in him after all.
Green Arrow: The Wonder Year 1-4 (DC Comics, 1993) — This series came out of Mike Grell’s successful run on Green Arrow. He takes GA’s previous origin and expands it so that the part readers knew before is just one small portion of an overall tapestry. The only real glitch this series’ placement causes is that by the end of the story, Oliver Queen is wearing the costume designed by Neal Adams in the 1970s. But since this is Ollie’s origin as Green Arrow, he really should have the green tunic and leggings with the red boots and gloves. But it’s a minor detail.
Catwoman annual 2 :Year One (DC Comics, 1995) — All of DC Comics’ annuals in 1995 played off the Year One theme. Many of them included “modern” framing sequences, so they won’t show up in my collection until the other comics from 1995. This one however, is a story firmly set in the past, yet Selina Kyle has obviously been Catwoman for a little bit when the events unfold. This story expands on the details of Selina’s backstory from Batman: Year One and the Catwoman minseries from 1991, adding in a martial arts element to explain some of the skills the character was regularly using in her own title at the time.
Legends of the DC Universe 7-9: Green Lantern and Green Arrow (DC Comics, 1998) — This story is obviously an early pairing of these two heroes, occurring before superhero team-ups became a common thing. The two heroes meet in an Asian nation and confront their ideological differences.
Legends of the DC Universe 26-27: the Joker and Aquaman (DC Comics, 2000) — Now this tale doesn’t so much change established continuity as it builds upon what has gone before. During the classic Englehart/Rogers run of Detective Comics, they had a truly perfect Joker story called The Laughing Fish. At the end of the story, the Joker disappears into the Gotham River and is presumed dead. In this story, the fledgling hero called Aquaman happens to be swimming by and thinks the Joker is merely a drowning surface-dweller. The naive hero offers the “persecuted” villain a place under the waves before he learns the Joker’s true nature.
The Man of Steel 6 (DC Comics, 1986) — The final issue of the Superman re-vamp shows us Clark’s revelation that he is really from the planet Krypton, information he did not possess before that point. Clark, as well as Jonathan and Martha Kent, learn this from Jor-El himself, via hologram. The revelation of his alien origins prompts Clark to wonder about his future, but he concludes: “I may have been conceived out there in the endles depths of space ... but I was born when the rocket opened on earth, in America. ... It was Krypton that made me Superman ... but it is the earth that makes me human!!” And thus the stage is set for the new Superman.
Batman: Shadow of the Bat annual 3: Year One (DC Comics, 1995) — Yet another Year One annual, but the Batman-themed annuals in 1995 all focused on villains. This story is a story, then, about Pamela Isley, Poison Ivy Year One, showing the first encounter between the Queen of Green and the Batman.
Catwoman 38-40 (DC Comics, 1996) — This three-issue story arc is subtitled Catwoman Year Two. Batman and Catwoman cross paths again, and each feels attracted to the other. Catwoman initially springs the Joker, Penguin and Two-Face from lock-up in an effort to distract Batman. The other villains don’t much like being someone else’s decoys and their machinations end up pushing together the Bat and the Cat.
Detective Comics 575-578 (DC Comics, 1987) — Having dealt once again with Catwoman, Batman gets his own Year Two treatment, going up against a new villain named the Reaper in this four-issue arc. It also has Batman questioning his decision never to use guns in his war on crime.
JLA Year One 1-12 (DC Comics, 1998) — We’ve spent a great deal of time re-introducing a number of heroes, and even had a few of them team-up from time to time. But eventually, there would come a day when a threat arose which no single hero could overcome alone ... oops, wait, wrong company, but you get the idea. Eventually all of these heroes had to get together, and one fine day, the Flash, Aquaman, Green Lantern, Black Canary and Martian Manhunter did just that. Green Arrow, Batman and Superman also play their respective roles. And Hawkman comes along as a representative from the legendary Justice Society to make sure the “kids” don’t screw up. In addition to the drama, this story includes some great character moments, especially the fact that noone can hear Aquaman’s mumblings when he talks in their early adventures. Seems sound waves travel better in water than air, and he’s never had to speak up before. Along the way, the team also meets other heroes such as the Doom Patrol, the Metal Men, the Blackhawks and the Freedom Fighters.
Batman Chronicles: The Gauntlet (DC Comics, 1997) — While the members of the new Justice League get used to each other, back in the Batcave, Batman is getting used to his new partner, a young lad named Dick Grayson, aka Robin, the Boy Wonder. This is the tale of Robin’s first real trial-by-fire.
Robin Year One 1-4 (DC Comics, 2000) — Next, Robin gets the Year One treatment in a four-issue prestige series depicting his first encounters with some of the worst of Batman’s growing list of rogue’s — characters like the Mad Hatter and Two-Face. But even those villains are no match for Batman’s wrath when Robin disobeys orders and is stripped of his costumed identity by his mentor.
Lex Luthor: Man of Steel 1-5 (DC Comics, 2005) — This story is a typical early match-up between Superman and his arch-nemesis, but it is told from Luthor’s perspective. In yet another bid to out-do Superman, Lex creates his own female superhero with the intent of using her to best Kal-El, then do him in. Batman guest-stars.
Batman: Full Circle (DC Comics, 1991) — This prestige format one-shot brings back the Reaper for a rematch with Batman.
Teen Titans Spotlight 11: The Brotherhood of Evil (DC Comics, 1987) — Few of these re-vamps seem to focus on villains, but this one does. It looks at the formation of the New Brotherhood of Evil, villains who would later take on the New Teen Titans. But the Titans group is not in existence at this point. Instead, a government agency is tracking the movements of the Brain and Mallah as they gather recruits, including a teleporter named Warp. Agents sabotage Warp’s power, sending the new group to an alternate reality where they meet future versions of Tin-Tin, the character created by Hérge, and his friends.
And, I think that’s far enough for today. Believe it or not, we’ve covered the majority of the re-vamps on our way back to comics which occurred in 1986. Again, not every character got a major overhaul following Crisis, and some who did, established the new changes within the context of “current” stories. So, there’s really not that much more to go to “catch up.”
Monday, September 18, 2006
The Way It Was ... At Least For The Next 20 Years
OK, so to recap just a bit, the last bunch of older comics we discussed finished out the Crisis On Infinite Earths and moved the surviving members of the Justice Society into limbo. Most heroes’ lives continued from that point, some with subtle changes, which would be explored in stories over the next decade or so. Some of those stories included flashbacks to the past, but included an in-story contemporary framing sequence. Those tales are placed whenever they would occur in my collection. But other stories, especially a number of miniseries established a new status quo for various heroes, and the events those tales relate are set firmly in the past. Following the Crisis in my “chronological” collection are a number of these tales.
Very little was revamped initially with the Justice Society, at least not in print. Initially, the characters were in limbo. But there have been a few more recent tales told of the old JSA without Superman and Batman. For example ...
JSA: Strange Adventures 1-6 (DC Comics, 2004) — This miniseries focuses on the writing efforts of Johnny Thunder as he tries to chronicle a bizarre tale of The Justice Society as a novel. The books are written by novelist Kevin J. Anderson and illustrated by Barry Kitson and Gary Erskine and make for a fun read.
Following that tale, we jump ahead quite a bit to pick up the Superman revamp by John Byrne, but only the first two issues, so far.
The Man of Steel 1-2 (DC Comics, 1986) — The first issue re-tells the final days of a newly-technological and sterile Krypton from which Jor-El sends his unborn son’s gestation chamber into space and on a course for earth. As there was no longer any Superboy in this new single-earth continuity, Clark Kent’s youth goes by pretty quickly and he debuts in Metropolis, meets Lois and gets dubbed Superman in the second issue.
Batman 404 (DC Comics, 1987) — Next we go to Gotham City. This issue has no current framing sequence and is the first chapter in the four-part Batman Year One by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli. Bruce Wayne returns to Gotham from several years’ worth of travel abroad to begin his war on crime. His first night out, disguised as a vagrant, does not go well. Injured, he returns to Wayne Manor where the bat crashes through the study window, inspiring Bruce to adopt a bat motif for his disguise.
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight 1 (DC Comics, 1989) — Before moving on with the rest of Batman Year One or The Man of Steel, we detour for this first chapter of the five-part Shaman by Dennis O’Neil, Ed Hannigan and John Beatty. This story starts out with a flashback to two years ago while the young Bruce Wayne is still training under masters of various disciplines, this time an expert tracker in Alaska. The expert is killed, and so, seemingly, is the quarry, but Bruce is left literaly out in the cold with no gear. He is saved by an Eskimo shaman. From there, the story returns to modern times, which in this tale is a few days before and the next day after Bruce’s disasterous debut appearance. So the timing of these events coincides with the first issue of Batman Year One.
Batman 405-407 (DC Comics, 1987) — This is the rest of the Batman Year One story as the Batman debuts, befriends new Gotham cop Lt. James Gordon and saves Gordon’s son, cementing the pair’s working relationship. This is a somewhat darker, more grim Batman, foreshadowing the cynical person with trust issues he will become later.
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight 2-5 (DC Comics, 1989-90) — Dialog in the second issue of this tale established that the events here take place about six months after those in the first issue. The storyline explores the concept of masks and identities, and provides some excellent insights into the mind of the Darknight Detective.
Batman and the Monster Men 1-6 (DC Comics, 2006) — Next comes this re-telling of the first Hugo Strange story by Matt Wagner. One of the conceits of this re-telling is that it bridges the gap between Batman battling mostly gangsters and common criminals to the more bizarre costumed and demented adversaries he comes to be identified with. The story ends with mention of someone called the Joker.
Batman: The Man Who Laughs (DC Comics, 2005) — explores the first confrontation between Batman and this Joker character. In fact, the first time Batman sees the maniacal killer, he assumes the man is literally just a harmless clown. This great story is by Ed Brubaker and Doug Mahnke.
Catwoman 1-4 (DC Comics, 1989) — This story, by Mindy Newell, J.J. Birch and Michael Bair, once again returns to the night of Bruce Wayne’s disasterous debut without the bat costume. That night he briefly meets a prostitute named Selina Kyle and stops her pimp from beating her up. This story fleshes out Selina’s new backstory and shows how that encounter with Bruce, and later Batman, inspire her to create Catwoman.
The Man of Steel 3 (DC Comics, 1986) — Now that Batman is firmly established in the world, we return to the Superman revamp where the two heroes meet for the first time. John Byrne puts several fun moments into this series, and some of them are found in this particular issue, including the closing scene. Superman has come to Gotham to investigate this rough vigilante operating there. Superman quickly finds Batman with every intention of stopping him from going forward with his “one-man war on crime.” Batman threatens to kill an innocent somewhere in the city if Superman acts against him using an explosive device Superman could never find in time. At the end of the adventure, Batman starts to leave when Superman reminds him of the earlier threat.
Batman: Here you go, Superman. I had it tucked inside my utility belt all the time.
Superman: You ...??? You mean, it was your own life you were risking? Why?!?
Batman: Because I knew my plan was the only way I could stop you, Superman. I also knew that with your great powers, you’d probably be able to tell if I were lying.
Superman (leaving): Well, I still won’t say I fully approve of your methods, Batman ...... and I’m going to be keeping an eye on you, to make certain you don’t blow it for the rest of us ... but ... good luck.
As Superman departs, Batman thinks to himself, “A remarkable man, all things considered. Who knows? In a different reality, I might have called him “friend.”
Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn 1-6 (DC Comics, 1989-90) — Superman and Batman aren’t the only heroes in the world, of course. Others start to be seen fighting crime and battling super-villains. This re-telling of Green Lantern Hal Jordan’s origin ads flaws to the hero, setting up the change the character would take in Emerald Twilight later. This tale is by James Owsley, M.D. Bright and Romeo Tanghal. It even features the Guardians and other GLs toward the end.
Legends of the DC Universe 1-3 (DC Comics, 1998) — This three-issue story focuses on a story from early in Superman’s career and features a villain better known to golden age fans, the Ultra-Humanite.
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight 16-20 (DC Comics, 1991) — This story is important for a number of reasons, first of which, it’s a darn good tale by Dennis O’Neil and Trevor von Eeden. Batman catches a kidnapper who has abducted a small girl. He forces the kidnapper to tell him where the little girl is being held, but by the time Batman gets there, the little girl has drowned. Bruce tortures himself with guilt over not being strong-enough to reach the girl in time, and gives in to the temptation to take a man-made steroid to enhance his abilities. Unbeknownst to Batman, the drug is highly addictive, and also renders him susceptible to suggestion. Once he realizes his mistake, Batman must fight his way through withdrawal to defeat the villains. The drug he took is an early form of Venom, the chemical Bane will later pump directly into his own brain to enhance his own strength.
The Man of Steel 4 (DC Comics, 1986) — This isn’t necessarily the first meeting between Superman and Lex Luthor, but it is the one where Superman learns the businessman’s true intentions and motivations.
Hey, I think that’s far enough for today. We’ll move closer to the current events next time.
Very little was revamped initially with the Justice Society, at least not in print. Initially, the characters were in limbo. But there have been a few more recent tales told of the old JSA without Superman and Batman. For example ...
JSA: Strange Adventures 1-6 (DC Comics, 2004) — This miniseries focuses on the writing efforts of Johnny Thunder as he tries to chronicle a bizarre tale of The Justice Society as a novel. The books are written by novelist Kevin J. Anderson and illustrated by Barry Kitson and Gary Erskine and make for a fun read.
Following that tale, we jump ahead quite a bit to pick up the Superman revamp by John Byrne, but only the first two issues, so far.
The Man of Steel 1-2 (DC Comics, 1986) — The first issue re-tells the final days of a newly-technological and sterile Krypton from which Jor-El sends his unborn son’s gestation chamber into space and on a course for earth. As there was no longer any Superboy in this new single-earth continuity, Clark Kent’s youth goes by pretty quickly and he debuts in Metropolis, meets Lois and gets dubbed Superman in the second issue.
Batman 404 (DC Comics, 1987) — Next we go to Gotham City. This issue has no current framing sequence and is the first chapter in the four-part Batman Year One by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli. Bruce Wayne returns to Gotham from several years’ worth of travel abroad to begin his war on crime. His first night out, disguised as a vagrant, does not go well. Injured, he returns to Wayne Manor where the bat crashes through the study window, inspiring Bruce to adopt a bat motif for his disguise.
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight 1 (DC Comics, 1989) — Before moving on with the rest of Batman Year One or The Man of Steel, we detour for this first chapter of the five-part Shaman by Dennis O’Neil, Ed Hannigan and John Beatty. This story starts out with a flashback to two years ago while the young Bruce Wayne is still training under masters of various disciplines, this time an expert tracker in Alaska. The expert is killed, and so, seemingly, is the quarry, but Bruce is left literaly out in the cold with no gear. He is saved by an Eskimo shaman. From there, the story returns to modern times, which in this tale is a few days before and the next day after Bruce’s disasterous debut appearance. So the timing of these events coincides with the first issue of Batman Year One.
Batman 405-407 (DC Comics, 1987) — This is the rest of the Batman Year One story as the Batman debuts, befriends new Gotham cop Lt. James Gordon and saves Gordon’s son, cementing the pair’s working relationship. This is a somewhat darker, more grim Batman, foreshadowing the cynical person with trust issues he will become later.
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight 2-5 (DC Comics, 1989-90) — Dialog in the second issue of this tale established that the events here take place about six months after those in the first issue. The storyline explores the concept of masks and identities, and provides some excellent insights into the mind of the Darknight Detective.
Batman and the Monster Men 1-6 (DC Comics, 2006) — Next comes this re-telling of the first Hugo Strange story by Matt Wagner. One of the conceits of this re-telling is that it bridges the gap between Batman battling mostly gangsters and common criminals to the more bizarre costumed and demented adversaries he comes to be identified with. The story ends with mention of someone called the Joker.
Batman: The Man Who Laughs (DC Comics, 2005) — explores the first confrontation between Batman and this Joker character. In fact, the first time Batman sees the maniacal killer, he assumes the man is literally just a harmless clown. This great story is by Ed Brubaker and Doug Mahnke.
Catwoman 1-4 (DC Comics, 1989) — This story, by Mindy Newell, J.J. Birch and Michael Bair, once again returns to the night of Bruce Wayne’s disasterous debut without the bat costume. That night he briefly meets a prostitute named Selina Kyle and stops her pimp from beating her up. This story fleshes out Selina’s new backstory and shows how that encounter with Bruce, and later Batman, inspire her to create Catwoman.
The Man of Steel 3 (DC Comics, 1986) — Now that Batman is firmly established in the world, we return to the Superman revamp where the two heroes meet for the first time. John Byrne puts several fun moments into this series, and some of them are found in this particular issue, including the closing scene. Superman has come to Gotham to investigate this rough vigilante operating there. Superman quickly finds Batman with every intention of stopping him from going forward with his “one-man war on crime.” Batman threatens to kill an innocent somewhere in the city if Superman acts against him using an explosive device Superman could never find in time. At the end of the adventure, Batman starts to leave when Superman reminds him of the earlier threat.
Batman: Here you go, Superman. I had it tucked inside my utility belt all the time.
Superman: You ...??? You mean, it was your own life you were risking? Why?!?
Batman: Because I knew my plan was the only way I could stop you, Superman. I also knew that with your great powers, you’d probably be able to tell if I were lying.
Superman (leaving): Well, I still won’t say I fully approve of your methods, Batman ...... and I’m going to be keeping an eye on you, to make certain you don’t blow it for the rest of us ... but ... good luck.
As Superman departs, Batman thinks to himself, “A remarkable man, all things considered. Who knows? In a different reality, I might have called him “friend.”
Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn 1-6 (DC Comics, 1989-90) — Superman and Batman aren’t the only heroes in the world, of course. Others start to be seen fighting crime and battling super-villains. This re-telling of Green Lantern Hal Jordan’s origin ads flaws to the hero, setting up the change the character would take in Emerald Twilight later. This tale is by James Owsley, M.D. Bright and Romeo Tanghal. It even features the Guardians and other GLs toward the end.
Legends of the DC Universe 1-3 (DC Comics, 1998) — This three-issue story focuses on a story from early in Superman’s career and features a villain better known to golden age fans, the Ultra-Humanite.
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight 16-20 (DC Comics, 1991) — This story is important for a number of reasons, first of which, it’s a darn good tale by Dennis O’Neil and Trevor von Eeden. Batman catches a kidnapper who has abducted a small girl. He forces the kidnapper to tell him where the little girl is being held, but by the time Batman gets there, the little girl has drowned. Bruce tortures himself with guilt over not being strong-enough to reach the girl in time, and gives in to the temptation to take a man-made steroid to enhance his abilities. Unbeknownst to Batman, the drug is highly addictive, and also renders him susceptible to suggestion. Once he realizes his mistake, Batman must fight his way through withdrawal to defeat the villains. The drug he took is an early form of Venom, the chemical Bane will later pump directly into his own brain to enhance his own strength.
The Man of Steel 4 (DC Comics, 1986) — This isn’t necessarily the first meeting between Superman and Lex Luthor, but it is the one where Superman learns the businessman’s true intentions and motivations.
Hey, I think that’s far enough for today. We’ll move closer to the current events next time.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Bidding Adieu To August So That We Might Better Reorganize The Past
Just a few books left from my shipment of August-release comics, so let’s jump right into what remains.
Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes 21 (DC Comics) — So they did manage to bring back Dream Girl, or did they? Maybe Brainy’s just crazy with heartbreak like Ralph Dibny over in the pages of 52. Still can’t make up my mind on this book. Subsequent issues haven’t been as good as the first arc, in my mind, nor as good as the work this team did on Empire a few years ago, but it’s just good enough to keep me hoping it’ll get better.
New Avengers 23 (Marvel Comics) — This Civil War tie-in examines how Jessica “Spider-Woman” Drew reacts to the registration act. The previous two issues focused on Captain America and Luke Cage; they were great. This issue, not so much. In fact, I was initially happy to see Brian Michael Bendis bring Spider-Woman back in New Avengers, but I’m just not sure I care for the convoluted mess they made of her origin in the recent Spider-Woman: Origin, and I didn’t much care for this book, either. Is she helping the good guys? Is she helping the bad guys? Is she making it look like she’s helping the bad guys to better help the good guys? Do the bad guys know this and use that against her, so she really is helping the bad guys? Know what? I don’t care anymore.
Jack of Fables 2 (DC Vertigo) — Another solid issue from Bill Willingham. This series is off to a good start, just like its parent title.
Justice League of America #1 (DC Comics) — The story moved along rather slowly in this book, but then Meltzer likes his set-ups. I like the focus on Red Tornado and Arsenal joining instead of Green Arrow. Some of the other focus characters make this seem like an interesting group. And while I’m really OK with the fact that Nightwing won’t be in the JLA, what does Wonder Woman have against him? For that matter, based on what is happening in her own title, why is Diana Wonder Woman here?
And that’s the last of my most recent shipment of new comics, which brings us back to the past of 1985 for some ...
Retro-Reviews
Crisis On Infinite Earths 8-9 (DC Comics, 1985) — Not only is the Barry Allen Flash killed off, but we find out why villains have been disappearing — they’re up to something. Brainiac and Luthor — both Earth-1 flavor — organize all the villains in a bid to take over the five remaining earths and succeed in ensnaring three of them before their plans are shut down. We also spend some time with various members of the New Teen Titans, which brings us to ...
The New Teen Titans 14 (DC Comics, 1985) — The Tamaranean ship we’ve seen heading for earth in the past couple issues arrives to take Starfire home. Nightwing and Jericho go along for the ride, thinking the Crisis is over and suspecting something sinister among the Tamaraneans. And Mento gives the rest of the team some trouble as the helmet drives wearer Steve Dayton insane. Oh yeah, and Arella is still looking for her daughter, Raven. This is an important issue of this book in that it helps set up several major storylines to come, but is also kind of a placeholder-type story as the events in Crisis are still ongoing and we don’t want to give away the ending.
Crisis On Infinite Earths 10-12 (DC Comics 1986) — The Spectre shows up and warns the assembled heroes of five earths that the Crisis is NOT over. Instead, the Anti-Monitor has merely fled to the dawn of time in an attempt to quash all life before it begins. The heroes follow and the Anti-Monitor and the Spectre battle it out, drawing power from the others.
The plan works and it doesn’t work. Life is allowed to develop, but instead of a multiverse, only one universe is created. Most of the heroes from the previous battle wake up to find themselves home and things seemingly normal again. But as they investigate, they learn that this new single earth combines elements from the histories of each of the previous ones while eliminating others. Some heroes and lives are seemingly unchanged, other heroes exist, but noone remembers them because their histories have been “erased.” It is also learned that while weakened, the Anti-Monitor still lives, and yet another assault is launched. More heroes are lost, including Kole, the Earth-2 Robin and Huntress and the Earth-1 Wonder Woman. When the villain is finally dispatched, few lives are left unchanged.
Last Days of the Justice Society of America Special 1 (DC Comics, 1986) — Even though this book came out almost a full year after the final issue of Crisis On Infinite Earths, it is written to be a follow-up to the Crisis. The older heroes of the Justice Society did not fare well in the Crisis. Noone remembers the elder Superman or Wonder Woman. Wildcat was crippled. Robin and Huntress were killed. This story was created to give the surviving members a heroes send-off while still moving them out of the way of newer, younger namesakes, some of whom — such as Wildcat, Dr. Mid-Nite and Hourman — debuted in the Crisis itself.
Those remaining heroes learn that the Spectre is left unconscious after his battle with the Anti-Monitor at the dawn of time. Unchecked, his powers combine with those of the Spear of Destiny, allowing Adolf Hitler to change history at the end of World War II, slaying the Justice Society members and destroying the world. This was achieved when Adolf used the power to bring about the Twilight of the Gods, or Ragnarok, from Norse mythology. The only way to preserve the normal time stream is for the JSA heroes to merge with their counterparts from Valhalla and eternally wage that final battle, over and over again. I just re-read this book, and even though the events herein told are later reversed, this is a worthwhile tale, largely because it is lovingly written by that great re-creator of the golden age, Roy Thomas. He gets these older heroes and allows them to shine in a fight they cannot win.
History of the DC Universe 1-2 (DC Comics, 1986) — This two-volume, prestige format book reveals the Monitor tapes and the recording of the altered history recorded by his assistant, Harbinger. It gives a broad overview of how some of DC Comics’ historical characters fit together in this new single earth, as well as providing some hints of what was to come in the coming months. It is also the point where my filing system goes the most nuts.
The recent Infinite Crisis explains continuity errors as Superboy-Prime punching against the barrier that separates him and his companions from the sole remaining earth after the events of Crisis On infinite Earths. I plan to use that excuse offered by DC Comics itself. However, shortly after the end of Crisis On Infinite Earths, several heroes’ origins were revamped. The trend continued for 10 or 15 years, at least to the 1995 annuals which all had a “Year One” theme. No matter when these things were released, the bulk of them have been placed at this point in my comic book collection filing system. The history of the new earth was different from what it had been. What better place to “make” such changes and explore them, in “chronological order,” as we catch back up to the titles I was collecting in 1986?
So, while retro-reviews before the Crisis were focusing on The New Teen Titans and The Warlord from DC, The Thing from Marvel, and Jon Sable, Freelance from First, it will be a little bit before we catch back up to those stories where we left off. I think it’ll be an interesting bit of jumping around when we pick up next time.
Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes 21 (DC Comics) — So they did manage to bring back Dream Girl, or did they? Maybe Brainy’s just crazy with heartbreak like Ralph Dibny over in the pages of 52. Still can’t make up my mind on this book. Subsequent issues haven’t been as good as the first arc, in my mind, nor as good as the work this team did on Empire a few years ago, but it’s just good enough to keep me hoping it’ll get better.
New Avengers 23 (Marvel Comics) — This Civil War tie-in examines how Jessica “Spider-Woman” Drew reacts to the registration act. The previous two issues focused on Captain America and Luke Cage; they were great. This issue, not so much. In fact, I was initially happy to see Brian Michael Bendis bring Spider-Woman back in New Avengers, but I’m just not sure I care for the convoluted mess they made of her origin in the recent Spider-Woman: Origin, and I didn’t much care for this book, either. Is she helping the good guys? Is she helping the bad guys? Is she making it look like she’s helping the bad guys to better help the good guys? Do the bad guys know this and use that against her, so she really is helping the bad guys? Know what? I don’t care anymore.
Jack of Fables 2 (DC Vertigo) — Another solid issue from Bill Willingham. This series is off to a good start, just like its parent title.
Justice League of America #1 (DC Comics) — The story moved along rather slowly in this book, but then Meltzer likes his set-ups. I like the focus on Red Tornado and Arsenal joining instead of Green Arrow. Some of the other focus characters make this seem like an interesting group. And while I’m really OK with the fact that Nightwing won’t be in the JLA, what does Wonder Woman have against him? For that matter, based on what is happening in her own title, why is Diana Wonder Woman here?
And that’s the last of my most recent shipment of new comics, which brings us back to the past of 1985 for some ...
Retro-Reviews
Crisis On Infinite Earths 8-9 (DC Comics, 1985) — Not only is the Barry Allen Flash killed off, but we find out why villains have been disappearing — they’re up to something. Brainiac and Luthor — both Earth-1 flavor — organize all the villains in a bid to take over the five remaining earths and succeed in ensnaring three of them before their plans are shut down. We also spend some time with various members of the New Teen Titans, which brings us to ...
The New Teen Titans 14 (DC Comics, 1985) — The Tamaranean ship we’ve seen heading for earth in the past couple issues arrives to take Starfire home. Nightwing and Jericho go along for the ride, thinking the Crisis is over and suspecting something sinister among the Tamaraneans. And Mento gives the rest of the team some trouble as the helmet drives wearer Steve Dayton insane. Oh yeah, and Arella is still looking for her daughter, Raven. This is an important issue of this book in that it helps set up several major storylines to come, but is also kind of a placeholder-type story as the events in Crisis are still ongoing and we don’t want to give away the ending.
Crisis On Infinite Earths 10-12 (DC Comics 1986) — The Spectre shows up and warns the assembled heroes of five earths that the Crisis is NOT over. Instead, the Anti-Monitor has merely fled to the dawn of time in an attempt to quash all life before it begins. The heroes follow and the Anti-Monitor and the Spectre battle it out, drawing power from the others.
The plan works and it doesn’t work. Life is allowed to develop, but instead of a multiverse, only one universe is created. Most of the heroes from the previous battle wake up to find themselves home and things seemingly normal again. But as they investigate, they learn that this new single earth combines elements from the histories of each of the previous ones while eliminating others. Some heroes and lives are seemingly unchanged, other heroes exist, but noone remembers them because their histories have been “erased.” It is also learned that while weakened, the Anti-Monitor still lives, and yet another assault is launched. More heroes are lost, including Kole, the Earth-2 Robin and Huntress and the Earth-1 Wonder Woman. When the villain is finally dispatched, few lives are left unchanged.
Last Days of the Justice Society of America Special 1 (DC Comics, 1986) — Even though this book came out almost a full year after the final issue of Crisis On Infinite Earths, it is written to be a follow-up to the Crisis. The older heroes of the Justice Society did not fare well in the Crisis. Noone remembers the elder Superman or Wonder Woman. Wildcat was crippled. Robin and Huntress were killed. This story was created to give the surviving members a heroes send-off while still moving them out of the way of newer, younger namesakes, some of whom — such as Wildcat, Dr. Mid-Nite and Hourman — debuted in the Crisis itself.
Those remaining heroes learn that the Spectre is left unconscious after his battle with the Anti-Monitor at the dawn of time. Unchecked, his powers combine with those of the Spear of Destiny, allowing Adolf Hitler to change history at the end of World War II, slaying the Justice Society members and destroying the world. This was achieved when Adolf used the power to bring about the Twilight of the Gods, or Ragnarok, from Norse mythology. The only way to preserve the normal time stream is for the JSA heroes to merge with their counterparts from Valhalla and eternally wage that final battle, over and over again. I just re-read this book, and even though the events herein told are later reversed, this is a worthwhile tale, largely because it is lovingly written by that great re-creator of the golden age, Roy Thomas. He gets these older heroes and allows them to shine in a fight they cannot win.
History of the DC Universe 1-2 (DC Comics, 1986) — This two-volume, prestige format book reveals the Monitor tapes and the recording of the altered history recorded by his assistant, Harbinger. It gives a broad overview of how some of DC Comics’ historical characters fit together in this new single earth, as well as providing some hints of what was to come in the coming months. It is also the point where my filing system goes the most nuts.
The recent Infinite Crisis explains continuity errors as Superboy-Prime punching against the barrier that separates him and his companions from the sole remaining earth after the events of Crisis On infinite Earths. I plan to use that excuse offered by DC Comics itself. However, shortly after the end of Crisis On Infinite Earths, several heroes’ origins were revamped. The trend continued for 10 or 15 years, at least to the 1995 annuals which all had a “Year One” theme. No matter when these things were released, the bulk of them have been placed at this point in my comic book collection filing system. The history of the new earth was different from what it had been. What better place to “make” such changes and explore them, in “chronological order,” as we catch back up to the titles I was collecting in 1986?
So, while retro-reviews before the Crisis were focusing on The New Teen Titans and The Warlord from DC, The Thing from Marvel, and Jon Sable, Freelance from First, it will be a little bit before we catch back up to those stories where we left off. I think it’ll be an interesting bit of jumping around when we pick up next time.
Monday, September 11, 2006
We’re Absolutely Flying Through August
Hey, Kiddie Cops, it’s time for some more comic book reviews from the month of August. We’re already halfway through the month, and I’ve been reading at a better than normal pace, so we’re almost through the entire month already.
Martian Manhunter 1 (DC Comics) — Another limited series, this one with some strikes against it right off the bat. First off, I don’t much care for the new costume design. From what we’ve seen of the character in the past, the costume doesn’t make much sense, so there better be a darn good in-story reason for it. Second, I didn’t much care for the creative team of Lieberman and Barrionuevo on Gotham Knights; actually, the art was fine,but the story rang off for me. However, I’m curious about where this discovery of other green martians on earth is going.
52 Weeks Fifteen and Sixteen (DC Comics) — Still liking this series, especially the arcs involving Black Adam and Isis and Montoya and the Question. It was nice to see a glimpse of the stranded space heroes again, too. No sign of Ralph Dibny, though, so apparently they’re going to make us sweat his fate out a bit.
Manhunter 25 (DC Comics) — I’ve mentioned that the last arc of this book was a little disappointing. This new story seems to be starting off nicely, but I wonder how this story is going to mesh with what is happening in the relaunched Wonder Woman title. Speaking of which ...
Wonder Woman 2 (DC Comics) — Very interested in where this story is going, but what is up with Wonder Girl? Cassie was devastated by Conner’s death and Diana disappearing, but what is up with her joining a resurrection cult, blowing off the other Titans and being a complete jerk when Diana resurfaces. She was hurt, sure, but endangering Donna and other civilians to get back at Diana? What’s up with that.
Checkmate 5 (DC Comics) — I’m glad I waited this title out. It’s getting better and better.
Nightwing 123 (DC Comics) — This first One Year Later arc wasn’t bad, but I find myself just waiting for Marv Wolfman’s run to begin.
Donald Duck and Friends 343 (Gemstone) — I like Donald. I just do. But there’s no escaping the fact that the best stories in these books are the reprinted classic Carl Barks stories.
JSA Classified 14-16 (DC Comics) — This story arc was a sequel to the most recent JLA Classified arc with the Royal Flush Gangs. But this story just didn’t seem as good to me for some reason. I like most of the characters, but the tale just left me saying “So?” I’m not exactly sure why.
Daredevil 88 (Marvel Comics) — I shouldn’t have doubted Ed Brubaker. The stories he’s churning out in this title and Captain America are incredible. But when I learned Foggy was still alive, I feared the explanation would fall flat. I should’ve known better. He’s written another ace that keeps the characters in question completely in character.
That’s it for today. Check back next time for the rest of the August release comics, or at least the ones I received for the month. And quite probably, there’ll also be some more retro-reviews.
Martian Manhunter 1 (DC Comics) — Another limited series, this one with some strikes against it right off the bat. First off, I don’t much care for the new costume design. From what we’ve seen of the character in the past, the costume doesn’t make much sense, so there better be a darn good in-story reason for it. Second, I didn’t much care for the creative team of Lieberman and Barrionuevo on Gotham Knights; actually, the art was fine,but the story rang off for me. However, I’m curious about where this discovery of other green martians on earth is going.
52 Weeks Fifteen and Sixteen (DC Comics) — Still liking this series, especially the arcs involving Black Adam and Isis and Montoya and the Question. It was nice to see a glimpse of the stranded space heroes again, too. No sign of Ralph Dibny, though, so apparently they’re going to make us sweat his fate out a bit.
Manhunter 25 (DC Comics) — I’ve mentioned that the last arc of this book was a little disappointing. This new story seems to be starting off nicely, but I wonder how this story is going to mesh with what is happening in the relaunched Wonder Woman title. Speaking of which ...
Wonder Woman 2 (DC Comics) — Very interested in where this story is going, but what is up with Wonder Girl? Cassie was devastated by Conner’s death and Diana disappearing, but what is up with her joining a resurrection cult, blowing off the other Titans and being a complete jerk when Diana resurfaces. She was hurt, sure, but endangering Donna and other civilians to get back at Diana? What’s up with that.
Checkmate 5 (DC Comics) — I’m glad I waited this title out. It’s getting better and better.
Nightwing 123 (DC Comics) — This first One Year Later arc wasn’t bad, but I find myself just waiting for Marv Wolfman’s run to begin.
Donald Duck and Friends 343 (Gemstone) — I like Donald. I just do. But there’s no escaping the fact that the best stories in these books are the reprinted classic Carl Barks stories.
JSA Classified 14-16 (DC Comics) — This story arc was a sequel to the most recent JLA Classified arc with the Royal Flush Gangs. But this story just didn’t seem as good to me for some reason. I like most of the characters, but the tale just left me saying “So?” I’m not exactly sure why.
Daredevil 88 (Marvel Comics) — I shouldn’t have doubted Ed Brubaker. The stories he’s churning out in this title and Captain America are incredible. But when I learned Foggy was still alive, I feared the explanation would fall flat. I should’ve known better. He’s written another ace that keeps the characters in question completely in character.
That’s it for today. Check back next time for the rest of the August release comics, or at least the ones I received for the month. And quite probably, there’ll also be some more retro-reviews.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Spending My Time Among Fantasy Worlds
Just reviews today. Not much time to post. So, here we go:
Detective Comics 822 (DC Comics) — This is the second issue penned by Paul Dini, one of the geniuses behind the animated DCU. As with that continuity and the first issue of his run here, this man “gets” Batman. This was a good solid read with some fun at the Riddler's expense along the way. Now it just remains to be seen if anyone else runs with the “Edward Nigma, Detective” thread started here.
Justice League Unlimited 24 (DC Comics) — This book is, of course, based on that same animated DCU. The stories are simple and easily enjoyed by youngsters, while containing depth for adults that really satisfies. In short, these are quality, fun comics to read. This taps into the Martian Manhunter’s greatest fear, something very different from his greatest weakness, fire.
Agents of Atlas 1 (Marvel Comics) — Another good read. This is exactly what you want from the first issue of any series, limited or not: A solid introduction to the main characters without giving everything away; a set-up which lets you know more is to come and leaves you wanting to know what that more is.
52 Week 14 (DC Comics) — This wasn’t a bad comic, but it WAS more of a fill-in issue than anything else. We check back in on Steel briefly and see that he is still very upset over his niece’s defection to Luthor. We learn a bit more about what Doc Magnus has been up to besides visiting his friend and mentor T.O. Morrow and see that Morrow has escaped his holding facility. And we follow Montoya and the Question to Khandaq on the trail of Intergang, where they immediately get into trouble. With the exception of the Khandaq trip, most of the action of this issue takes place off-panel and we only see the results.
Superman 655 (DC Comics) — I like the idea of Superman as a character, and I like him as part of a team dynamic, but I usually get bored with his monthly adventures pretty quickly. That’s what I expected to happen here, too, especially after the first One Year Later arc ended so weakly for me. When this issue started out with a less-than-flattering glimpse of the 1600s life of Arion, it did little to quell my fears. But I must say, after reading the entire issue, I am curious to know where this tale is going and what happens next. Keep it up, Kurt Busiek.
Green Arrow 65 (DC Comics) — Good to see Speedy back in this issue, but she is part of the problem I have with this book right now. Judd Winick weaves such intricate and interweaving storylines that it can be hard to establish continuity. And he doesn’t seem to care. The final issue of GA leading into Infinite Crisis shows Oliver stabbed twice through the chest by arrows. Now, One Year Later, we are hearing that he went away to an island for a year to recuperate and re-train. Same with Conner and Mia who were nearly killed in the explosions which leveled much of Star City. Except it’s already been said in Teen Titans that Mia was active as Speedy with the team during the missing year, and we’ve already seen Oliver up and around in the pages of 52. Normally you could write this off as poor communications between writers, but Winick is supposed to be one of the writers on 52 and involved in the whole “charting a new course” plans. That makes the discontinuity seem just plain sloppy. Hopefully future issue will prove me wrong.
Secret Six 3 (DC Comics) — This series is not quite as good as its predecessor, Villains United, in my mind. The storyline seems a bit more disjointed and meandering. Almost like a decision was made at the last minute to do a sequel because the first series was so popular, and this is what could be thrown together last minute. I don’t know any insider stuff on how this series came about, but that is my suspicion. If anyone knows more or something different, feel free to chime in.
And lastly, Fables 52 (DC Vertigo) — Sons of Empire part 1. As usual, just Wow! I love this book.
Detective Comics 822 (DC Comics) — This is the second issue penned by Paul Dini, one of the geniuses behind the animated DCU. As with that continuity and the first issue of his run here, this man “gets” Batman. This was a good solid read with some fun at the Riddler's expense along the way. Now it just remains to be seen if anyone else runs with the “Edward Nigma, Detective” thread started here.
Justice League Unlimited 24 (DC Comics) — This book is, of course, based on that same animated DCU. The stories are simple and easily enjoyed by youngsters, while containing depth for adults that really satisfies. In short, these are quality, fun comics to read. This taps into the Martian Manhunter’s greatest fear, something very different from his greatest weakness, fire.
Agents of Atlas 1 (Marvel Comics) — Another good read. This is exactly what you want from the first issue of any series, limited or not: A solid introduction to the main characters without giving everything away; a set-up which lets you know more is to come and leaves you wanting to know what that more is.
52 Week 14 (DC Comics) — This wasn’t a bad comic, but it WAS more of a fill-in issue than anything else. We check back in on Steel briefly and see that he is still very upset over his niece’s defection to Luthor. We learn a bit more about what Doc Magnus has been up to besides visiting his friend and mentor T.O. Morrow and see that Morrow has escaped his holding facility. And we follow Montoya and the Question to Khandaq on the trail of Intergang, where they immediately get into trouble. With the exception of the Khandaq trip, most of the action of this issue takes place off-panel and we only see the results.
Superman 655 (DC Comics) — I like the idea of Superman as a character, and I like him as part of a team dynamic, but I usually get bored with his monthly adventures pretty quickly. That’s what I expected to happen here, too, especially after the first One Year Later arc ended so weakly for me. When this issue started out with a less-than-flattering glimpse of the 1600s life of Arion, it did little to quell my fears. But I must say, after reading the entire issue, I am curious to know where this tale is going and what happens next. Keep it up, Kurt Busiek.
Green Arrow 65 (DC Comics) — Good to see Speedy back in this issue, but she is part of the problem I have with this book right now. Judd Winick weaves such intricate and interweaving storylines that it can be hard to establish continuity. And he doesn’t seem to care. The final issue of GA leading into Infinite Crisis shows Oliver stabbed twice through the chest by arrows. Now, One Year Later, we are hearing that he went away to an island for a year to recuperate and re-train. Same with Conner and Mia who were nearly killed in the explosions which leveled much of Star City. Except it’s already been said in Teen Titans that Mia was active as Speedy with the team during the missing year, and we’ve already seen Oliver up and around in the pages of 52. Normally you could write this off as poor communications between writers, but Winick is supposed to be one of the writers on 52 and involved in the whole “charting a new course” plans. That makes the discontinuity seem just plain sloppy. Hopefully future issue will prove me wrong.
Secret Six 3 (DC Comics) — This series is not quite as good as its predecessor, Villains United, in my mind. The storyline seems a bit more disjointed and meandering. Almost like a decision was made at the last minute to do a sequel because the first series was so popular, and this is what could be thrown together last minute. I don’t know any insider stuff on how this series came about, but that is my suspicion. If anyone knows more or something different, feel free to chime in.
And lastly, Fables 52 (DC Vertigo) — Sons of Empire part 1. As usual, just Wow! I love this book.
Friday, September 01, 2006
Sometimes A Little Crazy Helps ... And Sometimes Not
Light reading week so far this week, but that’s OK as I’ve only got a little time for posting right now, too. So, here’s a few quick lightning reviews and a bit of a rant and then I’ll let you get back to your day.
52 Week Thirteen (DC Comics) — I’ve complained the last couple times about recent issues of this title focusing on some stories to the exclusion of others. I still maintain that there has to be something going on with the heroes we aren’t seeing each time, but I will agree with the recent online comments I have read where others cite this as a good thing, allowing the writers to give the readers a solid chunk of whatever story they follow this week.
And Week 13 is no exception to good storytelling. Ralph has been invited to the attempt to resurrect Sue by the Cult of Conner. He covertly brings along Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Metamorpho and Zauriel to help him determine if the ritual is a fraud. They convince him it must be and chaos ensues until the proxy Sue shows some small signs of life. I’m not sure if that little bit of drama was all in Ralph’s head or not, but he believes it was real, and seems to be so much the worse for that belief. Hasn’t this man suffered enough?
The All New Atom 2 (DC Comics) — Not much to say on this one. Maybe it’s just taking its time setting things up, but this one is moving slowly. That’s OK if the story and characters are building my interest, but this book hasn’t grabbed my interest like I thought it would. I’m not giving up yet, but this title is becoming iffy.
OMAC 2 (DC Comics) — I feel much the same way about OMAC, but since it’s a limited series with a definite ending, I have more patience in letting it grow. If this book lets me down, I may have to just face the facts that I don’t care for Bruce Jones’ writing. Note, I didn’t say he’s a bad writer; just that his writing isn’t in tune with what I like. That’s a distinction most fanboys miss when ranting about creators they don’t like.
Outsiders 39 (DC Comics) — I’m not sure what was worse, psychologically: the image of Monsieur Mallah and The Brain in bed together discussing philosophy or the fact that they seem to have collected enough superhero DNA from such a variety of sources that they’ve built a veritable super army (yet they still can’t clone Brain a new body?!?). This issue was just disturbing.
Fallen Angel 7 (IDW Publishing) — This was the best of this bunch of books. We are seeing Lee’s first adventure after her fall. Lee being the titular angel who has been cast out of Heaven for disobeying God. The previous arc showed us what her transgression was, confirming it was an act we could all relate to.
This book is both funny and tragic. I think writer Peter David has a bit more freedom since the title moved to IDW from DC, even though the events of the first run were not set in the DC Universe proper. But the publisher switch has only made the title better. If you aren’t reading this book, you should give it a try.
And finally, no Marvel Comics in this batch of reviews and very few of them in this most recent month’s shipment of comics. I usually order more DCs anyway, but most of the Marvel Comics I ordered for this month are tied up in the Civil War event, which Marvel recently announced was running late.
First let me say that the Civil War storyline has been pretty good so far and I’m willing to wait for it rather than have it be rushed and suffer in quality. I’m paying good money for these books, and I want that quality. Let me also say that I’m familiar with publishing, and there are a lot of things that can, and sometimes do, go wrong which are out of the creators’ control. But increasingly, we are seeing late books because creators can’t make a deadline, and that I have little sympathy for.
I work in an industry with a daily publishing deadline; most jobs have some form of deadlines; work has to be done by a specific point or problems result. Are the creators involved taking on too many projects? Are they missing deadlines because of commitments to other industries? I imagine there are many reasons in each and every instance. But whenever a creator misses a deadline consistently, it is a slap in the face to those who make their assigned deadlines month in and month out.
It was just announced that Wonder Woman is becoming a bi-monthly title — one issue every other month — because writer Allan Heinberg needs the extra time. The book he wrote before this, Young Avengers, was consistently late and is now on hiatus because of deadline problems. Not low sales, Heinberg just can’t meet the monthly deadline with all of his other comic and television commitments. He’s a great writer, and I will buy his wok when he can do it, but if he can’t meet a monthly deadline, find someone else who can for the monthly books. Or, if he wants to write a monthly book, commit to doing that, on-time, for a fixed timeframe and then go back to the other projects.
This is similar to Brad Meltzer’s arrangement on Justice League. He will be the writer for 12 issues — one year — then, no matter how popular his run, he will leave the title to write his next novel. That’s his next commitment, and he is doing what needs to be done to meet both. He can always come back after the novel and write more comics if he, the industry and the fans are agreeable. Most likely they will be.
I guess my point is this: Don’t agree to do what you are unable to do, and when you have agreed to do something, you had better be doing everything in your power to get it done as promised. Unfortunately, that ideal doesn’t seem to be quite so universal anymore.
52 Week Thirteen (DC Comics) — I’ve complained the last couple times about recent issues of this title focusing on some stories to the exclusion of others. I still maintain that there has to be something going on with the heroes we aren’t seeing each time, but I will agree with the recent online comments I have read where others cite this as a good thing, allowing the writers to give the readers a solid chunk of whatever story they follow this week.
And Week 13 is no exception to good storytelling. Ralph has been invited to the attempt to resurrect Sue by the Cult of Conner. He covertly brings along Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Metamorpho and Zauriel to help him determine if the ritual is a fraud. They convince him it must be and chaos ensues until the proxy Sue shows some small signs of life. I’m not sure if that little bit of drama was all in Ralph’s head or not, but he believes it was real, and seems to be so much the worse for that belief. Hasn’t this man suffered enough?
The All New Atom 2 (DC Comics) — Not much to say on this one. Maybe it’s just taking its time setting things up, but this one is moving slowly. That’s OK if the story and characters are building my interest, but this book hasn’t grabbed my interest like I thought it would. I’m not giving up yet, but this title is becoming iffy.
OMAC 2 (DC Comics) — I feel much the same way about OMAC, but since it’s a limited series with a definite ending, I have more patience in letting it grow. If this book lets me down, I may have to just face the facts that I don’t care for Bruce Jones’ writing. Note, I didn’t say he’s a bad writer; just that his writing isn’t in tune with what I like. That’s a distinction most fanboys miss when ranting about creators they don’t like.
Outsiders 39 (DC Comics) — I’m not sure what was worse, psychologically: the image of Monsieur Mallah and The Brain in bed together discussing philosophy or the fact that they seem to have collected enough superhero DNA from such a variety of sources that they’ve built a veritable super army (yet they still can’t clone Brain a new body?!?). This issue was just disturbing.
Fallen Angel 7 (IDW Publishing) — This was the best of this bunch of books. We are seeing Lee’s first adventure after her fall. Lee being the titular angel who has been cast out of Heaven for disobeying God. The previous arc showed us what her transgression was, confirming it was an act we could all relate to.
This book is both funny and tragic. I think writer Peter David has a bit more freedom since the title moved to IDW from DC, even though the events of the first run were not set in the DC Universe proper. But the publisher switch has only made the title better. If you aren’t reading this book, you should give it a try.
And finally, no Marvel Comics in this batch of reviews and very few of them in this most recent month’s shipment of comics. I usually order more DCs anyway, but most of the Marvel Comics I ordered for this month are tied up in the Civil War event, which Marvel recently announced was running late.
First let me say that the Civil War storyline has been pretty good so far and I’m willing to wait for it rather than have it be rushed and suffer in quality. I’m paying good money for these books, and I want that quality. Let me also say that I’m familiar with publishing, and there are a lot of things that can, and sometimes do, go wrong which are out of the creators’ control. But increasingly, we are seeing late books because creators can’t make a deadline, and that I have little sympathy for.
I work in an industry with a daily publishing deadline; most jobs have some form of deadlines; work has to be done by a specific point or problems result. Are the creators involved taking on too many projects? Are they missing deadlines because of commitments to other industries? I imagine there are many reasons in each and every instance. But whenever a creator misses a deadline consistently, it is a slap in the face to those who make their assigned deadlines month in and month out.
It was just announced that Wonder Woman is becoming a bi-monthly title — one issue every other month — because writer Allan Heinberg needs the extra time. The book he wrote before this, Young Avengers, was consistently late and is now on hiatus because of deadline problems. Not low sales, Heinberg just can’t meet the monthly deadline with all of his other comic and television commitments. He’s a great writer, and I will buy his wok when he can do it, but if he can’t meet a monthly deadline, find someone else who can for the monthly books. Or, if he wants to write a monthly book, commit to doing that, on-time, for a fixed timeframe and then go back to the other projects.
This is similar to Brad Meltzer’s arrangement on Justice League. He will be the writer for 12 issues — one year — then, no matter how popular his run, he will leave the title to write his next novel. That’s his next commitment, and he is doing what needs to be done to meet both. He can always come back after the novel and write more comics if he, the industry and the fans are agreeable. Most likely they will be.
I guess my point is this: Don’t agree to do what you are unable to do, and when you have agreed to do something, you had better be doing everything in your power to get it done as promised. Unfortunately, that ideal doesn’t seem to be quite so universal anymore.
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