A quick news recap!

Wow, I was of last week working on some music stuff and job hunting (still!) going out getting pissed and various other things. I flip open my laptop this weekend and the comics industry had gone mad with loads of breaking and exciting news, especially from DC. I'm sure you all know the big news stories by now, I'm just gonna post some of my thoughts.

First up the one I'm most excited about: Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne

I am SO excited for this. IMO "Batman R.I.P" is one of the greatest Batman stories ever. Morrison's whole run has been incredible. I just bought the companion to 'Batman RIP' (The Black Casebook), and the way Morrison references old story lines is masterful. His story shows why Bruce Wayne is and will always be THE greatest super hero ever. In 'Batman R.I.P' Bruce managed to fight off the greatest evil of all time, Satan himself in the guise of Dr. Hurt, and now in the next chapter of Morrisons masterpiece we have Batman battling through different ages in time to get back to the present Gotham City. Yeah i know this sounds a bit like a certain star spangled heroes journey from an opposing comics company, but I don't care, this mini series will piss all over that Cap mini, we're gonna have a pirate Batman for fucks sake! Did I mention Andy Kubert, the greatest artist of all time was involved too...! My head just exploded.

Marc Guggenheim to write 'Action Comics' in 2010

All I can see is "Thank fuck for that!". Rucka writes 'Detec' so he's the man and all, but the 'Action Comics' book has been shit since he's been writing it. I don't think its Rucka fault at all, he has to work with a bunch of different artists (mostly rubbish) and has been given some crap 'Superman New Krypton' bullshit storyline to follow along side James Robinson, and lame characters to work with. I like Guggenheim. I liked his 'Blade' series, I was one of the few who actually liked 'Young X-Men' and I dig his work on 'Resurrection' for Oni Press. Will he get 'Action Comics' to the height's that Geoff Johns did? Prob not, but I'll def give this a shot. 'War of the Supermen' seems to be the big DC event of next year, but I'm not too excited yet.

Free Comic Book Day 2010 - Marvel and DC titles announced.

DC:
WAR OF THE SUPERMEN #0
A war is coming, and all that stands between Earth and 100,000 vengeful supermen is one Superman! Special #0 issue featuring all-new material previews the conflicts to come!

Well it' free so that's a good start, but still... don't really care.

As for Marvel:
IRON MAN/THOR FCBD 2010 EDITION
Two of Marvel’s heaviest hitters like you’ve never seen them before! A major new direction for the Marvel Universe kicks off HERE – on Free Comic Book Day!

Again. Not. Really. Bothered. But it's free, so cool. I think Ill be checking out the other publishers more though this time around.

DC's Earth One

John's and Frank's on 'Batman: Earth One'. Sort of a dream come true for me. Since this teams amazing work on the Superman books I always wanted to see them try their hand at Batman. So I'm happy but... Earth One, the DCU's answer to Marvel's Ultimate line maybe, not too cool. I would have preferred them on a mainstream Batman title but I'll take this. I like the idea of this just being released as graphic novels too. Cool.

As for 'Superman: Earth One'... well we are just about half way though 'Superman: Secret Origins' and already they announce 'Superman: Earth One' which will no doubt again go over a new version of Superman's origin. I'm bored already. Plus it's written by J. Michael Straczynski who managed to bore me to death on 'Thor', 'The Twelve' and his 'Red Circle' titles. Pass.

Well that's it for now. Any of this news get you guys stoked?

Blackest Night: Superman #3 - Mini Review

As it's Halloween today I'm going to stick to that theme and do a mini review of the Superman tie-in for the biggest undead comic event of the year; Blackest Night.

Issue 3 completes a strong tie-in mini-series with a strong final action packed issue. This series in my opinion has been much stronger than the Batman Blackest Night mini. Robinson does great work writing the Superboy character the same way G. Johns does in Adventure Comics, which is basically a young man struggling with his identity. Psycho-Pirate is a great choice of villain for this series due to his control of peoples emotions which links back nicely to the Lantern Colour's Emotional Spectrum. Krypto and Ma Kent are especially awesome in this issue and all the villains are dealt with nicely wrapping up the series but still at the end leaves room to connect back into the main Blackest Night event. Eddy Barrow Barrows work has been fantastic for this series and is fast becoming one of may favorite DC pencilers.

4 out of 5.

Superman: Secret Origin #1 - One of the most important Superman comic books of all time

Why is Superman Secret Origin #1 one of the most important Superman comics ever? Please read on for my thoughts and be sure to comment after and let me know what you think of this article and the comic itself.

With his work on Action Comics, writer Geoff Johns made the Man of Steel feel human again, which is a big deal for me as a reader as Superman can seem so ‘Super’ at times it can be hard to relate. The character work he did captured both Superman & Clark brilliantly (especially his relationship with his father), and that is why Johns Superman work contain some of my favorite comic book stories ever.

Gary Frank who did the pencils for the majority of John’s Action Comics run emphasized Superman’s human side and drew Superman very much like the Christopher Reeve incarnation from the motion pictures, which being a huge fan of those films, really made me connect with the story a little more as the stories really felt like the Superman I knew and love, mine and my generation’s Superman. In my opinion he is the best Superman artist I have ever seen, so who better to create this book along with one of the best Superman writers?

This mini series; Superman: Secret Origin was highly anticipated by myself, other fans and critics alike, while a lot of people have mentioned that we all know Superman’s origin as the last son of Krypton, I don’t know much about his time in Smallville and I feel a lot of today’s younger comic readers might not either. I have never read any of the old Superboy or Legion of Superhero comics of Clarks days growing up in Smallville (I know there is the TV show, but I’m not a fan, comics is my superhero medium of choice), or any other comics of Superman’s early adventures as to be honest a lot of them were written many years ago (decades even) and I find that material extremely hard to read as it is far too… dare I say it; ‘corny’. Those stories were written for their time which is fine, but we are in a new century now, the times and writing styles have changed. Why is Superman the biggest superhero in the world? Well the great thing about this comic is it makes Superman important again TODAY, for a new generation of readers.

The young Clark in this series feels more human to me as a character than ever, I mean the first page drags you straight into Clark’s headspace at the time of the story by asking the biggest question in the universe; “Why are we here?” It’s a question everyone can relate to and has asked themselves at some point. Clark in this story is in a difficult period of his life. He is just about starting puberty, is getting interested in girls, and has to deal with everyday life at school and the strange powers that begin to appear. In this issue we see Clark’s strength accidently causes a friend to break his arm while playing football, and his heat vision nearly burns down the school when he has his first kiss with Lana. On top of all these problems (some more normal than other’s) Clark then discovers his true origin and the fact that he is not only adopted but an alien from another planet that has now been destroyed (again I’m sure we can all relate to feeling different growing up, maybe not this different but hopefully you get my point). This is a lot for any kid to take, and the emotion from Clark is conveyed masterfully by Johns and Frank.

There is a scene where just after Clark learns about his true origins, he runs away into the fields of his parent’s farm utterly devastated. After Clark stumbles Pa Kent catches up with him and they embrace. Clark is scared and tells his Pa that he doesn't want to be different and that "I want to be Clark Kent. I want to be your son." to which Pa Kent responds "Clark…you are my son." It’s a really beautiful moment and I literally had a lump in my throat. It’s drawn from a birds eye view which reminded me of the funeral scenes for Pa Kent at the start of ‘New Krypton’ some months back, also beautifully drawn my Frank. Geoff Johns conveys to his reader that Jonathon Kent really is Clark’s hero and a lot of what makes Clark ‘Superman’ is drawn from Jonathon’s influence and his special relationship with his son, and that’s why I really look forward to more of this issue. That’s why this origin story will be different; it will be remembered for the great relationships John’s has further explored with the characters. And even after only one issue, I feel it will gone on to be one of THE classic Superman stories that will be referred back to and enjoyed for years to come, I believe in the artistic team and their grasp of the main character that much. Johns & Frank are telling the tale of the farmer’s boy from Smallville who grew into Superman, the greatest superhero in the world, showing how his loved ones guideded him on his journey and helped mould him into the hero and icon he is today.

Thats why I belive Superman: Secret Origin #1 is one of the most important Superman comic books of all time. So what do you guys think?

Mini reviews - round 2

Blackest Night Superman #1 – Review

Because I wasn’t that crazy about the Batman tie-in to Blackest Night I wasn’t really in an urgency to read this issue, but I was pleasantly surprised, manly due to great art work by Eddy Barrows, he does a really good job here, and it makes me wish he was back on Action Comics full time. Robinson is a bit hit and miss with me, but I like the characters used here and the dialogue between them and it was quite an enjoyable read overall. Kal-L & Lois of Earth 2 are the Black Lanterns here, and we are left wondering whether Pa Kent will be next in line to be raised from the dead. It’s an obvious plot twist but one that still pulls on my heart strings a little and I look forward to see what does happen with Pa.

3 out of 5

X-Men Legacy #227 - Review

After a great tie-in to Utopia last issue, this one was a bit of a let down. It was more of the same, but something was just missing and I’m sot sure what. The Ms. Marvel fight takes up most of the issue which has some cool moments but there was no real progression story wise. The Utopia tie-in could have been one issue easy. The art was fine but again, I remember enjoying it more last issue.

2.5 out of 5

X-Men Forever #6 – Review

Total average filler issue. Grummett is off art for this one but this is still a fine looking book. Very boring story though, the danger room gets out of control and goes wild and nearly kills the X-Men but we have seen that story a thousand times. I don’t mind though. The first 5 issues were so much fun; I know that this was just filling in before we get back to the good stuff next issue.

2.5 out of 5.

Late (if you live in the US) DC previews

So I’ve been bit slack this week at posting all the previews for this weeks books, seems there has been a lot. I know these comics were released yesterday in the US, but for guys like me who get there comics a little later, these DC previews still might help you with your purchasing decisions this week. Just click the title of your choice to be taken to the preview:

Detective Comics #856

Wonder Woman #35


Superman #691

BATMAN: THE WIDENING GYRE #1

Matt's Mini Reviews - Last weeks books

Action Comics #880

Codename: Patriot continues in good fashion, good action, and nice interaction between characters. Supes comes back to Earth in hunt of Zod’s shooter and Flamebird and Nightwing get it on. I’m loving General Lane as the villain, and much better work on the art this issue. Captain Atom back up still looks amazing and has me intrigued as to WTF is going on.

Cable #17

Improvement on the last issue but I’m bored with just Bishop chasing Cable now. Nice idea to bring in a love interest for Hope. Cable manages to track down Hope this issue and posing as Stryfe collects a small army and leaves the dying earth for the stars with Bishop hot on his tail again! We’ll see if a bit of space adventure next issue will improve things. I really want it to, I love these characters.

X-Men Forever # 5

Loads of fun still but the story has a reveal that mutants are dying out due to their x-gene. This series is meant to be on a different path to the normal Marvel U but mutants are near extinct in the regular Universe too. That pissed me off a bit as I love the fact that mutants were supposed to be the next stage in human evolution, but this book is now going against that. It’s still a very enjoyable read though and Grummets artwork gets better every issue. The story ends with the X-Men questioning their future. Who ill stay and who will go? Great book for classic x-fans.

Adventure Comics #1

Beautiful art. But bit of a boring start story wise. It was good, but the story basically focuses on Superboy settling back in Smallville, and not much else. There are a few little plot lines seeded and continued from other books including that weird alien thingy from ‘Superman’ (remember the Guardian’s buddy) by Johns that also tied into the Legion back up which was cool. Starman was the focus of the back up and he is such a great character. The back up rocked.

Blackest Night #2

I had an absolute brilliant time reading this. You will all know by now, as you’ve probably read it, this books is fantastic. The artwork is phenomenal; it really is one of the best looking superhero books around. Hawkman is just so creepy, I love it. High point for me was Barry & Hal vs. the Martian Manhunter, that was awesome. But Hal crashing into the bat signal and that last page with the Black Lantern Justice League! Some of the coolest pages ever!

Mega Mini Reviews – Last weeks books

Captain America Reborn #2

Better issue than the first. Steve is trapped in re-living his past, jumping from moment to moment (kind of like Quantum Leap actually), but without being able to act for fear of changing the future. In the present, Bucky Cap & Black Widow are captured by the Dark Avengers and Osborn. Norman Osborn is a key player in this series, as it seems he wants Captain America back as much as our heroes (if only for his own twisted purposes) but has more resources to pull it off. I think this title will only continue to improve, just that I’m not that crazy about Hitch’s art work.

Superman World of New Krypton #6

Still don’t like this series. I sort of had to pick this up to get the first part of Codename Patriot that runs through the other Superman books that I pick up. The writing was fine but I’m not a fan of the art at all, the inks and coloring are far too strong, and the pencils on smaller panels look really rushed. The story is okay, but this was mostly a set up issue and the action should be picking up in the next chapters. Nice last page though, (SPOLIERS!) “This is a job for…Superman!” Very cool.

Justice League: Cry for Justice #2

More talking of Justice! (We get he point)! This has pretty art, but not much of the story line has really grabbed me yet. But I am liking the dialogue between characters and I know this is controversial on the net but I actually really liked the joke about Hal’s threesome (come on, he’s an air pilot/ superhero cop with a magic ring, of course he’s gonna get laid!) Nice to see some Atom action too. I’ll keep buying this.

SUPERMAN #690 - Review

SUPERMAN #690 - Review

Written by James Robinson

Art by Pere Perez

Hex’s Score – 2.25 out of 5

First off, awesome cover by Andrew Robinson. I really love his work. Now to the review:

This was a strange book, it was all over the place with like 4 stories in one issue. It starts by continuing directly from the last issue with Atlas Vs. Steel which was pretty cool, and drawn well by fill in artist Pere Perez. We then switch to Zatara who is being a total ass to his apprentice who ends up saving Zatara from Parasite with some magic but is really some other magic guy in disguise who I really couldn’t care two shits about. Anyway, it’s a story I wasn’t really interested in shoved in the middle of a Superman issue. Weird. Guardian's story next, where he gets cozy with Dr. Light, could be interesting, then the issue ends with Ion/ Sodom Yat (still alive before GLC #33) on his way to Earth to meet fellow Daxamite Mon-El but is stopped by that weird telepathic alien thingy that the Guardian rescued. He says to Ion that he and Mon-El cannot meet because that would bring about evil's victory over good or some such bullshit. Oh, and by the way, all these stories are continued in either an upcoming Superman Annual or a Superman Secret File’s One-Shot. What a piss taking money making scheme, but the issue is called “The Setup”. Not sure if that means the setup of the various new storylines or the setting me up as being a mug for buying this issue, with no Mon-El or any real continuation of his story.

I dunno, maybe I’m being too harsh, it was just an okay issue. I’m hoping a lot of these story threads will pay off eventually so I’m sticking around but this series will not be for everyone and new readers should not expect to pick an issue up and understand what the hell is going on or be blown away with how great the writing and art is. Not gonna happen.

Well “Codename: Patriot” is coming up next issue. Hopefully that will improve things.

What did you guys think of the issue?

San Diego Comic Con - Day 1 - News Round Up

(JSA All Stars)

So San Diego Comic Con started yesterday with some news from DC about Blackest Night, the Superman titles and the Justice Society America, with some new series announced for Vertigo also.

Major Spoilers has the best coverage I’ve read so far. The important news from the Con are nicely laid out with bullet points and listed in categories making it very easy to read. You can get to it here.

Some points I’d like to go over:

Justice Society will be getting a new ongoing series (the main JSA will still continue also) entitled JSA All Stars written by Sturges with art by Freddie Williams, this will focus on the younger members of the JSA who disagree with the core team about how ‘pro-active’ they should be against criminals and decide to take their own course of action. Now firstly this sounds very familiar to what is happening with the JLA over in ‘Cry for Justice’. Secondly, the Geoff Johns penned ‘Thy kingdom Come’ storyline in the pages of JSA just dealt with an internal rift. Why are these writers going over the same ground again? Having said that, I am more inclined to pick up JSA All Stars though as this deals with the young blood JSA’ers who as new characters, I believe, have the opportunity for more character development and have new stories be told.

Superman #700 will be titled Mon-el: Man of Valor and will be a darker character with a new costume. This sounds quite exciting. Mon-El has frankly been a bit dull in the pages of Superman so maybe this twist will give new freshness to the character and make him a bit more interesting.

Geoff Johns is working on Blackest Night: The Flash, which arrives in December. I expect more of these mini-series to be announced to make sure DC can make as much money out of Blackest Night as possible. I’m interested to see how many of these will be essential to the main story, but being the sucker I am I’ll no doubt end up picking them all up!

Be sure to check back here daily for more news from SDCC.

Geoff Johns interview @ CBR & My dream Geoff Johns project!

Comic Book Resources has a great interview posted today with one of my fav writers, Geoff Johns. He discusses all his current projects with DC (Flash Rebirth, Green Lantern) plus drops hints on some future projects including Adventure Comics, Superman: Secret Origins, All Star Batgirl, a Captain Marvel project and more! Check it here.

Now a quick question for you Geoff Johns fans, what would be your dream next project for him and with which artist? I know in the past ‘Aquaman Rebirth’ has been mentioned by fans and according to this interview he is working on All Star Batgirl and another secret project with artist Gary Frank after Superman: Secret Origins.

Now as Gary Frank is also one of my fav artists right now I would keep that pairing for my dream project and the character used would be……………Batman.

From what I can recall Geoff has not really worked much on the Batman books (please correct me if I’m wrong) and I know Batman is sort of Grant Morrison’s baby right now and is the creator with the main ideas that the other books seem to be following, but Id love to see Johns & Frank take on the Dark Knight when Morrison finally leaves or even take over from Winnick and Bagley on the main ‘Batman’ title as that last issue did not impress me at all.

So what would you guys like to see?

DC annouce Superman/Batman animated Movie

The news broke yesterday of another straight to DVD animated movie from DC entitled Superman/ Batman: Public Enemies, due out in September. This is based on the first Superman/Batman story arc buy Jeph Loeb. This story has been reported on a few sites but so far the site I have found with the most details on the release is Major Spoilers.

Check out the full article here: http://www.majorspoilers.com/archives/17491.htm/#more-17491

I will probably be buying this on the 2 disc format. I just hope its better than the comic it’s based on which was pretty poor.

Superman # 689 & Gotham City Sirens # 1 Previews

Over at DC the blog they have posted 7 page previews of Mon-El’s next adventure in Superman and the new Bat-family book from Paul Dini. Above is the nice variant for issue 1 by J G Jones.

Link here: http://dcublog.dccomics.com/