Friday, August 14, 2009

DC Comics Preview Review for October Part 1 of 2

Jim: Take away regular series and we have a slim month from DC. At times I think that if a company has a strong line-up and their core books are good, it maybe a good thing. New series, just to have a new series, are not always necessary.
Lee: Since I’m reading DC in trades these days it’s a very light month for me.
Gwen: New series just to have new series is a terrible idea! They should only launch new series when someone comes up with a good concept for one.

BLACKEST NIGHT #4
Written by Geoff JohnsArt and cover by Ivan Reis & Oclair Albert Variant cover by Ethan Van SciverS ketch variant cover by Ivan Reis
Summer’s hottest event explodes in this critical issue! Hold on to your power rings, because the secrets behind the Blackest Night finally stand revealed! While Earth is evacuated, Hal Jordan embarks on a brave journey to the darkest depths to uncover the truth behind the Black Lanterns! You won’t believe what he uncovers!Continuing the best-selling epic from superstars Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis!On sale October 21 • 4 of 8 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

Jim: I have to say that as much as I get tired of events, I like them when done right. War of Kings from Marvel was an example and it looks like Blackest Night may deliver. I also like that if I wanted to skip the add-on mini-series it has no impact on the main story.
Lee: I don’t understand you sometimes. Tied in stories that you claim to be skipping are: Superman, Batman, Titans, GL, & GL Corps. From a marketing standpoint, this is no better or worse than Dark Reign. While the story may be good, it’s still complete and utter overkill.
Gwen: War of Kings had plenty of tie-ins too. Regardless I've been okay with Blackest Night. Even so this is essentially a zombie story.

BATMAN: WIDENING GYRE #3
Written by Kevin Smith Art by Walter Flanagan & Art Thibert Cover by Bill Sienkiewicz Variant covers by Gene Ha
As The Dark Knight stalks the night preying upon Gotham City’s criminals, Bruce Wayne spends his days getting reacquainted with former girlfriend Silver St. Cloud. Plus, Batman learns the name of his mysterious masked ally. From superstar creator Kevin Smith and guest-starring Aquaman, the New Teen Titans and Deathstroke the Terminator!On sale October 28 • 3 of 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Jim: While I’m skipping this series, I do appreciate great artwork and this cover certainly has some appealing attributes.
Lee: HELLO! It’s a giant ass on the cover. In this months issue of Bat-Ass-Man we have legs and ass. This is so ridiculous.
Gwen: Appealing attributes to a man maybe. *rolls eyes* What a terrible cover. Still Jim, why are you skipping this series? It has Silver St. Cloud - I thought you loved that character.
Jim: I do like Silver St. Cloud, but Kevin Smith, not so much.

AZRAEL #1
Written by Fabian Nicieza Art by Ramon Bachs Cover by Jock Variant cover by Frazer Irving
Following the events of “The Eighth Deadly Sin” in BATMAN ANNUAL #27 and DETECTIVE COMICS ANNUAL #11, the new monthly series starring Death's Dark Knight begins! Michael Lane is a man in search of redemption, but does serving the Order of Purity as God's Angel of Justice bring him closer to achieving his goal – or simply send him further down a road paved with good intentions? When a hired killer comes to Gotham City seeking revenge for crimes committed decades in the past, Azrael faces an impossible conflict: What if God's justice forces the hero to claim one of God's servants? From writer Fabian Nicieza (SUPERMAN, TRINITY) and artist Ramon Bachs (RED ROBIN)!On sale October 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Jim: DC mystifies me. I was just saying how few new projects are out this month and we get a new unlimited series for a new Azrael. First Magog gets an unlimited series and now a new Azrael. Are they just picking names out of a hat for who to give a new series to?
Lee: At least Azrael was involved in the DCU and had his own series before. It’s better justification than the Magog series. But, I think it’s more than a little annoying that I need to buy $10 worth of books before I can even read issue one! That’s right Bats Annual #1 & Detective Annual #11 are $5 each!
Gwen: Ugh, Azrael. I always disliked this character.

ARKHAM REBORN #1
Written by David Hine Art and variant cover by Jeremy Haun Cover by Frazer Irving
Following the Black Mask’s destruction of Arkham Asylum in BATTLE FOR THE COWL, Dr. Jeremiah Arkham has rebuilt the Asylum following the design of his mad Uncle Amadeus. Intended as a model for enlightened treatment of mental illness, the building soon mutates into a torture house, and the inmates find themselves trapped in a living hell. And when Jeremiah starts hearing a voice from beyond the grave, it becomes painfully clear that the lunatics really have taken over the Asylum! Beginning a 3-issue miniseries from the BATTLE FOR THE COWL: ARKHAM ASYLUM creative team of writer David Hine and artist Jeremy Haun!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Frazer Irving), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Jeremy Haun). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale October 28 • 1 of 3 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Jim: I like David Hine and Arkham Reborn should be a natural for him. I left the retailer info just to point out that it appears that almost every comic now days has a variant. If every book has a variant shouldn’t the market be pretty saturated by now?
Lee: Apparently not at the rate that Marvel/DC are producing variants. I’m still waiting for the return of hologram covers. It can’t be far away.
Gwen: ooo hologram covers. I remember those, they were awesome and shiny! This series looks like it could be entertaining in a morbid way.

BATMAN: THE UNSEEN #1-2
Written by Doug Moench Art and cover by Kelley Jones
The fan-favorite Bat-team of Doug Moench and Kelley Jones reunite to introduce the newest member of Batman’s rogues gallery in this twice-monthly, 5-issue miniseries! Horrible and unexplained murders have Gotham City held captive. Bizarre deaths have been occurring throughout the city, but the perpetrator is unknown. Even when the crimes have been committed in view of witnesses, all that is seen is a glimpse of a weird, skinless “meat-man” who seems to fade away after the crimes. Gotham’s only hope is their Dark Knight Detective, but how can Batman find and fight an Invisible Man?Issue #1 on sale October 7, issue #2 on sale October 21 1 and 2 of 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Jim: Wow, Kelley Jones just finished Batman After Midnight and is now back with Doug Moench for this series, all of sudden it is bunny ears Batman time again. I like Jones work, but it is very stylized.
Lee: If we’re introducing a new, prime time, Batman villain, why couldn’t it be done in a regular Batman book? Why the mini-series?
Gwen: Bunny ears Batman seriously bothers me. I beginning to get really fed up with art that's so ridiculously stylized. Anyway, this mini-series looks pretty cool as I love a good mystery. It's why I liked Batman in the first place - the detective stories.

WORLD’S FINEST #1
Written by Sterling Gates Art by Julian Lopez Covers by Phil Noto
After tracking down a threat to The Man of Steel – and all of Metropolis – Red Robin must team up with the new Kryptonian Nightwing to end this mysterious threat and rescue Flamebird. But is all this just a red herring to distract the heroes from an even bigger threat to Gotham City and New Krypton? Be here to find out in this 4-issue miniseries from rising star writer Sterling Gates (SUPERGIRL) and artist Julian Lopez. Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers, both by Phil Noto that can be ordered separately. Cover A will feature Nightwing. Cover B will feature Red Robin. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.On sale October 28 • 1 of 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Jim: It is like pretend World’s Finest by having Superman’s “son” and Batman’s son star in an adventure together.
Lee: This is simple, I really really really don’t care. But, as a question… isn’t Superman/Batman supposed to be World’s Finest????
Gwen: I like the idea of Chris and Tim teaming up together.

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #38
Written by James RobinsonArt and cover by Mark Bagley Variant cover by Andy Kubert
A new era begins for the World's Greatest Heroes as superstars James Robinson and Mark Bagley take over! It all begins as a one-time member of the JLA falls before he can warn the team of looming peril while what’s left of the JLA journeys to the heart of their past to decide if the team has any future at all.Of course, that means this is the best time for a savage villain from the team’s past to attack the demoralized heroes! The team will have to muster enough will to win not only today, but in the harrowing months to come. It’s the start of a spanking new odyssey for the JLA that will lead in the coming months to a fresh line-up for DC’s flagship team. Get onboard now for the next epic chapter of the Justice League’s legacy!Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Mark Bagley), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Andy Kubert). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.On sale October 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Jim: It has taken 38 issues to get to the point where maybe the JLA can actually be a book that matters again. Of course Duffie got the short end of the stick with his run, but still this should be a major book for DC every month.
Lee: This has been so bad for so long that I can no longer muster any excitement for it. Let me know if it’s any good.
Gwen: I could care less about this book anymore. The last issue I read was terrible. The Royal Flush Gang seems like such a dumb villain for the JLA to be fighting these days. And while Vixen has become a better character Plastic Man needs to disappear, he's not even good comic relief anymore.

DC COMICS CLASSICS LIBRARY: SHAZAM! – THE MONSTER SOCIETY OF EVIL HC
Written by Otto Binder Art and cover by C.C. Beck
At last, DC Comics collects the legendary serialized story from the pages of CAPTAIN MARVEL ADVENTURES #22-46 (1943-1945). The Big Red Cheese battles foe after foe as he inches his way toward the malevolent force behind it all: the two-inch long, superintelligent worm known as Mr. Mind!Advance-solicited; on sale December 23 • 272 pg, FC, $39.99 US

Jim: I have read that this is the best story done with Captain Marvel, so I’m getting to see if the rumors are true. Lee: I also believe it was one of, if not the, first extended serialized story. I’m definitely getting this.
Gwen: I liked the recent Jeff Smith version of the Monster Society of Evil. I want that one in hardcover.

ROBIN ARCHIVES VOL. 2 HC
Written by Various Art by Jim Mooney, Win Mortimer and Sheldon Moldoff Cover by Jim Mooney & Win Mortimer
This new ROBIN ARCHIVES collects stories from the late 1940s in which The Boy Wonder faces the Sinister Knight, declares war on Batman, travels to Rancho Fear, battles crime in Hollywood, and meets the fearsome man with the Midas touch. Features tales from STAR SPANGLED COMICS #86-105. Advance-solicited; on sale March 31 • 256 pg, FC, $59.99 US

Jim: It is like DC is going out of their way to tick me off. I want Archives and I get Robin from the 40’s – no thanks.
Lee: I agree, this is a pass.
Gwen: Where are the other Legion archives DC???
PART 2 WILL BE UP TOMORROW !!!!!!!!

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