The Week of July 6 in Review

Every once in awhile the muse is hard to find and this week has been busy with my real job and my personal life has been a little chaotic lately with all sorts of stuff going on keeping me busier than normal. I always admire the comic writers who continue to crank out great material even though I know their muse sometimes must escape them also.

This week I’m keeping it short and I may miss next week.

Doctor Solar #7 – Writer Jim Shooter, Art Roger Robinson, Art Agustin Alessio for the Origin

What I Liked – Shooter just knows how to tell a good story. I like that Dr. Solar is a super smart guy science wise, but is socially inept and is still learning how to fight against a bad guy who is on the same power level. Roger Robinson and Agustin Alessio are both doing great jobs on the art. Regardless of Solar’s near godlike powers he is still very human and very relatable.

What I Didn’t Like – Knowing that I think we have only one more issue and the book is at its end. I guess sales did it in as this was the wrong time for this type of revival and scheduling issues have plagued the book.

Overall – I hate to see this book die and unfortunately for whatever reason various series over the years that I have enjoyed being written or at least directed by Shooter are never given a long enough life, but I will continue to follow his work as he tells good stories.

Flashpoint Batman Knight of Vengeance #2 (of 3) – Writer Brian Azzarello, Art Eduardo Risso

What I Liked – Risso is a great artist and his work is always well done, from his page design to his line work this man is a complete artist. He is able to give us a flowing storyline and still give us innovative page designs. The story is also a joy. With any “Elseworld” style story the twist and turns with familiar characters are always fun to see. One such twist was Oracle being Selina Kyle who appears to be a quadriplegic. That was a shocker and sad to see. The way the Joker fools James Gordon was also brutal and finding out the Joker was Martha Wayne was a bizarre twist, but in character with what is going on.

What I Didn’t Like – Nothing.

Overall – The best Flashpoint series and just a damn good story.

Fear Itself #4 (of 7) Writer Matt Fraction, Pencils Stuart Immonen, Inks Wade Von Grawbadger

What I Liked – The main storyline feels fairly well contained. I’m only following the tie-ins that cross over into books that I read and I haven’t noticed the main story missing parts to it. The pace of the story is decent and Immonen and Von Grawbadger are providing top flight art and good story telling.

What I Didn’t Like – The story itself has left me a little cold. I hear and have read some people singing its praises and I know it is outselling Flashpoint, but the story is blah and we are on issue four of seven at this point. Odin’s brother lives off fear and he was awakened and now he has unleashed seven hammers to be wielded by people to generate fear to give him strength. The new Red Skull is thrown in the mix to make it have something to do with Captain America as Marvel has both a Captain America and Thor movie out. This serves as a deus ex machine to kill off Bucky and put Steve back into the Captain America role.

Overall – It feel very contrived, there was no real organic beginning for this story and the no logical tie between Cap and Thor, other than both got movies released in 2011.

Flashpoint #4 – Writer Geoff Johns, Pencils Andy Kubert, Inks Sandra Hope

What I Liked – Kubert and Hope with Alex Sinclair on colors is a top flight art team and damn hard to beat. I’m enjoying how the series is coming together and acting in many ways as a prelude to the re-launch of the DCU. Cyborg is working for me, the “Superman” was a very cool take on the character and the overall Flashpoint experience has been one of action and adventure that feels like it has a cohesive nature to it.

What I Didn’t Like – How Barry got his powers back, it was just plain stupid that lightning bolt number one would fry him, but number two would give him powers, still it is a comic book.

Overall – For a series I was almost dreading this is a much better event then Fear Itself and is just something that I have missed in super hero comics and that is a fun fast paced story that is a great thrill ride. Also it is one that maintains a pretty darn cohesive whole if you read all the tie-ins.

Well that is a wrap on a shorter column but time and writer’s block have kept it short. Next week’s list is overwhelming American Vampire, Northlanders, Unwritten, Batman Hush Unwrapped HC, Batgirl, Batman Dark Knight, Birds of Prey, DC Presents Gotham Noir, Detective, Flashpoint Citizen Cold, Flashpoint Deathstroke, Flashpoint Aquaman, Flashpoint Frankenstein, Green Lantern Corps, Green Lantern, Red Robin, Superman, Teen Titans, All Winners, Alpha Flight, Amazing Spider-Man, Punishermax, Captain America, FF, Ka-Zar, Mystery Men, New Avengers, Ultimate Fallout, Wolverine, X-Men Schism, Green Wake, Solomon Kane, BPRD, Dollhouse Epitaphs, Hellboy, Godzilla, Breed, Guarding the Globe, Red Wing, Spawn, Farscape, Total Recall and Vamperilla. Wow that is a lot of books.

Tell next week or maybe the week after, be good or be better.

The List - June 2011

I put this off a week but this week isn't much better. The 4th of July, two days of training for a new software system at work, and a half day working as an arbitrator are killing me on time. Then there's Lee and his links to amusing web sites. Oh, the distractions.

1. Fables 106 - Jim didn't like this all that much, but I thought it was the best of the month, though that was a tight race throughout the top ten. Willingham, Buckingham and Leialoha didn't try to re-tell the same sort of story they did with the battle against the Emperor. The fight against hte Dark Man was a very different, and much more deadly, confrontatino. Besides, it made sense to have North Wind be the one to end the battle and in the fashion he did. I found the eagerness of many to return to Fabletown and the Farm well countered by the cult of Boy Blue's collective nostrum to explain away, or deny, his non-appearance in the final battle. Best of all was the disappointment of Ozma and Pinocchio in not actually battling the Dark Man, no matter how futile it would have been. No chance for glory. Wonder what hapens to Mrs Sprat now?

2. American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest 1 - As if Snyder isn't doing enough fine work in the regular American Vampire series, we're getting this bonus. No Skinner Sweet or Pearl in this one. Book's daughter and McCogan are on a quest to find a cure for vampirism. McCogan's motivation is easy to see, as it might cure his son. Not sure if the cure would be something Felicia Book would want, what with her heritage allowing her to spot vampires. The cure might take that away. Anyway, it's off ot nazi Germany to try to get this cure. Great opening with Felicia trying to convince a newspaper publisher that his right hand man is a vamire, and doing so in the most obvious way.

3. Secret Six 34 - The impending demise of this series eith the whole DCNu bit is the only real disappointment I have with the DCNu. Sure, DCNu might suck, but I don't have any great expectations going into it and won't particularly miss the vast majority of ongoings that are coming to an end in service of this project. Secret Six is the exception. It's a great book and should be left to continue under the brilliant hands of Simone and Calafiore. It's not like it's integral to the greater continuity of hte DCU. This issue had the usual great small moments, such as the rapprochement between Scandal and Rag Doll, and Bane's date with a stripper. "Mating, Mr Bane. Yes. Lots and lots and lost of mating." Ah, conversations with the socially maladjusted.

4. Scalped 49 - Now that's a close action shoot out. Aaron has Dash and Catcher firing away across the front seat of Dash's truck, perforating both of them substantially, albeit not fatally. Well, not for Dash. Too soon to tell for Catcher. I still don't think Dash realizes who killed his mother, though, but at least Falls Down appears to be alive and can fill him in later. Don't know if Red Crow's revelation is going to lead to a long term change, of if it does whether Shunka will go along with it. As always, Aaron and Guera tell a great story and have a lot of story still to go.

5. The Unwritten 26 - So much for the auctioneer's capture of Tom, Ritchie and Lizzie. Tom and his crew seem to be coming into their own and getting much stronger in operating in this shadow world. Like Lucifer before it, Carey and Gross have a creation here that tells a unique story in a fascinating way. And now we're off on a new journey to discover how Tom's father was active in the machinations of his adversaries during a time before his father was even born.

6. Cinderella: Fables are Forever 5 - Oh, that sneaky Dorothy. Good thing I have faith in Cindy and her ability to overcome all obstacles. This situation makes me think of an ad for a comedy on BBC America where a guy says having sex with another guy doesn't make you gay. Does having sex with another woman, when you don't know she's a woman, make you a lesbian? Guess not. Not that Cindy's concerned about that at the moment. Is a trap you meant to get into a problem if you fall into it sooner than anticipated?

7. American Vampire 16 - Sure, a story set in World War II isn't interesting enough. We have to add Skinner, Pearl and Henry, a team of vampire hunters working undercover as soldiers, and a Japanese held island infested with a previously unknown breed of vampires. Henry, being a smart man, figured otu who and what Skinner was and used that knowledge to strike a deal with Skinner that would allow Henry and the surviving vampire hunters, along with Skinner, to escape the Japanese prison. Of course, Pearl's on the island as well, and the Vassals' ulterior motives in helping her get there are showing through. Great work, as always.

8. Scalped 50 - A bonus second issue for the month. There wasn't anything that moved the story forward in this issue, which was dedicated to the milestone of reaching 50 issues. Still, it had a different somthing that I found very clever, which was that guest artist pinups were incorporated into the story. The story was a background sort of thing involving an ancestor of Dash Bad Horse, sclaping, and societal decay cloaked in defiance.

9. Green Hornet Year One 10 - More Wagner and Campbell goodness. Green Hornet and Kato appear to have erred in their calculations and now face some "enhanced interrogation" that could be uncomfortable. Is there a noir book that doesn't go into torture at some point? The first thing I thought of with this one was the Hmong torturer in Scalped. Maybe it's the smock.

10. Incorruptible 19 - Speaking of bad situations, Max seems to have entirely too many people with knowledge of his weakness now. Maybe some speed would help. I was surprised with the turn of events involving the guy Max was trying to recruit, heavy handed as it was, to run Coalville. And now the Plutonian's supposed to be coming back from his exile in space, so I imagine things will not be improving for Max.

11. Birds of Prey 13 - The Question? Cool. Junior? Way cool. Hunterss being handed the rains? Excellent. Too bad this book isn't going to survive in the DCNu. Well, not in a form that I'm going to read, anyway.

12. Invincible 80 - Las Vegas reduced to a sheet of glass. Talk about your readical improvement projects.

13. Super Dinosaur 3 - Two books in a row by Kirkman, and two books in a row with dinosaurs on the cover. Granted, the dinosaur on this one is the star of the book, so it makes sense, but I'm sensing a peccadillo. More all ages fun in this one. Kirkman has all ages with a sophisticated story method, so it's not dumbed down. Lots of layers.

14. The Walking Dead 86 - What, no dinosaur? 'Course, Michonne on the cover is even better. I like the additional time spent on Rosita, as she's been mostly a cypher to this point. She's moving from being a hot chick sleeping with Abraham to someone worth reading about. Most of the issue is long conversations Rick has with Michonne and Andrea, with some zombie target practice thrown in for good measure.

15. Graveyard of Empires 1 - As I think I mentioned previously, I figured the title to this meant a story about invasions of Afghanistan, as that's the nickname of the place. And while it does involve the current NATO operations in Afghanistan, particularly the US element, it's a zombie book. A very different zombie book from The Walking Dead, and off to an interesting start so far, as dead Taliban are coming back to life.

16. Somerset Holmes 3, 4 - This was a free books selection. I remember seeing ads about this book but I can't recall where, as I don't remember buying any Pacific Comics back in 1984 when this came out. I'm in the midst of a story line, but it's high quality detective noir by Bruce Jones and Brent Anderson and includes a back up serial called Cliff Hanger by Jones and Al Williamson that's highly entertaining, too. Something to keep an eye out for in the cheap bins.

17. Northlanders 41 - Entitled "Thor's Daughter", Wood, with artist Marian Churchland, is presenting a single issue tale of a young woman taking over leadership of her father's crew. It's not really clear on how she does that, other than force of will. She's opposed by some elements in the group, but others help her to kill one of the opposition as a show of authority, but I don't really know why any of these guys are on her side. Probably the weakest story in this series to date.

18. iZombie 14 - This arc seems to be taking a while to get going. Gwen and Horatio are clearly going to end up finding Spot in the catacombs below the cemetery, but it's taking a long time to get there. I'm finding I like the Dead Presidents back up more right now.

19. Suicide Girls 2, 3 - This was a total lark based on a column Chris Sims wrote on his ISB. He was right that the plot is a mess, but it's not unreadable. Mostly it's a simplistic concept of religious folks being bad because they persecute the people who like to spend their time naked. Well, all women, actually, but particularly the naked ones. Wrapped around that is a bunch of sci-fi stuff with cyborgs and machines that read people's thoughts. The obvious selling point is a bunch of topless women, much more prevalent in the third issue than the second, but I'm at least somewhat impressed that the artist, David Hahn, draws each of the many girls with an individual body type, right down to different breast sizes and shapes. Don't see that too often in comics.

20. Haunt 16 - Speaking of which, we have the book with the women who all look the same. Most of this issue was dead brother speaking with a disembodied voice, in a white backdrop setting. Not much more to it, though conceptually it's curious because dead brother is himself disembodied even though he's depicted with one.

21. FF 5 - I'd really like to finish this arc, but this one's starting wear on me. At least the FF switched to the black unis. Those look much better than the white ones. Does anyone know why Reed has grey at his temples but his father has no grey hair? Just for Men?

22. Hero Hotline 3 - Another free book. I know I was a bit busy in '89, what with graduating college and starting law school, but I don't remember this DC product at all. It was some goofy fun with some D list "heroes". Nothing all that memorable.

23. Blue Devil 6 - Wonder if DC had to pay any royalties to Duke Univesity? Probably not. More in the silly realms of super heroes, with a lot of pop culture references, albeit back to Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men" for the most part. Funny how that's been turned into a source of comedy as far back as Bugs Bunny toons when there's nothing funny about the book.

24. Infinity Inc 45 - This was just bad, even with the Teen Titans of 1987 showing up to help. Even being free didn't help. Bad jokes. Bad story. Bad art. I guess Obsidian wasn't gay back then, either. Or just over compensating. One of those.

25. 50 Girls 50 1 - This was worse because I paid $3 for it. Frank Cho's art is good, of course, but the story is just meandering crap. It's cheesecake without actual nudity, which always irks me. If you're going for skin, show the skin. 'Course, even if this one did show the skin, the story would still be dim and not worth $3.

26. The Sisterhood of Steel 1 - Free. From 1984. Epic Comics. Bad art. Worse story. It's a pale rip off of Wonder Woman mythos. Way too much modern colloquialism for a story set in a mythinc past. Not the Northlanders kind of thing that purposely avoiding trying to use archaic dialogue but rather a mix of archaic and modern.

Elric: The Balance Lost #1 -- A Review

Elric: The Balance Lost #1
Writer: Chris Roberson
Artist: Francesco Biagini
Colorist: Stephen Downer
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Publisher: BOOM Studios
Price: $3.99

While I wasn’t overly impressed with the FCBD preview, I did recognize that this series seemed to have great potential. Issue #1 came out this week and it DELIVERED, exceeding my expectations. Now, I’ve been an Eternal Champion fan since middle school (30 [yikes] years ago!) and have most of the original novels, including a complete collection of the Berkley Fantasy paperbacks from the mid-80’s, featuring the stunning covers of Robert Gould. (All in mint condition I might add, except for my copy of Stormbringer, which is still swollen from getting caught in a downpour one summer at our Fishnet campsite.)


So, although I’m a fan already, I would think this book would be readily accessible to newcomers. This is quite an achievement, because the story focuses on four (so far) aspects of the Eternal Champion: Elric, Hawkmoon, Corum (my favorite), and Eric Beck (a new character). Some incarnations serve Law; some serve Chaos, but all ultimately serve the cosmic balance. It would be erroneous to categorize the two sides as Good and Evil; those distinctions are blurred depending on the circumstances. Personally, that doesn’t jive with my Biblical worldview, but this is a fantasy story, not reality.

Trouble is brewing in the Multiverse with various omens foretelling that the Balance is in jeopardy of being lost. The story opens with Elric traveling to one the myriad universes, which is about to be totally overrun by Chaos. There’s a gruesome two-page image of misshapen horrific creatures (think Zombies on acid). Then the scene shifts to Eric Beck, an albino game designer in the “regular” world (or close to it), who’s been having recurring dreams about Elric. They’re so realistic that he’s having trouble distinguishing who he really is.

Eric is the thread that connects the other characters together, providing nice segues to their parts of the story. He sees a suit of armor and the next panel is Hawkmoon in a similar pose. He sees a black ship and we transition to Corum sailing back from Tanelorn. Despite his doubts about his sanity, Eric is also in conflict with his twin brother, Garrison Bow, who leads the Law Party, which has it’s own militia with their “straight arrow” insignia. These guys may be for Law and Order, but in this world they appear to be intolerant, narrow-minded, Tea Party-ers (no comment).

Meanwhile, Elric, who normally has the ability to go between realities by walking along the moonbeam roads, finds himself trapped in that mixed-up dimension with the multi-mouthed monstrosities. He starts to hack and slash in earnest with Stormbringer – too bad there isn’t much soul stuff for him to absorb. Our final scene shifts back to Eric who is about to be whacked by the Law Party stormtroopers for daring to call them “stupid”, when the champion’s companion shows up to stop the melee. It’s a young lady toting a sawed-off shotgun who looks like she just stepped out of the Thunderdome. “Eric Beck, you need to come with me NOW. The fate of ALL the WORLDS is at stake!” And we’re off to a rollicking start…kinda reminded me of a Doctor Who episode. I loved it.

I really enjoy the art now. Elric, Corum, and Hawkmoon are all very distinct. By comparison, Beck seems to be a little lacking on features, but that’s probably by design too, since he’s an “everyman”. Francesco doesn’t skimp on the backgrounds and perspective either and he tackles the diverse locales effectively. He uses a lot of different panel layouts, making the story very easy to follow. I like his take on Stormbringer too. Downer’s colors really shine through. He gives the sky more depth on Elric’s world by adding a few stray swirls to the sickeningly green atmosphere. The runes on Elric’s sword have a subtle blue glow when it takes a creature’s soul – that’s probably not new, but I thought it looked cool. The whole package (art, colors, lettering) works great together.

Best of all, I’m not only looking forward to the next issue, I’m anxious to start reading my old paperbacks again. Any series that can resurrect a long dormant affection is on the right track!

Grade A: An entertaining, enjoyable, and accessible read that superbly handles Michael Moorcock’s rich Eternal Champion series. BOOM’s two for two with licensed properties. Both Planet of the Apes and Elric are in good hands.

DC Preview Review for September Part 9 of 11

DEATHSTROKE #1
Written by KYLE HIGGINS
Art by JOE BENNETT and ART THIBERT
Cover by SIMON BISLEY
On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
“Friends die, family disappoints, but a legacy... That lives forever.”
Slade Wilson is the best mercenary in the DCU, and he’s been doing this a long time. Some might say too long. But they’ll learn: Never turn your back on Deathstroke the Terminator. He won’t quit, no matter how high the stakes. Kyle Higgins (BATMAN: GATES OF GOTHAM) and Joe Bennett (TEEN TITANS) team up to bring you the finest in mayhem and gore.

Higgins talks about writing that will kill.

Jim: So Higgins shows up out of the blue for all intents and purposes and is teamed up with Scott Snyder on Gates of Gotham and has two ongoing series from DC. I don’t know if I like him or not, but again happy to see a bunch of new names out there for DC. The trick is how to make the bad guy have an ongoing series. Also to not let the good guys beat the crap out of him all the time or else he looks like a lightweight. A few years back they did a book about Deathstoke that set him up as a lone gunman type who would take out the bad guy. The twist was the bad guy maybe a CEO of a company as well as a street criminal. I thought that premise had legs and I’m wondering what Kyle’s hook will be for Slade.
Gwen: Selling villain books is hard. Honestly the only one that ever worked for me for most (if not all) of the run was Secret 6. It's really hard (well, for me anyway) the empathize with someone like Slade Wilson these days - He was a better character back in the Marv Wolfman/Teen Titans days.
Thomm: Cool as Deathstroke's costume is, I've never been a big fan.
Lee: I want to love this series but I have no clue where it is going. The hype almost reads like a character bio instead of giving direction to the series. Deathstroke interests me enough to give it a try, but I wish I knew more.

SUICIDE SQUAD #1
Written by ADAM GLASS
Art by MARCO RUDY
Cover by RYAN BENJAMIN
On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
They’re a team of death-row super villains recruited by the government to take on missions so dangerous – they’re sheer suicide!
Harley Quinn! Deadshot! King Shark! Defeated and imprisoned, they’re being interrogated about their mission – and about who’s pulling the strings behind this illegal operation. Who will be the first to crack under the pressure?

Jim: So Adam Glass is best known as a writer for Supernatural TV series, which I have never seen. I have no qualms about screenplay writers doing comics as long as they understand one art form is different from the other. Also I worry that a higher paying job can take their attention from a series and I like seeing a consistent writer. While I will miss Secret Six, I’m glad DC is giving us the Suicide Squad again as the John Ostrander series was one of the best series ever done.

Gwen: Umm... I usually love Harley Quinn - but I'm concerned that she's the girl on the cover. I mean, talk about unnecessary.
Thomm: It's not the Secret Six. It's not Simone. It's not for me.
Matthew: Supernatural was always too intensely creepy for me, but I always enjoyed the opening rock song. Maybe this book should have a recommended soundtrack to go with it.
Lee: Wow, is that Harley Quinn on the cover? When did she get slutter-ized?


O.M.A.C. #1
Written by DAN DIDIO and KEITH GIFFEN
Art and cover by KEITH GIFFEN and SCOTT KOBLISH
On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
The all-seeing Brother Eye satellite has unleashed a new beast upon the DC Universe in this smashing new series! Kevin Kho has become an unwilling participant in a war between Checkmate and Brother Eye as he is transformed into the One Machine Army Corp known only as O.M.A.C.!

The OMAC crew talk about channeling Kirby.

Jim: So Giffen and Didio seem to be quite the team. I think that is important for Didio because he needs someone to help write the story as I have been less than impressed by his writing talent. I also have to give him credit for putting his a** on the line with writing a book as he makes an easy target for those of us out here in the world wide web. The concept itself seems to be a difficult one and I hope these guys a have a couple of years of stories laid out as this concept feels too finite for an unlimited series. No matter what you have to like all the diversity in the offerings from DC.
Gwen: This doesn't seem to have the potential to last very long.
Lee: If anyone can channel Kirby visuals, it's Giffen. I've avoided Dido's writing for so long I just might have to poke myself in the eye and try this. I know I will regret it but I love Omac to much to resist. I officially nominate this as the first book of the relaunch to get canceled.
Matthew: I love my Kirby-esque OMAC. If Didio wasn't writing it, I don't think I'd have any qualms at all. I hope this is good and doesn't disappoint like G0DLAND did, because it's one of the more exciting books I've seen all month. Didio's Metal Men feature in Wednesday Comics was okay, but I'm such a fan of Jose Garcia-Lopez that I might have glossed over any deficiencies in the writing.
Thomm: Sorry, can't get out of my head what Didio did to The Outsiders.


BLACKHAWKS #1
Written by MIKE COSTA
Art and cover by KEN LASHLEY
On sale SEPTEMBER 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Welcome to a world waging a new kind of war that’s faster and more brutal than ever before. It’s fought by those who would make the innocent their targets, using computers, smart weapons and laser-guided missiles. The new enemy is hard to find – and closer to home than we think.
Between us and them stand the Blackhawks, an elite force of military specialists equipped with the latest in cutting-edge hardware and vehicles. Their mission: Kill the bad guys before they kill us.

Jim: So DC gets GI Joe Cobra co-writer Mike Costa to take on the Blackhawks. This is one of those titles no one would have guessed as being part of the 52 titles that would make up this bold re-launch. Given that the 18-34 male audience is a key demographic this book is playing into the core 18-24 year old I would think. This could be fun or it could be a crash and burn.

Gwen: Not my genre at all - the only Blackhawk character I ever cared for was Zinda - and I don't see her on the cover.
Thomm: I am not the target audience, so it's missing me by a mile.
Matthew: Wasn't Lashley the artist on the Bart Allen Flash series? Has he improved since then?
Lee: Is it me or isn't having a stated objective to "kill the bad guys" slightly illegal? I don't know, isn't murder more or less wrong? Let's compare this to say... the Punisher. Yes, Punisher kills people in droves but he is outside of the law. This looks to be a very obvious, government supported organization. How do you have Superman, save everyone, in the same DCU as Blackhawks, kill everyone? It has a good creative team, and will certainly appeal to the target audience, I just have trouble with the concept.

MEN OF WAR #1
Written by IVAN BRANDON
Art by TOM DERENICK
Cover by VIKTOR KALVACHEV
On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+
On the ground and on the front lines, a young, headstrong soldier known as Joe Rock assumes command of Easy Company – a team of ex-military men turned contractors. Will they survive the battle-scarred landscape carved by the DCU’s Super-Villains? Find out in this explosive new series from Ivan Brandon (Viking, DOC SAVAGE) and Tom Derenick (JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA)!

A quick Q& A with Ivan.

Jim: talk about mixing up your lineup, Blackhawks is border line a war comic and this jumps right in as a War Comic. Ivan has done some good work, nothing great yet, but I hope he can channel a little Garth Ennis here and give us a good modern day war comic. Heck all DC missed was giving us a romance book and a true crime story (which Vertigo has).

Gwen: Yup, war comics, I avoid them as much as possible. As much as I claim I'm not a girly-girl (I did take martial arts for seven years and rarely if ever approach makeup or nail polish) I did play with My Little Ponies over GI Joes.
Thomm: I know nothing of the creative team but this is taking a new approach. The mere idea of military contractors being good guys, in the shadow Xe/Haliburton, is fairly daring in and of itself.
Other: So, non powered soldiers take on super powered villians. Is that the concept? Wasn't that Stormwatch: PHD? That series was very good so this stands a chance. It all depends on a basically unproven creative team.

Part 10 soon, I hope, - this is harder than it looks to pull together, need a little more steam to make it two more times.

DC Preview Review for September Part 8 of 11

RESURRECTION MAN #1
Written by DAN ABNETT and ANDY LANNING
Art by FERNANDO DAGNINO
Cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
It’s the return of Mitch Shelly – and he’s still dead.
Resurrection Man can’t stay dead for long, though – and with each rebirth comes new and unexpected powers. But his many returns have not gone unnoticed, and forces are gathering to learn what’s so special about him – and to see which of them will finally stop Resurrection Man dead.

DnA on reviving Resurrection Man.

Jim: This one was a shocker. The original series was well done and now I want to re-read it, but I was never expecting the book to get a revival. Abnett and Lanning remind me of Chuck Dixon in that they work for any publisher and always deliver a well told story. They have a few misses, but also very few over powering hits. The term professional comes to mind for these guys and normally rock solid entertainment. Their Legion work and the War of Kings from Marvel is my favorite from them off the top of my head. This is another book I’m looking forward to reading.

Gwen: I honestly don't know much about this character but the solicitation makes it seem like the poor guy is just going to keep dying and dying - I wonder - does he ever off himself because he needs a new power set?
Thomm: I've never read any stories with this guy but I like the premise.
Greg: One of DC's better books from the 90's and proof that DnA have been around for a shockingly long amount of time. Really looking forward to this one.

DEMON KNIGHTS #1
Written by PAUL CORNELL
Art by DIOGENES NEVES and OCLAIR ALBERT
Cover by TONY S. DANIEL
On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Set in the Dark Ages of the DC Universe, a barbarian horde is massing to crush civilization. It’s fallen to Madame Xanadu and Jason Blood, the man with a monster inside him, to stand in their way – though the demon Etrigan has no interest in protecting anyone or anything other than himself! It’ll take more than their own power to stop an army fueled by bloodlust and dark sorcery, and some very surprising heroes – and villains – will have no choice but to join the fray!

Paul Cornell talks to the press, Etrigan will clean up the mess.

Jim: The further DC gets away from safe, the more I love the selections. Paul Cornell doing a Demon series is a gamble that seems like a win to me. Paul excels at the odd and strange and the Demon fits that bill. Now Paul's Knight & Squire turned me off and his wrap up of the Doomsday story has not impressed, but his Luthor story was great and he is a solid writer. I’m not sure if this will be a hit, but I will check it out.

Gwen: I really loved the Madame Xanadu series - so hopefully this will be a chance to see more of her character - in a good way - I hope.
Lee: I have loved the Demon since Ennis wrote him in the 90's. This is another series that I am looking forward to.
Matthew: Does that mean you loved John Byrne's Blood of the Demon series, Lee? If so, then you and I were the only ones who did. I've always liked the character. Maybe I can get on Jim's hand-me-down distribution list? I couldn't afford a fourth of all these new titles!
Thomm: Well, maybe this will make the premature end of Madame Xanadu less bitter. Probably not, but we'll see.
Greg: Never particularly cared about the Demon, but I've always got time for Paul Cornell.


STORMWATCH #1
Written by PAUL CORNELL
Art and cover by MIGUEL SEPULVEDA

On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
They are Stormwatch, a dangerous super human police force whose existence is kept secret from the world Directly following the ominous events of SUPERMAN #1, Adam One leads half the Stormwatch team to recover the [INFORMATION REDACTED] from deep in the Himalayas. Meanwhile, Jack Hawksmoor and the rest of the Stormwatch crew look to recruit two of the deadliest super humans on the planet: Midnighter and Apollo! And if they say no? Perhaps the Martian Manhunter can change their minds...

Paul Cornell talks about being in charge of Stormwatch.

Jim: So Wildstorm makes its merger into the DCU. This book is one I’m very curious about. Plus the touch of adding the Martian Manhunter into the mix is just damn odd. I have no clue how DC will integrate these heroes inside the DCU as it has taken years to make the Charlton characters to be a real part of the DCU, but DC has history of absorbing characters. Heck Fawcett characters, Milestone and I believe the Archie heroes are all owned or leased out to DC in some shape or form.

Gwen: I really never liked the Stormwatch characters. I have a really hard time imagining Martian Manhunter working with them - it just doesn't seem to fit.
Lee: I'm hoping for the best but expecting the worst. What made Wildstorm unique was the fact that it was outside of the DCU. Having the Manhunter as part of the team makes me think of this as... well... Extreme Justice.
Thomm: No interest at all in this.
Greg: Like Lee, I'm skeptical of whether or not Wildstorm can be integrated into the DCU, but if there's anyone who can do it, its Cornell. Probably worth a look at least.

VOODOO #1
Written by RON MARZ
Art and cover by SAMI BASRI
On sale SEPTEMBER 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
Who is Voodoo? Is she hero, villain – or both? Learn the truth about Priscilla Kitaen as she leaves a trail of violence across America. Discover the new DCU through her eyes, because the things she sees are not always what they seem…

Ron Marz does Voodoo.

Jim: This book is a tabula rasa for me. I know very little about Voodoo and Ron Marz is a name I know, but nothing he has written jumps to my mind. I’m curious about this title, but hope it is more of an origin story so I can get to know the character. Sami's art should at least keep the booking looking good.

Gwen: I'm all for a new character to focus on! I love new characters :) New characters mean fresh new and shiny stories. At least that's what I hope it means.
Thomm: A POV character for the new DCU is a good idea.
Matthew: How about Emerald Twilight and the introduction of Kyle Rayner, Jim! Unless this is some other Ron Marz. You probably meant, "recently".

Greg: Not even a little interested.

GRIFTER #1
Written by NATHAN EDMONDSON
Art by CAFU
Cover by CAFU and BIT
On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
The DCU’s most wanted man stars in his own series!
Cole Cash is a charming grifter few can resist. And yet he’s about to be branded a serial killer when he begins hunting and exterminating inhuman creatures hidden in human form – creatures only he can see!
Can the biggest sweet talker of all time talk his way out of this one when even his brother thinks he’s gone over the edge?

Nathan talks about Who is Jake Ellis.

Jim: Now Grifter I have a little bit of a handle on, but seeing Nathan Edmondson’s name on the credits and CAFU as the artist gives me high hopes for this book. CAFU is an up and coming artist star and Edmondson is just starting to get noticed with some work out of Image. His “Who is Jake Ellis” book bodes well for capturing the type of vibe the solicitation is giving me. Plus I love new voices coming into the DCU.
Gwen: Again - I could care less about Wildstorm characters.
Matthew: Sounds a bit like ROM and the Dire Wraiths (disguised as humans), only without the cool space armor.
Thomm: Reminds me of an Image book whose name I can't recall but featured a guy killing demons that only he could see.
Greg: Killer of Demons! That book was great. Probably better than this.

Part 9 – I can see the end of this thing, why did I decide to remark on every book!

Lee: That is a great question! I think you did it to torture all of us...
Matthew: Perhaps, the 401K contribution DC recently gave you? Just kidding folks, we're not politicians, we're above bribery.

Thomm: Not being offered is not the same as being above.

DC Preview Review for September Part 7 of 11

JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1 Written by PETER MILLIGAN Art by MIKEL JANIN Cover by RYAN SOOK
On sale SEPTEMBER 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
The witch known as The Enchantress has gone mad, unleashing forces that not even the combined powers of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Cyborg can stop. And if those heroes can’t handle the job, who will stand against this mystical madness?
Shade the Changing Man, Madame Xanadu, Deadman, Zatanna and John Constantine may be our only hope – but how can we put our trust in beings whose very presence makes ordinary people break out in a cold sweat?

A Peter Milligan interview about this.

Jim: This I love. First off DC is giving us some diversity in their offering. It is not just are pure cape and cowl material. Taking these less then “A” list characters and sort of doing a “Shadowpack” thing via the Justice League sounds very cool. Peter Milligan is an excellent choice for the writer and I hope Janin can be the right artist for the job, as a generic super hero style would not fit.
Gwen: I see this as an upgraded Shadowpact - but I really liked Shadowpact so this is a pretty neat idea.
Lee: A Vertigo version of the JLA. I love it. This should be great because Milligan always has such bizarre ideas.
Matthew:Why not call it Justice League Supernatural? Marvel should have trademarked the "Dark" descriptor. It would be great if they showed the new JLA get beat down by the Enchantress, first, before this team forms. It does look promising. Although, I'm not promising to get it.

SWAMP THING #1 Written by SCOTT SNYDER Art and cover by YANICK PAQUETTE
On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
One of the world’s most iconic characters has returned to the heart of the DC Universe, and every step he takes will shake the foundations of the Earth!
Alec Holland has his life back…but the Green has plans for it. A monstrous evil is rising in the desert, and it’ll take a monster of another kind to defend life as we know it!

A quick word from Scott about Swamp Thing.

Jim: I would like to claim Scott Snyder as my love child from all those years ago, but she never called asking for child support, so I could be wrong (kidding Gwen and Jamie, you have no half sibling). The point is, this man can write and is already a star in the industry, wish I could say it was genetic. Scott has been excellent and given his horror bent and how well he has done with Detective I have high hopes for this book. Paquette I think is better suited for this type of book then he was on Batman Inc., so it looks like a win all the way around for this book.
Gwen: No half siblings that we know about.... I love Snyder's work - but I don't really care for Swamp Thing. So I wish Scott well on this endevour but icky Swamp Monsters just don't hold any appeal for me.
Lee: Anyone else and this would be a pass. But, if anyone can make it work, it's Snyder. Two for two today.
Matthew: A more Matthew-friendly (non-Vertigo) Swamp Thing book, FINALLY (I hope)! Plus, this with be my first Synder on-going.

ANIMAL MAN #1 Written by JEFF LEMIRE Art by TRAVEL FOREMAN and DAN GREEN Cover by TRAVEL FOREMAN
On sale SEPTEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
Buddy Baker has gone from “super” man to family man – but is he strong enough to hold his family together when Maxine, his young daughter, starts to manifest her own dangerous powers? Find out in this dramatic new series from writer Jeff Lemire (SWEET TOOTH) and artist Travel Foreman (The Immortal Iron Fist).

Jeff speaks out about Animal Man.

Jim: Jeff Lemire has been a heck of a find for DC also. Of course Jeff was a proven talent coming in the door with Essex County, which is some great material. Sweet Tooth is an excellent book and Jeff has been able to translate his strong story telling with Superboy, Atom and the Flashpoint Frankenstein book. Plus I loved the Animal Man series from years ago and I’m anxiously awaiting this book.
Gwen: It would be nice to get a good Animal Man series again. This character has a lot of untapped story potential so I'm hoping it goes well having him in his own series again.
Lee: Again, any other writer and this would be a pass, but I have confidence in Lemire. Hopefully this was his idea and not an editorial mandate. The child with powers them has been beaten to death between this title (back in the 90's) and again with Swamp Thing (Tefe anyone?). Lemire has his work cut out for him but I am willing to give him a chance.

FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. #1 Written by JEFF LEMIRE Art by ALBERTO PONTICELLI Cover by J.G. JONES
On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
It’s Frankenstein as you’ve never seen him before, in a dark new series from acclaimed writer Jeff Lemire (SWEET TOOTH) and artist Alberto Ponticelli (UNKNOWN SOLDIER)!
Frankenstein is part of a network of strange beings who work for an even stranger government organization: The Super Human Advanced Defense Executive! But can he protect the world from threats even more horrifying than himself? And since he’s vilified for who and what he is, will he even want to take on this mission?

Jeff talks Flashpoint Frankenstein

Jim: This grouping just keeps making me happier and happier. During Grant Morrison’s Seven Soldiers work I loved the Frankenstein stuff and need to sit down and read the whole Seven Soldiers thing again one day soon. The Flashpoint stuff by Lemire with Frankenstein has already impressed and Aleberto is one hell of an artist. Unknown Soldier was the first place I saw Alberto’s work but he is a talent.
Gwen: Pass for me. Never much got into the whole Frankenstein thing.
Matthew:Hey, it looks like Frank is teamed up with She-Hulk and the ninja girl from the Honda Civic commercials!

I, VAMPIRE #1
Written by JOSHUA HALE FIALKOV
Art by ANDREA SORRENTINO
Cover by JENNY FRISON
On sale SEPTEMBER 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
For hundreds of years, vampire Andrew Stanton kept mankind safe from the horrors of the supernatural world, thanks to a truce he made with his ex-lover Mary, the Queen of the Damned. But now that truce has reached a bloody end and Andrew must do everything in his power to stop Mary and her dark forces from going on a killing spree – and she plans to start with the heroes of the DCU!

An Interview with Joshua on I Vampire.

Jim: Now I’m done with the whole vampire thing, but Scott Snyder showed us that it can still be a great story element in American Vampire. Add to that having Joshua Fialkov whose work I enjoyed on Elk’s Run and was a creator on Cleaners from Dark Horse and I’m pretty excited. I like seeing newer voices and Joshua is new for main stream Marvel and DC. I have no clue about Sorrentino’s art, but hey if DC is pushing the boundaries I’m will to jump in the water and try this series for three or more issues.
Gwen: Ah, like zombies before them we will grind the vampire stories into the ground until no one can take them anymore. Sure we still get the occasional good story but this one doesn't stand out to be thus far. I'll just have to wait and see if it turns out to be interesting. Like Jim I'd be willing to give it a shot.
Lee: Sigh, New DCU, same old slutty covers. Someone please explain why she is neekkid?

Part 8 next – when, when does this end????

DC Preview Review for September Part 6 of 11

RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #1
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
No sooner has Batman’s former sidekick, Jason Todd, put his past as the Red Hood behind him than he finds himself cornered by a pair of modern day outlaws: Green Arrow’s rejected sidekick Arsenal, the damaged soldier of fortune, and the alien Starfire, a former prisoner of intergalactic war who won’t be chained again.
As a loner, Jason has absolutely no interest in this motley crew of outlaws. So what’s he going to do when they choose the Red Hood as their leader? Find out in this hot new series from writer Scott Lobdell (WILDC.A.T.S, Uncanny X-Men), featuring art by rising star Kenneth Rocafort (ACTION COMICS)!

Jim: A true what the heck is this book. Red Hood, Starfire and Arsenal as a team book? Lobdell is usually underwhelming and Rocafort did some decent work on Madam Mirage I believe, but this is just an odd book. I have no clue as to the whys and wherefores of this group.

Gwen: Um... okay? I can sort of see Red Hood and Arsenal as sidekicks who, at one point or another, have gone bad. But Starfire? Is she just our token woman character for the series? I mean, I don't think she really qualifies as an "outlaw" unless I've missed something... I mean sure, maybe on a planet not Earth I suppose. What an odd concept.
Lee: I like Rocafort's art and I am glad he's breaking into the big leagues, more than he already has. But other than that I am not sure why this book exists.
Matthew: When did Jason Todd become a good guy again? And if he's not, why is Starfire hanging with him? From the cover this looks like an excuse to shoot things with guns or power bolts.
Thomm: A very curious endeavor. I find myself rooting for Starfire deciding these two are just dangerously stupid and throwing them off the planet altogether. She out powers them quite a bit. Really throws off the balance of the characters.

GREEN LANTERN #1
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art by DOUG MAHNKE and CHRISTIAN ALAMY
Cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
Variant cover by GREG CAPULLO
On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
The red-hot GREEN LANTERN team of writer Geoff Johns and artist Doug Mahnke introduce an unexpected new Lantern.

Jim: This book appears to have come through the latest retro-con unscathed. I was hoping to see a little more of Hal’s private life or see if he would ever get one, but it appears we are getting a new GL. I hope so and maybe it is Carol Ferris, which would be a nice twist.

Gwen: I want Kyle back as the lead Earth GL - but I know that's not going to happen. Ah well. I'm surprised they're even hinting at a new lead with the movie being so recent. I mean if the movie has pulled in any new fans they'll probably want to read about Hal - that's what the marketing people usually seem to assume anyway.
Lee: And the cover of the first issues has a bloody fist on it... Nothing appeals to the masses more than a good helping of blood.
Matthew: Jim, it says "unexpected new Lantern". If you think it's Carol, then it's now sure NOT to be her.
Thomm: If that's a woman's hand she needs to be tested for steroids.

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1
Written by PETER J. TOMASI
Art by FERNANDO PASARIN and SCOTT HANNA
Cover by DOUG MAHNKE and CHRISTIAN ALAMY
On sale SEPTEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
When deadly conflicts emerge across the universe, it’s up to Guy Gardner, John Stewart and an elite Green Lantern strike force to keep the peace – or else.

Jim: I just hope this book is its own thing. I believe Guy and John could be a very cool team and running around taking down big threats could be a lot of fun. Tomasi is one of DC’s best writers and Pasarin is a strong artist and Hanna is a top flight inker. This book could be a winner.

Gwen: Or maybe it is Kyle as the new lead seeing how he's not on this cover - oooOOOooo.
Lee: I think this is going to be DC's version of Cable & Deadpool... which was very entertaining.
Thomm: No interest in Deadpool. No interest in this.


GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS #1
Written by TONY BEDARD
Art and cover by TYLER KIRKHAM and BATT
On sale SEPTEMBER 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Kyle Rayner has assembled the most powerful team in all the universe, selected from the full spectrum of corps. But can he even keep this volatile group together?

Jim: Poor Kyle, DC can’t figure out what to do with him. At one time he was the last green Lantern, now he is a Guardian along with other Rainbow corps members. Not sure how a book about the bosses of the show will hold our interest.

Gwen: And there's my downer *sigh* Well at least they're trying to give him somewhat of his own spotlight. This could be interesting - it really depends on how they build character interactions seeing how volatile some of the other Lanterns can be.
Matthew: Wasn't there a less than stellar book called New Guardians back in the mid-80's? Are the (really) old blue Guardians still around? Actually, this seems like a natural progression of the multicolored ring storyline. Maybe this will be the new Guardians of the Galaxy.
Thomm: This has more potential than the other GL related books for me. Could be an intergalactic JLI.

RED LANTERNS #1
Written by PETER MILLIGAN
Art and cover by ED BENES and ROB HUNTER
On sale SEPTEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
Atrocitus and his Red Lantern Corps return in their own series, battling against injustice in the most bloody ways imaginable!

Jim: No way this book works. Still if anyone can’t make blood vomiting lanterns a hit series it will be Peter Milligan. Ed Benes has not produced a lot of work lately and I wonder what his work will look like now. Actually I’m rather intrigued by this series.

Gwen: All I want to know - will rage-kitty be a central character here? Because if not I don't think this book will interest me for long.
Lee: HEY! Wait a minute! Wasn't the chick with the bone wings and faux bat helmet on the cover of the last book too? Why, indeed she was. It's sad when you have to recycle red lantern characters because you have so many books coming out. I'm just waiting for her to join the JLA now. Just to see her vomit blood on Superman's boots would be worth the cover price.
Matthew: Sorry for all the questions, but are we supposed to be rooting for these people? I suppose their threats are worse then they are, but maybe I'm just being judgmental.
Thomm: Now, I'm a huge fan of the Secret Six, but that group doesn't make any pretense of trying to be these guys. I thought the Red Lanterns were supposed to be so mad about their unjust fate that they largely killed anyone they held remotely responsible. That doesn't make for very interesting stories, never mind the moral implications.

And the beat goes on Part 7 next.....