DC Preview Review for December Part 2 of 2

As promised Part 2

DANTE S INFERNO #1
Written by Christos Gage
Art and cover by Diego Latorre
Based on the upcoming EA video game, this classic epic poem is brought to life as never before, courtesy of writer Christos Gage (WILDCATS, X-Men/Spider-Man) and hot new artist Diego Latorre. Dante Alighieri is re-imagined as a holy warrior who has returned from the Crusades to find his beloved fiancÈe Beatrice murdered. When her soul is ensnared by Lucifer, only Dante has the strength and courage to break open the gates of hell and save her. But at what cost to his own immortal soul? And is Dante himself pure enough for this impossible task? Find out in this sizzling new 6-issue miniseries!
On sale December 9 • 1 of 6 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US

Jim: Why not adapt the actual work and not the video game. Pass.
Lee: Because if they adapted the actual book… nope. Can’t do it. There isn’t any comment that I can make that won’t make me sound old and crustier than I already am. I’ll attempt hip YAHOOO More comics based on video games! THIS IS SO COOL.
Gwen:I think Jim and Lee covered it - this is a bad idea.

DAYTRIPPER #1
Written by Gabriel Bá & Fábio Moon
Art by Fábio Moon & Gabriel Bá
Cover by Gabriel Bá
They were two of Entertainment Weekly s Top 100 stars to watch. They ve won multiple Eisners and have worked with the top names of comics and pop culture from Joss Whedon (Sugar Shock) and Mike Mignola (BPRD: 1947) to Gerard Way (Umbrella Academy) and Matt Fraction (Casanova).
Now, Brazilian wonder twins Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá are back writing and drawing in a hauntingly lyrical series set in their native Brazil. With DAYTRIPPER, they follow in the tradition of Craig Thompson, Paul Pope and David Mazzucchelli cartoonists at the top of their game making comics about the quiet moments that ask big questions. Brás de Oliva Domingos is an obituary writer with a famous father, a career he hates, and tons of questions. How does a person become a successful writer? How does a man get out of his father s shadow? But those concerns will dwarf the surprise ll find in the first issue a twist both he and readers will never see coming, which will grow into a mystery about the meaning of life itself.
On sale December 9 • 1 of 10 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • MATURE READERS

Jim: This is the most exciting new material release from DC this month. I can’t wait to read this it sounds great.
Lee: I’ve read just about everything this pair has produced since Casanova. I was sold as soon as I read the creators names.
Gwen: This could be interesting but I don't know that I'm familiar with the creative team.

HELLBLAZER: PANDEMONIUM HC
Written by Jamie Delano
Art and cover by Jock
Commemorating the 25th anniversary of the first appearance of John Constantine, Jamie Delano the very first HELLBLAZER writer returns for a new original graphic novel! Joining him for the occasion is fan-favorite artist Jock (THE LOSERS), who for the first time ever uses the meticulous techniques s developed for his Eisner-nominated covers to illustrate a gripping horror story tailor-made for the 21st century.
When an alluring Muslim woman catches Constantine s eye, she also brings trouble clattering to his doorstep: a bombing in a London museum, mysterious ancient Sumerian artifacts, an unearthly creature running rampant with renegade intentions& To protect his life and freedom, Constantine embarks on a desperate trail sprawling from the back streets of London to the detainment centers of contemporary Iraq where the man s seen everything will see modern-day terror like s never imagined.
Don t miss a Sneak Peek at HELLBLAZER: PANDEMONIUM on the Vertigo Blog at http://vertigo.blog.dccomics.com.
Advance-solicited; on sale February 10 • 128 pg, FC, $24.99 US MATURE READERS

Jim: So I’m getting this, but is this part of Vertigo’s Crime Line? Because Dark Entries was and that was a Hellblazer book and not a “Crime” book. Both can be good, just market the stuff better, please.
Lee: Oddly enough, I love Hellblazer but I’m not really interested in this. It seems like a money grab to me instead of the celebration of original creator they’re trying to make it. How about collecting some of the original Hellblazer material in HC first and then doing stuff like this.
Gwen: I can't say I ever read the original Hellblazer material as I was introduced to the character through Books of Magic. Now if Neil Gaimen wants to write a Hellblazer story I'm all over that.

GOTHAM CITY STORIES: PART 2: CATWOMAN
SCULPTED BY JOSEPH MENNA
The second in DC Direct s series of dimensional display pieces, Catwoman joins the GOTHAM CITY STORIES line! Using her whip to balance as she crawls out the window, Catwoman and her kitty accomplice make off with a bag of money and some jewels among their loot!
DC Direct has created a new way for fans and collectors to celebrate their favorite DC Comics characters. This highly detailed resin rendition of Catwoman is designed to hang on the wall or be displayed on a desk or shelf. Each piece in the GOTHAM CITY STORIES series tells a story on its own, and when multiple pieces of the series are displayed together, new and different stories emerge.
This limited-edition, hand-painted, cold-cast porcelain display piece measures approximately 5.75" high x 5.75" wide x 2.75" deep and is packaged in a 4-color box with a 4-color Certificate of Authenticity.
Limited Edition. Manufactured to order.
Advance-solicited; on sale May 5, 2010 • Statue • $99.99 US

Jim: More dioramas and this time with Catwoman BUSTING out of the wall and her costume.
Lee: Since this is a Christmas solicitation, I thought it was Catwoman coming down the chimney instead of Santa. Oh baby, if all it took was a plate of cookies and some milk to get her down my chimney…. Sorry what were we talking about?
Gwen: Why do we always have to comment on these? Boys. *rolls eyes*

DC ORIGINS SERIES 1 ACTION FIGURE TWO-PACKS
Trace the history of some of the most popular DC Comics characters with these special two-pack action figure sets!
Each set includes two full-sized figures packaged together one based on art from the character s early appearances and the other based on art from the modern era.
One collectible trading card featuring each character will also be included in each package.
All figures feature multiple points of articulation and include display bases and character-specific accessories.
4-color clamshell blister card packaging.
CATWOMAN - 6” H (CLASSIC) - 6.75” H (MODERN)
THE JOKER - 6.5” H (CLASSIC) - 6.75” H (MODERN)
NIGHTWING - 6.25” H (CLASSIC) - 6.5” H (MODERN)
BATMAN - 6.75” H (MODERN) - 6.5” H (CLASSIC)
Advance-solicited; sale May 2010 Action Figures PI

Lee: These are cool because they show the evolution of the characters. Unfortunately, I really don't like where the Joker has gone in the past 10 years. He went from crazy clown to crazy, blood soaked ala Jason Vorhees psychotic. The fact that the early version has a cane and the current has a knife shows how far the character has fallen.
Jim: Blood and gore is all the rage – haven’t you heard and we are just becoming old fogies.
Gwen: The Joker is supposed to be evil Lee. You can't get much eviller than a serial killer (I guess excepting good-guy serial killers, but I don't really get that) and to show just how evil Joker is he has to be all Friday the 13th Rob Zombie style. Geeze.

DC CHRONICLES: SUPERMAN STATUE
SCULPTED BY TIM BRUCKNER
The Man of Steel is the second statue in a new series that captures the original depictions of DC Comics most renowned heroes.
While evoking a gritty, old-school feel with Superman bending a tommy gun, this statue is a modern, sculptural interpretation of Metropolis hero.
The DC Chronicles statue line has a consistent base, and the retro-style logo on the base further gives the piece a sense of the period from which it originated.
This limited-edition, hand-painted, cold-cast porcelain statue measures approximately 6.75 high x wide x deep and is packaged in a 4-color box with a 4-color Certificate of Authenticity.
Manufactured to order.
Advance-solicited; on sale May 12, 2010 • Statue • $99.99 US

Jim: I want this, what an awesome looking retro Superman.
Lee: I had the exact same thought. This is awesome. Then I saw the price tag and realized I probably wouldn’t ever own this.
Gwen: Where's the half-naked Superman to match all the busty half naked women of DC statues???

Jim: Not a bad month with Daytripper a new JSA book, the retro Superman statue and the Creeper hard cover.
Lee: No matter how frustrated I get, DC always seems to have good stuff. I’ll be getting a bunch of this material.
Gwen: I think they should do an anime statue line of the male DC characters. That way we can sex up the guy characters too.