#IReadsYou Review: GEIGER #6

GEIGER #6
IMAGE COMICS/Mad Ghost

STORY: Geoff Johns
ART: Gary Frank
COLORS: Brad Anderson
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
EDITOR: Pat McCallum and Brian Cunningham
COVER: Gary Frank with Brad Anderson
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jerry Ordway with Brad Anderson; Paul Pelletier and Norm Rapmund with Alex Sinclair; Gary Frank with Brad Anderson
48pp, Colors, 4.99 U.S. (September 2021)

Rated “T+/Teen Plus”

Geiger created by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank

“Man vs. Machine”

Geiger is a comic book series from writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank.  Published by Image Comics, Geiger is set on a dying Earth in the years after a nuclear war ravaged the planet and focuses on a “walking bomb” hero.  Colorist Brad Anderson and letterer Rob Leigh complete the series' creative team.

Geiger is set 20 years after the nuclear conflict known as the “Unknown War” ravaged the planet, turning Earth into a dying world.  In the state of Nevada, desperate outlaws battle for survival in a world of rapidly disappearing resources and supplies.  In Boulder City, Nevada, there resides the fearsome man known by many names:  Joe Glow, The Meltdown Man, and the Walking Bomb, to name a few.  But before the war, he was simply a man named Tariq Geiger.  So who or what is Geiger, now?

Geiger #6 (“Man vs. Machine”) opens with the narrator providing a grand intro for the latest chapter of the tale of Geiger, which includes a bit of a side story about “The Unnamed.”  Back to 2050, the King of Vegas has a map and plots his planned conquest of NORAD.

Meanwhile, in NORAD, Geiger and the children, Hailee and Henry, race to escape this prison, and Hailee is forced to give Henry some bad news.  Geiger is determined to protect these children, but in order to do that he will have to battle “Junkyard Joe.”  And this is one opponent who won't go down as easily as the others did.  Plus, Hailee makes a friend and a benefactor (of sorts) in Rick.

THE LOWDOWN:  As first issues go, Geiger #1 was mostly an introduction, kind of like a prologue.  It introduced the title character, Geiger, giving readers a look at who he was in the past and a glance at who he is now.  By the time we reached this sixth and final issue of the first volume and story arc of Geiger, we have a lead character that is revealed and world that is more revealed to the readers.

Geoff John brings all the emotions, feelings, thrills, and scares of the previous issues and funnels them into the series' best issue yet.  All I can say is that it was a blast, a thrill, and a joy to read, and it also left me anxious to discover what comes next.  Apparently, there will be a spin off and a “Geigerverse.”

As Geiger has progressed, Gary Frank's art captured the emotions and passions of intimate moments and the crazy violence of the action scenes.  Here, Frank delivers page after page of explosive power, particularly in the Geiger vs. Junkyard Joe battles.  Brad Anderson's colors don't just capture the best moments; they also make many great moments.  Rob Leigh's lettering keeps this story steady through several violent showdowns and maintains a balance in this volatile issue.

This creative team delivers a winner in Geiger #6, and they also leave us wanting more.  I did not know what to expect from Geiger in the beginning, other than it being another star-driven creator-owned comic book project from Image Comics.  Now, that I know what I know, I confident in recommending this exceptional series.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Geoff Johns and Gary Frank will want to check out Geiger.

A

9 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


https://twitter.com/geoffjohns
http://www.madghost.com/
https://twitter.com/1moreGaryFrank
https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/


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#IReadsYou: GEIGER #5

GEIGER #5
IMAGE COMICS/Mad Ghost

STORY: Geoff Johns
ART: Gary Frank
COLORS: Brad Anderson
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
EDITOR: Pat McCallum and Brian Cunningham
COVER: Gary Frank with Brad Anderson
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jerry Ordway with Brad Anderson; Paul Pelletier and Norm Rapmund with Alex Sinclair; Gary Frank with Brad Anderson
32pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (August 2021)

Rated “T+/Teen Plus”

Geiger created by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank

“God Bless America”

Geiger is a comic book series from writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank.  Published by Image Comics, Geiger is set on a dying Earth in the years after a nuclear war ravaged the planet and focuses on a “walking bomb” hero.  Colorist Brad Anderson and letterer Rob Leigh complete the series' creative team.

Geiger is set 20 years after the nuclear conflict known as the “Unknown War” ravaged the planet, turning Earth into a dying world.  In the state of Nevada, desperate outlaws battle for survival in a world of rapidly disappearing resources and supplies.  In Boulder City, Nevada, there resides the fearsome man known by many names:  Joe Glow, The Meltdown Man, and the Walking Bomb, to name a few.  But before the war, he was simply a man named Tariq Geiger.  So who or what is Geiger, now?

Geiger #5 (“God Bless America”) opens with a recitation of the story up to this point.  Then, after a hard encounter with “the Organ People,” Geiger is in a state of radioactive disarray, and the children, Hailee and Henry, are in the custody of remnants of the old world.  These mysterious new figures are excited to now have the “nuclear football” that was in the children's possession, but they want to know how their late mother, Carolina, came to have it.

When a heartbreaking revelation causes Geiger to break with this happy paradise, their new pals call upon an ancient warrior.  Meanwhile, the King, formerly “the Prince,” and his “Nuclear Knights” continue to track Geiger.

THE LOWDOWN:  As first issues go, Geiger #1 was mostly an introduction, kind of like a prologue.  It introduced the title character, Geiger, giving readers a look at who he was in the past and a glance at who he is now.  Geiger #2 went inside Las Vegas.  With Geiger #3, Geoff Johns began to excavate the heart of the character drama and the passion of old grudges and conflicts.  With Geiger #4, Johns executed his first game changer – in terms of Geiger and the children's fates – and readers got a Mad Max 2/The Road Warrior action sequence.

Geiger #5 is the penultimate issue of the series' first story arc.  Geoff Johns offers the series' most emotionally fulfilling chapter, and he elevates the children from mere pawns into major characters that deliver turning points in the narrative.

As in the third issue, Gary Frank's art captures the emotions and passions of intimate moments and of pivotal scenes in Geiger #5.  The storytelling pours the hotter blood of the relationships of the past that shape the present of Geiger's narrative.  Close-ups are painfully familiar, but that makes this fifth issue in which things seem to matter the most.

I'm all in on Geiger now, and I highly recommend it.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Geoff Johns and Gary Frank will want to check out Geiger.

A

★★★★+ out of 4 stars

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


https://twitter.com/geoffjohns
http://www.madghost.com/
https://twitter.com/1moreGaryFrank
https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/


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#IReadsYou Review: JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA: The Tornado's Path

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA: THE TORNADO'S PATH
DC COMICS

STORY: Brad Meltzer
PENCILS: Ed Benes
INKS: Sandra Hope
COLORS: Alex Sinclair
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
EDITORS: Eddie Berganza (original); Bob Harras (collection)
COVER: Michael Turner with Peter Steigerwald
MISC. ART: Ed Benes with Alex Sinclair; Ed Benes and Maria Benes with Alex Sinclair; Michael Turner with Peter Steigerwald; Phil Jimenez and Andy Lanning with Jeremy Cox; Chris Sprouse and Karl Story with Alex Sinclair; J.G. Jones with Alex Sinclair; Art Adams with Alex Sinclair; Adam Hughes; Ed Benes; Gene Ha; Luke McDonnell; George Perez; Howard Porter & Drew Geraci; Eric Wright; Kevin Maguire with Alex Sinclair
ISBN: 978-1-4012-1580-4; paperback (August 2008)
144pp, Color, $17.99 U.S., $21.99 CAN

Justice League of America created by Gardner Fox

Introduction by Damon Lindelof

The Justice League of America is a DC Comics team of superheroes.  The team was conceived by writer Gardner Fox in the late 1950s as a then modern update of the 1940s superhero team, the Justice Society of America.  The Justice League of America's original line-up of superheroes was comprised of Superman (Clark Kent), Batman (Bruce Wayne), Wonder Woman (Diana Prince), The Flash (Barry Allen), Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), Aquaman (Arthur Curry), and the Martian Manhunter (J'onn J'onzz).  This group first appeared together as the Justice League of America in the comic book, The Brave and the Bold #28 (cover dated: March 1960).

The team received its own comic book title entitled Justice League of America, beginning with a first issue cover dated November 1960.  Justice League of America #261 (cover dated: April 1987) was the series' final issue, and a new series, simply titled Justice League, began with a first issue cover dated May 1987.  The title, “Justice League of America,” would not be used for an ongoing comic book series for almost two decades.

After the events of the event miniseries, Infinite Crisis, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman reformed the Justice League of America as seen in Justice League #0 (cover dated: September 2006).  The kickoff of a new Justice League of America ongoing comic book series was under the guidance of writer Brad Meltzer and pencil artist Ed Benes.  The rest of the creative team was comprised of artist Sandra Hope (inks); colorist Alex Sinclair; and letterer Rob Leigh.

DC Comics reprinted Meltzer and Benes' Justice League of America issues #1 to #7 (cover dates: October 2006 to May 2007) in the collection, Justice League of America: The Tornado's Path.  It was released first in a hardcover edition in June 2007, and was later released in its first paperback edition in August 2008.

Justice League of America: The Tornado's Path begins with a framing sequence.  It depicts Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman's mission to build a new Justice League of America.  Elsewhere, dark forces have gathered to take down a longtime member of the League.

John Smith, the robot superhero known as “Red Tornado,” is about to get a new lease on life.  With the help of Deadman and Dr. Will Magnus (creator of the Metal Men), John is going to transfer his “soul” into a duplicate body of the recently deceased metahuman, Multiplex.  The duplicate or clone is brain dead.  By becoming a flesh and blood human, Red Tornado believes that he can become a real husband to his wife, Kathy Sutton, and to their adopted daughter, Traya.  However, a conspiracy led by some of the Justice League's most powerful and evil adversaries has other plans for Red Tornado and for the new Justice League of America.

THE LOWDOWN:  I remember, lo those many years ago, what big news it was that bestselling novelist, Brad Meltzer, would be the writer that would help launch (or relaunch) a new Justice League of America comic book series.  Meltzer had already wowed fans and courted some controversy just a few years earlier with his DC Comics event comic book miniseries, Identity Crisis (2004-05).

Meltzer's opening Justice League of America story arc, “The Tornado's Path,” lived up to the anticipation.  For one thing, the Red Tornado/John Smith's situation was just so tragic.  Sure, the idea of his soul being transferred into the brain dead clone body of a dead man was (and is) super-gross.  Still, Metltzer made me feel that Smith's journey was honest and genuine.  Also, the villains were damn mean and evil.  Meltzer wasn't trying to do  something similar to what Marvel Comics writers have been trying to do with X-Men character, Magneto, for four decades – turn an evil, racist mass murderer into a tragic Holocaust survivor.  No, the villains that appear in this story arc (and I don't want to spoil their identities for those of you who have not, but should read this story) are evil, lowdown, dirty-ass muthas, and they want to annihilate some JLA ass.

Speaking of the Justice League, I find that Meltzer did not so much give them personalities as he simply wrote an engaging character drama in which he made all the characters interesting.  The characters were equal parts poignant, dramatic, and humorous, but the potential for superhero action-violence was always there.

Artist Ed Benes did some really good work here.  His pencil art, especially under Sandra Hope's inks, was clearly inspired by some of the artists of the late 1980s and early 1990s who founded Image Comics.  However, Benes' graphical storytelling was powerfully dramatic.  He drew costumed characters with broad, muscular, meaty, and thick bodies that filled up the panels with power and the potential for power.  Benes made every threat of or potential for violence feel real.  The contents of each panel were designed and staged for maximum effect.  He gave this story epic power, although “The Tornado's Path” did not feel so much like an epic as it did feel like a consequential moment in the history of Justice League of America comic books.

I don't have much to say about the coloring by Alex Sinclair; his work here is among his lesser achievements.  On the other hand, Rob Leigh's lettering helps to sell the elements of drama, violence, and danger in this story.  I had been putting off reading Brad Meltzer's Justice League of America comics for years, and fortune brought this trade collection into my hands.  I'm glad it did.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Brad Meltzer and of the Justice League of America will want to treat themselves to Justice League of America: The Tornado's Path.

A
9 out of 10

[This volume includes additional commentary by Brad Meltzer, Ed Benes, Alex Sinclair, and Sandra Hope.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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#IReadsYou Review: THE BATMAN'S GRAVE #1

THE BATMAN'S GRAVE No. 1 (OF 12)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Warren Ellis
PENCILS: Bryan Hitch
INKS: Kevin Nowlan
COLORS: Alex Sinclair
LETTERS: Richard Starkings
EDITOR: Marie Javins
COVER: Bryan Hitch with Alex Sinclair
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Jeehyung Lee
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2019)

Rated “T+” for “Teen Plus”

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

The Batman's Grave is a new twelve-issue, comic book maxi-series.  It is written by Warren Ellis and drawn by Bryan Hitch (pencils) and Kevin Nowlan (inks).  Ellis and Hitch worked together on the comic book, StormWatch (1997), and are best known as a team for their run on the hit comic book, The Authority (1999), which the two created.  Colorist Alex Sinclair and letterer Richard Starkings complete the creative team.  The Batman's Grave finds Batman a.k.a. “The World's Great Detective” forced to inhabit the mind of a murder victim with a half-eaten face in order to solve the crime.

The Batman's Grave #1 opens at Wayne Manor, the stately home of Bruce Wayne a.k.a. Batman.  We find Bruce's butler and Batman's brother-in-arms, Alfred Pennyworth, tending to the graves of Bruce's parents, Thomas and Martha Wayne.  There is a third grave.  It is empty, and Bruce will one day fill it.

In Gotham City, Batman saves a young couple and their child the way no one saved young Bruce and his slain parents.  Alerted to an unanswered 911 call, Batman finds himself at a rundown apartment building.  There, he finds the corpse of Vincent William Stannik.  By his own admission to Alfred, Batman can only think like a victim.  And this almost psychotic identification with murder victims causes him to immerse himself in the lives the victims and to obsess over every detail of their deaths.  But will this focus on the victim as he approached death lead Batman to his own grave?

I often lament that comic books featuring the world's greatest (comic book) detective are more often than not more superhero-action comics than they are mystery comics.  After reading this first issue's 24 (not 20) pages, I think that The Batman's Grave will be a mystery comic book that will have Batman play detective to solve murder cases.  At the same time, The Batman's Grave's creative team will investigate the minds of both Batman/Bruce Wayne and Alfred Pennyworth.

In fact, I love (and yes that is the word I want to use) Warren Ellis' depiction of Alfred Pennyworth as a tired, old friend, exhausted by a war on crime of which he wishes Batman was also exhausted.  Ellis presents Bruce Wayne and Batman as one in the same – psychotic.  I am especially curious to see where Ellis takes this series.

The artists of The Batman's Grave, Bryan Hitch on pencils and Kevin Nowlan on inks, are a dream team.  Hitch's eccentric, stylish pencils can only be inked by a veteran and/or supremely talented inker, and of course, that is Nowlan.  The resulting art is beautiful, mysterious, and haunting – the perfect graphical storytelling for a tale of murder, obsession, and graves.  Alex Sinclair, as usual, colors the crap out of the art and embellishes this story with a perfect mood that recalls Edgar Allen Poe.  Letterer Richard Starkings, as usual, does standout work; I guess if you have Ellis, Hitch, Nowlan, and Sinclair, you have to have Starkings on the team, also.

So I am ready for more, and truthfully, this is the only Batman comic book I feel like I have to read right now.  I recommend that you try at least The Batman's Grave #1.

8 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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#IReadsYou Review: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS: The Golden Child #1

DARK KNIGHT RETURNS: THE GOLDEN CHILD No. 1
DC COMICS/Black Label

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Frank Miller
ART: Rafael Grampá
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: John Workman and Deron Bennett
EDITOR: Mark Doyle
COVER: Rafael Grampa with Pedro Cobiaco
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Andy Kubert with Brad Anderson; Frank Miller with Alex Sinclair; Joelle Jones with Dave McCaig; Rafael Grampa with Pedro Cobiaco; Paul Pope with Jose Villarrubia
32pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (February 2020)

Ages 17+

Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (also known as DKR) was a four-issue comic book miniseries starring Batman.  Published by DC Comics in 1986, this prestige-format comic book was written by Frank Miller; drawn by Miller (pencils) and Klaus Janson (inks); colored by Lynn Varley; and lettered by John Costanza, with the book covers drawn by Miller and Varley.

DKR told the tale of a 50-year-old Bruce Wayne, long retired as Batman, who dons the cape and cowl again to take on a new crime wave in Gotham City.  When an institutionalized Joker discovers that Batman has returned, he revives himself and begins a new crime wave of craziness.  Batman also battles Superman who is trying to force Batman back into retirement.

DRK was a smash hit, and from the time of its publication, it became a hugely influential comic book, especially on the editorial mindset of DC Comics.  There have been sequels to DKR, as well as other comic books set in its “universe.”  The most recent DKR comic book is Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child.  It written by Frank Miller, drawn by Rafael Grampá; colored by Jordie Bellaire; and lettered by John Workman and Deron Bennett.  The Golden Child finds the heirs to the legacy of the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel taking on adversaries of their predecessors.

Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child #1 opens three years after the events depicted in the nine-issue miniseries, Dark Knight III: The Master Race (2015-2017).  Lara, the daughter of Wonder Woman (Diana) and her consort, Superman, has spent that time learning to be more human.  After spending her life with the Amazons of Paradise Island, however, Lara has a great disdain for humans.  Carrie Kelley, the former Robin, has been growing into her new role as The Batwoman, after Bruce Wayne/Batman finally retired.

The Batwoman has been battling the Joker and his gang of Joker clones, who are in full rage as the day of the U.S. presidential election approaches.  [Although he is not named, President Donald Trump's image and presence are prominent throughout this comic book].  But Joker has found a new partner in a terrifying evil that has come to Gotham – Darkseid.  Now, Lara and Carrie must team-up to stop two evils, but their secret weapon, young Jonathan, “the golden child” (Lara's brother and Diana and Superman's son) is also the object of Darkseid's murderous desire.

I really like Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child, but not because of Frank Miller's story.  It is a hot mess of sound and fury signifying nothing.  It is like someone's incorrect idea that the sound of Jack Kirby is not big (in relation to Darkseid, a character he created), but is histrionics.  Miller does offer a few good ideas, and he is one of the few mainstream comic book creators that could get away with not only casting Donald Trump in a DC Comics title, but also portraying him in an unflattering light.  Teaming-up Joker and Darkseid is not one of Miller's good ideas, and Miller's portrayal of Lara and Jonathan is a mixed bag.  But I can tell that Miller really loves Carrie Kelley, a character he created in DKR.  She is glorious as The Batwoman.

No, I don't love Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child because of Frank Miller.  I love it because of Rafael Grampa, the Brazilian film director and comic book artist.  Grampa's style in Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child is a mixture of Frank Miller's graphic style in both Batman: The Dark Knight Returns and in his Sin City series of miniseries and one-shot comic books and also of Scottish comic book artist Frank Quitely's graphic style.

Grampa's gorgeous illustrations and compositions look even better under Jordie Bellaire's inventive coloring and varietal of hues.  But even all that pretty art can't create superb graphical storytelling from Frank Miller's mish-mash of a story, except in a few places – the Batwoman sections of course.  Carrie Kelley is absolutely spectacular in the double-caped, leathery Bat-suit, which also looks like an actual man-sized bat.

Well, you can't get everything, although John Workman and Deron Bennett also deliver some fine-looking lettering.  So I'll be satisfied with Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child #1 being one of the beautifully drawn and illustrated comic book one-shots that I have ever read.

8 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

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I Reads You Juniors: April 2021 - Update #103

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon.

NEWS:

DC FILMS - From Deadline:  "Young Rock" actor, Uli Latukefu, who plays the college football era Dwayne Johnson on the NBC hit series, is reuniting with the action star for New Line/DC’s "Black Adam."

DC FILMS - From BleedingCool:  Voice actress, Stana Katic, talks about the new animated DVD film, "Justice Society: World War II," and the character she plays in the film, Wonder Woman.

DC FILMS - From BleedingCool:  Voice actress, Elysia Rotaru, talks about the new animated DVD film, "Justice Society: World War II," and the character she plays in the film, Black Canary.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:   The blog details the big changes coming to the Superman line of titles in July.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:   After being a colorist at DC Comics for 28 years, Alex Sinclair has decided to branch out to other publishers, while still coloring comics for DC.  His first outside work is as the regular colorist for "The Amazing Spider-Man" beginning with this month's issue #63.

MARVEL - From GamesRadar:   Marvel Comics is offering two comic books for Free Comic Book Day 2021, "Avengers/Hulk" and "Spider-Man/Venom."  Free Comic Book Day 2021 is Sat. May 1st.

BOOM STUDIOS - From TheBeat:  The hot comic book news today (Mon., April 26th) is about the upcoming historical and science fiction comic book miniseries, "Dark Blood."   It is written by LaToya Morgan, who was a writer and co-executive producer on the AMC series, "Into the Badlands" and "Turn: Washington's Spies."  It is drawn by first-time comic book artist, illustrator Walt Barna.  The first of six issue arrives July 2021 from BOOM! Studios.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Diamond Comic Distributors is apparently calling each comic book shop to learn which shops will order their Marvel Comics titles though them or directly through Penguin Random House, Marvel's new distributor.  Diamond will still distribute Marvel titles in October, but Diamond will have to get those titles from Penguin Random House.

DC CINEMA - From WeGotThisCovered:   Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson shares of a photo showing that he has arrived in Atlanta to shoot the DC Films' movie, "Black Adam."

MANGA - From BleedingCool:   Yen Press announces another slate of new manga and light novel releases.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:   Wolverine guest stars in "Shang-Chi #3," due this July.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:   DC Comics will launch a new horror imprint, "DC Horror," this fall.  The debut title will be a comic book miniseries that will act as prelude to the upcoming film, "The Conjuring: The Lover."

IMAGE COMICS - From EW:   "Game of Thrones" star Emilia Clarke has her own comic book, a three-issue miniseries entitled "M.O.M.: Mother of Madness," which begins in July.

MARVEL/VIZ Media - From BleedingCool:   Marvel Comics and VIZ Media's collaboration will begin in Fall 2021 with "Marvel Meow."  A 72-page hardcover book, this manga will feature Captain Marvel's cat, "Chewi," interacting with Marvel's biggest stars.  The first English-language publication of the Deadpool manga, "Deadpool: Samurai" will occur Feb. 2022.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:   DC Comics has announced a new eight-issue mini-series, Blue & Gold, starring Booster Gold and Blue Beetle, by Booster Gold's creator Dan Jurgens and artist Ryan Sook.

MARVEL - From Deadline:  Hulu released a trailer for its stop-motion animated series, "Marvel's M.O.D.O.K."  The series debuts on Hulu May 21st, 2021.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:   DC Comics has announced the cancellation of its on-going "Superman" title. It will be replaced in July 2021 by a new title, "Superman: Son of Kal-El," written by Tom Taylor and drawn by John Timms, and which will feature Lois Lane and Superman's son, Jonathan "Jon" Kent, as Superman.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Ablaze Publishing announces its latest uncensored Conan the Cimmerian comic book series, "The Cimmerian: Man-Eaters of Zamboula"

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:   Writer Tom Taylor and artist Andy Kubert talks about "Batman: The Detective #1."

DC CINEMA - From TheWrap: Actor Michael Keaton's talent agent, ICM Partners, has confirmed that Keaton will reprise the role of Batman in DC Films' "The Flash." Keaton played Batman/Bruce Wayne in two films, 1989 "Batman" and 1992's "Batman Returns." 

LGBTQ - From CBR:  Kodansha has announced that the trans coming-of-age manga, "Boys Run the Riot," by trans creator Keito Gaku, will debut in the U.S. May 25th, in both print and digital.

MANGA - From ASAP:   The nominees for Kodansha's 45th Annual Manga Awards have been announced.  The winners will be announced May 13, 2021.

SONY SPIDER U - From Variety:   Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson have been tapped by Sony Pictures Animation to direct the sequel to the Oscar-winning animated feature “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.”

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:   The upcoming "Red Hood" title, "Future State: Gotham," will have a manga-inspired look due to the work of artist, Giannis Milonogiannis.  "DC Blog" offers several images from the issue including the first five pages of the story and some pages from the back-up story, a reprint of a Katsuhiro Otomo ("Akira") "Batman" short story.

COMICS TO TV - From CinemaBlend:   Beloved "Supernatural" actor, Jensen Ackles, has joined Season 3 of Amazon's "The Boys."  He will play the character "Soldier Boy."

DISNEY - From BleedingCool:  Disney/Hyperion will publish a line of original graphic novels, called "Disney Remix," that will offer new versions of popular characters from various Disney properties, including film and television.   The first graphic novel in the line is "Operation Parent Trap," which is based on the 1961 Walt Disney film and its 1998 remake.

DC CINEMA - From BleedingCool:  DC Film's "The Flash" movie has a logo, and it has been revealed!

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:   "Everything You Need to Know About Batman/Fortnite: Zero Point!," according to "DC Blog."

BOOM STUDIOS - From BleedingCool:   Writer-artist David Petersen returns to his popular "Mouse Guard" series with the one-shot comic book, "Mouse Guard: The Owlhen Caregiver," in July.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:   Remember Marvel Comics' "World War Hulk."  July brings "World Wars She-Hulk."

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:   DC Comics is going to reprint the 6-page story, "Batman: The Third Mask," from 1996's "Batman: Black and White miniseries," in "Future State: Gotham #1."  The story was created by "Akira" creator, Katsuhiro Otomo.

DC CINEMA - From Deadline:   Stand-up comedian, Mo Amer, joins the cast of Dwayne Johnson's "Black Adam" movie from DC Films.

MARVEL - From EW:   Marvel Comics has unveiled its new X-Men line-up: Cyclops, Jean Grey, Polaris, Rogue, Wolverine (Laura Kinney), Sunfire, and Synch.

DC TV - From Deadline:  Actor Dominic Purcell leaves The CW's "DC's Legends of Tomorrow" in a huff.  Purcell has been playing the character "Heatwave."

DC TV - From BleedingCool:   Season 3 of HBO Max's "Doom Patrol" will apparently include the "Dead Boy Detectives."  A duo of ghostly detectives, the characters first appeared in Neil Gaiman's "The Sandman #25," and "Neil himself" approves of the casting of actors Sebastian Croft and Ty Tennant in the roles.

DC COMICS - From CBR:   This article details "10 Classic DC Characters Who Didn't Debut in a Comic Book."  Harley Quinn is obvious, having debuted in television series, "Batman: The Animated Series," but I did not know that the Superman character, "Jimmy Olsen," did not get a name until an appearance in "The Adventures of Superman" radio serial in 1940.

DC COMICS - From THR:   Following the events of "Future State," Jason Todd/Red Hood will get a new ongoing comic book series , "DC's Future State: Gotham," written by Joshua Williamson and Dennis Culver and drawn by Giannis Milonogiannis.

IMAGE COMICS - From BleedingCool:   Image Comics will publish an art book from cable network, AMC.  Entitled "The Art of AMC's The Walking Dead Universe," the book is due September 2021.

MARVEL STUDIOS - From BGR:   There are plenty of rumors about what Marvel Studios plans to do in regards to bringing Wolverine back to the big screen ... and the small screen.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  The mutant "Polaris" has won the fan vote to be a new member of the X-Men.

VIZ MEDIA - From BleedingCool:   VIZ Media will publish a complete "Ultimate Edition" of the classic 1980s manga, "Fist of the North Star." The first volume arrives June 15th at $19.99 US.

COMICS - From GamesRadar:   The upcoming "Shadowman" comic book from Valiant (which debuts April 28th) will re-imagine the supernatural side of the "Valiant Universe."

BLACK COMICS - From Previews:   Artists Julian Shaw and Paris Alleyne talks about bringing 28 artists together for their art book, "28 Days of Black Heroes: The Arts of Julian Shaw and Paris Alleyne."

COMICS - From YahooNerdist:   How the year 1986 changed American comic books forever with "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns" and "Watchmen," among others.

COMICS - From BleedingCool:  "MPLS Sound" is a graphic novel that pays homage to the musical legacy of late music legend, Prince, via a story that focuses on the fictional band, "Starchild."

COMICS TO FILM - From Deadline:  Director Joe Cornish ("Attack the Block") is set to direct a film version of Mark Millar and Goran Parlov's comic book, "Starlight," for 20th Century Studios.

COMICS - From TCJ:   "The Comic Journal's" Robert Newsome interviews Evan Dorkin about his new "Beasts of Burden" miniseries.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:   Want some "Heroes Reborn" spoilers?

MARVEL - From TheWrap:   "The Wraps" says the "incel Captain America" of "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" is so perfect.

BOOKS - From BleedingCool:   Gallery/Saga Press is reprinting author Michael Moorcock's "Elric of Melnibone" novels in three deluxe volumes.  The forewords for those volumes will be written by Neil Gaiman (Vol. 1), Michael Chabon (Vol. 2), and Alan Moore (Vol. 3).

IMAGE COMICS - From THR:   "The Hollywood Reporter" has a feature on comic book artist Joe Madureira and the return of his comic book, "Battle Chasers," after a 20-year hiatus.

DC CINEMA - From WeGotThisCovered:   As DC Film's "Black Adam" starts shooting, star Dwayne Johnson posts the first set photo.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:   May 2021's "Immortal Hulk: Time of Monsters #1" is one of those rare occasions when fans will be treated to a comic book containing interior art by the great Kevin Nowlan.

IN MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool:   The comic book writer, Joye Hummel Murchinson Kelly, died Monday, April 5, 2021 at the age of 97.  If you don't know her name, then, you don't know that she was Wonder Woman creator, William Moulton Marston's writing assistant.  She took over writing duties of Wonder Woman with "The Winged Maidens of Venus" in Wonder Woman #12.  She would go on to write over 70 Wonder Woman stories through 1947, credited as "Charles Moulton," an in-house credit.  After Marston died of cancer, National/DC Comics chose writer Robert Kanigher to continue Wonder Woman.

FANTAGRAPHICS - From BleedingCool:  Publisher Gary Groth and artist Don Simpson explain why Alan Moore's name is not credited for "In Pictopia."

COMICS TO TV - From YouTube:   Netflix releases an official trailer for "Jupiter's Legacy," its TV series adaptation of Mark Millar and Frank Quitely's comic book series.

DC CINEMA - From VanityFair:   Oscar-winning screenwriter Chris Terrio is not happy about what Warner Bros. and Joss Whedon did with his work for Zack Snyder on the "Justice League" film, and he is tired of keeping silent.

FOX MARVEL U - From WeGotThisCovered:  Rumor is that Ryan Reynolds wants to give voice to the Marvel character, "Deadpool," which he has played in two successful live-action films.  He reportedly want to revive the proposed animated Deadpool series that was to be produced for FXX.  No word on if brothers Donald and Stephen Glover would run the show as originally planned.

SONY MARVEL U - From THR:   Sony Pictures has signed an exclusive streaming deal with Netflix.  From 2022 onward, all Sony Productions will stream exclusively on Netflix, and that includes all those Spider-Man and Spider-Man related titles that Sony has released - including the Marvel "Spider-Man" films.

DC CINEMA - From WeGotThisCovered:  Warner Bros. executives apparently don't want to follow Zack Snyder's lead when it comes to films based on DC Comics characters.

DC CINEMA - From Deadline:   Dwayne Johnson's DC Films movie, "Black Adam," adds current Tony Award nominee, actor James Cusati-Moyer, to the cast.

DC COMICS - From YahooAP:   A copy of the rare "Action Comics #1," the comic book that introduced Superman, was sold for 3.5 million dollars at auction.  It is graded "8.5" by the CGC.

MANGA - From JapanTimes:   An "Attack on Titan" themed museum has opened in Hita, Oita Prefecture, the hometown of "Attack on Titan" creator, Hajime Isayama.

MANGA - From BleedingCool:   Kodansha announces new manga titles for Fall 2021 "Lovesick Ellie" and "Penguin & House."

DC CINEMA - From THR:   The interview of actor Ray Fisher and feature article goes into great detail about Fisher's complaints against various Warner Bros. executives and filmmakers involved in the making of the film, "Justice League," including Geoff Johns, Jon Berg, and director Joss Whedon.

BOOM STUDIOS - From BleedingCool:   When BOOM! Studios "Magic: The Gathering #1 debuts tomorrow, it will be the highest ordered issue in the history of the franchise as a comic book.

MARVEL COMICS - From WashingtonTimes:  Canadian clinical psychologist and bigot Jordan B. Peterson is stunned that the Marvel Comics Nazi villain, "Red Skull," as written by Ta'Nehisi Coates sounds like him.

COMICS SHOP - From TheBeat:  A retailer talks about the good and bad ideas of comic book publishers, Bad Idea.

MANGA TO ANIME - From Jotaku:   Junji Ito's short story collection, "Ito Junji Kesssaku-shu" ("Junji Ito Masterworks Collection"), is getting an anime adaptation.

DC TV - From WeGotThisCovered:   The CW is reportedly looking for a new Green Arrow.  Stephen Amell played the character for eight seasons on The CW's "Arrow (2012-20).

VIDEO GAMES TO COMICS - From GamesRadar:   Tapas Media has partnered with the mobile gaming giant Netmarble for a series of prosel novels and webcomics based on the company's hit games, including "Iron Throne: The Firstborn."

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  DC Comics is introducing a new Asian superhero, "Monkey Prince," created by Gene Luen Yang and Bernard Chang.

MARVEL CINEMA - From WeGotThisCovered:  Rumors say that Deadpool would be a member of the X-Men when the team returns to cinemas via Marvel Studios.

DC CINEMA - From WeGotThisCovered:   Warner Bros./Legendary Entertainment's "Godzilla vs. Kong" had the biggest HBO Max debut ever in terms of viewership numbers - even bigger than "Zack Snyder's Justice League."

COMICS TO FILM - From Movieweb:   Hong Kong action movie legend, John Woo, is set to produce a film based on "Monkey Master," an unreleased comic book created by the late Marvel Comics' legend, Stan Lee.

COMICS TO FILM - From BleedingCool:  Mike Mignola reflects on the first "Hellboy" film from 17 years ago, 2004's "Hellboy."

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:   Here is a look at the DC Comics, omnibus editions, deluxe compendiums, and collections for early 2022.

DC COMICS - From GamesRadar:   DC Comics' Batman and G.I. Joe's Snake-Eyes will final battle ... in a "Fortnite" comic book.

COMICS - From Express:  First Lady Dr. Jill Biden will be the star of an issue of "Female Force," a comic book that focuses on high-achieving female public figures from publisher, TidalWave Comics.

MANGA - From ScreenRant:   The "Eternal First God" manga apparently combines "Pokemon" and "Naruto."

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics is delaying its launch of "Predator #1" to November 2021.  Apparently, other Predator and Predator-related publications will also be delayed.

COMICS TO TV - From Nerdcore:   Actress Katia Winter ("Sleepy Hollow") will reportedly play the cult favorite character, "Little Nina," in Season 3 of Amazon's hit superhero series, "The Boys."

MARVEL - From TheRinger: "Who is John Walker."  The website talks about the character that has assumed the identity of Captain America in the Disney+/Marvel Studios' series, "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier."

DC COMICS - From ComicBook:  DC announced its first-ever "Round Robin" bracket, which will allow fans to vote on a potential series from a number of pitches. While creative teams for none of the series have been announced, the series in question is expected to be published later this year.

DC CINEMA - From THR:   Two previously DC Films have been cancelled.  The first is Oscar-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay's "New Gods" film, and the second is "Aquaman" director James Wan's Aquaman spinoff, "The Trench."

STAR WARS - From GamesRadar:   Lucasfilm releases "Pride Month" (June) cover image for Marvel Comics' "Star Wars: The High Republic."

FANTAGRAPHICS - From TheBeat:   "The Beat" interviews cartoonist Paco Roca about his newest English translated work, "The Winter of the Cartoonist."

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:   After about eight years at DC Comics, artist John Romita, Jr. is returning to his original home, Marvel Comics.

MARVEL/VIZ MEDIA - From BleedingCool:  The first Marvel Comics/Shonen Jump crossover is "My Hero Academia/Deadpool."

DC CINEMA - From THR:  The beloved "Batman" comic book, "Batman: The Long Halloween," is now a two-part animated film, with the first part debuting either this spring or summer on DVD and Blu-ray.  The cast includes Jensen Ackles ("Supernatural") as Batman and the late Naya Rivera as "Catwoman."

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:   Diamond Comics UK will continue to distribute DC Comics titles through December 31st, 2021.

----------------------------

APRIL 2021 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for April 2021 

From BleedingCool:  Black Mask Studios for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  Second Sight for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for April 2021

From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for April 2021

MAY 2021 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for May 2021

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for May 2021 

From BleedingCool:  Black Mask for May 2021

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for May 2021 

From BleedingCool:  Comic House for May 2021

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for May 2021

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for May 2021

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for May 2021

From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for May 2021

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for May 2021

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for May 2021

From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for May 2021

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for May 2021

From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for May 2021

From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for May 2021

From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for May 2021

JUNE 2021 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for June 2021 

From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for 2021

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for June 2021

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for June 2021

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for June 2021

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for June 2021

From BleedingCool:  Eaglemoss for June 2021

From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for June 2021

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for June 2021 

From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for June 2021

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for June 2021

From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for June 2021

From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for June 2021

From BleedingCool:  Valiant Entertainment for June 2021

From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for June 2021

From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for June 2021 

 

JULY 2021 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Artists, Writers & Artisans for July 2021

From BleedingCool:  Bad Idea for July 2021

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for July 2021

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for July 2021

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for July 2021

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for July 2021

From BleedingCool:  Heavy Metal for July 2021

From BleedingCool:  Hero Collectors for July 2021

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for July 2021

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for July 2021

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for July 2021

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for July 2021

From BleedingCool:  Valiant Entertainment for July 2021

From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for July 2021

AUGUST 2021 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Free Comic Book Day for August 14, 2021

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#28DaysofBlack Review: Dwayne McDuffie and "Justice League of America: The Injustice League"

[Dwayne McDuffie (1962-2011) left behind a diverse body of work in American comic books, one that emphasized diversity and inclusion. He did so when "diversity" and "inclusion" were dirtier words than they may be to some, now. McDuffie continues to be an inspiration to new voices in American comic books and graphic novels.]

Get #28DaysofBlack review links here.

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA: THE INJUSTICE LEAGUE
DC COMICS – @DCComics

STORY: Dwayne McDuffie; Alan Burnett
PENCILS: Mike McKone; Joe Benitez; Ed Benes; Allan Jefferson
INKS: Andy Lanning; Victor Llamas; Sandra Hope; Allan Jefferson
COLORS: Pete Pantazis; Alex Sinclair
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
EDITOR: Brian Cunningham
COVER: Ian Churchill and Norm Rapmund with Alex Sinclair
MISC. ART: Ed Benes and Rod Reis with Alex Sinclair; Ian Churchill and Norm Rapmund with Alex Sinclair; Joe Benitez and Victor Llamas with Pete Pantazis
ISBN: 978-1-4012-2050-1; paperback (June 9, 2009)
144pp, Color, $17.99 U.S., $21.99 CAN

Justice League of America created by Gardner Fox

The Justice League of America is a DC Comics team of superheroes.  The team was conceived by writer Gardner Fox in the late 1950s as a then modern update of the 1940s superhero team, the Justice Society of America.  The Justice League of America's original line-up of superheroes was comprised of Superman (Clark Kent), Batman (Bruce Wayne), Wonder Woman (Diana Prince), The Flash (Barry Allen), Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), Aquaman (Arthur Curry), and the Martian Manhunter (J'onn J'onzz).  This group first appeared together as the Justice League of America in the comic book, The Brave and the Bold #28 (cover dated: March 1960).

The team received its own comic book title entitled Justice League of America, beginning with a first issue cover dated November 1960.  Justice League of America #261 (cover dated: April 1987) was the series' final issue, and a new series, simply titled Justice League, began with a first issue cover dated May 1987.  The title, “Justice League of America,” would not be used for an ongoing comic book series for almost two decades.

After the events of the event miniseries, Infinite Crisis, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman reformed the Justice League of America as seen in Justice League #0 (cover dated: September 2006), the kickoff of a new Justice League of America ongoing comic book series under the guidance of writer Brad Meltzer and artist Ed Benes.

After the publication of Justice League of America #12, Dwayne McDuffie became the series new writer.  McDuffie's first story arc was entitled “Unlimited.”  The creative team was comprised of pencil artists: Mike McKone, Joe Benitez, and Ed Benes and inkers: Andy Lanning, Victor Llamas, and Sandra Hope; colorist Pete Pantazis; and letterer Rob Leigh.

The story arc began in the one-shot special, Justice League of America Wedding Special #1 (November 2007) and ran through Justice League of America issues #13 to #15 (November 2007 to January 2008).  Issue #16 (cover dated: February 2008) offered two related stories.  “A Brief Tangent” was written by McDuffie; drawn by Benitez (pencils) and Llamas (inks); colored by Pantazis; and lettered by Leigh.  “Tangent: Superman's Reign” was written by Alan Burnett; drawn by Allan Jefferson; colored by Pantazis; and lettered by Leigh.

The “Unlimited” story was collected in Justice League of America: The Injustice League, which reprints Justice League of America Wedding Special #1 and Justice League of America issue #13 to #16.  The collection was first published first in hardcover (June 2008), and then, as a trade paperback (June 2009).

The backdrop of “Unlimited” is the impending wedding of Oliver “Ollie” Queen, the retired superhero known as Green Arrow, and Dinah Lance known as the hero, Black Canary, the leader of the Justice League of America.  The male members of the League are holding a bachelor party for Ollie that is not going as well as expected.  The female members are holding a bachelorette party for Dinah.

Elsewhere, super-villains:  Lex Luthor, The Joker, and Cheetah are forming a new iteration of “The Injustice League,” the evil counterpart of the Justice League, but this version will have the largest roster of villains ever.  Meeting at the “Hall of Doom,” Luthor dubs this new team, “The Injustice League Unlimited,” and they start launching their first attacks against the Justice League.

Soon, at St. Vincent's Hospital in Greenwich Village in New York City, Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl are fighting the new Injustice League's members, Cheetah, Dr. Light, and Killer Frost, while Firestorm (Jason Rusch) is in a hospital bed, gravely injured from his battle with the villains.  Batman and Red Arrow (Roy Harper) find themselves ambushed by The Joker, Fatality, and the Shadow Thief, who have already taken out Geo-Force.

With members of the Justice League falling to its adversaries, the Justice League is outmatched, and its numbers are dwindling.  Lex Luthor, however, is focused on his main target, Superman, and Luthor promises that he has devised a way to finally destroy Superman.

THE LOWDOWN:  Dwayne Glenn McDuffie died on February 21, 2011, one day after his 49th birthday.  McDuffie was a comic book writer, and he was one of the founders of Milestone Media.  This pioneering minority-owned-and minority-operated company created comic books which featured superheroes and other characters that were either African-American or other minorities whose depictions were underrepresented in American comic books.

McDuffie also wrote and produced for television, specifically for animated TV series.  He was a writer-producer for one season of Cartoon Network's “Justice League” (2001-2004) and a writer-producer for its follow-up, “Justice League Unlimited” (2004-2006).  He wrote and/or produced for three iterations of Cartoon Network's “Ben 10” franchise.  McDuffie also wrote several episodes of the animated series, The WB's “Static Shock” (2000-04), which was based on the Milestone comic book series, Static, that McDuffie co-created and co-wrote.

McDuffie may have been one of the most under-utilized talents and under-appreciated and underrated writers during his three-decade career in the American comic book industry.  Since I don't owe anyone anything and because I don't care much about consequences, I can freely say that had Dwayne McDuffie been a white man instead of an African-American, his status as a comic book creator would have been the American comic book industry equivalent of “most favored nation.”

However, much of his creative output was for DC Comics, where the most powerful editorial positions, those that hand out the writing gigs, were held by bigots, racists, and a variety of sexual harassers and abusers.  During his time at Marvel, McDuffie would have encountered much of the same thing, and during the last decade of his life, Marvel editors mainly hired white guys whose work impressed them and their friends outside the job.

Yet, in spite of such obstacles, McDuffie carved out a career telling hugely entertaining stories in comic books.  McDuffie was a traditionalist and largely eschewed the more “adult” and “mature” storytelling modes that began to dominate American comic books in the 1970s.  Yes, McDuffie was a modern writer and his work did feature elements of realism, but he wrote classic fantasy stories of good and evil in which the shades of gray served the plot, characters, and settings.  McDuffie did not write “grim and gritty” for the sake of style or fad.

That can be seen in the comic book, Static, which is a modern and perhaps, “urban contemporary” take on Spider-Man.  Static was a black teen superhero facing typical teen problems, learning to understand his powers, and dealing with the struggle to learn how to be a superhero.  Thirty years before the debut of Static, a white teen, Peter Parker, lived similar experiences in the pages of Marvel Comics' The Amazing Spider-Man.

Justice League of America (Vol. 3): The Injustice League offers “Unlimited,” which is also classic in the sense that it recalls the original Justice League of America series.  By the time, McDuffie started writing Justice League of America, comic books featuring superhero teams were dark in tone, with characters involved in adult relationships and living complicated, messy lives.  “Unlimited” is straight-forward good guy vs. bad guy.  Yes, the characters have rivalries, conflicts, motivations, personality quirks, and goals, but the depiction of that purely serves the central plot.  And it is this: with their backs to the wall, how do the members of the Justice League of America come back from the ass-kicking Lex Luthor, The Joker, and Cheetah and company have given them?

McDuffie's storytelling is efficient and every panel on every page is consequential, and there is no “decompression” filler.  From the beginning of the story, there is enough tension to create anxiety in the reader for his heroes, and I certainly found myself racing towards the end, hoping that things would work out in the end.  Of course, the heroes always (sort of) win in the end, but the best writers of superhero comic books convince readers that this is it – the end of the line for the good guys.  And McDuffie did that in “Unlimited,” seemingly with ease.

“Unlimited's” plot is so engaging that I ignored the inconsistency of the graphical storytelling due to the shifting art teams.  Actually, the artists offer straight-forward storytelling.  Artists Ed Benes, Mike McKone, and Joe Benitez might not be the best comic book artists or draw the prettiest pictures, but they are quite good at superhero comic book storytelling.  In the end, their art tells a fine story with great characters, and comic book fans swear that is what they really want...

And if audiences and editors really wanted great-stories-characters, then, Dwayne McDuffie, teller of fine comic book stories filled with hugely attractive characters, would not have had to wait to the last half-decade of his life for an A-list assignment in comic books.  By the way, those outstanding editorial citizens fired McDuffie from Justice League of America less than two years into his run on the title.

But they could not kill his pride... nor our memories of his work.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Dwayne McDuffie will want to treat themselves to Justice League of America: The Injustice League.

A
9 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


https://www.dccomics.com/
https://www.facebook.com/dc/


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

------------------------

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#IReadsYou Review: SUPERMAN: Year One #3

SUPERMAN YEAR ONE #3
DC COMICS/DC Black Label – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Frank Miller
PENCILS: John Romita, Jr.
INKS: Danny Miki
COLORS: Alex Sinclair
LETTERS: John Workman
EDITOR: Mark Doyle
COVER: John Romita, Jr. and Danny Miki with Alex Sinclair
VARIANT COVER: Frank Miller with Alex Sinclair
64pp, Color, $7.99 U.S. (December 2019)

Mature Readers

Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

Book Three

Superman: Year One is a three-issue comic book miniseries written by Frank Miller and drawn by John Romita, Jr.  It is being published in an over-sized softcover format (8 1/2 x 10 7/8) and is part of DC Comics' prestige “DC Black Label” imprint.  Superman: Year One is a retelling of the early life of Clark Kent and of his first year as the superhero, Superman.  The rest of the creative team includes inker Danny Miki, colorist Alex Sinclair, and letterer John Workman.

Superman: Year One recounts how the baby, Kal-El, rockets from the doomed planet, Krypton.  The rockets carries him to Earth, where it crash lands in the bucolic grain fields of Smallville, Kansas.  Kal-El is rescued by a childless couple, Martha and Jonathan Kent, who adopt him and name him, Clark Kent.  After graduating high school, Clark joins the United States Navy and is stationed at the Naval Station at Great Lakes, Illinois.

The rays of the yellow sun around which Earth orbits has made Clark strong and powerful beyond human imagination.  Even holding back, Clark quickly sets himself apart from the other Navy recruits.  A superior officer notices Clark's abilities, which leads to Clark being discharged from the Navy.  Clark has an extensive adventure in and around the underwater city of Atlantis and also dons the familiar costume that he will wear as the superhero, Superman.

As Superman: Year One #3 opens, “the Superman” rescues reporter Lois Lane and fends off an attack by what is apparently U.S. military special forces.  Clark enrolls at Kansas State University where he studies journalism.  Then, he takes his degree to the “city of tomorrow,” Metropolis, and gets a job at its most famous daily newspaper, The Daily Planet, where Lois Lane works.

Clark proves to be a more than capable reporter, but his life in Metropolis will encompass more than journalism.  Metropolis will discover that it has a savior, of sorts, a hero they call “Superman.”  Metropolis' most infamous citizen, Lex Luthor, takes notice and makes his move to control this new hero.  Meanwhile, over in Gotham City, this crime-ridden city's own hero... or vigilante, “the Batman,” is also watching the Superman of Metropolis.

At some point, DC Comics publicly stated that Superman: Year One would now be Superman's official origin story.  I think Frank Miller, Superman: Year One's writer, said that this comic book is set in the universe of his seminal comic book miniseries, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.

Superman: Year One is certainly a strange new origin story.  Miller's story and script are off-beat and take weird turns on previously established Superman “mythology.”  Superman: Year One #3 is filled with so much over-the-top, hackneyed dialogue, the kind editors would not accept from comic book writers who are not “fanboy gods” or who are not celebrity or celebrated creators.  Honestly, I don't know what to make of Miller's story or script.  There are good moments, moments that make me cringe as a reader, and moments that fall flat, failing to evoke any feelings in me.

The celebrated creator who delivers the best work in Superman: Year One is pencil artist John Romita, Jr.'s.  Stylish compositions, muscular pencil art, and inventive graphical storytelling, Romita takes advantage of the larger than usual size of this comic book (8 1/2 x 10 7/8) to draw a superhero comic book that does not pretend to be anything other than a superhero comic book.  Yet, Danny Miki's inking of Romita's pencils does make Superman: Year One #3, as well as the previous two issues, special.  That is because Miki is an inker above most comic book inking artists.  Miki can ink the fuck out of pencil art, strengthening and accentuating pencil art without overpowering it

Colorist Alex Sinclair delivers radiant hues.  He makes the art shine on the page, almost as if this is the “color rush” version of comic book coloring.  John Workman is simply a great comic book letterer, and he shows why here, as he does everywhere he letters.  Workman also makes Superman: Year One feel special, evening out Miller's eccentricities.

I was hopeful that this series could be a major, definitive Superman comic book series.  On the illustration and graphics side, Superman: Year One makes me yelp a fanboy “Awesome!”  A Superman origin story, however, deserves something more... super on the story side.

7 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.


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#IReadsYou Review: BATMAN: Damned #3

BATMAN: DAMNED No. 3
DC COMICS/DC Black Label – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Brian Azzarello
ART: Lee Bermejo
COLORS: Lee Bermejo
LETTERS: Jared K. Fletcher
EDITOR: Mark Doyle
COVER: Lee Bermejo
VARIANT COVER: Jim Lee with Alex Sinclair
48pp, Color, $6.99 U.S. (August 2019)

Mature Readers

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

Batman: Damned is the three-issue comic book miniseries written by Brian Azzarello, drawn by Lee Bermejo, and lettered by Jared K. Fletcher that launched DC Comics' “DC Black Label” prestige imprint.  Published in an over-sized softcover format (8.5” x 10.875”), Batman: Damned #1 gained attention and created controversy when it was discovered that the art included a depiction of Bruce Wayne/Batman's penis.  There have been reports on various comic book news sites that the later issues of the series were delayed so that portions of the story could be redrawn to remove potentially controversial content.

Suddenly, what was supposed to be a “mature audience” imprint, DC Black Label, had to tone down its content and attitude.  Supposedly, some announced projects for the imprint were canceled or were being rewritten – to be toned down.  Sadly, Batman: Damned #2, which seemed like filler material, could have used the depiction of a good stiff penis (say, Deadman's) to liven up the proceedings.

The central focus of Batman: Damned is that The Joker is dead, and that maybe Batman is the one who killed him... But Batman cannot remember, and there may be some sinister and thus far unknown force that done the deed.  Are John Constantine and Deadman Batman's true allies in solving this mystery?  And why is Batman recalling such a horrifying version of his youth, especially concerning his late (and murdered) mother, Martha Wayne?

Batman: Damned #3 opens with Batman in a grave.  And Swamp Thing thinks Batman should not trust John Constantine.  Now, Batman must face his worst nightmares and the stunning truth about the death of The Joker.

I don't want to spoil Batman: Damned #3, although it has been out for about two weeks now.  I can say that the title is literal, and that it has a stunning ending.  I did suspect that Batman was an unreliable narrator, because he was dead, so...

I can also say that the art by Lee Bermejo's art is as beautiful ever.  In fact, in terms of story, Bermejo does his best work of the series in Batman: Damned #3 with this powerful graphical storytelling.  Jared K. Fletcher's lettering is simple, yet so evocative and powerful.  Brian Azzarello, after delivering empty, tattered Gothic trappings, gives us a powerful finale this is actual storytelling.

I think the problem with Batman: Damned is that Brian Azzarello had an idea for what is essentially a story that belongs in a Batman Annual or in one of those 48 or 64-page Batman “Elseworlds” comic books.  Anything more than 100 pages, which the total page count of Batman: Damned exceeds, is simply a story stretched too thin and is a consumer product that is not honestly released to consumers.

So, at least they got Batman: Damned #3 mostly right.  In fact, this last issue is good enough to warrant a sequel – of a certain page count, of course.

7.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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