I Reads You Juniors: September 2025 - UPDATE #5

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

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TREATS - From AnotherCookie:  There is a new online cookie retailer. It is called "AnotherCookie?" and the cookies are delicious.

NEWS:

DC STUDIOS - From Variety:  Director and DC Films co-head, James Gunn, took to social media on Wednesday (Sept. 3rd) to announce an official title and release date for the sequel to "Superman" (2025.  The film will be titled, “Superman: Man of Tomorrow,” will hit theaters on July 9, 2027 with David Corenswet returning as Clark Kent/Superman and Nicholas Hoult returning as Lex Luthor.

COMICS - From Fox13:  Veteran comic book artist, Amanda Conner, is the subject of a gallery showing, "Drawn to Action: The Cover Art of Amanda Conner," at the "Imagine Museum" in St. Petersburg, Florida. The show runs through November 2025.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  DC Comics may final publish Rick Veitch's final issues of "Swamp Thing Vol. 2," including the notorious issue #88 that was meant to be published decades ago in 1989, but was scrapped by then-president, Jenette Kahn.

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AUGUST 2025 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Afterlight Comics for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  AMP Comics for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Aspen MLT LLC for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Bad Ideas for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Cambrian Comics for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Cosmic Lion Productions for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Absolute Comics" titles for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Dren Productions for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics Books for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Energon" titles for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Ghost Machine" for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Spawn" titles for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "Bring on the Bad Guys" titles for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "One World Under Doom" titles for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Ultimate" titles for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Panick Entertainment for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics "Conan" and "Solomon Kane" titles for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Udon Studios for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for August 2025

From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for August 2025

SEPTEMBER 2025 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Ablaze Publishing for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  Afterlight Comics for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  AMP Comics for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  Bad Idea Comics for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  BOOM Studios for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  Hexagon Comics for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Energon Universtiy" titles for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics' Todd McFarlane "Spawn" titles for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Godzilla Destroys the Marvel Universe" for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel's "One World Under Doom" titles for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel's "One World Under Doom #7" for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel "Ultimate Comics" titles for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  Aspen Comics for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  Shift Presents for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for September 2025

From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for September 2025

OCTOBER 2025 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  AMP for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  Bad Idea Comics for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics collections, "Absolutes," and omnibuses for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Absolute Comics" titles for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  Dstlry for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  Heavy Metal Magazine for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Void Rivals/Energon" titles for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "One World Under Doom" titles for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics five "X-Men: Age of Revelation" titles for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics all "X-Men: Age of Revelation" titles for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  Massive Publishing for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  Midnight Factory for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  Udon Studios for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for October 2025

From BleedingCool:  Z2 Comics for October 2025

NOVEMBER 2025 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Abrams Books for November 2025

From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for November 2025

From BleedingCool:  AMP Comics for November 2025

From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for November 2025

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for November 2025

From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for November 2025

From BleedingCool:  Bad Idea Comics for November 2025

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for November 2025

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for November 2025

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for November 2025

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for November 2025

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Transformers and G.I. Joe Energon Universe" titles for November 2025

From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for November 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for November 2025

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "The World to Comie" titles for November 2025

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for November 2025

From BleedingCool:  Panick Entertainment for November 2025

From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for November 2025

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for November 2025

From BleedingCool:  Udon Studios for November 2025

From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for November 2025

DECEMBER 2025 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "Age of Revelations" second issues for December 2025

From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics "Vantage" titles for December 2025

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#IReadsYou Review: INVINCIBLE RED SONJA #4

[Note on the cover art: As far as I could find out, the numbering is wrong and this is cover of "The Invincible Red Sonja #4.]

THE INVINCIBLE RED SONJA #4
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti
ARTIST: Moritat
COLORS: Matt Carter
LETTERS: Dave Sharpe
EDITOR: Matt Idleson
COVER: Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Joseph Michael Linsner; Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts; Celina;
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2021)

Rated Teen+

Red Sonja is female high fantasy and sword and sorcery hero.  She first appeared in Conan the Barbarian #23 (cover dated February 1973) and was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith.  Red Sonja was loosely based on “Red Sonya of Rogatino,” a female character that appeared in the 1934 short story, “The Shadow of the Vulture,” written by Conan the Cimmerian's creator, Robert E. Howard.

In 2005, Dynamite Entertainment began publishing comic books featuring differing versions of the character.  One of those is The Invincible Red Sonja.  It is written by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti; drawn by Moritat; colored by Matt Carter; and lettered by Dave Sharpe.  In this recently launched series, Red Sonja finds herself on a spectacular journey filled with pirates, mermaids, princesses, and political intrigue as the fate of two kingdoms hangs in the balance.

As The Invincible Red Sonja #4 opens, the She-Devil with a Sword watches as Bahira Yakootah, the Lord of Thieves, summons demons from molten lava in his mission to kill the King of Erkhara.  In her bid to stop him, however, Red Sonja, commits a fatal act that determine her fate.  Now, death descends on Erkhara, Erkhara destabilizes, and Sonja may find herself even worse off.

THE LOWDOWN:  Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department recently began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is The Invincible Red Sonja #4, which is the first issue of the series that I have read, but this is not my first experience with the character.  I have actually read various Red Sonja titles over my time as a comic book fan, including a few recently published by Dynamite.

Under a gorgeous cover drawn by Amanda Conner and colored by Paul Mounts, Conner and Palmiotti deliver a surprisingly rousing story.  Although it is but one part of a story arc, this fourth chapter is quite entertaining by itself.  This is one of the best Red Sonja comic books that I have ever read, and I am certainly enjoying this more than I do Conner and Palmiotti's Harley Quinn comic books.

Moritat's illustrations remind me of the art of the late Vaughn Bode.  Moritat's graphical storytelling is over the top in a way a Red Sonja or Conan the Barbarian comic book should be, and the characters' emotions also leap off the page.  Matt Carter's colors give the story some edge and also seem to quicken the pace of the story, along with Dave Sharpe's letters.

Honestly, I did not expect much from The Invincible Red Sonja #4, but now, I gotta have more.  It's like my sword and sorcery crack.  I'd do anything … for another issue.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Red Sonja comic books will want to read The Invincible Red Sonja.

A

★★★★ out of 4 stars

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


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

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DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 17, 2020

DC COMICS

MAR200597    AQUAMAN GIANT #4    $4.99
MAR200614    BATGIRL TP VOL 07 ORACLE RISING    $19.99
MAR200521    BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #13    $3.99
MAR200522    BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #13 MICHAEL GOLDEN VAR ED    $3.99
MAR200626    CATWOMAN TP VOL 03 FRIEND OR FOE (RES)    $16.99
MAR200583    DAPHNE BYRNE #5 (OF 6) (MR)    $3.99
MAR200584    DAPHNE BYRNE #5 (OF 6) SEBASTIAN FIUMARA VAR ED (MR)    $3.99
MAR200477    DARK NIGHTS DEATH METAL #1 (OF 6)    $4.99
JAN208909    DARK NIGHTS DEATH METAL #1 (OF 6) BLACK BLANK VAR ED    $4.99
MAR200478    DARK NIGHTS DEATH METAL #1 (OF 6) DAVID FINCH BATMAN VAR ED    $4.99
MAR200479    DARK NIGHTS DEATH METAL #1 (OF 6) MATTINA SUPERMAN VAR ED    $4.99
MAR200482    DARK NIGHTS DEATH METAL #1 (OF 6) MIDNIGHT PARTY VARIANT    $4.99
MAR200480    DARK NIGHTS DEATH METAL #1 (OF 6) STANLEY LAU WONDER WOMAN V    $4.99
MAR200634    DC COMICS THE ASTONISHING ART OF AMANDA CONNER HC    $39.99
FEB200526    DETECTIVE COMICS #475 FACSIMILE EDITION    $3.99
MAR200629    DIAL H FOR HERO TP VOL 02 NEW HEROES OF METROPOLIS    $16.99
FEB200449    FLASH ANNUAL #3    $4.99
MAR200641    FLASH TP VOL 12 DEATH AND THE SPEED FORCE    $17.99
MAR200539    GREEN LANTERN SEASON 2 #4 (OF 12)    $3.99
MAR200540    GREEN LANTERN SEASON 2 #4 (OF 12) MATTEO SCALERA VAR ED    $3.99
MAR200543    HAWKMAN #24    $3.99
MAR200544    HAWKMAN #24 GERARDO ZAFFINO VAR ED    $3.99
FEB200559    JOKER DELUXE EDITION HC    $34.99
MAR200649    JUSTICE LEAGUE TP VOL 05 JUSTICE DOOM WAR    $24.99
FEB200476    METAL MEN #7 (OF 12)    $3.99
FEB200477    METAL MEN #7 (OF 12) BRIAN BOLLAND VAR ED    $3.99
FEB200480    NIGHTWING ANNUAL #3    $4.99
FEB200424    PRIMER TP    $9.99
FEB200481    QUESTION THE DEATHS OF VIC SAGE #3 (OF 4)    $6.99
FEB200482    QUESTION THE DEATHS OF VIC SAGE #3 (OF 4) H CHAYKIN VAR ED    $6.99
FEB200493    SUPERMAN #22    $3.99
FEB200494    SUPERMAN #22 BRYAN HITCH VAR ED    $3.99
FEB200580    TERRIFICS TP VOL 03 THE GOD GAME    $16.99
MAR200577    WONDER WOMAN #757    $3.99
MAR200578    WONDER WOMAN #757 CARD STOCK OLIVIER COIPEL VAR ED    $4.99
FEB200501    WONDER WOMAN DEAD EARTH #3 (OF 4) (MR)    $6.99
FEB200502    WONDER WOMAN DEAD EARTH #3 (OF 4) DANIEL JOHNSON VAR ED (MR)    $6.99
MAR200674    YEAR OF THE VILLAIN HELL ARISEN TP    $16.99
FEB200425    YOU BROUGHT ME THE OCEAN TP    $16.99
FEB200507    YOUNG JUSTICE #15    $3.99
FEB200508    YOUNG JUSTICE #15 BEN CALDWELL VAR ED    $3.99

Review: PLASTIC MAN #1

PLASTIC MAN No. 1 (OF 6)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Gail Simone
ART: Adriana Melo
COLORS: Kelly Fitzpatrick
LETTERS: Simon Bowland
EDITOR: Kristy Quinn
COVER: Aaron Lopresti
VARIANT COVER: Amanda Conner with Dave Johnson
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2018)

Rated “T+” for “Teen Plus”

Plastic Man created by Jack Cole

Plastic Man is a DC Comics superhero, but the character was originally the property of now-defunct publisher, Quality Comics.  Plastic Man was created by cartoonist, Jack Cole, and first appeared in Quality's Police Comics #1 (cover dated: August 1941).  One of the first characters to incorporate humor in superhero comics storytelling, Plastic Man was a criminal named Patrick “Eel” O'Brian, a criminal who was part of a burglary ring.

During a heist, Eel was exposed to a chemical that entered his bloodstream and caused a radical physical change.  Eel's body now had all of the properties of rubber, and he could stretch, bounce, and mold his body into any shape.  Eel created a red, black, and yellow (later red and yellow) rubber costume and began capturing criminals as the superhero, Plastic Man.

Plastic Man and his origin are the subjects of a new six-issue comic book miniseries from DC Comics.  Plastic Man is written by Gail Simone; drawn by Adriana Melo; colored by Kelly Fitzpatrick; and lettered by Simon Bowland.

Plastic Man #1 opens with petty thug Eel O'Brian getting a beating from three fellow thugs:  Sammy “Suitcase” Mizzola (the ringleader), “Brutal” Benny Turlin, and “Dizzy” Darren Fitzroy.  Eel is angry that he did not get a cut of a recent burglary and that a security guard was killed, but something has changed since the burglary.  Eel is supposed to be dead, and coming back from the dead has angered Sammy.  What Sammy doesn't know is that Eel has come back really different.  He's Plastic Man!  But even Eel himself is in for a shock about what actually happened that night of the burglary.

Over its 80-plus years of existence, DC Comics, in its various incarnations, has gobbled up a number of characters that did not originate with it.  The publisher really has not done much with some of those characters, except make them lesser than the original incarnations.  Shazam/Captain Marvel is one of them.  Plastic Man is another.

I think Kyle Baker, who wrote and drew 20 issues of a Plastic Man (2004-2006) for DC, is one of the few comics creators that have captured the craziness and surrealism of Jack Cole's original Plastic Man comics. [Cole's Plastic Man comics are worth your efforts to find them in reprint or archival form.]  Gail Simone and Adriana Melo are not among them.

That's okay, really.  Plastic Man 2018 is an attempt to normalize an abnormal character so that it fits in with the uniformity of the “DC Universe.”  Simone drains Plastic Man of his inherent zaniness, and the art team of illustrator Adriana Melo and colorist Kelly Fitzpatrick bleeds the graphical wackiness and color right out of the character.  Even Simon Bowland's lettering comes across as mechanical, although it isn't.  This work is not bad; individually, the contributors deliver the inoffensively average.

The result is a professionally produced comic book that is the reading equivalent of a cauliflower and mayonnaise sandwich on white bread with the crust removed.  Flavorless Flav!

5 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: THE JETSONS #1

THE JETSONS No. 1 (OF 6)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Jimmy Palmiotti
ART: Pier Brito
COLORS: Alex Sinclair
LETTERS: Dave Sharpe
COVER: Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts
VARIANT COVER: Dave Johnson
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2018)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

“Meet the Jetsons”

“The Jetsons” was an animated situation comedy produced by Hanna-Barbera.  It originally aired during prime time from September 1962, to March 1963 for 24 episodes on ABC.  “The Jetsons” titular family was Hanna-Barbera's Space Age counterpart to “The Flintstones,” a TV series in which the family lives in a Stone Age-like world.  The Jetsons live in the futurist Orbit City, where the buildings hover far above the surface of Earth.

The family was George Jetson (the main character), a loving family man; Jane Jetson, George's wife, mother of their two children, and a homemaker; Judy Angela Jetson, their 16-year-old daughter and a high school student; Elroy Jetson, their highly-intelligent six and a half year old son.  The lead cast also included Rosie, the Jetsons' household robot, whom the family loves and will not replace although she is an outdated model.  Astro is the Jetsons' family dog and is Elroy's best buddy and one of George's best pals.

DC Comics has been reinventing and re-imagining classic Hanna-Barbera Saturday morning cartoons in new comic book series since early 2016, the best example being Scooby Apocalypse, which is “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?” with a sci-fi, monster apocalyptic twist.  “The Jetsons” are re-imagined in the new six-issue miniseries, The Jetsons.  It is written by Jimmy Palmiotti; drawn by Pier Brito; colored by Alex Sinclair; and lettered by Dave Sharpe.

The Jetsons #1 opens in a post-apocalyptic world.  The family is still comprised of George Jetson; his boy, Elroy; daughter, Judy; and Jane, his wife.  And their home is still located in a city that floats above the surface, but in this alternate Jetsons scenario, the surface of the Earth is entirely water.  Jane is no longer a homemaker, she is a scientist and she has bad news about the fate of the planet for her fellow scientists at the International Space Station.  This scenario also presents Elroy as older, and he and his friend, Lake Cogswell, are about to start something big.

Although this version of “The Jetsons,” is set in a darker, apocalyptic world, writer Jimmy Palmiotti and artist Pier Brito present a bright and colorful future that is closer to the future scenarios presented in DC Comics titles in the 1960s and 1970s.  Alex Sinclair's colors accentuate this hopeful future of helpful technology that makes that aftermath of “extinction level events” and apocalypse quite livable.

The Jetsons is similar in tone to the settings of the happy 1950s to early 1960s family sitcoms that are now a staple of digital sub-channels like MeTV and AntennaTV.  Apparently, the nuclear family can survive decades (and centuries) of social change, societal upheaval, and the end-of-the-world.  In the end, the nuclear family rocks the casbah and the apocalypse.  And, if the first issue is any indication, those pesky brown people and darkies still barely register (although there are hints of things ominous beneath the waves and in the past).

Still, The Jetsons is an enjoyable read.  I have learned not to expect much from DC's Hanna-Barbera reboots/re-imaginations, and that makes it easier to separate the good, the bad, and the ugly and to also appreciate the really good.  So far, The Jetsons are good enough to earn a second look.

6 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: Harley & Ivy Meet Betty & Veronica #1

HARLEY & IVY MEET BETTY & VERONICA No. 1 (OF 6)
DC COMICS – @DCComics @ArchieComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Paul Dini and Marc Andreyko
ART: Laura Braga
COLORS: Tony Avina and Arif Prianto
LETTERS: Deron Bennett
EDITOR: Kristy Quinn
COVER: Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts
VARIANT COVERS: Adam Hughes
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2017)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

“Costume Drama” Part One

DC Comics villain, Harley Quinn, originated as a character on the animated television series, “Batman: The Animated Series” (FOX Network, 1992).  Created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm, Harley debuted in the episode “Joker’s Favor” (September 11, 1992), as a female sidekick of The Joker and his eventual accomplice.  Harley made her first comic book appearance in The Batman Adventures #12 (cover dated: September 1993), DC Comics’ comic book spin-off of the animated series.

Poison Ivy (whose real name is Pamela Lillian Isley) is a DC Comics supervillain and an adversary of Batman.  Created by Robert Kanigher and Sheldon Moldoff, Poison Ivy first appeared in Batman #181 (June 1966).  Beginning in “Batman The Animated Series,” Poison Ivy has been depicted as a close associate and girl pal of Harley Quinn's, probably beginning with the “Batman: The Animated Series” episode “Harley & Ivy” (1993).

Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge are better known as Archie's Girls Betty and Veronica in the world of Archie Comics.  Betty first appeared in Pep Comics #22 (cover dated: December 1941) and Veronica first appeared in Pep Comics #26 (cover dated: April 1942).  The duo are depicted as “best friends and worst enemies” (the original frenemies?) mainly because Veronica, the spoiled daughter of a wealthy man, has been Betty's rival for Archie Andrews affections since she debuted 75 years ago.

DC Comics' Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy and Archie Comics' Betty and Veronica come together in the new six-issue crossover comic book, Harley & Ivy Meet Betty & Veronica.  This comic book series is written by Paul Dini and Marc Andreyko; drawn by Laura Braga; colored by Tony Aviña and Arif Prianta; and lettered by Deron Bennett.

Harley & Ivy Meet Betty & Veronica #1 opens with Hiram Lodge, businessman and industrialist (and Veronica's father), announcing his intention to turn the Riverdale wetlands reserve, Sweetwater Swamp, into a new development.  That development will include the free college, “Lodge University,” and the “shopping, dining, and entertainment destination, “Lodge's Sweetwater Centre.”

Meanwhile, in Gotham City, Poison Ivy isn't taking the announcement of Lodge's plans with any happiness, because she says that Sweetwater Swamp is a unique ecosystem that is home to rare species of plants.  With Harley Quinn in tow, Poison Ivy heads to Riverdale to stop Hiram Lodge.  What these villainous anti-heroines don't realize is that the trip will reveal two rivals who may be more than a match for them, Betty & Veronica.

I am a longtime Archie Comics fan, so I like Betty & Veronica, of course, with a preference for Betty Cooper.  I have mixed feelings, however, for Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy; I can take them or leave them, depending upon the work in which they appear.  And I can leave this comic book.

Yes, Harley & Ivy Meet Betty & Veronica is written by two accomplished writers; one of them is the co-creator of Harley and is an Emmy-winning television writer-producer, Paul Dini.  On the other hand, I have found much of Paul Dini's comic book output to be mediocre work, as this seems to be.  I will admit that this comic book has potential, but this first issue is average comic book product.

The art is mediocre, too; artist Laura Braga seems to be doing some kind of unfortunate copy of the style of comic book artist, Adam Hughes, the creative force behind the current Betty & Veronica comic book.  The coloring here represents the bad side of comic book coloring software; the coloring looks like smudged pastels, spoiled milkshakes, and faded candy-coated paint.

I know there is an audience for this, but for two such venerable characters (Betty & Veronica) and two such popular modern characters (Harley & Ivy), a better effort than Harley & Ivy Meet Betty & Veronica #1 should have been made.

4.5 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: THE KAMANDI CHALLENGE #3

THE KAMANDI CHALLENGE No. 3 (OF 12)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jimmy Palmiotti
ART: Amanda Conner
COLORS: Paul Mounts
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Ben Caldwell
VARIANT COVER: Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2017)

Rated “T” for Teen

Kamandi created by Jack Kirby

“Bug in Your Ear”

Kamandi, The Last Boy on Earth was a comic book series created by Jack Kirby and published by DC Comics.  Running from 1972 to 1978, the series starred Kamandi, a teenaged boy in a post-apocalyptic future.  In this time, humans have been reduced back to savagery in a world ruled by intelligent, highly evolved animals.

Kamandi, The Last Boy on Earth #1 (cover dated: October 1972) opens some time after a huge event called “The Great Disaster,” which wiped out human civilization.  In “Earth A.D.” (After Disaster), many animals have become humanoid, bipedal, and sentient, and also possess the power of speech. These newly intelligent animal species have equipped themselves with weapons and technology salvaged from the ruins of human civilization and are constantly at war in a struggle for territory.

The world of Kamandi returns in the DC Comics miniseries, The Kamandi Challenge, bringing together 14 teams of writers and artists.  Each issue will end with an cliffhanger.  The next creative team will resolve that cliffhanger left behind by the previous creative team, before creating their own story and cliffhanger, which the next creative team after them will have to resolve... and so on.  The third issue of The Kamandi Challenge is written by Jimmy Palmiotti; drawn by Amanda Conner; colored by Paul Mounts; and lettered by Clem Robins.

The Kamandi Challenge #3 (“Bug in Your Ear”) opens after Kamandi escaped from Tiger City, but now, he is plunging to his death.  He is rescued by two “Savage Bats” and taken to the “God Watchers.”  Kamandi may start to regret being rescued because the God Watchers think that he is a messenger from their god.

“Bug in Your Ear” follows the cliffhanger that ended issue #2's “Nuclear War.”  The Kamandi Challenge #2 was a fun read, but I thought that it lacked the punch of either of the two stories published in The Kamandi Challenge #1.  The Kamandi Challenge #3 is different; it is both fun to read and it has punch.  It has the elements of a morality tale and is surprisingly thoughtful, and it acts like a series of cliffhangers, big and small.  Some cliffhangers are based on action and threats, but some of the cliffhangers are based on choices that Kamandi will make from a moral or philosophical point of view.

I have been a fan of many of the stories that Jimmy Palmiotti has written, so I am saying good things about his work here with some favoritism.  Artist Amanda Conner and colorist Paul Mounts are a dream team.  Her drawings are always filled with nice background and environmental details that offer something new upon second and third viewings.  Mounts rich colors are simply eye candy, as they shimmer and even pop off the page.

Jack Kirby had a seemingly boundless imagination, and it will be hard for the creative teams in this series to come close to Kirby's vision.  At least, The Kamandi Challenge #3 shows some inventiveness, and it is the kind of issue that will keep me reading this series.

A-

[Afterword by Neal Adams]

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. SUICIDE SQUAD #1

JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. SUICIDE SQUAD No. 1 (OF 6)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Joshua Williamson
ART: Jason Fabok
COLORS: Alex Sinclair
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
COVER: Joshua Fabok with Alex Sinclair
VARIANT COVERS: Amanda Conner with Laura Martin; Gary Frank with Brad Anderson
40pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2017)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

The Justice League is the greatest superhero team in the world (at least, in the DC Comics universe).  The Suicide Squad is the deadliest team of super-powered individuals on the planet.  Now, these two teams clash in DC Comics' event, crossover miniseries, Justice League vs. Suicide Squad.  Published weekly, this series is written by Joshua Williamson; drawn by Jason Fabok; colored by Alex Sinclair; and Rob Leigh.

Justice League vs. Suicide Squad #1 opens in Death Valley, California for some deadly doings at The Catacombs, the most top secret prison in the world.  But the main action is in the nation of Badhnisia.  That is where we find Deadshot, Captain Bommerang, El Diablo, Enchantress, Killer Croc, Killer Frost, and Harley Quinn.  They are Amanda Waller's “Task Force X,” also known as “Suicide Squad,” and they are there to stop a super-powered zealot from destroying the nation as part of some kind of vague, but ominous religious rite.

The execution of said mission draws the attention of the Justice League:  Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, Flash, and Green Lantern-Simon Baz and Green Lantern-Jessica Cruz.  They are ready to shut Task Force X down for good.  Let's get ready to rumble!  Wait!  Another bad-ass group wants to join the fun.

I could be cynical about Justice League vs. Suicide Squad, but to be honest, I wanted to read this as soon as I heard about it.  So how is Justice League vs. Suicide Squad#1.  It's good with some nice slow boiling and building of tension, but it only teases the climax.  This first issue suggests that the entire six-issue series won't be padded with extraneous scenes in order to get to six issues – at least it seems that way.

It's OK to like this even if you aren't the biggest superhero comic book fan or reader.  C'mon, you know you want it.  The Justice League and the Suicide Squad were bound to tangle; it's only natural.  Also, series artist Jason Fabok is proving that he can handle drawing and storytelling in big superhero comics with big characters and even bigger stories, and I like looking at his art.  Hey, gotta run.  I have a few more issues of this series to read.

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 6, 2017

DC COMICS

JUN170379    ALL STAR BATMAN HC VOL 02 ENDS OF THE EARTH (REBIRTH)    $22.99
JUN170378    ALL STAR BATMAN TP VOL 01 MY OWN WORST ENEMY (REBIRTH)    $16.99
JUN170416    ASTRO CITY #47    $3.99
JUL170418    BANE CONQUEST #5 (OF 12)    $3.99
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MAY170342    HARLEY QUINN BY KESEL & DODSON DLX ED HC VOL 01    $29.99
JUL170424    INJUSTICE 2 #9    $2.99
JUL170378    JUSTICE LEAGUE #28    $2.99
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JUL170448    SHADE THE CHANGING GIRL #12 (MR)    $3.99
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JUN170386    SUICIDE SQUAD TP VOL 03 BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE (REBIRTH)    $16.99
JUL170392    SUPERMAN #30    $2.99
JUL170393    SUPERMAN #30 VAR ED    $2.99
JUN170420    SWEET TOOTH BOOK 01 (MR)    $24.99

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for May 3, 2017

DC COMICS

NOV160355    ABSOLUTE PREACHER HC VOL 02 (MR)    $150.00
MAR170264    AQUAMAN #22    $2.99
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MAR170380    FALL AND RISE OF CAPTAIN ATOM #5 (OF 6)    $2.99
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FEB170298    WONDER WOMAN TP VOL 02 YEAR ONE (REBIRTH)    $16.99

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 5, 2017

DC COMICS

FEB170179    AQUAMAN #20    $2.99
FEB170180    AQUAMAN #20 VAR ED    $2.99
JAN170377    BATGIRL & THE BIRDS OF PREY TP VOL 01 WHO IS ORACLE (REBIRTH    $16.99
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JAN170389    BATMAN SUPERMAN HC VOL 06 UNIVERSES FINEST    $29.99
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FEB170262    DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS #25    $4.99
SEP160381    DC DESIGNER SER STARFIRE BY AMANDA CONNER STATUE    $130.00
OCT160345    DC ICONS CYBORG DELUXE AF (RES)    $45.00
OCT160344    DC ICONS DEATHSTROKE AF (RES)    $28.00
OCT160341    DC ICONS STATIC MILESTONE ACTION FIGURE (RES)    $28.00
OCT160342    DC ICONS SWAMP THING AF (RES)    $28.00
OCT160343    DC ICONS WONDER WOMAN AF (RES)    $28.00
FEB170199    DEATHSTROKE #16    $2.99
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JAN170391    EARTH 2 SOCIETY TP VOL 03 A WHOLE NEW WORLD    $16.99
FEB170332    EVERAFTER FROM THE PAGES OF FABLES #8 (MR)    $3.99
FEB170263    FALL AND RISE OF CAPTAIN ATOM #4 (OF 6)    $2.99
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FEB170211    GREEN LANTERNS #20    $2.99
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FEB170219    HARLEY QUINN #17    $2.99
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FEB170264    INJUSTICE GROUND ZERO #9    $2.99
FEB170229    JUSTICE LEAGUE #18    $2.99
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FEB170331    SAVAGE THINGS #2 (OF 8) (MR)    $3.99
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FEB170290    SHADE THE CHANGING GIRL #7 (MR)    $3.99
FEB170291    SHADE THE CHANGING GIRL #7 VAR ED (MR)    $3.99
FEB170164    SUPERMAN #20    $2.99
FEB170165    SUPERMAN #20 VAR ED    $2.99
JAN170383    SUPERMAN TP VOL 02 TRIALS OF THE SUPER SON (REBIRTH)    $16.99

Review: ALL-STAR SECTION 8 #1

ALL STAR SECTION 8 #1 (OF 6)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Garth Ennis
ART: John McCrea
COLORS: John Kalisz
LETTERS: Pat Brosseau
COVER: Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts
VARIANT COVER: John McCrea with Hi-Fi
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (August 2015)

Rated “T+” for “Teen Plus”

“I Often Wonder What the Vinters Buy”

One of the miniseries to come out of DC Comics' “DCYou” initiative is All Star Section 8.  This series focuses on a band of misfits that is called the “greatest superheroes of all time,” at least by the leader.  Apparently, this group was last seen in DC's 1990s action-crime series, Hitman.   All Star Section 8 is written by Garth Ennis and drawn by John McCrea, the creative team behind Hitman.  John Kalisz colors and Pat Brosseau letters All Star Section 8.

Stephen Speck is a bon vivant and art critc at the beginning of All Star Section 8 #1 (“I Often Wonder What the Vinters Buy”).  But alcohol reveals the truth; Stephen is befuddled hero, Sixpack, leader of the all-star team known as “Section Eight.”  Speck is desperate to rebuild Section Eight in order to face a deadly threat. He gathers old friends:  Bueno Excellente, Baytor and the seemingly reborn Dogwelder, and adds new members:  The Grapplah, Guts, and Powertool.  Still, Sixpack needs an eighth member.  Along comes the Dark Knight.

I read Hitman for about two years back in the 1990s, and I don't remember Section Eight.  I can't say I am interested in getting to know them, now.  I like Garth Ennis, but I think Hitman is the only comic book by the Ennis-McCrea team that I actually liked.  Most of the time, their mix of explicit violence and gritty, gross, grunge does nothing for me.

I don't get Ennis-McCrea's brand of humor, although I did find the Batman bits here to be funny.  However, I like Ennis enough to try another issue of All Star Section 8.

C

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

Review: HARLEY QUINN AND POWER GIRL #1

HARLEY QUINN AND POWER GIRL #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was first published on Patreon.]

WRITERS: Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Justin Gray
ART: Stephane Roux
COLORS: Paul Mounts
LETTERS: John J. Hill
COVER: Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts
VARIANT COVERS: Stephane Roux
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2015)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Harley Quinn created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm; Power Girl created by Gerry Conway, Ric Estrada, and Wally Wood

“Extrastellar Exploitations”

Harley Quinn is a DC Comics character, specifically a villain.  However, Harley Quinn originated as a character on the animated television series, "Batman" (also known as Batman: The Animated Series; FOX Network, 1992).  Harley was created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm and made her first appearance in the episode “Joker’s Favor” (September 11, 1992), as a female sidekick of The Joker and his eventual accomplice.  Harley made her first comic book appearance in The Batman Adventures #12 (September 1993), DC Comics’ comic book spin-off of the animated series.

Power Girl (birth name Kara Zor-L) is a DC Comics female superhero.  She was created created by Gerry Conway, Ric Estrada, and Wally Wood and first appeared in All Star Comics #58 (January/February 1976).  Power Girl is a cousin of some sort of Superman.

Harley and Powergirl are now a duo in the new “DCYou” comic book series, Harley Quinn and Power Girl.  The series is written by the trio of Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Justin Gray, drawn by Stephane Roux, colored by Paul Mounts, and lettered by John J. Hill.

Harley Quinn and Power Girl #1 (“Extrastellar Exploitations”) opens in “La Galaxia del Sombrero” on “Hoard Moon.”  [See the 2014 Harley Quinn comic book, issues #11-13, apparently.]  Power Girl/Kara is suffering from amnesia, and Harley is telling jokes.  Both women discover that they can get answers about their predicament from Lord Vartox of Valeron, but he is being held prisoner by world-beater, Oreth Odeox, on the Lust Moon of Lustox.

Harley Quinn and Power Girl #1 has some beautiful art.  Stephane Roux is a talent, and the accomplished and famed colorist, Paul Mounts, makes this comic book one of the prettiest you can find on comic book store shelves.

Sadly, the comic book isn't much to read.  It is one of the stupidest things that I have read in awhile.  I can understand the writers' egos allowing them to believe that this is something for which they should accept a paycheck.  However, there should be a level of corporate shame that would have forced DC “Entertainment” to shelve this, but they didn't and have the gall to accept payment for this from customers.  Or... maybe Harley Quinn and Power Girl will turn out to be a good series.

C-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

Review: STARFIRE #1

STARFIRE #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITERS: Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti
PENCILS: Emanuela Lupacchino
INKS: Ray McCarthy
COLORS: Hi-Fi
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano
COVER: Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts
VARIANT COVERS: Emanuela Lupacchino with Hi-Fi
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (August 2015)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Starfire created by Marv Wolfman and George Perez

“Everything to Everyone”

Koriand'r, who is the female superhero known as Starfire, first appeared in DC Comics Presents #26 (cover date: October 1980), which contained the preview story that introduced The New Teen Titans.  Created by writer Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, Starfire is an alien warrior, was a member of the Teen Titans, and is the love interest of Dick Grayson/Robin.

As part of the “DCYou” publishing initiative, there is new comic book featuring the character, and it is entitled, Starfire.  The series is written by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti, penciled by Emanuela Lupacchino, inked by Ray McCarthy, colored by Hi-Fi, and lettered by Tom Napolitano.

Starfire #1 (“Everything to Everyone”) opens in Key West, Florida.  Starfire is at the Key West Police Station where she is giving her origin story to Sheriff Stella Gomez.  Although she is busy preparing the locals for an approaching storm, Stella takes time to help Starfire find a place to live.  Hilarity ensues.  Meanwhile, darkness, both natural and otherwise, approaches.

This new Starfire comic book is interesting, but other than finding out about the unseen who or what that appears on the last panel of the last page, I am not sure that I will read another issue.  Starfire is not at all bad, and the art is pretty.  Starfire seems to be in keeping with DC Comics' apparent goal of making “DCYou” be about different types of books to attract new and/or different readers.

Starfire could almost be one of those new, updated Archie Comics titles.  Yep, Starfire now looks like a sex-ified Betty.  Still, I think that readers looking for “girl superheroes” will want to give this a try.

B

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

Review: FIGHT CLUB 2 #1

FIGHT CLUB 2 #1
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

WRITER: Chuck Palahniuk
ART: Cameron Stewart
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Nate Piekos of Blambot
COVER:  David Mack
VARIANT COVERS: Lee Bermejo; Amanda Connor; Steve Lieber; Cameron Stewart; and Chip Zdarsky; Joëlle Jones; Paul Pope; Tim Seeley
EDITOR: Scott Allie
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2015)

The Tranquility Gambit #1: “Keep The Home Fires Burning”

Written by Chuck Palahniuk, the novel, Fight Club, was first published in 1996.  It was subsequently adapted into a film of the same title by director, David Fincher, that starred Brad Pitt and Edward Norton in the lead roles.  Released in 1999, the film was not a big box office smash, but it has since gained cult status and continued popularity.

Fight Club the novel follows an unnamed male protagonist, who is struggling with insomnia and is unhappy with his workaday life as an office drone.  The turning point in his life is when he meets a mysterious man named Tyler Durden, who has established an underground fighting club, which becomes a kind of radical psychotherapy for disaffected males who are unsatisfied with the modern, industrial, consumerist world.

Last year, Dark Horse Comics and Chuck Palahniuk announced that Fight Club was getting a sequel, but that sequel would not be a novel.  It would be a comic book, and thus, we now have Fight Club 2, which is written by Chuck Palahniuk, drawn by Cameron Stewart, colored by Dave Stewart, and lettered by Nate Piekos, with cover art by David Mack.

Fight Club 2 #1 (“Keep The Home Fires Burning”) reintroduces the unnamed protagonist of Fight Club, who now calls himself “Sebastian.”  A decade ago, he had an army of men ready to take down the modern world.  Now, Sebastian is surrounded by assorted pills and medications.  His wife, Marla Singer, once his co-revolutionary, is deeply unsatisfied with the suburban, TV Land life they lead.  Even their son, “Junior,” is now more interesting than his dad.  Marla just wants to fuck Tyler Durden again, and she just may get that chance...

I think I saw Fight Club the movie before I read the novel.  Both are good.  The film is a bracing, exhilarating trip through the dissatisfaction of the kind of Gen-X males that, having generously supped on the tit of White privilege, suddenly found themselves overfed and bored.  The book is nuanced, probing, thoughtful, and provocative.  It demands that its reader engage it, and each reader takes from the novel what he can understand or absorb.

Fight Club 2 retains the voice of the novel, which might seem obvious considering that the originator of Fight Club is also the writer of the comic book.  However, popular culture is littered with the disappointing or uneven results of creators returning to a creations some considerable time after they first began working on them.  Some of you, dear readers, will immediately think of the original Star Wars films and compare them to the “prequel trilogy.”  In comics, a good example would be Frank Miller's Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again, which disappointed readers because it was so different from the original, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.  So the voice is not always the same when it should obviously be the same.

Discounting the film, there was more to say about Fight Club, and although this is only the first issue, Fight Club 2 seems as if it will be both a worthy successor to the original and also a solid narrative in its own right.  Artist Cameron Stewart captures the banality and the fragility of Sebastian's current life, as well as its surreal and unreal nature.  David Mack's cover art for this first issue evokes the sense that Tyler Durden is both alluring and dangerous. This cover alone should earn him an Eisner Award nomination in the “cover artist” category.

So after one issue, I heartily recommend Fight Club 2 #1, at least, to anyone who has ever read Fight Club the novel and/or seen the film.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux (This review first appeared on Patreon.)


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

I Reads You Review: SECRET WARS #1

SECRET WARS #1 (OF 8)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Jonathan Hickman
ARTIST: Esad Ribic
COLORS: Ive Svorcina
LETTERS: Chris Eliopoulos
COVER: Alex Ross
VARIANT COVERS: Simone Bianchi with Simone Peruzzi; Jim Cheung with Justin Ponsor; John Tyler Christopher; Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts; Butch Guice with Andy Troy; Esad Ribic; Skottie Young; Chip Zdarsky
56pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (July 2015)

Part 1: “End Times”

Almost four years ago, DC Comics re-launched its comic books line, an event called “The New 52.”  That's over, already.  Marvel Comics did semi-relaunches, under the banner “All-New.”  Well, now Marvel is going all in this fall when every comic book restarts with a #1 issue, in addition to the apparent debut of some new titles.

DC Comics heralded “The New 52,” with a five-issue miniseries and publishing event entitled “Flashpoint.”  Marvel's event herald is “Secret Wars.”  Yes, indeed, everything old is remade again, and Marvel's notorious 1984 twelve-issue comic book miniseries, Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars get a portion of its title re-purposed.  Worlds, universes, and even characters die in the eight-issue miniseries, Secret Wars, written by Jonathan Hickman, drawn by Esad Ribic, colored by Ive Svorcina, and lettered by Chris Eliopoulos, with painted covers by Alex Ross.

Secret Wars #1 (“End Times”) opens with Doctor Doom, Doctor Strange, and Molecule Man facing... “Beyond.”  The multiverse is dying, and there are only two universes left.  One is the universe of Earth-1610 (the Ultimate Universe), and the other is the universe of Earth-616 (the Marvel Universe).  One is invading the other; super-powered types will battle.  Super-powered types will die, and so will a universe... or two.

Reading Secret Wars #1 is only half as painful as reading Avengers & X-Men: Axis #1 was for me.  Secret Wars does have its moments in which I genuinely cared about the peril faced by the characters, at least some of them.  What I genuinely love about Secret Wars #1 is the beautiful art by Esad Ribic and Ive Svorcina.

I have always admired Ribic, even when he replaced my beloved Steve Rude on X-Men: Children of the Atom (way back in the 1990s).  Here, Ribic and Svorcina deliver some potent, striking images, and it is their storytelling that really makes this graphic narrative work, more so than Hickman's script.  Hickman puts a snide remark in Rocket Raccoon's mouth about those comic book from decades ago that had a one-dollar cover price.  Yeah, some did suck, but you usually got a complete story in a single issue.  Let's see current comics superstar Jonathan Hickman pull that off.

B+

[This book includes a preview of The Uncanny Inhumans #0” by Charles Soule, Steve McNiven, Jay Leisten, Justin Ponsor, and VC's Clayton Cowles.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux; support on Patreon.


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

DC Comics Announces New Books and New Focus for June 2015

DC Entertainment Announces New Books, New Creators, Broader Focus for the DC Universe

Iconic Super Heroes & Super-Villains Universe is Diversifying To Make Room for More Types of Storytelling, More Fans

June Slate of Titles Includes Long-Awaited Return to DCU of Bryan Hitch, Garth Ennis; Gene Luen Yang & Ming Doyle Join Team of Top Talent

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This summer, DC Entertainment launches a bold new direction for the DC Universe (DCU) that is even more inclusive and accessible to a wider group of readers as the publisher continues to evolve comic storytelling for its next generation of fans. Award-winning, critically acclaimed writers are headlining the June 2015 slate of DC Comics’ new periodicals and graphic novels, including Gene Luen Yang, Bryan Hitch, Garth Ennis, and Ming Doyle.

    “Whether you’ve been a DC fan your whole life, or whether you are new to comics – there will be a book for you beginning in June.”

Beginning June 3rd, the DC Comics line of comic books will consist of 24 brand-new series that will begin at issue number one, as well as 25 on-going, bestselling fan favorite series that will continue without a break in the issue numbering. The total number of periodicals in the DCU will be 49, with additional new titles debuting throughout the year.

“This heralds in a new era for the DC Universe which will allow us to publish something for everyone, be more expansive and modern in our approach and tell stories that better reflect the society around us,” said DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Dan DiDio. “Whether you’ve been a DC fan your whole life, or whether you are new to comics – there will be a book for you beginning in June.”

DC Comics will be keenly focused on going back-to-basics with its legendary characters, like BATMAN, SUPERMAN and WONDER WOMAN, while also reinventing key characters, such as BLACK CANARY, BIZARRO, CYBORG and STARFIRE, with a new contemporary tonality to ensure a diverse offering of titles. Top writers and artists, as well as emerging fresh voices, are on board to help create an expansive lineup of comics that appeals to a broad audience of fans.

Depicting some of these iconic characters in a more contemporary light include National Book Award finalist Gene Luen Yang who will join artist John Romita Jr. in the ongoing adventures of SUPERMAN. Comic superstar artist Bryan Hitch will write and draw new tales of the world’s greatest heroes in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA. The pitch perfect team of Garth Ennis and John McCrea returns to DC Comics for a limited series called SECTION EIGHT featuring characters from their popular Hitman comic. VERTIGO creator Ming Doyle will be lending her talents to DC Comics, penning CONSTANTINE: THE HELLBLAZER along with newcomer artist Riley Rossmo.

“More than ever before, DC Comics fans are being exposed to our rich portfolio of characters through multiple sources, including an unprecedented number of highly successful TV shows, video games and upcoming major motion pictures,” said Co-Publisher Jim Lee. “We are looking to extend that experience within publishing to ensure there is a comic book for everyone. For example, fans of the ARROW television show may want more stories about BLACK CANARY. Now they can find modern, fresh takes on the character in the pages of her standalone series both in stores and digitally.”

Breakout star, Brenden Fletcher, co-writer behind the all new, highly successful BATGIRL book will also be writing the new BLACK CANARY series launching in June. Fan favorites Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti will be the creative team on new titles STARFIRE and HARLEY QUINN/POWER GIRL and will continue to helm the perennially bestselling HARLEY QUINN.

“Beyond character and creators, the June slate will showcase different styles and approaches to storytelling as we add offbeat, irreverently funny titles such as BIZARRO, BAT-MITE and PREZ,” said Lee. “Truly there will be something for everybody as we simultaneously celebrate our rich legacy while embracing new voices and concepts.”

A first look at upcoming storylines will be the focus of DC Entertainment’s Free Comic Book Day issue – DC COMICS: DIVERGENCE – available Saturday, May 2, featuring three 8-page previews for the June releases of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s BATMAN, as well as Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok’s launch of the Darkseid War within JUSTICE LEAGUE featuring the biggest villains in the DCU – Darkseid and the Anti-Monitor, and Gene Luen Yang's DC Comics debut with celebrated artist John Romita, Jr on SUPERMAN. More than half-a million free issues of the DC Entertainment sampler will be given away at comic book retailers globally.

“In this new era of storytelling, story will trump continuity as we continue to empower creators to tell the best stories in the industry,” said DiDio.

To learn more about the June DC Universe slate, visit www.dccomics.com.

About DC Entertainment:
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the world’s largest English-language publisher of comics.

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