DC Comics from Lunar Distributors for September 25, 2024

DC COMICS:

Absolute Power Origins #3 (Of 3)(Cover A Edwin Galmon), $3.99

Absolute Power Origins #3 (Of 3)(Cover B Ken Lashley Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Absolute Power Task Force VII #7 (Of 7)(Cover A Pete Woods), $3.99

Absolute Power Task Force VII #7 (Of 7)(Cover B Rahzzah Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Absolute Power Task Force VII #7 (Of 7)(Cover C Tom Raney Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Absolute Power Task Force VII #7 (Of 7)(Cover D Stephen Platt Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Absolute Power Task Force VII #7 (Of 7)(Cover E John Timms Connecting Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Absolute Power Task Force VII #7 (Of 7)(Cover F Dan Mora Foil Variant), $6.99

Action Comics #1069 (Cover A Eddy Barrows & Eber Ferreira), $4.99

Action Comics #1069 (Cover B Wes Craig Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Action Comics #1069 (Cover C Francesco Mattina Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Action Comics #1069 (Cover D Nicola Scott Artist Spotlight Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Action Comics #1069 (Cover E Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez & Joe Prado Hispanic Heritage Month Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Action Comics #1069 (Cover F Dan Panosian Card Stock Variant), AR

Alan Scott The Green Lantern TP, $16.99

All New Collectors' Edition #54 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover A Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez), $14.99

All New Collectors' Edition #54 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover B Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez Foil Variant), $19.99

Batman The Long Halloween The Last Halloween #1 (Of 10)(Cover A Tim Sale), $4.99

Batman The Long Halloween The Last Halloween #1 (Of 10)(Cover B Eduardo Risso), $4.99

Batman The Long Halloween The Last Halloween #1 (Of 10)(Cover C Jim Lee), $4.99

Batman The Long Halloween The Last Halloween #1 (Of 10)(Cover D Eduardo Risso), AR

Batman The Long Halloween The Last Halloween #1 (Of 10)(Cover E Tim Sale), AR

Batman The Long Halloween The Last Halloween #1 (Of 10)(Cover F Jim Lee Foil Black & White Virgin Variant), AR

Batman The Long Halloween The Last Halloween #1 (Of 10)(Cover G Jim Lee Foil Variant), AR

Batman The Arkham Saga Omnibus HC (2024 Edition), $150.00

Batman The Brave And The Bold #17 (Cover A Simone Di Meo), $7.99

Batman The Brave And The Bold #17 (Cover B Francesco Mattina), $7.99

Batman The Brave And The Bold #17 (Cover C Christopher Mitten), $7.99

DC Connect #53, AR

Detective Comics #1089 (Cover A Evan Cagle), $4.99

Detective Comics #1089 (Cover B Guillem March Connecting Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Detective Comics #1089 (Cover C Guillem March Connecting Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Detective Comics #1089 (Cover D Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez & Joe Prado Hispanic Heritage Month Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Detective Comics #1089 (Cover E Sebastian Fiumara Card Stock Variant), AR

Elseworlds Justice League Volume 2 TP (2024 Edition), $34.99

Flash #13 (Cover A Ramon Perez), $3.99

Flash #13 (Cover B Ozgur Yildirim Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Flash #13 (Cover C Mike Deodato Jr. Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Flash #13 (Cover D Nicola Scott Artist Spotlight Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Green Arrow #16 (Cover A Phil Hester)(Absolute Power), $3.99

Green Arrow #16 (Cover B Matt Taylor Card Stock Variant)(Absolute Power), $4.99

Green Arrow Volume 2 Family First TP (2023), $19.99

Harley Quinn #43 (Cover A Sweeney Boo), $4.99

Harley Quinn #43 (Cover B Lesley Leirix Li Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Harley Quinn #43 (Cover C Riccardo Federici Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Harley Quinn #43 (Cover D Nicola Scott Artist Spotlight Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Harley Quinn #43 (Cover E Abigail Larson Card Stock Variant), AR

Harley Quinn Volume 1 Girl In A Crisis TP (2023), $19.99

Joker The Man Who Stopped Laughing The Complete Series TP, $49.99

Legion Of Super-Heroes The Great Darkness Saga TP (2024 Edition), $19.99

Lobo Cancellation Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Kyle Hotz), $5.99

Lobo Cancellation Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Simon Bisley After Dark Black Polybagged Card Stock Variant), $6.99

Lobo Cancellation Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Kyle Hotz Card Stock Variant), AR

Outsiders #11 (Of 12)(Cover A Roger Cruz), $4.99

Outsiders #11 (Of 12)(Cover B Serg Acuna Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Poison Ivy Volume 3 Mourning Sickness HC, $24.99

Poison Ivy Volume 3 Mourning Sickness TP, $17.99

Power Girl #13 (Cover A Yanick Paquette), $3.99

Power Girl #13 (Cover B Chuma Hill Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Power Girl #13 (Cover C Ariel Colon Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Titans #15 (Cover A Lucas Meyer), $3.99

Titans #15 (Cover B Stjepan Sejic Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Titans #15 (Cover C Mike Mckone Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Titans #15 (Cover D Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez & Joe Prado Hispanic Heritage Month Card Stock Variant), $4.99

WE3 The 20Th Anniversary Deluxe Edition HC (Frank Quitely Book Market Cover), $24.99

WE3 The 20Th Anniversary Deluxe Edition HC (Frank Quitely Direct Market Cover), $24.99

Zatanna Bring Down The House #4 (Of 5)(Cover A Javier Rodriguez), $5.99

Zatanna Bring Down The House #4 (Of 5)(Cover B Joelle Jones), $5.99

Zatanna Bring Down The House #4 (Of 5)(Cover C Joshua Sway Swaby), $5.99

Zatanna Bring Down The House #4 (Of 5)(Cover D Nicola Scott Artist Spotlight Variant), $5.99

Zatanna Bring Down The House #4 (Of 5)(Cover E Joshua Sway Swaby), AR

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

I Reads You Juniors: May 2024 - UPDATE #48

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon.

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like these, BOOKS PAGE, GRAPHIC NOVELS, or MANGA PAGE and BUY something(s).

NEWS:

MANGA - From BleedingCool:  Graphic novel and manga publisher, TOKYOPOP, joins Marvel, IDW, and Dark Horse, as exclusive publishing clients of Penguin Random House Publishing Services.

IMAGE - From BleedingCool:  Original Image Comics series, "Cyber Force," from one Image studio, Top Cow Productions, is being revived... again.  The next version arrives via a one-shot, "Cyber Force Shootout," which is due Aug. 7th.

ELFQUEST - From SalonFutura:  According to this site, Fox has given a "script commitment" to its previously announced hour-long animated series based on Wendy and Richard Pini's long-running comic book, "Elfquest."  The cautious optimism can continue because this announced adaptation seems to have made it past the point others reached.

From YouTube:  Sicangu Lakota and Cherokee artist con organizer, Kristina Maldonado Bad Hand, talks to "Elfquest" creators, Richard and Wendy Pini, about "Indigenous knowledge" and "social justice" in "Elfquest."

DC COMICS - From YouTube:  DC Comics has created a comics trailer for its all-new "DC Elseworlds" comic book series.

EISNER AWARDS - From IGN:  The nominations for the 2024 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards have been announced. Winners will be announced July 26th during San Diego Comic-Con 2024. 

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  DC Comics might reveal a new logo at San Diego Comic-Con 2024.

SONY MARVEL U - From THR:  Amazon has dropped Sony's Marvel drama, "Silk: Spider Society."  Sony will shop it to other streamers.

EN MEMORIAM - From ComicBook:  Comic book writer, artist, and editor, Don Perlin, has died at the age of 94, Tuesday, May 14, 2024.  He co-created the character "Moon Knight" for Marvel Comics with writer Doug Moench, and he created the character "Bloodshot" for Valiant Entertainment with artists Kevin VanHook and Bob Layton. Perlin drew long runs on such Marvel titles as "The Defenders," "Ghost Rider," and "Werewolf by Night." Perlin was also very involved in the early years of Valiant Comics.

DC STUDIOS - From Deadline:  "Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow" will be the second film released from James Gunn and Peter Safran's DC Studios.  It is scheduled for a Summer 2026 theatrical release.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  Writer-artist Juni Ba talks about his "DC Black Label" miniseries, "The Boy Wonder," which reimagines Robin/Damian Wayne.

TITAN - From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics is uniting numerous characters from the prose fiction of the late author, Robert E. Howard.  That includes two of his signature character, Conan the Cimmerian and Solomon Kane.  The crossover event is entitled "Battle of the Black Stone."

BOOKS - From BleedingCool:  Puffin, Penguin's British children's book line, is launching "Puffin Graphics," a children's graphic novel line.

DC STUDIOS - From Variety:  James Gunn has revealed a first-look photo of actor David Corenswet in his "Superman" suit for Gunn's film, "Superman," which is due July 11, 2025.

DC COMICS - From 13thDimension:  DC Comics' legendary-among-fans "1982 DC Comics Style Guide" will finally be released to the general public as a hardcover art book.  Featuring the art of Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, it has long been sought out by fans and collectors. Details are scare, but DC will reportedly publish it with "Standards Manual," an independent publishing imprint that says it "archives and preserves artifacts of design history and makes them available for future generations."

FCBD - From FCBD:  Today, Saturday, May 4th is "Free Comic Book Day."

DC ANIMATION - From GamesRadar:  The Cartoon Network/Adult Swim animated series, "My Adventures with Superman," gets a Season 2 preview trailer, which teases a new character.  There is currently no release date for the next season, which will consist of 10 episodes.

MANGA - From BleedingCool:  Abrams ComicsArt is starting a manga imprint named "Kana."  In addition to publishing English-language editions of actual manga, Kana will release the trade collection of Frank Miller's "Ronin: Book Two," which will be retitled, "Ronin Rising."

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel has released a checklist for its "Infinity Watch" annuals.  There will be 9 annuals, with the first, "Thanos Annual," which is due in June.

COMICS TO FILM - From Deadline:  Warner Bros is negotiating to close a seven-figure film-rights deal for "Avengelyne," a film project based of a comic book by Rob Liefeld (the co-creator of the character, "Deadpool").  "Avengelyne" is an angel who fights the forces of evil.  Margot Robbie reportedly wants to star as the title character, if she likes the script, and Olivia Wilde is set to direct.

ALAN MOORE - From BleedingCool:  October 2024 sees the release of Alan Moore's new book, "The Great When" (from Bloomsbury UK), the first in the "Long Line" series. The month will also see the publication of Moore's final graphic novel project, "The Moon and Serpent Bumper Book of Magic," from Knockabout in the UK and IDW/Top Shelf Productions in the U.S. The book was co-written by the late Steve Moore with art by the late Kevin O'Neill.

From GamesRadar:  Bloomsbury, the book publisher of legendary comic book scribe, Alan Moore, is teasing something new that is coming from Moore.  It may be the first in a series of novels he's been planning.

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

APRIL 2024 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  Billy Tucci for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  Blackbox Comics for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics LLC for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics' "Batman" titles for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics' Superman's "House of Braniac" titles for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  Dstlry for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics Books for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics' Todd McFarlane titles for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  Magma Comix for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  X-Men & Avengers crossover from Marvel for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  "The Fall of The House of X" and "The Rise of The Powers of X" from Marvel Comics for April 2024.

From BleedingCool:  Massive/WhatNot/Summerian for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  Rebellion/2000 AD for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  TOKYOPOP for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  Udon Entertainment for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for April 2024

From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for April 2024

MAY 2024 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Free Comic Book Day 2024 for May 4, 2024

From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics LLC for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics' Amanda Waller for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics' "House of Brainiac" for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  Dstlry for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Spawn" for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Blood Hunt" crossovers for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "X-Men" for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  Massive for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  Rebellion/2000AD for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  TOKYOPOP for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for May 2024

From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for May 2024

JUNE 2024 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for June 2024

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for June 2024

From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for June 2024

From BleedingCool:  Band of Bards for June 2024

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for June 2024

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for June 2024

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for June 2024

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics' "Absolute Power" for June 2024

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Batman Family" for June 2024

From BleedingCool:  Dren Productions for June 2024

From BleedingCool:  Dstlry for June 2024

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for June 2024

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for June 2024

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for June 2024

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Energon Universe" for June 2024

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics Todd McFarlane titles for June 2024

From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainement for June 2024

From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for June 2024

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for June 2024

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Blood Hunt" for June 2024

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for June 2024

From BleedingCool:  Penthouse for June 2024

From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000AD for June 2024

From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for June 2024

From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for June 2024

From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for June 2024

From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for June 2024

JULY 2024 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for July 2024

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for July 2024

From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for July 2024

From BleedingCool:  Black Mask Studios for July 2024

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for July 2024

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for July 2024

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for July 2024

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Absolute Power" with Wonder Woman, Superman, and Batman for July 2024

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Absolute Power" with Green Arrow & Green Lantern for July 2024

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for July 2024

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Batman" titles for July 2024

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for July 2024

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for July 2024

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Energon Universe" titles for July 2024

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Ghost Machine" titles for July 2024

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Massive-Verse" titles for July 2024

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics Todd McFarlane's Spawn titles for July 2024

From BleedingCool:  IPI Comics for July 2024

From BleedingCool:  Magma Comix for July 2024

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for July 2024

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "James Cameron's 'Aliens' vs Marvel's Avengers" for July 2024

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Ultimate Comics" for July 2024

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for July 2024

From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for July 2024

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for July 2024

From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for July 2024

From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for July 2024

From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for July 2024

From BleedingCool:  Udon Entertainment for July 2024

AUGUST 2024 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for August 2024

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Absolute Power" titles for August 2024

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for August 2024

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics "Energon Universe" titles for August 2024

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics' "Ghost Machine" titles for August 2024

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics Todd McFarlane titles for August 2024

From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for August 2024

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for August 2024

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Ultimate Comics" titles for August 2024

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Venom War" titles for August 2024

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for August 2024

From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for August 2024

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

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 29, 2020

DC COMICS

NOV190425    ACTION COMICS #1019    $3.99
NOV190426    ACTION COMICS #1019 CARD STOCK VAR ED    $4.99
OCT190623    ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN JOSE LUIS GARCIA LOPEZ HC VOL 02    $49.99
OCT190624    AQUAMAN DEATH OF A PRINCE DLX ED HC    $39.99
OCT190627    BAT AND THE CAT 80 YEARS OF ROMANCE HC    $39.99
OCT190631    BATMAN BEYOND TP VOL 06 DIVIDE CONQUER AND KILL    $16.99
JUN190629    BATMAN BLACK & WHITE BATMAN BY GENE COLAN STATUE    $90.00
OCT190653    BIRDS OF PREY MURDER AND MYSTERY TP    $29.99
JUN190625    DC ESSENTIALS HAL JORDAN AF    $28.00
JUN190627    DC ESSENTIALS KNIGHTFALL BATMAN AF    $28.00
JUN190628    DC ESSENTIALS KNIGHTFALL CATWOMAN AF    $28.00
JUN190626    DC ESSENTIALS SINESTRO AF    $28.00
DEC190003    DC PREVIEWS #22 FEBRUARY 2020 EXTRAS (NET)    $PI
NOV190422    DC SUPER HERO GIRLS GIANT #2 (RES)    $4.99
NOV190446    DETECTIVE COMICS ANNUAL #3    $4.99
NOV190513    DIAL H FOR HERO #11 (OF 12)    $3.99
NOV190520    DOLLAR COMICS DETECTIVE COMICS #554    $1.00
NOV198792    FAR SECTOR #1 (OF 12) 2ND PTG (MR)    $3.99
NOV190451    FLASH #87    $3.99
NOV190452    FLASH #87 VAR ED    $3.99
NOV190456    GREEN LANTERN BLACKSTARS #3 (OF 3)    $3.99
NOV190457    GREEN LANTERN BLACKSTARS #3 (OF 3) VAR ED    $3.99
NOV190464    JUSTICE LEAGUE #39    $3.99
NOV190465    JUSTICE LEAGUE #39 VAR ED    $3.99
NOV190466    JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #19    $3.99
NOV190467    JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #19 VAR ED    $3.99
NOV198791    LAST GOD #1 2ND PTG (MR)    $4.99
NOV190509    LAST GOD #4 (MR)    $4.99
OCT190493    SHADOW OF THE BATGIRL TP    $16.99
NOV190484    SUICIDE SQUAD #2    $3.99
NOV190485    SUICIDE SQUAD #2 CARD STOCK VAR ED    $4.99
NOV190494    TERRIFICS #24    $3.99
NOV190495    TERRIFICS #24 VAR ED    $3.99
NOV190496    TITANS BURNING RAGE #6 (OF 7)    $4.99

Review: SWAMP THING Winter Special

SWAMP THING: WINTER SPECIAL #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Tom King; Len Wein
ART: Jason Fabok; Kelley Jones
COLORS: Brad Anderson; Michelle Madsen
LETTERS: Deron Bennett
COVER: Jason Fabok
MISC. ART: José Luis García-López; José Luis García-López and Joe Prado; José Luis García-López and Joe Prado with Mark Chiarello
80pp, Color, $7.99 U.S. (March 2018)

Rated “T” for Teen

Swamp Thing created by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson

Editor's Note by Rebecca Taylor

Swamp Thing is a horror comic book character from DC Comics.  While there have been different versions of the character, Swamp Thing is a plant elemental and a sentient, walking mass of plant matter.  Created by writer Len Wein and artist Bernie Wrightson, Swamp Thing first appeared in House of Secrets #92 (cover dated July 1971).

In 2017, both Wein and Wrightson died.  In 2016, DC Comics published a six-issue Swamp Thing comic book miniseries written by Wein and collected in a trade paperback, Swamp Thing: The Dead Don't Sleep.  Before he died, Wein was working on a new Swamp Thing series with artist Kelley Jones, who drew The Dead Don't Sleep.  This new series would have also been a continuation of the miniseries, and the first issue would have been published as Swamp Thing #7.

Wein produced a detailed plot for the first issue/chapter (“Spring Awakening!”), but died before he could produce a “lettering script” for the first issue of this new Swamp Thing series.  The art for the new comic, drawn by Kelley Jones and colored by Michelle Madsen, is printed in a recently published square-bound, one-shot, comic book, Swamp Thing: Winter Special.  In a two-page editor's note, Rebecca Taylor explains the situation around this still-born project.  Swamp Thing: Winter Special also includes Wein's plot for Swamp Thing #7, which runs six pages (for a 20 page story).

“Spring Awakening” depicts long-time villain, Solomon Grundy, kidnapping an infant girl, and, later, Batman visiting Swamp Thing.  I don't know what to make of the story other than I would have loved to have read a finished version.  I am a longtime fan of Kelley Jones, and I love the way Michelle Madsen colors Jones' comic book art.  I am not a big fan of Swamp Thing unless the stories are produced by particular creators, and, of course, Wein was one of them, so...

The Wein tribute is the opening story of Swamp Thing: Winter Special.  Entitled “The Talk of the Saints,” it is written by Tom King; drawn by Jason Fabok; colored by Brad Anderson; and lettered by Deron Bennett.

“The Talk of the Saints” finds Swamp Thing shepherding a lost boy through a blinding snow storm.  As the two navigate a strange, frozen tundra, they face countless threats, especially an unseen bloodthirsty snow monster that is constantly stalking them.  Stripped of his powers and disconnected from “the Green,” Swamp Thing must uncover the true identity of the snow monster that hunts them.

Tom King's story does offers some genuinely scary and creepy moments, but, at the same time, it comes across as awkward poetry and metaphor.  The art by illustrator Jason Fabok and colorist Brad Anderson is gorgeous and, outside of Kelley Jones and Michelle Madsen's work, is some of the most beautiful Swamp Thing comic book art that I have see in years, especially the last five pages of this story.

Letterer Deron Bennett presents lettering that really heightens the chills and thrills.  For me, Bennett unites what is good about Tom King's story and the prettiness of the art into a striking graphical package.

Swamp Thing: Winter Special is not great, but it is an essential publication for Swamp Thing fans, if only for the Len Wein tributes and story material. But a Swamp Thing comic book full of pretty art is a good reason to have this one-shot comic book.

7.5 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.

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

Review: THE KAMANDI CHALLENGE #12

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

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Gail Simone
ART: Jill Thompson; Ryan Sook
COLORS: Trish Mulvihill; Laura Martin; Andrew Crossley
LETTERS: Clem Robins
MISC ART: Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez and Joe Prado with Mark Chiarello; Adam Kubert
COVER: Frank Miller with Alex Sinclair
VARIANT COVERS: Ryan Sook; Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez and Joe Prado with Trish Mulvihill
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (February 2018)

Rated “T” for Teen

Kamandi created by Jack Kirby

[Afterword by Paul Levitz]

“The Boundless Realm”

Created by Jack Kirby, Kamandi, The Last Boy on Earth was a comic book series published by DC Comics in the 1970s.  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 returned in the DC Comics miniseries, The Kamandi Challenge.  Ostensibly a tribute to the 100th anniversary of Jack Kirby's birth (1917), The Kamandi Challenge brought together 14 teams of writers and artists.  Each team produced a single issue (or worked on a single issue) of The Kamandi Challenge, which ended in an cliffhanger.  The following issue's creative team would resolve that cliffhanger left behind by the previous creative team however it wanted.  That team would craft its own story, which also ended in a cliffhanger, which the next creative team would have to resolve... and so on.

The Kamandi Challenge came to an end with the recently published twelfth issue, featuring two creative teams.  The first team is writer Gail Simone; artists Jill Thompson and Ryan Sook; colorists Trish Mulvihill; Laura Martin; and Andrew Crossley; and letterer Clem Robins.  The second creative team is comprised of writer Paul Levitz; artist José Luis García-López (pencils) and Joe Prado (inks); colorist Trish Mulvihill; and letterer Clem Robins.

The Kamandi Challenge #12 opens with the story “The Boundless Realm” (by the Simone-Thompson/Sook team), which introduces “Kamanda: The Last Girl on Earth.”  Who is she and what does she have to tell Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth as he enters his final battle with “The Misfit?”

The second story is “Epilogue the First: The Answers” by Levitz- García-López.  Kamandi meets his creator Jack Kirby and gets some answers.  But what kind of answers are they?

Let us make no mistake, Jack Kirby is a great artist, worthy of being a comic book icon (or the comic book icon) and being in the hallowed halls of museums and academia.  The problem with tributes to great artist is that those tributes are sometimes offered by people who, while they are influenced by great artists, are not themselves great artists.  In fact, sometimes the people who offer tributes are hacks, in spite of the greatness they admire.

And The Kamandi Challenge is the creation of some who are middling talents, some who are hacks, some exceptional talents that produced middling work in this series.  In this final issue, from the ugly Frank Miller front cover to the “it was all a dream” type ending, The Kamandi Challenge #12, like the earlier issues, is a tribute in name only to Jack Kirby.  Yes, there are some good moments and good issues in this twelve issue maxi-series, but The Kamandi Challenge is a cynical attempt to make money using Jack Kirby's name and legacy.

The best thing about The Kamandi Challenge #12 is Paul Levitz's afterword, which is a true and loving tribute to someone who was obviously a friend, the truly talented and late Len Wein.

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 for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

I Reads You Juniors April 2018 - Update #53

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From BleedingCool:  268 comic book creators will be signing on Free Comic Book Day 2018, May 5th, 2018.

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #161 in English
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #161 in French

From TheMainichi: A lawyer has sued Nippon Telephone and Telegraph (NTT) overs its plan to block sites that link to pirated anime and manga.

From AnimeNewsNetwork:  Kodansha announces five digital-first manga licenses for May 2018.

From BleedingCool:  Alan Davis will contribute art to Captain America #703.

From BleedingCool: "Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? is going bi-monthly with issue #93.

From JapanTimes:  Japan's Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp. (NTT) will block sites that link to pirated anime or manga.

From Newsarama:  2018 Glyph Award nominees announced.  Winners to be announces May 19th, 2018 at the East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention.

From AnimeNewsNetwork:  Dark Horse Licenses Mob Psycho 100 Manga

From BleedingCool:  Brian Michael Bendis is rumored to be curating some times, perhaps a "Flash" comic book written by David F. Walker ("Cyborg).

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #160 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #160 in French.

From Vulture:  Jim Starlin, the creator of Marvel Comics' mega-villain, Thanos, hates Marvel Comics.

From AnimeNewNetwork:  The worldwide master of horror comics, Junji Ito, spoke about the anime adaptation of his horror manga during a story signing.

From BleedingCool:  No Matt Fraction. No "Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen" revival... for now.

From ArtNetNews:  Check out the public murals and graffiti that are part of the "Peanuts Global Art Collective."

From Geek:  Japan takes emergency action against anime and manga pirating websites.

From BleedingCool:  Next week in Diamond Previews (May 2018)... Ta-Nehisi Coates and Lienil Francis Yu's "Captain America" and Rob Guillory's "Farmhand."

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics' July 2018 solicitations from Diamond Distributors.

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing's July 2018 solicitations from Diamond Distributors.

From ComicBook:  Eiichiro Oda talks about the unprecedented sales of his manga, "One Piece."

From BleedingCool:  BleedingCool talks to Bruce Canwell of The Library of American Comics, which publishes collections of the American newspaper comic strips.

From Forbes:   Inside The Big-Money, 24-Hour World Of Comic Books

From JapanTimes:  The Japanese government wants calls for "emergency measures" to block access to websites that pirate manga and anime.

From CommercialAppeal:  Sheree Renee Thomas organizing Afrofuturism event in Memphis, TN, on Saturday, April 21st.

From ComicBook:  Hiro Mishima ("Fairy Tail") previews his new manga, but the title has not been announced.

From BleedingCool:  Raina Telgemeier's "Drama" makes the American Library Association's "banded books" list again.

From BleedingCool: DC Comics Reveals Solicits for Superman #1 and Action Comics #1001.

-------------------------------------
From TheRorschachTest:  A podcast interview of longtime writer about comic books, Augie De Blieck, Jr.

From PipelineComics:  The subject of the above interview, Augie's piece, "The Inevitable Direct Market Implosion."

-------------------------------------------------
From BleedingCool:  President Trump makes an appearance in "Suicide Squad."

From AnimeNewsNetwork:  Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto has apparently announced that his new work will debut at the end of 2018 and will be a long-form series.  Previous speculation is that it is a science fiction manga.

From AnimeNewsNetwork:  The venerable manga, "Detective Conan" (known as "Case Closed"), will get a spinoff.

From Techaeris:  Manga piracy in Japan is hurting the creators of the art form

From io9:  Evan Narcisse tells the truth: "Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez Might Be the Most Under-Appreciated Superhero Artist of All Time."

From BleedingCool:  Here is a preview of Mark Millar and Olivier Coipel's "The Magic Order."

From SyFyWire:  Mark Millar talks to "SyFy Wire" in a video interview.  Millarworld, Netflix, and Marvel vs. DC Movies are some of the topics discussed.

From AnimeNetworkNews:  VIZ Media announces that it will publish another Junji Ito short story collection, "Frankenstein."

----------------------------------------
STAN LEE MELODRAMA - From BleedingCool:  Stan Lee sues Jerry Olivarez of "Hands of Respect" for elder abuse.

From YahooMoviesUK:  In an online video, Stan Lee says that he is not a victim of elder abuse.

From ABCActionNews:  Stan Lee's blood was apparently used to sign comic books in Las Vegas.

From BleedingCool:  Fans express concern about Stan Lee after his appearance at Silicon Valley Comic Con.

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

From BleedingCool:  Joelle Jones will write and draw an ongoing "Catwoman" comic book series.

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #159 in English
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #159 in French

From BleedingCool:  Marvel's "Fresh Start" will include dual issue numbers and a new trade dress/graphic design.

From CBR:  The Justice League has a new villain, debuting in "Justice League #41."

From BleedingCool:  "All-New Wolverine #33" has a Marvel characters as President of the United States.

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #158 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #158 in French.

From MangaTokyo:  "Detective Conan" ("Case Closed" in the USA), from creator Gosho Aoyama, is ending its short hiatus and returns in a week.

From Crunchyroll:  The "Hunter x Hunter" manga, from Yoshihiro Togashi, is going on hiatus again.

From JapanNews:  Here is a review of a French graphic novel, "Matsumoto."   He was the cult leader behind the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin gas attack.

From BleedingCool:  Comics creators writer letters in support of 1980s-90s comic book creator, Gerard Jones.  Jones recently entered a guilty plea to two felony counts concerning his possession and distribution of child pornography.

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics co-CEO Nancy Silberkleit celebrates "World Autism Awareness Day with the recent addition to Riverdale, Scarlet.

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #157 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #157 in French.

From MarvelNews:  The Fantastic Four returns to comic books in "Fantastic Four #1" this August.

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 18, 2018

DC COMICS

FEB180142    ACTION COMICS #1000    $7.99
FEB180143    ACTION COMICS #1000 1930S VAR ED    $7.99
FEB180144    ACTION COMICS #1000 1940S VAR ED    $7.99
FEB180145    ACTION COMICS #1000 1950S VAR ED    $7.99
FEB180146    ACTION COMICS #1000 1960S VAR ED    $7.99
FEB180147    ACTION COMICS #1000 1970S VAR ED    $7.99
FEB180148    ACTION COMICS #1000 1980S VAR ED    $7.99
FEB180149    ACTION COMICS #1000 1990S VAR ED    $7.99
FEB180150    ACTION COMICS #1000 2000S VAR ED    $7.99
FEB180151    ACTION COMICS #1000 BLANK VAR ED    $7.99
JAN188154    ACTION COMICS 80 YEARS OF SUPERMAN POSTER    $9.99
JAN180417    AMERICAN WAY THOSE ABOVE AND BELOW TP (MR)    $16.99
FEB180157    AQUAMAN #35    $3.99
FEB180158    AQUAMAN #35 VAR ED    $3.99
FEB180166    BATMAN #45    $2.99
FEB180167    BATMAN #45 VAR ED    $2.99
JAN180394    BATMAN ARKHAM HUGO STRANGE TP    $19.99
OCT170399    BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE BY JONATHAN MATTHEWS    $80.00
DEC170260    BATMAN CREATURE OF THE NIGHT #3 (OF 4)    $5.99
FEB180168    BATMAN SINS OF THE FATHER #3 (OF 6)    $2.99
FEB180169    BATMAN TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II #6 (OF 6)    $3.99
FEB180170    BATMAN TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II #6 (OF 6) VAR ED    $3.99
FEB180175    BATWOMAN #14    $3.99
FEB180176    BATWOMAN #14 VAR ED    $3.99
FEB180179    BOMBSHELLS UNITED #16    $2.99
FEB180180    BRAVE & THE BOLD BATMAN & WONDER WOMAN #3 (OF 6)    $3.99
FEB180257    CAVE CARSON HAS AN INTERSTELLAR EYE #2 (MR)    $3.99
FEB180152    DAMAGE #4    $2.99
OCT170398    DC COVER GIRLS SUPERGIRL BY JOELLE JONES STATUE    $125.00
FEB180183    DEADMAN #6 (OF 6)    $3.99
FEB180319    DEATHBED #3 (OF 6) (MR)    $3.99
JAN180384    DEATHSTROKE TP VOL 04 DEFIANCE REBIRTH    $14.99
FEB180266    FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS #9    $3.99
FEB180267    FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS #9 VAR ED    $3.99
JAN180402    GREEN LANTERN THE SILVER AGE TP VOL 03    $29.99
FEB180199    GREEN LANTERNS #45    $2.99
FEB180200    GREEN LANTERNS #45 VAR ED    $2.99
FEB180207    HARLEY QUINN #42    $2.99
FEB180208    HARLEY QUINN #42 VAR ED    $2.99
OCT170369    HARLEY QUINN & THE GOTHAM CITY SIRENS OMNIBUS HC    $75.00
FEB180212    INJUSTICE 2 #24    $2.99
FEB180215    JUSTICE LEAGUE #43    $2.99
FEB180216    JUSTICE LEAGUE #43 VAR ED    $2.99
JAN180408    KAMANDI CHALLENGE HC    $39.99
FEB180221    MISTER MIRACLE #8 (OF 12) (MR)    $3.99
FEB180222    MISTER MIRACLE #8 (OF 12) VAR ED (MR)    $3.99
FEB180227    NIGHTWING #43    $2.99
FEB180228    NIGHTWING #43 VAR ED    $2.99
JAN180388    RED HOOD & THE OUTLAWS TP VOL 03 BIZARRO REBORN REBIRTH    $19.99
FEB180242    SUPER SONS #15    $3.99
FEB180243    SUPER SONS #15 VAR ED    $3.99
FEB180238    SUPERMAN #45    $2.99
FEB180239    SUPERMAN #45 VAR ED    $2.99
FEB180274    TEEN TITANS GO #27    $2.99

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 27, 2017

DC COMICS

OCT170218    ACTION COMICS #994    $2.99
OCT170219    ACTION COMICS #994 VAR ED    $2.99
OCT170223    BATGIRL #18    $3.99
OCT170224    BATGIRL #18 VAR ED    $3.99
OCT170231    BATMAN BEYOND #15    $3.99
OCT170232    BATMAN BEYOND #15 VAR ED    $3.99
SEP170411    BATMAN BRAVE & BOLD BRONZE AGE OMNIBUS TP VOL 01    $34.99
OCT170237    BATMAN CREATURE OF THE NIGHT #2 (OF 4)    $5.99
OCT170235    BLUE BEETLE #16    $3.99
OCT170236    BLUE BEETLE #16 VAR ED    $3.99
SEP170402    BLUE BEETLE TP VOL 02 HARD CHOICES (REBIRTH)    $16.99
SEP170252    DARK NIGHTS METAL #1 DIRECTORS CUT    $6.99
OCT170248    DEMON HELL IS EARTH #2 (OF 6)    $2.99
OCT170253    DETECTIVE COMICS #971    $2.99
OCT170254    DETECTIVE COMICS #971 VAR ED    $2.99
OCT178345    DOOMSDAY CLOCK #1 (OF 12) 2ND PTG    $4.99
OCT170204    DOOMSDAY CLOCK #2 (OF 12)    $4.99
OCT170205    DOOMSDAY CLOCK #2 (OF 12) VAR ED    $4.99
OCT170257    FLASH #37    $2.99
OCT170258    FLASH #37 VAR ED    $2.99
OCT170250    GOTHAM CITY GARAGE #6    $2.99
JUN170402    GREEN ARROW THE GOLDEN AGE OMNIBUS HC VOL 01    $125.00
OCT170267    HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #35    $2.99
OCT170268    HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #35 VAR ED    $2.99
SEP170253    HAWKMAN FOUND #1    $3.99
SEP170254    HAWKMAN FOUND #1 VAR ED    $3.99
OCT170275    HELLBLAZER #17    $3.99
OCT170276    HELLBLAZER #17 VAR ED    $3.99
OCT170389    IMAGINARY FIENDS #2 (OF 6) (MR)    $3.99
SEP170415    INJUSTICE GROUND ZERO TP VOL 01    $16.99
OCT170285    JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #21    $2.99
OCT170286    JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #21 VAR ED    $2.99
OCT170289    KAMANDI CHALLENGE #12 (OF 12)    $4.99
OCT170291    KAMANDI CHALLENGE #12 (OF 12) GARCIA LOPEZ VAR ED    $4.99
OCT170290    KAMANDI CHALLENGE #12 (OF 12) SOOK VAR ED    $4.99
OCT170298    NIGHTWING THE NEW ORDER #5 (OF 6)    $3.99
SEP170422    ROBIN TP VOL 05 WAR OF THE DRAGONS    $24.99
OCT170339    RUFF & REDDY SHOW #3 (OF 6)    $3.99
OCT170340    RUFF & REDDY SHOW #3 (OF 6) VAR ED    $3.99
OCT170348    SCOOBY DOO TEAM UP #33    $2.99
SEP170423    SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 TP VOL 09 CONTINUITY    $16.99
OCT170304    SUICIDE SQUAD #32    $2.99
OCT170305    SUICIDE SQUAD #32 VAR ED    $2.99
SEP170427    SUPERMAN ADVENTURES TP VOL 04    $19.99
OCT170316    TEEN TITANS #15 (SONS OF TOMORROW)    $3.99
OCT170317    TEEN TITANS #15 VAR ED (SONS OF TOMORROW)    $3.99
OCT170324    WONDER WOMAN #37    $2.99
OCT170325    WONDER WOMAN #37 VAR ED    $2.99

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 7, 2017

DC COMICS

MAR170449    AMERICAN WAY 10TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION TP (MR)    $19.99
APR170269    AQUAMAN #24    $2.99
APR170270    AQUAMAN #24 VAR ED    $2.99
APR170370    BANE CONQUEST #2 (OF 12)    $3.99
APR170279    BATMAN #24    $2.99
APR170280    BATMAN #24 VAR ED    $2.99
FEB170304    BATMAN ZERO HOUR TP    $24.99
APR170287    CYBORG #13    $3.99
APR170288    CYBORG #13 VAR ED    $3.99
MAR170359    DARK KNIGHT III MASTER RACE #9 (OF 9)    $5.99
APR170379    DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS #28    $3.99
MAR170419    DC COMICS DARK HORSE BATMAN VS PREDATOR TP    $34.99
APR170369    DC LOONEY TUNES 100 PAGE SPECTACULAR #1    $7.99
APR170289    DEATHSTROKE #20    $3.99
APR170290    DEATHSTROKE #20 VAR ED    $3.99
APR170449    EVERAFTER FROM THE PAGES OF FABLES #10 (MR)    $3.99
APR170393    FALL AND RISE OF CAPTAIN ATOM #6 (OF 6)    $2.99
APR170389    FLINTSTONES #12    $3.99
APR170390    FLINTSTONES #12 VAR ED    $3.99
APR170299    GREEN ARROW #24    $2.99
APR170300    GREEN ARROW #24 VAR ED    $2.99
APR170303    GREEN LANTERNS #24    $2.99
APR170304    GREEN LANTERNS #24 VAR ED    $2.99
APR170311    HARLEY QUINN #21    $2.99
APR170312    HARLEY QUINN #21 VAR ED    $2.99
APR170381    INJUSTICE 2 #3    $2.99
MAR170427    INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR FIVE HC VOL 03    $24.99
MAR170426    INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR FIVE TP VOL 02    $16.99
APR170317    JUSTICE LEAGUE #22    $2.99
APR170318    JUSTICE LEAGUE #22 VAR ED    $2.99
MAR170413    JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA THE ROAD TO REBIRTH TP    $14.99
APR170327    NIGHTWING #22    $2.99
APR170328    NIGHTWING #22 VAR ED    $2.99
APR170451    SAVAGE THINGS #4 (OF 8) (MR)    $3.99
APR170408    SHADE THE CHANGING GIRL #9 (MR)    $3.99
APR170409    SHADE THE CHANGING GIRL #9 VAR ED (MR)    $3.99
MAR170409    SUICIDE SQUAD TP VOL 02 GOING SANE (REBIRTH)    $16.99
OCT160339    SUPERGIRL TV SUPERGIRL STATUE (RES)    $130.00
APR170339    SUPERMAN #24    $2.99
APR170340    SUPERMAN #24 VAR ED    $2.99
MAR170430    SUPERMAN ACTION COMICS TP VOL 09 LAST RITES    $16.99
MAR170411    TRINITY HC VOL 01 BETTER TOGETHER (REBIRTH)    $24.99
DEC160418    WONDER WOMAN ART OF WAR STATUE BY GARCIA LOPEZ    $80.00
MAR170433    WONDER WOMAN BY GEORGE PEREZ TP VOL 02    $24.99
APR170374    WONDER WOMAN STEVE TREVOR #1    $3.99
APR170375    WONDER WOMAN STEVE TREVOR #1 VAR ED    $3.99

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 2, 2014

DC COMICS

JAN140348     ABSOLUTE BATMAN & ROBIN THE BOY WONDER HC     $99.99
MAY140220     ACTION COMICS #33 (DOOMED)     $3.99
MAY140188     AQUAMAN AND THE OTHERS #4     $2.99
MAY140352     BATMAN 66 MEETS GREEN HORNET #2     $2.99
MAY140225     BATMAN ETERNAL #13     $2.99
APR140201     BATMAN SUPERMAN #12     $3.99
APR140204     BATMAN SUPERMAN #12 COMBO PACK     $4.99
MAY140255     BATWING #33     $2.99
APR140271     CINDER & ASHE TP     $14.99
MAY140204     EARTH 2 #25 (NOTE PRICE)     $3.99
MAY140402     FAIREST #27 (MR)     $2.99
MAY140192     GREEN ARROW #33     $2.99
MAY140258     GREEN LANTERN #33 (UPRISING)     $2.99
MAY140260     GREEN LANTERN #33 COMBO PACK (UPRISING)     $3.99
APR140263     GREEN LANTERN CORPS TP VOL 04 REBUILD (N52)     $16.99
APR140264     GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS TP VOL 03 LOVE & DEATH (N52)     $16.99
APR140244     HARLAN ELLISONS 7 AGAINST CHAOS TP     $16.99
APR148370     HARLEY QUINN #2 4TH PTG     $2.99
MAY140405     HINTERKIND #9 (MR)     $2.99
MAY140193     JUSTICE LEAGUE 3000 #8     $2.99
MAY140181     NEW 52 FUTURES END #9 (WEEKLY)     $2.99
MAY140389     SCOOBY DOO TEAM UP #5     $2.99
APR140274     SUPERBOY TP VOL 04 BLOOD AND STEEL (N52)     $16.99
APR148371     SUPERMAN #31 2ND PTG (DOOMED)     $2.99
DEC130238     SUPERMAN UNCHAINED #7     $3.99
DEC130242     SUPERMAN UNCHAINED #7 COMBO PACK     $4.99
MAY140267     SWAMP THING #33     $2.99
MAY140391     TINY TITANS RETURN TO THE TREEHOUSE #2     $2.99
MAY140199     TRINITY OF SIN PHANTOM STRANGER #21     $2.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES

MAR140312     ARKHAM ASYLUM JOKER HARLEY BATMAN SCARECROW AF 4 PK     $59.95
JAN140396     DC COMICS NEW 52 EARTH 2 WONDER WOMAN AF     $24.95

I Reads You Review: SUPERMAN UNCHAINED #1

SUPERMAN UNCHAINED #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

WRITER: Scott Snyder
PENCILS: Jim Lee, Dustin Nguyen
INKS: Scott Williams
COLORS: Alex Sinclair, John Kalisz
LETTERS: Sal Cipriano
COVER: Jim Lee and Scott Williams with Alex Sinclair
VARIANT COVERS: Jim Lee, Bruce Timm, Dave Johnson, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Neal Adams, Jerry Ordway, Dan Jurgens, Lee Bermejo, Brett Booth
40pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (August 2013)

Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

Last year, DC Comics unleashed a new ongoing Superman comic book series to coincide with the release of Man of Steel, the 2013 relaunch of the Superman film franchise.  Superman Unchained is from burning-hot writer Scott Snyder and superstar-for-over-two-decades artist Jim Lee with his longtime inker, Scott Williams.

Superman Unchained #1 (“The Leap”) opens with a brief (kind of) prologue that takes place in Nagasaki, Japan on April 9th, 1945.  We move to the present (which seems like a near-future) and find Superman trying to stop a space station called the Lighthouse from causing an epic catastrophe when it crashes to Earth.

Superman has suspects for the Lighthouse event, which include Lex Luthor (on his way to prison) and a cyber terrorist group known as Ascension.  The Man of Steel is probably wrong on his suspects, and there is a lot that he doesn’t know.  But Superman doesn’t know what he doesn’t know.

Superman Unchained #1 is one busy comic book.  Scott Snyder, obviously in love with his dialogue, packs this first issue with so much talk and exposition.  This first issue is like a box of “Raisin Bran” (or one of its knock-offs) infested with raisins – just too much of a good thing.  The story is a slick piece of sci-fi-lite, complete with digital displays and shiny tech.  The story, however, doesn’t really get hot until the last page of “The Leap.”  Of note, there is also a two-page epilogue drawn by Dustin Nguyen.

Speaking of busy, that’s Jim Lee’s pencils.  Lee draws so much anemic line work and so many scritchy-scratch lines that we should be thankful for Scott Williams ability to rein in Lee’s excesses and eccentricities.  As usual, Alex Sinclair’s colors turn the art into comic book eye candy.  I have to admit that I’ll be back for future issues.

B

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

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

Review: Advs. of Superman: José Luis García-López

ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN JOSE LUIS GARCIA-LOPEZ
DC COMICS – @DCComics

WRITER: Gerry Conway, Elliot S. Maggin, David Michelinie, Denny O’Neil, Martin Pasko, Len Wein
PENCILS: José Luis García-López
INKS: José Luis García-López with Dan Adkins, Vince Colletta, Joe Giella, Dick Giordano, Steve Mitchell, Bob Oksner, Frank Springer
COLORS: Jerry Serpe, Adrienne Roy, Glynis Wein
LETTERS: Ben Oda, Clem Robins, Gaspar Saladino, Milt Snapinn
COVER: José Luis García-López and Dan Adkins
ISBN: 978-1-4012-3856-8; hardcover (April 2013)
360pp, Color, $39.99 U.S., $47.00 CAN

Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

In Superman #347 (May 1980), Superman takes on an alien phantom whose antics are placing Metropolis and the surrounding region in danger of a nuclear disaster.  It is a nice story with a sad ending, but what is more memorable about this particular Superman comic book is the art for the story, penciled and inked by José Luis García-López.

On Pages 4 and 5 (of the story), García-López depicts Superman having dinner with Lois Lane at a rooftop restaurant.  As usual, García-López shows off his knowledge of human anatomy in the physique of Superman and in the lithe, athletic figure of Lois Lane.  However, on those two pages, García-López’s compositions conceive Metropolis Towers Restaurant’s settings, interiors, and backdrops with elegance and flair.  This comic book art looks like pages that could be from an architectural or interior design magazine.  It is simply a testament to García-López’s skill, and such an artist deserves a special showcase.

Earlier this year, DC Comics published Adventures of Superman: José Luis García-López.  This book is part of a line of hardcover, full-color books that collect the work of influential comic book artists on iconic DC Comics characters, in particular Superman and Batman.  Previous books in the series include Legends of the Dark Knight: Jim Aparo and Adventures of Superman: Gil Kane.

José Luis García-López was born in Spain in 1948 and eventually immigrated to Argentina with his parents.  He began his comic book career there at the age of 13 and also studied at Escuela Panamericana de Arte.  He broke into American comic books in the late 1960s with Charlton Comics and worked for the publisher into the early 1970s.  After moving to New York City in 1974, García-López met DC Comics editor Joe Orlando, and his first work for DC Comics began appearing in 1975.

Adventures of Superman: José Luis García-López reprints García-López’s work on the character for which he is arguably most associated, Superman.  Apparently, at one time, García-López’s Superman was used on all DC Comics merchandising.  Adventures of Superman: José Luis García-López reprints Superman stories from the following Superman publications:  Superman #294, 301-302, 307-309, 347; DC Comics Presents #1-4, 17, 20, 24, 31; and All-New Collector’s Edition #C-54 (Superman vs. Wonder Woman.)

The first time I really paid attention to José Luis García-López was when I found an issue of Amazing Heroes (the former Fantagraphics Books magazine that published news, features, and interviews about superhero comic books) that focused on him.  The article talked about his work on the comic book series, Atari Force (1984), and his then upcoming work on the hit 1980s New Teen Titans (Vol. 2, #7-11; 1985).  The article included images of García-López’s pencil art before it was inked.  I learned from the article that García-López was a master of figure drawing in comic books.

That is indeed true.  For the last 25 years, many comic book artists have presented the human figure by over-delineating musculature with cross-hatching and detailed line work.  That yields either unimaginative photo-realistic art or characters (especially male characters) in which every muscle is squeezed and pumped until the characters look like freakish bodybuilders.  García-López mastered the human figure through cartooning, expression, and abstraction.  The result is dynamic figure drawing that best captures the magic and wonder evoked by comic book characters, especially superheroes.

In splash and half-splash pages and with big panels, modern comic book artists can show off intricate pencils, detailed backgrounds, and figure drawing that catches every nook and cranny of the human form.  In this book, José Luis García-López, the master, shows off the proficiency of his ability to cartoon the human figure in even the smallest panels just as well as he can in double-page spreads, splash pages, and assorted big panels.

In the first six stories reprinted herein, García-López blends the page design style of Neal Adams with the aesthetics of Steve Ditko to create stylish page design cramped and dotted with panels.  Still, the physicality of Superman and guest-stars, such as Supergirl and Solomon Grundy, shines through everything.  Superman’s muscular form takes on the traits of dancer’s lithe body, as the Man of Steel flexes, fights, and flies from one panel to another.  Because García-López can pull this off, he creates a sense of movement in his pages, connecting not just each panel to another, but also each page to another.  Looking at the art, I thought I was watching a tiny Superman literally flying through the story and acting as the storytelling vehicle.

The masterstroke of Adventures of Superman: José Luis García-López is its reprint of All-New Collector’s Edition #C-54, a 1978, oversized comic book that pitted Superman and Wonder Woman against each other, before finally uniting to fight Axis evil.  The clean inks by Dan Adkins give García-López’s pencils a Neo-Classical quality, but retains the “New York slick” style that fits this World War II era story.

This book will also afford readers an opportunity to read stories written by a number of good comic book writers, especially the now underappreciated Gerry Conway.  His “Superman vs. Wonder Woman” tale is spectacular.  The feud between the two heroes and their eventual resolution makes sense within the context of the story and also corresponds with real world issues that still vex us today.

Somehow, my Bin boss was able to talk DC Comics into giving me a copy of Adventures of Superman: José Luis García-López.  I don’t owe them a good review for giving me this book, but I’m going to give them one anyway.  This archival presentation is the kind of book that a great comic book artist like José Luis García-López not only deserves, but has also earned.  It is also indicative of the usual high quality of DC Comics’ hardcover reprint books.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2013 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 3 2013

DC COMICS

FEB130138 ACTION COMICS #19 $3.99

NOV120277 ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN JOSE LUIS GARCIA LOPEZ HC $39.99

FEB130199 AME COMI GIRLS #2 $3.99

FEB130184 ANIMAL MAN #19 $2.99

JAN130296 BATMAN DETECTIVE TP VOL 01 FACES OF DEATH (N52) $16.99

FEB130167 BATWING #19 $2.99

DEC120333 DC UNIVERSE BY ALAN MOORE TP $24.99

JAN130303 DC UNIVERSE SECRET ORIGINS TP $24.99

FEB130159 DETECTIVE COMICS #19 (NOTE PRICE) $7.99

FEB130161 DETECTIVE COMICS #19 COMBO PACK (NOTE PRICE) $8.99

FEB130186 DIAL H #11 $2.99

FEB130135 EARTH 2 #11 $2.99

FEB130244 FAIREST #14 (MR) $2.99

DEC120328 GI COMBAT TP VOL 01 WAR THAT TIME FORGOT (N52) $19.99

FEB130115 GREEN ARROW #19 $2.99

FEB130170 GREEN LANTERN #19 (WRATH) $2.99

FEB130172 GREEN LANTERN #19 COMBO PACK (WRATH) $3.99

FEB130203 LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #7 $3.99

FEB130234 LOONEY TUNES #212 $2.99

FEB130181 PHANTOM STRANGER #7 $2.99

JAN130330 PUNK ROCK JESUS TP (MR) $16.99

FEB130235 SCOOBY DOO WHERE ARE YOU #32 $2.99

FEB130204 SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 #12 $3.99

FEB130194 STORMWATCH #19 $2.99

JAN130315 SUPERMAN SECRET IDENTITY TP NEW PTG $19.99

FEB130185 SWAMP THING #19 $2.99

JAN130326 TOTALLY USELESS MAD TP $12.99

FEB130137 WORLDS FINEST #11 $2.99

Brian Bolland Headed to 2012 Baltimore Comic-Con

Baltimore Comic-Con Spearheads New "British Invasion" with Addition of Brian Bolland

The Baltimore Comic-Con is proud to announce the addition of British comic legend Brian Bolland to the growing line-up of guests for this year's show, taking place September 8-9, 2012 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

Bolland, best known for his meticulously detailed line work, is one of the artists who helped define Judge Dredd for the British anthology series 2000 AD. In 1982, Bolland spearheaded what has become known as the "British Invasion" of the American comic industry, blowing open the doors for some the most prolific creators from across the pond to showcase their work throughout the States.

Bolland's cover work for such DC Comics titles as Animal Man, The Invisibles, and Wonder Woman defined the look and feel of these books through the late-'80s and early-'90s. His most recent work includes Cover Story: The DC Comics Art of Brian Bolland, which hit stores last September, and covers for DC Comics' Dial H, one of the titles in the second wave of books from the New 52, which hit stores this past week.

"We are delighted to have Brian Bolland attending this year's show," said Marc Nathan, show promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con. "His influence on both the world of British and American comics continues to be felt through his eye-catching composition gracing the covers of DC Comics."

In addition to Bolland, other confirmed guests for the show including: Laura & Michael Allred (Madman, iZombie); Greg Capullo (Batman, Spawn); Tommy Castillo (Grimm Fairy Tales); Cliff Chiang (Wonder Woman); Frank Cho (Avengers vs. X-Men, Liberty Meadows); Steve Conley (Bloop webcomic www.bloopstree.com); Amanda Conner (Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre); Lar deSouza (Looking For Group, Least I Could Do); Dan Didio (O.M.A.C.); Garth Ennis (The Shadow, Hellblazer, Preacher, The Boys); Rich Faber (Roboy Red); David Finch (Batman: The Dark Knight); John Gallagher (Buzzboy); Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman); Keith Giffen (Superman, OMAC, Green Arrow); Gene Ha (Justice League); Larry Hama (G.I. Joe, Wolverine, The 'Nam); Cully Hamner (Action Comics); Dean Haspiel (Billy Dogma, ACT-I-VATE, Trip City); Jamal Igle (KISS, Supergirl, The Ray); J.G. Jones (Wanted, Doc Savage); Barry Kitson (Captain America, Iron Man, Fantastic Four); Scott Kurtz (PvPonline.com); David Mack (Kabuki); Ron Marz (Artifacts, Voodoo); Bob McLeod (DC Comics Presents: Wonder Woman); Mark Morales (Avengers vs. X-Men); Jimmy Palmiotti (All-Star Western); David Petersen (Mouse Guard); Brian Pulido (Lady Death); Frank Quitely (All Star Superman, Batman & Robin); John Romita, Jr. (Avengers Vs. X-Men); Don Rosa (Uncle Scrooge); Stuart Sayger (Infestation 2: 30 Days of Night One-Shot); Walter Simonson (Thor, Legion of Super-Heroes, Avengers); Ryan Sohmer (Looking For Group, Least I Could Do); Scott Snyder (Batman, Severed, Swamp Thing); Brian Stelfreeze (ICE); Karl Story (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9); Peter Tomasi (Batman and Robin); Billy Tucci (A Child Is Born, Shi); Matt Wagner (Tower Chronicles, Mage, Grendel); Mark Waid (Daredevil, Incorruptible, Irredeemable); and Bernie Wrightson (Frankenstein).

In the coming weeks, look for more announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting our guests, the Harvey Awards, industry exclusives, and programming. The latest developments can always be found on our website, Twitter, and Facebook pages.

This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held September 8-9, 2012. Convention hours are Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. The ceremony and banquet for the Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, September 8th.

Please take a moment to help us spread this message using the social media links embedded, reposting, or retweeting!

Contact Information
Please use the following e-mail addresses to contact the Baltimore Comic-Con:

press@baltimorecomiccon.com - for any general press inquiries or to be added to our PR distribution

promoter@baltimorecomiccon.com - for requesting exhibitor, publisher, and Artist Alley applications

registrar@baltimorecomiccon.com - for inquiries about submitted registrations

harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com - for the Harvey Awards ceremony and banquet

general@baltimorecomiccon.com - for general Baltimore Comic-Con inquiries


About The Baltimore Comic-Con
The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 13th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. With a guest list unequaled in the industry, the Baltimore Comic-Con will be held September 8-9, 2012. For more information, please visit http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/.

About The Harvey Awards
The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards. With a history of over 20 years, the last 7 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories. They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. For more information, please visit http://www.harveyawards.org/.