Showing posts with label Kevin J. Anderson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kevin J. Anderson. Show all posts

Sunday, May 31, 2020

I Reads You Juniors May 2020 - Update #93

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Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

COVID-19 - From CDC:  The Centers for Disease Control has "COVID Data Tracker."

DIAMOND - From Newsarama:  This link reveals a list of comic books titles that publishers (including DC Comics) are going to release through Diamond Comic Distributors for May 20, 2020.

DIAMOND - From Newsarama:  (May 8th) - Diamond has made it official that May 20th is the first on-sale date of its resumed distribution of comic books

MARVEL - From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics has announced the shipping schedule for the following weeks:  May 27th; June 3rd, 10th, 17, and 24th; July 1st and 8th.

MARVEL - From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics has announced its shipping schedule for late July 2020 in the following weeks:  July 15th, 22nd, and 29th.

GEORGE FLOYD - From BleedingCool:  Comic book people respond to the protests related to the murder of George Floyd, an African-American man in Minneapolis.

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  DC Comics has cancelled 22 planned reprint comic books.

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  DC Comics has cancelled the prints editions of "RWBY #7" and "gen:LOCK #7," the final issues of two digital-first series.

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  "Lucifer #18" will be the final issue of the series as a monthly periodical.  Lucifer issues #19 to #24 will be released as a collected edition.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics will give comic book shops all the giveaways it planned to hand out at San Diego Comic-Con 2020, which has been cancelled.

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  Writer Ram V and artist Fernando Blanco will be the new creative team on DC Comics' "Catwoman" series, beginning with September's issue #25

DC TV - From Deadline:  Actor Tom Ellis will return to play Lucifer in the Netflix series, "Lucifer," after some difficult negotiations, which could pave the way for a sixth season.  Filming on the fifth season had been halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.

NEWS - From Newsarama:  "Newsarama" has announced that it is moving to "GamesRadar," Mon., June 1st, which will likely mean a change of web addresses.

MARVEL TV - From Newsarama:  Apparently, the seventh and final season of "Marvel's Agents of SHIELD" will have some kind of contact with the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

DC CINEMA - From Newsarama:  Director Zack Snyder reveals "Darkseid" for his upcoming "Director's cut" of "Justice League."

BRIT COMICS - From 2000AD:  The lastest "2000 AD Thrill-Cast Lockdown Tapes" podcast features Suyi Davies Okungbowa, Charlie Higson, Charlie Adlard.

Z2 COMICS - From BleedingCool:   Z2 Comics will publish "Gorillaz Almanac" in October 2020.  the hardback comic, done in the tradition of the British hardback annual, will feature the members of the Grammy-winning virtual (fictitious) musical act, "Gorillaz."

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  The DC Comics blog has updated the list of DC publications scheduled to arrive in stores May 19th amd May 26th, 2020.

POLITICAL CARTOONS - From Newsarama:  CBLDF Protests TRUMP Campaign-Ordered Takedown of Satirical Political Cartoon

DC CINEMA - From Newsarama:  Director David Ayers would like their to also be a director's cut of his super-awful film, "Suicide Squad."

MANGA - From ANN:  Yen Press announces four new titles for October 2020 - three manga and an art book tie-in to a video game.

COMIC BOOK SHOP - From DuncanBanner:  Kenny's Comics of Odessa Texas has a "Traveling Comic Books Store" that travels throughout Texas and Oklahoma.

FOX MARVEL U - From CinemaBlend:  There is a reason for New Mutants fans to be excited opening the movie, "The New Mutants," and it is Bill Sienkiewicz

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Does Walmart's "Batman Giant #5" offer a new origin for the Joker?

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  DC Comics has launched a new monthly solicitation catalog, "DC Connect."  It will be a digital-only publication, as a downloadable PDF.

SONY MARVEL U - From DeadlineMarc Guggenheim is writing a script for Sony Pictures based on the Marvel Comics character, "Jackpot," a female character out of the Spider-Man line of comics.  Guggenheim has written comics featuring Jackpot for Marvel Comics.  Guggenheim is also working on another comic book project, "Prophet," based on the work by Rob Liefeld.

SONY MARVEL U - From Variety:  The word is out that Sony Pictures is developing some kind of female superhero or female superhero team movie based on characters from the world of Spider-Man.

DC TV - From Variety:  According to the article, actress Ruby Rose exited her lead role of "Kate Kane/Batwoman" in The CW's "Batwoman" because of the long hours her lead role required.

BRIT COMICS - From 2000AD:  Three legendary "2000AD" artists:  Brian Bolland, Dave Gibbons, and Mick McMahon, are together in one podcast interview.

DC CINEMA - From Newsarama:  Director Zack Snyder has announced that HBO Max, Warner Media's new streaming service, will stream his "cut" of the 2017 film, "Justice League" in 2021.  Snyder was the original director of the film, but, for personal reasons, left before the film was finished.  Director Joss Whedon finished the film, which has been panned by fans since its release back in late 2017.

COVID-19 - From THR:  The adult Halloween masks that resemble the one worn by "Bane" in "The Dark Knight Rises" (2012) are a hot seller due to COVID-19.

DC TV - From Variety:  Actress Ruby Rose has announced that she is departing from The CW television series, "Batwoman," ahead of the second season.  Rose played the lead role of "Kate Kane/Batwoman."

DC COMICS DIGITAL - From Newsarama:  DC Comics has announced a digital-first "DCeased" series, "DCeased: Hope at World's End."  The twice-monthly, 14-chapter limited serial is written by Tom Taylor and the first chapter is available to read across all platforms.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  According to the site, artist Marc Silvestri will only continue work on his long-delayed, long-promised comic book, "Batman/The Joker: Deadly Duo," when he gets paid the big money that Greg Capullo is allegedly being paid for upcoming DC mega-project, "Death Metal."

MARVEL - From Newsarama:  The classic "Incredible Hulk" creative team of Peter David and Dale Keown, will unite with artist German Peralta for a story featuring the Hulk character, Maestro."  The untitled comic book debuts in August.

DC TV - From TVWeb:  There is a poster and official synopsis for The CW's 2021 series, "Superman & Lois."

COMICS TO TV - From Newsarama:  Netflix has set July 31, 2020 as the debut of "The Umbrella Academy" Season 2.

DC CINEMA - From Newsarama:  The release date for the upcoming, "Wonder Woman 1984," could change again.

SUBMISSIONS - From BleedingCool:  Comics publisher, Second Sight, is now accepting submissions for new comic book series.

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  DC Comics' series, "The Terrifics," will see its final print issue with #27.  However, the series will conclude with three digital issues, concluding with "The Terrifics #30 released on Sept. 1st.

MARVEL - From Newsarama:  Writer Mark Waid and legendary comic book artist Neal Adams are producing a new "Fantastic Four" comic book.  "Fantastic Four: Antithesis" arrives in August, but the duration of the project is currently unknown.

MARVEL TV - From Variety:  "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." has added actor Darren Barnet as a guest star to the Season 7 premiere.  It is currently unclear how many episodes in which Barnet will appear.

COMICS EDUCATION - From Newsarama:  Cartoonist Emma Kubert, the third generation in the Kubert comic book creating clan, will be teaching an online sketch class, via the Kubert schook, for kids beginning in June.

DC TV - From Newsarama:  The second season of "Doom Patrol" (from Warner Bros. Television) will debut on HBO Max and DC Universe on June 25th.

FOX MARVEL U - From Newsarama:  Disney has reportedly scheduled the long-delayed film, "The New Mutants," for an August 28th, 2020 release.

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DC TV - From NewsaramaRobert Downey, Jr.'s TV adaptation of Jeff Lemire's comic book series, "Sweet Tooth," is moving from Hulu to Netflix.

From NewsaramaJeff Brolin and Will Forte are among the cast members of Netflix's "Sweet Tooth" TV adaptation.

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  Jeff Lemire has announced that he will revive his former Vertigo comic book series, "Sweet Tooth," which originally ran from 2009 to 2013.  No debut date for "Sweet Tooth: The Return."

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DC COMICS - From BleedingCoolGeoff Johns and Jason Fabok's long-awaited three-issue miniseries, "The Three Jokers," is currently scheduled to debut August 25th.

COMICS TO FILM - From NewsaramaTim Story is negotiating to direct Kevin Hart's film, "Night Wolf," a superhero film.  Story directed Hart in several films, including the "Ride Along" and "Think Like a Man" film.  Story directed Fox's "Fantastic Four" films from 2005 and 2007.

DC TV - From DigitalSpy:  (May 12th) - The CW broadcast network will air the one existing season of DC Universe's cancelled series, "Swamp Thing."  [I have not been able to learn the air date as of this writing. - Leroy]

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  DC Comics has informed retailers that is approving Tuesday as the on-sale date of of all its comic book titles.  That includes products distributed by Diamond Comic Distributors, which has traditionally mandated a Wednesday release.

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  DC Comics is also getting rid of the six-day exclusivity window that comic book retailers has over the book trade market when it comes to trade paperback and hardback collections and graphic novels.

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  Scott Snyder talks "Dark Nights: Death Metal" and the changes to DC Comics' plans in the wake of for DC co-publisher Dan DiDio's "exit" from the company.

BOOM! - From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios will produce a 12-issue comic book based on the "Dune" prequel novel, "Dune: House Atreides," and will be written by the novel's authors, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.  The first issue is due Fall 2020.

MEMORIAM - From Newsarama:  DC Comics writer-editor Martin Pasko has died at the age of 65, Monday, May 11, 2020.  Pasko is best known for his long tenure writing Superman and Superman-related comic books.  He was also a longtime writer and story editor for live-action and animated television series and won a Daytime Emmy for his work on "Batman: The Animated Series."

COVID-19 - From CBB:  The ComicBookBin's Herve St. Louis offers some reflections on what COVID-19 is doing to comics.

AWARDS - From PulitzerPrizes:  The 2020 Pulitzer Prize Winners have been announced.

NETFLIX - From Newsarama:  Here is a first look at Charlize Theron as the immortal warrior, "Andromache," in Netflix adaptation of the comic book series, "The Old Guard."

COMICS TO FILM - From Newsarama:  Television and comic book writer, Marc Guggenheim, will reportedly write a film based on Rob Liefeld's "Prophet" comic book.

MARVEL COMICS - From Newsarama:  Marvel is making eight titles digital-only comics.  There are seven existing titles that are going digital only:  "Ghost-Spider," the limited series "Ant-Man," "Avengers of the Wastelands," "Ravencroft," "Star," "Marvel’s Spider-Man: The Black Cat Strikes," and "Hawkeye: Freefall," and and the new title, "2020: Ironheart."

COMICS TO FILM - From Deadline:   Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt are re-teaming to co-star and co-produce, "Ball and Chain," based on the Scott Lobdell Homage/Wildstorm four-issue limited series from 1999.

NETFLIX - From Newsarama:  Netflix has released images from its upcoming first season of "Cursed," which is adapted from the young adult novel of the same name by writer Thomas Wheeler and artist Frank Miller.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  DC Comics shipping on Tuesday, May 5th and Tuesday May 12th.

COMICS - From Newsarama:   The site has confirmed that other comic book publishers have inquired with new comic book publisher, Lunar (owned by Discount Comic Book Service), about publishing their titles.

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  DC Comics shipping for May 19 and May 26, 2020.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  DC Comics explains why Tuesday is the new on-sale date for their comics publications.

IN MEMORIAM - From CBR:  Longtime comic book inker, Juan Vlasco, died at the age of 51, Friday, April 24, 2020.  He had worked for both Marvel and DC Comics since the early 1990s, but he was best known for work for Marvel, especially on "Cable" and "Uncanny X-Men."

HISTORY - From CBR:  While cleaning out a closet, Todd McFarlane found a page of his original art that depicts the first appearance of the character, Venom.  From The Amazing Spider-Man #300, the page features the first full appearance of that character co-created by McFarlane and writer David Michelinie.

MARVEL - From Newsarama: (5/1) X-Men, Captain America, Fantastic Four, Wolverine, Spider-Woman, Gwen Stacy, Conan the Barbarian, and Star Wars that Marvel Comics will not be publishing over the next two months... and possible longer.

MARVEL - From Newsarama:  (5/1) Marvel Comics explains the reasons for its "measured" release schedule over the next two months.

DC DIGITAL - From Newsarama:  DC Comics announces its "Week 3" list of digital comics releases.

DIAMOND - From Newsarama:  Diamond Comic Distributors plans to release a "Previews" catalog with a revised comics shipping lists for May and June 2020.

MANGA - From ComicBook:  The "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba" manga is set to end in Japan, with the last chapter scheduled to appear May 22nd in "Weekly Shonen Jump."  Koyoharu Gotouge is apparently keeping to his plan to create a tight four-year series.

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  Classic "Green Lantern" comic book creative team, Ron Marz and Darryl Banks, reunited for new "Green Lantern" project.

DC CINEMA - From Newsarama:   Darren Criss, Zachary Quinto, and Alexandra Daddario will voice the lead characters in an all-new Superman film from Warner Bros. Animation, Superman: Man of Tomorrow.

DC COMIC-DIAMOND - From Newsarama:  DC Comics' exclusive distribution agreement with Diamond Comic Distributors seems to have ended almost 25 years to the day it began.

COMICS TO FILM - From ColliderRawson Thurber Marshall, the director of "Dodgeball: An Underdog Story," is in talks to direct a film adaptation of the "Mad Magazine" comic strip feature, "Spy vs. Spy."


APRIL 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze Media for April 2020
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for April 2020
From BleedingCool:  Amigo Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for April 2020
From BleedingCool:  Devil's Due for April 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for April 2020
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for April 2020
From ComicsPit:  VIZ Media for April 2020

MAY 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  A full-list of titles available for "Free Comic Book Day 2020" on May 2, 2020.
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Artists, Writers & Artisans for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Aspen for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Behemoth Comics for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Black Mask Studios for May 2020
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for May 2020
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for May 2020 [REVISED]
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for May 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Hero Complex for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Hero Tomorrow for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publihsing for May 2020
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for May 2020 [REVISED]
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Storm King Productions for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Titan Comics for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for May 2020

JUNE 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for June 2020
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for June 2020 [REVISED]
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for June 2020 [REVISED]
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for June 2020
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for June 2020
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for June 2020
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for June 2020 [REVISED]
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for June 2020 [REVISED]
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for June 2020 [REVISED]
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Source Point Press for June 2020
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for June 2020
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for June 2020
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for June 2020 [REVISED]

JULY 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for July and August 2020
From Newsarama:  Behemoth Comics for July 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for July 2020
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for July 2020
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for July 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for July 2020
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for July 2020
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for July 2020

AUGUST 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for July and August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  AWA for August 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for August 2020
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for August 2020
From Seibertron:  IDW Publishing's "Transformers" solicitations for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for August 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  PS Artbooks for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for August 2020

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Sunday, April 21, 2013

Book Review: THE LAST DAYS OF KRYPTON

THE LAST DAYS OF KRYPTON
IT BOOKS/HarperCollins – @ItBooks

AUTHOR: Kevin J. Anderson
COVER: Don Sipley
ISBN: 978-0-06-221985-5; paperback (December 4, 2012)
430pp, B&W, $15.99 U.S.

Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster

Written by author Kevin J. Anderson, The Last Days of Krypton is a 2007 prose novel that is based on DC Comics’ Superman mythology. The book, originally published in hardcover by HarperEntertainment, is the never-before told story of the last few years of Krypton, the planet upon which Superman was born as the baby named Kal-El. This past December (2012), It Books published The Last Days of Krypton in a paperback edition.

The Last Days of Krypton opens in the laboratory of Jor-El, Krypton’s most revered scientist and the man who would become Superman’s father. Jor-El’s research and inventions are groundbreaking and cutting-edge. However, Krypton has a conservative, backward-looking, ruling body known as the Kryptonian Council, located in the capitol city of Kandor. For ages, the Council believes that all the necessary inventions have already been created. New science, they believe, is dangerous.

Jor-El usually relinquishes most of his creations and inventions to the Commission for Technology Acceptance in Kandor, which is headed by the ambitious Dru-Zod. Zod is supposed to destroy dangerous inventions, but he has plans of his own. He is embittered because he has not been appointed to the Council seat that he believes is rightfully his.

Jor-El puts aside his disappointments with the Council and with Zod’s commission, as he turns his attention to a young woman he meets. She is Lara, an accomplished artist, historian, and aspiring writer, and the woman who would become Superman’s mother. Jor-El and Lara are like-minded and kindred spirits and seemed destined for marriage.

As Jor-El and Lara’s happiness grows, a horrifying incident occurs. An android called the Brain Interactive Construct (a.k.a Brainiac) attacks Kandor. The diabolical Zod (destined to be the future enemy of Superman known as General Zod) uses Brainiac’s actions to seize power. Although he is initially blind to Zod’s true ambitions, Jor-El joins his brother, Zor-El, who is the mayor of fabled Argo City, in an attempt to save Krypton, both from Zod and from impending disasters.

In The Last Days of Krypton, author Kevin J. Anderson offers appealing characters and a narrative full of compelling plotlines. Jor-El and Lara, as the parents of baby Kal-El the future Superman, are naturally attractive to the readers. Anderson does not rely on that, instead creating characters the readers will want to know. Who are they? What are their hopes, dreams, and fears? What kind of parents will they be?

Anderson also creates and constructs other characters that he brings fully to life. Dru-Zod, who becomes General Zod, is definitely part of the quartet of co-leads, which includes Jor-El, Zor-El, and Lara, that drives this novel. With his colossal ambitions, quicksilver personality, and stormy nature, Zod could be the lead in a novel of his own.

Anderson turns Krypton’s halcyon days of peace and plenty into the waning days of world of oblivious people. This world has multi-faceted political troubles, a few external threats, and an internal menace that is a ticking, time bomb. I found myself reading just to see which disaster would ultimately do-in the mythical Krypton.

In some ways, The Last Days of Krypton is an old-school science fiction novel. Its ambitions are not directly about the affect of science on a world or even speculative about a possible future. It is a quasi-planetary romance set on a faraway alien world and is also reflective of the sci-fi infused fantasy that was the nature of many of DC Comics’ publications in the 1950s and 60s. This is a novel for comic book readers and for fans of Superman, simply because Kevin J. Anderson really makes Krypton live again. That is why The Last Days of Krypton feels like a part of Superman proper.

B+

http://youritlist.com/

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


Book Review: ENEMIES AND ALLIES

ENEMIES & ALLIES
IT BOOKS/HarperCollins – @ItBooks

AUTHOR: Kevin J. Anderson
COVER: Alex Ross
ISBN: 978-0-06-221380-8; paperback (December 4, 2012)
336pp, B&W, $15.99 U.S.

Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster; Batman created by Bob Kane

Enemies & Allies is a 2009 hardcover novel starring Superman and Batman. Written by author Kevin J. Anderson (The Last Days of Krypton), the novel depicts the first encounter between Batman and Superman. In December 2012, It Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, released a paperback edition of Enemies & Allies.

With a story seemingly inspired by DC Comics’ Elseworlds imprint, Enemies & Allies is set in the late 1950s. The Dark Knight of Gotham City and The Man of Steel of Metropolis, the two iconic heroes that have appeared in many DC Comics’ titles, join forces to save the world. A shadowy vigilante named Batman haunts the streets of Gotham, while the police hunt him. In Metropolis, Superman is a comforting presence, there to make the impossible rescues when first responders cannot.

High above both cities, however, the first human made satellite, Sputnik, the creation of the USSR, orbits the planet. This small metal sphere symbolizes the state of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. Bruce Wayne (Batman’s secret identity) and his company, Wayne Enterprises, battle for military contracts to arm and supply the USA, competing with the military-industrial empire of Metropolis’ Lex Luthor and his LuthorCorp.

Meanwhile, at the Metropolis newspaper, the Daily Planet, reporters Clark Kent (Superman’s secret identity), Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen chase big stories. Lois Lane has discovered a sinister conspiracy involving Lex Luthor, and follows a trail of dead LuthorCorp employees. Clark and Jimmy race across country to investigate a rumored UFO crash, and Clark, who was born on another planet, is desperate to learn if this flying saucer means that he isn’t the lone alien visitor on this planet.

These separate missions lead to Batman and Superman crossing paths for the first time. This moment will change their lives, and maybe save the world.

Many people (including some comic book artists I’ve encountered) have described comic book writers as frustrated screenwriters and/or novelists. The prolific author Kevin J. Anderson, with his large bibliography, obviously isn’t frustrated, at least not the way some comic book creators are. Free of the need to write “literary” superheroes to prove himself, Anderson writes a damn good novel. Enemies & Allies is Superman and Batman as well written as the characters have ever been.

Anderson presents something of a fresh take on these beloved comic book characters. Enemies & Allies depicts a youthful Clark Kent, a thoughtful man, a good man, and a good friend to his coworkers. He shyly pines for Lois Lane, a sistah doing if for herself and letting absolutely no one stand in the way of her being the best she can be. Clark also learns to be a friend to the Daily Planet’s exuberant photographer, Jimmy Olsen, making him a partner rather than a sidekick or little brother. Anderson plays Superman as having a heart as big as the world, but the young hero struggles with how and when he should use his powers. How he can best help people or when he should let them help themselves is something to which he gives much thought.

Anderson doesn’t portray Bruce Wayne as merely a mask that Batman wears, although both as billionaire and as hero, both identities are on a mission; nor does Anderson portray Batman as grim and gritty. Rather, Batman is a brilliant, determined man – a Dark Knight for a gothic city weighed down by despair and corruption, but the hero is not a dark, obsessed man.

Anderson’s take on Lex Luthor is also interesting. Luthor may be the planet’s biggest brain, and he has an uncanny knack for adapting other people’s technological and scientific innovations for his purposes. On the other hand, he is so beset by vanity, greed, and envy that he is like an adversary out of C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity or a comical knave envisioned by a great satirist.

Through these representations of classic characters – portrayals that are familiar, but offered from a fresh perspective, Anderson composes a novel that is a character drama wearing the accessories of pulp fiction. Enemies & Allies is full of weird sci-fi fun, cliffhangers galore, and the epic battles we expect from our superheroes and super-villains, but it is also simply a good book with winning characters. My highest recommendation is to demand “Encore!”

Enemies & Allies has that same spirit of joy and wonder that Richard Donner’s 1978 film, Superman: The Movie, has. Readers who liked that film will certainly enjoy Enemies & Allies.

A-

http://youritlist.com/

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux