Showing posts with label Len Wein. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Len Wein. Show all posts

Monday, December 19, 2022

DC Comics from Lunar Distributors for December 20, 2022

DC COMICS:

Absolute Swamp Thing By Len Wein And Bernie Wrightson HC, $100.00
Batman Catwoman HC (Book Market Edition), $39.99
Batman Catwoman HC (Direct Market Edition), $39.99
Batman Killing Time HC (Book Market Edition), $29.99
Batman Killing Time HC (Direct Market Edition), $29.99
Batman Superman World’s Finest #10 (Cover A Dan Mora), $3.99
Batman Superman World’s Finest #10 (Cover B Dan Schoening Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Batman Superman World’s Finest #10 (Cover C Dan Mora Holiday Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Batman Superman World’s Finest #10 (Cover D Brandon Peterson Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman Superman World’s Finest #10 (Cover E Al Kaplan Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman The Silver Age Omnibus Volume 1 HC, $99.99
Batman Urban Legends #22 (Cover A Jamal Campbell), $7.99
Batman Urban Legends #22 (Cover B Travis Mercer), $7.99
Batman Urban Legends #22 (Cover C Hayden Sherman), $7.99
Batman Vs. Robin #4 (Of 5)(Cover A Mahmud Asrar), $5.99
Batman Vs. Robin #4 (Of 5)(Cover B Simone Di Meo Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Batman Vs. Robin #4 (Of 5)(Cover C Sweeney Boo Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Batman Vs. Robin #4 (Of 5)(Cover D John Giang Era Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman Vs. Robin #4 (Of 5)(Cover E Tony Harris Card Stock Variant), AR
Books Of Magic Omnibus Volume 3 HC (The Sandman Universe Classics), $125.00
Catwoman #50 (Cover A Jeff Dekal), $5.99
Catwoman #50 (Cover B Sozomaika Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Catwoman #50 (Cover C Stjepan Sejic Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Catwoman #50 (Cover D Nathan Szerdy Holiday Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Catwoman #50 (Cover E Tula Lotay Card Stock Variant), AR
Catwoman #50 (Cover F Sozomaika Foil Card Stock Variant), AR
Catwoman #50 (Cover G David Marquez DC Spawn Card Stock Variant), AR
Catwoman Lonely City HC (Book Market Edition), $29.99
Catwoman Lonely City HC (Direct Market Edition), $29.99
Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths #7 (Of 7)(Cover A Daniel Sampere & Alejandro Sanchez), $5.99
Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths #7 (Of 7)(Cover B Clay Mann Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths #7 (Of 7)(Cover C Viktor Bogdanovic Infinite Crisis Homage Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths #7 (Of 7)(Cover D Tony S Daniel Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths #7 (Of 7)(Cover E Felipe Massafera Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths #7 (Of 7)(Cover F George Perez Tribute Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths #7 (Of 7)(Cover G Dan Mora Dawn Of DC Card Stock Variant 1), $6.99
Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths #7 (Of 7)(Cover H Dan Mora Dawn Of DC Card Stock Variant 2), $6.99
Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths #7 (Of 7)(Cover I Dan Mora Dawn Of DC Card Stock Variant 3), $6.99
Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths #7 (Of 7)(Cover J Dan Mora Dawn Of DC Card Stock Variant 4), $6.99
Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths #7 (Of 7)(Cover K Ian Churchill Card Stock Variant), AR
Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths #7 (Of 7)(Cover L Kyle Hotz Card Stock Variant), AR
Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths #7 (Of 7)(Cover M Daniel Sampere & Alejandro Sanchez Foil Card Stock Variant), AR
Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths #7 (Of 7)(Cover N George Perez Tribute Virgin Foil Card Stock Variant), AR
DC Vs. Vampires All-Out War #6 (Of 6)(Cover A Alan Quah), $3.99
DC Vs. Vampires All-Out War #6 (Of 6)(Cover B Mico Suayan Card Stock Variant), $4.99
DC Vs. Vampires All-Out War #6 (Of 6)(Cover C James Stokoe Card Stock Variant), AR
DCeased War Of The Undead Gods #5 (Of 8)(Cover A Howard Porter), $3.99
DCeased War Of The Undead Gods #5 (Of 8)(Cover B Ben Oliver Homage Wraparound Card Stock Variant), $4.99
DCeased War Of The Undead Gods #5 (Of 8)(Cover C Kael Ngu Acetate Card Stock Variant), $4.99
DCeased War Of The Undead Gods #5 (Of 8)(Cover D Jay Anacleto Card Stock Variant), AR
DCeased War Of The Undead Gods #5 (Of 8)(Cover E Sun Khamunaki Card Stock Variant), AR
Death Of Superman 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition Hardcover Bookplate, AR
Death Of Superman 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition HC (Book Market Edition), $39.99
Death Of Superman 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition HC (Direct Market Edition), $39.99
Flash #789 (Cover A Taurin Clarke), $3.99
Flash #789 (Cover B George Kambadais Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Flash Volume 17 Eclipsed TP, $19.99
G.C.P.D. The Blue Wall #3 (Of 6)(Cover A Reiko Murakami), $3.99
G.C.P.D. The Blue Wall #3 (Of 6)(Cover B Steve Epting Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Harley Quinn The Animated Series Legion Of Bats #3 (Of 6)(Cover A Yoshi Yoshitani), $3.99
Harley Quinn The Animated Series Legion Of Bats #3 (Of 6)(Cover B Dan Hipp Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Harley Quinn The Animated Series Legion Of Bats #3 (Of 6)(Cover C Reilly Brown Card Stock Variant), AR
Harley Quinn Volume 1 No Good Deed TP, $16.99
Nightwing #99 (Cover A Bruno Redondo), $3.99
Nightwing #99 (Cover B Jamal Campbell Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Nightwing #99 (Cover C Mario Fox Foccillo Holiday Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Nightwing #99 (Cover D Dan Mora Card Stock Variant), AR
Nightwing #99 (Cover E Bruno Redondo Text Card Stock Variant), AR
Nightwing #99 (Cover F Dan Mora Card Stock Variant), AR
Nightwing #99 (Cover G Javier Fernandez DC Spawn Card Stock Variant), AR
Nubia Queen Of The Amazons HC, $24.99
Rogues HC, $29.99
Scooby-Doo Where Are You #119 (Cover A Derek Fridolfs), $2.99
Stargirl The Lost Children #2 (Of 6)(Cover A Todd Nauck), $3.99
Stargirl The Lost Children #2 (Of 6)(Cover B Mike Maihack Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Stargirl The Lost Children #2 (Of 6)(Cover C Crystal Kung Holiday Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Stargirl The Lost Children #2 (Of 6)(Cover D Sean Cheeks Galloway Card Stock Variant), AR
Strange Adventures TP, $29.99
Superman Birthright The Deluxe Edition HC (Book Market Edition), $49.99
Superman Birthright The Deluxe Edition HC (Direct Market Edition), $49.99
Titans United Bloodpact #4 (Of 6)(Cover A Eddy Barrows), $3.99
Titans United Bloodpact #4 (Of 6)(Cover B Derrick Chew Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Titans United Bloodpact #4 (Of 6)(Cover C Matt Haley DC Holiday Card Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Titans United Bloodpact #4 (Of 6)(Cover D Dexter Soy Card Stock Variant), AR

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


Wednesday, September 15, 2021

#IReadsYou Review: BATMAN: Strange Apparitions

BATMAN: STRANGE APPARITIONS
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Steve Englehart; Len Wein
PENCILS: Marshall Rogers; Walter Simonson
INKS: Terry Austin; Dick Giordano; Al Milgrom
COLORS: Marshall Rogers
LETTERS: Ben Oda; Milton Snapinn; John Workman
EDITORS: Dale Crain (collection); Julie Schwartz (original)
MISC: Marshall Rogers; Walter Simonson; Terry Austin; Al Milgrom; Jerry Serpe
COVER: Marshall Rogers and Terry Austin with Lee Loughridge
ISBN: 978-1-56389-500-5; paperback (January 2000)
180pp, Color, $12.95 U.S., $20.00 CAN (November 11, 1999)

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

Introduction by Steve Englehart


Steve Englehart is an American comic book writer known for his influential and prominent work during the 1970s.  He had memorable runs writing The Avengers from #105 -#152 (1972 to 1976) and Doctor Strange (Vol. 2) #1 to 18 (except #3).  He created such comics characters as “Shang-Chi, Master of Kung-Fu,” “Nomad,” “Star Lord,” and “Mantis.”

Marshall Rogers (1950 to 2007) was an American comic book artist known for his work for Marvel Comics, DC Comics, and Eclipse Comics.  He produced memorable work like Harlan Ellison's graphic novel, Demon with a Glass Hand (DC Comics, 1986); an early 1980s run on Doctor Strange and a late 1980s run on The Silver Surfer, both for Marvel.

In November 1999, DC Comics published the trade paperback, Batman: Strange Apparitions.  It collected Englehart and Rogers' most acclaimed and most influential work, which was their collaboration on a six-issue run of Batman stories for Detective Comics in the 1970s.  From issue #471 to issue #476 (August 1977 to March-April 1978), Englehart and Rogers produced some of the most popular Batman stories of all time, although they each produced two stories for Detective Comics with other collaborators.

Englehart wrote a Batman two-part story for Detective Comics #469 and #470, which were drawn by legendary comic book artist, Walter Simonson.  Rogers drew a two-art Batman story for issues #478 and #479, which were written by the late great comic book writer, Len Wein.  However, their work from #471 to #476 is what marks Englehart and Rogers as one of the greatest Batman creative teams of all time.  Although their work covers no more than six issues and is comprised of about only 102 pages, they are six memorable issues and 102 glorious pages.

DC Comics first reprinted Detective Comics #469 to #476 and #478 to #479 in the five-issue comic book miniseries, Shadow of the Batman (December 1985 to April 1986).  Shadow of the Batman #1 reprints the Englehart and Simonson issues, and Shadow of the Batman #5 reprints the Wein and Rogers stories.  Shadow of the Batman #2 to #4 reprints the Englehart-Rogers run.  Rogers also drew double-sided covers for each issue of Shadow of the Batman, and each issue also includes a comics short story drawn by Rogers that appeared in one of DC Comics' 1970s comic book anthology series.  Batman: Strange Apparitions reprints Detective Comics #469 to #476 and #478 to #479, without the Rogers short stories.

Englehart and artist Walt Simonson open Strange Apparitions with a two-part story from Detective Comics #469 (“...By Death's Eerie Light!”) and #470 (“The Master Plan of Dr. Phosphorus”).  The radioactive villain, “Dr. Phosphorus,” is attempting to hold Gotham City hostage, and Batman is having a difficult time with the villain.  Phosphorus has the strength to go toe-to-toe with Batman, and his radioactive touch can burn through Batman's uniform and leave serious burn on the Dark Knight's body.  Phosphorus is also part of a conspiracy that reaches into city hall.  The ringleader of this conspiracy is Boss Rupert Thorne, city council chairman and crime boss.  Englehart also introduces a memorable love interest for Bruce Wayne, Silver St. Cloud, a socialite and eventually, an event planner who comes to realize that Wayne is Batman.

That leads into the first two Steve Englehart-Marshall Rogers issues, Detective Comics #471 (“The Dead Yet Live) and #472 (“I Am the Batman”).  As Bruce Wayne, Batman checks into Graytowers Clinic, where the renowned Dr. Todhunter has a reputation for helping wealthy and powerful men recover physically and mentally.  Batman is hoping to recover from the grave wounds he sustained battling Dr. Phosphorus.  However, Dr. Todhunter is in actuality an old Batman villain, Hugo Strange.  Strange discovers that Bruce Wayne is Batman and incapacitates Wayne so that he can assume the identity of Batman.  Another plot line involves Boss Thorne putting out a contract on Batman's life, which draws the attention of some colorful and familiar Batman enemies.  In “I Am the Batman,” Robin returns to Gotham City to re-team with Batman.

Batman takes on The Penguin in Detective Comics #473 (“The Malay Penguin”) and the assassin “Deadshot” in issue #474 (The Deadshot Ricochet”).  Early in the latter story, Robin ends his temporary reunion with Batman when he is summoned by the Teen Titans.

Englehart and Rogers most famous story in their run occurred in the two-part Detective Comics #475 (“The Laughing Fish”) and #476 (“Sign of the Joker”).  This story features an unambiguously homicidal Joker, whose murderous actions are wholly illogical and consistently capricious.  In this mini-story arc, The Joker uses a chemical to disfigure fish in the ocean, giving them a “rictus grin” (similar to his own ghastly grin).  The Joker brazenly expects to be granted a federal trademark on these grinning fish.  The local government bureaucrats try to explain to the Joker that they cannot help him even if they wanted.  Obtaining such a claim on a natural resource (like the fish) is legally impossible.  So The Joker starts killing these men in the most gruesome way, and Batman begins a desperate and seemingly failing battle to stop the Joker.  Issue #476 is Englehart's final issue.

Marshall Rogers ends his tenure on Detective Comics with a two-part tale written by Len Wein.  The story appears in Detective Comics #478 (“The Coming of... Clayface III!”) and #479 (“If a Man Be Made of Clay...!”) and introduces the third iteration of the classic Batman villain, Clayface.

During his short, but essential run on Detective Comics, Steve Englehart returns Batman to his pulp fiction roots, making him a relentless force for justice.  Marshall Rogers draws Batman as brooding, fearsome, wraith-like, and (indeed) bat-like.  Batman moves about the page in a way that recalls what may be the character's chief inspiration, the pulp hero and vigilante, Walter Gibson's The Shadow.

The Joker also experiences a return to his roots.  Englehart and Rogers present an insane, matter-of-fact, and homicidal Joker, who has a creepy, unsettling grin dominating his face.  This recalls the character originally presented by writer Bill Finger and artists Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson.  As a visual reference for the way Rogers draws The Joker, readers need only take a look at three covers drawn by Jerry Robinson that feature The Joker:  Detective Comics #69 (Nov. 1942) and #71 (Jan. 1943), and also Batman #37 (Oct.-Nov 1946).

Steve Englehart now refers to his 1970s run on Detective Comics as “Dark Detective I,” as precursor to his 2005 miniseries, Batman: Dark Detective, which he now calls “Dark Detective II.”  I read these 1970s Englehart-Rogers Batman stories when I was a pre-teen, again in my late teens, and again in my early thirties, and now in my early 50s.  I can say that, for the most part, these stories have aged well.

Englehart has also said that these stories not only influenced the 1989 Batman movie, but that they are also the reason that film went into development.  I don't know if that is true or not, but I could believe it.  These stories are special enough to influence other Batman storytellers, and in the trade paperback collection, Batman: Strange Apparitions, they prove that they won't fade away.



The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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


Monday, October 21, 2019

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 23, 2019

DC COMICS

AUG190474    ACTION COMICS #1016 VAR ED YOTV    $3.99
AUG190473    ACTION COMICS #1016 YOTV    $3.99
JUL190626    AMERICAN CARNAGE TP (MR)    $19.99
AUG190477    AQUAMAN ANNUAL #2    $4.99
AUG190479    BATGIRL #40 VAR ED YOTV    $3.99
AUG190478    BATGIRL #40 YOTV    $3.99
AUG190490    BATMAN BEYOND #37    $3.99
AUG190491    BATMAN BEYOND #37 VAR ED    $3.99
AUG190485    BATMAN CURSE OF THE WHITE KNIGHT #4 (OF 8)    $4.99
AUG190486    BATMAN CURSE OF THE WHITE KNIGHT #4 (OF 8) VAR ED    $4.99
AUG190493    BATMAN SUPERMAN #3    $3.99
AUG190494    BATMAN SUPERMAN #3 VAR ED    $3.99
AUG190441    BLACK ADAM YEAR OF THE VILLAIN #1    $4.99
JUN190463    BLACK CANARY IGNITE TP DC ZOOM    $9.99
AUG190573    BOOKS OF MAGIC #13 (MR)    $3.99
AUG190511    DETECTIVE COMICS #1014 CARD STOCK VAR ED YOTV    $4.99
AUG190510    DETECTIVE COMICS #1014 YOTV    $3.99
AUG190580    DIAL H #8 (OF 12)    $3.99
AUG190587    DOLLAR COMICS SWAMP THING #1    $1.00
AUG190516    FLASH #81 YOTV    $3.99
AUG190517    FLASH #81 YOTV VAR ED    $3.99
AUG190520    FREEDOM FIGHTERS #10 (OF 12)    $3.99
MAR190628    HARLEY QUINN RED WHITE & BLACK STATUE BY GREG HORN    $80.00
JUL190646    HEX WIVES TP (MR)    $16.99
AUG190539    JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #16 VAR ED YOTV    $3.99
AUG190538    JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #16 YOTV    $3.99
AUG190544    MARTIAN MANHUNTER #9 (OF 12)    $3.99
AUG190545    MARTIAN MANHUNTER #9 (OF 12) VAR ED    $3.99
JUL190653    NAOMI SEASON ONE HC    $19.99
AUG190550    RED HOOD OUTLAW #39 VAR ED YOTV    $3.99
AUG190549    RED HOOD OUTLAW #39 YOTV    $3.99
JUN190464    SUPER SONS BOOK 02 THE FOXGLOVE MISSION TP DC ZOOM    $9.99
AUG190468    SWAMP THING GIANT #1    $4.99
JUL190660    TEEN TITANS TP VOL 02 TURN IT UP    $16.99
AUG190565    TERRIFICS #21 VAR ED YOTV    $3.99
AUG190564    TERRIFICS #21 YOTV    $3.99
AUG190571    WONDER WOMAN #81 VAR ED YOTV    $3.99
AUG190570    WONDER WOMAN #81 YOTV    $3.99
JUL190667    WONDER WOMAN HC VOL 01 THE JUST WAR    $24.99
JAN190703    ZERO HOUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY OMNIBUS HC    $150.00

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Review: SIMPSONS COMICS Showstopper

SIMPSONS COMICS SHOWSTOPPER
HARPERCOLLINS/Harper Design – @HarperCollins @harperdesignbks @TheSimpsons

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Ian Boothby; Mary Trainor; Len Wein; Chuck Dixon
PENCILS: Phil Ortiz; John Costanza
INKS: Mike DeCarlo; Phyllis Novin
COLORS: Art Villanueva
LETTERS: Karen Bates
EDITOR: Bill Morrison
COVER: Matt Groening
ISBN: 978-0-06-287877-9; paperback (February 5, 2019)
128pp, Color, $16.99 U.S., $21.00 CAN

“The Simpsons” created by Matt Groening

Since 2016, HarperCollins' imprint, Harper Design, has been sending me review copies of its full-color trade paperbacks that reprint comic books based on “The Simpson's” animated television series.  Those comics have been published by Bongo Comics since 1993.

Simpsons Comics Showstopper (the fifth that I have received) is the newest trade paperback in the series.  Simpsons Comics Showstopper collects stories from Simpsons Comics issues #127, #128, #129, #132, and #133 (published between February and August 2007).

“The Simpsons,” produced first run for the Fox Broadcasting Company,  presents a satirical depiction of a working class family which consists of Homer Simpson (the father), Marge Simpson (the mother), Bart (the oldest child and only son), Lisa (the precocious and brilliant elder daughter), and Maggie (a baby girl).  “The Simpsons” also parodies American culture, pop culture, society, politics, media, etc. via the denizens of The Simpsons home town, Springfield.

Simpsons Comics Showstopper opens with “25” (written by Ian Boothby and drawn by Phil Ortiz and Mike DeCarlo).  It is a parody of Fox's long-running, live-action television series, “24.”  Homer is late for work... again.  Meanwhile, at his place of employment, Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, his boss Montgomery Burns, believes that he has killed Homer.  His solution to cover up this supposed crime – set the plant to meltdown!  Now, only Homer can save the plant and Springfield, but can he make it to work on time – when he hasn't after being twelve hours late?!

In “Simpson Family Robinson Crusoe” (written by Mary Trainor and drawn by John Costanza and Phyllis Novin), we get a Simpsons spin on two classics of Western literature, Robinson Crusoe (1719) and The Swiss Family Robinson (1812).  In “You'd Better Sloth Around” (written by Len Wein and drawn by Costanza and Novin), Homer buys a “Hoveround”-like vehicle called the “Sloth-Around,” despite his family's objections to that purchase.  Homer becomes a menace on the thing, but karma might have a surprise for him.

“A Brand New Burns Part One!” and “Part Two,” are written by Chuck Dixon and drawn by Costanza and Novin.  In the story, Montgomery Burns and his loyal confidant, Smithers, travel to Mexico where Burns will spend some time at “Rancho Segundo Posibilidad” for rejuvenation treatments.  So why does Burns end up in a sweatshop?  Why is Smithers back in Springfield with a younger Burns?

The comic book stories in Simpsons Comics Showstopper are inventive, full-length tales.  The best of the lot is “A Brand New Burns,” if for no other reason than the famous and infamous people writer Chuck Dixon depicts as being denizens of Hell.  Artists John Costanza and Phyllis Novin and colorist Art Villanueva deliver a few graphically striking panels, especially the ones that depict Montgomery naked and floating/swimming towards the afterlife.

“You'd Better Sloth-Around” epitomizes one of the things that “The Simpsons” does so well, satirize the American desire to get over on people and to beat the system.  “Simpson Family Robinson Crusoe” is a cute send-up of the source material.  That may be the best way to define the comics in Simpsons Comics Showstopper – cute, nice, and entertaining, but none of this material is great.  This collection may satisfy Simpsons comic book fans, but it is not an exceptional Simpsons comics collection, which I can say about some of the others (like 2018's Bart Simpson Bust-Up).

7 out of 10

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


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

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



Sunday, March 17, 2019

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.

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



Monday, February 18, 2019

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 20, 2019

DC COMICS

DEC180530    AMERICAN CARNAGE #4 (MR)    $3.99
DEC180531    AQUAMAN #45    $3.99
DEC180532    AQUAMAN #45 VAR ED    $3.99
NOV180528    BATGIRL YEAR ONE DELUXE ED HC    $34.99
DEC180515    BATMAN #65 THE PRICE    $3.99
DEC180516    BATMAN #65 VAR ED THE PRICE    $3.99
NOV180542    BLACK LIGHTNING BRICK CITY BLUES TP    $19.99
DEC180543    CATWOMAN #8    $3.99
DEC180544    CATWOMAN #8 VAR ED    $3.99
DEC180548    DAMAGE #14    $3.99
NOV180549    DC UNIVERSE BY LEN WEIN HC    $34.99
NOV180553    ELSEWORLDS JUSTICE LEAGUE TP VOL 03    $34.99
JUL180761    HE MAN & THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE OMNIBUS HC    $150.00
DEC180523    HIGH LEVEL #1 (MR)    $3.99
DEC180524    HIGH LEVEL #1 VAR ED (MR)    $3.99
DEC180572    JUSTICE LEAGUE #18    $3.99
DEC180573    JUSTICE LEAGUE #18 VAR ED    $3.99
DEC180578    LUCIFER #5 (MR)    $3.99
NOV180477    MAD MAGAZINE #6    $5.99
DEC180581    NAOMI #2    $3.99
DEC180582    NIGHTWING #57    $3.99
DEC180583    NIGHTWING #57 VAR ED    $3.99
DEC180588    SCOOBY DOO WHERE ARE YOU #97    $2.99
DEC180598    TEEN TITANS #27    $3.99
DEC180599    TEEN TITANS #27 VAR ED    $3.99
NOV180581    TRANSMETROPOLITAN TP BOOK 01 (MR)    $19.99
DEC180604    WILD STORM #20    $3.99
DEC180605    WILD STORM #20 VAR ED    $3.99
NOV180584    WONDER WOMAN REBIRTH DLX COLL HC BOOK 03    $34.99

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

I Reads You Juniors October 2017 - Update #59

Support Leroy on Patreon.

From BleedingCool:  Tim Sale, known for his Batman work, especially "Batman: The Long Halloween," is talking about returning to Batman and is eyeing two projects.

From BleedingCool:  Liam Sharp is drawing an ongoing Batman/Wonder Woman comic book.

From DailyJSTOR:  An article about Ezra Jack Keats, the man whose "Snowy Day" book helped diversify children's books.

From BleedingCool:  Bryan Talbot's new graphic novel, "Grandville: Force Majeure," uses anti-spoiler technology.

From PREVIEWSWorld:  Grant Morrison talks about his BOOM! Studios comic book, Klaus and The Cris in Xmasville #1.

From Crunchyroll:  Shinobu Ohtaka's manga, "Magi," is nearing its end.

From TheNational:  Japan's manga sector gets a tech makeover.

From CBR:  Writer Matthew Rosenberg talks about why "The Punisher" is moving into the "Marvel Legacy" era as "War Machine."

From BleedingCool:  Rick Remender really wants you to read his comic book, "Black Science" (Image Comics).

From MangaTokyo:  "Fullmetal Alchemist" creator finally made her first TV appearance.

From ComicBook:  The surprising comic book origins of "Playboy."

From NewPressNow:  A local poet laureate produces a graphic novel.

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #140 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #140 in French.

From BleedingCool:  Liam Sharp has a new comic book coming out in February 2018.  It's a mystery.

From IndianapolisRecorder:  Tyeesha Bradley is creating comics. [Beautiful art. - Leroy]

From BleedingCool:  Rob Liefeld vs. Diamond Comic Distributors.

From CBR:  Was "The Walking Dead" comic book going to feature aliens?

From FocusTaiwan:  The government of Taiwan plans on spending the equivalent of $33 million US over the next four years to develop its manga sector.

From TheHypedGeek:  "Saint Seiya: Next Dimension" returns next spring.

From BleedingCool:  Avatar Press announces January 2018 solicitations.

From Crunchyroll:  The "One Piece" manga has sold 430 million copies worldwide.

From BedfordandBowery:  "The Unquotable Trump" puts President Trump's words in the mouth of actual comic book villains.

From Mainichi:  The "Lost Manga" of Edo period artist Katsushika Hokusai is published.

From BleedingCool:  Lion Forge Comics announces its January 2018 comic book solicitations.

From BleedingCool:  Raina Telgemeirer's new graphic novel, "Drama," has been banned by an entire educational district in Texas.

From ComicBookBin:  Johnny Bullet episode #139 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  Johnny Bullet episode #139 in French.

From CBR:  Three characters from the hit "Wonder Woman" film join the Wonder Woman comic book.

From BleedingCool:  Warp Graphics of Richard and Wendy Pini and "Elfquest" fame has applied for a trademark for the name, "Futurequest," similar to DC Comics' "Future Quest."

From GizmodoUK:  The horror manga of Junji Ito will become an anime anthology called, "Collection."

From BleedingCool:  [One of my favorite writers - Leroy] Jim Zub answers a loaded questions about how he broke into Marvel Comics as a writer with class and perfection.

From TheVillageVoice:  The 41 freakiest cosplayers of New York Comic Con 2017 - according to the Voice.

From Philly.com:  Ta-Nehisi Coates ("Black Panther") is joining artist Jen Bartel to produce a new comic book starring the X-Men's "Storm."

From BlackEnterprise:  The business of Black comic books, comics produced by creators of color.

From ABC2News:  From Annapolis, Maryland, a profile of local boy Rodney Barnes who is writing Marvel Comics' "Falcon."

From PawhuskaJournal:  Nonprofit promotes literacy through comic books.

From CBRBlog:  The death of one character in "The Walking Dead" comic book will be used for another character on the "The Walking Dead" TV series.

From KARE11:  Students use comic books to teach cyber bulling awareness.

From WordBallon:  The blog features a podcast interview in which NBA legend and Hall of Fame basketball player, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, talks about being a lifelong comic book fan.

From BleedingCool:  So Spider-Man was Jack Kirby's idea, so says Mark Evanier.

From Previews:  Dynamite Entertainment has gained a license to produced comic books based on the 1988 horror film, "Pumpkinhead."

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #138 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #138 in French.

From BleedingCool:  There has been a fire at the Charles Schulz Museum.

From FlickeringMyth:  Titan Comics will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the classic British TV series, "The Prisoner," with a new comic book.

From ComicBook:  VIZ Media announces two new Pokemon manga.

From BleedingCool:  TOKYOPOP announces that it will produce original comics based on Walt Disney properties and will release English editions of Japanese manga based on Disney properties.

From RollingStone:  Square Enix turning manga in VR comics.

From BleedingCool:  Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo De Felici announce a new comic book from Image Comics, "Oblivion Song."

From WeGotThisCovered:  Marvel Comics announces "Old Man Hawkeye."

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics will feature to longtime writer/editor Len Wein in the comic books on sale today, Wed. Oct. 4th.

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #137 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #137 in French.

From BleedingCool:  Nnedi Okorafor and Andre Lima Araujo will launch a Black Panther digital comic book, "Black Panther: Long Live the King."  It will be available on comiXology and Kindle beginning December 13th.

From ComicBook:  The live-action play based on the manga, "Blue Exorcist" releases its first visual.

From JakartaPost:  Hiro Mashima looks back on his recently ended epic fantasy manga, "Fairy Tail."

From MangaTokyo:  A Tokyo airbnb features a house with 2500 volumes of manga.

From BleedingCool:  At the upcoming 2017 New York Comic Con, you can have lunch with comic book artist J. Scott Campbell for the price of $455 or $1495.

From ComicsBeat:  Kwanza Osayjefo, the co-creator of the comic book series, "Black," talks about that comic book and its past, present, and future.

From SyFyWire:  A thief was arrested trying to sell vintage copies of Amazing Spider-Man #1 and X-Men #1 that he stole.

From DiversionsoftheGroovyKind:  An essay about Gil Kane and Murphy Anderson's Batgirl and Robin splash pages from the late 1960s.


Saturday, September 30, 2017

I Reads You Juniors September 2017 - Update #50

Support Leroy on Patreon.

From Crunchyroll:  Seven Seas Entertainment continues to announced new manga licenses.

From ChristianPost:  In Japan, "scanners" of the manga "One Piece" have been arrested and charged with copyright infringement.

From SoraNews24:  There is a new manga trying to explain President of Russia, Vladimir Putin.

From BleedingCool:  Why can't Marvel keep politics out of its comics... and that is not quite what it seems.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics reveals more "Justice League" movie variant covers.

From BleedingCool:  The news and gossip site begins your "Marvel Legacy" spoilers.

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #136 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #136 in French.

From ComicBookBin:  Johnny Bullet episode #135 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  Johnny Bullet episode #135 in French.

From Crunchyroll:  For the 40th anniversary of the "Galaxy Express 999" manga, there will be a stage adaptation of the manga.

From TheNewPaper:  There is a new online course for budding anime and manga artists.

From THR:  IDW Publishing will publish a "Stretch Armstrong" related to a new Netflix animated series, "Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters."

From PreviewsWorld:  New Bernie Wrightson art book coming from Hermes Press.

From ComicBook:  Eiichiro Oda wants to end his "One Piece" manga as soon as possible.

From Newsarama:  The "Guardians of the Galaxy" manga makes its debut as digital comic on the "Manga Box" app.

From BleedingCool:  Mark Waid to attempt to have a "civil conversation" about diversity at Baltimore Comic Con 2017.

From BleedingCool:  Maybe Marvel's "Secret Empire" is not over.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics solicitations through Diamond Comics Distributors for December 2017.

From TheRiderNews:  "Superb" is a new superhero comic book in which the lead character has Down Syndrome.

From BleedingCool:  Adam Hughes will draw the main cover of the DC Comics/Archie Comics crossover, "Harley & Ivy Meet Betty & Veronica."

From BleedingCool:  "The Walking Dead #175" is a solo Negan issue.

From Forward:  This week sees the debut of an official comic book adaptation of "The Diary of Anne Frank."

From Forward:  Judith Jones, the editor who discovered Anne Franks' diary, died August 1, 2017.  She was 93.

From BleedingCool:  A surprise character from Deadpool's debut may return for Marvel Legacy.

From SoraNews24:  One Piece manga creator, Eiichiro Oda, claims that seven villains have forced him to extend the series far longer than he intended.

From Fansided:  Tony Moore, the original artist on "The Walking Dead" comic book, recreates an iconic Neegan scene that he was not around to draw.

From Crunchyroll:  Shuuichi Shigeno, the creator of the "Initial D" manga, launches a new manga, "MF Ghost."

From TheSignal:  The Santa Clarita Valley newspaper notices when a local guy creates his own comic book, "Zalaan Wars" by A.J. Wedding.

From BleedingCool:  Dennis O'Neil will return to writing Batman for the "DC Universe Holiday Special #1."

From ExpressUK:  Here is the new movie Hellboy.

From BleedingCool:  IDW is rebooting "30 Days of Night" with writer Steve Niles.  Ben Templesmith, the original series artist, will return as cover artist along with original series cover artist, Ashley Wood.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Two-in-One with Chip Zdarsky as writer and Jim Cheung as artist.

From BleedingCool:  IDW's Hasbro (GI Joe, Transformers) event title, "First Strike," will yield a new series, "Scarlett's Strike Force."

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #134 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #134 in French.

From TheWrap:  The influential comic book writer and editor Len Wein has died.  He was 69.  He co-created the character Wolverine with artist John Romita.  He revived the X-Men for Marvel Comics in the mid-1970s, launching the version of the team that became a multi-billion dollar franchise.  He co-created the character Swamp Thing with artist Berni Wrightson (who also died this year).  Wein edited writer Alan Moore's run on Swamp Thing and Moore and Dave Gibbons comic book, "Watchmen."

From PasteMagazine:  Warren Ellis and Bryan Hill talk to Paste about the upcoming "Michael Cray," comic book from DC Comics that is part of "Wildstorm" reboot.  Includes preview art.

From SouthEssexCollege:  This college is giving Warren Ellis an honorary doctorate.

From BleedingCool:  New speculation over future "Young Animal" comics from DC Comics.

From Negromancer:  At Rose City Comic Con, Image Comics announces a new comic book, "Bitter Root," from David Walker, Chuck Brown, and Sanford Greene

From BleedingCool:  "Guardians of the Galaxy" is now a manga, "Guardians of the Galaxy: Galaxy Rush."

From BleedingCool:  Arrests were made of people scanning and uploading pages of the "One Piece" manga.

From Slate:  Tom King would like to stay with Batman for 100 issues.  [If he maintains the quality of his writing, he can stay 300 issues. -Ed]

From BleacherReport:  A discussion of WWE comic books.

From BleedingCool:  Retailers will be able to sell the "Dark Knight III" hardcover early.

From WeGotThisCovered: Another article about Marvel Comics' woes, and "diversity characters" (meaning African-American characters) are blamed.

From BleedingCoolThe 2017 Joe Shuster Awards were announced on Friday, September 1, 2017.  First established is 2004, the Joe Shuster Awards serve to recognize the works of Canadians, published at home or abroad, for their outstanding achievements in the creation of comic books, graphic novels, and webcomics.  The awards are named after pioneering Canadian artist Joe Shuster, who created Superman with Jerry Siegel.

From StudyGroupComics:  Jim Rugg is on the "Process Party" podcast.

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #133 - in English - the pantomime story arc begins!
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #133 - in French

From BleedingCool:  Kirby Genesis, the creation of "Captain Victory and the Galactic Rangers" and "Silver Star."

From MangaTokyo:  Comparing the "Kuroko's Basketball" manga and anime.

From ICv2:  Geoff Johns reveals DC Comics' "Doomsday Clock #1" covers.

From YahooNews:  What does the return of the real Captain America mean for the future of Marvel Comics?

From NewRepublic:  August 28th, 2017 would have been Jack Kirby's 100th birthday.  Jeet Heer offers this profile, "Jack Kirby, the Unknown King."

From ComicsBulletin:  Top 10 thoughts on Jack Kirby.


Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Review: SWAMP THING #1

SWAMP THING No. 1 (2016)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Len Wein
ART: Kelley Jones
COLORS: Michelle Madsen
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
COVER: Kelley Jones with Chris Sotomayor
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (March 2016)

Rated “T” for Teen

Swamp Thing created by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson

“The Dead Don't Sleep!”

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

The best known version of Swamp Thing is Alec Holland (Swamp Thing #1, October/November 1972), a scientist who becomes Swamp Thing due to a complex process involving his death, a “bio-restorative formula,” and a bomb.  British comic book writer Alan Moore came to fame in the United States when he began writing the early 1980s Swamp Thing comic book, Saga of the Swamp Thing, with issue #20 (January 1984).  Moore re-invented the character with issue #21, and since then everyone who has written the Swamp Thing has worked in Moore's shadow...

That is except Len Wein, who is probably one of the most underrated writers and creators of comic books during the last five decades.  He is Swamp Thing's proud papa (or co-parent), defining the character with moody storytelling that blended EC Comics and weird fiction with a Gothic sensibility.  Everything done with Swamp Thing after him sprouted from the seeds Wein sowed.

Wein returned to Swamp Thing last year for a two-issue miniseries that was part of DC Comics' “Convergence” event.  Earlier this year, DC Comics published a six-issue miniseries, entitled Swamp Thing.  It was written by Wein; drawn by Kelley Jones; colored by Michelle Madsen; and lettered by Rob Leigh.

Swamp Thing #1 (“The Dead Don't Sleep!”) opens in the “Bayou Country” of Louisiana.  The Swamp Thing is doing his... swamp thing when The Phantom Stranger arrives to offer a few vague misgivings and omens and portents.  That conversation is interrupted by the clumsy arrival of Frank and Grace Wormwood, who are stumbling through the bayou because they are actually looking for the Swamp Thing.  They have come about their college student son, Lazlo, who is worse off than they could possible ever imagine.

I could call this Swamp Thing miniseries one of the best comics of 2016 after reading just one issue.  It's moody and suspenseful and downright scary, particularly because of the way the art brings Len Wein's story to life.  In artist, Kelley Jones, Len Wein has the perfect post-Berni Wrightson Swamp Thing collaborator.  For three decades, Jones has been doing the best Wrightson homage by creating his own unique style, which blends Wrightson's pen and ink influenced compositions with some graphical flourishes and graphic design sensibilities from Mike Mignola (Hellboy).

Jones' Swamp Thing is part muscular, hulking plant monster and part bodybuilder's physique.  In this static image, Jones infuses humor, sharp wit, and intelligence.  It's alive! for real.  The swamp setting is more expressionistic than representational, but that helps set the German expressionistic, Nosferatu-like atmosphere which turns the second half of this comic book into a fantastic horror comics pop confection.

Yeah, I'm recommending this.  Find the back issues or buy the trade paperback collection.  I can't wait to read more of Len Wein and Kelley Jones' fab return to Swamp Thing.

A

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


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

Friday, January 22, 2016

Review: WHO'S WHO Volume 1


WHO'S WHO: THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE OF THE DC UNIVERSE VOL. 1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITERS: Len Wein, Marv Wolfman
PENCILS: Joe Orlando, Craig Hamilton, Carmine Infantino, Don Heck, Alex Saviuk, Scott Shaw!, Jerry Ordway, Marshall Rogers, Mike Zeck, Keith Giffen, Ernie Colón, Gil Kane, José Delbo, Howie Post, Greg Theakston, George Pérez, Chuck Patton, Steve Bissette, Jan Duursema, Eduardo Barreto, Rick Hoberg, Murphy Anderson, Curt Swan, Tod Smith
INKERS: Joe Orlando, Dick Giordano, Frank McLaughlin, Murphy Anderson, Don Heck, Scott Shaw!, Jerry Ordway, Marshall Rogers, John Beatty, Bob Oksner,  Ernie Colón, Gil Kane, Romeo Tanghal, Howie Post, Greg Theakston,  George Pérez, John Totleben, Jan Duursema, Eduardo Barreto, Rick Magyar
COLORS: Helen Visik, Shelly Eiber, Tatjana Wood, Joe Orlando, Greg Theakston
LETTERS: Todd Klein (production)
EDITORIAL: Len Wein with Marv Wolfman and Robert Greenberger
COVER: George Perez
32pp, Color, $1.00 U.S., $1.35 CAN, 45p U.K. (March 1985)

Who's Who: The Definitive Guide to the DC Universe was an encyclopedia of the characters, places, and things of the DC Universe, but it was published in a comic book format.  Created by Len Wein, Marv Wolfman, and Robert Greenberger, Who's Who began publication in 1984 one month before the release of Crisis on Infinite Earths, the 12-issue comic book series that changed the DC Universe of characters.  Who's Who ran for 26 issues, but there were updates (in 1987 and 1988) and spinoffs (including one for DC Comic's 1980s “Star Trek” comic book series).

In Who's Who, each of the characters, places, and things (for the most part) has its own page and is depicted in an illustration, pin-up, or technical drawing created by a comic book artist or a penciller/inker team.  Some of the artists are legendary comic book creators or are famous or are at least known for their association with DC Comics.  Others are comic book artists who were active working professionals in American comic books, including in independent and alternative comics, at the time of the publication of the original Who's Who.

At the recent Louisiana Comic Con (October 17 and 18th, 2015 in Lafayette, LA), I found a copy of Who's Who: The Definitive Guide to the DC Universe #1.  I once had several issues of this series, but I don't know what happened to them.  Although I actually once read some of the text, I really bought Who's Who for the illustrations.

First of all, I love the wraparound cover art by George Perez, especially the detail with “Arak: Son of Thunder” sitting on a rock outcropping.  Inside, there is also a lot to like.  I think that it is just great that the first illustration of this first issue is by the late, great Joe Orlando, a depiction of House of Secrets star/victim, “Abel.”  Seeing classic Flash artist, Carmine Infantino, draw “Abra Kadabra,” a character in Flash's “rogue gallery” is a treat.  Fans of Jerry Ordway's 1980s work for DC Comics will be happy to see his double-page spread of the cast of All-Star Squadron.

I can never say no to “Ambush Bug” drawn by Keith Giffen.  I can never say “No” to anything by legend Gil Kane, who offers a drawing of pre-Grant Morrison, “Animal-Man” and a drawing of his version of “Atom.”  I like Ernie Colón, so I was happy to see a few drawings from him, including one of “Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld.”  “Arcane” by the classic Swamp Thing art team of Steve Bissette and John Totleben is a highlight.  Classic Golden and Silver Age DC Comics artist, Murphy Anderson, offers a drawing of one of his signature characters, “Atomic Knight.”  Anderson also inked “The Atomic Skull” drawing by one of my all-time favorite artists, Curt Swan.

Greg Theakston did a good job with an “Apokolips” drawing, but I would have preferred that “Fourth World” creator, Jack Kirby, draw Apokolips for this series.  Eduardo Barreto is a fine comic book artist, but I wish that Jose Luis Garcia Lopez had drawn the Atari Force double-spread.

In the nearly three decades since Who's Who: The Definitive Guide to the DC Universe was originally published, much of its text is no longer relevant.  That is the result of DC Comics' numerous reboots and relaunches and “new directions.”  Still, this series can be of use as a reference source for writers, comics historians, and archivists, and especially for fans of DC Comics' bygone days.  Fans of classic and veteran comic book artists, of course, will want this series.  I plan on hunting down more issues.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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


Tuesday, January 5, 2016

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 6, 2016

DC COMICS

OCT150272    100 BULLETS TP BOOK 04 (MR)    $24.99
NOV150209    ACTION COMICS #48    $3.99
NOV150223    BATMAN AND ROBIN ETERNAL #14    $2.99
OCT150245    BATMAN ARKHAM KNIGHT TP VOL 01    $14.99
NOV150230    BATMAN BEYOND #8    $2.99
SEP150289    BATMAN DETECTIVE COMICS HC VOL 07 ANARKY    $24.99
OCT150247    BATMAN DETECTIVE COMICS TP VOL 06 ICARUS    $16.99
NOV150253    DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS #8    $3.99
NOV150260    DC ESSENTIALS DC THE NEW FRONTIER #1    $1.00
NOV150231    DETECTIVE COMICS #48    $3.99
OCT150273    FBP FEDERAL BUREAU OF PHYSICS TP VOL 04 END TIMES (MR)    $14.99
NOV150187    GREEN ARROW #48    $2.99
NOV150244    GREEN LANTERN #48    $3.99
NOV150254    INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR FIVE #1    $2.99
NOV150190    MIDNIGHTER #8    $2.99
OCT150260    RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS TP VOL 07 LAST CALL    $14.99
NOV150309    SHERIFF OF BABYLON #2 (MR)    $3.99
NOV150311    SURVIVORS CLUB #4 (MR)    $3.99
NOV150169    SWAMP THING #1    $2.99
NOV150204    TELOS #4    $2.99
NOV150313    UNFOLLOW #3 (MR)    $3.99

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 22, 2015

DC COMICS

FEB150240     BATMAN 66 #22     $2.99
DEC140386     BATMAN 66 HC VOL 03     $19.99
JAN150377     BATMAN 66 TP VOL 02     $14.99
FEB150238     BATMAN ARKHAM KNIGHT #3     $3.99
FEB150146     CONVERGENCE #3     $3.99
FEB150194     CONVERGENCE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #1     $3.99
FEB150196     CONVERGENCE BATMAN & THE OUTSIDERS #1     $3.99
FEB150198     CONVERGENCE FLASH #1     $3.99
FEB150200     CONVERGENCE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1     $3.99
FEB150202     CONVERGENCE HAWKMAN #1     $3.99
FEB150204     CONVERGENCE JUSTICE LEAGUE AMERICA #1     $3.99
FEB150206     CONVERGENCE NEW TEEN TITANS #1     $3.99
FEB150208     CONVERGENCE SUPERBOY & THE LEGION #1     $3.99
FEB150210     CONVERGENCE SWAMP THING #1     $3.99
FEB150212     CONVERGENCE WONDER WOMAN #1     $3.99
FEB150281     EFFIGY #4 (MR)     $2.99
JAN150372     JUSTICE LEAGUE 3000 TP VOL 02 THE CAMELOT WAR (N52)     $14.99
FEB150272     MAD MAGAZINE #533     $5.99
FEB150287     SUICIDERS #3 (MR)     $3.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES
NOV140348     BATMAN ANIMATED NBA CREEPER AF     $24.95
NOV140356     BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE BY IVAN REIS     $79.95

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 24, 2014

DC COMICS

OCT140235     AQUAMAN #37     $2.99
OCT140308     ARKHAM MANOR #3     $2.99
OCT140345     BATMAN 66 #18     $2.99
OCT140297     BATMAN ANNUAL #3     $4.99
AUG140339     BATMAN ARKHAM ORIGINS HC     $22.99
OCT140291     BATMAN ETERNAL #38     $2.99
OCT140391     BODIES #6 (MR)     $3.99
OCT140326     CATWOMAN ANNUAL #2     $4.99
OCT140395     DEAD BOY DETECTIVES #12     $2.99
OCT140233     DEATHSTROKE #3     $2.99
OCT140242     EARTH 2 WORLDS END #12     $2.99
OCT140245     FLASH #37     $2.99
OCT140312     GOTHAM BY MIDNIGHT #2     $2.99
OCT140303     GRAYSON ANNUAL #1     $4.99
OCT140338     GREEN LANTERN ANNUAL #3 (GODHEAD)     $4.99
SEP140306     GREEN LANTERN LIGHTS OUT TP (N52)     $16.99
OCT140319     HARLEY QUINN #13     $2.99
OCT140341     HE MAN THE ETERNITY WAR #1     $2.99
OCT140248     INFINITY MAN AND THE FOREVER PEOPLE #6 (GODHEAD)     $2.99
OCT140351     INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR THREE #6     $2.99
OCT140231     JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #37     $3.99
SEP140307     LARFLEEZE TP VOL 02 THE FACE OF GREED (N52)     $14.99
SEP140346     LUCIFER TP VOL 05 (MR)     $29.99
OCT140258     NEW 52 FUTURES END #34 (WEEKLY)     $2.99
OCT140328     RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS ANNUAL #2     $4.99
OCT140335     RED LANTERNS #37 (GODHEAD)     $2.99
OCT140306     ROBIN RISES ALPHA #1     $4.99
OCT140254     SECRET ORIGINS #8     $4.99
OCT140347     SENSATION COMICS FEATURING WONDER WOMAN #5     $3.99
SEP140326     SHOWCASE PRESENTS LEGION OF SUPERHEROES TP VOL 05     $19.99
OCT140336     SINESTRO #8 (GODHEAD)     $2.99
OCT140261     STAR SPANGLED WAR STORIES GI ZOMBIE #5     $2.99
OCT140270     SUPERMAN #37     $3.99
OCT140274     SUPERMAN #37 COMBO PACK     $4.99
AUG140336     SUPERMAN ACTION COMICS HC VOL 05 WHAT LIES BENEATH (N52)     $22.99
SEP140312     SUPERMAN ACTION COMICS TP VOL 04 HYBRID (N52)     $16.99
OCT140278     SUPERMAN WONDER WOMAN #14     $3.99
OCT140280     SUPERMAN WONDER WOMAN #14 COMBO PACK     $4.99
AUG140343     TALES OF THE BATMAN LEN WEIN HC     $49.99
SEP140325     TWILIGHT TP     $14.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES

AUG140384     ARROW BLACK CANARY AF     $24.95
AUG140383     ARROW OLIVER QUEEN & TOTEM AF     $24.95
APR140317     BATMAN ARKHAM CITY MR FREEZE STATUE     $149.95
JUL140296     BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE BATMAN BY DICK SPRANG     $79.95
JUL140297     BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE JOKER BY DICK SPRANG     $79.95
AUG140377     DC COMICS COVER GIRLS STARFIRE STATUE     $99.95
AUG140380     DC COMICS DESIGNER SER 3 BATGIRL AF     $24.95
AUG140381     DC COMICS DESIGNER SER 3 COMMISSIONER GORDON AF     $24.95
AUG140379     DC COMICS DESIGNER SER 3 ZERO YEAR BATMAN AF     $24.95

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

I Reads You Review: DEATH OF WOLVERINE #1

DEATH OF WOLVERINE #1 (OF 4)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER:  Charles Soule
PENCILS:  Steve McNiven
INKS:  Jay Leisten
COLORS:  Justin Ponsor
LETTERS: Chris Eliopoulos
COVER:  Steve McNiven and Jay Leisten with Justin Ponsor
56pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (November 2014)

Rated T+

Part One: “The End”

Marvel Comics is killing Wolverine.  How long will he remain dead?  I guess that is not really the point.  I'm just supposed to enjoy the event miniseries in which Wolverine dies.  Entitled Death of Wolverine, it is written by Charles Soule, pencilled by Steve McNiven, inked by Jay Leisten, colored by Justin Ponsor, and lettered by Chris Eliopoulos.

Death of Wolverine #1 (“The End”) opens in the backwoods of British Columbia; the time is now.  Logan/Wolverine is dying because he has lost his healing factor.  Now, he cannot heal supernaturally fast after being injured in his frequent battles, fights, duels, etc., so it has taken a toll on his body.  Mr. Fantastic (Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four, of course) has told Logan that he can find a way to reactivate his healing factor, but it will take time.

Logan does not have that time.  People are coming after Wolverine to kill him.  In fact, here come some guys now.

I wanted to be cynical.  Killing Wolverine?  Ha!  He'll be back real soon.  Still, one look at that card stock cover for Death of Wolverine #1, with its snazzy graphic design and beautiful (of course) Steve McNiven art, and I was sold on this miniseries.  The story, by the impressive Charles Soule, is downbeat and downright depressing.  The wonderfully detailed line work and texture by McNiven, the precise and artful inking by Leisten, and the glorious hues of colorist Justice Ponsor make the story even more heartbreaking.  There is a real sense of finality to this tale... thus far.

Hey, the extras are cool!  I love the generous helping of McNiven sketchbook material.  Len Wein uses his interview to give props to the late Dave Cockrum.  Gotta love that.  Yeah... I didn't think that I would end up looking forward to the Death of Wolverine miniseries, but I am, even as I (surprisingly) dread the death of Wolverine.

A-

Death of Wolverine includes bonus material:
  • sketches and other preliminary art for the series by Steve McNiven
  • commentary by McNiven
  • an interview with Wolverine co-creator Len Wein that includes art from The Incredible Hulk #181 (Wolverine's first full appearance)
  • Death of Wolverine #1 – Director's Cut, which includes pages from the script for issue #1 with pencil, ink, and color versions of art from the first issue
----------------------------
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Sunday, January 26, 2014

I Reads You Review: THE INCREDIBLE HULK AND WOLVERINE #1

THE INCREDIBLE HULK AND WOLVERINE #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITERS: Len Wein, Mary Jo Duffy
PENCILS: Herb Trimpe, Ken Landgraf
INKS: Jack Abel, George Perez
COLORS: Christie Scheele
LETTERS: Artie Simek, Michael Higgins
EDITOR: Roy Thomas, Jim Shooter
EIC: Jim Shooter
COVER: John Byrne and Jack Abel with George Roussos
48pp, Color, $2.00 (October 1986)

In the summer of 1986, Marvel Comics published The Incredible Hulk and Wolverine #1.  This was a one-shot, single-issue comic book that reprinted The Incredible Hulk #180 and #181 (cover-dated November 1974).  Issue #180 (cover-dated October 1974) contained the first appearance of Wolverine, as a cameo in the final panel of the last page.  Issue #181 features the first full appearance of Wolverine.  Of course, Wolverine is a member of the X-Men and one of Marvel Comics’ most popular characters.

The Incredible Hulk and Wolverine #1 also includes the short story, “Wolverine and Hercules,” which originally appeared in Marvel Treasury Edition #26 (1980).  “Wolverine: The Evolution of a Character” is an essay at the back of this comic book.  It is written by former Marvel writer and editor, Peter Sanderson, and details the creation of Wolverine and also provides a fictional biography of the character.  This text piece includes spot illustrations and other art drawn by John Romita, Paul Smith and Joe Rubinstein; John Byrne and Terry Austin; John Romita, Jr. and Dan Green; and Frank Miller and Joe Rubinstein.

The Incredible Hulk #180 finds the Hulk returning to Canada.  There, deep in the Canadian woods, the emerald behemoth finds himself caught in a conspiracy involving Marie Cartier and Georges Baptiste.  Marie’s brother, Paul Cartier, bears the curse that transforms him into “the hideous cannibal beast,” known as the Wendigo.

Marie has devised a plan to transfer the Wendigo’s form to the Hulk.  Events don’t follow her planning once Hulk and Wendigo engage in an epic battle.  Meanwhile, at a top secret Royal Canadian Air Force Tracking Installation, military authorities are not about to allow the Hulk to rampage through Canada again.  They’re sending something called “Weapon X” to take care of the green giant.

The Incredible Hulk #181 begins with Wolverine revealing himself to the Hulk and the Wendigo and launching himself into their battle.  This three-way fight devolves into a death match between the Hulk and the Wolverine.  Meanwhile, Georges Baptiste makes a fateful decision about him and Marie Cartier’s plan to save her brother from the curse of the Wendigo.

When The Incredible Hulk and Wolverine #1 arrived on newsstands and in comic book shops, it gave me a chance to read the story in which Wolverine made his first appearance, and I was ecstatic about that opportunity.  I would read the story again in a single-issue facsimile reprint of The Incredible Hulk #181.

I long ago lost or sold my original copy of The Incredible Hulk and Wolverine #1, but a recent at sale at super comics retailer Mile High Comics’ website allowed me to get another copy.  I had forgotten that even with a $2.00 cover price, The Incredible Hulk and Wolverine #1 was just a cheapie reprint.  At a time when comic book publishers, large and small, were moving to heavier and whiter paper stocks, Marvel Comics printed The Incredible Hulk and Wolverine #1 on newsprint.  The print quality ranges from mediocre to tolerable, and the colors don’t “pop” off the page the way they do today.  With newsprint, things like details, borders, and lettering can fade or even not fully print.

I think that at the time this was originally published Marvel Comics was printing anything that would help with their market share and that could make a lot of money with little investment.  The Hulk stories here were bought and paid for over a decade earlier, and who knows if the creators got any royalty payments from this reprinting.  Like I said, high return on low investment.

That aside, I like these old Hulk comics.  Writer Len Wein’s ability to create a compelling story out of monster comics and supernatural melodrama is a sign of the skill that made him a standout comic book creator and editor in the 1970s and 1980s.  Penciller Herb Trimpe, one of my favorites, mixes the dynamism and fury of Jack Kirby (who was obviously an influence on Trimpe) with the cartoon mysticism of Steve Ditko.  This is classic comic book art and graphical storytelling – monster comics and mystic mumbo-jumbo.

It is also fun to look at this early Wolverine-in-the-raw, which is practically nothing like what the character would become in the decades that followed his first appearance.  So I grade this comic book not on the cheap newsprint reproduction, but on the fun old comics.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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




Saturday, October 5, 2013

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.