Showing posts with label Paul Levitz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paul Levitz. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

I Reads You Juniors: September 2022 - Update #53

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon.

NEWS:

COMICS - From CBR:  Spanish comic book artist, Carlos Pacheco, has revealed that he has been diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease" (named after the famous New York Yankees legend who died of it).  Pacheco is best known for the maxi-series, "Avengers Forever" and for his work on titles featuring such characters as Captain America, the Justice League, and the X-Men.

DARK HORSE COMICS TO TV - From Deadline: Netflix has decided not to go forward with its 8-episode series based on Matt Wagner's "Grendel" comic book.  Apparently, the bulk of the series has already been filmed, but the producers can shop the series around.

MANGA - From BleedingCoolYen Press will publish an English-language edition of the manga, "The Summer Hikaru Died," from creator Mokumokuren. Both the manga and its creator are rising in popularity. Yen Press will announce the release date sometime in the future.

COMICS - From NBCWashington:  Thieves steal tens of thousands of dollars worth of rare comic books from Victory Comics in Falls Church, Virginia.

DC COMICS - From MSNCBR:   DC Comics will give it another try with a six-issue miniseries, "The Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives," due this December.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Former DC Comics' boss Paul Levitz is writing his first comic book series for Marvel Comics.  It is a limited series, "Avengers War Across Time," and it is set during the early days of the Avengers.  Alan Davis will draw the comic book.

DC CINEMA - From Variety:  In a surprise bit of news, Warner Bros. announced that it is making a sequel to its 2005 film, Constantine, with Keanu Reeves returning as John Constantine.  The HBO Max TV series that was being developed by J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot has apparently been scrapped.

DC TV - From TVLine:   Actor Chad L. Coleman will play DC Comics villain, "Bruno Mannheim," on the third season of The CW's "Superman & Lois."  Coleman previously played "Tobias Church" on The CW's "Arrow."

EN MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool:  Comic book artist, Eric Jones, has died at the age of 51, Saturday, September 10, 2021.  He was the frequent collaborator of writer Landry Q. Jones.  Together, they created the comic books, "Little Gloomy" (Slave Labor Graphics) and "Danger Club" (Image Comics).  Jones and Walker also produced the six-issue miniseries, "Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the Eighth Grade."

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  September 17th marks "Batman Day 2022, and there will be a global celebration.

DC FILM - From DCBlog:  There is a new trailer for DC Film's "Black Adam," which is due in theaters Oct. 21st.

IMAGE COMICS TO TV - From CBRAmazon has cancelled its Prime Video television series adaptation of "Paper Girls," the graphic novel series from writer Brian K. Vaughn and artist Cliff Chiang.  Series production company, Legendary Television, will shop "Paper Girls" around to other outlets.

EN MEMORIAM - From TCJ:  Comics artist and underground cartoonist, Diane Noomin, has died at the age of 75, Thursday, September 1, 2022.  She was the editor of the anthology title, "Twisted Sisters," and her work appeared in Underground Comix titles such as "Wimmen's Comix," "Young Lust," and "Weirdo."  Her best known comics character was "Didi Glitz," which first appeared in "Short Order Comix #2 (1974).  Noomin's spouse was acclaimed American cartoonist, Bill Griffith, the creator of comic strip character, "Zippy the Pinhead."

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics announces its latest round of "Stormbreakers," eight artists who will receive exclusive contracts.

IMAGE COMICS - From Variety:  Comic book writer Rodney Barnes, of "Killadelphia" and "Nita Hawes' Nightmare Blog," and the upcoming "Blacula" original graphic novel, has made "Variety's" list of the most impactful producers of scripted TV for the year 2022.  Barnes co-wrote and was one of the executive producers of HBO's hit miniseries, "Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty."

DC TV - From DCBlog: "Stargirl" star, Brec Bassinger, talks about the upcoming third season of The CW series based on the DC Comics charactere.

MARVEL - From Marvel:  Marvel Comics celebrates "Letterer Appreciation Day 2022."

DC COMICS - From Deadline:  DC Comics' virtual event, "DC Fandome," is not happening this year.

HELP - From BleedingCool:  There is a public appeal by Neil Gaiman and others to help raise money for former Vertigo Comics writer, Rachel Pollack ("Doom Patrol").

LGBTQ+ - From Time:  Author Maia Kobabe expresses relief because a court ruled that sale of eir (their) graphic novel, "Gender Queer," cannot be restricted in Virginia.

MARVEL - From THR:  The site has a first look at Alex Ross' upcoming graphic novel, "Fantastic Four: Full Color" (Abrams ComicsArts/Marvel Arts) and interviews the artist.

FRANK MILLER - From BleedingCool:  The "Frank Miller Presents" ashcan will get a second printing.  It had a 12,000 first printing which was allocated to comic book stores.

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AUGUST 2022 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Asylum Press for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Behemoth Comics for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  BOOM Studios for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  CEX Publishing for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Comic House for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "A.X.E.: Judgement Day solicitations for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Seven Seas Entertainment for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  TOKYOPOP for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for August 2022
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for August 2022

SEPTEMBER 2022 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Aftershock Comics for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Artists Elite Presents for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  AWA for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  CEX Publishing for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics solicitations for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  It's Alive for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Lev Gleason for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Seven Seas Entertainment for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  TOKYOPOP for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for September 2022
From BleedingCool:  Z2 for September 2022

OCTOBER 2022 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  Black Mask Studios for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  CEX Publishing for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  It's Alive for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Star Wars" for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  Opus Comics for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  Seven Seas Entertainment for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  Sumerian Comics for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  TOKYOPOP for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  Whatnot Publishing for October 2022
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for October 2022

NOVEMBER 2022 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  Black Box for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  Black Mask Studios Entertaiment for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics LLC for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  Fairsquare Comics LLC for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  Frank Miller Presents for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  Kodansha Comics for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for November 2022
From CBR:  Marvel Comics for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  Opus Comics for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion/2000AD for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  Seven Seas Entertainment for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  Sumerian Comics for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  Tokyopop for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  Whatnot Publishing for November 2022
From BleedingCool:  Zenescope Entertainment for November 2022

DECEMBER 2022 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for December 2022
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Cold War" event for December 2022

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Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Review: THE KAMANDI CHALLENGE #12

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

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

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

Rated “T” for Teen

Kamandi created by Jack Kirby

[Afterword by Paul Levitz]

“The Boundless Realm”

Created by Jack Kirby, Kamandi, The Last Boy on Earth was a comic book series published by DC Comics in the 1970s.  Running from 1972 to 1978, the series starred Kamandi, a teenaged boy in a post-apocalyptic future.  In this time, humans have been reduced back to savagery in a world ruled by intelligent, highly evolved animals.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

5 out of 10

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


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

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Monday, July 16, 2018

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 18, 2018

DARK HORSE COMICS

MAR180106    BLADE OF IMMORTAL OMNIBUS TP VOL 06 (MR)    $21.99
MAR180061    BROOKLYN BLOOD TP    $17.99
MAR180094    BTVS SEASON 10 LIBRARY HC VOL 01    $29.99
MAY180358    BTVS SEASON 12 THE RECKONING #2 (OF 4) CVR A HANS    $3.99
MAY180359    BTVS SEASON 12 THE RECKONING #2 (OF 4) CVR B VAR JEANTY    $3.99
MAY180360    BTVS SEASON 12 THE RECKONING #2 (OF 4) CVR C VAR NOTO ULTRA    $3.99
MAR180062    DEPT H HC VOL 04 LIFEBOAT    $19.99
MAR180037    DORK HC    $19.99
MAY180338    ETHER COPPER GOLEMS #3 (OF 5) CVR A RUBIN    $3.99
MAY180339    ETHER COPPER GOLEMS #3 (OF 5) CVR B VAR MARTIN    $3.99
JAN180159    FATE ZERO TP VOL 06 (MR)    $11.99
MAR180112    GAME OF THRONES QUOTES COASTER SET    $9.99
MAR180113    GAME OF THRONES QUOTES MAGNET SET    $8.99
FEB180050    GO TEAM VENTURE HC ART & MAKING OF VENTURE BROS (RES)    $39.99
MAR180085    HELLBOY OMNIBUS TP VOL 03 THE WILD HUNT    $24.99
MAR180060    ROME WEST TP    $15.99
MAR180023    SHAOLIN COWBOY START TREK HC    $24.99
MAY180374    WITCHFINDER GATES OF HEAVEN #3 (OF 5) (MR)    $3.99

Friday, October 2, 2015

Review: DOCTOR FATE #1

DOCTOR FATE #1 (2015)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Paul Levitz
ART: Sonny Liew
COLORS: Lee Loughridge
LETTERS: Nick J. Napolitano
COVER: Sonny Liew
VARIANT COVER: Ibrahim Moustafa
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (August 2015)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

“Blood of the Pharaohs”

Doctor Fate created by Gardner Fox and Hal Sherman

Doctor Fate is a DC Comics magical superhero character that has had several incarnations.  The original version of Doctor Fate was created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Howard Sherman, and first appeared in More Fun Comics #55 (cover dated:  May 1940).

The “DCYou” publishing initiative offers a new version of Fate and a new Doctor Fate series.  The new comic book is produced by writer Paul Levitz and artist Sonny LiewLee Loughridge is the colorist and Nick J. Napolitano is the letterer.

Doctor Fate #1 (“Blood of the Pharaohs”) opens on Shore Parkway, Brooklyn, where we meet Anubis, the Egyptian Lord of Dead in the form of a mangy-looking dog.  He has launched a plan to restore “the Maat” (“the order of things”), and that involves flooding the world to wash the civilization of mankind away.  And the rain/deluge has begun...

However, Bastet, an Anubis rival, has found the human who must wear the helmet of Fate and preserve the Maat before the flood takes it all.  He is an overwhelmed Brooklyn medical student named Khalid Nelson.  Is he ready to take on such responsibility without even an instruction manual to guide him?

I placed Doctor Fate at the end of my reading slush pile of “DCYou” launches.  I have read very few Doctor Fate comic books over the years, and I have generally found them not to my liking.  Plus, the cover for this new Doctor Fate #1 is unappealing to me to say the least.

Yes, yes:  I know.  Don't judge a book by its cover.  Doctor Fate #1 is quite intriguing.  I think it has potential, and I certainly enjoyed reading this first issue.  In fact, I think this is the most I have enjoyed anything written by Paul Levitz that he didn't write over 30 years ago.  The first issue is like one of the first chapters of a manga that gives the reader the basics about the hero, as well as a little about the opposition in about 20 pages.

The art and storytelling by artist Sonny Liew is just write for what seems like a quirky take on both Fate and also on magic and the supernatural in the DC Universe.  The storytelling is mostly clear and straightforward even when the art turns a bit eccentric.  I'm ready for a second issue of Doctor Fate.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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


Wednesday, September 18, 2013

2013 Harvey Award Winners Complete List

Comic Professionals Honor Peers at the 2013 Harvey Awards Banquet

Comic Professionals came together Saturday night, September 7, 2013 to honor their peers during the presentation of the 2013 Harvey Awards.

The 2013 Harvey Awards were sponsored by presenting Sponsor Guinness; Platinum Sponsors Baltimore Comic-Con and Cards, Comics & Collectibles; Gold Sponsors Boom! Studios, DC Entertainment, Third Eye Comics; Silver Sponsors ComicMix, Comic WOW!, Geppi's Entertainment Museum, Insight Studios; Friend Sponsors Steve Conley's Bloop, Fantastic Forum, Graphitti Designs, and Painted Visions Comics, Cards & Games; and Gift Bag Sponsors Abrams ComicArts, BOOM! Studios, Dark Horse, DC Entertainment, Dynamite Entertainment, Fantastic Forum, Honest Tea, IDW Publishing, Popfun Collectibles, Random House publishing, Scholastic, and Valiant. The banquette to honor those nominated and the winners in more than 20 categories was hosted by the Baltimore Comic-Con and Cards, Comics & Collectibles.

Named in honor of Harvey Kurtzman, the Harvey Awards recognize outstanding achievement in the field of comics, and is the only industry award both nominated and selected by comic professionals. First awarded in 1988, it is one the industries oldest and most respected awards.

Writer Bill Willingham, best know as the scribe of Vertigo's Fables, acted as host and Master of Ceremonies for this year's event.

Special thanks go to the sponsors who generously donated to the 2013 Harvey Gift Bags, including: Abrams ComicArts; BOOM! Studios; Dark Horse Comics; DC Entertainment; Dynamite Entertainment; Fantastic Forum; Honest Tea; IDW Publishing; Popfun Collectibles; Random House Publishing; Scholastic Books; and Valiant Entertainment.

The 2013 Harvey Award winners include:

Best Original Graphic Album:  RICHARD STARK'S PARKER: THE SCORE, IDW

Best Continuing or Limited Series:  SAGA, Image Comics

Best Writer:  Brian K. Vaughan, SAGA, Image Comics

Best Artist:  Fiona Staples, SAGA, Image Comics

Best Cartoonist:  Jaime Hernandez, LOVE AND ROCKETS: NEW STORIES

Best Single Issue or Story:  SAGA # 1, Image Comics

Best Letterer:  Todd Klein, FABLES, DC Comics

Best Colorist:  Fiona Staples, SAGA, Image Comics

Best Syndicated Strip or Panel:  DICK TRACY, Joe Staton and Mike Curtis, Tribune Media Services

Best Online Comics Work:  BATTLEPUG, Mike Norton, http://www.battlepug.com/

Best American Edition of Foreign Material:  BLACKSAD: A SILENT HELL, Dark Horse

Best Inker:  Klaus Janson, CAPTAIN AMERICA, Marvel Comics

Best New Series:  SAGA, Image Comics

Most Promising New Talent:  Dennis Hopeless, AVENGERS ARENA, Marvel Comics

Special Award for Humor in Comics:  Ryan North, ADVENTURE TIME, KaBOOM! Studios

Best Original Graphic Publication for Younger Readers:  ADVENTURE TIME, KaBOOM! Studios

Best Graphic Album Previously Published:  ALIEN: THE ILLUSTRATED STORY, Titan Books

Best Anthology:  DARK HORSE PRESENTS, various, Dark Horse

Best Domestic Reprint Project:  DAVID MAZZUCHELLI'S DAREDEVIL BORN AGAIN: ARTIST'S EDITION, IDW

Best Cover Artist:  David Aja, HAWKEYE, Marvel Comics

Best Biographical, Historical or Journalistic Presentation:  ROBOT 6 WEBSITE, Comic Book Resources

Special Award for Excellence in Presentation:  BUILDING STORIES, Chris Ware, Pantheon Books

Dick Giordano Humanitarian of the Year Award:  Paul Levitz

Hero Initiative Lifetime Achievement Award: Sal Buscema

In addition, the Baltimore Comic-Con would like to thank those individuals who presented at this year's award ceremony, including: Joe Staton, Roger Langridge, Mark Buckingham, Ron Frenz, Dinesh Shamdasani, Bob Chapman, Josh Adams, Ramona Fradon, Mark Waid, Steve Geppi, Joe Hill, Dean Haspiel, Terry Moore, Neal Adams, Dan Parent, and Stan Sakai.  We would also like to thank Mark Wheatley for his contributions to our voting ballots, program guide for the evening, and awards ceremony presentation, and Glenn Hauman for his "web mastery".

The Baltimore Comic will host the Harvey Awards for the ninth year during the 15th annual show, taking place September 5-7, 2014.

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

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

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

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

registrar@baltimorecomiccon.com - for inquiries about submitted registrations

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

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

About The Baltimore Comic-Con
The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 14th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com.

About The Harvey Awards
The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards. With a history of over 25 years, the last 7 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories. They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. For more information, please visit www.harveyawards.org


Sunday, July 14, 2013

DC Comics Announces 2013 San Diego Comic-Con Plans

DC Entertainment Unleashes Impressive Slate of Stellar Events at Comic-Con International: San Diego 2013

Superman 75th Anniversary Celebration of World’s Greatest Super Hero Continues

Neil Gaiman Awakens THE SANDMAN For All-New Series

Journey To The Dark Side As Villains Take Over DC COMICS - THE NEW 52

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DC Entertainment, home to the World’s Greatest Super Heroes and the most talented writers and artists in the business, announced today it will storm Comic-Con International: San Diego 2013 with an impressive line-up of events, announcements and giveaways that promise to amaze fans and continue to cement its position as a leader in the comic book industry.

The largest English-language publisher and the leader in digital comics innovation, DC Entertainment will conquer Comic-Con with a selection of can’t-miss events. Fans can look forward to an unprecedented celebration of the greatest and most iconic hero in history, Superman – including a look at the best-selling new series SUPERMAN UNCHAINED and the return of Neil Gaiman’s acclaimed Vertigo series with THE SANDMAN: OVERTURE, featuring the breathtaking artwork of J.H. Williams III. But the San Diego fireworks don’t end there, as DC Entertainment will be giving fans a sneak peek at the dark future within DC COMICS - THE NEW 52 and unveiling the JUSTICE LEAGUE KIA car featuring custom artwork from DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Jim Lee to benefit the WE CAN BE HEROES giving campaign, and more.

DC Entertainment’s interactive 4,500 square foot booth (#1915) will take flight this year with a staggering collection of Superman costumes highlighting the Super Hero’s various eras and donned by actors including Henry Cavill, Christopher Reeve, Dean Cain and Tom Welling. The costume gallery anchors a booth that also boasts video game demos, creator signings, a special fan green-screen photo area, giveaways and exclusive video footage.

Plus, with a schedule packed with over 15 panels, DC Entertainment is set to deliver to fans a stellar collection of appearances, announcements and events.

•All hail the world’s first Super Hero as Superman celebrates 75 years! DC Entertainment will join its partners across Warner Bros. Entertainment to salute the most revered and influential comic book character of all time with a slew of must-see events in celebration of both the Man of Steel’s history – including a special Superman 75 panel featuring an all-star roster of guests, including Jack Larson (the original Jimmy Olsen from Adventures of Superman), first-time Comic-Con panelist Tim Daly (Superman: The Animated Series) and reigning animated Supergirl Molly Quinn (Castle) to comics luminaries Paul Levitz, Grant Morrison and Dan Jurgens plus talent from the current blockbuster, “Man of Steel,” and a first look at the animated short chronicling the character’s rich history, produced by “Man of Steel” director Zack Snyder – plus more information on the powerhouse comic book series SUPERMAN UNCHAINED from acclaimed artist Jim Lee and writer Scott Snyder.

•Be there as the legendary Neil Gaiman offers fans a first look at his return to the comic book series that launched his career with Vertigo’s THE SANDMAN: OVERTURE. Brought to life by renowned artist J.H. Williams III, the new 6-issue miniseries set for release on October 30, will also be the subject of an all-star panel featuring Gaiman, Williams and artists Dave McKean and Sam Kieth.

•Dive into Vertigo’s upcoming slate of genre-defying titles - including the dark fantasy COFFIN HILL, the epic adventure HINTERKIND, the post-apocalyptic SUICIDERS, THE SANDMAN spin-off THE DEAD BOY DETECTIVES, and the erotic thriller THE DISCIPLINE, along with the return of the fan-favorite series from Scott Snyder and Rafael Albuquerque, AMERICAN VAMPIRE.

•Terror takes over when Villains Month hits in September. Get an inside look at the shocking events facing our heroes as the first DC COMICS – THE NEW 52 universe-wide event is unleashed. The event, spearheaded by the 7-issue FOREVER EVIL series by superstar writer Geoff Johns with art by the incredibly talented David Finch will also feature 52 jaw-dropping villain-centric titles boasting 3-D Motion covers. Fans will also be able to delve into the structure of this summer’s Justice League event Trinity War with a whiteboard animation video narrated by Johns, which will be showcased at the DC Entertainment booth. Plus, fans can get an early look at “Necessary Evil: Super-Villains of DC Comics,” an all-new documentary to be teased along with a panel headed by Johns, Kevin Shinick (Robot Chicken), Andrea Romano (Batman: The Animated Series) and Scott Porter (Friday Night Lights).

•Don’t miss DC Entertainment’s display of seven Justice League-inspired KIA cars (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg) featuring custom automobile detailing and artwork by legendary artist Jim Lee at the Interactive Zone at Petco Park, Official Comic-Con Partner. Comic-Con will mark the unveiling of the centerpiece to the collection – the JUSTICE LEAGUE KIA – to be auctioned off to benefit the WE CAN BE HEROES giving campaign to help fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.

•DC Entertainment, firmly established as the industry leader in digital comics, will debut its first-ever panel dedicated to the space – slated to reveal new art, innovations and an all-star cast behind some of DC Comics Digital’s most popular releases including BATMAN ’66, INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US, SMALLVILLE SEASON 11, LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT, ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN, BATMAN: LI’L GOTHAM, and BATMAN BEYOND!

•Fans will be able to pick up a wide offering of exclusive items only available at this year’s Comic-Con - including variant cover editions of some of DC Comics’ most popular series JUSTICE LEAGUE, BATMAN, SUPERMAN UNCHAINED, and BATMAN ’66, along with five new DC Collectibles items like the Aardman: Superman Action Figure, a three-pack of Super Best Friends Forever Action Figures, Batman Arkham City: Hugo Strange, a “Man of Steel” 1:6 scale Icon Statue black costume variant and DC Comics’ Super Heroes of Green Lantern four-pack.

•Superman gets an altogether different take in the fractured alternate universe of Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox, the highly anticipated DC Universe Animated Original Movie to premiere Friday at Comic-Con.

•Get an inside look at INSIDE MAD, the hugely anticipated forthcoming collection from “The Usual Gang Of Idiots” at MAD Magazine and get a dose of the magazine’s wit and snark at the annual MAD panel – orchestrated by Editor John Ficarra and a side-splitting cast of characters.

Can’t make the Con? DC Entertainment’s website is the go-to place for behind the scenes coverage and in-depth interviews. Visit the “Con Away From Con” page at http://www.conawayfromcon.com.

About DC Entertainment:
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world. In January 2012, DC Entertainment, in collaboration with Warner Bros. and Time Warner divisions, launched We Can Be Heroes—a giving campaign featuring the iconic Justice League Super Heroes—to raise awareness and funds to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.


Friday, September 28, 2012

Albert Avilla Reviews: World’s Finest # 0

World’s Finest # 0
DC Comics

Reviewed by Albert Avilla

Writer: Paul Levitz
Artists: Kevin Maguire, Wes Craig
Cover: Kevin Maguire and Rosemary Cheetham

I feel that an opportunity was lost. There is a good story somewhere in here. This falls short of what I expect out of my Bat-stories. Batman against putting someone in the line of fire… really? Really? I was expecting more of the dark side in this story or should I say the Cat side? Batman should have had this girl ready for action in every way possible; we are talking about Mr. Be-Prepared-for-anything. Huntress gets introduced to crime fighting by beating up two common street thugs. Crank up the danger, a band of ninjas or meta-powered foe; make us think the girl was risking her life. This Huntress didn’t have that gangsta about her that I’m used to seeing. No mean streak. She has a computer in her wrist band, but she's not equipped with a gas mask. I thought that was standard equipment in the utility belt.

I'm all about the old school Power Girl: so let's not even go there. She will be missed, men. This was the biggest wuss of a Batman to ever be printed. His wife is murdered and his daughter is rushing into danger, and he calls Superman for help. The Batman that I know would have dragged his broken body into the facility and did his own ass-kicking. I’m starting to nit pick now.

Two other things I did not like for aesthetic reasons only are Huntress’s ponytail and that ghastly Bat suit. Bruce should ask for his money back. Huntress’ costume had zero sex appeal. Now that I think about it, Dick Grayson's Robin costume was sexier than this most major fail in character design since the New Mutants’ Cannonball with the goggles.

The story ended with "looks like you had an awful day" and "We're going to be friends forever." Come on. Not “‘expletive’ they killed your Mom.” “I got your back. Let’s hunt these ‘expletives’ down.” Even more words that would make a rapper blush, and “let’s waste these ‘even more filthy words’.” I’m just saying end the story with some fire; not with two kick-ass heroines looking like my six-year-old daughter after her puppy died from a hit run by the cops. I read this story in about ten minutes with it leaving no lasting impression on me. Thanks for small favors.

The art was adequate, but no amount of artistic ability could have saved this book. The Superman scenes were great, but the orange hue of the rest of the pages turned me off.

I rate World's Finest #0 – Don't Waste Your Time and Cash.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

The New 52 Review: LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #1

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #1
DC COMICS

WRITER: Paul Levitz
ARTIST: Francis Portela
COLORS: Javier Mena
LETTERS: Pat Brosseau
COVER: Karl Kerschl
32pp, Color, $2.99

The Legion of Super-Heroes is a DC Comics superhero team whose adventures are set the 30th and 31st centuries of the DC Comics Universe. The team first appeared in Adventure Comics #247 (cover date April 1958) and was created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino.

In that comic book, the original Superboy meets three teenagers from the 30th century: Lightning Boy, Saturn Girl, and Cosmic Boy, who were members of a “super-hero club,” called the Legion of Super-Heroes. The trio formed the club with Superboy as an inspiration, and for a long time, the Legion was closely associated with Superboy (the version that was Superman as a teenager).

With the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line, “The New 52,” the Legion of Super-Heroes gets a new series (in what seems like the tenth time in 10 years). Legion of Super-Heroes #1 (“Renegade World”) finds members of the Legion on Panoptes, a military “Watchworld,” from where the United Planets keeps an eye on the Dominators’ Empire. Now, there is a problem and contact with Panoptes has been lost. Chameleon Boy, Dragonwing, Phantom Girl, Ultra Boy, and Chemical Kid embark on a stealth mission to discover if anything is wrong on Panoptes. Something is.

I was an avid Legion of Super-Heroes reader from the mid to late 1980s, and, of course, my favorite writer of Legion adventures was Paul Levitz. This first issue of the new Legion of Super-Heroes series is written by Levitz, although I didn’t find anything here that reminded me of the good old days. Half of this issue is a collection of scenes offered to catch readers up on the Legion, but there isn’t much story in these scenes. The Panoptes plotline is actually good, and I wish more of this issue had been devoted to it.

The art, which is a joint venture by Francis Portela (pencils/inks) and Javier Mena (colors) is quite pretty. The colors shimmer like a candied kaleidoscope, and the compositions and quality of the drawing are tight with few cracks. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a strong and long-lasting Legion of Super-Heroes series.

B+

September 21st
BATMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/batman-1.html
BLUE BEETLE #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/blue-beetle-1.html
CATWOMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/catwoman-1.html
DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/dc-comics-presents-1.html
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/green-lantern-corps-1.html
NIGHTWING #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/nightwing-1.html
RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/red-hood-and-outlaws-1.html
SUPERGIRL #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/10/supergirl-1.html
WONDER WOMAN #1
http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/2011/09/wonder-woman-1.html

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 9 2011

DC COMICS

JAN110404 ALL NEW BATMAN THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #5 $2.99

JAN110280 BATGIRL #19 $2.99

JAN110271 BATMAN AND ROBIN #21 $2.99

NOV100164 BATMAN INCORPORATED #3 $2.99

JAN110279 BIRDS OF PREY #10 $2.99

JAN110296 BOOSTER GOLD #42 $2.99

JAN110421 CINDERELLA FABLES ARE FOREVER #2 (OF 6) (MR) $2.99

JAN110300 DOC SAVAGE #12 $2.99

JAN110302 DOOM PATROL #20 $2.99

NOV100227 GOTHAM CENTRAL HC VOL 04 CORRIGAN $29.99

DEC100248 GOTHAM CENTRAL TP BOOK 01 IN THE LINE OF DUTY $19.99

JUN100297 HEROES OF THE DCU BLACKEST NIGHT HAL JORDAN BUST $70.00

JAN110409 INFAMOUS #1 (OF 6) $2.99

JAN110427 IZOMBIE #11 (MR) $2.99

JAN110307 JSA ALL STARS #16 $2.99

JAN110247 JUSTICE LEAGUE GENERATION LOST #21 (BRIGHTEST DAY) $2.99

JAN110297 LEGION OF SUPER VILLAINS #1 $4.99

DEC100186 OUTSIDERS #37 (DOOMSDAY) $2.99

JAN110289 SUPERBOY #5 $2.99

JAN110313 TITANS #33 $2.99

JAN110317 VERTIGO RESURRECTED FINALS #1 (MR) $7.99

JAN110414 VICTORIAN UNDEAD II HOLMES VS DRACULA #5 (OF 5) $2.99

JAN110314 WEIRD WORLDS #3 (OF 6) $3.99

DEC100219 WONDER WOMAN #608 $2.99

APR100323 WORLD OF WARCRAFT LICH KING ARTHAS DLX FIGURE PI

DEC100241 ZATANNA #10 $2.99

DEC100255 ZATANNA MISTRESS OF MAGIC TP $17.99

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Leroy Douresseaux on Legion of Super-Heroes The Great Darkness Saga The Deluxe Edition




DC COMICS
WRITER: Paul Levitz
PENCILS: Keith Giffen with Pat Broderick, Howard Bender, Carmine Infantino
INKS: Larry Mahlstedt with Bruce D. Patterson, Rodin Rodriguez, Dave Hunt
COLORS: Carl Gafford, Gene D’Angelo
LETTERS: John Costanza, Bruce D. Patterson, Ben Oda, Adam Kubert, Annette Kawecki, Todd Klein, Janice Chiang
COVER: Keith Giffen and Al Milgrom with Drew R. Moore
ISBN: 978-14012-2961-0; hardcover
416pp, Color, $39.99 U.S., $47.99

If there are superhero comic book stories that deserve to be called legendary, then, The Great Darkness Saga is legendary. It may be the most famous Legion of Super-Heroes comic book storyline, and DC Comics is bringing The Great Darkness Saga, first published in the early 1980s, back to print.

No, make that DC Comics is celebrating The Great Darkness Saga with a new book, Legion of Super-Heroes: The Great Darkness Saga The Deluxe Edition. This 416-page (7.25in x 11in) hardcover reprints Legion of Super-Heroes #284-296 and Legion of Super-Heroes Annual 1. The Great Darkness Saga started in #290 and ended in the double-sized #294, but the event was foreshadowed before it actually began in a half-year’s worth of Legion of Super-Heroes comic books. After the end of the epic, the series continued to deal with the repercussions on the Legionnaires.

Written by Paul Levitz and largely drawn by penciller Keith Giffen and inker Larry Mahlstedt, The Great Darkness Saga is basically about the Legion of Super-Heroes war against the forces of Darkseid. The New God quietly reawakens in the 30th century and hatches a complicated, but ingenious plan to both revive his powers and to finally conquer the universe and subvert it to darkness.

Unaware, the Legion of Super-Heroes is in a state of flux with retirements and resignations, and also with Legionnaires moving to reserve status. Older members find themselves feeling replaced by newer members and also dealing with their own adult issues and midlife-like problems. Personal problems become team problems, and personal and professional failings take a toll on the team. When Darkseid’s minions attack, the Legion basically wakes up with their lives like a house on fire.

The Great Darkness Saga was of its time and ahead of its time. The character drama and storylines captured the best elements of two of the most popular comic book series of the time, Chris Claremont’s soap operatic Uncanny X-Men and Marv Wolfman’s emerging New Teen Titans. As the story gets deeper into the conflict with Darkseid, the Legion of Super-Heroes basically establishes the template for series-wide and company-wide crossover events that are common today.

In a more compact manner and with fewer characters (although there are lots of Legionnaires) than most crossover events, Paul Levitz takes readers across the 30th century version of the DC Universe to experience a super powers fight club, in which the superheroes try to stop their existence-as-they-know-it from blinking out in favor of eternal darkness. Levitz deftly balances sustained battles with electrifying, fleeting glimpses at other clashes. This epic is the stencil for Crisis on Infinite Earths and its children; one might even recognize Marvel Comics Secret Invasion in this.

One also cannot help but be impressed by how Keith Giffen and Larry Mahlstedt drew this without the art ever looking hurried or rushed. There is a consistency to the storytelling, and the compositions, also stunningly consistent, are impeccable in their professionalism.

What would a grand hardcover collection of classic comics be without some extras? Legion of Super-Heroes: The Great Darkness Saga The Deluxe Edition offers the standard sketchbook material and bonus cover art, but by far the best extra – the one that really makes this collection – is the inclusion of Levitz’s plot for issue #290, the opening chapter of Darkness. This detailed plot breakdown (one paragraph for each page) will be a treat for Legion fans and of importance for those who want to write superhero comic books.

The Great Darkness Saga was popular at the time of its publication, but because it was so ahead of its time that it seems of this time; so it deserves the deluxe treatment. Legion of Super-Heroes: The Great Darkness Saga The Deluxe Edition is one of those pricey books that should have place in the home of every reader of superhero comic books.

A+


Monday, September 14, 2009

ICv2 Interviews Diane Nelson and Paul Levitz

Industry and retailer website, ICv2 interviews former President and Publisher of DC Comics, Paul Levitz, and new President of DC Entertainment, Diane Nelson. I found this part of the conversation interesting:

ICv2: Part of our audience is the comic store proprietors. Diane, could you tell us your impressions of the comic store channel, and what you think about its role for DC Comics and in the larger picture of DC Entertainment?

Diane Nelson: This is an area that first of all, admittedly, I have a lot more to learn about. I also am very aware that in my colleague Paul I have someone who understands that channel better than almost anyone. My focus is going to necessarily need to be how do we protect the core business and by extension the retailers who are the foundation of that, while also looking to build and grow the business for the future. I certainly appreciate the cultural and business value that those stores, their owners, and their customers provide for this whole business. And what that looks like for the future is going to take a whole lot of conversation with lots of people, not the least of whom is Paul.

Paul also answered that question, but my interest is in Nelson's response. Basically, her semi-answer was just a repeat of what industry people usually say. If Nelson wants to "build and grow the business for the future," she needs to address issues of diversification - both in what DC publishes and who produces it - and also how DC deals with creators, especially regarding copyright ownership and intellectual property rights matters.

For whatever new ideas Levitz may have introduced to the Direct Market, he ran DC Comics as if the company were still publishing comic books that appealed to guys who belonged mostly to whatever demographic groups he belongs.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Paul Levitz Returns to Legion of Super-Heroes

Legion fans must be in hog heaven! On Wednesday, one of the postings at The Source, DC Comics' official blog, was a message from DC Comics Executive Editor Dan DiDio informing readers that Paul Levitz is to become editor and writer of Adventure Comics, the current home of the Legion of Super-Heroes.

The text of DiDio's message:

You may have heard that Paul Levitz will be once again adding his considerable talent, drive and creativity to our ever expanding universe as a regular DC Comics writer.

So, what’s his first writing assignment?

Paul is returning to the title he made great as both a writer and editor, ADVENTURE COMICS, and with his eyes set to the future, he brings several of his favorite characters with him. ADVENTURE is the first in a number of projects, both ongoing and mini-series that Paul will be taking on as he joins of our list of top notch creators here at DC.

As Executive Editor, and as a fan, I can’t wait for him to get started. [END]

Until he stepped down recently, Levitz was the President and Publisher of DC Comics. Levitz wrote Legion stories for about three years in the mid-1970s, beginning with Superboy #225. Levitz returned to the Legion with Legion of Super-Heroes #281. He continued writing the Legion through their relaunch in 1984 with a new #1 issue and wrote that series until #63.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Deadline Hollywood on that Paul Levitz Story (I Reads You Juniors Extra)

Apparently Nikke Finke at Deadline Hollywood broke a lot of the Paul Levitz-stepping-down-at-DC story. In her story on Wednesday morning, Finke offered details surrounding the changes at DC Comics, as well as info on some DC comics film projects.

Didn't know that Christopher Nolan is apparently working on back-to-back film projects before he starts on his third Batman movie.

Polishing Knobs for Dummies by Rich Johnston - An I Reads You Juniors Extra

Over at his blog, Bleeding Cool, Rich Johnston offers a brief history of now former Publisher and President of DC Comics Paul Levitz's career. DC officially announced earlier today that Levitz is stepping down from those two positions.

Johnston insists that this career overview is not a eulogy, which is a good thing it isn't. If someone giving a eulogy were to brown nose the body of the deceased the way Johnston is wedging his nose up Levitz's ass, he would be arrested for necrophilia.

Paul Levitz Steps Down at DC, Diane Nelson to Head Reconfigured Company

A "Bad Signal" email just came in from Warren Ellis with shocking, breaking news. Ellis' email contained a link to the Vertigo blog at DC Comics' website. I'm pasting the top third of the blog, written by David Hyde, here:

WARNER BROS. CREATES DC ENTERTAINMENT

Diane Nelson to Serve as President, DC Entertainment

Paul Levitz to Segue from President & Publisher of DC ComicsTo Writer, Contributing Editor and Overall Consultant to DC Entertainment

(Dateline – Burbank, CA) Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (WBEI) has created DC Entertainment Inc., a new company founded to fully realize the power and value of the DC Comics brand and characters across all media and platforms, to be run by Diane Nelson, it was announced today by Barry Meyer, Chairman & CEO, and Alan Horn, President & COO, Warner Bros.

DC Entertainment, a separate division of WBEI, will be charged with strategically integrating the DC Comics business, brand and characters deeply into Warner Bros. Entertainment and all its content and distribution businesses. DC Entertainment, which will work with each of the Warner Bros. divisions, will also tap into the tremendous expertise the Studio has in building and sustaining franchises and prioritize DC properties as key titles and growth drivers across all of the Studio, including feature films, television, interactive entertainment, direct-to-consumer platforms and consumer products. The DC Comics publishing business will remain the cornerstone of DC Entertainment, releasing approximately 90 comic books through its various imprints and 30 graphic novels a month and continuing to build on its creative leadership in the comic book industry.In her new role, Nelson will report to Jeff Robinov, President, Warner Bros. Pictures Group, in order to best capitalize on DC Entertainment’s theatrical development and production activities and their importance to drive its overall business with each of the divisions of Warner Bros.

Nelson will bring her expertise and more than 20 years’ experience in creative brand management, strategic marketing and content development and production to ensuring DC Entertainment’s dual mission of marshalling Warner Bros.’ resources to maximize the potential of the DC brand while remaining respectful of and collaborative with creators, talent, fans and source material. Additionally, Nelson will continue to oversee the franchise management of the Harry Potter property, which she has done since 2000, and also continue to represent the Studio’s interests with the author of the Harry Potter books, J.K. Rowling. Nelson will segue from her post as President, Warner Premiere but maintain oversight responsibilities of that division. (An executive succession plan for Warner Premiere will be announced shortly.)

Paul Levitz, who has served as President & Publisher of DC Comics since 2002, will segue from that role to return to his roots as a writer for DC and become a contributing editor and overall consultant to DCE. This transition will take place as expeditiously as possible without disrupting DC’s business operations.

In his new role, Levitz will be called upon for his deep knowledge and more than three-decade history with DC Comics, both as a comic creator and an executive. Besides serving as a writer on a number of DC Comics titles, he will be a contributing editor and consultant to DC Entertainment on projects in various media. Additionally, he will consult as needed on the transition and integration of the DC Comics organization into DC Entertainment and will utilize his unique experience, knowledge and relationships with the comics industry’s creative community to help achieve DC Entertainment’s goal of maximizing the value of DC properties. Further, Levitz will advise DC Entertainment on creative and rights-holder relationships, in particular regarding the legacy relationships that have been a part of DC Comics for decades. [END]

I'll provide updates as I can and when available.