The Post-Infinite DCU

Dave Gibbons DRAWING Green Lantern Corps. HUBBA HUBBA.
Darwyn Cooke on The Spirit
Bill Willingham drawing Shadowpact (which is such a shitty title that I may abstain for that reason alone)
Robin might be really, really good. Adam Beechen has written all of the Justice League Unlimited issues, and they are, on average, the best adventure comics put out by DC these days. And Karl Kerschl's pretty cool on Adv of Supes.

Things that make me go HMMM:

James Robinson on Batman. Has the potential to be DREADFULLY dull.
Ron Marz on Ion. Kyle Rayner's creator tackles the one major aspect of the character that he didn't create. Big fuckin' whoop. You're putting that up against DAVE GIBBONS DRAWING ALIEN GREEN LANTERNS? Ha ha ha, in the words of Daffy Duck, It is to laugh.

I can't tell if the Supergirl & LOSH will happen in Supergirl or in LOSH, or if it will be brand new title. The idea of Rucka writing LOSH = hubba (2x).

I'm also intrigued by BW writing & drawing Shadowpact, as Spirit of Vengeance Sexing The Atom's Purple-Faced Wife rates slightly higher than Secret Six in terms of being the Infinite Crisis mini that made me feel the least shame in being interested by Infinite Crisising.

Here's hoping the good Giffen does the damn thing for Blue Beetle. And where's the geekitude for Simonson on Hawkgirl, dammit? TURN HER INTO A MARMOT, WALT!

I don't know how they're going to shoehorn Denny Colt into the DCU. It would seem like a big fuck-up to put him in the present, but if they stick him in the 40s, who will care? (A: ME!)

I would rather see Chaykin write and Simonsen draw on Hawkgrill.

What's the Canadian / rape exchange rate, Huk?

Really? To me, the idea = being stabbed in the face (100x)

Brave & the Bold, howev, will lose Perez at #4, lose Waid at #10, and then run 1,097 issues written by Devin Grayson and drawn by Rob Liefeld.

Very true!

Waid and Perez seem like a good match. It's nice for Perez, anyway, since he is almost always paired with writers I don't like.

Very psyched about Darwyn Cooke's Spirit, Simonson/Chaykin, and, yes, 52. Checkmate could be interesting if Rucka does it Queen & Country-style. Curious about Simone's Secret Six.

Come to think of it, I wish DC would let a lot of its franchises rest for a little while. I wouldn't mind not seeing Nightwing or Robin or even Flash comics for a few years until somebody comes up with a really interesting take on them.

Oh, this has been going around on other message boards, I'm copying and pasting it from Barbelith. This is from the newest issue of Wizard:

One Year Later, the DCU in 2006

One of these characters...

... will give birth in '06: Wonder Woman, Power Girl, Catwoman or Oracle

...will be stripped of their powers: Superman, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Green Lantern (Hal)

...will become the mayor of a crime-riddled city: Wally West, Dick Grayson, Bruce Wayne, Oliver Queen

...will have amnesia and be unable to tell friend from foe: MM, Aquaman, Atom, Elongated Man

...will take the mantle of the most powerful hero in the DCU: Booster Gold, Animal Man, Kyle Rayner, Earth-2 Superman

...will become a criminal: Hal Jordan, Superman, Flash, Captain Marvel

...WILL BE THE ONLY ONE AROUND AFTER "INFINITE CRISIS": Wally West, Superboy (Connor), Guy Gardner, Nightwing

One of these teams won't survive Infinite Crisis: JLA, JLA, JLA, JLA

...will become the military's secret weapon: Cyborg, Wonder Woman, Red Tornado, John Stewart

...will destroy an entire country and kill millions: Braniac, Sinestro, Black Adam, Vandal Savage

How about the Justice Academy - DC hasn't really done the Super Hero School thing, have they?

One of these characters...

...will give birth in '06: PLASTIC MAN
...will be stripped of their powers: HAL JORDAN
...will become the mayor of a crime-riddled city: DETECTIVE CHIMP
...will have amnesia and be unable to tell friend from foe: BATMITE
...will take the mantle of the most powerful hero in the DCU: TED KORD'S DESICCATED ROTTING CORPSE
...will become a criminal: BATMAN
...WILL BE THE ONLY ONE AROUND AFTER "INFINITE CRISIS": GORILLA GRODD
...will become the military's secret weapon: AMANDA WALLER
...will destroy an entire country and kill millions: SHADE THE CHANGING MAN

"One of these teams won't survive Infinite Crisis: JLA, JLA, JLA, JLA"

... to say the following:

"One of these teams won't survive a final 6-issue arc of hamfistedness written by the guy that almost single-handedly submarined the X-franchise & thought putting the Avengers in bomber jackets was A Good Idea: JLA, JLA, JLA, JLA"

Dead horses are fun to beat!

Also, RIP Gotham Central.

Spies, lies, and robot eyes.

Like The New Frontier, Matt? ;)

If Cooke wanted to do NEW FRONTER II: EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN, I'd happily read it. But he'd mentioned that he had a few creator-owned projects that he wanted to work on when I talked to him in LA earlier this year and was interested to see what he'd come up with.

He also mentioned that he was offered something so big that he couldn't refuse it, that being the SPIRIT books, but he made no mention of what it was at the time.

And if NEW FRONTIER was creator-owned, it would have at least come out in a single volume...

As for the slimness of his resume, remember he's only been in comics for what, eight years now? He did a one off in something like 1988 or 1989, but then didn't do much of anything until the mid-late 90s. And prolific in the 90s-naughties is completely different than prolific in the 70s-80s (which would mean you're doing an average of one book a month, more like two, which is unthinkable for artists today.)

Kapital K Klassick!

Is that the one where he blows George Strombolopolous's head off? I liked that.

(Although apparently George said something nice about a review I wrote on TV once, so he's okay.)

Uh, what was the question again...?

xpost!

Did somebody spike Rucka's morning coffee with predictability pills this week?

However, related hyperlink Greg Rucka On Supergirl looks awesome.

Crisis on infinite Atlantises!

Humor me, I'm punchy from lack of sleep and finishing the dreaded page layout on my latest comics opus.

W!zards 52 points about 52:
52 Spoilers about 52

1. Luthor's JLA: With the JLA disbanded, the bald baddies forms his own Justice League, comprised of entirely new characters plus one familiar face.

2. Wholesale Destrcution: An entire country within the DC Univerise will be leveled by a known power player, killing every man, woman and child within.

3. Batwoman Begins: A new female crimefighter takes to the streets of Gotham, but who's behind the mask? Here's a hint: It's not who you think.

4. Steel: The Conscience of the DCU - John Henry Irons steps back into the Steel armor and steps up his game to cover for the absence of several heroes following Infinite Crisis, ruffling some feathers with his philosophy that true heroes do their job without accolades.

5 Star Wars - A new villian will be introduced in the outer reaches of space. Early word has this new tyrant giving Darkseid a run for his money.

6 Cast of Millions - Forget just the Big Three, the Justice League or even everybody that has appeared in Infinite Crisis-- this series will indeed star the entire DCU.

7. Back in the saddle - Keith Giffen returns to DC in a major way to co-plot and do layouts on 52, bringing his grand sense of scope and knack for humor to the table.

8. Weird Science - A Shadowy figure is abducting big brains likje T.O. Morrow, Will Magnus and Dr. Sivana with an eye toward altering the world of technology.

9. Renee Montoya: DC's Drunk Detective - Interoduced in the 1990's "Batman: The Animated Series," then making the jump to comics as the lead of Gotham Central, Renee Montoya has sunk to her lowest point as an alcoholic dectective and must find her way back to respectability.

10 For Freedom! - From the ashes of the original team's gory demise in Infinite Crisis, a new team of Freedom Fighters emerges to take up the fight!

11. Drawing Blood - Joe Bennett, who showed he could draw the nastiest fight scenes around during his time on Hawkman, will now have the entire DCU at his disposal as one of the main artists on 52

12. Girls Gone Wild - Down-on-her-luck Montoya will see her bed become a revolving door of lovers -- one of whom will make her mark on the DCU before all is said and done.

12. Man becomes Superman - A DC hero known for getting the job done without metahuman powers will get their abilities augmented in a major way.

13. Dynamic Duo: M.I.A. - Batman and Robin won't step foot in Gotham for the entire year. What's keeping them away?

15. The Ultimate Insult - A beloved DCU character no longer of the living will have their grave defaced in a shocking act.

16. Encore - Writer Geoff Johns looks to follow up his work on Infinite Crisis by telling an even bigger story, if you can believe that.

17. The Question; Getting Answers - If you loved him on "Justice League Unlimited" get read for the Question to return to the DCU in a major way, becoming a lynchpin of 52 and setting himself up as Gotham's new protector.

18. Ralph Dibny: The Next Step - Nobody in the DCU has suffered more in the past two years than Elongated Man, but in 52, Ralph Dibny tries to move on in way that will shock you.

19 On the Edge - A respected former member of the Justice League his bottom and contempletes suicide. Will this beleaguered Leaguer pull the trigger?

20. Real Time - Like on TV's "24" this number-titled series unfoldes week by week at the pace of real life, putting fans right in the thick of things.

21. Bad As He Wants to Be - With the White House way behind him, Lex Luthor gets back to basics and pushes the envelope, becoming more evil and ruthless than ever.

22. Big Break - After years of toiling in relative obscurity, Chris Bastista made his make on JLA last year-- now he'll try to cement himself as one of the best artist around.

23. Wedding Bells - One of the DCU's most eligable bachelors finally meets the super-woman who can tame him enough to settle down.

24. The Mad Genius - Writer Grant Morrison will be unleashed upon DCU once more, bringing with him the seemingly endless fountain of new concepts and characters he displayed in JLA and Seven Soldiers.

25. Final Farewell - Some members of the team Donna Troy took into space during Infinite Crisis won't be back by the first issues of 52, and some won't be coming back at all.

26. Wind of Change - A new Red Tornado unlike anything that's come before will ride the eye of the storm into 52 and possible beyond.

27. Booster Gold: The Big Time at Last - Booster Gold was considered a joke as a member of the Justice League International, but 52 sees him take his shot as a A-list hero.

28. Fortune & Glory - One character's long-fought quest for respect comes to an end when they become the leader of their own country.

29 Ralph Gets Some! - Mr. Dibny finds himself getting busy with somebody other than his beloved Sue. Who's the lucky lady (or fella)?

30. Fate - With Hector Hall out of the picture for the time being, someone new will step up to the golden mantle of Dr. Fate and become the wold's most powerful sorcerer.

31. DC Encyclopedia - Nobody knows the DCU better than writer Mark Waid, and he'll be putting every ounce of his trivia knowledge to good use redefining everybody from Superman to Ambush Bug.

32. From Beyond the Grave - Having seen Superman, Green Arrow and now Hal Jordan return from the dead, a fomer Justice League member attempts to resurrect an old friend.

33. Monster Mash - Lex Luthor changes the face of humanity forever through a series of experiments on Monster Island.

34. Family Drama - A rift forms between Steel and his niece when she makes a decision affecting the entire DCU.

35. Black Adam: Choosing a Side - Black Adam has walked the line between hero and villian for the past 3,200 years. 52 will provide the most in-depth look yet at what motovates this complex character and his sense of honor.

36. Rising Star - Don Kramer came out of nowhere to wow fans as artist on JSA for the past two years--now he'll get to ply his knack for drawing sprawling casts on an even bigger stage.

37. The Main Man? - Is Lobo going back to basics? We've heard whispers, but it's too soon to say...

38. Mr. Versatile - Greg Rucka can write anything from superheroes to comedy to epionage drama, and he'll be tested in every area over the course of 52.

39. Whodunnit? The Question will put Montoya's detective skills to the test with a mystery that ends up taking a year to solve.

40. Changing the Future - Booster Gold and sidekick Skeets will attempt to use their knowledge of the past from the future to prevent major disasters before they happen. Will they succeed, or destroy the timestream in the process?

41. JLA=S.E.X. - Two forer Justice Leaguers you would NOT expect will bump uglies by year's end. Awk-ward!

42. Who's Who - Each issue of 52 contains a two-page origin story on one of the DCu's heroes or villians, as written and drawn by top industry talent. Get caught up!

43. Crossing Over - A well-established character with a lot of history will make their first appearance in the DCU.

44. Bot that there's anything wrong with that - A new gay character make their first appearance in 52, before moving on to their own ongoing series.

45. 52 Wednesdays - The first weekly comic attempted in over 15 years-- since the demise of Action Comcis Weekly in 1989--52 will give fans a reason to get excited about going to the comic shops every single week.

46. Microsoft Man - Signing endorsement deals left and right, Booster Gold becomes a corporate hero, but when push comes to shove, who's pulling the strings?

47. Look! Up in the Sky! - A mysterious and powerful new character named Supernova will make his debut in Metropolis. But is this actually a famillar face with a new look?

48. Cover Me - J.G. Jones will provide the art for not one, not two, not 33 , but all 52 covers of 52. With Jones' smooth, innovative style, thats another 52 reasons right there.

49. Powerless - One of DC's biggest icons spends the years as a civilian, unable to prevent what they once would have handed with ease.

50. Don't get too attached - One of the six leads of 52 won't see the end of the year. Who'll bit the dust?

51. Dream Team - Morrison, Johns, Waid, Rucka, Giffen---any of these names is enough to get the average fanboy to wet himself, but ALL of them on the same book? Every week? Break out the adult diapers!

52. The Journey - By the time the first issue of 52 hits the stands, we'll already know where the DCU is headed thanks to the "One year later" jump, but more than half the fun is trying to piece together how everything got there as the mysteries unravel.

New gay character! Can't wait to hear fan reaction!

The Lady Gay could be Montoya's lover!

Where is Rucka's comedy? And hasn't most of his superhero stuff been sorta espionage drama? So shouldn't that read: 38. Mr. Versatile - Greg Rucka can write anything from superhero epionage drama to non-superhero epionage drama, and he'll be tested in every area over the course of 52.

And Huk OTM about the versatility of said writer. I'd argue that most of his superhero stuff has been completely lacking in thrill power (which is why I'm reading the stuff in the first place.)

VIBE!!!

Isn't "Steel" now a lady?

But yeah, I'm excited.

Tomb of Barry Allen sublet to Ted Kord?

22 OYL title previews from Wizard(Spoilers)
Infinite Crisis Extra

DC Comics jumps ahead "One Year Later" in March- Here are 22 books to keep your eye on

Action Comics/Superman

Writers Feoff Johns (Infinite Crissi) and Kurt Busiek (Astro City) join artist Pete Woods (X-Men: Deadly Genesis) to take the Man of Steel on a eight-part odyseey, readjusting to a world he no longer feels he knows. "He's dealing with the ramifications of his past year," says Johns. "We're redifining him for the future."

Aquaman

The Series will not be cancelled as previously reported; instead, DC confirms Kurt Busiek and Butch Guice (Birds of Prey) as the new writer/artist team to steer the King of the Seven Seas in a new direction.

Batman/Dectective Comics

James Robinson (Starman) returns to comics after a three-year absense with artist Don Kramer (JSA) and Andy Clarke (Aquaman) and Leonard Krik (The Freshmen) at his side for a an eight-part adventure with Batman and Robin returning to Gotham after a year away to find corruption in City Hall and a new face behind the desk of the Police Commissioner. "This is James Robinson doing what he does best," says Editor Preter Tommasi, "peeling back the layers of character until you get right to their hearts."

Birds of Prey

One Bird is out of the picture and an unexpected replacement has come under writer Gail Simone's wing, "One of DCU's most dangerous villians joins the book, as an agent for Oracle," says Simone, who'll be joined by artist Carlos Sequira, "I think this is going to be our most exciting and unpredictable year yet"

Catwoman

She's pregnant! Writer Will Pfeifer won't reveal the daddy, but talker about how this will change Selina Kyle's life. "It's a wild little plot twist, but we'll use it to explorer some offbeat questions," says Pfeifer, whose artist on the book has not yet been anounced. "Has a lifetime of thievery prepared her for this? And while Selina is changing diapers, who's watching East End?"

Checkmate

The OMAC Project team of writer Greg Rucka and artist Jesus Saiz creat a new Checkmate with a mix of familar metahumans and "normals" runing the show. "Take a big chunk of The OMAC Project, take the concept of "Who Watches the Watchmen?" and throw in some James Bond and you've got Checkmate," says Rucka.

The Flash

DC holds to a firm "no comment" when it comes to the future of the Fastest Man Alive.

Green Arrow

There's a familiar face in the Star City mayor's office: Oliver Queen! What do writer Judd Winick and artist Scott McDaniel (Robin) have planned for hizzoner? "Ollie became mayor in order to save Star City," say Winick. "Ultimately, there's only so much you can do by puttin on tights and shooting arrows."

Green Lantern

Having gotten in some hot water on Earth, Hal Jordan takes to the stars for a dangerous rescue mission. "He needs to find the Lanterns he left for dead as Parallax," says writer Johns, joined by artist Carlos Pacheco. "The Guardians don't aprrove, so he needs a team of GLs willing to break the rules for backup."

Green Lantern Corps

Out of the events of the Recharge mini-series, the GLC goes monthly with comics legend Dave Gibbins pulling double duty as writer and artist for the first arc. "The Corps itself will be radically re-organized, more tightly disciplined and controlled," says Gibbins. "The Guardians will become ever more aloof and unfathomable, their Great Purpose ever more mysterious."

Hawkgirl

With Hawkman M.I.A., Kendra Saunders tries to fill the wings, but, as writer Walt Simonson notes, that's easier said than done. "She's trying to fill the void Carter has left, but she doesn't have his experience," explains Simonson, who is joined by artist Howard Chaykin. "Also, an ancient evil of S.t Roch is rishing up and causing violent, nasty stuff."

Ion

Kyle Rayner is reunited with his creator, writer Ron Marz, but is it with or without the Green Lantern Corps? "Kyle's story is still going to be tied to the GL mythos-- that's a part of who he is," promised Marz of his upcoming run with artist Greg Tocchini (Thor: Son of Asgard). "But the role he takes on is beyond anything he's ever experienced."

JSA

Alongside incomparable artist Rags Morales (Identity Crisis), DC Publisher Paul Levitz returns to characters he last wrote 27 years ago. "I've always liked the Justice Society because you've got a mix of young old people," reflects Levitz. "I'm looking forward to writing nes characters like Stargirl and playing with old favorites like Flash and Wildcat."

Nightwing

Does something happen to Dick Grayson in Infinite Crisis? New writer Bruce Jones (Vigilantes) will be chronicling a new man behind the mask, So where is Grayson? Jones (whose artist still has not been released)isn't saying. "readers will see a new Nightwing," says Jones. "Now established in New York City, he will deal with more formidable fores, new metahuman rivals and an unlikely new romance."

Shadowpact

The 10th Age of Magic has dawned and with it writer/artist Bill Willingham returns to the team he made famous in Day of Vengeance, promising plenty of unfamilar threats for DC's mystical underdogs. "A lot of bad things that were put down in the 9th Age are waking up," says Willingham. "It's a great time to resurrect really bad and terrible stuff."

Specture: Dead Again

A new Spectre rises in this three-issue mini-series by Pfeifer and artist Al Barrionuevo (Gotham Knights), but he's not the most willing Spirt of Vengeance. "He barely believes in the afterlife and wants no part of the Spectre's concept of Divine Justice," says Pfeifer. "Too bad he has no choice in the matter."

Supergirl

Kara's got a new writer, Greg Rucka. joining artist Ian Churchill as well as a new foe famillar to readers of the Superman titles. "She's Supergirl. That should ge great, but it sucks," says Rucka. "We're going to show just how much it sucks and what she does to make it great."

Superman/Batman

New writer Mark Verhelden (Superman) and artist Ethan Van Sciver (Green Lantern) take the World's Finest out of this world. "A strange, evil influence begings inpacting our extraterrestrial heroes and villians," shares Verheiden. "Look for surprising guest stars and tons of big action, Van-Sciver-style."

Teen Titans

The Titans get new blood in new regular artist Tony Daniel (The Tenth) and two new members: the mysterious Kid Devil and the deadly Ravager! "The first arc will see the Titans team with a new Doom Patrol against a new Brotherhood of Evil," reveals writer Johns.

Wonder Woman

While hot-babe uber-artist Terry Dodson (Spider-Man/Black Cat) has been confirmed as being part of the amazing Amazon's post-Infinite Crisis plans, DC has yet to release and information on either the writer or direction of the book. But the publisher promises both announcements will make major waves, so stay turned.

But, Tom, the FUMETTI!

Come and Knock on the Door of the House of Secrets!

I'm finding it harder and harder to see how Infinite Crisis is going to change the DC Comics, even a little bit. It seems like it's going to be exactly the same, but way worse.

Courtesy Spencer Carnage's blog.

http://ofcourseyeah.blogspot.com/2006/01/best-and-worst-of-2005.html

Scroll a little ways down to the image of the three chatting it up. Wish I could sneak in a direct link. Sigh.

THEY WERE NOT RIGHT.

more D list heroes to add to the Memorial tho!

ON THE OTHER INFINITE HAND AT THE DAWN OF TIME GUIDING CREATION: Okay, I wanna see what happens to Flasher. Is this a repeat of the Mo/Waid Speed Force Zero Hour bizz times Are We There Yet starring Ice Cube? The Speed Force is gone? Has Bart gone to Heaven with Grampa? Will the Dead Speedsters Society take Superbrashboy on a tour of the Infinite Cosmos and open his Brother-Eyes to the Gospel of Maxwell Lord of Time Trapper?

Will I even still be reading DC comics by June (or whenever JLM debuts)?

(Which is kind of why I like DC I guess - inherent lameness which is regularly improved upon seems more appealing than the frustration of reading Marvel, where inherent coolness is regularly ruined.)

The whole destroying toys metaphor is an elegant one. But then I thought the same thing of WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE MAN OF TOMORROW?.

Re: IC #4 - what Blount said, esp. w/ regards to that one-page summation of Why You Spent $80 On Middling Mini-Series In 2005, Suckas, tho I was definitely rolling my eyes more. This thing's paced like a bout of diarrhea - it's just long bouts of FLOOOOOOOOOORP punctuated by moments of peace wherein GJ can work out his "buddy cop" jones - cf. that corny exchange between Bats & Wang about "the good old days." Also, that Spectre scene grossed me out (or maybe it just made me queasy because it brought a formerly unspandexed dude kicking & screaming into The Universe In Need of A Level And A Reason For Folks To Give A Shit)!

PS - that Supes 2 face on the final page was totally Perez.

Another plus in favor of the original Crisis: THAT was the story. The 12-issue shebang. This thing seems like some intermediary convenience that allows DC to move from whatever was into whatever will be, while explaining to bystanders (who aren't reading every dipshitty x-over to this thing) a general gist of the entire enterprise - it's like a "real-time" Marvel Saga!

(Give me five minutes, and I'll give you another awful analogy.)

ONLY TWELVE MORE DOLLARS YOU BASTARDS!!!!

I still have no idea why those lot are floating around in space directing traffic.

I still want to find out what's going to happen next time!

I'm filing this series under "highly enjoyable codswallop." I sort of read the Superboy "SPLUTCH" scene as if it was supposed to be funny -- Americans like their Monty Python, don't they? If, on the other hand, we were supposed to take it seriously -- as in, oh noe! the tragedy! etc. -- then GJ is an even bigger dork than I thought.

Also, in the past Wally Flash has used the power of love, a force from above, to home in on Linda when he is lost in other dimensions - that's why he appeared before her just before he melted.

In Kingdom Come, Lex Luthor brainwashes the mild-mannered, child-like Billy Batson into hating superheroes for being corrupt, and freaks him out with the idea that there's a superhero inside of him. Billy basically goes nuts. When the time comes, he makes Billy say "Shazam" and Captain Marvel goes on a rampage and ends up in battle with Superman.

TS: KirbyGod vs. Galactus eating a hot-dog.

Because Johns couldn't think up a horrible disaster event that a Flash wouldn't have been able to lick. CUZ THAT'S HOW AWESOME FLASH IS (or that's how non-awesome Johns is)!

Mrs JLI Hawkwoman died in the Wan-Thanager War. Mr JLI Hawkman died ages ago and had his branes merged with studly old school Hawkman when he came back

I think they're headed towards the NEW centre of the Universe, where they'll undoubted have a run-in with Bald, Bespectacled Cop Spectre (will he still wear glasses, and if being the Spectre cures his nearsightedness, why not his balditude?) who will stick his hand in the right hole and make everything kosher (because Wrath of God is totally Old Testament, aka Jewish! I think Hal Jordan is Jewish, though Jim Corrigan wuz def. Catholic) again.
Along the way, they've um, had a run in with Starfire's dead-not-dead sister, and accidentally killed THE LAST THANAGARIAN MAGIC BIRD!!!

The JLI Hawk bunch were kinda like the Elongated Man & Ms. Dibny, weren't they? Except w/ a little more super-annuated manly maleness on the part of the XY Hawk.

We don't all want to read indie comics about seeing some cute girl lose her mitten on the train and then worry about whether or not to tell her and then not tell her and then be sad and horny because you lost out on the choice to talk to a cute girl oh no woe is me etc (note: satire)

The series ends with The Spectre attacking and killing the Wizard Shazam, leading to the scattering of many magical artifacts, including the old Blue Beetle Scarab, throughout the world. Shazam's death also leads to a particular crisis over Gotham City when his lair, the Rock of Eternity, splits into many pieces, freeing many magical forces and threats, most notably the Seven Deadly Sins of Man.

In the one-shot special, the Shadowpact, along with numerous other fringe magic and supernatural characters, were lead by the Phantom Stranger to recollect the Seven Deadly Sins and reconstruct the Rock of Eternity. Meanwhile, Nabu, the last surviving Lord of Order, assumed control of the helmet and amulet he had given to Doctor Fate to face the Spectre in a last-ditch effort to dissuade him from his mission."
(I picked something that was published a while ago, so's not the spoil anything)

How is that anything but funny? Is there no space between B/W emo and plots that would have sounded corny-in-a-possibly-camp-and-amusing-fashion if they'd appeared in the Golden Age?

N'rama's page-by-page Sassy® take on IC#4:
http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?s=f69dc153b3f538e61b450d8183aa1b0b&threadid=56341

Are you kidding? Eightball got beaten by Birds of Prey in the 2005 poll!

I just knew they would pull some shit like that eventually, which was the reason I never bothered with any of those miniseries. That, and because this whole thing had trainwreck written all over it since the "GET ME DOCTOR LIGHT" scene in Identity Crisis. I'm still reading it, saints preserve me!

This, which is all I know of these series, except for reading about them on ILC, seems like a much more convoluted and stupid version of Grnnt Morrison's second and third Zenith runs in 2000AD.

jesus tho the three years of buildup was for A GLOATY MAD VILLAIN PLOT? sheezus

Access denied. :(

(x-thought - when did continuity between titles - for a whole DC universe! - become important and was it fan or company led? And did Marvel do it first?)

Huk-L to the nearest white courtesy phone please!

'Cause I have no clue. JLA started in the fifties, and the JSA was the earlier incarnation of that, I think, who were relegated to an alternate earth 'cause of that whole nasty time-passing-in-real-life-but-fans-wanted-their-heroes-to-be-eternal thing.

But I bet Huk can set us all straight.

OMG EARTH-2 TIMELINE

Issues 21 and 22 of the JLA featured the first team up w/ the Justice Society, DC/National's Golden Age superteam

HOWEVER, Golden and Silver Age DC characters first encountered each other in issue 123 of the Flash, published in 1961 and written by Gardner Fox, though the idea prob. came from editor Julie Schwartz. This story, 'Flash of Two Worlds', also introduced the whole Earth One and Earth Two biz.

Marvel sort've got in on the act w/ issue 4 of the Fantastic Four, cover-dated May 1962. Here the Golden Age Sub Mariner returned, although Stan and Jack (wisely in my view) didn't bother w/ any Earth 1/2 bollox. Captain America, another Marvel/Atlas Golden Age hero, also returned in issue 4 of the Avengers.

I know Roy the Boy is something of a hate figure for today's thrusting young moderns, but he really didn't have anything to do w/ DC continuity yawnfests until the early 1980s. E. Nelson Bridwell - possibly the first comics fan turned comics pro - was throughtout the 60s and 70s DC's main continuity cop.

the fans turned pro felt as if they had to make sense of all this stuff, and fan reaction supported it, but obviously guys like Roy Thomas needed to legitimize this for their own damn selves…

*NOT TRUE

No, there's thread one and thread two. Nobody cares about thread two so we're rationalising it and killing all the posters.

Also - some SUPER news! The team on the Superman (formerly Adventures of Superman) monthly serial - Kurt Busiek & Carlos Pacheco! The team that brought the world-famous Arrowsmith mini-series to 15 households worldwide! Which is a shame - it was pretty kewl stuff! Stick your "fill-in artist" comments up your Darkforce! Up up and away!

And, yes, as Shulkie has noted, you can go BATTY in your belfry when new Batman team Paul Dini & Rags "SADFACE" Morales sticks it to the Dark Knight! Prognosis on a re-appearance of the Sci-Fi Closet: NEGATIVE!

-- Andrew Farrell (afarrel...), January 19th, 2006.

Today, Mr. Johns turns 33, FOR REAL.

Superbman, etc.

The first four issues [of 52] will feature art by Joe Bennett & Ruy Jose. In addition, beginning with WEEK 2, the series will include the 10-part back-up feature “The History of the DC Universe, “ written and pencilled by Dan Jurgens with inks by Art Thibert.

I'm not sure if this quite makes up for his horrendous JLA run, or the years of bad Superman/Doomsday spin-offs that pretty much kills DC in the mid-to-late 90s. A horrible era for comics, and he seems as responsible as anyone.

(note: they've changed the "Not actual art" to "developmental art")

http://www.bridgeschool.org/images/camp_timy_superman.jpg

OTM! Have they learned nothing from the low sales of She-Hulk?

I don't think there's only "camp DC" or "iconic DC"; characters like Batman and Superman have ranges wide enough to be envisioned in countless different ways. There should be a place for both visions; the great thing about Superman is that he can appear in something like the Donner flick and the stories featured in Showcase and still be Superman. Of course, none of this applies to Alex Ross and his idea of Superman as a bulky, pathetic old guy with no shame, wearing those lame pajamas like he's out from a cosplay contest. Which, now that I think about it, is very very funny in it's own way...

That being said, it's very sad that these guys are trying to stick just with one half. Flash, like Superman, has always benefitted from camp and weirdness to balance the drama; their absence resulting in stuff like Kingdom Come or the Geoff Johns' run.

I'm up for the Simonson/Chaykin Hawkgirl, even though I know on some level this is because I'm secretly hoping for it to be as good as Thor + American Flagg.

Brave & the Bold and Checkmate are possibilities ... Secret Six definitely, Shadowpact no despite my like of Willingham and monkeys. Robinson on Batman sounds perfect for Robinson fans, which means it's my nuclear kryptonite.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rucka then outlined the characters [in Checkmate] from the cover of issue #1. The Black Queen is Sasha Bordeaux, the White Queen is Amanda Waller, Fire is the Black Queen’s knight, and the White King behind the podium is ... wait for it ... Alan Scott ...

(age / sex / Luthor)

Poor WINTER MEN...

Anyway, back to postInfant hyperbole:
http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/editors/Hilty/interview.html

Which characters?

The All-New Atom (ongoing, July) – writer/artist: Gail Simone/Trevor Scott

Creeper (six issues, August) – w/a: Steve Niles/Justiniano
Didio: “It’s Jack Ryder, but it’s Ryder through the eyes of Steve Niles and Justiniano. You’ve got something that really plants a new corner. Not only does it put a little air of mystery and horror into the Creeper, which I think he needs to have, but it also plays upon some of the pop culture aspects of the DC Universe, as Jack Ryder is a television personality. How does the world of heroes affect the media? That’s one of the thing that we’re going to be looking in that series.”

Martian Manhunter (eight issues, August) – w/a: A.J. Lieberman/Al Barrionuevo
Didio: “We loved the work that these guys did on Gotham Knights, and the editor Matt Idelson brought them on over. The good part about it is that it re-establishes the Martian Manhunter as one of the first and foremost characters of the DC Universe. You’ll see Martian Manhunter in a light that you’ve never seen him before. He’s not the same character who blended in with the crowd. He’s going to be his own character that can stand on his own two feet now.”

OMAC (eight issues, July) – w/a: Bruce Jones/Renato Guedes
Didio: “There are some mysteries that are still to be played out in Crisis, and OMAC, or the OMACs are such key players there, that all I can really say about this miniseries is that it’s an extension of what’s going on in Crisis.”

The Trials of Shazam! (twelve issues, July) – w/a: Judd Winick/Howard Porter
Didio: “Under penalty of death, I have to keep this story a secret, but I can say that Judd has really been able to find a voice for the character, and a direction and tone. This story plays into magic and how it works in the DC Universe, with Captain Marvel being a focal point of all that is magical in the DCU.”

Uncle Sam & The Freedom Fighters (eight issues, August) – w/a: Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray/Daniel Acuna
Didio: “This also comes out of Crisis, and in particular The Battle for Bludhaven. In some ways, Battle for Bludhaven is a prequel to a lot of things you’ll see here, and it plays with the political landscape of the DCU, and how the world addresses heroes on a government level. And of course, in regards to Checkmate, one of the things you’re going to find is that Checkmate crosses so many lines, and has their hands in so many cookie jars, that ultimately, these two groups will meet.

:-D

but it also plays upon some of the pop culture aspects of the DC Universe, as Jack Ryder is a television personality. How does the world of heroes affect the media? That’s one of the thing that we’re going to be looking in that series.”

:-/

Oh, a non-Ray Atom didn't even occur to me. That could be all right. At least, it wouldn't have the same baggage.

"OK, an' hex Mr. David Palmer" is an anagram of "M. Valdemar, Dark Phoenix," and M. Valdemar of course is Poe's hypnotized-into-a-zombie character (and my livejournal!)

Still, it's gonna be a weird summer! Maybe there'll be a Titans East/Titans West baseball game annual crossover.

Batman returns to 1984!!!

And, like I said, I'm ridiculously excited about 52.

Oddly, 52 is on my pull list -- the only modern-day DCU title on it -- so it's not that I have no investment in things, and I don't think it sounds terrible. The new DCU just isn't exciting me yet. But that's okay, it has time.

Don't hold yr breath. Snow storms might ruin yet another CRISIS week.

This is a gala.

This is a galah.

Can you spot the difference?

Heh. Bets on that being a Grant page?

THE MULTIVERSE PROBLEM