The Comics Fan

So long. Farewell. Outta here.

2008-12-15T11:36:00.000-08:00

I'm putting this blog to bed. Maybe at some point, I'll revive it on another platform linked to Gazette.com. But for now, it's gone. I expect my Comics Fan column in The Gazette to continue, though. So if anyone out there has comments, suggestions for stories, etc., you can send them to bill.radford@gazette.com.

Dark times

2008-12-12T11:50:00.000-08:00

I talked with Joe Quesada, Marvel's editor-in-chief, this week about Marvel's plans for 2009.

The Marvel Universe, struck first by a civil war, then a Skrull invasion and now in the control of bad guys like Norman Osborn as part of "Dark Reign," has not been a happy place for some time.

Quesada acknowledges that, but says there will be light amid the darkness. And besides, he says, drama is fueled by conflict.

"If everything were happy-go-lucky and hunky dory and everything was rays of sunshine, while it might make people feel comfortable on the inside, there'd be no reason to buy our books."

"Dark Reign," "Final Crisis"

2008-12-11T10:14:00.000-08:00

Two key books out this week, "Final Crisis" No. 5, continuing DC's big event, and "Secret Invasion: Dark Reign," an epilogue to Marvel's just concluded big event.

I found "Final Crisis," as in some past issues, to be choppy and hard to follow. I'll try a second read and see if it holds together better.

"Dark Reign" explores the secret gathering of villains brought together by Norman Osborn in the final page of "Secret Invasion." It's the bad-guy version of the Illuminati, and pretty interesting. Emma Frost is the most intriguing member of this secret inner cabinet, since she's been both villainess and heroine. I liked the art, with one exception. I agree with the posters over at Newsarama who found the depiction of Namor disconcerting; looks like he's balding, out of shape and in need of a shave, not a very impressive presence.

"Final Crisis" preview

2008-12-09T12:21:00.001-08:00

Can't wait for this week's "Final Crisis" No. 5? Newsarama has a preview of the first several pages. Good stuff, even if it does look more like an issue of "Green Lantern" than "Final Crisis."

"Dark Reign"

2008-12-05T11:58:00.000-08:00

Now that "Secret Invasion" has wrapped up, Marvel has pulled the cloak of secrecy from "Dark Reign." Seems that Norman Osborn and other select baddies are now running things in the Marvel U. And Tony "Iron Man" Stark is on the outside looking in - and on the run, it seems.

So, yet another status quo for the Marvel Universe. Certainly, things are never dull, and I find the new status for Iron Man to be intriguing - and likely to make him a bit less arrogant. I have trouble believing it would be acceptable for Norman, Dr. Doom and the others to be handed the keys to the kingdom, though. Also: Too many Avengers. Mighty Avengers. New Avengers. And now Dark Avengers?

"Secret Invasion" No. 8

2008-12-04T11:29:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm not sure I'm going to leave the office and brave the slick streets for my comics fix today, even though "Secret Invasion" No. 8 arrives. If you're in the same boat, but can't wait to see what happens, wander over to Newsarama and check out the review of the final issue, where you'll also find a link to a New York Times item that reveals the twist ending. I'm scheduled to talk with Marvel's Joe Quesada next week about where the Marvel U goes from here.

DC in '09

2008-12-03T11:05:00.000-08:00

I talked this morning with DC executive editor Dan DiDio about what's coming up in 2009. Looks like DC's biggest guns, Batman and Superman, will be MIA. Batman, of course, vanished at the end of "Batman R.I.P" last week; Bruce Wayne's ultimate fate will be revealed in "Final Crisis" No. 6 in January, DiDio said. Superman, meanwhile, will be leaving Earth for a journey through space and vacating the pages of "Action Comics."

DiDio cleared up one thing for me. With the events of "Final Crisis" happening apart from the monthly books, there may have been a little confusion about the timing of story lines. "Final Crisis," he said, happens after "Batman R.I.P." The effects of "Final Crisis" will be felt throughout the DCU in the first half of next year, but not all in the same month, as in the year-ahead jump that followed "Infinite Crisis."

More on DC's plans in Sunday's Comics Fan.

"New Krypton" takes a turn

2008-12-01T11:17:00.000-08:00

Caught up on my comics reading over the weekend, including "Superman" No. 682, with the latest chapter in the "New Krypton" story line. Things took a shocking turn this time around as a group of Kryptonians rounded up a bunch of Superman's villains and dispatched them to the Phantom Zone (not so bad) while coldly killing a bunch of police officers in the process (very bad.) Supergirl's mom is among those with no sympathy for us Earthlings.

Pretty compelling stuff. And we get to see a really angry Superman. I'm eager to see where this goes next.

"Batman R.I.P," one more time

2008-11-28T11:55:00.000-08:00

So I have mixed feelings about this week's end of "Batman R.I.P." The bad guys leaving Batman alone to suffer his last moments buried alive, instead of just finishing the job - or at least keeping an eye on the grave? Come on. .... And then Batman suddenly seems back to his old self instead of his tortured, somewhat crazed "backup" identity. What's up with that? And does anyone REALLY think Bruce/Batman aren't coming back at some point?

But at least Grant Morrison makes clear his respect for the Dark Knight, who always seems to be one step ahead of the villains. I loved the psychological aspects of the story and Batman's insight into his own inner health, or lack thereof, and how the story tied into Bats' quest in "52."

"Batman R.I.P"

2008-11-25T12:28:00.001-08:00

"Batman" No. 681, the final chapter of "Batman R.I.P.," arrives tomorrow. Newsarama has a preview. I'll be talking next week with DC executive editor Dan DiDio about the storyline and where things go from here.

This and that

2008-11-20T07:48:00.000-08:00

Haven't gotten to the comic book store this week; I'm laid up for a few days after surgery (which I'll be writing about in the Life section.) So to occupy the hours, I've been grabbing graphic novels off the bookshelf pretty much at random to re-read. So far this week, my reading has included Frank Miller's "The Dark Knight Strikes Again" (I'll never be able to get over the treatment of poor Dick Grayson); "Planetary: The Fourth Man" (loved that series); and the first hardcover collection of Alan Moore's "Top 10" (a wonderful "Hill Street Blues" meets a totally superpowered world vibe.)

Did you catch "Heroes" on Monday night? It had a scene at a comic book shop called Sam's Comics, no doubt named for axed producer Jeph Loeb's late son, Sam. And a cute line by Hiro about all the changes in comic books lately: Captain America's dead! Hulk's red!

Holiday cheer

2008-11-17T13:27:00.000-08:00

This Sunday's Comics Fan is my annual comic book gift guide. After I handed it in, I l came across the Wireless catalog, which has a few cool comic-book related items. Such as: a Wonder Woman limited edition figure, part of a series commemorating the first appearances of classic DC characters; the "DC Vault," packed with "top-quality reproduction memorabilia" (I had written about the "Marvel Vault" last year, but now there's the DC version, too); and "Batman: Murder at Wayne Mansion," a book that's apparently a murder mystery that the reader can solve with the help of maps, new clippings, forensic samples and other clues. Check them all out at www.thewirelesscatalog.com.

Doomsday's coming

2008-11-14T09:30:00.000-08:00

I only caught the last few minutes of last night's "Smallville," but judging from the wrap-up and the previews after, I better not miss next week's episode, which looks to feature the return of Lana and the full-on introduction of Doomsday. Meanwhile, Doomsday is at the center of things in this week's "Action Comics." Coincidence or clever timing? I dunno.

"Kingdom Come Special"

2008-11-13T11:20:00.000-08:00

Small stack of comics this week from Bargain Comics.

"Justice Society of American Kingdom Come Special: Superman" was a must for me because it features the art of Alex Ross. It's a treat to see his work on interiors as opposed to just covers. Ross also wrote the story - which I can't comment on because I haven't had time to really read it yet. I've only breezed through it to admire the art. The special ties into the Gog storyline in JSA which, I have to say, is really going on too long.

"Detective Comics" No. 850 wraps up the "Heart of Hush" story. I still don't see how this whole thing has been a "Batman R.I.P" tie-in. There's a defining moment between Batman and Catwoman near the end that would be essential for all Bat-fans, except for the fact that it's washed away in the very next panel. You've been warned.

"Batman: Cacophony"

2008-11-10T12:22:00.000-08:00

DC sent me an advance copy of issue No. 1 of "Batman: Cacophony," written by Kevin Smith and featuring the return of the bizarre masked killer known as Onomatopoeia. In the first issue, Onomatopoeia frees the Joker from Arkham Asylum. I've got to say, Smith's take on Joker as a sexual deviant left me a little queasy. Joker's goal, it appears, is not just to kill Batman but to "defile his carcass sexually." Joker also drops his drawers in an anticipated reward for his rescuer. Amusing, perhaps, but out of character. I kept thinking, "Joker and Onomatopoeia Make a Porno." (Smith's "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" recently arrived in theaters.)

I did, however, really like the art by Smith's buddy, Walt Flanagan. And the story overall was entertaining.

No "Graysons"

2008-11-07T08:37:00.001-08:00

Looks like Dick Grayson's not headed to the small screen after all. Variety reports that plans for "The Graysons," which would have focused on Dick's days before he became Robin the Boy Wonder, have been scrapped. The CW had committed to a pilot, but Variety says that a Warner Bros. Pictures Group exec nixed the project. I had my doubts about the idea anyway. It's not like "Smallville," where Clark has time to figure out his powers and his destiny. Dick's destiny was transformed the second his parents were killed and Batman took him under his wing.

A milestone for DC

2008-11-05T11:49:00.001-08:00

I talked with DC executive editor Dan DiDio yesterday about some fresh blood for the DC universe: namely, the introduction soon into the DCU of characters from the Milestone Comics of the '90s - characters such as Icon, Hardware and Static Shock. Next year, the old Archie Comics superheroes will also find DC their home.

Icon and Hardware will be showing up in "Justice League of America" (written by Milestone co-founder Dwayne McDuffie) while it looks like Static Shock will be joining the Teen Titans. I asked DiDio if the hope is that reader demand will lead to these characters once again starring in their own series.

"Absolutely," he said. "I'm going to see which ones break out, but when you have characters like Icon, Hardware and Static, you'd be surprised if they didn't have series."

Look for more in Sunday's Comics Fan in The Gazette.

Marvel biz

2008-11-04T07:18:00.000-08:00

I start my day reading the business wire (hey, it's my job) and found this of interest to comics fans this morning from The Associated Press:

Strong box office revenue for film 'Iron Man' helped boost Marvel Entertainment Inc.'s third-quarter earnings by 39 percent, and the licensing and comic-book publishing company on Tuesday also raised its 2008 forecast.
But 2009 will prove a different picture.
Marvel expects only "modest" performance next year, partly due to "Iron Man: revenue shifting to 2008 and no 2009 summer feature films slated for release. It also cited less expected Spider-Man-related revenue and the slowing economy's effect on the retailers who sell its character-driven merchandise.

(And this factoid, for those of us who like to read our comics, not just see them up on the big screen:)

Publishing sales slipped 3 percent to $34 million, as lower trade paperback sales and custom publishing weren't totally offset by higher sales of traditional comics.

"Rage of the Red Lanterns"

2008-10-31T11:01:00.001-07:00

I confess, I didn't completely understand this week's "Final Crisis: Rage of the Red Lanterns." But I still enjoyed it, just as I continue to enjoy Geoff Johns' expansion of the Green Lantern mythology. (The Green Lantern Corps are kind of becoming the Rainbow Corps, what with the introduction of the Red Lanterns , Blue Lanterns and others.)

I also liked Shane Davis' art, but what I was really struck by was the coloring (appropriate, considering the title.) As a poster on Newsarama noted, it really pops off the page. I could do without the Red Lanterns constantly projectile-vomiting blood, though. Nasty business, there.

"The Avengers," movie style

2008-10-28T16:47:00.000-07:00

Well, it's a ways away (2011), but I'm already getting psyched about Marvel Studio's "The Avengers." That's cuz Marvel confirmed today that "Iron Man" star Robert Downey Jr. will indeed reprise his role not just in an "Iron Man" sequel or two, but for "The Avengers" as well. Don Cheadle, who is replacing Terrence Howard in "Iron Man 2," will also be around for "The Avengers," and "Iron Man" director Jon Favreau will executive produce.

Up, up and away

2008-10-28T15:24:00.001-07:00

With Marvel's comics apparently headed for a standard $3.99 price point, rumor king Rich Johnston has an interesting look at the increase in comic book prices over the years compared to the rate of inflation in his latest Lying in the Gutters column. He starts with 1977, when the price was 30 cents. I perhaps shouldn't admit this, but I'm old enough that I can remember when comics went from 12 cents to 15 cents, and then a quarter.

A Flashy "Funky"

2008-10-27T10:19:00.000-07:00

Did you catch "Funky Winkerbean" in Sunday's comics section of The Gazette? It was a cool homage to a classic "Flash" cover by Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson.

"Crisis" vs. "Invasion"

2008-10-23T11:15:00.000-07:00

Issue No. 4 of DC's "Final Crisis" and issue No. 7 of Marvel's "Secret Invasion" both arrived in stores yesterday, offering the opportunity for sort of an instant head-to-head comparison of the two big events. I give the edge, at least as far as these issues, to "Final Crisis." For one thing, I'm more partial to the art by J.G. Jones and Carlos Pachecho than to Leinil Yu's work on "Secret Invasion." And while "Final Crisis" seemed disjointed for the first issue or two, it has gained traction and plunged us into a dark world where, as promised, evil has won. "Secret Invasion" has been intriguing from the start, but this issue was just one big fight scene.

Black Panther(ess)

2008-10-21T16:19:00.000-07:00

Who's this? Marvel's got a new Black Panther in the works and this time he's a she.

We've already got a new Captain America running around in the Marvel U. Now a new Black Panther? I dunno. DC tried this before: a new Green Arrow, a new Green Lantern and so on. And it seems few have stuck over the years.

"Y: The Last Man"

2008-10-20T15:10:00.000-07:00

I spent my Sunday afternoon reading Volume One of "Y: The Last Man Deluxe Edition," a hardcover collection of the first 10 issues of "Y: The Last Man." The series came to an end earlier this year, and it was nice to revisit its beginnings. It's a riveting read by Brian K. Vaughan, and the end of each chapter will have you immediately zooming toward the next. It'll be a definite for this year's comic book gift guide.