2009 December
DC confirms new Who’s Who and History of the DC Universe
Who's Who in the DC Universe #1
DC Comics has confirmed that, in conjunction with the just-announced Legacies miniseries, it will release new editions of History of the DC Universe and an all-new 15-issue Who’s Who in the DC Universe.
For superhero fans who grew up in the 1980s those titles, along with the earlier Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, were a seemingly endless source of trivia and enjoyment — and provided fodder for countless nerdy debates. (Heaven knows my friends and I wore my copies to tatters.)
Essentially a comic-book encyclopedia, the original Who’s Who debuted in December 1984 and ran for 26 issues, detailing the people — both prominent and obscure — places and organizations of the DC Universe. There were subsequent updates, but none was ever as comprehensive as the original series. The role of Who’s Who eventually was filled by the Secret Files and Origins one-shots.
History of the DC Universe was a two-issue series by Marv Wolfman and George Perez released in 1986 in the wake of Crisis on Infinite Earths to establish what was canon now that there was no multiverse.
No creators have been announced for the new editions.
- December 10, 2009 @ 12:55 PM by Kevin Melrose
Straight for the art: Tim Lane’s Temptations
Lane's David Ruffin
For Tim Lane’s next collection of short stories, Folktales, he’s including a cut-out diorama of his favorite classic Motown group, The Temptations. Lane delves into the details about the creation of the diorama over on his blog here, here and here, and offers 2-D versions of the group that you can print out and stand up at home in case you’re the impatient sort who can’t wait for the book.
- December 10, 2009 @ 12:30 PM by Chris Mautner
‘I look at something like The Flash as a long-term mission,’ Johns says
Flash: Secret Files and Origins
The weeklong onslaught of DC Comics announcements continues this morning with a few details from Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul’s much-anticipated run on The Flash.
The series, which launches in April, continued Johns’ long association with the character that began in 2000 with a nearly five-year stint on The Flash, followed by several one-shots and miniseries such as this year’s The Flash: Rebirth.
“Really, I look at something like The Flash as a long-term mission,” Johns tells the Los Angeles Times’ Hero Complex blog. “The Flash: Rebirth was the knot to untangle in the shoelace before we could run. I wanted to clear the board, re-examine some key elements of Barry Allen and re-introduce a threat that would play throughout the next several years. Much in the same way as Green Lantern, I’m committed to a long term story with the Flash and the universe around him. There’s nothing that really needs to be left behind, so to speak. However, The Flash No. 1 that will start in April — post-Blackest Night by Francis Manapul and I — will be extremely accessible. It’s Barry Allen a.k.a. the Flash, Central City and the Rogues.”
The Flash #1 will be preceded in March by Flash: Secret Files and Origins. The DC Universe blog has a look at Manapul’s process for the cover of the one-shot.
- December 10, 2009 @ 11:50 AM by Kevin Melrose
‘There’s a good chance that Damien could hit puberty before I get back’
From the Twitter feed for TimeLostBatman
The first question Grant Morrison will have to answer in Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne is just how the World’s Greatest Detective is able to access Twitter from 15,000 years or so in the past.
More importantly, how will Wayne’s late-Paleolithic invention of the technology — presumably in a Roy Hinkley-meets-Angust McGyver construction involving vines, iron ore and the bladder of a woolly mammoth — will alter history and the development of social networking.
My guess? It’ll result in the evolution of a species of psychically linked, multitasking beings who communicate in bursts of 140 characters or less. Also: the end of life as we know it.
- December 10, 2009 @ 11:30 AM by Kevin Melrose
Flakey Floont doll sold separately
Papercraft dolls seem to be all the rage these days, a supposition the great Toy-A-Day blog upholds by creating this great Mr. Natural papercraft doll that you can download as a .pdf and put together yourself. Can Devil Girl and Snoid dolls be far behind? (via)
- December 10, 2009 @ 11:00 AM by Chris Mautner
Wolverton tees now available — I think
Basil Wolverton T-Shirt
Declare your love for the creator of Powerhouse Pepper and Lena Hyena with this new collection of Basil Wolvert0n T-shirts from streetwear fashion giant Stussy. Flog reports the company has apparently not only created a line of shirts but has an interview with Basil’s son, Monte. I say apparently because for some reason the Flash-based site isn’t loading on my computer, but perhaps you’ll have better luck.
- December 10, 2009 @ 10:30 AM by Chris Mautner
Is Matt Fraction the next writer on Thor?
Thor: Ages of Thunder
Buried in that interview at ICv2.com with Marvel Publisher Dan Buckley may just be the name of the permanent writer for Thor.
Discussing the company’s new, “less line-wide” approach to crossovers, Buckley says: “I’ve read what Fraction wants to do with Thor and it’s really cool stuff by itself.”
Matt Fraction, who rose to prominence at Marvel with The Immortal Iron Fist, Uncanny X-Men and The Invincible Iron Man, in 2008 penned four well-received Thor one-shots that helped to fill the voids left by delays in the J. Michael Straczynski-written monthly series.
When Straczynski hinted in May that he might be leaving the title because of the crossover that became Siege, Fraction’s was the name mentioned first and most frequently by fans as a fitting replacement.
The six-issue arc by Kieron Gillen and Billy Tan continues through Thor #610, which presumably mean’s Fraction’s tenure would begin in May 2010 — following the conclusion of Siege.
- December 10, 2009 @ 09:46 AM by Kevin Melrose
Nielsen closes E&P and Kirkus Reviews, sells other trade papers [Updated]
Editor & Publisher
In yet another blow to the newspaper and publishing industries, Nielsen Business Media will close Editor & Publisher and Kirkus Reviews.
The news accompanied an announcement that Nielsen is selling its other trade publications, including The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Adweek and Mediaweek, to e5 Global Media, a new company formed by Pluribus Capital Management and Guggenheim Partners.
Romanesko has the memo sent out by Nielsen CEO Greg Farrar.
Founded in 1901, the monthly E&P chronicled the goings-on of the newspaper industry, from circulation to technology to comic strips. Pre-Internet, the magazine was the source for finding journalism jobs.
The 76-year-old Kirkus Reviews was a well-respected journal for pre-release book reviews, featuring about 4,500 titles a year. It has long been considered an indispensable source for libraries, agents, booksellers, and film and television producers.
No date was immediately given for the closings.
Update: According to an article on the E&P website, staff members will stay through the remainder of 2009.
- December 10, 2009 @ 09:19 AM by Kevin Melrose
Remember: Look for the seal
Here’s a little something for all the scholars in the audience: The blog My Confined Space has found vintage brochure and promotional material about the Comics Code Authority designed to explain to parents and educators what the Code was about and how the self-regulating society was keeping innocent young tots from the pernicious influence of all those ugly crime and horror books. (via)
- December 10, 2009 @ 09:00 AM by Chris Mautner
Straight for the art | My David Bowie Sketchbook, SPX & BKCGF ’09
Origin story time: Back when I worked at Wizard, I was introduced to the concept of a themed sketchbook by coworkers like Ben Morse and David Paggi, whose Nova and Lockjaw sketchbooks celebrated their favorite obscure superheroes through the generous contributions of comics artists. My problem? I don’t have a favorite obscure superhero. The only hero I really love is Batman, and the problem there is that I’m sure most superhero artists doing sketches at cons are sick of drawing him, while most alternative artists doing sketches at cons are sick of thinking about him. Who could I choose that would fit the bill?
Then it came to me: David Bowie. He’s my favorite musician, and it’s fair to say his outlook and approach to art literally changed my life. Plus, with all those alter egos and ch-ch-ch-changes, he’s like a superhero anyway, right? And thus, at MoCCA 2007, the David Bowie Sketchbook was born.
I’ve since collected sketches of Ziggy Stardust, the Thin White Duke, Aladdin Sane, the Goblin King, Major Tom, or whatever else you care to call the former David Jones from 80 artists and illustrators. Below are the latest batches, from this year’s Small Press Expo in September and Brooklyn Comics and Graphics Festival last weekend. How must the others see the faker?
- December 10, 2009 @ 08:17 AM by Sean T. Collins
Marc Guggenheim to write Action Comics
"War of the Supermen" #0
With War of the Supermen looming, DC Comics has announced yet another change for the Man of Steel: Writer Marc Guggenheim will take the reins of the flagship Action Comics.
Guggenheim, who has written The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive for DC, The Amazing Spider-Man and Blade for Marvel and the creator-owned Resurrection for Oni Press, is perhaps best known his work on TV series like FlashForward and Eli Stone and the upcoming Green Lantern movie.
Although he’ll be starting his Action Comics run as all of the Superman comics are embroiled in a major he crossover, Guggenheim says he hopes to take the title “back to the basics.”
“I really want Action to be pure, classic Superman,” he tells Splash Page. For the last year, Superman has been off on New Krypton and it’s been a major change to his status quo. I’m hoping that by the end of the War of Supermen event I’ll be able to tell some true and classic Superman stories.”
- December 10, 2009 @ 07:43 AM by Kevin Melrose
Marvel publisher acknowledges price hike may affect ‘bottom third’ of titles
In his wide-ranging annual Q&A with ICv2.com, Marvel Publisher Dan Buckley touches upon the state of the market, digital comics, kids’ titles and the company’s approach to events like the upcoming Siege and Heroic Age.
However, considering the amount of online chatter devoted to the subject, what may draw the most interest are Buckley’s comments on the impact of price increases on some Marvel titles:
Marvel
My number one priority is to deliver a product that’s compelling to the consumer. In order to make sure I’m providing that quality product, we had to go through some pricing strategies that affected specifically that quality product. The pricing strategies on our limited series and other products have not changed; $3.99 is what it was over a year ago. We did not take an overall price hike. The $3.99 pricing was mostly focused on our top selling books which involve a variety of different quality issues. They have improved quality from art to production to creators. In order to maintain that quality that’s what we need to do to keep the health of the business. It may affect the bottom third of my circulation, I’m not going to deny that. We think those books performed pretty well but we also did not take the pricing tack of $3.99 with those books. If they perform well we’ll keep on publishing [them]; if they don’t they will not keep on publishing, we will cut down on our line a little bit. So all in all I understand the concerns but for me to keep their business healthy and for us to keep our business healthy we have to make sure that we have the best product we can provide. We can’t go backwards; that’s not at all acceptable.
The remark about the “bottom third” appears to acknowledge an economic reality for the audience: a limited comics budget.
But the lower-profile books may not be the only ones hurt by price hike. ICv2.com, a retailer-oriented news and analysis site, previously has noted that some of Marvel’s $3.99 — Ultimate Comics Avengers and Ultimate Comics Spider-Man, in particular — are experiencing steady sales slips. Others like Dark Avengers and New Avengers, however, remain top-sellers.
- December 10, 2009 @ 07:07 AM by Kevin Melrose
Gorillas Riding Dinosaurs: What Looks Good for February
Time again for our monthly trip through Previews looking for interesting new adventure comics.
Necessary Monsters
AIT/PlanetLar
Necessary Monsters – At one time I would’ve been tired of the concept behind this, but it’s been a while since I’ve read a good book about monsters who protect us humans from other monsters. Or an AIT book at all, for that matter. I’m not completely sure what to expect here, but it’s a genre that I like and am ready to experience again.
Avatar
Ignition City, Volume 1 - I’m also ready to experience this classic Warren Ellis story. Everyone says it’s amazing and with all the rayguns, spaceships, and jetpacks it promises, it should be. Plus, you know, there’s that Warren Ellis guy.
Captain Swing #1 – Speaking of Ellis, Avatar really wants my money this month and they’re going to get it. Steampunk pirates and Springheeled Jack… they’re not playing fair.
Boom!
Anchor, Volume 1 - Since reading the preview for the first issue I’ve been anxiously waiting for this Phil Hester story about an immortal Viking demon-hunter. And as cool as the last four words in that sentence are, they’re made infinitely more exciting by putting “Phil” and “Hester” in front of them. It’s not only going to be fun, it’s going to be smart too.
Hunter’s Fortune #1 – I loved the first issue of this. I’m really excited to find out where it went from there.
Poe – Got a soft spot for Poe too. And detective stories. This has both.
Dinosaurs, fairy tales, atomic robots, and a derby-wearing gargoyle after the break.
- December 9, 2009 @ 07:03 PM by Michael May
Send Us Your Shelf Porn!
Today on Send Us Your Shelf Porn we’ll be looking at the collection of Mr. Abel Yu, who sent us a rather nice and detailed rundown of his bookshelves.
Remember, we’re always on the lookout for good shelf porn. And this holiday season, we’re looking for holiday-themed shelf porn as well. If you think you’ve got some, take a pic and send it to us at cmautnerATcomcastDOTnet and we’ll post it here for everyone to enjoy.
And now, take it away Abel!
- December 9, 2009 @ 02:00 PM by Chris Mautner
Straight for the toys | Iron Fist & Immortal Weapons custom action figures
Immortal Weapons customs by Dylan Pommer
They’re my favorite superhero team this side of the B.P.R.D., and now they’re fully articulated too: Customizer Dylan Pommer has created custom action figures of Fat Cobra, Bride of Nine Spiders, Tiger’s Beautiful Daughter, Dog Brother #1, the Prince of Orphans, the Steel Phoenix, and Mr. Danny Rand himself, the Immortal Iron Fist. Together they are the Immortal Weapons, created (for the most part) by Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, and David Aja and stars of the Marvel comic of the same name. Click here for a full gallery, which is like unto a thing of awesome. Attention, nice people at Marvel Legends: Can you please make this happen?
- December 9, 2009 @ 01:30 PM by Sean T. Collins