The Joker
Six by 6 | Six more “Earth One” titles DC should consider
Tomorrow DC Comics releases the second of the new reader-friendly “Earth One” graphic novels, Batman: Earth One. Originally announced in 2009, this second graphic novel is just hours away from release, and people are already looking toward the line, and this title’s, future. DC has already announced that J. Michael Straczynski and Shane Davis have a sequel to Superman: Earth One due out Nov. 6, and Geoff Johns let slip that he was already writing a Batman: Earth One sequel in an interview posted on Entertainment Weekly‘s website. With those two balls in the air, and DC actively looking to expand their roster of mainstream-friendly characters, I thought I’d give some unsolicited advice on what they should consider next for the “Earth One” line.
Bookmark the Geek-Art blog
Norman Saunders' Batman trading card
I’ve been bookmarking posts from the Geek-Art blog, thinking I’d link to them one at a time, but after saving a few of them it felt less like, “Look! Cool art!” and more like stealing content. So let me just point you to some of my favorites and leave you to browse and drool on your own. The one above is from a collection of Norman Saunders’ Batman trading cards from 1966. And just so you don’t think it’s all vintage art, here’s one from Chris Gerringer’s “I Know That Feel, Bro” series.
As with all the Geek-Art posts, there are any more like that in the link. And I’ve got a couple of more favorites below the jump.
‘Heroes will rise’ in Diesel’s new DC Comics underwear
As someone who spent a significant portion of his childhood in superhero Underoos, I can appreciate the sentiment behind these new DC Comics-branded boxerbriefs from Diesel and Warner Bros. — even if I can’t envision myself, as an adult (lacking the body of an underwear model), wearing them. Or, y’know, shelling out $34 for the pleasure.
However, if you’re itching to sport the logos of Batman, Green Lantern, The Flash and The Joker above your cotton- and elastane-clad buttcheeks — or to see someone else do the same — then these are for you.
There’s probably a “stocking stuffer” joke to be made — also, “The Fastest Man Alive” — but I’ll do my best to resist. Alas, the folks at Diesel apparently don’t have that level of restraint, as the (let’s hope intentionally) hilarious promo video for the underwear drops the phrases “heroes will rise” and “show ‘em what you’ve got.” You can check it out below.
Batman, Joker get BLOXed in new vinyl figure line
Batman Blox
Funko, the company whose Pop Vinyl figure line includes everyone from Mickey Mouse to Yoda to Spider-Man to the Ramones, has a new line called BLOX that features “2D-image ‘thickened’ into a boxy 3D-figure.” The figures stand seven inches tall and feature Batman, Joker, Gene Simmons and several cereal mascots.
You can see all of them in all their glory over on the Funko site, or head to Entertainment Earth to pre-order them.
I’m ready for more of Tony Moore’s Joker
A weekend blogpost by artist Tony Moore got my eyes reeling and my mind day-dreaming.. day-dreaming of Moore doing a Joker series. Check out what Moore posted Sunday:
Moore drew the image several years ago, but only recently dusted it off and colored it before unveiling it for the first time.
Moore’s currently hard at work on Marvel’s Venom series with Rick Remender, but just imagine for a second if DC gave Tony the reigns of Gotham’s big bad? Or even that great Lobo series he and Remender pitched years back.
What Are You Reading?
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol. 3 Century #2
It’s time once again for another round of What Are You Reading?, kids. Today we welcome special guest Daniel Merlin Goodbrey, creator of Necessary Monsters, The Last Sane Cowboy and more.
To see what Daniel and the Robot 6 crew have been reading, click below.
Graffiti artist turns Bulgarian war memorial into superhero monument
Vandalized monument to the Soviet Army in Sofia, Bulgaria
Far be it for us to condone graffiti, but if you were going to vandalize public property — say, a statue celebrating the Soviet Army and communist rule — this is the way you should do it: With gloriously nerdy style.
Courtesy of Gawker, the Daily Mail and other outlets comes word that police in Sofia, Bulgaria, are searching for the graffiti artist who over the weekend painted a monument erected to commemorate the 1944 “liberation” of Bulgaria, transforming Soviet soldiers into colorful comic-book and cartoon characters.
From right, that’s Wonder Woman, Robin, Captain America, Ronald McDonald, Superman, Santa Claus, Wolverine, The Joker and … I don’t know. I initially thought it was the Gorton’s Fisherman, but now I’m not so sure. (Any guesses?) On the base was painted the words “Moving with the times,” “In pace with the times” or “Abreast with the times,” depending on which translation you prefer.
The monument has since been cleaned up, at a cost of about $720. Go here to see more shots of the monument, including the mysterious figure in yellow.
Holy Hi-Tops, Batman!
Journeys is selling Converse All Star Hi-Tops featuring a selection of DC superheroes for $60. Fans can choose between Superman, Batman, Green Lantern (in two styles, one featuring other members of the Corp), The Flash and The Joker.
Which would you get? Or would you rather hold out for another character?
Robinson to sell iconic covers at auction
This could be yours, if you have the dough
Like those mothers of legend who used to toss entire comics collections in the trash, comics artists used to throw away their original art, too, with little regard for its future worth. Back in the day, original comic art wasn’t considered valuable—it was the printed item that mattered.
Fortunately, Jerry Robinson, the creator of The Joker, had a bit more foresight. Back in 1942, he rescued the art for a couple of covers from the trash. One is his own work, Detective Comics No. 69, which featured the first appearance of The Joker, (apparently not—as our commenters noted) and the other is an equally iconic Superman cover by Fred Ray, a motif that came to be known as “The Superman Patriotic Shield,” according to The New York Post. Now he is selling both, via the online auction site ComicConnect.com. While the Post estimates the two will bring in $1.4 million, ComicConnect owner Stephen Fishler is a bit more restrained, estimating about $1 million. Said Robinson,
So obviously this was a very hard decision, they’re going to be very hard to part with — they were a big part of my youth, but I’m 88 now. I think it’s time to see that they get into the proper hands to be preserved. I’m hoping whomever buys them will donate them to the Library of Congress or the Smithsonian.
While he would like to have made that donation himself, Robinson said he was selling the covers so his family would be financially secure. If you’re interested, bidding starts today at noon, Eastern Time.
Give Jim Lee some crayons and five minutes with a restaurant placemat …
Give Jim lee some crayons and five minutes with a restaurant placemat, and you get this.
Lee posted this earlier today on his Twitter feed, saying “Out w/@joke2far & 10 kids! We all colored on our placemats! http://twitpic.com/2u1xqc”
Straight for the art | Dustin Weaver’s Free Comic Book Day sketches
The Joker
What’s better than free comics? How about free comics + the chance to get a sketch from the artist of Marvel’s cool new Shield series? Artist Dustin Weaver shares several sketches he did during his appearance at Tony’s Kingdom of Comics in Oregon this past Saturday for Free Comic Book Day.
Straight for the T | Joker meets the … Queen of England?
God Save the Villain
I’m not really sure what to think of this new T-shirt that went up on the T-shirt site Threadless today. Either it’s an odd Joker/Queen of England mash-up, or someone is just having a really bad make-up day.
Straight for the craft | We all scream for Joker ice cream
Joker Papercraft
Super Punch always finds the most wonderful toys … check out this Joker ice cream truck papercraft that you can download and assemble for yourself. It’s a great companion piece for this papercraft Batmobile.
More images from the upcoming Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths DVD
The Jester
Warner Home Video sent out a pre-holiday treat last week — four new images from the upcoming animated release Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, which comes out in February. The direct-to-DVD release pits the Justice League against their evil counterparts, the Crime Syndicate. Up above is the Jester, a heroic version of the Joker from the Crime Syndicate’s world. After the jump you’ll find a really angry Jimmy Olsen, the Flash and a Crime Syndicate group shot.
If you haven’t checked out the latest trailer, you can find it here.
Let me tell you how I got these scars … pushing for health care reform
Disturbing thing, innit?
As you’ve no doubt already seen, the above Obama/Joker mash-up has been making the rounds lately; it’s been posted up on placards and utility poles in Los Angeles and gotten the attention of quite a few bloggers.
According to Politics Daily, it also got the attention of radio personality Rush Limbaugh, who found the comparison apt: