Tuesday, January 31, 2012

The Huntress #3 (February, 2012)



Moretti's yacht docked at Torre Annunziata, and was met by a squad of polizia cars squarely in the gangster's pocket. Huntress looked on. "They're protecting Naples' biggest mobster? This country is totally corrupt." Huntress beat up on some cops with more silly trick crossbow bolts, so that she could sneak aboard the boat to eavesdrop. Shame she didn't have a parabolic device handy, instead of the weaponized Nerf products. This led to Huntress calling her exposition device reporter acquaintance, who connected comments about "the Chairman" to Hassan, an oil sheik from Kufra. All those trafficked girls were another national export of the Magreb [sic] breakaway state. Hassan and his sons were negotiating asylum as their country was being overtaken by the Arab Spring.

In a cute if forced moment, Helena stared down a pair of dogs. "Never was much of a dog person. More of a cat person."

At the ancient ruins of a gladiator arena more valuable than the lives of anyone present, Huntress defaced the historic architecture as a distraction while breaking up a clandestine meeting between young Ibn Hassan and local authorities. Huntress beat up some more stooges, shooting a plain arrow through one guy's arm. Huntress was seized from behind by a large bodyguard wearing a ghutrah, who called himself "the Lion of Kufra." The guy was strong, but a nerve pinch finally took him out.

In an interlude during that match, Ibn Hassan escaped to Moretti's yacht. Meanwhile, the senior Hassan was back in Kufra, screwing dissidents' daughters while working out the final details of screwing his country before screwing off to Italy. Just so everyone knows he's the baddest bad guy...

"Crossbow at the Crossroads: Part Three" was by Paul Levitz, Marcus To and John Dell. It wasn't the exact same plot as #1 like #2 was, but was still very much like whole chunks of the video market for action movies in the heyday of VHS. Huntress fought someone with a bit of sand from a land of sand, but he was nothing special. This mini could be retro cool if it were sexy or funny or amusingly bad-- anything but strictly perfunctory. The art is consistent, though I'm not as high on it, probably because I'm so disdainful toward the dull, thin story being depicted as endlessly spinning wheels.

New 52's Day

Friday, January 27, 2012

2010-2011 The Justice League of America 100 Project charity art by Ramon Fernandez Bachs

Click To Expand & Enlarge


The was already a good drawing of the Magnificent Seven, but highlighting my two favorites (oh... and Batman... I guess...) makes it that much better.

JLA 100 Project

In late 2000, a consortium of comic publishers came up with the idea to create a financial safety net for comic creators, much in the same fashion that exists in almost any other trade from plumbing to pottery. By March of 2001, the federal government approved The Hero Initiative as a publicly supported not-for-profit corporation under section 501 (c) (3).

Since its inception, The Hero Initiative (Formerly known as A.C.T.O.R., A Commitment To Our Roots) has had the good fortune to grant over $400,000 to the comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today.

The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterdays' creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It's a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.


ALL 104 JUSTICE LEAGUE #50 ORIGINALS…NOW ON DISPLAY!

Please enjoy this gallery of ALL 104 original Justice League of America #50 Hero Initiative covers!

Hardcover and softcover versions of a book collecting all the covers will be available in December, 2011. AND all the originals will be auctioned off according to the following schedule:

• December 3, 2011, Meltdown Comics, Los Angeles, CA: Display of all 104 covers and auction of first one-third
• Jan. 20-22, 2012, Tate's Comics, Lauderhill, FL (Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area): Display of remaining covers and auction of second one-third.
• Feb. 17-19, 2012: Orlando MegaCon, Orlando, FL: Display and auction of final one-third.

All covers will be sold via LIVE AUCTION on-site at the venues above. If you cannot attend but wish to bid, proxy bidding is available.
Contact Joe Davidson at: yensid4disney@gmail.com
Deadlines for each grouping are below, and each cover carries a minimum bid of $100.

Special thanks to Firestorm Fan for the notice!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

2011 Wonder Woman art by Timothy Green II

Click To Enlarge


Also check out DCnÜ Wonder Woman art by Timothy Green II. She looks like a crazy pissed off Xena-fied bitch, which per Carol A. Strickland, is exactly right. That given, I've passed on buying the first Azz/Chang arc in hardcover, so we'll see if they can sneak into my buy pile a few months on as a heavily discounted paperback...

Timothy Green II

Saturday, January 21, 2012

2010-2011 The Justice League of America 100 Project charity art by Mark Bagley

Click To Expand & Enlarge


"We want our book back!" Bagley was drawing the title during its "former sidekicks and c-listers" days, so it stands to reason he might have welcomed Martian Manhunter, Aquaman, Superman, Flash, Green Lantern, Batman and Wonder Woman!

In late 2000, a consortium of comic publishers came up with the idea to create a financial safety net for comic creators, much in the same fashion that exists in almost any other trade from plumbing to pottery. By March of 2001, the federal government approved The Hero Initiative as a publicly supported not-for-profit corporation under section 501 (c) (3).

Since its inception, The Hero Initiative (Formerly known as A.C.T.O.R., A Commitment To Our Roots) has had the good fortune to grant over $400,000 to the comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today.

The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterdays' creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It's a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.


ALL 104 JUSTICE LEAGUE #50 ORIGINALS…NOW ON DISPLAY!

Please enjoy this gallery of ALL 104 original Justice League of America #50 Hero Initiative covers!

Hardcover and softcover versions of a book collecting all the covers will be available in December, 2011. AND all the originals will be auctioned off according to the following schedule:

• December 3, 2011, Meltdown Comics, Los Angeles, CA: Display of all 104 covers and auction of first one-third
• Jan. 20-22, 2012, Tate's Comics, Lauderhill, FL (Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area): Display of remaining covers and auction of second one-third.
• Feb. 17-19, 2012: Orlando MegaCon, Orlando, FL: Display and auction of final one-third.

All covers will be sold via LIVE AUCTION on-site at the venues above. If you cannot attend but wish to bid, proxy bidding is available.
Contact Joe Davidson at: yensid4disney@gmail.com
Deadlines for each grouping are below, and each cover carries a minimum bid of $100.

Special thanks to Firestorm Fan for the notice!

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Sensational Comics for April, 2012



Sensational Links:

Wonder Woman
WONDER WOMAN #8
Written by BRIAN AZZARELLO and CLIFF CHIANG
Art and cover by CLIFF CHIANG
1:25 B&W Variant cover by CLIFF CHIANG
On sale APRIL 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
To march on Hell itself, you’re going to need some sensational weapons – and Wonder Woman intends to call in a few family favors to get them! Armor of Hephaestus? Check. The pistols of Eros? Check! But will any of it be enough to wrest an innocent soul from the grasp of Hades? And what does Hermes know that Diana doesn’t…yet?
I still haven't read an issue, but still have some issues, in the analytical sense. Still, I agree here as I did during the Rucka run that it makes a lot more sense for the Greek Pantheon of today to dress in Gucci than togas. The pistols of Eros' aim is true.

JUSTICE LEAGUE #8
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art by CARLOS D’ANDA
Backup story art by GARY FRANK
Cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS
1:25 Variant cover by MIKE CHOI
1:200 B&W Variant cover by JIM LEE
On sale APRIL 18 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US

In the five years that the Justice League has been a team, Green Arrow has never once been a member. And he intends to rectify that right here, right now! One member against his candidacy: Aquaman!

Plus, in “The Curse of Shazam” part 2, Billy arrives in his new foster home just as an ancient evil is uncovered halfway across the world.

This issue is also offered as a special combo pack edition, polybagged with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.
I find it funny that the first hero to join the Justice League after its formation is now going to be one of the last in the new timeline. Good show of taste on Aquaman's part.

THE INFINITE CRISIS OMNIBUS HC
Written by BILL WILLINGHAM, DAVE GIBBONS, GEOFF JOHNS, GREG RUCKA and JUDD WINICK
Art by JUSTINIANO, RON WAGNER, IVAN REIS, MARCO CAMPOS, JOE PRADO, MICHAEL BAIR, JACK JADSON, JOE BENNETT, RAGS MORALES, JESUS SAIZ, JIMMY PALMIOTTI, PHIL JIMENEZ, ANDY LANNING, CLIFF RICHARDS, DAVID LOPEZ, TOM DERENICK, KARL KERSCHL and others
Cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS
On sale JUNE 27 • 1,152 pg, FC, $150.00 US

This incredible omnibus hardcover collects the many titles from the 2005 event that rocked the DC Universe, including DAY OF VENGEANCE #1-6, the DAY OF VENGEANCE INFINITE CRISIS SPECIAL #1, RANN/THANAGAR WAR #1-6, RANN/THANAGAR WAR INFINITE CRISIS SPECIAL #1, THE OMAC PROJECT #1-5, DC COUNTDOWN #1 and WONDER WOMAN #219.
OMAC robots are rampaging, magic is dying, villains are uniting, and a war is raging in space. And in the middle of it all, a critical moment has divided Earth’s three greatest heroes: Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. It’s the DCU’s darkest day, and long-lost heroes from the past have returned to make things right in the universe...at any cost
I'm unclear. Does this reprint the actual mini-series in the title?

DC UNIVERSE: LEGACIES TP
Written by LEN WEIN • Art by SCOTT KOLINS, ANDY KUBERT, JOE KUBERT, GEORGE PEREZ, J.H. WILLIAMS III and others
Cover by ANDY KUBERT and JOE KUBERT
On sale MAY 9 • 336 pg, FC, $24.99 US
Acclaimed writer Len Wein chronicles the DC Universe’s epic history in this title spanning five generations of heroes starring Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Justice League of America, The Teen Titans and more. Collecting the ten-issue miniseries!
It's that bland mini-series that mildly revised a continuity that has now ceased to exist! It's way less irrelevant than those Flashpoint tie-ins!

Wonder Girl (Cassie Sandsmark)
TEEN TITANS #8
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art and cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND
1:25 B&W Variant cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND
On sale APRIL 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. The variant cover will feature the standard edition cover in a wraparound format.

In the aftermath of the Teen Titans’ assault on N.O.W.H.E.R.E.’s headquarters, there’s no time to celebrate because Wonder Girl is missing! Red Robin desperately tries to find her, but he’s got his hands full, as Superboy has announced his decision to lead the team, Solstice is still dealing with the devastating revelations about her past and Kid Flash is getting glimpses of a dangerous future that he thinks he recognizes!

Sunday, January 15, 2012

2011 "The Thing and Wonder Woman ...The Lost Issue!"

Click For More!


Some of my favorite comics as a kid were character jam books like DC Comics Presents and Marvel Team-Up. The blogger known simply as Ross must have enjoyed the same books, and quite a bit more than I did, since he devotes insane amounts of time creating new crossovers through MS Paint. ...The Lost Issues! sees him manipulates libraries of images into proposals for team-ups that never happened in such long cancelled titles as The Brave and The Bold, Marvel Two-In-One and Super-Team Family. Here, he takes two George Pérez covers involving serpents produced years apart and crafts a super spiffy combo. Click here for more!

Friday, January 13, 2012

2010-2011 The Justice League of America 100 Project Donna Troy charity art gallery

Click To Expand & Enlarge



In late 2000, a consortium of comic publishers came up with the idea to create a financial safety net for comic creators, much in the same fashion that exists in almost any other trade from plumbing to pottery. By March of 2001, the federal government approved The Hero Initiative as a publicly supported not-for-profit corporation under section 501 (c) (3).

Since its inception, The Hero Initiative (Formerly known as A.C.T.O.R., A Commitment To Our Roots) has had the good fortune to grant over $400,000 to the comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today.

The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterdays' creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It's a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.


ALL 104 JUSTICE LEAGUE #50 ORIGINALS…NOW ON DISPLAY!

Please enjoy this gallery of ALL 104 original Justice League of America #50 Hero Initiative covers!

Hardcover and softcover versions of a book collecting all the covers will be available in December, 2011. AND all the originals will be auctioned off according to the following schedule:

• December 3, 2011, Meltdown Comics, Los Angeles, CA: Display of all 104 covers and auction of first one-third
• Jan. 20-22, 2012, Tate's Comics, Lauderhill, FL (Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area): Display of remaining covers and auction of second one-third.
• Feb. 17-19, 2012: Orlando MegaCon, Orlando, FL: Display and auction of final one-third.

All covers will be sold via LIVE AUCTION on-site at the venues above. If you cannot attend but wish to bid, proxy bidding is available.
Contact Joe Davidson at: yensid4disney@gmail.com
Deadlines for each grouping are below, and each cover carries a minimum bid of $100.

Special thanks to Firestorm Fan for the notice!

Monday, January 9, 2012

"The Wonder Of It All" editorial by George Pérez (1986)



From the inside front cover of Wonder Woman #1 (February, 1987):

It's a long way from Titans' Tower to Paradise Island. I'm sure there are some readers out there who are surprised to find me here. After all, I've had stints on some very successful series such as The New Teen Titans and Crisis On Infinite Earths (both with my friend and long­time partner, Marv Wolfman). What could have possessed me to take on the assignment of revitalizing one of DCs oldest established characters, espe­cially one whose past sales record had not set the industry on fire? Why such a gamble?

Blame John Byrne.

It was the fall of 1985 as I gleefully stalked into DC Comics' offices at 666 Fifth Avenue. Crisis was done, finished. Finally, I was free of the monthly grind. One-shot stories, graphic novels, posters—yep, that was it for me for the next five years. But then I heard the talk. The talk of big things happening. Of new beginnings. John Byrne had been commissioned to revamp and revitalize Super­man. Frank Miller's Dark Knight was inspiring the company to consider new directions on Batman.

And of course, I knew that Wonder Woman was also scheduled for an overhaul. After all, Marv and I had "de-evolved" her in the last issue of Crisis. I had initially been asked to take over the new Wonder Woman. After all, I had expressed interest in doing a story with the Amazon Princess before her original book's demise, but now my schedule wouldn't allow it.
I walked into editor Janice Race's office to find out about the future of Diana Prince. I was curious to learn who was going to draw her. Superman had Byrne and Ordway. Batman had Miller and Davis (and later Mazzucchelli). Wonder Woman had...

No one.

A writer, Greg Potter, had been selected but no established artist wanted to handle the new series. After exhaustive searches, it seemed that Wonder Woman would have to be assigned to an unknown. Now, while that may have proven successful, it wouldn't give the book the clout and hopeful fan interest that established names seem to bring, and Wonder Woman needed all the help she could get.

I thought of John Byrne—and of Superman. What a great coup for DC. A top talent and fan-fave on their premier character.

As Janice's eyes looked straight at me, an uncon­trollable force rushed from my gut and up through my throat. It forced tongue, lips and vocal chords to act in dramatic unison. "Janice," I heard myself say, "What if I took on Wonder Woman for the first six months— just to get her out of the starting gate?"

I had never been kissed by an editor before. I guess I should thank John Byrne for that, too.

Little did I realize what a chain reaction would follow. Suddenly, there was no stopping that mouth of mine. Ideas spilled forth like a bursting dam. Other creative people got caught in the enthusiasm and volunteered ideas and opinions. There was a divine madness stirring, and at the center of it all was Wonder Woman. After over forty years, the Princess of Paradise Island was finally getting people enthused.

Changes started coming fast and furious. Suddenly, a temporary six-month stay became an unlimited com­mitment. Janice Race left for other endeavors and Karen Berger took over the editing chores. It was thought a woman's input was vital for the success of the series featuring comicdom's most well-known heroine, and Karen being one of the most creative and respected editors around didn't hurt matters any (check out Swamp Thing, The Legion of Super Heroes, and Blue Beetle just to name a few of her titles).

The turning point, however, really came when Karen, Greg and I agreed that what made Wonder Woman unique was both her feminism and the Ama­zon legends with their roots in Greek Mythology. This mythical and mystical angle definitely made Diana something other than a "female Superman."

A lot of research went into this first issue, and my bookshelves are full of reference material on mythol­ogy, Greek hairstyles, armor, clothing and even atti­tudes of the time. Some compromises were made where different references contradicted each other, but no decision was made without thought. We all have fallen in love with this project and want everyone to share in our excitement.

We would also like to take the time to thank everyone who has been so supportive and helpful in getting this book off the ground. Special thanks to P. John Palmer, for research material and insight into the Amazon myth; to Gloria Steinem and Jenette Kahn for a feminist perspective that helped direct this series; to Marv Wolfman, for his support, friendship and getting me hooked on Greek mythology in the first place; and to Michael Margo for the invaluable loan of his encyclo­pedia. And, of course, to John Byrne.

Upcoming issues will deal further with the his­tory of Paradise Island and of Diana herself. Who is this Diana the Princess was named after? Where did the gun come from? Why does Diana's costume resemble an American flag? For the answers to these and other questions, keep your eyes peeled every 30 days for the next installment of the New Wonder Woman.

Next issue: Steve Trevor as you have never seen him before...The search for Ares begins... And, believe it or not, Etta Candy, too.

Friday, January 6, 2012

2010-2011 The Justice League of America 100 Project charity art by Joseph Michael Linsner

Click To Expand & Enlarge


It's a shame DC never managed to get any major work out of Joe Linsner, a guy I was a serious fan of back in the '90s, before all that questing pagan cheesecake hoodoo got in the way of bitchin' modern horror short stories. Anyway, it's sweet art for a worthy cause, plus you'll have to click the pic to see who exactly Wonder Woman has lassoed...

In late 2000, a consortium of comic publishers came up with the idea to create a financial safety net for comic creators, much in the same fashion that exists in almost any other trade from plumbing to pottery. By March of 2001, the federal government approved The Hero Initiative as a publicly supported not-for-profit corporation under section 501 (c) (3).

Since its inception, The Hero Initiative (Formerly known as A.C.T.O.R., A Commitment To Our Roots) has had the good fortune to grant over $400,000 to the comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today.

The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterdays' creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It's a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.


ALL 104 JUSTICE LEAGUE #50 ORIGINALS…NOW ON DISPLAY!

Please enjoy this gallery of ALL 104 original Justice League of America #50 Hero Initiative covers!

Hardcover and softcover versions of a book collecting all the covers will be available in December, 2011. AND all the originals will be auctioned off according to the following schedule:

• December 3, 2011, Meltdown Comics, Los Angeles, CA: Display of all 104 covers and auction of first one-third
• Jan. 20-22, 2012, Tate's Comics, Lauderhill, FL (Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area): Display of remaining covers and auction of second one-third.
• Feb. 17-19, 2012: Orlando MegaCon, Orlando, FL: Display and auction of final one-third.

All covers will be sold via LIVE AUCTION on-site at the venues above. If you cannot attend but wish to bid, proxy bidding is available.
Contact Joe Davidson at: yensid4disney@gmail.com
Deadlines for each grouping are below, and each cover carries a minimum bid of $100.

Special thanks to Firestorm Fan for the notice!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

2000 Warner Bros. Studio Store Exclusive JLA Mug

Photo by Pekita Trotamundos


This embossed coffee mug was bought for me as a present from the late, great WB Store. It has stored loose change and/or pens ever since. For the record, only the figures are raised, not the JLA logo, but this is some of the most pronounced embossing I've ever felt. Very lumpy, at various degrees, that could almost be measured to a centimeter at the most extreme points.

Photo by Pekita Trotamundos


Art appears to be by the late Eduardo Barreto. Pictured left-to-right, top-to-bottom: Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern Kyle Rayner, Wonder Woman, the Flash (presumably Wally West,) Batman, Superman and Golden Mullet Aquaman.

Photo by Pekita Trotamundos

Sunday, January 1, 2012

2010-2011 The Justice League of America 100 Project charity art by Dan Jurgens

Click To Expand & Enlarge


Martian Manhunter, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Green Lantern, Batman and Superman; all under the watchful of the the JLA Satellite!

In late 2000, a consortium of comic publishers came up with the idea to create a financial safety net for comic creators, much in the same fashion that exists in almost any other trade from plumbing to pottery. By March of 2001, the federal government approved The Hero Initiative as a publicly supported not-for-profit corporation under section 501 (c) (3).

Since its inception, The Hero Initiative (Formerly known as A.C.T.O.R., A Commitment To Our Roots) has had the good fortune to grant over $400,000 to the comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today.

The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterdays' creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It's a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.


ALL 104 JUSTICE LEAGUE #50 ORIGINALS…NOW ON DISPLAY!

Please enjoy this gallery of ALL 104 original Justice League of America #50 Hero Initiative covers!

Hardcover and softcover versions of a book collecting all the covers will be available in December, 2011. AND all the originals will be auctioned off according to the following schedule:

• December 3, 2011, Meltdown Comics, Los Angeles, CA: Display of all 104 covers and auction of first one-third
• Jan. 20-22, 2012, Tate's Comics, Lauderhill, FL (Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area): Display of remaining covers and auction of second one-third.
• Feb. 17-19, 2012: Orlando MegaCon, Orlando, FL: Display and auction of final one-third.

All covers will be sold via LIVE AUCTION on-site at the venues above. If you cannot attend but wish to bid, proxy bidding is available.
Contact Joe Davidson at: yensid4disney@gmail.com
Deadlines for each grouping are below, and each cover carries a minimum bid of $100.

Special thanks to Firestorm Fan for the notice!