Titanium Rain Audio Comic

Now this is pretty exciting. Titanium Rain is a great, near future war series, published a while ago by Archaia before it went on hiatus. Now it’s getting a new life as an audio drama. With its more grounded, believable sci-fi edge, this could really work. Official details below.

TITANIUM RAIN COMES TO AUDIO
The AudioComics Company to adapt Glitchwerk Studios property as a full-cast radio drama

To be alive is to be at odds with the world. Man against nature. Man against man. The instinct to survive is what has made us who we are.

The AudioComics Company is excited to announce that they will be adapting Glitchwerk Studios’ graphic novel series Titanium Rain as one of their next full-cast audio theatre productions, with the first book in the trilogy recording this fall for a winter 2012 release, with parts two and three to be recorded later that year. The work will be adapted for audio by co-creators Josh Finney and Kat Rocha, and directed by AudioComics Company Co-Producer William Dufris.

Currently published by Archaia Entertainment, Titanium Rain is a sci-fi war epic set in the year 2031 where a civil war in China has escalated into a global conflict that has decimated entire nations and millions of innocent lives. And for many, like US Air Force pilot Alec Killian, survival in this new age means that man and machine must exist as one. In the spirit of films such as Ghost in the Shell and Blackhawk Down, Titanium Rain follows Killian’s journey through mankind’s worst, only to discover its best.

“Titanium Rain is the antithesis of the post-apocalyptic ‘trend’ we’re seeing today in film, on television, in comic books. That’s part of the reason why it’s such an appealing audio project, the idea that we can rise above our mistakes rather than be dragged down by them is one worth exploring,” says director William Dufris, who also directed The AudioComics Company’s premiere production, Starstruck. “Also, it’s a great character-driven book. Actors are always looking for roles they can really sink their teeth into, and TR is chock full of great character studies.”

Co-creator Josh Finney: “From Titanium Rain‘s initial conception I had always wanted to hear the story translated into an audio production, going so far to actually commission a full-blown soundtrack by musician Jonathan Sharp (New Mind, Bio-Tek). Now with the AudioComics Company onboard this dream is finally shaping into a reality. Stay tuned. This is going to be amazing.”

The first volume of Titanium Rain has been a consistent best seller, both in the US and abroad. The title was also the center of a controversy when the first volume was delayed when Chinese printing companies refused to print the book due to Titanium Rain‘s so-called “politically sensitive” content, leading to Archaia Entertainment’s decision to manufacture their books elsewhere.

In addition to adapting the work, both Finney and Rocha will attend the voice-over recording sessions for Part One of the audio trilogy, and will have a hand in casting the project as well. The completed piece will be available on compact disc and pay-per-Mp3 downloads; Jonathan Sharp’s soundtrack for Titanium Rain will also be available as a separate Mp3 download, to be released concurrently with Part One of the TR audio production.

Glitchwerk Studios is the combined talents of husband and wife team Josh Finney and Kat Rocha. Glitchwerk specializes in science-fiction/fantasy art, concept art, and graphic design. Their style features a fusion of 3D modeling, digital painting, and traditional art techniques. In addition to their original comic book properties Utopiates, Titanium Rain, LD30, and the forthcoming World War Kaiju, Glitchwerk’s art has been featured in the acclaimed UK magazine Interzone, on several CD album covers, in numerous collectable card and online games, and on television (Star Trek: Enterprise). Titanium Rain is one of the few graphic novels on the comics landscape created entirely by a married couple.

The AudioComics Company, under the guidance of producers Lance Roger Axt, William Dufris, and Elaine Lee, provides superior audio entertainment with its professional full-cast audio theatre productions of both licensed properties and original works from the world of comic books, graphic novels, and related media, accessible in today’s market with today’s sound. The AudioComics team is working to establish relationships with top name comic book companies, sci-fi writers, sponsors and the entertainment industry in Hollywood and New York, and to give these audio theatre pieces worldwide exposure. Their debut production of the original play script of Elaine Lee and Michael Kaluta’s Starstruck has received critical acclaim from comics and audio professionals alike.

June 19, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Ewww…Plastic Man

I picked up 2 debut issues from DC’s alternate universe Flashpoint epic this week. There are so many that it’s always a gamble, but I really enjoyed both of these.

Grodd of War #1 has an intriguing premise behind that cool title. Starring the evil, telepathic Gorilla Grodd as a bored leader, the opening narration of the powerful primate tells you all you need to know. “Aquaman sinks half of Europe and he’s considered to be the most dangerous being on the planet. I slaughter half of Africa and most people don’t even know my name.” Written with gusto by Sean Ryan and superb art by Ig Guara, this is a dark tale, to be sure, but the creative duo do a remarkable job of making the grotesque gorilla a somewhat sympathetic character. Not an easy job seeing he kills Congarilla, and later Catman in combat, and forces a human boy to kill his fellow rebel soldiers, before telling him to, “spend every minute of your life planning and thinking about how you’re going to kill me.” This desperation for a worthy foe to ease his boredom, now that he’s ruling all of Africa, finally sees him make a possibly suicidal plan to travel to Europe to take on the mad Aquaman and Wonder Woman. I can’t wait to see where this goes next.

Legion of Doom #1, like Grodd’s title, is a villain centric mini-series. Written by Adam Glass, with art by Rodney Buchemi, it’s not as entertaining as Grodd of War, but it does have a few nice surprises, and a plot that also makes me curious for what comes next. The fire loving baddie gets foiled by Cyborg after killing half of the Firestorm duo, and catching fire and winds up in jail, and even gets the traditional toilet dunking welcome. The prison is divided into normals and metas, and JLA enemy android Amazo is one of the guards. At least the prison looks cool (from the outside) as it resembles the semi-circle swamp base from the ’70s Superfriends cartoon. Throughout the issue, Heatwave boasts that he has a plan to get out, and we see it play out in rather gross way in the last 2 pages, as Plastic Man climbs out of his cell mate’s gut! I wasn’t expecting that, but Plas used to be a crim in the proper DC Universe, so it makes sense to see him all evil. It’s not a bad issue and the plot works well, despite Heatwave’s OTT Bond villain exclamations such as his love for fire being a hunger burning in his gut and, “I’d marry it if I could.”

June 19, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, Comics, Reviews . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Spewing Bile

Or something. In this week’s issue of Batman, Dick Grayson (who won’t be Batman come September, due to the relaunch) hits one of Riddler’s goons in the gut, after descending upon Enigma (Riddler’s daughter). Bats mentions that she doesn’t like to get her hands dirty, “or should I say, bloody?” I must say, Tony Daniel has come a long way as both a writer and an artist on this title, but this panel seems a little…off.

The assumption is that the henchman (who has it bad enough, with the bowler hat/ tutrtleneck combo) is spewing blood. If he is though, that’s an awful lot of blood from one Bat punch to the gut. Of course, it’s the wrong colour to be “bloody” but maybe no-one told colourist Ian Hannin, or in fact, they did, as it was perhaps too gross for a comic without a “mature readers” tag on it and he had to make it brown. I doubt that though.

I like to think that this goon was enjoying a nice, thick chocolate milkshake before Batman jumped through the skylight and ruined his day.

June 19, 2011
Categories: Comic Art . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: 1 Comment

Upcoming Gestalt Original Graphic Novels

Perth publisher Gestalt is pumping out quality OGNs big time now. There are 4 books coming in August, including The Deep, and you can find my interview with its writer Tom Taylor here and below is all the official info about their other intriguing projects.

An Old West where Myth, Monsters and Magic are all real.

Christian Read and Michael Maier ride off into a blood-red sunset with their new supernatural western, The Eltritch Kid:Whisky and Hate, solicited in the June edition of Diamond Comics’ Previews catalogue.

Ten Shoes Dancing is a shaman of the Lakota people. He also happens to be an Oxford scholar. There’s not much work for literature experts in the Old West, so Ten Shoes finds himself working as a hired gun, an escort for a group of pilgrims and settlers heading West.

Out there he finds a man he scarcely believed to be real, the dime novel hero, the Eldritch Kid. With an impossible reputation as a hero and champion, the Eldritch Kid was known for seeking out the dark forces that plagued those newly United States. But is the Kid all he seems? With bad times coming for the wagon train, the price Ten Shoes will pay for the Kid’s help might be too damn high.

“The book came out of my enduring interest in the history of America and specifically, that expansion after the Civil War. But really, I just wanted to tell a story about cowboys. I kept dreaming, actually, of an uncanny man, whose eyes were hidden behind smoked glass with two evil Colt Peacemakers and I knew it wasn’t a straight historical”, says writer Christian Read.

“Michael Maier’s work is so richly textured you can taste it in your mouth. An eerie colour palette and such strange personalities. He’s turned out to be the perfect partner for this project and we’re both looking forward to this morbid cowboy romance.”

The Eldritch Kid: Whisky & Hate is a 112 page Original Graphic Novel, scheduled for publication 11th August 2011.

Details at a Glance
shelfdate: 11th August 2011
retail price: $11.95
diamond order code: JUN11 1132
website: www.eldritchkid.com

Dive into the Adventures of a Multicultural Family of Underwater Explorers!

The Deep: Here Be Dragons is a new Graphic Novel from the 2011 Aurealis-Award-winning Gestalt Publishing. The Deep tells the tales of the Nekton family – A multicultural family of daring Aquanauts who live on a submarine.

Written by award-winning writer Tom Taylor (Star Wars: Adventures, Star Wars: Invasion, The Authority, The Example) and illustrated by the incredible James Brouwer, The Deep: Here be Dragons is an original Graphic Novel in which we meet the Nekton family, a family who have been exploring the seas for generations. Here Be Dragons sees the Nekton family aboard their state-of-the-art submarine, The Arronax, following strange reports of monster sightings all the way to Greenland. What they discover in those dark depths may change their perceptions of the ocean forever…

A Diverse Family
Not every family of heroes looks like The Incredibles. With this in mind, The Nekton family members aren’t from anywhere. At no point in The Deep will the Nekton family’s ethnicities or countries of origin come up. Simply put, the sea is huge and covers the globe, and so do the Nekton family.

An All-Ages Adventure
Most graphic novels aren’t geared towards, or attractive to, young people. Similarly, some comics under the ‘all-ages’ heading aren’t for all ages. Comics written for young people often hold little appeal for older ones.

With The Deep, Tom Taylor and James Brouwer, both fathers themselves, have created a story of absolute escapism. A story full of humor, full of action and full of adventure. A story you can share with young people which will hopefully spark their love of comics. An action adventure story not bogged down by tortured pasts, shortcomings and ‘real’ life.

Film studios like Pixar have taught us that so-called kids movies can appeal to everyone – can excite and enthrall everyone – and it’s this ethos that has been brought to The Deep.

Tom Taylor is a multi-award-winning playwright, whose comedy, drama and musical works have been produced across four continents. To date his most well-known comics work has been for Star Wars: Blood Ties, The Authority, Star Wars: Invasion (which was nominated for a 2009 Diamond Gem award), and his adaptation of his play, The Example, for Gestalt Publishing. He is also qualified in Child Care and an ex-professional juggler and fire-eater. Tom currently resides in Melbourne, Australia.

The Deep is distributed by Diamond Distribution in the USA with an RRP of $9.95

Details at a Glance
shelfdate: 4th August 2011
retail price: $9.95
diamond order code: JUN11 1131
website: www.exploringthedeep.com

                                                             A Werewolf Story in Reverse

Torn is a disturbing action-horror story written by talented newcomer Andrew Constant, and featuring the illustration talents of Nicola Scott and Joh James.

Life is a constant struggle for the leader of the pack. A struggle that has made him strong. Strong enough to provide for his family. Strong enough to protect them. However, providing for them means he’s not always there to protect them from monsters. Monsters like man…

Torn tells of a wolf infected with the most aggressive virus the world has ever seen -humanity – and chronicles his attempts to reclaim the life he once knew and escape the cycle of tragedy.

Andrew Constant makes an impressive debut with Torn, a story that will make you believe horror comics still have teeth.

Nicola Scott is the superstar Australian artist whose work includes Wonder Woman, Secret Six and Birds of Prey for DC Comics.

Joh James’ chaotic style is bursting with energy and unspent rage, perfect for the horror genre. His work includes I.C.E. From 12GaugeComics and Daddy’s Little Girl, a short story published by Marvel.

Torn, a 120 page original graphic novel, is distributed by Diamond Comics in the USA with an RRP of $12.95.

Details at a Glance
shelfdate: 18th August 2011
retail price: $12.95
diamond order code: JUN11 1133
website: www.wolftorn.com

HIS DREAM OF THE SKYLAND
THE WALLED CITY TRILOGY: BOOK 1

Anne Opotowsky & Aya Moron unravel Kowloon in this sumptuous trilogy.

Imperialist controlled Hong Kong, the British ruling classes, the ambitious dynasty influenced Chinese, all create an amazing labyrinth for His Dream of the Skyland, Book One in The Walled City trilogy.

The gorgeous watercolor illustrations create an utterly distinct experience. His Dream of the Skyland immerses the reader in a world that is opulent, dark and absorbing…

304 pages, F/C. 
$31.95 USD

Diamond Order Code:
JUN11 1130

June 18, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, Comics, New To Comics?, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Carnage U.S.A.

Gee Marvel, that’s a pretty hardcore title, but I guess Carnage (think a red, even more psycho version of Venom) is a hardcore character.

CARNAGE U.S.A. – POPULATION DIE!

It’ a whole new meaning for “red state” as Carnage’s  maniacal reign of terror continues, courtesy of the critically acclaimed creative team of Zeb Wells and Clayton Crain, in Carnage USA #1 (of 5)! With Carnage leaving a wake of  bloodshed and lunacy throughout the nation, Spider-Man and the Avengers must go on a brutal hunt to capture Cletus Kasaday before the American heartland falls under his mass-murdering spell.

Buckle in and prepare for a violence packed adventure as Carnage, joined by a symbiote army, continues his vengeance fueled comeback. Destined to be the most mind-blowing cross country tour fans have ever taken, Carnage U.S.A. wants YOU this December!

For more, check out Marvel.com!

CARNAGE U.S.A. #1 (of 5)

Written by ZEB WELLS

Pencils and Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN

Rated T+ …$3.99

ON SALE THIS DECEMBER!

June 16, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, Comics, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

FF #6 Preview

Text-free preview pages below from July’s issue of the re-invented Fantastic Four series, featuring the return of Black Bolt; leader of the Inhumans (who live on the moon) and possessor of a great superpower (destructive speech, so he’s pretty much always silent).

BLACK BOLT RETURNS IN FF#6!

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at FF #6, from Marvel Architect Jonathan Hickman and artist Greg Tocchini! King Black Bolt makes his triumphant return to the Marvel Universe as the War Of The Four Cities continues! But what are the circumstances surrounding his mysterious return, and how will it turn the tides of the FF’s intense battle? Will someone stand in the way of King Black Bolt’s return to the throne? Cover your ears as the King of the Inhumans makes his vicious return to royalty, only in July’s FF #6!

FF #6 (MAY110658)

Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN

Pencils by GREG TOCCHINI

Cover by MARK BAGLEY

Rated T+…$2.99

FOC—6/20/11, On Sale—7/27/11

June 15, 2011
Categories: Comic Art . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Official Info on Those 52 New DC Series

And jaded fanboys and girls everywhere poured over the new September solicitations from DC Comics with great interest, but greater cynicism. We’ve known all the creative teams and titles for a few days now, but this is the first time all the official information has been revealed for the 52 superhero relaunches. Check them all out right here with cover images and some minor details about the new directions. If you want to find out just why, “Aquaman has renounced the throne of Atlantis,” “Driven by inner demons, Ollie Queen travels the world and brings outlaws to justice…by breaking every law,”or  why the Demon Etrigan leads a band of warriors, “in the Dark Ages of the DC Universe,” then you’ll have to buy a few of these new #1s come September.

Apart from the obvious superhero choices, seeing Martian Manhunter as part of the Stormwatch team, the return of Resurrection Man (he gets a different power each time he returns to life) and John Constantine hanging out with Deadman and Zatanna in Justice League Dark, there are some unexpected turns in this massive, headline getting plan. Let’s really hope it works.

June 14, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Superman Loses His Undies

No, it wasn’t a wild party, but the last announcement of DC’s 52 superhero title relaunch is now finalised, with the decades running series Action Comics getting a new debut issue. In fact, AC is the longest running comic ever, having premiered in 1938. Scotttish writer Grant Morrison (Batman Incorporated, All Star Superman) and artist Rags Morales (Identity Crisis) are the new creative team on the series, which sees Kal-El get some new (underwear-free) duds.

No, that’s not it. That’s just a teaser image. This is it. Unfortunately.

That art is by George Perez, giving us the first reveal of the new costume, which I don’t like. The segmented armour look just seems unnecessary and how is he supposed to fit those boots under his Clark Kent clothes? Perez will be writing the second Supes title, simply called Superman, with art by Jesus Merino.

Also, Supergirl and Superboy get new looks. Here they are, with the official info about their new series.

Supergirl’s got the unpredictable behavior of a teenager, the same powers as Superman and none of his affection for the people of Earth. Writers Michael Green and Mike Johnson (Smallville, SUPERMAN/BATMAN) will team up with artist Mahmud Asrar to give a new take on the teenager from Krypton in SUPERGIRL #1.

They thought he was just a failed experiment, grown from a combination of Kryptonian and human DNA. But when the scope of his stunning powers was revealed, he became a deadly weapon. SUPERBOY #1 will be written by Scott Lobdell with art by R.B. Silva and Rob Lean.

Now, Supergirl’s costume I actually don’t mind – the top half at least, but the almost- bare legs look awkward. Superboy now looks more like the evil Cyborg Superman, which would go with their new weapon motif.

I don’t know how many of these I’ll actually pick up come September, but Morrison and Morales on Action Comics seems like a fair bet.

June 11, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Fear Itself #4 Preview

Marvel’s yearly cross-overs have always been more epic than DC’s, and Fear Itself is a prime example of that, though DC’s current Flashpoint mini-series (the 2nd ish of which is now out) is getting grander in scope.

Below is a text-free preview of July’s instalment of Fear Itself, and if you’ve read last week’s 3rd issue, you’ll see the first bold steps of Steve Rogers reclaiming the Captain America mantle (just in time for his film in July), due to Bucky’s cybernetic arm being ripped off, possibly leading to his death. Oh, and The Thing looks set to join Hulk in being possessed by an evil Norse god. Yep, epic.

Your First Look At FEAR ITSELF #4!

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Fear Itself #4 (of 7) from the chart-topping team of Matt Fraction and Stuart Immonen! The unthinkable has happened—Sin has dealt a crushing blow to Bucky Barnes, aka Captain America, unleashing her full fury on the Marvel Universe! With his country in flames, Steve Rogers enters the trenches, forcing the biggest decision of his entire life. And as the Marvel Universe hangs in the balance, Thor must finally confront the Serpent himself. Can the God of Thunder overcome the God of Fear, or will the Serpent prove that he is the one, true All-Father? The stakes have never been higher as the comic blockbuster event of the summer continues this July, only in Fear Itself #4 (of 7)!

FEAR ITSELF #4 (of 7) (MAY110572)

FEAR ITSELF #4 (of 7) IMMONEN VARIANT (MAY110573)

FEAR ITSELF #4 (of 7) DODSON VARIANT (MAY110574)

Written by MATT FRACTION

Penciled by STUART IMMONEN

Cover by STEVE McNIVEN

Variant Cover by STUART IMMONEN

Variant Cover by TERRY DODSON

Rated T+…$3.99

FOC—6/13/11, On Sale 7/20/11

 

June 10, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, Comics . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: 2 Comments

Uncanny X-Men Ending

Looks like DC’s not the only one with finishing long running series on the brain. Take it away, Marvel.

X-MEN: SCHISM Brings UNCANNY X-MEN To An End!

All things must come an end…even for the X-Men, and this October fans will bear witness the end of an era as Uncanny X-Men #544 concludes the long running series. It’s all come to this! Years in the making, the seeds of dissent finally bear fruit as the events of X-Men Schism tear the X-Men and the Marvel Universe apart! When the dust settles, the state of mutantkind will irreparably be changed forever. Don’t miss the historic final issue of the longest running X-Men title this October, in Uncanny X-Men #544!

UNCANNY X-MEN #544

Written by KIERON GILLEN

Pencils and Cover by GREG LAND

Rated T+…$3.99

ON SALE THIS OCTOBER!

X-MEN: SCHISM #1 ON SALE – 7/13/11

June 9, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, Comics, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Dark Horse’s June Variant Covers

There’s some pretty nifty variant covers for Dark Horse’s June offerings. Below are some for Hellboy: The Fury #1, Dark Horse Presents #2 and Rage #1. See the rest here.

 

June 6, 2011
Categories: Comic Art . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

New Editions of Blankets

This classic work of beauty and love and faith from writer/artist Craig Thompson has been on my desert island list of comics ever since I first read it a few years ago. If you haven’t, or even if you have, August is the time to fall in love with the gorgeous tome as it’s getting new hard cover, and soft cover editions to make it even more attractive. Official details below and as a reminder, Thompson’s next book, Habibi is out on September 20.

BLANKETS fans, rejoice! One of the most beloved and best-selling books in Top Shelf’s 14-year history is getting an upgrade.

Shipping in August, and available now for pre-order, are brand-new deluxe hardcover and softcover editions of Craig Thompson’s award-winning graphic novel, BLANKETS. In addition to the gorgeous new cover design, the new BLANKETS features higher-quality paper, Smyth-sewn bindings, a spot gloss, and a slightly wider trim size.

BLANKETS is one of the most critically acclaimed graphic novels of all time, having won the Eisner, Harvey, and Ignatz Awards for Best Graphic Novel and Best Cartoonist. Wrapped in the landscape of a blustery Wisconsin winter, it explores the complex power of family and faith, the thrill of falling in love for the first time, and the coming-of-age of a remarkable young man.

If you’re one of the countless readers who love BLANKETS, get ready to fall in love all over again, or share it with friends & family. And for those who’ve never read it, now is the perfect opportunity to discover this incredible graphic novel.

Pre-order your copy now from your favorite retailer (via Diamond PREVIEWS), or direct from Top Shelf via our web site, and join us in celebrating the rebirth of Craig’s awe-inspiring book!

— Blankets HARDCOVER: (New) ISBN 978-1-60309-096-4, $39.95 (US)

— Blankets SOFTCOVER: (Original) ISBN 978-1-891830-43-3, $29.95 (US)

June 4, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Mook Knight #3 Preview

Here’s a text-free preview of July’s issue of Moon Knight, starring Daredevil villain, Bullseye.

Your First Look at MOON KNIGHT #3!

Marvel is pleased to present you first look at Moon Knight #3, from the Eisner-Award winning team of Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev! If you thought you had Marc Spector all figured out, guess again! The chess pieces of the Los Angeles underground continue to move as Moon Knight gets closer and closer to finding out the city’s true kingpin of crime. But could an intervention from Bullseye throw a wrench in Spector’s plans? Has Marvel’s deadliest assassin returned from the grave, and if so why is he hunting Marc’s closest ally? Find out this July, in Moon Knight #3!

MOON KNIGHT #3 (MAY110670)

MOON KNIGHT #3 I AM CAPTAIN AMERICA WILSON VARIANT (MAY110671)

Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS

Pencils and Cover by ALEX MALEEV

I Am Captain America Variant Cover by COLIN WILSON

Parental Advisory…$3.99

FOC—6/13/11, On Sale—7/20/11

June 3, 2011
Categories: Comic Art . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

52 New DC Comics Titles In September

Yes, the rumours are true. Once the current alternate reality series, Flashpoint ends, the month of September (well technically beginning at the end of August) will see a bunch of new series starring familiar characters. We’ll be talking about this in this week’s Extra Sequential podcast, but the essentials are that most current series will be relaunching with new #1 issues. It’s a controversial decision for readers and retailers, but here’s what DC’s The Source blog have to say:

This year, change is in the air at DC Comics.

On Wednesday, August 31st, DC Comics will launch a historic renumbering of the entire DC Universe line of comic books with 52 first issues, including the release of JUSTICE LEAGUE by NEW YORK TIMES bestselling writer and DC Entertainment Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns and bestselling artist and DC Comics Co-Publisher Jim Lee. The publication of JUSTICE LEAGUE issue 1 will launch day-and-date digital publishing for all these ongoing titles, making DC Comics the first of the two major American publishers to release all of its superhero comic book titles digitally the same day as in print.

DC Comics will only publish two comic books on August 31st: the final issue of this summer’s comic book mini-series FLASHPOINT and the first issue of JUSTICE LEAGUE by Johns and Lee, two of the most distinguished and popular contemporary comic book creators, who will be collaborating for the first time. Together they will offer a contemporary take on the origin of the comic book industry’s premier superhero team.

In the hours, days and weeks to come, we’ll have more news about the other titles. Tomorrow, we’ll hear from Co-Publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee about this momentous occasion. Keep checking THE SOURCE for updates about the other first issues.

This year, make history with us.

Hmmm. The last time Lee was a regular penciller was on the ill-fated All Star Batman and Robin. Some of the costume changes (see below) are cool, and DC’s writers have been championing a Superman redesign sans undies since the must read Superman 2000 proposal in 1998, so that’s a welcome decision.

You can read  a brief interview at USA Today about the relaunches here. More details will come, including if this affects the long running Action Comics and Detective Comics series, which are both getting closer to their historic 1000th issues. DC would be silly to do away with that.

I don’t really like the uniform collar that most of the characters below are wearing, but I understand why they chose 52 titles, as DC had a weekly series of that name and there are now 52 alternate earths in their continuity. Hopefully, with the continued mainstream coverage, new DC films on the way and newbie friendly #1 issues, this could be the start of something special.

Catch up on more Flashpoint facts at Bleeding Cool.

 

June 1, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

« Previous Page — Previous page Next page — Next Page »