Zoom Figure at Comic-Con

Here’s a look at the evil (and articulated) alternate version of The Reverse Flash, otherwise known as Professor Zoom. He can be yours in August, or next month at San Diego Comic-Con. Official details below.

This summer, the bestselling series FLASHPOINT has taken the comic book world by storm. In August, four FLASHPOINT action figures (manufactured by DC DIRECT) will be shipping to retailers. And if you’re heading to San Diego next month, you’ll want to pay very close attention:San Diego Comic Con is the only place where you’ll be able to complete your FLASHPOINT action figure collection. Head over to the Graphitti Designs Booth (#2315) for your chance to purchase an extremely limited DC DIRECT action figure of one of FLASHPOINT’s central villains: Zoom.

Zoom stands approximately 6.5” inches high, features multiple points of articulation and includes a removable display base. But don’t wait too long! Due to its rare availability, attendees will each be limited to only one Zoom figure each.

 

June 30, 2011
Categories: Comics . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Barbara Gordon Runs Again

I first saw this book on holiday in Sydney last year when it was released. I’m a big fan of artist Adam Hughes and his gorgeous covers for DC Comics over the years. This 208 page book, entitled Cover Run features his best work of Catwoman, Wonder Woman, Power Girl and co. It was the (obviously fake) quotes of some of these superheroines on the back cover that got my attention however, including the bold one below from Barbara Gordon.

Barbara was the original Batgirl until she retired and was then shot by The Joker in the spine in the classic one-shot The KIlling Joke in 1988. She then became the wheelchair bound Oracle and has been an integral part of the DC Universe for the last 2 decades. You see the quote they made up for her though? Just bad taste really. Now, though, with DC’s September relaunch including Babs returning to her walking, running and jumping phase as Batgirl (complete with a Hughes cover), the questionable quote is proving to be farsighted.

Of course, it is a pretty book, as this video attests.

June 27, 2011
Categories: Comics . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

The New Justice League

And here it is, the first (leaked) image of the new JLA come September, or rather August 31 when the series relaunches. We have the usual Big Seven, but with Cyborg replacing Martian Manhunter. There’s 8 other characters in the background, including Deadman, Hawkman, Firestorm and more, meaning the JLA will continue its usual changing roster. I actually like this, even though I think The Flash’s boots still look clunky, but Jim Lee can make anything look good.

June 27, 2011
Categories: Comic Art . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: 2 Comments

Wonder Woman Digital Comic Sale

As part of their massive September relaunch DC will be unleashing day and date releases, meaning you’ll be able to get your comics in print or digital form on the same day. Woo hoo! They also have a relatively new, but impressive array of issues from their back catalogue, and if you’re curious about the Amazon Princess, this weekend is the time to read about her. Official details below.

Beginning this Saturday at 12:01 am The WONDER WOMAN 101 digital comics will be on sale for only $0.99 each. Offering a comprehensive digital collection of all things WONDER WOMAN, the sale event covers her storied beginnings to her reimagination in the 80s to the most recent critically-acclaimed storylines ENDS OF THE EARTH, RISE OF THE OLYMPIAN, WARKILLER and CONTAGION. Don’t miss out on stories from WONDER WOMAN creator Dr. William Moulton Marston and writers and artists including George Pérez, Adam Hughes, Greg Rucka and Roy Thomas – after 48 hours all titles will go back to their regular price.

Check out her classic early appearances!

All-Star Comics #8

Sensation Comics #1-9

Wonder Woman Volume 1 #1-7

Discover how she was reimagined in the 1980s!

Wonder Woman Volume 2

• Gods and Mortals (issues #1-7)

• Challenge of the Gods (issues #8-14)

• Beauty and the Beasts (issues #15-19)

• Destiny Calling (issues #20-24)

Read her critically-acclaimed recent adventures!

Wonder Woman Volume 3

• Who is Wonder Woman? (issues #1-4)

• Love and Murder (issues #5-10)

• Amazons Attack (issues #11-13)

• The Circle (issues #14-19)

• Ends of the Earth (issues #20-25)

• Rise of the Olympian (issues #26-33)

• Warkiller (issues #34-39)

• Contagion (issues #40-44)

Wonder Woman #219

Wonder Woman #600-602

Explore her adventures with the Justice League!

JLA #1

JLA/Planetary

Kingdom Come #1

DC: The New Frontier #1-6

Superman/Batman/Wonder Woman: Trinity #1-3

June 24, 2011
Categories: Comics, New To Comics?, News . Tags: , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Peter Dies and Hal Flies

If you want to know how the Ultimate version of Spider-Man AKA Peter Parker dies in this week’s polybagged Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #160, then don’t read this.

If you do want to see a sneak peek at the upcoming Green Lantern animated series from the Cartoon Network, look below. It looks like simple CGI, but maybe the finished product will be better.

 

June 21, 2011
Categories: Cartoons, 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

Extra Sequential Podcast #45-Green Lantern

57 mins. Don’t know who or what a Green Lantern is? Fear not, we have it covered. Also, superhero love and just how Smurfs manage to reproduce.

LISTEN TO IT BELOW, DOWNLOAD IT HERE OR ON ITUNES

1:20 NEWS

Avenging Spider-Man kicks off in November. A new ongoing series.

Two new X-Men titles coming soon.

Russel Crowe is set to play Superman’s Kryptonian father. If that ain’t bad enough, the Man of Steel will no longer be married to Lois Lane.

IDW’s new Star Trek movie series.

Frank Miller’s Holy Terror also coming in September.

Movie studios pulling out of the massive San Diego Comic-Con.

Neil Gaiman’s American Gods’ TV series.

14:10 THEME-GREEN LANTERN

Panel Plays returns! Kissing involved.

We give the lowdown on some of the Green Lanterns over the years, including some whacky ring slingers, and some comics you should grab to know more.

Read more GL issues here with this handy app and go here for a perty rundown on all the other colours of the Lanterns Corps.

June 18, 2011
Categories: Comics, Movies, News, Podcast . 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

It’s All About Green Lantern

With the live action film just days away from its June 19 debut, Warner Bros. have unveiled an unprecedented 8 clips from the film. Most are over a minute long and aren’t heavy on the action. I must say, seeing these clips doesn’t fill me with extreme confidence though. Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively really lack chemistry, but I’m happy that he says, “By the power of Greyskull,” in his attempt to state the GL oath (that’s from the He-Man cartoon for those of you who aren’t Gen Xers) and his ring constructs certainly look diverse. In the first clip Reynolds and Likely couldn’t call each other Highball and Sapphire more, though perhaps the latter is a nod to Lively’s Carol Ferris’ transformation into Star Sapphire in a sequel. I must also say that the Earth bound scenes (in what is the reverse of Thor’s film) seem to be the lowlights.

The tie-in videogame is available now. Below is the latest trailer, plus the official description.

Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters is set in the universe of the film with an original story by award-winning comic book writer Marv Wolfman.  Players will take flight across the universe to planets Oa, Zamaron and Biot, and utilize an arsenal of constructs to restore intergalactic order by wielding the ultimate weapon: the Green Lantern Power Ring.  Gamers playing the Xbox 360 or PS3 versions will also have the option to join forces with a friend to play as Hal Jordan or Sinestro to battle the Manhunters.

The Nintendo 3DS version of the game is designed specifically to take advantage of the system’s stereoscopic 3D capabilities and deliver multi-plane graphics that delve players further into the Green Lantern universe.

In addition, players on Xbox 360 and PlayStation®3 system will be given the option to play in anaglyphic 3D with technology that is compatible with high definition TV sets and visible to players wearing the 3D glasses that will be available for the video game.  Fans can also enjoy the game in stereoscopic 3D when playing on any 3D HDTV while wearing active shutter glasses that are compatible with the television.

Also now available is the Green Lantern: Emerald Knights animated anthology film, on BluRay and DVD. This one – I am excited for. See the latest clip below, spotlighting Hal and Arisia in space.

GREEN LANTERN: EMERALD KNIGHTS, the 11th film in the popular series of DC Universe Animated Original Movies, is AVAILABLE TODAY — JUNE 7, 2011 — from Warner Home Video on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, On Demand and for Download.

Produced by Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, and distributed by Warner Home Video, Green Lantern: Emerald Knights weaves six legendary stories of the Green Lantern Corps’ rich mythology around preparations for an attack by an ancient enemy. As the battle approaches, Hal Jordan (voiced by Castle’s Nathan Fillion) mentors Arisia (Mad Men’s Elisabeth Moss) in the history of the Green Lantern Corps, telling tales of Avra (the first Green Lantern) and several of Hal’s comrades – including Kilowog, Abin Sur, Laira and Mogo. In the end, Arisia must rise to the occasion to help Hal, Sinestro and the entire Green Lantern Corps save the universe from the destructive forces of Krona.

June 8, 2011
Categories: Movies, New To Comics?, News . Tags: , , . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: 2 Comments

New DC #1 Covers

I’m sure these will show up on DC’s official blog soon now, but here you can find a handful of leaked September releasing debut covers, including Batwoman, Catwoman, Swamp Thing and yes, unfortunately the long running Detective Comics series. There’s also an official list of the four new Green Lantern related #1s here.

Lastly, here’s the cover for Nightwing #1 from artist Eddy Barrows. The speculation is that it’s actually the third (and resurrected) Robin Jason Todd under the mask, which could be true, especially considering his natural red hair would go with the red (instead of the usual blue) colour on this Nightwing costume. However, all I can think of after seeing this image, is Chris O’Donell from Batman and Robin.

UPDATE

Nope, it’s the original Robin, Dick Grayson who’s reclaiming his first post-Robin identity as Nightwing, meaning he’ll presumably give up the mantle of the Bat for the second time in his crimefighting career. DC have now officially posted more info about the Bat-family relaunches, including new series focusing on the African Batman, Grant Morrison’s Batman Incorporated, Jason Todd’s Red Hood and the Outlaws, and Batgirl, which sees Barbara Gordon leave the Oracle identity behind and reclaim her Batgirl one. That means DC continuity is maddeningly being rewound a few years, but at least her series will be written by Gail Simone.

 

 

June 6, 2011
Categories: Comics, News . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Extra Sequential Podcast #43-DC Comics Relaunch

55 mins. We focus on the hottest topic, the talk of the town, the big news that has superhero comics readers everywhere yakking – the relaunch of the entire line of DC Comics’ superhero line. We attempt to gather all the tidbits released so far and chime in with our opinions. Also, leg warmers, eye patches, and our mutual affection for April O’Neil.

LISTEN TO IT BELOW, DOWNLOAD IT HERE OR ON ITUNES

1:20 NEWS

Well, there’s not really much else to talk about in DC’s shadow, apart from a new convention dedicated to He-Man and ThunderCats. Woo hoo!

5:06 WHAT WE’VE BEEN READING

Duncan Jones’ great Source Code film

The visually dazzling and epic Hellboy: The Fury #1, by Mike Mignola and Duncan Fegredo. Preview here.

The classic, detailed and violent Hard Boiled OGN from Frank Miller and Geof Darrow

The mature approach of toys in The Stuff of Legend Book 1 from Th3rd World Studios

15:15 DC Comics’ Relaunch

DC’s whole superhero line is relaunching in September, with new costumes and series for some of the world’s favourite spandex clad characters. There’s not heaps of official info released so far, but we break it down for those new to the…news.

As an added bonus, here’s the George Lucas Strikes Back trailer.

June 4, 2011
Categories: Comics, Movies, New To Comics?, News, Podcast . Tags: . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: 1 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

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