The Funny Books: Comics news, reviews & reactions

[Agent 333]

Back in the comics published in WWII, Cap did occasionally pick up a gun. However, since then he's mostly avoided them. One (out of universe) reason is the Comics Code Authority. In universe, think of it this way: When he's being a soldier, he's willing to use a gun. But when he's being a HERO, then using a gun is beneath him. Plus, most of his enemies are bulletproof anyway.

[Crafty_Pat]

The covers of Marvel's upcoming "Red Skull Incarnate" mini-series are awesome...

(click to show/hide)

[Desertpuma]

Pretty tasty stuff... always did like the 1940s style artwork and was pleased to see it used, correctly, as heavily as possible in the new Captain America film.

[ThunderMonkey]

I blame Batman, Superman, and people who didn't want kids immitating Cap and shooting folks.

Batman did use a gun early in his comic career.

http://sacomics.blogspot.com/2005/08/batman-and-guns.html

[Mister Andersen]

Einstein vs. Ninjas

[Mister Andersen]

So, it's looking increasingly likely that after DC's current cross-over ever Flashpoint concludes that they're yet again hitting the cosmic reset button. Every book that continues beyond the event will have its issue number reset to #1.

And with those issue one renumberings, will come a new rejigged status quo. Some characters will be changed while others may no longer exist, some will spring into being whole cloth, all with no current plan for the new status quo to be undone or reversed.

Of course, this "all new all different" drill seems to be all about a return to the "Classic" JLA, in large part to set the stage for Warner Brothers to mimic Marvel's Avengers strategy. Given that Hal "Cardboard" Jordan's just gotten himself a blockbuster, guess that means we know who's got the GL slot (Hint: it's not the guy the new generation of people you want buying comics grew up with on Saturday mornings)

There's also considerable chatter indicating that in addition to Steve Trevor being returned as a viable love interest for Wonder Woman, DC are looking to axe the longstanding marriage of Lois & Clark, which Smallville's only just finished putting the cap on.

[Mister Andersen]

And the renumbering strategy is official.

Interestingly, DC is making issues of all the renumbered titles available digitally via apps and a DC website the same day they arrive in comic shops. It marks the first time a major comics publisher has done so with its popular superhero titles.



Jim Lee’s idea of redesign:

Male : wear a collar

Female: Wear a tube top and a choker

[Mister Andersen]

Even more information on Flashpoint from interview with DiDio, Johns, Lee from an interview in today’s  USA Today.

New Books! Cancellations!

In the rollout of the revamped DC Universe, some titles will return, a lot of titles won’t, and DC will have a wider range of books starting in September, DiDio says.

New creators! New teams!

“We’ve got a new set of creators coming in with new voices in the DC Universe,” DiDio says. “We really want to bring a new energy and excitement to our books.”

In addition, three-quarters of the creative teams will be shuffled around — series that are successful and writer/artist combinations that work well together won’t be tweaked too much, he says.

New looks!

The characters also are getting a makeover. While most of the specifics are still top secret, Lee says he worked with both staff and freelance artists to redesign costumes in a contemporary way as well as alter the physicality of many heroes and villains to modernize the DC Universe.

Diversity!

The recent emphasis on diverse characters such as lesbian superheroine Batwoman, Hispanic hero Blue Beetle and African-American adventurer Cyborg (who will be a core member of Johns and Lee’s new Justice League) also will continue.

The JL will get a new origin, get bigger!

Justice League will begin its first year with an updated secret origin reflecting DC’s new initiative, giving the group a reason for coming together that it lacked when the league first appeared in 1960. And while it will ultimately boast 14 members, at its core will be DC’s A-list do-gooders:

[Crafty_Pat]

The Thrill Electric Motion Comic Promo

[Mister Andersen]

Well, they've gone and put Barbara Gordon back in the cowl as Batgirl. She's been Oracle far longer than she was ever Batgirl, she was more important and more significant to the world and her comrades as Oracle than she ever was or could be as Batgirl.

And infuriatingly they've gutted Birds of Prey and yet again pissed all over Steph to do it.

[Number Three]

Thank you, Mister A, for giving me even more reason to believe that the people who buy superhero comics are on the bad end of an abusive relationship with the people who make superhero comics.

No.  Wait.  "Thank you" isn't the right words.  I meant, "leave him." 

[glimmerrat]

Jim Lee is a lazy, overrated hack who believes his own hype. J. Scott Campbell is is a far better artist.

[Mister Andersen]

I've just realised that the choker he's given WW matches the mandarin collar half the rest of the League is sporting

[Desertpuma]

Jim Lee is a lazy, overrated hack who believes his own hype. J. Scott Campbell is is a far better artist.

That's a matter of opinion. I think Jim Lee is an excellent artist but only an okay writer. Rob Liefeld is the hack who can never draw the background of any scene and most of his characters look more or less the same.

[Mister Andersen]

An explosion of pouches, muscles and teeth accompanied by a lack of feet.