Posts Tagged ‘Geoff Johns’

After a month of waiting, my comics finally arrived in the mail (of course the downside is that I did have to buy them twice).  <Cue enormous sigh of relief>.  I have a few things to say before I give you the list.  My first thought regards the endings of Brightest Day and Justice League: Generation Lost.  Both series were two of my favorites in recent years.  Although they did drag on a little, they both remained full of action and housed many twists and turns.  I favored the ending of Brightest Day more than JL:GL simply because I felt, in a way,  the latter merely went back to square one.  Without giving anything away, DC’s reveal of the White Light’s avatar in BD was a move that definitely had a lot of fanboys drooling (although he did take to his new job a little too easily all new developments considered).  The one drawback of both series was that in the end they pretty much served to introduce another run.  Is it just me, or is it that every time a book draws to a close there is a certain quotient of financial relief?  Especially this summer after War Of The Green Lanterns and the huge upcoming Flashpoint crossover (and the many subsequent piggybacking  miniseries) we could use the  extra girth in our back pocket.  It just wouldn’t be DC’s style though, would it?  Sure they Draw The Line At $2.99, but how much does it help when every time one series comes to a close two more pop up?  Please don’t misunderstand me, newcomers; I am a DC all the way, but in the last few years I have seen a lot of comrades fall to the newly white, cartoon-gloved hand of Marvel or the abyssmal void that is giving up your collecting hat all together simply because these huge DC  Universe changing events seem never ending (or at least grow closer and closer together).  I hope this doesn’t blow my shot at one day writing for my favorite company!  Feel free to vent your thoughts in this article’s comment section. 

To finish off some of my opinions on a few of the recent comics I’ve read (before dropping today’s list) i will do a quick recap…

Action Comics #900 : Great artists and writers for the anniversary issue, but the Doomsday arc left me underwhelmed.  There was, however, a crazy reveal between the godly Luthor and the Man Of Steel!

Batgirl :…has been spunky (don’t judge me) and fun as usual.  Let’s see if  it can keep it up.

Batman #708 & 709 : Along with the recent issues of Red Robin and Gotham City Sirens, Azrael (serving as pawn to Ra’s Al Ghul) put Dick, Tim and Selina on a holy trial with Gotham’s very fate hanging in the balance.  It wasn’t bad, but I might just be growing weary of  St.Dumas’s avatar.

Batman Beyond #5 : This issue brings back a dangerous old foe from Bruce Timm‘s television series!  Good stuff!

Batman: Detective Comics :  The last few issues have been really good…pick it up.

Batman & Robin #22 : I thought the story was interesting up until the finale.  The villain’s reasons weren’t bad, but i don’t recall any major explanation of his appearance or how he got his weapons.  Maybe it just didn’t hold my intrest enough to devote 100% of my attention.  The art was good, but i guess I found everything else a bit covuluted and “meh”.  Sorry.

Batman Incorporated : I don’t really understand why they are bringing back memories of the old Batwoman that shared the same name as the new one.  I assumed the red headed, Montoya loving vixen who surfaced in 52 was a modern revamping of the character.  DC, you never cease to confuse me with some of your choices.  Maybe it will play out good in the end; I’ve definitely put my foot in my mouth before,  but what are comic fans if not overzealous overreactors?

Birds Of Prey: This has been good.  Fin

The Flash: This run (and recent lead up to Flashpoint) has been great, in my opinion; especially issue #11 with the creepy child witness reveal.  Loved it!  Great job, Johns, you’re on fire!

Gotham City Sirens : The storyline with Harley gunning for the Joker truly was awesome…too bad she lost her nerve at the last second as always.  Bwa bwa bwaaaaaaaaa.  Now can we end this series?

Green Arrow : It’s been good with Ollie rediscovering his purpose and beginning to gain back his confidence, but is getting slightly repetitive in that forrest.

Green Lantern, Green Lantern Corps, and Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors : What can I say about this?  War Of The Green Lanterns is probably the thing I’m most excited to read lately.  Soooooo effin good!  Johns better never let go of GL.  I hope that when he dies a Black Lantern ring finds him, he resurrects, and continues the saga until Nekron has his way and the world is consumed by darkness.  A little overboard?  If you haven’t already, pick it up and be the judge!

The Outsiders :…is alright.  What is Giffen the reincarnation of Kirby?

Red Robin : Good as usual.

Secret Six : Seems to have gone off the deep end right into hell…literally.

Superman #710 : I liked this one.  A young Bruce and Clark work well together while keeping the personalities of their future alter egos in tact.

Wonder Woman : Unsure where they are taking this.  I thought i had some sort of grasp a few issues back, but i lost my grip and fell from Mount Olympus.  Don’t know if this could keep my curiosty much longer.

Hellboy, B.P.R.D., Witch Hunter, and Baltimore: They’ve all been amazing as usual.  These HB one-shots have been a great way to bide time until the end of the epic Mignola/Fegredo arc beginning next month; Richard Corben never disappoints and Kevin Nowlan contributed in one of the strangest tales yet.  Nowlan‘s art is second to none (and he not only drew, but colored and lettered in Buster Oakley Gets His Wish).  The guy’s a powerhouse.  Sadly we said goodbye to Guy Davis in the last installment of B.P.R.D..  I don’t know how i can go on without him, he is one of my favorite artists out there today.  At least I got a manic fan letter in the first issue of his last run!

Ok, now it’s about  time for the weekly list, wouldn’t you say?

• BATGIRL: THE FLOOD
• BATMAN #710
• BATMAN AND ROBIN #23
• BATMAN: GATES OF GOTHAM #1 (OF 5)
• BOOSTER GOLD #44
• DC COMICS PRESENTS: BATMAN – DARK KNIGHT, DARK CITY
• DC UNIVERSE ONLINE LEGENDS #8 (OF 26)
• DEUS EX #4 (OF 6)
• DMZ #65
• DONG XOAI, VIETNAM 1965
• FABLES #105
• THE FLASH OMNIBUS
• HELLBLAZER #279
• HELLBLAZER: CITY OF DEMONS
• JSA ALL-STARS: GLORY DAYS
• JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #57
• THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #13
• THE OUTSIDERS #39
• POWER GIRL #24
• THE SPIRIT #14
• SUPERBOY AND THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES: THE EARLY YEARS
• SUPERGIRL #64
• SUPERMAN/BATMAN #84
• T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #7
• TEEN TITANS #95
• TINY TITANS #40
• YOUNG JUSTICE #4
• ZATANNA #13

Vertigo

My picks are Batman#710, Batman&Robin#23, Batman: Gates Of Gotham#1, Booster Gold#44 (since it will most likely tie into the time crisis of Flashpoint), and Outsiders#39.  It’s a pretty light week for me, but have no fear DC because you’ll be getting plenty of my money this summer with Flashpoint and all the Green Lantern Movie character prequel one-shots!

Enjoy your comic day, kiddies!

—ExSleepyInk

Hey, Folks!  One of the reasons I’ve been so behind on the Wednesday comic list and reviews is because I’ve been waiting for a month for a comic shipment that got lost in the mail.  The Florida USPS is clueless about it and take no resposibility.  Sadly I put tracking on it (which ended in the Opa Locka processing plant not too far north from me) and neglected to get insurance.   Furthermore, and more distressing, that particular place deals with all the priority mail and is known for being the blackhole for parcels.  Woe is me.  I really hope I receive my last two weeks worth of books soon so I can get some words up for you.  This is the drawback (horrors really) of living nowhere near a comic shop.  Well, at any rate…here are today’s books and my picks!

DC

• THE ALL-NEW BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #7
• BATGIRL #21
• BATMAN & ROBIN: BATMAN MUST DIE DELUXE EDITION
• BATMAN INCORPORATED #6
• BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY #1 (OF 5)
• BATMAN: THE STREETS OF GOTHAM – HUSH MONEY
• BIRDS OF PREY #12
• BIRDS OF PREY VOL. 1: ENDRUN
• CINDERELLA: FABLES ARE FOREVER #4 (OF 6)
• DC COMICS PRESENTS: LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES – LEGION OF THE DAMNED
• DC COMICS PRESENTS: THE FLASH
• DEADMAN VOL. 1
• DOC SAVAGE #14
• THE FLASH #12
• FLASHPOINT #1
• INFAMOUS #5 (OF 6)
• JEW GANGSTER
• NORTHLANDERS #40
• R.E.B.E.L.S. #28
• RED ROBIN #23
• STARCRAFT
• SUPERBOY: THE BOY OF STEEL
• SUPERMAN #711
• TITANS #35
• THE UNWRITTEN #25
• YOSSEL

Vertigo

• CINDERELLA: FABLES ARE FOREVER #4 (OF 6)
• NORTHLANDERS #40
• THE UNWRITTEN #25

I’m going to be picking up (getting mailed to me, rather…hopefully) Batgirl #21, Batman Incorporated #6, Batman: Arkham City #1, Birds Of Prey #12, The Flash #12, Flashpoint # 1, Red Robin # 23,  and Superman # 711.

And (on the Dark Horse tip) for you people who have been desperately missing Roger in the Mignolaverse…Look…No…Further!

Hellboy: Being Human (one-shot)

Well, kiddies, enjoy your reads and come back to visit me next week!

—ExSleepyInk

P.S.  I am a DC

So, it’s the last wednesday before the new year (hope you’re holidays were unstressful and spent happily with family and friends).  What were some of your favorite comic reads and moments of 2010?  I’d have to say Blackest Night/Brightest Day and Hellboy/B.P.R.D.  What is the character and book you’ve been most loyal to, even through the toughest times?  Sadly, my favorite character: Batman.  Let’s hope this year is better, because I’m not too sure I like the whole Incorporated thing as of yet.  We could also stand to get rid of a few Bat-titles.  Don’t punish us common folk for having a favorite character during tough economic times.  You guys are starting to act like scheming villains; exploiting our weakness for your gain.  Through all of this, however, I did love what Morrison did with his exciting Batman And Robin run.  So, there’s that.

 My picks this week are Batman: The Dark Knight#1 (yet another title), Detective Comics#872, Flash#8, Gotham City Sirens#18, Green Arrow#7 and Green Lantern#61.  Aside from the DC titles, I’d like to also suggest Hellboy: The Sleeping And The Dead.  This latest adventure for the big, red, man-demon is a classic vampire tale, and the first time out-and-about in the Mignolaverse for awesome artist Scott Hampton.  After Alexander’s work on Abe Sapien: The Drowning, this should be a great fit for Hellboy.  Don’t miss out!  Pick it up!  If there is one resolution you should stick to this year, it is becoming a diehard fan of whatever Mignola puts out there.

• ACTION COMICS #896
• THE ALL-NEW BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #2
• BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #1
• DC COMICS PRESENTS: JLA #1
• DC COMICS PRESENTS: T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #1
• DETECTIVE COMICS #872
• THE FLASH #8
• GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #18
• GREEN ARROW #7
• GREEN LANTERN #61
• JLA/THE 99 #3 (OF 6)
• JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #46
• TEEN TITANS #90
• TINY TITANS #35

Vertigo

WildStorm

And now for that Dark Horse book I promised you…

Hellboy: The Sleeping and the Dead #1 (Mike Mignola cover)

Hellboy: The Sleeping and the Dead #1 (Scott Hampton cover)

Until next time–ExSleepyInk

Boy is it so much crazier than the last one at the Javits.  They seem to really be trying to make strides towards it being more like the SDCC.  Tons of great panels.  A lot of famous people walking around (I brushed against Christopher Meloni, and a friend told me he saw Christopher Nolan…not sure on that one though).  Don’t forget Chris Schafer.  Wait, what?
The signings at the Marvel and DC booths have been hectic and kind of disorganized.  I’ve seen people (fans) start makeshift lines and then the staff decide on going with it.  Arguments insuing on clusters of “friends” cutting ahead.  The staff also either don’t allow sketches, or rush the artists along and set limits.  Reeeeal awesome if you have been waiting in line for an hour…or NOT.  I actually got double stiffed on one, but that’s a story for when I get home to my laptop.
Do these convention workers not realize why the creators are there in the first place?  For…The…Fans! 
I felt much more at home in artist alley than in the main hall.  People can barely get there act together to walk straight and not cause congestion.  I found myself speedily counting the variables in my head of who’s going to move where and when as I weaved throught the crowd, dodging giant Transformers and little anime girls.  Oh yeah, and fifty Zatannas.  Obviously she used her infinite replication incantation.  “!YLPITLUM EM”.
The way they marketed it as the NYCC/Anime Con probably added to the overwhelming Saturday turn out.  I’ve swam through cement faster.  Ok, enough about that.
I was able to speak with quite a few artists.  Derek Fridolfs and Dustin Nguyen are taking over the art in Batgirl, which is exciting.  Fridolfs told me they will be bringing in a new villain during ‘Batman: Streets Of Gotham”.  He assured me that it will lend itself well.  I asked him about Thomas Wayne’s drunken behavior two issues ago, and he replied that it seems they are possibly trying to make it as though the playboy gene runs in the family.  I don’t know how I feel about that, but do like to see a certain depth and backstory added to Bruce’s parent’s life (when most of what we know of them is their deaths).  As always I asked everyone what they like to read on their down time.  Most answer that they have no free time outside of drawing or writing.  This I find kind of ironic, since they got into comics in the first place because of their passion for the medium, and now they can’t indulge in it as much.  Small price to pay, I suppose, for a childhood dream and adding to the mythos of a worldwide beloved character.  Fridolfs did say that he enjoys Savage Dragon and whenever Mignola treats us with a written and drawn one shot.  He asked me what I love and, other than Batman, agreed on everything Mignola (we’ve had this same convo at more than one convention…hah).  You might like this; when I told him I will probably have to cut back on the amount of titles I buy weekly, he said that they are thinking about dropping the price of books by a dollar!  Seriously, this shouldn’t even be a debate after all the ever constant massive crossovers they put us through. 
Don Kramer was another great guy.  We talked about his run on Detective, and shared the same favorite issue (when Joker takes Robin hostage on a little holiday joy ride), but he was kinda bummed that he rarely got to actually draw Bruce with the cape and cowl on.  When speaking about getting into his new gig on Straczynski’s Wonder Woman run, he was very candid.  He showed me some fantastic upcoming panels which he is trying to ink, as well.  It seemed he felt that she didn’t need the controversial costume change, being that she’s supposed to just be a normal girl trying to unravel a mystery in that new reality, but wishes he would have had a part in the design none the less.  Now that he is acclimated to Diana’s new style, Mr. Kramer has, however, taken the liberty of swapping her metal cuff/bracelets out for really cool gauntlets.  One thing I took away from our chat was that he wishes he had more time to perfect things and give it his absolute all.  Looks like DC wants to pump them out, and lays down some intense deadlines, but I could be wrong.
Fabian Nicieza showed me some revealing panels where Bruce is back (in his new get up) and is talking to Tim (who looks extremely happy to have his adopted father back) about the formation of Batman Inc.  Tim splits no hairs and wastes no time reminding Bruce that it was his idea first.  Mr. Nicieza seemed really pleased with that, and with the fact that he’ll still be able to write Dick Grayson as Batman (if you recall, he wrote on some Nightwing) since Bruce will be taking his cape and cowl international at times.  Two Bat-men?  The more the merrier I say!…maybe.
Lastly, I couldn’t even get into the animated Green Lantern series preview.  It was packed to the rafters.  Very disappointing.  Then, after waiting to see the new Young Justice preview, I jumped ship and headed straight to the first screening of Secret Origins.  It was a small room and I was the first one in.  The family of the founder of DC comics, Major Malcolm Wheeler Nicholson, was at hand in the row next to me.   The documentary about the formation and evolution through the years of one of the greatest comic book companies (number one in my book) was narrated by Ryan Reynolds.  Historical, funny, informative, and at times touching, the film was a treat to watch.  Full of writers, artists and editors, it chronicled not only mainstream DC, but also the indie off-shoots that followed when the medium was in dire need of being shaken up and offered to a new/broader audience.  I am glad I got to watch it in that small venue.  You should definitely check it out when it is released November 9th.
If you haven’t checked out Dave Mammina’s table, please do.  Both books and concept art have been selling.  Signings are free and so is a sketch if you purchase a book. 
Sorry for the lack of pics and videos.  I’m mobile updating, and it doesn’t seem to port well yet.  Tomorrow night I should get a real post up.
See you tomorrow at The Walking Dead panel and first full clips.
—ExSleepyInk
P.S.  I met Bob Camp, and he drew for me.  Suck on that world!   …awwww…come back world.  I just got overzealous.  The excitement over took me.  We friends still?  Good.

With only a little over a month left until zero hour, I know everyone is gearing up for what should hopefully be the best NYCC to date!  If you’re like me, the tension is building.  Will you get the chance to chat up all your favorite creators?  Will you get all the sketches you’ve been dreaming of year round? (Better get there early–with enough money– if you want one from an artist like Brian Bolland, and be ready to possibly come back another day).  Are you going to shake hands with Bruce Campbell, or get a photo-0p with Katee Sackhoff?  It’s enough to keep you in a panic attack for days!  I know I’m already digging out all of the comics I want signed and writing myself a memo of all the artists I’m dying to have draw in my sketchpad.  I’d like you to be able to do the same, so I did some research.  Get a pen and paper ready!  Some of the keystone guests are Stan Lee and  John Romita Sr and Jr.  Others include Geoff Johns, Jeph Loeb, Jim Lee, David Finch, Brian Michael Bendis, J. Michael Straczynski, Adam, Andy, and Joe Kubert, Chris Claremont, Darwyn Cooke, Tony Daniel, Joe Quesada, Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner, Geof Darrow, Dan Didio, Matt Fraction, Adam Hughes, Mark Morales, Michael Golden, Bob Layton,  Dustin Nguyen, Greg Pak, Peter Tomasi, and much much more!  Be sure to also check out one of my best friends, David V Mammina, who will have a table showcasing his four novels (one of which I did some sketches for).  He is a dedicated writer of mostly dark fantasy, and a very humble guy.  We will be covering the event, so if you see our badges, come up and say hi.  We’d love to see you all!  The 2010 NYCC is October 8th through the 10th (That’s friday through sunday, folks!).  Below is a list of who you will find in my favorite place, Artist Alley. 

–ExSleepyInk