Central City Comics DB Blog

Free Comic Book Day 5/1/11

Brightest Day will shortly end and it seems that there will be more changes in the DC Universe thanks to an event called Flashpoint. DC Comics announced more details regarding the universe wide event called Flashpoint. This isn’t some parallel Earth story, it will take place in the main DCU, and based on the first round of event mini-series released, Flashpoint will span at least 47 issues. Starting with a preview in Free Comic Book Day. When Free Comic Book Day arrives on May 1, 2011, you’ll want to be sure to pick up DC Comics’ Green Lantern/Flashpoint special edition. As the title indicates, a preview of the big Flashpoint event will appear in the book – probably very similar to the Brightest Day tie in from last year.

Whatever Happened to Gotham City?

FLASHPOINT: BATMAN KNIGHT OF VENGEANCE #1-#3
FLASHPOINT: DEADMAN AND THE FLYING GRAYSONS #1-#3

Whatever Happened to the World’s Greatest Super Villains?

FLASHPOINT: CITIZEN COLD #1-#3ww
FLASHPOINT: DEATHSTROKE & THE CURSE OF THE RAVAGER #1-#3
FLASHPOINT: THE OUTSIDER #1-#3

Whatever Happened to the Aliens?

FLASHPOINT: ABIN SUR THE GREEN LANTERN #1-#3
FLASHPOINT: PROJECT: SUPERMAN #1-#3

Whatever Happened to Science & Magic?
aquaman
FLASHPOINT: FRANKENSTEIN & THE CREATURES OF THE UNKNOWN #1-#3
FLASHPOINT: SECRET SEVEN #1-#3

Whatever Happened to Europe?

FLASHPOINT: EMPEROR AQUAMAN #1-#3
FLASHPOINT: WONDER WOMAN AND THE FURIES #1-#3
FLASHPOINT: LOIS LANE AND THE RESISTANCE #1-#3
flash

Everything You Know Will Change in a Flash

FLASHPOINT: KID FLASH LOST #1-#3
FLASHPOINT: THE WORLD OF FLASHPOINT #1-#3

Add to this the five issue Flashpoint, by Geoff Johns, Andy Kubert, and Sandra Hope, and the scope and size of the event is starting to take shape.  If just under 50 issues seems daunting, DC hasn’t announced the one-shots or the one additional mini-series. Looks like big event comics are here to stay just off the huge series Brightest Day we go into Flashpoint which is billed to change everything. Well what will the DCU look like when the dust settles only DC and Geoff Johns knows here is the teasers given so far. Just when you think you have things figured out the writers change everything. This one looks like we will have to check it out see you at the comic shop. Stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt

Flashpoint

Flashpoint 1

Flashpoint 2

Jonathan Hickman discusses the death in Marvel’s first family WARNING SPOILER Who Dies.

Fantastic Four 587 Cover

The tragic saga of “Three” has come to an end in the pages of FANTASTIC FOUR #587—and The Human Torch has fallen. John Storm sacrificed himself so that his niece and nephew as well as his best friend, The Thing, could escape the Negative Zone. “Day one, word one,” he says of when he became aware of Johnny’s imminent demise. “When [Marvel Senior Vice President of Publishing and FANTASTIC FOUR editor] Tom [Brevoort] asked me to pitch the book, and then later on when I gave him my detailed arc-by-arc, issue-by-issue breakdown, this was always there. I think if you go back and read all the [issues] I’ve done up to this point you can kind of see how it has led to this.” “Johnny was, in simplistic terms, the ‘id’ of the team,” he explains. “He represented the child-like, more innocent view of the world. He stood in direct contrast to the world ‘as it really is.’ Now, with him gone, and with everything underlined by Reed’s vision of ‘how the world should be,’ his demise both heightens the need for that future to come to pass as well as leaves it in doubt.”

“Jack [Kirby] and Stan [Lee] created these characters; if I didn’t feel like I had a responsible story to tell—one told with great effort, craft and possessing a book-specific ‘moral’ center—I would have pitched this and, honestly, it wouldn’t have made it through the room during the creative retreats,” says Hickman. “I thought [Johnny’s sacrifice] should be noble, self-sacrificing and most of all I thought it should be heroic,” he continues. “I think Johnny was most certainly all of those things.” “The next issue of FANTASTIC FOUR, the last one, #558, follows the rest of the team through the month following Johnny’s death,” previews the writer. “Lots of things happen in that issue that not only cover how each of the family members are being affected, but also hints at the massive events right around the corner. “This is not an ending.”

These are the words of Jonathan Hickman about the death of Johnny Storm. I guess we all die but superheroes are special because sometimes they come back, this is our only hope for the youngest member of the Fantastic Four to be in comics again. Johnny was impulsive and enjoyed being the Human Torch and was always optimistic about his chances to survive but it was time to fight to the death.  Like the rest of the Fantastic Four, the Human Torch gained his powers on a spacecraft bombarded by cosmic rays. He can engulf his entire body in flames, is able to fly, can absorb fire harmlessly into his own body, and can control any nearby fire by sheer force of will. “Flame on!”, which the Torch customarily shouts when activating his full-body flame effect, has become his catchphrase. It is his last words before he dies.

He is brash and impetuous when compared to his beautiful and compassionate sister, Susan Storm, his sensible brother-in-law, Mister Fantastic, and the grumbling Thing. He was colorful in what he did and did things with flare and confidence. But he gave his life for family and preserved the lives of those he loved. I don’t know if it was a good idea to get rid of Johnny I guess time will tell and as Hickman says “This is not an ending.” They will have to go a long way to justify his death in Marvel’s first family and super group. I know there are mixed feeling out there and some don’t like it at all. Please tell me what you think good or back lets talk. Speak up comic faithful stay tuned for more. Walt

FF 587

Who Dies?

Death

Fantastic Four #50

The Silver Surfer is a Marvel Comics superhero created by Jack Kirby. The character first appears in Fantastic Four #48 (March 1966), the first of a three-issue arc that fans call “The Galactus Trilogy”. Originally, Norrin Radd, a young astronomer of the planet Zenn-La, made a bargain with the cosmic entity Galactus, pledging to serve as his herald in order to save his home world from destruction. Imbued in return with a portion of Galactus’ Power Cosmic, Galactus also created for Radd a surfboard-like craft – modeled after a childhood fantasy of his — on which he would travel at speeds beyond that of light.

Galactus’ herald has been seen lately in the pages of Fantastic Four, but the wielder of the power cosmic is set to make his presence felt even further. From Marvel Comics, best-selling writer Greg Pak and artist Stephen Segovia, the Silver Surfer returns in February starring in a new five issue mini-series that promises to challenge Norrin Radd with his most difficult battle yet. Looks like the High Evolutionary plays a key role in one of Marvel’s favorite interstellar heroes. Almost unlimited power the Silver Surfer is one the most powerful being in Marvel, what could challenge him to his limits. Maybe the limits of the soul and the human side of Norrin Radd. We will see. I say be there or be left out. Keep the date February 16, 2011 at the comics shop. See you there. Stay tuned comic faithful for more.

Silver Surfer 1 of 5

Silver Surfer pg1

Silver Surfer pg2

Silver Surfer pg3

Silver Surfer pg4

War of the Green Lanterns

When it comes to events at DC, you can always count on Green Lanterns to hold their own epic ones. DC announced “War of the Green Lanterns” beginning in March 2011′s War of the Green Lanterns #1. The story will continue in the Green Lanterns titles in March, April and May. There isn’t much information available at this time except that we will be seeing something that will tear Hal Jordan, Guy Gardner, John Stewart and Kyle Rayner apart from each other. Each Lantern will be tested and tested against one another.

Green Lantern #64

After the Sinestro Corps War and Blackest Night, what could cause the Green Lantern Corps to turn on each other? Shortly after the events of Blackest Night, Guy Gardner sees prophecies of the future due to residual effects of briefly becoming part of the Red Lantern Corps that involve an unknown entity capturing all the Lantern Corps Entities,  leading to a great civil war that will wreak havoc through out the Green Lantern Corps. He seeks the help of Ganthet who suggest they visit Atrocitus, leader of the Red Lanterns, who reveals has seen the same vision. The three make an unsettling blood pact in order to try and prevent the chaotic future from happening.

Elsewhere, the unknown figure who is capturing the Entities makes his presence known on earth by attacking Hal Jordan with a Parallax infected Barry Allen. After a brief fight, and with members of the Blue Lantern Corps, Indigo Tribe, and Orange Lantern Corps intervening, the unknown figure manages to capture the hope entity Adara and the compassion entity Proselyte, adding them to his collection of Parallax and Ion. The figure then reveals himself to be Krona, the renegade guardian.

Green Lantern Emerald Warriors #8

This is the stage set for the War of the Green Lanterns. Beginning with Green Lantern #64 in March 2011, the Green Lanterns will be against each other through out all the Green Lantern books. Somehow friend turn against friend in this new saga of the Green Lanterns. The 2011 crossover between Green Lantern, Green Lantern Corps and Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors will tell the story.

What will this mean for the Green Lantern Corps? Somehow a malevolent force has usurped control over all the power batteries, leaving the Corps powerless except for a select few members. Can Hal Jordan, Guy Gardner, Kyle Rayner, John Stewart and Sinestro regain control–and can these warriors overcome their differences in time to save the universe? The DC Universe at it’s best. Time to reserve your comics at the comic shop. Stay tuned Comic faithful for more.  Walt

The Goon #32

For those who don’t read Dark Horse you would not know The Goon. The Goon is a comic book series by Eric Powell. The series has a paranormal slant, with the average story concerning ghosts, ghouls, skunk-apes with an unnatural hunger for pie, extra-dimensional aliens, and mad scientists. The Goon debuted in Dreamwalker #0 (March 1998, Avatar Press) in a 4-page story (later reprinted as the third story in the Goon #1). In 2003 publication of The Goon moved to Dark Horse.  This MATURE COMIC is not for kids but has a large cult like following much like Mike Mignola’s Hellboy. This comic book series created by prominent graphic novelist Eric Powell, follows the alleged henchmen Goon and Frankie as they fight zombie hordes controlled by the top hat wearing Zombie Priest. Likely the only media to ever have a reverse zombie (he likes the flesh of the dead), the series is known for its rather bizarre explorations into the world of the occult.

Eric Powell’s The Goon has been slated as an upcoming, animated film co-produced by Mike Richardson (The Mask, Mr Warmth: The Don Rickles Project, Hellboy II: The Golden Army), Dark Horse Entertainment, ground-breaking filmmaker David Fincher (Seven, Fight Club, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) and animation company Blur Studio, Inc. The comic-to-movie adaptation is currently in production. Blur Studio to release sometime in 2011. David Fincher has admitted that financial problems are the reason behind the delay of his animated film adaptation of The Goon. The director cites the budget of $55 million as the main reason that the project has made little progress in finding a financier studio so far. “Animation that isn’t singing furry animals is hard,” Fincher joked to Aint It Cool News. “We kind of went out with it at the end of the year and I don’t know that a lot of people were paying attention but hopefully someone will step in and want to pick it up. “Hopefully this will be the year that people go, ‘Wait a minute! We don’t all have to be trying to imitate Pixar!’,” Fincher added.

The Goon Movie Poster

This movie is not Shrek and “not for family consumption” but is widely anticipated by Eric Powell fan’s. And I am sure David Fincher will get it released soon. While it is not “adult animation” it’s mature themes will be a obstacle that will be overcome. For those who can ” like it like that ” we will see you at the movies. Stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt

Diamond Comic Distributors announced this January 6th the leaders in sales for 2010, calculated based on total unit sales to comic book specialty shops most of us go to every Wednesday to grab weekly books.

Avengers #1

The best-selling comic book of the year was Marvel’s Avengers #1, written by Brian Bendis with art from John Romita Jr. The publisher snagged the #2 spot as well, courtesy of X-Men #1. Marvel also took the top spot as the leading industry publisher, boasting a 43% Unit Market Share and a 38% Dollar Market Share. For comparison, the industry’s second leading publisher, DC Comics, had a 34% Unit Market Share with a 30% Dollar Market Share. DC’s best-seller of the year was Blackest Night #8, coming in at #3 behind Marvel’s titles.

The complete top ten looks like this:

1. Avengers #1
2. X-Men #1
3. Blackest Night #8
4. Siege #1
5. Blackest Night #7
6. New Avengers #1
7. Brightest Day #0
8. Brightest Day #1
9. Siege #2
10. Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #1

With the price of comics these days it is interesting to note that the only title that is not $3.99 is Brightest Day #1, which came in at #8 priced at $2.99. With 77% Unit Market Share only Marvel and DC Comics made the top ten. 7 of the 10 were Big Event comics, with sales like that looks like more Big Event series will be coming from Marvel and DC in the future. There was a decline from 2009, 3.5% Down in sales for the calender year reported from Diamond.

“While sales for the year were down, there have been a lot of positive signs in the last quarter. Sales have steadily picked up and most retailers reported better than average holiday shopping sales,” said Diamond President & CEO Steve Geppi. “We believe comic books and graphic novels offer a great entertainment value for consumers, and 2011 is shaping up with some very exciting and creative story lines and titles from the industry’s top publishers.”

The Walking Dead Vol. 1: Days Gone By

For graphic novels and trade paperbacks, Image’s collections of The Walking Dead out sold the others taking up 5 slots of the top ten. Image should send a thank you card to AMC for their marketing of the smash hit television adaptation. The only graphic novel in the top ten that received very little multimedia attention was Superman: Earth One which was the best of the top ten in my opinion, it finished #5.

The complete top ten wound up as follows:

1. The Walking Dead Vol. 1: Days Gone By
2. Kick-Ass Hardcover
3. The Walking Dead Vol. 11: Fear the Hunters
4. Scott Pilgrim Vol. 6: Finest Hour
5. Superman: Earth One Hardcover
6. Scott Pilgrim Vol. 1: Precious Little Life
7. The Walking Dead Vol. 12: Life Among Them
8. The Walking Dead Vol. 2: Miles Behind Us
9. The Walking Dead Vol. 3: Too Far Gone
10. Scott Pilgrim Vol. 2: Vs. The World

Well that’s how it went last year, that’s what the comic buyers bought. Comic sales were good even with the slight drop. So let me know what you think of 2010 sales and quality stories and art. I have my ears on and I will see you at the comic shop in 2011. Stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt