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Archive for the ‘DC Comics’ Category

Action Comics 9

Media Release – With ACTION COMICS #9, two acclaimed guest artists will explore an alternate Earth and the story of its Kryptonian protector. Multiple Eisner Award-winning artist Gene Ha will be a guest artist for the primary plot, penned by regular series writer Grant Morrison. And fresh from his recent work on THE SHADE miniseries, artist Cully Hamner will illustrate the issue’s back-up story, written by Sholly Fisch.

Parallel worlds come to the forefront of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 “Second Wave,” with titles such as EARTH 2 and WORLDS’ FINEST exploring the adventures of heroes on alternate Earths. ACTION COMICS #9 sets up the multiverse with a standalone story of a Superman from another Earth, who must fight a monster from yet another parallel world. But this isn’t just any monster; it’s a Superman surrogate known as Superdoom, twisted into an unstoppable agent of evil. The back-up story will also feature an adventure of this alternate Superman, set on his parallel Earth. Regular series artist Rags Morales will return for ACTION COMICS #10 in June. End Media release

Action Comics 9 Multiverse Story

Well by the look of the media release and the fact that DC is bringing back the Justice Society in Earth 2 and Worlds Finest featuring Power Girl and the Huntress the Multiverse is alive and well at DC. That is something that fans where wondering and DC is answering with new and different versions of there heroes and villains. DC seems to write stories about the multiverse more than any other comic book publisher. Marvel has the two Universes that it mainly deals with the regular Marvel Universe and the Ultimate Universe. While they occasionally use the concept of multiple universes they tend to deal with these two. Some Marvel comics refer to the main Marvel Universe as Earth 616.

Most references to Earth-616 appear in Marvel UK titles, in Excalibur, or in Marvel reference texts such as the guide to Alternate Universes (2005). In addition, there are a number of other references to Earth-616: In Marvel 1602 #6 (March 2004), Uatu the Watcher refers to the universe as Earth-616. In Marvel Knights 4 #15 (April 2005), Earth-616 is mentioned. In Uncanny X-Men #462 (September 2005), Earth-616 was mentioned also. There were other references also but Marvel tends to not elaborate on the mulitivese and some in Marvel don’t like the designation of Earth-616.

Former Marvel Editor in Chief Joe Quesada and Executive Editor Tom Brevoort have each stated their dislike for the term Earth 616.

“I can tell you for sure that those of us actually working on the books virtually never use the term — and I kind of wince inside whenever I hear somebody use it. It just sounds so stupid to my ear, and so counter to the kind of mindset we try to foster in regard to the stories we create and the thinking we try to employ.” Marvel Executive Editor Tom Brevoort.

“I never use it, I hate the term pure and simple and agree with Tom’s assessment of it. I can’t remember ever hearing it in the office and only really see it used online for the most part. I think the term really came into vogue when the Ultimate Universe came into prominence, but in my world, the language and distinctions are simple, there is the Marvel Universe and the Ultimate Universe. Anything other than that reeks of all that DC Earth 1, Earth 2, Earth Prime stuff which I’ve never really taken to, but then again, I got into DC when they got rid of all that stuff so it was from and for a different era than my own. ” Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada.

Now DC on the other hand has a clear history of trying to fix continuity issues by creating Crisis series to fix there problems. Crisis on Infinite Earths (April 1985 – March 1986) was inspired by earlier crossover stories involving the multiple parallel Earths of the Multiverse, such as “Crisis on Earth-Two” and “Crisis on Earth-Three”, but instead of lasting two to five issues and involving members from many superhero teams from many parallel worlds, it involved virtually every significant character from every parallel universe in DC’s history. It in turn inspired the titles of four subsequent DC crossover series: Zero Hour: Crisis in Time (1994), Identity Crisis (2004), Infinite Crisis (2005–2006), and Final Crisis (2008).

Now after Flashpoint 2011 they created The New 52 and did a reboot of all things and we are in the process of finding out what that means to the DC Comic world of the present. Writers and editors are creating all things new and some trends of the old DC remain the same. The multiverse will be a main part of the New DC 52 and the DC comic creators will have to do it the DC way and try to please a very competitive market and comic reading public. I feel change is good and see many changes in the direction of the comic world, but there are distinct differences in that don’t seem to change. Marvel is having the same challenges in pleasing the entertainment public and they will change also but there will hopefully always be a Marvel way of doing comics. That is what choice is all about. Competition makes things better and we vote with our pocket book. Tell me what you think about the New 52 and Marvel because you are part of the future in comics. Stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt

MEDIA RELEASE:

Feb 9, 2012 09:04 AM ET
by Rich Sands   tvguide.com

Smallville

In one of the closing scenes of last May’s Smallville series finale, Chloe Sullivan tells her Superman-worshipping son, “There will always be more adventures for another day.” That day is about to arrive, thanks to a new comic-book series that picks up where the long-running show left off. On April 13, DC Comics launches Smallville Season 11 in digital format (and later in print collections).

Season 11 begins six months after Clark Kent defeated Darkseid and stopped the planet Apokolips from crashing into Earth. He’s now settling into life as the Man of Steel while continuing to carry on his dual identity as a mild-mannered reporter at the Daily Planet. “It’s Clark’s first year as Superman,” says writer Bryan Q. Miller, who was also a writer on the TV show and has previously scripted DC’s Teen Titansand Batgirl comics. “He’s riding the high of everything working out so far. And he enjoys that he can stop and shake hands with folks after he saves them.”

Don’t expect the good times to last forever. Lex Luthor — brought back from the dead as Smallvilleended but wiped of his memories, including that Clark is super-powered alien — will be one of Superman’s main adversaries in the series. “Most people are thrilled that Superman saved the world by moving a planet out of the way,” Miller says, “but Lex and a handful of others are concerned that there’s a guy out there who can move planets.”

Fans of the TV show will no doubt be thrilled to see many of the supporting cast featured prominently in the story. “It’s a continuation of the lives of characters seen weekly over the course of 10 years,” Miller says. “It’s an ensemble book with Clark Kent at the core. Clark just so happens to now be Superman.” That ensemble includes Lois Lane, his fiancé and fellow reporter; his childhood best friend, Chloe; and Oliver Queen, aka the Green Arrow. As was teased in the finale, Chloe and Ollie are now married. (In fact, she’s going by the name Chloe Sullivan-Queen.)

The first arc of Smallville Season 11 is scheduled to include 12 chapters, which will be available via the DC Comics app on Apple, Android and Windows mobile devices, as well as online at read.dccomics.com. The first print edition goes on sale May 16 and will collect the opening four chapters, along with an episode guide to the TV show. The digital covers (including the one pictured above) are the work of artist Cat Staggs, while Gary Frank will handle the print covers. Pere Pérez, who worked with Miller on the Batgirl comic, will handle the interior art.

tvguide.com is responsible for the accuracy of the information in this Media Release

Justice League #5 2012

DC Comics has all the titles in top 10 in January great sales beginning the new year. Diamond Comic Distributors shows Marvel comics with slight lead in Dollar sales DC leads in Unit sales and has become very popular since coming out with the New 52 back in September 2011. DC had a great month, taking every slot of the top ten single issues and topping the industry in overall units sold with Geoff Johns and Jim Lee’s “Justice League” #5 leading the pack. “Justice League” has been the top selling single issue in every month since the book’s premiere in August 2011.

Why is DC Comics doing so well after the Marvel Dominance for so many years. There are several factors working here the first is the price of the comics. Please note in the list of the top ten comics of January 2012 all but 2 titles sell for $2.99. That will push the unit sales up because more people can afford to buy more comics. I have a friend who loves comics both Marvel and DC but because of the price he must limit the comics he buys every month. Marvel’s average cover price is higher than DC Comics. I read Comic Vines Forums and one writer started a thread; ” I have been a Marvel fan my entire life, often thinking of DC as stupid. However, this past year DC is dominating for me. The new 52 is mostly awesome and the lower prices mean I can buy more books. I have no desire to buy a marvel book right now, while I can not wait for the new DC releases every week. Is anybody else with me?”  Boy that says a lot.

Also is the quality much of the New 52 is very good. It has a new fresh look and feel. DC put together some of the best writers and artist to make something special in story and very pleasing to the eyes. When people buy in these numbers it is because they like what their reading. The stories stand alone and for the current time you don’t have to read many titles to get the story like old DC and Marvels mega series. I think people like major stories and series but it should not dominate all the time. A mega series should be rare and not as frequent as Marvel and DC have produced in the past 5 to 6 years. The reader is brain numb to tragedy because it is so frequent in modern comic publishing. Sometimes we just want to read a good story involving the personal life and superhero life of our favorite comic book character.

And also there are new readers out there that are jumping on the New 52 band wagon because it is something new from the ground up. Many of the names are the same but the past history of these icons in DC is gone so the writer has no script he must follow to stay within continuity of past stories. It is a great jumping on point for old and new readers.

Will this trend continue? Well that depends on DC Comics and Marvel and the visual appetite of the reader of comic books. The company that fills that hunger for quality of story and art be it Marvel, DC or any of the other publishers out there will sell the most comics because that is how it works. We will be there and tell the story. Stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt

Batman and Robin

Media Release — In May of 2012, DC Comics will release a “Second Wave” of titles as part of its historic DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 initiative. Six new, ongoing series will build on the shared universe and bold concepts introduced in September 2011 with the renumbering of DC Comics’ entire line of comic books.

Featuring a variety of different genres and storytelling sensibilities, the titles in the “Second Wave” will be helmed by some of the most legendary writers and artists in the comic book industry, and will also feature the first ongoing comic book series written by acclaimed novelist China Miéville.

“The excitement of the initial launch of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 was in seeing the re-imagining of these classic characters and concepts,” said Bob Harras, DC Entertainment Editor-in-Chief. “The ‘Second Wave’ is all about world-building.”

DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 “Second Wave” includes:

* BATMAN INCORPORATED – Writer: Grant Morrison. Artist: Chris Burnham. The acclaimed ongoing writer of ACTION COMICS, Grant Morrison, presents a fresh take on BATMAN INCORPORATED, in which the Batman brand is franchised globally in preparation for a major international threat.

* EARTH 2 – Writer: James Robinson. Artist: Nicola Scott. The greatest heroes on a parallel Earth, the Justice Society combats threats that will set them on a collision course with other worlds.

* WORLDS’ FINEST – Writer: Paul Levitz. Artists: George Perez and Kevin Maguire. Stranded on our world from a parallel reality, Huntress and Power Girl struggle to find their way back to Earth 2. Perez and Maguire will be the artists on alternating story arcs.

* DIAL H – Writer: China Miéville. Artist: Mateus Santoluoco. The first ongoing series from acclaimed novelist China Miéville, this is a bold new take on a cult classic concept about the psychological effects on an everyman who accidentally gains powers to become a hero.

* G.I. COMBAT – Writer: J.T. Krul. Artist: Ariel Olivetti. Featuring the return of a classic DC Comics series, THE WAR THAT TIME FORGOT, along with rotating back-up stories and creative teams – including THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER, with writers Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti and artist Dan Panosian; and THE HAUNTED TANK, with writer John Arcudi and artist Scott Kolins.

* THE RAVAGERS – Writer: Howard Mackie. Artist: Ian Churchill. Spinning off from TEEN TITANS and SUPERBOY, this series finds four superpowered teens on the run and fighting against the organization that wants to turn them into supervillains.

The six new series will replace BLACKHAWKS, HAWK AND DOVE, MEN OF WAR, MISTER TERRIFIC, O.M.A.C. and STATIC SHOCK, all of which will conclude with their eighth issues in April.

“Many of the characters from our canceled books will appear in DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 titles, and in some very surprising ways,” said Harras. “We’re developing stories that reach from cultures around the globe to parallel worlds. We’re just getting started.”

Well it looks like DC isn’t messing around with low selling comics they have a new set of titles coming out soon. It’s nice to see World’s Finest with the Huntress and Power Girl stuck in the wrong universe. And Earth 2 The greatest heroes on a parallel Earth, the Justice Society nice to see DC did not forget them. And Grant Morrison gets his chance to finish what he started in Batman Incorporated, it is now part of the New 52. So don’t any body think there is time for a new DC Crisis series, I hope not. We are here checking the best of Comics for you. Stay tuned Comic faithful for more. Walt

X-Men 1 Fold Out Cover

I have been around comics for many years and I know comics as well as the next guy but this question got me thinking for a while. What single issue comic sold the most issues of all times. I thought of the Death of Superman in Superman #75, the Amazing Spider-Man #583 (the Obama issue) went into I think six printings and the Death of Robin in Batman #428 one of the first comic events to make mainstream news. Then I remembered the comic event by Marvel of the 1991 the new release of X-Men #1 in 5 new covers written by Chris Claremont and drawn by Jim Lee. Shipping with four variant covers priced at $1.50, and a special gatefold cover combining all four and printed on higher quality paper selling for $3.95, X-Men #1 sold nearly 8.1 million copies with the combined sales of all five editions. That gave Marvel’s 1991 X-Men #1 The Guinness World Record Best Selling Comic Of All Time.

The comic sales of the 90′s as I remember them was fueled by speculation not necessarily comic fans. When I sold comics back then young people would ask me what comic I thought would go up in value. I would tell the young person there are lots of reasons comics and other collectibles go up in value the most important being popularity and low print runs and how rare an issue is. It is simply supply and demand. Then I would recommend they buy comic books because they liked the story and art work not because it might put them through college some day or make them rich. Some time they would listen and were wiser for it.

Comic books are a form of Entertainment and unless you have some money and want to speculate on old classic comics you should realize they should be enjoyed as such. That is what we are about at Comics Talk to make the most of the entertainment and pleasure of reading this visual media. So to put this in perspective I have a list of the most popular comic book issues of the last 10 years to show what comics have sold in the real world of entertainment below this post. Keep in mind I don’t think the record of X-Men #1 will ever or should ever be broken. If it is ever broken I hope it is from comic readers who want to read not speculate on it’s future value. But such is the world we live in. We are here for you with Comics Talk news and information, stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt

Justice League #1 2006 Unit sales: 250,847

Action Comic #1 2011 Sales 250,898

Batman 1 2011 Sales 262,379

Secret Invasion 1 2008 Sales 262,975

Infinite Crisis 1 2005 Sales 269,991

All Star Batman and Robin 2005 Sales 276,017

Captain America 25 2007 Sales 317,713

Civil War 2006 Sales 341,856

Justice League 1 2011 Sales 361,138

Amazing Spider-Man #583 2009 Sales 530,500

The top selling comic book Issue of the last 10 years the Obama Inauguration Day Issue: 530,500 Unit Sales

Hellboy: Fury #3

2011 has come and gone but not without some outstanding comic book publications. While DC Comics and Marvel were the top sellers there was some great work done in other publishing comic companies. Dark Horse Comics led with the death of Hellboy in Hellboy the Fury #3 while comic heroes tend not to ever die in the comic book world Mike Mignola really did it he killed his most well known character Hellboy. Very well written I am sure the series may still be available. Also at Dark Horse Jim Shooter revived some of the greatest Gold Key heroes with Doctor Solar – Man of the Atom, Turok – Son of Stone, Magnus – Robot Fighter, and Mighty Samson. Shooter did a good job of re-introducing these Silver Age characters to a new generation.

Star Trek 1 IDW

While at Dynamite Entertainment from the mind of the late Jack Kirby they re-introduced some of his wonderful characters like Captain Victory, Silver Star, and Dragonsbane with more to come from the comics series Kirby: Genesis. With many covers by Alex Ross you know the art looks good. Follow that with the comic book version of George R. R. Martin’s fantasy masterwork “A Game of Thrones”, Dynamite Entertainment left a creative mark on 2011. The up and coming IDW Publishing got the rights to publish the new timeline favorite from the movie 2009 Star Trek the continuing story of the early days of James T. Kirk and his fellow USS Enterprise crew members. Also in a separate story IDW printed a crossover of Star Trek and the Legion of Superheros series still going into 2012, plus comics with Doctor Who, G.I. Joe, Transformers, and True Blood good stuff from IDW comic book publisher for 2011.

Fantastic Four 600

At Marvel we began the year as the tragic saga of “Three” came to an end in the pages of FANTASTIC FOUR #587—and The Human Torch fell. Johnny Storm sacrificed himself so that his niece and nephew as well as his best friend, The Thing, could escape the Negative Zone. With this story came a series change that ended in two titles FF (Future Foundation) and again Fantastic Four adding Spider-Man in the absents of the Torch to make it Four again. These comic books ended the year with Johnny Storm coming back from the Negative Zone victorious and alive again. This story written by Jonathan Hickman may well be the best story trek of 2011 it involves Doctor Doom, the Inhumans, and just about everyone in the story line from the past 2 years.

Fear Itself 3

Marvel also began the year with a cross title Mega event call the “Chaos War” which evolved an entity called the Chaos King or  Amatsu-Mikabosh a Japanese God of evil, he is the embodiment of the chaos and nothingness that preceded creation, which wants to wipe out all existence and almost does. Hercules uses his new All Father status to remake the world at the sacrifice of his godhood making him mortal and launching a new series called Herc. Then not to be out done by the Gods of Mount Olympias writer Matt Fraction writes another world threatening event called “Fear Itself” involving Odin’s older brother the Serpent: God of Fear, who claims he is the rightful All Father not Odin. Very interesting story it introduces the Serpent’s the “Worthy” and Odin’s  the “Mighty” lead by Iron Man. It ends with much devastation to the earth and Thor finally killing the Serpent then taking nine steps and falling dead. Odin mourns his son’s death then takes his brothers body and leaves the realm of midgard and asgard to the All Mothers: Freyja, Gaea, and Idune, who rule in his stead.  Two major storylines that change many things in the Marvel universe.

Death of Spider-Man

Spider Island another major event centered around the New York City area. “Spider-Island” the storyline started in The Amazing Spider-Man and crossing over into other comic books published by Marvel Comics. It involve an infection that gave normal humans Spider Powers and eventually turned them into Spider creatures serving the Spider-Queen. It takes Mr Fantastic of the Fantastic Four and others of the Horizon Labs scientists to find a cure then a huge battle and inoculation of the public and the re introduction of Kaine as the clone of Peter Parker as a good guy cured from his previous problems. That is really an over simplification of a very complicated story. Another big story from Marvel.

On the Ultimate side of Marvel you have the Death of Spider-Man, the real death of Peter Parker. His heroic death brings on the introduction of a new Spider-Man, Miles Morales. A teenager of African American and Latino descent, he will have a lot of adjusting to do to fill the shoes of Peter Parker. So far the reviews have been very favorable of the new Spider-Man in the Ultimate Universe.

Reign of Doomsday

Well if you are overwhelmed by the events of the comic world I save DC Comics last for a reason. They changed everything with an event called Flashpoint. But before we get to that DC brought back Doomsday to the Superman titles in the “Reign of Doomsday” series. The crossover involves Doomsday hunting down Steel, Superboy, Eradicator and Cyborg Superman, the four main characters introduced in the wake of the controversial The Death of Superman storyline in 1992. The storyline itself draws its title from “Reign of the Supermen”, the immediate follow-up to The Death of Superman. This run of comics will reintroduce Doomsday as you never thought to see him. It results in the introduction of a character called Doomslayer a very interesting story. This leads up to the giant sized Action Comics 900 and the end of the series which was started in 1938.

Meanwhile the events of Brightest Day follow the exploits of these heroes and villains as they attempt to learn the secret behind their salvation. At the end of “Blackest Night”, 12 heroes and villains were resurrected for a later to be reveled  purpose.  Brightest Day #7 revealed that the 12 resurrected must complete an individual assignment given to them by the White Lantern Entity. If they are successful, their life will be fully returned. It ended when Boston Brand found the new champion who will bear the white light of life and take the Entity’s place. (Revealed as Alec Holland, the new Swamp Thing as of Brightest Day #24)

Flashpoint #5

And that led into one of the biggest events in comic book history the series Flashpoint and the creation of the New 52 the remaking of the DC Universe. Flashpoint was a complete redirection in the DC Universe and change in history brought on by the Flash Barry Allen as he changed an event in his past that set every thing in a different direction an alternate universe. Everything changed with the only one who had knowledge in this time period of how things should be was Barry who no longer had the powers of speed. Without telling a synopsis of what happened Barry was the key in changing it back but in the process a mysterious “Lady in Red” helped him to bring a new universe into existence that resulted in DC’s Vertigo and WildStorm superhero groups brought into the main DCU continuity. You can read about that here in my blog. So this New DC 52 as the creators of DC began calling it was created with no connection to the previous history of events in the DCU. The writers and artist and producers at DC could go in any direction they wanted to. And they did with the retelling origins of all the icons of DC history. There was a new fresh look at the heroes that have been around for over 50 years.

Justice League #1

In September of 2011 52 titles started at number one again including Action Comics which had not been interrupted in over 900 issues. Grant Morrison was given the rewrite of Superman origin, Brian Azzarello took on Wonder Woman, Tony Daniel would write Detective Comics, Geoff Johns writer and art Jim Lee for Justice League #1, and there are many more changes which we highlighted in Comics talk during 2011. I think the most dramatic change was the top sales of comic books for the first time in a long time when from Marvel to DC Comics. Mostly because of new readers and old readers that just wanted to check it out. Also DC provided digital copies of comic books the same day of paper publication, this is a first in the industry.

Keep in mind there was a lot of other things that happened in comics but I can only highlight the major ones in this venue. So quite an extraordinary year in comic books, one that will go down in history I am sure. We are here for you to keep you informed on the media known as Comic Book Entertainment and Movie greats with a lot of other fun things mixed in. Stay tuned Comic faithful Fore more. Walt

Batman Infographic Art Click to See Full Size

Benjamin Andrew Moore impresses us greatly with this remarkably thorough chart which tracks every major revision of Batman’s costume, starting from its first appearance in 1939 and all the way through 2012′s Batman: Earth One drawn by and Gary Frank. See the full-size image Click image above.  This is brought to us thanks to ComicsAlliance.com. It shows all the versions on Batman costumes in history of the character since Bob Kane  in 1939.

Batman is an classic hero who has survived over the years and actually gained in popularity for many years. It is great to look back of the many looks of Batman over the years. I had no idea there was that many changes but the proof is in this Infographic. We will always be on the  look for the most interesting information about the comic world. Stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt

Dark Knight Rises

Warner Bros. has officially released the long-anticipated first extended look at director Christopher Nolan’s final installment in his three-part Batman epic. I have been slow to comment about the new Batman movie because there has been very little information released about the story until now but the trailer reveals more mystery than answers about the the last of the Nolan trilogy.

The trailer begins in a football stadium then goes to Alfred (Michael Caine) who relates how he has failed to protect Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale).  Bane (Tom Hardy) coordinating some kind of plot at the stadium that results in one of the most dramatic scenes in movies as the football field sinks into the ground from a controlled explosion just as a Gotham player runs the ball in for a touchdown. Also there is the introduction of Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway), who dances with Bruce Wayne at a party, masked as a cat. “There’s a storm coming, Mister Wayne,” she says. “You and your friends better batten down the hatches, because when it hits, you’re all going to wonder how you could live so large and leave so little for the rest of us.”

“When Gotham is ashes, you have my permission to die,” says Bane to Batman then the trailer flashes to explosions, a flying Batmobile. Looks like the movie will have a ton of action but what it all means to the Batman and Bruce Wayne and all the supporting cast still remains to be seen. The trailer did what was intended to give enough information to create a real thirst for the movie. This is one movie that I will be in line to see. Stay tuned movie and comic faithful for more. Walt

Jerry Robinson

Jerry Robinson was an American comic book artist known for his work on DC Comics’ Batman line of comics during the 1940s. He is best known as the creator of the Joker, and for his work on behalf of creators’ rights. Born January 1, 1922 he passed away on the afternoon of December 7, 2011 in New York City. He was 89.

For his work in comics, he won several awards, including the National Cartoonists Society award for the Comic Book Division in 1956, their Newspaper Panel Cartoon for 1963 for Still Life, their Special Features Award in 1965 for Flubs and Fluffs, and their Milton Caniff Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000. Robinson was inducted into the Comic Book Hall of Fame in 2004. Robinson received the Sparky Award for lifetime achievement from the Cartoon Art Museum at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con International.

Over the course of his early years in comics, Robinson proved a creative and social dynamo, moonlighting as a comics artist on projects such as the infamous “created in one night” issue of “Daredevil” while taking classes in Journalism at Columbia University. As the production of comic books wound down near the end of World War II, Robinson moved primarily to newspaper comic strips where he remained for the late ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, becoming known for Editorial illustration, political satire comic strips such as his long-running “Still Life With Robinson” and lush cover paintings for Broadway’s “Playbill.”

The artist also served as President of both the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists (AAEC) and the National Cartoonists Society (NCS), and remains the only person to receive both honors. Robinson in the  70′s became a comics historian and advocate for the rights of artists. “Starting in 1972, I curated the first comics at a fine art gallery. That was, I think, the year after, or almost simultaneously, with a show at the Louvre on comics, which I went over to see. I think that started it,” this from his interview with CBR this year. “The following year, I was a guest curator at the Kennedy Library in Washington, where we did I think the largest show ever held on the comics. Certainly in the US. It was the size of a couple football fields and had all the genres of the comics. So it’s been a long time, but more and more universities and colleges have taken it on as a course of study, serious scholars and so forth.”

Jerry Robinson Comic Con 2008

Also in the 70′s Robinson created “The Comics” one of the first definitive books on the strip comic artform as a whole, written by Robinson in 1974 and recently published in a new edition by Dark Horse. Robinson became a key figure along with artist Neal Adams in the fight to get Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster proper credit and pay for their hero from DC Comics. Recently he served as a paid creative consultant for DC and Warner Bros on projects including Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” which drew heavily on Robinson’s original stories in its portrayal of the Joker.

DC Comics has released the following statements from its senior staff:

“Jerry Robinson illustrated some of the defining images of pop culture’s greatest icons. As an artist myself, it’s impossible not to feel humbled by his body of work. Everyone who loves comics owes Jerry a debt of gratitude for the rich legacy that he leaves behind.”—Jim Lee, DC Entertainment Co-Publisher and artist of “Batman: Hush”

“Jerry Robinson was one of the greats. He continued to be a vibrant, creative force well into his nineties, with ideas and thoughts that continue to inspire. Jerry was a great advocate for creators. It was my pleasure to meet and work with him. He will be missed.”—Dan DiDio, Co-Publisher, DC Entertainment

“It’s impossible to work at DC Entertainment­ without feeling the impact of Jerry Robinson’s contributions to the industry. His influence continues to resonate today.”—Bob Harras, DC Entertainment Editor-in-Chief

“Jerry Robinson was an innovator, a pioneer in storytelling. His artwork was always astonishing, but his contributions to the Dark Knight mythology go far beyond art. The streets of Gotham City are a little lonelier today…Jerry will truly be missed.”—Mike Marts, “Batman” editor

I agree Robinson was a force in comics for many years his only rival would be Stan Lee on his total influence on the comic world. He helped change the industry to what it is today. He gave great credibility to artist and writers as literary contributors to society itself, and academic credentials to the work of comic entertainment. In America I hope that people appreciate the freedom and rights that everyone has and how it can open the way for a creative person like Jerry Robinson. May that never change and be censored into something less than freedom. We are always on the look for the greatness in the entertainment industry. Stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt

Flashpoint #5

Just in case you need reminding something called Flashpoint happened changing things in the DC Universe, bringing 3 separate universes together in the New 52 in September. My review of that event can be found here it will take you to that article post if you need it. The un-named mysterious Lady In Red played a key role in instructing Flash in the time stream to help him help change things into what they are now in the big New 52. Barry (the Flash) talked to her as he was running through the time stream “Barry: I…I need to run back into the time stream, but….I see three timelines..Why? Lady: Because the history of heroes was shattered into three a long time ago…Splintered to weaken your world for THEIR impending arrival…You must all stand together…the timelines must become one again…You can help me fix that, Bary Allen, but at a cost…AARRGHH (Barry yells as he is running) Barry: What..Who was that?..What did she say?”

So DC’s Vertigo and WildStorm superhero groups were folded into the main DCU continuity. After that the Lady in Red showed up in the background panels of all the new 52 comics published in September. At this point in the New 52 we do not know much about her, except that she played a part in the formation of the DCnU works. Without speculating on who she might be there was a publication in DC’s The Source from Bob Harris that gave us a sneak peek at how this character looks, where she comes from, and where we will find her next.

Deep inside the DC offices is a wall that played a very important part in the launch of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52. Actually it’s in Coordinating Editor Liz Gehrlein’s office, conveniently located right next to mine.

On that wall, Liz has collected a page from each of the first issues that debuted in September. Although those fifty-two pages are all very different, showcasing the fantastic range of characters and styles in the DCU, they all have one thing in common: the appearance of a lone, mysterious hooded figure. That’s right – if you look carefully through each title from last month, you will spot her … sometimes hovering in the background … other times lurking close by.

One of the coolest things for me about The New 52 was that it gave us the ability to work very far in advance. We knew exactly what we wanted to do in terms of connecting FLASHPOINT to our new universe. Geoff Johns had an amazing backstory for the mysterious woman who appears at the end of FLASHPOINT #5. We had a plan for where we thought she’d go next, but since we had enough time to really think, Jim Lee, Geoff and I figured out that it was possible to expand this character’s next appearance into ALL of the #1 issues – a daunting task to be sure, but a one-time opportunity to do something like this and really drive home how important this character is. To keep track of this plan, we created the wall in Liz’s office and put up each page as it was completed.

You’ll soon see the next step in this character’s evolution in the pages of JUSTICE LEAGUE, and in the months to come you will see more events ripple across titles as we continue to weave the DC Universe together and tell even more amazing stories.

In other words, Liz is going to need another wall.

– Bob Harras, Editor-in-Chief

Lady in Red

Whoever she is it will be interesting to see how she fits into the New 52 and are the creators trying to introduce the possibility of another major event like Crisis? Well they have admitted they are going to bring back the Justice League Society in a new Earth 2 story to come in the future so anything is possible. Well however this pans out I bet you will be there. Tell me your thoughts and stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt

Wonder Woman #3

Wonder Woman is a DC Comics super-heroine created by William Moulton Marston. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 (December 1941). The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986. I have been waiting for the new DC Universe to form to comment on the characters and how they related to the traditional versions of these iconic heroes. Well after 3 months I am beginning to see a clear direction of the writers and comic creators at DC. The first character of the early years I would like to comment on is the remake of Wonder Woman.

Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman no matter what your opinion of her has been a main part of the DC Universe comic world. She brings the feminine view of life to the fight between good and evil. Her origins although they very, involve the Amazons and the Gods.  Until recently one of the latest origin story involving Wonder Woman or Diana as her mother named her, is that she was originally a clay figure brought to life by the magic of the gods. Diana (Wonder Woman) believed that story for years but in Wonder Woman #3 of the New 52 her mother Queen Hippolyta of the Amazons revealed that Diana was the product of a relationship between Hippolyta and Zeus the King of the Gods. Therefore giving her ability and skill for fighting and humanity from the Amazons and her supernatural abilities from Zeus making her a demi-god. Her mother never told anyone for fear that Hera the Queen of the Gods would kill her child Diana.

Diana responded to this information from her mother by saying, “Mother, Ha for the first time I can call you that knowing your blood is in me…Your so wrong I’m a lie..your a fool and you made one of me.” She marched from her mothers presents and announced to her Amazon sisters that she was leaving the island never to return that in the future she will be Wonder Woman. This emotional story is how Wonder Woman came to the outside world to stay. She is also introduced to the Justice League this week in the fight against the forces of Darkseid in Justice League #3. I am sure she will play a major role in the new history of the DCU.  It makes more sense to me the new origin, I always had a problem with the clay beginning. They are really trying to bring these  DC heroes into the 21st century and get a new readership along with a few of the older ones also. You can’t argue with the success DC creators have had so far. We will feature another report and review right here in these pages so stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt

Darkseid in Justice League #4

What could be big enough to bring earths greatest heroes together to form the Justice League that would be a threat from Darkseid and his minions from Apokolips.  Darkseid first appeared in Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #134 (November 1970) and was created by writer-artist Jack Kirby. Darkseid is one of the most powerful characters in the DC Universe. Debuting in the Bronze Age of Comic Books, he has appeared in four decades of DC Comics publications, featuring prominently in the New Gods titles and limited series as the recurring nemesis of the New Gods and Superman.

We’ve been eagerly anticipating the arrival of Darkseid in DC’s New 52 ever since his involvement was teased in the pages of Justice League #1. In their Source blog, DC opted to show off Jim Lee’s redesign of the character, where they stated we’ll be able to see him in action in December’s Justice League #4. Editor Brian Cunningham said, “Superstar artist and DC Co-Publisher Jim Lee brings his razor sharp design skills to the greatest villain in the DC pantheon. Originally conceived and designed by Jack Kirby, the King of Comics himself, Darkseid’s redesign has the Kirby motif all over him. Jim has taken what made Darkseid a fearsome foe from his original incarnation and provided the big bad with a 21st century design flair for even more malevolence.”

I think Brian has a point Darkseid look is awesome, which will help in the slow moving storyline so far in Justice League. Perhaps it will move along now after introductions of all the characters are over and they start working as a team. I would like it to rival what Brian Michael Bendis did with the New Avengers in 2004. Well that remains to be seen. Tell me what you think of Justice League and the new Darkseid look done by Jim Lee. Stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt