Tuesday, December 25, 2012

2010-2011 The Justice League of America 100 Project charity art by Agnes Garbowska

Click To Expand & Enlarge


"You stealthily assault one another from behind cover with wedged flakes of frozen water? I suppose this helps maintain battle readiness. Still, I'm much more interested in this immaculate conception you speak of between god and woman..."

In late 2000, a consortium of comic publishers came up with the idea to create a financial safety net for comic creators, much in the same fashion that exists in almost any other trade from plumbing to pottery. By March of 2001, the federal government approved The Hero Initiative as a publicly supported not-for-profit corporation under section 501 (c) (3).

Since its inception, The Hero Initiative (Formerly known as A.C.T.O.R., A Commitment To Our Roots) has had the good fortune to grant over $400,000 to the comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today.

The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterdays' creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It's a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.


ALL 104 JUSTICE LEAGUE #50 ORIGINALS…NOW ON DISPLAY!

Please enjoy this gallery of ALL 104 original Justice League of America #50 Hero Initiative covers!

Hardcover and softcover versions of a book collecting all the covers will be available in December, 2011. AND all the originals will be auctioned off according to the following schedule:

• December 3, 2011, Meltdown Comics, Los Angeles, CA: Display of all 104 covers and auction of first one-third
• Jan. 20-22, 2012, Tate's Comics, Lauderhill, FL (Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area): Display of remaining covers and auction of second one-third.
• Feb. 17-19, 2012: Orlando MegaCon, Orlando, FL: Display and auction of final one-third.

All covers will be sold via LIVE AUCTION on-site at the venues above. If you cannot attend but wish to bid, proxy bidding is available.
Contact Joe Davidson at: yensid4disney@gmail.com
Deadlines for each grouping are below, and each cover carries a minimum bid of $100.

Special thanks to Firestorm Fan for the notice!

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

2011 “Wonder Woman - Paradise Island” color art by Pablo Alcalde Fernández

Click To Enlarge


"Wonder Woman fights in the beginning of her career as the Princess of Power!"
Check out the original uncolored line art here, see her astride a horse for combat in Wonder Woman Princess Warrior, and you can spy the Amazing Amazon elsewhere in today's artist showcase links...

Pablo Alcalde Fernández

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Thursday, December 13, 2012

2010 Wonder Woman Sketch Card art by Joshua Flower

Click To Enlarge


If you read this blog with any regularity, you probably know how much I hate Wonder Woman aggressively posturing with a sword like the legions of Red Sonja knock-offs that have arrived since the Bronze Age. Wonder Woman is a cowgirl, not a barbarian. That said, if she must sling a pig-sticker, I prefer that it occur during World War II. I can always pretend I'm looking at Hippolyta, and if I've learned anything from thousands of movies, it's never not okay to murderize Nazis. If you like the Amazing Amazon making with the stabby as much as this artist, you should check out his other 2010 sketch card or 2011 commission. The delightful blogs below also have more subjects to share...

While we're at it with the sharing, you might also like to check out these fan fiction posts for The Atom & Hawkman team's extended circle of friends...

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Sensational Comics for March, 2013



And on the seventh month, DC rested. These Amazon-related solicitations are finally getting manageable again, sans specials, Superman/Aquaman crossovers, an extended tour in Batwoman, etc...

Wonder Woman


WONDER WOMAN #18
Art by TONY AKINS and DAN GREEN
Cover by CLIFF CHIANG
1:25 B&W Variant cover by CLIFF CHIANG
On sale MARCH 20 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for more information.

• We’ve seen the history Wonder Woman shares with Ares — but what does the God of War have planned for her future?
Diana stole the power of full unaided flight from Donna Troy, the parentage of Zeus from Cassie Sandsmark, and now the early ties to Ares from Nubia? What a role model. Nothing says heroine like sloshing through a puddle of blood of your own making.
JUSTICE LEAGUE #18
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
Backup story art by GARY FRANK
Cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
Variant cover by AARON
1:100 B&W Variant cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
On sale MARCH 20 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
Retailers: This issue will ship with four covers. Please see the order form for more information.

• Cyborg takes center stage as events fall into place for next month’s massive new story arc: “OFF THE GRID”!
• Also, Batman continues to question the Superman/Wonder Woman alliance and Aquaman’s future with the League.
• Plus: The Shazam backup story reveals the origin of Black Adam—and what it means for Billy Batson’s survival!

This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.
INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US #3
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art and cover by JHEREMY RAAPACK
On sale MARCH 27 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

• Based on the upcoming DC fighting game from NetherRealm Studios, creators of Mortal Kombat.
• A new world order seizes the reins of power, forcing heroes to face each other in a fight to save humanity.
• Which side will Wonder Woman choose?
Sword! Anyway, it's nice to see Diana spotlighted in an ensemble book like this. Well, not like this like this, the book nor the vicious warrior bitch image, but in general.
AME-COMI GIRLS #1
Written by JUSTIN GRAY and JIMMY PALMIOTTI
Art and cover by EDUARDO FRANCISCO
1:25 Variant photo cover by DC COLLECTIBLES
On sale MARCH 6 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Order Form for details.

• All-new digital adventures in print for the first time!
• The new, monthly AME-COMI ongoing series begins here!
• The Ame-Comi Girls team up for the final showdown with Brainiac!
• Starring Wonder Woman, Power Girl, Supergirl, Batgirl, Robin, Steel and The Flash!
If she must slice, at least do it friendly like this.
ABSOLUTE BLACKEST NIGHT HC
Written by GEOFF JOHNS, PETER J. TOMASI and others
Art by IVAN REIS and others
Cover by IVAN REIS and OCLAIR ALBERT
RESOLICIT • On sale JUNE 26 • 576 pg, FC, 8.25” x 12.5”, $125.00 US

• The prophecy of the Blackest Night descends on the DC Universe! Can Hal Jordan lead DC’s champions against an army of Black Lanterns?
• Expanded to include BLACKEST NIGHT #0, BLACKEST NIGHT #1-8, UNTOLD TALES OF THE BLACKEST NIGHT #1, DC UNIVERSE #0, the BLACKEST NIGHT DIRECTOR’S CUT #1, and GREEN LANTERN #43-48 and 50-52!
Retailers: This title is resolicited. All previous orders are cancelled.
DC UNIVERSE: SECRET ORIGINS TP
Written by various
Art by various
Montage cover
On sale APRIL 3 • 328 pg, FC, $24.99 US

• Collecting the legendary SECRET ORIGINS annuals from the 1960s, this is an amazing look back at how DC’S heroes gained their powers and abilities.
• Featuring the work of Jack Kirby, Gardner Fox, Gil Kane, Carmine Infantino, Curt Swan and more!
• Collects SECRET ORIGINS #1, MORE SECRET ORIGINS #1, EVEN MORE SECRET ORIGINS #1 and WEIRD SECRET ORIGINS #1.

Wonder Girl


TEEN TITANS #18
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art and cover by EDDY BARROWS and EBER FERREIRA
1:25 B&W Variant cover by EDDY BARROWS and EBER FERREIRA
On sale MARCH 27 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for more information.

• Unknown to the Teen Titans, Red Robin’s condition is worsening after the events of “DEATH OF THE FAMILY.” And now Red Robin must face an even greater tragedy!
• The new Dr. Light is coming for Solstice!
• Guest-starring the Suicide Squad!
Going from Booth to Barrows is certainly jarring, and you'd think the guy had his fill of Titans last time. Poor decision. Also notice that Cassie is basically wearing a Troia variant costume now. No imagination.
DEATHSTROKE #18
Written by JUSTIN JORDAN
Art by EDGAR SALAZAR and SCOTT HANNA
Cover by EDUARDO PANSICA and EBER FERREIRA
On sale MARCH 13 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

• Finally! Deathstroke vs. The Teen Titans!
• You want more? You got more, as The Ravagers join the fight!
Seeing a classicist like Jurgens draw the New 52 Titans costumes truly illustrates how dreadful they are. Helspont came off a lot better during his Superman run.

Steve Trevor


TEAM 7 #6
Written by JUSTIN JORDAN
Art by PASCAL ALIXE
Cover by GARY FRANK and CAM SMITH
On sale MARCH 13 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• In the tale from the recent past, Team 7 is on a mission to rescue Caitlin Fairchild when a team member dies!
• And in the present day, Deathstroke hunts down his former Team 7 partners! But why?
Ladytron vs. Black Canary and Deathstroke vs. Grifter is exactly the sort of thing I wanted to see out of the DC/WS merger, especially with Gary Frank art. I kind of wish I'd read this series, but whenever I see a skinny Amanda Waller, that conflict clear right up.

Donna Troy


TINY TITANS: AW YEAH TITANS TP
Written by ART BALTAZAR and FRANCO
Art and cover by ART BALTAZAR
On sale APRIL 10 • 128 pg, FC, $12.99 US

• It’s the final TINY TITANS collection, and Batgirl and her pals take over the Batcave! Plus: Coach Lobo’s Secret Soccer team plays the Birds of Prey, our heroes get lost in Metropolis, and the Tiny Titans take a big step toward becoming grown-up heroes!
• Collecting TINY TITANS #45-50.
THE NEW TEEN TITANS OMNIBUS VOL. 3 HC
Written by MARV WOLFMAN and GEORGE PEREZ
Art by GEORGE PEREZ, ROMEO TANGHAL, DAN JURGENS, MIKE DeCARLO, STEVE RUDE, AL GORDON, CARMINE INFANTINO, RICH BUCKLER, BOB SMITH, DICK GIORDANO, RON RANDALL, CHUCK PATTON and JOSE LUIS GARCIA-LOPEZ
Cover by GEORGE PEREZ
RESOLICIT • On sale MAY 29 • 792 pg, FC, $75.00 US

• In this third massive collection of the hit 1980s series from the acclaimed team of writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Perez, the Teen battle the villainy of H.I.V.E., face the evil Dr. Light, witness the trial of Deathstroke, and try to rescue the dark hero known as Raven from her own father, Trigon.
• Collects TALES OF THE TEEN TITANS #45- 61 and 66-67, NEW TEEN TITANS #38, NEW TEEN TITANS #1-6 and SECRET ORIGINS ANNUAL #3.
There are some strong stories here, especially Slade Wilson's time in the slammer with Gar plotting murder, and visual feast of Trigon's reign of terror.

Stormwatch


STORMWATCH #18
Written by PETER MILLIGAN
Art by WILL CONRAD
Cover by KEN LASHLEY
On sale MARCH 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

• The team battles one of their own for their very survival!
• The relationship of Midnighter and Apollo hits a rough patch when the Amazon-like Zealot joins the team!
I remember when Zealot was another of the multitude of sad Wonder Woman/Red Sonja hybrids, but now the Amazing Amazon is more like her than she is the Princess Diana of old. Stormwatch consisting of analogues of the DC Trinity and three other guys really validates their existence, huh?

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

2010 “Death of Wonder Woman” color art by Craig C. Cermak II

Click To Enlarge


Sorry to go so long without a post, but I had a Top Five personal worst sickness last week. It's a point of personal pride that I usually have to induce vomiting on the rare occasions I succumb to the need, so involuntary projectile puking was a new, humbling experience for me.
"Assignment where I had to put in about 6 different types of vegetation with a figure who was killed against the base of a tree. I chose to use Wonder Woman, because I... I am addicted to DC... and I had it so she reverted to clay upon death. As legend goes, she was molded from clay by the queen of the Amazons."
My next-to-last post featured this same artist, and that's due to his clearly having a love of the breadth of characters in the DC Universe after my own heart. He's demonstrated great facility with many of them, but I confess that his Wonder Woman art has tended to turn up more as an obligatory inclusion here than as a compulsory one. I also have a noted lack of fondness for the armed and armored Amazing Amazon, depicted here. However, I was won over by the somber mood of the piece, which recalled Mike Sekowsky's classic two part story from The New Wonder Woman #183 with the leafy grave and #184 with the fallen warrior.

Cermak allows viewers to follow the many developmental stages of the piece, from pencils to inks to colors. You can really see the time and effort put into this one.

Craig C. Cermak II

Sunday, November 25, 2012

The Top Doctor Poison, Queen Clea and Veronica Cale Covers

I often complain about the overuse of Circe, Cheetah, and Ares in Wonder Woman stories, but I must confess that I've shaved the barrel's bottom on character-themed cover countdowns far sooner than I would have expected for such an iconic heroine. Doctor Poison was a creepy cross-dressing member of the Axis in some Golden Age tales, was forgotten for decades, and has turned up here and there since her revival during Erik Luke's run in the '90s. Queen Clea is an evil Golden Age Atlantean who was brought back by Phil Jimenez pretty much solely to fill out Villainy Inc. Veronica Cale was created by Greg Rucka based on his career defining formula of being excruciatingly derivative and arbitrarily inserting at least one prominent female supporting character into every book. Cale is a female Lex Luthor, specifically the Marv Wolfman/John Byrne envious corporate tycoon version from the Post-Crisis years. I used to despise her, but other writers (specifically Keith Giffen) made her more palatable as a bureaucrat presiding over the mad science on Oolong Island. Below are their combined best covers, which fall well short of a top ten...

7) Wonder Woman #182 (August, 2002)

Whoever wins, perspective and framing loses.


6) 52 Aftermath: The Four Horsemen #3 (December, 2007)

I never read this book, but I'm pretty sure that's a sketchy looking Cale in the background, unless Hillary Clinton made an uncredited cameo. Yeah, that's how this is going to go down.


5) 52 #46 (March, 2007)

Veronica Cale lacks any distinguishing characteristics when not portrayed by Elizabeth Hurley is an unaired TV pilot, but she's also the only attractive blond woman to mingle with DC's mad scientists, so I'll assume that's her in Black Adam's lighting bolt. That said, this cover is about Black Adam's lighting bolt, not so much mad scientists.


4) Wonder Woman #28 (March-April, 1948)

This cover is better than other covers because they're totally dropping a big rock while Diana is distracted playing bullets & bracelets. Rock beats Cale! This is almost certainly the top Eviless cover, I'm pretty sure I think. Cheetah and Giganta have seen better, though


3) 52 #26 (November, 2006)

I'm almost pretty sure that's also Veronica Cale, but again, I haven't read it, and she needs an eyepatch or stroke-related facial droop or something.


2) Wonder Woman #202 (May, 2004)

My rationale for crowning the top two covers is that I'm 85% confident that the characters I'm supposed to be referencing are actually on them. For instance, this is with a doubt the best Veronica Cale comic book cover, because I don't remember there being another blond woman in an evening gown around when I read this once eight years ago while half-interested at best. She looks catty over an insignificant matter. Must be Cale!


2) Wonder Woman #180 (June, 2002)

A bunch of head shots top the list of greatest Villainy Inc. covers! I flipped through this one several times before and after bagging and boarding it, and may have even read a few panels. It says something about Jimenez's writing that I made it through Byrne and Luke but couldn't overcome his scripts.

Cornucopia of Top Comic Covers

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

2007 Wonder Woman ink wash art by Craig Cermak

Click To Enlarge


Craig Cermak

Friday, November 16, 2012

1993 Wonder Woman redesign doodle by Diabolu Frank



In the wake of "Reign of the Superman" and "Knightfall," I became fixated on my own design revamps of iconic DC heroes. I would do pages and pages of quasi-stick figure revisions in marker, and have sometimes featured them on my Martian Manhunter blog. Such an over-sharing occurred today, and since one of my Wonder Woman attempts was on the same page, I thought I'd crop it to spotlight here. Forgive the dismal quality, but depending on your viewing platform, the image is larger than original size. The elongated bracelets turned up in the Byrne period, and Perez did the thigh high boots on occasion in his day. Nothing new here, not even the basic image, which I believe I swiped from a Sal Velluto drawing.

Speaking of which, you might get a mild kick out of my 1994-1995 Swipe Collage or the rest of this page, offered on other blogs today.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

All The World Is Waiting For Nubia!



After several years as a de-powered urban adventurer in contemporary fashions, Diana Prince went back to being Princess Diana of Paradise Island in 1973. As part of the issue celebrating the rebirth of the costumed heroine Wonder Woman, a new character of seemingly great import was introduced. An armored warrior who appeared to be Diana's equal or better (taking into account that the Amazing Amazon was probably a bit rusty at super-battles) laid claim to the title of Wonder Woman.



Wonder Woman and her challenger began a contest at Paradise Island Stadium involving grabbing charging bulls by the horns and a sword fight in which the pair were tethered by their non-dominant wrists (the plaintiff was left-handed.) Diana was on her back and threatened with a deathblow, but her opponent hesitated, allowing Wonder Woman to deflect her sword and force a draw. Queen Hippolyta then bade the stranger remove her helmet to reveal herself. "I am Nubia! Wonder Woman of the Floating Island!"



It was soon revealed in a spectacularly blatant retcon that this was Nubia, Diana's literal soul sister sculpted from dark clay at the same time as Diana at the command of the goddess Aphrodite ("Afrodite?") Nubia was blessed by the goddesses as Diana was, and meant to be raised as her twin, until she was kidnapped in infancy by the war god Mars. Nubia was then raised to become Diana's adversary, and usurp her role as the champion of the Amazons.



"The Mystery of Nubia" was a five page solo back-up strip in the following issue that revealed the Floating Island seemed to be populated almost entirely by African tribesmen with spears and shields living in thatch huts. They dressed nearly identically, and engaged in mortal combat under Mars' law for the right to become Princess Nubia's mate. This Wonder Woman wished to be no man's possession, so when Goolah lost his match, Nubia fought the near-victor Kenyah for her own liberty. The match ended with Nubia's sword jammed into the ground inches from Kenyah's face. "A woman doesn't destroy life-- she cherishes it! She never forgets that once a life has been taken-- it can never return! Until men turn from war to peace-- and violence to love-- they will always remain in a murderous jungle!" Nubia then returned to her hut to cry in a "bottomless sea of loneliness."



In her final major appearance in her original incarnation, Nubia's full origin was revealed. The Floating Island was actually Mars' Slaughter Island, a mobile base with a volcano that could fire molten rock like cannonballs, which targeted Paradise Island. Princess Diana soon arrived to plug it up, but she was then tricked by the island's seeming ability to conjure illusions. Diana was set upon by a whole band of the island's warriors, who were defeated in short order. However, she was struck from behind by Nubia, and the two women began a protracted battle.



Diana recognized a ring Nubia wore from an experience in her youth that associated the jewelry with Mars. Wonder Woman flew her adversary high enough in the sky that reflected beams from the sun caused the ring to expand and fall off Nubia's finger. Despite being raised from birth to be Mars' instrument of vengeance against the Amazons, Nubia could only be fully controlled through the power of the ring, and immediately turned on her former master. Mars tried to ward the heroines off with an illusory monster, but was ultimately framed as a coward too terrified to attack the Amazons directly, and abandoned his assault now that he no longer had Nubia to do his dirty work.



Clearly, Nubia should have either become one of the great Wonder Woman foes, or her staunchest ally. You have to remember, when Wonder Girl was created, she was supposed to be Diana as a teenager. A mistake led to her joining the Teen Titans, and developing into an entirely separate being named Donna Troy. Wonder Girl was treated as a Titans character first, and was very much extant for most of her shared history with Wonder Woman. Steve Trevor was dead, Etta Candy forgotten, and there wasn't much in the way of prominent Amazons. Even if there had been, Diana Prince's sole companion for years was I-Ching, who was killed off in the very issue introducing Nubia. Beyond Queen Hippolyte, Wonder Woman was starting off with a blank slate in the supporting cast department.



Further, Wonder Woman hadn't dealt with her better known rogues in years, many were quite dated by the '70s, and they'd have to be reintroduced to readers. Meanwhile, Nubia had just appeared on a pair of fantastic, memorably covers and a story of some magnitude. By 1975, Nubia was set to be played by Teresa Graves, the first African-American actress to star in an hour long drama in the U.S., on the hit Wonder Woman television show. Nubia was introduced as "Wonder Woman's super-foe" as part of Mego's line of tie-in dolls, and the only opponent created for that set. She was the only "African" DC character to appear in the well-loved Mego line, and was only joined by The Falcon if you count the entire Marvel line, as well. Friend or enemy, Nubia was all set to be a big deal and a lasting addition to the Amazing Amazon's lore.



Or not. The Nubia character was dropped from the TV show before she was ever introduced after it made a switch in network and time period. The closest she ever came to television was commercials for the toys. The comic book character had a tainted origin where she was raised on an island of stereotypical tribesman, then had to defend her chastity and right to self-determination at sword point. Nubia was terribly lonely, and only fought Wonder Woman because of some evil spell instead of her own intentions. When Nubia appeared in a Supergirl story late in the year of her debut, she was depicted as Hipployta's "other" daughter who was incapable of protecting her long lost mother from radioactive sea mutants before falling victim to their poisonous bite. While Nubia convalesced, Hippolyta made a big show of adopting their mutual savior Supergirl as her (latest) new daughter. Nubia was dying, and in the absence of Wonder Woman (who was out of contact on a mission,) it was up to Supergirl to save her life a second time. Nubia spends most of the story laid up and entirely dependent on the kindness of blonde white women.



Six years later, when she was gifted a one page cameo in a Super Friends comic, she was made the leader of an African village. Why? She was raised by a Greek god on a traveling island. Oh wait, she's "Nubia," so she's off to Africa then. There, she fought a Wonder Woman driven temporarily power-mad by a villain, but the outcome of their fight was never revealed, and Nubia wasn't so much as mentioned again for two decades. Where was her grieving mother? Her welcoming sister? How does a warrior who could fight Wonder Woman to a standstill and had her own doll be allowed to be forgotten so swiftly and completely?



When Nubia finally was plucked from the deepest depths of obscurity, it was as part of a series of annuals called "JLApe" where the Justice League fought Grodd and his Gorilla City minions to reverse their becoming apes. No weird racial overtones there. Bypassing the obvious pun of rebranding her "Negress," the Post-Crisis "Nu'Bia" passed through a formidable egress into the bowels of Themyscira to defend Doom's Doorway from the inside. So wait, the negra Amazon is locked up in the cellar for centuries, essentially enduring hell while committing no crime, and only pokes her head out to fight monkeys? Merciful Minerva! A follow-up two-parter drawn by probably the least suitable artist for a Wonder Woman comic ever (the vulgar Irish comedian John McCrea) tied Nu'Bia into Zoroastrianism and saw her devote her life to resurrecting her godly boyfriend Ahura Mazda. This of course happened only after Joe Linsner had popularized Zoroastrianism (such as could be expected) through his Dawn series, so the premise was both derivative and a blow to feminism. As an added bonus, it was the brainchild of African-American writer Doselle Young, best known for alienating The Authority readers with his funky attempted spin-off The Monarchy alongside McCrea. I can't recall which came first, but nobody much dug either.



How did Nubia go from being the great character find of 1973 to a cautionary tale? Being published by DC Comics in the 1970s couldn't have helped, where Black Lightning couldn't survive a year when Luke Cage made it a decade, and The Vixen never got published at all (to this day!) Nubia's creators made a mess out of her origin and motivations coming out of the gate, and allowed her to immediately stall out. It's a shame, because Nubia had such potential to be the Wonder Woman for people of color, arriving just a year after Green Lantern John Stewart (and long before he was making regular appearances.) The Vixen hadn't even been created for her aborted pilot issue, so Nubia is arguably DC's first "African" heroine, not that you'd know it from her absence of stature.



Wonder Woman is a character that comes with a lot of baggage and forced regulations, where Nubia offers the opportunity to write a Wonder Woman with much greater freedom to experiment. Nubia could have been a sweet aspirational character, and in a world where Beyoncé Knowles was a serious contender to play Princess Diana in a movie, the character still has an audience in the waiting. Given how distastefully Diana has been handled in recent years, I'd vastly prefer some Nubia myself, either by taking up the sword chopping so that Diana could get back to her magic lasso or by assuming the role of peaceful ambassador that extreme portrayals have forced Diana to abandon. In the 21st Century, in order to reflect a black female audience hungry for heroism in swiftly expanding media platforms, DC Comics needs Nubia now more than ever.

Post-Racial DC Comics?

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Sensational Comics for February, 2013



Wonder Woman
YOUNG ROMANCE: A NEW 52 VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL #1
Written by ANDY DIGGLE, ANN NOCENTI, CECIL CASTELLUCCI, PETER MILLIGAN and others
Art by GENE HA, EMANUELLA LUPPICHINNO, BECKY CLOONAN, PHIL JIMENEZ, SANFORD GREEN and others
Cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
On sale FEBRUARY 6 • 64 pg, FC, $7.99 US • RATED T

• Romance is in the air in this very special Special!
• Wonder Woman consults Eros himself about her feelings for The Man of Steel.
• Barbara Gordon has always been too busy for romance, but could her role as Batgirl bring her back to the first guy she ever kissed?
• Following the events of “Death in the Family,” how can Catwoman ease Batman’s troubled soul?
• Aquaman makes waves as he treats his wife like a queen for a day.
• From the pages of STORMWATCH, Apollo and Midnighter celebrate Valentine’s Day separately but with each other in mind. Who—or what—stands between them?
• Dick Grayson and the daughter of Lucious Fox meet-cute!
• Plus: Perforated Valentine’s Day cards featuring the stars of these stories!
Not to slut shame, but that's kind of a whore-y pose, and I hate how the suddenly prominent blue makes Wonder Woman seem more complimentary as Superman's squeeze. Hate hate hate this development. Bitching aside, I love the premise of a super-hero valentine special, and it would be hot for Dick Grayson to get his interracial groove on. Then again, it reminds of that story about how Morgan Freeman was schtupping his granddaughter, which dumps a pale of ice water on that.
WONDER WOMAN #17
Written by BRIAN AZZARELLO
Art by TONY AKINS and DAN GREEN
Cover by CLIFF CHIANG
1:25 B&W Variant cover by CLIFF CHIANG
On sale FEBRUARY 20 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• Wonder Woman, War and Orion must join forces to save Zola’s baby from Hermes!
• Orion’s reasons for helping Wonder Woman lead to a disastrous betrayal!
• Plus: The truth about the dreaded First Born is revealed! Woe to the world...

Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. The variant cover will feature the standard edition cover in a wraparound format.
I hope the simplicity of Orion's silhouette is misleading? With all the armored up heroes in the New 52, Orion is one of the few that such treatment would be appropriate and beneficial. His suit was always a tad too basic.
BATWOMAN #16
Written by J.H. WILLIAMS III and W. HADEN BLACKMAN
Art and cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III
1:25 B&W Variant cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III
On sale FEBRUARY 20 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+

• It’s the massive conclusion to the current storyline as Batwoman and Wonder Woman struggle to defeat Medusa and a horde of villains!
• Don’t miss the start of a surprising new status quo for Batwoman!

Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. The variant cover will feature the standard edition cover in a wraparound format.
Boy, that was a long guest spot.
JUSTICE LEAGUE #17
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
Variant cover by STEVE SKROCE
1:100 B&W Variant cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
On sale FEBRUARY 20 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US

• The epic, full-length conclusion to “THRONE OF ATLANTIS” hits as Aquaman and the League make a sinister discovery that changes both the outcome of the war and the future of the Justice League!
• What is THE GRID—and what does it mean to expanding the Justice League? This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.

Retailers: This issue will ship with four covers. Please see the order form for more information.
Whole lotta meh for the Aquaman creative team wrapping their run on one title by launching it in another. Talking out an inevitable-to-be-revealed DarkseidBot MacGuffin in no way ameliorates the JLA getting roughed up in turns by Cheetah, Ocean Master, and the late Peter Graves of Mission: Impossible fame. Nice to hear Steve Skroce is working in the mainstream again, though. I thought the Wachowski siblings had him bound in vinyl in their dungeon.

AQUAMAN #17
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by PAUL PELLETIER and ART THIBERT
1:25 B&W Variant cover by PAUL PELLETIER and ART THIBERT
On sale FEBRUARY 27 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• A startling epilogue to “THRONE OF ATLANTIS”!
• With the secrets of Atlantis revealed, Aquaman is confronted by a horrible myth from Atlantis’s past that’s connected to his own. Plus: Mera confronts a longtime enemy.

Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. The variant cover will feature the standard edition cover in a wraparound format.
I like Pelletier as much as the next guy, but following Ivan Reis is like Cockrum following Byrne on X-Men.

INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US #2
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art and cover by JHEREMY RAAPACK
On sale FEBRUARY 27 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

• Based on the upcoming DC fighting game from NetherRealm Studios, the creators of Mortal Kombat.
• A new world order seizes the reins of power, forcing heroes to face each other in a fight to save humanity
• It’s hero versus hero in thunderous battles that decimate the world around them
How do you write the onomatopoeia sound Snoopy makes when he does not approve? "Bleah?"
THE ALL-NEW BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD — SMALL MIRACLES TP
Written by SHOLLY FISCH
Art by ROBERT POPE, SCOTT McRAE, RICK BURCHETT, STEWART McKENNY and DAN DAVIS Cover by RICK BURCHETT and DAN DAVIS
On sale MARCH 13 • 128 pg, FC, $12.99 US

• This all-ages title guest-stars DC Super Heroes including Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Martian Manhunter and more!
• Collects BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #15, 17 and THE ALL NEW BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #13-16.
I bought but don't recall having read a couple of these issues. Shame on me.
THE JACK KIRBY OMNIBUS VOL. 2 HC
Written by JACK KIRBY, JOE SIMON, MICHAEL FLEISCHER, JOEY CAVALIERI and others
Art by JACK KIRBY, JOE SIMON, MIKE ROYER, WALLACE WOOD and others
Cover by JACK KIRBY
On sale APRIL 17 • 624 pg, FC, $39.99 US

• Collecting more of Jack Kirby’s epic tales from the 1970s and 1980s starring The Sandman, The Justice League, Atlas and many more.
• Collects BLACK MAGIC #1-9, 1ST ISSUE SPECIAL #1, 5 and 6, KUNG FU FIGHTER #3, THE SANDMAN #1-6, DC COMICS PRESENTS #84, SUPER POWERS VOL.1 #1-5 and SUPER POWERS VOL. 2 #1-6, and KOBRA #1.
Or more honestly, Kirby's Saddlestitched Brick O' Turd. Here is a master at his lowest ebb, generating misfires, filler, and licensing pap.
DAY OF JUDGMENT TP
Written by GEOFF JOHNS and SCOTT BEATTY
Art by MATT SMITH, STEVE MITCHELL, CHRISTOPHER JONES, JOHN McCREA and ANDREW CHIU Cover by MATT SMITH and STEVE MITCHELL
On sale MARCH 20 • 160 pg, FC, $14.99 US

• For the first time, DC collects DAY OF JUDGMENT, one of the first epics from superstar writer Geoff Johns, originally published in 1999! In the depths of Hell, the greatest supernatural power to challenge the JLA — the fallen angel Azmodel, suffers under imprisonment by Neron. But then, the Demon Etrigan offers Azmodel his freedom — and more! As humanity faces the ultimate threat and people’s long-lost loves and hates return from the dead to torment them amid demonic hellfire, DC’s greatest heroes must wage a war on three fronts!
• Collects Collects DAY OF JUDGMENT #1-5 and DAY OF JUDGMENT SECRET FILES.
You know why it took thirteen years to collect this? Because nobody liked it, since it wasn't very good.
THE DC UNIVERSE BY ALAN MOORE TP
Written by ALAN MOORE
Art by JIM APARO, PARIS CULLINS, GEORGE FREEMAN, DAVE GIBBONS, KLAUS JANSON, KEVIN O’NEILL, JOE ORLANDO, GEORGE PEREZ, KURT SCHAFFENBERGER, CURT SWAN, RICK VEITCH, AL WILLIAMSON, BILL WILLINGHAM, JIM BAIKIE, MICHAEL LOPEZ, AL RIO, TREVOR SCOTT and more
Cover by FRAZER IRVING
On sale MARCH 27 • 464 pg, FC, $24.99 US

• Alan Moore’s work on some of DC’s greatest characters is a benchmark for great stories with fresh approaches to iconic characters.
• Now available in trade paperback, this volume includes ACTION COMICS #583, BATMAN ANNUAL #11, DC COMICS PRESENTS #85, DETECTIVE COMICS #549-550, GREEN LANTERN #188, THE OMEGA MEN #26-27, SECRET ORIGINS #10, SUPERMAN #423, TALES OF THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS ANNUAL #2 & 3, SUPERMAN ANNUAL #11, VIGILANTE #17-18, VOODOO #1-4 and DEATHBLOW: BY BLOWS #1-3!
I was going to whine about yet another Moore anthology collection, but this one is a beast, and vindicated for the multitude of Wildstorm inclusions.
CRISIS ON MULTIPLE EARTHS VOL. 6 TP
Written by GERRY CONWAY and ROY THOMAS
Art by GEORGE PEREZ, KEITH POLLARD, DON HECK and others Cover by GEORGE PEREZ
On sale MARCH 20 • 208 pg, FC, $19.99 US

• The JLA meet the JSA in this new collection in which the teams face Gorilla Grodd and the Secret Society of Super-Villains and battle the Crime Syndicate and the the Crime Champions of Earth-1.
• Collects JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #195-197, 207-209 and 219-220.
Sweet Perez art on this one, plus the stories are neat.
Wonder Girl


TEEN TITANS #17
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art by EDDY BARROWS and EBER FERREIRA
Cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND
1:25 B&W Variant cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND
On sale FEBRUARY 27 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• Welcome aboard the new art team of EDDY BARROWS and EBER FERREIRA! • The team is finally reunited in the wake of “DEATH OF THE FAMILY”—but something is very wrong with Red Robin! What did The Joker do?

Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. The variant cover will feature the standard edition cover in a wraparound format.
They put Barrows on this tripe instead of Aquaman? Idiots.
THE FURY OF FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MAN #17
Written by DAN JURGENS
Art and cover by DAN JURGENS and RAY McCARTHY
On sale FEBRUARY 27 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• Guest starring the TEEN TITANS!
• Are the Teen Titans here to help Firestorm—or will they use any means necessary to stop him from losing control of his powers?
Seeing a classicist like Jurgens draw the New 52 Titans costumes truly illustrates how dreadful they are. Helspont came off a lot better during his Superman run.
Steve Trevor

TEAM 7 #5
Written by JUSTIN JORDAN
Art by PASCAL ALIXE
Cover by GARY FRANK and CAM SMITH
On sale FEBRUARY 13 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• The secret history of the DCU’s original Cyborg Program!
• Who is Spartan? And what is the threat of the Majestic Program?
• Slade Wilson takes his first steps down the path that will lead to his becoming Deathstroke!
Good to see the continued interweaving of DC and Wildstorm history. No idea how well it's being done, though.
JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #17
Written by JEFF LEMIRE and RAY FAWKES
Art and by MIKEL JANIN
On sale FEBRUARY 27 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• Constantine and the others are trapped on a world where magic has been outlawed, and Tim Hunter is king!
• Their only hope of returning home is in the hands of Colonel Steve Trevor—but will the A.R.G.U.S. chief decide to protect the Earth by leaving Team Dark where they are?
Donna Troy

THE NEW TEEN TITANS OMNIBUS VOL. 3 HC
Written by MARV WOLFMAN and GEORGE PEREZ
Art by GEORGE PEREZ, ROMEO TANGHAL, DAN JURGENS, MIKE DeCARLO, STEVE RUDE, AL GORDON, CARMINE INFANTINO, RICH BUCKLER, BOB SMITH, DICK GIORDANO, RON RANDALL, CHUCK PATTON and JOSE LUIS GARCIA-LOPEZ
Cover by GEORGE PEREZ
On sale APRIL 3 • 792 pg, FC, $75.00 US

• In this third massive collection of the hit 1980s series from the acclaimed team of writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Perez, the Teen battle the villainy of H.I.V.E., face the evil Dr. Light, witness the trial of Deathstroke, and try to rescue the dark hero known as Raven from her own father, Trigon.
• Collects TALES OF THE TEEN TITANS #45- 61 and 66-67, NEW TEEN TITANS #38, NEW TEEN TITANS #1-6 and SECRET ORIGINS ANNUAL #3.
There are some strong stories here, especially Slade Wilson's time in the slammer with Gar plotting murder, and visual feast of Trigon's reign of terror.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Veterans Day 2012



When Princess Diana came to Man's World, she bribed a similar looking nurse named Diana Prince to relinquish her identity to the Amazon. In both cases, the driving motivation for the switch was infatuation with a man, which is unfortunately non-feminist in retrospect. However, the ersatz Diana Prince joined the U.S. military, and her role as a female member of Army Intelligence was exceptional for the time. Across decades of service that included the wars in Korea and Vietnam, but most especially active participation in World War II, "Diana Prince" attained the rank of Major. From Revolutionary War soldier Deborah Sampson through to our current servicewomen, let's take a moment to think of those who have fought for their country, and by extension the advancement of their gender.

For more, perhaps you'd enjoy a Mademoiselle Marie adventure from today's DC Bloodlines post on The Brave and the Bold #52 (February/March 1964), or more such combat tales by following the trending topic #WarComicsMonth on on Twitter and Google+?

Saturday, November 3, 2012

2012 “Classic v. DCNU: Wonder Woman” by TJ Frias

Click To Enlarge


"By this time, you've probably had your fill of the DC relaunches. Maybe you love it and maybe you loathe it. But this series of sketches were inevitable. I present my "Classic Versus DCNU" series. Next we have both versions of the Amazon Princess: Classic Diana in her red, blue, and gold versus Jim Lee designed, sword-weilding Diana. Mech pencil on sketchbook."

I've made it pretty clear how a feel about Xiana Amazon Warrior Princess, which is a very particular, very minimizing and alienating interpretation of Wonder Woman with origins dating back as far as the Silver Age. However you feel about Azzarello and Chiang's run, I think we can all agree that this ain't your grandmother's Mujer Maravilla. I'm divorced enough that I don't even consider it a legitimate run, and prefer Geoff Johns' awful but franchise building work with the character in Justice League that the latest deconstruction of mythology from the eponymous comic. Anyway, all I've seen New 52 Wonder Woman do in her own book is run around slicing stuff with her sword, where on the team book she has powers, but either way I'd stack my Wonder Woman against New Coke any day of the week. Those bracelets can deflect a sword, and Classy Wonder Woman would just hogtie this pretender. The one compromise I will make is that, aside from requiring red boots and desperately needing to ditch the subservient collar, I do think the updated costume will translate better outside comics.

TJ Frias' Post-Crisis DC versus New 52

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Wonder Woman Annual #7 (1998)



Wonder Woman was in a particularly bad mood as she used her bracelets to deflect a barrage of bullets from some thugs. Using her Lasso of Truth, she forced one of her would-be killers to see all at once the facts that added up to his life being worthless. Despite being entangled by an unbreakable rope and within feet of a woman with super-speed, he managed to shoot himself in the head before anyone could stop him. This same "heroine" perceives his blood floating through the air for six panels, and then spotted the ghost of her old friend Myndi Mayer begging "Save her... Save her..." before disappearing in a spectral haze. A page later, the dude's body was still falling with plasma on the breeze.

A figure of clay with life breathed into it by gods she knew personally, Princess Diana had difficulty understanding the compromise of faith that would lead a person to take their own life. Myndi Mayer had died from a drug overdose after serving Wonder Woman as an eager publicist and friend. Diana decided to fly back to her old stomping grounds in Boston to help Myndi's spirit find rest. Inspector Ed Indelicato was still there, mooning over the unattainable Wonder Woman that had captured his heart, five years without a date according to his partner, Lewis. Ed leapt at the chance to help Diana solve her mystery, but he had a case of his own needing her help. A new drug called Lethe was on the street that caused permanent amnesia, a respite many junkies longed for. One such user turned out to be Myndi's long lost little sister, Wendy.



Wendy Mayer was long on attitude and bleached hair, short on will to live. Ed called her garbage, and despite brutally humiliating suspects in order to locate Wendy, Diana took severe exception to that characterization. Wonder Woman dragged Indelicato off to scream a speech at him through gritted teeth about compassion, and then demonstrated an unhealthy lability by going on a crying jag one panel later. Ed questioned Wendy some more, and the pair found common ground. In fact, while driving to the den where Lethe was being produced, Wendy made a pass at Ed, who indelicately shut her down swiftly because of his hard-on for the Amazing Amazon.

Wonder Woman bullied her way into the den, only to find it defended by a pair of cyclopes in custom suits. A third brother had been killed long ago by Apollo, prompting Diana to threaten "Speak! I command it! Or there will only be one cyclops by the end of the day!" She also kicked one in the mouth so hard a pint of blood flew for feet across the page. Eventually, Diana and Ed found a big orb filled with green liquid and containing a sea creature denizen of the mythological river Lethe. After choking out one cyclops with her lasso, Diana bashed the other's head through the orb. Ed was so turned on that he finally propositioned Diana, who turned him down as blinded by her perfect external image without really knowing her.



The goddess Thalia then showed up, pissed that her plan to overcome the broad influence of her sister Meldomene's penchant for tragedy by eliminating painful memories was ruined by the Amazon. Wendy chose that exact moment to overdose on Lethe because a middle-aged cop with a cheesy mustache had snubbed her, which caused Ed to sob and curse Thalia for creating the type of tragedy she was supposed to be relieving. Thalia was all "Perhaps I must... rethink this" and split. Ed found new meaning and orifice inhabiting in life by taking custodianship over the amnesiac Wendy, victim of the world's most effective roofie, while a self-satisfied Wonder Woman flew off secure in the knowledge that it was a better fate for Wendy than herself.

"The Distance Gone" was by Eric Luke and Eric Battle with Ray McCarthy & Romeo Tanghal. I'd read Wonder Woman comics over the years, but only started buying monthly because I loved William Messner-Loebs' take on the character. Had I known what I was in for in following it after he left the title, that would have been the end for me as well. John Byrne's run was bland and filled with ill-considered alterations, but mostly harmless to anyone not named Donna Troy. His successor, Eric Luke, was where the irreversible rot set in. It had been so long since I reread any of his issues (I doubt I've cracked the cover of this annual in fourteen years,) that revisiting the book for this blog crossover was like the revelation of the specific carcinogen that took out your lungs.



Wonder Woman as a bitch on heels goes back to at least her confused take on the liberation movement when writers began ham-fistedly doling out personalities in Justice League of America. "Empowerment" somehow translated into slapping Superman over imagined slights and being catty/haughty in general. Eric Luke marked the point where that misogynistic interpretation finally contaminated the core Wonder Woman title, an off-putting affliction that continues to this day. In this story, Diana is an untouchable princess made of stone who uses her lasso with the same attitude as Ghost Rider whipping his chain, driving men to suicide and spilling blood with abandon.

For me, writing someone Wonder Woman like Xena on her menses is like well-heeled power hungry con men preaching a ministry of prosperity to people too stupid to pick up a bible and learn their Christ got crucified for opposing just that exact type of sleezeball. It's morally offensive, and even setting that aside, it's just lousy storytelling. Who would want to read this crap? The art doesn't help, as it somehow combines the worst excesses of Todd McFarlane and Dwayne Turner into a synthesis that is still utterly mediocre and absent identity. It's like the visual equivalent of a screenplay generator program, plugging in the names of influences and spitting out a carbon paper facsimile. Paul Kupperberg's editing this farce is just the cherry on top, as one of DC's all-time most numbing writers showed the same taste in compiling creative teams. As one final dig, this Wonder Woman Annual was printed on cheap flat paper, while the Martian Manhunter Annual got heavy gloss stock. At least they were both granted Bernie Wrightson covers (though J'Onn's was far better.)


Join the Spooktacular Samhain Celebration at this coven of blogs!

GHOSTS ANNUALS

  1. "Bough Breaks" @ Batman: Gotham Knights Online
  2. "Haunts" @ The Flash: Speed Force
  3. "Dead Calm" @ The Aquaman Shrine
  4. "The Distance Gone" @ Diana Prince is the New Wonder Woman
  5. "Ghosts' - The Corpse Corps!" @ Green Lantern: Corps Conjecture
  6. "The Death Sentence" @ Superman: Great Krypton!
  7. "Heart's Afire" @ Martian Manhunter: The Idol-Head of Diabolu
  8. "Life Itself" @ The Captain's JLA Homepage

HALLOWEEN HEROES

Friday, October 26, 2012

2004 Wonder Woman “Pensive” art by Will Conrad

Click To Enlarge


Again with the sword, but I do enjoy the Steve Lightle vibe here.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

JLA: Scary Monsters #1 (May, 2003)



In the Dakota Badlands of 1877, U.S. Calvary soldier Abel Carmody rescued the granddaughter of an American Indian shaman who gave his life to contain a demoniac hoard that had plagued Black Spirit Lake and slaughtered Carmody's troop. Carmody eventually married the girl, become a great industrialist, and constructed the fortress "Carmody’s Folly" in preparation for another terrifying assault.

In 2003, Plastic Man was on monitor duty aboard the JLA's lunar Watchtower. Aquaman was on leave. Superman was on active duty, combating global issues. Batman, Martian Manhunter and Wonder Woman were all on-call, the latter in New Zealand on a forest hike with adolescent girls.


Vacationing elsewhere were Green Lantern Kyle Rayner, his girlfriend Jade, the Flash, and his wife Linda, who had taken to the Spirit Lake Resort for a vacation. Also at the resort were Kishana Lewis and three fellow forest service fire fighters, who were called out by resort manager William Hume to insure that there would be no sparks lit under the hot summer sun. Within hours, Lewis had made a fire, and left her men to burn in it. Smoke over the south ridge had alerted Flash and Green Lantern, where they found Lewis in shock and rambling. Clearing the flames, the heroes were attacked by the possessed bodies of the firemen, whose supernatural abilities allowed them to circumvent the Leaguers’ powers. The firemen spontaneously combusted just as the dual titans were ready to collapse. This marked the arrival of on-call League back-up, likely called to the western Badlands by Jade, who joined them in discovering Flash and Green Lantern unconscious.

By Chris Claremont, Joshua Hood and Sean Parsons.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

2010 Wonder Woman color art by Yıldıray Çınar

Click To Enlarge


"Wonder Woman Copic markers, pitt pen, brush pen, pro-white and correction pen."
I like this one a lot better than the sober piece from last week, especially that jubilant lasso work!

Yildiray Cinar

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Sensational Comics for January, 2013



Wonder Woman
WONDER WOMAN #16
Written by BRIAN AZZARELLO
Art and cover by CLIFF CHIANG
1:25 B&W Variant cover by CLIFF CHIANG
On sale JANUARY 23 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. The variant cover will feature the standard edition cover in a wraparound format.

• Wonder Woman and her half brother Milan must grapple with the dangerous New God known as Orion!
• What strange alliance has the terrifying First Born made?

Why am I looking at a Wonder Woman cover and thinking of Dario Argento's Creepers?
BATWOMAN #16
Written by J.H. WILLIAMS III and W. HADEN BLACKMAN
Art and cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III 1:25 B&W Variant cover by J.H. WILLIAMS III On sale JANUARY 23 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+ Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. The variant cover will feature the standard edition cover in a wraparound format. • This issue guest-stars everybody! • In this penultimate chapter, everything that’s been happening in BATWOMAN comes to a head! • Plus, a new hero is introduced, and Wonder Woman fights monsters!
No flies on Trevor McCarthy, but won't it suck when his issue on art breaks up the run of JH3's?
JUSTICE LEAGUE #16
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
Backup story art by GARY FRANK
Variant cover by LANGDON FOSS
1:100 B&W Variant cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
“We Can Be Heroes” Blank variant cover available
On sale JANUARY 23 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
Retailers: This issue will ship with five covers. Please see the Order Form for details.

• “THRONE OF ATLANTIS” continues!
• Aquaman can barely hold on against Ocean Master even with the League by his side!
• The United States loses faith in the Justice League and enters the battle against Atlantis, setting in motion the creation of the Justice League of America!
• More on the Superman/Wonder Woman alliance!
• Plus: In the backup story, the origin of SHAZAM! continues!
This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.

So, we're at the point of Aquaman themed crossovers. Look at the state of the comic book industry and despair.

AQUAMAN #16
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art by PAUL PELLETIER
Cover by EDDY BARROWS and EBER FERREIRA
1:25 B&W Variant cover by EDDY BARROWS and EBER FERREIRA
On sale JANUARY 30 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. The variant cover will feature the standard edition cover in a wraparound format.

• “THRONE OF ATLANTIS” continues!
• Continuing from this month’s JUSTICE LEAGUE #16!
•Torn between Ocean Master and the League in this penultimate chapter of “Throne of Atlantis, Aquaman is pushed toward an impossible choice!
• The monstrous Trench are back — and they’re hungry!

The Trench didn't really do it for me. Pelletier's an underrated artist, though.

EARTH 2 #8
Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art by YILDIRAY CINAR
Cover by YILDIRAY CINAR and ART THIBERT
1:25 B&W Variant cover by YILDIRAY CINAR and ART THIBERT
On sale JANUARY 9 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. The variant cover will feature the standard edition cover in a wraparound format.

• The alien war criminal Steppenwolf returns! It’s been five years since he lead the forces of Apokolips against Earth — learn what he’s been up to since then!
• Plus: What is the dark secret behind the last Amazon of Earth 2?
Lashina?
SUPERGIRL #16
Written by MIKE JOHNSON
Art and cover by MAHMUD ASRAR
On sale JANUARY 23 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• The “H’EL ON EARTH” crossover event continues!
• The assault on the Fortress of Solitude rages on!
• Supergirl finds herself having to defend H’El from Superman, Superboy and the Justice League!
SUPERBOY #16
Written by TOM DeFALCO
Art by R.B. SILVA and ROB LEAN
Cover by TYLER KIRKHAM and BATT
On sale JANUARY 16 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• The “H’EL ON EARTH” crossover event continues!
• Don’t miss the assault on the Fortress of Solitude!
• Superboy and Superman turn to the Justice League for help — to evict H’El from Superman’s own home!
SUPERMAN #16
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL Art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT 1:25 B&W Variant cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT On sale JANUARY 30 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. The variant cover will feature the standard edition cover in a wraparound format. • The “H’EL ON EARTH” crossover event takes a shocking turn! • Guest-starring THE JUSTICE LEAGUE! • The Man of Steel leads Wonder Woman, Batman, Cyborg, the Flash and Superboy on the final assault on the Fortress of Solitude! • Can Superman stop H’El when Supergirl is standing in the way?
Rocafort's Princess is surprisingly not horrible.
ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN: JOSE LUIS GARCIA-LOPEZ HC
Written by GERRY CONWAY, MARTIN PASKO, DAVID MICHELINIE, LEN WEIN and ELLIOT MAGGIN
Art by JOSE LUIS GARCIA-LOPEZ and others
Cover by JOSE LUIS GARCIA-LOPEZ
On sale MARCH 27 • 360 pg, FC, $39.99 US

• Collecting tales illustrated by master comics artist Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez from SUPERMAN #294, 301, 302, 307-309 and 347, DC COMICS PRESENTS #1-4 and 17, and ALL-NEW COLLECTOR’S EDITION C-54.
That includes the Superman versus Wonder Woman Treasury Edition.
WONDER WOMAN: ODYSSEY VOL. 2 TP
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI and PHIL HESTER
Art by DON KRAMER, EDUARDO PANSICA, GERALDO BORGES, TRAVIS MOORE, WAYNE FAUCHER, JAY LEISTEN and others
Cover by ALEX GARNER
On sale FEBRUARY 6 • 192 pg, FC, $16.99 US

In this final “Odyssey” volume, Wonder Woman faces Cheetah, Silver Swan, Dr. Psycho and the mysterious Morrigan!
• Collecting WONDER WOMAN #607-614!
INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US #1
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art and cover by JHEREMY RAAPACK
On sale JANUARY 30 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T

• Based on DC’s latest highly anticipated video game from the makers of Mortal Kombat! • The first time in print for these digital-first stories.
• This prequel explains the events leading up to the start of this epic game!
This would probably be more interesting if I could differentiate this from the standard New 52 and if the developers were smart enough to realize that Wonder Woman would kill the hell out of Batman in no time flat.
SUPERMAN: FOR TOMORROW TP
Written by BRIAN AZZARELLO
Art by JIM LEE, SCOTT WILLIAMS and others
Cover by JIM LEE and SCOTT WILLIAMS
On sale FEBRUARY 6 • 320 pg, FC, $24.99 US
• In this epic from Brian Azzarello and Jim Lee, a cataclysmic event has struck the Earth. Millions of people have vanished without a trace. No one is left unaffected — not even Superman! But how could millions of people vanished without a trace — and could Superman be the cause?

• Collecting SUPERMAN #204-215, plus bonus materials!
EARTH 2 VOL. 1: THE GATHERING HC
Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art by NICOLA SCOTT, TREVOR SCOTT and EDUARDO PANSICA
Cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
On sale MARCH 13 • 160 pg, FC, $22.99 US

• Who are the heroes of Earth 2? When the Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman of Earth 2 fall in battle, it’s up to a new breed of heroes to come together to combat the returning evil of Apokolips!
• Collects issues #1-6 of the red-hot DC COMICS – THE NEW 52 series!
ABSOLUTE BLACKEST NIGHT HC
Written by GEOFF JOHNS, PETER J. TOMASI and others
Art by IVAN REIS, OCLAIR ALBERT and others
Cover by IVAN REIS and OCLAIR ALBERT
Advance solicited • On sale JUNE 26 • 360 pg, FC, 8.25” x 12.5”, $99.99 US

• As the war between the Corps rages, the prophecy of the Blackest Night descends on the DC Universe! Can Hal Jordan lead DC’s champions against an army of Black Lanterns made up of the deceased heroes and villains?
• Collects the Free Comic Book Day BLACKEST NIGHT #0, BLACKEST NIGHT #1-8, UNTOLD TALES OF THE BLACKEST NIGHT #1 and DC UNIVERSE #0!


Donna Troy
THE NEW TEEN TITANS: GAMES TP
Written by MARV WOLFMAN and GEORGE PEREZ
Art by GEORGE PEREZ, MIKE PERKINS and AL VEY
Cover by GEORGE PEREZ
Resolicit • On sale FEBRUARY 27 • 144 pg, 8.125” x 10.812”, FC, $16.99 US

• Over 20 years in the making, this original graphic novel by Marv Wolfman and George Perez is now available in trade paperback!
• In this epic story, a mysterious villain plays a deadly game with New York City as the gameboard – and the Teen Titans as the pieces!
Retailers: This title is resolicited. All previous orders are cancelled.
SILVER AGE TEEN TITANS ARCHIVES VOL. 2 HC
Written by BOB HANEY and others
Art by NICK CARDY, IRV NOVICK, NEAL ADAMS, GIL KANE and others • Cover by NICK CARDY
Advance solicited • On sale JUNE 19 • 400 pg, FC, $75.00 US

• The top teen heroes of the 1960s return in this volume collecting TEEN TITANS #6-20 and THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #83!
• Don’t miss the action as the Titans take on The Mad Mod, Captain Rumble and The Scorcher, and get wrapped up in “The Dimensional Caper” and “A Swingin’ Christmas”!

Wonder Girl
TEEN TITANS #16
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art and cover by BRETT BOOTH
1:25 B&W Variant cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND
On sale JANUARY 30 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. The variant cover will feature the standard edition cover in a wraparound format.

• A “DEATH OF THE FAMILY” tie-in!
• Our heroes learn a lesson they’ll never forget as Arsenal takes control in Red Robin’s absence!
• Mirroring the events of RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #16, Jason Todd and Tim Drake must rely on each other to survive The Joker’s attack!
• Plus: It’s the return of Raven!

Steve Trevor
TEAM 7 #4
Written by JUSTIN JORDAN
Art by JESUS MERINO
Cover by TYLER KIRKHAM and BATT
1:25 B&W Variant cover by TYLER KIRKHAM and BATT
On sale JANUARY 16 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Order Form for details.

• At last, it’s the secret origin of Deathstroke! • The team clashes with Eclipso – and Slade Wilson! • Witness the beginnings of the Black Room from Justice League!
JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #16
Written by JEFF LEMIRE and RAY FAWKES
Art and by MIKEL JANIN
On sale JANUARY 30 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• The team is trapped on a magic-less planet that makes a horrible mockery of their powers!
• With time running out, Tim Hunter may be the team’s last chance to escape…if Steve Trevor doesn’t seal their fate first!
• Keep an eye out for a new character based on a winning design from SyFy’s popular show Face Off!

Friday, October 12, 2012

2012 Wonder Woman angry art by Yıldıray Çınar

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This menacing piece reminds me of Michael Turner's infamous lasso noose cover from Identity Crisis. Yıldıray Çınar features quite a bit of Wonder Woman sisterhood art in his deviantART gallery and tumblr, which I'll try to feature here over the next few weeks. In the meantime, how about a head sketch?

Yildiray Cinar

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

2011 Wonder Woman print by Johnny J. Segura III

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If you like your Amazing Amazons bloody rare, you could do worse than this print. However, the artist has drawn Princess Diana in sweeter moods, and even gussied up a My Little Pony version. Given my druthers, I'd at least consider the horse (no kanga?)

Johnny J. Segura III

Friday, October 5, 2012

2012 Hitfix: Wonder Woman is a Superhero who Really Doesn't Need Her Own Movie



Wonder Woman fans have heard this drum beat countless times-- the pros and cons of finally making a major motion picture for the Amazing Amazon. The movie site HitFix has come down on the negative side with their recent list, 10 Superheroes who really don't need their own movie...
Wonder Woman

When Warner Bros. turns down drafts that are as faithfully rendered as the Laeta Kalogridis draft and the Joss Whedon draft, it's time to admit that they are too scared of the overall iconography of Wonder Woman to ever successfully turn her into a standalone franchise hero. This is not a case of no one ever writing the right script. They've done that several times now. This is a case of a mythology that is inherent to the character that Warner Bros. simply can't imagine supporting a series. Wonder Woman has historically had a hard time in the comic market supporting her own title as well, and while she is definitely one of the most iconic and recognizable of DC's creations, it seems like the most successful versions are almost always defined by who she's with and how she fits into a team. We don't think it's impossible to make a good Wonder Woman movie, but if Warner is uncomfortable with everything that defines who she is and where she came from, then it's better they not make one at all than make one that redefines her so completely that she's no longer really Wonder Woman.

-Drew McWeeny


The notoriously fickle and arbitrary producer Joel Silver (see: Kevin Smith's experiences scripting some drafts of Superman Returns,) the guy who was in charge of developing a Wonder Woman feature, was the guy who turned Joss Whedon down. That was also years ago, back when Whedon was a guy with some cult television and lots of cancellations under his belt. It was also back in the days when studio heads were swearing to never offer female leads in action vehicles again, even though they proceeded to do just that and turn a profit. Warner Brothers have failed at DC Comics adaptations for years, and still haven't figured out how to do it with anyone besides Batman while Marvel Studios make them look like fools. In a world where dreck like a Clash of the Titans remake can earn money, there's no need to fear a true Wonder Woman adaptation. The problem is that this is a studio that can't figure out Superman, that belly-flopped on Green Lantern and who still think a Lobo film should be a priority. When FOX demonstrates a firmer grasp on super-hero movies than your studio, it's time to get busy on the firing and hiring fronts. For instance, niche or no, when given a choice between the creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer or the creator of Ally McBeal to translate Wonder Woman to the screen, don't pick David E. Kelly.

Superheroes who really don't need their own movie

Sunday, September 30, 2012

2012 Wonder Woman color art by Marcio Takara

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Check out the original black & white art here

Marcio Takara

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

2012 “JLA by George Perez” Wonder Woman Commission

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Aric Shapiro is a comic art collector with the good taste to pursue a series of Justice League of America member spotlight commissions by the always incredible George Pérez. An online acolyte of Pérez, Mitch Ballard, then colored some of the pieces with Shapiro's consent.
"Wonder Woman by the greatest artist to ever draw her!!!!! This piece is a huge trip down memory lane and now proudly hangs in my daughter's room. Brilliant is an understatement. Thanks to Mark for picking this up for me"
Pérez's uncolored original can be viewed here.

Seeing as I've featured a lot of posts spotlighting the art of Brian Bolland (who only provided covers for about 3½ of the Amazing Amazon's lowest selling years,) and comparatively few for Pérez (who rebooted the character, drew her comics for a couple of years, and wrote them for five,) I continue to swim against the current of Princess Diana fandom. I'm glad Pérez stuck with his own nifty Post-Crisis costume, but then he gives Diana that weird Ross Andru-ish face that started cropping up in his work in the late 90's. I'm not a huge fan of the moonfaced maiden Pérez invented in the mid-80s either, so I guess I'd rather set the Wayback Machine to Pérez's flirtations with the character during the Bronze Age, back when she had an Invisible Plane and Steve Trevor as a love interest and wasn't just Supergirl in a bathing suit working at a Greek Whataburger.

2012 “JLA by George Perez” Commissions