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

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"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!

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

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"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

• BEFORE NEW 52: BOOSTER GOLD @ BOO$TERRIFIC
• “LAST SON OF MARS - Martian Manhunter” @ The Idol-Head of Diabolu
• “KING OF 7 SEAS - Aquaman” @ Justice League Detroit
• Justice League of America Sample Pages @ Power of the Atom

2008 Cheetah animated style art by Martin Koza

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2010 Wonder Woman Sketch Card art by Joshua Flower

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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...

Joshua Flower Power

• The Nuclear Men @ Firestorm Fan
• The Maid of Might @ Supergirl Comic Box Commentary
• JLA vs. Brainiac @ The Idol-Head of Diabolu

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...

Ray & the Family Carter
• Nephilim of Hawkworld @ Being Carter Hall
• The Atom's Family: Bumblebee @ Power of the Atom

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?

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

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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

• 2011 Silver Age Atom color art @ Power of the Atom
• 2007 Captain Comet inkwash @ DC Bloodlines
• 2010 Elongated Man @ Justice League Detroit
• 2011 Justice League of America vs. Starro @ The Idol-Head of Diabolu