Wonder Woman #40 Takes Series in a Bold New Direction
When Wonder Woman began its most recent relaunch just over three and a half years ago, it took great pains to establish itself, cleverly, in a new light for a new time and cultural landscape. The lead story focused on who exactly would be Wonder Woman, following the events of Wonder Woman’s murder of Maxwell Lord in order to stop his manipulation of Superman. Donna Troy stepped into the role for a short time, but eventually Diana returned to the role she was destined to fill. Skipping ahead now to issue forty, we find a new evolution and direction for the Amazon, one that appears to be leading her into heavy social issues territory.
Gail Simone recently revisited the mythological roots of Wonder Woman in a sprawling story arc involving her homeland, the gods and the true heritage of Wonder Woman. Now, Simone turns her attention to the seeds of doubt, mistrust and xenophobia that undermine society, beginning with Wonder Woman #40, and it’s been one of the most dynamic and emotional shifts in the series thus far. Read more
Kick-Ass Wraps up with a Formality, not a Bang
When Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.’s Kick-Ass was released in 2008 it became a smash, surprise (to some) success, taking off in such a way that multiple reprints of the first few issues flew off shelves even after the first issue had come and gone. For good reason, I might add. The story had a fresh, everyman feel to it, focusing squarely on the trials and failures of young Dave Lizewski, a high school comic book geek with a hopeless crush on a girl and a dad trying to help him and his son through an unbearable grief.
Ever since that first issue, Millar and company have periodically put out the sequential issues, leading up to this week’s issue eight, the final chapter in this first story arc. While captured by John Genovese, Kick-Ass and his cohorts Big Daddy and Hit-Girl have faced overwhelming odds in trying to turn the tide and win the battle, resulting in some great action and suspense. Until this final issue of the first major story line. Read more
Marvel’s Siege: The Death Watch
There’s an old saying that the two things certain in life are death and taxes. Since we’re coming up on the end of January and into the throes of the official tax season, we know that this is a certainty in our world! For the comic book world, where no one ever seems to have to pay taxes, death is always a certainty! When Marvel recently kicked off its dramatic new crossover event, “Siege”, savvy readers knew that someone, somewhere and at sometime would have to die in this epic event. How could they not? This is what it’s all been building to for Norman Osborn and the rest of the Marvel universe. His hand ever-reaching for more power, Osborn has launched an all or nothing assault on Asgard, home of the Norse gods. The odds are mighty, the forces powerful and the question about what will happen to Norman Osborn hangs in the balance! Who will not make it out alive?? Read more
Comic Book Previews for January 27th, 2010
We’re back for another week of stunning comic book action and this week is a BIG one!!! Leading off the week of big releases is the final, yes the FINAL issue of Kick-Ass, the Mark Millar-penned series featuring the adventures of an everyman (boy) making a name for himself in the superhero realm! Kick-Ass #8 will bring it all to a close, and just how will the series top itself, considering all the violence, action and shocks it’s delivered so far? You’ll have to pick it up to find out! Speaking of finales, another big one comes from Marvel as well this week with Captain America: Reborn #6 bringing to a close the battle for the body and mind of Steve Rogers! How can the Avengers stop the Red Skull’s sinister plans? Read more
Walking Dead Series Alive and Well on AMC, Director Named
The dead shall rise on AMC! According to reports, the cable network has greenlit an adaptation of the very popular Robert Kirkman series published by Image Comics. The story, coming up on its 70th issue, centers around a small band of survivors, living in a world where the dead have risen, turning them into flesh-eating zombies. The series follows the group in their efforts to live, survive and make sense of the world they are in. Read more
Joe The Barbarian #1 Leaves Plenty to the Imagination
Sometimes you just can’t go wrong with something that’s only a buck, saying “Wow, that only cost me a dollar!” Other times you say “I spent a whole dollar on that?!” when the experience proves to be less than impressive. I had a feeling somewhere in the middle of those two extremes after finishing the newest venture from star writer Grant Morrison, the cleverly titled Joe the Barbarian, published under DC Comics’ Vertigo imprint. Just like the two ends of the spectrum mentioned above, the first issue branches off into distinct directions as well, with Joe’s character and circumstances wonderfully established but with the nature of the book slightly (read a bit) frustratingly vague.
Our young (would-be?) hero appears quite content in the first few pages to doodle away as his mother absent-mindedly drives him to his destination for a class field trip: a veterans’ cemetery. The picture painted at the cemetery and the relevance of it comes screaming to the forefront, as this is where Joe’s father is buried. Read more
Spider-Man Relaunch to be Directed by Marc Webb
Sony has wasted no time in moving forward with their relaunch of the Spider-Man franchise! Marc Webb has been tapped to helm the new film series. After a much publicized falling out with director Sam Raimi, who steered the course of the first three Spider-Man films, the company is looking at a grittier reboot of the series, and Webb has been tapped to lead the series in a new direction. Read more
Marvel Cancels S.W.O.R.D Series
The rumors of an untimely demise may have been untrue for Mark Twain, but the same can’t be said for Marvel’s struggling series S.W.O.R.D., a spin-off of the hit series Astonishing X-Men. S.W.O.R.D. stands for Sentient World Observation and Response Department, and while the group played an interesting role during the Secret Invasion storyline with its work against the Skrull threat, it appears that the perceived popularity of the characters and the series did not translate into enough sales power to justify a series of its own. The fifth and final issue will ship in March. Read more
Comic Book Previews for January 20th, 2010
We’re diving right in this week, as we’ve got several big, exciting, bold and fresh stories and titles for you to rush out and get this Wednesday when all the new comic book goodies arrive in stores! DC Comics leads us off this week and our first stop is a look at the pages of Green Lantern Corps #44 as Red Lantern Guy Gardner, yep, you read that right, goes into his full on rage in this issue, a tie-in to Blackest Night! The Flash has lots of deceased enemies, a fact that comes screaming back into the forefront this week, as Blackest Night: The Flash #2 drops. How many Rogues will return in this issue to make life difficult for not only Flash, but the surviving Rogues as well, specifically Captain Cold! The Atom attempts to do something that many have tried but few have dared or succeeded in: enter the mind of The Joker! He does that in this week’s intriguing The Brave and the Bold #31. Can The Atom learn something that Batman struggled to for years? Read more
Filip Sablik Talks Top Cow’s History and Future
If you’re the kind of reader who is looking for something outside the traditional, super hero comic book that’s packed with rich art and intriguing characters, then you might be an excellent fit for the content that Top Cow Productions has been producing for well over fifteen years now. Don’t take my word for it, however! Listen to Filip Sablik, Publisher of Top Cow, a man who has a clear vision and plan for a company that has a unique and vital position in the comic book world. During our interview, Sablik revealed a few upcoming plans for Top Cow, while giving some perspective on where the company has been in its history. Read more
