Magog Gone From JSA All-Stars? Good Riddance!
If you’ve been keeping up with the twists, turns and exploits of the Justice Society of America, and really, you should, then you’re aware that the team has undergone some startling changes of late, not the least of which has been the split of the very large super team into two teams and, consequently, two books. Fans now have the option of following the mostly traditional membership in Justice Society of America or reading all about the team of newer members in JSA All-Stars. One of the reigning elements over the first three issues of JSA All-Stars has been the ongoing conflict between co-leaders Magog and Power Girl, which recently came to a full-on confrontation in JSA Annual #2. The end result? Magog’s walking away from the team. Whether that’s for good or just a temporary departure, hopefully this signals a breath of fresh air following the departure of a character that had, sadly, become one-note. Read more
JSA All-Stars A Mostly Fresh Direction for a Classic Team
There are some things that are just considered American classics, plain and simple. Uncle Sam, Huck Finn, apple pie and baseball spring to mind, all of which have undergone changes, adaptations and reflections of the American culture’s values and beliefs at any given time. In the case of DC’s Justice Society of America, the same truths also hold. A fixture since the days of World War II, this amalgam of heroes, personalities and powers has changed, adapted for life in a post-War, and for awhile post-superhero, world and reflected what we, culturally, have wanted out of our heroes over the last several decades. The newest evolution of this team comes in the form of the overall refreshing JSA All-Stars, which saw its second issue released this week. Just how does this team of mostly newbies stack up against the established veterans they splintered from? Not too shabbily!
Comic Book Previews for September 30th, 2009
For those who get paid at the end of the month, this Wednesday is your lucky day! Go green and save some gas by running to the back with your check and then head over to your local comic book shop to pick up this week’s latest and greatest new releases! DC this week features an 80-page GIANT special titled Justice League of America, which shows the super team scattered throughout time and battling various foes from across times, locations and forms of combat. Teen Titans reaches a milestone this week with issue #75, and be sure to jump aboard here, as new writer Felicia D. Henderson makes her mark on this DC staple. Also look for Justice Society of America #31, as the traitor in the team’s midst stands revealed! Superman #692 continues a new direction for the title, as the Science Police become more of a force! Read more
SCREAM 2009 Awards Nominees Announced!
Spike TV’s 4th annual SCREAM Awards are coming up on October 17th at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles. Before we get to that ceremony however, first come the nominees! Announced late this afternoon, the nominees for the awards, which honor the fan favorites in comic books, sci-fi, horror and and fantasy, certainly comprise a number of blockbusters and fan favorites from the past year. J.J. Abram’s sci-fi masterpiece Star Trek leads the way with a total of seventeen nominations, including Best Science-Fiction Movie, Best Director and Best Ensemble. Read more
Comic Book Previews for August 26th, 2009
The kids back in school this week aren’t the only ones starting a new term and a new direction, as this Wednesday gives us the highly anticipated debut of the Jonathan Hickman and Dale Eaglesham creative team behind The Fantastic Four with issue 570. A new story arc also begins in Secret Warriors #7, as the Dark Avengers, Thunderbolts and Nick Fury’s Secret Warriors find themselves on a collision course, with Ares’ son the prize! New Avengers #56 promises some shocking action, as the events of the previous issue unfold with several heroes having their power drained. The Incredible Hulk #601 sees the return of the recurring title with a new world for Bruce Banner and company. Dark X-Men: The Beginning wraps up with issue three, bringing to a close the origin of this deceptive, Emma Frost-led team. Read more
Writer Eric Trautmann on his own Rise of Kobra in DC Comics
Over the past several years, Eric Trautmann has been part of some of the biggest stories and projects in both the realms of video games and comics, such as his writing duties on the first Halo video game and his work on DC Comics’ Final Crisis: Resist. He now turns his talents to work on the six-issue mini-series, JSA vs. Kobra: Engines of Faith, a storyline that, like the fanatical Kobra cult, rose up with a force after a brief period of dormancy.
“I had prepped several story arcs, one of which was a continuation/upping-the-ante of the Kobra stuff that Greg(Rucka) had introduced, and which we had escalated in the final arc of our run (in Checkmate), “Castling”, said Trautmann. After some buildup on the potential story, Trautmann had put the idea on the shelf, until DC editor Rachel Gluckstern called up with the mini-series proposal, and those ideas took on what Trautmann described as a “surprisingly nasty turn” in the direction of the content. Read more
Justice Society of America Shines Under new Creative Team!
Writer Bill Willingham has been behind some of the biggest happenings in comics over the past few year, notable his creation of the Vertigo title Fables, which has become a hit among fans and is constantly discovered by new readers. Willingham, along with writer Matthew Sturges, of Blue Beetle, take the reigns of one of DC’s most expansive rosters, the Justice Society of America!
JSA #29 is the jumping off point for the Willingham/Sturges run, and with art from Jesus Merino, the first issue of this run is a notable and impressive start! With a few one-off issues building up to this current run, the introduction of a mystery, a villain ambush and the addition of two new members is a great way to begin this current run! Read more
