DC Comics Announces Straczynski as Writer for Superman, Wonder Woman Titles
Superstar comic book writer J. Michael Straczynski is going to run out of hands. Already having tackled titles such as Amazing Spider-Man and The Brave and the Bold over the course of his career, JMS will take over writing duties on two of DC Comics’ flagship characters: Superman and Wonder Woman. Coming on the heels of the recently announced shocker that Gail Simone would be exiting her writing duties on Wonder Woman after the soon-to-be-renumbered Wonder Woman #600, news that Straczynski was taking over served to verify excitement Simone mentioned over the next writer in her open letter to Comic Book Resources explaining her exit. Read more
Gail Simone Leaving as Wonder Woman Writer
The Amazon champion must bid goodbye to another of her sisters, this time, one that is essential to her adventures and travels. DC Comics announced today, through their blog The Source, that long-time Wonder Woman writer Gail Simone, known for her current work on Secret Six and her historic run on Birds of Prey, will be giving up her writing duties on the book starting this summer. Issue #42 of the series will mark the beginning of Simone’s final story arc on the book. Read more
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
Gail Simone’s Magic Touch
Some people would consider themselves skeptical when it comes to practices such as faith healing or the laying on of hands as a cure for ailments or to improve a person’s general health. For years there have been cries of doubt and suspicion whenever it seems that someone is able to perform miracles, bend spoons, or summon the dead, practices that some place in the same camp as those mentioned earlier. Can the same be said for writers?
In the case of Gail Simone, it seems obvious that she is indeed the genuine article. For years, Simone has been one of the most respected and regarded writers in comics, male or female, and no matter the project it seems to turn to gold under her touch. Coming off her long-running work with the recently cancelled Birds of Prey, which flourished and deepened its content and characters under her run, she has taken up writing responsibilities for two DC Comics titles, one a tradition, the other an up and comer.
Dollar Bin Discoveries: Birds of Prey Edition
As we pass through the ides of March into another week here at Comicbook.com, it’s time once again to take a short trip into the comic book universe to see what starts or black holes may exist in the galaxy of your local comic shop’s dollar bin. This week’s entry comes to us from DC Comics, and from a group of recently disbanded female superheroes. Let’s revisit the long-running and much-celebrated Gail Simone era from Birds of Prey with this week’s Dollar Bin Discovery.
The Book: Birds of Prey #58
The Date: October, 2003
Summary: The story opens with Black Canary in the middle of a trap, reminiscent of the ones from Batman the TV series. Handcuffed, arms behind her, legs encased in metal sleeves, she is the prisoner of Savant, a brilliant criminal who had aspirations of becoming an equal to Batman, as shown in a nifty flashback, but who focused on catching the arsonists Batman was after rather than saving the innocents trapped in the burning building. A narcissist to his core, Savant sees this as a slight against him, rather than an obvious and correct judge of his priorities as a crimefighter.
