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Wayne Markley
by Wayne Markley
It seems all popular lately is to restart books over with number one. There is certainly the whole reboot of the DC world in September, however marvel has likewise been doing it a great deal lately. While they have not been as drastic as what DC is doing, they are coming close with new number ones of FF, Captain America, Daredevil, Moon Knight, Ghost Rider as well as much more as well as soon to be new number ones of Uncanny X-Men, Hulk, Defenders as well as I am sure others that have not yet been announced. plus there are new publishers popping up reviving characters from the past of comics such as the Atlas Comics of the Seventies as well as the soon to be reborn Valiant Comics from the nineties.
While there is bit concern all of these reboots, restarts, revivals as well as whatever else you want to phone call them are because of publishers trying to discover methods to revive their declining sales as well as the comic market in general, ove all I am not offered on the concept that this is the method to revive the dying beast. I do not believe these concepts address the core issues of the comic market which are both outside problems such as the economy, technology, as well as a altering audience, however likewise interior issues such as the method the direct comic market is structured, the publishers goals of exploiting the book trade, as well as formulating publishing plans appropriately as well as taking their fan base for granted. all of the issues as well as the services for the comic book market are a subject for one more day as well as likely one more place. however I do want to look at a few of these new number ones that have been popping up or will be coming soon.
Just this past week DC Comics issued a comic called DC Comics: The new 52 #1 as well as it was free. This is a fantastic method to get somebody to try DC’s new comics. (Even though I should be honest, working in the retail store, there are a number of fans who have stated no say thanks to you; they do not want this totally free book, which makes bit sense to me.) While this is not truly a comic as much as a sales tool as well as a preview/sampler of the new lin,e DC is promoting it is a great method to look at a few of what they are planning on doing. I am not going to review every book as well as I am going to try as well as not be as well crucial as my thoughts on this whole plan have been made extremely remove over my last few columns. These are just some short as well as laid-back thoughts on the different elements of the new 52. So let’s look at what they have organized in September.
Justice League
It opens with the Justice league group of titles; I believe there is bit question that Justice league #1 will be a big seller as well as many likely the bestselling book of the whole line. You have two of DC top executives composing as well as drawing their flagship book. (Now, I likewise have a number of problems with executives doing innovative work as well as DC as well as marvel are both guilty of this. I am of the belief that if you are going to be a creator, then that ought to be your priority. If you are going to be an executive, then that is what you ought to do. Both are full time jobs. A special right here as well as there yes, however routine monthly books, no). however let’s be honest, Geoff Johns as well as Jim Lee are two of the most significant creators DC has. Anyway, this book looks fantastic. The art is stunning, as you would expect from Jim Lee, as well as the bit bit of the story they show is interesting. likewise in the Justice league section of the DC world you have Justice league International, written by Dan Jurgens, who I think about one of the most underrated writers around. His Booster Gold series has been fun as well as one of the very best superhero books in recent years, so this book may be entertaining. There is likewise Aquaman, question Woman, Flash, Firestorm, eco-friendly Arrow, savage Hawkman, as well as Mr. Terrific. having checked out the synopsis of all of these, I can honestly state none of them rate of interest me. They may be extremely great as well as a few of the innovative teams look interesting, however practically every description is the same, “new villain” as well as “as you have never seen before”. The only title that truly thrilled me DC world provides as well as that is only since that features Deadman, one of my preferred characters as well as has art by Bernard Chang. As an aside, if you want some fantastic Deadman stories, get the recent trade DC put out, Deadman Vol. 1 by Neal Adams as well as others.
Action Comics
Next in line are the Superman titles. right here DC has a problem. Superman has been around for 70 years as well as the character has been relatively restricted in what you can finish with him because of his powers. Also, he is a cultural icon that many people understand as well as his story is part of pop culture. as well as it is a money maker in liecening because of the renowned red S. Why DC is mucking with the huge red S is available to discussion, as well as I have been told whatever from the character is stale to legal problems with the estate of Superman creators. My assumption is it is a mix of a great deal of things. Over the years, DC has tried a number of different tweaks to this character, however this is the most significant they have ever done. action is being written by grant Morrison as well as it focuses on Superman’s early years, total with denim as well as a t-shirt. I am not a huge fan of grant Morrison’s superhero work. I have long complained about his final dilemma as well as Batman work, so I cannot state I am looking ahead to this book, particularly when DC brags “The guy of Steel unlike you’ve ever read”. They likewise have Superman written by George Perez as well as art by Jesus Merino. This is better to the conventional Superman however he has a new costume as well as is ten years younger. There are likewise new interpretations of Supergirl as well as Superboy as well as I will let the promotion material speak for itself.
Batman
Then there is Batman. thinking about exactly how dissatisfied I have been with recent Bat titles, I do not believe these relaunches will be that bad. Scott Synder, who has been composing the very best Batman title (Detective), is moving over to Batman appropriate as well as long-time Haunt as well as Spawn artist Greg Capullo is joining him. Tony Daniel is moving from Batman to Detective. Batwoman is lastly coming out after a number of false starts. based on what JH Williams has already done, this may be the very best Bat book of the bunch. Batman: The Dark Knight gets a new number one, after five problems as well as missing practically every deadline for shipping, as well as it has had to have a fill in artist after three issues. Well, they have added a writer so DC declares this book will now ship on time. I hope so. it is a gorgeous book to look at as well as not a poor read. There are new takes on Catwoman, Nightwing, Birds of Prey as well as the Red Hood. None of these excite me extremely much as well as let’s not even talk about the whole Barbara Gordon/Batgirl situation.
I have rattled on as well long this time around out so I will leave you with a traditional comic book cliché…to be continued. next time I will look at the rest of the DC line in addition to Marvel’s #1 as well as perhaps even a few of these revivals of failed comic lines from the past.
Marvel Masterworks: Captain America
On a positive note, I would like to suggest the Captain America: The very first Avenger movie. It is extremely great as well as much much better than I expected (and I do hope I will be able to state the exact same about the DC line in October after I have checked out all of them). as well as if you delighted in the film there are a number of trades with Cap I would recommend, a few of them would be marvel Masterworks: Captain America Vol. 1 SC, Captain America Vs. the Red Skull, tradition of Captain America, Captain America by Dan Jurgens Vol. 1, as well as for a much more contemporary handle the great Captain, there is the death of Captain America as well as the winter season Soldier collections. As always, whatever written right here is my viewpoint as well as does not show the thoughts of Westfield or my colleagues (some of whom I understand strongly disagree with me). comments as well as criticism are welcome at MFBWAY@aol.com. as well as as always, say thanks to you for your time.