Just announce from DC Entertainment, Smallville Season 11 will take place in comic forum coming this spring! Smallville season 11 will take place where the CW series left off and will first come to digital copy April 13, 2012, and then in print May 16, 2012! The creative team of writer Bryan Q. Miller, cover artist Cat Staggs [who we LOVE!] and interior artist Pere Perez will bring Clark, Lois and friends [and enemies] back to life!
Art by Cat Staggs
Hey gang, it’s Rueben! Now I want to preface this entry by saying the position I have regarding the new DC logo is purely my own and does not reflect the point of view of my mates, Windiebird and Aaron M.
Frankly, I never liked the previous installment, I much preferred the stamp-esque version from the 90′s. It felt time appropriate. This new set of logos however, is way more design conscious. It’s not like some 15 year old douchebag was hired to oversee something that would have a larger effect on the comic community in the future. [wink]
Images: DCcomics.com
The design, which was previously referred to by many as a pudding cup or a condom wrapper, is smart, and a great way to integrate the comics and characters of DC back into the logo. As shown above, they are really making the new logo work for them. It’s mature and innovative enough for new DC readers and exciting and fun enough for people who have been around Superman’s block a few times!
(Cover by J. G. Jones, DC Comics)
My winner of the week is Mister Terrific 5 by a wide, life-affirming margin! Mister Terrific is captured in the ninth dimension and only a combination of his heroic prowess and compassionate soul can save the day. In the character of Pylothia we are given a being that doesn’t fit in with the gender roles their society clings to and finds themself shipped off to alien slavers, viewed as the lowest of the low. Michael is able to share with Pylothia the lessons of our planet’s more terrible points in history and how we’ve grown from them. He inspires Pylothia to accept themself and ultimately to save the day and find a sense of self-worth. The comic is pure fun, action and heart the whole way through and is one of my favorite comics I can remember reading ever. With the series tragically concluding with issue 8, I strongly suggest everyone collect the individual issues and any trades that come out as well.
(Cover by Jamal Igle, DC Comics)
The Ray 2 continues the new mini-series written by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti which started off so refreshingly upbeat, humorous and light-hearted that I simply can’t wait to see what they pull off in issue two! Lucien Gates is the Ray of the DCnUniverse and he’s quite a unique voice in modern comics already. Mixed in to some classic super-heroism, Lucien’s world is full of real and diverse people and the drama reflects that fully. Every piece of dialogue either brought a smile to my face or taught me who the character was in issue 1. If you like superheros, you will like this comic.
(Cover by Tony Harris, DC Comics)
The Shade 4 is James Robinson’s first “Times Past” comics of this limited series and is illustrated by the should-be-amazing team of Darwyn Cooke and J. Bone! It’s WWII and Shade – in the midst of his rise to villainous stardom – is helping an industrialist on the side of the Allies survive an assassination attempt in what is slated as Shade’s new origin! Should be an excellent ride as the last three issues have been, for Starman fans or not.
(Cover by Nick Bradshaw, Marvel Comics)
Wolverine and the X-Men 4 sees the addition of two new students to the Jean Grey Institute as well as the news of a pregnant mutant in the school? I just fully got on board with this title last issue after not feeling the first two as much as I thought I would. Kid Krakoa got me on all the right levels and now I can’t wait to see how Jason Aaron continues to steer this strange, new (and old) ship going forward.
(My remaining comics this week are Batwoman 5, Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Season 9 5, Demon Knights 5, Green Lantern 5, Mister Terrific 5, Superboy 5 and Ultimate Comics X-Men 6)
-windiebird
Just a little art sunshine to brighten your day! Here is a commissioned piece of Red Robin and Superboy from artist Evan Bryce! Check out more of his brilliance HERE!
Superboy & Red Robin by Evan Bryce
(Cover by Cliff Chiang, DC Comics)
Wonder Woman 4 is pure, Greek insanity and it is such a great read! Diana has had enough of the parental lies and sets out to find herself once more just as Hera arrives on Paradise Island to beat up some Amazons. Even if I’m not all about the changes to her birth circumstances, I see the wisdom in creating that extra layer of drama. Especially so when that drama is used so masterfully! Top of the heap forever.
(Cover by Mahmud Asrar, DC Comics)
Supergirl 4 has our Woman of Steel trapped on board a space station in the clutches of her very own Lex Luthor, fighting for survival and for all these damn earth creatures to leave her alone! Mahmud Asrar is on fire in the art department and Michael Green & Mike Johnson are crafting a Kara that I can instantly and permanently relate to. Another book with a strong woman not to be missed!
(Cover by Kaare Andrews, Marvel Comics)
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man 5 returns the ever-fabulous (Ultimate) Spider-Woman to the limelight and I am a ball of ecstasy over the news! Jessica Drew in the Ultimate universe is a clone of Peter Parker and has almost a copy of his personality as well. We had some pretty great flirting between her and Bobby Drake in the past as well as a few heroic moments of her own but having her talk to young Miles as he tries to make sense of his powers, his life and his responsibilities is just the perfect move for Brian Michael Bendis to pull from his idea cap. “Sara Pichelli on art” makes any worries about price point disappear; buy this comic!
(The rest of my titles this week are Batman 4, Birds of Prey 4, DCU Presents 4, Generation Hope 14, Justice League 4, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents 2, Wolverine and the X-Men 3 and Xenoholics 3)
(Cover by Jamal Igle, DC Comics)
Seriously, what is up with DC’s new miniseries? It’s like they’re the new Vertigo imprint or something, they can practically do no wrong! We have Penguin, Huntress, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents and now The Ray! Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti are two of the most creative writers in comics today and they’re proving why that’s true with this title. Only four issues long, I can already feel myself aching for more of Jamal Igle’s and Rich Perrotta’s beautiful cityscapes and superpowers. The characters are full to the brim with wit, warmth and love and it shows in every action or sentence. I have to add that this is EXACTLY how you insert diversity into your publishing universe, comics publishers! I love the cast with only 20 pages to get to know them and that is true storytelling. Absolutely one to read!
(Cover by Travel Foreman, DC Comics)
Have y’all seen that meme “Perfect ______s don’t exi…” and then they show you an image of something that is perfect? WELL BOOM BECAUSE CHECK OUT THIS COMIC! Jeff Lemire and Travel Foreman are meme-ing me hard right now and it feels so good. They’re hitting all the high points from the Veitch run but in a totally new, refreshing way. The art is bilious and bulbous and so alive with its jagged lines. The characters are endearing (hard to do in a 20 page comic) and the horror is visceral. The crossover with Swamp Thing (also on top form!) feels natural and raises my curiosity and enjoyment of both titles. Basically, read or die, please.
Check out these images of some of the upcoming DC Universe Legos for 2012. I’m excited to see Superman and Wonder Woman featured in one of the sets, hopefully we will see more characters introduced into Lego form. This will definitely get us geared up for the video game Lego Batman 2 and maybe even another Lego super hero game.
-Aaron M
Image from brickheros.comImage from brickheros.com
Image from brickheros.com
Images from Hallmark.com
Check out these super cool Christmas Ornaments from Hallmark for 2011!
-Aaron M
