Tag Archives: Wonder Woman

Weekly Anticipation: Won’t Someone Think of the Children?

by windiebird

(Cover by Jim Cheung, Marvel Comics)

Children’s Crusade 6 returns like Gandalf from the great beyond to bring us joy and some pure, transcendent comics. Allen Heinberg and Jim Cheung are pure magic when they’re together. Sure, the turnaround is achingly slow on these but they are more than worth every minute spent looking forlornly out of your window, waiting for the next issue to come home. The Scarlet Witch has her memories and her powers returned. This is not going to be a happy woman. Hopefully her spirit-sons can save the day along with their team! Young Avengers assemble!

(Cover by Art Adams, Marvel Comics)

Speaking of comics that seem to never make publication but are so, so lovely, Ultimate Comics X 5 finally arrives in stores Wednesday! I know the delays turned most fans off of the series but having just blazed through the first four issues a few weeks ago (and being absolutely floored at Art Adams style, see issue 2 if you want your mind blown out across the universe by the beauty of his work) I find myself not affected by the months-long delays and filled only with a happy anticipation for this series’ wrap-up! In my opinion, this series is a must for any Ultimate Marvel fans and actually sets the tone for the new Ultimate X-Men series coming up later this year, if interviews are to be believed.

(Cover by Viktor Kalvachev, DC Comics)

Green Arrow Industries is, of course, the Flashpoint one-shot I have been most looking forward to and in all honesty, the previews posted only serve to confirm that! Pornsak Pichetshote has worked in editorial for Vertigo but this seems to be his first writing gig and it looks like he’ll be making a splash! The tone of the preview makes it seem like exactly the kind of event/twisted-reality story I want to read. The best stories to come out of these kinds of things use the tropes of the usual continuity to heighten the emotional impact of the new story. It doesn’t automatically mean blood and guts and ~darknessssss~ everywhere. The arrows are now missiles.

(American Vampire 16, Batman, Inc. 7, Project Superman 1, The Canterbury Cricket, Emerald Warriors 11, JSA 80-Page Giant 2011, JSA 52, Kung Fu Panda 2, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents 8, Walking Dead 86, Wonder Woman 612, X-Men: Prelude to Schism 4, Xombi 4)

-windiebird

windiebird’s Weekly Winner: Amazons Attacked!

by windiebird

(Cover by Ed Benes, DC Comics)

 With another enjoyable week for comics, it was (surprisingly) a toss up between Wonder Woman and Deadman for my pick of the week! Alright, Flashpoint, finally getting the ball rolling! I mean, the X-books were great but this first issue totally made me hungry for more of this political intrigue/Greek tragedy, even overcoming some flawed artwork to do it. Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning have no need to prove their skill in the comics world but they have done it again and I know this series is going to be a phenomenon. The curious and adventurous sets out for Man’s World as usual in the Flashpoint universe…but finds trouble and Arthur the Atlantean on the way. They forge a political marriage to bring their two people together but not all of their advisors are as thrilled about the joining as they appear on the surface. Things get out of hand and Hippolyta is felled by one of her sisters, leading to war! So much ground is covered so deftly in this expository issue, I almost flew through it without realizing I was being introduced to this darker, deadlier Themyscira. Definitely not to be missed for people following Flashpoint!

-windiebird

Weekly Anticipation: Earth Goddess

by windiebird

(Cover by Don Kramer & Jay Leisten, DC Comics)

Wonder Woman 611 had to earn my top pick this week (in another week of titles I’m genuinely thrilled to read) simply because Phil Hester’s scripts, though still outlined by JMS, have actually brought tears to my eyes and chills to my flesh. This reboot was off to a rocky start but has made a serious turnaround for the better. I feel like I know something about Diana now, even if I don’t know her history. Not to mention that this has become a title I’m looking forward to monthly based on the story alone! Really, it’s not to late to do what I’ve done and catch up on this Wonder Woman refitting. Especially if she’s a character you’re interested in but find the sheer canon behind her daunting.

(Cover by Andy Kubert & Sandra Hope, DC Comics)

Flashpoint 2 had to be on here, of course! I find this event a bit of an oddball after the first issue. If the tone continues going forward, we’ll find ourselves mildly amused by the main event book but will probably find the individual spin-offs and tie-ins more gratifying for our personal tastes. Which I, frankly, find pretty fantastic! I can imagine it’s a nightmare for retailers to try and gauge customer interest for particular books but I was definitely emboldened by the direction we seem to be headed in from reading issue 1.

(Cover by Daniel Luvisi, DC Comics)

I am so glad I’m caught up on Secret Six now because Secret Six 34 is guaranteed to be one twisted, delightful read! The Get Out of Hell Free card story arc has just concluded and now the team is back to the mundane world. Facing all those demons apparently is about to send Bane off the deep end (I guess that would be the deepest end for the Six) and back to his Batman-crazed bloodrage. It can only mean trouble and that can only mean one more hell of a stupendous comic from Gail Simone. Seriously, there are only five vastly under priced trades between you, a non-Secret-Six reader, and being just about all caught up on one of the best consistent comics ever.

(Avengers Academy 14.1, Batman – Knight of Vengeance 1, Secret Seven 1, The World of Flashpoint 1, iZombie 14, Static Shock Special, Uncanny X-Force 11, X-Factor 220, X-Men 12 are my remaining titles this week)

-windiebird

NBC Gives Wonder Woman the Axe!

by mutantaday

According to Entertainment Weekly NBC has decided to pass on David E. Kelly’s Wonder Woman.

Image from Zimbio

I can honestly say I’m not at all surprised,  NBC made the right decision.  When I first found out a new television series was being created I had such high hopes for it, but then I saw the images and  script which made me fear for the show.   In the long run I think it’s better they pull the plug on the show than tarnish the name of Wonder Woman.  Batman is proof of  this it took eight years for Batman to recover from that monstrosity that is Batman and Robin.  As popular as comic book movies are now I have a feeling this is not the last we have seen of Diana Prince. 

-Aaron M

While My Wallet Gently Weeps

by windiebird

(Cover by David Finch, DC Comics)

Action Comics 900 has a huge order to fill, wrapping up Reign of Doomsday & the Luthor storyline in one 96-page mega-issue while paying homage to the Man of Steel and the villain…people-named-Lex.

(Cover by Simone Bianchi, Marvel Comics)

Age of X: Universe 2 is almost a What If? with the reveal from the previous chapters of Age of X but that doesn’t mean the story here can’t wrap up to be an interesting (if super-gritty) tale of a world gone mad!

(Cover by Rafael Albuquerque, Vertigo Comics)

American Vampire 14 continues the WWII-era arc from the chilling close of Skinner’s appearance last issue. Henry’s in trouble over there and Pearl’s got her hands full on the home front, a pretty excellent beginning so far to another year of American Vampire!

(Cover by David Finch, DC Comics)

Brightest Day 24 is Swamp Thing/one-pissed-off-planet vs. humanity/Alec Holland (or his body at least?)! Is it bad that I’m kind of rooting for Swamp Thing?

(Cover by Francis Manapul, DC Comics)

The Flash 11 has one fiiiine cover there! Flashpoint is coming and it’s bringing red spandex! Looks like all the speedsters are getting involved in the mixup and I’m hoping Liberty Belle (Jesse Quick, geez, let’s just ignore all that beautiful JSA characterization you wrote yourself, Geoff Johns!) shows up in this second-to-last issue.

(Cover by Tyler Kirkham & BATT, DC Comics)

Green Arrow 11 takes place before the finale in BD 24 so it looks like Oliver, Galahad and the forest are bringing this party to a fiery end! Final answers about the forest’s place in the White Lantern’s plan are promised and hopefully there’s some closure to this interesting and sometimes bumpy reboot to Green Arrow. Onwards and upwards to the next story arc!

(Cover by Felipe Massafera, DC Comics)

Issue 8 left us with Mogo blasting the newly-minted earth-born Lanterns haaaaaaard and Emerald Warriors 9 continues right where we left off! Is the yellow weakness restored with the impurity in the Green Lantern Battery? Hopefully so, since the learning curve on the new rings has been steep.

(Cover by Dustin Nguyen, DC Comics)

Generation Lost 24 – JLI vs. Maxwell Lord IV! The end is here and the OMACs are angry. I hope the ending is epic and the momentum continues into a new series for these one-of-a-kind heroes!

(Cover by Felipe Massafera, DC Comics)

JSA 50 is another anniversary issue this week and it’s going to be full even for an extra-sized issue! The Society joins with the Challengers of the Unknown to uncover the dark mysteries below Monument Point and more of Senator Eagin’s past is explored as well. Felipe Massaferra’s cover is (as always) worth the price alone.

(Cover by Mico Suayan, Marvel Comics)

New Mutants 24 is the end of the line for Age of X! All secrets revealed, all Moira entities defeated and all realities restored (we hope)!

(Cover by Terry Dodson, Marvel Comics)

Uncanny X-Men 536 begins the real story line about the asylum-seeking Breakworlders and it’s going to put Colossus through the wringer! Are they as innocuous as they appeared last issue or hiding more complex motivations? We’ll see starting today and what a curveball to start off with!

(Cover by Tony Moore, Marvel Comics)

Venom 2 is Flash Thompson’s second issue as Venom and I’m seriously digging the vibe so far. Military order and dedication meets the chaos of the symbiotes, now that’s a recipe for drama and action! Kraven fights Flash in the Savage Lands over some weaponized vibranium WMDs, hoo ah!

(Cover by Don Kramer & Jay Leisten, DC Comics)

Wonder Woman 610 couldn’t possibly give me any more (awesome) chills than last issue but if anyone could make it happen, Phil Hester could. You’re making a real Wondy fan out of me, P.H., and I couldn’t be happier about it!

(Cover by Terry Dodson, Marvel Comics)

X-Men 10 concludes “To Serve and Protect” with Emma Frost and Peter Parker the last hope of the X-Men as they fight the Lizardfolk of the NY sewage system! I’m back on board Marvel, so there!

(Cover by Frazer Irving, DC Comics)

Xombi 2 is sure to continue the sheer joy and insanity of the first issue of this re-boot. Nuns with guns, immortal caucAsians & psychic school girls; I’m so happy to be on this crazy train!

-windiebird

May/June/July/August: Event: The Sequeling – Part 86.1

by windiebird

It’s that time of year once again when the big two start pushing and pulling for your summer dollars!

Flashpoint & Fear Itself!

Now, I truly and honestly tried to get into the Fear Itself prologue but neither my boyfriend nor I found much that was compelling about it. He’s a huge Ultimate universe fan and I do love some Marvel mutants…but the Cap and Thor stuff just isn’t something either of us is into. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be there at midnight for both movies, I’m sure, but that doesn’t change my newly evaporated Fear Itself excitement. Sorry, Marvel.

I’ll definitely be getting in on the new Alpha Flight series/tie-in to support two of my favorite things (homosexuals and Canada) but that’s about it.

Flashpoint, on the other hand, has taught me to stop worrying and love the bomb (or, like, the running-really-fast-time-distortion, I guess). At first I was concerned with the lack of well-vetted talent on a majority of the tie-ins and the one-shots but there’s a certain logic to the creative decisions made for this event that has changed my mind. Since this is one big time kerfuffle and only a few changes will make it back to the usual continuity once Flash fixes everything (inevitably) this is a chance for all kinds of new takes on characters. Since these well-known figures are so changed in the Flashpoint world, anyone can write and draw them because…well, it’s all new and all different! It’s also an excellent chance for possibly great new talent to shine or to fail on their own dime. So you bet your sweet red body suit I’ll be trying out the following Flashpoint titles for at least the first issue:

May

(Cover by Francis Manapul, DC Comics)

The Flash 12, the end of The Flash and the start of Flashpoint! It was fun and beautiful while it lasted. See you at the re-numbering =)

 

(Cover by Andy Kubert, DC Comics)

Flashpoint 1, here it is! Barry wakes up to a world gone mad and clothes that just don’t want to stick around!

 

(Cover by Dan Jurgens and Norm Rapmund, DC Comics)

Booster Gold 44 puts the title hero in a similar predicament to Barry’s. Everything’s topsy-turvy! Gold is blue, blue is gold! Looks like he’ll be putting that time travel experience to good use.

June

(Cover by Dave Johnson, DC Comics)

Batman – Knight of Vengeance 1, I think this could be any of the Bat-males, not just Bruce but whoever the man behind the cowl is, he’s running casinos? CASINOS OF THE NIGHT!!!

 

(Cover by George Perez, DC Comics)

Secret Seven 1, trippy artwork plus a possible combination of the Secret Six and Seven Soldiers of Victory. Hello, heaven.

 

(Cover by Shane Davis, DC Comics)

The World of Flashpoint 1, supposedly these are the two main forces waging war in the Flashpointverse. My favorite part of this cover is imagining Barry running around totally naked.

 

(Cover by Dan Jurgens and Norm Rapmund, DC Comics)

Booster Gold 45, solid goooooold! Legion flight ring in hand, Booster is on a mission to fix things because (see below) Barry is getting the hell electrocuted out of him?

 

(Cover by Andy Kubert and Sandra Hope, DC Comics)

Flashpoint 2, Pirate-Deathstroke vs. Aquaman! Barry + lightning always means explosive results.

 

(Cover by Joe Bennett and John Dell, DC Comics)

Deathstroke and the Curse of the Ravager 1, umm, okay? Pirate-Deathstroke is the hero I didn’t know I needed (but I deserve?)! His ship is his daughter! Freudian.

 

(Cover by Ardian Syaf and Vicente Cifuentes, DC Comics)

Emperor Aquaman 1, c’mon Tony Bedard, make me like Aquaman! Even crazy-times Aquaman who wants to drown everyone and make a 100% Waterworld.

 

(Cover by Doug Mahnke, DC Comics)

Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown 1, after recently finishing and LOVING Grant Morrison’s 7 Soldiers story, my reaction is pretty much this.

 

(Cover by Cliff Chiang, DC Comics)

Deadman and the Flying Graysons 1, acrobatics, dead people and the Graysons alive! I could see this being just my style with J.T. Krul writing it (so long as Rise & Fall remains just that one bad night we had together in Bangkok).

 

(Cover by Francis Manapul, DC Comics)

Grodd of War, psychic gorilla dictator! It’s a one-shot and well worth checking into if for no other reason than the cover (though my interest is genuinely piqued for the story tease).

 

(Cover by Ed Benes, DC Comics)

Wonder Woman and the Furies 1, laaaadies? I hope this can hold a candle to how purely amazing Phil Hester is making Wonder Woman right now. If she’s a villain in this world…please let her be a kickass one!

 

(Cover by Francis Manapul, DC Comics)

Kid Flash Lost starring Bart Allen 1, honestly, don’t know the kid much except from J.T. Krul’s current run on Teen Titans and a few random DCU appearances. Anything Flash could be vital to the story though, so I’m in. Plus another Manapul cover! Now we know why The Flash has had so many delays!

 

(Cover by Eddy Nunez and Sandra Hope, DC Comics)

Lois Lane and the Resistance 1, more women getting titles! Plus, how great is it that Lois is leading the Resistance in the Flashpointverse? What else would a person totally committed to reporting the truth do in a world filled with fascism and lies but push back and try to spread the word? CAN’T WAIT!

 

(Cover by Ardian Syaf and Vicente Cifuentes, DC Comics)

Reverse Flash, he’s almost assuredly the cause of the Flashpoint time disturbance and this event is clearly about clothes and the best methods for removing them! Flash-related one-shot, getting it just in case.

 

(Cover by Kevin Nowlan, DC Comics)

The Outsider 1, I honestly have no idea what’s going on…but James Robinson writing a self-centered anti-hero has me buying the first issue at least.

 

(Cover by Viktor Kalvachev, DC Comics)

Green Arrow Industries, Oliver Queen, my secret comics husband in any universe. Those are missiles in his quiver so I guess he’s homicidal to see me? I imagine he’s funding the war on both sides between Aquaman and Wonder Woman. We shall see.

 

(Cover by Gene Ha, DC Comics)

Project Superman 1, damn Superman, you scary. Scott Snyder writing a new take on the Man of Steel! Yes, yes and please.

 

(Cover by Rags Morales, DC Comics)

The Canterbury Cricket, so I guess like Ambush Bug? It’s a one-shot so why not, right? Rags Morales making with the art is a must.

 

(Flashpoint books I’m skipping outright: Abin Sur – The Green Lantern, Citizen Cold, Legion of Doom starring Heatwave, Hal Jordan)

-windiebird

Wonderful Age of Vampire Justice

by windiebird

(Cover by Simone Bianchi, Marvel Comics)

Age of X: Universe 1 means Bizarro Avengers! What a violent alternate reality these mutants face but I must say, I’m really enjoying the story. Maybe it has something to do with the beautiful art but I’d read anything Age of X at this point.

(Cover by Rafael Albuquerque, Vertigo Comics)

American Vampire 13 sees our Vampires At War! I’m anti-violence but I am pro-reading-about-drama and wartime is a surefire place to find it. It’s going to be great, simple as that. The creative team can do no wrong. At its “worst” the series is just enjoyable and at its best it is one of the best comics I have had the pleasure to read.

(Cover by Rodolfo Migliari, DC Comics)

Brightest Day is drawing to a close and Green Arrow 10 will hopefully bring happier tidings to the Star Forest than, you know, being blown up and demonically infected. Ollie has a special role to play when earth’s new protector emerges and I’ve very much enjoyed Krul’s take on the character so far. Definitely a Brightest Day book right now but it’s clear Krul can take Ollie to some excellent places once that banner is off the title.

(Cover by Felipe Massafera, DC Comics)

JLA/The 99 6 brings this gem to a close and I couldn’t recommend this mini-series more. It’s pure super-heroics with a simple, clear message. Something for everyone in this series and you NEED the trade if you haven’t been getting the single issues.

(Cover by Scott Kolins, DC Comics)

JSA 49 puts Alan Scott in one strange looking Alpha Lantern/Kingdom Come hybrid costume as the newly expanded (helllllll yes, by the way!) team takes on Scythe…again. This time should be the big one though and I’m entirely curious to see what Marc Guggenheim has planned for this Monument Point/Society plotline once the dust settles.

(Cover by Nicola Scott & Doug Hazlewood, DC Comics)

Teen Titans 93 introduces Solstice to the Teen Titans proper as Cassie’s mom runs into interference on an archaeological dig. South Asia in the hooooooouse (I’m pretty excited we get another positive woman of color in the DC repertoire, if you couldn’t tell)!

(Cover by Don Kramer & Jay Leisten, DC Comics)

Dr. Psycho brings the crazy in Wonder Woman 609 this week but I haven’t the foggiest whether he’ll end up helping Diana or ultimately deluding her further. We know from Generation Lost where she ends up but not why or how. It’s been a real trip so far and I’m more and more satisfied with this story.

(Cover by Adam Hughes, DC Comics)

Zatanna 11 spells  the end of Pupaphobia for Zee and what a predicament she’s in! She’s a regular Missus Miracle with this kind of magickal trap and her assured escape. Of  course, Zatanna’s life never stays quiet for long and a newly recuperated Brother Night is more than happy to be the one making a ruckus…

-windiebird

Arrows for the Wonder Teens!

by windiebird

(Cover by Mauro Cascioli, DC Comics)

One-ish sentence preview excitement, goooooo! Green Arrow 8 gives us my favorite of the simple DC covers, the Demon, a new villain named Black Arrow (Merlyn doesn’t count, I guess) and some well-fletched fun!

(Cover by Felipe Massafera, DC Comics)

JLA/The 99 4 means more of my favorite team-up title in recent memory, microscopic Starro karate-chop action and the JLA and The 99 collectively kicking ass and taking those names!

(Cover by Aaron Lopresti, DC Comics)

Generation Lost 18 is part two of Power Girl’s beat down on the JLI, Max Lord waterboarding Beetle, Batman taking a hint and butterfly kisses for Rocket Red?

(Cover by Shane Davis & Sandra Hope, DC Comics)

In JSA 47, Dr. Chaos comes to Monument Point with a score to settle against the JSA while more and more heroes continue to join the Society’s society (Manhunter and Blue Devil this issue!).

(Cover by Cliff Chiang, DC Comics)

The Shazam! one-shot is sure to be my favorite part of Titans and has Blaze offering the Batsons power once again; somehow Freddy and Osiris play into the deal as well and you know I’m always up for a Shazam family read!

(Cover by Nicola Scott & Doug Hazlewood, DC Comics)

Teen Titans 91 is full on friendship once again as Robin and Ravager take on the Feral Boys alone while Raven gets in Headcase’s…head. Rrrrrrrrrrr.

(Cover by Don Kramer & Jay Leisten, DC Comics)

Wonder Woman 606 has our Princess tracking down the Morrigan and running into a murderous Huntsman god! Phillipus is the badass protector of Diana in this time warp but might be seeing the end of her line if Ms. Prince can’t step up and save her from the centaur deity…

(Cover by Stephane Roux, DC Comics)

Zatanna 9 unlocks a repressed memory from our heroine’s childhood and puts her in the precarious position of placing her would-be killer free from his puppet-y curse! Gold stars all the way through for this series.

(Cover by Rafael Albuquerque, Vertigo Comics)

It’s booze, bootleggers and Skinner Sweet for Pearl and Henry in American Vampire 11 and this two-parter is sure to be another pleasing arc in the series!

(Cover by Greg Land, Marvel Comics)

Uncanny X-Men 532 reveals the price of a cure for the Utopia mutants, just what an enraged and uncaged Sebastian Shaw will do and hopefully much, much more of this new X-Team formed in San Francisco during this time of crisis. *cough cough*

-windiebird

I’ll Have an Orange Christmas Without You

by windiebird

(Cover by Gene Ha, DC Comics)

One sentence speculations GOOOOOOO! The Larfleeze Christmas Special is somehow a Brightest Day tie-in featuring Larfleeze attempting to “obtain” Santa Claus!(???)

(Cover by Greg Land, Marvel Comics)

Uncanny X-Men 531 features Storm leading an X-team featuring Northstar and Dazzler…other, less important stuff happens too.

(Cover by Rafael Albuquerque, Vertigo Comics)

American Vampire 10 means Pearl and her man laying the hurt on some unruly vamps; these Scoobies have bite!

(Cover by Dan Jurgens & Jerry Ordway, DC Comics)

DCU Legacies 8 gives the gift of the Reign of the Supermen, Hal Jordan with sexy gray streaks and the Fourth World!

(Cover by Tyler Kirkham & BATT, DC Comics)

In Green Lantern Corps 55 it’s Green Lanterns vs. the Weaponers and Guy’s Red Ring prophecies reach the other Lanterns from Earth!

(Cover by Mark Bagley & Rob Hunter, DC Comics)

Justice League of America 52 deserves a buy because this is a fresh, interesting team that could bring new life to the JLA, regardless of how unsurprising I find the basic plot so far.

(Cover by Dustin Nguyen & Kevin Maguire, DC Comics)

Generation Lost 16 pits the Creature Commandos against the JLI as Fire lies be-shot while Power Girl is looking for some vengeance of her own.

(Various Artists, DC Comics)

Wonder Woman 605: exeunt JMS, Phil Hester throws his hat into the ring and Diana is up against the Morrigan!

(Cover by Stephane Roux, DC Comics)

Zatanna 8 means Cliff Chiang and Paul Dini doing the puppet episode of Zatanna, it’s gonna be pure gold!

-windiebird