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Could We Get A New Justice League Of America?

2012-05-27T21:00:41Z

The following is mindless speculation.

DC Comics is cancelling the title Justice League International with #12 and its Annual, despute the book selling well. It is expected to be replaced by a similar title.

In Justice League, we have seen moves to create a new Justice League featuring Green Arrow that is more aligned with US national policy.

In the FCBD DC New 52 title, we see Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman fighting a team that seems to include a new Green Lantern, Element Woman, Deadman, Black Adam, a female Atom and Vibe as part of what is termed the Trinity War. But where are the rest of the Justice League?

Could we be getting a new Justice League Of America comic, to start with a zero issue in September, and continue with an issue 1 in October, bhilding up to a Justice League Vs Justice League Of America fight, dubbed the Trinity War?

Like I said, mindless speculation. But it’s paid off in the past…

Iron Man From Gillen And Land To Follow Avengers Vs X-Men?

2012-05-27T21:00:08Z

There is much speculation, rumour and gossip concerning as to what Marvel will follow their Avengers Vs X-Men crossover event. We know that Marvel won’t reboot their universe, not even with a handy Phoenix. But I am expecting a lot of changing creative teams, new books and new issue ones. Although that’s hardly rocket science.

We’ve run the rumour that Brian Michael Bendis will take over the Xbooks, but I’m also hearing now at Phoenix Comicon that Jason Aaron may stay on Wolverine And The X-Men.

Speculation based on Bendis’ Avengers Assemble work and comments indicate that he may be writing a cosmic book… maybe Guardians Of The Galaxy, maybe Nova, maybe bringing the X-Men back into that world. Could an island off the coast not be enough of a separation from the rest of humanity? Might they need to wander the galaxy instead?

And I also heard yesterday that one of therelaunched, if not rebooted books, will be Iron Man, with the current hit creative team of Uncanny X-Men, Kieron Gillen and Greg Land, moving to that title. Of all the things I’ve heard, that seems the most solid.

At Kapow, Kieron Gillen mentioned on stage how many comics creators want to write Tony Stark right now. It looks like he may be getting his chance.

The Final Eagle Awards have Landed

2012-05-25T19:48:14Z

By ‘UK Correspondent’ Steve Morris

The last-ever Eagle Awards have just concluded here in good ol’ Blighty (that means Britain), with the ceremony due to switch names over to “The MCM Awards” in 2013. End of an era, awards-fans! In lieu of us not liveblogging the awards ceremony Oscars-style (complete with a drinking game in which you have to down a pint every time Scott Snyder wins something), here is the complete list of winners:

Best Newcomer (writer): Jeff Lemire

Best Newcomer (artist): Francesco Francavilla

Best Writer: Scott Snyder

Best Artist (pencils): J.H. Williams III

Best Artist (inks): Scott Williams

Best Writer/Artist: Frank Miller

Best Fully-Painted Artwork: Alex Ross

Best Colourist: Dave Stewart

Best Letterer: Richard Starkings

Best Editor: Karen Berger

Best Publisher: DC/Vertigo

Best Full-Colour US Comic: Batman

Best Black/White US Comic: The Walking Dead

Best Full-Colour British Comic: Dr Who Magazine (!)

Best Black/White British Comic: Viz

Best New Comic: Batman

Best Manga: 20th Century Boys

Best European Comic Book: Dylan Dog

Best Web-Based Comic: Freakangels

Best Single Story: Dr Who #12

Best Story Arc: ‘No Way Out’, The Walking Dead

Best Cover: Batwoman #1 by JH Williams III

Best Original Graphic Novel: Batman: Noel

Best Reprint Compilation: Thor by Walt Simonson

Best Comics-Related Book: Supergods by Grant Morrison

Best Comics Movie/TV Show: The Big Bang Theory

Best Comic Book Website: Bleeding Cool (boooooooooooo!!)

Best Comics-Related Magazine: DC Comics Superhero Collection

Roll of Honour: Frank Quitely

Huntsman Challenge Award: The Time of Reflection

So as you can see, winning an Eagle Award is mostly predicated on your ability to have “Bat” as a prefix in the title of your comic. 2000AD, Marvel, IDW and Dark Horse probably won’t be too pleased with the results, and your favourite website Comics Beat sadly was not in contention this year. But it’s interesting to note that Frank Miller still won the best Writer/Artist award, despite the somewhat controversial nature of his recent work Holy Terror, and the power of Robert Kirkman’s Walking Dead series.

What do you think of the results? A good reflection on the current status of the comics industry?

The Final Eagle Awards have Landed (comicsbeat.com)

(Read the rest at The Beat!)

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-05-27

2012-05-27T20:02:00Z

RT @richjohnston DC Comics To Switch The Sexual Orientation Of An Established Character http://t.co/oaZyy1GW #
RT @richjohnston Kapow 2012: “The New 52 Will Always Be The New 52″ – Dan DiDio (UPDATE) http://t.co/WD8l2ajD #

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Yes, America, It’s Alan Scott

2012-05-27T20:00:34Z

A few days ago, I ran semi-sourced stories indicating that the character who DC Comics announced as being reintroduced to the New 52 DC Universe as a gay man, was Alan Scott, the original Green Lantern, who appeared in Earth 2 #1 briefly,

Well, at Phoenix Comic Con, I had a much stronger source confirm to me that, yes, it is indeed Alan Scott. On that basis I feel confident in calling it. Keep your Earth 2 #1 in good nick, and start queuing up for Earth 2 #2… right about now.

Of course the original Alan Scott, created by Marty Nodell in 1940, got his Green Lantern powers mystically from a green flame.

But the first person to make a “flaming” joke is out of here, okay?

ComicsAlliance Week-in-Review: May 20-26, 2012

2012-05-27T22:00:00Z

Filed under: Interviews, News, Art, Culture

If you read as much comics news as we do every week, you know only one thing happened in the world of comics this week: Marvel superhero and longtime X-Man Northsar proposed to his boyfriend, and the ceremony is scheduled for the very next issue ... Read more

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Frantic as a cardiograph scratching out the lines, Day 148: Brownsville

2012-05-27T19:00:45Z

Every day this year, I will be examining the first pages of random comics. Today’s page is from Brownsville, which was published by NBM and is cover dated 2006. Enjoy! Brownsville is a very good graphic novel from Neil Kleid and Jake Allen about “Murder, Inc.,” the group of gangsters – mostly Jewish – who [...]

What Are You Reading? with Mark Andrew Smith

2012-05-27T18:58:23Z

Prophet #21

Happy Memorial Day, Americans, and welcome to another edition of What Are You Reading? Our special guest today is Mark Andrew Smith, writer of Gladstone’s School for World Conquerors, Amazing Joy Buzzards, The New Brighton Archeological Society and Sullivan’s Sluggers, which is currently available to order via Kickstarter.

To see what Mark and the Robot 6 crew have been reading lately, click below.

Tom Bondurant

Batman Incorporated #1

Although the finished product may not reflect it, I do try to put some thought into these entries. Today, though, I’m just going to gush over Volume 2, No. 1 of Grant Morrison and Chris Burnham’s Batman Incorporated. Burnham draws this book like he couldn’t wait to get it in front of your eyeballs, giving us indelible images like Bat-Cow (with accompanying Bat-Blood-Puddle) and “I shot him in the face.” Morrison’s script is taut, funny, and thrilling, starting with a nightmare scenario and ending on something just as bad. Clearly both are reversible (if they are, in fact, accurate in context), but the joy of reading an issue like this is in the journey. Really great work all around, and I don’t think they’ve hit their stride.

I also liked the new team of Jeff Lemire and Mikel Janin on Justice League Dark #9, even if it was a more conventional take on the concept. For one thing, I was pleasantly surprised to see the new Leaguers introduced in the middle of some action, rather than being worked in gradually. It was nice to see Felix Faust too. I’m not sure about folding JLD into the larger League bureaucracy, but with that name (or nickname, as in #9) apparently you either ignore it or embrace it.

Sad to say it, but I may be close to done with Captain America. I’ve been getting Cap since Ed Brubaker started, and I daresay it’s raised my expectations for the book, perhaps unsustainably. Issue #12 (drawn by Patch Zircher) continues an arc introducing the new Scourge and guest-starring everyone’s favorite evil Smithers, Henry Gyrich. While it’s of a piece with the bulk of Brubaker’s run — a heady blend of super-spies and superheroes — it seems rather superficial next to the seismic Bucky-related storylines, or even the early Red Skull arcs. There’s nothing particularly wrong with this issue, and if I were coming back to Captain America after an extended absence, I’d probably like it more. Now, however, it’s something I can see getting in collections.

Finally, I caught up with last week’s DC Universe Presents #9, which kicks off a 3-parter written by James Robinson and drawn by Bernard Chang and starring Vandal Savage’s (other) daughter Kassidy. As a first issue it’s pretty good, mostly introducing the players without advancing the plot terribly far. Since it’s a serial-killer story spread over only three issues, I’m guessing part 2 will feature a sudden yet inevitable betrayal, while part 3 will resolve everything in showers of blood and ammo. Kassidy isn’t that new or different either, but Robinson and Chang make her nominally appealing, even giving her an efficient action sequence. One good thing about the setup — which, if you haven’t heard, is that she’s an FBI profiler and the killer du jour worships the same lost-to-history gods as Dad does — involves the FBI knowing all about her parentage and using it to their advantage. Thus, speaking of efficiency, her family issues are also her workplace issues. Robinson’s script forgoes the usual first-person internal narration, which is nice; and Chang’s work is clean and reliable as usual. Should be a good three issues.

Brigid Alverson

I’m hip-deep in galleys and advance copies of summer and fall releases for my BEA panel, but I shelled out $4 for the first two issues of Saucer Country because I am so intrigued by the premise that I didn’t want to miss it. My money was well spent. There seems to be a thread that runs through Vertigo books: Take some subject of common lore–fairy tales, Harry Potter, now alien abductions–and put a surreal twist on it. Also, like every Vertigo book I have read, there is a smart, sexy woman in glasses and overly tight clothing directing at least part of the action. Is that some sort of editorial requirement over there? Anyway, it’s the story of the governor of Arizona, a divorced Hispanic woman with a lot of internal conflicts, whose life just got more complicated when she realizes she was abducted by aliens. There’s a lot of smart political commentary in this comic, and the writing is first rate.

Self Made Hero is a British indy publisher that has been releasing some stunning books here through Abrams. I read Kiki de Montparnasse yesterday; it’s a book that is interesting just because of the setting–Paris in the 1920s–let alone the main character, Alice Prin, a poor girl from the sticks who moves to the big city and becomes an artist’s model, posing for (and sleeping with) some of the great names of modern art. Kiki comes across as a determined but flawed character, sincere in her affection for her caddish lovers but also self-indulgent and unable to resist the lures of cocaine and red wine. She dabbles in things but there is no one great achievement that defines her, so as a result, the book is somewhat episodic. Still, this is a must-read for fans of that era, and extensive historical and biographical notes in the back help fill in some background for those who are not well versed in the period.

I just started another Self Made Hero book, Gonzo: A Graphic Biography of Hunter S. Thompson, and I am happy to say that the publisher here avoided the pitfall of 99 percent of graphic biographies–choosing this medium and then hiring a second-rate artist. The art in this book is stunning. I’m not too far into it yet, but the introduction promises that Thompson will be presented as a more complex character than our drug-addled Uncle Duke image of him, so I’m looking forward to seeing where this goes.

Tim O’Shea

Mermin Theatre

I got Joey Weiser’s Mermin Theatre many weeks ago, and finally got around to reading it. It’s not a continuation of the Mermin “talking fish with feet and hands out of water” story that he’s already released, hence the different name. Instead this 24-page mini-comic features two unreleased stories, “one from before I came to dry land, and one after” Mermin tells readers in a great Masterpiece Theater homage framing device that Weiser executes. Sometimes I wanted to describe Memin as “the talking Owly”–but it is so much more than that. The first story “Collection” (which was supposed to have been part of the “Flight” series, but was not completed in time) has some
great slapstick comedy elements to it.In “Lost & Found”, Mermin meets a dog, which allows for some other comedy moments, as well as some adventure. As much as I love the drama (which admittedly is mild kids comics drama) of the initial Mermin arc, I am far more entertained at the light fare (minimal drama) featured in these stories. Given that Weiser teases a tetherball story in the future, I think he enjoys writing those tales as well. Still Mermin’s character has to have some growth/have a journey to draw in some readers, I think. It will be interesting to see how the whole Mermin story holds together when Weiser collects all the mini-comics (not this one, though, I assume)
into a Mermin, Volume 1 collection. I love the Mermin character (and the human kid cast) and hope to see it around (and successful) for a long, long time. Now I am off to hand my copy to my son, who will be overjoyed to read this.

Mark Andrew Smith

Saga #1

Reading Saga by Brian K Vaughan and Fiona Staples, and you can’t go wrong with anything by BKV. A cool world, and I’m looking forward to seeing where the story goes from here.

Prophet by Brandon Graham and Simon Roy is a lot of fun. Love the narration, and that the character never stops eating.

I’m reading Shark Knife 2 Double Z by Corey Lewis, and I picked it up on Comixology. Anything by Corey is a lot of fun.

Read Drifting Classroom from Viz; it’s way old, but awesome, and I’m a huge fan of Umezu who is the master of horror comics and who did one of my favorite books called Cat Eyed Boy. It’s like Lost 40 years before Lost.

Reading Scalped by Jason Aaron. I like to read long runs of books and have trouble waiting month to month to follow a series, so now that it’s wrapping up, I’m jumping in and really enjoying it. Also I’m doing the same with BPRD and reading it again from the start and enjoying the heck out of it because I love Mignola’s, Arcudi’s and Davis’ work.

“Write Beginnings, Write Of Sin” – Neil Gaiman And David Mack Benefit The CBLDF

2012-05-27T19:00:28Z

“I will write in words of fire. I will write them on your skin. I will write about desire. Write beginnings, write of sin. You’re the book I love the best, your skin only holds my truth, you will be a palimpsest lines of age rewriting youth. You will not burn upon the pyre. Or be buried on the shelf. You’re my letter to desire: And you’ll never read yourself. I will trace each word and comma As the final dusk descends, You’re my tale of dreams and drama, Let us find out how it ends.” - Neil Gaiman

These are the words that emplazon this new print, by Neil Gaiman and David Mack, created to benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.

Copies can be ordered here.

Team Cul de Sac Auction opens

2012-05-27T18:56:16Z

At last the auction of all the generously donated art to The Team Cul de Sac book is now available for everyone to bid on.

The book is a work of art by itself – if you’ve ordered a copy, you won’t be disappointed. If you haven’t, head over and do so. There are A LOT of great art work in that book. I’m pretty sure the Bill Watterson oil painting will quickly be bid out of my range, but I plan on bidding on a few pieces that I hope to pick up like Danielle Corsetto’s contribution (above).

Team Cul de Sac Auction opens

2012-05-27T18:56:16Z

At last the auction of all the generously donated art to The Team Cul de Sac book is now available for everyone to bid on.

The Avengers Fastest Film To $500 Million In History

2012-05-27T18:57:25Z

While the Men In Black might have won bragging rights for the Memorial Day weekend box office, The Avengers is still by far the most successful movie of the year so far. In fact, The Avengers is the only summer blockbuster released so far that could be considered a runaway success. Both Dark Shadows and [...]

The Dark Knight Rises Major Spoiler: Foley Revealed

2012-05-27T18:35:46Z

It’s been known that some of the actors that appear in the Dark Knight Rises aren’t necessarily playing the characters that were officially announced. Be warned that this article potentially reveals a major spoiler for The Dark Knights, so stop reading now if you don’t want to know. Matthew Modine was said to be playing [...]

Andy Kuhn Tells Marc Mason Thumbs Up For Phoenix Comicon

2012-05-28T02:00:00Z

Marc Mason of Comics Waiting Room is at his hometown show this weekend, and wants to share the experience with you: 1, 2, 3

Tom Richmond wins 2012 Reuben Award; Division awards announced

2012-05-27T18:33:33Z

Last night the National Cartoonists Society gathered in Las Vegas for their annual Reuben Award banquet. The top honor for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year went to MAD Magazine cartoonist Tom Richmond. Tom started his career doing caricatures and freelance work for magazines, publishers and advertisers. As a caricaturist, he has been honored by the National Caricaturist Network in 1998 and 1999.

After a couple of years of trying to get into MAD Magazine, he finally got his break in 2000. He’s been a regular in the magazine ever since. Tom has won the NCS Advertising Illustration division award in 2003, 2006 and 2007 in 2009 he won the Newspaper Illustration division award.

He became the NCS’ president in 2011.

The other division award winners were also presented. Here are the winners:

TELEVISION ANIMATION
Erik Wiese – Production Design on The Mighty B – Nickelodeon

FEATURE ANIMATION
Mark McCreery, character design: Rango

NEWSPAPER ILLUSTRATION
Bob Rich

GAG CARTOONS
Zach Kanin

GREETING CARDS
Glenn McCoy

NEWSPAPER COMIC STRIPS
Glenn McCoy – The Duplex

NEWSPAPER PANEL CARTOONS
Mark Parisi – Off the Mark

MAGAZINE FEATURE/MAGAZINE ILLUSTRATION
Edward Sorel

BOOK ILLUSTRATION
John Rocco – Blackout

EDITORIAL CARTOONS
Mike Ramirez

ADVERTISING ILLUSTRATION
Nick Galifianakis

COMIC BOOKS
J.H. Williams- Batwoman

GRAPHIC NOVELS
Ben Katchor- The Cardboard Valise

ON-LINE COMIC STRIPS
Jon Rosenberg Scenes from a Multiverse

PHOENIX COMICON PHOTO PARADE 3

2012-05-27T18:17:10Z

PHOENIX COMICON PHOTO PARADE 2

2012-05-27T18:11:11Z

PHOENIX COMICON PHOTO PARADE 1

2012-05-27T18:02:30Z

Tom Richmond wins 2012 Reuben Award; Division awards announced

2012-05-27T18:33:33Z

He became the NCS’ president in 2011.

The other division award winners were also presented. Here are the winners:

TELEVISION ANIMATION
Erik Wiese – Production Design on The Mighty B – Nickelodeon

FEATURE ANIMATION
Mark McCreery, character design: Rango

NEWSPAPER ILLUSTRATION
Bob Rich

GAG CARTOONS
Zach Kanin

GREETING CARDS
Glenn McCoy

NEWSPAPER COMIC STRIPS
Glenn McCoy – The Duplex

NEWSPAPER PANEL CARTOONS
Mark Parisi – Off the Mark

MAGAZINE FEATURE/MAGAZINE ILLUSTRATION
Edward Sorel

BOOK ILLUSTRATION
John Rocco – Blackout

EDITORIAL CARTOONS
Mike Ramirez

ADVERTISING ILLUSTRATION
Nick Galifianakis

COMIC BOOKS
J.H. Williams- Batwoman

GRAPHIC NOVELS
Ben Katchor- The Cardboard Valise

ON-LINE COMIC STRIPS
Jon Rosenberg Scenes from a Multiverse

CBR's Gay Heroes News Index

2012-05-27T17:58:01Z

With Marvel and DC both making waves this week announcing a gay wedding in "Astonishing X-Men" and an iconic character who will be gay in the New 52, CBR invites you to visit our Gay Heroes news index.

"comicnews" via sstwalley in Google Reader

Could We Get A New Justice League Of America?

Iron Man From Gillen And Land To Follow Avengers Vs X-Men?

The Final Eagle Awards have Landed

Related articles

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-05-27

Yes, America, It’s Alan Scott

ComicsAlliance Week-in-Review: May 20-26, 2012

Frantic as a cardiograph scratching out the lines, Day 148: Brownsville

What Are You Reading? with Mark Andrew Smith

“Write Beginnings, Write Of Sin” – Neil Gaiman And David Mack Benefit The CBLDF

Team Cul de Sac Auction opens

Team Cul de Sac Auction opens

The Avengers Fastest Film To $500 Million In History

The Dark Knight Rises Major Spoiler: Foley Revealed

Andy Kuhn Tells Marc Mason Thumbs Up For Phoenix Comicon

Tom Richmond wins 2012 Reuben Award; Division awards announced

PHOENIX COMICON PHOTO PARADE 3

PHOENIX COMICON PHOTO PARADE 2

PHOENIX COMICON PHOTO PARADE 1

Tom Richmond wins 2012 Reuben Award; Division awards announced

CBR's Gay Heroes News Index