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    26Dec, 2022
    COLLECTIVE THOUGHTS: FOR OCTOBER ‘13 BOOKS: part ONE

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    KC Carlson. Art by Keith Wilson.

    by KC Carlson

    Well, it’s Christmas in July, as publishers are getting a jump start on the holiday season by scheduling a whole bunch of interesting books and gift ideas for October and November release, forcing us all to think about holiday giving (and hoarding) while it’s still 90 degrees outside. Sheesh! I’ll forgo many of my typical grumbling about the comic book market being a two season sales cycle, with the second (Holiday Season) beginning before the first cycle (the Comic Convention Season) is even over. double Sheesh! Anyway, I’ll be back next week with much more suggestions on great comic collections, but for now, there are some great projects lurking just beyond my crabby introduction. pleased Krimble!

    THIS MONTH IN classic COMIC strip COLLECTIONS

    Johnny Hazard: The complete Sundays volume 1

    Johnny Hazard: The complete Sundays volume 1: 1944-1946 (Hermes Press): This collection of Frank Robbins’ classic adventure strip has been resolicited for December release. If you want it, you should reorder now, as all previous orders have been canceled.

    Miss Fury Sensational Sundays

    Miss Fury Sensational Sundays: 1941-1944 (IDW/LoAC): The first IDW miss Fury book reprinted the heroine’s Sunday comics from 1944 through 1949. This companion prequel fills in the gap, reprinting every Sunday strip from the comic’s beginning in April 1941 through April 1944. Which implies these are the adventures which introduce the panther-suited lead and all the major characters. Plus, the original miss Fury book is back in print and available for reorder! That book was nominated for an Eisner award for best Archival Collection. Edited by Trina Robbins and developed by Lorraine Turner. 164-page color hardcover.

    Peanuts Every Sunday

    Peanuts Every Sunday: 1952-1955 (Fantagraphics): I’m very pleased that Fantagraphics are doing these books. The Peanuts Sunday strips are already included in their The complete Peanuts series (albeit in a much smaller format and in B&W), so this isn’t strictly an essential purchase, but it many certainly is a desirable enhancement. It’s published in a large format (12.75” x 10”) and will be in full, dynamic color, based on the original beautiful shades, full of rich background pastels balanced by bold character coloring. because this first volume features all the Sunday strips from the series’ first five years (before the characters were assigned more-or-less permanent, consistent, and identifiable coloring), you’ll get to see some pretty unusual colors on Charlie Brown’s trademark zigzag t-shirt (before it was officially yellow). Plus, sharp-eyed readers will be able to spot numerous of the strip’s many popular characters, (including Schroeder, Lucy, and Linus) introduced into the strip as babies. Also, as you’ll be getting a full five years’ worth of Sunday strips, you can see the evolution of Schulz’s early art style. This is the first in a series of 10 projected volumes collecting all of the Sunday Peanuts strips in color. introduction by author and film critic Jonathan Rosenbaum. 288-page oversized color hardcover. available in November.

    Pogo volume 3

    Pogo volume 3: evidence to the Contrary (Fantagraphics): two much more complete years of Pogo (1953-1954), introducing the bold political character (caricature?) who pretty much sealed the deal on why Pogo is one of the classic American comic strips, and why Walt Kelly is considered one of the country’s leading satirists. folks across America had little trouble equating the insidious wildcat easy J. Malarkey with the ascendant anti-Communist senator Joseph McCarthy. The subject was sensitive enough that by the following year a Providence, Rhode Island, newspaper threatened to drop the strip if Malarkey’s face were to appear in it again. Kelly’s response? He had Malarkey appear again but put a bag over the character’s head for his next appearance. There’s much more to this story, but you ought to experience it for yourself inside this beautifully remastered collection of Kelly’s Pogo, also featuring 104 Sunday strips, all fully recolored. You’ll also not want to miss the story of one of the characters attempting to corner the market on water, as well as two rousing choruses of “Deck us All With Boston Charlie”. Plus, lots of annotations and much more! just last weekend, volume two of this series won an Eisner award for best Archival Collection/Project — Strips. (Yay!) This volume is certain to be nominated for next year. Don’t miss it! 344-page large-scale B&W & color hardcover. available in November.

    Walt Disney’s Mickey mouse color Sundays volume 2

    Walt Disney’s Mickey mouse color Sundays volume 2: Robin Hood Rides again (Fantagraphics): another collection of Floyd Gottfredson’s classic Sunday Mickey mouse stores, all fully restored and presented in fullcolor. lots of different adventure genres are presented here as Mickey and the gang battle medievals in “The Robin Hood Adventure”, with western action galore in “Sheriff of Nugget Gulch”. Plus, the ever-sneaky Mortimer mouse in “Mickey’s Rival!” (Which was also a Mickey mouse animated cartoon in 1936.) much more than 30 pages of extra features, including non-mouse Disney comics by Gottfredson and commentary by Disney scholars. 280-page color hardcover. This book is also provided in a attractively decorated color Sundays gift Box set with volume one of the series.

    BOOKS about COMICS

    The best of Comix Book: When marvel Went Underground

    The best of Comix Book: When marvel Went Underground (Dark Horse/Kitchen Sink): celebrating not only the return of kitchen Sink press as an active publisher (Yay, Denis!), but also the official documentation of when marvel went crazy in 1974 and thought it might try publishing underground comix. Although technically not an official marvel publication, three issues of Comix book were published as a B&W magazine by marvel offshoot magazine management Co. before it was unceremoniously canceled. After a long negotiation, Denis kitchen was able to publish the already completed issues #4 & 5 through his own kitchen Sink press in 1976. There are a lot of great stories (and fascinating publishing firsts) associated with this project, that I hope marvel publisher Stan Lee (in his Introduction) and underground pioneer Denis kitchen (in his Forward) share some of them with us. The bulk of the book will be great underground comix by Joel Beck, Kim Deitch, Justin Green, Trina Robbins, skip Williamson, S. Clay Wilson, and Art Spiegelman (with the first national appearance of Maus). 184-page B&W & color hardcover.

    Divas, Dames & Daredevils: lost Heroines of golden Age Comics

    Divas, Dames & Daredevils: lost Heroines of golden Age Comics (Exterminating the Angel Press): It’s probably a good thing that I occasionally speak with my wife Johanna about things that I’m currently writing about, or I never would have known that we had an advancement proof copy of this in the house. (We occasionally forget to share what we get in the mail.) This certainly looks much cooler than a 100-word blurb in Previews. It’s a collection of B&W reprints of some of the much more obscure (and public domain) female adventure characters in golden Age comics. I actually know a few — like lady Satan, The woman In Red, Amazonia, and Mysta of the Moon — but I’m fascinated by Madame Strange, The Sorceress of Zoom, Betty Bates: lady at Law, The Blonde bomber (not famed Roller Derby Queen Joanie Weston), and the tantalizingly named Pussy Katnip. author Mike Madrid (The Supergirls) has sought out these incredibly obscure comic book heroines, found representative stories, and annotated each of the practically 30 characters, as well as ferreted out (some) information about the women creators who slid back into anonymity when their characters did — when the male artists returned from WWII. A good tribute to a forgotten era of comics. 240-page B&W softcover.

    Iron man Manual

    Iron man manual (DK): Not to be confused with the Marvel-published Iron Manual, which is filled with Eliot R. brown schematics of essential armors and the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier from the comic books. The Iron man manual is a new volume from DK about everything Iron Man. but which Iron Man? The skimpy information we have on it seems to indicate that it may be mostly the movie-based IM, as the description we have reads “Based on Iron Man, Iron man 2, Marvel’s The Avengers, and Iron man 3, this immersive in-universe book transports readers into the fantastic world of Tony Stark and provides an exclusive peek into both his civilian and very Hero lives. Delving into the history of Stark industries and the forging of the very first Iron man suit, Iron man manual also explores Tony’s Malibu mansion and S.H.I.E.L.D.’s confidential files on the ironclad hero, his armor, and the global risks he has faced.” So your guess is as good as ours. Written by Daniel Wallace. 160-page color (we assume) hardcover book.

    The secret history of marvel Comics

    The secret history of marvel Comics: Jack Kirby and the Moonlighting artists at Martin Goodman’s empire (Fantagraphics): This looks to be a sideways/parallel history to the early marvel Comics (Timely). They were just a small part of the Martin Goodman publishing “empire”, which included lurid pulps, men’s magazines featuring sexually-charged detective and romance short fiction, and celebrity gossip scandal sheets. Those sensationalist publications were released side-by-side with comic books mainly aimed at eight-year-olds, and a number of well-known comic book professionals worked for both, including Jack Kirby, Joe Simon, Alex Schomburg, bill Everett, Al Jaffee, Dan DeCarlo and others. That might have caused a scandal back then, had anybody known (although nowadays, we understand that publishers might target different audiences at the same time). Blake Bell and Dr. Michael J. Vassallo author this book, which includes rare pieces of comic art. 300-page hardcover with color and B&W illustrations. available in November.

    The Superman Files

    The Superman files (Andrews McMeel): I’m very fascinated by the obvious premise of this book. On the surface, it appears to be be a fictional history of a popular superhero: Superman. packed with clippings from the daily Planet, journal entries, surviving artifacts from Krypton, schematics for the Fortress of Solitude and other technology, files from Stryker’s Island Prison, as well as hundreds of “photographs” of Superman’s enemies and allies culled from modern Superman comics, it purports to tell the complete, extensive life story of the man of Steel, from his birth as Kal-El, to his lives as both Clark Kent and Superman, and even onward into the future. Funny, that word: “future”. The twist of the book is that it’s purportedly written by the 31st Century legion of Super-Heroes member Brainiac 5, who also happens to be a descendant of one of Superman’s greatest foes, Brainiac. As all good LSH fans (like me) know, official 31st Century records about the 21st Century are sketchy, at best, so, Brainiac 5 takes it upon himself to compile a tribute to his hero and friend (with the help of research assistant Matthew K. Manning). published to resemble a 21st Century book (sorry, Omnicom fans!), this is a 312-page color hardcover. available in November.

    NOW IN SOFTCOVER

    The Judas Coin

    The Judas Coin (DC Comics): one of the best graphic novels in recent years, written and drawn by Walter Simonson. It follows the history of one of the silver coins Judas was paid to betray Jesus, as it passes throughout DC history and numerous unexpected hands, including Batman, Two-Face, and Bat Lash. Simonson draws each of the six chapters in a different style. fascinating to study! 104-page color softcover.

    Marvel Masterworks: Sgt. Fury volume 1

    Marvel Masterworks: Sgt. Fury volume 1 (Marvel): Collecting the first 13 issues of the war comic for people who don’t like war comics! A rare look at a two-eyed Nick Fury! (That doesn’t last long…) The origin of the howling Commandos! major WWIII action, including battles with Barons Strucker and Zemo and some man named Adolf! guest starring Captain America and Bucky and featuring an early, actual, permanent, marvel universe death! brought to you by Sgt. Stan Lee, Infantryman Jack Kirby, and Cpl. Dick Ayres. WAH-HOO! 320-page color softcover. best thing you’ll read this year! That’s an order!

    BIG BOOKS

    DC Comics: The new 52 Villains Omnibus

    DC Comics: The new 52 Villains Omnibus (DC Comics): This collects all 52 Villains Month One-Shots. (Although not numbered or titled as such. Please go here for a complete listing.) The solicitation of the book does not mention the individual 3D motion covers that will appear on the original comics, so we are assuming that they will not be included. However, there is a new (and limited to the first printing only of this book) 3D motion montage cover for this collection. This is a 1,184-page color hardcover with a limited 3D cover enhancement. quantities may be allocated by DC Comics, so although it’s likely that we’ll get enough copies to cover orders, we cannot guarantee that you will receive this limited cover enhancement, as this situation is identified by DC Comics and diamond distribution and is beyond our control.

    Deadpool by Joe Kelly Omnibus

    Deadpool by Joe Kelly Omnibus (Marvel): I just don’t “get” Deadpool. I hear that it is very funny. I’m told that very numerous people really, really delight in it. I’m also told that it’s about both mercenaries and mouths. I’m confused about the mouths. I was unintentionally hit in the head with a sledge hammer when I was six (true story). That may be why I don’t “get” it. Or maybe not. What was I talking about again? Oh, cookies…! This features work by Joe Kelly (the man in the

    25Dec, 2022
    JUSTIN GRAY, writer OF JONAH HEX, RIDES into DYNAMITE WITH THRILLING new chapter IN THE LONE RANGER’S history

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    The Lone Ranger

    July 22, 2014, Mt. Laurel, NJ:  Dynamite enjoyment is pleased to announce the signing of Justin Gray, who will be continuing Dynamite’s long standing success with America’s quintessential Western hero, as he takes the reins on a brand new series of The Lone Ranger.  launching with a new #1 in November 2014, The Lone Ranger will feature the exciting interior artwork of Rey Villegas (Lady Zorro), as well as covers by John Cassaday (Uncanny Avengers, Astonishing X-Men) and Marc Laming (All-New Invaders, Kings Watch).

    “I’m pleased to be working with one of the longest standing and best known Western characters in all of literature, because to me The Lone Ranger represents a moral code, unquestionable justice and a sense of adventure that embodies the classic American western,” says Justin Gray.

    No stranger to Western thrills, Justin gray is a frequent contributor to Jonah Hex and All-Star Western, tales of an Old West gunslinger set within the larger DC Comics continuity. gray has contributed to dozens of name-recognizable titles from marvel Comics and DC Comics, including Batwing, Ame-Comi Girls, Punisher, Power Girl, Countdown, and lots of more.

    “We are exceptionally ecstatic to have Justin on board for this title,” said Nick Barrucci, CEO and publisher of Dynamite Entertainment. “We’ve had a great run with The Lone Ranger as one of our a lot of consistent critically acclaimed comics, and needed someone who we could depend on to fill these ‘big boots,’ continuing one of the best Western heroes ever.  With a track record like his, we’re in for a Western comic that we won’t soon forget!”

    For art and a lot more information, please visit: .

    25Dec, 2022
    Silver Surfer: regeneration #1 Brings Back Ron Lim as well as Ron Marz For experience as well as Nostalgia

    For a decade, from the late 80s to the late 90s, Silver Surfer had an extraordinary run. The series started with Steve Englehart writing, then Jim Starlin took over as well as composed the traditional Silver Surfer: regeneration of Thanos arc. as well as then, with problem #51, Ron Marz took over. Marz would end up composing 60 issues. however his primary collaborator, Ron Lim, dealt with Englehart as well as Starlin, too, penciled or supplied cover art for 85 of the very first 100 issues. That’s a exceptional achievement. Marz as well as Lim, the two Rons, worked well together. Lim’s cosmic sensibility as well as Marz’s range for epics integrated into one of the very best runs ever. So, it’s fantastic to see this innovative team return for Silver Surfer: regeneration #1, the very first part of a five-issue series. as well as they begin big.

    Spoilers to Follow!

    Silver Surfer: regeneration #1 is all about Nostalgia as well as Fun

    (Image: marvel Comics)

    Nobody is pretending that this team-up is about anything a lot more than providing us a traditional Silver Surfer story. The title of Silver Surfer: regeneration #1 is “Those Were the Days.” even the cover (seen above) is a throwback to the style of the late 80s as well as early 90s. Back then, comics were so dependable that they put the month under the problem number! Marz’s composing has the exact same feel it did in the early nineties. Comics were almost completely transitioned away from believed bubbles as well as wordy captions, however the dialogue still had a lofty high quality to it. These god-like characters spoke like gods. This worked up up until the late 90s as well as early 2000s when visitors started linking a lot more to characters who “felt real” – since nothing states “real” like a dude from one more planet, on a surfboard, flying with space, suffering from depression, with a former manager who ate planets.

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    Marz’s return to that style feels like returning to a location you liked years ago, kid or otherwise. however it’s not just the writing. Lim’s art still appears like he chiseled the pages in stone instead of drawing with pencil as well as paper. however even a lot more than that, he still goes big. about two-thirds into Silver Surfer: regeneration #1, Norrin Radd somehow breaks with into a world where the original Captain Mar-Vell never died, as well as they’re about to step in in a Skrull invasion. It’s a huge scene, actually as well as figuratively. Lim uses the double-page spread that ComiXology provided the 24-page comic as just 19. The pictures are, literally, big.

    It’s Not just Marz as well as Lim who Make Silver Surfer: regeneration #1 So Good

    (Image: marvel Comics)

    Rounding out the innovative team, we have inker Don Ho, who brings out Lim’s meaning as well as a lot more stiff lines. as well as we likewise have colorist Israel Silva, who does things with Lim’s art that just weren’t possible when he very first started penciling Silver Surfer in the late 80s. Not since colorists weren’t talented, however since the high quality of paper as well as printing wasn’t yet there.

    Between Marz’s composing as well as the integrated artwork of Lim, Ho, as well as Silva, what we get is a traditional cosmic story that might only be told today. This truly does feel like a regeneration for the Silver Surfer. However, there is one a lot more character who, looking back, Marz as well as Lim had to include.

    Marz as well as Lim restore one of Comic Books’ a lot of legendary Rivalries

    Surfer has no concept where he is. One second, he’s flying with Legacy, Captain Mar-Vell’s son; the next, he’s flying by Captain Mar-Vell himself, a version who survived his cancer. Still, Skrulls are attempting to dominate a world while killing civilians. So, task calls, as well as he joins Mar-Vell in the fight. Well, up until something blasts Captain Mar-Vell off of his feet. who has the power to take out such a powerful character so effortlessly? Which character steals the show in Silver Surfer: regeneration #1? Do you truly requirement to ask?

     

    (Image: marvel Comics)

    Not only do we get Thanos, however we likewise get Ron Lim’s Thanos. A dark, menacing monolith that lives as much as the adjective “titan” frequently complying with his name. And, in spite of the heavy shadows as well as dark tones, we get that bright, glowing, cosmic energy surrounding him, making him even a lot more imposing.

    This will be a fun series, however Marz as well as Lim always started a story on a lighter side only to have us gripping a future problem so securely that the value was ruined, as well as we didn’t care. So whatever this mini-series holds, it will be just like the great old days – as well as still like nothing we’ve ever seen.

    And perhaps this specific comic truly linked with me since Ron Lim penciled the very first comic I ever had – Silver Surfer #50, the prelude to The Infinity Gauntlet. I wouldn’t checked out Gauntlet up until about 20 years later, however that problem has always been one of my favorites, as well as most likely one of the most prominent stories on my writing,

    Are you hyped for the Silver Surfer: regeneration series? What is your preferred Silver Surfer story? tell us in the comments below!

    25Dec, 2022
    BOB’S news about STUFF!!!

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    April’s outstanding Spider-Man #1 by Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos

     

    You knew it was gonna happen! Peter Parker will be coming back “from the dead” this April when marvel releases issue #31 (the final issue)  of exceptional Spider-Man (starring the Spider-Ock) on April 16 and then 2 weeks later, on April 30, the all-new outstanding Spider-Man #1!

    Nightcrawler gets his own solo book this April courtesy of Chris Clarfemont and Tod Nauck! We’ll assume that the first story arc of outstanding X-Men turns out well!

    Wally West finally makes his first new 52 appearance in April’s Flash annual #3 and Ted Kord makes his first new 52 appearance in forever Evil #7!

    March 22 has been proclaimed Hellboy Day!

    The current teen Titans series will end with issue #30 and teen Titans annual #3 in April!

    Doop gets his own mini-series in April called, what else?, all-new Doop #1 (of 4)!

     Conan O’Brien and Warner home video had confirmed that the classic 60s Batman TV show starring Adam West and Burt Ward will finally be hitting home video after numerous years of negotiation. No details yet other than that the release will be the complete series and not individual seasons.  initial speculation is for a release around August.

     Skottie young has offered the artwork for this year’s totally free Comic book Day 2014 Commemerative T-Shirt! purchase yours ASAP!

    Angry Birds is concerning comics, thanks to IDW, this June!

    Warner Bros. has moved Batman VS Superman (or man of Steel 2) to a may 6, 2016 release date. marvel Studios has already booked that date for a so-far-unnamed movie!

    Jamie Alexander’s character Sif from the 2 Thor films will appear on the February 18 episode of Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD!

    Funko has purchased the rights to produce new 6-inch action figures based on Firefly, Buffy, star trek classic and more!

    24Dec, 2022
    Tom Holland saved Spider-Man in the MCU by Reaching out to Disney and Sony Executives

    The drama within the standoff between Disney and Sony is so rich it could be a motion picture in itself. the current news about the new deal to put Spider-Man back in the MCU is a tale of a young hero saving the day. Tom Holland saved Spider-Man in the MCU by reaching out to executives on both sides to restart negotiations after talks fell apart.

    Ironically, Holland was the one party who didn’t really have much to lose no matter how it played out. instead of being an crucial player in an ensemble franchise of A-list stars, Holland would become the center of Sony’s franchise. Chris Lord and Phil Miller will develop television shows set in a Spider-verse, as well as animated films. Andy Serkis will direct Venom 2, and Holland could make an appearance beside his famous comic nemesis. along with his own movies, Holland would essentially be the Robert Downey, Jr. for Sony. So, what made him do it?

    How Tom Holland saved Spider-Man in the MCU (for the Fans?)

    image by means of screengrab

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    The report comes from The Hollywood reporter who not only reveals how Tom Holland saved Spider-Man in the MCU, but also how the talks fell apart. The impasse began before the release of Spider-Man: far From Home. They also say that Disney initially asked for a 50/50 split of financing costs and profits. Those who agreed with Sony that losing Spider-Man was Disney’s fault pointed to this offer. Yet, this offer came before far From home was the highest-grossing Sony pictures film ever. The last offer from Disney arrived at Sony in January. this time they asked for 25 percent of the profits in exchange for 25 percent of the production costs. six months passed with no counteroffer from Sony. ideal before the premiere of the new Spider-Man movie, Co-chairman of Disney Studios Alan Horn ended negotiations.

    There are reports that Horn did this because he thought Disney would get the rights back no matter what. Some suggest this was a mistake on his part.  Yet there are rumors Apple will get Sony Pictures. If this happens, the Spider-Man rights would revert to Marvel, according to industry reports. Yet, in late August Holland appeared at D23 where thousands of cheering fans greeted him. He reportedly “leaned on” Sony pictures chairman Tom Rothman. along with Spider-Man, Holland also plays a role in the upcoming Sony film Uncharted. Rothman needed to keep him happy. Holland then skipped over Horn and reached out to Disney CEO Bog Iger. He convinced the executive to reach out to Sony. Eventually, Disney and Sony agreed to the 25/75 split.

    By saving Spider-Man in the MCU, Tom Holland Is the clear Winner

    image by Gage Skidmore by means of Flickr

    There really is no downside for the collaboration between Sony and Disney. While their incomes from the first Venom motion picture were good, that’s as much luck as it is anything else. Spider-Man: into the Spider-Verse is also a enormous hit, but animated films just don’t bring in the box office grosses that live-action ones do. Tying their marvel universe to the proper marvel Cinematic universe through Spider-Man is a win for both studios. Sony gets to reap some fan goodwill from the flawless execution of marvel movies. If Sony’s motion pictures are good, the MCU also will benefit from that association. If the Sony motion pictures end up being not as successful, well that just increases the value of what marvel Studios brings to that relationship.

    Yet, the clear winner here is Tom Holland. At no point did fans ever blame him for the strife. even when he said that Sony was working up a amazing story for the third Spider-Man outside of the MCU. fans don’t really care one way or the other who was to blame for the split. They just knew it was “greed.” Either way they’d appreciate the 23-year-old Spider-Man star. Yet, Tom Holland will likely remain a “hero” to his fans both in the motion pictures and in the business. His earnest desire to tell the best Spider-Man stories he can is all they will ever remember mattering to him. And, because Kevin Feige insinuated as much, Holland will likely be able to appear in Sony’s standalone films as well. The deal may well fall apart after the two film extension is completed. Yet, no matter what, marvel fans will forever remember Tom Holland as the man who saved Spider-Man in the MCU.

    Featured image by means of screengrab

    22Dec, 2022
    COMICLIST PREVIEWS: BLACK BADGE #10

    The Badges continue to unravel the mysterious history of the program, discovering the trick history of their parents…and their function in the threats the Badges must now face!

    Black Badge #10
    Publisher: BOOM! Studios
    Writer: Matt Kindt
    Artist: Tyler Jenkins
    Colorist: Hilary Jenkins
    Letterer: Jim Campbell
    Cover Artists:
    Main Cover: Matt Kindt
    Intermix Cover: Tyler Jenkins
    Price: $3.99

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    21Dec, 2022
    BOB’S news about STUFF!!!

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    *A CGC 9.6 copy of remarkable fantasy #15 was recently sold for over one million dollars!

    *BBC America has announced the return of new doctor who episodes on Saturday, April 23.

    *Thor: The Mighty Avenger artist Chris Samnee will be doing the art for co-features in Captain America #617-619.

    *The Comics Journal has debuted their new online magazine.

    *Batwoman #1 is delayed again. No new date is given.

    *DC/Vertigo is releasing an absolute Sandman volume 5 in November.

    *Jeff Smith’s Rasl is being developed as a motion picture for Warner Brothers.

    *A new teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon is coming from Nickelodeon in 2012.

    *Find yourself in Taiwan? stay at the Eden Hotel’s Batcave Suite!

    *Neil Gaiman has been hired to write a screenplay based on the classic Chinese novel journey To The West.

    19Dec, 2022
    Future specify Week One Gotham stories feature a few of the very best of the Event’s opening

    For the next two months, every DC Comic series (in their central universe) is on hiatus as the company dives into their post-Dark Nights: death metal event DC Future State. and the introduce is massive. aside from the comics leading as much as DC Future State, there were six installments. and two of those installments were mega-sized, featuring three stories each. So, in total, we have ten DC Future specify stories in Week One alone, but for now, we’re going to focus on Gotham. So, let’s dive in.

    The next Batman. Where Else would We begin for the Gotham Future specify Week One Stories?

    In the future, all Gotham landscapes look like PlayStation2 buttons. (Image: Future State: The next Batman #1, DC Comics)

    There are a lot of DC Future specify Gotham stories, not just in Week One but with the next eight weeks or so. but the one DC has featured the most is The next Batman #1. The main story features the first-ever Black Batman. but the other stories here stand out, too, from the new Outsiders concept to the brilliant new team, Arkham Knights. So, strap on a mask and get out of the street because we’re about to handle the Magistrate.

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    The next Batman

    Writer: John Ridley
    Artist: Nick Derington
    Colors: Tamra Bonvillain
    (First, if that’s your genuine name, Tamra Bonvillain, it is the very best artist name ever. It’s like that senator whose last name is Whitehouse—I don’t know anything about him, but that’s just type of an incredible name to have in politics. Bonvillain? In comics? more awesome. and unlike old white male politician #8943-Whitehouse, I at least know you’re a great color artist,)

    Okay, back to Batman
    would the genuine Bat Shady please stand up? (Image: Future State: The next Batman #1, DC Comics)

    This is the very best location to start, not just because it’s the book DC advertised the most, but because it’s one of the better comics in DC Future specify Week One, Gotham or otherwise. John Ridley succeeds extremely well in two ways. One, he makes the next Batman a deserving successor to Bruce Wayne, and two—more importantly—the title sets the tone of Gotham in Future specify perfectly. In fact, it type of sets the tone for this entire event. That tone is that something is off, but it feels natural to the arch of DC Comics. This doesn’t feel like an Elseworlds story, but one that could happen in our Gotham. That’s because the Magistrate doesn’t feel like a dystopian plot twist, but something the city would actually go through. Hell, at one point, the us government cut them off from the rest of the country (No Man’s Land).

    There is one aspect that didn’t work has nothing to finish with Ridley, Derington, or Bonvillain. Ridley sets up the connection between the Fox family members extremely carefully, with Luke (formerly Batwing) trying to keep the family together after Bruce Wayne’s fall. His sibling is in the hospital, his mother is consumed with stopping the capes, and his brother, Tim, is a bit useless. We’re led to believe that Luke is the next Batman—but he’s not. DC already revealed that it is Tim. So whatever twist Ridley had in mind, it’s already spoiled. Still, though, it was a great story.

    The Outsiders

    Katana went beast-mode. That’s still a thing, right? (Image: Future State: The next Batman #1, DC Comics)

    Writer: Brandon Thomas
    Penciler: Sumit Kumar
    Inkers: Sumit Kumar and Raul Fernandez
    Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
    While the Magistrate controls everything inside Gotham, there’s still a world outside of the city limits—and it’s here that we get the newest interpretation of the “Outsider” team name. They are literally on the outside. This is a story of the team coming together. We have Signal Truing smuggle people out, Katana—decked out in a samurai mech suit—fighting the Magistrate, and Black Lightning, who is now a completely elemental character.

    Thomas takes what Ridley started and develops on it. We see how the risk of the Magistrate extends beyond Gotham—and how far they’re prepared to go, which is “let Katana kick our asses.” They have a jurisdiction that some Magistrate agents take seriously, unless a big target—like the Signal—is on the other side of the border. It’s also our first peek of the new Gotham from a point of view other than the next Batman’s. However, while we’re entrusted to a major mystery about what occurred to Black Lightning, the next story gets into the Magistrate’s regime in a method none of the other Future specify Week One Gotham stories do.

    Arkham Knights

    Okay, but where’s Condiment Man? (Image: Future State: The next Batman #1, DC Comics)

    Writer: Paul Jenkins
    Artist: Jack Herbert
    Colorist: Gabe Eltaeb
    The last section of The next Batman is my personal favorite of the Future specify Week One Gotham stories, even if, admittedly, it isn’t the very best writtenFuture specify Week One Gotham stories feature a few of the very best of the Event’s opening (###) For the next two months, every DC Comic series (in their central universe) is on hiatus as the company dives into their post-Dark Nights: death metal event DC Future State. and the introduce is massive. aside from the comics leading as much as DC Future State, there were six installments. and two of those installments were mega-sized, featuring three stories each. So, in total, we have ten DC Future specify stories in Week One alone, but for now, we’re going to focus on Gotham. So, let’s dive in.

    The next Batman. Where Else would We begin for the Gotham Future specify Week One Stories?

    In the future, all Gotham landscapes look like PlayStation2 buttons. (Image: Future State: The next Batman #1, DC Comics)

    There are a lot of DC Future specify Gotham stories, not just in Week One but with the next eight weeks or so. but the one DC has featured the most is The next Batman #1. The main story features the first-ever Black Batman. but the other stories here stand out, too, from the new Outsiders concept to the brilliant new team, Arkham Knights. So, strap on a mask and get out of the street because we’re about to handle the Magistrate.

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    The next Batman

    Writer: John Ridley
    Artist: Nick Derington
    Colors: Tamra Bonvillain
    (First, if that’s your genuine name, Tamra Bonvillain, it is the very best artist name ever. It’s like that senator whose last name is Whitehouse—I don’t know anything about him, but that’s just type of an incredible name to have in politics. Bonvillain? In comics? more awesome. and unlike old white male politician #8943-Whitehouse, I at least know you’re a great color artist,)

    Okay, back to Batman
    would the genuine Bat Shady please stand up? (Image: Future State: The next Batman #1, DC Comics)

    This is the very best location to start, not just because it’s the book DC advertised the most, but because it’s one of the better comics in DC Future specify Week One, Gotham or otherwise. John Ridley succeeds extremely well in two ways. One, he makes the next Batman a deserving successor to Bruce Wayne, and two—more importantly—the title sets the tone of Gotham in Future specify perfectly. In fact, it type of sets the tone for this entire event. That tone is that something is off, but it feels natural to the arch of DC Comics. This doesn’t feel like an Elseworlds story, but one that could happen in our Gotham. That’s because the Magistrate doesn’t feel like a dystopian plot twist, but something the city would actually go through. Hell, at one point, the us government cut them off from the rest of the country (No Man’s Land).

    There is one aspect that didn’t work has nothing to finish with Ridley, Derington, or Bonvillain. Ridley sets up the connection between the Fox family members extremely carefully, with Luke (formerly Batwing) trying to keep the family together after Bruce Wayne’s fall. His sibling is in the hospital, his mother is consumed with stopping the capes, and his brother, Tim, is a bit useless. We’re led to believe that Luke is the next Batman—but he’s not. DC already revealed that it is Tim. So whatever twist Ridley had in mind, it’s already spoiled. Still, though, it was a great story.

    The Outsiders

    Katana went beast-mode. That’s still a thing, right? (Image: Future State: The next Batman #1, DC Comics)

    Writer: Brandon Thomas
    Penciler: Sumit Kumar
    Inkers: Sumit Kumar and Raul Fernandez
    Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
    While the Magistrate controls everything inside Gotham, there’s still a world outside of the city limits—and it’s here that we get the newest interpretation of the “Outsider” team name. They are literally on the outside. This is a story of the team coming together. We have Signal Truing smuggle people out, Katana—decked out in a samurai mech suit—fighting the Magistrate, and Black Lightning, who is now a completely elemental character.

    Thomas takes what Ridley started and develops on it. We see how the risk of the Magistrate extends beyond Gotham—and how far they’re prepared to go, which is “let Katana kick our asses.” They have a jurisdiction that some Magistrate agents take seriously, unless a big target—like the Signal—is on the other side of the border. It’s also our first peek of the new Gotham from a point of view other than the next Batman’s. However, while we’re entrusted to a major mystery about what occurred to Black Lightning, the next story gets into the Magistrate’s regime in a method none of the other Future specify Week One Gotham stories do.

    Arkham Knights

    Okay, but where’s Condiment Man? (Image: Future State: The next Batman #1, DC Comics)

    Writer: Paul Jenkins
    Artist: Jack Herbert
    Colorist: Gabe Eltaeb
    The last section of The next Batman is my personal favorite of the Future specify Week One Gotham stories, even if, admittedly, it isn’t the very best written

    18Dec, 2022
    COLLECTIVE thoughts FOR NOVEMBER 2014 part TWO: COMIC STRIPS, big books & ZAP!

    This post is Filed Under:

    Home page Highlights,
    Interviews and Columns

    KC Carlson and his editing pen.

    by KC Carlson

    BOOKS about COMICS

    The Art of the Simon and Kirby Studio

    The Art of the Simon and Kirby studio (Abrams): The names Joe Simon and Jack Kirby are synonymous with comic books. Together, their partnership (which began in the 1940s) ushered in the golden Age of comics and greatly influenced everything that followed. The Simon and Kirby studio created such memorable characters as Captain America and the Sandman and were the first to publish the genres of western, crime, horror, and romance (later appropriated by Roy Lichtenstein for his pop art paintings) in comic books. Over the course of three decades together, they wrote and illustrated several hundred comics, numerous of which have never been reprinted because they were first published in the 1940s and 50s. This book is organized by genre and covers all aspects of their fantastic career, with selection and commentary by mark Evanier, the foremost authority on the work of Simon and Kirby. all of the images have been photographed from the original art in Joe Simon’s private archive, showcasing the seminal work of Simon and Kirby and their artistry as it has never been seen before. I’m looking forward to hopefully seeing some of S&K’s less-reprinted work alongside the apparent selections in this new collection. also features an afterword by Jim Simon (Joe’s son). 384-page 9” x 12” color hardcover.

    The complete ZAP Comix

    The complete ZAP Comix (Fantagraphics): part archival release (reprinting all 16 published issues and the never-before-published 17th issue), and part historical file (a 200-page oral history by Patrick Rosenkranz of the publication, with hundreds of photographs and obscure drawings), this is both the most significant (1,100 pages) and many expensive underground comic ever — not to mention “the many historically and aesthetically essential comics series ever published.” (Real world, fanboy, real world…) published as a slipcased set of five hardcover books, this project also includes a new, lengthy introduction by R. Crumb, a customized clamshell portfolio of archival giclée prints of all 17 ZAP covers, the rarely-seen 1974 ZAM small comic, every ZAP cover, and every ZAP story — all in a limited, never-to-be-reprinted edition.

    Work by a who’s who of underground artists is featured, including (of course) Crumb, Rick Griffin, Paul Mavides, Victor Moscosa, Spain Rodriguez, Gilbert Shelton, Robert Williams, and S. Clay Wilson. The first issue is distinct for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that none of the material in it was developed to be in the first issue. A completely different first issue was originally prepared by Crumb, but the artwork went missing, many likely stolen. So, not wanting to repeat himself, Crumb drew a completely new first issue. Years later, photocopies of the original first issue surfaced and were eventually published as ZAP #0 (around the time that ZAP #3 was issued). Although it wasn’t the first small-circulation, self-published, satirical comic book to be published, ZAP #1 became the basis for what became the underground “comix” movement of the late 1960s and 70s. That #1 issue featured the first appearance of Crumb’s popular character Mr. natural as well as the ultimately much-bootlegged “Keep on Truckin’” image that you still see on t-shirts and semi-truck mud-flaps.

    Those of you superhero fans who don’t consider underground comics “important”, consider this: Underground comics at first had no distribution system in place. conventional newsstand distribution was out of the question for a “comic book” developed for much more mature readers. (The first issue was originally sold on the streets of San Francisco out of a baby stroller, by Crumb’s wife, Dana.) Eventually, a new system of distribution developed through alternative sellers (such as head shops), and years later, this system was the basis of what became today’s direct Market that gets your Batman and X-Men and indy comics to you every Wednesday. good thing that it worked, because if it didn’t, we wouldn’t have seen the conventional comic book industry revive itself in the 1980s, as the leading alternate publishers “taught” marvel and DC Comics that this alternate distribution was a workable service (at least for a while) to the constant downward sales spiral of the restrictive newsstand distributors. So, you Sex Criminals fans have R. Crumb to thank for getting that into your hands every month. (Wait, that really didn’t come out right…)

    The complete ZAP Comix is a slipcased, deluxe five-volume 9.25” x 12.25” hardcover set: 1,100 B&W (w/color) pages. mature Readers.

    Marvel Comics in the 1980s

    Marvel Comics in the 1980s (TwoMorrows): third in the series of Pierre Comtois’s summary of marvel Comics’ publishing history, spotlighting essential individual issues and storylines from this era of upheaval in the comics industry — with marvel at the center of the storm! This new book is said to cover Marvel’s final historical phase, when the work begun by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Steve Ditko moved into a darker era that has yet to run its course. (I would both agree and disagree. Certainly, this is not Marvel’s “final” phase.) The 1980s saw Stan Lee’s retreat to the West Coast, Jim Shooter’s rise and fall as editor-in-chief, the twin triumphs of Frank Miller and John Byrne, the challenge of independent publishers, and the weakening hold of the Comics Code Authority that led to the company’s creative downfall — and ultimately the marginalization of the industry itself. (Hmm… Well, that’s one interpretation of this complicated era, sez me …) Comics such as the Chris Claremont/John Byrne Uncanny X-Men, Frank Miller’s Daredevil, the new Universe, Roger Stern’s Avengers and Spider-Man, and the new wave of dark heroes such as Wolverine and the Punisher are all covered, plus much more. I dunno… could be interesting for starting discussions, and probably a terrific summary of Marvel’s essential 80s stories. but I disagreed with numerous of the author’s conclusions in his first two books. Caveat emptor. 224-page B&W softcover. available in December.

    THIS MONTH IN classic COMIC strip COLLECTIONS

    The complete far Side Boxed Set

    The complete far Side Boxed set (Andrews McMeel): originally published as a hardcover collection in 2003, this is now available as a softcover box set with a very attractive (and appropriate) cow-inspired slipcase. If you don’t know what Gary Larson’s The far Side is, you should live in one of those very rare homes that don’t have yellowing old (but hysterical) panels posted up on bulletin boards or the front of refrigerators. and I feel very sorry for you. You can learn all about it in this three-volume 1,278-page slipcased softcover box set, assuming that you don’t die of laughter while reading it.

    Li’l Abner volume 7

    Li’l Abner volume 7 (IDW/LoAC): What has been called “the greatest run of Li’l Abner ever” begins with Abner and Daisy Mae on a quest to locate the elusive Stanley Steamer (not the carpet cleaners). Meanwhile, Kickapoo delight Juice prevents atomic disaster (woo hoo!), while Fearless Fosdick (Al Capp’s hysterical Dick Tracy parody) tackles Anyface and the Chippendale Chair. “Evil Eye” Fleegle and Stupefyin’ Jones (described as “a walking aphrodisiac” — a young Julie Newmar played her in the 1959 film) make their inaugural appearances (not together, thank goodness), and Tenderleif Ericson (a recently unfrozen Viking girl) creates a memorable Sadie Hawkins Day, by Yiminy! but when Abner makes a trip to the Valley of the Shmoon, he finds mankind’s greatest benefactor — and mankind’s gravest threat! (The Shmoos practically took over the world from 1948-1950 — including an appearance on the cover of Time! look it up!) searching for the best of Al Capp’s Lil’ Abner? There a lot of it in this volume! 272-page large-scale (9.25” x 12”) B&W (w/ color) hardcover. available in December.

    LOAC essentials volume 6: Baron Bean 1917

    LOAC essentials volume 6: Baron Bean 1917 (IDW/LoAC): The new York Journal of books said that the first volume of LOAC essentials (Baron Bean 1916) “sets the conventional for archival and reprint quality.” LOAC essentials volume 6 presents the second year of George Herriman’s much-lauded pre-Krazy Kat masterpiece — a comedy strip about an impoverished English nobleman, inspired by characters from Charles Dickens and Charlie Chaplin. These strips are nearly a century old and are reprinted here for the first time ever. 328-page odd-sized (11.5” x 4.24”) B&W hardcover. available in December.

    The Phantom Sundays Archive: full size half Pages 1939-1942

    The Phantom Sundays Archive: full size half Pages 1939-1942 (Hermes Press): Collecting the first six Phantom stories by Lee Falk and Ray Moore in their original half-page Sunday section format! (Which, unlike today, was huge!) This archival printing will have the look and feel of the original half-page originals and will be limited to 1,000 copies. Don’t wait! purchase today! 900-page large-scale (13” x 17”) color hardcover. available in December. Hopefully.

    Pogo volume 3: evidence to the Contrary

    Pogo volume 3: evidence to the Contrary (Fantagraphics): Resolicitation — now available in December! Walt Kelly takes on senator Joseph McCarthy in the form of wildcat “Simple J. Malarkey” (a controversial move) and much more in this collection of the seminal mid-century newspaper strip. The political satire was unheard of in comics strips at the time (except on the editorial page), and newspaper editors threatened to drop Pogo if Malarkey’s face ever appeared again. Kelly’s service was to put a paper bag over the character’s head. but there’s much more than just political turmoil in this volume — con-man Seminole Sam attempts to corner the market on water (which Porkypine’s Uncle Baldwin tries to one-up by cornering the market on dirt!); Churchy La Femme appears in drag to deliver a love poem he wrote, Cyrano style, on Deacon Mushrat’s behalf to hen Sis Boombah; P.T. Bridgeport returns to the swamp in search of new talent; and of course, two rousing choruses of “Deck us All With Boston Charlie”. This volume presents all of 1953 and 1954’s daily strips complete and in purchase for the first time anywhere, plus all 104 Sunday strips in lush full color for the first time because their original appearance in Sunday sections 60 years ago. Plus, extensive “Swamp Talk” annotations by R.C. Harvey! The material is fantastic and timeless, and the production/restoration is astounding. highly recommended. 368-page large-scale (7.25” x 10.5”) B&W (w/104 Sunday pages in color) hardcover. available in December. get this. read this. love this.

    Peanuts Every Sunday 1956-1960

    Peanuts Every Sunday 1956-1960 (Fantagraphics): A second terrific collection of Sunday-only Peanuts strips — fully and tastefully recolored (based on the original striking pastel color schemes) and reproduced in an large-scale format. (Previous reprintings of these strips have typically been in B&W and at a greatly decreased size.) Linus, Charlie Brown, Pig-Pen, Shermy, Violet, Sally, Patty, and Schroeder are all present, but the rising star is unquestionably Snoopy. A terrific Christmas present for kids! (I had Peanuts books under my tree each year up to and beyond college!) 288-page large-scale (13.25” x 9.5”) color hardcover.

    Complete Peanuts 1953-1954 Paperback Edition

    Complete Peanuts 1953-1954 Paperback edition (Fantagraphics): A pretty-much straight reprinting of the original book, albeit with a new, striking cover and in a much more budget-friendly softcover format. Still very much in Schulz’s amazing “early era” when Snoopy was actually a canine and Linus was a baby. Lucy elbows her way into the center of the strip’s action in this volume. introduction by Walter Cronkite. 320-page, 8.25” x 6.5” B&W softcover. also available as a gift box set with the first softcover volume (1950-52).

    BIG books & ARTIST’S EDITIONS

    Fantastic four by Matt fraction Omnibus

    Fantastic four by Matt fraction Omnibus (Marvel): all of Matt Fraction’s wonderful four stories from 2012 and beyond are collected in one complete adventure. Reed and sue decide that the family needs to relax, so they take the whole gang off on a yearlong vacation, leaving a specially handpicked substitute FF (Ant-Man, Medusa, She-Hulk, and the new Ms. Thing) to be the FF while they are gone. but is this just a wonderful getaway — or is something much much more major going on? Can the Future foundation adjust to their mentors’ replacements? features work by Fraction, mark Bagley, Mike and Lee Allred, Karl Kesel, and others. Collects wonderful four (2012) #1-16 and #5AU, FF (2012) #1-16, and material from marvel Now! point One #1. 760-page oversized color hardcover. available in February 2015.

    Howard the Duck Omnibus

    Howard the Duck Omnibus (Marvel): get down, America! A brand-new printing for this very popular, long sold-out Omnibus, due to the unexpected and incredibly fantastic reappearance of the foul-tempered fowl in a recent blockbuster film! (No spoilers!) features the complete run of the original Howard the Duck series written by the legendary (and much-missed) Steve Gerber! Howard’s dimension-spanning first appearance, the entire run of his first series, plus some rarities are all written by Gerber with art by numerous fan-favorite artists including Val Mayerik, Frank Brunner, gene Colan, John Buscema, and Carmine Infantino! Collecting classic stories (including the most fantastic “fill-in story” ever produced!) from Adventures into worry #19, Man-Thing #1, Giant-Size Man-Thing #4-5, Howard the Duck #1-33, marvel Treasury edition #12, and marvel Team-Up #96. want to be trapped in a world you never made? Thi

    15Dec, 2022
    FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION: DC’S LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT: norm BREYFOGLE

    This post is Filed Under:

    Home page Highlights,
    Interviews and Columns

    Robert Greenberger

    by Robert Greenberger

    I’m not sure when I first met norm Breyfogle but it had to be sometime in the mid-1980s as he was transitioning from a discovery in new talent showcase to DC Comics’ regular artist on Detective Comics. I’m sure at our first meeting I apologized for saddling him with Tyroc in Who’s who #24. I certainly appreciated how he had quickly grown as an artist, enjoying his work on first Comics’ Whisper.

    From 1988 through 1993, he was a regular artist in Gotham City, working mainly with Alan grant and churning out idiosyncratic stories that remain strong reads even today. Their work was typically overshadowed by whoever was on Batman, which was the main engine of the Bat office during those years.

    Norm went on to a long, varied career, most recently seen in issues of Trinity of Sin: The Phantom Stranger. Then, unfortunately, he suffered a stroke in December and like so many freelancers, lacked medical insurance. The comics community has come out in his support, donating funds through You Caring and he is at home, recuperating now, still in need of our support.

    Legends of the Dark Knight: norm Breyfogle

    Thankfully, without saying much about it, DC has scheduled Legends of the Dark Knight: norm Breyfogle to arrive this summer.

    Detective Comics #579

    Breyfogle cut his teeth in Batman annual #11 with “Love Bird”, a Penguin tale written by Max Allan Collins. norm was then assigned to Detective Comics with #579, a Mike W. Barr story featuring the old-time foe the crime Doctor. His lengthy run began in earnest with issue #582, a tie-in with the weekly Millennium event, pairing him with Jo Duffy. The following issue began his long working relationship with Alan Grant. grant was at the tail end of his collaboration with John Wagner at this point with Wagner coming and going over the next few issues. Here, we meet the memorable Ventriloquist and Dummy. You had to feel sympathy for poor Arnold Wesker, a timid, not-very-good performer, whose life was usurped by the demonic, wooden dummy.

    Batman faces the Ratcatcher in Detective Comics #586

    Following came the Ratcatcher then the Corrosive man and Mr. Kadaver, not the most memorable foes, but ones who would recur for years and years to come. Editor Denny O’Neil was still getting a feel for Norm’s work, using a variety of inkers early on including Pablo Marcos and Ricardo Villagran. norm even got to ink himself here and there but settled in to a long, fine looking relationship with Steve Mitchell.

    In 1988, norm was drafted to illustrate the back-up story to Batman annual #12 which is one of the very few comic scripts I wrote and has the distinction of being the sole solo Jason Todd as Robin.

    Detective Comics #604

    When the duo did play with established rogues, the two put their stamp on them such as the memorable Mudpack stories, bringing Basil Karlo (Clayface I); Preston Payne (Clayface III); and Sondra Fuller (Clayface IV) together for the first time.

    Norm’s run had a break but he returned with grant for issues 601-607. What’s interesting to see here is that he’s finally installed as the regular cover artist and his distinctive design sense is finally on display monthly. The first three issues bring Jason Todd and Etrigan the Demon back to Gotham for supernatural caper. The final four issues here is the memorable Mudpack adventure.

    Detective Comics #603

    In an interview with Jeffery Klaehn, norm said, “My holistic approach (not only to comics but also to everything else) leads to a certain malleability in all my techniques, so that I rarely repeat page designs, opting instead to allow each page to evolve its own unique identity, based on the intention of the story’s script. I believe this fluidity is why I can do many different genres without it looking forced or inappropriate, as well.

    “Style usually or typically isn’t planned; it tends to grow naturally out of practice and in the artist’s adaptation to the demands of the job. I’d say that my version of Batman grew out of my drawing abilities and how that meshed with the parameters of the Batman mythos as interpreted by Alan grant (who wrote most of the Batman scripts I drew). Although my favorite past Batman artists had their impact on my drawing, I never tried to copy anyone’s style directly (not even Neal Adams’). Instead, I consciously chose to let my own muse direct me.”

    It should be noted that grant and Breyfogle also gave the world the teen who would be Anarky, allowing them to explore political ideologies in the guise of action-packed stories. He is also credited as a co-creator of Mr. Zsasz (who has been seen on Gotham so hopefully there’s bonus offer money coming his way), Jeremiah Arkham, Amygdala, and Cornelius Stirk, all recurring players ever since. The Grant/Breyfogle team was solid and dependable, deserving of the spotlight so when DC added shadow of the Bat to the schedule, they moved from ‘Tec to there.

    While the pair played good soldiers in the mega-events that were common to the era, they rarely contributed the pivotal stories. An exception would be the revelation of what fate befell Tim Drake’s parents, making him the latest orphan to become Robin. They also gave us the hunchback genius Harold, who may have been an antagonist at first, but soon became a positive fixture in the Batcave and a sympathetic player in the cast for years to come.

    Detective Comics #590

    Norm brought an angular dynamism to Batman, Robin and the rest of the cast. He had a strong design sense not only for the characters but the architecture, too. Gotham was visually unique in his hands and each new resident was a modern day descendant of the grotesque villains of the golden Age. With Grant, each new opponent was flawed, fractured, and twisted, an outcast of society. For dozens of issues, they were never less than entertaining and more typically than not thought provoking.

    I highly recommend this book to those who like solid storytelling and good Batman tales.

    Purchase

    Legends of the Dark Knight: norm Breyfogle

    Classic comic covers from the Grand Comics Database.