We Can Be Heroes

DC are running charity adds in all their new titles, and I thought it would be worth sharing on here.

Also, possible David Bowie reference is appreciated. To donate, follow this link:
https://www.joinwecanbeheroes.org/donate/

New 52 - Robin, Robin & Robin

New 52 is becoming a fantastic insight into all our favorite DC characters, and they are paying some really special attention to my all time favorites, the ex-robins. Dick Grayson, Jason Todd and Tim Drake have all gotten their own special remake, thanks to some of the best artists and storytellers in the biz.

Nightwing

Dick Grayson is the first (and public favorite) Robin. He became Bruce Wayne's ward when his gymnast parents were killed by criminals. Introduced in 1940 to reel in a younger readership, Dick wore the Robin costume until the 80s, whereby he put aside the Robin cape for Nightwing's sleek costume and moved to Gotham's neighboring Bludhaven.

New 52 has relaunched Nightwing with a sleek new costume... although the only real difference is that the blue stripe is now a red stripe. I suppose they wanted it to look more robin-y. Even though i prefer the old costume, this series is turning out fantastic. Nightwing is locked in battle with a hitman names saiko, who is proving to be a formidable foe. It is also giving us a chance to see into Grayson's past, with the return of Haly's Circus, and a crossover with Batgirl in issue three.

Babs and Dick's relationship needs exploring, so it is really good that this is being touched upon so early. Plus the touch of slight pre-origin story and the use of Haly's circus is fantastic. This is my 'most watched' DC title at the moment - although watch out - Issue #5 gets weird.

Red Hood & The Outlaws

 Red Hood has his own series, and now his own entourage! Red Hood is the saved-from-death Jason Todd, after he was beaten to death by the joker. When saved by Talia Al Ghul, he goes back to vigilantism, but without Batman's golden rule. Everyone likes borderline heroes, right?

Red Hood is joined by Arsenal - ex sidekick to Oliver McQueen, the Green Arrow, and ex Teen Titans member, he seems to develop a lot with Red Hood. He is the 'wildcard' character, and fits into the trio perfectly. But what would be needed to round of a formidable vigilante strike force? Why a cold, emotion-deprived alien of course! 

Anything we forgot to mention? Oh, yeah. She is dressed like a total whore. Did i say dressed like? I meant she IS a total whore. By the end of the first book, she has slept with both Jason and Ray. Why? Because she is 'her own master'. Nice one, DC. Nice one. Remember that little purple clothed girl with the firey hair from Teen Titans? Dick Grayson's one time lover? Those days are gone my friend. Long gone.

Teen Titans (Red Robin)

Tim Drake is Red Robin, and now we see him with a brand new costume - that actually features wings! Tim is also looking a lot longer than he has been recently... This is a brand new origin story for the Teen Titans, with a brand new line up.

I think this is a vast improvement on his old costume. The whole concealed face thing wasn't working, and the wings really make him stand out from the others. Although he doesn't have his own title, it is clear that Tim drake is going to shine as leader of the Teen Titans, The tiny Justice League.

These are three of the titles i will be following consistently, as they have all been brilliant so far. I can't wait to see where DC take their stories - expect many crossovers, including Batman and Red Hood over the next few weeks! The court of Owls may meet their match yet...

The Walking Dead

Walking Dead is one of the most popular comic-book series ever, and with good reason. Since the second part of the second series of the TV show based on these books, It was definitely worth having a look at the original comics - they may surprise you...




My favorite part of the Walking Dead comic books are the covers. The colour designs are absolutely stunning, and there are very few of them i wouldn't want mounted in a frame. But inside is where the real action is, as always.

The Walking Dead follows Rick Grimes, his wife and son, and a rag-tag bunch of survivors during the zombie apocalypse. In-group rivalry, attachment and anger cause the group trouble, not to mention the roaming undead residents of the U.S. of A out to kill them on sight. The series is the most down-to-earth look at the undead apocalypse situation, and can seem a chronicle of the errors within the human condition. 'Noble savage' philosophy aside, this is a riveting read, full of action and great art. Expect suspense, drama and the emotional impact of a horse-kick to the testicles.

The best part of this is the complete difference from the TV series - some people are alive for much shorter periods of time in the comic, some are around longer, and some aren't there at all. The comic has characters that were not put onto screen, and the series has characters that the comic books didn't. This makes the Walking Dead two fascinatingly different productions.

The second part of series two of The walking dead starts on Friday 17th of February,  10pm on FX. See you there!

'Say YES to S' The all-new DC Super Squad

It is high time we checked in with superman. If any of you haven't read any of the super(girl, boy, man) comics from the New 52, you should really start - they are absolutely fantastic. You can really tell DC has pulled out the stops to get the best artists, writers and storytellers to represent new ideas in the super-saga. Below is the 'Say 'yes' to 'S'' promotion run in Superman #1, including scetches, art and interviews with the creators.

 

Remember - if you feel the need to buy any of the new super-comics, PLEASE do so through our Forbidden Planet searchbar or any of the affiliate links!! It makes me a tiny bit of money.

Marvel Ultimate Graphic Novel Collection Parts 2 & 3

It has been a while since i have posted an article, but don't get me wrong, i have wanted to. I am currently inundated with English Language coursework, and a chronic bout on procrastination. So as i sit here, with a pile of papers by William Labov and Peter Trudgill on my lap, a pile higher of half-written transcripts by my side and 1978s 'Superman - The Movie', which, bless my youthful comic book loving heart, i have never seen before (I'm sure you can forgive me, as it is only twenty-two years older than myself), i have decided to myself that now is the time to update this sordid fan-boy wet dream of a website. Hell, it isn't like the world is going to run out of sociolinguists.

 Vol. 2 - Uncanny X-Men: Dark Phoenix


The second part of the Ultimate graphic novel collection is 80s classic Dark Phoenix - the story arc that inspired the X-Men films that we all love/judge. This graphic novel is revolutionary for its re-invention of key characters such as Wolverine becoming a real identity and standing within the team - perhaps becoming the most popular X-man, if not most popular character in the marvel universe - and obviously, Jean Grey's transformation from Stan Lee's damsel in distress to all-powerful telekinetic goddess.


There is no doubt that Dark Phoenix is iconic. This is really like owning a piece of Marvel's iconic history. This story arc alone, and the teaming up of Chris Claremont & John Byrne has given the X-Men so much - characters like The White Queen, The Dazzler, and Kitty Pryde.




That being said, Iconic factor and all, this is a really loose storyline. I mean, at the base of it it is fantastic- the search for Kitty Pryde, the re-emergence of Dark Phoenix, Scott Summers and Jean Grey's romance - but there is so much that is unnecessary and totally over the top. The whole bit at the end where they are in space, fighting a galactic empire? Couldn't stand it. However, there is no denying it's awesome main plot.

One of my favorite pages. See also angry Wolverine.

Vol.3 - Iron Man: Extremis

Iron Man: Extremis is the first re-invention since Iron Man's original construction. This new Origins story is 'Iron Man for the 21st century', with self-loathing capitalist Tony Stark questioning his every move. Elements of Extremis where used in the Iron Man film with Robert Downey Jr.

In Extremis, Iron Man is fighting against a stolen science experiment gone wrong - something scientists have been working on to replicate the super-soldier serum used to create Captain America during World War Two.

The main thing that i thought would put me off Extremis was the art. It looks...
Computer generated. This, for me, is not a good look. However, it is extremely well done, and the extreme detail and quality completely makes up for this. It is very similar to the art on the New 52's Batwing (Batman's African compatriot).

If you are a fan of the Iron Man films, You will love this...

The art is very fitting with Iron Man's sleek suit and the darkness of the comic itself. This is also a thoroughly enjoyable read for hard-core fans and newcomers alike.

This collection is absolutely amazing thus far, i can't wait for part four, which will be The Ultimates: Super-human - more new ground for me!

Next post i will hopefully be doing a review of another major New 52 title, either that or Witchblade, Y: The Last Man or, i don't know, i could write something intelligent about the impact of comic books and the importance of super heroes in the 20th century. Look out for that.

Fathom

I am not rarely wowed by a comic - let's face it, there's a lot of really extraordinary artists and writers out there, creating awesome stories that astound us visually and offer entertainment that really compels. There is a lot of wow-factor around, but more often than not you do realize that you must have seen it all before.

This was not the case with Fathom. Fathom is a aquatic sci-fi. The artist first found inspiration for it whilst looking through an issue of National Geographic. My initial problem with Fathom is this;

 The cover, and every subsequent cover. Yes, the art is really gorgeous, but it does make me think "oh dear, perv-fest", and i would probably shy away from picking it up. But this really isn't the case. Fathom is an extremely technical sci-fi and deserves a hell of a lot of praise, in concept and in artistic delivery. The series is extremely technical and every piece of machinery and every wave expertly drawn. It has to be said, The character of Aspen is sexy as hell, too (what was i saying about naughty covers? never mind).

It begins when the missing cruise liner 'Paradise' sails into port after being missing for ten years. The passengers and crew do not know that they have been missing, and while at sea they found a girl aboard the ship who can only remember that her name is Aspen. She is adopted and raised by a naval officer.

Aspen also has a strange attraction to water, leading her to become a marine biologist. She is invited to study at a deep-sea research facility built around an strange unidentifiable water-craft. When a disaster hits the research base, strange events unfold and Aspen has to face what she truly is.



This series got such critical acclaim that it got the green light to be turned into a film by James Cameron, but nothing came of this. The art is flawless and the colours are extreme; it would be well worth picking up a copy of this. or the currently running series, Fathom: Kiani.

And i'm not too put off by the covers...

Opportunity for artists

This is being advertised in all DC comic books this week, and is an interesting opportunity for any aspiring comic book artists. Caution, may include astronomical admission fees, and living in New Jersey. 

For more information visit: http://kubertschool.edu/admissions.html