The Monitor Tapes for Thursday, March 3rd, 2009
Truth be told, I’ve been left in a kind of post-Final Crisis-blagh kind of malaise since the end of the series (true, there are issues of FC: Legion of Three Worlds to still look forward to) but everything just seems a bit quieter and not as magnificent after the hyper-epic thrill-ride Final Crisis was. Not that this weeks crop is not good (far from it, Green Lantern is always stand out as this last weeks JSA was fantastic as well), but it can get a bit boring to only write about what I’m reading week to week.so I thought I’d change things up a bit.
There’s plenty to look forward to (or dread depending on your outlook) coming this year from DC, from summer events (though “Blackest Night is really a story spinning out of / extension of stories going on in Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps respectively), to mini-series, new on-goings and one-shots.
This weeks books were fine, but rather than a round of reviews, lets look at what DCU is delivering this year-
Superman: Secret Origin
The “third” post-CoIE origin redux written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Gary Frank. Rather than focus on Kal El’s origins starting on Krypton (Johns already has that covered in spades in his recent Action Comics issues), it’s a definitive story from Clark Kents’ perspective, reintroducing previously retconned parts of his life (Legion of Superheroes/ traveling to the future, his friendship with Lex, and moving to Metropolis and starting his “new” life). True, in Mark Waid’s birthright mini-series he reintroduced some “Silver Age” elements (like young Luthor), but originally the mini was planned as an non-official story that was later used to retcon and replace the John Byrne “neutered” 80’s Superman re-launch, as the character in the stories was not only dated but also unrecognizably confusing to most people familiar with Superman’s “origin”.
Blackest Night
Written by Geoff Johns (again with this guy!) and penciled by Ivan Reis. The dead shall rise! After the scarring at the hands of the resurrected Anti-Monitor serving in the Sinestro Corps (Yellow Lanterns), the Oan Guardian now known as Scar has gone a bit off the deep end and is obsessed with the “unmentionable” passage in the Guardians “Big Book” regarding the “Blackest Night”. The Anti-Monitor, destroyed again during the Sinestro Corps War has been repurposed as an anti-matter “Black” lantern capable of sending out black rings that resurrect and power the dead. The GL villain known as the Black Hand is apparently in the clutches of the sinister goings on and is the herald for the coming event. Expect lots of dead DCU characters (Namely Earth 2 Superman and Martian Manhunter, with all the deaths in the DCU the last five years, expect plenty fan favorites returning, though you may wish you hadn’t) returning as DC zombies with a penchant for dressing like they shop at Hot Topic circa 1995.
Battle for the Cowl
Tony Daniel pulls double duty on the three issue mini where everyone wants to be the next Batman (I smell reality show GOLD!). In whats described as a kinetic kung-fu battle royal fight extravaganza, suitors to the cowl line up all shouting “DIBBS” while trying to fill the cape (in my opinion, none are worthy, but I digress).
Also BftC will be spinning into the following–
Batman and Robin (relaunch? from #1)– Featuring Grant Morrison and rumored (all but “officially” confirmed) artist Frank Quitely and two additional rotating artists.
Batman (also relaunched from #1)- Rumored to be Written by Judd Winnick and art by Tony Daniel, of whom was previously to be rumored to “write” said title depending on hoe BftC does).
Detective Comics featuring Batwoman– by Greg Rucka and JH Williams, 12 issues, awesome judging from the preview.
Superman: World of New Krypton
Written by Andrew Kreisberg Art by Pete Woods starting this week! Superman travels to New Krypton to learn about his people, teach them valuable lessons about humanity, keep an eye on Zod, and possibly shout “Poppa spank” as he re-shrinks the Kryptonians of Kandor and re-bottles their pretentious asses!
Flash: Rebirth
Geoff John’s a& Ethan Van Sciver return the “greatest” Flash to the Modern DCU, funny too considering how ahead of his time Barry was. Expect greatness from the team and character, as you get to know Barry again. And regarding the Rouges, “Please Barry, don’t hurt ‘em!” (well, hurt ‘em too bad that is).
Power Girl- written by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti and drawn by Amanda Conner. Do you need anything else? OK, Kara Zor-L reenters the workforce (don’t she know there’s a recession on, them Kryptonians are takin’ our JOBS!) as she resurrects her secret ID of Karen Starr. Expect hy-jinx and hilarity to ensue!
PLUS!
DC Comics Classics Library: Roots Of The Swamp Thing HC- Alan Moore’s Swamp Thing back in print and color. Good for those of you who may not have read it before!
And much more I’ve not listed. Is this something of interest to BSR readers, let me know as DC’s got a slew of books and projects coming up and I’ll try and provide news as it’s available. Speak up! Comment! Let me know what I can do for you!
Now, on to Wednesday’s comics!
DC COMICS AVAILABLE ON 3/4/2009
DC
BATMAN: CACOPHONY #3 (OF 3)
BLACK LIGHTNING: YEAR ONE #5 (OF 6)
DC COMICS CLASSICS LIBRARY: THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES – THE LIFE AND DEATH OF FERRO LAD
GOTHAM GAZETTE: BATMAN DEAD?
JONAH HEX #41
JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL VOL. 1
THE MIGHTY #2
SECRET SIX #7
SHAZAM!: THE MONSTER SOCIETY OF EVIL
SOLOMON GRUNDY #1 (OF 7)
STRANGE ADVENTURES #1 (OF 8)
SUPERMAN: BRAINIAC
SUPERMAN: WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #1 (OF 12)
TERROR TITANS #6 (OF 6)
TRINITY #40
THE WAR THAT TIME FORGOT VOL. 1
JOHNNY DC
LOONEY TUNES #172
SUPER FRIENDS #13
SUPERGIRL: COSMIC ADVENTURES IN THE EIGHTH GRADE #4
VERTIGO
BANG! TANGO #2 (OF 6) (MAR-04)
HAUNTED TANK #4 (OF 5) (MAR-04)
HOUSE OF MYSTERY #11 (MAR-04)
WILDSTORM
THE AUTHORITY #8
FRINGE #3 (OF 6) (Based on the TV show)
MIRROR’S EDGE #5 (OF 6) (Based on the video game)
Thanks for reading!