CZ

So Cz sent a comment for this blog on my other blog because I'm an idiot that forgot to allow anyone to post in my settings. I have corrected the problem and anyone may comment at any time. I thought the comment was very post worthy and I like his points so here it is:

(I added links, illustrations and occasional commentary for your pleasure)

***click on names for links***


"Have you read any of the Frank Miller BATMAN? If you haven't, I highly recommend it. He is usually credited for making Bats more psychologically complex and darker during the 80's when the character was portrayed more campy. I credit these books for making me like Batman the best.


Batman: Year One - This was some of the source material for Batman Begins (but not really). The book deals with both Bruce and Lt. Gordon. I think it's great because it sets them up as equal partners instead of Gordon just being someone he goes to when he needs the police.


The Dark Knight Returns - Parallel universe story about what would happen if Bats just disappeared and came back 10 years later after corruption and politics take over Gotham. It's pretty dated (1986 era) but it has the best fight scene between Bats and Superman and a female Robin. Shares a lot of themes with V for Vendetta.


The Killing Joke - Not Miller, but Alan Moore. It's a great story about the relationship of Bats and the Joker. Joker basically kidnaps Gordon and tries to make him go mad while Bats tries to save Gordon and talk to Joker about the possibility that they will eventually kill each other.


The Long Halloween - Also not Miller, but it is a sequel to Year One. This time it explores Bats, Lt. Gordon, and Harvey Dent before he becomes Two-Face. The three join up to end the control of the Mob in Gotham.

Anyway, you may have already read these titles, if not you should give these a try and let me know what you think of them."

CZ: I have read three of the four...I haven't checked out Batman: Year One yet. You mentioning these gave me an idea though...I think I will list a few "must reads" for each of the big three! I have a few to mention about Batman since we are on the subject...


HUSH vol 1 and 2- Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee; This is such an addictive story! What happens when Batman decides to tell a girl about his secret id? We get a great view of Batman's rogues gallery in this twelve part story...and a peek into another slice of Bruce Wayne's childhood. Who is Hush??? Read it to find out! BTW: This storyline came back to haunt Batman this year...SCANDALOUS!


A Death in the Family- Jim Starlin, Jim Aparo, Mike DeCarlo; This is the death of Robin story I mentioned in my overview of the Big Three. It is a major moment in Batman history. Fun Fact: Robin had the chance to survive this storyline...readers were given a choice (and numbers to call to vote) for death or life. America killed Robin! There were 2 different endings written for the story!



Thanks for the input CZ! Feel free to offer more of your favorites! Oh! We still have your V for Vendetta! See ya soon in NY!

The Big Three

You can't really talk about the DC Universe without acknowledging "The Big Three". "The Big Three" are Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. They have been DC constants from the beginning! They are probably the three most recognizable super heroes in the world. They have had countless stories written about them and each has had success in television, radio and film. They are true American icons so I figured why not start with them. I am going to give you very brief histories and then let you know what I think of their latest incarnations!

We can start with the original...

Superman: The Man of Steel

Superman was first seen in Action Comics #1 in 1938. The basic history is that he is an alien living among us. He was born on the planet Krypton. His dad figured out the planet was going to explode so he built a rocket that would send his son to earth (a planet he could live on). He launches the rocket and the boy crashes on a Kansas farm. He is raised by a simple American family who teaches him to keep his powers a secret and a bunch of healthy morals!



He eventually moves to the big city (Metropolis) and works as a reporter for The Daily Planet (news paper). He meets a bunch of people there...most notably Lois Lane...who he eventually marries. Lois does know that mild mannered reporter "Clark Kent" is Superman.



Superman has been very successful in the radio, television and film industries. He is probably most remembered in the Christopher Reeve movies. Now he has a television show and a film out. The show is Smallville. It basically tells you the story of Superman's teen years. The film is Superman Returns. Brandon Routh was cast as Superman. I thought he was good in the film. A lot of people can't give up the Christopher Reeve ghost. I liked the film...except for the revelation at the end. I won't spoil it for you! For a more indepth review of the film check out the archives in my other blog HERE.



Recently the DC Universe was rocked by a "Crisis". That is a story in itself...the point is this "Crisis" really had major effects on "the big three". They all took a solid year off of being the three biggest heroes in the world. The case of Superman's dissappearance is a little more interesting. See, he lost all his powers after flying through a Red Sun during the crisis. He had no choice but to live life as a very vulnerable Clark Kent.



Superman one year later is definitely a success story. He gradually got his powers back (our yellow sun is the source) and is now currently being Superman again. I think the new book is a blast to read! The only thing I think is lame is Lois Lane's hair. There was a 8 issue arc called "Up, up and Away!" that started the post Infinite Crisis Superman that pretty much rocked. Up until the crisis Superman had somehow forgotten what it was to be...well...super! He was sort of whiney and annoying. After the crisis he was totally back on track. I give props to DC for making the boy scout cool again.



All Star Superman (a separate story that well established writers and artists work on) has gotten amazing reviews. I have been reading it and am not much of a fan. I think it is just because the artist makes everyone look like they have Down Syndrome.

Batman: The Dark Knight

Batman was first seen in Detective Comics #1 in 1939. Detective Comics was such an overwhelming success that the company changed it's name to DC Comics. DC=Detective Comics. Batman is the darker of the big three. By day he is billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne by night Batman. Bruce Wayne grew up wealthy. His parents were killed by a mugger in front of him when he was a child. Now Bruce Wayne dresses like a bat and crime fights. He is located in Gotham City. He usually has a boy side kick called Robin. There have been a few Robins...but for a while there wasn't one.



Arguably the most traumatic experience in Batman's life was the murder of his second Robin (aka Jason Todd). Jason Todd was impulsive and a loose cannon. He was killed by Batman's nemesis the Joker. It was pretty sad.



Batman (in my opinion) was at his worst right before Infinite Crisis. He was paranoid and delusional. Nobody wanted to be around him (including Superman and Wonder Woman). He had created this weird satellite that knew all about everyone's secret identities and then some jerk stole it. He was the cause of much hurt and death last year. At the end of Infinite Crisis he took a year long vacation with Dick Grayson (original Robin) and Tim Drake (current Robin).
When they all came back one year later Batman was much more laid back.



Batman has probably been the most successful of the big three in the land of film and television. He had a fun (and very campy) television show in the 1960's. He has had a string of very popular films and animated series. The current Batman is being played by Christian Bale. The film Batman Begins was a monster success and they are currently making a sequel with Heath Ledger taking on the role of the Joker.



In comic book land Batman is back to his cool self. The recent discovery of a son has really thrown Batman for a loop. He finally opened himself up enough to adopt one of his wards (Tim Drake) and was instrumental in getting Wonder Woman a life (one year later). I really like the new Batman.

All Star Batman and Robin SUX!!! I don't get it at all. They are always way late and I swear it has been like 4 or 5 issues and Batman hasn't left the damned Batmobile. Whatever DC.


Wonder Woman: The Amazing Amazon

Wonder Woman first appeared in All Star Comics #8 in 1941. She is credited as being the first super heroine that was an actual success. She was created by William Moultan Marsden and his wife Elizabeth. Marsden also created the polygraph (lie detector) machine! No wonder she carries around her lasso of truth!



Princess Diana of the Amazons saves pilot Steve Trevor and chooses to leave her Paradise Island so she can take him home. She ends up becoming a crime fighting heroine in America. Wonder Woman tends to be the most controversial character of the big three. She has definitely been the most tampered with! Through the years she has been: a nurse, a secretary, an ambassador, fast-food worker, a goddess and most recently a wanted felon.



In what was probably the shock of the year DC chose to have Wonder Woman commit the murder that set the "crisis" ball a rolling! She was faced with the question "Do I kill the guy that is mind controlling Superman or do I let him go and hope for the best?" She chose the kill and boy did that spark major controversy! In the end of Infinite Crisis she chose to take a year off like SM and BM did. She wanted to find herself. Oh! Not to mention not go back to jail.



Wonder Woman was a hit show in the 1970's. Ms World winner Lynda Carter was cast in the role and is probably the most influential person on the character in the past 30 yrs. You think Wonder Woman...you automatically picture Ms. Carter!
This has been a weird year for Diana. She murdered a guy THEN the Amazons left her alone when they left our dimension! Her Gods left her and she lost most of her friends. Then her book was cancelled. Wh-What???



Luckily DC started her over at #1 and we got introduced to a brand new (better than ever) Wonder Woman. Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) has been signed on to write and direct a new Wonder Woman film. The search for the new Wonder Woman is heating up and I can't wait to see what happens. The new book is good, really good, but it is bi-monthly which SUX. Then again I would have a really good book less often than a sucktastic book every month. If you haven't read the new Wonder Woman go out and give it a try. Also look for an All Star Wonder Woman book that should come down early next year!

whew...that's enough for now...more later...

In the beginning...

I started reading comics at a very young age. I have always been a DC boy and I will continue to be. My first exposure to comics was when my mother decided to move for the zillionth time. We moved into a rent-a-home and once again I was left with no friends. It was summer so at least I didn't have to deal with a new school yet! This little rent-a home had a shed next to it. One day I decided to be brave and check it out. Inside the wasp infested shed there were stacks (and I mean STACKS) of old comic books! I only got the door open a little bit before I got scared of the wasps. It was while before I got the nerve to take a can of Raid and attack the evil wasps so I could claim my treasure. When I did I was surprised to find a bunch of old DC books! I'm talking serious old school stuff. I got to learn about The Legion of Super Heroes and even got to read the very first Teen Titans story! It was cool...at least it was to me.

Over the next few years I read every single book in that shed. Even the Archie books which were not as interesting as the super hero books. I was so stupid looking back on it. I was sitting on a gold mine! If I had bagged and tagged those bitches I probably could have made a ton of cash! Instead I devoured them and they all but fell apart from my handling them.

When I ran out of books my mother informed me that some of those titles were still in print. I was shocked! I couldn't believe these stories could still be told all these years later! I began buying the new books and I have been hooked ever since. I may move to another state (I have a bit of my mother's gypsy nature) and I may make new friends...but one thing that stays constant are the characters that were my "friends" no matter what!



This is going to be a place where I talk about my favorite DC books of the moment. I will try to be fair...but I will not pull punches if I think something is bullshit!

Hope you enjoy!

To Look Forward To: The New DCU...52...The Big Three...and what is up with Dick Grayson???