DC Comics - The New Universe

I have been collecting comics for 30+ years and here is my take on the new DC Universe.

I am viewing this as a relaunch along the lines of what happened after Crisis on Infinite Earths in 1985. Once that series ended, the universe restarted itself, heroes and story lines changed.

In this way I think the New 52 is similar. Trying to take what is best about the character and give it a different spin. Might not be the spin you'll like but it's basically the same character, to some extent.

Instead of getting the John Byrne rebooted Superman, there will be Grant Morrison's version. Instead of the George Perez rebooted Wonder Woman, there will be the Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang version.

The Wildstorm Universe is now merged into the DCU like Fawcett Comics Shazam family was or like Blue Beetle, Captain Atom or Question from Charlton Comics were. 

When I first heard and read about this new DCU, I didn't know what to think. My excitement for comics has waned throughout the years. Now that I'm looking at it from this direction, I'm kind of interested and even a little excited to see where this is going.

What will remain and what will change about these characters? Will a character that I wasn't overly interested in before become a new favorite? Will old favorites change to much?

Guess I'll just have to keep reading to find out.

Oprah VS Green Lantern

Okay, maybe not really versus, there's no epic battle between Oprah and Green Lantern - or is there?

Things don't seem to be off to a good start, Green Lantern is late and Oprah ain't happy.

Where is GL? Is he in outer space battling aliens? On an emergency mission with the Justice League?

Nope! He's just overslept. Hal Jordan may be Green Lantern but he's still at the mercy of an alarm clock.

Good thing he's got that ring to help him shave, comb his hair, spray on deodorant, and brush his teeth - all at the same time.

He should have no trouble getting to the studio on time now right?

A robbery and police shoot out isn't something he can simply fly by and ignore, even if Oprah is waiting.

That doesn't mean he's going to waste time - One ring construct in the form of a giant green gorilla coming right up.

Whatever works GL, what ever works.

Green Lantern finally makes it to the Oprah Show with just seconds to spare.

Hal, as Green Lantern, is appearing on the show to clear up some of the recent events surrounding himself, former GL John Stewart and Carol Ferris.

In previous issues Carol, in her Star Sapphire persona, attacked John Stewart and his wife Katma. She also attacked Hal, destroying a fighter jet and blowing up part of a building in the process. Carol even faked her death, framing John, who is now in jail. I'm hoping to post all about that at another time. It's got art by the legendary Gil Kane.

I thought with Oprah ending her show recently and the Green Lantern movie opening, I'd post this first. Seemed more interesting and relevant.

Let's get back to Hal's interview with Oprah.

It had been going okay, he explained about the Guardians of OA and the multiple members of the Green Lantern Corps. Things start to change though when Oprah asks why he, above all others, was picked to be a Green Lantern.

Oh dear, not quite the reaction Hal was expecting I'm sure.

Completely without fear? That does sound a bit crazy. What kind of person has a lack of fear?

Hal briefly thinks about Guy Gardner, another Green Lantern from Earth. Guy is a jerk and obnoxious, but that's more to cover up his insecurities, not because he's crazy. 

Hal is also confronted by a psychologist in the audience who wonders how someone without fear made it through life and into adulthood.

Another woman feels that a true hero is someone who overcomes their fear.  

GL, it's never a good idea to compare yourself to a police officer - especially when talking to the wife of one.

Hal does his best to reassure Mrs. Hough that he doesn't think he's any better than her husband, or anyone else.

The story then shifts to introduce us to Detective Joey Hough. He's been enjoying a nice cup of coffee and has caught his wife's conversation with GL.

Tragically that will be the last time he sees her.

Being the exact hero his wife has just described him as, Detective Hough is attacked and killed trying to protect others.

Peter David is an amazing writer, he got me to care about two minor characters I'd just met and would never see again. The detective and his wife were just emotional pawns in this story.

I also thought having Oprah appear was brilliant. If super-heroes were real, they would so be on the Oprah Show. She is the only TV personality powerful enough to actually get guests likes Superman and Wonder Woman. Can you imagine her interviewing Batman? HA!HA! 

Action Comics Weekly #608 and #609
Writer: Peter David 
Art team: Todd Smith and Dan Bulanadi
1988

Hump Day Heroics with Hostess Cakes

"The Bobsled Run" 
    Starring Green Lantern

Green Lantern continues to make the world safe for Twinkie loving bobsledders in the new Green Lantern Movie, opening June 17th! 

Thor's day Thursday

Cross the rainbow bridge Bifrost and enter the nine worlds of Asgard!

 

The city of Asgard is home to the Asgardians and the royal family, lead by Odin. 

Here is a look at three of the more noble and notorious Asgardians.

Odin, All-Father and Lord of Asgard

 

marvel.com/universe/Odin

Thor, mighty champion and defender of Asgard and Earth

marvel.com/universe/Thor

Loki, Trickster and Lord of Mischief

http://marvel.com/universe/Loki


My knowledge of Thor, his family and adventures is limited so I included the Marvel Comics web address for them. I haven't read many Thor comics, other than the great Walt Simonson issues and that hasn't been recently.

I thought the Thor movie starring Chris Hemsworth was fantastic! That's kind of why I did this post. With all the buzz about the movie I wanted to show what the characters, at one time, looked like in the comics.

Dan's Comic Book Collection

I want to start with a big, heartfelt thank you to my friend Dan for letting me borrow his comics. They helped motivate this blog.

Dan is an improv actor/stand-up comedian and fellow comic book fan. He's friends, and one time neighbor, with my boyfriend Matt. Having spied several long boxes of comics while visiting his apartment on occasion, I finally asked if I could look through them.

I found a lot of similarities between Dan's collection and my own, like he was my comic book soul mate. I got excited seeing all the comics that I do have, but aren't easily accessible, and ones that I hadn't read before.

Some of the best have been Capt. America, Batman and Detective Comics from the '80s and '90s. Also found nice consecutive issue runs of Action Comics Weekly, Justice League International and a handful of fun Todd MacFarlane Amazing Spider-Man issues.

I'd like to post about most of these comics, we'll just have to see what I actually do though.

Anyway, the reason for the "Dan's Collection" label is hopefully to help me stay organized. Provide a listing of his comics to keep them separate from my own.

I've been collecting comics for 30+ years but most of those books are currently in Kansas City. I do have plans to move them, but that's a task I'm not ready to take on just yet.   

I want to thank Matt too, for encouragement, proof-reading and just for being there. Sometimes my thoughts and ideas, along with wording and sentence structure sound better in my head.

This blog wouldn't be quite the same without Dan and Matt - thanks guys.

Retro Read - Meet the New Fantastic Four!

The new Fantastic Four team is made up of The Thing (Ben Grimm), Human Torch (Johnny Storm), Crystal and Ms. Marvel (Sharon Ventura). At first I didn't see the connections for this team, but Crys has been in the FF before and Sharon has an odd, strange past with Ben involving super powered wrestling.

It was nice of them to send Dr. Doom a team photo and letter. 

I'm not sure what happens when Ms. Marvel shows up to the join the team, but Crystal's arrival sets off all sorts of fireworks. I was never really a fan of Crystal, or the Inhumans, but after reading her introduction into this new team I changed my opinion a bit.

            "Thing vs Torch. 'Nuff said!"

Teammates battling it out, especially two as close as Johnny and Ben, are always fun covers. Makes you wonder how it plays out in the story.  Is it mind control?  Is it a simple misunderstanding gone to far?
Is it just a bait and switch cover to get you to buy the comic?

We'll get to the reason for them fighting later, but lets start at the beginning and see how things develop.

Ben has set himself up as new team leader and seems quite pleased that Reed and Sue have left.   Especially Reed.

The Invisible Woman and Mr. Fantastic are taking a break from the team to spend more time with their son Franklin. The kid seemed to be forgotten and left behind a lot. Once with an old lady, Agatha Harkness, that ends with the team battling Mephisto. We may get to that story another time.

Back to Ben and his real reason for wanting to lead the FF - Bossing the Human Torch around.

Johnny has married Alicia Masters, Ben's blind ex-girlfriend. They started a relationship while Ben was off world. He stayed on the planet created by the Beyonder after the Secret War, there Ben was able to control changing into the Thing. That was something Reed could never do for him.

Johnny has also had a relationship with Crystal, when she was on the team before.
Now she's come to Four Freedoms Plaza to see her husband, Quicksilver. The FF have him in a holding cell after he attacked them in the previous issue.

Crystal and Pietro have always had a strained marriage. They seemed to be apart more than together. She's pretty upfront about not wanting to see him too. Crystal even refers to him as her "crazy husband". Ben and I are thinking along the same lines, she's not the same innocent, sweet Crystal.

Here is where two characters I've never really liked become very interesting.

Crys and Pietro's marriage seems to be coming to a boil in 3,2,1...

                        "Oh, shut up!"

Those three words made me sit up and notice Crystal, I was finally interested in her.

How was Pietro going to respond to that? He isn't known for his cool temper and had just accused Crystal of ruining his life, of being "The woman who seduced my purity with the errors of the flesh!!!"       Ouch

Quicksilver comes across as an angry asshole most times, but I didn't see him becoming so physical with Crys. I didn't expect him to attack her, grab her by the arm and twist. Crystal does fight back though, but using her elemental powers against him only escalates the battle.

If they weren't super heroes and I didn't enjoy seeing them fight, this might be considered domestic violence. Hey, it's not like its Hank Pym slapping around Janet van Dyne.

Crys has to really think fast to counter Quicksilver's super speed. Using the water from the sink and toilet was smart, funny, and insulting all at the same time. Crys just keeps surprising me.

After Pietro shouts a few more platitudes about his "glorious mutant heritage" Crystal has had enough. She seems to win, if you consider beating your husband in physical combat winning.

Now that that little business is done what's going to happen when Crys runs into Johnny and his new bride? Not much it seems, they have a nice, pleasant enough conversation but that could be changing soon. Before Crystal can leave Ben decides it's the perfect time to ask her to join his FF team.

This couldn't be a way to get back at Johnny, hurt him in some way, could it? Johnny certainly thinks so and decides he and Ben need to have a talk, on the roof, of course.

Johnny can't believe Ben, asking his first love to be part of the team. He's just gotten married! Of course he did marry Ben's first love, but I don't think Johnny's concerned about that. Ben reminds Johnny that he's in charge now and Johnny can leave if he doesn't like it. I do believe Ben was hoping to pick a fight and he got his wish.

      "Flame on!"
Finally we get to the why for Johnny and Ben fighting on the cover - bruised egos. That could lead to a civil war between heroes. At least it's not the over used first-meeting-misunderstanding-battle.

Johnny gets to shout out his catch phrase, but no "clobberin' time" from Ben? Instead he jumps right in and questions Johnny's feelings for Alicia and Crys. Another surprise by a character I don't care for.

Not quite the "nuff said" battle promised on the cover, but we got two hero v hero battles in one book. This new Fantastic Four team is off to a good start so far.

There had been rumors that Crystal slept with another man, and seeing her relationship with Pietro that isn't surprising. I'm not sure who or when this happened, but Sue is certainly interested. She's kind of accusatory and "I'd never do that" towards Crys. Has Sue forgotten her Malice costume - leather and hooker heel boots?

Love Crys' comeback - "I'm not Tigra!" Not sure what she means by it but its bitchy and I like it! Tigra does run around in a bikini but thats her costume.

Now Sue is going to question Crys about Luna, Crystal and Pietro's daughter? Who will take care of her? I like Sue, sometimes more (see above Malice comment) than others, right now is not one of those times. Crys just replys she'll do the same that Sue always did with Franklin, have someone else do it.   Ha! Crystal really is starting to grow on me.

Does Sue think that Crystal will try to break up Johnny and Alicia? Was that the point of her little girl talk with Crys?  If she's so concerned she should be talking to Johnny too. I don't think Crys is setting out to come between them, but there is a great dinner party coming up in another issue.

The book wraps with Johnny and Alicia apartment hunting and Dr. Doom arriving, but thats so blah. The best parts, I think were above.

Steve Englehart did a great job getting me interested in and caring about some characters I typically skip over. Crystal and Pietro certainly jumped to the front of the line. When I read their scene I was really blown away, I think I even let out a gasp. Ben and Johnny fighting was enjoyable, but that happens a lot. I read the Fantastic Four off and on, each time really wanting to enjoy the book, this time I did. I'm already thinking about the next FF post.

Fantastic Four #305

Writer: Steve Englehart

Art Team: John Buscema / Joe Sinnott

 

Tragic Retro Read - Fantastic Four #285

Quick note about this post - most of the time my blogging will be fun and silly, sometimes even nonsensical or absurd. My memories and feelings about school and growing up being what they are, when I came across this comic again I knew I had to post about it.

I remember getting this issue of Fantastic Four, I was about 13 or so. At the time I thought it was a bit too "after school special".

With the recent news stories about bullying and suicides, this Human Torch story seemed to touch a nerve I don't recall before.

Meet Tommy Hanson, #1 fan of Johnny Storm. His locker is decorated with pictures and clippings of his favorite hero. Tommy loves all things Human Torch and would do anything for an article or photo he might have missed.

Unfortunately others in school see this as a weakness and use that interest and enthusiasm against Tommy.

His lunch money for a month and doing your school work is a small price to pay, right?

It seems even the teachers are against Tommy.

Granted he was reading the magazine when he should have been paying attention.

Taking the magazine, throwing it away in front of the whole class and having that snot behind him laughing is almost too much. I can feel Tommy's tears in my own eyes. 

It's only after class does Ms. Welsh seem to soften and sympathize with Tommy. Even relating a story about her own childhood crushes.

She'd like to talk to Tommy's parents but they aren't home a lot. His dad has an ad agency to run, and his mom has her community action groups.

Tommy isn't able to get his magazine back but that doesn't stop this little bastard from reminding him of their deal.  

After tripping him and calling him dumb.

Once home things don't improve much. There is a message from Tommy's mom asking him to record a program for her, against the Human Torch interview he had circled.

You can almost feel the loneliness and sadness Tommy must be experiencing. No one at home to talk to about school, or anything it seems.

Even if his parents where there, I get the feeling they wouldn't listen anyways.

Tommy does appear to have at least one friend, of sorts. Joss Kincaid has a model airplane that just doesn't get the boost that he would like, so he mix and match his own fuel. That lapse in judgment only gets worse when he decides to leave Tommy alone to clean up.

Sometimes the wrong words at the wrong time, mixed with feelings you can't control and don't understand collide with disastrous results. 

The story now shifts to the reconstruction of the Baxter Building, world famous headquarters of the Fantastic Four. Doctor Janet Darling has come seeking the Human Torch. She has a patient who is dying and is a big fan of Johnny Storm.

Her patient is Tommy Hanson, he is in a great deal of pain after suffering severe burns to his body. He speaks for the first time in a month. What he says is devastating for Johnny.

"I only did it to be like you" 

The usually high flying, care-free Human Torch can't even bring himself to use his powers to fly away. 

Back at his fiance Alicia Masters' place Johnny talks to Sue and Alicia about the young boy, who wanting to be like the Human Torch, set himself on fire. 

Johnny is feeling tremendous guilt over Tommy's death. He can't help but feel responsible and does not what this to happen again to someone else. From now on, the Human Torch is dead.

The Beyonder, a meddling cosmic being with unknown, seemingly limitless powers arrives. He has already whisked heroes and villains away before for his own personal Secret War.

Now he takes Johnny to the past, showing him the life of young Tommy Hanson.

Johnny sees that Tommy is a quiet boy without many friends. What friends he does have he's found in magazines. Living vicariously through the heroes he reads and cares about.

The Beyonder points out to Johnny that these books and exploits are the only real joy Tommy had in his life.  His death is not Johnny's fault. It was through Johnny that Tommy lived, not died.

Johnny may still feel guilty for what happened to Tommy, but he can't let that stop him from being the hero others need him to be - that Johnny needs to be.

"Show me a hero, and I'll show you a tragedy" - F. Scott Fitzgerald. 

Again, after re-reading this comic I saw it differently than I did as a 13yr old kid. Now I can see myself a bit in Tommy. Bullied at school for having other interests and being different. Feeling lonely and lost, escaping into comics, wishing for powers or an ability. I didn't seriously think about killing myself and I don't think that's what Tommy had in mind either. He just wanted to be like someone else, someone he looked up to.

Fantastic Four #285

Writer/Artist: John Byrne