DC's Downward Spiral is Marvel's Gain?

Every day I come home from work and check my sites.  I start with Facebook, then my e-mail, and then I check out what comic and entertainment news is happening.  I must say, in these last few weeks a few things, what I have read make it seem like things may be going astray at DC Comics.  Since their New 52 relaunch last year, I've been turned off by everything except Batman, Green Lantern, and Aquaman.  As a long time Superman reader the only comic featuring the Man of Steel I still remotely enjoy resembles Tom Welling.  Now, new things have come to light that makes me feel like things are rotten in the state of DC.

First off, back in June, a much respected comic writer, George Perez, stepped down as writer of Superman.  Perez is most known for his 1985 mini-series, Crisis on Infinite Earths.  He is quoted in saying, "A lot of people were now making decisions.  They were constantly going against each other, contradicting, again in mid-story. I can’t wait to get off Superman. It was not the experience I wanted it to be.”  Perez also expressed frustration with Grant Morrison's Action Comics taking place five years before Superman.  “I had no idea Grant Morrison was going to be working on another Superman title,” he said. “I had no idea I was doing it five years ahead, which means … my story, I couldn’t do certain things without knowing what he did, and Grant wasn’t telling everybody. ‘Oh, my gosh, you’re deciding all these things and you mean even you don’t know what’s going on in your own books?’ So I became very frustrated.”

This all seemed a bit peculiar, but yesterday Rob Leifeld, former co-creator of Image comics and currently writing DC's Grifter, Deathstroke, and The Savage Hawkman, gave his resignation from those titles via Twitter.  "I officially got off the DC52 treadmill this morning,” he wrote, adding, “I believe in what DC is doing, but had to preserve my sanity. I walked off all three books. Can’t wait to see any attempts to spin. I have every email.  I lasted a few months longer than I thought possible. Massive indecision, last minute and I mean LAST minute changes that alter everything. Editor pissing contests… No thanks. Last week my editor said ‘early on we had a lot of indie talent that weren’t used to re-writes and changes … made it hard.’ Uh, no, it’s you.”

Ok, so maybe it's DC Comics and the New 52 staff that are getting frustrated with re-creating these characters and making over 50 years of stories seem cool and fresh.  But let's look at the final piece of this disturbing puzzle.  On August 14, Warner Bros. announced that it was shutting down it's direct-to-dvd company, Warner Premiere.  This company has made DC animated films like Batman: Gotham Knight, Superman:Doomsday, Green Lantern: First Flight, and it's current project, The Dark Knight Returns, based on the famous Frank Miller mini-series.  Warner Bros. said all current projects will be completed, but come Fall, the company will be no more due to the downturn of the home entertainment industry.

So what does all mean?  To me it seems like DC is in trouble.  Sure, The Dark Knight Rises made lots of money, but it didn't come close to beating The Avengers.  Sure, the New 52 campaign started out selling well, but has slowly dwindled and is being out shined by Marvel's Avengers vs. X-Men mini-series.  Their last film before DKR, Green Lantern, was a flop and they put the new Superman movie in the hands of their supposed savior, Christopher Nolan, in hopes of a hail mary pass to try and catch up to the their #1 rival, Marvel Comics. But everyone knows when you make ludicrous plays when the game isn't even close you're only going to fall more behind. 

With the money Marvel Comics made off of their early hits like the Spider-Man and X-Men franchises they invested it in their own studio, and started making their own films.  This gave them financial freedom to not have to pander to corporate executives who've never read a Thor comic book.  DC is still owned by Warner Bros.  One theory behind the failure of Green Lantern was that too many people had a say as to what should be in the film.  When Joss Whedon made The Avengers he wrote his own script, shot the film his way, and it was a blockbuster hit.  The only reason Nolan's Dark Knight franchise has succeeded is because Warner Bros. trusted him enough to make them money.  Too bad they couldn't have had the same faith in Martin Campbell.

As far as the comics go that's just gone.  The New 52 relies on today's teenage BOYS to walk into a comic book shop and like their Superman like they like their Edward Cullen, except everyone except teenage GIRLS hate Edward Cullen!  DC's has alienated readers like myself who have stuck with these characters for twenty-plus years.  Their best titles are the ones they didn't change, like Batman and Green Lantern.  Marvel Comics has gone the opposite way.  Avengers vs. X-Men is rewarding readers who have been with them since 2005's House of M.  Then, after AvsX, Marvel NOW looks like it won't be a reboot, but a fresh stew that mixes up the pot and brings the X-Men into the Marvel main stream after being out of the loop for so many years.  The more I read about Marvel NOW the more I think it'll be good, which is the opposite of what I thought the more I heard about DC's New 52.   If DC wants to get back in the game they're going to have to change their tactics.  Here are a few of my suggestions. 

 

1) Lois and Clark are DC's power couple, put them back together, NOW!

2) Tim Drake should be the Red Robin he was BEFORE he had feathers!

 

3) Marvel spent 5 films building The Avengers.  Don't follow their lead.  I suggest going backwards.  Make a Justice League movie with the relative unknowns: Green Lantern, Flash, Martian Manhunter, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman.  This will introduce these characters, and the most popular ones get their own film. Then, in the second JLA film, bring in Superman and Batman to draw a bigger audience. 

 

4) Listen to your Chief Creative Officer, Geoff Johns.  He makes a great story.  Just let him do his thing and stay out of his way.

5) Keep Scott Snyder on Batman.  I haven't enjoyed Batman comics like this in years.

 

6) Don't let Grant Morrison write anymore Superman comics.  I'm still trying to figure out how all of the Batman R.I.P. titles fit together.

 

7) People got to know Green Arrow through Smallville, now let people know other DC heroes through Arrow and see what the people like.

 

8) If you want to attract teenagers make a movie about teenagers; hence Teen Titans or Young Justice.  People know who Robin is!

9) Marvel let their writers help in the film making process, not studio executives who couldn't even tell me where Superman is from.  I'm talking to you Jon Peters!

 

10) You don't have to reinvent the wheel, just make it more round.  (I really don't know what I'm trying to say, but it sounds profound, and I wanted to get ten things in here.)

 

So will DC read this blog and contact me on how to save their jobs?  Probably not.  All I know is the facts I've read and the sales numbers I see.  I've been reading comics all my life.  So what do I know?

Geoff Johns Finally Takes On The Dark Knight

     In less than two weeks Christopher Nolan's final installment of his Dark Knight trilogy will be released nation wide as thousands of "supposed" Batman fans wait in anticipation.  DC Comics is of coursing trying to cash in on every nugget of merchandise money they can gobble up during this frenzy with it's shining star being the newly released graphic novel, Batman: Earth One.  In 2010, DC came out with Superman: Earth One, a modern interpretation of the Man of Steel's origin by writer J. Michael Straczynski.  The one-shot was a huge success with a sequel on the way and DC is now hoping for the same success with this new take on how Batman begun.
    Anyone who is reading comics these days knows Geoff Johns.  He's responsible for reinvigorating Green Lantern, Flash, Aquaman, and teamed up with artist Gary Frank before on Superman: Secret Origin.  Johns is known for his ability to create great dialogue and deep character layers but has had little chance to write the Caped Crusader aside from his run on Justice League and Infinite Crisis.  I'm a huge fan of Johns so I was interested to see what kind of spin Johns could give Batman that writers like Frank Miller and Grant Morrison haven't already done.

     Thomas and Martha Wayne are shot in an alley while their young son, Bruce watches in horror.  That part of the story hasn't changed.  But in the middle of his campaign for major Thomas calls for the man who saved his life years ago, Alfred Pennyworth.  Mr. Wayne needs Alfred's help in protecting him for traitors within his own camp.  When the Waynes are murdered Alfred reluctantly becomes Bruce's legal guardian and soon begins to train Bruce on everything he learned from his previous life as pretty much a British Navy Seal.
     Bruce dons the cape and cowl just as detective James Gordon gets a new partner, policeman/former reality TV star Harvey Bullock.  Bullock shows up in Gotham with the goal of solving the mysterious Wayne murders, but gets more than he bargained for when Gordon shows Bullock how the streets of Gotham really work.  Meanwhile Bruce is also working the case of his parents, and it all seems to lead back to his fathers political competitor, Major Oswald Cobblepot.  But Bruce's new bat costume isn't scaring anyone.  Alfred must try and convince Bruce to give up his pointless crusade or lose the boy he raised to Gotham's criminals and conspiracies. 
    I didn't know what to expect when I heard Johns was taking on Batman.  I always felt like Johns told deeper and happier tales than the Dark Knight should be, but I was pleasantly surprised by Geoff; again.  He wrote subtle differences into the story that did not make it seem like just another recycled version of Bob Kane's classic origin.  I loved how both Gordon and Bullock completely change who they are by the end of the book, and how Gordon's change mirrors that of Gary Oldman's character in Batman Begins. 

     Bruce's first attempts as Batman are so raw, undisciplined, and disastrous that is made me feel like this is how I would be if I tried to jump from tall buildings while chasing criminals my first time out.  That part really sucked me into the story and connected me to Bruce.  The biggest character change was Alfred. In most interpretations he's a den mother to Bruce, but Johns writes him as a rough and disapproving father who tries to dissuade his son's quest at every turn, but trying to keep him safe along the way.  It was a great change of pace, and mixed in with Gary Frank's terrific art I would swear the actor Sam Elliott was in mind when he drew Alfred.  Maybe Mr. Frank was watching Road House at the time.  That would make Bruce Patrick Swayze. 
    Overall I enjoyed this novel way more than the first Earth One tale, and I favor Superman way more than Batman.  But even I are not immune to a great story by Geoff Johns.  Especially when its topped off with Frank's great art.  I'm not sure how true Batman readers will feel about this lighter rendition of a detective comic, but I think it makes it very accessible to all who just love a good story with well developed characters. OMG! That means the Penguin is Brad Wesley!  It all fits into place!  I'm on to you Mr. Johns.  I'm on to you!

My 5 Rules For Keeping Up With Comics On A Budget

As a man who has read comic books longer than I can remember I’ve always had the same problem; too many comics, not enough money. In this economy it can be hard to buy all the comics you actually want to read. I mean there several titles for every character/team. I myself have a budget cap each month that I try to stick too. Sometimes I go a little over, sometimes a little under.

With over half of the film blockbusters that come out now-a-days being based on comic books it’s hard not getting excited to read the material they’re based on. I know walking into a comic book store can be an overwhelming experience for some people who are not “in the game” but if you want to keep up with the titles you sort of enjoy but can’t afford to collect here a few rules that may help.

RULE #1- KNOW WHAT WRITERS YOU LIKE

Just like some people have favorite novel writers like John Grisham or Stephen King, you can follow whom you like. In 2004, Geoff Johns came onto Green Lantern and has made it DC’s biggest selling title ever since. When Johns was on Teen Titans I loved it, but once he left I dropped the book. Johns is currently writing Aquaman, which I have never read until now and I love it.

These days it’s almost better to follow a writer you like, such as Grant Morrison, Frank Miller, or Ed Brubaker because you can be 90% sure your money will be well spent based on the fact that you like the writers previous work. The only problem with this is a writer can take over a book on issue #225 and some readers feel like they need to get the first 224 issues just to understand what’s going on. In some cases this is true, but when a new writer jumps onto a title they try to keep it fresh for people who follow them and not the title. After collecting comics for 20 odd years I’m almost to this point.

RULE #2- THE PUBLIC LIBRARY IS YOUR BEST FRIEND

The other week I was watching Daredevil the director’s cut, which is way better than the theatrical version, and I decided I wanted to read more abut Daredevil. I had never really been a fan, but now I feel like at this point in my life he’s a character I can like/relate too. So I jumped online, got a list of what order Daredevil graphic novels should be read (you can find these for any character/title, trust me), and then I went to my local library’s website and reserved a bunch of Daredevil graphic novel’s starting with the first one on my list they had.

Public libraries have EVERYTHING today FOR FREE!! You can get CD’s, movies, TV series, audio books, and of course graphic novels. Every few weeks I jump on the library’s site and type in my favorite writers names, or characters I like. And when there is something I haven’t read I reserve it. Depending on how big your library is will determine their selection, and in a big city like Austin,TX that has several branches I can get quite a lot. I just have to wait for it. The library doesn’t have every Daredevil graphic novel, but enough for me to know the major events.

RULE #3- LEARN TO SKIM READ

If you want to keep up with a comic but can’t afford to buy it skim reading is my best advice. When I go to the comic book store I grab my pull list from the employee at the front and then I head back to the comics to see what I didn’t grab. I no longer collect Superman, but I want to see what’s going on. I flip through it, kind of get an idea of what is going on based on pictures, and if I see Lois and Clark/Superman talking I’ll quickly read the conversation. Not a lot of important info is said during action scenes, so know what relationships are important. But my key rule for this method is no matter how many comics I skim through I always walk out having bought something.

Once a month, I like to go to a book store chain that I know carries comic book issues. They don’t have them all, mainly DC and Marvel, but enough to where I can sit and read an issue somewhat quickly, and know what is going on. It’s not pretty, but beggers can’t be choosers.

RULE #4- THE BUDDY SYSTEM

When I was younger, my brother and I lived under one roof, and we both collected comic books. We would read each other’s comics and years later, whenever we text or got together, he would fill me in on Spider-man and Hulk while I filled him in on X-Men and Superman.

Now my brother and I live thousands of miles away and I want him to move to Austin so we can go back to the buddy system. He would collect certain books, and so would I, and the ones we both enjoyed we would swap. So if we both bought 12 comic books a month that’s really 24 comic books that we get to read a month. If only I could find someone in Austin I could trust, but like swimming, you have to be able to trust you buddy with you comic books, and your life.

RULE #5- KNOW WHEN TO LET GO OF A TITLE

The hardest part of being comic book collector in today’s world is staying faithful to a title. X-Men has been the one title that I’ve collected longer than any other. The most recent storyline of X-Men I bought the first two issues of and then dropped it because I wasn’t going to spend $3 a month for another four months on a story I didn’t like. I’ve dropped and picked up a lot of comic in my life. There are a dozen X-Men titles, but I’ve narrowed it down to two or three that I stick with. A person has to utilize the first four rules in order to make sure they’re not wasting their money.

I like Superman, but I hate the way the New 52 has gone with him. So I grabbed the first issues of Superman and Action Comics and haven’t bought another in months. Maybe one day I’ll pick it back up again, but until then my money should be spent on what I enjoy reading, not what I buy just out of habit.

I often think about going to my Emergency Comic Plan. It’s something I thought of just in case I had to stop collecting comics for economic purposes. I would no longer go to the comic book store, but instead wait for a graphic novel to come to the library, or I might skim through it at the bookstore. If I like it I would buy it. In this case I might only buy one graphic novel a month, which is about $20. But then I would be giving up the best part about collecting comics; the comic book store.

I like going to comic book store each week not only because I’m excited to read the next issue of Aquaman, but to see what else is happening in comics. I get to see what’s hot and what new t-shirts and action figures are being made. I get to talk about comics with other people, and maybe find out about a local convention or celebrity that may be coming to town. It’s the comic book culture that keeps me wanting to collect issues every week as opposed to just going to graphic novels. It’s one of the few things in this world I can say I truly love, but if I ever have to give it up there are ways to keep the love alive. One of the best pieces of advice I feel like I ever got was from Q in a James Bond movie, “always have an escape plan.” Which I took as “always have a plan B, for everything.”

How To Save A Superhero Franchise

Warner Bros. has just announced that they will moving forward with a sequel to the film, Green Lantern. Rumor has it that the studio was only going to green light a sequel if the film made $60 million or more on its opening weekend. It came in just over $53 million, which was a disappointment for Warner Bros, who spent $200 million to make the film. The film also dropped 66% of its audience in its second weekend and has been met with poor reviews. So why is Warner Bros continuing with a sequel? Pure desperation. The studio only has two successful franchises; the Harry Potter films, which are about to end, and the Batman franchise. I for one enjoyed Green Lantern. Like most critics though, I thought the film lacked focus, but felt it was a descent starting point to make something better the next time around.

If you haven't seen the film yet then I have no idea why you are reading this blog to begin with, and if you didn't stick around till after the ending credits then you missed, SPOILER ALERT, Sinestro putting on the yellow ring of fear. Any Green Lantern fan knows Hal Jordan's mentor turns into his greatest enemy. So where do they go from here? And how can they turn this franchise around? Never fear, a Green Lantern fan is here.

Step 1) Center the sequel more: The first film seemed like it was about Hal Jordan becoming a Green Lantern by overcoming his fears, but I couldn't be sure because they kept flipping back to Hector Hammond. If director Martin Campbell wanted the film to be about three childhood friends, Hal, Hector, and Carol, then the film should have been longer and shown their relationships more. I could feel a connection between them all, but not sure what it was. I felt like the film should have been all about Hal. How all his fears center on his father's death, and how he had to overcome it. Christopher Nolan's Batman works so well because it's about Bruce Wayne's journey, not the villains, which is something Joel Schumacher obviously forgot. If you need more detail then refer to Geoff Johns storyline, Green Lantern: Secret Origin.

Step 2) Listen to Geoff Johns: The DC Chief Creative Director made his mark in comics by turning Green Lantern from a dying comic to thee hot title in the industry. He knows Hal Jordan, he knows the Green Lantern Corps, and has been making hit after hit since Green Lantern: Rebirth. I know it's Warner Bros money that is making the films so they want a say in what goes into it, but Marvel Studios listens to its fans and the writers who keep these characters going. They find out why the heroes are interesting, and why they last through the years. Use DC Comics and then maybe you'll figure out how to achieve Marvel film success.

Step 3) Move back before you move forward: I thought making Parallax the main villain in the first film was a mistake, but what's done is done, so let's move on. At the end of the film Sinestro put on the yellow ring, but most people didn't see it, and I say use that to your advantage. In the end Hal went off to patrol the rest of Sector 2814, not just Earth. I say open the sequel with Hal Jordan returning to Earth for the first time since leaving. It's been a while, Hal and Sinestro have fought together and become close, but Sinestro becomes frustrated with the Guardians rules and decides to put on the yellow ring. This is where they insert the previous clip, which makes the clip at the end of the first film more of a foreshadowing if anything else. He asks Hal to join him, Hal refuses, and Sinestro starts up his own Corps and the war begins!

Step 4) Create the legacy: After the next Batman film Christian Bale is done, which means Warner Bros has to either continue on without him or re-boot with a different actor. There is only one Batman, but there are thousands of Green Lanterns. Hal Jordan was the first human picked, but he wasn't the last. When the Yellow and Green Lanterns start killing each other replacements will need to be picked. Let's bring in Hal's replacements, Guy Gardner and John Stewart. This gives you a whole different set of characters to continue with after Ryan Reynolds is done with Green Lantern. If it were me I'd bring back Parallax to turn Hal Jordan into his evil self, which leads the way for New Dawn, and the introduction of 'The Torchbearer', Kyle Rayner. When Reynolds is done playing superhero there are plenty more to take Hal Jordan's place, each with different personalities, and enough history to each have their own film trilogy.

There are so many different ways they can take the Green Lantern film franchise, from Emerald Twilight to Blackest Night. Warner Bros just has to get the right people running the show and making the decisions, preferably not them. Most films are so loved that their sequels are met with criticism. With Green Lantern bordering on failure Warner Bros and DC Comics have nowhere to go but up, and done right they can blow the roof off this universe. And if they have any trouble just come find me, I'll work for cheap.

My Top 12 DC Re-Vamps to Check Out

A year or two back I had an epiphany, or a realization. I, for the first time in my life, was buying more DC comics than I was Marvel. Since I’ve collected comic as far back as I can remember this was weird for me, but with Geoff Johns making all the mainstream heroes in DC awesome once again you really can’t blame me. Now Johns and the rest of DC crew seem like their giving us loyal readers a giant slap in the face, with a cold fish none the less. In September, DC Comics will be restructuring their entire universe with fifty-two new #1’s. Some characters, like Green Lantern and Batman, will change little, mainly because their DC’s best-selling titles right now. Other characters, like Superman, will be completely re-done. Such has making him younger and breaking-up his marriage with Lois Lane to date the Amazonian Princess, Wonder Woman. Although I’m still fuzzy as to all the details there are something’s I’m kind of excited to see. Here are twelve of them.

12) Legion Lost #1

Written By Fabian Nicieza

Drawn by Pete Woods

The Legion of Superheroes has always been a staple in the DC Universe, if not always a well known one. These were the kids who traveled back in time from the 31st Century to meet their idol, Clark Kent, before he was Superman. And in doing so they help turned him into the hero they worshipped. Now seven Legionnaires are trapped in the past. They must stop their future from being destroyed, and to do so they must live in the present; bummer.

Time travel and alternate reality stories always catch my attention, but this one could be a little different. Sure it seems like Every X-Men character now has traveled back to the present to stop their evil future from happening, but think of the technology the 31st Century has, and then to get stuck with 21st Century technology. That would suck. My only hope is Nicieza can draw out the struggle and turmoil of these characters, otherwise this series has lost me after issue #3.

11) DC Universe Presents #1

Written by Paul Jenkins

Drawn by Bernard Chang

Paul Jenkins is mainly known for his work with Legion of Superheroes, but now he’s going to try and pick-up where Geoff Johns left off with Brightest Day. Boston Brand was a trapeze artist until his death. Now he is a ghost and has the ability to possess people while trying to search for his killer. At least that’s his original origin.

Johns brought Brand back in Brightest Day and made him the center of it all as he searched for the protector of Earth. While on this journey Deadman showed many layers. He even hooked-up with Dove from the famous Hawk & Dove team. I just hope Jenkins continues to show those layers, because I’m sure it’s not easy being un-dead. Now just let me see why.

10) Blue Beetle #1

Written by Tony Bedard

Drawn by Ig Rura and Ruy Jose

I always thought of Blue Beetle as DC’s Spider-Man. Not because they both got bitten by a bug and now have super-powers, but because they’re both teenage geeks who become heroes. Jaime Reyes is possessed by an alien bug that is on a mission to save planets or annihilate them. Reyes must find a way to control this power or mankind will suffer. Also, he has to get his chemistry homework in on-time.

9) Superboy #1

Written by Scott Lobdell

Drawn by RB Silva and Rob Lean

Connor Kent has become a fan favorite since his introduction after the death of Superman. His DNA is part Superman, part Lex Luthor. In his time he’s fought off the evil inside of him, become a member of the Teen Titans, and died once saving the world. But now I’m not sure where he’s going from here. Just look at the picture.

I started out loving Superboy, collecting his first series for a few years, and since then I have loved where DC took the character, but this? He looks more like Cyborg than Superman in this picture. In any event, it’s like a train wreck; I can’t look away. But maybe that’s just what DC wants me to think just so I’ll end up reading. Oh you craft dogs you!

8) Green Lantern #1

Written by Geoff Johns

Drawn By Doug Manke and Christian Alamy

Geoff Johns is still working on the comic that made him a household name in the business, and I’m sure I speak for all Green Lantern fans when I give a big sigh of relief. I don ‘t want to see anyone taking on Hal Jordan except the writer who gave him a ‘Rebirth’. With three other Green Lantern titles coming out Hal won’t be alone, but I don’t think it’ll be like we all know it. War of the Green Lanterns was an even better story than Blackest Night so I’m excited to see where Hal, Kyle, Guy, and John go from here!

7) Red Hood and the Outlaws #1

Written by Scott Lobdell

Drawn by Kenneth Rocafort

When last I remember Jason Todd he was fighting Dick Grayson on a train for the right to wear Bruce’s cowl after his supposed death. Thankfully his predecessor beat him and Dick took over being Batman while Bruce was doing his Quantum Leap thing. Now Todd is back in Batman and Robin, and something tells me it’ll lead to a redemption tale just in time to see him hook-up with the Outlaws. Joining the Red Hood will be Green Arrow’s former sidekick Arsenal, who used have a drug problem, and Starfire, the sexy, orange, alien who was stranded in space for a year in 52. These characters are all messed-up, just the way I like ‘em. I can’t wait to see the heads roll!

6) Batgirl #1

Written by Gail Simone

Drawn by Ardian Syaf and Vincente Cifuentes

Simone is known for her work on Tiny Titans, Wonder Woman, and Birds of Prey. I think she had a good handle on Barbara Gordon in Birds of Prey so I feel she’s the right person to bring the original Batgirl back. My theory is when Barry Allen and Batman fix reality after Flashpoint they may do a little improvement, including giving Barbara back her legs after the Joker took them away in The Killing Joke.

I love the character, and how she evolved to become Oracle after her tragedy. I will miss it, but I’ve never really know her much as Batgirl. So for me, and others like me, this is new territory for her character. Especially since her old flame, Dick Grayson, will be returning to be Nightwing. I think someone is going to find themselves under the missile-toe come Christmas. And honestly, I still have no idea who the hell Batwoman is.

5) Grifter #1

Written by Nathan Edmonson

Drawn by Cafu

As I strolled down the line-up of #1’s I was shocked to see Cole Cash on the list. Apparently Wildstorm characters are branching over to the DC Universe, and Grifter is one of my favorite trading choices. In Wildstorm comics Grifter was their equivalent of Wolverine. He is quick with a gun and even quicker with his attitude. I can’t wait to see how he shakes up DC. I foresee a pissing contest between him and the Red Hood in the future.

4) Nightwing #1

Written by Kyle Higgins

Drawn by Eddy Barrows and JP Mayer

Why am I smiling? Because as much as I loved seeing Dick Grayson as Batman I’m glad to see he’s back to being his own man and not living in Bruce’s shadow. Dick Grayson as always been one of my favorite DC characters and his new costume looks badass. I just hope we see some love action between either him and Batgirl or him and Starfire. That love triangle puts Twilight's to shame!

3) Green Lantern: The New Guardians #1

Written by Tony Bedard

Drawn by Tyler Kirkham and Batt

I’ve recently starting picking-up Green Lantern Corps for two reasons. One is that Kyle Rayner is my favorite Green Lantern. Second, Tyler Kirkham had me hooked on his art when he drew that full page spread of the four humans Lanterns, each wielding a different emotion besides Will. I’m glad to see those two people will not be torn apart during the re-vamp.

This comic looks like it’ll be another aftermath of War of the Green Lanterns, which I’m glad to see at least once comic I collect isn’t going back to newborn stages. Kyle is said to lead a new breed of Guardians, who looks like are not just focused on Will, but all the emotional powers. I love how Kyle Rayner was never chosen as a Green Lantern, but he has been thee pivotal character when it comes to their evolution. My smile is still going.

2) Aquaman #1

Written by Geoff Johns

Drawn by Ivan Reis and Joe Prado

Bringing back the Blackest Night pair, Johns is back to tell the tales of the King of Atlantis. He’s brought Arthur Curry back from the dead and turned him from the laughing stock of DC to the badass master of the oceans in Brightest Day. However this is one character I do hope gets a complete re-boot. Aquaman has had so many different origins that are so different I honestly don’t know how to sort them all out. But as long has Johns keeps Arthur kick-ass and complex you can count on my three bucks every month. And yes, I’m still smiling.

1) Justice League #1

Written by Geoff Johns

Drawn by Jim Lee

This like an All-Star game, that is if sports All-Star games didn’t happen every year, but every ten years. Johns, the chief creative officer at DC is hooking up with Jim Lee, the new Co-Publisher of DC, to bring you something I feel will be special. Both of these guys are considered the best in the comic book business, and they’ve brought together the best DC characters together in one comic book. This is the comic that DC is betting all their money on. If this comic doesn’t work, none of it does.

I love the current JLA line-up where the former Teen Titans now run the JLA as adults, but that isn’t the status quo the general public knows. Just ask any Spider-Man fan, you can’t stray from the status quo for too long. Too soon for Brand New Day jokes? If anything I’ll at least collect the first storyline for no other reason than to have it.

FINAL THOUGHTS: I know DC had to think longer term to bring in younger readers because lord knows their movies aren’t getting it done. Hey Warner Bros.! Butt the hell out of our films when you’ve never even read the comic book it’s based off of! Maybe then you’ll see some box office numbers like Marvel Studios is pumping out! But when a kid walks into the comic book store after just seeing Green Lantern a store owner should know what to start him off with, and it shouldn’t be all the way back to Hal Jordan’s first appearance in Showcase # 22 from 1959.
My biggest gripe in all of this is the re-start of Action Comics and Detective Comics. These two are tent poles for comic books and superheroes. If you want to re-vamp Superman and Batman that’s fine, but these are the two comics that say just how long comic books have endured with Actions Comics being in the 900’s now. Also, I love Jim Lee’s art, but he made his name in the 90’s, and not to criticize, but the 90’s is over Jim so let’s get our superheroes fashion sense out if it as well. I mean for god sakes what the hell is Tim Drake wearing on the cover on Teen Titans #1? I can’t believe I’m actually quoting Nicolas Cage, but he said Superman’s costume is “like a Coca-Cola bottle, you don’t mess with that stuff.” Ok, my smile is now gone.

Aquaman Swims back into the Spotlight in September

I’ve always been a creature of the sea. I love any body of water. Whether it be oceans, lakes, or even swimming pools. So naturally one of my favorite heroes has always been Aquaman. This was also a nickname of mine growing up since I was on the swim team. But this nickname also came with snickers and laughter because for years Aquaman had been the laughing stock of the DC Universe. Ever since the Super Friends cartoon series back in the 1970’s Aquaman never got any respect, even though he was one of the founding members of the Justice League along with Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, and Martian Manhunter.

People think his powers are lame, but let’s run down the list:

1. Can swim super fast in world that is 70% water.

2. Has super-strength and can breathe underwater.

3. Can speak to sea creatures. I for one don’t want to mess with a guy who can sick an octopus or shark on my ass.

Aquaman first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 in 1941. His origin was that his father was sea explorer and when he built himself an underwater home his son developed powers, like breathing underwater and the ability to swim really fast. Later, when the character was re-introduced in the Silver Age, his origin had changed to where he was the son of an Atlantian outcast and a lighthouse keeper. Then his origin was changed again to where is Mother was a queen and his father a scientist. Arthur Curry started out as King of Atlantis. When he lost his child he turned into a creepy sea hermit with a harpoon hand. He was later resurrected as a being with a magical water hand. Finally though, after his presumed death in Infinite Crisis, a young man believed he was Arthur Curry reincarnated, but it turns out his mentor was the real Aquaman, who finally met his demise in Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis. Talk about your Identity Crisis. If Arthur Curry had no idea who he was, how was a reader supposed to know?

Even though on the HBO series, Entourage, an Aquaman movie was the #1 film of all-time he’s had rough waters outside of comic books as well. In 1967 The Adventures of Aquaman cartoon series had a short run of only three seasons. And during the fifth season of Smallville actor Alan Ritchson guest starred as Arthur Curry and was the shows highest rated episode. Creators Miles Millar and Alfred Gough planned an Aquaman live-action TV series starring Justin Hartley. But this was in the middle of the WB/UPN merger into The CW and although a pilot was shot, the series was not picked up. But Gough and Millar liked Hartley so much they used him as a reoccurring character on Smallville, playing Oliver Queen, a.k.a. Green Arrow. Ritchson also returned for several episodes as Arthur Curry, a.k.a. Aquaman.

It wasn’t until 2010 that Aquaman would find his redemption thanks to comic god, and DC Chief Creative Director, Geoff Johns. Johns made Arthur Curry one of the characters that returned from the dead at the end of Blackest Night. But Aquaman returns to find out that his wife, Mera, was originally sent to kill him, his protégé is dead, and he only has the ability to control DEAD sea life. This turned Arthur’s world into more of an underwater Shakespearian tale than just some guy riding a sea horse. With Brightest Day over Aquaman still lives, and is about to dive into some fresh water I hope.

I’m not sure yet how I feel about DC revamping almost

their entire collection of characters, mainly because I don’t know all the details. But one thing I am excited for is Geoff Johns writing what will be the seventh comic with the title Aquaman #1. Johns has reinvigorated Green Lantern, The Flash, and now he’s working on Aquaman; I love it! First thing I feel Johns has to do is clean up Arthur’s origin story, and it’s probably best to throw out a lot of his past. However Johns will be including him in the new Justice League line-up, just has he originally did back when the League began.

        

 My hope in writing this is that anyone who has been an Aquaman hater needs to realize that this is just as epic a character as Batman or Superman, and that this is the beginning of something good, if not for DC, at least for Aquaman. I also recommend you check out the Aquaman live-action pilot online. It was like Smallville, but in bathing suits; which is a winner in my book!