Monday, April 16, 2012

Ame Comi Digital Comic


DC continues to try to expand their market and that includes the burgeoning digital comics market. They just recently announced a number of 'digital first' comics. The Bryan Q. Miller Smallvilee book was just the first.

And Supergirl has a small role to play, as one of the characters in an Ame Comi title based on the popular Ame Comi DC Direct statues. Here is the link to the USA Today article which broke the story: http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-04-13/Batman-Smallville-lead-DC-Comics-digital-slate/54250030/1

And a blurb from that article:

The publisher's digital line ramps up its original content beginning today with the debut of Smallville: Season 11, a weekly continuation every Friday of the long-running TV series based on the Superman mythos penned by show writer Bryan Q. Miller.


Next month sees the launch of Ame-Comi Girls, a weekly series available on Mondays based on DC's product line featuring Japanese manga-style versions of Wonder Woman and other superheroines written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray.


And on Thursdays beginning in June, a new digital Batman series will showcase stories of the Dark Knight outside of regular DC Comics continuity and feature artists and writers such as Ben Templesmith, Steve Niles, B. Clay Moore, Nicola Scott and Joshua Hale Fialkov. One all-star issue teams writer — and Lost co-creator —Damon Lindelof with artist Jeff Lemire (Animal Man, Sweet Tooth).

Now I have to say, I don't know if I am going to get this Ame Comi book, and definitely not the digital version. I guess I am old-fashioned, but I like the floppies. I like the book in my hand, the pages between my fingers.

But more importantly, I don't know if I can support that Supergirl, even if she does seem happy and is flying around with Streaky. I didn't buy the statue. I don't know if I can download or buy the book. The writer is Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray. Palmiotti did a great job with Supergirl in Wednesday Comics, an okay job in Superman/Supergirl: Maelstrom, and a not good job in Supergirl #12. The artist is newcomer Santi Casas.

But an Ame Comi Supergirl book? I just don't think I want to read this. Maybe I will try it if it ever gets put in print form.
And she is just one of the characters being featured. The other Ame Comi heroines will join in the fight.


Amanda Conner is drawing the Ame Comi Wonder Woman strips. I love Conner's work. So this works in the book's favor.

I don't recall reading about the plans (if any to convert to print). I would be interested in reading a print form of the Smallville book.

8 comments:

Dave Mullen said...

It looks worth a look, very dynamic and imaginitive art design, I'm curious to see how it would differ from the standard books as the art alone won't be enough if the style and tone of setting and story is in line with the typical US comics.
The style of Supergirl (with Streaky!) does suggest her book will be more kiddie friendly, which is to be welcomed, but that has to be the single most revealing costume I've ever seen her in...

If it's a book that is *happy* and not featuring a perpetually moody angsty angry Kara it would be most welcome right now. I like the DC comic but the quest for 'edginess' is getting a bit too much.

Anj said...

It's a great point that the picture has a feel of 'all ages' with a smiling Kara and Streaky. If this was the Wednesday Comics outfit, I would be there.

But the AmeComi costume ... yeesh.

Dave Mullen said...

It's certainly remarkable as a costume, I'm not entirely sold on it but neither does it strike me as terrible, Just different. Which is the main selling point they're going for after all.
One other thing thaat strikes me studying it is that the 'S' shield is very retro - very Golden Age and Kal-L inspired. Interesting touch.
I have read that the recently released 'Man of Steel' symbol for the movie is derived from the more Golden-age designs, that plus the post-modern Grant Morrison origins does indicate a curious (coincidental?) determination to reflect the Superman legends grass roots. Not sure that's the way to go myself, I'd prefer more Silver-age fantasy, but I digress.... :)

Dante said...

Never thought I'd see this version of Supergirl in her own comic.

While it's pretty skimpy,even for anime standards,the rest of the AmiComi characters have some of the best designs.Power Girl comes in mind.

Wonder what kind of storiew will they have...classic golden + silver age whaky kids stuff or will they go with a more modern kids approach,like in Ultimate Spiderman the TV series?

Whatever the case,I expect some quality...ok,who am I kidding,let it be a fun ride like Cosmic.:D

Martin Gray said...

That design is all kinds of awful. I've tried to find a definition of AC but can't - would it be fair to guess that it's US heroines reinterpreted a la Japanese porny manga sensibilities? Anyway, pass.

Dante said...

I don't think that word exists,rather it was coined by fans?Or the statue makers.

Funny thing?The AmeComi versions of heroines are based on the latest incarnations of them,before 52...so...that's how they saw Supergirl...good thing PG didn't cange her costume much.XD

Anonymous said...

Palmiotti??? The art looks good but the writer is Palmiotti??? His take on the character was old-fashioned, insulting, and not well received. I hated every single version of Supergirl he wrote. They were all dumb as bricks. All too quick to cry. All with zero depth. I cannot stomach a Palmiotti Supergirl even if it were drawn by Gary Frank, Ed Benes, Michael Turner, Ian Churchill, etc. and even if they returned to the movie/matrix costume.

Anonymous said...

the return of mister one note, Larry Gardner.