Bullet Review: New History Of The DC Universe #2

When The New History of the DC Universe was announced, I figured I would be covering some bits of it. When I read the solicits for The New History of the DC Universe #2 and saw it would cover the Crisis, I figured there would be some pieces in it worth a spot here.

So far writer Mark Waid has been rolling out the timeline in a rather straightforward way. This isn't a story after all, There isn't a plot that needs to be resolved. These are events which have happened. Waid is just trying to make sense of it all.

And frankly I am trying to make sense of it all. Because it is hard to put it all together in my mind.

Some of it reads like there has always been just one universe. At times it reads like there is a multiverse that became a universe. Sometimes the timeline feels condensed as the arrival of characters and major events unfolding seem a bit strange.

But if we are creating one timeline out of the many MANY DC universes and reboots, I shouldn't have been surprised. So, for example, Cyborg was part of an early JLA that fought Darkseid (that's new 52 JLA) but then was put into some stasis for years until he re-arrives to be part of the New Teen Titans? Strange. And that early fight with Darkseid? That is just an early manifestation of the JLA. The Appelax meteor story is still considered the first JLA adventure. 

Got it? Maybe?

Anyways, let's see how Supergirl fares.

Review: Superman Space Age Book One

Superman Space Age Book One came out last week, a big 80 pager at the hefty cost of $9.99. It is an interesting book, a sort of Elseworlds. But I don't quite know if it is my cup of tea. And at nearly $10 a book, I was hoping I would really love it.

Writer Mark Russell gives us an Elseworlds look at a DCU where the heroes ascend in the early 60's. As such, you can put it in the same category as New Frontier. But there is a different feel to this one. The Superman here isn't the Superman I know. The origin and the upbringing is starker. And as a result, there is a void in this book of love and even hope. In particular, Pa Kent is very different here, almost Snyder-esque. And that pains me. This is the first book, of course, so maybe things will get better as Superman enters the prime of his career. The best bits are seeing Lois as a reporter in the changing times of the Sixties.

Russell is a known commodity and so if you like his works this probably will work for you. I have found him a bit hit and miss and right now I am on the fence here.

One thing I can say is the book is beautiful. Mike and Laura Allred are at the top of their game here. I suppose Allred is also a known commodity. If you like his art, which I do, you'll love this book. 

As always, this is an alternate reality, an alternate Earth. So I don't have to worry about these things sticking. Because, at least after this issue, I don't know if I would be a Superman fan if this was who he is.

On to the book.

Wednesday Comics Supergirl

I am really starting to get excited about DC's next weekly Wednesday Comics. As I have said before, DC has really done a great job assembling tremendous talent to work on all the individual strips.

A lot of the strips have had some sneak peeks revealed. But we haven't seen any part of the Supergirl strip until now. Above we see our first look at the Palmiotti/Conner Supergirl. It seems we are going with a Matrix-style costume ... no belly shirt here.

And look at the exasperated look on her face! Awesome!



Over on The Source, we finally got a little window dressing for Wednesday Comics, a single little window into all the titles. Man, they all look soooooo good. I forgot about the Talent Caldwell Wonder Woman! And I am really really interested in the Gibbons/Sook Kamandi and Simonson/Stelfreeze Catwoman and Demon strip.

But we are here to talk Supergirl. We know that in the script, she seems to be dealing with an out of control Streaky and Krypto. It sounds like it will be a wonderfully fun and breezy strip. Supergirl's expression above says it all. And here is a great page posted on DC too ( http://dcublog.dccomics.com/2009/06/15/cool-wednesday-comics-news-huh/ ). Looks like this is going to be a blast! And the return of the red skirt too! I love this look best of all on Supergirl so I am thrilled to see it again.

Amanda Conner's art is just so perfect for a strip like this. I really have to get to a convention where she is a guest and beg for a Kara commission.

When Wednesday Comics and its format were announced, we all wondered if it would be marketed in atypical stores ... grocery stores, book stores, etc. Instead, the Superman title will be printed the first week in USA Today and subsequently put on the paper's web site(http://dcublog.dccomics.com/2009/06/15/wednesday-comics-superman-strip-to-be-serialized-in-usa-today/ ). It is a nice way to branch out and showcase the concept to mainstream America.

Boston Comicon and Paul Gulacy Commission

I am pretty excited about the upcoming Boston Comic Con, a mere 10 days away! Here is their link for anyone local: http://www.bostoncomiccon.com/

As a Boston guy with tough commitments, it is pretty hard for me to get away to the big conventions. Even a day trip to the NYCC is difficult to pull off.

So I am pretty pumped about this new convention which has been going on for the last couple of years. I have met some big names in the past here: Jim Steranko, Carmine Infantino, and Bernie Wrightson to name a couple. I also have met a lot of local artists like Paul Ryan, Norman Lee, and Scott Wegener to name a few.

The good news is that this Boston convention seems to be growing. Next month's is 2 days!

And look at the big name guests! Something for everyone! Here are some brief resumes.

Mike Allred is most famous for Madman but also has done X-Statix.

Whilce Portacio has done Spawn, X-Men, Wetworks, and other WildStorm issues.

Jim Cheung has done New Avengers, Young Avengers, and The Illuminati.

Paul Gulacy is most famous for his run on Master of Kung Fu but has also worked on Batman and Catwoman.

Add to that a lot of other guests and it looks like I might need to moonlight a bit to make some extra cash to spend.

I really like Jim Cheung's art and so I am going to head to the con early in hopes of grabbing a commission from him.

Of all the guests, Gulacy is my favorite. I have always loved his art. Here is a commission of Supergirl that I already have from him.

This is probably the most cheesecake-y commission in my collection. It is not the usual style for my collection but I would expect nothing else from a master of the female form like Gulacy. This is really a great piece. The scan does not do it justice. The shading and grey tones really give it a 3-dimensional feel and some energy.