Steve Rude On Supergirl ... What Might Have Been

Thanks to blog friend Jon Francis for pointing out a juicy little tidbit about one of my favorite artists, Steve Rude, and Supergirl.

In TwoMorrow's Comic Book Creator #18, Rude discusses what sounds like a near miss for being on the Supergirl title in some role. Whether it was regular artist, fill in artist, or cover artist, we almost had a Rude awakening on the book. But I guess it wasn't meant to be.

It's a shame because Rude has a clean style that I love. There is a classic feel to his stuff, timeless and beautuful.

In an article aptly called 'DC: Hello, Goodbye ... ', Rude talks about a this possible assignment.

As you can tell by the title, it ends with Rude saying goodbye to DC.

Review: Action Comics #1004

Action Comics #1004 came out this week and it was the first issue of the Brian Michael Bendis run on this title that left me a little cold. One of the biggest problems I have had with the reboot has been the removal of Lois and Jon from the book. This issue brings back Lois but does it in such an awkward and odd way that I had to wonder if Bendis has been reading Superman at all.

After a couple of years of a truly loving super-family in the Tomasi and Jurgens written Rebirth books, eliminating Jon and Lois seemed short-sighted. Still, I have very much enjoyed Action Comics since Bendis took over. I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he would be able to bring back the Kent family in a way that I could understand and appreciate.

Instead, in this issue, we find out that Lois basically 'needs space' and decided to stay hidden without talking about it with her husband. It is only after he 'discovers' her that she opens up with her concerns. Now you might say that plenty of couples have ups and downs and this could ring true to real life. But Lois never really is able to explain what it is that was missing before. She says she needs room to write but she wrote when she was with Clark as a couple, prolifically. Two books as Author X as well as her Planet stuff.

Even more perplexing, Clark just seems to accept it. You would think he'd have more questions.

And the Jon stuff is glossed over. Remember, their kid is now alone, in space, with a mass murderer who tried to foment chaos on Earth to convince Superman that humans are horrible and worthy of genocide. Not exactly good parenting 101.

All that said, Ryan Sook's art is so wonderful it just sings on the page. From the brief action scenes to the conversations in the Planet to the heart-to-heart Clark/Lois scenes, Sook's work is superior. His expressive work is just wonderful. That alone elevates the book.

Still, this just left a sour taste. On to the particulars.

Happy Anniversary! Top Ten Supergirl Commissions!

I continue my semi-self-congratulatory tenth anniversary of Supergirl blogging by looking back at my every growing collection of commissions. I am pretty lucky that New England has a good convention scene that allows me the opportunity to run into creators on an annual basis. And I am also lucky enough to have a job where I can moonlight an extra shift to fund a convention season, allowing me to at least try to get commissions.

As I write this, I have just under 100 commissions in the collection. Initially I got them on separate Bristol board and would frame them. But I quickly ran out of wall space in the comic area of the basement. It also was kind of hard to share the collection. So a while back I switched to sketch books which I now bring to conventions. It has served me well. I know have a portable art gallery. And artists who I do commission seem to like flipping through the book themselves.

As part of this 10th anniversary celebration, I have been looking at some Top Tens and figured my commission collection was a natural for such a list. The problem is I love all my sketches. So picking a top ten feels like I am rejecting the others. So I am presenting the top ten commissions that stuck out to me today. Ask me tomorrow and I might pick a different 10 all together. And these are listed unranked and alphabetically by artist. This is just the top ten.

If you love any of my commissions, please drop me a note. In the mean time, on to the list,.

Review: Adventures Of Superman #17

Adventures of Superman #17 came out this week, the last issue of this title which has been a true joy for me. For the last year and a half I could count on this book for showcasing a classic take on Superman, an inspirational figure, a true hero. And this book always seemed to come out just when something particularly odious happened in the main books. Ranging from straightforward 'Supes fighting Brainiac' to more philosophical treatises on Superman as immortal hero, this book stretched my mind and made me glad to be a Superman fan again.

And so it was with a sad heart that I see this book come to an end.

But what a way to end. We have three very different stories, each of high quality, proving that in the right hands we can have a cosmic Superman, a Superman horror story, and a Superman romance story. The next time I hear someone tell me Superman is boring or that you can't tell a compelling Superman story, I'm going to hand them this issue.

Just fantastic stories and from great creators. Jerry Ordway and Steve Rude. Steve Niles and Matthew Dow Smith. Kelly Sue DeConnick and Valentine DeLandro. It is a perfect lineup for this title's swan song.

The first story is written by Jerry Ordway and drawn by Steve Rude, two creators I have complimented many many times on this site. There is something timeless about Superman and Rude's style has that timeless feel to it. I mean, just look at this panel as Superman streaks to stop a massive asteroid from crashing into Earth. Beautiful.

But knowing that OMAC was going to be in the story was bonus. Rude has always shined when doing Kirby.

Landing on the satellite, Superman is startled to see a robot assemble itself and start a fight.

There is something amusing about seeing Superman, under rubble, cape over his head, wondering why every robot he encounters starts a fight.

But this is more than just your standard robot. This thing can somehow has Kryptonite and actually gets the upper hand.

That is, until OMAC arrives. And it is the classic OMAC. Not evil robots. Not the finny New 52. Buddy Blank, sent by Brother Eye back in time to rescue Superman and stop robot G-7.

This just screams Kirby. The poses, the line work. Classic.

It turns out that G-7 was sent from the future to kill Superman. The hope being that without Superman as a symbol of hope and selflessness that Brother Eye and OMAC would not exist allowing the nefarious villains from the future to reign supreme.

Luckily, with OMAC's help Superman survives and the bomb is brought back to the future where OMAC uses it to blow up the headquarters of Dr. Skuba (the villain of the piece).

"The great heroes of the past have inspired us to pursue justice for the oppressed Brother Eye."

This is why I love this book.

But the last panel is great as well, showing the inspiration as it exists. After all a satellite saw the asteroid coming and a one-man-army-corps named Superman was sent to stop it.

Now I love Ordway and I really love Rude. But this was just the appetizer in this book.

"Ghosts of Krypton was the next story in the issue, written by horror specialist Steve Niles with moody art by Matthew Dow Smith.

In this story, Superman is the dedication of a moon base when a ghost from Krypton's past arrives. It turns out that this astronaut also left a dying Krypton and was rocketing to Earth. But he died during the trip, crashing on the moon.

With the usual powers of a poltergeist, this ghost begins to shake the foundations. And then he sets his eyes on Kal, wondering why he hasn't conquered Earth.

You know, call me old fashioned, but I still like to think of Krypton as a peaceful, advanced society and not a bunch of expansionists.

Superman finds the actual body of the ghost and then says ...

"I am of both worlds. Krypton is in my soul. But Earth has my heart."

That is why I love this book.

And rather than fight this specter, Superman decides to help it. He reunites the body and soul of this explorer and gives it a burial. Incredible.

It turns out Pa gave Clark some advice about ghosts, about how they only have the power you give them. And that helped in a pinch.

So science fiction Superman story? Check.
Horror Superman story? Check.

How about some romance to close the book?

"Mystery Box" is written by Kelly Sue DeConnick, one of my favorites. And there is wonderful understated art by Valentine DeLandro on the piece.

Now people have heard me lament the treatment of Lois Lane in the New 52 for the last 3 years. And, much like I look for a classic Superman in this book, I also get to see a more classic take on Lois as well. Thanks goodness Adventures and Smallville are around for Lois fans!

We start out almost with an Bond movie teaser, Lois in disguise, running from bad guys, jumping out of a moving car and into a propeller plane. It's almost a riff on Indiana Jones!

Just a perfect opening hook!

And then we find out it's Valentine's Day later in the week and Lois has given Superman a mystery box. It is small, leadlined, wrapped.

And so begins a mystery. What should she have given him?

And more importantly what should he give her?

It leads to an interesting travelogue through the DCU as Superman asks friends - Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman - what the box could be and what should he get her.

The answers are hysterical. And frankly, I'm not sharing. You need to buy this issue to see those scenes.

But the end scene is fantastic and deserves to be shared. Lois and Superman are at nice romantic picnic for Valentine's Day.

So Superman presents Lois with his gift to her, in a little velvet box.

The progression of the panels is great. First some incredulity by Lois - 'seriously'. Would Superman ever get on one knee and propose?

The that middle panel, wide smile, you know she thinks it is going to be an engagement ring.

Then the look of disappointment. But also a hint of annoying. He got her a watch? Not exactly romantic!

The art is sooo wonderful here. That expression in the third panel is perfect.

But there is more, Superman's watch is made from pieces of her most recent adventures. And it doesn't tell time because he will wait for Lois. Their love is timeless.

Again, great middle panel art here with Lois smiling wide.

She then gives Superman her gift again.

It turns out it is a box that can't be opened. Her gift was a mystery ... something rare for Supergirl.

But this is the best part ... at least for me.

Lois is giving this long prepared speech about how awesome her gift is when Superman starts laughing.

Initially Lois seems irked. Is he laughing at her? But then he brings back the romance as he says she is a constant mystery for him. He didn't need the box.

Wow.

A happy, loving Superman and Lois. Complete with a little adventure and romance. And the art captures it so effortlessly!

It is just fantastic. And it makes the perfect capstone for this book. Because who knows if we will ever see this Lois and Superman in a New 52 book.

So a trilogy of stories showing how great Superman could be in multiple genres. And just like that Adventures of Superman is over.

And it will be missed. Thanks to Alex Antone, the editor of this book, for crushing it for a year and a half.

Overall grade (issue): A+
Overall grade (series): A

Boston Comic Con Commissions - Steve Rude

The Boston Comic Con was everything I thought it would be and more. Crazy busy and jammed with creators and dealers, it was the wildest and most entertaining local convention I have been to. As I said before, it was great to rub elbows with a lot of creators whose work I have enjoyed throughout the years. I especially liked meeting some of my favorite artists and approaching them for commissions.

From a commission point of view, it was the most prolific con I have been to as I walked away with five original pieces ... far more than I usually am able to obtain. I will be posting them here over the next week or so.

One of the creators I was most pumped to meet was Steve Rude whose work in the industry on Nexus is legendary. I have tried to pick up most anything he has done for DC from covers and interiors on Legends of the DC Universe to one of the prestige World's Finest mini-series. I love his classic take on the characters and was hoping beyond hope I would be able to get a commission from him. Luckily I was one of the first at his table on Saturday and secured a spot.

The commission is posted above and it is simply spectacular. Rude's styles are so timeless. As a sentimental sort of Supergirl fan, this piece with her looking out happily and innocently just struck me. If this was the only piece I got at the convention I would have left happy.

Moreover, Rude told me that he 'loves to draw Supergirl'. Steve Rude is a Supergirl fan! And he said he felt 'really good' when he was done with the piece. I concur ... this piece is something special. I am just thrilled with this commission.

Lastly, I have to say again that it is great to see the Boston Comic Con grow so dramatically over the last couple of years. This felt like a 'big' convention. Boston deserves one.

Boston Comic-Con Day 2

Well, day one of the Boston Comic Con was absolutely phenomenal.

First off, it was unbelievably busy. This convention has really grown in popularity. At one point, they had to stop letting people in because of fire code issues. The line outside waiting to get in wrapped around a corner of the hotel. Crazy!

All the guests were readily available. And I was able to grab some commissions which I will post soon. I got a great Steve Rude piece. I am on Joe Michael Linsner's list so will pick that one up today. I even grabbed one from Tiny Titans writer/artist Franco. I'll post these soon.

Lastly, the hope is to get one more from Joe Quinones today.

On top of the commissions, I was able to meet and chat with some great creators and grab some autographs - Jim Starlin, Bill Sienkiewicz, JH Williams III, and Cam Stewart. I also shopped a little bit and grabbed some back issues.

And now ... on to day two!

Boston Comic Con April 10-11

It's that time again. The Boston Comic Con is right around the corner, a mere 10 days away! Here is the link .... well worth perusing just to see the guests invited: http://www.bostoncomiccon.com/

As I have said before, I unfortunately can't easily get away to conventions far away, even NY wouldn't be easy to get to. So I have been thrilled that the Boston Comic Con has grown as dramatically as it has.

Just a couple of years ago, this was still a small convention, grabbing maybe one or two big name creator guests. The last couple of cons have had more and more guests and bigger and bigger names. It got to the point where the venue was simply too small.

So this time it is taking place at a new and bigger venue. And the guest list is long and reads like a who's who in comics.

Now I can't wait to meet the majority of these guests and I will have issues to get signed by many of these guests. But the big quest at these conventions are the commissions. I always hope to walk away with 3 commissions, but would be happy with 2.

Here are my top 5 commission hopes in no particular order.


Steve 'The Dude' Rude - Best known for his work on Nexus, Rude's style is smooth, clean, and impeccable. He did a World's Finest prestige mini-series and a number of covers for the Legends of the DCU series. I think his stuff is phenomenal.



Joe Michael Linsner - best known for his enduring Dawn character and the more recent Dark Ivory mini-series. He currently is doing covers for the ongoing Conan the Cimmerian monthly. His style can veer to cheesecake but I absolutely love his art. I would be very very happy to walk out with a Linsner piece.

JH Williams III - one of the most dynamic artists in the field today. His visually arresting run on Detective Comics and the Batwoman character has been lauded almost everywhere. I loved his work on Seven Soldiers and the Son of Superman graphic novel. I am sure he would have a very interesting take on Supergirl.


Joe Quinones - I first saw Quinones' art on the Green Lantern strip in Wednesday Comics. I thought his work there really shined as he was able to range from a retro-50s style bar atmosphere to an outer space epic brawl. He drew the cover for Adventure Comics #9 which just came out yesterday and he can clearly handle Supergirl.

Cameron Stewart - He has drawn Seaguy, Catwoman, and the most recent issues of Batman and Robin. I think he has a deceptively simple style, an economy of lines where a lot is conveyed to the reader without looking overdone. I think a piece from him would complement my collection nicely.

And this list isn't all inclusive of this convention. I would love, for example, to see a Bill Sienkiewicz Supergirl commission ... but I have to prioritize who I want, the potential cost of a commission, and whether or not the artist is even taking commission requests.

With a convention this big, getting on commission lists can really be hit or miss. To get on the lists of the most popular artists, you need to be in the convention line early (usually hours early) and you need to head straight to that artist's table. Some lists fill within the first 10 minutes of a con. Unfortunately, as you wait in one artist's line, another artist's list is simultaneously being filled. As a result it is tough to get several big name commissions ... the lists fill up too quickly. And if the artist isn't at his table yet, do you wait? Or move on?

I don't 100% know my game plan for the 10th. I am sort of weighing my options. Any opinions out there? Who would you like to see me run to first?