Superman and the Challenge of the Perfect Solids

[arbre_rieur]

Each member of the 853rd century JLA is champion to a different planet in the solar system. So when the modern JLA switches places with their future counterparts, they each materialize at a different planet: Flash arrives on future Flash's homeworld of Mercury, Aquaman swims the xeno-oceans of future Aquaman's Neptune, etc.

Superman, naturally, arrives on Earth.

( Read more... )

The problem with the ultimate form of victory

[q99]

Of all things, what could be better than forcing a hero to break their own principles?

( New Super Stupor behind cut )

Behind the (Black) Mask: the Rise of Roman Sionis

[thehefner]

If there's one classic* Batman villain I've come to hate over the past ten years, it's Black Mask.

Thanks to his prominent roles in War Games, he dominated the Bat-books for a couple years, getting big parts in Nightwing, Catwoman, and Under the Hood, thus also appearing in the last one's DVD adaptation, as well as Teh Batman. So I really shouldn't be surprised that this one-dimensional, nasty, pointless, generic, hollow non-character actually has fans. Not surprised, but disappointed.

But why? How the hell did this character become a thing, while better gangster-style villains (the Penguin, Harvey, the Ventriloquist and Scarface) got shoved to the side?

So, as I was already writing about a related Two-Face story from 1985, I decided to check out the original Black Mask appearances by Doug Moench. What I was surprised to discover was that Moench's original Mask in no way, shape, or form resembles the version which DC rose to prominence a few years ago.

I'm not saying he's a good character, mind you. But he's a far more interesting (and cracktacular) character. Hell, just look at the cover blurb:





So yes, prepare for the ultra-modern Batman villain who makes all the other villains look like CRAP! At least, according to Doug Moench.

( Push it to the limit (LIMIIIIIIIT) behind the cut )

When Selina killed Roman a second time, I reacted with a weary "finally." But now, after reading Moench's originally stories, I feel disappointed for Ed Brubaker and subsequent writers for wasting what little potential there was for this character, and further distaste for anyone who actually likes the skull-faced version of Black Mask.

Finally, a question: anyone else think that Jeph Loeb ripped off Black Mask when he created Hush? Really, everything that Loeb tried to say with Tommy Elliot, I feel like Moench already said better with Roman Sionis. Just another little way that Moench's original creation has been swept under the rug by DC.




*I hate Hush and Dr. Hurt more, but they ain't "classic" just yet.

Sinfest Superbowl Sunday

[philippos42]

( The True Meaning of The Superbowl )

Sunday Subtext for X-fans

[bluefall]

Hey, ejne7 beat me to the subtext punch this week! Is this catching on? :D?

I've recently been introduced to Generation X and the glorious snippy, contentious, intense and subtexty relationship between Jubilation Lee (who still has the single best name in all of comics) and Monet St Croix.

( I love the snarking and the fighting... )

Black Mask Explains His Torture Gimmick and his Dislike of Costume Superheroes

[espanolbot]

( twelve scans )

Man-dates in Extreme Justice, and "event comics" criticism request

[ejne7]

Two things:

Firstly, people actually requested more Extreme Justice, so I'm sharing the two scenes in which bystanders read a team-member as Blue Beetle's boyfriend. The surprising part is that neither of these teammates is Booster Gold.

( I'm so worn out from all that cowboy stuff, I feel I could use a whole new body! )

Secondly, a request: Can anyone recommend me any serious/scholarly books, journals, etc. that discuss the phenomenon of "event" comics? I saw that the Sequential Art Journal is bringing out Classics on Infinite Earth: The Justice League and DC Crossover Continuity, and I'm looking for titles like that: stuff discussing the genesis of events comics, and how we got from The Great Darkness Saga through CoIE and developments like 52 to *fifteen* distinct mini tie-ins with Flashpoint. (I know my DC bias is showing here; I'm equally interested in Marvel-focused material for this.)

If I get a good response on this I promise to stop posting Extreme Justice :)

Superboy #4

[superfangirl1]

( Read more )

On the Subject of the Bana

[bluefall]

Be advised, this post is obscenely TL:DR. But if you're in the mood for some , I'm feeling the need to rant today, so let's talk about the Bana for a bit, shall we?



( I care, ladies. I care. )

X-MEN UNLIMITED #2: Meet your new housemate

[starwolf_oakley]

Here's the final page of X-MEN UNLIMITED #2, where Professor Xavier had the idea to keep Sabretooth in the X-mansion to help him control his homicidal rages. (Sabretooth's murderous impulses had become less of a sick thrill than an uncontrollable need.) He's had worse ideas.
Really.

( You all hate me s'much as I hate you. )

Runaways #10: Party Time in San Francisco

[ficticons]

This is for ravenous_raven, who requested the page of the young X-Men and the Runaways partying together. Here it is with a little bit of context.

( From the story 'Mollifest Destiny' in Runaways #10 )

For the mods, this is six pages from a 32-page book and a 22-page story.