ComicsHistory: Comic Book News and Reviews News and Reviews of the Comic Book Industry

Lynn Collins as the sword-wielding, butt-kicking Dejah Thoris from the John Carter movie

In this, the 100th anniversary of the first publication of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ “Mars Series” of stories and novels, Disney released the John Carter movie on March 9, 2012. The following review does contain movie spoilers, but, as the spoilers are like a green-skinned, four-armed, 15-ft. tall Thark or Warhoon, you will notice the spoiler alert before you approach them.  Read more at:  http://www.historyguy.com/comicshistory/john_carter_mars_movie_review.htm and at

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/ComicsHistory/news/?a=56166

Review and Analysis

 

Avengers # Cover Art

 

Avengers Vol. 1, #1

Title: “The Coming of the Avengers”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Cover Art: Jack Kirby, Dick Ayers

Inks: Dick Ayers

Lettering: Sam Rosen

Characters:

Superheroes: Thor, Iron Man, the Hulk, Ant-Man, Wasp (The Avengers), the Fantastic Four (Cameo), Odin (Cameo)

Super-Villains: Loki and his ally, a Troll of the Isle of Silence

Supporting Characters: Rick Jones and the Teen Brigade, Jane Foster (Cameo)

1st Appearances:

The Avengers (as a team)

The Troll of the Isle of Silence

Significance of Avengers #1:

–This issue featured the origin and first appearance of the Avengers as a superhero team

–Rick Jones plays a hand in the formation of the Avengers. He will play a significant role in the history of the Avengers, as well as of the Hulk, Captain America, and Captain Marvel

–Loki appears as the first Avengers villian

 

 

Avengers # 1 Story Synopsis:

Loki Plots Revenge from the Isle of Silence in the splash page from Avengers # 1

Loki, the evil half-brother of Thor, previously exiled to the Isle of Silence by Thor, wiles away his imprisonment devising plots with which to get revenge on the God of Thunder. Using his powers….Read the rest of the Synopsis and the Analysis of Avengers #1 HERE

The Last of the Greats

Review: The Last of the Greats

 

Writer Joshua Hale Fialkov and artist Brent Peeples combined to create a different sort of superhero comic in “The Last of the Greats.” This is a look at what happens if superpowered beings actually were to appear on an Earth that has no history of superheroes or supervillains. When the “Greats,” appear (one per continent, except Antarctica), the world is at first thankful, as these powerful beings act as saviors to mankind. They end war, poverty, disease, and all of the usual negative and deadly human character traits. In doing so, they impose some restrictions, such as taking control of the worst weapons, and telling the human race that we can’t hurt each other anymore. Eventually, the human race rejects these six saviors, killing them off, until Earth is seemingly free of them.

 

However, when a large fleet of seemingly hostile aliens approaches Earth, representatives are sent to Antarctica to plead with the last surviving Great to intervene and, in effect, to become humanity’s savior. However, unlike his six siblings, the Last of the Greats holds humanity in utmost contempt, and refuses to provide aid. The end of the first book in this new series from Image Comics is a definite surprise, and I will not spoil it by describing the story further. I recommend that you…(Read the full review at http://www.historyguy.com/comicshistory/review_last_of_the_greats_1.htm)

Aquaman- (Arthur Curry) –1st appearance: More Fun Comics #73 (Nov. 1941)  (Note: While the official publication date of Aquaman’s first appearance is November of 1941, the actual date More Fun Comics #73 hit newstands is October 25, 1941.)Aquaman is a human/Atlantean hybrid who first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 in November of 1941. As with many of the heroes who debuted in the early 1940s, Aquaman spent a large amount of time battling Axis villians. Nazi U-Boat (submarine) commanders were a favorite target of the King of the Seas… Read More at: http://www.historyguy.com/comicshistory/aquaman.htm

The Jet City Comic Show is the annual comic book show held in Seattle, Washington every year in September. This year’s comic show featured creators Dustin Nguyen and Nick Dragotta, while the primary media guest was William Katt, who played the Greatest American Hero in the television show of the same name in the early 1980s. The Jet City Show was held again this year atThe Seattle Center.

This was the second annual Jet City Comic Show, and this year’s show was (in my humble opinion), better attended and better organized than the inaugural show last year. The vendors seemed like they were selling more comics and other geek accessories than last year, and this year several top guests were booked to appear at the show, and most of them made it to Seattle. Jet City put a lot of social media (facebook, twitter, etc.) effort into promoting the appearance of William Katt, the actor from the Greatest American Hero.

Jet City bills itself as Seattle’s only one-day comic show, setting it apart from its big sister, the Emerald City Comicon, held in March. Emerald City is more like a mini-San Diego Comicon, which is to say it is as much a pop culture show as a comic show. Jet City is still a Comic Show, first and foremost. It serves as a good place for comic dealers and comic buyers to meet and engage in the original intent for the comic show concept: the buying and selling of the source code of comic pop culture, the Comic Book! 

The staff of the show were friendly and professional, the facility was clean and well-suited for hosting the show, and it looked like a LOT of comics and other related items exchanged hands. One table in particular bears mentioning. In October, Seattle will see the first Geek Girl Con, which bills itself as “promoting awareness of and celebrating the contribution and involvement of women in all aspects of the sciences, science fiction, comics, gaming and related Geek culture through conventions and events that emphasize both the historic and ongoing contribution and influence of women in this culture.” The ladies at the Geek Girl table showed a lot of enthusiam and have made a very good showing at using social media to attract folks to their con, which runs October 8 and 9 in Seattle.

Read the full review of the Jet City Comic Show here…

ComicsHistory Review: Action Comics #1:  The New 52 Take on Superman as an  Homage to the Original Action Comics

Grant Morrison’s “New 52” take on the Man of Steel in this rebooted Action Comics #1 hearkens in many ways back to those glorious days of yesteryear when Superman was literally the newest (and only) tights-wearing superhero on the block.

I had read some background info on this new version of Superman, and read an interview Grant Morrison granted (and I cannot recall where that article is on the web; sorry), in which he discussed how he literally wanted to take the Superman character back to his roots in the late 1930s, in the original Action Comics #1 and other issues, in which Superman was more of a crusader against injustice and corruption.  Many of us grew up with either comic book, movie, or television versions of Superman in which he is saving the planet, or facing down nasty aliens, or doomsday monsters.  And that is not what the “original” Man of Steel fought against.  He battled corruption, military dictators, illegal arms manufacturers, and other “real life” villains.  Morrison said he wanted to take this new version of Superman back to those roots.

After reading his Action Comics #1 (with very good art by Rags Morales), I can see what he meant.  Having read the original Action Comics #1 story (no, I am not rich enough to own that book—I wish!), I detect the original flavor of the character in both the story and in the art.  This Superman operates outside of the law (just as Batman does in the “New 52” Justice League), and his focus is bringing corrupt officials, mob bosses, and their ilk to justice.  And if he breaks a few laws and defies orders from the police in the process, then so be it.

NOTE:  MAJOR SPOILERS LURK BELOW THIS LINE—BEWARE!

This Superman has attitude!  He basically heckles the police to shoot at him, knowing that the bullets will just bounce off his tough hide.  Apparently the public and the government don’t really know much about this super-powered vigilante.  He wars blue jeans, thick combat or construction work boots, a rather short red cape, and a short-sleeved Superman “S” t-shirt.  His face, in several close-up panels, is quite young, in his early-to-mid-twenties perhaps. The authorities, aided by an expensive consultant named Luthor (of course), have laid a trap to catch Superman.  In conversation between Luthor and General Lane (yes, you-know-who’s daddy), we learn that Superman had appeared on the scene only six months earlier, his powers are increasing with time, and that at least Luthor believes that Superman in really a non-human, being most likely an alien from another world.  Hmmm…think Luthor may be on to something?

Without giving away too much of the story, let’s just say that the end is something of a cliffhanger, and that the reference to a “speeding bullet” comes to mind.

In terms of the illustrations, penciller Rags Morales serves up great visual impression of the new Superman and his intensity is clearly evident on the facial close-ups. I especially liked the homage paid to the original Action Comics art as several panels of the new Action Comics depict Superman in poses that look a LOT like what you would see in the old 1938 and 1939 issues of Action Comics. Another way this Action is similar to the original, is that there is no attempt at an origin story.  No memories of the farm in Smallville, or conversations with the ghost of Jor-El.  Just the introduction of a super-vigilante out to clean up a corrupt Metropolis.

Action Comics #1

This story obviously takes place before the events in Justice League #1, since the costumes worn by Supes are radically different in the two books.  While I originally was not really crazy about the whole reboot of the DC Universe, I must say I like what I have seen so far in these two books.  Next up is a review of Detective Comics #1 in a day or so.  Stay tuned!

ComicsHistory Review:  Detective Comics #1

Batman Logo

DC Comics relaunch of the entire DC universe’s superhero lineup hold the potential for major shakeups in superhero and supervillain histories and personae, but after reading Detective Comics #1, I am pleased to report that the Batman and his insanely murderous arch-nemesis come through the relaunch more or less intact.  At least until the last panel of this book (Ho, Hooo, Heh, Heh, Heee! To quote the Joker),   More on that later…

As with the opening of Justice League #1, this story opens with Batman again (still?), hounded by, and being shot at by, the Gotham City Police.  As with many other storylines in Batman’s storied history, he is tracking down the Joker, who is identified in Batman’s thought balloons as having killed over one-hundred and fourteen people over the past six year in various gruesome manners.  I won’t go over the details of the story itself, save to say that it is, in many ways, a typical Batman-chasing-down-the-Joker tale, complete with morbid and dangerous Joker-clues left behind and a trail of dead bodies. 

What I will discuss is my disappointment at the seeming familiarity that this story had for me.  With the highly-publicized reboot/relaunch of the DCU, and after reading both new books, Justice League #1 and Action Comics #1, which both featured new twists on old characters and the relationships between them, I expected something different in a Batman solo tale.  Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the story, and the sick-minded Joker is as perfidious as ever in how he can mess with the cops and with Bats.  As with any story in a book called Detective Comics, there are several good mysteries here, involving the Joker, a new menace called the Dollmaker, and the question of who the little girl named Olivia Carr really is and her connection to the other characters.  And, I wonder, was her name chosen writer/artist Tony Salvador Daniel with a hidden purpose?  Is the old Justice League sidekick Snapper Carr going to appear as a relative of this mysterious little girl? And what is the deal with Alfred and the hologram thing?   I look forward to learning the answers to these mysteries.

Tony Salvador Daniel is both wrote and drew this story (as well as creating the cover art), and I am very impressed by both his writing and his art.  Batman looks tough, kicks butt, gets fooled, cops get wasted by Joker, and, to top it all off, the end of this story is awesomely gruesome!  Now, I would not expect, nor would I want,” gruesome” in a Superman or Justice League or even a Green Lantern book, but in a Batman tale, considering all of the insane and sick Batman villains running around Gotham, it is rather expected as well as desired.  The ending of Detective Comics #1 is truly cut from a different cloth as it were, from the other “New 52” books I have thus far read and reviewed.

Other than the basic similarity to the general Batman genre of DC’s pre-New 52 comics, I really enjoyed this comic, and am looking forward to reading more of the Joker, his apparently new buddy the Dollmaker, and the mysteries presented herein.  Oh, and I want to see more of Batman pummeling Joker.  That was fun.  Till next time…

As a long time comic book fan, I must admit that when I heard about DC Comics’ planned relaunch and reboot of their flagship titles, I was a bit perturbed.  To see such venerable titles as Action Comics, Detective Comics, Superman, and Batman, all with their long-running numbering system and history of continuous publication go by the wayside was a true disturbance of the force, to borrow a metaphor from another franchise.   However, curiosity got the best of me, and I bought the digital version of the new Justice League series last night.  Of the 52 titles DC is relaunching, Justice League #1 is the first to reach publication.

As I opened the new comic on my laptop computer, what before my wondering eyes did appear, but the colorful cover art of the new Justice League.  And, it appeared, that these familiar heroes looked slightly different than the old, now discontinued JLA members I recall from my youth (or even from last year).

The story is by Geoff Johns, with the illustrations by Jim Lee.  DC brought out their big guns for this relaunch, and they got it right! 

NOTE:  Spoilers Ahead:

In this version of the DC Universe, the heroes we associate with the old Justice League have not yet met, and the public and the government do not consider them to be heroes.  The story opens with Batman being hunted down by the Gotham City police as the Dark Knight is himself hunting down an as yet unknown bad guy.  Such is the level of animosity the authorities have for the Caped Crusader, that when police commander is informed that Batman is pursuing a super powered being, the order is given to “bring them both down.”  Of course, Bats survives the onslaught, but is surprised at the appearance of Green Lantern.  At this point we realize the heroes have not met, because upon their first encounter, Green Lantern blurts out to Batman, “You’re real?” 

Of course, the heroes team up to track down the mysterious bad guy, who Green Lantern is tracking because he is an extraterrestrial.  As Green Lantern explains a bit about himself, Batman seems to have some disbelief in the Lantern’s claim that he is part of a corps of space cops.  While dealing with their elusive alien adversary, they decide to check out another alien they have heard of to see if there is some connection with the bad guy.

Using Green Lantern’s ring, this Dysfunctional Duo track down the other alien in question, Superman, who they know is active in Metropolis.  While Batman advises caution in approaching Superman, who seems to be in an area indicative of recent super-powered combat, a fearless, and thus over-confident Green Lantern declares “I’ll handle this,” whereupon he is cannonballed by a blue and red powerhouse.  We then see a Superman with some attitude declaring that “I don’t handle easy.”  The story ends with a ticked-off-looking Superman facing down Batman. 

What I like about this new take on these old heroes is that we see the archetypical personalities and traits we know these characters for (speaking of Batman and Green Lantern here), in their most basic form.  Batman is the stolid avenger who seeks out and is comforted by the animosity of society, using it as another cloak to meld into the shadows with and build his fearful mystique.  We see him in detective mode, as he surmises the means by which Green Lantern utilizes his ring (that part is really funny!), and we see Batman as ultimately sneaky and ruthless.  Green Lantern, who the mythos tells us was chosen to wear the ring because he is without fear, is certainly fearless.  And, as a byproduct of that lack of fear which makes him a powerful Lantern, we see that it, along with the incredible power of the ring, makes Green Lantern an arrogant, careless fool who gets “taken” by the other two heroes in their own unique ways in this tale.  GL does not look good in this version the DC Universe.  We do not see enough of Superman in this issue to truly analyze him, other than to get the feeling that he has a tad bit of attitude, and may not like other costumed types in his territory.  I liked the characterizations of Bats and the Lantern in this issue.

I only see two real negatives in this new Justice League. One, which I already mentioned, relates to the whole idea of the reboot, at least in terms of ending the original long-running franchises and starting the numbering of the comics back at #1.  The other negative is that the plot line of these costumed heroes being fugitives from the law (as a result of their vigilante work), is stolen (er, I mean “borrowed” from the Marvel Civil War and the Superhero Registration Act of a few years ago).  Been there, done that!

Justice League #1

Overall, and despite the negatives just mentioned, if DC is going to reboot things, then Justice League #1 (2011) is pretty darn good, and worth the read.  Plus, I bet this new League is a setup for the future Justice League Movie.  I hope!  Buy this comic.  It was fun.

Conan the Barbarian

Conan the Barbarian

Conan from the Marvel Comics of the 1970s

Conan- –1st appearance in print: Weird Tales -a pulp magazine-(December, 1932) 1st Comic Book Appearance, Conan the Barbarian #1 (October 1970), a Marvel Comic book.

http://www.historyguy.com/comicshistory/conan.htm

http://www.historyguy.com/comicshistory/captain_america_villains.htm

Captain America is an iconic hero for the the ages. And, as with many heroes in the comic world, he is often defined by the villains he faces and battles as much as by his own character. In the case of Captain America, who is also known as the First Avenger, and as the Sentinel of Liberty, his character often defines the types of villains he deals with.

As a living emblem of American pride, the American sense of justice and a true believer in American freedom and liberty, Captain America often, and naturally, finds his duty as defeating the enemies of justice, freedom, and liberty. Hence, Captain America’s personal Rogues Gallery is chock full of fascists, tyrants, wouldd-be dictators and genocides. Perhaps unusual for the world of comic superheroes, Captain America’s greatest foe is a real-life villain, the Nazi tyrant, Adolf Hitler. When Timely Comics published its first issue of Captain America Comics, the cover featured the Star-Spangled Avenger punching out Adolf Hitler himself. And this was BEFORE America entered World War Two!

Here is a Rogues Gallery of Captain America’s Greatest Villians and Foes:

Adolf Hitler: The leader of the world’s worst tyranny, Hitler was Captain America’s first target. Hitler (in the comics), commanded the allegiance of several Nazi/Fascist Supervillians who became life-long enemies of Captain America. 1st Appearance,(Timely/Marvel), Captain America Comics #1 (1941)

Red Skull (Johann Shmidt): Leader of HYDRA, the Red Skull was a Nazi villain working for Hitler in World War Two. After the war, the Red Skull continued his villainy and is counted as Captain America’s worst enemy. NOTE: the Red Skull’s power is greatly amplified when he has possessiono of the Cosmic Cube. 1st Appearance,Captain America Comics #7 (1941)

Baron Zemo I (Heinrich Zemo): Nazi war criminal from World War Two, Baron Zemo founded the Masters of Evil after the war and Zemo and his Masters of Evil became major foes of Captain America and his new team, the Avengers. 1st Appearance, Avengers #4, Vol.1 (1964)

Baron Zemo II (Helmut Zemo): Son of Baron Heinrich Zemo, Helmut Zemo formed his own versions the Masters of Evil in order to exact revenge on Captain America and the Avengers, whom he blamed for his father’s death. Helmut Zemo also, like his father, had pretensions of glory and sought world domination. 1st Appearance, Captain America #168 (1973)

Baron Wolfgang von Strucker – Nazi war criminal from World War Two, Baron von Strucker took over leadership of HYDRA and continued as a major foe of Captain America in the modern age. Also known as the Supreme Hydra. 1st Appearance, Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #5 (1964)

HYDRA: Terrorist organization that seeks world domination. HYDRA has origins in Nazi Germany and has a Fascistic philosophy. Leaders have included the Red Skull, and Baron Von Strucker. 1st Appearance, Strange Tales #135 (Aug 1965)

Captain America Movie Poster