before I launch into the semi-regular comic book news items, I want to throw attention to Turbo Defiant Kimecan, an online graphic novel that’s been around considering that January 2010 and is poised to jump to print later this year. but it’s not the print work that’s catching my attention, it’s how they handled the online publication. The panels jump seamlessly, the art is beautifully reproduced…It’s actually fun to read it online, as each mouse click develops suspense. This is the future of comics. Why they’re going to print, I don’t know. Oh, wait. yes I do. because you can’t make money with online indie comic book.
This week: The new Daredevil! Joker versus Dick-Bat! a lot more new DC books announced! The X-Men first class sequel! and more! hit the break!
The news this time around, with the stories in no particular buy . . .
DAREDEVIL: IN print and ON THE big SCREEN!
Based on runs by Frank Miller, Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev, and Ed Brubaker, DD is, in my view, the comic book character with the highest “greatness” potential. So, naturally, I’m wicked ecstatic that the current (dreadful) run is over and July 7 will see a “rebirth” of Daredevil at the hands of mark Waid, Paolo Rivera, and Marcos Martin. Marvel’s released a few development pages of a battle against a Spider-Man “One a lot more Day” villain named The Spot, and the art is—as you’d expect—some of the most imaginative, stunning stuff I’ve seen in years. This looks like it will be the phenomenal book that DD should have (and needs, post-Shadowland)—maybe even reaching the heights of the Miller/Bendis/Brubaker runs.
But my hopes are now slightly reduced, as The man who Can’t keep His Hands Off Of Anyone, Brian Michael Bendis (Marvel’s answer to Geoff Johns) will be bringing DD into the “New Avengers” fold ideal after Waid begins his run. I was looking forward to mark Waid being able to stretch out and go slow—he’s best at gradually building storylines—but I don’t see how he can do that while his main person is being concurrently rehabilitated by Bendis. Don’t get me wrong–I take pleasure in my Bendis. I just think that it would be great to see a single author’s perspective on bringing the title back, and I had high hopes for Waid being allowed to just be Waid, without having to deal with another major change in his character’s life. Daredevil has never been a team player before, so that alone will bring up additional issues for him.
And, at the same time, marvel will release (finally) the “Daredevil: end of Days” mini, written by Bendis and David Mack with art by Klaus Janson, bill Sienkiewicz and Alex Maleev. “End of Days”is, according to Bendis “Not a What-If story. . . This IS how the story of Daredevil will end.” Obviously, it’s not in continuity. It will be, of course, wonderful to see Janson return to DD (as well as Bendis, Mack and Maleev), and I can’t wait to see the legendary Sienkiewicz’s take on the character.
As for the movie…Yah, the first one sucked. hard and long. It sucked so hard it deflated any hope for the future. Yet, it still spawned a spin-off (which was really just an excuse to see Jennifer Garner in tight clothes—not that there’s anything wrong with that). I was so, so, so disappointed, as DD is probably my favorite marvel character-one who has the potential for lots of interesting movies. Well, the reboot is moving forward with the screenwriter of the fringe TV show and the film Brooklyn’s Finest, Brad Caleb Kane. The story will be based on Frank Miller’s “Born Again” storyline, in which Miller returned to the comic several years after his epic, industry-changing run, to tell what happens when a junkie who knows Murdock’s identity decides to sell the secret for the price of a vein spike. It’s a odd story to pick: No origin (thank God!) and a heavy reliance on a back story that only the most hardcore fans will be familiar with. I hope they pull it off, but I have to say, on this one, I am not a man without fear.
CAPTAIN AMERICA
The relaunch (another Cap #1) wherein Steve gets his pajamas and Frisbee back will begin with the funeral of Peggy Carter, who is a main character in the film. This is due in late July, to coordinate with the film release.
Now, to editorialize: At first blush, having the Captain America comic sync with the motion picture seems like a good idea. but it isn’t. Here’s a true fact: motion pictures don’t drive comic book sales. show me empirical evidence that I’m wrong. I’ll give you a few minutes to scan the last few years of sales figures.
“But what about the flourish in sales for wanted and Scott Pilgrim and The walking Dead,” you say, “which happened when their movies/TV shows came out?” To which I respond: (a) Those were independent books, and they had nowhere to go but up in terms of sales. marvel and DC Zombies, who populate comic books stores but avoid indie books, got curious enough to test the waters. butnull