Shut Up and Take My $5: Adventures of Superman #2, Uncanny Avengers #8, Avengers #11

I get it. The universe is punishing me. I didn’t give you guys a review last week, and now I’m presented with an impossible choice.

This week, there were two amazing books and one fantastic digital release. One was incredibly emotional; one was beyond epic, and the last was just plain ol' entertaining. That’s right, folks: it’s (Insert Dramatic Music) The Triple E!

As a result, we have our first ever tie: The Adventures of Superman #2, Uncanny Avengers #8, and Avengers #11. There is just no way I can recommend one above the other; all three are just that damned good. So this week, I’m going to try and sell you on all three. I know, it's Uncanny.

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ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #2

This e-comic (book?) by Jeff Lemire hit me right in the gut. I’ve had a soft spot for Lemire ever since I read Sweet Tooth and The Underwater Welder. That man knows how to tug at the heart strings. AoS #2 is no different.

He presents us with an odd Superman setpiece: instead of focusing on the man in the cape, we center on two kids pretending to be Superman and a variety of villains. It is absolutely wonderful. It brought back so many memories of when I ran around pretending to be Batman or the Green Ranger. Lemire had the dialogue down pat. The kids play Superman in the cheesiest, 1950s-iest way possible, as befits the incomparable carefree optimism of youth.

Lemire's art, on the other hand, may be off-putting to some.  His characters are all a bit distorted (picture a more coherent Picasso.) Having read his other work, I've come to love it, but it's easy to see how this would be jarring for those used to a clean look in their Super-comics. Still, for $0.99, you really shouldn’t pass this one up. Just be sure to have a box of tissues handy for when the air suddenly gets dusty after reading that last panel...

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UNCANNY AVENGERS #8

This book by Rick Remender has been teetering on the edge of mediocrity. The first arc was cool, but it hasn't been the groundbreaking story I was looking for in an X-Men/Avengers team-up. As it turns out, I just needed a bit more patience.

Holy shit, there's a lot to be excited about in this issue. Thor and Sunfire save Rio in the coolest most badass way possible. Tension builds in the ranks, as Wolverine’s Uncanny X-Force chickens come home to roost. And finally, Captain America pulls off a one man Black Hawk Down. It’s an intense book. I will admit, if you haven’t read Remender’s Uncanny X-Force, you will be missing some helpful backstory. Don’t let that discourage you, though: it’s still amazing, and you are given the major points you need to know. Still, if you are having doubts, look at it this way: the book revolves around Apocalypse, Red Skull (with Xavier's telepathy), and Kang the Conqueror.

Oh, I shouldn't forget to mention Daniel Acuna’s art. His cover work has always been amazing, and his interiors follow suit. His art for the opening scene in Rio is worth the price of admission alone. Honestly, this book deserves a whole crap ton of credit for making me like Sunfire. I hate that guy.

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AVENGERS #11

I have been itchin' to make one of these books my pick of the week since Jonathan Hickman took the reins. I am absolutely loving this series, but I just happen to love the classic cryptic and plot-heavy storyline. If you don't enjoy those stories, it's series as a whole is not for you (at least not yet.)

Avengers #11, a bit more accessible this time, brings the story back down to earth with a hilarious casino caper in Macau. A.I.M. and some other agencies of ill-repute have all gathered at this one casino for a supposed chemical weapons deal. Enter Carol’s 6: Captain Marvel, Sunspot, Cannonball, Black Widow, Shang-Shi, and Spider-Woman all go undercover in an attempt to sweat out the seller and discourage any buyers.

This one's just too much fun. Seeing A.I.M. goons dress up in tuxes (still rocking the beekeeper look!) is wonderful. Better still, the Shang-Shi section felt like I was watching a Bruce Lee movie, except with glowing lightning nunchaku and shadow ninjas. The best part of this book was when Cannonball and Sunspot talked a bunch of A.I.M. lackeys into a ceasefire so they all could party all night. (Well, all of them except for Doug. God damn it, Doug!)

Mike Deodato was tapped for art duties this time around. It was pretty standard fare, sprinkled with moments of greatness anytime Cannonball, Sunspot, and the A.I.M. guys were on the page. I like Deadato’s work but sometimes it can get pretty heavy and muddy, which is exactly what happens here.

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So there you have it, folks. You can see why I couldn’t pick just one. If you are low on cash, go with Adventure of Superman #2, it’s the best value this week! If you are looking for an epic story, grab Uncanny Avengers #8 and buckle up. If you need to check-out and just have some fun, Avengers #11 is your book. But no matter which book you grab, always remember: never hang out with an A.I.M. agent named Doug. That guy sucks.

Shut Up and Take My 99¢: The Adventures of Superman #1

So you blew your comic money on beer. Way to go.

Well, since I neglected to provide you with a $5 pick of the week last week, I am here to give you a fantastic use of 99¢! Everyone can afford that! Go out to the car, dig in between the couch cushions, or take a loan from your sibling’s/kid’s piggy bank because you’ll only need 99¢ to check out The Adventures of Superman #1 on the DC Digital Comics App or on Comixology!

I’ll be honest, I really didn’t even know the DC digital line existed until this week. I had heard of all the comics that were a part of it, but I thought they were books available in shops. This explains why I could never find them!

The Adventures of Superman will be a weekly digital book with a rotating team of writers and artists. This week features the talents of Jeff Parker and Chris Samnee.

Parker pens a perfectly bite-sized Superman yarn. A vagrant finds himself with unbelievable mental powers and wrecks a neighborhood in Metropolis. Superman shows up and saves the day. Is it simple? Yep. But that’s what makes it so awesome! It’s a classic Superman story, complete with a return to the red underwear! The last page also leads me to believe that there will be a narrative thread that will carry through each story from week to week.

Chris Samnee’s art was the real selling point for me. I love his art; it just puts a smile on my face. He draws in such a classic style, which has been a great fit for his previous work with Thor, The Rocketeer, Captain America, and now, the Big Blue Boy Scout. I’m glad he chose to draw Supes this way; I didn’t realize how much I have missed the classic costume until now.

You guys really have no excuse. This issue is only 99¢, and you can grab it on your phone (on which it is specifically designed to be read!) Buy it while walking to the cafeteria, and you'll be finished before you finish your lunch. It’s the perfect book for the comic fan on the go! When you combine the convenience, price, quality story, and art you could have one of the best ideas in comics today. Go take the leap into digital folks! Your eyes and wallet will thank you for it!

"Superman: Unbound" Blu-Ray Details Revealed

We shared the news that this summer's DC Animation entry would be Superman: Unbound straight from the press room at NYCC.  Then, we brought you the first trailer, with the announcement that it was going to hit the stores on May 7.  Now, we have the details of what you'll get when you buy the Blu-Ray and/or DVD on that Tuesday!

When you grab your Superman: Unbound Blu-Ray combo pack, you'll get:

• Standard and high definition versions of the feature film
• UltraViolet Digital Copy
• Sneak Peek at Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox, the next DC Universe Animated Original Movie
• Featurette: “Kandor: History of the Bottle City” – An all-new featurette. Kandor: a peaceful scientific community dedicated toward the preservation of all that is good on Krypton, the home world of Superman. That is, until the city was ripped from its world and placed into a small glass bottle! This is the short story highlighting the shrunken city of Kandor. Its history just as fascinating as it is unique, here is how it ties in directly with the Man of Tomorrow.
• Featurette – “Brainiac: Technology and Terror” – An all-new featurette. Mostly machine, but part  sentient being, Brainiac steals cities and destroys worlds. Is he the most vile of Superman’s villainous foes? Experience the Brainiac mythology and find out why Superman barely stands a chance!
• Audio Commentary – Featuring members of the creative team: Mike Carlin, Bob Goodman and James Tucker.
• Four bonus episodes from Superman: The Animated Series (“The Last Son of Krypton, Part 1”; “New Kids in Town”; and “Little Girl Lost, Parts 1 & 2”), all handpicked by producer Alan Burnett.
• Digital Comic – Excerpt from the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank.

The film’s stellar voicecast is led by Matt Bomer (White Collar) as Superman, John Noble (Fringe, The Lord of the Rings films) as Brainiac, Stana Katic (Castle) as Lois Lane and Molly Quinn (Castle) as Supergirl. Additional voices in the cast include Golden Globe Award winner Frances Conroy (Six Feet Under) as Ma Kent, Wade Williams (The Dark Knight Rises) as Perry White, Diedrich Bader (The Drew Carey Show, Office Space) as Steve Lombard, Stephen Root (Boardwalk Empire, Justified) as Zor-El, and Alexander Gould (Weeds) as Jimmy Olsen.

Order your copy from Amazon right here!

Hit the jump for the cover art!

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First "Superman: Unbound" Trailer Revealed!

Way back at NYCC, we brought you DC Animation's announcement of their 2013 lineup, including one Superman: Unbound. Not a lot of details were present at the time, but we now we have the trailer (thanks to the good people at The Nerdist) for your viewing pleasure!

Inspired by the "Brainiac" storyline from Action Comics #866-#870 originally penned by Geoff Johns, Superman (Matt Bomer, White Collar) and his cousin, Supergirl (Molly Quinn, Castle), will taken on the Kryptonian AI Brainiac (John Noble, Fringe) from invading, conquering, and bottling yet another city for his collection. (It's actually far more terrifying than it sounds.) Stana Katic (Castle) will also be joining in on the fun as everybody's favorite reporter, Lois Lane.

We were originally told that we'd "go gaga" over their choice for their casting roles in this pic (particularly Superman), and, I'll be honest: I'm impressed. Glad to see Matt Bomer getting some attention - I look forward to hearing his full take on Supes - and we certainly do love our Castle actors around these parts. Most of all though, John Noble's take on the coldly sadistic Brainiac should prove quite entertaining.

Superman: Unbound is slated for a Blu-Ray, DVD, and digital download release this summer.

UPDATE: We have just received word that Superman: Unbound will be released in May 7, 2013!

'Man of Steel' Trailer #2 Arrives Online

Scheduled to be seen in front of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey this Friday, the newest trailer for Man of Steel has debuted online today. Check it out below!

More action-oriented than the first teaser that arrived this summer, this new look at Zack Snyder's reboot of the Superman franchise looks to feature many things we weren't expecting, such as Kryptonian spacecraft and our hero in military custody.

In my humble opinion, I think we might be getting the Superman movie we've been waiting for.

Directed by Zack Snyder (300, Watchmen), Man of Steel stars Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Kevin Costner, and Diane Lane. Look for it in theaters on June 14th, 2013.

NYCC 2012: DC Animated's 2013 Film Lineup

Continuing our New York Comic-Con coverage (and today's DC Animated coverage), we have the report straight from the Saturday's "Dark Knight Returns" panel: there are some pretty amazing projects slated for the DC Animated in 2013!

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2

Coming up first in late January/early February 2013, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 concludes the animated adaptation of the 1986 Frank Miller epic that started with Part 1's release in September.  Directed by Jay Oliva and starring Peter "Robocop" Weller as the aged Bruce Wayne, Part 2 picks up where Part 1 left off: after the defeat of the Mutant leader and the formation of "Sons of Batman" to take Gotham back from crime, Batman takes on the last son of Krypton (played by Mark Valley), while dealing with the "rehabilitation" of Batman's greatest foe, The Joker (Michael Emerson.)

Hit the jump for a preview of the full lineup, including the just-announced movie that we think is DC's most ambitious animation adaptation to date!

Click to read more ...

Review: Justice League: Doom

When it comes to the DC Universe Animated Original Movies, it’s hard to know what to expect.  Ranging from amazing (Wonder Woman) to horrendous (Superman: Doomsday), the ongoing series of direct-to-video movies tends to be hit-or-miss.  Thankfully, Justice League: Doom, the 13^th and most recent film in the series, ranks near the top.

Loosely based on the comic JLA: Tower of Babel, written by Mark Waid and originally published in JLA #43-46 in 2000, the members of the Justice League find themselves at the mercy of some of their most formidable foes.  Having stolen Batman’s secret files pertaining to the heroes’ weaknesses, the new Legion of Doom, led by Vandal Savage, systematically incapacitates the Justice League, leaving the world undefended.  It’s not exactly a new story, having also been adapted in Justice, the 12-issue series from 2005 – 2007 by Jim Kruger and Alex Ross, but Justice League: Doom manages to tell it well, exposing the physical and metal vulnerabilities of these larger-than-life superheroes.   Heavy on the action, but not skimping on drama, the film keeps your attention and even has a few good moments that will make the fans cheer.  However, like past films Justice League: The New Frontier and Superman: Doomsday, JL:D feels rushed as a result of compressing a multi-issue story into an under-90-minute movie.  Much of the Tower of Babel story is left out, most notably the communications breakdown that occurs throughout the entire planet. The story is stripped down to its barest elements.

JL:D also falls victim to the all-powerful force of marketing, taking plenty of creative liberties in order to tie the film into the current state of the DCU.  Gone are Aquaman and Plastic Man, who appeared in the original Tower of Babel comic, only to be replaced by Cyborg in order to reflect his Justice League membership in the New 52.  Kyle Rayner and Wally West are also absent, replaced by their Silver Age predecessors, Hal Jordan and Barry Allen, both of whom have been resurrected since 2000, and are extremely prevalent in ongoing DC storylines.  Bane appears as well, joining up with the Legion of Doom.  I’m sure his starring role in The Dark Knight Rises prompted his inclusion.  The replacement that makes the least sense is that of Vandal Savage in the place of Ra’s al Ghul.  It’s essentially an exchange of one immortal for another.

The biggest treat, however, to come out of JL:D is the cast.  Voice director Andrea Romano opened up her little black book and brought back almost every major player in the DC animated universe from the last 20 years.  Leading the cast are, of course, the only men who should ever be allowed to voice the World’s Finest, Kevin Conroy and Tim Daly as Batman and Superman, respectively.  Joining them are Justice League alumni Susan Eisenberg (Wonder Woman), Carl Lumbly (J’onn J’onnz), Michael Rosenbaum (The Flash), Phil Morris (Vandal Savage), and Olivia D’Abo (Star Sapphire).  Rounding out the core of the League is none other than Nathan Fillion, reprising his (rightful) role as Hal Jordan from Green Lantern: Emerald Knights.  Even David Kaufman, the voice of Jimmy Olsen from Superman: The Animated Series makes an appearance.  Having heard many of these voices coming out of these characters for so long, it’s hard to imagine an animated Justice League without them.

It has its shortcomings, but Justice League: Doom is a great deal of fun for both fans and casual viewers alike.  Spectacular action coupled with great character moments make it one of the better installments in the DC animated movie series.  Directed by Lauren Montgomery (Wonder Woman, Green Lantern: First Flight) and written by Dwayne McDuffie (All-Star Superman, Justice League), Justice League: Doom arrives on DVD and Blu-ray on February 28^th.

Justice League: Doom is dedicated to writer Dwayne McDuffie, who died in February 2011.

Review: Superman #1

After such an amazing debut by Grant Morrison in Action Comics #1, I was really looking forward to seeing this new Supes all grown up. The problem is that this new Superman is incredibly boring.

George Perez is penning Superman in his self-titled book, and this was his chance to solidify his place in the modern DC world. He chose an interesting method of storytelling for most of this book via an article by Clark Kent on the incident we are witnessing. Normally, this could be pretty cool and refreshing way of telling a Superman story -- he is a reporter, after all -- but Perez squanders the chance with a lackluster and wordy description of the art on the page. Superman was fighting a giant firebeast, and it was plain boring.  I literally trudged through this book. I could see what was on the page, and then I would have to read a description of what I was seeing for every panel. It got old fast.

The parts of the book not devoted to Superman fighting a giant firebeast are reserved for a news media procedural side story for which I could not have cared less. The Daily Planet has just been bought by a big time news company run by -- wait for it -- Morgan Edge. The battle between Superman and the firebeast turns into the Planet’s first chance to impress their new boss so we are treated to a news broadcast and Lois Lane ordering various reporters around. There is also a fair share of hand wringing over the integrity of the Daily Planet and balancing it with impressing Mr. Edge.

There is also a two-page cut away to some alien creature blowing a horn. No, I’m serious. Lois says something about someone having to blow the horn, and we slam cut, Family Guy-style, to this creature, who has no bearing on our story, blowing a big ass horn in the Himalayas. There is a nice little editorial note explaining that, if we want to know what the hell that was all about, then we should go read Stormwatch #1. I know books cross over -- it is a shared universe, after all -- but when the crossover reads like someone took two pages from Stormwatch and pasted them into Superman, that's not a crossover.  That’s a blatant grab to get you to buy the other book.

I did like that Superman still seems very alien to the people of Metropolis. The book starts with the demolition of the old Daily Planet building, and there is a magnificent frame of Superman floating above the wreckage, staring. It is strangely eerie, with the folks on the ground seeming to look up in awe and wonder. During this sequence, Jimmy Olsen tries to grab a picture, but, before he can hit the shutter, Superman is gone. His reaction is more along the lines of a wildlife photographer missing a shot of a rare beast rather than that of someone who has been photographing Superman his whole career.

Jesus Merino’s art is acceptable for a run of the mill Superman book. Nothing really jumped out at me as being spectacular. If anything, some of his art looked rushed, especially the scenes focusing on The Daily Planet.

I won't be adding Superman to my pull. I will probably give it another look when Perez and Merino are off  the book, but, for now, I have Action Comics to give me my Superman fix. If you are a Superman nut and must have anything with his face on it, buy this book. Otherwise, I would recommend just sticking to Action Comics.

Review: Supergirl #1

The women of the DCU continue to make their mark on the New 52.  Crashing to Earth in Week 4 is Supergirl #1, a book that received a great deal of attention from fans when the first preview images were released in the summer.  Want to know why?  Read on!

Supergirl is a character that gets a new story almost as often as she gets a new costume.  This time around, she gets both.  Supergirl #1, like a handful of other New 52 titles, wipes the slate clean and re-introduces its protagonist into the DCnU.  Plummeting to Earth in classic Kryptonian fashion, the Girl of Steel’s alien vessel touches down in (where else?) Kansas, but burrows through the planet until it comes out the other side in snowy Siberia.  I could almost hear the writers saying, “Fooled you!”  Our heroine emerges from the smoldering hole, already clad in her new attire, a costume that looks to be a cross between her classic ensemble and the suit worn by her Earth-2 counterpart, Power Girl.  It was the first image of this new look that garnered attention from vocal fans.  Immediate speculation began, citing the familiar costume and similar hair style as hints that the character of Karen Starr (Power Girl) would be the DNnU’s new Supergirl.  Others feared that the physical blending of the two characters meant the exclusion of Power Girl from the New 52.  As of the final page of Supergirl #1, these questions are still unanswered.

Meanwhile, back in Siberia, the frightened teen can’t even figure out where she is before she is accosted by a squad of armored soldiers.  Co-writers Michael Green and Mike Johnson immediately get the reader emotionally invested in this scared and confused girl.  How would you feel if you woke up in a frozen wasteland, surrounded by half-a-dozen giant robots that were shouting at you in a foreign language?  Unfortunately, the empathy is fleeting.  Just when Supergirl is about to be taken down, the sun comes up and her Kryptonian powers manifest.  What follows is a prolonged fight scene that lasts for the rest of the book.  Artist Mahmud Asrar’s stark style deftly portrays heat vision blasts and feats of strength that tear mechs apart, but before you know it, the book ends and you find yourself saying, “That’s it?”  The abrupt ending is brought to you by none other than the Man of Steel himself, making an appearance not unlike his final page debut in Justice League #1.  While he belongs among the other heroes in JL#1, Superman has made some New 52 cameos, including this one, that make it seem like the writers need to validate the lesser-known titles by throwing in a top-tier character.  C’mon, guys, let the B and C-listers make it on their own merit.

Supergirl #1 starts out on a strong, emotional beat, establishing the sense of loneliness and isolation through both the character’s inner monologue and the dark, barren setting, but, sadly, it gets lost among the overly drawn-out action.  With Big Blue now on the scene, expect some lectures about how humanity needs protecting and lessons on the finer points of superheroing in issue #2.

Review: Action Comics #1 & Detective Comics #1

 

Week 2 of the DC relaunch has arrived, and while 13 new #1s were released this Wednesday, there are two books that deserve special attention.  This is the week of Action Comics #1 and Detective Comics #1. These two books have a very long, very iconic history, each giving birth to one of the greatest comic book heroes, and cultural icons of all time.  

In June of 1938, Action Comics #1 introduced the world to Superman, the character who set the standard for every superhero that would follow him.  Words cannot adequately describe the impact this character has had on pop culture in the last 73 years.  Running for an astonishing 904 issues, Action Comics goes back to #1 this week under the care of writer Grant Morrison and artist Rags Morales.  The book focuses on an early Superman, having just recently embarked on his journey to uphold truth, justice, and the American way.  But this is a very different Superman.  He's young, he's brash, and he has no problem resorting to tactics such as dropping a mobser off a ledge to force a confession.  This makes him a dangerous threat in the eyes of the police, the military, and a certain follicly impaired businessman.  But to the people he saves from wrecking balls and runaway trains, he's a hero.  Superman as a blue collar champion is the theme that Morrison is hoping to carry throughout his reinvention of the Man of Steel...at least until the events of this book catch up with George Perez's Superman and Geoff Johns's Justice League.  The new appearance of Supes echoes the blue collar theme as well.  Thanks to artist Rags Morales, in addition to the cape and the 'S', Superman now sports a t-shirt, jeans, and work boots, furthering the idea that this is the working class man's hero.  Morales's art also evokes feelings of the Golden Age, capturing Superman in spectacular mid-action poses as he either knocks out a tank with a wrecking ball, or tears down the street at super speed.  It also harkens back to the Golden Age since this Superman has not yet reached his full, super-powered potential.  He can't fly, and he can be hurt (to a degree), but beyond that, we haven't seen much else to determine where he is in the course of his development.  

The Morrison/Morales team looks to be a good pairing for this flagship series.  Morales finds an excellent balance between the explosive exploits of Superman and the mild-mannered humanity of Clark Kent, and Morrison's unique style lends itself to this vastly different portrayal of the Last Son of Krypton.  This ain't the big blue boyscout anymore.

With Superman's new story underway, we turn to the seedy underbelly of DC Comics, a realm that has been closely watched by the World's Greatest Detective, a moniker the hero shares with the other iconic title to be released this week, Detective Comics #1.  Unlike Action Comics, which debuted with Superman on its cover, Batman did not appear in the pages of Detective Comics until issue #27 in May 1939, 26 months after #1 hit newsstands.  Running for 881 issues, Detective comes in right behind Action as one of DC's longest running series.  But today, it too goes back to #1.

Written and drawn by Tony Daniel, Detectve Comics #1 throws you straight into the hell that is Gotham City, following Batman as he tracks down (who else?) The Joker.  Daniel's writing is pretty straightforward.  Almost the entire story is told through Batman's inner monologue, which gives it a noirish feel.  Appropriate, I think, for this particular title.  The story also follows up on the tone set by Justice League #1, where Batman is seen as a dangerous vigilante and is wanted by the police.  It's a theme that we've seen several times, but for a story that is trying to show the somewhat early days of the Dark Knight, it works.  But, of course, while the entire GCPD is after him, Batman still finds an ally in Commissioner Gordon.  In a scene straight out of The Long Halloween or The Dark Knight, we find the pair on the roof, Bat-Signal ablaze, sharing details about Gotham's latest threat.  It's a scene that has been done thousands of times, but it never gets old.  

While Tony Daniel manages to lay the groundwork for a good Batman tale, his use of violence is almost inexcusable.  Yes, The Joker is a murdering psycopath, but I was honestly surprised to see him overtly and relentlessly stabbing his latest victim.  That, coupled with the final page of the book (which I will not spoil here), leads me to wonder if Daniel was going for shock value.  If so, it definitely worked.  

Sadly, Detective doesn't leave you with the "Wow factor" that Action provides.  Batman isn't going through a reinterpretation, just a string of new tales.  But, with several other Batman books due in the coming weeks, we shall see how Detective holds up in the new Batman mythos. 

One more thing to add... In this Post-Flashpoint world, what would the DCU be without a few mysteries?  As mentioned in OTF's review of Flashpoint 5, a mysterious, hooded woman has appeared, hidden in the shadows or among crowds in random panels.  Action and Detective are no exceptions.  See if you can play DC's little "Where's Waldo" game and attempt to solve the mystery of this strange character.

More from the New 52 is due throughout September!  Keep checking back to Open the Fridge for the latest!