Category Archives: DC Comics
Titanic Teams – Gone But Not Forgotten Teams of the DC Universe
When you think super-teams in the DC Comics universe, the Justice League comes to mind immediately, maybe followed by the Teen Titans, the Justice Society and half a dozen others. I’m going to delve a little deeper, and take a journey into the forgotten corners of the DC universe. Here’s a look at some of the forgotten teams of the DC Universe.
Like this:
Tales from the Longbox – Fantastic Four #232 (1981)
Every other week, Jason Shayer will highlight an issue or a run of issues pulled from the horde of comic book long boxes that occupy more room in his house than his wife can tolerate. Each of these reviews will delve into what made that issue or run significant as well as discuss the creative personalities behind the work. “Long Box” refers to the lengthy, white cardboard boxes most comics find themselves stored within – bagged, alphabetized and numerically ordered.
Fantastic Four #232
July 1981
Writer/Artist: John Byrne
Fantastic Four #232 was John Byrne’s first issue as both writer and artist and his run would last over five years on the title. Byrne had pencilled the book a few years earlier working with writers Marv Wolfman and Bill Mantlo. The Fantastic Four is more of a family than a super-hero team and no one understood that better than Byrne.
What made Byrne’s take on this title so memorable was how he handled the characters and their relationships. All team books tend to be formulaic, but what Byrne couldn’t succeed at doing with Alpha Flight, he was able to do with the Fantastic Four. He grew them from the archetypes created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and changed them subtly, but meaningfully.
Hitch, Ross and America’s Got Powers and An Absolute No Show Top The Wednesday Run – April 11, 2012
Editor’s Update: Turns out, the information about the release of one of this week’s featured title, gleaned from DC Comics’ own website is incorrect. Absolute Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps Wars is now scheduled to be released in October, at least according to Amazon.ca. You can order it here and read about why you should after the jump.
But before that, as far as a single issue you should be picking up today, hands down it’s America’s Got Powers by Jonathan Ross and Bryan Hitch. Just when you think you’ve seen everything a superhero comic could do, these two creators come up with an absolutely brilliant concept (superpowered people competing on television for a spot on a team) and a stellar delivery. Ross’ dialogue makes you feel like you’re part of the tv show, while Hitch’s art is widescreen gorgeous. He makes use of double page spreads frequently, so I do recommend actually getting this issue in physical form rather than digital. For $2.99 and at 38 pages, it’s well worth it. America’s Got Power is currently scheduled to run as a mini-series, but I’m pretty sure we’re all going to wind up wanting more from these two. - Andy Burns
Like this:
Tales from the Longbox/Titanic Teams – The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans #1 (1982)
Every other week, Jason Shayer will highlight an issue or a run of issues pulled from the horde of comic book long boxes that occupy more room in his house than his wife can tolerate. Each of these reviews will delve into what made that issue or run significant as well as discuss the creative personalities behind the work. “Long Box” refers to the lengthy, white cardboard boxes most comics find themselves stored within – bagged, alphabetized and numerically ordered.
Marvel and DC Present = The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans #1
Writer: Chris Claremont
Penciler: Walter Simonson
Inker: Terry Austin
As a comic book fan in 1982, you just couldn’t ask for anything more. While The Justice League of America and The Avengers were caught in a spiral downwards in terms of quality and talent, The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans were making their mark in comic book history. Both titles shared a lot of similarities: a young core of rookie heroes each struggling with their own degrees of teenage angst, great writing, fabulous artwork, solid character development, and fine storytelling.
Sun, Surf, Sand, Flex…Yes, Flex…And Trademark Infringement On The Wednesday Run – April 4, 2012
Back from March break?
Thawed from the winter cold?
Fresh from pumping iron at the gym?
Ready for the summer?
Willing to flex some hard, sexy muscle on the beach, all bulging biceps and swollen pectorals, wearing nothing but a teeny, leopard-print banana hammock? Flex Mentallo, the famous “Man of Muscle Mystery”, did just that…over sixty years before he was first created?!?
Wait! What? How!?!
