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Announcing The DC 52 Deadpool!

News
October 4, 2011

Look, they can’t all live forever.

It’s a sad fact of life. Just as every new TV season brings shows that sound good on paper and test well in pilot stage, some series are going to be cancelled sooner or later.

Even DC’s new 52 initiative, with multiple printings, will have series that will go by the wayside. And now that we’ve all had a chance to see the first issues, it’s now fair to ask– which ones aren’t going to make it? And which ones are going to drop first? Or do we heed the tweets of DuckBob Spinowitz, who thinks that DC stands for Disk Crash… “Isn’t that what you call it when a reboot fails?”

So we leave it to you. Who will live and who goes to that great 3/$1 box in the sky? Vote below (you can only vote for a maximum of 13 titles) and defend your decisions in the comments.

[poll id=”83″]

MINDY NEWELL: Go, Giants! And You Too, DC!

Columns
October 3, 2011

Just some rambling…

DC’s New 52 made the New York Times again. The title of the article is “So Far, Sales For New DC Comics Are Super,” by George Gene Gustines and Adam W. Kepler was published on Saturday, October 1, 2011 issue, and was featured on the front page of the Arts Section. According the article, the first five weeks of DC’s reboot of its universe has increased “the sales of DC Comics by leaps and bounds.” The first issue of the new Justice League – which the authors call DC’s flagship book. Really? I would have thought it was Superman, since the Son of Krypton is the flagship character. But what do I know? – anyway, the first issue sold “more than 200,000 copies, compared with the roughly 40,000 for each of the last few issues of the old book.” Well, I hope it keeps up, but these are the first issues. I think it’s a little early to call it a win – after all, the NY Giants just pulled out a win over the Arizona Cardinals in the last three minutes of the game.

(more…)

Will The Rest Of DC Comics Move?

News
September 29, 2011

DC Comics has already had a large job exodus from New York to Los Angeles, and now there are signs that what’s left may have to pack up soon, as well as the rest of Time Warner. Deadline Hollywood has the story:

CEO Jeff Bewkes told staffers in an email that the company’s preparing to evaluate “our office footprint in the New York metropolitan area and develop a long-range plan to meet our future needs.” The team leading that process — to be run by Chief Financial and Administrative Officer John Martin and Global Real Estate SVP Tom Santiago — probably won’t make a decision until the end of 2012. Then it could take years to implement. The corporate ranks and cable channels including CNN probably will stay in the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle; the company owns about 1 million square feet in the building. But Time Warner leases an additional 3 million or so additional square feet of office space in the New York area. The agreement for the publishing unit’s operations at the Time & Life building expires at the end of 2017, while the one for HBO’s home on 6th Ave runs out in 2018. There are plenty of options in Manhattan, including the new World Trade Center. But neighboring New Jersey and Connecticut probably will try to persuade Time Warner to move some of its operations, and jobs.

via Time Warner Launches Review Of NYC Office Options.

Dan DiDio’s Spinning Plates At DC Comics (bleedingcool.com)

Nathan Fillion & Tim Daly join heroic cast of Justice League: Doom

Press Releases
September 27, 2011

Primetime television stars Nathan Fillion and Tim Daly, the reigning voices of Green Lantern and Superman, respectively, join an exciting group of actors reprising their famed cartoon roles in Justice League: Doom, an all-new entry in the popular series of DC Universe Animated Original Movies due in early 2012 from Warner Home Video.

Justice League: Doom finds Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, Cyborg and Batman on their heels when a team of super villains discover and implement the Dark Knight’s “contingency plans” for stopping any rogue Justice League member. The story is inspired by Mark Waid’s much-heralded JLA: Tower of Babel.

Fillion, the star of ABC’s hit TV drama Castle, made his debut as Green Lantern/Hal Jordan in the recent Green Lantern: Emerald Knights. Fillion made his initial DCU bow as the voice of Steve Trevor in the 2008 hit Wonder Woman.

Currently headlining the cast of ABC’s popular Private Practice, Daly originated the title character’s voice in the landmark cartoon, Superman: The Animated Series. He has reprised the role in two DCU films: the 2009 extravaganza Superman/Batman: Public Enemies and the 2010 thriller Superman/Batman: Apocalypse.

In addition to current primetime stars Fillion and Daly, the cast is a grand reunion of the original group of actors who provided the voices of the Justice League for the cartoon of the same name and its follow-up, Justice League Unlimited. Reprising their roles are Kevin Conroy (Batman: The Animated Series) as Batman, Michael Rosenbaum (Smallville, Breaking In) as Flash, Susan Eisenberg (Superman/Batman: Apocalypse) as Wonder Woman and Carl Lumbly (Alias) as J’onn J’onzz/Martian Manhunter. Bumper Robinson (A Different World, Transformers: Animated) joins the cast as Cyborg.

The Justice League faces two sets of villainous teams in the film – The Royal Flush Gang and a sextet of notable evildoers. The latter group includes three voice acting alumni of the Justice League animated series: Phil Morris (Smallville, Seinfeld) as Vandal Savage, Olivia d’Abo (The Wonder Years) as Star Sapphire, and Alexis Denisof (Angel) as Mirror Master. Also opposing our heroes are Carlos Alazraqui (Reno 911) as Bane, Paul Blackthorne (The Dresden Files) as Metallo, and Claudia Black (Farscape, Stargate SG-1) as Cheetah.

David Kaufman (Danny Phantom) also reprises his Justice League role of Jimmy Olsen.

The film is executive produced by Bruce Timm (Batman: Year One), and directed by Lauren Montgomery (Batman: Year One), who is also credited as producer alongside Alan Burnett (Batman: The Animated Series). Justice League: Doom is the final script from the late Dwayne McDuffie (All-Star Superman, Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths). Casting and dialogue direction is once again in the capable hands of Andrea Romano (Batman: Year One, SpongeBob SquarePants).

Warner Home Video will premiere the Justice League: Doom trailer during its presentation at New York Comic Con on Friday, October 14 from 3:00-4:00 p.m. in the IGN Theater. Also premiering during that session will be the Catwoman animated short that is attached to Batman: Year One, the next DC Universe Animated Movie (streeting October 18).

Happy 70th Birthday, Aquaman!

ComicMix Quick Picks
September 25, 2011

Today is a very, very special day in the history of Aquaman–it’s his 70th birthday! And when we say 70th birthday, we don’t mean the birthday DC Comics has seen fit to give him within their continuity–that’s January 29. No, we mean that on this day seventy years ago–September 25, 1941–More Fun Comics #73, Aquaman’s debut appearance, hit newsstands…

So, with Aquaman hitting the big 7-0, and his new series only days away from debuting, the Shrine thought it a tribute fit for a king to reach out and collect birthday greetings from various writers, artists, and performers, all of whom have been involved with the Sea King in some way over these seven decades…

How do you blow out birthday candles underwater? For that matter, how do you light them?

via The Aquaman Shrine: Happy 70th Birthday Aquaman!.

If I rebooted Aquaman (comicmix.com)

DENNIS O’NEIL: The Original Reboot

Columns
September 22, 2011

All hands brace for a confession….Yeah, you got me. I admit that all the noise surrounding DC Comics’ reboot or relaunch or reinvention…whatever you call it, all the dust raised by this activity has caused me the occasional twinge. I worked in the comics trenches for a lot of years and some of it I still miss. Not all, oh no, but – sitting with bright, talented, convivial people in a room and doping out stories to tell…that was one of life’s joys and I’m guessing that the stalwarts at DC have spent a lot of time recently doing just that.

But they aren’t the first to redact the company’s pantheon of superheroes. Way back before you were born – most of you, anyway – Julius Schwartz did pretty much the same thing. The year was 1956 (I told you that you weren’t born yet) and comics, and their primary contribution to pop culture, superheroes – they’d been sickly for about a decade, ever since some politicians, editorial writers and assorted busybodies had convinced a lot of citizens that comics were spawns of evil. (To be fair, changing publishing and retail realities had something to do with comics’ decline, too.) As Julie told me the story: he and his fellow editors were having a meeting and someone decided to revive The Flash, a once-popular character that hadn’t been seen for years. Julie’s words as I remember them: They all looked at me and I said, I guess I’m it.

They did, and he was. He didn’t merely produce a carbon copy of the original Flash, though. With writer Robert Kanigher and artists Carmine Infantino & Joe Kubert, Julie gave the world a new Flash – new costume, new origin, new identity. He left the original concept intact – the world’s fastest human – and altered everything else to make The Flash and his world reflect this, the world we non-fictional beings in habit. Julie and his merry men taught those of us who followed them how to do it: leave whatever made the character popular and unique alone, and modernize the rest.

There was no particular fuss over Julie’s work, back in 1956. For him, it was just another day at the office. The network of fan publications was at best just a’borning, as were conventions, and websites, like this one, weren’t even science fiction because, as far as I know, nobody had even thought of them. Sure, some dedicated readers may have reacted, but the world at large…yawn. And that may have been where Julie had an advantage over his editorial descendants.

Imagine doing this complex task with hordes of the curious looking over your shoulder, waiting to see if you fail, some of them, human nature being what it is, maybe hoping you’ll fail. And of course, regardless of how well you perform, a lot of your audience will find fault because they’ve been establishing an emotional attachment to these characters for years – for decades? – and any significant changes is going to seem…well, dammit, wrong! Pretty daunting, huh?

I haven’t read any of the new stuff yet. Have I just convinced myself that I shouldn’t?

FRIDAY: Martha Thomases

All Pulp Interviews: Moonstone’s Return of the Monsters – Jay Piscopo

News
September 20, 2011

Cover: Dan Brereton

This Halloween, Moonstone heads back to their monstrous roots with the Return of the Monsters Event. Return of the Monsters features four stand-alone tales of pulp’s mightiest heroes facing off against some classic monsters. One of those titles called The Spider vs. The Werewolf by writer Martin Powell with art by Jay Piscopo. All Pulp sat down with Jay Piscopo about this upcoming book.

All Pulp: Tell us a little about yourself and your pulp interests.

Jay Piscopo: Well, I’ve been working as a commercial artist for over 20 years and I’m very engaged with my own company Nemo Publishing and The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli graphic novel series. As to pulp interests, I remember seeing Doc Savage paperback covers when I was little and when Marvel and DC created the comic adaptations of Doc, The Shadow and The Avenger I was hooked- and it prompted me to seek out the prose. I love the primal aspects of pulp heroes and created an homage character in Capt’n Eli named Commander X.

Art: Jay Piscopo

AP: You’re providing the art and tones for the Return of the Monsters Halloween event book, The Spider vs. The Werewolf. What can we expect from this titanic throw down

JP: As I mentioned before– the 70s pulp comic adaptations really hooked me- and finally to work on a pulp/comic was really a thrill. The Spider is primal, savage energy and The Werewolf is as well- Let’s just say when they clash, the fur is flying!

AP: The Spider Vs. The Werewolf has a pulp hero battling a classic monster, a combination that even though done in some regards hasn’t ever really been done the way Moonstone is doing it with the Return of the Monster event. What do these genres have in common and how do they differ in ways that complement each other?

Art: Jay Piscopo

JP: What is interesting to me is how The Spider is very much like a classic monster as well as a hero. The Werewolf and The Spider seem to be opposite sides of the same coin. Both are primal and savage, but the legend of the werewolf is rooted in tragedy, where The Spider always triumphs. And The Spider seems to be in control of his bloodlust and savage nature enough to focus it.

AP: The Return of the Monsters Halloween event brings back several classic monster archetypes to Moonstone’s lineup. How does this version of the werewolf compare and contrast to previous versions of the character?

JP: I think the writer, Martin Powell has added a new human element we haven’t seen before to the werewolf human host. I don’t want to spoil anything, but this werewolf is very much in the vein of other incarnations but has his own tragic twists.

Art: Jay Piscopo

AP: What appeals to you about pulp heroes battling classic monsters? What was it that excited you about visually pitting the Spider against a werewolf?

JP: To overuse a word, I’d have to say the characters are both primal.. Constantly in movement and unpredictable — pitting two characters like this against each other and drawing them in action is a dream.

AP: What, if any, existing pulp, monster, or comic book characters would you like to try your hand at drawing?

JP: I think like most pulp fans and creators- Doc Savage and The Shadow would be first choices-

Return of the Monsters Covers By Dan Brereton

Art: Jay Piscopo

AP: What does Jay Piscopo do when he’s not drawing?

JP: ah— i try to take a breath once in awhile.

AP: Where can readers find learn more about you and your work?

JP: www.captneli.com would be the best place and here’s a facebook link https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Art-of-Jay-Piscopo/112769612079000

AP: Any upcoming projects you would like to mention?

JP: Our 4th annual Commander Xmas free online book will be available this December at the Capt’n Eli website- featuring comic and new pulp creators-

And Ive got some new characters that are going to finally see print soon- as well as a third Capt’n Eli book on the way.

AP: Thanks, Jay.

JP: Thank You!

The Spider vs. The Werewolf is solicited in August Previews for an October in store release.

Warner Home Video to unveil Catwoman animated short, first ‘Justice League: Doom’ footage at NYCC

Press Releases
September 20, 2011

Warner Home Video, Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation proudly present an action-packed hour of first looks at DC Universe Animated Original Movies properties on Friday, October 14 from 3:00-4:00 p.m. at New York Comic Con.

Central to the panel will be the premiere of the animated short Catwoman, starring Eliza Dushku (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dollhouse) as the voice of title character. The 15-minute short will be included on the release of Batman: Year One, which streets October 18 on Blu-ray, DVD, for Download and On Demand.

The panel will also include the very first footage to be seen from Justice League: Doom, the highly-anticipated next entry in the ongoing series of DC Universe Animated Original Movies.

The panelists, which include the ultimate voice of Batman, Kevin Conroy, DCU executive producer Bruce Timm and casting/dialogue director Andrea Romano, will offer a glimpse into the 2012 DC Universe Animated Original Movies slate, give away some exclusive prizes to inquisitive audience members, and quite possibly welcome a few surprise guests to the stage.

An autograph session with the panelists will immediately follow the panel.

Batman Year One Video Details Revealed (comicmix.com)

All Pulp Interviews: Moonstone’s Return of the Monsters – Nancy Holder

News
September 19, 2011

Cover: Dan Brereton

This Halloween, Moonstone heads back to their monstrous roots with the Return of the Monsters Event. Return of the Monsters features four stand-alone tales of pulp’s mightiest heroes facing off against some classic monsters. One of those titles is Domino Lady vs. the Mummy by co-writers Nancy Holder and Bobby Nash with art by Rock Baker and Jeff Austin. All Pulp sat down with Nancy Holder about this upcoming book.

All Pulp: Tell us a little about yourself and your pulp interests.

Nancy Holder: I absolutely love pulp fiction. I grew up reading a lot of comic books—I had subscriptions to so many! I loved Tarzan, Justice League, and lots of DC. I also read the scary ones even though they completely freaked me out. I loved Kolchak (and still do, to this day.) I love the resurgency of pulp fiction. You have to give it your all as a writer or it’s just a watery pastiche. I love feeling that engaged with what I’m doing.

Cover: Uwe Jarling

AP: Your story, co-written with Bobby Nash, for the Return of the Monsters Halloween event is called Domino Lady Vs. The Mummy. What can we expect from this titanic throw down?

NH: Bobby is so amazing and wonderful. I love Bobby. Let’s put it this way—our mummy’s a female. And our “Ardath Bey” is a female. I guess it’s no surprise that a dame like the Domino Lady has many, er, admirers.

Domino Lady doesn’t usually delve into the supernatural. So this is a very cool departure for her.

Art: Rock Baker & Jeff Austin

AP: Domino Lady Vs. The Mummy has a pulp hero battling a classic monster, a combination that even though done in some regards hasn’t ever really been done the way Moonstone is doing it with the Return of the Monster event. What do these genres have in common and how do they differ in ways that complement each other?

NH: Moonstone gets how much people love the pulpy feel of some kinds of fiction—adventure, horror, romance. That’s why I love to write for them. Moonstone writers are writing love stories to the flat-out investment readers in the 30’s had in this kinds of stories. One of my favorite movies of all time is Karloff’s THE MUMMY. That is one classy, scary movie. I’ve watched it a gazillion times and it never fails to thrill me. The Domino Lady is an anomaly in pulp fiction—smart and sassy, an adventuress and a sex goddess, but not a superhero per se. All she’s got is some knockout drops (and powder, but she uses that sparingly), a shiny silver gun, and some great gams to use in her battle against evil. But when you’re Domino Lady that’s all you need.

AP: The Return of the Monsters Halloween event brings back several classic monster archetypes to Moonstone’s lineup. How does this version of the Mummy compare and contrast to previous versions of the character?

Art: Rock Baker and Jeff Austin

NH: This mummy is all female—a true “femme fatale.” As ambitious and ruthless as other Karnakian incarnations. She spends a fortune in moisturizers. That’s a joke.

AP: What appeals to you about pulp heroes battling classic monsters? What was it that excited you about pitting the Domino Lady against a mummy?

NH: I love writing Domino Lady and as I mentioned, I loved that Karloff version of the Mummy. Lucky for me, Bobby was as enthusiastic as I was.

AP: You’ve been spearheading the Domino Lady’s comic book adventures for Moonstone. What’s ahead for the book and character?

NH: Domino Lady is teaming up with Sherlock Holmes and going to Egypt again. And of course there’s a guy for her to love up… I can’t wait for people to see it. It’s a two-parter and it’s going to be a stunner.

Art: Rock Baker and Jeff Austin

AP: What, if any, existing pulp, monster, or comic book characters would you like to try your hand at writing?

NH: The Crypt Keeper! More Kolchak. I’d love to do Vampirella.

AP: What does Nancy Holder do when she’s not writing?

NH: Sleeps. Actually, I’m a devoted mom and I love all that that entails. I also teach in the Stonecoast MFA in Creative Writing Program offered through the University of Southern Maine. I love it.

AP: Where can readers find learn more about you and your work?
https://www.facebook.com/nancyholderfans
https://www.facebook.com/holder.nancy
http://www.nancyholder.com/.
I’m on facebook and I tweet. @nancyholder.
https://www.facebook.com/crusadeseries
https://www.facebook.com/wickedseries
https://www.facebook.com/wolfspringschronicles

AP: Any upcoming projects you would like to mention?

NH: I’m writing a lot of young adult dark fantasy these days. I work with another partner, Debbie Viguié. Our second book in our Crusade series, DAMNED, is out now. UNLEASHED, will come out on November 22—two days before Thanksgiving. I’m stuffing my turkey with the first draft.

AP: Thanks, Nancy.

NH: Thank you!!!

Domino Lady vs. the Mummy is solicited in August Previews for an October in store release.

DC Comics December Solicitations

News
September 19, 2011

We hold in our hands the covers for DC Comics this December. As a child of four can plainly see, these envelopes have been hermetically sealed. They’ve been kept in a #2 mayonnaise jar under Wikipedia’s porch since noon today.