Several high-profile comics due in 2009
WORD BALLOONS
Economically, comic books are in a strange place right now. The comic-book direct market, long the driving force behind the comic book industry, is stable, though recent reports of store closures are troubling. Bookstores, which embraced graphic novels wholeheartedly in recent years, are having their own economic woes. And online comics remain popular, though making revenue from online distribution of content is still dicey.
But one thing that was true of 2008 and looks to be true of 2009 is that no one should be able to complain of nothing to read. The following are some of the most anticipated comic books and graphic novels of 2009.
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century
Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill take their acclaimed series to Top Shelf. The first two parts of this three-part series are set for release in 2009. The series begins in London, 1910, 12 years after the failed Martian invasion. An occult order attempts to create something called a Moonchild, and a notorious serial murderer returns.
Blackest Night
DC Comics seem to be placing much of their 2009 bets on “Blackest Night,” spinning out of Geoff Johns’ “Green Lantern.” DC’s heroes face zombie versions of deceased DC Comics characters. “Blackest Night” is the third part of Johns’ overall Green Lantern trilogy, which began with “Green Lantern: Rebirth” and continued with the “Sinestro Corps War.”
Scott Pilgrim 5: Scott Pilgrim vs. the Universe
Bryan Lee O’Malley’s slacker hero returns in February. Two of Ramona’s evil ex-boyfriends, whom Scott must defeat to win her hand, have arrived in town at the same time. Mixing influences from manga and video games, “Scott Pilgrim” is a critical favorite.
“Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?”
Acclaimed writer Neil Gaiman (”Sandman,” “Coraline”) and artist Andy Kubert team up to tell this tale of the Dark Knight. The story, called “Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?” is an homage to “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?” the Alan Moore story that ended the “Silver Age” run of the character.
Captain America 50
Nothing’s been announced to specifically take place in this issue as yet. Ed Brubaker continues to craft top-notch superhero fiction in each issue. In 2007, “Captain America” 25 featured the death of original Captain America, Steve Rogers. It seems unlikely that this anniversary issue will pass without some excitement.
Flash: Rebirth
As they revived the 1960s Green Lantern Hal Jordan in “Green Lantern: Rebirth,” so are creative team Johns and artist Ethan Van Sciver set to revive 1960s Flash Barry Allen in “Flash: Rebirth.”
Asterios Polyp
The return of David Mazzuchelli (”Batman: Year One”) to sequential art. Asterios Polyp is a middle-aged, meagerly successful architect and womanizer who is forced to leave New York City when his apartment burns in this graphic novel.
Secret Warriors
Jonathan Hickman (”Pax Romana”) and Brian Michael Bendis are the co-writers of this series from Marvel, which stars superspy Nick Fury.
Demo
Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan are reuniting for more “Demo” comics. The original 12-issue series from AiT-Planet Lar explored the idea of super powers in the real world.
Billy Smoke
Already optioned for film, this Oni project by writer B. Clay Moore features a hit man looking for redemption.
Grandville
Bryan Talbot (”Tale of One Bad Rat”) writes and draws a steampunk detective thriller with anthropomorphic characters.
By Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
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That LOEG cover is all sorts of SWEET!
Great year to look forward to…