Watchmen prequels, X-Men First Class sequel, and Avengers assemble this week on the comics podcast.

MORE ‘WATCHMEN’
DC Comics is returning to the world of its best-selling graphic novel, “Watchmen.”
The new prequels will fill out story elements occurring before the events of “Watchmen.”

“Before Watchmen” is an event with six mini-series — 35 total issues — that will serve as a prequel to Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ story WATCHMEN.
Creators involved include original series editor Len Wein, as well as writer/artist Darwyn Cooke and writer J. Michael Straczynski.

QUESTION OF THE DAY
What do you think of the idea of the “Watchmen” prequels? Will you buy them? Are you excited?

X-MEN FIRST CLASS 2
Deadline reports that Fox has just closed a deal with Matthew Vaughn to come back and direct the sequel to X-Men: First Class; Bryan Singer will also be back as producer.

Most of the major characters are expected to return, including James MacAvoy as Professor X and Michael Fassbender as Magneto.

AVENGERS TEASER
Marvel will release a commercial for its “Avengers” film during the Super Bowl.
The film, starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson, is set for a May 4 release. It’s directed by Joss Whedon.

REVIEW FILE: Matt and Kyle review Winter Soldier #1, by Ed Brubaker, Butch Guice and Bettie Breitweiser; Fatale #2, by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips; and Betrayal of the Planet of the Apes #4, by Corinna Bechko and Gabriel Hardman.

Matt Price and Kyle Roberts discuss the new DC Comics logo, Popeye making it back into comics, and an Amazing Spider-Man press conference in Tokyo on the Planet 46 Comics show.

DC Comics’ revamp of its superhero line was a sales success, with titles from DC’s “The New 52” making up nine of the top 10 titles in the year-end sales list of the comic industry’s primary distributor.

Diamond Comics Distributors Inc. reported that “Justice League” No. 1 topped all comics sold in 2011.

Diamond does not release sales numbers, but DC Comics released sales numbers for three of its top titles to The Hollywood Reporter. Through mid-December, “Justice League” No. 1 sold 361,138 copies, “Batman” No. 1 sold 262,379 copies and “Action Comics” No. 1 sold 250,898 copies. Those comics rank 1, 2 and 3 on Diamond’s end-of-year sales report.

Marvel Comics, typically the industry’s top publisher, slipped behind DC in the months following DC’s revamp. Marvel’s top comic for 2011 was “Ultimate Comics Spider-Man” No. 160, which featured the death of Peter Parker in the “Ultimate” line of comic books. The Hollywood Reporter indicates that issue sold 159,355 copies, and Diamond’s rankings put it at No. 6.

The rest of the top 10 includes the second issues of “Justice League,” “Batman” and “Action Comics” at Nos. 4, 5 and 9. The first relaunched issues of “Green Lantern” and “Detective Comics” landed at Nos. 7 and 10. And the third issue of “Justice League” took the No. 8 slot.

Despite DC’s cluster at the top, the larger number of comics published by Marvel helped it remain the No. 1 publisher for the year from Diamond Comics.

While “Justice League” sales were undoubtedly good, they weren’t record-setting. “Amazing Spider-Man” No. 583, from 2009, which guest-starred President Barack Obama, was the best selling comic of the 2000s, with more than 500,000 sold. And all modern comics sales records pale in comparison to the off-the-charts numbers of the 1990s, when “X-Men” No. 1, drawn by “Justice League” artist Jim Lee, shipped more than 8 million copies in 1991.

‘Second Wave’

Not every “New 52” title was a hit; DC Comics has announced the cancellation of six of the titles to make room for six new titles in the “New 52” lineup.

“The excitement of the initial launch of ‘DC Comics — The New 52′ was in seeing the re-imagining of these classic characters and concepts,” said Bob Harras, DC Entertainment editor-in-chief, in a news release. “The ‘Second Wave’ is all about world-building.”

The “Second Wave” includes:

“Batman Incorporated.” Writer Grant Morrison and artist Chris Burnham update the stories of a globally franchised Batman.

“Earth 2.” The greatest heroes on a parallel Earth are the Justice Society of America in this series by writer James Robinson and artist Nicola Scott

“Worlds’ Finest.” Artists George Perez and Kevin Maguire will alternate arcs on this series by Paul Levitz, featuring the characters Huntress and Power Girl, who are trying to find their way back to Earth 2.

“Dial H.” Best-selling novelist China Mieville joins artist Mateus Santoluoco for a more psychological take on a classic DC property about an everyman who gains the powers of a hero.

“G.I. Combat.” A selection of war titles from DC will be updated in this new series, including “The War That Time Forgot,” “The Unknown Soldier” and “Haunted Tank.”

“The Ravagers.” The first “New 52” spinoff features four superpowered teens on the run in a series developed from elements in “Teen Titans” and “Superboy.” Writer Howard Mackie and artist Ian Churchill are the creative team.

The six new series are set to replace “Blackhawks,” “Hawk and Dove,” “Men of War,” “Mister Terrific,” “O.M.A.C.” and “Static Shock.” Those series will end with their eighth issues in April. The “Second Wave” will begin in May.

Top graphic novel

The top-selling graphic novel through Diamond Comic Distributors in 2011 was “The Walking Dead” Vol. 1. Six different volumes of Robert Kirkman’s survivalist horror series placed in the top 10.

Also ranking in the top 10 were new editions of “Fables,” and “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen,” as well as the Christmas carol tale “Batman: Noel” and the creator-owned “Morning Glories.”

- By Matthew Price
WORD BALLOONS
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

DC Comics regained the public’s attention — and the lead in market share — with a publicized revamp of its superhero line, but not all of the year’s best comics involved capes and tights.

The following are 2011′s best 10 periodical comic books.

1. “Detective Comics 871-881,” Scott Snyder, Jock and Franco Francavilla.

The new Batman, Dick Grayson, is put to the test as a series of brutal murders puts him up against one of Gotham City’s oldest evils.

In the second story, “Hungry City,” the corpse of a killer whale is found in an upscale Gotham City bank, sparking a deadly new mystery.

Snyder’s opus, which includes the mystery of Commissioner Gordon’s son, is a candidate for best Batman tale of the current decade. DC was suitably impressed with Snyder, tabbing him as the writer of its relaunched “Batman” title.

2. “Criminal: The Last of the Innocent,” Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips.

Brubaker (“Captain America”) is one of comics’ finest writers, and this is among his best books, a mixture of noir and nostalgia that’s part twisted take on “Archie”-style characters, part dark secrets and murder. Artist Phillips creates compelling stories in two completely different styles for “Innocent.” Riley Richards seems as if he had it all, marrying the hottest girl in town and moving on to the big city. But now, he can’t forget his simpler life in Brookview. He’s willing to do anything to roll back the clock — including murder.

3. “The Red Wing,” Jonathan Hickman, Nick Pitarra.

Hickman (“Fantastic Four”) writes a story of fighter pilots in the future who fight their battles not only in the air, but also through time. Art by Pitarra.

4. “Action Comics,” Grant Morrison, Rags Morales

In Morrison’s much-hyped revamp of “Action Comics,” a young, brash Superman goes about his business in work boots and blue jeans, rustling up corporate criminals and raising the ire of everyone from the police and military to Lex Luthor, a brash industrialist who doesn’t much cotton to the idea of a superhuman.

Superman’s a bit arrogant, but very much easy to root for, as he attempts to stand up to bullies of all stripes.

5. “Daredevil,” Mark Waid, Pablo Rivera, Marcos Martin.

Writer Waid and artists Rivera and Martin brought Daredevil back to his swashbuckling past in the 2011 relaunch of “Daredevil.” Waid also shows the keen legal mind of Matt Murdock, the blind lawyer who is Daredevil. Murdock tries to keep his legal and vigilante worlds separate, despite his secret identity being somewhat known.

6. “Who Is Jake Ellis?,” Nathan Edmondson, Tonci Zonjic.

The collection of this 5-issue miniseries features former spy Jon Moore, now a mercenary. He’s able to escape capture in part because of the voice in his head — the voice of Jake Ellis. But who is Jake Ellis? He’s a man only Jon can see, providing information on safe escapes and possible threats. The mystery of Ellis, and Jon’s quest to discover the secrets behind it, are what writer Edmondson and artist Zonjic have laid out in this fast-paced espionage thriller from Image Comics.

7. “The Rocketeer Adventures,” various creators.

Dave Stevens created the Rocketeer in the early 1980s, a tribute to the serials of the 1930s and 1940s as pilot Cliff Secord finds a jet pack that allows him to race through the air. He, his mentor Peavy and girlfriend Betty (modeled after Bettie Page) starred in several adventures by Stevens and a 1991 motion picture. Stevens died in 2008, but IDW brought back his character The Rocketeer in 2011, with an anthology series that in part benefits hairy cell leukemia research.

That would be reason enough to buy “The Rocketeer Adventures,” but the all-star lineup of creators has made a book that’s one of the year’s best. Kurt Busiek, Mark Waid, Jonathon Ross, Mike Allred, John Cassaday, Darwyn Cooke, Bruce Timm, Kyle Baker, Gene Ha, Michael Wm. Kaluta and Chris Weston contribute to this lovely taste of 1930s-style adventures.

8. “Animal Man,” Jeff Lemire, Travel Foreman, Dan Green.

Writer Lemire joins artists Foreman and Green for DC’s revamp of “Animal Man,” which became one of the breakout hits of the New 52. Lemire is channeling Morrison’s take on the character, so readers of the 1980s Buddy Baker will find much to enjoy. The art’s a little different from the DC norm, but conveys the story’s mix of domesticity and dread.

9. “The Sixth Gun,” Cullen Bunn, Brian Hurtt.

An Oni Press Western with supernatural horror elements, “The Sixth Gun” follows the path of six cursed guns during the darkest days of the Civil War. Bunn and Hurtt are the creative team.

10. “American Vampire,” Scott Snyder, Rafael Albuquerque

Also written by Snyder, “American Vampire” follows the exploits of a new breed of “American Vampire” that has the ability to feed in the sun. The 1880s outlaw Skinner Sweet and 1920s actress Pearl Jones make their way to Las Vegas circa 1935; later the series follows Pearl and her husband into the World War II era.

- Matt Price
WORD BALLOONS
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
Click here for the best graphic novels of 2011.

Well-regarded graphic novelists Craig Thompson (“Blankets”) and Jaime Hernandez (“Love and Rockets”) released brilliant marriages of words and pictures in 2011, showcasing artists at the top of their creative powers. Despite some market failures, such as the closing of bookstore chain Borders, artistic quality of the graphic novel format remained high.

Here are my selections for the best 10 graphic novels of 2011.

Next week, return for the top 10 periodical comics of 2011.

1. “Love and Rockets: New Stories Vol. 4”

The Brothers Hernandez are some of the best cartoonists in comics’ history, and Jamie Hernandez has one of the high points of his career in Vol. 4 of “New Stories.” Jaime Hernandez follows up on the storylines started in Vol. 3, and provides a possible ending to the saga of Maggie and Ray. Who knows where Jamie goes from here with these characters, but if this is the end of his “Locas” story, it’s powerful, well told and emotional.

Jaime also follows up on preteen Maggie’s return to Hoppers in a flashback story, told from the point of view of her friend, Letty.

Gilbert Hernandez, meanwhile, shares a teen vampire story with a twist and another Fritz story featuring an in-depth conversation with a boyfriend. Gilbert’s visceral tale satirizes a societal obsession with vampires by showing their messy, unforgiving side.

2. “Habibi”

Craig Thompson’s long-awaited graphic novel “Habibi” is a timeless, “Arabian Nights”-styled tale that follows the lives of two orphaned slaves. Exotic and lush, yet heartbreaking at times, Thompson’s book is an exploration of the Islamic culture by one of comics’ most deft craftsmen.

3. “Hark! A Vagrant”

Kate Beaton takes a humorous trip through history and literature with witty, absurd humor featuring characters from Napoleon to Nancy Drew in this collection of comic strips.

4. “Return to Perdition”

The former “Ms. Tree” creative team of Max Allan Collins and Terry Beatty create the latest volume in Collins’ “Perdition” series, the first of which inspired the Tom Hanks-Paul Newman film. In “Return,” Vietnam veteran Michael Satariano Jr. attempts to get revenge for the mob hits on his parents. Satariano doesn’t know that his father’s real name was Michael O’Sullivan, or that his father was part of the witness protection program. Working with a black ops program, Michael finds himself caught up in intrigue on all sides, and becomes even more conflicted once he enters a romance with a mobster’s niece.

5. “Big Questions”

Anders Nilsen’s existentialist graphic novel follows a flock of birds dealing with a newcomer. Massive, bizarre and thought-provoking.

6. “Daytripper”

Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba create the story of the life of Bras de Olivias Dominguez, in the graphic novel “Daytripper,” originally released as 10 individual issues. Each issue follows a day in the life of Bras, with each ending the same — he dies. The following story picks up at a different point in Bras’ life, unconnected to his previous death. Bras is the son of a famous author, a “miracle child” struggling to find his place and his way, as told through each separate vignette. The beauty of Brazil and the fragility of life play key roles in this highly recommended graphic novel. It’s beautiful, challenging and at times heartbreaking.

7. “Feynman”

Writer Jim Ottaviani and artist Leland Myrick recount the life and career of noted physicist Richard P. Feynman in a funny and educational book.

8. “Green River Killer: A True Detective Story”

Jeff Jensen writes a true-crime story of the killer who plagued Oregon. Jensen’s father was the lead detective on the case, and the book also looks at the impact the case had on the family. Art by Jonathan Case.

9. “The Great Northern Brotherhood of Canadian Cartoonists”

Writer/artist Seth imagines an alternate history of Canadian cartooning, centered on a fictional cartoon society in the city of Dominion, which served as a gathering place for artists.

10 . “Troop 142″ 

Mike Dawson (“Freddie and Me”) collects his webcomic story of a summer at a boys’ scout camp; it explores the cruelty of difficulty of childhood, and the veneer of civility we paste on top of such conflicts as adults.

Holy cow.  It’s done!  I sort of can’t believe I finished the entire thing, but I did, in fact, complete my 2,011 comic books in 2011 reading challenge.

David Nelson, who also completed the challenge, asked if I had a compiled list.  I don’t — I might work it up in January, but for the moment, the best way to relive the challenge is by going through the category: http://blog.newsok.com/nerdage/tag/2011-in-2011.

Thanks to everyone who read along and who worked on the challenge from home!  Breakdowns for the last two weeks past the cut; more breakdowns possible in January.

Michael Turner’s “Fathom” again made up the largest single title read in the past two weeks, as I worked through the Aspen output of the title.  With 2 days left in the year, I’ve read 2,011 comics, to complete the challenge.  I read 76 comics total in the past two weeks of my 2,011 in 2011 comic-book challenge.   There have been some questions about, did I list every single comic I read this year?  And no, I didn’t.  The 2,011 includes anything I read and blogged about, either in text or video format.

Aspen and DC Comics were the top 2 publishers for the past two weeks.

Aspen: 25
DC Comics: 24
Marvel Comics: 16
Image Comics: 7
IDW: 2
Gilberton: 1
Antarctic: 1

The 2010s were the top decade of the past 2 weeks, followed by the 2000s.

1940s: 1
1970s: 3
1980s: 1
1990s: 1
2000s: 31
2010s: 39

Year to date:

Marvel Comics finishes the year as the most-read publisher, followed by DC, Dark Horse, and Image.   Overall, I read and blogged about comics from 36 different publishers in 2011.

Marvel Comics: 815
DC Comics: 577
Dark Horse: 151
Image Comics: 89
Valiant Comics: 63
Boom! Studios: 61
Malibu: 39
Aspen: 26
Eclipse Comics: 23
Dynamite: 21
Sirius: 17
IDW: 17
NOW Comics: 12
Oni Press: 12
Steeldragon: 12
Archie: 9
Pen and Ink: 7
Prize: 7
Broadway: 6
Radical: 4
Archaia: 4
Dell: 4
Gold Key: 3
Harvey: 3
NBM: 3
Pak Man: 3
Atlas: 2
Triumphant: 2
Abstract: 1
Antarctic: 1
Bluewater: 1
Fox: 1
Gilberton: 1
Moonstone: 1
Pacific: 1
SLG: 1

The 2000s were the most-read decade, with more than 600 comics read.  It was followed by the 2010s, 1990s and 1980s.   Over the course of the challenge, I read comics that were more than 70 years old, and I read comics that had come out moments ago.

1930-1939: 1
1940-1949: 7
1950-1959: 9
1960-1969: 60
1970-1979: 157
1980-1989: 272
1990-1999: 333
2000-2009: 637
2010-present: 535

- Matt Price

Todd DeZago creates a fun, touching Christmas tale in “Marvel Adventures Spider-Man” No. 46, an issue of the all-ages series first released in 2008.

In “Silent Nights,” drawn by Roberto Castro (behind a cool cover by Francis Tsai) Spidey is battling the cold, and trying to come up with a great present for Aunt May.   Last year, she broke a ceramic decoration she had shared with her late husband, Peter’s Uncle Ben.  Peter would like to replace it, but it runs $100, and he’s significantly short.

He tries to scare up a photo assignment from Daily Bugle publisher J. Jonah Jameson, but Jameson’s got nothing for him.  Then Spider-Man hears there’s a burglar going around dressed as Santa Claus, and figures nabbing him might be good for some Bugle photos.   The mishaps and adventures that follow make for an exciting tale with a heartwarming twist.   DeZago does a good job capturing the feeling of the young Peter Parker here in a recommended holiday tale.

- Matt Price

Comics read in 2011:  2011!  Still to go: 0!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Rob Williams, Laurence Campbell and Kris Justice are the creative team for 2006′s “Wolverine” No. 49, in which Logan is sent department-store shopping on Christmas Eve.  He’s not particularly happy about the idea, but as a hostage situation develops in Manhattan, it’s fortunate Wolverine was on hand.

While he’s in the jam-packed store, there’s a kidnapping, and a bomb threat from a group claiming to be a Christmas cult.  Logan, however, must sniff out the truth and save the heiress before time runs out.

Pretty good done-in-one Christmas story that’s reminiscent in some ways of “Die Hard.”

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 2010.  Still to go: 1 .

Fans get to see more about The Dark Knight Rises and The Amazing Spider-Man, and Matt and Kyle reveal some of their favorite comics of 2011.

SPIDEY PICS
The Amazing Spider-Man, Marc Webb’s film reboot of the Spider-Man property, is set to release July 3, 2012. In the meantime, the official site has revealed more photos from the film, which will star Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker/Spider-Man.
Theamazingspiderman.com is the film’s official site.

BATMAN TRAILER, PICS
The second “The Dark Knight Rises” trailer has been officially released online. The third film in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, “The Dark Knight Rises” stars Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Anne Hathaway and Tom Hardy, and is set to be released July 20, 2012. New pictures also reveal closer looks at Batman and Bane.

FAVORITE COMICS OF THE YEAR
Matt and Kyle talk about some of their favorite comics of the year, including X-Men Schism and Astonishing Spider-Man and Wolverine for Kyle, and Batman: The Black Mirror and Criminal: Last of the Innocents for Matt.

REVIEW FILE: Activity #1, Near Death #4, Justice League #4
Criminal: Last of the Innocent #1 reviewed here.
For 2011 count: Detective Comics 871-881; Criminal: Last of the Innocent 2-6.

Comics read in 2011: 2009 Still to go: 2.

Batman mixes with Charles Dickens in this year’s graphic novel “Batman: Noel,” but that’s not the only time the classic “A Christmas Carol” has been remixed into comics. English author Charles Dickens’ novella, first published in 1843, features the transformation of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge after he is visited one Christmas Eve by the ghost of his business partner, Jacob Marley, and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come.

More than a century after the original was published, George R. Lipscomb and Henry Kiefer were the creative team for the 1948 adaptation of the story in “Classics Illustrated” No. 53, an abridged but faithful version of the classic.

Doug Moench (“Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu”) joined a team of artists for “Marvel Classic Comics” No. 36, which brought a slightly more Marvelized feel to the Dickens classic in 1978.

In 1967, a group of teenage superheroes starred in a version of the story, reprinted in the collection “DC Universe Christmas.” In “Teen Titans” No. 13, by writer Bob Haney and artist Nick Cardy, The Teen Titans — made up of teen superhero sidekicks Robin, Wonder Girl, Aqualad and Kid Flash — encounter the hardhearted Ebenezer Scrounge and his put-upon employee Bob Ratchet. When Scrounge’s business partner Jacob Farley escapes from prison, seeking revenge, the Titans see a chance to put their knowledge of Dickens to use. The dialogue is particularly dated, but the artwork of Cardy is charming throughout.

Mike W. Barr and the Outsiders visited the theme in the 1980s with “The Outsiders” No. 5, cover-dated March 1986 but on sale during the 1985 Christmas season. (The story was reprinted a year later in “Adventures of the Outsiders” No. 43.)

The Outsiders — Geo-Force, Black Lightning, Halo, Katana, Looker and Metamorpho — use their powers to re-create the Dickens classic story of three ghosts in an attempt to convince gangland accountant Eben Mudge to testify against his boss. The story is drawn by longtime “Batman” artist Jim Aparo, who had previously drawn “Batman and the Outsiders.”

In Marvel Comics’ 2004 Holiday Special, Daily Bugle publisher J. Jonah Jameson steps into a Scrooge-like role in a story by writer Tom DeFalco and artist Takeshi Miyazawa, “Jonah’s Holiday Carol.” The grumpy Jameson is visited by visions of Marvel heroes to rethink his stance on holiday spirit.

In 2009, Rod Espinosa (“Courageous Princes”) released a version of “A Christmas Carol” — with Scrooge as a woman — online. It can be read free at www.antarctic-press.com/html/version_01/viewgallery.php?id=994 or downloaded for $2.99 at comixology.com. Espinosa’s manga-style art makes for an energetic adaptation.

Also in 2009, the Ghostbusters found themselves called in by wealthy Woodrow Wainwright Fraser III, who has been haunted by the spirits each Christmas Eve who seek to make him change his ways. Fraser, however, has resisted their entreaties and now calls on the Ghostbusters to get rid of these specters. An interesting take on the story, with a few fun twists, the “Ghostbusters: Past, Present and Future” one-shot is collected in the “Haunted Holidays” trade paperback from IDW.

Writer Jim McCann created a twist on the classic with “Zombies Christmas Carol,” from Marvel Comics, released in hardcover in September. The book is illustrated by David Baldeon. In “Zombies,” the poor are being struck down by a plague called “The Hungry Death,” which fills its undead victims with a hunger for human flesh. The miserly Ebenezer Scrooge may be the last hope to discover where this horror began as he is visited by three Ghosts of Christmas: Past, Present and Future.

While details vary, comics have found many ways to bring the classic to different audiences, showing how anyone can be transformed at Christmas, through the intervention of the supernatural or even superheroes. The popular text, in the public domain and available through sources including Gutenberg.org, will no doubt continue to be inspirational for readers and future creators.

- By Matthew Price
WORD BALLOONS
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
Comics read for this article:  “Batman: Noel”; “Classics Illustrated” #53; “Marvel Classic Comics” #36; “The Outsiders” #5; “Marvel Comics 2004 Holiday Special”; Rod Espinosa’s “A Christmas Carol”; “Ghostbusters: Past, Present and Future”; “Zombies Christmas Carol” #1-2.
Comics read in 2011: 1990. Still to go: 21

Peter Parker’s been assigned to take photos of the local Polar Bear club on Christmas Eve, as they plan a quick swim in the frigid temperatures.  But they’re interrupted by a disturbance in the sand — the Sandman is back!  Peter changes to Spidey to track the villain down, but Sandman slips through his grasp.

Spidey still hopes to make his date, so he swings by to warn the Fantastic Four that the Sandman is back.  But the only hero on hand is the somewhat Scroogelike Johnny Storm, who isn’t feeling in the Christmas spirit.

Still, Spidey joins Johnny, dressed in some swingin’ ’70s threads, to search for the Sandman.  The pair stop to help make some citizens’ Christmases more merry along the way, by averting a traffic accident and stopping an attempted robbery.

They eventually catch up with the Sandman, and there’s a Christmas twist of sorts to the tale’s final third. Johnny eventually comes around on the season, as well.

Roy Thomas and Ross Andru are the creative team for a charming first issue.  The series, featuring Spider-Man teaming with various Marvel superheroes, ran through issue No. 150 in 1985.  Trivia note: The woman who Johnny and Spider-Man save from a mugging was later revealed to be Misty Knight, later girlfriend to Iron Fist and a private detective in the Marvel Universe.

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1981. Still to go: 30

The “Ultimates” team of Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch teamed up for a two-part tale set during Christmas as part of their “Fantastic Four” run, which ran for 16 issues in 2008-2009.    In issues 564-565, the Fantastic Four visit Reed’s distant cousin in Scotland for their Christmas vacation.

In the highlands town of Iarmailt, there’s no crime and the town is hale and hearty.   Millar and Hitch create a beautiful Scottish countryside — but of course, things are a bit too perfect, and the tale goes from fun vacation romp to Lovecraftian horror.

Franklin and Valeria, Reed and Sue’s kids, get some good moments in this issue, and the art is simply gorgeous.  The story is a bit slight, but was probably intended as a change of pace between larger arcs. Unlike most Christmas-themed comics, these didn’t actually come out in December, but instead in February and April — but given the events of the issue, that may have been partially intentional. Further mixing up the seasons, the cover to #564 is an homage to Norman Rockwell’s painting “Thanksgiving.”

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1980.  Still to go: 31

Writer Peter David and artist Bill Jaaska create a humorous Christmas tale in “Incredible Hulk” #378.

This is just as David’s run on the Hulk was really hitting its stride, and though the last issue, #377, set a new status quo for the Hulk, this issue is in some ways a filler, as Rick Jones tells some hospitalized kids a story about how teasing can lead to trouble.

He then tells the story of the Rhino, forever trapped in his Rhino suit, is alone for the holidays, and not feeling optimistic about his super-villain prospects.  He steals a Santa suit, puts it on on top of his Rhino costume, and is making a few dollars with a fake charity bucket when he’s roped into appearing as a department store Santa.  He’s not a particularly convincing one, and a kid figures out he’s actually the Rhino.   Rhino, sick of listening to kids ask for presents, tosses one across the room.

Fortunately (sort of), it’s nearing sunset, and that’s when Bruce Banner would change into the grey version of the Hulk.  The Hulk arrives in time to catch the kid, and Rhino-as-Santa and the Hulk get into a slugfest.

Peter David finishes up the story in a charming manner, however, that has a little bit of holiday spirit and co-operation.   Overall, it’s a funny issue with a holiday flair. “Rhino Plastered!” has a cover date of Feb. 1991, meaning it was on sale in the Christmas season of 1990.

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1978.  Still to go: 33.

Spider-Man is tracking down the reptile-man Stegron in this Christmas tale from Len Wein and Ross Andru.

Stegron was once Vincent Stegron, lab assistant to Dr. Curt Connors.  But, ironically given his surname, he’s transformed into a dinosaur-man after injecting himself with dinosaur DNA.   He manages to re-form dinosaurs from skeletons in a museum using a ray he’s invented.  He can then command these dinosaurs to battle Spider-Man. (These are some out-there powers.)

When Spidey goes to Dr. Curt Connors for help, it turns out that Stegron has already been there – and triggered Curt Connors’ transformation into the Spidey foe the Lizard.

Spider-Man must stop Stegron’s plans, rescue Curt’s son, and stop the Lizard without hurting Connors.   He can’t do it without putting a crimp in Peter Parker’s Christmas plans, however.

With reconstituted dinosaurs, a Manhattan snowstorm and a wedding proposal, “Amazing Spider-Man” #166 is pretty out there, but a fun holiday issue nonetheless, especially for those with 1970s Marvel nostalgia.  (I guess a wedding proposal and a snowstorm aren’t that odd for the Christmas season.  But the reconstituted dinosaurs, definitely unusual.)

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1977. Still to go: 34.

Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba create the story of the life of Bras de Olivias Dominguez, in the graphic novel “Daytripper,” originally released as 10 individual issues.  Each issue follows a day in the life of Bras, with each ending the same — he dies.    The following story picks up at a different point in Bras’ life, unconnected to his previous death.  Bras is the son of a famous author, a “miracle child” struggling to find his place and his way, as told through each separate vignette.   The beauty of Brazil and the fragility of life play key roles in this highly recommended graphic novel.  It’s beautiful, challenging and at times heartbreaking.

Also read recently:

Fathom vol. 2: Beginnings, Prelude, 0-11
Admiral Maylander attacks an underwater city of the Blue.  Political intrigue and action are heavy in this volume, as marine biologist Aspen Matthews finds out  more about her true identity.  Written by J.T. Krul.

Fathom Vol. 3, 0-10
The deep-sea-living the Black declare war upon the humans as the Blue must determine if they will be humanity’s enemy or ally.   Killian joins with Siphon to negotiate with the humans, though Kiani wants to part of a peaceful settlement.  Aspen again finds herself torn among worlds she has a history with as she attempts to prevent full-scale destruction, and save her long-lost brother.  Written by J.T. Krul.

Who is Jake Ellis? The collection of this 5-issue miniseries features former spy Jon Moore, now a mercenary.  He’s able to escape capture in part because of the voice in his head — the voice of Jake Ellis.  But who is Jake Ellis?   He’s a man that only Jon can see, providing information on safe escapes and possible threats.  The mystery of Ellis, and Jon’s quest to discover the secrets behind it, are what writer Nathan Edmondson and artist Tonci Zonjic have laid out in this fast-paced espionage thriller from Image Comics.

GI Joe Operation HISS #1: Set in the continuity of the G.I. Joe live-action movie, this issue sees Snake Eyes and Scarlett raid a M.A.R.S. facility in China, where they cross paths with Storm Shadow.  The art is by Alex Cal and Agustin Padilla; the book is written by Brian Reed.   Decent action throughout.

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1976. Still to go: 35.

Michael Turner’s “Fathom” made up the largest single title read in the past two weeks, in a fortnight that had a lot of variety both in publishers and decades read.  I read 88 comics total in the past two weeks of my 2,011 in 2011 comic-book challenge.  I am attempting to read 2,011 comic books in the calendar year.   With 97 percent of the year over, I’ve read 1,935 comics, or more than 96 percent of the total comics I need to read.  I’ve got 76 comics to go.  Click past the cut for the full breakdowns of comics read.

Marvel and Image were the top 2 publishers for the past two weeks, with Valiant right behind.

Marvel Comics: 17
Image Comics: 17
Valiant Comics: 16
Steeldragon: 12
DC Comics: 10
Dell: 4
Gold Key: 3
Archie: 2
Aspen: 1
Boom!: 1
Dynamite: 1
Fox: 1
Harvey: 1
IDW: 1
Moonstone: 1

The 1990s were ahead of the 2000s and the 2010s.
1930s: 1
1940s: 4
1950s: 1
1960s: 3
1980s: 12
1990s: 32
2000s: 22
2010s: 13

Year to date:

Marvel Comics extends its lead.

Marvel Comics: 799
DC Comics: 553
Dark Horse: 151
Image Comics: 82
Valiant Comics: 63
Boom! Studios: 61
Malibu: 39
Eclipse Comics: 23
Dynamite: 21
Sirius: 17
IDW: 15
NOW Comics: 12
Oni Press: 12
Steeldragon: 12
Pen and Ink: 7
Prize: 7
Archie: 9
Broadway: 6
Radical: 4
Archaia: 4
Dell: 4
Gold Key: 3
Harvey: 3
NBM: 3
Pak Man: 3
Atlas: 2
Triumphant: 2
Abstract: 1
Aspen: 1
Bluewater: 1
Fox: 1
Moonstone: 1
Pacific: 1
SLG: 1

The 2000s remain the most-read decade, crossing 600 comics read.

1930-1939: 1
1940-1949: 6
1950-1959: 9
1960-1969: 60
1970-1979: 154
1980-1989: 271
1990-1999: 332
2000-2009: 606
2010-present: 496

- Matt Price

Comics recently read in my 2,011 in 2011 comic book challenge include the first volume of Michael Turner’s “Fathom,” which debuted in1998 from Top Cow.

“Fathom” Vol 1, 0-14, 1/2, preview, Against All Odds #1: Marine biologist Aspen Matthews has always been drawn to the sea, but when she is attached to a top-secret undersea mission, she finds out there’s more to her past than she realizes.  She also is among the first to discover there are two “worlds” on earth — the one we know, and the one below.

The discovery of new undersea humanoid races is the thrust of the first “Fathom” volume, and the conflicts between those groups and the land-dwelling humans.   Aspen Matthews is in a unique position to be at the heart of this conflict — while she was raised as human, her biology connects her to these undersea civilizations.  Beautifully drawn by the late Michael Turner, who created and co-wrote the series, the comics create brilliant, stunning underwater vistas.    With the exception of the Aspen digital comic “Against All Odds,” all issues originally published by Top Cow, now published under the auspices of the Turner-founded Aspen Comics.   The definitive edition collection released by Aspen edits out the appearances of Witchblade and Tomb Raider in the original issues 12-14.

Also recently read:

Airboy 1942: Best of Enemies (2009): Chuck Dixon writes the story of ace fighter pilot Airboy and his fantastic plane during World War II.  In this story, Airboy meets the German flying ace Valkyrie.  Published by Moonstone.

“Archie and Friends” 152 (2011): Sabrina casts a spell on Jughead to help him win an eating contest, but her spell backfires when Jughead falls in love with Sabrina instead.

Lone Ranger (Dell) 1-3 (1948) These comic strip reprint stories predate the Clayton Moore Lone Ranger, and feature a red-shirted Lone Ranger dealing with Old West bullies and brigands.

Wonder Comics 1 (1939): The only appearance of Wonder Man (no relation to the later Marvel character) who was sued out of existence over his similarities to Superman.  At first I was surprised, reading the comic — the origin is totally different from Superman.  An old monk gives Fred Carson a ring that allows him to fight evil.  But when you get into the actual super-heroic part of the book, Wonder Man’s powers are very similar to Superman’s, as are many of his poses and actions.  Published by Fox.

Green Hornet #23 (1945): Green Hornet is the lead story in this Golden Age comic, which also features a roster of somewhat unusual back-up heroes and a little too much casual racism for modern audiences to stomach.   Published by Harvey.

Dell Four Color 496 -Green Hornet (1953): The Hornet must track down the true culprit in some train robberies when the main suspect is — the Green Hornet!

Green Lantern No Fear: Geoff Johns re-establishes Hal Jordan’s non-superheroic identity as a pilot, while he must face the Manhunters and Shark as Green Lantern.  Collects Green Lantern 1-6 and Green Lantern Secret Files #1 (Darwyn Cooke story).

Comics read in 2011: 1,935. Still to go: 76.

Gary Oldman retires James Gordon’s badge; Fox plans more Marvel films; and reviews of “Action Comics” and more in the Planet 46 Comics Podcast at NewsOK.

GARY OLDMAN DONE AS GORDON
Gary Oldman tells Moviefone that “The Dark Knight Rises” will be the end of his run as Jim Gordon, and talks about using Bane as the villain.

“It’s great. It’s a terrific conclusion to the trilogy,” Oldman tells Moviefone. “Nolan rounds it off: he brings in a bit of the first one, from ‘Batman Begins,’ and he does some really surprising things with it. I thought his choice of villain was very interesting, to use Bane instead of Riddler or Penguin. He’s not gone with the most obvious choice. The challenge for Chris was always really the story and I think he didn’t want to make a third one for the sake of it. I think there was pressure on him, obviously, because the second was so successful. So there’s always going to be some pressure to keep it going. But he’s too smart and classy, really to just make a third just for the sake of making it, because others are demanding or want it from him and I think he felt that, ‘Let me get the story right.’ So the fans won’t be disappointed.”
Read more: http://blog.moviefone.com/2011/12/06/gary-oldman-dark-knight-rises-steve-buscemi-snl/

FOX STILL PLANS MORE X-MEN, FF, DAREDEVIL
Fox’s Tom Rothman tells MTV that he wants another “X-Men: First Class.”
“We’re trying like hell,” he said. “We’re trying as hard as we can. We really want to do it. We’re planning to do it.”
Rothman also commented two other Marvel properties that Fox plans to revive: “Daredevil” and “Fantastic Four.”
David Slade is attached to “Daredevil,” while “FF” is earlier in the development process.
REVIEW FILE: Valen the Outcast #1, Action Comics #4, Hawk & Dove #4, Raphael #1, Defenders #1
Comics read in 2011: 1902. Still to go: 109.

Valiant Comics were huge in the 1990s, and their focus on storytelling was a big part of that success.  I recently re-read the first 15 issues of one of Valiant’s hits that also was very critically acclaimed: Archer & Armstrong.

The origin story of the offbeat buddy duo of Archer and Armstrong, originally featured in issues #0-6, was re-colored and put into a hardcover edition by the new Valiant Entertainment in 2009.    Jim Shooter and Barry Windsor-Smith were the creators behind the characters: Armstrong, an immortal alcoholic with a heart of gold (we think), and Archer, the naive, conservative … well, archer … whose arch-conservative, but crazy, parents tried to kill him.   Barry Windsor-Smith is the writer/artist who makes these characters come to life, with great characterization, beautiful art, and top-notch storytelling.  Armstrong is on the run from a group called The Sect, who believe him to be the devil, and the pair get dragged into all sorts of adventures, including “Unity,” the early 1990s time-tossed Valiant crossover.   This was one of my favorite stories back in the day, and it holds up well today.  My favorite issue is issue #5, in which Archer & Armstrong visit the Riveira, where Armstrong owns a private island, and meet up with Armstrong’s stunningly beautiful wife, which reduces Archer to babbling.  It’s got humor and adventure, and stands out as a comic worth seeking out.  The story with Archer, Armstrong, and Mrs. Armstrong continues in issue #6.

Issue #7 gives a look at each character as Armstrong gets into a barroom brawl.  In issue #8, a double issue, revisits the tale of the Three Musketeers, with Archer, Armstrong and the Eternal Warrior, Armstrong’s brother, in key roles.

In Archer & Armstrong #9, Bob Layton and Bernard Chang are the creative team for the first non-Barry Windsor Smith issue of “Archer and Armstrong.” (BWS will return for issues 10-12.)   Armstrong is hypnotized by an agent of Darque.  Under the spell, he is compelled to seek out and kill his brother Gilad, the Eternal Warrior.  Archer must try to stop him.  Layton has the voices of Archer and Armstrong down pretty well; Chang seems to be drawing closer to a BWS style than usual.  Good standalone issue.

In Archer & Armstrong #10, Archer and Armstrong meet up with the time-travelling Ivar in London.  But a group of timelost characters kidnap the trio.  Meanwhile, the kid who stole Armstrong’s satchel starts to realize its power – and runs into someone else who wants it.  BWS on writing and art.

In Archer & Armstrong #11, Ivar is put on trial at Stonehenge by the group of timelost travelers. (The group appears to include Jimi Hendrix among them.)  Solar confronts the bandaged man with Armstrong’s satchel, which leads him to Archer, Armstrong and Ivar, all at Stonehenge with the group.  Solar helps the situation get sorted.  Good characterization by BWS, who writes and draws.

And in Archer & Armstrong 12, Armstrong confronts the bandaged man with his satchel; Archer confronts his past.  Great humor and action throughout, mixed with drama in Archer’s situation.  Fantastic close to the BWS run.

A new team is on board with Archer & Armstrong 13.
Mike Baron (“Nexus”) and Rags Morales (“Identity Crisis”) take over from Barry Windsor-Smith on the title.  Archer and Armstrong are in L.A., and Armstrong decides Archer needs a woman.  They rent out a house next to hotheaded actor Bobby Ripp, who gets into conflict with both Archer and Armstrong.  It’s a change of pace from the BWS issues, but it has a little bit of a “Badger” feel.  Offbeat, but not clear if it’s going anywhere.

Archer & Armstrong 14 is written by Mike Baron; art by Andrew Wendel and Carlos Garzon.
The Sect wants Armstrong dead; Archer meets the pair’s neighbor on the other side of the house; Bobby Ripp is killed and Armstrong is a suspect.  It’s certainly zany, but it’s not as enjoyable as the run preceding it.

Also read from Valiant:

The Second Life of Doctor Mirage #1
Hwen Mirage and Carmen Ruiz are paranormal investigators with a little bit of a “Thin Man” vibe, though the straight-laced Dr. Mirage isn’t quite the charming scoundrel Nick Charles is.  He’s a meticulous researcher who doesn’t enjoy when their investigations run into the “gooey stuff.”  Two bodies in the New York City morgue seem to still be pulsing with a kind of energy.  Carmen and Hwen check it out, and find themselves pulled into a scheme of Master Darque.  They track him from New York to New Orleans to Ladakh before finding themselves in over their heads.  Good cliffhanger, fun story, mixes horror and humor to good effect.  Written by Bob Layton; pencilled by Bernard Chang.

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1,897. Still to go: 114.

Created to tie in with the 1966-1967 TV show, these three “Green Hornet” issues feature Britt Reid and his valet Kato, who pretend to be criminals in order to fight crime.  District Attorney Frank Scanlon and secretary “Casey” Case are in on Britt Reid’s secret.  Mike Axford, a police beat reporter working for Reid’s newspaper, is constantly after the Green Hornet, but he falls into humorous mishaps that prevent any true discovery.  Van Williams and Bruce Lee are featured on the covers, with photos from the show also appearing in the interior covers.   The stories are roughly comparable to the TV show of the time, and are relatively enjoyable, if dated stylistically.

Other comics recently read:

Young X-Men #1-9

Marc Guggenheim and Yanick Paquette create this story of a new team of mutants following the”Messiah Complex” storyline.   With no new mutants being born, Rockslide, Blindfold and Dust believe they are part of the last generation of mutants.  Recruited by Cyclops, they are told that the old New Mutants are the new Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, and they must track down and kill the team.   Not my favorite work by either Guggenheim or Paquette, but it has its moments (particularly in one neat Danger Room sequence). Ben Oliver becomes the artist with issue #6, as the origin of the Young X-Man “Ink” is explained.

Captain Confederacy  (1-12, Steeldragon, 1986; 1-4, Epic, 1991)

Science fiction author Will Shetterly worked with artist Vince Stone on “Captain Confederacy,” an alternate-history comic-book series that looked at a propaganda-type superhero in a world where the South won the Civil War and remained a separate nation from the United States.   Shetterly has posted his “director’s cut” of the material at a blog dedicated to Captain Confederacy.  This is interesting, thought-provoking stuff, that has had its share of controversy.  Even years after the series’ end, a parent who bought a remaindered copy at a dollar store was offended by its contents.  The series definitely isn’t meant for kids, but is intended to look at issues of race relations in the context of a superhero adventure/alternate history story.

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1,881. Still to go: 130.

Batman 3, aka “The Dark Knight Rises,” has wrapped, and Christian Bale is done. Also: Lunch with a Star Wars legend and Hulk TV news.

LUNCH WITH LUKE

Actor Mark Hammill, who brought Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker to life in the original Star Wars Trilogy, is offering to have lunch in Los Angeles with the highest bidder and a guest to raise funds for The RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights, which provides an ongoing base of support to human rights defenders around the world. Valued at $10,000, the exclusive experience is open for bidding from November 29th through December 15th at:

http://www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/276455

BAT-FINISHED

The Philippine Daily Inquirer talked with Christian Bale, and he confirmed he was done with Batman.

“I wrapped a few days ago so that will be the last time I’m taking that cowl off,” he said. “I believe that the whole production wrapped yesterday, so it’s all done. Everything’s finished. It’s me and Chris – that will be the end of that Batman era.”

He also praised co-star Anne “Catwoman” Hathaway.

“I had plenty of scenes with Anne,” he said. “And I was there when we did the screen test for her. The thing that I said to Chris [Nolan] that day was that there were many very accomplished actresses who had read for the role. I’m terrible at auditions, so I’m very impressed when somebody really seems to acquire an ownership of a character without having worked on it or prepared for some amount of time.”

THE INCREDIBLE HULK NEARS

Guillermo del Toro tells io9 that the screenplay is in for the possible upcoming “Hulk” TV show, and the team is waiting for a green light. Del Toro, serving as producer, says he and his team know the essential stories, including “Hulk: Grey,” written by Jeph Loeb, who is involved with the show.
“We know all the iterations of the Hulk pretty good. We’ve read all the essential stories, and we’re then riffing on that. There are so many incarnations and ideas. Jeph Loeb — who did a good run [on Hulk: Grey] — is involved, and I love Peter David’s Hulk. But there’s really no part in that mythos that we don’t know, so we are trying put our own personal spin on it.”

REVIEW FILE: Green Lantern The Animated Series #0, Wolverine #19, Uncanny X-Men #2, X-Men Legacy #259, Archie #627, Flash Gordon Zeitgeist #1.
Comics read in 2011: 1,853. Still to go: 158

Batman comics from the 2000s made up the largest chunk of my comic-book reading over the past two weeks, primarily the run of Grant Morrison.  I read 122 comics total in the past two weeks of my 2,011 in 2011 comic-book challenge.  I am attempting to read 2,011 comic books in the calendar year.   With 93 percent of the year over, I’ve read 1,847 comics, or almost 92 percent of the total comics I need to read.  I’ve got 164 comics to go.  Click past the cut for the full breakdowns of comics read.

DC Comics, behind “Batman” and “Astro City” were the big winners in the past two weeks, though there was a wide assortment of publishers represented overall.

DC Comics: 79
Marvel Comics: 16
Dark Horse: 10
Boom! Studios: 8
Archie: 3
Pak Man: 3
IDW: 1
SLG: 1
Triumphant: 1

The 2000s were significantly ahead of the 2010s.
1940s: 1
1960s: 1
1970s: 1
1980s: 4
1990s: 9
2000s: 77
2010s: 29

Year to date:

DC cut into Marvel’s still-significant lead.

Marvel Comics: 782
DC Comics: 543
Dark Horse: 151
Image Comics: 65
Boom! Studios: 60
Valiant Comics: 47
Malibu: 39
Eclipse Comics: 23
Dynamite: 20
Sirius: 17
IDW: 14
NOW Comics: 12
Oni Press: 12
Pen and Ink: 7
Prize: 7
Archie: 7
Broadway: 6
Radical: 4
Archaia: 4
NBM: 3
Pak Man: 3
Atlas: 2
Harvey: 2
Triumphant: 2
Abstract: 1
Bluewater: 1
Pacific: 1
SLG: 1

The 2000s extended the lead as most-read decade.

1940-1949: 2
1950-1959: 8
1960-1969: 57
1970-1979: 154
1980-1989: 259
1990-1999: 300
2000-2009: 584
2010-present: 483

- Matt Price

Archie #30 (1948): If Betty can sew  a patch onto Archie’s pants, she can take him to the dance.  Did people really do things like this in the 1940s?

Betty and Veronica #192 (Dec. 1971) Veronica ditches the gang, who are cleaning up the river in Riverdale, when she has a chance to appear in a fashion shoot.

Star Wars Legacy vol. 2: Shards: This second volume of “Legacy” does a lot to set up the world of the “Star Wars” universe, 125 years after “Return of the Jedi.”  Cade Skywalker, Luke’s grandson, is the series’ main character, though he’s less active in this volume than the first.   Collects issues 8, 4, 9, 10, 13, 11, and 12 of the series, originally published in 2007.

The Unknown 1-4 and The Unknown Devil Made Flesh 1-4: Two supernatural-style mysteries by writer Mark Waid and artist Minck Oosterveer.  Oosterveer sadly died earlier this year.
In “The Unknown,” from Boom! Studios, master detective Catherine Allingham learns she only has months to live.  She chooses to use that remaining time examining seemingly unsolvable mysteries with her ex-bouncer apprentice, James Doyle.

Sanctuary #1: Stephen Coughlin’s digital comic from SLG features a sanctuary for animals with a dark mystery behind it — it reminded me somewhat of “Lost.”

Batman: No Man’s Land Vol. 1: Batman must deal with Gotham City after a terrible earthquake leads to the evacuation of most of the city.  This volume includes Batman: No Man’s Land #1, Batman #563-564, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #83-84, Detective Comics #730-731 and Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #116.    While the story is in some ways unbelievable, the storytellers do a good job making this altered Gotham and its residents part of a compelling story of Batman and his allies in a new, difficult circumstance.

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1,847. Still to go: 164.

Astro City: The Dark Age
Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson look at the 1970s and 1980s through the prism of the superhero world of Astro City, in a 16-part storyline.   Four four-issue miniseries (“Astro City: The Dark Age” Books 1-4) follow Charles and Royal Williams as they seek the man who murdered their parents.   Their lives are intertwined with that of the Silver Agent, who is traveling through time in an attempt to avert a coming disaster.

Busiek and Anderson are taking apart the grittier comics of the 1970s and 1980s and exploring them from the point of view of characters who are living it.  It recreates the feel of reading comics as a younger person in the late 70s and early 1980s, but with a story that works on multiple levels.   Any superhero fan should take a look at The Dark Age, which probably suffered from its extended shipping schedule as far as sales.   But with two collections containing all 16 issues, there’s no reason not to read this modern classic.  Alex Ross remains active with the book as a character designer and cover artist.

Also read recently:

Grifter 2-3 (2011) Nathan Edmondson continues his slow burn in revealing who exactly Cole Cash, aka Grifter, is in this new unified DC Comics universe, but it’s an intriguing read with beautiful art by CAFU.

Planet Terry 1-4 (1985)Lennie Herman and Warren Kremer were the creative team for “Planet Terry” (a pun on “Planetary”), which featured young Terry, sort of a Richie Rich of space, on a quest to find his parents, with the help of his robot, Robota, and a gruff alien, Omnus.

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1,821  Still to go: 190.

Writer Grant Morrison shifts the status quo of the Batman titles from the get-go in his run on “Batman.”   The first collection, “Batman and Son,” collects issues #655-#658 and #663-#666 of the DC series “Batman,” written by Morrison and drawn by Andy Kubert.  8

Batman’s son with Talia Al Ghul, daughter of the villainous Ra’s Al Ghul is introduced as a full-blown character in “Batman and Son.”  (The character was introduced in “Son of the Demon” in 1987, and has been referenced a few times, but the continuity is a bit murky.  Still, this is clearly the same character.)  Damian Wayne has been trained for all of his 10 young years by the league of assassins, and thinks and reacts like an assassin.  Talia has left Damian with Batman, but the reasons are a bit unclear.   The addition of a new, hard-edged character who is only a boy adds a different dynamic to the Batman family.

A sequel of sorts to “Batman and Son” is “The Resurrection of Ra’s Al Ghul.”  This somewhat more straightforward action story involves Batman, his adopted children Tim Drake and Dick Grayson, and his biological son, Damian.  Damian Wayne is sought as a host body for the return of Ra’s Al Ghul. Batman and crew attempt to put a stop to this in this crossover adventure.   The collection contains: Batman #670-671 by Grant Morrison and Tony Daniel, Robin #168-169 by Peter Milligan and Freddie E. Williams II, Nightwing #138-139 by Fabian Nicieza and Don Kramer, Detective Comics #838-839, written by Paul Dini; and two annuals, Batman Annual #26 and Robin Annual #7. 10 (18)

Writer Grant Morrison gets Batman’s detective hat on in the first storyline in “The Black Glove,” which updates a 1950s concept, the “Club of Heroes,” featuring a group of Batman analogues.   They’ve all been called together to an island for a reunion, when there is a murder.   It’s beautifully drawn by J.H. Williams III and is a high mark of the run.

In the second half of the book, Bruce has a fever dream about his past, which leads into Batman RIP later on, as do the mysterious Batman impostors.   The graphic novel contains “Batman” 667-669 and 672-675.  7 (25)

In “Batman RIP,” a club of master criminals have an elaborate plan to destroy the Batman, by convincing him of betrayal and making him doubt his own memory. Batman, however, has a plan.  Morrison and Tony Daniel are able to highlight much about the Dark Knight’s history as he’s thrown through the gauntlet by the Black Glove.  The collection contains “Batman” 676-683.  8 (33)

Batman RIP is followed, pretty much, by “Final Crisis,” also by Morrison, and though it’s not solely a “Batman” story, it does feature a key “Batman” element that you won’t want to miss.  The basic story is that Darkseid does seem as if he’ll manage to take over the universe and evil will triumph, but Batman makes a sacrifice near the end that has important consequences.   This book needs many, many annotations and is probably not for the uninitiated, but some hardcore Morrison fans love it.   Collection includes Final Crisis 1-7, Superman Beyond and Submit.  9 (42)

Morrison’s run has been analyzed extensively, and I encourage readers to dig more thoroughly into the story than what I have here.  It’s a fascinating piece of modern comics.  Morrison’s “Batman” stories continue in “Batman Incorporated.”

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1,799.  Still to go: 212.

Matt and Kyle take a look at the Kindle Fire’s options for comics; the Avengers release new posters; and Roy Thomas talks about Conan the Barbarian in this week’s comics podcast.

FIRE AWAY
The Kindle Fire offers comics via graphic novel sales on Amazon.com and the comiXology app that comes pre-installed on the tablet. The comiXology reader links to any existing comiXology account. Its reader is preferable to the Fire’s native browser for comics, which will feature several DC graphic novels.

NEW AVENGERS POSTER

A brand new banner featuring the core four members of “The Avengers” — Captain America, Bruce Banner, Iron Man and Thor, from left to right — has premiered over at Yahoo Movies.

http://movies.yahoo.com/photos/movie-stills/gallery/3403/the-avengers-stills#info

CONAN GIVEAWAY

Lionsgate Home Entertainment is  releasing  Conan the Barbarian on 3D/2D Blu-ray Combo Pack, 2D   Blu-ray Disc, and DVD this November 22nd. Starring Jason Momoa, Rachel   Nichols, Stephen Lang, Rose McGowan, and Ron Perlman, this 2011  re-make  includes audio commentaries, The Conan Legacy  featurette, a making-of  and more. Longtime “Conan” comics writer appears on the special features for the film.

We have a copy of the  Conan the Phenomenon: The Legacy  of Robert E. Howard Fantasy  Icon hardcover art history book as well as the Conan the Barbarian the Blu-ray Combo Pack to give away.  For a chance to win, answer our question of the day:  Which Conan is your favorite?  The character from the books?  Arnold from the films?  The Barry Windsor-Smith or John Buscema version from the comics?  The more recent version from the Dark Horse Comics?  Or Jason Momoa in the new film?

ROY THOMAS

Speaking of Conan, I talked to Roy Thomas, who brought Conan to Marvel Comics in the 1970s and has been writing “Road of Kings” for Dark Horse.  He talked about the early days of the Conan comic.

He said he was hoping to expand Marvel’s reach beyond superheroes into sword and sorcery, and licensing Conan was a home run. The new “Conan the Barbarian” is out on DVD and Blu-ray today. Look for more of the interview with Thomas in Friday’s Weekend Look.

WINNER WINNER ROBOT CHICKEN DINNER

We’ve chosen our winner for the Robot Chicken season 5 DVD  —  the DVD goes to MovieHunter1888.

REVIEW FILE: Justice League 3, Captain America #4, Fear Itself 7.3, Avengers #19, Batman #3
Comics read in 2011: 1,748. Still to go: 263

Getting caught up on several comics read this year that never made it into a full blog post.

Living with the Dead 1-3 (2007, Dark Horse): Sort of “The Walking Dead” by way of a comedic buddy movie with a dash of romantic comedy.  Worth checking out for zombie or “Zombieland” fans.

Incredible Hulk 601 (2009, Marvel): Greg Pak writes as Banner begins trying to train the Hulk’s son, Skaar.

Warlock 1-4 (2004, Marvel): Greg Pak writes a different version of the Adam Warlock character with a focus on philosophy.

Vision Machine 1-3 (2010, Pak Man Productions): Greg Pak and RB Silva provide a meditation on consumerism and technology in a smart, innovative sci-fi story.  You can get the story for free at visionmachine.net.

Amazing Spider-Man #34 (1966, Marvel) Spidey faces Kraven the Hunter in a classic Stan Lee-Steve Ditko story.

Avenging Spider-Man #1 (2011, Marvel) A modern version of Marvel Team Up by Zeb Wells and Joe Madureira. Spidey teams up with the Red Hulk in issue 1.

Archie and Friends Cartoon Life # 1: (2009, Archie) Chuck Clayton teaches a cartooning class.

Scavengers 0: (Triumphant, 1993):  After years protecting the Realm, Captain Ximos discovers a dark secret that leads him to become a renegade.  This was better than what I had expected from the long-defunct publisher.

Secret Avengers 16, 17 (2011, Marvel): Good superhero espionage-type stories from Warren Ellis.

Doctor Who annual 2010. (2010, IDW) The 4-page Tony Lee teaser is the best story of the bunch, but these are OK for fans of the recent David Tennant-starring series.

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011:  1,743.  Still to go: 268.

Marvel Comics from the 1960s and 1970s made up the majority of my comic-book reading over the past two weeks, led by the “Captain Marvel” series from that era.  I read 69 comics total in the past two weeks of my 2,011 in 2011 comic-book challenge.  I am attempting to read 2,011 comic books in the calendar year.   With almost 89 percent of the year over, I’ve read 1,725 comics, or almost 86 percent of the total comics I need to read.  I’ve got 286 comics to go.  Click past the cut for the full breakdowns of comics read.

I read almost entirely Marvel Comics in the past two weeks, as far as comics that got logged on the blog.

Marvel Comics: 67
DC Comics: 2

The 1970s were just ahead of the 1960s for the most-read decade.

1960s: 31
1970s: 32
2000s: 1
2010s: 5

Year to date:

Marvel extended its lead.

Marvel Comics: 776
DC Comics: 465
Dark Horse: 141
Image Comics: 65
Boom! Studios: 52
Valiant Comics: 47
Malibu: 39
Eclipse Comics: 23
Dynamite: 20
Sirius: 17
NOW Comics: 12
Oni Press: 12
IDW: 13
Pen and Ink: 7
Prize: 7
Broadway: 6
Radical: 4
Archie: 4
Archaia: 4
NBM: 3
Atlas: 2
Harvey: 2
Abstract: 1
Bluewater: 1
Triumphant: 1
Pacific: 1

The 2000s remain in the lead for most-read decade.

1940-1949: 1
1950-1959: 8
1960-1969: 56
1970-1979: 153
1980-1989: 255
1990-1999: 291
2000-2009: 507
2010-present: 454

- Matt Price

“Essential Fantastic Four, Volume 5″ collects issues #84-110 of what was called at the time “The World’s Greatest Comic Magazine.”   Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, who had collaborated on the book since issue #1, end their partnership here with issue #102.  (Previous Kirby art was reworked for #108.)   John Romita Sr. and John Buscema follow the King, but despite their talents, never reach his heights on the series.

These issues are probably the least of the Lee-Kirby FFs — Doom’s a bit out of character in a multi-part story, and there are some apparent plotholes involving the Inhumans.  But there’s enough here to make it worth reading, especially for Kirby fans.   The best of the lot is probably the four part story in #90-93 in which the Thing becomes a gladiator on an alien world.

Also read:

Amazing Spider-Man #5: One of my favorite comics as a youngster (I had the Marvel Tales reprint) features Doctor Doom challenging Spider-Man.

Fantastic Four: The Lost Adventure: Using the original pencils Jack Kirby had turned in, which later were rearranged to partially make issue #108, Marvel released this “lost” Lee-Kirby issue in 2008.

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1,725. Still to go: 286.