Two of the year’s biggest series hit their third issue, and Archie ties the knot. Listen to Kyle Roberts and Matt Price discuss the eternal question, “Betty or Veronica”?

WORD BALLOONS

DC Comics announced this week that it has sold out of “Blackest Night” No. 1, which kicked off the zombie-thriller superhero tale by Geoff Johns.

A second printing will be in stores Sept. 16, along with “Blackest Night” No. 3. “Blackest Night” No. 2 is in stores now. Local stores say the issue is moving well from their shelves as well.

“It’s our bestselling comic,” said Brian “Buck” Berlin of New World Comics in Oklahoma City. He said the black ring promo, which allowed stores to order a plastic “Black Lantern” ring with every issue, helped raise awareness of the series.

“We’ve ordered more of it than any other comic, and we’re still selling out of it,” said Eric Neal, an owner of Second Chance Books and Comics in Warr Acres.

The Black Lanterns are the villains of the series, the zombified versions of some of DC Comics’ greatest heroes, including Aquaman.

Neal said that fans are drawn to this series because it’s happening in the main DC Comics continuity, as opposed to in an alternate universe.

“This is actually in the DC Universe,” he said. “In the first issue, they killed off Hawkman and Hawkgirl, and they instantly became zombies.”

That conclusion was intended to shock, Johns said at Comic-Con International in San Diego.

“That scene pushed the boundaries for sure,” he said. “I felt like ‘Blackest Night’ was a horror superhero story. For me, Hawkman and Hawkgirl, I love those characters. I’ve spent a lot of time with them. They represented a love that was never to be.”

Their deaths and revival as zombies, at the hands of the zombie Elongated Man and his wife, Sue Dibny, was meant to be particularly unsettling.

“The most horrifying Black Lanterns are the lighter ones, the ones like Elongated Man and Firestorm,” Johns said. “I wanted to take the couple that had kind of represented this pure love, like Elongated Man and Sue, and put them against Hawkman and Hawkgirl, who are finally coming to terms with theirs, in the most horrific way I could. … Why Hawkman and Hawkgirl are chosen specifically by Black Hand is part of the bigger story. They are characters who have escaped death over and over and over.”

Berlin said the shocking scene will draw more interest to the characters.

“I think it’s kind of an original way to reinvigorate the flailing characters,” he said.

“Blackest Night” has tied into some other of DC’s titles, including miniseries “Blackest Night: Batman” and “Blackest Night: Superman.”

Johns and artist Scott Kolins will create “Blackest Night: Flash” in November.

“It’s kind of a follow-up to our ‘Flash’ run, as well as a continuation of ‘Flash Rebirth’ and ‘Rogues’ Revenge,’” he said. “Lots of dead rogues coming back to say hello.”

The tie-ins, including “Green Lantern,” where the story began, are also seeing strong sales, stores reported.

“It seems to be building. There are more and more people reading it,” Neal said. “The tie-ins are all doing real well, too. ‘Green Lantern’ is doing just as well as the ‘Blackest Night’ issues.”

- By Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

Eddie Berganza and Geoff Johns

SAN DIEGO — Blackest Night writer Geoff Johns kept the crowd engrossed during his Spotlight panel at Comic-Con, with tales of his days interning for Superman director Richard Donner and advice to aspiring writers.  Along the way, he dropped some hints and revelations about upcoming DC storylines.  Editor Eddie Berganza was on-hand with Johns to help the discussion along.

Barry Allen, the Flash who returned from the dead to the DC Universe, will be around for a while, Johns said, and is co-starring with Wally West, another Flash, in the Blackest Night: Flash series by Johns and Scott Kolins.

Blackest Night, the zombie-superhero tale currently unfolding from DC Comics, is meant to be dark and scary, Johns told attendees who  might be concerned about the content.   It’s intended to push the boundaries.

“It’s about the dead rising; it’s supposed to be violent … it’s supposed to be horrific,” he said.

“Blackest Night” has Green Lantern Hal Jordan front and center in the DC Comics universe. When asked why he preferred Hal Jordan, the Green Lantern that Johns has returned to the spotlight, over 1990s Green Lantern Kyle Rayner, Johns said he thought the Jordan character was more universal.

“It’s about the theme of overcoming fear,” Johns said. “We’re bombarded by things that are all about scaring us.”  Green Lantern’s ability to overcome fear should resonate with everyone, he said.

Johns has no plans to leave Green Lantern anytime soon, he said, and said the villain Hector Hammond will return to prominence in the future of the title.

A large number of people at the panel thanked Johns for getting them into, or back into comics.  Some wanted his advice on breaking in as a writer.

Johns recommended those looking to break into writing look for internships to hone their craft, and to check out the books The Writer’s Journey and Shot By Shot.

From his own days as an assistant, Johns told a story of wrecking Donner’s car, then calling Donner and saying, “I’m fired, right?”  Johns survived the mishap, and later met with DC Comics execs while Donner worked on the film “Conspiracy Theory.”

Even after that, it took a couple of years for his project “Stars and STRIPE” to get going at DC, Johns said, advising persistence to those in the crowd.

- Matt Price

SAN DIEGO — The Warner Bros. animated film Green Lantern First Flight debuted for around 4,000 excited fans in Ballroom 20 at Comic-Con International.

Producer Bruce Timm introduced the film, and led viewers in a recitation of the Green Lantern oath.  Tricia Helfer, who voices Boodika, provided a taped introduction.

Christopher Meloni voices Hal Jordan, who goes on his first Green Lantern Corps mission in “First Flight.”

The film has a “Training Day” vibe, as Jordan is trained by the stern Green Lantern Sinestro, who, as comics fans will know, harbors a secret.

There are definite changes from the comic-book continuity, and some plot holes have to be willfully ignored.  But it’s nice to see characters like Kilowog, Ch’p and of course Hal Jordan come to animated life.

- Matt Price

Matt Price and Kyle Roberts discuss this week’s comics, including Captain America 601, Phantom Generations 3 and Blackest Night 1.  Kyle must deal with his fear of zombies and vampires.

The media spotlight turned intensely on Green Lantern in the past week, as Ryan Reynolds was announced as the star of the upcoming film “Green Lantern,” set for release in 2011. In a bit of good timing, DC Comics this week released its high profile “Green Lantern” miniseries, “Blackest Night.” Hal Jordan, who will be played by Reynolds in the film, stars in “Blackest Night,” an event that features the dead returning to life and facing off against DC’s heroes.

The title “Blackest Night” comes from the oath of the Green Lanterns, an intergalactic peacekeeping force. It begins, “In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight.”

At the ComicsPRO annual meeting in March in Memphis, DC executive editor Dan DiDio talked about the behind-the-scenes effort that went into making the “Blackest Night” event run smoothly. ComicsPRO is a nonprofit organization of direct-market comic store retailers.

To keep the “Blackest Night” series and tie-in issues seamless, “Green Lantern” writer Geoff Johns relocated from Los Angeles to New York to work from the offices of DC Comics.

Johns made the transcontinental journey to replicate the plan the company used on “Infinite Crisis,” a previous Johns-written event that topped sales charts.

“This is the formula we used when we created Countdown to Infinite Crisis,” DiDio said. DiDio said Johns working in the offices with editors and writers kept everyone in the loop, and improved the sense of flow with the tie-ins.

“What Geoff’s been able to do is work with a group of writers who will be working on ‘Blackest Night,’ working with them directly to make sure everybody’s on the same page, and working on the same model so we will have a story that feels very natural in its development,” DiDio said.

DiDio said that it’s paramount to keep the focus on the characters, and that’s what they are trying to do with “Blackest Night.”

“We’ve heard the momentum, we’ve heard the excitement about ‘Blackest Night,’ and this is our one chance to take advantage of it all,” DiDio said.

“I can sit here and face anybody … because I know how good the stuff is ahead of us. I know how big ‘Blackest Night’ could be.”

- by Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

As reported by Variety, Ryan Reynolds has been tapped to play Green Lantern.   Martin Campbell will direct the film, which is slated to begin filming in January.

Fans reacted quickly to the announcement, making “Green Lantern” and “Ryan Reynolds” both trending topics on Twitter on Friday night.

A quick scan revealed mostly positive fan reaction from those twittering about the news.  A few fans seemed upset that a black actor wasn’t chosen, probably due to John Stewart’s high profile in the Justice League cartoon, but this film was always, as far as I know, going to be about Hal Jordan.  Though I wouldn’t be too surprised to see a John Stewart or Guy Gardner casting announcement down the line.   There was also some concern from Marvelites that this could delay or derail the possible “Deadpool” film franchise.

Among my favorite Twitter comments:

Autumnwash: Ryan Reynolds in Green Lantern?? cute though what the heck is Green Lantern?

3amephiphany: wait, Deadpool AND Green Lantern? DJFKLSJL I LOVE YOU, RYAN REYNOLDS.

MadEyeMarky: Ryan Reynolds has been picked to play Hal Jordan in the live action Green Lantern movie! WOOHOO! No Timberlake landing on OA this time pal

Check out this excellent fan-made trailer of a “Green Lantern” movie that would star Nathan Fillion (”Firefly”). My opinion? They should hire this guy and Fillion both to work on the movie. (I’m sure they’ll go younger, and someone not currently in a TV series for Hal Jordan, but wouldn’t Fillion be great at it?)

– Matt Price

WORD BALLOONS

As “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” is released, local comic book stores will give away a “Wolverine” comic book as part of the eighth annual Free Comic Book Day.

Thousands of comic book stores worldwide will give free comic books to patrons Saturday as part of the annual celebration.

Free Comic Book Day was the idea of California comic book retailer Joe Field, and it is implemented through comic book distributor Diamond Comics.

Diamond Comics estimates more than 2 million comic books will be given away worldwide.

DC Comics will kick off its largest 2009 event, “Blackest Night,” with a free “zero” issue on Free Comic Book Day. The issue includes a lead story that leads directly into “Blackest Night” No. 1.

“The first half is by me and Ivan Reis,” Johns said at the recent ComicsPRO annual meeting in Memphis. “It’s a 12-page story that’s a lead-in to the DC Universe through Hal Jordan (Green Lantern) and Barry Allen (Flash).” The second half of the issue is by artist Doug Mahnke and Johns, and is a guide to the different organizations that will play into the “Blackest Night” storyline.

Other comics will feature Disney/Pixar’s Cars, the Avengers, Star Wars, Transformers, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Giveaway books may vary by location and are available while supplies last.

In addition to the participating comic book stores, Metro Library Systems will participate in Free Comic Book Day.

For more information, go online to www.freecomicbookday.com.

By Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

The first extended look at this summer’s “Green Lantern: First Flight” direct-to-DVD animated movie. Fans will, I think, be glad to see things like the Green Lantern Kilowog and Sinestro’s Sinestro Corps uniform. Those who are less hardcore might be pleased to see that it looks like a pretty good animated action film.

- Matt Price

WORD BALLOONS

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Flash and Green Lantern will be the “cornerstones” of the DC Universe in the coming year, said writer Geoff Johns, speaking at the ComicsPRO annual members’ meeting last week.

ComicsPRO is a nonprofit organization of direct-market comic store retailers.

Johns is the writer of the upcoming “Flash: Rebirth,” slated for release on April 1, and “Blackest Night,” which kicks off with a free No. 0 issue on May 2, Free Comic Book Day. “Blackest Night” No. 0 is the first original story created by DC for a FCBD giveaway. The first half of the book will be by Johns and Ivan Reis.

“It’s a 12-page story that’s a lead-in to the DC Universe through Hal Jordan (Green Lantern) and Barry Allen (Flash),” Johns said. “I look at Hal and Barry as very different in how they’re coming into the DC Universe.”

The Flash died a hero in “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” saving the world from the Anti-Monitor, before returning in “Final Crisis” last year. Hal Jordan was turned evil by the entity Parallax and destroyed the Green Lantern Corps before dying in the “Final Night” series. In the 2004 series “Green Lantern: Rebirth,” Hal Jordan was purged of the entity and returned as a hero.

“There’s a line in (”Blackest Night” No. 0) where Hal says, ‘You died a saint and I died a sinner,’” Johns said, referring to the different situations in which the two close friends now find themselves.

Barry Allen returning from the dead is “the worst thing that ever happened to him,” Johns said.

“I think a lot of people are wondering why we’re bringing Barry Allen back,” Johns said. “But really ‘Flash: Rebirth’ is knee-deep in doing what we do best.”
“Flash: Rebirth” is from the creative team of “Green Lantern: Rebirth,” Johns and artist Ethan Van Sciver.

DC Executive Editor Dan DiDio announced that, based on pre-orders, “Flash: Rebirth” No. 1 will be DC Comics’ top book for April.

“Blackest Night” No. 1 will launch July 15, written by Johns and drawn by Reis.  It will tie in with “Green Lantern” and “Green Lantern Corps.”

“I’ve been working really hard on Green Lantern for the last few years,” Johns said.  “When we did (the) Sinestro Corps (storyline), it was kind of a surprise for a lot of people,” Johns said.  “But now that we’re headed toward ‘Blackest Night,’ the fact that readers, retailers, DC, everybody’s really excited about it, that gets me excited, because I’ve been wanting to tell this story for a long time.”

By Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Discussions were primarily optimistic at the informal meet and greet kicking off the annual ComicsPRO meeting of comic-book retailers.   Distributors, publishers and others will discuss their plans for the upcoming year over the next three days with some of the nation’s top comic-book sellers.

While the box office for “Watchmen” might have not been all that Warner Bros. had hoped for, it certainly worked as far as motivating sales of the book.   Anecdotal evidence pointed to huge sales of the graphic novel leading up to the movie’s opening.

Anticipation was high for the “Wolverine” movie, with retailers reporting increased interest in Wolverine and Deadpool merchandise as the movie nears.

Free Comic Book Day, coming up on May 2, was also mentioned by retailers, with at least one retailer expecting it to be his most successful Free Comic Book Day ever.

This year’s Free Comic Book Day will feature a Wolverine tie-in comic as well as the launch of DC’s “Blackest Night” event, written by Geoff Johns.

Also on the horizon are opportunities to tie in with the “Jonah Hex” and “Green Lantern” films, slated for 2010.

Not all was rosy, however.  The overall economic slump had affected some locations.  Furthermore, logistic problems with a large supplier have become more pronounced in recent weeks.   And, something on many stores’ minds is the question of how digital content will impact the comic book industry.

Still, the dozens of retailers who met and talked late into the night about trends and ideas for comic-book retail continue to have a passion for their line of work, and optimism about the future.

– Matt Price

Get the lowdown on the upcoming “Green Lantern: First Flight” animated direct-to-DVD film at the official site or MySpace.  The video, embedded here, gives some background on the film, including that it is not based on any particular source material, it will take place primarily in outer space and is a “Training Day” type film featuring the Hal Jordan Green Lantern and Sinestro, a former Green Lantern who becomes Jordan’s greatest foe.

– Matt Price

Newsarama has a rundown of upcoming film dates for Warners and Marvel properties.  “Jonah Hex” is now set for an August 2010 release.  The much-anticipated (by  me, anyway) Green Lantern is green-lit for a release date of Dec. 17, 2010.

– Matt Price

Lots of movie news and rumors floating around today.  First Showing talked to producer Donald De Line, who said the “Green Lantern” film in development, to be directed by Greg Berlanti (”Everwood”) could begin shooting as early as this spring.

The time could be right to make a Green Lantern movie; I’d certainly like to see it if done right.  No news on who will fill the boots of Hal Jordan.

– Matt Price

SAN DIEGO — Artist Jim Lee’s deft and muscular take on the DC Comics Universe is at the heart of Sony Online Entertainment’s “DC Universe Online.”

Lee topped comic-book sales charts with his interpretations of Batman and Superman.  Those interpretations come to 3-D life in “Universe,” as Lee served as the project’s executive creative director.

In “Universe,” which is being developed for the personal computer and the PlayStation 3, gamers will create a character that can then interact with the world of DC comic books online. 

“We’re literally opening the door and letting you walk right into the world of the DC Universe,” said Debby Sue Wolfcale, senior brand manager for SOE. 

The well-known characters like Superman, Batman and Green Lantern will fight alongside or against characters created by players.

“These characters have an intensity and power all their own,” Wolfcale said. “(’DC Universe Online’ will) bring that same intensity and musculature … to the player characters.”

In addition to characters, location will be a key component of the game.  Locations planned include Metropolis, Gotham City and the Bat Cave.

“We want to make location like another character,” Wolfcale said. “You get as excited to be going into the Bat Cave as you get seeing Batman.”

– Matt Price

“I did do a lot of research for my story arc in Corps,” Gates tells CC2K. ”Though having already researched the Secret Files, it wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been.  Boodikka of Bellatrix had a bunch of appearances to reread, and I kind of adjusted things other people had done that I thought made her weak or come off as stereotypical. My take on her as a Bellatrix Bomber is very different from anyone else’s, but I think it’s a more pure take on the character and unifies with how she’s been portrayed the last few years.”

The DC Universe is shaken up, Dave Sim returns, and Brian Wood’s “Local” releases its penultimate issue.  The easy sell of this week should be “DC Universe” Zero, which retails for only 50 cents. It’s written by Grant Morrison and Geoff Johns. Also by Johns this week – ”Green Lantern” No. 30 and “Action Comics” No. 864.  “Action” features art by Gary Frank (edit: whoops, this issue is Joe Prado), and the cover, shown here, by Kevin Maguire (”Justice League International”). The Oklahoma adventures of Thor get a hardcover release, written by J. Michael Straczynski.  Full list and commentary after the break.

ABYSS #4 (OF 4)

ACTION COMICS #864

I’m loving the Gary Frank art on this series, with a very Christopher Reeve-esque Superman.  (Edit: However, this issue is Joe Prado. He’s good too!)

ARCHIE #584

AVENGERS INITIATIVE #12

BIG AMOEBA ONE SHOT

BLACK SUMMER #6 (MR)

BLACK SUMMER #6 WRAP CVR (MR)

BLUE BEETLE #26

BUDDHA STORY OF ENLIGHTENMENT #2 (C: 0-0-1)

CALIBER #1

CRAWL SPACE XXXOMBIES #4 (MR)

DAREDEVIL BLOOD OF THE TARANTULA

DC UNIVERSE ZERO

It’s 50 cents, and people from DC assure me that it’s not only a good deal, but a great read.

DEVI #19 (RES)

ELEPHANTMEN WAR TOYS #3 (OF 3)

EX MACHINA #36 (MR)

FRIDAY THE 13TH ABUSER AND THE ABUSED #1 (MR)

GARGOYLES BAD GUYS #2

GIANT SIZE AVENGERS INVADERS #1

GLAMOURPUSS #1 COMICS ED

GLAMOURPUSS #1 FASHION ED

Dave “Cerebus” Sim returns to comics with a book that really has to be seen to be appreciated.  Part photorealistic exercise, part art commentary, part fashion parody, “Glamourpuss” will certainly be like nothing else on the stands.

GREEN LANTERN #30

Part two of “Green Lantern: Secret Origin.”

GRIMM FAIRY TALES PIPER #2 (OF 4) (MR) (C: 0-0-2)

HERCULES #1 ADMIRA CVR B

HERCULES #1 STERANKO CVR A

I WAS KIDNAPPED BY LESBIAN PIRATES OUTERSPACE #1 (OF 6)

IMMORTAL IRON FIST #14

JACK OF FABLES #22 (MR)

JSA CLASSIFIED #37

LEGION OF SUPER HEROES #41

LOCAL #11 (OF 12) (RES) (MR)

Onipress.com says:
Set in the Toronto fine arts scene, this penultimate issue of LOCAL focuses on a young art student trying to manipulate the scene as best she can, who sees a source of material too good to pass up: Megan McKeenan. But as Megan turns thirty, how will she deal with this cocky upstart?

MARVEL ADVENTURES IRON MAN #12

MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS #8

MARVEL ILLUSTRATED MOBY DICK #3 (OF 6)

NEW AVENGERS #40 SI

NEW BATTLESTAR GALACTICA SEASON ZERO #7

NEW WARRIORS #11

NOBLE CAUSES #33

The second part of Jay Faerber’s “Noble Causes” story after the five-year jump in the series’ timeline.

ORDER #10

PROOF #7 (MR)

RAMAYAN 3392 AD RELOADED GUIDEBOOK (RES)

SNAKEWOMAN CURSE OF THE 68 #3 (OF 4) (MR) (C: 0-0-1)

STAR WARS REBELLION #13 SMALL VICTORIES PART 3 (OF 4) (C: 1-

TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #28

TALL TALES OF VISHNU SHARMA #4 (OF 5) PANCHATANTRA (RES) (C:

TEEN TITANS #58

TEEN TITANS GO #54

TEEN TITANS YEAR ONE #4 (OF 6)

THOR AGES OF THUNDER

Matt Fraction’s take on the god of thunder.

ULTIMATE HUMAN #4 (OF 4)

ULTIMATE X-MEN #93

UNCLE SAM AND THE FREEDOM FIGHTERS #8 (OF

URBAN MONSTERS #3

USAGI YOJIMBO #111

WILDGUARD INSIDER #1 (OF 3)

WITCHBLADE DEVI #1 BASALDUA CVR B

WITCHBLADE DEVI #1 LAND CVR A

Top Cow’s leading lady meets the Virgin Comics character Devi.

WONDERLAND #6

X-MEN LEGACY #210 DWS

YOUNGBLOOD #3

Yes, I’m reading Joe Casey’s take on Rob Liefeld’s government superteam. What? It’s pretty good, actually.

Graphic novels/trade paperbacks

ADAM STRANGE ARCHIVES HC VOL 03

BLACK PANTHER TP LITTLE GREEN MEN

BPRD TP VOL 08 KILLING GROUND (C: 0-1-2)

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER OMNIBUS TP VOL 04 (C: 0-1-2)

COMPLETE DICK TRACY HC VOL 04

COMPLETE GREEN LAMA FEATURING ART OF MAC RABOY HC (C: 0-1-2

DONDI TP VOL 02 (C: 0-1-2)

FACTS I/T CASE O/T DEPARTURE OF MISS FINCH HC (RES)

The extremely late graphic novel written by Neil Gaiman.

FANTASTIC FOUR TP BEGINNING OF THE END

KABUKI REFLECTIONS #10 (MR)

LEONARD STARRS MARY PERKINS ON STAGE TP VOL 04 (C: 0-1-2)

An interesting two-fer with “Glamourpuss,” actually, as Leonard Starr is probably the best storyteller of the photorealists.

LOVE THE WAY YOU LOVE SIDE A TP

MYSTERY IN SPACE TP VOL 02

OFF HB MARVEL UNIV A TO Z PREM HC VOL 02

PUNISHER  PREM HC CIRCLE OF BLOOD

The miniseries that launched a thousand “Punisher” comics.  Steven Grant and Mike Zeck took the first steps in the direction that made The Punisher one of the most popular comic-book heroes of the 1980s.

SHOWCASE CHALLENGERS OF THE UNKNOWN TP VOL 02

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG SELECT TP VOL 01

SPEED RACER RACER X TP ORIGINS COLLECTION TP

SUPERMAN BATMAN HC VOL 06 TORMENT

TALES O/T FEAR AGENT TP (C: 0-1-2)

THOR BY J MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI PREM HC VOL 01
The first issues of the “Thor” relaunch by Straczynski and artist Olivier Coipel.

X-MEN HC MESSIAH COMPLEX

Tulsa writer Sterling Gates, now living in Los Angeles, attended the recent New York City Comic Con as a guest of DC Comics.
Gates signed comics for fans, and even did some sketches, though he hasn’t seriously drawn comics in three years.
“I had a line (of fans) before I even got there, and someone must’ve told them I could draw, because I think I had twenty sketch requests while I was sitting there,’ he said.
Gates accommodated their requests, drawing Green Lanterns and other characters for fans. His go-to drawing paired the largest and smallest Green Lanterns, as conceptualized by Dave Gibbons.
“I got really good at drawing Mogo, the Green Lantern that’s a planet, because he’s just this circle with some land masses and a giant Green Lantern symbol on him,” he said.
“Then, as a flourish, I would add his partner, Bzzd, the bug Green Lantern.”
While in New York, Gates visited the offices of comic-book publisher DC Comics.

“I took a tour of DC Comics, which I’d always wanted to see as a kid, and met a lot of the terrific behind-the-scenes people that keep my favorite comics coming out month to month.”
As for news, DC released several interesting tidbits and promotions, including a poster featuring a blue-eyed Flash. The current Flash, Wally West, has green eyes – but Barry Allen, who died in the 1986 “Crisis on Infinite Earths” series, had eyes of blue.
Gates, meanwhile, is staying busy with upcoming projects, though none of them are yet ready to be announced.
“I’ve got something in the works, though,” Gates said.

– Matt Price

From Friday’s The Oklahoman: 

By Matthew Price
Assistant Features Editor

WORD BALLOONS

The second part of the “Green Lantern Corps” story by University of Oklahoma graduate Sterling Gates hit stores this week. In “Green Lantern Corps” No. 22, “The Curse of the Alpha Lanterns” concludes.

The Alpha Lanterns are the Internal Affairs officers of the Green Lantern Corps.

“The Alpha Lanterns, which were created by (writer) Grant Morrison, are a complete mystery, and it was up to me and (writer) Geoff (Johns) to flesh out their purpose and put a spin on them and their relationships to keep them from being ‘just another Green Lantern’” Gates said. “By creating a new style of Green Lantern (an internal affairs division), Grant has added a new wrinkle into the equation that’s a lot of fun for us to play with and explore.”

In “Curse of the Alpha Lanterns,” Alpha Lantern Boodikka comes face-to-face with her past, as she finds out her sister, Zale, has been made a Green Lantern.

“It pays off all of the threads we set up in ‘Green Lantern Corps’ No. 21 in a way that has never been done before, and shows a side to the Alpha Lanterns that no one will see coming,” Gates said.

Sterling Gates, a 2005 University of Oklahoma graduate, grew up in Tulsa and attended Edison High School, which is now Edison Preparatory Academy.

Kyle Roberts and I run down some of this week’s releases in the comics podcast.

Matt: Dynamite is doing, I think, a really good job with a lot of different genre Western stuff …  (Lone Ranger & Tonto) is a little bit of a dark Western but a very good one.  I was a little disturbed by parts of the story, but I can’t really say that it was a bad story.  There’s some people being murdered on the frontier, and the Lone Ranger and Tonto investigate. They think that one thing is happening and find out that another thing is happening that is maybe even a little darker and creepier than what we’d expected.  … This is another one that I enjoy, and I’m glad to see more options for Western characters. … If you’re enjoying the regular Lone Ranger, give Lone Ranger & Tonto a look.  It’s got a nice John Cassaday cover,  it’s written by Brett Matthews with John Abrams, and the art is by Marco Guevara.

University of Oklahoma graduate Sterling Gates and artist Nelson wrap up their two-part “Green Lantern Corps” storyline, “The Curse of the Alpha Lanterns,” tying into events in “Green Lantern” and the upcoming “Final Crisis.”

Boodikka discovers that her sister, Zale, is the Green Lantern who has been disobeying Guardian summons.  The story flashes back to Boodikka’s pre-Alpha Lantern days, as she faces a Emerald Twilight-era Hal Jordan.

Boodikka discovers what’s been happening with her former allies, the Bellatrix Bombers, and how Zale is involved.  Boodikka’s take on the situation doesn’t allow for shades of grey — but the Guardians make a decision that seems fair, and should set up some interesting storytelling possibilities down the road.

The continuing evolution of Boodikka’s character is well-crafted by Gates; the changes wrought by the Alpha Lantern process have changed the former warrior woman with authority issues into the ultimate authority.  Her sister is a window to both her past, and her previous self.

Gates sets up a nice family-versus-duty dynamic that ties up successfully while more fully exploring the relatively new Alpha Lantern concept.  Nelson keeps the story moving, and has a good feel for action scenes.

– Matt Price 

From The Oklahoman:

By Matthew Price

– Matt Price

Tulsa native and OU graduate Sterling Gates talked to Newsarama about “Green Lantern Corps” 21 and 22, in which he will reveal more about the mysterious “Alpha Lanterns.”

“The Alpha-Lanterns act as “Internal Affairs” for the Green Lantern Corps,” Gates told Newsarama. “If someone isn’t doing their job right, they get flagged, and one of the Alpha-Lanterns is sent in to see why they’re not doing the job.”
Gates says his first issue of “Green Lantern Corps” should be new-reader friendly, as well.
“The idea is that it’s like Alpha-Lantern #1. If you’ve read Green Lantern, then you know what’s going on. But in Corps, on page one, we give you an origin box of what the Alpha-Lanterns are and what they do to try to make it very reader friendly.”

From special correspondent Chris Borthick, a review of the Mark Waid-George Perez “Brave and the Bold” hardcover:

The newest incarnation of the classic team up book the Brave and the Bold in the new hardcover “The Lords of Luck.” This six-part tale by writer Mark Waid and artist George Perez captures the flavor of the Brave and Bold team-ups of days gone by while bringing them firmly into the modern age.
The “Lords of Luck” begins with a bizarre murder investigation by Batman and Green Lantern that leads the pair across space and time in a quest to find the Book of Destiny teaming them at points through the story with Supergirl, Adam Strange, Blue Beetle and the Legion of Super Heroes. Supergirl gets her own team-up with Lobo as she races to catch up to Green Lantern and Batman in space. The book also features a host of guest villains, like the Fatal Five, and familiar characters to round out Batman and Green Lantern’s adventure. It’s good to see Batman and Green Lantern paired up in this story, as it seems to put the final nail in the coffin ending Batman’s animosity and distrust of Green Lantern that has become part of DC continuity over the past few years.
The Brave and the Bold: “Lords of Luck” is well written by Mark Waid, who excels at stories capturing the feel of the classic DC world; and the artwork by George Perez is fantastic and detailed as comic fans old and new have come to expect. The hard cover also features a behind the scenes section detailing all of the hidden “easter eggs” the creative team seeded throughout the book, as well as details on the characters, major and supporting cast, and where they first appeared in the DC universe. The 160 page hardcover is priced at $24.95, and is well worth the purchase for fans of the modern DC universe and those nostalgic for DC books of old.

“Justice League: The New Frontier” is coming to DVD and high-def from Warner Premiere in February.  A recently released trailer has me very excited for the film!   You can check out the sizzle reel with background info at the official site; or you can befriend the New Frontier on myspace and see some additional art from the film.

If that wasn’t enough, Darwyn Cooke, writer-artist of the original “New Frontier” comics is returning to the “New Frontier” universe for a new one-shot — Justice League: The New Frontier special.  This 48-page $4.99 one-shot features Batman, Superman, Black Canary, Sgt. Rock, Wonder Woman and more.  It’s scheduled to be on sale March 5.

Writer Sterling Gates, an OU graduate who has been writing Green Lantern tales for DC, was in town recently and mentioned that he is writing a two-part upcoming story in “Green Lantern Corps” about the Alpha Lanterns.

Recent information provided from DC Comics to retailers indicates that the story will feature art by Nelson and focus on the character Boddika.

Gates’ most recent project was the “Green Lantern/Sinestro Corps Secret Files,” released Friday, which has information on more than 200 Green Lanterns. This Who’s Who of Lantern lore is filled with tons of Easter eggs and hints about upcoming storylines.