Best comic-book series of 2010
Detectives, zombies and superheroes highlighted the best in periodical comic books in 2010. While most comics are eventually collected in graphic novels, the monthly periodical comic still drives most traffic in comic book stores.
The following are 2010′s best 10 periodical comic books.
Superman movie won’t cross over with Batman; 2010 comic book favorites; Marvel names new editor-in-chief
Matt and Kyle reveal some of their favorite comic books of 2010 in this week’s comics podcast.
Batman 3 in Asia; Iron Man 3 loses Jon Favreau; Mighty Samson debuts
Jon Favreau won’t direct Iron Man 3
Hero Complex, in an interview with Jon Favreau, announced that the director won’t return for Iron Man 3.
Jon Favreau confirmed via Twitter that he was directing Disney’s “Magic Kingdom” rather than the third film in the “Iron Man” series. There doesn’t appear to be any hard feelings; Favreau wished Marvel the best via Twitter, and of course Disney is now Marvel’s parent company.
Comic Book Rock
In Weekend Look, Matt Price talks to musician Ray Wall about his comic-book themed songs that feature the Fantastic Four, the X-Men and the Watchmen. You can check out his music at www.myspace.com/raywallband.
Mighty Samson
DARK KNIGHT IN ASIA
According to Hero Complex, Christopher Nolan is in Asia scouting locations for filming his third “Batman” film, “The Dark Knight Rises.” Nolan’s film “Inception” received a Golden Globe nominations Other comic-book properties receiving nominations include the comic-based movie “Red” and comic-book based TV show “The Walking Dead.”
REVIEW FILE:
Supergirl 59 – the last issue by Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle.
John Byrne’s Next Men 1 – Revisiting the critically acclaimed 1990s series.
Amazing Spider-Man 650 – Spidey is saved by Lady Gaga — sort of.
Mighty Samson 1 – the latest Gold Key revival from Jim Shooter.
Captain America movie first look; Batman 3 title; Superman: Earth One selling out
CAPTAIN AMERICA MOVIE SNEAK PEEK
Entertainment Weekly has shared the first look as Chris Evans in his Captain America garb. Also on the Planet 46/NewsOK Comics Podcast – the first look at Matt Price in his Captain America garb. The aftermath of the OU-Missouri game comes to the podcast as Kyle Roberts celebrates his win and Matt pays off his bet by recording the Halloween edition of the podcast in costume.
NEW SUPERMAN SELLING OUT
The “Twilight”-style Superman featured in “Superman: Earth One” by J. Michael Straczynski and Shane Davis is selling out in comic shops across the country prior to its release in bookstores on Tuesday.
Dan DiDio, senior vice president and executive editor at DC Comics, told the AP “we always knew that we wanted to do a real, contemporary interpretation of Superman.”
NBA “SUPER” STARS
In the NBA preview issue of ESPN the magazine, on sale now, the NBA teams are illustrated by Marvel Comics artists.
ESPN The Magazine has teamed up with Marvel’s artists to produce 30 “variant covers” illustrating each NBA team and its 2010-2011 outlook for the season.
DARK KNIGHT NAME
The Los Angeles Times reports that “The Dark Knight Rises” will be the title of the third Christopher Nolan-directed “Batman” film. He also tells Geoff Boucher that the Riddler won’t be the episode’s villain.
REVIEW FILE: Supergirl Annual #2, Teen Titans #88, Captain America Patriot #3
Kick-Ass 2 released; Iron Man 3 date set; Stan Lee’s Soldier Zero hits stands
Iron Man 3 gets release date
Stan Lee (AP)
According to Marvel.com, “Iron Man 3″ will release on May 3, 2013. This appearance will follow Iron Man’s appearance in “The Avengers,” which will release May 4, 2012.
Elect a Legion leader
Fans can vote for who they think should lead the Legion of Super-Heroes by placing a vote at LegionElection.com.
Matt and Kyle review Kick-Ass 2 #1, Hulk #26, Stan Lee’s Soldier Zero #1 and Supergirl #57.
Sterling Gates, Jamal Igle leave ‘Supergirl’
According to DC Comics’ Source blog, the outstanding creative team of “Supergirl” — Oklahoma-born writer Sterling Gates and artist Jamal Igle — will leave the series with issue #59. Nick Spencer and Bernard Chang will be the new team on the book.
In The Oklahoman, I named “Supergirl” the fifth-best comic book series of 2009:
Writer Sterling Gates, a Tulsa native, and artist Jamal Igle kept the mystery cooking of who the seemingly super-powered Superwoman was for much of 2009 in the pages of ” Supergirl.” Supergirl dealt with the death of her father and the seeming villainy of her mother. This, and great use of the supporting cast, including Cat Grant and Lana Lang, made ” Supergirl” a must-read Superbook.
I had an hourlong Q&A with Gates about his career at the Oklahoma History Center this summer; I plan to share excerpts from that Q&A in the future on the blog. I’m also looking forward to Gates’ next announced projects, and will share more information about those when that info is available.
- Matt Price
A Smallville Season 10 reading list
The Great Darkness Saga
The 10th season of “Smallville,” based on a young Clark Kent learning to become Superman, begins tonight on CW.
As announced at Comic-Con International in San Diego, the DC Comics villain Darkseid will be the villain for the show’s final season, although like previous villains, he’ll be tweaked somewhat to fit in the “Smallville” continuity.
DC Comics’ Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns will write an episode of this season’s “Smallville,” which will feature DC Comics characters Blue Beetle and Booster Gold. Laura Vandervoort’s Supergirl is also set to make a return appearance this season.
To catch up on the background of these characters, here’s some recommended reading for this season of “Smallville.”
“Superman/Batman: Supergirl” by Jeph Loeb and Michael Turner. Darkseid attempts to brainwash a powerful teenage girl in this reintroduction of Supergirl to the DC Comics mythos. This story, adapted into animated form, will be released Tuesday as “Superman/Batman: Apocalypse” on DVD. Tim Daly will voice Superman; Kevin Conroy will voice Batman. The cast also includes Andre Braugher as Darkseid and Summer Glau as Supergirl.
Superman/Batman Vol. 2: Supergirl
“The Great Darkness Saga” by Paul Levitz and Keith Giffen. In the far future, the heroes of the 30th century must battle a grave evil. Darkseid emerges in the 30th century with plans to acquire mystic artifacts and control a race of 3 billion superpowered beings. The Legion of Super-Heroes call on all members, past and present, to face off against Darkseid, who has yet another plan behind the scenes. A new hardcover edition of this classic story is set for release in November, though the individual issues and earlier softcover printings are findable.
“Cosmic Odyssey” by Jim Starlin and Mike Mignola. Starlin, known for his cosmic tales like “Warlock” and “Infinity Gauntlet,” teams with “Hellboy” creator Mike Mignola for this story of a threat so great, that some of Earth’s greatest heroes are forced to work with Darkseid. Superman, Batman, Green Lantern John Stewart, Martian Manhunter, Starfire, the Demon, plus Orion, Lightray and Forager of the New Gods are called on to halt a being who can destroy galaxies.
“Showcase: Booster Gold” by Dan Jurgens et al. Booster Gold’s original series, primarily written and drawn by Dan Jurgens, is collected in this volume as a time-traveling former football star from the future comes to 20th-century Earth aiming for fame and fortune.
Blue Beetle: Shellshocked
“Blue Beetle: Shellshocked” by Keith Giffen, John Rogers, Cully Hamner et al. The mystical Blue Beetle scarab chooses a new guardian: teenager Jaime Reyes. The El Paso teen becomes a reluctant hero after the alien technology of the scarab bonds with him, allowing him to create a superpowered blue armor.
Also recommended: For the full story on Booster Gold’s return to heroism, check out the four volumes of “52.” For the original “New Gods” saga, including the first appearance of Darkseid, check out “Jack Kirby’s Fourth World Omnibus” Vols. 1-4. And for the origin of the Booster Gold-Blue Beetle team-ups, featuring Jaime Reyes’ predecessor, Ted Kord, read “Justice League International” Vols. 1-4.
- By Matthew Price
WORD BALLOONS
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
War of the Supermen 0 available via comixology
DC Comics has released “War of the Supermen” No. 0, this year’s Free Comic Book Day book, on the comiXology platform. It’s available via iPhone or iPad, or on comixology’s Web browser.
Written by James Robinson and Oklahoma-born Sterling Gates, the War of the Supermen found Superman caught between the New Kryptonian troops of General Zod and the forces of earth as each side sought the other’s destruction.
Description from DC Comics: A war is coming, and all that stands between Earth and 100,000 vengeful supermen is one Superman! The conflict between Superman and General Zod erupts into all-out war in this series that will shatter the worlds of Superman, Supergirl and the entire DC Universe! After this, there’s no turning back…
“War of the Supermen” was a great conclusion to the “New Krypton” saga, and if you haven’t checked it out yet, I highly recommend doing so.
- Matt Price
Darkwing Duck 1 review; Jonah Hex hitting theaters; Oklahoma History Center honors cartoonists
A big week for comics as the Oklahoma History Center opens a cartoonists’ exhibit, and Jonah Hex comes to theaters.
“Jonah Hex” stars Josh Brolin as the scarred bounty hunter in the Old West, and Megan Fox as lady of the evening Lila, and John Malkovich as Hex’s enemy Quintin Turnbull.
Those who want to get more background on the Hex character can check out the new graphic novel from DC Comics, Jonah Hex: No Way Back, by Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray and Tony DeZuniga, where for the first time, Hex’s brother is revealed. Early issues of “Jonah Hex” have also been collected in the Showcase: Jonah Hex collection.
Meanwhile, the writers of the “Jonah Hex” movie are in early negotiations to direct a “Ghost Rider” sequel, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor may direct Columbia’s “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance,” based on Marvel’s supernatural motorcyclist. Nicolas Cage is also in early negotiations to reprise his role.
Cartoonists’ exhibit opens
Kyle Roberts and I went to the opening of the “Uncanny Adventures of Okie Cartoonists” exhibit at the Oklahoma History Center this week, and that was a great time.
Highlights of the exhibit include a look at Dick Tracy’s police station, a Batcave terminal that tells the stories of several Oklahoma comic writers and artists, and a complete Twilight Avenger costume. The Twilight Avenger was created by Oklahomans John Wooley and Terry Tidwell. I’m told more will be added to the exhibit over the 15 months it will be up at the History Center, as well. Be sure to check out this look at some of Oklahoma’s most talented.
Oklahoma writer Sterling Gates was on hand at the opening along with James Robinson, and they stopped by Speeding Bullet Comics later in the day, as well. Robinson dropped some hints about his final Superman issue, No. 700, which ships next week, saying Lois and Clark fans should enjoy the issue. He also promised big things in the upcoming Justice League-Justice Society crossover, so we’ll be sure to check that out as well!
In the review file this week: Darkwing Duck 1, New Avengers 1, DC Universe Legacies 2 and Black Widow 3.
- Matt Price
Oklahomans E. Nelson Bridwell, Sterling Gates helped mold Man of Steel
"Superman from the 30s to the 70s" was edited by E. Nelson Bridwell
“The Uncanny Adventures of Okie Cartoonists” opens at the Oklahoma History Center on Saturday and features the work of Oklahomans well-known in the comics and cartooning industries. Those featured in the exhibit are a world-class group, many of whom I’ve had the pleasure of knowing personally and professionally.
The first one of the group that I was aware of, though I never met him personally, was E. Nelson Bridwell.
This writer/editor was born in Sapulpa in 1931, and, while I wasn’t aware of his Oklahoma roots at the time, when I was growing up in Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico in the late 1970s and early 1980s, I thought Bridwell’s encyclopedic knowledge of the characters of DC Comics was like unto a superpower of its own.
Bridwell answered readers’ questions as the assistant editor to Julie Schwartz in the pages of the “Superman” titles. When I wasn’t dreaming of Superman, I was hoping for the somewhat more realistic dream of working in New York with Bridwell as he put those letters columns together and put his prodigious comic-book knowledge to use.
In the handmade comics I drew in many idling hours as a child (with incredibly creative titles like “Super Cat”), I would emulate Bridwell in the completely fictitious letters columns; answering some bit of arcane trivia that could have only been known to someone who read the last adventure I’d drawn — so likely, me or my mom — and then signing the resulting helpful answer with the initials, “E.N.B.,” just as Bridwell signed his answers in the “Superman” books. Had I known that Bridwell was from my home state, I would have been all the more fascinated. As it was, for someone who delighted in “Superman” facts and trivia, Bridwell was an early influence, sharing information and making newer readers feel a part of the growing fandom.
Bridwell is also known as a writer for MAD magazine and for creating the comic-book humor superheroes The Inferior Five. Other notable co-creations of Bridwell were Angel and the Ape and Secret Six. For a time, he wrote Batman’s newspaper strip, and he was the editor for DC’s reprint lines and anthologies. Bridwell died in 1987.
And Oklahomans aren’t only tied to the Man of Steel’s past. With writer Sterling Gates, they are also part of his present and his possible future. Gates recently co-wrote “Last Stand of New Krypton” and “War of the Supermen” with writer James Robinson. Gates, who was born in Tulsa and graduated from the University of Oklahoma, is the regular writer on DC Comics “Supergirl” feature.
Gates wrapped up his current run on the Man of Steel with the fourth issue of “War of the Supermen,” which concluded the two-year “New Krypton” arc in the “Superman” comics.
While Gates has left Superman behind for the moment, he’s not leaving Metropolis. He’ll remain the writer of “Supergirl,” which will feature Superman’s cousin along with well-known Superman pals Jimmy Olsen and Lana Lang.
And, just as Oklahoma’s Bridwell inspired me in the creation of my own comics, I can see the influence of Oklahoma’s Gates on the future generation, as my daughter draws her own pictures of Supergirl, inspired by what she’s seen in the comic books.
To find out more about the comic-book creations of Bridwell, Gates, and a host of other Oklahoma cartoonists, visit the Oklahoma History Center’s exhibit beginning Saturday.
- by Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman
