The world of the TV series “Smallville” will continue in a comic-book series from DC Comics, it was announced today.

The series, which focused on the adventures of a young Clark Kent as he learned how to deal with his origins and amazing powers, ended after 10 seasons.  It starred Tom Welling as Clark Kent.  At series’ end, Kent had donned a Superman costume and become the familiar Man of Steel.  That story will now be picked up in a new comic-book series.

According to DC Comics’ Source blog, the series will be written by former Smallville show scribe Bryan Q. Miller. The series will hit digital first, with an April 13 release, with new chapters weekly.

The online chapters will be offered in a print periodical, along with an episode guide to TV series.  The first print issue is set for a May 16 release.

“Six months after Clark Kent donned the cape and took to the skies to save Earth from Apokolips… enter Season 11!” Miller told the Source.  “New allies abound!  New enemies afoot!  And old friends return where they’re least expected!  Pere and colorist Chris Beckett have done a fantastic job of capturing the look of the show and the players, and Gary and Cat are knocking it out of the park on covers. I couldn’t be more excited to help give seasoned viewers and new readers an all-access pass to Clark’s first year in the cape.”

- Matt Price

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.

Geoff Johns and Gary Frank’s “Batman: Earth One” will be released in 2012, and DC Comics has released preview art from the book at the DC Comics Source blog.

The book is a retelling of the Batman legend in a contemporary setting.

“Gary and I are tackling BATMAN from the beginning, before he knows what he’s doing and with a very different ultimate goal in mind,” said Johns. “He’s never left Gotham. And our Gotham and the people in it are very gray. Our heroes unlikely. Our villains hidden. Our story is only beginning with volume one.”

Also, the best-selling “Superman: Earth One,” by J. Michael Straczynski and Shane Davis, will be getting a second volume in 2012.

“The overwhelming success of volume one of SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE – 37 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller list for graphic novels – meant we had to ensure that Volume Two was even better,” said Straczynski.  Preview art for vol. 2 was also released at the Source blog.

- Matt Price
Click past the cut to see the preview art released for the two books.

Young Justice Season One, Vol. 2 DVD

Superheroic proteges get top billing in “Young Justice,” the Cartoon Network animated series featuring Robin, Superboy, Aqualad, Kid Flash, Miss Martian and Artemis.

The second volume contains episodes 5-8 of season one. “Young Justice” focuses on teen superheroes who are trying to establish themselves to their mentors while at the same time dealing with some typical teen issues. They’re helped by the Justice League heroes, including Batman, Superman, Green Arrow, Red Tornado and Black Canary, who often provide insight or training to the young heroes.

In “Schooled,” Superman’s misunderstanding of Superboy (voiced by Nolan North) causes the Boy of Steel to try to take on a powerful villain alone.

Artemis (Stephanie Lemelin), whom Green Arrow introduces as his niece, makes her first appearance in “Infiltrator.”

Green Arrow’s former partner Red Arrow rescues a scientist building a high-tech hacking weapon for a group called the Shadows. He asks Young Justice to protect her so she can develop a virus to defeat her weapon.

Crispin Freeman brings a cool but serious vibe to Red Arrow, who has his suspicions about Artemis.

This episode provides some clever banter when the team is telepathically linked by Miss Martian (Danica McKellar), and each team member can overhear the others’ thoughts.

In “Denial,” the team is sent to rescue Kent Nelson, who in the past was mystic superhero Doctor Fate.

In the Aqualad-heavy episode “Downtime,” Batman (voiced by Bruce Greenwood) senses that Aqualad (Khary Payton) is distracted, and he fears his distraction could harm the team. He asks Aqualad to return to Atlantis, and determine whether he wants to stay there or to remain as the leader of Young Justice. Fans get information about Aqualad’s origins and find out about his reasons for wishing he had remained in Atlantis. Yuri Lowenthal voices Garth, who some will recognize as the original Aqualad in the comics.

The action is well-done, and the characters are developed well. Jason Spisak voices Wally West, aka Kid Flash, and Jesse McCartney provides the voice of Dick Grayson, aka Robin.

The release is bare bones, with the only extras being two trailers for other Warner products.

While you can argue with the release strategy of putting out the episodes on DVD four at a time, the content in “Season One, Vol. 2” is definitely worth watching for superhero fans.

— Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

Kyle drops in Logan-style, bub, in this year’s Planet 46 Halloween Special. Also on the show: Superman fan Herbert Chavez undergoes 10 years of surgery to become resemble his hero; Bryan Harley makes an awesome Avengers trailer “Sweded” parody; Halloween comics are recommended; and Sterling Gates is making a stop in Oklahoma. Plus Wolverine, Superman and more make an appearance in the review file.

SUPER DOPPLEGANGER
Parade reports on a Filipino man, Herbert Chavez, who has undergone multiple surgeries to more closely resemble the Man of Steel. Chavez, a huge Superman fan, has undergone a nose job, chin implants and more.

AVENGERS SWEDED TRAILER IS JUST TOO SWEET
Bryan Harley and friends have created an awesome “Avengers” trailer in the “Sweded” style popularized by Michel Gondry in the film “Be Kind Rewind.” Find out more about the art of sweding and the Swedefest at www.swedefest.com, and find out more about the trailer at www.dumbdrum.com.

STERLING GATES IN OK
Check out Sterling Gates, “Hawk and Dove” writer, at Matt’s store Speeding Bullet Comics, 614 N Porter Ave in Norman, from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 2.

GET YOUR HALLOWEEN READING ON
Matt recommends Batman: The Long Halloween, B.P.R.D., and Vampirella comics by Archie Goodwin and James Robinson for Halloween reading in 2011.

REVIEW FILE: Avengers #18, Incredible Hulk #1, Wolverine and the X-Men #1, Superman #2, Aquaman #2
Comics read in 2011: 1,613. Still to go: 398.

Lois Lane and Clark Kent discuss daily journalism in the “Superman” #2 preview provided by DC Comics to the Wall Street Journal. The preview reveals that Lois Lane has been promoted to an executive position at The Daily Planet.

“Superman” #2 is written by George Perez, who also provides the art breakdowns and cover.  Art is by Jesus Merino.  The issue goes on sale Wednesday.

- Matt Price

Here are brief reviews for the final week of #1 issues from DC’s “The New 52.”  The final week was strong, with several titles that are worth adding to your pull list.

ALL-STAR WESTERN #1
Continuing the high quality of “Jonah Hex,” writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray team up Hex with Amadeus Arkham in the tracking of a serial killer in Wild West Gotham.  Art by Moritat.  Podcast review.

AQUAMAN #1
The “Blackest Night” team of Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis launch the King of the Sea into an ongoing series, which attacks the perception of Aquaman head-on.  This team could deliver Aquaman to the top of the charts, and this well-written and well-drawn first issue is a good start.  Podcast review.

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #1
David Finch writes and draws his second “Dark Knight” #1 of the recent past.  Paul Jenkins comes on as co-writer, and while he provides some punch, this isn’t the strongest of the Batman books, though it’s perfectly acceptable.

BLACKHAWKS #1
Mike Costa writes and Graham Nolan and Ken Lashley draw the military-style adventure of DC’s Blackhawks.   The Blackhawks here are a UN-sponsored covert action team that’s sure to draw comparisons to “GI Joe.”   Unfortunately, it’s not extremely memorable from issue 1 alone.

THE FLASH #1
Though I’ll miss Wally West, Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato impressed me with a fresh, intriguing, fast-paced issue.   Barry Allen is a forensic detective who is secretly the fastest man alive.  He believes a former friend of his has been killed while committing a crime, but that leads Barry into a far stranger mystery.  Podcast review.

THE FURY OF FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MEN #1
Jason Rusch is a brain; Ronnie Raymond is a jock.  They don’t like each other, but are put together as Firestorm.  Gail Simone and Ethan Van Sciver write the story, Yildiray Cinar provides the dynamic art.  The story starts brutally, which made the tonal shift to teen debate to superhero adventure all a bit much to take.

GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS #1
Kyle Rayner’s origin gets recapped and slightly updated as the multi-color rings and Lanterns are explained more or less in one issue by Tony Bedard, Tyler Kirkham and Batt.  It’s a little clunky but one hopes it will develop.

I, VAMPIRE #1
A creepy vampire war threatens the DC Universe in a new comic series perhaps designed to appeal to Twi-hards.   With moody, macabre art by Andrea Sorrentin, and an epic story of lovers at war across the centuries, this is one of the stronger releases from The New 52.  Podcast review.

JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1
Peter Milligan and Mikel Janin cover the mystic arm of the Justice League in this introductory issue that’s readable and relatively well-done.  The odd mix of characters adds to the charm.

THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #1
Tony Daniel writes and draws, and while it exceeded my expectations, this version of Carter Hall didn’t particularly grab me.

SUPERMAN #1
George Perez and Jesus Merino provide a look at the Man of Steel’s “present” as the Daily Planet is bought by a conglomerate and Lois Lane has a boyfriend that isn’t Clark.  Superman, meanwhile, fights a fire monster that threatens Metropolis.  A dense first issue that’s a perfectly good introduction to the hero, though it doesn’t match the quality of “Action.”  Podcast review.

TEEN TITANS #1
Tim Drake is putting together a team of youngster heroes, who are all being targeted by N.O.W.H.E.R.E.  Fast-paced and very kinetic, especially with the art of Brett Booth, who I like a lot.   I miss the old Tim Drake, and that may be tempering my enthusiasm for the new one.  I’m willing to see how it goes.

VOODOO #1
Well, that was… stripperific?  Voodoo is near-naked a lot in this issue.  Given Ron Marz’s success with “Witchblade,” maybe he can turn the preconceptions around after this issue.  Sami Basri is a competent artist, as well.   Something like this makes me wonder if the all-”teen” rated New 52 can work as well as they would like — given the sex and violence in this book, wouldn’t it creatively work better as a mature title?  I guess we’ll have to see, but it seems that commerce is driving the ratings rather than art, which is one of the arguments that was made against the arbitrary rating of comics back in the day.

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1,535.  Still to go: 476.

Superman gets a new No. 1 as George Perez sets up the Daily Planet as a news organization that’s now a branch of a larger multimedia corporation.   For possibly obvious reasons, I love the Daily Planet part of the Superman mythos, and I’d love to see Perez dig into modern journalism.   Aquaman #1 is also a treat, as Geoff Johns puts the potential questions of the readership in the mouth of a semi-obnoxious blogger who questions the King of the Seas.

Here’s the list of releases that are part of DC Comics’ The New 52 hitting shelves today:

# ALL-STAR WESTERN #1

# AQUAMAN #1

# BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #1

# BLACKHAWKS #1

# THE FLASH #1

# THE FURY OF FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MEN #1

# GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS #1

# I, VAMPIRE #1

# JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1

# THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #1

# SUPERMAN #1

# TEEN TITANS #1

# VOODOO #1

- Matt Price
Click past the cut for the Superman theme, which you can play along while you read “Superman” #1 if you like.

Ayelet Zurer (AP)

Deadline reports that Ayelet Zurer has replaced Julia Ormond in “Man of Steel,” the Superman film reboot directed by Zack Snyder.   Zurer will play Lara, Superman’s Kryptonian mother.

Zurer’s previous credits include “Angels and Demons” and “Vantage Point.”   She’ll start filming this week, Deadline reports.

“Man of Steel” stars Henry Cavill as Clark Kent/Superman and is set for a June 14, 2013 release.

Amy Adams will appear in the film as Lois Lane; Diane Lane and Kevin Costner will play Superman’s earth parents, the Kents.  Russell Crowe is slated to play Superman’s Kryptonian father, Jor-El.

- Matt Price

“Justice League” and “Action Comics” are leading the way as DC Comics introduces its “The New 52” lineup. Stores in the Oklahoma City area are reporting strong sales for all.

“‘Action Comics’ seems to be the biggest,” said Alicia Cox of Second Chance Books & Comics in Warr Acres. “Even people who aren’t big Superman fans want to see where they take his story.”

Set six months before the events of “Justice League” No. 1, “Action Comics” No. 1 finds Superman as a brash young hero in blue jeans and work boots standing up to corporate criminals. “Action Comics” is written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Rags Morales.

“Most people are excited,” said Joey Belden of Oklahoma City’s Atomik Pop. “Quite a few people are picking up all the titles. It’s doing well — I hope it continues.”

Superman has a new costume in other titles, including “Justice League” and “Swamp Thing.”

“Justice League” was the flagship relaunch for DC, drawn by co-publisher Jim Lee and written by chief creative officer Geoff Johns. It’s sold more than 200,000 copies. Brian “Buck” Berlin, of New World Comics in Oklahoma City, said “Justice League” is his store’s best-selling comic in the past few years.

The DC relaunch as a whole has been positive, Cox said. “It gives people who loved comics in their youth a reason to come back.”

Even some lesser-known titles have done well, said Berlin.

“I was really surprised that ‘Animal Man’ and ‘Swamp Thing’ did as well as they did,” Berlin said, referencing two of DC’s other relaunched titles.

Belden agreed.

“Some of the lesser-known titles are getting the best reviews,” he said.

Retailers praised the commercials promoting the new titles.

“They’re doing a really good job promoting it,” Belden said.

“Justice League” No. 1 was released Aug. 31. “Action Comics” and 12 other titles were released Sept. 7. New No. 1 issues will be released each Wednesday of September.

Retailers said the new traffic drawn in by The New 52 was helping sales across the board.

“Hopefully this is the kind of stimulus boost the comic thing needs,” Belden said.

- By Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

DC Comics has revealed the variant cover for “Action Comics” No. 2, by Ethan Van Sciver.

“Action Comics” No. 1, by Grant Morrison and Rags Morales, went on sale Wednesday, and DC Comics has reported the issue is already sold out from the distributor, with a second printing coming.   The issue is still available at several area comic-book shops.

“Action Comics”  is part of DC Comics’ “The New 52,” relaunches of 52 comic books intended to draw in a new audience and feature modernized versions of its characters.

“Action Comics” No. 2 is set to go on sale Oct. 5.

- Matt Price

If you’re going to relaunch “Action Comics,” the granddaddy of all superhero comics, you should probably be prepared for some criticism.   However, after reading the 2011 “Action Comics” #1 by Grant Morrison, Rags Morales and Rick Bryant, I can’t find much with which to take issue.

For those who have read a lot of “Superman,” there are homages to be found, and a strong tie back to Superman’s original conception in 1938′s “Action Comics” #1.  But for brand-new fans or curious new readers, it’s all there on the page.

Set six months before the events of “Justice League” No. 1, Clark Kent’s a new reporter at a competitor to the Daily Planet.  He’s friends with Jimmy Olsen, who works there, and beneath the radar of star reporter Lois Lane.

Superman, meanwhile, 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.

Rags Morales effortlessly paces Morrison’s script, and readers will all but hear John Williams’ Superman score in the background as the Man of Steel is reintroduced for a new era.   So far, this is the comic book of the year.

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1,342 Still to go: 669.

Yahoo has a preview of the new Action Comics 1, by Grant Morrison and Rags Morales, which features The New 52′s brand-new version of the Man of Steel.

“Superman is just a guy who is very young at this point, and he has big ideas about what is right and wrong,” Morrison tells interviewer Vaneta Rogers. “And he has the power to implement those ideas.”

Morrison seems inspired by the early 1930s first adventures of Superman.

“A lot of people were losing their jobs and losing their livelihood [in the 1930s], and a lot of people were realizing there was corruption in high places,” Morrison said. “I think we’re at that time again.”

“Action Comics” No. 1 goes on sale Sept. 7.
- Matt Price

DC Comics will kick off its linewide relaunch, The New 52, on Wednesday, with the last pre-relaunch issue, “Flashpoint” No. 5, and the first issue of the new line, “Justice League” No. 1.

According to DC, “Justice League” will be set at the dawn of the age of superheroes. The first storyline explores the team’s origins as they ultimately become the world’s greatest superheroes, featuring characters including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg. The new Justice League series is written by Geoff Johns (“Blackest Night”) and drawn by Jim Lee (“Batman: Hush”).

“Flashpoint” No. 5 is the final issue in the Geoff Johns-Andy Kubert miniseries. According to DC, the concluding issue will provide a bridge from the events of “Flashpoint” to the events of The New 52.

The New 52 are 52 new or relaunched titles from DC Comics being released through the month of September.

The main changes in the relaunch appear to focus on Superman; DC has said that the Man of Steel will no longer be married to Lois Lane once the relaunch takes place. Grant Morrison will write “Action Comics,” which will focus on Superman’s early days, and may clear up some of the mystery around how Superman’s story has changed. George Perez will write the character in current day in “Superman.”

“One of the things we’re going to do in this book is also to show you how Superman is, who he is, why he ended up wearing the costume that he wears,” Morrison said in a video promoting the project. “And to show kind of a different side to the character than we’ve ever seen before.”

Oklahoma-born writer Sterling Gates is writing one of The New 52. Gates will write “Hawk and Dove,” drawn by Rob Liefeld (“X-Force,” “Youngblood”).

“‘Hawk and Dove’ begins with them arguing over how they should handle the problem in front of them, establishing that Hawk is always comparing Dove to his first partner,” Gates said in a recent interview at DC Comics’ Source blog. “We’re going to delve more into that conflict as time goes on, but I really think it makes sense to get it in front of the reader right away. I like to give superheroes a nice big action beat when they first enter the story so we know they’re the hero and that they’re always going to try and succeed and save the day! Now, whether they succeed or not is a different matter altogether.”

The “Hawk and Dove” characters were created by Steve Ditko and Steve Skeates. Brothers Hank and Don Hall first appeared in 1968′s “Showcase” No. 75, each exemplifying the aggressive “Hawk” and passive “Dove” monikers of the time. Don Hall died in 1986′s “Crisis on Infinite Earths.” In 1988, a new Dove, Dawn Granger, was introduced in a “Hawk and Dove” miniseries written by Karl and Barbara Kesel and illustrated by Liefeld. These characters will star in the new series by Gates and Liefeld.

“Action Comics” No. 1 and “Hawk and Dove” No. 1 will go on sale Sept. 7. “Superman” No. 1 will go on sale Sept. 28.

By Matthew Price
WORD BALLOONS
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

In the last week of DC Comics before next week’s reboot kicks off The New 52, Paul Cornell brings the curtain down on Action Comics, the longest-running continuously numbered North American comic book series.  “Action Comics” No. 1 introduced the world to Superman in 1938.  A new “Action Comics” 1, by Grant Morrison and Rags Morales, will be released in September.

Cornell has his hands full wrapping up the “Reign of the Doomsdays” arc and trying to put a coda on the past 25 years or so of “Superman” tales.  I don’t know how well it’ll be reviewed, but I think he did try to celebrate some of the things I like about this version of the character.  There are some great lines and some quotes that could be given a couple of meanings – overall, I enjoyed Cornell’s run on the title, and I think he was aware of the need to provide some closure in this situation.

And sort of a last nostalgia dip in the Superman pool also came out this week with “Superman Retroactive: The 1990s,” which featured a new story by Louise Simonson and Jon Bogdanove, both of whom were key players in the 1990s success of Superman.  Jon Bogdanove talks about this last hurrah of the old Superman in an interview at SOCALShowbiz. 

Set during Superman’s long-haired period following his return from the grave, the “Retroactive” story features Lex Luthor scheming against Superman and Metropolis.  It had a lot of throwbacks to the issues of the time.  While it might be confusing to someone who wasn’t immersed in Superman of the period, for this fan, this lost story fits right in.   The story also reprints “Superman: Man of Steel” No. 12 by the same creative team, about six months before the introduction of Doomsday.  As shown in issue 12, Bogdanove had a great facility for drawing monsters, something that would fit right in with the Doomsday storyline, which introduced the super-strong creature known as Doomsday.

The villain Doomsday would lead the 1990s Superman to his greatest sales success since the 1940s, with the “Death of Superman” storyline culminating in “Superman” No. 75.   So it’s somewhat appropriate that a Doomsday storyline shuts down this Superman saga, as well.  It’s no “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow,” Alan Moore’s paean to the Silver Age Superman prior to the John Byrne takeover in 1986, but it does at least give the 1990s fans who have stuck it out a chance to say goodbye to this version of Superman that they’ve enjoyed.

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1,272 Still to go: 739.

Action Comics #1 variant by Jim Lee

Robot 6 has unveiled the variant covers to “Action Comics” No. 1 and “Batman” No. 1, part of DC Comics September relaunch, The New 52.

The Superman cover is by Jim Lee; the Batman cover is by Ethan Van Sciver.  Click past the cut for the Batman cover.

- Matt Price

Batman #1 variant by Ethan Van Sciver

Matt Price and Kyle Roberts discuss Wolverine 2 filming news, the release of the New 52 DC Comics relaunch trailer, and the new Conan the Barbarian film in this week’s Planet 46 Comics Podcast.

WOLVERINE HEADS TO CANADA

The Vancouver Sun reports Hugh Jackman and the cast of Wolverine 2 will be heading to Vancouver in November to film the sequel.

Filming is set to take place Nov. 11 to March 1, 2012 at Canadian Motion Picture Park in Burnaby, where scenes from Twilight, Supernatural and Fantastic Four were filmed. The director of the film — which may still be called “The Wolverine” — is James Mangold (“Walk the Line,” “Knight and Day,” “3:10 to Yuma”).

Another superhero is set to be in Vancouver shortly: The new Superman movie Man of Steel, starring Henry Cavill, will be in Vancouver from Sept. 21 to Jan. 21. Man of Steel will be directed by Zack Snyder.

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Hugh+Jackman+heads+Vancouver+film+Wolverine/5269632/story.html#ixzz1VOehNlko

NEW 52 TRAILER HITS NET
The “New 52″ initiative from DC Comics nears release. The first issue of the New 52, Justice League 1 by Geoff Johns and Jim Lee, will be released on Aug. 31. The first trailer for the relaunch of DC’s superhero properties has been released at Hero Complex.
The trailer/commercial includes art from Justice League No. 1, written by Geoff Johns and drawn by Jim Lee; Action Comics No. 1, written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Rags Morales; Batman No. 1 written by Scott Snyder and drawn by Greg Capullo; Wonder Woman No. 1 written by Brian Azzarello and drawn by Cliff Chiang; and Aquaman No. 1, written by Johns with art by Ivan Reis.

CONAN HITS THEATERS
Lionsgate, Nu Image and Paradox Entertainment are behind the latest “Conan the Barbarian” film, reviving the pulp character created by Robert E. Howard in the early 1930′s in Cross Plains, Texas. The $90-million, 3-D movie stars Jason Momoa as the title character.
Read all about Conan’s history in the pulp magazines and comics in Weekend Look and at the Nerdage blog.

REVIEW FILE: Venom 6, Batman Retroactive: The 1990s, X-Men Schism 3
Comics read in 2011: 1,195. Still to go: 816.

As seen at EW, six minutes of Bryan Singer’s “Superman Returns” have been made available, online and in the Blu-ray set.

This scene features Brandon Routh’s Superman making a return trip to the remains of Krypton in the opening of the film.

CAPTAIN AMERICA LEAD VEHICLE DESIGNER DANIEL SIMON TALKS THE RED SKULL CAR

The car driven by the Red Skull (Hugo Weaving) is very prominent in “Captain America: The First Avenger.”

“We really gave the car a special treatment, because it’s so iconic in the film,” Simon said. The car was fully built out at 25 feet long.

“We didn’t want to go very futuristic on the car. It belongs to the villain, and we thought a personal object for the villain should be more elegant and artsy,” Simon said.

BRIAN K VAUGHAN RETURNING TO COMICS
Brian K. Vaughan (“Y: The Last Man,” “Ex Machina”) will return to monthly comics with “Saga” from Image Comics. The series was co-created by and will be illustrated by Fiona Staples. CBR reports “Saga” is a sci-fi series about “the life and times of a family fighting to survive a never-ending war.”

REVIEW FILE: The Vault #1, X-Men Schism #2, Captain America and Bucky #620.
Comics read in 2011: 1,129 Still to go: 882.

Warner Bros. has revealed a first look at Henry Cavill as Superman, as found at Superherohype.

Cavill stars as Clark Kent, aka Superman, in Zack Snyder’s film reboot of Superman, titled “Man of Steel.”

The movie, set for a June 14, 2013 release, also will star Amy Adams as Lois Lane and Laurence Fishburne as Perry White.   The evil General Zod will be played by Michael Shannon.  Clark Kent’s adoptive parents, Martha and Jonathan Kent, will be played by Diane Lane and Kevin Costner.

- Matt Price

Laurence Fishburne

Entertainment Weekly reports that Laurence Fishburne will take the role of newspaper editor Perry White in the Zack Snyder Superman movie reboot, “Man of Steel.”

White, typically portrayed as a gruff but fair hard-nosed editor, has been played by Jackie Cooper and Frank Langella in previous “Superman” films.    Perry White was played by Lane Smith in the 1990s TV series “Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” by Michael McKean in “Smallville,” and by John Hamilton in the 1950s “Adventures of Superman.”

Fishburne, who is coming off a two-year run on “CSI,” is the first African-American to play the character.

The movie, set for a June 14, 2013 release, stars Henry Cavill as Clark Kent (aka Superman) and Amy Adams as Lois Lane, both reporters who work for White at the Daily Planet in the regular “Superman” mythology.

- Matt Price

Batman: Heart of Hush

Collecting “Detective Comics” #846-850 from Paul Dini and Dustin Nguyen’s run on the title, “Heart of Hush” brings back the Batman villain Hush, created by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee in the “Hush” storyline.

The intertwined pasts of Batman and Hush are explored, as Hush strikes at Batman through his feelings for Catwoman.    Like the original “Hush,” Hush strikes at Batman by using members of his rogues’ gallery as part of his plan.   I’ll avoid spoiling who Hush is for those who haven’t yet read the original, but his background and his relationship with his family is explored in-depth in “Heart of Hush.”  If you haven’t read the original yet, I’d do that first, but “Heart” is a worthy follow-up, published around the same time (and tying slightly into) “Batman R.I.P.”  in 2008-2009.

Dark Knight, Dark City

DC recently reprinted the Peter Milligan-Kieron Dwyer “Dark Knight, Dark City” from “Batman” #452-454. The Riddler goes on a crimepsree, but dark forces are at work beyond the Riddler’s usual schemes.   The 100-page spectacular also reprinted the Milligan story “Identity Crisis” from “Detective Comics” #633.

DC Comics Presents Batman #3

Ed Brubaker (“Captain America”) and Scott McDaniel (“Nightwing”) are the top-notch creative team for “Batman” #595-598, reprinted in DC Comics Presents Batman #3.  Bruce Wayne investigates his father’s past, and what connection he may have had with an organized crime figure.   He also faces off against the Bat-villain “Santa Klaus.”

Batman: Dead to Rights

Scott McDaniel joins writer Andrew Kreisberg for the collection of “Batman Confidential” #22-25 and 29-30. Like a “Legends of the Dark Knight” tale, this weaves into the early days of the Batman.  This one follows after Batman’s first encounter with the Joker.   While every part of the storyline didn’t work for me, it does a good job of showing how dangerous the Joker can be even when seemingly confined by the police.

DC Comics Presents Superman #4

Christopher Reeve in "Superman II"

As part of AskMen’s 2011 Great Male Survey, men were asked which superhero they’d most want to be.

Superman took the top spot, with 32 percent of the vote.  Rich guys Batman and Iron Man came in next, with 24 and 21 percent respectively.

“X-Men” (I guess presented as a group) received 17 percent of the vote, and Captain America finished with just 5 percent.

Get more survey results at AskMen.com.

- Matt Price

Variety reports that the Man of Steel will be a summer tentpole after all.

The Superman reboot “Man of Steel,” which will star Henry Cavill as Clark Kent/Superman and be directed by Zack Snyder (“300″) has a new release date: June 14, 2013.

That’s six months later than the originally planned December 2012 date.  This will allow Warners to avoid conflict with “The Hobbit,” also set to release in Dec. 2012.

Amy Adams will appear in the film as Lois Lane; Diane Lane and Kevin Costner will play Superman’s earth parents, the Kents.

- Matt Price

As revealed by the New York Daily News, Lois Lane will have a new boyfriend when “Superman” reboots in September.

Clark Kent will be newly single following world-altering events in the pages of DC Comics’ “Flashpoint” series.

“Superman is one of the World’s Greatest Super Heroes, but he can’t have it all,” said Jim Lee, Co-Publisher of DC Entertainment. “Many of us know what it’s like to be the odd man out and we think readers will have a soft spot for Clark when they see his reaction to Lois’ new boyfriend.”

Via the DC Comics Source blog, DC Comics has revealed more about the September relaunch of “Action Comics” and “Superman.”

“Action Comics” will look at the early days of Superman as he struggles to adjust to his adopted home.   He must deal with both the loss of his birth planet and the loss of his adopted earth parents.

In the series’ first storyline, “Action” will explore the origins of Superman’s costume, as it evolves from a look that includes jeans and work boots to a new look: a suit of battle armor that pays tribute to his Kryptonian past, DC Comics reports.

His powers may reflect more of Superman’s powers back in the Golden Age: He can leap tall buildings in a single bound, but his flying is a new development.

Meanwhile, “Superman,” written by George Perez, will focus on the modern-day, never-married Superman, who, as Clark Kent, works at the Daily Planet.

- Matt Price

News on “Man of Steel,” secrets of Captain America and a “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” report are on this week’s Planet 46/NewsOK comics podcast.

TRANSFORMERS 3 IS OUT
With the release of Transformers: Dark of the Moon, the Planet 46 comics crew asks: Who is your favorite Transformer?
GENERAL STEEL
“Man Of Steel,” Zack Snyder’s reboot of the Superman movies, adds Christopher Meloni to the film.
Deadline first reported that “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” actor Christopher Meloni would have a role in the film; Meloni later told Vulture he would play a military general.

CAPTAIN AMERICA CO-CREATOR HAS NEW BIOGRAPHY
The 97-year-old co-creator of Captain America tells his life story in “Joe Simon: My Life in Comics” by Titan Books.
In his book, Simon writes about how the Captain America first came to life in 1940. Simon wrote that he was outraged by the Nazis, and wanted to cast Adolf Hitler as a villain.
“We thought it was a good time for a patriotic hero,” Simon writes in “My Life in Comics.” “I did a sketch of him with a chain mail tunic, and wings on the side of his mask like Mercury, the god from Roman mythology. I gave him a shield, like the ones the knights had carried.”

REVIEW FILE: Iron Age #1, Rocketeer #2, Marvel Universe vs Wolverine #1, Flashpoint: Project Superman #1
Comics read in 2011: 881 Still to go: 1130

Happy Father’s Day, both to my dad, and all the other dads out there.   I’ll share one of my favorite quotes from Superman’s father Jor-El, as played by Marlon Brando (which I also shared on Father’s Day a couple of years ago.)

“All that I have, all that I’ve learned, everything I feel… all this, and more, I I bequeath you, my son. You will carry me inside you, all the days of your life. You will make my strength your own, and see my life through your eyes, as your life will be seen through mine.”  - Jor-El, “Superman: The Movie.”

- Matt Price

JUNKFOODCLOTHING.COM GREEN LANTERN T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY

Leave a comment on our video this week for a chance to win a cool Green Lantern T-Shirt from Junkfoodclothing.com, a $32 value!   Here’s the question: If you had a Green Lantern ring, what weapon or other item would you create?  Kyle and I will choose the most creative answer to win.

Green Lantern T-shirt, Junk Food, $32; www.junkfoodclothing.com

CROWE MAY PLAY JOR-EL

Academy Award-winning actor Russell Crowe is in negotiations to play the role of Jor-El in “Man of Steel,” Variety is reporting.

Zack Snyder is directing the film for Warner Bros., which stars Henry Cavill as Superman/Clark Kent.   Jor-El, played by Marlon Brando in 1978′s “Superman,” is Superman’s father on the planet Krypton.

RYAN REYNOLDS DIDN’T GET TO WEAR SUPERHERO SUIT, EXACTLY

Green Lantern doesn’t have to worry about dry cleaning his superhero suit.

“In the mythology of the film, the suit is made of pure energy,” said Ryan Reynolds, who plays Green Lantern. “So there’s no actual suit, because that would burn. What I’m wearing is a motion-capture suit, with tracking marks and tracking dots and those sorts of things. It was a little bizarre. I sort of looked like a crash test dummy who lost his Volvo.”

The suit became especially difficult to wear as filming continued into August in New Orleans, he said.

But Reynolds said he was impressed when he first saw the suit in motion in test footage about six weeks into shooting.

“It was just incredible to see that thing in motion and moving around,” he said.

VALIANT COMICS PLANS COHERENT, INTERCONNECTED UNIVERSE

New Valiant Comics executive editor Warren Simons said some of the company’s “most beloved characters” will be key to the relaunch.

“There are a number of great characters worthy of the spotlight, including X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Harbinger, Archer & Armstrong, Eternal Warrior, Rai, Ninjak and Shadowman, to name a few,” he said.

He said the coherent Valiant Universe will be among the selling points for the new line.

“Jim Shooter, Barry Windsor-Smith, Bob Layton and all the talented writers and artists who first introduced the Valiant characters built a three-dimensional universe that readers could dive into headfirst,” he said. “They did this with a set of great ideas that we intend to honor and update. Chief among these is a coherent universe with strong interconnectivity and clear continuity.”

REVIEW FILE: Kirby Genesis #1, Flashpoint: Wonder Woman and the Furies #1, Alpha Flight #1
Comics read in 2011: 791 Still to go: 1220

Russell Crowe (AP)

Academy Award-winning actor Russell Crowe is in negotiations to play the role of Jor-El in “Man of Steel,” Variety is reporting.

Marlon Brando as Jor-El

Zack Snyder is directing the film for Warner Bros., which stars Henry Cavill as Superman/Clark Kent.   Jor-El, played by Marlon Brando in 1978′s “Superman,” is Superman’s father on the planet Krypton.  (Footage of Brando as Jor-El was also used in the 2006 film “Superman Returns,” directed by Bryan Singer.  Brando scenes were also re-inserted into the 2006 Richard Donner cut of Superman II.)

In “Man of Steel,” Amy Adams will star as Lois Lane. Kevin Costner and Diane Lane play Clark Kent’s earthly parents, Jonathan and Martha Kent.   According to Variety, the production, which begins next month, is still seeking an actress to portray Lara, Superman’s Kryptonian mother.

Crowe won an Oscar for the 2000 Ridley Scott film “Gladiator,” and has also starred in the well-reviewed films “L.A. Confidential,” “The Insider” and “Cinderella Man.”  In 2010, he appeared as Robin Hood in the Ridley Scott film “Robin Hood.”   Also in 2010, he starred with Elizabeth Banks in the film “The Next Three Days.”

- Matt Price

Henry Cavill (AP)

Henry Cavill, star of “The Tudors” and “Stardust” got a major boost in geek appeal when Zack Snyder chose him to star as Clark Kent/Superman in the upcoming film reboot of the Superman property, “Man of Steel.”  He comes in at No. 1 on Nerdage’s list of actors with geek appeal.

The film, set to open in Dec. 2012, co-stars Amy Adams as Lois Lane, and Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as Superman’s earthly parents, the Kents.

Snyder told Nerdage back in March that he wasn’t worried about casting an English actor as Superman.

“No, not at all, because Batman’s English too,” he said, referring to Christian Bale.

The 28-year-old Cavill had been considered for Superman once before; he auditioned for the “Superman Returns” role that ended up going to Brandon Routh.

Dean Cain, who played Superman in the 1990s TV series “Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” recently weighed in on Cavill’s casting.

“They (journalists) asked me because Henry Cavill’s a Brit you know, so they said, ‘A Brit’s going to go play Superman and it’s a big deal. How did I feel about that?’ like it’s a big affront.

“I have no problem with that whatsoever because the reality is the character himself, Superman, was from another planet, but he was raised in the middle of America with smalltown American values.”

- Matt Price