Scatter Shot

It has been awhile. Although my lack of Top 10 List postings are beginning to make All Star Batman and Robin’s publishing schedule look like a well-oiled machine, I have a few other things on my mind. Here are some tidbits from recent weeks:

Where There Is A Will, There Is A (No) Way- The prestigious Eisner awards committee must of found Grant Morrison’s peyote stash. How else to explain Cry For Justice getting a nod? This is the Marisa Tomei of comic nominations! Will Eisner…Cry For Justice…does not compute…

Welcome To The Future- What does compute, and does everything else for that matter, is my new toy: The IPad! I can sit and watch my itunes bought copy of Superman: The Movie; make use of an App that shows me every episode of LOST for free; read the latest novels; play games; get crystal clear digital comics; surf the web and Youtube; etc. all in a handy device that weighs a little over a pound. Plus, I finally got a DVR. Mr. Bleeding Edge, that’s me.

Who Will Yield The Shield- Chris Evans was far and away the best part of the Fantastic Four films. I thought his take on Johnny Storm was awesome. However, I’m a bit concerned about him playing Captain America. Evans has made his mark as a young, modern day smart alec. Captain America doesn’t have an ounce of sarcasm in his super-soldier body. Everything he says is totally sincere. He not only believes in values and ideals, he makes you believe them as well. He commands gods into battle. Even the mightiest beings heed his call of, “Avengers Assemble”. Steve Rogers grew up as a struggling artist during the Great Depression. Until, he was so moved by the plight of the innocents in war ravaged Europe that he volunteered for military service. I just don’t see Evans as a leader of men, or a product of a bygone era. Putting him alongside either the older Robert Downey Jr., or a Bucky (Sebastian Stan in the role) who is just two years younger is awkward as well. But, I’ll be happy to be wrong (though I still like Mark Valley for the part).

Roll Call- Speaking of Captain America, current Cap scribe Ed Brubaker’s new book Secret Avengers just had its roster revealed. They should just call this the John Conlon League. I really like every character on this team: Steve Rogers, Beast, War Machine, Moon Knight, Valkyrie, and Nova! This new title is a must buy.

The True Tiny Titan- Another bit of news I feel was designed just for me, was the announcement of a new Atom (Ray Palmer, thank you very much!) co-feature in Adventure Comics (which will already have a lead story starring my faves- the Legion of Super-Heroes). There will also be a Brightest Day One Shot to kick it off. I’ve been a gigantic Atom fan since his old 60’s cartoon series, so I can’t wait!

DC’s New Dawn- Brightest Day #0 hit the stands this week. In 48 pages readers were treated to dozens of potential plotlines. There is SO much ground covered here. This is a real treat for me. Aquaman, Hawkman, Ronnie Raymond, Hawk, and the others are all given a host of tasty subplots that will make for a great year’s worth of reading.

History Strikes Once- This week also saw the arrival of Barry Allen’s very first #1 issue. Most readers may not know that Jay Garrick, Wally West, and Bart Allen all got to start their Flash runs with a brand new title. But, poor Barry’s original series actually continued the numbering of Jay’s old Golden Age book (the thinking back then was that kids wouldn’t want to buy a number one in favor of a more established series). In typical Barry fashion, while this book was a long time coming, it was worth the wait. Geoff Johns kicks off a ton of intriguing elements (not the least of which is the revelation of 2011’s big event Flashpoint), though he’s already driving the whole Central City “on the go” metaphor into the ground. On art, I miss Scott Kolins (for me the greatest Flash artist- ever), but Francis Manapul makes Barry Allen seem like a fresh new character.

Party On- I just got my invite to Comic Masters annual movie party (in May). Boy, am I psyched. Not only will Iron Man 2 be on the screen, but tons of comic talk will follow. I’ve actually had to miss two weeks of gabbing about books with the gang (due to various reasons) so I’m anxious to get back in the swing this weekend. Friday a bunch of us will be at Dom’s for a movie night, and then Saturday it will be back to yakking about the good stuff. Can’t wait!

Blackest Night By Spoilers Light

Aquaman LIVES!!! So suck it haters! Just teasing. But, really, I’m thrilled. No sooner do I sit down to write another loving post to the man, than he returns- ORANGE SHIRT, and all!

Ok, I kind of knew this would be the case with the Brightest Day #2 cover. But, there is nothing like reading it for yourself.

As for Blackest Night #8 (the issue I’m now holding), I was totally enthralled, though it isn’t perfect. Part of me feels like the kid who gets nearly every present he wants Christmas morning, but is already making his list for next year. Right now I’m a prime candidate for the Orange Lanterns, because I want MORE! Luckily, more is right around the corner in Brightest Day. I am on pins and needles for this follow-up. But, back to the comic at hand…

As a finale, it lacked the bare-knuckle thrill of Sinestro Corps. I cant begin to describe how Hal and the others became White Lanterns, or what the Indigo Tribe are up to. And, where did all the thousands of various Lanterns go? They all went away peacefully? But, I loved the message of the story. After following the twisted (though convincing) logic presented by Nekron throughout the series- that life has no purpose, but to disturb the black- it was uplifting to hear that the real point of Geoff Johns’ tale was that in the living we define our world and give it purpose.

On art, Ivan Reis was an absolute monster. He slayed every page. There are images in here that I’ll never get out of my head. I’ve been a fan of his since he was a fill-in artist on various Marvel titles. I always knew he would be great, but damn!

I was quite surprised to see who was brought back in that monumental gatefold picture. I would never guess that just 12 would make it back (poor, poor Tempest!!!). Here are my thoughts on the lucky few (and I rank them in order of my favorites- cause that’s what I do):

12. Osiris- I could care less that he’s back. He had an awesome death in 52 (truly shocking), but was a bit of a bore in life. To be honest he’s another riff on my Black Adam Jr. concept. That said, he’ll be used to expedite the return of Black Adam (and the other Marvels), so that’s not so bad.

11. Jade- When coming up with this list, I forgot all about her. When she first showed up in Infinity, Inc. I really liked her. But, for years she has been rather annoying. I wasn’t sad to see her go. However, learning that we’ll discover a further connection between her and the Green Lantern power is intriguing. I feel happy for Alan Scott.

10. Deadman- Another character I’m lukewarm on, but how can you resist the hook (hey, it was the Hook that killed him) of him finally being alive?

9. Max Lord- Let’s be clear- I hate Max Lord with a passion! I despised that this little piece of crap thought he could order around the Justice League. And then, he puts a bullet between Ted Kord’s eyes? I wanted to break his neck, but luckily Wonder Woman did it for me. Yes, I hate him, but I dig having a villain I LOVE TO HATE around.

8. Martian Manhunter- His death in Final Crisis was one of the worst in comics’ history (and then we were told that was the point). He is far too noble, and unique to stay gone forever.

7. Captain Boomerang- One of Barry Allen’s greatest foes. Of course he‘s back, and I can’t wait to see him back with the Rogues.

6. Reverse Flash- The least surprising resurrection. Professor Zoom was telling us how he returned for nearly a year now.

5. Hawkgirl- I never really cared for Kendra. So when Hawkgirl took off the helmet, I was psyched to see the original back in action.

4. Hawk- As I write this, I’m looking at my Hawk (and Dove) action figure from the JLU cartoon. My hope is to finish up my collection of Hawk and Dove Silver Age appearances at the next couple of comic cons I go to. Hawk’s return, and inclusion in Birds of Prey, has pushed my anticipation of that book’s relaunch into the stratosphere.

3. Firestorm- Ronnie Raymond is back in the mix! Another lame death was undone here. Ronnie was my generation’s Peter Parker. After The New Teen Titans, his series was the first I collected from issue one. I followed him from the Justice League of America, Power Company, Super Powers cartoon, and all 100 issues of his title.

2. Hawkman- This guy is another big gun that deserves to stay perpetually in the spotlight. I love Hawkman, almost as much as…

1. Aquaman- He’s my number one? What a shock!

BRING ON BRIGHTEST DAY!!!!