News

While Batman has earned a reputation for being one of DC's darker heroes, hence his Dark Knight moniker, his moral code is surprisingly noble. Simply put, Batman doesn't permit himself to kill anyone, even his most sinister foes. This quality is often his strong suit, though certain readers are in disagreement. As far as he's concerned, Batman will never fully resort to murder in DC canon, even if some wish he would.

Batman's no-kill rule was first canonized as part of DC lore in 1941's Batman #4 by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, when he instructs Robin that they are never to kill their opponents in battle. Since then, this aspect of Batman's character has become inseparable from his identity, driving every encounter with a villain from that point forward.

As crucial as Batman's rule against killing is to the type of hero he's become, there are some dissenters among DC...

In the fictional reality of DC Comics, death doesn't have as much permanence as it does in the real world. Plenty of prominent superheroes across the DC Universe have died over the years, but those deaths have a tendency to be reversed one way or another. Whether it's through resurrection in the Lazarus Pit or reboots to the timeline, many Justice League heroes have managed to cheat death.

When a character like Superman dies, readers know that it's simply a matter of time before he makes his triumphant return. Characters who possess inhuman durability on Superman's level aren't the only ones who have conquered death, of course; even heroes who lack tangible superpowers, such as Green Arrow, have successfully navigated resurrection through less obvious means. These 10 formidable superheroes have all died tragically at some point in DC history, only to circumvent their fates and live to tell the story.

Arsenal...

Captain Marvel grossed over $1.1 billion at the worldwide box office in 2019, overcoming review-bombing to take a character considered a B-Lister on the page to new heights on screen.

However, last November's The Marvels - which added Ms. Marvel and Monica Rambeau to the mix - failed to come close to its predecessor and earned a mere $206 million by the time its run in theaters ended.

The odds of Captain Marvel 3 happening now seem slim, though that doesn't mean Carol Danvers will be permanently sidelined. For starters, she's expected to be a major player in both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.

The Cosmic Circus has shared an intriguing hint about Captain Marvel's role in those movies, teasing: "[We] know she can absorb a lot of energy, but have you ever stopped to ask how much energy is too much energy? Like, what would happen if Carol came into contact with.

Warning! Spoilers for From the DC Vault: Death in the Family - Robin Lives! #4!Bruce Wayne can't be Batman forever, and when he finally needs to retire or isn't available for the role, he turns to Nightwing. Dick Grayson has "played" Batman a few different times, but he's never managed to get a Batsuit that really reflects his own sense of style - until now.

Jason Todd's death was a major event that changed the lives of pretty much everyone in the Bat-Family, and recently DC explored what would have happened if Robin had never died at the hands of the Joker. The series concludes with From the DC Vault: Death in the Family - Robin Lives! #4 by J.M. DeMatteis, Rick Leonardi, Rico Renzi, and Taylor Esposito, in which Dick Grayson takes over as Batman with a Nightwing-inspired Batsuit.

One of the most significant changes in this timeline...

Warning: Spoilers for DC All In Special #1Darkseid is well-known as the enemy of all life and free will. For decades, he has been trying to take over the DC Universe and subjugate the minds of everyone in it to serve him. Every time, Superman and the Justice League have risen against him. Now, nearly twenty years after he first said it, an ominous Darkseid quote has finally come to fruition.

The DC Multiverse has recently changed forever with the addition of the Absolute Universe, a dark new world where hope is the enemy, which debuted in DC All In Special #1 by Scott Snyder, Joshua Williamson, Daniel Sampere, Wes Craig, and more. Created from the energies of Darkseid, this universe is everything he ever wanted: a realm where he is the ultimate ruler over everything and everyone - except a few heroes who want to disrupt that order. Strangely, this...

First established as National Publications in the 1930s, DC Comics has accumulated an impressive history of comic book stories, thanks to characters like Batman and Superman. Every decade has brought its own unique style to the industry, and nowhere has that been as true as for DC. Where some decades were marked by grim and gritty tales, others were more experimental. When it comes to the 2000s, DC underwent a period of optimism, revivals, epic sagas and fan-favorite creative teams.

Where the 2000s were viewed by some as a slump for Marvel Comics, DC's books from the era have been looked back on almost unanimously as one of the publisher's best eras. Although the company had its share of misses and forgotten stories, few decades in comic history have been as memorable as DC's winning streak at the start of the 21st century. Many of these stories remain some of the company's best-sellers even today.

Warning: Spoilers for Absolute Power #3In 1985, the Flash made comic history when he died saving the world in Crisis on Infinite Earths. Barry Allen's death changed the trajectory of the DC Universe, and he went on to make history again when another Crisis brought him back to life. Now, almost 40 years after his original death, the pieces are in place for the Flash to suffer the same tragic fate in DC's current major event.

Barry Allen may be one of the fastest heroes in the DC Universe, but not even the Flash can outrun death forever.

Absolute Power #3 by Mark Waid and Dan Mora is the latest installment in DC's Absolute Power event. Most superheroes have been depowered by Amanda Waller's legion of Amazos, with Barry Allen's Flash being one of the few to still have his powers. An unknown voice reaches out to Barry as he's fleeing...

Star James McAvoy discusses why Wanted 2 hasn't yet come to life. Based on the comic book miniseries by Mark Millar and J.G. Jones, the original movie also starred Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman, in which McAvoy portrayed the main protagonist who joins a secret order of assassins. After the movie became a critical and commercial success, there had been hopes for a sequel, but the film experienced continued setbacks with its scripts for 16 years.

Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, McAvoy addressed the problems with Wanted 2's development, the audience's love for the original movie, and whether he would still consider returning. He attributed the delays to scripts, elaborating that many had come his way, but none made him feel confident enough to go the next step. While embracing the movie's love from fans, particularly from the younger generation, the star now believes he is too old to play Wesley.

Warning! Contains spoilers for The Boy Wonder #3!

Tim Drake proves his loyalty to Batman by gathering evidence at a corrupt party and stealing Batman's head from a statue. Tim Drake stands out as the most loyal Robin, actively choosing the role to protect Bruce and embodying Batman's teachings. Tim Drake's unwavering dedication to Batman has saved him multiple times and sets him apart from other Robins.

Nightwing may be Batman's first Robin, but Tim Drake has proven once again that he'll always be the most loyal to the Caped Crusader. Fans often debate which Robin is truly the best, but one delightfully petty moment proves that Tim Drake has always been Bruce's best Robin.

Tim Drake's perfect qualities as a Robin are on display in The Boy Wonder #3 by Juni Ba and Chris O'Halloran. In this story, Damian Wayne and Tim Drake are invited to a luxurious party by the Mayor of Gotham City,...

DC is officially killing off Darkseid in a new line-wide initiative and Justice League reboot. Darkseid's death will trigger a massive power vacuum in the Dcu with unclear consequences. Darkseid's death may create the Absolute Universe, potentially making his demise final.

When it comes to threats to the universe, very few are as dangerous as Darkseid but now DC is officially killing him off as part of the new line-wide initiative and Justice League reboot. Darkseid is the living personification of tyranny and will do everything he can to subjugate all will in the universe. He is a classic Justice League villain, which is why it's so surprising that DC has decided to kill him off.

DC has recently revealed its new All In initiative, which will be a sweeping new era for DC. One of the surprising events that is going to kick this new era off is the apparent death of Darkseid.

Boy Kills World is an extremely stylized dystopian action thriller revenge film directed by Moritz Mohr from a screenplay by Tyler Burton Smith and Arend Remmers. Based on the story by Remmers and Mohr, the brilliant action film is set in a dystopian film where the Van Der Koy family rules the city. We follow the story of a young boy known only as Boy who is hell-bent on becoming a living breathing weapon to take revenge against the Van Der Koy family. Boy Kills World stars Bill Skarsgård in the lead role with Jessica Rothe, Andrew Koji, Famke Janssen, H. Jon Benjamin, Yayan Ruhian, Cameron Crovetti, Michelle Dockery, Brett Gelman, Quinn Copeland, and Sharlto Copley starring in supporting roles. So, if you loved the stylized action, dark comedy, and brutal violence in Boy Kills World here are some similar films you could watch next.

Wanted (Tubi & Rent on Prime...

City Hunter is an action comedy film directed by Yûichi Satô from a screenplay by Tsukasa Hôjô and Tatsuro Mishima. Based on a popular manga series of the same name by Tsukasa Hojo, the Netflix film follows the story of a private investigator as he teams up with his late partner’s sister to solve his mysterious murder which is connected to a deadly conspiracy. So, if you loved the style, humor, action, and philandering ways of Ryo Saeba in City Hunter, here are some similar films you could watch next.

City Hunter Credit – Golden Harvest

31 years before Suzuki Ryohei took on the role of the philandering Ryo Saeba, the legendary Jackie Chan also starred as the main character in another adaptation of the popular manga by Tsukasa Hojo. Directed by Jing Wong, the 1993 film follows the story of a lustful private investigator who is searching for a missing girl...

Loosely based on the comic series by Mark Millar and J. G. Jones, Timur Bekmambetov’s Wanted was a stylized action movie starring James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie, and Morgan Freeman. The film was a critical and commercial success upon its release in 2008, grossing over $342 million worldwide, so it came as no surprise when the studio got the ball rolling on Wanted 2; But here we are, sixteen years later, and there’s no sequel in sight.

Michael Brandt, one of the co-writers of the original movie, told MovieWeb that while a script for Wanted 2 exists, he fears that the momentum to get it made has been lost.

“We had an idea for a sequel. We pitched it, wrote it. And it seems like there was some real interest in the studio to make it,” Brandt said. “And then Timur, who directed the first one, absolutely was interested as well.

The Wanted 2 script stalled due to conflicts between the co-writers and director, resulting in loss of momentum for the sequel. Original writer Michael Brandt revealed there has been interest from the studio and director, but differing ideas hindered progress on the film. Multiple attempts at reviving the sequel have failed, with Brandt still hopeful to see his script brought to life.

Wanted co-writer Michael Brandt provides an update on the long-awaited sequel, Wanted 2, which has spent 16 years in developmental hell. The original movie is based on the comic book series of the same name by Mark Millar and J. G. Jones. It follows Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy), a young man who finds his mundane life turned upside down when he discovers he has superhuman abilities and a connection to The Fraternity, a deadly society of assassins. The movie was a major critical and commercial success, but its sequel oddly never became a reality.

Warning: Spoilers for The Flash #6!

Wally West struggles under the weight of Barry Allen's legacy in The Flash #6. Wally's insecurities about being the Flash come to a head during a conversation with Barry. The comic acknowledges the legacy debate, with Wally feeling the pressure to live up to Barry's standard, especially after his original death in Crisis on Infinite Earths.

After 38 years, the consequences of Crisis on Infinite Earths have come to plague the Flash mantle. Following Barry Allen's death in Crisis, Wally West adopted the Flash mantle for himself. Upon Barry's eventual return, Wally initially adored getting to share the name with his mentor. However, as time went on, that blessing became a curse for him to bear.

Wally West admits that the weight of Barry Allen's legacy is wearing him down in The Flash #6 by Simon Spurrier and Mike Deodato Jr. The two heroes take a moment...

Warning! Contains spoilers for Outsiders #3!

An alternate dimension reveals that Batman is willing to kill one person to save many. Batman's traumatic past shaped his aversion to death and led to his strict no-kill rule. Although Batman is known for his no-kill policy, he has broken it before, such as when he killed Darkseid to save the universe.

Despite once killing Darkseid, Batman is steadfast in his refusal to take a life. No matter how evil someone is, Batman has no interest in killing them. This has been true for some of the worst criminals that DC has to offer, such as the Joker. But DC has recently revealed that there is one situation where Batman seems willing to break his biggest rule.

The one situation where Batman is willing to kill is revealed in Outsiders #3 by Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, and Robert Carey. This story reveals that, while Batman sleeps,...

The latest threat to the X-Men as the Fall of X commences are the Children of the Vault, a group of superpowered individuals evolutionarily separate from both humans and mutants – and subtly making its return with them is Marvel's most underrated villain, Hexus the Living Corporation, from Grant Morrison's 2000 Marvel Boy miniseries.

Marvel Boy – written by Grant Morrison, with art by J.G. Jones – served as a prototype for Morrison's groundbreaking New X-Men run, which began several months after the sixth and final issue of Marvel Boy was released in January 2001. Featuring a similar style, overlapping ideas, and the writer's trademark perspective on the Marvel Universe, Marvel Boy provided a villain that has long been overdue to return to comics: Hexus.

The Living Corporation Was A Classic Grant Morrison Idea

The antagonist of Marvel Boy #3, Hexus the Living Corporation is exactly what it sounds like. Described in the issue as,...

Grant Morrison has recently expressed regret over the handling of Shazam's Mary Marvel during the Final Crisis event. Moreover, Morrison reveals that 2014's The Multiversity - Thunderworld #1 was in part a second attempt to do the character justice.

During the events of DC Comics 2007-2008 series Countdown, Mary Marvel gained the powers of Black Adam, and struggled to control the dark impulses that came with them. It was eventually revealed that Mary was under the control of Desaad of Apokolips, and in the pages of 2008’s Final Crisis (from Morrison and J.G. Jones), the character took an even darker turn. Fully transformed into one of Darkseid’s Female Furies, Mary donned a form-fitting leather outfit and was given a punk hairstyle, with the once-innocent heroine transformed into a twisted villain, complete with overtly sexual dialogue.

Related: DC's New Shazam Points Out the Problematic Way Women Are Written in Comics

Mary...

When it comes to sheer power, there are few entities faced by the Justice League that can rival that of the evil Darkseid. As the lord and master of Apokolips and the ultimate representative of malevolence for the Fourth World, the being formerly known as Uxas is undoubtedly one of the greatest forces of evil in the DC Multiverse. And with such a stunning record as one of the baddest of the bad, it’s no wonder that Darkseid has come to blows with the Justice League on more than one occasion.

There is a notable history of conflicts between the two, so it's only natural that many fans would consider Darkseid to be the Justice League’s greatest foe. But while it’s true that the World’s Greatest Heroes have put a stop to Darkseid’s machination on more than one occasion, their stories are not as intrinsically linked as many would believe.

Known as a master tactician, Batman always has a plan up his sleeve for any situation. Most famously, he's had a number of contingencies for his fellow Justice League in case he and his fellow heroes are ever at odds. Of all of these countermeasures, one of Batman's defenses against Wonder Woman may be his most disrespectful to date.

The moment comes in Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia by Greg Rucka and J. G. Jones. The 2002 graphic novel is Rucka's first turn on the character before later helming Wonder Woman's main title. The Hiketeia sees Wonder Woman take Danielle, a young woman on the run, into her care in accordance to an ancient ritual Danielle invokes for protection. Despite Diana being duty-bound to protect Danielle, Batman confronts his fellow League member to bring the woman to justice for crimes she committed in Gotham. When Wonder Woman proves to be Batman's better in combat,...

A look back at the life of the Comedian reveals that one popular Watchmen fan theory is actually completely wrong. Before Watchmen: Comedian #1 shows that Edward Blake is actually innocent of high-profile murder that's been pinned on him for years.

The world of Watchmen is one much like the real-world, only with the added presence of superheroes. The addition of costumed adventurers might not seem like a big deal, but it actually led to a massive diversion in the timeline, with hero teams like the Minutemen or the Crimebusters getting involved in real-world events. One Watchmen character, the Comedian, is one of the few heroes to work for the government, leading him to have one of the greatest influences on Watchmen's diverging history. In fact, at one point in the original series, he jokes about being behind the death of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, leading fans to theorize it's actually true.

A solemn moment in American history managed to change everything Watchmen fans thought they knew about the Comedian. Before Watchmen: Comedian #1 reinforces the idea that the ordinarily cynical and callous Edward Blake isn't as far gone as readers may think he is.

Watchmen is a story that presents a world of real-life superheroes and the effect they have on the world around them. One of the most infamous characters in the story is the Comedian, who is known for his iconic smiley face badge and his terrifying brutalism. Of all the heroes that exist in Watchmen, the Comedian is one of the most unconventional. Jaded and nihilistic, Edward Blake openly expresses his thoughts on the pointlessness of the efforts of superheroes, especially in the atomic age. Not to mention, Comedian also brutalized his own teammates such as Silk Spectre, leading many characters to see him as an inhuman monster.

Related:...

While the DC supervillain Darkseid isn't scared of many opponents, weapons, or powers across the galaxy, but admits one villain, the Black Racer, struck fear into the heart of the Ruler of Apokolips like few others ever have. In Final Crisis, Darkseid was revealed to fear the New Gods' version of Death, as they represented a real possible end to the powerful villain's dominance in the DC Universe and an end to his evil reign.

In the Final Crisis crossover event from Grant Morrison, J.G. Jones, and Carlos Pacheco, Darkseid gained the Anti-life Equation and unleashed it upon the world. However, after nearly taking down the Multiverse and having the greatest heroes on the brink of defeat, Barry Allen and Wally West's Flash managed to bring the Black Racer into the battle. The New God of Death, whose origins connect to the Ruler of Apokolips, came face-to-face with Darkseid...

It seems that the Justice League's multiple brushes with death have given the team quite the interesting perspective on the afterlife. After the murder of one of their own, Superman revealed the only prayer that makes sense in a world of superhero deaths.

There's nothing more tragic than an untimely death. And the cold reality is that as a superhero, the chances of meeting one's maker drastically increases when facing sinister villains. Every so often, a beloved hero in the DC Universe finds themselves felled by a powerful threat, sending shock waves throughout the superhero community. However, as with Superman and Wonder Woman, nearly every time a hero faces death, they almost always return no worse for wear than when they left. It's not an exact science, but for the heroes of the DC Universe, the end isn't always the end and death is often more an inconvenience than a tragedy.

Contains spoilers for DCeased: War of the Undead Gods #3!The Anti-Life Equation has long been the Holy Grail of DC's villain supreme, the brutal tyrant Darkseid, but it turns out that there is one superhuman who is immune to its disastrous influence.

The full might of the Anti-Life equation was famously displayed in Grant Morrison, J.G. Jones and Carlos Pacheco's crossover event Final Crisis. In an attempt to draw power from the Source, the physical entity that represents existence, Darkseid was killed but reincarnated on Earth with the full knowledge of the equation. The Lord of Apokolips used Anti-Life to remove free will from all sentient life on Earth, granting him complete control of the human population, turning heroes such as Wonder Woman, Hawkgirl, and Catwoman into his personal enforcers. While DC's heroes were able to fight back and save the multiverse, it turns out Anti-Life isn't quite as all-conquering as it seemed.

In a recent article in The Hollywood Reporter, writer Devin Grayson and artist J.G. Jones described the insidious battle they had to fight with the lawyers and contract writers at Marvel in order to be paid for the film rights to a character they had created. The character, Yelena Belova (played by Florence Pugh) first appeared in "Inhumans" #5 in March of 1999, when she had adopted the mantle of Black Widow from Natasha Romanoff (played in the movies by Scarlett Johansson). Yelena plays a major part in "Black Widow," and, being part of the MCU, would go on to appear in at least one additional installment...

The post Marvel Comics Creators Who Deserve Credit From the MCU appeared first on /Film.

“I made macaroni.” That line, from Hawkeye episode 5 “Ronin,” launched one of the most exciting developments in the MCU’s phase four: the friendship between Kate Bishop and Yelena Belova. Played with irreverent pluck by Florence Pugh, Belova was not only the breakout character in Black Widow, but also a key part of Marvel’s future plans, joining Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine’s team of misfits. If early reaction to Yelena is any indication, then the Marvel Cinematic Universe can continue its popularity, even as it loses original heroes like Tony Stark and Steve Rogers.

Like every other part of the MCU, Yelena Belova has her roots in the comics. First introduced in 1999’s Inhumans #5, Yelena was created by writer Devon Grayson and artist J.G. Jones as an antagonist and eventual ally to Black Widow Natasha Romanov. Given the important role that Belova played in Black Widow and Hawkeye,...

Click here to read the full article.

In July 2021, Scarlett Johansson stunned Hollywood with a lawsuit accusing Disney of breach of contract for sending Black Widow day-and-date to Disney+, a move her lawyers said diminished its box office (and the star’s backend compensation). As that legal battle stretched into the summer, two other Black Widow stakeholders were quietly seeking what they believed they were owed. The comic book creators behind Yelena Belova, the character played by Florence Pugh, spent months in a back-and-forth with Marvel to receive payment for her appearance in the film.

Writer Devin Grayson and artist J.G. Jones believed they would take home 25,000 each for her appearance in Black Widow thanks to paperwork they signed outlining how much they would receive for films, TV shows, video games and action figures featuring Yelena. But when Grayson and Jones, who created Yelena in 1999, eventually received payment in November,...

Spoilers follow for the ending of "Wanted."

Few movies can claim to end with a character cursing directly at the camera, but "Wanted" fits the bill. This is that other Morgan Freeman comic book movie from the summer of 2008. "Wanted" hit theaters three weeks before "The Dark Knight," and some of its cast members — James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie, and Chris Pratt — would go on to star in Marvel movies in the years to come. However, this film deviates from its comic book source material, jettisoning the supervillain aspect of the plot.

In the original six-issue "Wanted" miniseries by writer Mark Millar and artist J.G. Jones, protagonist Wesley Gibson was drawn...

The post Wanted Ending Explained: What Have You Done Lately? appeared first on /Film.

 

Image Comics "Aria: Heavenly Creatures", available February 17, 2021 is written by Brian Holguin and Brian Haberlin, with illustrations by Haberlin, Jay Anacleto, Joe Quesada, Danny Miki, J.G. Jones and Drew:

"...'Lady Kildare', expatriate princess of 'Faerie', is living a life of aristocratic decadence among Victorian London's social elite. One night, while slumming among the city's notorious underbelly, Kildare and her companions come across an illicit underground sideshow boasting 'Creation's Most Wondrous and Perverse Curiosities'. 

"The centerpiece of this bizarre menagerie? A genuine angel held in captivity, setting the stage for an unlikely alliance and the beginning of an unforgettable tale of mystery, adventure and retribution..." 

Click the images to enlarge...

Dynamite Entertainment's "Project Superpowers" #1, available August 1, 2018, is written by Rob Williams and illustrated by Sergio Davila, with covers by Francesco Mattina, Ed Benes, John Royle, Philip Tan, J.G. Jones, Stephen Segovia and Sergio Davila:

"...'The Project Superpowers' heroes came from the past, now they have to prove their relevance in the modern world. 

"A 21st Century threat is coming for us all. What dread secrets does the 'Death Defying Devil' hold? The 'Lighthouse' will rise and the 'Spirit of The American Flag' will take on a new host. 

"But will it be enough? Can superheroes still save the day?..."

Click the images to enlarge...

Find "Project Superpowers" Comic Books Here...

DC Comics' "Justice League" #42 is written by Christopher Priest and illustrated by Pete Woods, with covers by Dave Yardin and J.G. Jones:

"...in 'Justice Lost', part four, ' A Strange Place of Dying', trapped in the chaos of tribal conflict, the 'Justice League' becomes divided over whether to intervene in a civil war in order to protect thousands of fleeing refugees-and a crucial decision could have dire consequences for one of their members.

"Meanwhile, 'Batman' and 'Aquaman' clash over how to take down the nemesis known only as the 'Fan', who holds all of their secrets hostage..."

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Justice League"...

"Justice League" Comic Books...

When you really think about it, Justice League is probably one of DC’s marquee titles to have seen the fewest changes in scribes over the course of this decade. After Geoff Johns set the bar with his now legendary run during the New 52 days, Bryan Hitch ran with the ball upon the start of Rebirth. And, now, it’s Christopher Priest who’s tasked with handling the publisher’s premier superhero team.

While none of us can be too sure of the selection process that allows someone to land such a gig, a personnel shift makes a lot of sense at this point. After all, with the Justice League movie having debuted in theaters not long ago, what better way to create a friendly jumping on point for new readers than with a new creative team?

If we were to hazard a guess, this particular case may have something...

DC Comics' "Batwoman" #2, written by Marguerite Bennett, James Tynion IV and illustrated by Steve Epting, with covers by Epting and J.G. Jones is available April 19, 2017:

"...the criminal haven of 'Coryana' has changed completely in the years since 'Batwoman' left the scene. The biggest change of all? Her closest friends are now her enemies.

"It's time for 'Kate Kane' to cut to the chase and find out who brought the deadly bio-weapon 'Monster Venom' into Coryana, before she confronts the 'Knife'..."

Click the images to enlarge...

“What we heard was that people didn’t want any more diversity. They didn’t want female characters out there. That’s what we heard, whether we believe that or not.” Marvel VP of Sales David Gabriel, Marvel Retailer Summit, March 2017

“Let’s find a place they say, somewhere far away, With no blacks, no Jews and no gays” The Machine, Lyrics from There But For The Grace Of God, Go I, Dec 1979

“Now the big publishing guns are on this diversity thing, but for how long? Think it’s going to last? It won’t. It won’t because it’s a trend, a ploy. It’s a stunt. This, my friend, is nothing but business.” Michael Davis, Bleeding Cool, Feb 2015

Just as I predicted the fate of comic’s only true diversity architect, Milestone Media, I said the current diversity bug would go away. I did not think...

“What we heard was that people didn’t want any more diversity. They didn’t want female characters out there. That’s what we heard, whether we believe that or not.” Marvel VP of Sales David Gabriel, Marvel Retailer Summit, March 2017

“Let’s find a place they say, somewhere far away, With no blacks, no Jews and no gays” The Machine, Lyrics from There But For The Grace Of God, Go I, Dec 1979

“Now the big publishing guns are on this diversity thing, but for how long? Think it’s going to last? It won’t. It won’t because it’s a trend, a ploy. It’s a stunt. This, my friend, is nothing but business.” Michael Davis, Bleeding Cool, Feb 2015

Just as I predicted the fate of comic’s only true diversity architect, Milestone Media, I said the current diversity bug would go away. I did not think...

Some of the best Christmas gifts I received as a youth were graphic novels. Before the days of digital comics this was the only way for me to have a complete story set, and since they were expensive I would put two or three on my Christmas list. Here is part 1 of what I consider important comic graphic novels for collectors and new readers.

Daredevil: Man Without Fear

For those who are fans of the Netflix series or want to be introduced to Frank Millers best work this is the series to start with. Frank Miller and John Romita Jr. worked collaboratively together to bring Daredevil to the forefront of the Marvel Universe. This is a reincarnation of Matt Murdocks origin story that makes him a flawed hero.

A fire burns deep within Matt Murdock. He was raised by a single father, an over-the-hill prizefighter with one last chance...

Strange Fruit #1

Writers:J.G. Jones and Mark Waid

Artist: J.G. Jones

Letterer Deron Bennett

Publisher Boom! Studios

Strange Fruit # 1 deals with racism during the 1920s. The title of the comic makes reference to a famous Billie Holiday song “Strange Fruit”, which dealt with the lynching and death of blacks. On that note, Strange Fruit dives straight into racism and tension head first. Jones and Waid produce a strong premise, but weak writing. The writing suffers from a lack of in depth characterization for the characters and a continuous jumping about in the plot. However, the artwork from Jones is priceless in its exquisiteness and attention to detail. The comic is issue one of four and leaves a lot of space to grow.

The story opens in 1927 Chatterlee, Mississippi. A great trouble faces Chatterlee as the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 is coming, and levees need to be built to protect the town.

Final Crisis #1-7 (2008-2009)

Written by Grant MorrisonPenciled by J.G. Jones, Marco Rudy, Doug Mahnke, Carlos Pacheco

Inked by Jesus Merino, Christian Alamy and others

Colored by Alex Sinclair, Pete Pantazis, Tony Avila

Published by DC Comics

On the surface, the title of Final Crisis feels like a misnomer. How can there even be a “final” crisis? There will always be a DC Universe, there will always be earth-shattering dangers, and there will always be heroes to ensure the end is never really the end. But the strength of Final Crisis lies in that it recognizes this, and uses this fact as the crux of the entire event: the promotional tagline was, after all, “Heroes die. Legends live forever.” The characters and stories of the DC Universe are timeless, never-ending, and very much alive in the way that language can be said to be alive. It’s from this angle...

Rick Grimes takes aim from the shotgun seat in the Wizard World Philadelphia variant cover for The Walking Dead #1, drawn by artist Clay Mann (X-Men, Gambit).

Press Release -- "Philadelphia, April 28, 2015 -- Wizard World, Inc. (Otcbb: Wizd) and Skybound, Robert Kirkman’s imprint at Image Comics, today announced that Batman Eternal and Harley Quinn artist Clay Mann has drawn the ninth in a yearlong series of Limited Edition Exclusive Variant Covers of The Walking Dead #1 comic, to be provided free to all full-price attendees at Wizard World Comic Con Philadelphia, May 7-10. Skybound’s The Walking Dead created by Kirkman, the groundbreaking, Eisner Award winning comic book series, continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

The exclusive The Walking Dead #1 edition will be produced in extremely limited quantities and is available at registration to fans at the Pennsylvania Convention Center only while supplies last. VIP attendees will receive an additional black & white sketch version of the comic.

So as you can tell I’m pretty excited about what Lemire and Kindt are doing in recent happenings in Valiant comics, but before the current Valiant universe one of, if not the the major player in the original universe from the ’90s, one Jim Shooter, was ousted and went on to create Defiant comics. Among those that went with him was David Lapham, an artist/writer who would go on to win Eisners for his independent work. Lapham would be the artist on the debut comic from Defiant, but before he did that, before anyone did anything we could put in our hands, we got Mongrel. We never saw him again.

It’s no secret that the medium of comic books, at least in the United States, is mostly dominated by characters that have been around for decades and come with not only a personal history, but in many cases multiple histories.

In recent years, comics conventions have become less about the comics creators, who crafted (and continue to craft) the characters beloved by pop culture and more about celebrity guests. Yes, it is fun to get a picture made with your favorite Star Trek captain or Doctor Who companion, but from my personal experience as well as that of con-goers and the crowded nature of big shows like San Diego and New York Comic Con, it seems like the comics have been pushed aside for “geek culture” celebrities. Some conventions might as well take out the “comic” in “comic con”. However, some shows continue to put comics and creators first, and one of them is East Coast Comicon.

East Coast Comicon began as Asbury Park Comic Con and was held in 2012 at a converted bowling alley/rock club in Asbury Park, NJ. It was founded by independent comics creator Cliff Galbraith...

Back in 2008, Wanted came out and was a decent hit for Universal. Based on a comic miniseries by Mark Millar and J.G. Jones, the film starred a relatively unknown James McAvoy and managed to turn make $340+ million on a $75 million budget. Ever since, rumblings of a sequel have ranged from "Oh, definitely!" to "We'll see." Well, Coming Soon had a chance to speak with that film's producers and find out what the status of that film is- now that we're six years removed from the original. One of them, Marc Platt, was willing to speak candidly about where they are in that process.

His answers, though, lead me to believe that we're still at the "wait and see" stage and, with so much time having gone by, I get the feeling it would take a major development for this thing to happen.

Here's what Platt said about the state of...

On Saturday, the publishers and creators of Boom! Studios assembled for a panel in which they discussed Boom!’s founding and some fun stories from its early days as well as its vision going into its ten year anniversary. There were a few announcements for some potentially groundbreaking projects from creators you may recognize. The panelists were Boom! founder/CEO Ross Richie, publisher Filip Sablik, editor-in-chief Matt Gagnon, and writers Mark Waid (Irredeemable), Marguerite Bennett (Sleepy Hollow), and James Tynion IV (The Woods). Frank Cho (Liberty Meadows) made a surprise appearance, and other creators showed up via pre-recorded video.

Ross Richie opened up the panel by talking about how he founded Boom! in his own bedroom with prompting from comics veteran Keith Giffen (Justice League International, Annihilation) based on the principle of partnership between a company and its creators. Publisher Filip Sablik said that over the past year, Boom! has...

One of the more entertaining action flicks I’ve seen in the last few years is Timur Bekmambetov’s adaptation of Wanted, starring Angelina Jolie and James McAvoy as bullet-bending assassins fighting for their lives. Between Bekmambetov’s visual prowess and the film’s gleeful amount of gun-firing intensity, I walked out of the film like I’d just hopped off an amusement park thrill ride, ready to give the whole ordeal another go around.

After finding box office success, producers were also keen to give the property another go, and the studio hired back original writers Michael Brandt and Derek Haas to delve deeper into J.G. Jones and Mark Millar’s source comic for an even more explosive sequel – then everything went dark on Wanted 2. The only real bit of concrete news we learned was that Angelina Jolie wouldn’t be reprising her role for the sequel, because,...

Written by chart-topping writer Charles Soule and superstar artist Steve McNiven, this four issue limited series chronicles the last stand of the Wolverine as he faces down his deadliest foes. Left without his healing factor, the indestructible killing machine must come to terms with his newfound vulnerability. And when word gets out that the Wolverine is mortal, villains from Logan’s past and present set their sights on their greatest enemy! After being the best there is at what he does for over a century, the day has arrived where his best will not be good enough. With Death of Wolverine poised to shake the foundations of the Marvel Universe this September, no fan can afford to miss out on this epic comic event of September! What does the world look like without Wolverine in it? Death Of Wolverine #1 Written by Charles Soule Pencils & Cover by Steve McNiven Variant Cover...

Superstar writers Mark Waid & Kieron Gillen join artist Luke Ross for a showdown that pits the Flashiest Avenger against the Smashiest Avenger. After the explosive events of last issue, ask yourself: was Tony Stark responsible for creating the Hulk? The truth behind the fateful day the Gamma Bomb exploded will at last be revealed. And the truth is going to make Hulk angry. You wouldn’t like him when he’s angry. But what secret is Hulk keeping? A secret that could give him the edge in his fight against the Invincible Iron Man? Not everyone is coming out the other side. Find out who when these two titanic Avengers clash in Hulk Vs. Iron Man #2! Original Sin #3.2 Written by Kieron Gillen & Mark Waid Pencils by Luke Ross Cover by J.G. Jones...

Here’s your very first look at Hulk vs. Iron Man #1, the first issue in a 4-part crossover that pits the Green Goliath against the Armored Avenger with personal stakes and gut-wrenching revelations. This June, Original Sin continues to send shockwaves through the Marvel Universe as two of Earth’s Mightiest clash in a battle for the ages – and neither will walk away the same, if at all!

Superstar writers Mark Waid & Kieron Gillen join blockbuster artists Mark Bagley and Luke Ross for a gamma-bomb sized collision. The events of Original Sin have released the greatest secrets of the Marvel Universe. And Bruce Banner is about to learn a secret that’s stayed buried for a long time. A secret that goes back to that fateful day that gamma radiation turned man into monster: Was Tony Stark responsible for creating the Incredible Hulk?

Bruce Banner and Tony Stark are in...

DC Comics will be releasing a wave of one-shot steampunk variant covers for many of their current New 52 titles in February, featuring some impressive art from artists such as Dave Johnson, Klaus Janson, Howard Chaykin and more. At first we we’re hoping that DC was cooking up a line-wide Elseworlds-style event (eg, Gotham by Gaslight), but that doesn’t appear to be the case after all. We’re now hoping this may be a test from the publisher to see how many fans would like to see more of these characters placed in a Victorian-era setting. There certainly seems to be a growing number of steampunk-inspired cosplayers at comic book conventions across the country – perhaps the publisher has taken notice.

You can check out the full list of all the titles getting the steampunk treatment along with previews of the covers below.

New 52 Steampunk Variant Covers:

Action Comics #28 variant...

Eternal Warrior #3

Writer: Greg Pak

Art: Trevor Hairsine & Diego Bernard with Alejandro Sicat

Colours: Brian Reber & Guy Major

Letters: Dave Sharpe

Covers: J.G. Jones & Riley Rossmo

Publisher: Valiant

Purchase: http://www.comixology.com/Eternal-Warrior-2013-3-Digital-Exclusives-Edition/digital-comic/50943

Even though this book has been dropping once a month like clockwork, so far anyway, the wait between issues has been excruciating. It may have only debuted two months ago, yet the tale of Gilad Anna-Padda is so expertly handled that writer Greg Pak has created a monster with his fans. But does Pak’s lightning remain trapped in its epic bottle, or are some crack starting to shine in the warriors armour?

After declaring a war on the gods last month, Gilad and his daughter Xaran head to the local K-Mart to stock up on some munitions. After some father-daughter bonding, the kind that only two immortal warriors could have, the two...