Comics: The Meaning

com-ics (kom'iks)n. plural in form, used with a singular verb. 1. Juxtaposed pictorial and other images in deliberate sequence, intended to convey information and/or to produce an aesthetic response in the viewer.

"If Comics' spectacularly varied past is any indication, comics' future will be virtually impossible to predict using the standards of the present.... Those of you who make comics for a living - or would like to someday, probably know that keeping up with all the advances in today's comics is a full-time job. However much we may try to understand the world of comics around us, a part of that world will always lie in shadow - a mystery.... As it is, it should be kept in mind at all times that this world is only one of many possible worlds!
Our attempts to define comics are an on-going process which won't end anytime soon. A new generation will no doubt reject whatever this one finally decides to accept and try once more to reinvent comics. And so they should. Here's to the great debate."

Excerpts and paraphrased from the amazing Scott McCloud's "Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art."

Sunday, February 12, 2012

'NUFF SAID - EVOLUTION OF THE DC NEW 52!

    We are now 6 months into an event that has completely charged the entire comic book industry.  That event was the DC NEW 52 relaunch and now the launch evolves.  We all know comics are that their best when the don't stay stagnant.  There is nothing stagnant about DC comics at the moment and here are the changes and additions to DC's NEW 52 going forward. 
  • Following the upcoming JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK/I VAMPIRE crossover in issues #7 and #8 of each series Peter Milligan will be making way on JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK for Canadian writer Jeff Lemire.  “This is my dream gig at DC Comics, no doubt about it. The characters in JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK are my absolute favorite in the DC Comics stable, and I can’t believe I’m actually getting a chance to write John Constantine, Zatanna and Deadman (as well as a few new team members!)...." Jeff Lemire
  • Staying with Lemire and specifically his soon to be classic run on the current ANIMAL MAN, Travel Foreman will be leaving as artist to be replaced by artist Steve Pugh with ANIMAL MAN #9.  Here is Travel Foreman's cover to ANIMAL MAN #9.  More on Foreman later.
  • Peter Milligan will be lending his extraordinary writing talents to STORMWATCH as of issue #9 but will be keeping RED LANTERNS and HELLBLAZER under his continued guidance.  “Stormwatch has the craziness, the paranoia and the occasional bursts of odd humor that really grab me. This is my kind of book. In other words, when I re-read Paul Cornell’s excellent first series with a view to taking over the writing duties I was really excited. And I’m excited too by what I have planned, from Stormwatch facing a ferocious character from the Red Lantern Corps, to hidden secrets being revealed about the origin of Stormwatch, and some shocking revelations about the mysterious Shadow Lords. It’s going to be a very intense ride."  Peter Milligan
  •  So DC fans with Lemire taking on JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK he will be leaving his run on FRANKENSTEIN:  AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E but only to be replaced at issue #10 by truly one of the best crime fiction/mystery writers in comics.  That writer being Matt Kindt of REVOLVER fame.  “I’m so excited to be writing Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E.! I’ve been good friends with Jeff Lemire since we both broke into comics years ago and I remember spending the weekend at his studio and kicking his ideas around for his take on Frank and Crew and just having a blast. Lemire was having so much fun putting these characters into action…and I think that fun really comes through.  Matt Kindt
  • With ACTION COMICS #9 fans can enjoy Gene Ha as guest artist.  Andy Kubert will return with ACTION COMICS #10.  Gene Ha will also be guest artist on JUSTICE LEAGUE #7.  Check out Gene's inks for ACTION COMICS #10.
  • 
  • Rob Liefeld will be taking over 3 books with duties on DEATHSTROKE, GRIFTER and THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN .
  •  Acclaimed writer Gregg Hurwitz will take over from David Finch, writing BATMAN:  THE DARK KNIGHT as of issue #10.
  • Marcus To will be joining writer Judd Winick on BATWING as of issue #10 and here is the cover.
  • Jesus Saiz will be picking up the artistic duties on RESURRECTION MAN as of issue #9.


  •  Fernando Dagnino will the regular artist for SUICIDE SQUAD at issue #9.

  • Travel Foreman has found a new home after his acclaimed work as artist on ANIMAL MAN with the team over at BIRDS OF PREY issue #9. 

With the changes to existing books out of the way, here are the additions to the DC NEW 52 "the second wave."
  • BATMAN INCORPORATED – Writer: Grant Morrison. Artist: Chris Burnham. The acclaimed ongoing writer of ACTION COMICS, Grant Morrison, presents a fresh take on BATMAN INCORPORATED, in which the Batman brand is franchised globally in preparation for a major international threat.

  • EARTH 2 – Writer: James Robinson. Artist: Nicola Scott. The greatest heroes on a parallel Earth, the Justice Society combats threats that will set them on a collision course with other worlds.

  • WORLDS’ FINEST – Writer: Paul Levitz. Artists: George Perez and Kevin Maguire. Stranded on our world from a parallel reality, Huntress and Power Girl struggle to find their way back to Earth 2. Perez and Maguire will be the artists on alternating story arcs.

  • DIAL H – Writer: China Miéville. Artist: Mateus Santoluoco. The first ongoing series from acclaimed novelist China Miéville, this is a bold new take on a cult classic concept about the psychological effects on an everyman who accidentally gains powers to become a hero.
  • G.I. COMBAT – Writer: J.T. Krul. Artist: Ariel Olivetti. Featuring the return of a classic DC Comics series, THE WAR THAT TIME FORGOT, along with rotating back-up stories and creative teams – including THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER, with writers Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti and artist Dan Panosian; and THE HAUNTED TANK, with writer John Arcudi and artist Scott Kolins.

  • THE RAVAGERS – Writer: Howard Mackie. Artist: Ian Churchill. Spinning off from TEEN TITANS and SUPERBOY, this series finds four super powered teens on the run and fighting against the organization that wants to turn them into super villains.

Unfortunately, if you are reading and enjoying these titles: BLACKHAWKS, HAWK AND DOVE, MEN OF WAR, MISTER TERRIFIC, O.M.A.C. and STATIC SHOCK, they are being cancelled with their 8th issue.

Here's a look at some of the upcoming annuals that will further help round out the new DCU come this May.

  • Beginning this May an epic crossover begins. Check out TEEN TITANS ANNUAL #1, and follow the story through SUPERBOY #9, LEGION LOST #9, TEEN TITANS #9 and THE RAVAGERS #1. It all starts this May, but in the meantime – check out the cover.
  • ANIMAL MAN ANNUAL #1 written by Jeff Lemire will serve as the prequel to the upcoming crossover between ANIMAL MAN and SWAMP THING.  The story will deal with the plots being developed by Snyder and Lemire in the above mentioned books.
  •  Rounding out the May annuals is BATMANANNUAL #1 Snyder and Fabok.  Here we will find the first appearance of Mr. Freeze since the 52 relaunch and how he weaves into Snyder's "Court of Owls," story line over in BATMAN and soon to expand across the Bat titles.
 All these exciting things happening in the DC NEW 52 and on top of that Watchmen in the summer.  Keep on bringing it DC.  The whole organization deserves all the accolades for what they have achieved as a company over the last year.  Can't get enough. 
Cheers for reading!

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