The New Adventure of Superboy

From the DC Blog:

"You’ve read FINAL CRISIS: LEGION OF THREE WORLDS #4, right? If not, please shut down your computer, walk briskly to your nearest comic shop and buy it. Then read it. Understand why we’re doing this? Excited? I hope so. Now click on the headline — or that handy “More…” link below — for some art that will blow you away. Do not say we didn’t warn you. Because we did. Numerous times. I’m saying it again because, by nature, I’m a paranoid creature: SPOILER ALERT.

OK, now that we got all that out of the way — Superboy is back, and starring in the pages of ADVENTURE COMICS, which hits in August from writer Geoff Johns and artist Francis Manapul. Not only are we bringing you some amazing news, but we also have a first look at Manapul’s jaw-droppingly gorgeous artwork, including covers and prelim art he created in preparation for the assignment."

Check out this link for more images.

Hm..... Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul on Superboy? Ok, I'll have to pick this up!

Deathtrap ending "very, very controversial"

Marv Wolfman reveals on his blog: "The last part of Deathtrap comes out in Vigilante #6, on sale May 20 and I guarantee the ending is going to be very, very controversial. You could have knocked me over with that proverbial feather when DC told me what they had planned. Be prepared for something surprising, controversial and very powerful."

Any guesses?

And, why am I scared?

Eric Wallace on Final Crisis: Ink and Titans #14

From comicbookresources.com: Eric Wallace (“Eureka”) has been tagged to write “Final Crisis Aftermath: Ink,” illustrated by Fabrizio Fiorentino (“Countdown to Adventure”) with covers by Brian Stelfreeze, and DC Comics must have liked what they got from the veteran TV writer because he’s also writing “Titans” #14.

"Are you a long-time “Teen Titans” fan? And specifically, Cyborg?

Yes, I remember reading the Marv Wolfman/George Perez run back in the eighties. “Teen Titans” #13 was my first, and I remember just being blown away by the book. I also can still remember the thrill the first time I read the whole “Judas Contract” storyline; what a run that was. So, now, to be able to write a story for that same group of heroes is just a dream come true.

As for Cyborg, I’ve always loved the human side of him – the part of him that struggles with being a normal guy while trapped in a robotic body. It’s really a tragic, classic archetype with endless story possibilities that's tremendous fun to write. The challenge, as always, is to try and bring something slightly new to the table, something that feels familiar and genuine to the already established “Titans” world, but which also offers readers some new twists and surprises. Hopefully we’ve accomplished that with this issue, but I'll let all of you be the judge.

Can you share any details about the story?

“Titans” #14 is the first in a series of special one-shot issues, each of which will focus on a different character. This Cyborg story is very much a “Day in the Life,” only it’s a very unusual day for Vic. I don’t want to ruin any surprises, but I will say that an element of Vic’s past turns up in a very unexpected place."

Read the full interview here!

Preview: Teen Titans #70

DC's The Source blog offers a preview: "We’ve previewed the first two parts of the TITANS/VIGILANTE/TEEN TITANS crossover “Deathtrap,” but why stop there? Kicking off right after the events of VIGILANTE #5, the issue finds our team getting roped into Jericho’s insane plot to take out the other Titans team. But how do you defeat someone that can control your very actions? We don’t have the answers for you here, but we do have some pretty Joe Bennett art and Sean McKeever words. Ain’t that enough?"

TEEN TITANS #70 is on sale 4/29.

Reminiscing About Robin

Reminiscing About Robin: A Look Back in Wonder

Newsarama reports: " Launched in 1993, the Robin ongoing series totaled one hundred ninety-two issues including seven annuals and was preceded by three miniseries totaling fifteen issues. During that time, Tim Drake grew from novice sidekick to a confident and capable hero while undergoing a series of tragedies that would have psychologically and emotionally crippled virtually anyone else.

The majority of the issues of Robin were written by Chuck Dixon, but substantial contributions were also made by Jon Lewis, Bill Willingham, Adam Beechen, and Fabian Nicieza. Dixon authored the original mini-series and the first one hundred issues of the ongoing series. To many fans, Dixon is the definitive writer for Tim Drake. During this period of his life, Tim overcame the challenges of facing new the typical Batman villains for the first time as well as developing a rogues gallery of his own."

Matthew Clark's Mento

From Matthew Clark's blog: "Working on Doom has been fun and challanging and I'm putting extra time in on the first issue, everyone who's scene pages have left jaws dropped. Surfice it to say I'm having fun.

Oh look this is my first pass at Mento, before I had a chance to talk with Keith about the character, I'll be tweaking him but wanted to pass along some goodness."

Check out Matt's version of Mento here.

I'm a big fan of Matthew Clark's stuff and his Mento looks great!

Titans In July

Full July solicts available here.

TITANS #15
Written by JT Krul
Art by Ed Benes & Rob Hunter
Cover by Angel Unzueta & Wayne Faucher
Prelude to BLACKEST NIGHT: TITANS! Tempest returns! And how will his arrival affect the Titans? The last page not only answers this question, but will have fans buzzing.
On sale July 15 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

TEEN TITANS #73
Written by Bryan Q. Miller; co-feature written by Sean McKeever
Art by Joe Bennett & Jack Jadson; co-feature art by Yildiray Cinar & Júlio Ferreira
Cover by Joe Bennett & Jack Jadson
In the first feature, the team attempts to rescue Wonder Girl from the new Fearsome Five, as Calculator enacts his revenge on the team for not protecting his children. In the 10-page co-feature, Ravager faces the drug problem that could kill her!
On sale July 29 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

TINY TITANS #18
Written by Art Baltazar and Franco
Art and cover by Art Baltazar
School's over, but the Tiny Titans can't leave yet – they're stuck in detention! How did that happen? Meanwhile, elsewhere in the school, Principal Slade's got some dirty jobs...and Darkseid's gotta do them!
On sale July 22 • 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US

THE FLASH: REBIRTH #4
Written by Geoff Johns
Art and covers by Ethan Van Sciver
Barry Allen left a legacy that thrived after his death. Now his return threatens it all. What secrets does Barry hold inside him about the fate of the Flash Family? What destiny awaits Wally and his twins? What murderous force targets Bart Allen? And what does it truly mean to be a speedster? Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Ethan Van Sciver), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Ethan Van Sciver). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale July 22 • 4 of 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

THE LAST DAYS OF ANIMAL MAN #3
Written by Gerry Conway
Art by Chris Batista & Dave Meikis
Cover by Brian Bolland
Enter the League of Titans! Buddy Baker is cracking up, but can he rely on a little help from his friends? Or should a wounded animal just slink away to die? Starfire has an opinion on the subject, and she’s never been one to keep her feelings to herself…
On sale July 29 • 3 of 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

BOOSTER GOLD #22
Written by Keith Giffen; co-feature written by Matthew Sturges
Art by Dan Jurgens & Norm Rapmund; co-feature art by Mike Norton
Cover by Dan Jurgens & Norm Rapmund
“Day of Death” part 2! Booster Gold travels back in time to prevent the Black Beetle from killing the New Titans, but who will save Booster Gold from the Black Beetle — and what role will Deathstroke play?
And in the all-new Blue Beetle co-feature, Jaime must battle a flying robot army from destroying all of the people in El Paso!
On sale July 8 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US


WEDNESDAY COMICS #1-4

In July, DC Comics gives a fresh twist to a grand comics tradition with WEDNESDAY COMICS, a new, weekly 12-issue series by some of the greatest names in comics today!

WEDNESDAY COMICS is unique in modern comics history: Reinventing the classic weekly newspaper comics section, it is a 16-page weekly that unfolds to a sprawling 28” x 20” tabloid-sized reading experience bursting with mind-blowing color, action and excitement, with each feature on its own 14” x 20” page.

Spearheaded by DCU Editorial Art Director Mark Chiarello, whose past editing credits include BATMAN BLACK & WHITE, DC: THE NEW FRONTIER and SOLO, each page of WEDNESDAY COMICS spotlights the continuing adventures of DC heroes, including:

• BATMAN, WEDNESDAY COMICS’ weekly cover feature, by the Eisner Award-winning 100 BULLETS team of writer Brian Azzarello and artist Eduardo Risso
• ADAM STRANGE, by writer/artist Paul Pope (BATMAN: YEAR 100)
• METAMORPHO, written by New York Times best-selling writer Neil Gaiman with art by Eisner Award-winner Michael Allred (Madman)
• THE DEMON AND CATWOMAN, written by Walter Simonson (Thor, MANHUNTER) with art by famed DC cover artist Brian Stelfreeze
• DEADMAN, written by Dave Bullock and Vinton Heuck, art by Dave Bullock
• KAMANDI, written by Dave Gibbons (WATCHMEN, GREEN LANTERN CORPS) with art by Ryan Sook (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, ARKHAM ASYLUM: LIVING HELL)
• SUPERMAN, written by John Arcudi (The Mask) with art by Lee Bermejo (JOKER)
• WONDER WOMAN, written and illustrated by Ben Caldwell (Dare Detectives)
• GREEN LANTERN, written by Kurt Busiek (TRINITY, ASTRO CITY) with art by Joe Quiñones (TEEN TITANS GO!)
• TEEN TITANS, written by Eddie Berganza with art by Sean Galloway
• SUPERGIRL, written by Jimmy Palmiotti (JONAH HEX) with art by Amanda Conner (POWER GIRL)
• HAWKMAN, written and illustrated by Kyle Baker (PLASTIC MAN, Special Forces)
• SGT. ROCK, written by Adam Kubert (SUPERMAN: LAST SON), ilustrated by legendary comics artist Joe Kubert
• THE FLASH, written by Karl Kerschl (TEEN TITANS YEAR ONE, THE FLASH: THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE) and Brenden Fletcher, illustrated by Karl Kerschl
• METAL MEN, written by Dan DiDio with art by Ian Churchill (SUPERGIRL)

WEDNESDAY COMICS will arrive in stores folded twice to 7” x 10”, with the first issue set to reach stores on July 8.
Issue #1 on sale July 8; Issue #2 on sale July 15; Issue #3 on sale July 22; Issue #4 on sale July 29 • 1-4 of 12 • 7” x 10”, 16 pg, FC, $3.99 US

Wednesday Comics Details

From Scans Daily: "The full creative line-up for DC's next weekly, along with its price tag, has been revealed."

"And for those of you who can't read French and are too lazy to do the minor brainwork necessary to figure out the translation from context, the creative line-up's also

The writer's the first name, the artist's the second, unless otherwise noted. If there's only one name, it's someone pulling double-duty.

BATMAN: Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso
ADAM STRANGE: Paul Pope
METAMORPHO: Neil Gaiman and Michael Allred
THE DEMON AND CATWOMAN (that's one feature, not two separate ones, apparently): Walter Simonson and Brian Stelfreeze
DEADMAN: Dave Bullock (co-writing and art) and Vinton Heuck (co-writing)
KAMANDI: Dave Gibbons and Ryan Sook
SUPERMAN: John Arcudi and Lee Bermejo
WONDER WOMAN: Ben Caldwell
GREEN LANTERN: Kurt Busiek and Joe Quiñones
TEEN TITANS: Eddie Berganza and Sean Galloway
SUPERGIRL: Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner
HAWKMAN: Kyle Baker
SGT. ROCK: Adam Kubert and Joe Kubert
THE FLASH: Karl Kerschl (co-writing, art) and Brenden Fletcher (co-writing)
METAL MEN: Dan DiDio and Ian Churchill"

Who Is Eric Wallace?

When Didio announced Eric Wallace was scheduled to write TITANS #14, I was like, "Who Is Eric Wallace?"

Quick search yielded: "Currently writing on EUREKA, the Sci Fi Channel's highest rated show, as well as various stories for DC COMICS.

Warner Bros. Drama Writers Workshop Finalist, Walt Disney Fellowship Semi-Finalist. Have extensive feature film writing / developing background, including several optioned screenplays.

Produced/wrote/directed over 100 hours of interactive and reality TV for various networks/companies, including: Showtime, A & E, The Food Channel, HGTV."

He's also writing Final Crisis Aftermath: Ink.

And, here's his blog.

Didio on TITANS #14

In the latest edition of 20 Answers with Dan Didio, some words on the plans for the Titans & Teen Titans going forward:

"9. Is there any word on Titans #14? The last time we spoke, we talked about Hugh Sterbakov coming on for that issue, and now he’s said that he’s not writing it...what’s up?

DD: Eric Wallace will be coming on board for that issue. I’d like to say that I’m really excited about it like I was last time, but that seems to be some kind of kiss of death for writers on that book (laughs). But all kidding aside, Eric is on board and very excited about working on that issue of Titans, and he’s doing a great job for us on Ink, so that one’s all good right now.

NRAMA: Will the story still be the same, that is, “A Day in the Life” starring Cyborg?

DD: Yes – the overarching idea is that we’ll be taking a look at a day in the lives of our team members with a bigger story running underneath them all, so it gives each of the characters a chance to shine a little bit, and gives a few different writers an opportunity to try their hand at the Titans, but more importantly, it helps us to set the ground work for a big story at the end of the year with Titans and Teen Titans as the two books will be coming together again."

Blah, blah, blah.

Until it all changes again, right?

Series Creators Talk 'Tiny Titans' Making It Big

Newsarama reports: "Not only did the first Tiny Titans collection just make it onto the New York Times Best Seller List, but the comic also just got nominated for a 2009 Eisner Award for "Best Publication for Kids."

Created by Art Baltazar and Franco Aureliani of 'Patrick the Wolf Boy' fame, Tiny Titans debuted in February 2008 featuring tiny versions of DC's Teen Titans characters. In the comic, the young Titans go to school together, hang out at their treehouse, and deal with various villainous teachers and bullies."

"As the comic has found success among its unique all-ages audience, Newsarama talked to Aureliani and Baltazar about the series and found out the pair will also be helping out with DC's Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam title."

Robin Arguments of BIG BANG THEORY

I've begun watching BIG BANG THEORY because it's on right before one of my favorite shows, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER. BBT is funny, mostly due to Jim Parsons' portrayal of the remotely apathetically-social Sheldon.

Last night, the gang visited a comic shop, and later Sheldon argued with the shop owner on who should replace Batman. Sheldon rightfully supported Dick Grayson, and the shop owner thought it should be Jason Todd. Bickering ensued, as the shop owner's date with Penny withered away as the two geeks engaged in a lengthy debate session.

From the newsarama blog: "Big Bang Theory, CBS’s sometimes heavy handed portrayal of a few geeks and a hot chick, made a very topical argument one of its main story threads tonight. Sheldon, perhaps the geekiest of them all, had a conversation throughout the entire episode about whom should be the next Batman. Images from recent issues of Bat books, plus conversations about Post-Crisis, Infinite Crisis, Zero Hour, Joe Chill, and more were shown repeatedly as they sussed out the story threads."

In the "funny but painful" moment of the show, Sheldon illustrates how inpenetrable the current DCUniverse is right now, as Penny shops for a comic book to give her nephew, here's how the exchange goes:

Penny: “Do you think my nephew would like this?” (points to comic book)

Sheldon: “Perfect. He just has to be familiar with Infinite Crisis, 52, Countdown, Final Crisis and the re-emergence of the multiverse.”

Penny: “What’s the Multiverse?”

Eaxctly. And that, my friends, is part of DC's problem.

Preview: VIGILANTE #5

Comics Continuum has posted a 7 page preview of VIGILANTE #5.

Here's how DC describes the issue: "'Deathtrap,' part 2 of 5! After attempting to kill Cyborg, Vigilante has been locked up by the Titans. But Vigilante knows that there is a traitor in their midst, and he will use any means necessary to bring Jericho to justice -- even if that means killing all of the Titans to do it."

Vigilante #5 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.99.

Preview: TITANS #12

DC Blog has a preview for TITANS #12: "Well, Jericho’s gone nuts. And, as usual, it’s up to his former friends in TITANS to clean up the mess. Featuring the artwork of Angel Unzueta and words by Sean McKeever, this issue kicks off a crossover with TEEN TITANS and VIGILANTE. I’m also guessing that having “death” in the name of the crossover does not bode well for our dear Titans."

solicit: ""Deathtrap" Part 1 of 5! Completely unhinged, Jericho continues his assault upon his former teammates. As if that wasn't enough, he also draws the Teen Titans into his twisted plot. And the Vigilante makes it his mission to stop Jericho – permanently! Continued in VIGILANTE #5"

Check out the preview here!

Blackest Night: Titans Confirmed

Newsarama has confirmed Blackest Night: Titans:

"Blackest Night: Batman, Blackest Night: Superman, and Blackest Night: Titans - These three-issue comics will tell up-close stories beginning in August about how the characters in the DCU react to seeing their deceased friends and/or family members rising from the dead to become Black Lanterns."

Ravager by Yildiray Cinar

From the new DC Blog: "Here’s a first look at artist Yildiray Cinar’s rendition of everyone’s favorite Deathstroke offspring, RAVAGER, which will be featured in TEEN TITANS #72, hitting in June, with words from former TEEN TITANS writer Sean McKeever. Don’t let your jaw hit the floor too hard."


FINALLY, some GOOD Titans news! The art looks GREAT!

Didio Talks Titans

From Didio's 20 Answers:

10. Given the number of questions that were in the thread about it, I think that if any group of DC fans needs a little patting of the hand and calming, it’s the Titans fans. Sean McKeever has announced that he’s leaving Teen Titans, and the June books are described by some as a “holding pattern”...

DD: These are always fun questions, because I always hear from people about how they want stand-alone, done-in-one stories, and as soon as you do them, we’re putting the franchise into a “holding pattern,” and we don’t know what to do with it.

In terms of the franchise – there is a long-term plan for the Titans. We knew we were building to a major storyline with the “Deathtrap” storyline and the Jericho involvement – and there’s a definite conclusion there. Because this is crossing over into both Titans titles and into Vigilante, we thought we would take a little bit of a break afterwards and take some time for reflection on the characters – to give them a chance to breathe on their own.

Breaks like this also give us an opportunity to work with new writers who aren’t used to working with us, or haven’t worked with DC in the past, to show their wares and give them an opportunity to work with characters that they want to give a go to. It’s a win-win all around as far as I’m concerned. More importantly, we get a little bit of a break, and gives us a moment or two as the new teams get in place with the new direction for the stories – something which we feel will have long-term implications for the characters and series – it gives them some running ahead time on the books so that when we do have the work scheduled, their issues can come out on a monthly schedule. Again, it all sounds like a good thing to me – we get a sampling of new voices, we get a chance for characters to shine, we get a chance for the new teams to work on their stories to make them the best they can be, and most importantly, we get a chance to put them out on a monthly basis.

NRAMA: Speaking of the Titans changes – one of the first of these new voices coming on to the Titans book itself is Hugh Sterbakov, of Top Cow’s The Freshmen fame. Who got him to DC, and what do you see in him?

DD: We’ve been looking for ways to work with Hugh for a while now, and as I said earlier, something like this is just an excellent opportunity. He’s working on the Cyborg story – he has an interesting take on the character and an interesting exploration of the characters that we wanted to try. It’s a great single-issue story, and if there are other opportunities down the road, we’ll explore them.

-------------------

As usual, Didio dodges the question. Not that I'd expect anything less at this point. He cites "long term plans for Titans," well those must have started ... When exactly? Both TEEN TITANS and TITANS have been in flux for a year now. Both creative teams have been shuffled. And whatever plans Winick and McKeever brought have undoubtedly changed.

Didio notes, " I always hear from people about how they want stand-alone, done-in-one stories, and as soon as you do them, we’re putting the franchise into a “holding pattern,”" Now, Dan, we believe the Titans franchise is in a "holding pattern" because there's been no communication about what direction the franchise is headed. And now, both series are getting "fill in" stories from random writers. If we were told that Hugh Sterbakov was going to be doing 4 stand alone "Day In The Life" issues, that would be fine. But nothing is being communicated. At all. Which leads fans to believe that there are no "long term plans." If there were, why not share them , in the most basic of spoiler-free terms?

I also love how he praises Hugh's Cyborg story, after Hugh announced two days ago he was no longer writing that story (after it was solicited, mind you).

Yeah, sounds like Didio has got that Titans franchise in good shape.... TITANS and TEEN TITANS are currently the only DC book I am buying. But if they continue to treat the franchise as they have, I may be going cold turkey on DC across the board.

What's that phrase?

"All sound and fury signifying nothing."

Yeah, that's the phrase.