My Top 12 from DCs New 52

I wasn't sure about this at first, and the first issues I sampled didn't wow me. Then I picked up Batman #1, and a few suggestions from my local comic book shop - and soon I was a true believer. This is the most fun I've had collecting comics in years, and here are several reason's why (Updated at the 6 month mark)

1. Animal Man
From Writer Jeff Lemire and artist Travel Forman, Animal Man is a fusion of superhero with horror. Without a doubt it’s the best comic from the new 52, There’s not a bad issue in bunch -- and not only is it disturbing, but the characters are well rounded. The Baker family are great, I care about them, root for them. They give the series its heart amongst all the scares. All told, a superbly crafted comic book that is the most inventive, creepiest, surreal thing I've read since Alan Moore's Swamp Thing.

2. Suicide Squad
Heard issue #1 was bad, so I skipped it. Later reviews got strong, so I picked it up... and loved it (I even enjoyed the 1st issue). It's sick, sexy, irreverent, violent and nasty. Harley Quinn's got a new look and I personally like it (it fits the tone of the book). Plus she cracks me up. Between her and the odd King Shark, I get a few big laughs from each issue. Adam Glass' tale has hit all cylinders, and I'm digging the art: The blending of Federico Dallocchio's murky pencils with Val Staples bright colors, creates a distinct, eye catching look for the series.

3. Aquaman
I was going to skip it, but It came highly recommended and it quickly vaulted to one of my favorite titles. Geoff John’s proves that Arthur doesn't need a beard or a hook for a hand or any other bells and whistles. You don’t need gimmicks you just need to tell a good story.

4. Wonder Woman
Brian Azzarello And Cliff Chiang: The title has split folks, but hot damn if it doesn't work for me. This isn't a pretty, golden mythology. The Gods are dark and nasty; Diana herself is lean and tough... Azzarello mixes mythology with horror effectively and I love his wordplay and innuendo, there are layers in every line and some top notch drama playing out. Chiang is staging some nice looking battles and he draws one great looking Wonder Woman

5. Batman
Writer Scott Snyder was my discovery of the year. I wasn't familiar with him before this, now I'll be seeking out his other books. Batman is embroiled in a grim mystery – just perfect for the Dark Knight detective. Greg Capullo does outstanding work here. His art isn't as cramped and cartoonish as it has been in the past. While the dialog can get heavy with the exposition, the mystery and detective work has kept it intriguing.

6. I, Vampire
Andrea Sorrentino's art creates a world that is moody, dark and horrifying. This is a vampire romance, but its no angsty teen Twilight. There's raw lust and betrayal and manipulation and a war brewing, with each lover standing on opposing ends-- Andrew, who wants to protect the human race and Mary, Queen of Blood, who sees herself as a vampire freedom fighter. Delightfully macabre book written by Joshua Fialkov

7. Red Hood and the Outlaws
The first issue was rough, especially on Starfire -BUT- the book has since made huge strides forward. Issue #6 was really strong, it fleshes out Starfire's back story, and she comes off wise and caring (proof that maybe people shouldn't damn a comic after 1 single issue!) It also gives more depth to Red Hood as he realizes that he needs to let the past be past. I'm big on murky morality and anti-hero types -- but I also like how this band of misfits are finding a family of sorts -a place where they fit- with each other. Kenneth Rocafort's pencils are a big plus as well.

8. Catwoman
In addition to the breathtaking action, Judd Winnick is doing good character work here. This is a younger, less experienced Selina, so she has stumbled a few times. But she makes up for her mistakes by being tough and resourceful. I'm liking the relationship with Batman. The sex doesn't bother me -- the violence... well, she's dealing with violent people (what do you expect from thugs like these... pillow fights?) It's an adult comic and since I'm an adult, I can handle it. Especially when it's as well written as this.

9. Supergirl
They wipe the slate clean with maid of might and I for one am enjoying it. It's an action packed story, but it also had some nice character stuff. I like seeing/hearing Kara's thoughts. How she's dealing with her powers, questions of trust and the longing to go home. I've always found her more relatable than her cousin, and this take is no different. Illustrated with flair by Mahmud Asar.

10. Swamp Thing
Alan Moore casts a big shadow with me. Snyder is wordy, and I've seen the swarm of bugs and backward heads before – yet the story is compelling and it's leading to an epic tale, tied to Animal Man - the green and the red against the rot. I'm looking forward to seeing it all unfold.

11. Demon Knights
I'm not into sword and sorcery, but this dark ages story has offered pulse pounding action and adventure at its best. Rather "Seven Samurai" in many ways. I like how the heroes have their secrets and crosses to bear – makes them richly interesting. Another plus is that book has great female leads. And it's pretty cool seeing these familiar names –Etrigan the Demon, Shining Knight, Madam Xanadu- in this setting. Written by Paul Cornell with eye popping art by Diogenes Neves and Oclair Albert.

12. Resurrection Man
Andy Lanning and Dan Abnett's tale of a man who can't die (and who returns from death with a new power) took a while to grow on me, but once it got in to the back story (seen in a great 5th issue) it really clicked. As everything, from the Body Doubles to the Transhuman, are more than they seem. The book does lean towards the "Edge" family of titles, as much as the "Dark". But either way, the premise of Heaven and Hell doing their damnedest to claim Mitch Shelley's soul, makes for a compelling read

Honorable Mentions

Batwoman - Atmospheric art, an interesting villain, some good character pieces.

Green Lantern - I'm enjoying the dynamic between Sinestro and Hal. Doug Mahnke's art is stunning.

Action Comics - an intriguing piece - but what is lacking, and what was found in Grant Morrison's best work is the heart. All-Star Superman was emotionally resonating - and while Action is fascinating, quirky and challenging, I'm still waiting to "feel" something.

Flash - Not bad though a little soft for my blood (even the art and colors are rather soft). I didn't really care for "Mob Rule" in the first arc, hope for better with the Captain Cold storyline.

Birds of Prey - It's an up and down series. But I do love Starling. She's a kick.

Voodoo - There will be change in writers mid-arc, so I'll see what that does, but so far this has been a gritty sci-fi game of cat and mouse.

Superboy and Teen Titans have both been entertaining, though not spectacular reads.

Justice League Dark - Has had some nice moments, but it hasn't lived up to my expectations. I'm sticking around to see what Lemire does with it.

I'm also buying and enjoying the mini-series, Huntress and the Ray.

Will pick up Justice League in the collected edition in May.

The Movies That America Forgot

The Superhero marathon was quite an eye opener. I never realized how expansive the landscape was for these films, and making all of these new discoveries was half the fun. On the other hand, the bummer is all of the movies I haven’t been able to view and review. Either because they haven’t been released on DVD in the United States, or that there have never been English subtitles added to international releases. I find my want list expanding everyday. A few titles I’m searching for…

Night Falcon was a movie released in the Thailand in 2004, and is about a girl who blames the titular hero for the death of her boyfriend. She realizes her mistake, becomes Falcon Girl and teams up with Night Falcon and Falcon Woman to bring down the villain Iron Mask and his cohorts. Not much is known about NF, it seems to have had a decent budget but must not have left much of a mark at the box office. I’d love to see it, if I could get my hands on a subtitled copy.

Falcon is just one of many from around the globe that have eluded me. One Country that loves their superheroes as much as we in the States do, is the Philippines. Captain Barbell and Darna are 2 capes whose film series go back to the 1950s… so far I’ve only been able to find 1 subtitled film for each. There’s also the purple and gold attired Fantastic Man (2003), a young gal named Super B and a host of others that comprise a list that stretches to infinity and… well you know.

From Mexico there is the 1969 comedy The Barefoot Eagle, which is the directorial debut of Alfonso Arau (best known for his portrayal of El Guapo in “The Three Amigos”). Filmed mostly with a hand held camera - it features gangsters, masked wrestlers and a pogo stick inspector who fights crime during his time off. I'd also like to get a hold of the popular Kaliman: The Incredible Man, which everyone from Netflix to Blockbuster says they have, but they don’t. What they really have is Kaliman’s inferior second movie… In the Sinister World of Humanon. The 2nd movie was bad, but stupid enough to enjoy for a laugh. But it’s the first that is supposedly pretty decent.

I’ve had better luck with Italy, though I still can’t locate the sequel to “Kriminal”, and I’ve been frustrated in my efforts to track down a copy of The Three Fantastic Supermen in Tokyo (1967). This is the 2nd movie in the series, and while none of the other sequels I’ve seen have matched the original. I’d still like to see this one (I’ve found it, but not in English). I’m also very curious about a movie released in 1979, called Super Andy, which is about Superman’s ugly brother. I don’t know if it has any merit, but that line alone is enough to pique my interest.

And those titles only scratch the surface. I haven’t even talked Turkey! So the quest continues and I keep my eyes open for anything that’ll pop up with English language dubs or subs.

Come on Falcon Girl, we need you in America... TODAY!

George Tuska and Iron Man memories

Another part of my childhood is gone. George Tuska, who drew Iron Man off and on for over 10 years, Passed away at age 93 on October 15th, 2009.

Iron Man was my favorite Marvel character and of all the great talents associated with the title, the first name that pops into my mind when I think “Iron Man”, is George Tuska. Sadly, as writer Gerry Conway stated in an extra on the Iron Man DVD, George was one of the unsung heroes, his art was perceived as too cartoony, in a time when fans wanted Neal Adam’s style realism in their comics. I can remember all too well how upsetting it was when someone would knock his pencils in the letter pages. Or that talk around the comic shop held him in low esteem. I couldn’t understand why folks failed to appreciate the masterpieces he delivered on every page he illustrated.

The man was a fantastic storyteller; the panel’s dynamic and exciting. He was great at facial expression and known for dramatic poses. Tuska drew a lot of memorable issues and characters, but I was always partial to his take on the scarred Controller who powered himself by enslaving others. At my tender age, seeing those zombie like folks, their eyes blank, each with a controlling disc adhering to their foreheads… well heck, it freaked me out every bit as much as any Creature Feature that played late on Friday night. The Controller himself -bursting through rubble to tangle with my hero- was an imposing figure and a serious threat. Born from Tuska’s deft hand, their battles became the stuff of legend.

There would be times during Iron Man’s first 100 plus issues where George would take a break from the series. And the comic suffered greatly for the loss. There were a few decent artists, but all of them paled in comparison. George was Iron Man in my mind, no one came close to rendering the armored crime fighter the way he did. No one told a story with as much verve. In the years that have passed, great artists have come and gone but Tuska’s version never became a lesser entity in my eyes. To this day he remains one of the quintessential pencilers on the comic.

George only drew a few more times after the landmark 100th issue. I’ve read that Bill Mantlo didn’t care for George’s style –and while I liked Bill’s work- he made a big mistake taking Tuska off the book. Fortunately, it wouldn’t be long before fans would be happily ushered into a new golden age for Tony Stark. As creators David Michelinie, John Romita Jr. and Bob Layton took the title to amazing heights. But I will always have nothing but admiration for the skills of the talented Tuska.

Lastly: As a fan I dismayed that he wasn’t given more respect and delighted when respect was given. In Frank Miller’s film “The Spirit”, one of the paramedics is named Tuska (George worked for Spirit creator Will Eisner) That was sweetness to my ears –Jack Kirby earns references (see TVs Heroes) but for George to receive a nod was unexpected and welcome. Respect will also be given in an online magazine - Fans can look forward to a final word from the artist as George gave an interview to Advanced Iron for the 75th issue (No news on a likely release date). Chris, one of the gentlemen who conducted the interview had this to say... "George Tuska was the epitome of a professional illustrator. He was not only a consummate draftsman but was also a gifted story-teller. He told stories in a style that would become easily recognizable and oft imitated. George Tuska was the Iron Man artist for the Silver-Age and much of the Bronze-Age. His decade long, seldom-interrupted run should be cited as an exemplar to modern artists of what it means to work in monthly serial illustration."


Rest in piece Mr. Tuska and thank you for every line you drew, you brought a lot of happiness into my life and as one of your character’s –Midas- would say, “You sir were without a doubt… one of the best.”

What ever happened to Sun Girl?

She was born in August of 1948 and back then she didn’t have a real name, but she did have a sunbeam ray gun and arch nemesis like Bokk the Beast and Peanuts McCoy. She was fast, acrobatic and proficient in several martial arts. She was a tough talker, willing to "Choke the life" out of an uncooperative thug and the comic implied that she was world famous, a respected hero… so whatever happened to her?

Her own series, drawn by the magnificent Ken Bald (writer unknown), lasted a mere 3 issues. She then made appearances in a couple issues of Marvel Mystery Comics, teaming up with Namora and Golden Girl. Then Captain America (#69 Nov 1948), Sub-Mariner (#29 Nov 1948) and filled in for Toro as the original Human Torch’s sidekick in his title from issue #32 to #35 (final issue March 1949)

And that was it, 7 months in the sun for this great heroine.

Roy Thomas, who was into nostalgia, recapped the original Torch’s origin in 1990 and in the final 2 issues of that mini series Sun Girl finally was given a name, Mary Mitchell. Sadly Roy turned her into Torch’s secretary, who had a crush on the hero and became Sun Girl to impress him. Boo!

Sun Girl was never given an origin in her original incarnation, Marvel never told us how she got to be who she was… she was just there. A veteran of the superheroing game, beloved by all right out of the gate. It would be very cool if Marvel would revisit the character (but show a lot more respect than Roy Thomas did). Celebrate her Golden Age adventures by giving us more.

For additional info on the "Mysterious Beauty" Sun Girl visit Jess Nevin’s page