In Transition

Hi everyone. Sorry for the long absence. Back in early September, Owen and I split up and I moved out. I've got a great new apartment, but things are still a little unsettled as we approach the one month anniversary of tenancy.

Sorry to have left this blog fallow for so long. In advance of the move, I did get all the long boxes out of the house and they are currently in a safe, but undisclosed location. I have no worries for my comics' well-being...but sadly, they are not available for inspiration just lately.

As I finish getting the apartment painted and set up, I'll be bringing the long boxes home and then we'll be cooking with gas (I AM cooking with gas at this apartment, for the first time in years, actually).

Thanks for your patience with me. Meanwhile (heh heh...), please feel free to check out the other blog for progress on getting a new household and life set up and underway.

I hope you're having a super autumn!!

Random Cover Friday

Green Lantern #63, June 1995.

Olympic Heroes

Batman and the Outsiders, #15. In 1984, the Games of the Summer Olympics were held in Los Angeles. The Soviet Union boycotted the games, but Maxie Zeus was there and brought no end of trouble for the Dark Knight and his pals.

Every four years, the world turns its attention to a gathering of athletes. They come from all over our little planet, representing all walks of life, all religions and pretty much every other way in which we humans can be different from one another.

And they come in peace. Sure, there's rivalry, competition...maybe even jealousy. But I always see the Olympics as a sign that the world is not such a bad place, that we really all can get along together if we make even the slightest effort.

And every time, summer or winter, for those two weeks, I trade in my favorite fictional heroes and bask in the accomplishment of these young athletes. They've spent their lives training to be there, to show the world what they are good at. And the results can be amazing. World records are broken, always. That means each time these (or similar) athletes gather, they are better than those who came before them. And these games have been going on for something like Ever now.

It's just incredible.

This year, we've got the talented and tasty super-wonder aquaman Michael Phelps and his new status as the Greatest Olympian Ever, now that he's won eight gold medals at these games alone.

And of course, choosing someone like him as a hero, for inspiration and encouragement in whatever you attempt, there's nothing wrong with that at all. Everybody loves a winner. There's no better model for success.




But heroes don't always win, as was obvious last night. Lolo Jones was the gold medal favorite for the 100 Meter Hurdles race in the women's track and field events. She'd overcome adversity with every step of her life and was poised to change it all with this win. (And I suspect she'd agree that in the process of trying, she did change all that.)

There she was, rabbiting toward her goal when she clipped the last hurdle and lost all her momentum...and the race.

"It's the hurdles," she said, afterwards. "You have to get over all 10. And if you can't, you're not meant to be the champion. Today, I was not meant to be the champion."

Jones' misfortune made gold for her US teammate, Dawn Harper, who was unknown in the field before and now suddenly wears the medal Jones had hoped for. This sort of story, too, is what the Olympics are made of.

The thing isn't the Winning or the Losing. Not in my book. The thing that inspires me, anyway, about all these Olympians, is that they go up against their personal demons, challenges and roadblocks and take the chance, having faith in themselves that they can better than they have ever been before and maybe better than anyone's ever been before.

That they go to the Olympics ever four years to try...that makes them heroes to me.

End That War!

You have to admire the golden-age Superman for his clear-headed thinking on the best way to end a war. If only he were here now to pick up a few people and put them in a ring together.

Just My Imagination...

I've always admired Bill Watterson for his ability to channel the memory of life through the eyes of an eight year old. The way summer seemed to stretch on for eternity with nothing to do...although really, the options for entertainment are nearly infinite at that age.

Much as I love video games and television, I feel bad for kids these days who don't seem to get the opportunity to play in their heads, to explore the fabulous and ever-changing world of Imagination, or to get out there and play in the natural world, discovering bugs and ooze and slime and all the other good and bad things that make Life so rich.

To my "grown-up" pals, I hope your summer's been a great one. And I hope you get the chance to channel your internal superhero sometime before Labor Day comes around again.

Have a great weekend.

Wonder Wednesday

Vacation Doodle

Hey everyone! Sorry I've been MIA from this blogspot for so long. As usual, the Garden has been completely ruling my life. But you'll be happy (or disappointed) to know that I opted to stay home from a midnight premiere of The Dark Knight to make sure I got some posting done.

Nah, really, that's not entirely true: I only found out about the midnight show around 10 p.m., and there was little hope of my getting out of work in a timely manner to make the fantasy happen. I do plan to see it sometime very soon, though...I'm virtually a-tingle with anticipation.

So, Greg, I hear you asking, if you're not here to post a quick review of your film-going experience, why are you bothering with the blog? Well, my friends, as you may know, it's Doodle Week, as declared by Claire and Laura. Today's theme is Doodle Vacation, and I dug through my old journals and found a few things to suit the bill.

That up above was a late-night doodle anticipating a spring vacation (the bulb doesn't give that away, does it?) to Cape Cod back in 1994.

While I was away on that vacation, I did get to spend a little time one afternoon sitting by the harbor in Hyannis, where I sketched this lobster boat. I spent some serious time getting at least some of the details of the boat right, so perhaps it's more a full-on drawing than a doodle...but check the background. That is a totally doodled background.
Are you a doodler? There's still three days left to get involved. Check the link to see if you've got what it takes for the next days' themes.

JSA: Critical Times

The year was 1978. Something called the DC Explosion was happening, as the number of titles the company published jumped exponentially. It didn't last long and was followed fairly quickly by the less-discussed DC Implosion. However, during this time, the JSA made a comeback in the pages of All Star Comics. Here's issue #74 from October.

Now, this was an interesting time for the JSA. The team primarily featured the older heroes, all of them seasoned on the American homefront of World War II. Three young-ins had recently joined the team: a grown-up Robin, Huntress, the daughter of a retired Batman and Power Girl, the E2 equivalent of Supergirl.

Here's those two young female heroes in a gratuitous faux lesbian moment, responding to a call from Dr. Fate through the JSA communicator.

Now, it had already been established that a "crisis" was a story that teamed up the JSA and the JLA, so that wasn't really an option here for this, a solid Earth-Two based tale of adventure and derring-do.

So what did they call it: The Critical Time.

A giant creature (drawn as one dimensionally as every other character by artist Joe Staton)named the Master Summoner contacts Hawkman and Dr. Fate, and advises them that a "critical time" is coming for the[ir] earth and that the Justice Society will be called upon in certain locations around the globe to ensure that the demise of the planet can be averted. Fate says "Critical Time."

The heroes are dispatched to various locations, with Green Lantern, Power Girl and Hawkman heading to the border of China and the USSR, where they break up a battle between forces of the opposing nations. Green Lantern says "critical time."

For the first time, we begin to suspect that the Master Summoner (who looks just a little like Darkseid, now that I think of it) may not be entirely on the up and up. But that's for later.

We turn our attention Huntress, The Flash and Dr. Fate, who've been directed to Montreal. Now this brings up an interesting moment. I'd always assumed the primary differences between Earths One and Two were when the first heroes emerged and formed their teams to make a difference in the world...and in a few notable cases, there were costume differences. And the Daily Planet was called the Daily Star.

But here we've got something different.

Yes, you read that right, on Earth Two, Quebec successfully broke off Canada to become an independent nation. This was a big movement in the 70s, but I didn't remember this difference between the two Earths...and it makes me wonder how else things might've been different there. They were just starting this sort of story exploring when the Implosion occurred, followed fairly shortly by the Crisis on Infinite Earths, which took away all those possibilities.

This would be an interesting subject to explore, if the current DC ends up giving the new Earth 2's Justice Society a mini-series or something. And naturally, if they do this, then I should be on record as saying they had darned well better have an Earth 2 version of Wonder Woman on the team somewhere.

Anyway, digression over: Huntress says "Critical time."

Suddenly, Fate gets a clue that each of these (can I say crises?)situations actually gets worse for the efforts of the Justice Society members. It becomes clear that the Master Summoner is actually harvesting the powers of the JSAers to use to ensure the demise of the planet...(it also becomes clear that poor color seperation and one dimensional artwork seemed to go hand-in-hand back then, but please note the fifty cent cover price)and Fate summons the heroes and calls them all to the JSA headquarters...and gets to say "Critical Time" again.

It turns out his big solution for their solving this "critical time" and defeating the Master Summoner is for the Justice Society to do absolutely nothing. Without their active powers to harness for his evil purposes, the MS shows up briefly to offer a sort of "Oh, what a world, beautiful wickedness, yada yada" speech before saying he'll be back to try again in another millenia and vanishes in a puff.

And thus the JSA averts this Critical Time, and sort of foreshadows the Crisis on Infinite Earths (albeit on a small scale, and nobody important dies), by doing nothing. It isn't clear in the story if they have to stand absolutely still, or if they can pop popcorn and play canasta or anything.

As a nice change of pace to the art (I hate to say too much negative, as I've enjoyed Joe Staton's work elsewhere...but this seems a bit rushed, like he whipped it off in a night or two) in the story, this issue also offers a two page centerfold advertisement for a Clark Bar Promotional Contest, the first prize of which was being drawn in an issue of your favorite super hero's comic. A dubious distinction, if Staton was doing the honors...but whatever.

This art, featuring the five primaries of the then-popular Super Friends is uncredited, but pretty styling. But does anyone else thing Wonder Woman looks like the most masculine of the bunch. Those sideburns might be just a little thick.

Wonder Wednesday

Thought I'd tip you off to the five preview pages for Wonder Woman #20, over at Newsrama today. Another great story from Gail Simone, all new and fabulous art by Aaron Lopresti.

I love this scene with the wolves. When it started, I was worried it was going to be forgotten that she can communicate with them. Shame these guys didn't want to listen.

Interesting new look to Diana's togs, that's for sure. Metal panties seem a poor choice for the climate, though.

Bat-Previews

Well, big news for Batman fans yesterday, as the new trailer for this summer's The Dark Knight was released on the internet.



I'm not scooping anyone with it, but here it is just the same (MILD SPOILER WARNINGS for those of you too dense or uncaffeinated to figure that out):

F*ckin' awesome, no?

Yes, sure, you could nitpick...movie people don't always seem to remember that Batman probably wouldn't have long guns mounted on the front of his steroid-infused Bat-cycle...considering his origins. But we are a gun-loving country, aren't we, so of course they want as many of those as possible in a summer blockbuster.

But look at that flying Batman sequence, hmmm?? Just fantastic.

Also, it's becoming clear that while the Joker has received much press from this movie, owing to Heath Ledger's brilliant performance and sad, untimely death, Two-Face is here in big part, as well. Played by the beautiful and talented Aaron Eckhardt, the transformation of half his face with the acid splash (or however they play it in the film) should be quite a dramatic one.

Fans of Batman Begins may note that Rachel Dawes is not played by Mrs. Cruise this time around, but otherwise, this might go unnoticed. We can only hope, however, that there's a Batman just off the ledge of that building Joker tosses her from.

For the record, the release date for this move is July 18th: Only 72 days away!!!

Can I get a squeee?

Off The Rails

If you're one of the big three heroes of DC's Trinity, then speeding locomotives can hardly make you break a sweat.

(And can I just point out: "64 pages of thrills"...for a f*cking dime!!)













But if you're the Golden Age Sandman and Sandy, even a loud truck can be a challenge!

I Just KNEW It!!!

Today, the New York Daily News breaks the hot news that Barry Allen, the Silver Age Flash, will be returning on the final page of today's release, DC Universe #0.

Of course, DC's been teasing us about this possibility for several years now. After all, the first Crisis (on Infinite Earths) took him away from us...(tho Marv Wolfman has admitted he built a fail-safe into the story so as to bring him back, if interest dictated)...it makes perfect sense that the impending Final Crisis might bring him back to us.

Newsarama's carrying the story as well, of course...but I have my dear Mom to thank for this tip!! Thanks, Mum, you're the greatest!!!

Long Live The JLA!!

Check out this hot preview page from the upcoming DC Universe #0!!

I freely admit, I'm not quite up on my current artists in the DC stable. Is this Benes? I'm not sure. One way or another, I'm grooving on this image, which was released by DC this weekend, just in time for the NY Comic Con. If it is Benes, then I'm impressed at how everyone's bodies seem well proportioned, especially the women.

But I'm not here to be an art critic, only to drool over this image of what must be, again, retroactively...the original seven members of the JLA, along with the early Silver Age additions to that classic team. Looks like there'll be a history lesson for us in DC Universe #0. About time.

I'm not at the convention, and it'll probably be two years before I get my hands on the trade paperback for this and Final Crisis. But at least I have places to let my imagination run as I head back out to work in the garden.

Happy Earth Day! (Oh, and Happy Earth 2 Day, and Earth 3, and 4 and so on...!)

Fortress of Servitude, Maybe...

...


I don't even know what to say about this cover, except maybe that I'm sorry it doesn't appear in my collection.

; )

Look, Up in the Sky!

I can't believe I'd never seen this one before! It's a European ad, from 1997. Just love it. Always wondered what Batman did on a Friday night...

Great Krypton: Action #1 on Ebay!!

Here it is, the "mac-daddy" of all comic books right here...or maybe that's the great-grand-daddy...

Anyway, thought you'd like to know there's copy of Action Comics #1 currently inspiring bidding battle over at Ebay. For those of you who've been sleeping through all your lives, this 1938 comic book is the one that launched the famous Man of Steel himself, Superman.

The bidding started back on March 27th, so there's no danger of this being a sad April Fool's joke. The first bid was for $25, and I have no doubt that person wasn't passing out the bid URL. As of this morning, the high bid is $90,100 and there's still a day left before the auction closes.

So kids, grab your checkbooks and call your credit card companies to see just how much available credit you've got. Me, I don't think I could handle the responsibility...and plus, how much gasoline could this buy?

I can't help but wonder, do the Seigels have a copy of this already?

Super Fool!!

The Joker takes over Metropolis in Action Comics #714, from October 1995.

Extra!! Extra!! Seigel Family Regains Rights to Man of Steel

A federal judge in Los Angeles this week has ruled that the heirs of Jerome Seigel, one of the creators of our beloved Superman, have the right to claim a share of the United States copyright on the Superman character.

The New York Times has the story here, and you can be sure that Newsarama will have more of the details as they become available, particularly as to how this news may impact the Metropolis Marvel.

Thanks to Lili for the heads-up!!

***

I'll be back with a new post real soon!!

Please Stand By

Thought I'd share a bit of bat-love with you in lieu of a few posts. Tonight's fine art comes courtesy Klaus Janson and Lynn Varley of 1986's Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. How is that over 20 years old?

I'm afraid I must ask you to stand by, though. Our furnace/boiler's been possessed by Satan or Neron or summat, and leaking fuel oil ($) onto the floor. We've been catching it in buckets, but the fumes have been terrific. My computer, BTW, is right beside the door to the furnace room/death pit.

It seems repairs have taken nicely, but exorcism or some sort of cleansing ritual may still be required. So forgive me if I pass on huffing/posting while we sort out the rest.

Back soon.

Oh, but meanwhile... tonight I found a great new snack at the grocery...and while I'm receiving no remuneration or other compensation from DC or Betty Crocker or anyone else, I thought I'd share my findings here: Batman Fruit Flavored Snacks!

I saw the name and hey, you know Batman's a name you can trust.

They're actually pretty darned tasty, too. The green Joker's are quite limey, the little purple Batmen are grape, the Batmobile's a cherry red...and well, I'm not sure what flavor the white bats are...hard to say so far.

The other shapes/colors weren't in my first pack, which are conveniently sized for the pouches of your utility belt.

Random Cover Friday

Robin #20, September 1995.

Story by Chuck Dixon, art by Mike Weiringo and Stan Woch.

In which Robin wrestles with a circus lion named Nero, does great battle with a child named the General and a guy in a toga named Hadrian (who naturally is associated with Maxie Zeus), and then returns home in the wee hours to find his girlfriend Arianna hiding in his bedroom.