Comics to Read, July 8 - Sugar, Sugar Edition

Just one more day until the world of comics celebrates it’s holiday weekend - SDCC. We’re sure to see some announcements and, of course, fingers crossed the first glimpse of Wonder Woman on screen. But things start there, let’s get through this week’s comics starting with, as usual, a first issue.

Archie has been reimagined for the modern age with this relaunching of the 75 year old character. Waid handles the delicate task of updating a character whose charm is that he doesn’t seem to really change. Archie is still sort of an optimist at large but Jughead and Betty gain some nuance with Jughead a little edgier and Betty given some character touches beyond just the nice one. The real star here is Fiona Staples who gives the book a modern but yet endearing look. Her Betty is joy to behold. If you haven’t picked up a Archie in years or just the horror version pick this one up.

Jim Gordon is Batman which is an idea is both brilliant and a bit eye rolling, right? Actually it’s incredibly clever - it gives us a trusted good guy who thinks he’s a bit over his head to help deconstruct the Dark Knight and why he does what he does. And, in this issue, where does he get those marvelous toys? Snyder and Capullo are clearly have too much fun writing this and you’ll have fun reading it. 

Karl Kerschl is back in this issue and we are entering a darker phase of the story as we learn more about Olive and her family. Also we get Maps investigating stuff which is just a joy to behold.

i’ve already raved about Valentine’s Catwoman and now she adds Stephanie Brown to the mix. One of the tiny bright spots of War Games years ago was some panels between Selina and Stephanie so I’m really looking forward to seeing this take.

All the Dynamite ladies and Gail Simone. Welcome to Wednesday.

I’ve been a fan for Princeless for years and now one of best “new” characters gets her own title. Yes, that’s Raven. Hey it’s summer pick up a copy read it and then hand it some little kid and create a comic reader.

I just adore this book but then how can anyone resist anything Nguyen does?

That’s it for me this week. What’s on your list?

Did Someone Say “Shark Week”?

Barda does not like Sharks. 

DC Superhero Girls Website Launches

Back in April DC Comics announced DC Superhero Girls a multi platform product offering for girls. Today the website launched and includes new artwork of all the characters. Let’s take a look at the member so “Super Hero High”

Wonder Woman is descri bed as a leader who is courageous and competitive.

Supergirl is sweet, awkward and fun loving.

Batgirl is cool, complicate and reserved.

Harley is fun, unorganized and unpredictable.

Bumblebee is bubbly, outgoing and a scientific genius.

Ivy is a genius, awkward and shy.

Katana is funky, fearless and worldly.

So this is very much as Monster High type world. 

I think I am okay with this. 

What do you think?

DC Announces New Series including Poison Ivy, Raven and Katana

SDCC is this week and the comic publishers are using it to announce their new titles. DC Comics, via USA Today, revealed new mini-series for 2016 including four with female leads.

Two popular characters are getting their own titles. Poison Ivy will get a title written by the sole female creator announced today Amy Chu. 

No artist was announced but they went Guillem March who drew Ivy for Gotham City Sirens for the cover art here which is doesn’t really thrill me. Chu has done amazing work on Sensation Comics so I am hoping she can do the same for Ivy a character I’ve never really warmed to.

Raven will be getting her own title and Marv Wolfman her creator is back to write her. The company released no cover art which is concerning. 

Katana is getting another shot at a solo title with her creator Mike Barr writing her. Katana we are told we be revamped Katana: Cult of Cobra.

I would have preferred a Cass Cain book. 

Finally in yet anothe r “WTF” move the company is respinning their 60 year kids comic “Sugar and Spike” into a new, more adult series where they are Detectives. Keith Giffen wil write. Dan Didio says of the revamp"They’re not spoiled kids anymore, but they’re older and they’re operating as private investigators handling problems and mysteries that the superheroes can’t handle themselves.“

DC of course has a pair like this in Ralph and Sue Dibney. Just say’n.

Series were also announced include Swamp Thing, Metal Men and Metamorpho. 

Not particularly bowled over by any of these but Poison Ivy with Amy Chu writing is my top pick. I re ally hope we get an interesting artist. In fact I hope we get interesting - and diverse - artists on all of these.

What are you looking forward to picking up?

(Source: USA Today)

Barnes & Noble Celebrates Comics and Fangirls in July

SDCC has made July a touchstone for comics and this year Barnes & Noble will be celebrating all things comics with a DC Comics sale, special SDCC collectibles and a celebration just for female comic fans.

That’s an endcap at my local B&N and you can see it has a number of comics featuring both female creators and characters.

Starting on Wednesday (July 8) they will have a sale on DC graphic novels online and in-store of Buy 2, get 1 free. The trades of Gotham Academy and Batgirl just came out so pick up the trade of Sensation Comics or another title for free.

At the 3 day event you’ll also get a copy of the Young Gotham sampler and posters. The flyer says cosplay wel come so get those yellow Docs ready. On July 9 you’ll also be able to pick some SDCC collectibles.

On July 24 the stores will be celebrating “Fangirl Friday” which will focus on the women of Marvel starting at 7PM. I’ll be at my local shop and hope to see some of you there!

It’s wonderful to see a major seller of books recognize the power of female comic buyers including superheroes so if you have a local store let them know you count.

Happy 4th of July America, Here’s Wonder Woman with the Flag

And and as a bonus 4th of July offering here is her and Supes breaking up in front of Uncle Sam

Enjoy the weekend!

EW Has Wonder Woman on the Cover

SDCC is just around the corner and today we got a new look at Wonder Woman in the upcoming Batman v Superman movie via EW. First here’s the cover.

We still have no idea how much Wonder Woman is in the movie but it is clear she is front (and center) in the promotion.

We also got a look at Gal Gadot as Diana Prince in photo that is interesting.

Let’s hope they are plotting to take down Lex there.

You can see some other images over at EW.

Are you getting excited for this movie?

Vixen Animated Series Gets Cast and Promotion at SDCC

One of DC Comics few Black female characters is finally getting some attention after being kept on the “bench” or ice for the last few years. 

The CW has cast CSI actress Megalyn Echikunwoke as the voice actress for the upcoming seed animated mini-series.

WB and DC Comics Entertainment will be promoting the show during SDCC on of the their Saturday night panels which will also include the official debut of the Supergirl pilot. Additionally Vixen will be featured on sponsored bags.

Mari “Vixen” Jiwe McCabe debuted in DC Comics in 34 years ago (and was scheduled to appear earlier) but spent years bouncing from book to book and team to team. The character finally go some attention when Dwayne McDuffie wrote the character in the DCAU and made her a key char acter in Justice League Unlimited (where she was voiced by Gina Torres) and in his run on the Justice League comic. As a result of those appearances the character became hugely popular with several toys produced. She was also given a mini-series written by G. Willow Wilson.

But with Duffie’s dismissal from DC Comics the character floundered. While seen in the new 52 as part of Justice League International but disappeared early on in the book’s run and didn’t appear again until cameo in Justice League in 2013. 

It’s good to see the character g et the attention she deserves. Let’s hope that DC Comics can find a place for her in their comic line-up - perhaps they should try “Batgirling” a team-up book with Zatanna and Vixen as a pair of globetrotting performers/models by day, kick ass superheroes by night because I would totally read that.

Comics to Read, July 1

So the first month of the new DCYOU is behind us. What did you like? What were you disappointed in? Let me know below. Here’s on to the first week of July and we started with two first issues.

A new BKV comic is always a pull. In this book we have a war breakout between the USA and Canada. That’s an interesting twist that helps differentiate this first issue which is essentially a story we’ve seen before - ra gtag set of freedom fighters joined by scarrred survivor (female version). This was a solid first issue but nowhere near the highs of say Saga, Ex Machina or The Last Man. That doesn’t mean this won’t be as great but lower your expectations. But if you are Canadian it will be hard to resist.

Another army, another future. This is first issue moves along a nice clip and there are many female leads. 

F irst the art is fantastic on this. And the content? Here’s the description -”Sharp genderqueer knights, blood magic, music, dancing, and a goose.” Yeah, give this a try.

So three new comics to jump on to. And now on to some second issues.

The first issue of Midnighter was easily one of the best first issues of the year so far. Orlando has full command of his story and his character. If you didn’t pick it up buy it today and read the second issue. 

The first issue didn’t overwhelm me although I freely admit I had very high hopes given the two writers and the characters. I’m hoping the second issue picks up the pace and streamlines the story telling.

New arc and Kate Brown joins on interiors. 

That’s it for me this week - answer the question above in the comments and let me know what’s on your list!

Dear Disney, Please Make Sure Your Marvel Woman of Color is Of Color on Your New T-Shirt

Earlier today I posted about the “limited edition” Marvel female superhero t-shirt being offered by the Disney Store.

But there is one problem that a sharp eyed reader pointed out.

The image of Kamal Khan is taken from the Art Adams variant for the first issue.

That cover was “tweaked” before publication because Kamala was a little, well, white. See below the original and the final version.

The t-shirt uses the first one. Below see the shirt and the original cover with the final cover belwo.

Given that it seems Disney is making these to order (hence the limited edition and 3-5 weeks for delivery they should be able to correct this before they go into production. It’s an easily understood mistake but one that should definitely be corrected.

Disney Store Give Us the Marvel Female Hero Shirt We Want - But Only until Tuesday

Disney has taken much heat for the lack of merchandise in their stores featuring Marvel characters. A trip to a mall store last weekend turned up a lunch box that had Black Widow on the back and one toy set featuring Captain Marvel.

But for just four days Disney is featuring a shirt that has some of their newer female heroes.

Ms. Marvel, Spider-Woman, Silk and Spider-Gwen together. 

For some reason Disney is ONLY making this available in the States and ONLY making it available until the 30th. And they are charging a pretty outrageous $27 for the shirt. But today if you buy two you can get them for $20 a piece.

They do have sizes up to XXL and there is a red version for kids.

Anyway if you want go order now.

h/t 

Okay DC, Let’s Do This

Oh WE know you hate ALL marriage but really - isn’t it time?

SDCC Exclusive Relevant to My Interests

SDCC is just around the corner and today Toys R Us unveiled theirs including this BATGIRL. This will also be available online July 9. 

It will be mine.