Direct Currents: Sunday, July 18, 2010

Tomasi & Gleason On "Batman & Robin"

The former "Green Lantern Corps" creative partners step in for Grant Morrison and company on the best-selling title this November, opening many questions as to the future of the new Dynamic Duo.

Warren Ellis On The Eventual Publication Of Hellblazer: Shoot

Nothing says that Paul Levitz is no longer in the hosue than DC Vertigo choosing to publish Shoot, the story by Warren Ellis and Phil Jiminez considered tasteless in the aftermatch of the Columbine massacre and banned from publication while Paul Levitz was boss.

Gail Simone interviewed at Suicide Girls

Simone is wrapping up a run on “Wonder Woman,” where she was the first and so far only regular female writer and returning to characters she left years ago, relaunching “Birds of Prey” for DC, getting the band that is Oracle, Black Canary, Huntress and Lady Blackhawk back together. Simone is also writing “Secret Six” for DC, a book with supervillains that’s dark and edgy and adult, not in a cheap or exploitive fashion as is so often done, but in a way that’s thoughtful and sometimes even sad. She’s also bringing back her comedic series “Welcome to Tranquility” this summer and we spoke with Gail over e-mail about my contention that Scandal Savage from “Secret Six” is the best new comics character in more than a decade, gender politics in the recent “Wonder Woman” animated film and Ed Benes’ skill at drawing the human ass.

The Return Of Static. And A Well Timed Announcement.

“When I met Dan DiDio, the first character we ever discussed was Static. Writing Teen Titans gave me an opportunity to play with this character a little. Now he’s getting his own book and I’m writing it! I’m a big Dwayne McDuffie’s fan, so it’s a privilege to reimagine the coming-of-age of a character he created. If not for the big bang, Static would be a regular, awkward, teenage guy trying to find himself — chasing girls, playing video games, downloading underground mixes of his favorite music. Instead, he has no time to find himself because the call of the superhero has found him. It’s a comic book writing dream for me.”

Kirkham Talks DC Exclusive and "Green Lantern Corps"

Former Top Cow artist Tyler Kirkham shared his thoughts on his new exclusive deal with DC Comics and how epic his first arc on "Green Lantern Corps" with writer Tony Bedard will be.

Ragman: Suit of Souls

This October, writer Christos Gage and artist Stephen Segovia reintroduce readers to Rory Regan, a man who’s often struggled to reconcile the burden he carries as Ragman, the protector of society’s forgotten, with his own strained faith.

Aw Yeah: Baltazar & Franco Unite Tiny Titans & Little Archie

The Eisner-Award winning "Tiny Titans" crosses over with Archie Comics this October in a historic event uniting the two companies for the first time. Art Baltazar and Franco spoke with CBR about the news.

Miller Readies "Batgirl" for Year Two

The man who launched Stephanie Brown's career as Batgirl, Bryan Q. Miller spoke about the end of the first year of the heroine's self-titled series and moving Batgirl out of Gotham and into the greater DCU.

Michael Cho's Awesome Superboy Cover

Today on his website, artist Michael Cho posted his painted cover for the upcoming hardcover collection of early "Superboy" stories, and it is pretty great.

DC Comics Presents One-Shots

The DC Universe has a long and storied history, touching upon a myriad number of characters and teams, not to mention the company’s rich creative history. So why not take a moment and look back at some of these issues? Welcome to DC COMICS PRESENTS – a series of one-shots and specials geared to do just that. Embracing history and stories that connect with the present day activities of our favorite heroes, villains and creators.

Interview: Cary Bates on Superman: The Last Family Of Krypton

Cary Bates began his comics career at the tender age of 13, by submitting ideas for covers to DC Comics in the early '60s, and started writing for the company at age 17 in 1965, developing lengthy and acclaimed runs on titles such as Superman, Superboy, Adventure Comics, and The Flash. He left comics in the early '90s, and is now making his return to DC with his first work for them in more than 15 years, with Superman: The Last Family Of Krypton, a 3-issue Elseworlds miniseries debuting in August. I spoke with Cary to learn more about the miniseries and how arrival of an complete Kryptonian family unit will change Superman's story.

A Rerelease of Howard Cruse's Gay Graphic Novel

Stuck Rubber Baby aligns gay rights with racial equality and the Civil Rights era

SDCC 10: Batman, GL Arrive

Black Lanterns, White Lanterns and some Arkham Asylum action for you.

Dan Hipp's Superhero Renditions Pack Colorful Mega Punches

If you've seen Dan Hipp draw "Star Wars" and "Hellboy" characters before, you know that he's got a pop-friendly style that blends lonely blemishes designated by short lines in the tradition of Frank Miller with stiff anatomical shapes that look like they could have been sawed off of Mike Mignola figures. His color choices really set his artwork apart from the pack, though, and he's built up a sizable database of experiments and commissions with mainstream superheroes.

Charisma Carpenter – New Wonder Woman Costume Not Okay For A Woman

Charisma Carpenter who played Cordelia Chase in Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel, wants to be Wonder Woman. So what does she think of the new costume in the comic books?

Batman and Robin, Filming on the Streets of NYC Last Night

And once again, it’s an Arthur story, not a Batman one. But look! It has a sort of Batman in it. And that’s a sort of Robin too. Just don’t ask me which sort. The paps have been snapping Russell Brand and Luis Guzman as they film for Arthur. You can find countless more images like these online if you dig for a second. The utility belt is worth checking out.

Off the Beaten Path: Superman's Hobo Signs

For those of you who haven't been keeping up with J. Michael Straczynski and Eddy Barrows' run on "Superman," the story is following the Man of Steel as he walks across the country, helping folks out and working for meals. So essentially, Superman has become a hobo. Unfortunately, he hasn't tied his cape into an indestructible bindle or hopped a space train yet, but there is one article of hoboery that might show up: The lost art of the Hobo Signs.

'Superman' #701: Starting Off on the Wrong Foot

It's the execution of "Superman" #701 that's flawed. Pretty much across the board. It casts Superman more as wandering preacher than as a man on a journey of self discovery. It shields his thoughts and motivations from the reader in a manner that's frustrating rather than mysterious. It rehashes scenes that have been done with the character before and does them much worse than the originals. And the bitter cherry of awkwardness on top of this sundae of failed opportunities is the continuing trend of DC poorly treating minority characters in a way I believe and hope is an accident.

Comic Book Legends Revealed #269!

Did the Red Scare turn a comic about a Little Joe into one about a Little Ike? What's the behind-the-scenes secret of Geo-Force and Terra! Plus, a decades-long story of the secret member of the original G.I. Joe team!

LBFA Presents: The History of Hawkman Explained [Comic]

In today's original comic, writer Curt Franklin and artist Chris Haley of the illustrious "Let's Be Friends Again" webcomic are here to help, as they explain the history of a notable comics character in their newest installment of "Comics, Everybody!" Today's subject: Hawkman.

Three Swipe Files On A Thursday Morning

Numbercrunching: Superman #701 by JMS and Eddy Barrows

CSBG's The 75 Most Memorable Moments in DC Comics History!

#1-4

#5-10

#11-16

#17-22

BLOGS

The Aquaman Shrine
Batman & Aquaman's Wild Go-Go Adventures

Comics Make Me Happy!
Wonder Woman's New Costume, Part II

The Comic Treadmill
The Scaled-Down Smack-Down, The Final Round

The Cool Kids Table!
The Essentials: Superboy by Kesel & Grummett

Diana Prince: Wonder Woman
2010 Baby Wonder Woman by Oliver Nome

Every Day Is Like Wednesday
Woah, woah, woah—save some announcements for San Diego, guys!

Girls Gone Geek
Friday Favorite: Agent 355

The Idol-Head of Diabolu
B'rett: The Seventh Most Important Martian Manhunter Adversary

Justice League Detroit
Zatanna Gallery by Mahmud A. Asrar

Once Upon A Geek
The Greatest Batman Team-up That Never Happened

Supergirl Comic Box Commentary
Review: Superman #701