Put down the paper and fire up your computer — this week the Showcase boys are talking about some of their favorite Webcomics. Blake is a-flurry with suggestions, while Chase tries to figure out the appeal of the phenomenon… and the guys discuss what it takes to make a webcomic, and how to do it. Then in the picks, Chase continues to love Geoff Johns with Action Comics #866, and Blake bids a sad farewell to the comic book version of Justice League Unlimited. Coming soon, the Showcase will feature Hellboy and Batman’s greatest foe, the Joker! E-mail us with your comments, “Ask Chase Anything” questions, or anything else at Showcase@comixtreme.com!
Since we’re covering webcomics this week, we thought it best to give you guys the links to the various comics we talk about. NOTE: Some of these comics include harsh, grown-up language. Click at your own risk.
We have sad news to report today. Michael Turner passed away last night (Fiday June 27th) of cancer.
From Aspen Comics’ Vince Hernandez
Hello all,
Unfortunately it’s with great sadness that I must inform everyone that Michael Turner tragically passed away last night, June 27th at approximately 10:42 pm in Santa Monica, Ca. Turner had been dealing with recent health complications arisen in the past few weeks. More details concerning Turner’s passing, and services, will be given shortly.
Anyone wishing to send their condolences to Michael Turner’s family is encouraged to send to:
Aspen MLT, Inc.
C/O Michael Turner
5855 Green Valley Circle, Suite 111
Culver City, CA, 90230
Aspen also encourages anyone wishing to make a charitable donation to please send to Michael Turner’s requested charities:
It’s been a while coming and often delayed, but two of the most requested titles are to be released on June 25th.
The first is All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder (try saying that 3 times real fast). This hard cover reprints issues 1-9 of the controversial series. Why is it controversial? Hang out at the shop and poll our customers. We have never seen so many people hate this title and buy it anyway. Why do they buy it? Because deep down inside, it’s good. Frank Miller’s latest take on the Dark Knight is an ultimate no holds barred version of Batman. This isn’t your father’s Batman. Beautifully illustrated by Jim Lee, this collection is a must have.
Our second most requested paperback this year is Walking Dead Vol. 8 - Made to Suffer. What can I say about this series that hasn’t been said already. This is not an ordinary zombie story. This is the best zombie story ever told. What makes this such a special zombie story is that it’s not about the zombies. It’s about the personal relationships and tragedies of those caught up in a zombie apocalypse. There is no explanation for the origin of the zombies, just a psychological thrill ride carrying the survivors where they never imagined they would go. If you have not read Walking Dead you should take advantage of our graphic novel sale and catch up. Also, Walking Dead comes with a money back guarantee. If you don’t like it, just trade it in for something else.
If you haven’t checked out our “How To” section lately your missing out on one of our fastest growing selections. Not only will you find scholarly books by mavericks of the industry, but you will now find gems such as Moleskine notebooks, sketchbooks, and storyboard notebooks. What’s a Moleskine notebook you ask? It’s only the best notebook on the planet used by the likes of Picasso, Matisse, Hemingway, and Neil Gaiman (I use them too).
With Wanted coming soon to a theater near you, Chase and Blake take the time to discuss the works of writer Mark Millar. Chase is a fan, Blake not so much, but the guys do their best to get to the heart of his work, discuss the Wanted comic book, and talk about their expectations for the movie. In ths picks this week, Blake loves the first few weeks of Trinity, while Chase enjoyed the beginning of Ultimate Origins… then, stay tuned, as each of the guys has a special announcement! E-mail us with your comments, “Ask Chase Anything” questions, or anything else at Showcase@comixtreme.com!
Detective Comics was published July 1939, was written by Gardner Fox and illustrated by Bob Kane. In his third appearance we see some characteristics that define Batman into the modern age. This is also the first issue that is not written as a generic crime story, and instead we are presented with a somewhat super villain, Dr. Death.
The story:
Dr. Death has developed a deadly pollen that he presumably will use to threaten the world. However, he recognizes the growing threat against crime, Batman, and puts a classified ad in the local paper (something like SWM evil scientist plans to kill, let’s see if you can stop me) to entice Batman into a trap. Batman accepts the challenge and is caught in a trap by two of Dr. Death’s henchmen. Batman escapes with a gunshot wound to the shoulder and eventually follows Dr. Death’s servant, Jabah, to his lab. During his confrontation Dr. Death is presumed dead after a fire breaks out in his lab.
Batman Firsts:
During his confrontation with Dr. Death’s henchmen, Batman picks up a fallen gun and threatens to kill them if they don’t reveal their bosses identity. This is somewhat of a mystery to modern Batman fans since it is well known that he doesn’t use guns. This is also the first time we see Batman use gadgets, giant suction cups that allow him to scale the outside of a building and a mace like glass capsule used to fend off Jabah. Dr. Death is considered by most to be Batman’s first “super villain” and is also the first to refer to him as Batman.
Overall, this story flows much better than the first two appearances of Batman partly due to an extended number of pages for the story and it’s departure from a simple criminal story. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s review because we may not have seen the last of Dr. Death.
June of 1939 saw the publication of Detective Comics #28 (written by Bill Finger and illustrated by Bob Kane) and marked the last public guillotining in France. No really. I think that the latter is more interesting that this Batman story.
We’re still in the early phase of Batman and it hasn’t yet discovered it’s own path. This story, much like the previous is just a crime story about jewel thieves. No special villains, no inner turmoil and struggle, and nothing that would be recognizable as the Batman we know and love today. Much like my critique of the previous issue we get more of scenes like this one:
A blow by blow description of every action sequence. Now you may think that I’m being hard on Kane/Finger and think that’s just the way comics were back then. However, the previous issue of Detective Comics featured two stories by Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. And those two stories were not written in this fashion. What I find fascinating about these early stories is seeing not only the genesis of an icon, but how the character was shaped. Besides, how much excitement and story can we expect from a whole six pages! Not to fret, the next issue of Detective Comics reveals traits that will forever be characterized with Batman. Join us tomorrow when Batman meets Doctor Death.
Detective Comics #27 was released in May of 1939 and marks the first appearance of Batman, or as he’s referred to in the early days “The Bat-Man”. Written by Bill Finger and illustrated by Bob Kane, the paltry 6 pages of story resembles very little of what we think about Batman today. Absent are the “amazing toys” , memorable foes, and grand origin stories. Instead we are treated to a simple crime fiction story. After all, Detective Comics was a genre book dedicated to sleuth stories springing from the rich tradition of pulp magazines.
The story itself is not very memorable and could otherwise be dismissed if not for the appearance of Batman and Commissioner Gordon. It’s a simple story of greed, evil, crime and punishment. The main problem with the story is that it reads like a radio script. In one series of panels we are told,
The Bat-Man lashes out with a terrific right…he grabs his second adversary in a deadly headlock…and with a mighty heave…sends the burly criminal flying through space.
What’s annoying is that the dialog in many of the scenes is an exact description of the panels. It’s as if Kane did not trust his illustration abilities and wanted to tell us what he was drawing, which is a shame because the illustrations are well thought out and executed.
Even though it’s kind of hokey, it gives us the introduction of one of the most recognized symbols of pop culture. Not all introductions can be winners and we should be thankful that the editors saw the potential and pushed forward with the character.
To celebrate the launch of the latest Batman movie, The Dark Knight, we are going to post a review of the first thirty issues of Batman every day up to the release. So, be sure to check back on Thursday June 19th for the first installment when we review Detective Comics #27.
The latest incarnation of The Incredible Hulk took in a little over $54 million domestically this weekend. So, now that the gamma dust has settled, what did you think about it? Was it better than the Ang Lee film? What do the hardcore fans think about the references to the super soldier serum? For me it was kind of middle of the road, but the group I watched it with, whom had little or no background on the big green guy thought it was pretty good. Could it be that this Hulk has better mass appeal?
Put down the paper and fire up your computer — this week the Showcase boys are talking about some of their favorite Webcomics. Blake is a-flurry with suggestions, while Chase tries to figure out the appeal of the phenomenon… and the guys discuss what it takes to make a webcomic, and how to do it. Then in the picks, Chase continues to love Geoff Johns with Action Comics #866, and Blake bids a sad farewell to the comic book version of Justice League Unlimited. Coming soon, the Showcase will feature Hellboy and Batman’s greatest foe, the Joker! E-mail us with your comments, “Ask Chase Anything” questions, or anything else at Showcase@comixtreme.com!
