"... just a dreadful little site that just basically compiles lists."- poster/DC Comics forum
"... provides a much-needed voice that is not often heard on traditional comic sites." - Wired's Geek Dad
... she's pretty amazingly ignorant of comics outside of the Batverse and some recent Wonder Woman, and seems pretty clueless about the way the industry works. That and she doesn't write that well at all." anonymous poster, Dreamwidth
" ... a phenomenal blog that's always up to date with female superhero news ..." -Nerdbastards.com
(header art by Peter Nguyen)
What do you think about the "Man of Steel" making Jimmy into Jenny Olsen? Or do you think it's even the same character?
I’m always happy to have more female characters in the Superman mythos. I’m not a particular fan of Jimmy so I’m fine with the gender switch although I suspect we’ll find out she’s his sister.
I am hesitant to write female characters because I am afraid I'm going to do it horribly wrong. I naturally have a much deeper understanding of the male psyche being one myself but women seem so much different to me. I mean, I want to write women that are pure kickass but not overly sexualized but at the same time alluring. Women that want to make changes, for good or bad, to the world. I just feel like I can't get an appropriate mindset to do that though.
I appreciate that you are concerned. But I think every writer faces the challenge of writing good characters. As far as how to write good female characters I’m going to suggest you read this essay by Greg Rucka.
I was just wondering if you had ever considered making a rec page of comics for a character or series or creator?
I have been thinking about it! Just have to find some time. But keep an eye out.
So I didn't know that Sword of Sorcery was being cancelled and now I want more of Amethyst. I never even knew who she was prior to the New 52, and now apparently it's over? I'm incredibly disheartened. Do we know if Princess Amaya is going to stay elsewhere?
Sadly Sword of Sorcery is no more. Prince Amaya will, I believe, continue to be part of Justice League Dark. And you can always go back and read the original Amethyst series from the 80s.
My LCS recently bought a huge collection of DC singles from circa 2002-2009. I'm going to be purchasing 3 major runs, Rucka's Wonder Woman and Batwoman runs, and the Palmiotti/Gray/Conner Power Girl run. In which order should I buy these, assuming I'm working my way to the best one?
I’d start with Power Girl. It’s a fun series. I’d move on to Batwoman which quality wise is equal to Wonder Woman but is shorter. Then go into Wonder Woman is which is a longer run. Honestly, all three are terrific - you got youself some good comics.
I recently saw a page from Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia here on Tumblr. I've never read a Wonder Woman comic but I'd like to and I was wondering if you would recommend The Hiketeia as a good starting point. Thanks!
I highly recommed the Hiketeia. It’s a standalone story that provides a great appetizer to Greg Rucka’s terrific Wonder Woman run.
Man of Steel Behind the Scenes Featurette Debuts Online
Here’s a new featurette via Wal-Mart on Man of Steel that has lots of footage and interviews with Cavill, Snyder, Shannon and Adams who calls Superman, “a timeless story.”
James Robinson Off Earth 2 and Out of DC Comics
Oh my. The revolving doors of writers at DC are spinning again. Today James Robinson who has been steadily working on DC projects for the past half decade today announced he’s off Earth-2 with issue #16 and is no longer working for DC Comics.
Although not part of the original new 52, Earth-2 was one of the strongest of the tier 2 titles ranking 39 of all comics in April and selling 45K copies. Robinson’s collaborator on the book, Nicola Scott, recently confirmed that there would be a second Robinson penned Earth-2 title.
Robinson’s departure is the latest in creator walkoffs. In March Andy Diggle walked off his highly anticipated run on Action after one issue. He was followed by Joshua Hale Fialkov who walked off the Lantern books because he refused to kill off John Stewart.
All of these exits are after DC held a retreat to deal with strife between editorial and creative. Despite the two day retreat, I was told that editorial interference quickly returned.
Given that there was a second book planned, Robinson’s departure probably leaves DC scrambling. When Diggle walked Tony Daniel was left to the task of writing and penciling the remaining two issues. The book was then turned over to Scott Lobdell.
Who would you like to see take on Earth-2?
Man of Steel Digital Comic Features an Interesting Guest Star
Earlier today DC posted a preview to a bonus digital comic written by David Goyer being offered with pre-orders of the Man of Steel Blu-Ray combo pack. Seems a bit early given the movie isn’t even out yet. And perhaps it was because the preview has been pulled from the DC Comics site.
But not before the comic pages were downloaded! The comic was drawn by long time Superman artist Jerry Ordway. And there’s a very familiar character appearing in the first few pages.
And it’s not that guy.
(Source: comicbookmovie.com)
Gutters on Female Comic Creators
I woke up this morning to find many messages from readers telling me to check out the Gutters. Today’s comic, written by the always amazing Jill Pantozzi with art by Amy Mebberson, addresses an issue pretty near to my heart. And, of course, the comments have the usual cast of idiots.
Morrison’s Wonder Woman: Earth One Not Due Until Next Year
Last week DC showed us the first artwork by Yanick Paquette from Wonder Woman: Earth One, the long, long anticipated take on Wonder Woman by Grant Morrison.
Earlier this week Nathan Fairbairn said on Twitter he is coloring the book (as well as Morrison’s Multiversity.) He also said the book “isn’t due for like a year.” DC has yet to solicit the book but given the release of art and that DC officially announced the book and said “stay tuned to THE SOURCE for more details about WONDER WOMAN: EARTH ONE over the course of the next few weeks!” I had assumed it was arriving this year.
For the announcement, Morrison spoke to Yahoo about the project and, like 90% of what he talks about when interviewed about the book, it involves sex.
“It’s not like a superhero comic. It’s a comic about the sexes and how we feel about one another. And why Wonder Woman kind of represents the best of something, and should be allowed to represent it,” said Morrison. “The Amazons over many thousands of years of living eternally have developed some very strange and ritualized ideas about sex.”
Every time he gives an interview on this book, I start singing this song.
Here’s another look at the artwork (apparently page 6 and 7 from the book)which Morrison says shows:
“Hercules dies!” …”This is the moment where Hippolyta, basically the queen of the Amazons, and the women have been chained up and controlled by Hercules and his men. It’s part of the Greek legend. And she finally turns on him and gets those chains around his neck where they belong.”
CW Confirms that Wonder Woman Pilot is Still in Development
Earlier this year CW put on hold the development of the Wonder Woman show prequel Amazon after what I have heard was dissatisfaction with the pilot script. At that time the show was called a maybe for mid-season or Fall of 2014.
We haven’t heard much about it since CW announced that status in January but today at upfronts there was an update. EW is reporting that CW’s Pedowitz said Amazon is still moving foward.
“Oh God yes,” Pedowitz replied, when asked whether the project is still alive. “It’s being redeveloped. We don’t want to produce something” that doesn’t need the franchise justice, he added.
From the sound of that it sounds more like Fall of 2014 but still good to hear it is in development.
(Source: insidetv.ew.com)
Comics to Buy, May 15
It’s the week that DC puts out the majority of its books starring ladies - aka LADEEZ week! (One week - two pages, hmm). I noticed that Batgirl has moved to this week for the month which means DC’s current staff of female writers (Nocenti, Marx, Simone) have books this week. Next month Batgirl returns to mini-ladies week with Worlds’ Finest and Katana and the Pandora book takes its place in LADEEZ week.
What’s up with that?
Anyway, here’s what I’m reading this week.
Let’s start with a first issue! This week I’m going to start with yet another first issue from Image. And like other first issues from Image it’s a big one coming in close to 50 pages for $3.50. If you enjoy stories that look at the thin line between dreams and reality, you’ll enjoy this. You can read a bit more here.
Dark Horse also has a first issue coming out that deals with the power of dreams. It’s a good first issue but be warned some content regarding women and violence. Preview here.
And before I jump into the DC books here’s one from Marvel. I know I go on about how you really need to Fraction’s Hawkeye because it is so good but I probably should mention more how much I really enjoy his writing on FF. This is one of the funnest comics being published right now And you get the amazing art of the Allreds. If you aren’t pick this book, you really should be. This is issue #7; you can start from #1 online.
And now on to DC!
What a gorgeous cover. Hope the story holds up to the cover.
Let’s hope Starling isn’t going to be leaving the DCU anytime soon.
The preview for this looked good. Maybe this is the issue where the book settles in. At least Selina is zipped up.
Sadly this is the last issue of this series. As I’ve said before I think DC handled this book wrong. Instead of giving it revolving back-up and a $3.99 price point Amethyst would have done much better going the Shazam route and introduced the series as a back-up in Justice League Dark and boosting that to $3.99. It took 30 years for this character to get another shot at title. Sadly, I think that’s it for her.
I’ve been back and forth on the Supergirl title for awhile now. I picked it up at the start of the new 52 and dropped it because it was so decompressed. And then I picked up again and then dropped it because of the Super-crossover. Now I’m going to give it another try despite the fact that new writer has suggested it is going to be a bit darker (how much darker can we go?) (and that I wasn’t thrilled with the preview of this issue) Although I am a bit concerned that my first thought on looking at this cover was that it should say “When boobs collide”.
And now you can’t unsee that can you?
What’s on your list?
New Trading Card Set Features the Women of DC Comics
Trading Card maker Cryptozoic is getting ready to ship its newest DC themed card collection and I’m sure it will be of interest to readers of this blog.
The set includes includes all original art (including several female artists, yay!). There are also original art sketch cards in 1 out every 24 packs. And it will have Katie Cook stickers in each pack. Here’s a look at some of the cards.
Art by Ryan Odagowa. Reminds me of this page by George Perez from Wonder Woman #600
(Source: cryptozoic.com)
New 3 Chicks Review Comics with Amy Reeder
Kelly and I are back after an invigorating break with more talk about comics. This week our guest is the awesome Amy Reeder who talks about her Kickstarter comic, Rocket Girl which you really should go support. Why? Because of this:
We talk to Amy about more than just the Kickstarter so go give the interview a listen.
Kelly and I only review one comic this week, Fearless Defenders #4. What do we think? You’ll have to listen! The conversation then turns into a discussion of costumes, ladeez and comics given our interview with Kris Anka, Kelly’s piece on costume redesigns and then Anka’s reaction to the comments on that piece that will make you headdesk and then Robot 6’s article on the whole thing which turned up the sillyness all the way to 11!
Which leads to our newest segment where I will be channeling Michael Shannon’s dramatic reading of the infamous Sorority Letter and will choose the most over the top dudebro rant about ladeez and comics and do my own dramatic reading. Which rant gets these treatment?
