Injustice: Gods Among Us- Martian Manhunter story trailer released

Today, the Martian Manhunter character DLC is being released for NetherRealm studios' DC Comics fighter-game, Injustice: Gods Among us.

To coincide with the release, NetherRealm have released a new trailer, explaining J'onn J'onzz's Backstory. Check it out below:

Martian Manhunter is the fifth character to be added to the game through DLC and will cost 400 Microsoft Points for the Xbox 360 verison of the game, and $4.99 from the Play Station Network on the PS3. You can check out the character's first trailer here.

The Flash coming to The CW?

It's being reported today that an apparent Flash TV Series is being... there's no other way to say this: Fast-Tracked in it's production.

This comes after the success of The CW's DC Comics TV series, Arrow, featuring Stephen Amell as the vigilante millionaire, Oliver Queen. The series was created by Greg Berlanti and Andrew Kreisberg, who are said to be involved with the possible upcoming series, as well as David Nutter ( Director ) and Writer and Chief Creative officer for DC Comics, Geoff Johns.

There are already rumours of a Flash movie set for release in 2016 and supposedly leading to a big-screen appearance of the Justice League.

I have to admit, I would much rather see Barry Allen in a film, but beggars can't be choosers, and I did enjoy the first season of Arrow. I think the best thing that could happen would be this leading into a movie version of the Scarlet Speedster ( or possibly following it up ), but I don't think that's likely.

This is obviously still a rumour, though.

Season 2 of CW's DC Comics show, Arrow, begins on October 9th later this year.

( Source: Newsarama )

Grant Morison's Variant Cover for Batman, incorporated #13

On Wednesday, the final issue of Batman, inc. will be released. This is also the final issue of Grant Morisson's Batman story, which has lasted since 2006. This is obviously a big deal, and it's going to be a huge conclusion to the story. To commemorate this, Morrison has done a variant cover for the issue, check it out below:

Not many people know that before he became a regular writer, Grant Morrison was actually a comic book artist, but he started developing eye problems, causing him to take up a different creative role.

I'm definitely going to try and pick this up, since I have a bit of a personal connection with Grant himself. When Grant Morrison was at secondary school he and a group of friends put together a school magazine called "The White Tree" which Grant illustrated. One of Morrison's friends, and one of them that wrote the issue, was my father. So you know, I feel like I have to pick this up because of that connection.

Batman, incorporated #13 is released on Wednesday, 31st of July.

SDCC 2013: Marvel show off new images of Lego, Skottie Young and Deadpool variants, Infinity covers and more!

Here are some more images that Marvel have put out from the Retailer meeting at San Diego Comic-Con 2013 earlier today, they seem to be teasing some interesting stuff here!

(Source: Bleeding Cool)

SDCC 2013: Marvel announce plans for Marvel NOW! two

Today, during the retail meeting at San-Diego Comic-Con 2013, Marvel talked about their plans to launch a second phase of Marvel NOW!. This means that several Marvel series still running from before the Marvel NOW! initiative was launched will be getting renumbered and several new ones will be released.

As well as this news, Marvel also showed the reception that the first batch of Marvel NOW! books got:

(Source: Bleeding Cool)

SDCC 2013: Bendis and Bagely join forces once again for "Cataclysm"

In last month's "Age of Ultron" #10, The World-Eater, Galactus, arrived in the Ultimate Marvel Universe. As you can probably tell from his title, this isn't good for residents of the Ultimate universe. This plot will be continuing in "Hunger", a four-issue miniseries written by Joshua Hale Fialkov (I, Vampire, Alpha: Big Time, Ultimate Comics: the Ultimates) which is, in itself, a build up to "Cataclysm: The Ultimates' last stand", written by Brian Michael Bendis ( Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man, All-New X-Men, Age of Ultron) and pencilled by Mark Bagley ( Ultimate Spider-Man, Fantastic Four)

Cataclysm was announced today at San-Diego Comic-Con, the team have previously worked on the successful original run of Ultimate Spider-Man. As you can see, this creative team have a lot of experience in the Ultimate Universe. Check out the cover to issue one of Cataclysm below:

(Source: Newsarama)

SDCC 2013: Superior Spider-Man/ Venom team-up officially announced. (UPDATE)

Remember my post a few weeks ago in which I reported on the rumours of a Superior Spider-Man and Venom crossover? Well, yesterday at San-Diego Comic-Con it was announced officially. The four-issue event was revealed by Superior Spider-Man writer, Dan Slott, via a very shaky phone-in to answer questions from the crowd at SDCC's Superior Spider-Man panel.

The issue will mark the first meeting between Flash Thompson as Venom and Otto Octavius as the Superior Spider-Man. The four-issue event will also be co-written by Christos Gage.

UPDATE:

Here's a better look at that cover by Humberto Ramos and Edgar Delgado:

SDCC 2013: Harley Quinn VS Lobo in November's Injustice annual

It was announced earlier at San Diego Comic-Con 2013's DC digital panel that the digital-first series, Injustice, based on the fighter game by Netherrealm studios, will be getting it's own annual in November.

The oversized issue will be focused sround Harley Quinn and judging by the cover, she's not too happy with Lobo.

The issue will be written by series-writer, Tom Taylor.

SDCC 2013: Batman: Arkham Origins- Copperhead reveal trailer

Remember I mentioned earlier that at the Arkham Origins panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2013, it was revealed that the next assassin to be taking on Batman in the game would be Copperhead? Well, here's the release trailer already! It features a female version of the character despite the fact that the current incarnation in the comics is male. Never-the-less, this footage still looks awesome!

This is pretty impressive, right?

Batman: Arkham Origins will be released on the 25th of October this year.

SDCC 2013: Batgirl to appear in Batman: Arkham Origins?

The Batman: Arkham Origins panel has just ended at San Diego Comic-Con 2013 and a lot of interesting information was released during it. However, one tease really stood out: When asked about the existence of Robin in the game, the panel replied:

There's no Robin at this point in the timeline. This is year 2 of his career. As for Batgirl, you're gonna have to see the game. #ArkhamSDCC
— Batman Arkham (@BatmanArkham) July 18, 2013

Now, that's a pretty strong hint isn't it? I'd certainly love to see Batgirl in Arkham Origins, but I'm still hoping for at least a few little hints or references to Robin.

As well as this, another interesting piece of information from the panel is the reveal that DC Comics assassin, Copperhead will be appearing in the game. Copperhead has recently appeared in mainstream comics as a member of the Secret Society in Justice League of America, except the version in the game will be female.

SDCC 2013: First look at X-Men: Days of Future Past's Sentinels

So, next year we'll get the release of the next X-Men movie ( after the Wolverine ), Days of Future Past. One important aspect of this film is the Sentinels. In the comics, they're the robots designed to hunt down and kill the X-Men's kind, Mutants. Today at SDCC people first got a look at the film's Sentinel designs.

(Images courtesy of Bleeding Cool)

SDCC 2013: First look at Forever Evil artwork, featuring Nightwing!

So, San-Diego Comic-Con has begun! Even if you're not there ( like me, even though I wish I could be ) you can still catch up on all of the important news and teasers from the event online! Right now, DC Comics are holding a panel with Geoff Johns, Jeff Lemire and more and they've started previewing artwork from upcoming dc issues.

The most important so far, I think is Forever Evil, with Nightwing breaking into Arkham Asylum, check out the page below.

While the page doesn't reveal much, I am interested to see more. And, just quickly, that's got to be Superwoman of the Crime Syndicate of America from Earth 3, right?

Review: Batman and Catwoman #22

This series is keeping to a consistently good standard, it's not the best on the shelves, but it's still very enjoyable and entertaining.

The basic premise of this story is Catwoman is sent on a mission by Colonel Steve Trevor ( Leader of the Justice League of America ) to save a hostage, but has to go to Batman for assistance in doing this. It's a good story, from Peter J. Tomasi, except for one aspect, in my opinion:

The villains, however, seemed a little too rushed. The villains don't get introduced properly or at all, and they're not named either. I feel like the later part of the issue wasn't particularly interesting because of this. This series does do a good job of creating minor villains for tiny roles in the story, but I'm starting to get tired of it, and would've preferred the Carrie Kelly section of this issue to be cut out in exchange for more focus on the Batman/Catwoman story.

The two stories of this issue were the Batman/Catwoman one and the Bruce Wayne/ Carrie Kelley one. Both of the sections were done well and  although the latter did have some brilliant, emotional moments,I would've preferred just one of them in this issue, so there was more time to build it up, as both seemed rushed.

Now onto the art by Patrick Gleason and Mick Gray. I feel like the art is regularly... alright. The faces look usually just odd, it's weird to look at and Carrie Kelley looked much older than she should. Despite this, there are some brilliant pages in this issue, where the face thing isn't a problem, since they're silhouetted out, this is an interesting effect, and those pages were the best part of the issue.

One part of the art I really liked though was miserable Batman. Patrick Gleason draws a really good miserable Batman.

Overall, this was an entertaining issue even though the art seemed odd at times. The interaction between Carrie and Bruce was interesting and made a good read.

Rating: 6/10

SDCC 2013: First Amazing Spider-Man 2 footage, featuring Jamie Foxx as Electro, released

So, SDCC 2013 has begun and we already have the first Amazing Spider-Man 2 news, the first footage from the film! The video features the film's villain, Electro ( played by Jamie Foxx ), check it out below:

If you're at SDCC this year make sure you go to Hall H at 4 PM ( their time ) on Friday, if you're not keep your eyes open for more ASM2 news from the Con. Although, this is probably all the footage you'll see for a while if you're not there, film studios tend to keep things pretty strongly under wraps outside of these events.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is released on the 18th of April 2014 and is directed by Marc Webb. It stars Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Jamie Foxx as Electro and Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy.

DC Comcs tease Forever Evil for Nightwing- "When the Unthinkable happens"

This is the fourth teaser DC Comics have released for their upcoming event, "Forever Evil" just today, this time they're teasing the future of ex-Robin, Dick Grayson, A.K.A. Nightwing. Check out the teaser below:

Well, this one's the most interesting of today's teasers. It's been revealed that Dick Grayson will be the character effected most by the upcoming event, but it's also been said this doesn't mean his death. What could this mean? Maybe Nightwing himself becoming a killer?

Justice League: War animated film set for release in 2014

Okay, so SDCC hasn't officially begun yet ( I think the preview night is tomorrow ) but there's a lot of news coming out today, pretty much just from DC Comics. Here's another bit of news and maybe the most important of the day so far, a new animated movie  for the Justice League! One based on the League's first arc post-Flashpoint.

The animated film is due for release next year and is based on the arc, "Origin", by Geoff Johns, Jim Lee and Scott Williams. This also confirms that after the "Flashpoint Paradox" animated film this year, the DC Animation stories are moving to the New 52, which I'm definitely glad about!

Expect to see the team coming together for the first time against the forces of Darkseid and Apokolips.

(Source: Newsarama)

DC Comics tease Forever Evil for Green Lantern- "The unexpected happens"

In the past few hours DC have been releasing new teasers for their September company-wide crossover, "Forever Evil", so far for the miniseries of the same name, Teen Titans, and now Green Lantern teasing a female Green Lantern taking the spotlight for once!

Check it out below:

This certainly looks quite interesting, should make for some interesting stories. Remember, in the final issue of Geoff Johns' run on the Green Lantern series a female green lantern from Earth was teased named Jessica Cruz, and since we haven't yet seen her face, this could be her. I mean, Forever Evil is Johns' story.

DC Comics tease Forever Evil for Teen Titans- "When the Unbelievable happens"

So, DC are continuing to tease their upcoming event, "Forever Evil", this time with a teaser for Teen Titans with what has been suggested to be Ultraman and Superwoman from Earth 3's Crime Syndicate of America. Check it out below:

Could this also signify a creative change for this series, considering the artwork above doesn't appear to be done by regular Teen Titans artist, Eddy Barrows.

Make sure you keep your eyes open for more Forever Evil news as DC are sure to be releasing more teasers throughout the day!

DC Comics release new "Forever Evil" teaser - "When the unimaginable happens"

You've probably heard about DC Comics' upcoming event, "Forever Evil" starting in September. It's supposed to be crossing over into the whole DC Universe and have a huge impact on it. Today DC have released a teaser for the event, featuring Black Adam, Bizarro, Sinestro, Catwoman, Lex Luthor, Black Manta, Captain Cold and... Batman?

Check it out below:

Forever evil teaser by David Finch

Forever Evil #1 is released in September and kicks off DC's "Villains Month".

Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti's "Harley Quinn" set for later this year

San-Deigo Comic-Con 2013 is being set-up right now, and the announcements are going to be flooding the internet pretty soon, but before that DC have one now!

 A Harley Quinn monthly from husband-wife Jimmy Palmiotti (Batwing, All-Star Western) and Amanda Conner (Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre) as co-writers! See Amanda Conner's cover for the first issue of the series below:

The Joker's Admirer, Harley Quinn usually stars and as one of the members of the team-book, Suicide Squad, which I'm not a regular reader of, but this I'm definitely looking forward to!

(SOURCE: Comic Book Resources)

Injustice, Gods Among Us: Martian Manhunter DLC and John Stewart skin revealed.

For the past few days there's been a lot of talk on twitter about the next DLC character for Injustice: Gods Among Us. Pretty much everyone was almost certain that it would be Martian Manhunter revealed, and they were right.

Yesterday, the gameplay trailer for the character was released, and the character does look pretty awesome. What else is new in this trailer is a John Stewart skin for Green Lantern, which I think has a new voice. Enjoy the clip!




I'm not a huge fan of Martian Manhunter so I don't think I'll be buying this DLC, although the John Stewart skin looks quite good.

Why I have a problem with 'Over in one month' events

So, a comic book company ( and it's usually DC Comics who do this ) are announcing a new event/crossover related to one of your favourite books. This is obviously great since it's a big new story with your favourite characters and something that is hopefully a real stand-out on shelves for the numerous months that the story spans. Hang on, did I say "Numerous months", oh, I'm sorry, I meant ONE MONTH. That's right, this book you're enjoying has one month to tell the entire story it's been building up to for ages.

ONE.

This really gets on my nerves, you wait ages for an event related to one of your favourite characters and it's gone quicker than Joshua Hale Fialkov's run on Green Lantern Corps!

The example I'm going to use right now is 'The Culling'. Now, I'd been a huge fan of the Teen Titans for years and was really enjoying the New 52 run of the book so when I found out about the crossover centred around the series I was really excited. Then I found out that this event would only run through one month. This story was being led up to for almost nine months and I knew it would be building to something important but it's something I wished could've lasted longer.

 Look at some of the major DC Comics crossovers, they last for months (like most of Marvel's too, actually) events such as Blackest Night ( running for eight issues in it's own series and spinning off to include nearly the whole DCU), Flashpoint ( Five issues of it's own solo series, with loads miniseries spinning off from it, although to be fair it did reboot the DCU) and the recent Death of the Family ( four months tying into almost every Bat-book on the shelves for that time ), why not give all of the events the multi-month treatment?

I mean, don't the creators deserve it? they've been building to it for months and months so why not let the climax of their arc last a little longer? This concept was probably exciting when it was first used, that it's so fast-paced and quick but now it's just sort of tiring.

 DC are using this tactic again in October with the next Green Lantern event, "Lights out". It starts in Green Lantern #25, runs through that month's Green Lantern Corps, New Guardians and Red Lanterns then concludes in Green Lantern Annual #2 less than a month after it began.

I feel like this doesn't do the story justice, considering this is the first big story that the new Green Lantern creative teams are facing, and it's something that deserves to be bigger. Getting it done in one month seems like it's being rushed, which isn't exciting to me, it's annoying.

Another point that I want to bring up about this topic goes back to the Teen Titans example, and the fact that after "The Culling" the book didn't keep at a good standard. I feel like that series peaked with the Culling, but it seems that was the last good idea for the book. If the story had been allowed to continue a little longer it could've given the writer some more time to come up with ideas for the next stories because as much as I loved that title around the time of the event, I have to admit, it seems to be running very low on ideas and the only good bit about it now is the characters, really.

There is a pretty easy solution to this problem, why not have the story run just through the main book for several months rather than multiple books for one? You can still include all of the characters from different books, just use them in the one book and let the story run longer, it's most likely what the event and the creative team deserves.

If mainstream events are allowed to go on for months, why not all of the books? It adds more impact to the story if it lasts longer, and the longer the event is on the shelves for, the more new readers are likely to take notice and read it.

DC Comics announce new annuals for October

Today DC Comics have announced a new batch of annuals hitting the shelves the fifth week of this October, check out below to see what they are!


ACTION COMICS ANNUAL #2

Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art by KENNETH ROCAFORT, DAN JURGENS and NORM RAPMUND
Cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
On sale OCTOBER 30 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T Part 1 of “KRYPTON RETURNS,”


continuing next month! What does this mean to the Universe? Superman, Supergirl and Superboy are enlisted by the Oracle to go back to their home world and correct what the villainous H’El has done! This epic adventure spans eons, from Krypton’s savage past of Clones to the very minutes before Kal-El’s ship is sent into space! You only think you know what happened in the last days of Krypton!



AQUAMAN ANNUAL #1


Written by JOHN OSTRANDER
Art by GERALDO BORGES and RUY JOSE
Cover by PAUL PELLETIER and DANNY MIKI
On sale OCTOBER 30 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T



Aquaman must reunite with The Others to investigate whether or not their recently deceased member Vostok has returned from the dead. If he has, he is definitely not the same Vostok they remember…





GREEN LANTERN ANNUAL #2



Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art and cover by SEAN CHEN
On sale OCTOBER 30 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T


 Don’t miss the stunning conclusion of “Lights Out!” Can Relic be defeated? Who lives? Who dies? The new status quo for the Lanterns is revealed here!









NIGHTWING ANNUAL #1



Written by KYLE HIGGINS
Art by JASON MASTERS
Cover by TONY S. DANIEL
On sale OCTOBER 30 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T


 Robin and Batgirl grew up fighting side by side…but with Dick Grayson about to embark on a new crime fighting quest and Barbara Gordon no longer fighting under the Bat, is there anything left between them? Following the “Batgirl: Wanted” epic, this is the story of a twosome with nothing left to lose, fighting for the only thing they can: each other!



SWAMP THING ANNUAL #2


Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art by JAVI PINA
Cover by TRAVEL FOREMAN
On sale OCTOBER 30 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T+



Tying directly into the current storyline with The Seeder—witness the next evolution of Swamp Thing! Alec’s going to need to take his powers to another level to take Seeder down...with help from the stranger coaches imaginable! Plus: an appearance from a Swamp Thing you never thought you’d see!









TEEN TITANS ANNUAL #2

Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art by ANGEL UNZUETA and ART THIBERT
Cover by EDDY BARROWS and • EBER FERREIRA
On sale OCTOBER 30 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T


Leading into next month’s landmark issue #25, the Teen Titans continue their trip through time as the team must confront Jon Lane Kent, the Superboy of the future, who could one day wipe out the most powerful heroes on Earth. Can the Titan's Superboy defeat the man he was cloned from by Harvest?

Andy Kubert's 'Damian: Son of Batman' announced.

We all know about the recent demise of the latest Robin, Damian Wayne. I have to admit, I do miss the little guy, I was even talking to one of my friends about it earlier today, but it seems we don't need to miss him for that much longer. Sort of...


Today, a four-issue miniseries named 'Damian: Son of Batman' was announced, written and drawn by the talented Andy Kubert, and it's based on the future of the deceased Robin, Kubert said: “Basically, what I'm doing is exploring the path that Damian has taken to become Batman. I think readers will see him in a different light than before,”

 

 

This is obviously set away from the mainstream DC Universe and I guess not a full return for Robin but I'm excited for this nonetheless!


The first issue hits shelves on October 30th!


(Source: New York Post)

Interview: Brett Booth talks Doomsday!

In September, DC Comics will be launching 'Villains Month', an event which puts DC's greatest villains to the forefront, rather than their greatest heroes. One of the characters being spotlighted during the event is Doomsday, the monster that once killed Superman. This issue is written by Greg Pak ( 'Planet Hulk', 'Batman/Superman', his upcoming run on 'Action Comics') and pencilled by Brett Booth ( 'Teen Titans', 'Nightwing', 'Justice League of America' and also a regular interviewee on this blog). I caught up with Booth once again to talk about this issue and more! Enjoy!

Superior Spider-Man and Venom to crossover

There have been a few rumours spinning out of the recent Marvel retreat, Bleeding Cool have been reporting on a lot of them such as Francesco Francavilla drawing the 'Gaurdians of the Galaxy' Infinity tie-in, the cancellation of 'Astonishing X-Men' and the most recent, a possible Superior Spider-Man/Venom crossover.

This would be the first meeting between Otto Octavius' Spider-Man and Flash Thompson's Venom and it's something that I'd definitely be interested to read. Now, I'm pretty sure this is going to be the main Superior Spider-Man series rather than the Superior Spider-Man team-up series. I mean, Dan Slott has pretty much confirmed it over twitter:

Okay. Enough internettin' for one day. Lunch. Then I gotta finish breaking down this Superior Spider-Man/Venom arc. Ttyl! :-)
— Dan Slott (@DanSlott) June 30, 2013

Another thing that I thought I'd point out is that a few months ago Slott was once again on Twitter teasing things to come when he mentioned a Spider-Man related event "Bigger than Spider-Island", could this be a part of it? And let's remember, Spider-Island was a pretty major events with tie-in books from the Avengers, Venom, Spider-Girl, Cloak and Dagger and many more.


(Source: Bleeding Cool and Dan Slott's twitter)