Review: Forever Evil #1

It's finally time for the New 52's first Universe-Wide event, Forever Evil, but was the first issue worth all the hype? Check out my review of Forever Evil #1 below! But a bit of a warning here, there will be spoilers for the series below...

 

 

 

 

I have to say, just before I start the main review, I'm a little bit confused as to why DC Comics had trailer Trinity War for so long as their next massive event, when it was simply a set-up event for Forever Evil, and they couldn't have just focused on the current event that I'm talking about here, but I won't let that get in the way of what I thought about this issue...

 

Anyway, I did really enjoy this issue, which is an odd thing to say considering it's very bad for the heroes of the DC Universe, but still, a great issue, and the Crime Syndicate seem like a really interesting group of villains for the series.

I always love reading how Geoff Johns' starts these big event comics, this one begins with a rather sinister business deal being made by Lex Luthor, and it really shows you how evil and self-obsessed he is as a character, that he's perfectly happy to threaten and ruin people's lives just to expand on his empire. I think this scene is deliberately used as an example of how vile a character Luthor is, since we know this series will feature him leading a group of his fellow villains to attempt to save the planet, and I think what Johns wanted to do was demonstrate how desperate the people of Earth are that somebody this evil will have to save them, and the scene is a clever way to show this.

 

I think the method that the Secret Society use to broadcast their message to the world is interesting, and provides a good way to show reactions from characters all around the world, but I do think it's a bit too similar to the how General Zod spoke to the people of Earth, both ways including taking over every device that with a screen or a speaker, such as a phone, an earpiece, televisions...

 

Now, I think the most important part of this issue is what happens to Nightwing, and while I won't spoil what actually happened in this post, I can say that it's massive for the character, and a major change in the status quo, I hope it has an immediate effect on his solo series, which would make Forever Evil really feel like a major event. I am glad this was put in the first issue of the series, because I'm not too keen on events that take months to have a major happening, or a shocking moment, I feel like this kicks off the story well ( obviously not for Dick Grayson, though... ).

 

One problem I do have with the issue though is how annoying Power Ring is, I feel like Johns is forcing the concept that he's the opposite of Green Lantern because he's so cowardly and afraid on us, and it got a bit tedious for me...

 

Now onto the art, and I really can't seem to find any problems with the art at all; I've looked over the issue several times now and there's no fault that springs to mind with it, David Finch's pencils work brilliantly with Richard Friend's inks and Sonia Oback's colours.

 

My favourite sections of the art throughout the entire issue were the four page fold out, showing what I'm almost certain is around one-hundred DC Universe villains ( with three from the Teen Titans animated series, which made me really happy ), and the final page, featuring Lex Luthor, which sums up how lost the world seems at this point, Finch along with Friend and Oback, is a great fit for this series.

 

In conclusion, I think this was a brilliant issue, and it shows you just how powerful the villains are, reading the ways that make the Secret Society the opposites of the Justice League was really interesting. Great writing,  great art, my only real complaint is that I got a little bit bored of Power Ring, apart from that, I really enjoyed it. I definitely suggest picking up this series, a major event for the DC Universe, and a must read for all DC fans.

 

Rating: 9/10

 

 

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 )

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?

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.

Interview: Keith Giffen talks Larfleeze and Justice League 3000

I recently caught up with DC Comics writer, Keith Giffen, to talk about his new projects Larfleeze and Justice League 3000. Below is the interview, enjoy! Please note, this interview was conducted before "Larfleeze" #1 was released.

Harry: Hi, Keith, thanks for taking time out for this interview!

I'm going to jump straight in and ask some questions about one of your new projects: Larfleeze. What do you think you're doing that's different with this character?

Keith Giffen: Telling stories that will actually end, trawling the DC encyclopaedia. Having fun ( this one's been missing for WAY too long ). You know... just playing the radical again.

Harry: Now, most main characters have to be likeable or at least somebody you can sympathise with or relate to. Larfleeze isn't exactly the most likeable character, will you be doing anything to change this?

Keith: Why? It worked for Lobo.

Harry: What problems will Larfleeze be challenging in this series?



Larfleeze #1

Keith: Other-dimensional gods, an unwanted love interest, an unwarranted reputation, a cosmic posse and a whole bunch of new characters, concepts and situations.

Harry: How does it feel to be handed a solo series for one of the stand-out characters of Geoff Johns' legendary Green Lantern run?

Keith: Pretty damn good. Considering the orange clown is Geoff's creation, I'm surprised he trusts me to do right by the mangy cur. It's misplaced trust, sure, but it's the thought that counts.

Harry: What new characters will we be seeing?

Keith: Laord of the hunt, The Wanderer, Dyrge of all sorrows, Waddles the Wonder Goose. That last one was just a little something to rev up the internuts. Gentlemen, start your engines.

Harry: With every Green Lantern title getting a new creative team around the same time, what are you doing to stand out from all the others?

Keith: Again, having fun.


Larfleeze #2

Harry: What can you tell us about the first big villain of the series?

Keith: He's Larfleeze's butler. Ha! Didn't see that coming, did you? Just because you don't act like a villain, doesn't mean you're not.

Harry: What have you found to be the most enjoyable part of writing this series so far?

Keith: Working with Marc again. That and world building. I'm a huge fan of world building.

Harry: What can you tease about the future of Larfleeze?

Keith: Well... We're close to four issues in the can so I think it's safe to say the future will be there on time.



Justice League 3000 Superman
design by Howard Porter.

Harry: Now onto one of your recently announced projects, Justice League 3000. What can you tell us about this series?

Keith: Absolutely nothing except that it's the Justice League. And that we plan on spending the first four issues lying to you through our teeth.

Harry: There's been some talk about the relation between the 31st century Justice League team and the one in the current time. What's the relation between the two? Can we expect this to be a major aspect of the series?

Keith: That's be giving the farm away. Sorry.

Harry: We've already seen designs for Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and the Flash. Is this the roster for the book or can we expect future counterparts for other heroes ( or villains ) as well as these?

Keith: That's the roster for the foreseeable future.



Justice League 3000 Batman design
by Howard Porter

Harry: Can we expect any completely original members of the team in addition to these counterparts?

Keith: Never say never...

Harry: Can we expect ties to the current Justice League's stories in this series?

Keith: I'm going to say... no. The book's got to stand on it's own as a self contained entity. If you're reading JL3000, that's the only book you'll have to read to understand and ( hopefully ) enjoy JL3000.

Harry: With this set around the same time as the recently cancelled "Legion of Super-Heroes" series, can we expect any ties to that? What's different from it?



Justice League 3000 Wonder Woman
 design by Howard Porter

Keith: Aside from the name Fatal Five and one or two other names that are too good to let go of... not at all. There are no Legionnaires in JL3000, no LSH supporting cast members, no references to LSH at all. Not because I'm looking to erase the LSH, but because JL3000 has to be the only book you have to read to get the story or understand the concept of JL3000.

Harry: What can you say about who the first big villain of the series is?

Keith: The Fatal Five are not who you think they are.

Harry: With this series taking place mostly separate from all the other DC Comics titles, do you feel more of a sense of freedom when writing this book?

Keith: Absolutely!


Justice League 3000 the Flash
design by Howard Porter

Harry: What sort of tone can we expect this series to have?

Keith: Giffen, DeMatteis, Maguire. Yeah, it's exactly what you think it is.

Harry: Can we expect to see any other recognisable aspects of the DC Universe and what they're like in the 31st century?

Keith: I think that will have to happen sooner or later. As long as the aspects can be introduced as new there should be no problem.

Harry: What are you doing that will really make this book stand out from all of the other new books coming to the shelves?

Keith: Trying to point out that life doesn't end at grim and gritty. A little fun never hurt anyone.



Justice League 3000 Green Lantern
design by Howard Porter

Harry: What big changes will there be between the original Justice League and the incarnation in this series?

Keith: um... they're two completely different things? We're not an appendix to the JL, we're our own... um... well whatever we are, we're ours and ours alone. And DC's.

Harry: Thanks, Keith! Good luck with all of your new projects!

Larfleeze #1 is out now and Justice League 3000 #1 hits shelves in October!

(Images of Justice League 3000 designs courtesy of Comic Book Resources)

Review: Justice League of America #4

So far in JLA's run, I haven't really been keeping up with it, I'm not sure why but I haven't really managed to pick it up. I decided to pick up this issue backup, because I'd seen a lot of reviewers and writers for comic book websites talking about it and heard that it was a really interesting issue, and it certainly was!

I've really been enjoying a lot of Geoff Johns' work recently, and this issue was no exception. The premise of  this series is interesting, a really odd Justice League team that seem to be forced together, and the interactions between these members make for a really good read.

The story of this issue was great, I haven't been reading the last few issues but just jumping on here I still enjoyed it. I liked seeing Stargirl rebelling against Amanda Waller's orders and heading into the battle. And my final bit about the story, the ending. The ending is amazing, I really wasn't expecting it, I won't spoil it but I do recommend you pick up the issue as soon as possible before it sells out!

The main reason I decided to pick up this issue was because my favourite artist, Brett Booth, drew this issue. Anybody who reads this blog is aware that I'm a big fan of Brett and I enjoyed his art in this issue a lot. I don't think this is the best work he's done recently, but I'm bearing in mind that he drew this at the same time he was drawing Nightwing, so he'd be working extra to get this done.

One thing I love about the art is the fact that Brett Booth has been put with Norm Rapmund and Andrew Dalhouse for inks and colours, Rapmund and Dalhouse have worked on almost every book Brett Booth's pencilled in the New 52 and the three of them make a pretty good art team!

Now onto the back-up by Matt Kindt and Andres Guinaldo. I've never been a big Martian Manhunter fan so I was a bit hesitant about reading a story focused on him but I really enjoyed it. It focuses on J'onn J'onzz' fear of fire which is something I've never really understood before but the creators do a good job of explaining it. I'm looking forward to reading more of it!

Overall, this is an enjoyable and exciting issue with a great cliff-hanger ending. Pick it up before it's too late!

Rating: 8/10

Interview: Robert Venditti on taking over Green Lantern

Recently I caught up with new Green Lantern writer, Robert Venditti, to talk to him about taking over the title, what we can expect from his run and who we can expect to see. The interview is below!

Harry: Now, the topic of this interview is your upcoming run on Green Lantern, how do you feel to be taking over the title after Geoff John's nine year run? Is it a little intimidating or do you see it as a challenge?

Robert Venditti: It's a bit of both. Geoff Johns became synonymous with Green Lantern, and deservedly so. He made Green Lantern a household name. I try not to focus on things like that, though. All I can do is tell

Green Lantern #21

the kinds of stories I know how to tell the way I know how to tell them, and hope readers like them.

Harry: How closely do you work with the writers on the other four Green Lantern related books?

Robert Venditti: I'm co-plotting Green Lantern Corps with Van Jensen, so he and I talk pretty frequently. But then I've known Van for years, so talking through stories with eachother is something we do whether we're co-plotting or not. As for Justin Jordan and Charles Soule, we all get on the phone for conference calls, and I see them at conventions as well. So we have an open line of communication with eachother.

Harry: How much input did you have on the finale of Geoff John's run on the series? Did you get any say over what happened or did you just have to adapt your stories based on Geoff's plans?

Robert Venditti: It wouldn't be appropriate for me to try to inject myself into Geoff's story. He wrote the book on many of these characters- literally- and he more than earned his right to leave on his own terms. I was aware of how he was going to end his run on the series, though, so I knew before I started writing  what I'd need to introduce my plotlines in as seamless a way as possible.

Harry: With Green Lantern being mostly Space-based do you feel like your creativity can really run wild with all of the new species and alien villains you can create?

Robert Venditti: That's one of the really wonderful aspects of the series. I've never written anything this cosmic before, and knowing the entire universe was up for grabs was a big attraction for me. By the end of the first arc, we'll have gone places and seen things that I hope the readers will find exciting.

Harry: What can you tell us about the first big villain of your run, Relic?

Relic design, by Green Lantern artist, Billy Tan.

Robert Venditti: He's a huge threat to the Corps in many ways,  not the least of which is his chosen mission to rid the universe of Lanterns. He's big, he's strong,  and he's very old, and the knowledge he brings will present a challenge to Hal and the corps that they've never faced before.

Harry: With Green Lantern being one of the characters with the most history still left after Flashpoint, what stories do you think new readers will have to know before picking up your run, if any?

Robert Venditti: The run is meant to be a jumping-on point for readers, so I don't think you necessarily will have to read anything to understand the story. but Green Lantern does have a lot of continuity still in tact, and they're great stories. You really can't go wrong reading Geoff Johns' entire run. I'm certainly glad I did.

Harry: We've already seen in a preview that DC Comics posted on their blog we get to see Kyle Rayner, Kilowog and Larfleeze in the first issue of your run, along with Hal Jordan, but what other characters can we expect to see in your run?

Green Lantern #21 preview

Robert Venditti: Wow. That'd be a pretty long list. Some others who'll be appearing in the first few issues are Carol Ferris, John Stewart, Salaak, Voz and Graf Toren. But that's by no means everyone.

Harry: As I mentioned in the previous question, we've already seen stars of three of the four other Green Lantern related books are appearing in the first issue that you're writing. Do you think the books will be closely tied together now or after a few issues will they move away and into their own stories?

Robert Venditti: The intent is to have common threads running through all the books but to have each stand on their own as well. One of the great things about the Green Lantern family of titles is that, while they're all science fiction, each of them stands as it's own subgenre of sci-fi. I've spent a lot of time talking with Van, Justin and Charles, and they have really clear directions of how they'll be playing up the unique aspects of their respective titles.

Harry: Can we expect some new characters to appear?

Robert Venditti: Absolutely. Issue 21 has some new lanterns, as well as the first appearance of two new villains. One is Relic, and the other... readers will have to wait and see.

Harry: With such a vast variety of characters in the Green Lantern universe, do you feel like you

Green Lantern #21 preview

have a good choice for characters to use in stories? 

Robert Venditti: It's an incredibly diverse cast, which does give you a wealth of plotlines and character arcs. But it can also be daunting, because each of the characters has it's own chain of continuity that you have to try and pin down before you write them. Suffice to say, I'm still learning.

Harry: What have you found to be the most enjoyable part of writing this series so far?

Robert Venditti: I could tell you, but not without a significant amount of spoilers. By October we will have made some important status quo changes for the main Green Lantern title, and across some of the other titles as well. All the teams are working really hard to keep readers surprised and entertained.

Robert Venditti's first Green Lantern issue ( #21 ) is released on June 5th.

You can also catch him on his twitter and his website .

DC Comics release Superman's 75th anniversary logo

Today DC Comics released the official logo for Superman's 75th anniversary. You can expect this to be on pretty much all of the Superman related merchandise from DC, if not, we know it will be on the comic covers at least, similar to the way Marvel used the logo for Spider-Man's 50th.

Here's the logo, a silhouetted version of  Jim Lee's Superman from the double page ads for the New 52 from the start of the relaunch:

 It's also been announced that Zack Snyder will be making a 2 minute animated short about Superman, also involved in the short film are Geoff Johns, Bruce Timm and lots more.

DC release first look at the first Green Lantern issue post-Johns

DC Comics have posted a preview of Green Lantern #21 on their blog, the first issue of the main series for around nine years to not have writer Geoff Johns involved with it. This issue is written by Robert Venditti ( X-O Manowar ) with pencils by Billy Tan. Here are the unlettered pages that DC put up on their blog.



"For SPARTA!"

I quite like these pages, although we don't learn much about the writing we can see the art's pretty good. My only problem is that Hal Jordan and Kyle Rayner don't appear to actually be wearing their rings, which is pretty important for members of their corps.

You can check out DC's original post here.

Booster Gold to star in new Ongoing Series... Possibly

Someone seems Happy...

Last night the "Greenest night" celebration took place in Los Angeles to celebrate Geoff John's nine year run on Green Lantern coming to an end. Of course, you'd think this would be all Green Lantern focused, but an interesting piece of news has spun out of it...

According to people at the event DC Comics will be releasing a new Booster Gold series sometime soon!

Considering the time traveller's rather mysterious disappearance at the end of Justice League International there's some big potential for the character there. He also showed up for a few issues of All Star Western along with Jonah Hex ( the star of that book ).

Personally, I've never been a huge Booster Gold fan. In fact, he's sort of a joke between me and my dad, but I'm sure if DC are willing to put him on his own ongoing it should be interesting.

I'm not sure if this technically counts as a rumour, since there's been no official word from DC, so I'm obviously not certain about this.