IGN Assemble! #55 - Reality Punches and Stuff

Zero month trucks on, and this week we talk up some of the great successes -- like Justice League, Batwoman, and Wonder Woman -- and the not-so-successful like Red Hood and the Outlaws and, god help us, Catwoman.

We also talk about a surprising dark turn for Daredevil, the conclusions of Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Ghost Prison and Spider-Men, and the big news of the week courtesy of Ultimate Comics: Ultimates, Captain America becoming president.

There's also depressing talk about the Swamps of Sadness.

There are spoilers within for everything we talk about, so beware.

In the interest of self-promotion:

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IGN Assemble! Podcast: Episode #55
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Joey Esposito
Erik Norris

Enjoy!

Joey is IGN's Comics Editor and a comic book creator himself. Follow Joey on Twitter, or find him on IGN. He will love Star Wars until the end of his days.

Source : ign[dot]com

Hero Worship: Solving Wonder Woman's TV Dilemma

I doubt it comes as a surprise that I’m a huge Wonder Woman fan. She’s my second favorite female superhero character (second only to Catwoman) and has a fluctuating standing in my overall top 5. My apartment displays more pieces of Wonder Woman art than anything else, including furniture. Visually, there’s a certain majesty to her character that no other hero in the DC Universe can match and I adore it.

Yesterday, there was news of former Wonder Woman scribe (and successful TV writer) Allan Heinberg writing a pilot for a potential new CW show called Amazon, centered around a younger Diana, who is described as “a budding superhero.” First and foremost, let me point out that my thoughts are 100% conjecture. Amazon is merely a script at this point, with no promise of making it any further. But I think the fact that it’s called Amazon is a clear indication that this show has intentions of being entirely different from its clear predecessor, Smallville. It implies a fantasy series; one in which I imagine part of the character’s journey would be learning about the unfamiliar world of man and trying to understand it.

Way back when NBC passed on David E. Kelley’s ill-conceived Wonder Woman pilot in early 2011, I wrote a feature (one of my first for IGN, actually) called The Trouble With Wonder Woman, all about the many difficulties involved in bringing the character to live action. In it, one of the problems I point to is Wonder Woman’s homeland of Themyscira (Paradise Island) and how to effectively deal with exploring those concepts on-screen. Wonder Woman and her fellow Amazons certainly hold no shortage of mythology, so what’s the best way to deal with that in a digestible manner?

I say embrace it wholeheartedly. Since I wrote that piece, we’ve had Thor prove that a similar sort of amalgam mythology can be managed well on-screen. If Thor can manage it all in two hours, surely an hour long weekly TV show could do it even better. Let’s not forget that the fantasy genre is doing pretty well for itself on TV at the moment with shows like Game of Thrones or, more appropriate for the CW audience, Once Upon a Time and Grimm. There’s no reason CW couldn’t celebrate Wonder Woman’s fantastical origins and make it the underpinning of the show.

Amazon could incorporate the politics of Themyscira, betrayal amongst Amazons, conflicts with the gods, conflicts with the world of man, and so much more. Diana’s journey of growing up in such an environment, learning who she is, the nature of her birth, and dealing with her desire to see the world beyond Themyscira are all solid, interesting threads to explore. Of course, the show runners could still manage to find a way to incorporate classic Wonder Woman baddies like Cheetah, Giganta, and Doctor Psycho in new and different ways.

There’s a larger issue of the network no doubt necessitating the presence of male characters, which a show set entirely on Themyscira would essentially prohibit. Unless… the pilot ends with Steve Trevor crash landing on the island, as per the classic Wonder Woman origin, with the first season exploring his time amongst these apparent goddesses and learning about their culture. Meanwhile, perhaps, the military is looking into his disappearance and coming ever closer to discovering Paradise Island.

This would also establish a sort of forbidden romance between Diana and Steve (remember, “young Diana” doesn’t necessarily mean “early teen Diana”), which could ultimately be stretched out in further seasons once Steve has to return home and they’re separated. There’s plenty of ways that this material is malleable, which really is part of the beauty of the superhero myths.

An added bonus to taking this approach to Amazon would be added context to the Justice League movie. With that film bringing together the DCU’s premier super team with a limited amount of origin stuff involved, movie goers perhaps unfamiliar with Wonder Woman can turn to Amazon for insight into Wonder Woman’s origin. Even if Amazon and the (eventual) DC movie universe aren’t related, the rather ambiguous time period (“early!”) makes it an acceptable point of reference for the origins of the character.

After the failure of the last version of TV Wonder Woman – which was a downright silly departure for the character – it’s doubtful that Heinberg would aim to change things up all that much, not to mention CW’s apparent full-steam ahead approach to incorporating many DCU elements to the upcoming Arrow. As the superhero genre continues to achieve new and unprecedented success in various mediums, I think we’ll start seeing networks embrace the nature of these characters more fully rather than shy away from the more fantastic elements.

Hopefully, as a result, Diana can finally make her live-action return.

Joey is IGN's Comics Editor and a comic book creator himself. Follow Joey on Twitter, or find him on IGN. He loves superhero pets so hard.

Source : ign[dot]com

New Wonder Woman Series Being Developed for The CW

Wonder Woman is getting another chance at a TV series. It was just last year David E. Kelley made a semi-infamous Wonder Woman pilot for NBC, which was passed on by the network. Now however, Vulture reports that there is a brand new TV take on Princess Diana in the works at The CW.

Titled Amazon, this is a complete origin story – what Vulture describes as being about “a young, budding superhero, rather than a fully formed defender of liberty.” It seems that, like Smallville, Diana may not even be called Wonder Woman at this point or wear the Wonder Woman costume – which would explain not using that name in the title.

Amazon is being written by Allan Heinberg, whose TV credits include Grey’s Anatomy and The O.C., but who is known to comic book fans for creating and writing Young Avengers at Marvel.

Vulture notes there is no pilot ordered yet, just a script. It’s unclear how the development of Amazon affects progress on a potential new Wonder Woman movie, which Variety reported Michael Goldenberg (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix) was writing – not to mention the character’s likely presence in the JLA movie. However, the potential TV series focusing on such a young version of Diana may make it possible for it to not be seen as a conflict with a different (and no doubt older) movie interpretation of the character.

While the 2011 NBC pilot starring Friday Night Lights' Adrianne Palicki was passed on, there's still plenty of nostalgic love for the 1970s Wonder Woman TV series, which starred Lynda Carter and helped elevate Wonder Woman into a much more well-known and popular character.

Source : ign[dot]com

Check Out Jim Lee's New Justice League #12 Cover

Since the budding romance of Superman and Wonder Woman is selling like hotcakes, Jim Lee has already crafted a cover for the upcoming second printing of Justice League #12. It's the same general idea, but you'll notice that Wonder Woman seems to be taking the initiative this time around, plus it's more lovey-dovey than the original cover. BuzzFeed debuted the cover earlier today. Take a look:

Check out our review of Justice League #12!

Joey is IGN's Comics Editor and a comic book creator himself. Follow Joey on Twitter, or find him on IGN. He loves superhero pets so hard.

Source : ign[dot]com

Comic Book Reviews for 8/29/12

This week in comics: Superman and Wonder Woman have their much publicized make out session, DC Comics unleashes a boatload of Annuals, Uncanny X-Force continues to depress us while American Vampire rips our hearts out, and Spider-Man teams up with Aunt May (kind of).

DC COMICS

American Vampire #30

Written by Scott Snyder | Art by Rafael Albuquerque

"Ever since Henry and Pearl began their relationship, I knew there would be a time where Pearl’s inability to age would catch up to them and the series  would punch me in the gut with such ferocity that the pain would travel up my body and my heart would shatter to pieces and scatter across the freeway and be obliterated to pieces against the windshields of oncoming traffic like insects. That moment happens in American Vampire #30." -Joey

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

9.5

Aquaman #12

Written by Geoff Johns | Art by Ivan Reis

"Prepare to be enthralled and annoyed with Aquaman #12. Enthralled because Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis deliver yet another memorable chapter of what is easily one of the best books among the New 52. Annoyed because this issue is a bit lacking in forward momentum, forcing us to wait two months before the final clash between Aquaman and Black Manta." -Jesse

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

8.5

Before Watchmen: Minutemen #3

Written by Darwyn Cooke | Art by Darwyn Cooke

"Before Watchmen: Minutemen has been solidly executed from the start, but the first two issues failed to add much to the story of the team that we hadn't seen before. Issue #3 marks the first point where Darwyn Cooke is really able to dive into the psychologies of the characters and offer some genuinely new and interesting material." -Jesse

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

8.5

Detective Comics Annual #1

Written by Tony Daniel | Art by Romano Molenaar & Pere Perez

"Prior to the New 52, much of Tony Daniel's Batman work was centered around establishing a new version of Black Mask, a villain who turned out to be none other than Dr. Jeremiah Arkham. Recently, Daniel has returned to Black Mask in his Detective Comics run, though now Roman Sionis is back under the mask and Arkham is on the right side of the law again. Detective Comics Annual #1 offers Daniel a chance to explore the current status quo of these characters outside the confines of the main series. Though it definitely has its rough patches, this annual isn't a bad way for Daniel to end his writing stint on the series." -Jesse

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

7.0

The Flash Annual #1

Written by Francis Manapul & Brian Buccellato | Art by Various

"The Flash Annual #1 uses its extended format to tell a five chapter story that does a nice job of answering some big questions and escalating the conflict to truly outrageous heights. Although Flash has his name on the book, the story has become more focused on Captain Cold. He has a good chunk of page time and must deal with more interesting twists and turns than Flash throughout the book. Brian Buccellato and Francis Manapul deliver a fine story, just not for the character they intended." -Joshua

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

7.5

Green Lantern Annual #1

Written by Geoff Johns | Art by Ethan Van Sciver

"Ethan Van Sciver has returned to Green Lantern! Given that he drew Green Lantern: Rebirth and ushered in the new era of Hal Jordan and the Corps, it feels right for him to come back to kick off the next big GL crossover event that has been teased to be an end of sorts for Hal, Rise of the Third Army. At the start of this 48-page issue, things are grim for Hal as he and Sinestro are at the mercy of Black Hand while the Guardians seek out the First Lantern. Geoff Johns opens up a whole new expanse of GL mythology with this status quo-altering bombshell." -Joshua

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

8.0

Justice League #12

Written by Geoff Johns | Art by Jim Lee

"Justice League has been struggling to find its footing because Geoff Johns and Jim Lee seem bent on delivering big action on big splash pages, leaving the story to play catch up as it tries to make sense of it all. This entry starts off with a fair bit of that as the team has their showdown with the underwhelming new villain, Graves. Yet in the wake of the battle, the series finds itself on solid ground thanks to the excellent dialogue and momentous turning points -- not to mention Superman and Wonder Woman totally make out!" -Joshua

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

8.0

Justice League International Annual #1

Written by Geoff Johns & Dan Didio | Art by Jason Fabok

"There are a few things going against the Justice League International Annual right from the get-go: it’s an amendment to a book we know is canned, it’s handled by a new creative team (which isn’t a bad thing in my case, but for the JLI faithful it could be off-putting), and it’s $5. While I can’t proclaim that this annual is worth the money, it does offer up some interesting new threads for the next year or so – though where they will all play out is anybody’s guess. There’s a 'continued in Justice League in 2013' bit at the end here, but I doubt we’ll be continuing the story of August General in Iron and Booster Gold in the New 52’s flagship title." -Joey

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

7.0

National Comics: Looker #1

Written by Ian Edginton | Art by Mike S. Miller

"It’s becoming apparent that the new National Comics done-in-one anthology series has a structure that is both its greatest asset and biggest shortcoming. While last month’s Kid Eternity story was a stellar tale that felt complete (though I was desperate for more), Looker is more of a broad strokes introduction to the revamped Emily Briggs than a satisfying story. We get bits and pieces of some interesting things with the loose framework of a murder mystery, but overall there’s not enough here in this one-shot to deliver anything that we can latch onto in such a short amount of time." -Joey

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

6.0

The New Deadwardians #6

Written by Dan Abnett | Art by I.N.J. Culbard

"When Vertigo showed off all the new series it was launching in 2012, I'll admit that the one I was least excited for was The New Deadwardians. Now, as we near the series finale, I can safely say that it is not only the best new Vertigo book, but quite possibly the best series of the year. Everything about it is near perfection. This issue gives us some of the most brilliant dialogue to be scripted in a comic book, maybe ever. This is shaping up to be a masterpiece." -Benjamin

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

9.5

Phantom Lady #1

Written by Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti | Art by Cat Staggs

"Given the bright colored cover showcasing a busty babe holding a tiny man in her hand, I did not expect Phantom Lady #1 to be so dark. Her parents get set on fire (in true DC origin fashion), her friend gets her face bashed into the hood of a car, and the enforcers from a dangerous crime family try to incinerate her partner. Normally I welcome when a book surprises by contrasting with its cover, like Captain Marvel, but the lack of grace in Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti’s storytelling stops this book from not just defying expectations but exceeding them." -Joshua

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

6.5

Superman Annual #1

Written by Scott Lobdell & Fabian Nicieza | Art by Various

"If Superman Annual #1 were a person, I’d be sure that it was suffering from multiple personality disorder. It’s not a person, though, so I have to wonder what the hell was going on down at DC editorial when they cooked this one up." -Poet

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

4.0

Source : ign[dot]com

Batwoman #12 Review

A number of changes have occurred since you last read a Batwoman comic: J.H. Williams III is back on art, the format is back to a relatively linear format, and Wonder Woman is featured prominently. I would have expected each of those changes to benefit the book, but, together, they push the book to its best form thus far.

Pairing Wonder Woman and Batwoman is a perfect move for this title. Wonder Woman is iconic and pure whereas Batwoman slugs her way through back alleys and the everyday problems of common citizens (think Superman and Batman). Still, they are both strong women who define themselves by their work. It’s a delight to let the storytelling, visual and scripted, wash over you, as Williams differentiates between truth and fiction through changes in his art style and the script wraps the two characters’ stories around one another. As the issue progresses and the stories begin to meld, the interface of Batwoman’s urban legends and Wonder Woman’s mythology serves as an appealing, if not entirely congruent, bridge between the two characters.

It’s impossible to overstate the boost that Williams’ return gives to this book. His layouts sell the confusion and fear of Batwoman’s funhouse experience while simultaneously presenting Wonder Woman as confident and (literally) centered. Whether they’re relaxing on a yacht or having a swim in a backyard pool, Williams breathes life into his characters so convincingly that it’s almost as if you’re seeing actors on film instead of hand-drawn squiggles on paper. It’s nice to see the water still factoring into the imagery, but the way it defines Wonder Woman’s transformation back to Diana at the issue’s climax is exquisite. I’d also like to tip my cap to Williams for single-handedly making Director Bones a new favorite of mine through nothing more than his visual depiction of the character.

Without question, Williams’ return is a huge boon to this book, but it’s not the whole story. The narrative has improved greatly, with a delightful new dynamic forming between Kate, Agent Chase, and Director Bones. Also, Wonder Woman serves as the perfect counterbalance to Bette, both of whom circle around Kate, defining one another by analogy and contrast.

I was expecting this book to be an improvement, but I wasn’t expecting it to be this good. The new dynamics between characters, the return of J.H. Williams III on art, and the potential represented by the Wonder Woman team-up have me as excited about this book as I am about any other book on the shelves.

Poet is a freelance writer, mid-core gamer, and frequent IGN contributor. Follow Poet on Twitter, or post a message on his IGN profile.

Source : ign[dot]com

Wonder Woman #12 Review

Brian Azzarello just made me a Wonder Woman fan for life. By dating this story just enough to let him play around with the origin of her powers, and reveal some new ones, Azzarello has given meaning to aspects of Wonder Woman’s character that have long been taken for granted. Flight is so commonplace in superhero books that it’s easy to forget its symbolic importance, as well as the rush of adrenaline that comes when your new favorite hero does it for the first time.

Right up there with Azzarello’s focused epic story is Cliff Chiang’s artwork that looks better with every issue. There are too many eye-popping, fist-pumping moments to name just one, but what’s most impressive is how Chiang makes it look so easy. His characters are lean and have simple yet defined looks. They move about the page with power and grace. There’s never a moment of confusion as to how the action is unfolding. This book is a lesson in how to draw a good comic.

So many plots threads come together in such poignant ways that after my initial read through, I read it two more times just to see how Azzarello did it all so masterfully. There are themes of birth, freedom, loyalty, and spirituality that all wind together with the art to create visual poetry. DC is putting out a fair number of strong books, but with this conclusion to Birth Right, Wonder Woman crushes them beneath her boot.

Joshua is a writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter or IGN, where he is hell-bent on making sure you know his opinion about comic books.

Source : ign[dot]com