Review: Earth 2 Issue 18

Surprises galore are in store in the latest issue of the Earth 2 under new writer Tom Taylor in his sophomore effort. A shocking ending caps off a decent story as you won't believe who bites the bullet!

Superman Wonder Woman Issue 1 Cover Gallery

Superman and Wonder Woman kissing in a tree! The new series featuring two of the most celebrated characters has finally arrived. Check out the cover gallery for issue one featuring numerous variants!

Review: Batman Superman Issue 2

Worlds collide as Superman and Batman travel to Earth 2 though not necessarily by their own choice! Writer Greg Pak and Jae Lee continue the epic story of their first team-up!

REVIEW: Superman Unchained #1

At last year's New York Comic Con, DC Comics announced that Scott Snyder and Jim Lee were taking on a new Superman book, Superman Unchained, to coincide with Man of Steel's theatrical release. With Grant Morrison's departure from Action Comics it immediately became the prime Superman book to read. And with such a stellar creative force, it was silly not to expect anything but greatness. Yes, Unchained is a fun book but it's hardly the force we all wanted. Spoiler-free review ahead.

DC Comics: How To Kiss

Based on some interesting cover artwork, apparently super-heroines can only kiss in a certain way! What's the deal with these poses?

PREVIEW: Superman Unbound Trailer

Superman and Supergirl star in the latest DC Universe animated film. Check out screen shots and the trailer.

Books: New Releases This Week

Stories featuring Superman, Spider-Men and Deadpool hit shelves this week! Get your reading on!

Review: Action Comics 13

A menace from Krypton's past makes his presence felt in the present, as Superman goes into Phantom Zone. Featuring the special appearance of The Phantom Stranger, this issue also marks a beloved reunion for the Man of Steel with a companion.

Writer Grant Morrison crafts an spooky Halloween story for Action Comics issue 13. There are some wonderful nods to the Superman mythos here so be sure not to gloss over them. Artist Travel Foreman adds his own unique look to the Man of Steel. Is it a coincidence, that Foreman is penciling this Halloween tale? If you're familiar with his previous visceral work on Animal Man, you'll enjoy his style here. Despite not being too detailed, Foreman's panels are simple yet refined and are as comparable as Rags Morales' early work and style were. Foreman's depictions of Krypton are pretty mind-blowing as well.

Doctor Xa-Du, a threat to the stability of the planet Krypton, finds himself banished to the Phantom Zone. Morrison's depiction of the Doctor pleading for mercy are quite powerful for readers to grasp the level of revenge, Xa-Du burns for. Interesting that Xa-du's banishment also falls on Halloween, as the menace uses a ecto-suit to escape the Phantom Zone and get his revenge on Jor-El's son! With the help of the Phantom Stranger and a companion from the planet Krypton, is Superman able to send Xa-Du back to prison. Of course this loving companion was hinted at in issues past and is a wonderful sight to see again. Man's best friend is a sight for sore eyes!

Final verdict: A

You might also like:

• Batman Annual Issue 1 - The Torment of Mr. Freeze
• Nightwing Issue 1 - Full Circle
• Secret Avengers Issue 21.1 - Hawkeye Leads the Team

Justice League Issue 12: Superman and Wonder Woman

With the New 52 reboot of the DC Universe, certain aspects of our beloved characters, were eliminated. We saw The Flash and Iris Allen being separated and unaware of their past relationship as was the case with Superman and Lois Lane also. Now with Entertainment Weekly's cover reveal for Justice League issue 12, we know who the special lady in Superman's life will be.

While the impending romance between Superman and Wonder Woman has always been hinted at in previous eras, such as when John Byrne and George Perez tackled the situation, it's never been completely consummated. Until now perhaps. I commend DC Comics for going in this bold direction but it doesn't feel the same without Lois being the one true love for the Man of Steel. Maybe this is DC's way of breaking from the past or perhaps another gimmick that will be forgotten. Time and the readership will ultimately decide.

You might also like:

• Batman Annual Issue 1 - The Torment of Mr. Freeze
• Nightwing Issue 1 - Full Circle
• Secret Avengers Issue 21.1 - Hawkeye Leads the Team

Via Entertainment Weekly, Comic Vine

REVIEW: Justice League #6

The first arc of the New 52's flagship title concludes as the "Super Seven" battles the mighty Darkseid. Memo to Darkseid: don't piss off Superman.

Earth 2 Superman

DC Comics rounds out their previews for the upcoming Earth 2 comic with a look at the Man of Steel concept art.  It's a solemn portrayal of Superman, via Jim Lee as in this parallel Earth, his beloved Lois Lane is deceased. Stay tuned for more sneak peeks as they become available.

Superman: Earth One

Published in 2010, Superman: Earth One is the first of DC's Earth One original graphic novels. Much like Marvel's extremely successful Ultimate Marvel line of books, Earth One will feature new takes on DC's existing characters, and gives writers the freedom to introduce classic heroes to new audiences without being limited to ongoing continuity.

Unfortunately, the comic book world has far been spoiled with almost too many different Superman origin stories. Unlike Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, or even Batman, Superman's origin has been retold and rebooted more than enough. His origin just can't seem to be left alone! Several stories have been published in just the last 10 years, including Mark Waid's Birthright, Geoff Johns' Secret Origin, and J. Michael Straczynski's Earth One. It's currently being retold again in the New 52 in Grant Morrison's run on Action Comics. Superman's origin isn't safe from Hollywood reboots either - don't forget Zack Snyder's upcoming Man of Steel film set for 2013.

So how does Superman: Earth One fare? In a nutshell, it's a smooth read but isn't quite the quintessential origin. Too many distinct changes to the Superman mythology make it difficult to accept. With as many Superman origins out there, they are all hard to read with an open mind because his traits and ideals are so important to what makes him who he is. And in this particular case, the new twists that Straczynski decides to explore hurt Superman's origin more than add to it. Shane Davis' art, though not horrible, is also flawed. (Spoilers ahead.)

DC Reveals Earth 2 Variant Cover

 

DC Comics has revealed a variant cover for James Robinson's upcoming Earth 2.

A few notable observations:

1. Batman is using Nightwing's trademark escrima sticks. Could Dick Grayson be the Batman of Earth 2?
2. Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman are battling Darkseid's parademons, which are currently appearing over in Geoff Johns and Jim Lee's Justice League.
3. Where's the Justice Society?? Will DC's Trinity be a part of the New 52's version of the Justice Society of America?

Via The Source

REVIEW: Justice League #5

After an epic setup last month, Geoff Johns and Jim Lee's Justice League #5 doesn't quite meet expectations.

Justice League New 52 Action Figures Officially Announced

Concepts were shown at conventions all last year, but it looks like DC has finally unveiled an official image of DC Direct's upcoming New 52 Justice League line. Click the image to see release dates for each figure.

Sadly, we have to wait a WHOLE YEAR for Superman. :(

Image courtesy of TNI

REVIEW: Superman/Batman: Supergirl

Veteran comic book readers know that the original Supergirl was killed in DC Comics's now legendary Crisis on Infinite Earths in 1985.

Fast forward to 2004. Nearly 20 years later in DC's Superman/Batman series, the character of Kara Zor-El, better known as Supergirl, is reintroduced back into the present day DC Universe. Written by Jeph Loeb with art by the late Michael Turner, the collected issues are available in one trade paperback titled Superman/Batman: Supergirl. The book is a great introduction for those unfamiliar with the iconic character, and for veteran readers a nice welcome back for the Girl of Steel. Although DC's New 52 initiative "undoes" this origin, it's very much still a worthy read.

DC Comics: The New 52 December 2011 Run Down

AQUAMAN #4 - "The Trench" arc concludes here in issue #4. Another superb issue by Geoff Johns. I know it's crazy but he just knows exactly what we fan boys want to see, and continues to show just how awesome the Aquaman character really is. Aquaman is a perfect example of the purpose of the entire New 52 reboot. Unfortunately it did feel a tad rushed towards the end, and I almost felt like it could have been another issue long, but its a minor set back. Great art by Ivan Reis.

NIGHTWING #4 - This was a fun issue and is what Batgirl #3 should have been! I just eat up members of the Bat-family working together, and Barbara Gordon with Dick Grayson are as epic of a duo as you can get. Since issue #1, Kyle Higgins has shown why Dick Grayson was meant to be Nightwing. Trevor McCarthy took over on pencils for this issue, and as much as I loved Eddy Barrows's art it's a welcome change. Unfortunately story-wise this issue was pretty much filler. But welcome filler.

GREEN LANTERN #4 - First off, pick up the variant cover for this issue if you can! Great issue and we see more of Sinestro's abilities and just how great of a Green Lantern he was/still is. I've said it before, but the love-hate dynamic between Hal and Sinestro makes for a fun read. However, the current story is starting to drag just a little, and I want things to move on. As usual excellent artwork by Doug Mahnke. Can't wait for issue #5, but I seriously hopefully the whole "Let's save Korugar" arc ends too.

LEGO Batman 2 officially confirmed

Hurray! Warner Brothers and The Lego Group have officially confirmed LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes for a summer 2012 release! Superman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern have all been confirmed as playable characters, while the Joker and Lex Luthor will be the game's primary villains. Crossing my fingers for the Flash or Aquaman!!

REVIEW: Justice League #4

Welcome aboard, Aquaman! Cyborg arrives! Enter Darkseid!

LEGO Batman 2 Promo Image Revealed

A leaked promo image for Lego Batman 2 has surfaced on the web. Titled "LEGO Batman 2: DC Superheroes", the game will likely feature Superman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern as playable characters. (Lego bricks AND an imagination fueled Green Lantern ring? Winning.)

We're hoping the game isn't limited to just Gotham City this time around, and also explores other locations of the DC universe. Imagine flying through space as Lego Hal Jordan dodging Lego bricked asteroids? :)

With the addition of more characters to the DC x Lego Universe, this all but promises more DC Lego sets in the future!

The game doesn't have a set release date but is rumored for Summer 2012.

Via Bricktuts