DC announced today that they'll be reprinting Identity Crisis for the last time starting this April. DC has received critical acclaim for the series, bringing mortal flaws to the seemingly invincible. Here's the press release:
Because you demanded it, DC has gone back to press for an astounding run of Final Printings of IDENTITY CRISIS #1-7!
This April, DC Comics brings back all seven issues of the blockbuster miniseries in periodical form one last time. IDENTITY CRISIS #1-7 FINAL PRINTINGS reprint the stunning story by New York Times bestselling author Brad Meltzer with art by Rags Morales & Michael Bair. These new printings feature the original cover art by Michael Turner & Peter Steigerwald, newly adorned with black borders.
These Final Printings are a perfect opportunity for fans who missed out on this now-classic series to catch up before the collected edition is released this fall!
Here's just some of the acclaim for IDENTITY CRISIS:
• "The IDENTITY CRISIS mystery involves the biggest DC heroes... And use[s] all of Mr. Meltzer's skills as a thriller novelist." — The New York Times
• "After more hoopla than the Olympics and Super Bowl combined, the debut issue of DC's mega-event more than lived up to the hype, as writer Brad Meltzer and artist Rags Morales crafted a tear-jerker that made even casual fans weep." — Wizard
• "Like WATCHMEN and THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, this is a comic that fans will discuss long after the story is completed. It doesn't matter if you're a DC fan — if you're a comic book fan, you should be reading IDENTITY CRISIS." — Comic Shop News
• "Mystery novelist Brad Meltzer shows that even super-heroes have reasons to be afraid." — Spin Magazine
• "[Rags] Morales's muscular naturalism renders the players both timelessly iconic and believably human..." — Washington Post
• "Refreshing... Underscore[s] that these are very human characters in a very risky business." — Entertainment Weekly
• "Captivating." — New York Press
• "IDENTITY CRISIS raises the bar for portraying super-heroes as deeply human creatures." — Amazing Stories
The IDENTITY CRISIS #1-7 FINAL PRINTINGS are scheduled to arrive in stores as follows: #1 and 2 on April 6; #3 and 4 on April 13; #5 and 6 on April 20; and #7 on April 27.
This is gonna be a bunch of news cramed together so lets get started... Jim Lee noted last week on his blog that he's started work on an all new ongoing Batman title called All Star Batman & Robin set to debut in July. This coincides with the new Batman Begins movie starring Christian Bale, due in June (which you might hear/see something about at this year's Superbowl...). The writer behind this new series? None other than the man who modernized Batman in 1986 with The Dark Knight Returns & Batman:Year One stories... Frank Miller! This is going to be a hotseller so defintely keep checking here for the lastest. Click here for the online interview with Newsarama. Here's DC's official statement:
Superstar artist Jim Lee will be joined by legendary writer and Batman visionary Frank Miller on DC's upcoming ALL-STAR: BATMAN AND ROBIN. The series, scheduled to make its debut later this year, marks Miller's first work on the Dark Knight since 2001's acclaimed THE DARK KNIGHT STRIKES AGAIN, and Lee's return to Batman following 2002's best-selling "Hush" storyline in BATMAN.
"If there was one creator I wanted to work with when I was a fan, it would have been Frank Miller," says Lee, "so after this project, I think I'm going to be ready to retire! Seriously, it will be the pinnacle of my career so far, and I can't wait to get started. Frank and I have had a couple of meetings about the story, and it's going to rock!"
Miller says, "This is Dick Grayson's initiation and he's dealing with a very stern teacher. Batman is a hard teacher — unforgiving. Brutal. At the same time, Grayson is watching Batman come into his full power. Me and Jim Lee get to play with all of DC's toys. It'll be a romp. It'll be a lot of fun. I plan on raiding DC's treasury of characters. There won't be a Black Canary or a Wonder Woman unused."
"This is quite an honor and, needless to say, a fairly daunting task that DC has bestowed upon me by handing me the helm of ALL-STARS," says Group Editor Bob Schreck. "Being able to help these incredibly talented creators bring their amazing tales to life on the comics page is going to be one heck of a ride, no doubt. I can't wait until the readers get to see what's in store for them."
"Frank was instrumental in redefining Batman for a new generation, and I, for one, can't wait to see him bring that same level of clarity and interpretation to Dick Grayson and Robin," says Dan DiDio, VP — Executive Editor, DCU. "With the teams now set for the two ALL-STAR books, BATMAN AND ROBIN and SUPERMAN, everyone should agree that they meet the expectations set for these series: All Star creators working on iconic versions of our All Star characters — it doesn't get much better than this."
Stars newly named to Superman Returns, which opens in 2006 are Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane & Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor in addition to Brandon Routh who plays Superman/Clark Kent. It seems this movie takes place after Superman comes back from space. Director Bryan Singer said he didnt want to mess with Richard Donner's 1978 film Superman or the WB's Smallville.
In other movie news Marvel's Elektra is set to open this Friday... Yahoo has the first 5 minutes here . Warner Bros. also has a Hi-Def trailer for "Batman Returns". 2005's first major comic convention, Wonder-Con, takes place at the Moscone Convention Center in San Fransisco on February 18th through 20th. For more details go to the Comic-Con website. Also, check out this awesome Jeph Loeb interview with CBR about about the new ongoing Supergirl series this summer.
Sorry about before...but I've added a new look and a lot of links to the page including a combination of my favorite comic sites mixed with tech & video game links. Hope everyone enjoys! I'll be making a post tomorrow to update whats going on in the comic world. Until then, check out this rare Joe Madureira pic.
Not too much going on right now, remember to check out the new message board... and click here for Marvel's movie production schedule.
I just read that Will Eisner, creator of "The Spirit" has passed on at the age of 87. He died on January 3rd after quadruple bypass heart surgery. My condolances go out to his wife Ann and the rest of his family. He will surely be missed.
His newspaper connection included creating "The Spirit" insert for Sunday papers from 1940 to 1952. Jules Feiffer worked under Eisner on that comic feature from 1946 and 1951.Eisner received the 1995 Milton Caniff Lifetime Achievement Award and the 1998 Reuben Award as Cartoonist of the Year from the National Cartoonists Society.
Here are a few sites noted to have info on Mr. Eisner:
http://www.willeisner.com/
http://www.suntimes.com/output/entertainment/cst-ftr-xeisn05.html
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/story/268100p-229626c.html
http://www.elitestv.com/pub/2005/Jan/EEN41dbf2d453fe1.html
http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-01-04-will-eisner-obit_x.htm?POE=LIFISVA
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/01/05/MNGPEALB111.DTL
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/arts/4148365.stm
For the past two weeks I've been saddened by the devestating earthquake/tsunami diaster and I couldnt believe the magnitude of the matter... more than 155,000 deaths and over half a million people seriously injured, and still thousands missing. This is something that may take up to 10 years just to rebuild everything. Those who survived (an estimated 5 million) have no fresh water or food and have become disease-stricken. My heart goes out to all those who were lost and their families as well. Here are a bunch of links to sites where you can donate money to help these people, or to learn more about just what happened.
UNICEF
American Cross Donations
AmeriCares Donations
South-East Asia Earthquake and Tsunami
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Network For Good
Tsunami Missing Persons
Asia Earthquake & Tsunami Fund
CNN's list of Aid groups accepting donations for victims
Hey everyone...everything seems to be back to normal here. I'm working on the 2nd version of the forum as we speak and it should be running by tomorrow. I'll be posting little things until tomorrow and I'll include a link to register to the forum. It only takes 1 min! I feel with the new year its time for a change... I'll have something up real soon, so until then check out the cover to Superman #215, the final issue of the current arc "For Tomorrow"
It's been a few days since the last post, and I'll be off again until January 2nd so here's a lil news to ring in the new year with...
Check out the CBLDF's* Year End Review letter here.
DC Comics officially confirmed Frank Quitely's Exclusive contract, while Jae Lee has been confirmed a 3-year exclusive with Marvel. Green Lantern:Rebirth #1 is going back for a fourth printing. Here's an excerp from the press release:
Three weeks after arriving in stores on December 1, the GREEN LANTERN: REBIRTH #1 Third Printing has sold out at DC Comics, with a new, fourth printing of the miniseries ' debut issue already on press. GREEN LANTERN: REBIRTH #1 Fourth Printing is scheduled to arrive in stores on January 12.Written by Geoff Johns with art by Ethan Van Sciver, this new Printing will feature a recolored version of Van Sciver ' s cover art from the issue ' s second printing." This is just what I wanted for Christmas: a fourth printing of REBIRTH #1, " says Van Sciver. " Is this how Jimmy Stewart felt at the end of It's a Wonderful Life? He never got to draw Kilowog, so I've got to believe I'm happier. Thanks to each and every retailer, fan, and especially DC Comics for their continued support of our hard work and this miniseries. And extra special thanks from me to Geoff Johns for writing his heart out on this. The best is yet to come! " " Excitement over REBIRTH shows no signs of letting up, " says Bob Wayne, DC ' s VP - Sales & Marketing. " Now is the time for retailers to stock up on subsequent issues in the miniseries, so they have copies on hand to accompany this new printing. " GREEN LANTERN: REBIRTH #1 Fourth Printing is available for order now and is scheduled to arrive in stores on January 12 with a cover price of $2.95 U.S. DC recommends that retailers place orders as soon as possible.
In other news...Marvel Comics is unveiling a new line of comics based on the younger generation called "Marvel Next". For all the titles, release dates and creators on this, click here.
It seems Alex Ross wasn't done with the DC Universe after "Kingdom Come" as he plans to illustrate the covers and paint over pencils by Doug Braithwaite in a new bi-monthly Justice League series "Justice". There's more on it in Wizard #160, on sale now, or if you can't wait click here.
For all you Legion Of Super Heroes fans out there here's an interview with Barry Kitson, on the new Legion #1, on sale now.
Since tonight is Christmas Eve, I thought I would provide some comic news for everybody to think about. Newsarama has an interview with Mark Millar on his current stint on Wolverine. Millar also returns to Ultimate Fantastic Four in May. John Byrne was confirmed to take over Action Comics after Chuck Austin's run ends. J. Michael Straczynski is writing the Fantastic Four starting in June, coincinding with the release of the "Fantastic Four" in theaters this coming summer. There will be an Elektra half-hour MTV special on Wednesday, Dec. 29 at 10 p.m., airing again Thursday, Dec. 30 at 10:30 a.m . Oh yeah, Wizard: The Comics Magazine #159 in on sale now.
The forum is still down and I'm working on getting a new host. Its been a slow day but until later, check out this pic from the upcoming Ultimate Iron Man. Ultimate Iron Man #1 ships in January. Also, click here for the cover to January's Ultimates 2 #2.
I'd like to shout out Joe Madureira for helping bring manga/anime to the mainstream comics like Uncanny X-Men. 10 years ago he began penciling and designing new costumes & character, modernizing Marvel's merry mutants. Joe left X-men in 1997 to pursue his own intrests...namely Battle Chasers, which to this day has a strong cult-like following. Nowadays he works on game designs and was at last years' E3 . Hopefully he'll make a return soon? I sure hope so. Click here for 3 classic interviews. Check out some of his work on my official Joe Mad thread on my forum for some of his work, even unreleased promo work. Also, check out Joe Mad Fan for the latest and greatest from Joe Madureira.
Todd McFarlane Productions filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last Friday. There's a link on my forum that explains the summary of things as it happened. You can check out the update of whats happening now from Newsarama. Until later...
According to Newsarama, Frank Quitely has signed a 2 year exclusive contract with DC Comics, allowing him to work on DC's trademark superheroes. He even hinted at a possible reunion with writer Grant Morrison.
I just checked the DC Comics website and it confirms DC Countdown, on sale March 30th, is an 80-page book complemented with a cover by Jim Lee and painted by Alex Ross. I know this has been the subject of many message board topics lately and I will let everyone know the latest as soon as I hear it. And it's only a dollar! Maybe everybody should pick up a couple.
I just checked out Jim Lee's blog and he had a little bit of news about the trade paperback of his and Brian Azzarello's yearlong arc on the Superman "For Tomorrow"...
"Hmm, seems the Solicitation Gods have crossed their wires this month. The above image is for the first 6 issue hardcover of Superman: For Tomorrow, the 12 issue arc writer, Brian Azzarello and I have been working on since April of this year, NOT the Public Enemies TPB by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness."
theres alot going on... right now I'm updating site links for this blog, updating user accounts and adding a few more categories... hopefully by tonight there will be something for everybody at the forum. Until everything is set, check out the new John Romita Sr. / Alex Ross litho which should also be in stores by next week.
I saw this on a toy website a few weeks ago... new Japanese Batman and Batgirl figures that should be here in the U.S. as I speak. Hope you like!
this is my new blogger... I run a comic book forum called Comics Universe... it can be found at the following location http://www.invisionplus.net/forums/index.php?mforum=comicsuniverse ... I'm going to be working on the site for the next couple days and posting my progress on here. Join my forum and help it become one of the web's elite... thanks!