Quite Contrary

Boy, that was a long and busy weekend! I finally decided to finish all of those household errands that were put off for far too long. I spent a lot of time Spring (Summer?) cleaning, sorting through videos, doing yard work, and a lot of my little pet side projects are slightly closer to completion. Even went on a particularly long dog walk. I kept myself too busy to even find the time to read my weekly stack. Well, all of them anyway.

But, it's Monday! So back to the grind!

And by "grind," I mean "tastelessly juvenile crappy photoshop jokes!"

When we last left our dear innocent Mary Marvel she was given all of Black Adam's power and all of the corruption that comes with it. Since she doesn't was to start ripping people in half willy-nilly, she seeks guidance from Zatanna. Why? Who knows.. just go with it. Z ports her back to her li'l magic bedroom and warns Mary not to touch anything. But soon curiosity gets the better of her, and our dear Mary is caught rooting through Zatanna's bedside table...

Well, someone's gotta make Countdown worth reading. May as well be me.

Sweep the Foot!

This dialog splice-in occurred to me while reading the last Countdown (and, as an aside? Can we please stop with the Mary Marvel short-skirt Ass-Shots?!? Please! It makes me feel dirty), but I was really surprised as to how well it actually fit in the panels.

And again, I'm probably showing my age. Eh, the heck with it...

Click on for biggie. Click off for smallie.


Same clicky rules here
That fits almost too well, doesn't it?

(Yeah, I know some of those speech bubble were sloppy. Photoshop's just not doing it as well as I'd like. I'm working on getting new software for them. From Mac.)

(And, I learned a lesson - Edit, then resize. Work big. Then shrink.)

Bonus Update: Everybody Loves Ambush Bug!

Why the hell not:

Like me, you would buy any 4th World / Ambush Bug crossover. You know you would.

Dear DC's Countdown:

Jus' Saying.

Just a Still Town Girl on a Saturday Night

I just finished Countdown #47. You know, the one with the Mary Marvel exploding boobie cover? Yeah, well aside from that, something was real familiar with it to my (albeit, very strange and easily distracte... Hey! Hiya, puppy!) head. It reminded me of something else.. couldn't quite place it, but something real familiar...

Figured it out:

Surprised it didn't come to me sooner...

I just realised that my third sentence implies that I've encountered exploding boobies before now. I'm not taking it back.

---

Bonus - Behind the Scences: My first attempt at the funny was an off-panel PETA member throwing blood on her for wearing leather. This one's much better.

(I crack myself up, sometimes.)

(Yeah, I could've spent another hour prettying up the water in the shower down part, but that body spash effect took *way* too long by itself. Also, I thought about adding lyrics, musical notes, a tossed back chair, etc. But, eh.. you'll get the joke as it is now or you wouldn't at all.)

EDIT: Awww.. screw it.. added the lyrics. Even better now.

Solicitations! Buy Their Crap!

Hey kids! Let's have a li'l gander into DC's August solicitations (courtesy of CBR), shall we? (click on that link for bigger pictures than I'm posting here, if they interest you. Like if you want Power Girl boobie closeups, or whatnot) It was fun last time! Wheee!

First off, I can't help but notice that there's no All Star Batman and Robin entry. I'm shocked. Shocked. And stunned.

I know I shouldn't, but I like that cover. I think it's the whole Zatanna / Mary / Stage Magic dynamic. I'm a sucker for those two characters. And a top hat scene. It's drawn real purty, too.

But, Good Googly-Moogly!, is that ever a short skirt, Mary!!

COUNTDOWN TO ADVENTURE #1
Written by Adam Beechen and Justin Gray
Art by Eddy Barrows, Fabrizio Fiorentino & Julio Ferreira
Cover by Ivan Reis & Oclair Albert
Flying out of the pages of 52, it's Adam Strange, Starfire and Animal Man in an explosive new series! Now that they've returned to their respective homes, where do they go from here? Find out what the future holds for these heroes in the DCU!
And in the 8-page backup, from the pages of COUNTDOWN, it's a tale of Forerunner! Find out more about this awesome new character and her relationship with the Monitors.
On sale August 29 o 1 of 8 o 48 pg, FC, $3.99 US Edited by Eddie Berganza

Let the unnecessary big event cross-overs ... Begin!

And Devon has it right - keep Starfire in space, team her up with Adam Strange and make her DC comic's Barbarella. That sounds about right to me.

ALL-NEW BOOSTER GOLD #1
Written by Geoff Johns & Jeff Katz
Art and cover by Dan Jurgens
& Norm Rapmund
Exploding from the pages of 52 and exploring the timeline of the DC Universe comes a new monthly book featuring the greatest super-hero history will never know: Booster Gold!
Following the universe altering conclusion of 52, Booster Gold wants what's due to him - a spot on the Justice League of America! But the time stream's in trouble, and Booster Gold is in the center of it! Now he must make a choice: reclaim his former glory or do the right thing, forgoing the credit.
ALL-NEW Booster Gold will take you through time and space, to the greatest moments of the DCU that have happened and will happen.
"52 Pick-Up" begins in this extra-sized issue #1! Someone is exploiting the ravaged time stream, hoping to eliminate the world's greatest heroes - and only Booster Gold can stop them. But, really - Booster Gold? Why him? What does Rip Hunter truly want? And what shocking figure is behind it all?
And coming up in the months ahead in DC's time spanning monthly: the world's greatest Green Lantern - Sinestro, Jonah Hex, Barbara "Batgirl" Gordon, Flash and Kid Flash, and plenty more of DC's super stars from throughout its past and future!
For a signed edition, please see the Dynamic Forces section of Previews.
On sale August 15 o 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US Edited by Michael Siglain

I'm thinking this could be great. Heck, this could be fantastic. It's a great concept, and it could function to let the readers explore the new DC universe in a very clever way.

But, I'm real wary about it. It could just as easily do a lot of damage. Wait and see...

OUTSIDERS: FIVE OF A KIND - WEEKS 1-5:
NIGHTWING/BOOMERANG
KATANA/SHAZAM
THUNDER/MARTIAN MANHUNTER
METAMORPHO/AQUAMAN
GRACE/WONDER WOMAN

Get ready for FIVE OF A KIND - five issues, five top creative teams, one team-up per week, as Batman takes control of the Outsiders by using these adventures to pick his new lineup!

If ever there was a gimmicky series... here ya go. Wow. The gimmicky-esque gimmick to ever mick a gimm. (HaHa! That one was for me!) Weekly team-ups, different talent, pulling from the previous big company gimmick, an all-Batman tie in, with the end result creating a new series? I'm suprised there's no 1-900 number for readers to call in and vote.

BATMAN ANNUAL #26: HEAD OF THE DEMON
Written by Peter Milligan
Art by David Lopez & Alvaro Lopez
Cover by Tim Sale
The definitive origin of Ra's al Ghul, Batman's greatest foe, is finally revealed in this annual from writer Peter Milligan (JLA CLASSIFIED, X-Static) and the art team of David Lopez & Alvaro Lopez (CATWOMAN)! A deadly rivalry between two immortals spanning more than 400 years of history causes a chain reaction that not even Batman could have predicted! Learn how the secret past of this legendary villain has a reverberating effect on the future of the Dark Knight.
On sale August 29 o 48 pg, FC, $3.99 US Edited by Jeanine Schaefer

*Sigh* I know I've mentioned this before, but with some characters It's better not to know the origin, despite how popular they've become! Jeez, people! Some characters just work better with that mystique: Joker, Wolverine, (and Mystique, come to think of it.. heh), Phantom Stranger, and absolutely, definitely, Freckin' Ra's al Ghul! Gah!

SUPERMAN #666
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art and cover by Walter Simonson
An extra-sized spectacular featuring art by Walter Simonson, as Superman goes to Hell - literally - during the most nightmarish adventure of his heroic career, and a dread portent of that which may be coming! Who, or what, is "The Beast from Krypton"? This issue - featuring the Phantom Stranger, Zatanna, the Demon and a host of other DC superstars from Wonder Woman to Animal Man - is guaranteed to send chills down your spine!
For a signed edition, please see the Dynamic Forces section of Previews.
On sale August 8 o 48 pg, FC, $3.99 US

I believe I'll be getting this one, even though I normally don't get Superman titles. Except for that one. It'll nicely bookend my upcoming Batman #666. Plus, it has the Phantom Stranger, Zatanna, and Animal Man - three of my favorite characters. And that Walt Simonson cover is creepy as hel.. opps.. heck.

SUPERMAN CONFIDENTIAL #7
Written by Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray
Art and cover by Koi Turnbull & Sandra Hope
An early adventure of Superman from art sensation Koi Turnbull (Black Panther, Fathom) and the writing team of Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray! The fate of Metropolis is at stake when Superman gets mixed up with Lori Lemaris!
On sale August 29 o 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

DC mentions two rival companies as the previous works from Koi Turnbull. It might be just because those are the only two you can mention, or might be his best works. I don't know. But, I seem to have noticed that Marvel does not do this. I might be wrong, but I can't think of an example of Marvel giving a credit that involved a DC book. Hmmm...

52: THE COVERS HC

Does anyone buy these? I mean, people must or it wouldn't be here, but isn't this just a coffee table book for friends and relatives that won't understand it at all? Sure, there's some great covers here.. but is there actually a market for a Hard Cover book full of funnybook covers? Just askin'

THE FLASH: THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE #15
Written by Marc Guggenheim
Art by Tony S. Daniel & Art Thibert
Cover by Doug Braithwaite
Variant cover by Daniel Acuña
Continuing the storyline so explosive we can't give anything away - and it's destined to be one of the most talked-about tales of 2007!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers in approximately 50/50 ratio. Standard Edition A features a cover by Doug Braithwaite, while Standard Edition B features a cover by Daniel Acuña. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
Fans: Remind your retailer early and often to order you a copy!
On sale August 15 o 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Barry Allen Alert!

Wouldn't it be a great inside joke if this book was late?!

(Only people reading a comics blog will laugh at that. Trust me, though. It's funny.)

GREEN ARROW/BLACK CANARY: FOR BETTER OR WORSE TP
BLACK CANARY ARCHIVES VOL. 1 HC
GREEN ARROW: YEAR ONE #3-4
BLACK CANARY #3-4

Is this because of the wedding thing? That's a lot of GA/BC action there. I'm assuming it includes that awkward torture/rape scene in Green Arrow. I forget which issue that was in.

But a Diggle/Jock Green Arrow series.. hmmm... Might get that one.

That's a real fun cover, there. Really pulls you in.

I used to own every individual comic contained in these trades.

Used to.

I'm with Rachelle on this one- Please, please DC... Make this into a poster. I'll give you a foot massage....

Yes, I will be buying this. Oh, yes. That's a thing of beauty, right there.

Likewise, I may pick this one up just based on that cover, though I don't normally get the DC Cartoon stuff.. But, man! That's a wicked funny cover idea! Tell me you don't want to read what happens in that funnybook!

Whoo, boy! Ummm... There really is a market for these things. The terrorists have already won.

Still.. get a toy robot, a rubber octopus, and a little bit of string for bondage... you've got yourself some Hentai action fun!

Oh, God.. too much comedy ... Ack... Overload!... Brain hurts...

OK, got it. Think I'm going to go with this:

*Ahem!*

DC Toy Dept: We've got this great idea for a 13" Power Girl Deluxe!
DC Exec: Really? Sounds good! PG always sells to the fanboys! Gonna make her teh sexay?!?
DC Toy Dept: Oh, you bet! Fully articulated.. know what I mean? Nudge Nudge...
DC Exec: Nice geek reference! OK, I'm sold - what do we charge? $20?!?
DC Toy Dept: Did we mention that Power Girl's wearing an actual fabric costume over her nude plastic body?
DC Exec: ....
DC Exec: ....
DC Toy Dept: It's removable....
DC Exec: ....
DC Exec: ....
DC Toy Dept: Classic easy-fanboy-access Peek-A-Boo Cleavage Window....
DC Exec: ............. Umm.. OK ... Sorry 'bout that. *whew* OK... (Did I mention that I love you guys?) OK... I'm thinking $50!
DC Toy Dept: Did we also mention that she's "Realistically Proportioned?!?"
DC Exec: Ding Ding!!! $70!!!

That said.. I want one. I'm shallow like that.

And I know .... KNOW ... that if I bought one there would be someone in the LCS asking if I would take it out of the box before I leave to "look at it."

Yes. That would happen.

Most Wanted

Not many books offered this week that I particularly wanted - I only picked up 5 books. Not very many for me. And, unfortunately, all of them were pretty typical. And because I'm trying not to double up these posts and write about Y: The Last Man again (though, I must confess, I'm really looking forward to that one), there was another book that piqued my interest enough to consider it this week's most wanted.

That's a three page wrap-around cover that I'm too lazy to scan properly. It's spiffy.
Countdown #51
Writer: Paul Dini
Pencils: Jesus Saiz
Inks: Jimmy Palmiotti

This was basically an all set-up issue for a title that I'll most likely be buying for the next year - the first batch of plot threads was established, essentially. So, let's do this with bullet points, much like I did last week for this book's parent, 52:

- First of all, I have to say it. $3.00?!?! C'mon! That's $156, all told!! DC, you really could've scored some major fan points and kept it at $2.50. Or, if you really wanted me to love you a bit more, $2.00 would have been noticed. And applauded. And written about here. So, you'd have like four people reading my praises of you.

(That said, you got me. So, I suppose you're right to raise it. Damn you.)

- Nice cover.

- Awwww yeah... Page one is already with the Fourth World stuff. Bring it on!

- Desaad is done well. Dini gets him.

- Darkseid spash page! My Apokolips tattoo is tingling!

- Who is the pawn piece in the ball cap and fur-lined coat? Hmmm...

- Paul Dini is writing the Joker's daughter. Repeat that. The guy who created Harley Quinn is writing the Joker's daughter. This is gonna rock.

- And it does. She's great. Lame gizmos, though.

- Huh. I thought Mary Batson was about 8ish when not Mary Marvel. Actually, that's kind of a relief, knowing that this is coming later. And the "Shazam." rainstorm scene was great.

- Classic Rogue's Gallery! My, my!

- That in-house promo ad for this very book - the one where some indigo chick is sporting the "WWMMD?" button? A) Who is that? (guessing a new Eclipso) and B) how is that button pinned to her naked boobie?

- OK, one cool gizmo: Silly-String Taser. That's funny.

- Monitors. Interesting. Well, the multiverse is back, so that makes sense. Well placed.

- Source Wall. Awesome.

- Ray Palmer?!? OK, you've got me hooked. I'll be here next week.

So, we've got 4-5 (some are already interlacing) plots set up. All solid, all interesting to me with very good art to bring it home. That's the way to ensure you're gonna get my $150, DC. Bravo (and dang it!). Keep it consistent - especially the art, and you've got yourselves a winner - and a completely new way of marketing comics successfully, all told.

I understand Paul Dini (whom I trust as a writer explicitly) already has the whole thing written out in a huge 200+ page tome somewhere. If that's true, this shouldn't be nearly as disjointed as 52 felt at times. Indeed, this issue sets up its multiple plots much, much more solidly than 52 did. Part of that is because it's starting from a much more solid beginning, and the ending of 52 is pretty much responsible for that. After the first issue of 52, my thoughts were, "Huh. A bit confusing, but interesting. Decent enough to hold my interests for a few more of these - see where they go with it..." After the first issue of Countdown, I'm stoked. This is very promising. I hope the lack of a breakdowns guy doesn't make the art inconsistent from week to week.. but so far, so good!

I'm actually looking forward to a weekly comic. Who would've thunk it?

Most Wanted Panel

Yes. Yes, let's.

If Only

Slight post today - too busy to do anything more indepth. But just to post something..

Personally, I would be delighted if at this time next year all of the buildup surrounding DC's Countdown finally leads to a series' finale page like this:

Tell me that wouldn't be the best ending to a Big-Two build-up series ever. Seriously.

EDIT: Wow, I miss stupid spelling errors every post. My bad.