Speaking of flying by, the days and weeks since my last Professional Fanboy column have done just that. It’s funny the way life sorta gets in the way of fun things like writing and commenting about comics and the fanboy experience.
For a few posts, I really wanted to do a little talking on the new comic-related items of interest for the year. Some interest me more than others, simply because I’m a DC Comics man, so bear with me.
In part one, I’ll discuss upcoming events – both large and small – that have me stoked.
Part two will focus on comic book movies for which to keep your eyes peeled.
Part three will serve as a general hodgepodge of other random comic related goodness.
Part four will be about something that I am very much looking forward to, but which will remain hush-hush for now.
As always, I want to preamble these columns with an apology to all non-DC Comics readers. One day, when I get plenty of time and money, I’ll read it all. Then, we can have a nice little sit-down together.
So, what are the major events this year?
REIGN OF DOOMSDAY
Part 1: STEEL #1
Part 2: OUTSIDERS #37
Part 3: JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #55
Part 4: SUPERMAN/BATMAN ANNUAL #5
Part 5: SUPERBOY #6
Part ?: Action Comics #900
Part ?: Action Comics #901
Wow, I cannot tell you how excited I am for this event. I love Steel, and I love Doomsday. That, alone, has me salivating. Then, you take into account I cut my comic book teeth on The Death and Return of Superman storyline. It was the event that brought in a lot of us.
On a side note, as some of you might know, I get my comics for the current month at the beginning of the next. When my latest shipment arrived, a week back, I ripped it open and dug through the stack for my issue of Steel #1. But, guess what . . . It wasn’t there. I was actually missing six books in total. My service was awesome about it, though, and they’re adding them to my February books. Of course, it’s taking every ounce of restraint I have not to fork out the dough for a second issue at full price, plus tax, just to be able to have it in my hands right now.
FLASHPOINT
The Spaceship Never Crashed.
He Spends His Days Running Wayne Casinos.
They Experimented On Him In Labs For Years.
Where Is His Ring?
Their Marriage Was Arranged To Prevent War.
When did Cyborg become our protector of Truth, Justice, and the American way?
Why is Citizen Cold the greatest hero of Central City?
Where will the Ravager strike next?
Who is the Outsider, and why is he better than you?
What is top secret?
Whatever Happened to Gotham City?
FLASHPOINT: BATMAN KNIGHT OF VENGEANCE #1-#3
FLASHPOINT: DEADMAN AND THE FLYING GRAYSONS #1-#3
Whatever Happened to the World’s Greatest Super Villains?
FLASHPOINT: CITIZEN COLD #1-#3
FLASHPOINT: DEATHSTROKE & THE CURSE OF THE RAVAGER #1-#3
FLASHPOINT: THE OUTSIDER #1-#3
Whatever Happened to the Aliens?
FLASHPOINT: ABIN SUR THE GREEN LANTERN #1-#3
FLASHPOINT: PROJECT: SUPERMAN #1-#3
Whatever Happened to Science & Magic?
FLASHPOINT: FRANKENSTEIN & THE CREATURES OF THE UNKNOWN #1-#3
FLASHPOINT: SECRET SEVEN #1-#3
Whatever Happened to Europe?
FLASHPOINT: EMPEROR AQUAMAN #1-#3
FLASHPOINT: WONDER WOMAN AND THE FURIES #1-#3
FLASHPOINT: LOIS LANE AND THE RESISTANCE #1-#3
Everything You Know Will Change in a Flash
FLASHPOINT: KID FLASH LOST #1-#3
FLASHPOINT: THE WORLD OF FLASHPOINT #1-#3
And, then there are a few more. There’s at least one more mini and some one-shots. Another wallet buster, to be sure, but I’ll be right there in line with you draining it dry.
After Geoff John’s treatment of the Green Lantern franchise, I was ready to see what he handed down with the Flash with Barry Allen’s return. But, it’s been . . . slow, really. The Flash isn’t supposed to be slow. I don’t mean that the story is bad at all. I’m just ready to get right into the action, and I believe we’re about to have that action in spades. Moreover, I’ve always been a sucker for time-warped tales. While everyone else was busy turning up their noses at Zero Hour, I was all over it. In fact, that was the first mini I read more than once (three times now). Oh, and I’ll finally have Dan Jurgens back on the Booster Gold main title.
AQUAWAR:
Well, I never thought I’d hear myself say this (well, see myself type it), but . . . Bring. On. Aquaman. Yep, you know, the guy who talks to fishies. But, now, apparently, the badass king of the sea. Mera and the new Aqualad are knocking me out, too. I really like where this is headed.
END OF BRIGHTEST DAY:
The weekly/bi-weekly maxi-series trend has seen it’s ups and downs, in my mind, but this has been a really good ride. I like how it weaves the heroes’ individual tales together in a manner reminiscent of 52, but it includes B+ to A- characters, instead.
END OF JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST:
This one, I really wanted to check out, because I like the character of Maxwell Lord. I reallllly wanted to see where his resurrection would take him. Also, I love Booster Gold – even when he’s not being written by Jurgens. Besides, who doesn’t have at least some nostalgia for the Giffen Era Justice League, eh?
WAR OF THE GREEN LANTERNS:
Brother vs. Brother vs. Brother vs. Brother . . .
It’s on!! I have grown to love all of the Big Four of the Corps. Don’t know who I’m rooting for – okay, so it’ll always be Hal – but I know it’ll be knockdown drag-out and then knockdown again. The whole saga/epic that Johns is bringing into play this time around with the GL mythos is unbelievable.
Rebirth, Corps Rebirth, Sinestro Corps War, Blackest Night, War of Light . . . War of the Green Lanterns!
ACTION COMICS HISTORIC 900th issue:
As I mentioned earlier, Superman was my gateway character. And, we’re talking about Action Comics, here. The place of Supes’ birth. This series is 900 issues in the making. You’re looking at a colossal collection of talent, story, and, of course, ACTION. While I don’t own all of these issues – goes without saying – I probably have a good 300, or so. I’ve read and enjoyed every one, and I can honestly tell you I can’t wait to read the next 300, 900, 1,000, . . . Ok, so that won’t happen, but I’ll definitely be snagging a copy of Action Comics #1000.
As for #900, well, not only is DC bringing in a slew of creatives to do this thing right, we’re finally going to get Superman back in his book, we’ll see the culmination of the best Luthor story of all time, we’ll have Doomsday, we’ll have close to 100 pages of awesome!, and best of all: We’ll have it all in 2011.
That does it for this installment, check back next weekend for the second part. Bring your butter popcorn and your excitement.
– The Eventful Ray
Nothing to See Here 