Larry's Not Alone

I saw this yesterday on the internet, and thought I'd share.

DP love on the Rama!

Our pal in Doom, Petar, of yon excellent DP blog DOOMPEDIA, dropped a link down to Newsarama. Said link contained a Vaneta Rogers-powered interview with Gail Simone and Keith Giffen and included this little snippet:

And they'll move out into the DCU and start rubbing up against some of the other heroes as we try to establish just where their place in the DCU is.

While I'd be one of the first to say seventeen issues in seems a little late to me, I have to admit, Giffen set out to establish a tone for this book and has done so. Now seems like a great time to start kicking the tires and seeing how well it all holds together.

Feel free to follow Petar's link or make with a direct click right here.

Super Dinosaur

I'm certain you've heard the rumblings and clatter about Robert Kirkman's and Jason Howard's new "Super Dinosaur." If you haven't click on over to CBR.

What's this have to do with the Doom Patrol you ask? Nothing. Save for the fact that without the DP, I doubt such an awesomely absurd concept would have percolated in the minds of Kirkman and Howard.

Negative Monday 36 - Front Page News!

I've mentioned it more than once here, but in my spare time (ha!) I review for CBR. Why should you care? Well, the DP review is "front page" material.

Click on over and give it a look.

Keith Giffen Speaks - really!

My other home on the internets, Comic Book Resources, posted an interview with Keith Giffen today. The interview is from NYCC a few months back, but it is still very relevant.

Check it out right here.

Mayfairstivus

A long time ago, when video games were housed in upright coffins and cost a quarter to play, there were a slew of role playing games on the market. These role playing games encouraged the participants to use their imagination and to project themselves into the worlds of their favorite comic book characters (or other worlds, but this is a Doom Patrol blog. We've got priorities here).

My mom, citing my love for Spider-Man, bought me the Marvel Super Heroes game one year. I don't remember if it was for my birthday or Christmas, but I do remember playing the game darn near every time my buddy Brock came over. The two of us never really read the rules, but that didn't stop us from having a great time acting out our Marvel Universe faves. Brock was always using Daredevil and Sasquatch, I gravitated towards Nightcrawler and Beta Ray Bill. Yeah, even in the Marvel Universe I was a fan of the freaks.

What does all of this have to do with the Doom Patrol? Not a whole heckuvalot to this point.

The Doom Patrol eventually became available as characters over on the Mayfair DC gaming system. Growing up, I knew better than to press the issue with the folks and try to weasel another entire gaming universe from them, after all these things weren't cheap. The books were something like $6.99 or such. So long story short, I never had a chance to revel in the glory of the DC game, even though I was by and large a DC fan.

Frank - of more blogs than I can even think about managing (including Justice League Detroit and the Idol-Head of Diabolu) - provided me with a Doom Patrol-related scan to share with you all. The boxed game came with, as Frank referred to them, "75 amusingly cheesy character cards." One of said cards just so happens to feature Mr. Green Genes himself - Changeling a.k.a. Beast Boy a.k.a. Garfield Logan. Have yourself a peek.

Nice little drawing of Gar striking a pose and giving a little wave to you right over there.

Here's the back of the card with Gar's stats. Much like the modern-day Heroclix, these stats listed below leave me totally clueless. I presume the higher the number the better the stats, and that all of Gar's single-digit entries don't really add up to much for everyone's favorite green-skinned adventurer.

It is nice to see Robotman listed as an advantage though.

As I already mentioned, Frank of blogs aplenty organized a crossover of the Blogoverse to thrill all over the the course of what is collectively being referred to as Mayfairstivus. Maybe I'll celebrate by finally buying that Doom Patrol Sourcebook.

Be sure to check out these other blogs regularly over the next couple of weeks for more Mayfairstivus memories and awesomeness.

The Anti-Didio League of America

The Aquaman Shrine

Booster Gold: BOO$TERRIFIC
Comics Make Me Happy!

The Continuity Blog

DC Bloodlines

Diana Prince as The New Wonder Woman

Firestorm Fan

Flash: Speed Force

Girls Gone Geek

Green Lantern Corps: The Indigo Tribe

Hawkman: Being Carter Hall

Justice League Detroit

Martian Manhunter vs. The Idol-Head of Diabolu

Once Upon A Geek

Power of the Atom

Subject: Suicide Squad [Task Force X]

Supergirl Comic Box Commentary  

Doom Patrol 17

If you're in the States, this week sees comics delayed until Thursday due to last Thursday's celebration of Thanksgiving. It doesn't make much sense to me, but I'm fine with folks having a chance to get some time off, especially with how crazy the holidays can make everyone.


That said, Doom Patrol #17 hits the racks this week, and Newsarama has a peek into what you can expect to see. It looks a little something like this. . .

I, for one, am absolutely loving this "Easy Reader" recap page. It's Silver Age and Golden Books greatness all mashed up  in one spot. Classic. 

Our friend in Doom, Petar, has had some peeks and pokes into this issue on his DoomPedia DP blog, so be sure to check that out while you cool your heels waiting for the new comics this week.

Finally, I'll be reviewing this issue over at CBR, so please pop by over there and give the review a once-, twice-, or thrice-over. I'm not sure why you'd want to thrice-over any review, but it was certainly fun for me to type.

We Are All the Doom Patrol

My kids and I have been devoted fans of Batman: The Brave and the Bold, so we tuned in last night to watch the episode.
Here's a snip:

My kids and my wife know I love the DP, but they haven't ever really bothered themselves with the full story of the DP. When the episode ended, my youngest was a little misty-eyed while my oldest proclaimed that the Brave and the Bold series has been a series of downers of late. Without spoiling the details of this episode, let's just say the episode was true to the DP's story.

Beyond that, however, there were a TON of nods, winks and nudges to Patrol fans, from the signs at the carnival to the clips used for the DP retrospective.

This was a great, great episode and further illustrates just how greatly this team translates to other venues. Now if they'd just work up a Doom Patrol video game.

Wooooooooooooooooo-hooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!

CBR broke the news this morning about the air date for the Doom Patrol episode of Batman: The Brave and the Bold. This show has been a hit around our house since the debut.

I've DVRed the run of this show and the kids and I make time once a week or over the weekend and catch an episode or two. This Friday, however, just became must-see TV. We'll be DVRing, but I think we might also be watching live. Maybe pizza will be involved too.

Looks to me like there is a whole lot of DP love involved in this one.

Check out the posters in the background. Aw yeah, Beast Boy!

Negative Monday 35

Aw yeah, Doom Patrol!

Newsarama has a five-page preview of the latest issue of Doom Patrol set to hit the rack this Wednesday.

Courtesy of Newsarama, here's the colored version of yesterday's image.

And look! There's Larry! Matthew Clark's art is sooooooooooooo right for this crew.

Happy Negative Monday my friends.

MORE Matthew Clark!

Matthew Clark has just (as in yesterday) established a Matthew Clark Fan Page on Facebook.

Give it a look.

Also, for fans attending the New York Comic Con next week, MC will be at Artist Alley in Section A-10. He'll be signing at the DC Booth on Saturday from 3:00-4:00 and Sunday from 11:30-12:30.

I'll be at a prep football game on Saturday and in Cleveland watching the Browns lose to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Curses!

It is worth mentioning, however, that Doom Patrol #15 comes out this week and Matthew's fan page has an exclusive sneak peek. Well, pseudo-exclusive. You can see it here, too.

MC 5

Here's a five minute Matthew Clark interlude for you. OK, well, since it's in the developmental stages, it might be five seconds, but at any rate, Matthew's got a new fan site up and getting ready to run.

Check it out!

Read This Too!

So we've had this fun conversation bouncing around the Blogosphere about propping up the readership of some of our favorite, but less followed titles. I struggled with this one quite a bit. If you check the sales info month in and month out, there really aren't a whole lot of titles that fare more poorly than our pals in the Patrol.

I read so many darn books each and every month, that I really had to stop and think a long time about what books I would get if I weren't doing reviews. I know I'd be buying Booster Gold and Zatanna, but I have a little more to say about those two over at Tornado's Path. I'd also be buying Atlas, but that ends this week. I'd be getting Birds of Prey, regardless of any Brightest Day connection, simply because Hawk is one of my favorite comic book characters. Brightest Day is on the list. After that, however, the list of what I absolutely, positively must be is pretty thin. There are two standout ongoing series that would make the list, and would be among the Top Three on my list if I were to run through the exercise of numbering my absolute favorite comic books. I'm not going to do that, but I am going to share both of them with you here and implore you to check them out.

Marvel's Hawkeye & Mockingbird is one of the first titles that came to mind. Hawkeye was always around the Avengers when I started reading that title, and soon thereafter he moved west and claimed a team of his own. As years passed, Hawkeye became a character I found myself caring less and less about, until he "died" in Avengers Disassembled. When he came back as Ronin, I was non-plussed, and kept an eye on his adventures, but never put any coin in them. Then the announcement came through that there would be a Hawkeye & Mockingbird title as part of the Heroic Age that followed Dark Reign. Better still, it was going to be written by Jim McCann. I have to admit, I'd only read a story here or there from McCann, but the man had impressed me when I met him in Chicago in 2006 while he was working as Marvel's Marketing Manager.

I decided to make a mental note and check this book out. This is one of the most enjoyable reads that hits my reading stack month in and month out. The title is only four issues old, with number five hitting the streets in a matter of weeks here.Of the four issues that have been released, all have been reviewed by my Comic Book Resources and myself. The lowest the title scored was three stars out of five. More than once it has garnered 4.5 - by two different reviewers!

To this point, the entire series has focused on Hawkeye and Mockingbird reestablishing their relationship, but they encounter some difficulties with that in the form of Phantom Rider and Crossfire. This comic is fun superhero adventuring with an Avengeriffic twist that is able to stand all on its own. It's not Doom Patrol, but it is a fun, crisp read that consistently delivers month in and month out.

In the weekly T&A column on my internet homebase, Comic Book Resources, my cohort, Kiel Phegley processed a concern regarding H&M:

Finally, after seeing the new solicitations strathcona asked "Is 'Hawkeye & Mockingbird' canceled? Not is it on hiatus, or 'we'll see after Widowmaker is finished'... at the Marvel offices, is the book considered canceled or not?
Brevoort: Is it cancelled? No. Is it going through some changes? Yes. Might it be cancelled in a little while? That's always a possibility, I'm not going to lie to you. But right this moment, there's more to come after Widowmaker from those characters and that creative team.

I also thought about pimping up Freedom Fighters. Palmiotti and Gray are among my favorite writers right now, stemming back to their work on Hawkman and Monolith. On panel at the Baltimore Comic-Con this year, Palmiotti warned attendees to avoid this book if they didn't like reading. While only the first issue of Freedom Fighters has been released, it was filled with more story than multiple issues of many other titles. It's quirky and offbeat and will make a nice addition to plug that Atlas-sized hole in my reading each month.

Ultimately, the title I decided to really promote, though, is American Vampire from Vertigo.

One of my absolute favorite titles in recent memory is Blue Beetle. Yes, Jaime Reyes. Keith Giffen, John Rogers, and Cully Hamner really brought their A-game with this character, but the book really caught fire for me when Rafael Albuquerque took over on art. Albuquerque jumped in and made Blue Beetle his own while remaining respectful of the designs Hamner crafted. Once that title ended, Albuquerque drifted around, doing some single issues, occasional storylines, and covers. Then it was mentioned that he'd be working on a new Vertigo series. Something about vampires. With some writer named Stephen King. Oh yeah, this was Stephen King's first original comic book work and he would be fleshing out characters and concepts with his co-writer and creator of American Vampire - Scott Snyder.

Snyder and King handled the first five issues as a split book. The first story, written by Snyder focused on Pearl Jones and her adventures in adventures in California during the 1920s. Pearl's adventures there would lead her to encounter Skinner Sweet, whose story was penned by Stephen King and featured the evolution of a species - the American Vampire.

Albuquerque has illustrated all of this title to date - six issues - and shows absolutely no sign of slowing down. Making it even better, Albuquerque uses a different style for each era of the story. Sweet's origin is rendered in a decidedly different style - but still recognizably Albuquerque - than Pearl's story. Issue #6 is drawn differently still as the scene shifts to Las Vegas in its early days.

This book has become one of my favorite titles month in and month out. King was only onboard for the first five issues, but I honestly find Snyder's work compelling enough in its own right. Sure, it's nice to say you're reading an original Stephen King comic, but it's nicer still to read a comic that is original, classic, exciting, and just so happens to have some parts written by Stephen King. Issue #6 was released recently, written solely by Snyder. Additionally, the title maintained its $3.99 pricing. To further stack the deck, Snyder changed locations, moving forward in the history of the American Vampire. Frankly, this issue is one of the most enjoyable and compelling to date.

I find myself enthused about this title, a title I probably would have (hideously) overlooked had it not been for the artwork of Rafael Albuquerque. Albuquerque is a modern master on the ascent. He can shift gears like no other and doesn't hesitate to bring his absolute best each and every issue. I would pay $3.99 each month just for Albuquerque's art. Of course Snyder's anything-can-and-often-does-happen stories bring some wonder to this title.

All six issues of this title have been reviewed over at Comic Book Resources, where it has earned 4 stars (out of 5) only twice while garnering 4.5 stars for the other four issues. 

Month in and month out, American Vampire delivers a comic that is sassy and savage, exciting and exhausting. This Read This Too! event happens at a spiffy crossroads for American Vampire. This week sees the release of the first hardcover collecting the first five issues, with some bonus extras, and priced at an affordable $24.99. To make things even better, and much more convenient for those of you thinking about jumping on board, issue #7 comes out next week.

I'm sure you might be resourceful enough to find yourself a copy of issue #6. If not, let me know. As a matter of fact, let's have some fun with this. The first two emails that I receive with a photo of you holding the American Vampire hardcover will receive a copy of American Vampire #6 in the mail. I cannot guarantee that the copy of #6 will reach you before American Vampire #7 hits the stands, but there you have it: free comic. Unfortunately, due to budgetary concerns, I'm going to restrict this to the United States only and only for readers who are over eighteen. American Vampire deals with some adult situations and it doesn't pull any punches in doing so.

So there you have it, check out American Vampire. Buy the hardcover, send a photo of you with said hardcover to mygreatestadventure80@gmail.com and get a free copy of issue #6. Just like that you'll be caught up on one of the greatest reads on the new comic racks today.

Honorable Mention: Taking the consolation prize in this Read This Too! is another title I cannot recommend more highly. The Stuff of Legend, published by Th3rd World, features the story of a set of toys set out to find their boy. Yes, I thought it sounded overly like Toy Story when I first read about it too, but it's not just a Toy Story knockoff. Stuff of Legend is a tale with the heart of Toy Story, the brains of Starman, and the sense of adventure of Drake and Premiani era Doom Patrol. It's written by Mike Raicht and Brian Smith with incomparable art by Charles Paul Wilson III.

Mad love and props to Kelson Vibber from Speedforce.org in organizing this wonderful celebration of the obscure and overlooked. Siskoid deserves high-praise for his hand in crafting the banner flying overhead and Walter of Boosterific helped set up this wonderful list below:

Interested in reading more? Good! Check out the lesser-known titles reviewed in these other blogs and "Read These Too!":


Adam Strange at It's A Dan's World

Astro City at  Speed Force

Essential Man-Thing at Firestorm Fan

Forgetless at Girls Gone Geek

Franklin Richards digests at Once Upon a Geek

Glamourpuss at Being Carter Hall

Peter David's Hulk at Fortress of Baileytude

Jonah Hex at Boosterrific

Scott Pilgrim at Toyriffic

Son of Tomahawk and Thor the Mighty Avenger at Aquaman Shrine

Spelljammer at HeroPress

Spire Christian Comics at Mail It To Team-Up

Strange Science Fantasy at Siskoid's Blog of Geekery

R.E.B.E.L.S. at Indigo Tribe

The Unwritten at  K-Squared Ramblings

Welcome to Tranquility at Girls Gone Geek

Beast Boy at Dragon Con!

Hmmm, here's another entry in the case for Beast Boy Week.

Courtesy of Shag from Once Upon a Geek and Firestorm Fan, here's an image of Beast Boy. Shag went to Dragon Con this past weekend, and brought back a TON of photos to share with all of his internet friends.

Be sure to click on over to Shag's site and check out more of the photos. Not only are most of the DC characters covered, but Shag did a great job capturing the cosplayers.

Giffen Speaks. We Listen. Or Read.

Vaneta Rogers is bringing the good interviews again. She had a chance to sit down and discuss some things with Keith Giffen.

I couldn't pencil the projects I have coming up, and I couldn't do what I'm doing on the Doom Patrol and Outsiders, while doing breakdowns for a book that were going to keep hitting me in this white heat. So it came down to, "OK, if you have to give up something, what do you want to give up?"

I'm not going to give up Doom Patrol. They'll have to pry that out of my cold, stiff fingers.

You can check out the rest of the interview through the magic of clickiness.

Doom Patrolling at the Comic Shop

No, you didn't miss an extra-szied, double-gatefold, foil-covered issue of Doom Patrol this week, but you may have missed some Doom Patrol goodness of a Silver Age flavor.

DC released the second volume of the Showcase Presents Doom Patrol yesterday. I personally passed on it for now, as I only recently got the fourth Archives volume.

Additionally, the DP makes an appearance in the fourth issue of the DCUniverse Legacies series, written by Len Wein and drawn by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez.

I'll be reviewing the latter over at CBR.

Elasti-Girl Friday 23

Some things in life are true: the sky is blue, summer is hot, work is a four-letter word and "Girl Friday" has more of an air of fun about it than "Woman Friday." That said, Elasti-(blank) Friday is returning to "Elasti-Girl Friday as of right now. See? Right now.

Happy Elasti-Girl Friday to you.

Sure, Rita may be referring to herself as Elasti-Woman and a certain Mrs. Parr may have had a swipe at the Elasti-Girl moinker, but Elasti-Girl Fridays on My Greatest Adventure 80 will be devoted to Rita, regardless of her codename.

So what happy gem do I have for you on Elasti-Girl Friday 23? How's about a nice sneak peek at Matthew Clark's art for Doom Patrol #13, due out next week? Sound good?

Sure it does.

Matthew Clark refers to this image of Rita as, "quite possibly my favorite shot of Rita to date." Props to Matthew, this one is very nice. Rita's rocking the sunglasses and has a look about her.

I am really looking forward to this issue next week. How about you kids?

Maybe I need a Beast Boy Week. . .

All of these ideas and no time to deal with them!

J. T. Krul is taking over the writing chores on Teen Titans and bringing Nicola Scott with him to handle the art. The Source covered this in greater detail last week, and you can read about it there.

Nicola Scott popped by Newsarama and had a conversation with Vaneta Rogers. Over the course of their conversation, Nicola mentioned

And I love Beast Boy's little tooth that sticks out. Some artists do the tooth but others don't. And the artists that do it sometimes don't do it in every panel. But I'm quite big on consistency. I like to see the same face on the same characters over and over again.

I'm with Nicola on this one. It's a nice variation to the character and it helps keep Gar from being just a green-colored kid. The Teen Titans cartoon from a few years back is the first place that I recall seeing this look for Gar, and Nicola's drawing of him seems like a natural progression of where that character might be nowadays.

I know this is, at best, a tangential connection to the Doom Patrol, but Gar is still family, whether he's in this book or not.

Personally, I've been down on Teen Titans for at least a few years now, but that looks like it might change, if Nicola Scott's enthusiasm makes it through to the printed page.

Negative Monday #34

I told you all to come back and check  in on the Doom Patrol related goodness from the October solicits today. If you're back because of that, welcome back!

Doomed in October - a sneak

Per usual this time of the month, Newsarama's got the goods. They have their standard-issue Super-books and general DCU sneak peek, teasing us for the teasers to come on Monday.

Preview solicits conflict me terribly - I want to know what's going to happen, but I really don't like wishing away months to come - especially the rest of the summer!

Silver Age Flavored Doom Patrol goodness today!

Even though Doom Patrol doesn't come out this week, you can still scratch that Doom Patrol itch. The Brave and the Bold #35 hits the shelves today, and while the cover depicts a team-up between the Legion of Substitute Heroes and the Inferior Five, rest assured it does continue the story that was started last issue when the Doom Patrol joined up with the Legion of Super-Heroes.

Check out the preview over on CBR.

There, but for the grace of God, go we. . .

Longtime followers (c'mon! It's been almost a year and a half!) of this blog (or my reviews over at CBR) know I have some mad love for the Agents of Atlas.

Negative Monday 31

Newsarama's got a fun little interview with Mr. Giffen.

Over there he says,

"And all of that counts. Ever since the beginning."

Make with the clicky and read more for yourself.

Mad props to Vaneta Rogers for getting Giffen to sit down long enough for an interview.

Doom Patrol #12 preview

I don't know about the rest of you, but I've got to get through the work day before I can snag my new comics. Makes those late comics all the later. This seems to be a pretty big week for me, too. Brightest Day, Doom Patrol, Thor the Mighty Avenger, Hawkeye & Mockingbird. Good stuff to look forward to in the sweltering July heat.

When I was a kid, we lived in a colonial and didn't have air, so we would use box fans to cool down. More than a few summer days and evenings were spent laying on the floor (or the bed, depending on just how late it was or how obnoxious my brother was being) reading comics. I would have to hold the pages down against the breeze from the fan, but it was part of the experience for me.

Some of these books look like summer reading to me, especially this week's DP.

That said, here's a link to Newsarama's sneak peek at Doom Patrol #12.

Looks like Ron Randall's onboard for a large chunk of the art again. Fair warning, though, there appears to be a surprise reveal in this preview. Good stuff. C'mon 5:00!! Hurry up!

Stop by and let me know what you think about the latest issue. Also feel free to share your tips for keeping cool while reading.

Doom Patrol #12

Well, Canadians, you ge tthe drop on everyone else this week. Comics are delayed in the States this week, thanks to our celebration of Indpendence Day.

That said, don't forget to pick up Doom Patrol #12 Wednesday (in Canada) or Thursday. We'll discuss more later.

Written by KEITH GIFFEN • Art by MATTHEW CLARK & RON RANDALL • Cover by MATTHEW CLARK


The Doom Patrol finally learn exactly whom they're up against as the Front Men attack! But will the team have time to figure out why they're fighting before this very public battle takes a massive toll?

Doomed in September - a sneak

Newsarama has a sneak peek into September's solicits. That peek includes this little ditty:

DOOM PATROL #14
Written by KEITH GIFFEN
Art and cover by MATTHEW CLARK with RON RANDALL
Cover by MATTHEW CLARK
The Chief has been experimenting on a captured Kryptonian in his spare time, and he just figured out the method by which Kryptonian cells process yellow sun radiation. The next step: using that method on himself!
On sale SEPTEMBER 8 * 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Stop by tomorrow for more.

More DP #11 coverage

So I posted a bit about the issue coming out on Wednesday and included this cover image.

Then I posted a link to the Source's preview of this issue. They used this cover image.

Where'd Rita go?!?

Once you read the preview (and/or the issue itself) it'll become clear where Elasti-Woman went.

Finally, being a picky former art director (operative word there being former) I'd like to gripe about the background being so close in tone to the T-Rex side of AVM Man's noggin. Poor planning there.

Come back a little later for my latest hare-brained theory on Thayer Jost. . .

Doom Patrol #11 from the Source

So DC's Source has propped up a six-page (well, ok, five-page with cover) preview for this week's issue.

Here's a little bit to tease you and a link for the rest.

Doom Patrol #11 - this Wednesday!

The eleventh issue of Doom Patrol hits the new comics racks this week.

Here's the solicitation text straight from DC's site:

Written by KEITH GIFFEN • Art by MATTHEW CLARK & RON RANDALL • Cover by MATTHEW CLARK
What kind of people call themselves "The Brotherhood of Evil"? Not this group; not if a certain pan-dimensional business tycoon has anything to say about it. After all, image is everything. But it doesn't matter how they rebrand themselves – the Doom Patrol has found them, and it's not going to be pretty.    DC Universe    32pg.    Color    $2.99 US


Looks like we might get some answers about just what is going on with "Thayer Jost".

For those Doom Patrol fans who are trade-waiters or late joiners, the collected edition of the first few issues of this volume of Doom Patrol also hits the  streets. Titled We Who Are About to Die, this book weighs in at 144 pages and carries a $14.99 cover price. It looks like this new trade collects issue 1-7. I can't guarantee it, but taking into account that the trade is solicited at 144 pages, and the original issues feature twenty pages of Doom Patrol story while Metal Men was running back-up. That would include the Blackest Night two-parter featuring art from Justiniano.

I haven't seen any indication of the "final art" for the cover, but when I do, it'll be here for you. Here's hoping Matthew Clark was able to do something new.

Another book coming out this week that you all might be interested in is Neil Young's Greendale from Vertigo. It's written by Joshua Dysart with art from Cliff Chiang. It's an original hardcover graphic novel, and as such carries a slightly higher price tag, but it's got Cliff Chiang art!

Doomed in August 2010

It's a little late, but here's a quick look at what's coming up from the Doom Patrol in August. 
 

DOOM PATROL #13

Written by Keith Giffen

Art and cover by Matthew Clark

Mento’s back, and Rita’s got him in a death grip! When her ex takes things one step too far, he learns a hard lesson about ticking off a 50-foot woman – and we learn some secrets about Rita!

On sale August 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Great cover from Matthew Clark. He drops in bits of homage to both Diana Rigg and Louise Brooks. More Rita's a good thing in any issue of Doom Patrol as far as I'm concerned. 

DC Universe Legacies #4

Written by Len Wein

Art by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez & Dave Gibbons and Joe Kubert with Scott Kolins

Cover by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez & Dave Gibbons

The DC Universe moves forward and evolves when a new generation of heroes inspired and mentored by the Silver Age’s greatest come together to fight the good fight. Robin, Kid Flash, Speedy, Wonder Girl and Aqualad – the Teen Titans hit the scene! At the same time, heroic humans without powers reunite to remember Sgt. Rock in a story by Joe Kubert!

On sale August 18 • 4 of 10 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US


Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez drawing the DP? Awesomeness awaits. 

Since it is a rather slow Doom month, I'll include Teen Titans as well, since Beast Boy is still hanging around over there.

TEEN TITANS #86

Written by Felicia D. Henderson

Co-feature written by Rex Ogle

Art by José Luís & Mariah Benes

Cover by Joe Prado

Co-feature art by Ted Naifeh

1:25 “DC Anniversary” Variant Cover by Michael Allred

“The Hunt for Raven” continues! The Titans have found their friend, but will the Wyld be able to let her go? More important, is Raven still their teammate — or has she become something greater than ever?

Plus, The COVEN OF THREE have found their answers, but restoring their world may not be a shared goal. How far will they go for ultimate power?

Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.

On sale August 25 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

Brave and the Bold Reviewed

So I read it. I reviewed it. I liked it for what it was - a Silver Age-flavored story with a shoe-horned team-up.

Saiz draws a magnificent book no matter who is in it, but his Doom Patrol is stunning. He captured the original essences of the team while giving them a high-polish Silver Age chrome coating.

Good stuff there. From the way this issue ended, it seems as though we may see the DP return next issue, apparently on June 23, alongside the Inferior Five and the Legion of Substitute Heroes.

More Silver Age goodness coming up!

Brave and the Bold #34 Preview

The Source has a preview of the issue of The Brave and the Bold that came out today. Of course the preview doesn't include the DP at all.

I haven't read it yet, as I've been working on some CBR reviews, but I will be reading it Thursday and reviewing it as well.

Look for more here soon.

Negative Monday #33: The Brave and the Bold #34!!

Hey kids!
Just a little public service reminder that a new issue of the wonderfully enjoyable Brave and the Bold is set to hit the stands this week (at least here in the States).

Here's the solicit text:  
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI • Art and cover by JESUS SAIZ

Don't miss this first chapter of a most unexpected two-parter! This wouldn't be the first instance where the Legion of Super-Heroes have gone back in time looking to add to their ranks. But the sheer craziness the Doom Patrol will bring into their lives just might make that it the last time... and the Legion's mission will lead to some rather unexpected consequences next issue!

• DC Universe
• 32pg.
• Color
• $2.99 US 

and here's the cover (or a spiffy approximation thereof.

Really looking forward to seeing Saiz's DP in action. He has a mastery of comic book figures that seems stripped from the very pages of the Silver Age, but gussied up in modern technique.

What say the rest of you?

We interrupt this blog. . .

Brad Meltzer may not be everyone's favorite writer, but his upcoming book, Heroes for My Son, is already an inspiration to me.

Negative Monday 32

Doom Patrol #10 hits the stands this week, and Newsarama has a little sneak peek for you. They mislabeled it as Doom Patrol #1, but I suppose every issue s SOMEBODY'S first issue as Geoff Johns says.

Here's a peek of the peek, or at least a little bit of Larry to tide you over until Wednesday.

It appears as though this is a Ron Randall page, which is interesting to me as I thought Matthew Clark had dibs on the Crazy Jane pages. We'll learn more on Wednesday, I suppose.

More Drake

Comic Book Resources - my homebase on these here internets - hosts a myriad of other comic-related content beyond my weekly reviews. One such beloved column is Comic Book Legends Revealed - a MythBusters of the comic scene. This week's column features information about the late, great Arnold Drake.

Give a click and enjoy.

Ambush Bug

So Danny the Bungalow welcomes Ambush Bug!

Here's the original pencil art for that final page. Matthew Clark was kind enough to hit me with a super-secret sneakie peekie when he confirmed the Bug's appearance, and now I share that with you.
POP!

Not Doom Patrol Again!!

Hey all!
Sorry for the long break. Busy-ness leading up to a wonderful family vacation, but now I'm back!

I'll be adding some more of my standard Doom Patrol fare in the next couple days, but first I wanted to direct your attention to Brightest Day #0 hitting the racks on Wednesday, April 14, 2010. It doesn't feature the Doom Patrol, but it does feature another creation of Arnold Drake's: Deadman.

There's Blackest Night related spoilers after the break

Farewell Dick Giordano!

One of the greats of the industry passed away at the age of 77 on Saturday.

Newsarama has a nice article about Giordano, and CBR has one as well.

Personally, I never had the pleasure to meet Mr. Giordano, but he sure made an impression on the comics I grew up enjoying, whether it was as a writer, inker, or editor.

Rest in peace Dick Giordano, and thanks for all the great comics!

Elasti-WOMAN Friday 22

This will be my last Elasti-Woman post from Doom Patrol #8. It could also be considered a Negative Monday worthy post.

I know this take on Negative Man is wearing thin on some folks, but personally, I'm rather enjoying it. Having met Keith Giffen once or twice, it's very easy for me to see where this character comes from.

"Rita. . .annoying person. Annoying person. . .Rita."

Matthew Clark and the Ambush Bug

So I dropped a tease about the Bug the other day. I've got some art from Matthew Clark with Ambush Bug in it.

It's right here.
See?

Here.
Clark drew this Mark Millar-penned story for the DCU Heroes Secret Files & Origins from 1999. It was fun little comic where Captain Marvel met Cameron Chase and was given a team-up pin-up with Wildcat among other oddities.


The issue was very Department of Extranormal Operations-centric, which made it that much more interesting to me.

This particular story features a double-cross courtesy of the master of the double-cross: Lex Luthor. All in all a decent read. This was when the whole Secret Files & Origins thing was starting up and being wonderfully handled. This issue, however, was a seemingly random hodge-podge of pieces that they just couldn't fit anywhere else.

There's even a very rough timeline in the back of this issue that offers some ideas of the histories of the characters in this issue.

Ambush Buggery

As noted by Petar on his DOOMPEDIA blog, Giffen has gone on the record over at the DC Message Boards to set the story straight regarding Ambush Bug.

For those of you who don't like to make with the clicky, here's what Giffen had to say on March 20:

Just to set things straight here before supposition runs wild...
Yes, that is Ambush Bug's eye.
Yes he is joining the DP book BUT as a supporting player.
No, he will not join the core team and finally...
Yes, bouncing him off of Larry is more fun than I should be allowed to
have.
I now cede the floor to wolfspider...
K-

Wolfspider is a poster on the DC Message Boards who has made no secret of his contempt for Giffen's current handling of the DP.

Now all we have to wait for is some art from Matthew Clark showing Mr. Bug. . . or do we?

Negative Monday 31

I'll admit I'm a latecomer to the DC Comics Presents party, but better late than never I always say! I was more of a Marvel Team-Up kid growing up. After all, Spidey was my first favorite superhero, so he always remained near and dear to me, and MTU always gave you a second cool character. Besides, the DC characters I really liked were in Justice League of America. Firestorm eventually got a second series, so I could follow him there.

DCCP never apppealed to me mainly because I wasn't a huge Superfan. When I was working on the Hawkman Companion, however, I tracked down a few issues of DC Comics Presents and enjoyed them enough to track down a few more. I found the issues with Firestorm. I bought the one with Vixen. Aquaman was a must. Imagine my surprise, however, when I picked up this issue, cover dated December of 1982 and found that it co-starred the DP and also introduced Ambush Bug! I didn't know that - or perhaps I did, but didn't realize it - when I was hunting this issue down.

How much did this gem set me back you ask? One crisp dollar. Worth ten times that in my opinion. And more of my opinion (along with more than a few images from the inside) follows later this week. For now, enjoy the cover drawn by some "Giffen" guy.