Scott Snyder (Best Comics Writer, 2016) pens the newest Bat-title to join the DC library -- ALL-STAR BATMAN, and the inaugural chapter is a real nail-biter.
It seems only yesterday that I was talking about the trend of recasting male roles with female ones (oops, timecheck that: it was today) and here I am introducing one of DC's latest remakes of REIGN OF THE SUPERMEN with this release of SUPERWOMAN #1.
Submitted by Mike 'Ace' Maillaro on Tue, 08/09/2016 - 08:22
Welcome back to Critical Blast’s weekly look at what new comics you should check out each week. Just a warning, I make these picks pretty much a week BEFORE I actually get to read any of these comics, so if something is a stinker, I take no blame on that. Let's get to it!
If you’ve read, collected, and simultaneously loved and hated comic books for as many decades as I have, there are a few things you’ve probably noticed: prices have gone up, story count has come down, and those damned kids won’t stay off the front lawn.
Rather than writing a generic reminiscent gripe about whether or not I’m still getting the same actual value for my comic book dollar, however, I decided to do something crazy: I decided to set out and try to prove it, scientifically.
Submitted by Critical Blast Staff on Mon, 08/08/2016 - 10:02
Suicide Squad Rebirth #1 by Rob Williams and Philip Tan
Summary: The issue starts with President Obama ordering Waller to disband the Suicide Squad. She explains to him why the Squad is needed. He says she needs someone to hold them accountable. She says she has just the name, Colonel Rick Flag. We find out that Flag is in Guantanamo Bay for refusing to follow a commanding officer’s order...an order which ended up killing a lot of men.
Submitted by Jeff Ritter on Fri, 08/05/2016 - 02:05
What a drag it must be for DC Comics and their parent company, Warner Brothers, to constantly be chasing Marvel. Oh sure, DC is currently showing up in the top 10 of comic book title sales, but only because at their core, most collectors are obsessive compulsive individuals. Every five years, when DC relaunches their comic universe and throws continuity out the window, many ardent fans take to the internet chatroom and social media outlets, throw a fit about DC doesn’t respect their audience (and they don’t, but that’s another story) and still go out and buy all of the first issues of the new comics line every five years. So while their sales are up, their brand loyalty and consumer confidence are not close to what it should be. Marvel makes mistakes too, yes, but they’re often stories that just missed their mark for whatever reason, and they haven’t built their business model around a cycle of planned irrelevancy.
You all know the story about how two idealistic teenagers in the 1930s created a science fiction hero that spawned an industry. Jerry and Joe, in a flash of brilliance, gave the world Superman. Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive. He was a hero the likes of which the world had never seen before.
Submitted by Mike 'Ace' Maillaro on Tue, 08/02/2016 - 09:17
Welcome back to Critical Blast’s weekly look at what new comics you should check out each week. Just a warning, I make these picks pretty much a week BEFORE I actually get to read any of these comics, so if something is a stinker, I take no blame on that. Let's get to it!
Submitted by S.J. Mitchell on Wed, 07/27/2016 - 15:59
Back in the 90's Jim Lee took the world by storm with his Wild C.A.T.s comic book for the creator owned publishing company, Image Comics.
It didn't take long for the imaginative characters to find their way into an animated series. The personalities and character designs were unique and refreshing for the time they were introduced. Breaking off into Wildstorm Studios, Jim Lee took his idea to new heights.
Eventually in 1999 Wildstorm became a publishing imprint of DC Comics and in 2010 it was shut down.
Submitted by Critical Blast Staff on Fri, 07/22/2016 - 11:42
Agents of SHIELD #7 by Marc Guggenheim and German Peralta
Summary: The issue starts with Coulson’s team trying to recover a crashed satellite. The Department of Defense comes to take over the operation, opening fire on Coulson’s team to get them to stand down. Between this, and Coulson’s protocols to take down superheroes, most of his team has decided to call it quits, and the rest of the team is having a difficult time trusting Coulson.
Submitted by Mike 'Ace' Maillaro on Tue, 07/19/2016 - 09:26
Welcome back to Critical Blast’s weekly look at what new comics you should check out each week. Just a warning, I make these picks pretty much a week BEFORE I actually get to read any of these comics, so if something is a stinker, I take no blame on that. Let's get to it!
Following almost exactly a month after CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA #5 comes the totally unexpected CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA #6.
Okay, if Archie Comics will continue a proper schedule, I'll lay off the jokes about the intermittent releases of this title and it's sister, AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE. Because as much as I kid, I truly love and enjoy this twisted take on the teenagers we all grew up with in the funny pages.
But there's nothing funny about this Sabrina. In fact, this title has all the right stuff in it to have some parents going, "You know, that old Fredrick Wertham fella may have had a point." Most ironic, the title comes from the publisher helmed for the longest time by Comics Code Authority stalwart, Michael Silberkleit.
Submitted by Critical Blast Staff on Thu, 07/14/2016 - 11:49
Captain America: Sam Wilson #11 by Nick Spencer and Daniel Acuna
Summary: Both Captain Marvel and Iron Man approach Sam Wilson about supporting their side in the Ulysses debate. Sam decides that he’s with Stark, reluctantly. He plans on giving a nuanced speech about it, but there is an emergency so he says “**** future profiling.” The emergency is that Rage has started fighting back against the perceived racism of the Americops. Sam is worried that this will all blow up, so rushes to intervene.
Meanwhile, we find out USAgent is active overseas fighting terrorists. He gets a call from the US Senate…
Submitted by S.J. Mitchell on Wed, 07/13/2016 - 15:50
Critical Blast has your first 'lettered' look inside the pages of Valiant's next unstoppable hero as 4001 A.D. continues with: WAR MOTHER #1 (due out August 3rd)!
4001 A.D.: WAR MOTHER #1 will contain the first full appearance of a formidable new force in the future of the Valiant Universe. Rocketing out of the aftermath of the summer's most ambitious crossover event, this standalone issue will be a must-read tale; torn from the lawless frontiers of the 41st century!
Submitted by Mike 'Ace' Maillaro on Tue, 07/12/2016 - 09:11
Welcome back to Critical Blast’s weekly look at what new comics you should check out each week. Just a warning, I make these picks pretty much a week BEFORE I actually get to read any of these comics, so if something is a stinker, I take no blame on that. Let's get to it!
I've often thought to myself, "Self, our life needs theme music." I hope it gets composed by Danny Elfman or Hans Zimmer, but I'm afraid it might get done by Arthur Korb.
These are the thoughts I now think as I listen to the tracks from The Music of DC Comics, Volume 2. Now, I know, comics are printed on paper and don't usually come with musical accompaniment. These are (mostly) from animated and live-action adaptations, smart-ass. And what an eclectic mix it is, starting with "The Baby from Krypton" from the 1940 SUPERMAN radio show, all the way through the opening theme credits for CW's LEGENDS OF TOMORROW.
Submitted by S.J. Mitchell on Fri, 07/08/2016 - 11:48
Diamond Comic Distributors Inc has released their monthly report for the top selling products in June and, despite the mixed social commentary about DC's 'Rebirth', the company outshined it's top competitor, Marvel Comics.
While only two of the 'Rebirth' titles landed in the top ten, they were issues containing DC's flagship characters: Batman and Superman. And, even though Wonder Woman's 'Rebirth' title was absent, Princess Diana of Themyscira made an appearance as the first issue of her series landed in the #9 spot.
Submitted by S.J. Mitchell on Wed, 07/06/2016 - 12:53
Marvel announced a new series titled CHAMPIONS, a title in which they reached an agreement with Heroic Publishing to use, and young Scott Summers seeks to be a member.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, series creators Mark Waid and Tom Breevort discussed the new series, artist Humberto Ramos, its members, and the concept.
This comic book nerd, however, is all about how it affects his favorite marvel mutant: Cyclops!
Submitted by Critical Blast Staff on Wed, 07/06/2016 - 09:08
Captain America: Sam Wilson #10 by Nick Spencer and Angel Unzueta
Summary: A Texas Senator and an oil executive are working together to create a new private policing initiative called the Americops. They are reducing crime rates, but there seems to be a lot of harassment, racial profiling, and excessive force, especially when it comes to dealing with minorities.
Meanwhile, several black heroes have gotten together in a private memorial for James Rhodes. Sam is asked to give a eulogy at the funeral, and he does a terrific job.
