Monday, January 31, 2011

2010 Aquaman Custom Stuffed Hero by Kayelyn of K-n-B-creations

Click To Enlarge


Aquaman looks naked without his gloves. Like creepy old man without a shirt on naked. Lady, give him gloves or nipples, because you're at a delicate crossroad here.

You are also at a crossroad. Do you take a gander at the so-clothed-he's-never-naked Custom Firestorm Plush Shag has posted, or do you check to see if Plush J'Onn J'Onzz has felt spearmint drawer knobs? They'll pop up in separate discrete windows for your viewing pleasure.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Wizard: The Comics Magazine #136: Ultimate DC Batman and Aquaman (January, 2003)

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The Vixen has posted early from its supposed Thursday berth several times already, and since this week will simply be an art post, I'm bumping her to Saturday for this special program: Ultimate Detroit Crew!

Wizard Magazine pissed me off as a matter of routine in its glory days, but now that their print edition is dead (see also: the entire industry in the next decade or so,) I'd like to look at one of their fun (if frustrating) features: partially-legitimized fan fiction. The Wizard staff tried to do a DC version of Marvel's Ultimate line back when it mattered to anybody, and while there's a reason none of these guys became professional writers, some of the art commissioned by Draxhall Studios was kind of nice.

First up, Christian Zanier designed Ultimate Batman, and it's funny how much it looked like the recently unveiled design from Batman Incorporated. Since Batman was one of the few DC characters whose knob Wizard was inclined to slob, there were no radical changes to his usual story. They just had Bruce Wayne be more of a businessman than a playboy so they could have him butt heads with Lex Luthor. Bruce would also now grow up with Harvey Dent, and Dent would be engaged to grad student Barbara Gordon. Well, I guess that's more of a tweak than it seems, since they cast Morgan Freeman as Commissioner Gordon, so the relationship would presumably be interracial. Nan-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-nan-na-na-na-na-na-na-na BlackGirl! I can dig it. Finally, the Joker would start out as a clown-themed vigilante, and the staff teased truly uninspired plotlines culminating in a fiftieth issue.

Next up is... hmm. Ultimate Elongated Man? Ultimate Vibe? I guess besides covering Martian Manhunter at another blog, the only Motor City Leaguer I have left is Aquaman. While the other Ultimate DC Heroes tied together in an Ultimate JLA project, there was one last concept at the back of the bus. While the most daring of the lot, it also proved the most exasperating.

Once the JLA formed, LexCorp decided to create its own competing super-hero team through an audition process. Robin would bypass a partnership with Batman and go straight to the Ultimate Teen Titans. Wonder Girl is in there when they should probably have used Starfire. Cyborg is redesigned, but the same basic dude. Raven's a goth, because of course she is. Why does all that matter here? Well, because Green Arrow is now a member (as Roy Harper,) and Aquaman is demoted to JLA Jr. status. Blech!

"The arrogant Prince Arturrs of Atlantis, a 19-year old future king called Aquaman, wants to familiarize himself with the surface world before taking up his royal responsibilities; he insists he's the team's natural leader, much to the chagrin of the others."

Ultimate DC Day continues here...
Ultimate Atom @ Power of the Atom
Ultimate Wonder Woman @ Diana Prince
Ultimate Green Lantern, Flash, and Superman @ DC Bloodlines
Ultimate JLA @ The Idol-Head of Diabolu

Monday, January 24, 2011

Justice #9 (February, 2007)



Previously in Justice...

Manta taunted his foe as Aquaman succumbed... The Legion of Doom plotted to save the world from the super friends...

The Dark Knight Detective used Riddler’s clue to track and capture Nigma in a local graveyard... Aquaman awoke to find himself strapped to a gurney, an overhead light shining in his eyes...

Aquaman was a major part of Brainiac’s plan. One continued his telepathic outreach while the other made his deadly incision...

Sue Dibny gently held her husband's arm and hand as Ralph placed a call to a mutual friend.

Batman was bound in his newly amazonian Batcave by Poison Ivy, when he was appropriately rescued by Wonder Woman.

While Caulder and J'Onzz compared notes on why Arthur had been assaulted in this manner, Zee thought, "The hole doesn't seem so large anymore. Did you replace some of the tissue?"

Zatanna materialized at the fortress, with Martian Manhunter, the Doom Patrol, and the revived Aquaman in tow.

Batman helped formulate plans. "Zatanna will be able to transport a strike team... but there is still the problem of possession. In our enemies' control, we are all weapons of mass destruction." Green Lantern was able to protect Zatanna's team from infection by the worms attacking people's brains, as they attempted to capture Gorilla Grodd.

Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent ventured out to Crime Alley, where Wayne sought help in determining whether Brainiac really was offering a cure to the sick and invalid of the world. The pair visited the charitable skid row clinic of Dr. Leslie Thompkins, so that x-ray vision could inspect a group of miraculously healed children before they were to be sent to live in one of the black orb cities. "This isn't merely about control. It's about transformation and reconstruction. Brainiac is making them into beings like him. They're being modified into a sort of organic machinery.

Back at the Fortress of Solitude, Batman consulted with the Atom and Doc Magnus on ways to insulate the heroes from possession in the coming conflict with their enemies. This led to a more literal Dark Knight, as Batman put on a suit of armor he had created previously with sealed systems, allowing him to lead the Justice League into battle. Zatanna seemed to magic up protection that made her appear to be a cloaked negative image of her normal self, while Aquaman donned Atlantean armor, and Martian Manhunter some purple scaled thing.

"Chapter Nine" was plotted and painted by Alex Ross. The script was provided by Jim Krueger, and the penciled layouts by Doug Braithwaite. Not that prototypical burly Alex Ross heroes don't already look a lot alike, but those scenes with Bruce and Clark had them seeming like identical twins. Yeesh.

Continue the story through these character-specific posts:

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Motor City Links

BRIGHTEST DAY #23-24
Written by GEOFF JOHNS and PETER J. TOMASI
Art by IVAN REIS, PAT GLEASON, ARDIAN SYAF, SCOTT CLARK and JOE PRADO
Cover #23 by GARY FRANK
Cover #24 by DAVID FINCH
1:10 Variant Covers by IVAN REIS
It’s the beginning of the end as we head toward the epic conclusion to BRIGHTEST DAY! The mystery of the heroes’ return and the secrets of the white forest are revealed! Plus, Captain Boomerang draws closer to completing his mission! And at last, it’s Firestorm vs. Deadman!
And in the extra-sized issue #24, a new age for the DC Universe begins! A long shadow is cast across the world in a a finale that will have everyone talking! Twelve heroes and villains were resurrected, but that doesn’t mean it will remain that way as the new champion of Earth is chosen!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
#23 on sale APRIL 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US, RATED T
#24 on sale APRIL 20 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US, RATED T
Firestorm vs. Deadman. That should translate to continuing Atom cameos, but I can't get excited about anything here. Maybe when the spin-off start rolling out?
DC UNIVERSE ONLINE LEGENDS #5-6
Written by MARV WOLFMAN and TONY BEDARD
Art by MIKE S. MILLER, ADRIANA MELO and HOWARD PORTER
Covers by ED BENES
In issue #5 of this twice-monthly epic, Brainiac’s attack on the JLA Watchtower is met with fierce resistance — but the tide turns when he reveals his true goal! And in the bleak, blasted future, Lex Luthor reveals his own plan for killing Brainiac . . . but at what cost to his “allies”?
And in issue #6, Luthor and his ragged team of future survivors take the fight to Brainiac in a final, desperate attempt to stop his invasion of Earth — but will it be enough? Back in the present day, a catastrophe takes place that will forever change the face of the DCU!
Issue #5 on sale APRIL 6
Issue #6 on sale APRIL 20
32 pg, FC, $2.99 US, RATED T

AQUAMAN

Aquaman (Vol.3) #1 - June 1989
Aquaman (Vol.3) #2 - July 1989
Aquaman (Vol.3) #3 - Aug. 1989
Aquaman (Vol.3) #4 - Sept. 1989
Aquaman (Vol.3) #5 - Oct. 1989

CITIZEN STEEL

JSA ALL-STARS #17
Written by MATTHEW STURGES
Art and cover by FREDDIE WILLIAMS II
History has gone awry, and only one member of the JSA All-Stars can put it right: The Prince! Who’s that, you say? He’s not a member of the JSA All-Stars? That’s what they thought, too! He claims his father’s archnemesis has altered the past to prevent him from ever being born . . . but how can he prove it to the All-Stars? And what is his ultimate goal?
On sale APRIL 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US, RATED T
JSA ALL-STARS: GLORY DAYS TP
Written by MATTHEW STURGES
Art by FREDDIE E. WILLIAMS II, HOWARD PORTER and ART THIBERT
Cover by FREDDIE E. WILLIAMS II
The Justice Society of America spinoff group barely survived their first mission alone! Luckily, their no-nonsense stance on justice carried them through, and now they’re investigating a bizarre drug cartel consisting of genetically altered jungle animals that’ll lead the All-Stars into a confrontation with actual gods and goddesses. Collected from issues #7-13!
On sale MAY 18 • 160 pg, FC, $17.99 US

ELONGATED MAN

Ralph was always a jerk

MARTIAN MANHUNTER

A statue of "Ajax"
Minimalist Superhero Designs Fit for Bathroom Doors
The Justice League Of Pint Glasses
CW to continue 'Smallville' in spinoff 'Middletown' series

VIXEN

JLA 18 - Vixen vs. The Suicide Squad & androids who like getting it on, then fall asleep and dream of electric sheep

ZATANNA

ZATANNA #12
Written by PAUL DINI
Art by JAMAL IGLE
Cover by ADAM HUGHES
Zatanna’s struggle against the newly rejuvenated Brother Night continues, and his scorched-earth approach has her reconsidering where she draws the line in dealing with her foes . . . and what else she can do to protect the world of the mundane from the world of the magical!
On sale APRIL 20 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US, RATED T+

POWER GIRL #23
Written by JUDD WINICK
Art and cover by SAMI BASRI
You might think Power Girl and Superman would be more than up to the task of taking down a few dozen dinosaurs – but we forgot to mention they were magic dinosaurs. The kind that spontaneously grow wings. And shoot lasers from their eyes. Under ordinary circumstances, they’d turn to Zatanna for help – but it looks like she’s the one who summoned the dinos in the first place! What’s going on here?
On sale APRIL 20 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US, RATED T

2010 Memorable Moment: Daddy and Zee

BATMAN

DC COMICS PRESENTS: BATMAN – IRRESISTIBLE #1
Written by TOM PEYER
Art by TONY HARRIS, WADE VON GRAWBADGER and WAYNE FAUCHER
Cover by TONY HARRIS
In a 3-part tale from BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #169-171 featuring art by Tony Harris, The Dark Knight encounters Frank Sharp, an exceptionally ugly man who has the ability to make people do whatever he wants just by shaking their hand. Sharp is out to make a name for himself in Gotham City’s worlds of politics and crime — if Batman doesn’t stop him first. Plus, a tale illustrated by Harris from HOURMAN #22, guest-starring Young Justice!
On sale MARCH 16 • 96 pg, FC, $7.99 US

Racists Totally Freak Out Over Muslim 'Batman of Paris'

Another day, another racist freakout over non-white superheroes. But unlike the hilariously dishonest racism we saw when the Council of Conservative Citizens called for a boycott of Marvel's Thor movie on account of mythical Norse god's depiction as a black man, a recent round of conservative attacks on Nightrunner -- DC's Muslim Batman of Paris -- are prejudicial in a more insidious way.

Batman’s Politically Correct European Vacation

The whole situation is a misreading of what ails France. The truth is, neither communist Union members nor “Neo-Nazi” Parties are causing riots in France. Muslims are. Yet DC Comics is absurdly making a Muslim immigrant the “French savior”? This is PCism at its worst. Not only that but it is pretty condescending to France, too. France is a proud nation. Yet DC Comics has made a foreigner the “French savior.” This will not sit well with many Frenchmen, for sure. Nor should it.

The Batman Islam Wars Turns Up A Notch

So the Batman franchise runner in Paris, France is an young man of Algerian Muslin descent. How did DC expect the blogosphere to react?

The Batman Nightclub 'Wayne Manor' Revealed in 1966 'Life' Magazine Article

I've seen the cover featuring Adam West in what I can only describe as a full-on frolic before, but it wasn't until today that Andrew Weiss sent me the actual content of the article, which focuses on the Batmania that was sweeping the nation after the TV show became a hit. The article also features the musicals inspired by both Superman and MAD Magazine, but far more interesting is its focus on how the public reacted to the show.

Unreleased Character Designs from 'Batman: Arkham Asylum' [Art]

Courtesy of artist Carlos D'Anda, the beautiful illustrations reveal the developers' desire to find a happy marriage between the classic and fairly simple appearances of Batman and his rogues' gallery and the more intricate and perhaps overly detailed 3D designs for which gaming technology finally allows.

Mike Henry's Cartoony and Kinetic Batman Rogues Redesigns [Art]

Hearkening back to the look of Batman: The Animated Series, artist Mike Henry dove into some Bat-verse portraits armed with a Batcave arsenal's worth of color and some new looks for the Caped Crusader's villains that mesh the energy of Humberto Ramos with the clean, liquid-hot cartoony feel of J. Scott Campbell.

Ted Naifeh Draws Batman and 'Beyond' [Art]

If you've had the pleasure of reading any of Ted Naifeh's work, like Courtney Crumrin and the Night Things or his original graphic novel How Loathsome, you've seen some pretty strange places. His new fixation with Batman, however, contains some very familiar imagery, and even if it turns out that he really isn't going to be a fill-in artist on Batman Beyond, the Bat-art that he's recently produced could make for an enticing audition.

The 'Gotham High' Animated Series that Never Was

Just a day after we reported on the failure-to-launch of David E. Kelley's Wonder Woman television series comes word of another DC Comics-based TV show that is never to be. Gotham High is an animated series concept created by artist Jeffrey Thomas and writer Celeste Green that re-imagines Batman and his cast of rogues as high school students. The project was apparently "lost in the shuffle" at DC Entertainment, but Green and Thomas have released some fully realized character designs and looks for the series, which you can check out after the jump.

Sean Hartter's Superhero Movie Posters from Alternate Universes

Graphic artist Sean Hartter has taken the Web trend of re-designing movie posters a few steps further by creating a huge series of posters for geek-based films starring some of history's greatest film stars, all in an authentic period style. Among Hartter's inspired designs are The Punisher starring Jack Palance; Daredevil starring William Shatner; The Maxx starring Sylvester Stallone; Batman: The Joker's Five-Way Revenge with John Barrymore and Lon Chaney; and Watchmen with Peter Fonda, Brigitte Bardot, Max von Sydow, Paul Newman, Lenny Bruce and Anthony Perkins (directed by John Frankenheimer!). Surely, Grant Morrison and time travel photographer Steven Cook would be proud.

Judge Throws Batarang At 7097 Of 7098 Batman XXX Pirate Cases

The Girlfriends, Silver Age Edition: Batwoman

Why I Find Damian Wayne Funny:

The Return of Bruce Wayne

Detective #288

Rappin' With Robin

2010 Justice League & Super-Hero Custom Ceramic Dresser Knobs by 2cute2miss

Calamity Jon Morris corners BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD

The Art of Neal Adams, Vol. 2!
Cool Stuff: Bat-Stuff!
Cool Stuff: More Bat-Stuff!

2006 Batman pencil drawing
2008 Harley & Ivy commission
Batgirl pin-up: 2003
2007 Batman art for a charity auction
2004 Batman, Joker & Harley commission

Hangin' around and falling behind

Uriel A. Duran corners THE JOKER

Daily Batman: Batman and Robin love a gay party
Daily Batman: Bi-knock-ulars
Liberated Negative Space: Bat’s outta the bag edition
Daily Batman: Deeaaaaaaad

Twelve Days of BatWondy!
On the Second Day of Batwondy …
On the Third Day of BatWondy …
On the Fourth Day of BatWondy …
On the Fifth Day of BatWondy …
On the Sixth Day of BatWondy …
On the Seventh Day of BatWondy …
On the Eighth Day of BatWondy …
On the Ninth Day of BatWondy …
On the Tenth Day of BatWondy …
On the Eleventh Day of BatWondy …
On the Twelfth Day of BatWondy … The Case for Bruce and Diana

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Vixen: Return of the Lion #1 (December, 2008)



A Justice League consisting of Vixen, Superman, Batman and the Black Canary uncovered an Intergang weapons cache bound to help “clear the way” for a new Ridge Ferrick mining facility in the African nation of Zambesi. Documents found by Batman revealed bribes to a local warlord running the operation, Aku Kwesi, who had murdered Jeanne-Mari Jiwe fifteen years earlier. “Made it look like a poaching incident.” Superman asked that the information be kept quiet until he could talk to Vixen in private about her mother’s killer.

In a revision of the events of her first published appearance, Superman caught Mari alone at the gym to discuss the case that introduced one to the other. “You were so angry because of what happened to your mother. When we caught those poachers, it seemed like her killers had been brought to justice. We were wrong. Superman explained all about the Numasa operation and Kwesi’s involvement, then offered a comforting embrace. “I tried so hard to get over this. I thought it was all done. But it isn’t. I can smell the blood in that photograph. Like it was happening all over again… I can leave tonight.” Superman didn’t want Mari rushing into things, especially alone and in a bad emotional state. “I’ll go with or without League permission. Clark-- if this was about someone you loved, I wouldn’t try to stop you. You know I wouldn’t.”

In the Dagombi Plains in Zambesi, Mari Jiwe strolled into town, attracting the attention of village children. Mari was recognized by her old schoolmate Abiesa, Mari was welcomed with a hug and “A kwaaba, darling friend!” Abiesa never thought she would see Mari again after hearing she had become a model in America, and with her parents gone, “Who was left to arrange your marriage, your protection, your future?” When Mari revealed the reason for her return, Abiesa was dismissive. “This is the world. The good fall, and the evil prosper. It’s no good to talk of punishing. Only a goat that is tired of life invites the lion to dinner.” Besides, she chided, without a domesticating husband, Mari might even begin to bleat like a goat.

The reunion was interrupted by some of Kwesi’s men, who rode through the village on motorcycles while brandishing machetes. Mari called them sons of whores, and used the powers of the jaguar to show them what for. The men didn’t give up their boss, but with the trouble she’d caused, assured Mari he’d find her.

Abiesa was initially fearful of Mari’s powers, as she clutched her infant child tightly to her breast. Mari explained that they came from her totem, which “helps me use the power of the vodun-- the animal spirits.” Abiesa pointed out that Mari’s father was a Christian priest of the English church. “He used to tell me that there is only one god-- but the wise know him by many names.”



Abiesa spoke of how Aku Kwesi was once thought a mere bully from the Forest-People, but his weapons and men proved him much more. He had taken girls from the village by force to serve as wives, and his men did “terrible things.” Mari was set to change that, but “Kwesi is more dangerous than you know. He has powers. Unnatural powers.”

Abiesa’s husband Owo arrived just ahead of Aku Kwesi, who was intent on humbling “the uncircumcised slut who thinks she can insult me.” Mari identified herself to the fiend, who remembered her mother. “Her husband was getting above himself, preaching new ways and making trouble. She was a warning.” Mari charged the offensive “animal,” who unsheathed his claws and slashed her cheek. The spirit of the eagle afforded Mari a flying kick to the chest, which Kwesi shrugged off. “It’s like he’s made of metal… a metahuman?”Kwesi lifted Mari by the throat and slashed her abdomen. Before he could finish the job, one of Kwesi’s men warned “Sir! This is not wise… Forgive me, sir. But to kill a guest of the village-- and a woman-- it looks desperate.” Kwesi argued with Sia further on the matter, before asking for Sia’s gun, and pointing it down at the wounded Mari. “Welcome, She-Spirit, to the lasty moment of your life.

“Return of the Lion Part 1: Predators” was by G. Willow Wilson and Cafu. I’m also inclined to single out colorist Santiago Arcas for his highly complementary and graceful work.

Whether intentionally or through insufficient research, Mari had gone from fifteen years removed from her native M’Changa after the murder of her father to ten years removed from Zambesi. DC Comics don’t award No Prizes, but let’s say M’Changa went through the all too common political upheaval, perhaps as the fallout from General Maksai’s death. The end result was maybe the new nation of Zambesi, which Vixen had visited something like five years into her super-heroic career? Good? No?

Saturday, January 15, 2011

2009 Sandylion Batman: The Brave and the Bold Sticker Bits



While touring a Hobby Lobby last year with my girlfriend, gathering stuff for us both (including materials for the B'rett Custom Action Figure,) I stumbled upon this little pack of stickers. The resealable baggy is only 3.5" x <5", and the card sheets inside 8.2 square cm. There's 104 stickers on 8 of these sheets, meaning thirteen per page (not counting the extra die cut "TM and © DC Comics (s09)" ones on each page the responsible kids will apply to protect the publisher's intellectual property.)



There are only 26 different stickers alternating between two sheets, which are repeated in equal number. Most the stickers are less that two centimeters in any direction, a notable exception being the long tail on the Red Tornado. Each sticker embeds solids colors onto a glittery silver background. Nineteen of the stickers feature Batman in some capacity. Nine are of the Caped Crusader in solo action, one with the Batmobile, another with the Batplane.



Blue Beetle, Red Tornado and Plastic Man received a solo sticker each, while Aquaman and Green Arrow managed two. There are two Batman team-up stickers with each, although they're differently edited versions of the same art.



I don't know anything about sandyLion Stickers, but they did a nifty job on these little guys. I have yet to watch the TV series, but everything I've heard and seen makes it seem right up my alley. I've been meaning to post these stickers for some months, and was finally inspired to get on it by the Irredeemable Shag of Once Upon a Geek, who offered me scans of some temporary tattoos related to the series. They're great, and I recommend you set to the clicking action on the following links to check 'em out. The first is Shag's main article, which features all of the tats. The others are character spotlight posts facilitated by our friend...

Firestorm & Company Temporary Tattoos @Firestorm Fan
The Atom (Ryan Choi) @Power of the Atom
Despero @The Idol-Head of Diabolu

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Back Issue #40 (May, 2010): “Foxy Lady: The Vixen”



TwoMorrows Publishing’s Back Issue magazine features a section called “Greatest Stories Never Told,” which examines various comic book tales that either never made it into print, or did so in a form heavily altered from the original intention. For instance, interviewer John Schwirian discussed Gerry Conway’s initial plans for his co-creation (with artist Bob Oksner) of the first major black super-heroine at DC Comics, the Vixen. The Lady Fox’s debut comic book story missed its scheduled appearance in her own self-titled bimonthly series in 1978, instead ending up cataloged in the copyright-securing Xeroxed “print run” of Cancelled Comics Cavalcade given out to staffers and kept on file. The book was lettered up to the penultimate page, but never colored. No further work was done on the comic, besides a script by Bob Rozakis for a planned back-up feature in the second issue meant to star Harlequin.

Vixen’s first appearance in a title that was actually circulated came three years later in a team-up with Superman. After one more such guest spot three years later, Vixen finally made a minor splash as a member of the “new” Detroit-based Justice League of America, in an entirely different costume with a revised origin from the one held back from the public six years prior. It would be another quarter century before Vixen finally got a solo mini-series.

Getting back to the character’s origins, Gerry Conway was one of the premier writer/editors employed by DC to help glut the market, in a bid to pull market share away from Marvel Comics. This special talent required coming up with unexplored angles that might draw in new readers. The only black super-heroine most people knew of in 1978 was Storm, well before the X-Men were the industry juggernaut they would become in the ‘80s. Conway saw a need for more, and tried to come up with a unique power set for his developing creation. “Quite a few heroes had ‘animal’ powers… but I liked the idea of a hero who’d have many different abilities to draw on… I was aware of Animal Man, but that was a character who hadn’t been used in almost a decade, and I felt my take on the idea was different enough… I liked the idea of tying Vixen’s powers to her heritage, making her more than just another ‘lucky accident’ kind of hero.”

Conway flew by the seat of his pants, Stan Lee style, so he only had vague ideas of where the book would have gone beyond the first story. No further use of the African background was planned, as the Vixen was meant to be a pure urban vigilante from then on. “I hoped to write the series for a long time and develop the character... letting the stories themselves suggest future events as I wrote them.” However, the Vixen material lay fallow, even as other cancelled books from the “DC Implosion” were repurposed in surviving titles. Conway confided, “Honestly, I don’t think anyone was that wild about how the first issue turned out.” Still, “I loved the character, and wanted to see her in print anywhere it was possible.” The first opportunity was the aforementioned Action Comics, followed a few years later by a DC Comics Presents team-up.



Conway was part of the team hoping to revamp the Justice League of America as another young, hip, soapy super-team along the lines of The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans. It instead fell a bit short of the low bar set by Batman and the Outsiders, mixing leftover C-listers with Conway creations both old (Vixen & Steel) and new (Vibe & Gypsy.) “I wasn’t happy with her original look, and saw this as an opportunity to start over. Mostly, I wanted to make her more interesting.”

The team book’s artist, Chuck Patton, was asked to redeem Vixen visually. “I do remember at the time, that I followed Oksner’s initial design for Vixen—but I did not like the overall color scheme. I believe she was dressed then in some kind of light bluish and yellow that I thought was just awful. The goal of the new Justice League was to bring a younger but harder-edged appearance to the team rather than the Old Guard's primary colors.” Of Vixen, Conway noted, "I wanted her to balance Gypsy's youth and inexperience with a more seasoned, mature approach. Making Vixen's character more ‘edgy’ was an attempt to bring a different kind of energy to the team.”

Patton continued, “Gerry's description of her stayed basically to how he created her— same as before—but he was open to however I wanted to visually interpret her. So first thing first—I needed her looking more earthy and sexy—so I changed her colors to an earthier color palette—to denote not only the fox aspect of her identity but also her African origins as well… I wanted her to be majestic, powerful, and roguish… However, a 'vixen' isn't exactly known as such a creature. So I turned to Marvel Comics for inspiration. I revised her hairdo to reflect a wild animal approach, again utilizing a fox-like image, but I didn't want her wearing a mask and becoming a black Catwoman... What I was going for was to literally make her a female Wolverine… Hey, I was young and fairly impressionable back then… I was also using Grace Jones as my real-life model for Vixen—and Grace wore many a wild wig in her day! …Of the new Justice Leaguers' outfits I created, I was and still am most proud of Vixen.”

I agree with Patton’s assessment, even though it may seem like damning with faint praise, given the company. I really do like the suit, and despite the similarities to Timber Wolf and Wolverine, I wish she had retained more of Patton’s contributions through successive reworking. Regardless, the fact that Vixen has managed to stay in print for most of the years since her reintroduction is certainly a credit to Conway and Patton. Also deserving of credit is John Schwirian for his excellent write-up, available in full here.

Monday, January 10, 2011

2010 Minimal Aquaman art by Jonah Block

Click To Enlarge


Gallery quality Giclée print on natural white, matte, ultra smooth, 100% cotton rag, acid and lignin free archival paper using Epson K3 archival inks. Custom trimmed with 2" border.
Art Print / SMALL - 23" X 13" ($22.88)
Art Print / MEDIUM - 28" X 16" ($28.08)
Art Print / LARGE - 40" X 22" ($43.68)


Stretched Canvases
Fine art print on bright white, fine poly-cotton blend, matte canvas using latest generation Epson archival inks. Individually trimmed and hand stretched museum wrap over 1-1/2" deep wood stretcher bars. Includes wall hanging hardware.
Stretched Canvas / SMALL - 19" X 9" ($85.00)
Stretched Canvas / MEDIUM - 24" X 12" ($95.00)


Laptop & iPad Skin
Skins are thin, easy-to-remove, vinyl decals for customizing your laptop. Skins are made from a patented 3M material that eliminates air bubbles for easy application.
$30.00

There's a Minimal Martian Manhunter as well, so check it out.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

2011 DC Universe Online Statue: Zatanna

Click To Enlarge


BASED ON THE ART OF JIM LEE
DC Direct continues the statue series based on art from one of the most anticipated online games in recent years!
The DC UNIVERSE ONLINE STATUES are from Sony Entertainment's Massively Multi-Player Online Game, based on the art of Jim Lee! Set to include many heroes and villains from the game, each character is shown in a dynamic pose, atop a consistent base.
The next statue in the DC Universe Online series is the Mistress of Magic, Zatanna!
Hand-painted, cold-cast in porcelain and measuring approximately 7” high x 4.5” wide x 3” deep, this statue is packaged in a 4-color box.
Limited Edition.
On sale August 24, 2011 * Statue * $85 US

Thursday, January 6, 2011

2010 Vixen Watercolor by Shelton Bryant

Click To Enlarge

It was never my intention to create a Justice League Detroit blog. Back when I had a Martian Manhunter fan site hosted on WebTV, I could only load about four editable pages of material at a time. To remedy this and allow myself a variety of (default option) backgrounds, I just created a new "site" for each major section. Te Detroit kids were on one of them, with this same rivet background I dug up out of a file folder on disc. When I came back to the internet with a daily Manhunter blog, I started organizing it like my old set-up, before I realized I could just create link menus and sidebars to serve the same role. However, this side blog developed a following of its own, and I certainly like the team, so I've tried to honor them suitably. In the last year, this blog has played a role in my intra/inter-blog crossovers, ZatannaDay Saturdays have been fairly reliable, and a decent amount of AquaMondays and BaTuesdays came into being. I really don't care for Elongated Man, but there's so many books around my house that involve him, he seems to be reasonably well represented here. We may have been haphazard, unfocused and reliant on art posts, but I think it all turned out okay.

I mention this because a bunch of Motor City Leaguers have been admittedly slighted. I always mean to work of Gypsy posts for my Manhunter blog, but they rarely make it to posting. Steel's an alright guy, but there isn't a lot to work with there outside material I've already covered, and I'm not enough of a fan to actively seek more out. I actually dislike Vibe, but he inspires a handful of oddball/tongue-in-cheek posts each year, so I think he's gotten his share of the spotlight.

The one character on the team I really feel guilty about mishandling is Vixen. She's my favorite team member after J'Onn and Arthur, and unlike those two, lacks a blogging venue all her own. I think she's a dynamic character and serves an important role in DC and JLA history. I considered a "February for a Lady Fox" theme month, but that sort of token display irks me, and I want Mari to have a more prominent role here every month. Therefore, consider Thursday Vixen's property, which should guarantee her at least two days space to spread out, since I avoid slow traffic Friday posting. Unlike ZatannaDay and the rest, I also refuse to throw Vixen a pin-up bone every week or two. Expect at least one meaty post every month, from story synopsizes to behind-the-scenes material and more. Next week should be a doozy, let me tell you, and I've already got a bunch of other great material "banked" for coming weeks and months. I hope you look forward to it.

In the meantime, here's a lovely abstract watercolor by Shelton Bryant. There is a ton of T&A Vixen art out there, and be prepared for lots of buxom nudes if you search out any more art by Mr. Bryant, but I wanted to start things off with this classy watercolor.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Aquaman's Sea King Guide



Solo Blogs
The Aquaman Shrine Blog
The Unofficial Aquaman Website


The Birth of Aquababy! (Aquaman #23, 1965)

Death of the Prince:
Justice League of America #133-134 (8-9/76)
Justice League of America #177 (April, 1980)
Justice League of America #178 (May, 1980)
Justice League of America #221-223 (12/93-2/84)
DC Challenge#1-2,#3, #4, #6, #7

A League of His Own:
Justice League of America Annual #2 (1984)
The New Teen Titans #4 (1/85)
Justice League of America #233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238,239, #241, #242, #243
JLA Classified #22 (Early July, 2006)
JLA Classified #23 (Late July, 2006)
JLA Classified #24 (8/06)
JLA Classified #25 (9/06)
JLA: Incarnations #5 (11/2001)

Orin:
Crisis On Infinite Earths #8-12 (11/85-3/86)
Justice League of America #250 (5/86)
Justice League Spectacular #1 (1992)

Hook-Hand:
JLA Annual #2 (1998)
JLA: Black Baptism #1 (5/01)
JLA: Black Baptism #2 (6/01)
JLA: Black Baptism #3 (7/01)
JLA: Black Baptism #4 (8/01)
JLA/JSA Secret Files & Origins #1 (Lead Story, January, 2003)

Water-Hand:
The Flash #208-209 (May-June ’04)
Identity Crisis #1 (8/04)
Identity Crisis #6 (1/05)
JLA #117-118, #119

Sword of Atlantis:
Justice League of America Wedding Special #1 (November, 2007)

Resuscitation:
Green Lantern #43 (Early September 2009)
Blackest Night #0, #1, #2, #3

Suckerfish:
Detroit League in JLA/Avengers (2003)
Justice #1, #2, #3, #5, #7, #8

Waves:
The Top 20 Aquaman Covers
Amazing Heroes Preview Specials: Aquaman (1985-1986)
The Trouble With Aquaman
2009 The Canadian Defender Hero Tune-Up: Aquaman.
The Sea King is Dead! Long Live the Sea King!
Hey, Aquaman Does Not Need A New Costume!
Colección Super Amigos: Liga de la Justicia de Detroit
Comic Book Movie Casts the ENTIRE 108 Members of the Justice League!
Dragon*Con 2010 Black Lantern Aquaman & Wonder Woman Cosplay

Pearls:
2006 "DC Icons: Justice League Unlimited" Fan Art by Israel S. Algarin
2002 Aquaman Nude Pin-up by Darwyn Cooke
Aquaman Commission by Ramona Fradon
1986 DC Comics Aquaman Mini-Series Ad by Craig Hamilton
1989 Aquaman "Where Were You?" Commission by Adam Hughes
2010 Aquaman by Rogan Josh
2010 Aquaman by Rafael Lam
2010 Aquaman - Minimalismo by Rafael Lam
2010 Baby Aquaman by Oliver Nome
Aquaman, Batman, Vixen and Zatanna by Rhiannon Owens
"Justice League of Peanuts" by Dana P
1984 DC Sampler #2 Centerfold by Chuck Patton
2010 "Judd Winick Named DC Comics Editor-in-Chief" Promotional Art by Billy Penn
1998 George Pérez & Alex Ross Painted Crisis On Infinite Earths Hardcover Art
Aquaman art by Neil Posis
"Infinitely Heroic" Giclee by Alex Ross
2002 Aquaman Color Art by Craig Rousseau
Earth's Mightiest Heroes by Tommy Tejeda
2009 The Submariner vs. Aquaman by Tommy Tejeda
2009 Rittenhouse Justice League of America Archives Sketch Cards by Tom Valente

Booty:
2010 DC Comics Brightest Day Aquaman Magnet

Aqua-Family:

Black Manta:
2010 "DCUniverse Vol.7: The Injustice Gang" Black Manta by alexmax

Dolphin:
Justice League Task Force #7 (12/93), Justice League Task Force #8 (1/94)

Mera:
The Top 20 Mera Covers
2010 Red Lantern Mera Convention Sketch by Lori Hanson