Aquaman #4 (February, 2012)

With the help of phosphorescent fish, Aquaman and Mera made their way deep into the trench. On the way down, they found a large underwater craft embedded into a wall with ancient Atlantean writing on it "...from... before it sank. This craft's been here for centuries. A hull breach indicated the passengers had been eaten by what Mera deemed their "primitive... unintelligent" prey. For the first time in this continuity, the guiding fish managed to override Arthur's telepathic commands to observe their basic survival instincts.

Although their vision was limited by the dark, the Sea King felt they could handle it, but he was still wrestling with the ethics of a final solution against what he saw as a humanoid race. Mera had notably few compunctions. After all, they were soon greeted by a "sick... mutated... inbred" child/spawn of the Trench, which promptly died. It was one of hundreds born unwell by a giant queen being served by her drones. Aquaman broke off a wall of cocoons containing the kidnapped humans, then ran interference against an angry horde of creatures while Mera took the captives toward the surface. The Trench needed food for the queen and her children, and the queen herself tried to swallow the Sea King whole. Aquaman opened a volcanic vent with the hurl of a trident, apparently killing the queen. Her king and drones sought Aquaman, but between the eruption and Arthur wedging a hunk of rock into their exit route, the Trench was sealed off.

The captive humans were freed. The mother and son from a previous issue were reunited, the latter telling Aquaman "You're my favorite super-hero." The local authorities continued to be dicks, though. "I still don't like him."

Deputy Wilson showed up at Amnesty Bay with the recovered dog, whose owner was less fortunate. "You seemed to taking a liking to him and I thought, well... How about Aqua-Dog?" Mera seemed to like the pooch, if not the name, though it would have to be taught how to swim...

"The Trench: Conclusion" was by Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis and Joe Prado. I liked this better when it was called Aliens. Well, except without all the stuff with Bishop and Carter Burke and Newt and Vasquez and Hudson. Pretty much just the colonists and the colonial marines that died in the first encounter. Aquaman is Hicks and Mera is Ripley and the jerky cops are all Gorman and I guess the dog is Jonesy. Oh, and it's only about five minutes long, and ends when the ship picks Ripley up from the platform. Coming in 2012: The Power Loader! Okay, actually it's "Who Sank Atlantis?" Whatevs.

New 52's Day

• Green Lantern Corps #4 (February, 2012) @ DC Bloodlines
• The Huntress #3 (February, 2012) @ Diana Prince is the New Wonder Woman
• Stormwatch #4 (February, 2012) @ The Idol-Head of Diabolu

2010-2011 The Justice League of America 100 Project charity art by Mike Kunkel

Click To Expand & Enlarge


Mike Kunkel was the man (initially) behind Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam! I don't know if he ever got to do the Justice League there, but he picks five of the magnificent seven to render here. While not Aquaman's finest hour, it's nice to see him standing out amidst all that negative space, especially as the DC Trinity are smooshed together on the front cover. Besides, it's a cute gag and offers Detroit buddy Martian Manhunter!

JLA 100 Project

• Ramon Fernandez Bachs @ Diana Prince is the New Wonder Woman
• Tom Mandrake @ The Idol-Head of Diabolu
• Alan Davis @ Power of the Atom

In late 2000, a consortium of comic publishers came up with the idea to create a financial safety net for comic creators, much in the same fashion that exists in almost any other trade from plumbing to pottery. By March of 2001, the federal government approved The Hero Initiative as a publicly supported not-for-profit corporation under section 501 (c) (3).

Since its inception, The Hero Initiative (Formerly known as A.C.T.O.R., A Commitment To Our Roots) has had the good fortune to grant over $400,000 to the comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today.

The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterdays' creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It's a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.


ALL 104 JUSTICE LEAGUE #50 ORIGINALS…NOW ON DISPLAY!

Please enjoy this gallery of ALL 104 original Justice League of America #50 Hero Initiative covers!

Hardcover and softcover versions of a book collecting all the covers will be available in December, 2011. AND all the originals will be auctioned off according to the following schedule:

• December 3, 2011, Meltdown Comics, Los Angeles, CA: Display of all 104 covers and auction of first one-third
• Jan. 20-22, 2012, Tate's Comics, Lauderhill, FL (Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area): Display of remaining covers and auction of second one-third.
• Feb. 17-19, 2012: Orlando MegaCon, Orlando, FL: Display and auction of final one-third.

All covers will be sold via LIVE AUCTION on-site at the venues above. If you cannot attend but wish to bid, proxy bidding is available.
Contact Joe Davidson at: yensid4disney@gmail.com
Deadlines for each grouping are below, and each cover carries a minimum bid of $100.

Special thanks to Firestorm Fan for the notice!

2011 Aquaman art by Timothy Green II

Click To Enlarge

"A sketch of the new Aquaman. Really looking forward to the new series."

Timothy Green II

• Deathstroke @ DC Bloodlines
• Martian ManHunter @ The Idol-Head of Diabolu
• Wonder Woman @ Diana Prince is the New Wonder Woman

Justice League: Cry for Justice (2009-2010)

Following Final Crisis, Green Lantern Hal Jordan made a big show of quitting the Justice League to form a more proactive super-team. Self interest was probably also a factor, given the recent killings of Martian Manhunter and Batman. Green Arrow was the first to join his friend. Vixen and Zatanna seemed to sit out most of
the discussion, although Mari did say, "Hal, Ollie, this is crazy."

A number of super-heroes joined in Green Lantern's crusade, which uncovered a vast super-villain conspiracy spearheaded by Prometheus. This group consisted of the Atom (Ray Palmer,) Supergirl, and Captain Marvel (Freddy Freeman.) Lantern's League eventually returned to the Justice League Satellite, where the mainstay team stood as Vixen, Zatanna, Black Canary, Red Arrow, the Flash, Hawkgirl, Hawkman, Red Tornado, Firestorm and Plastic Man. Roy and Dinah were of different minds of whether to extend aid to the rogue faction. Ultimately, the needs of the innocent outweighed inter-company strife, with Vixen observing of Prometheus "We have to find him and learn his plans. Well, we have been getting reports. Established villains appearing in cities that they're unfamiliar to-- and unfamiliar to the heroes fighting them."

Zatanna wondered if new Batman Dick Grayson had learned anything, and other avenues were pursued. In a blatant bit of foreshadowing, Red Arrow announced that he needed to disappear to Star City for a moment. Zee protested, "Roy Harper, if you hadn't noticed, we're in the middle of something already." Single dad Roy needed to tuck in his daughter Lian for the night.



A third group of heroes showed up, including Donna Troy, Congorilla, Animal Man, Starman Mikaal Tomas, and Starfire. Vixen felt, "Buddy, this isn't the best time. Donna and Kory, it's great to see you, but-- we have a situation." More than she knew, since "Captain Marvel" turned out to be Prometheus in disguise, who maimed Red Arrow and began picking off heroes one by one. "Zatanna: Magic via oral incantation-- solution-- render inaudible." Prometheus shot Zee in the throat with an unknown small caliber projectile, then listened to his helmet offer more vulnerabilities to exploit. Most of the heroes were out of commission in minutes.

The Vixen leapt on Prometheus' back with a growl. The villain threw her off, then broke her left leg with Hawkman's mace. "Funny... never met you... but never liked you!" Prometheus' rampage continued until he was finally downed by Donna Troy in a moment of savagery for which there was no calculated avoidance. Unfortunately, Prometheus' plan was to shunt all the major fictional metropolises on Earth irretrievably to randomly selected dimensions, and he used this as a bargaining tool to demand his release. An example was made of Star City, which didn't teleport, but was shaken to pieces. Little Lian Harper died in the quake.

Vixen manned the teleporter while other heroes tried to find a solution or offer aid. Zatanna must have been seriously injured, as she disappeared for the rest of the series. Mari was disgusted by the extortion, and protested the final decision, but ultimately Prometheus was released. However, Green Arrow secretly tracked him down and drove an arrow through his head to avenge his ward, granddaughter, and city.

“Cry For Justice” was by James Robinson, Mauro Cascioli, Scott Clark and Ibraim Roberson with David Beaty.

1984 Vixen, Vibe, Gypsy, and Commander Steel Postcard by George Pérez

One of my greatest frustrations with this blog has been my inability to acquire a quality scan of this rare piece of Detroit Justice merchandise for discussion. Muchas muchas gracias go out to Shag Matthews of Firestorm Fan and Once Upon A Geek for sending in these lovely front and back scans of his own postcard! I contrasted them up a bit to clear away a quarter century of paper jaundice, but these big bad boys are otherwise all him!

Click To Enlarge

The newest members of the JLA: Vixen... her magic amulet grants her the abilities of any animal. Vibe... a kid from the slums, he has the uncanny power to project vibratory energy. Gypsy... she's mystery personified-- with chameleon powers. Commander Steel... he's the grandson of the first Commander Steel-- with all that hero's powers, and more.

Much like the debut image of the "New Justice League of America" from the 1984 DC Sampler #2, this card was clearly put together while the concept was still being hammered out. Hank Heywood III seems to be in the final phase of his first Chuck Patton costume (which looks fantastic under Pérez's pen,) but he's being addressed by his granddaddy's rank of "Commander." I also find it funny that his description is just as a grandson of an obscure hero, as if anyone knew what Steel could do. Why not just call him the "cybernetic superhuman legacy of a World War II hero?"

Second up was Gypsy, who received a succinct description, but Pérez's detailing just brings out the ludicrous awfulness of her design. I've said it once and shall repeat, I think the JLD would have at least been Outsiders respectable if not for the inclusion of Gypsy and Vibe, who on appearance alone rendered them laughingstocks.

Click To Enlarge


Next is Vibe, who at least dropped his "Mego Molt" from the Sampler pin-up. Not even Pérez can make this guy respectable though, and his vato bandana looks more like he's a sidekick to the Duke in Hondo or something. Those dishwashing gloves have a flair that draws unwanted attention, as well.

Finally, the Vixen has dropped her one-off domino mask, but Pérez didn't get the memo that she does in fact have pupils. I don't miss the Wolverine hair, but I dug the braids, and really miss the strands of hair Patton gave her that ran parallel to her eyes (giving the illusion of cats-eyes.) It's funny to see Hank all smiles and Vixen the dour one. Still, it proves my point that Steel and Vixen projected the intensity needed to sell a hero team, while Gypsy and Vibe projected rejected extras in Angel "High School Honor Student By Day. Hollywood Hooker By Night."

Despite my mocking, this was a nifty design that incorporated the JLA shield and stars and bars. I expect I'll get my own postcard sooner or later, because this is one worth having.

2010-2011 The Justice League of America 100 Project charity art by Patrick Scherberger

Click To Expand & Enlarge


Patrick Scherberger is one of the most notable artists to flash up Marvel Comics' all-ages superhero titles, which might explain his anachronistic JLA. Superman, Batman, the Barry Flash, and Wonder Woman (that we can see of her) are on model, but then Hal Jordan shows up in his rookie Green Lantern costume. There's an otherwise classic Aquaman with a bushy beard, and then Brightest Day Martian Manhunter. It's anarchy, but forgivable because it looks so nice.

Hero Fund JLA 100 Project

• Victor Castro & Mark McKenna @ The Idol-Head of Diabolu
• Joseph Michael Linsner @ Diana Prince is the New Wonder Woman
• José Luis García-López @ Power of the Atom
• Patrick Scherberger @ Justice League Detroit

In late 2000, a consortium of comic publishers came up with the idea to create a financial safety net for comic creators, much in the same fashion that exists in almost any other trade from plumbing to pottery. By March of 2001, the federal government approved The Hero Initiative as a publicly supported not-for-profit corporation under section 501 (c) (3).

Since its inception, The Hero Initiative (Formerly known as A.C.T.O.R., A Commitment To Our Roots) has had the good fortune to grant over $400,000 to the comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today.

The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterdays' creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It's a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.


ALL 104 JUSTICE LEAGUE #50 ORIGINALS…NOW ON DISPLAY!

Please enjoy this gallery of ALL 104 original Justice League of America #50 Hero Initiative covers!

Hardcover and softcover versions of a book collecting all the covers will be available in December, 2011. AND all the originals will be auctioned off according to the following schedule:

• December 3, 2011, Meltdown Comics, Los Angeles, CA: Display of all 104 covers and auction of first one-third
• Jan. 20-22, 2012, Tate's Comics, Lauderhill, FL (Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area): Display of remaining covers and auction of second one-third.
• Feb. 17-19, 2012: Orlando MegaCon, Orlando, FL: Display and auction of final one-third.

All covers will be sold via LIVE AUCTION on-site at the venues above. If you cannot attend but wish to bid, proxy bidding is available.
Contact Joe Davidson at: yensid4disney@gmail.com
Deadlines for each grouping are below, and each cover carries a minimum bid of $100.

Special thanks to Firestorm Fan for the notice!