Breaking: Robin, Nightwing, and Birds of Prey Canceled

Three Bat-Family books -- all heavily identified with writer Chuck Dixon -- have been canceled.

Robin ends at #183, Nightwing at #153, and Birds of Prey at #127.

Was it sales? Could secret Batman RIP plot developments (possibly hinted at by this io9 article) be the culprit?

Probably both.

Though the exact reasons why Dixon so abruptly left DC have never been disclosed, this latest turn of events must have had something to do with it.

Then again, all three titles suffered from multiple sudden changes in creative teams, destabilizing storylines and alienating readers. It might have been that these cancellations were planned all the time, and DC didn't care too much who filled in the gaps -- or that things were so messed-up, a sudden break seemed like the best option.

And as I wrote in a "sales commentary" post on Oct. 20:

"The formula (and I know I have written this before, so please bear with me):

1. Take your second-tier & some of your third-tier books and apply the Top 50 Test on them.

2. Top 50 Test: are these books starring your best, most licensable intellectual property making it to the top 50? If not: overhaul them.

3. Get top writers & artists for each second tier/third tier book. Carefully talent search for these titles. Pick teams that are willing/likely to stay for at least two complete arcs (if not a full year). <---- this part most important. 4. If the title had been hopelessly mired in bad creative decisions/fill-ins, cancel it outright & start from scratch."

While there is no question that starting these titles over again (or creating new, related ones) and slapping a "#1" on each will tremendously spike sales -- will the readers go for it?

Well, if the new books are really good, perhaps. If they are "Titans"/"Green Arrow & Black Canary" good -- perhaps not.

Oooooh, my "Oracle" post earlier today was so ironic!

Anyway, maybe we are looking at the beginning of a whole new DC. Can more changes be on the horizon?

Ironically, I Just Received Nightwing #149 In The Mail From DC To Review

No, just kidding.

It was Gears Of War #1 from Wildstorm.

Video game adaptations continue to be safe for me to review.

(flips through comic)

Ok, here's a question. Gears of War #1, Nightwing #149, both comparably violent comics.

Why does Gears get a "for mature readers" label on the cover and Nightwing doesn't?

It doesn't make sense.

Plus, you couldn't really say that Gears of War #1 is "torture porn." It has a bunch of big zombie alien guys getting their heads blown off. Not very sensual.

(flips through comic again)

Ok, maybe it's a little sensual.

Nightwing RIP: The Case Presented

I want to preface this post by saying that I like Nightwing and I like Dick Grayson. Many many female readers like the Nightwing. I'm not advocating killing off Nightwing.

That said, there has been rumors swirling about Nightwing possibly getting axed for a year now, maybe two. I mean, rumors from everywhere -- people who might be in a position to know, people who might be in a position to know people who might be in a position to know, and people who I don't know how in the hell they might know and maybe they were just full of it.

And the basic resolution of this rumor has always been: well, it was considered by certain higher-ups to axe him, but in the end they can't do it because it's friggin' Dick Grayson fer Godsake.

Now --

On yesterday's "Who's Gonna Take The Dirt Nap In Final Crisis" thread, one commenter suggested that Nightwing might die in the event.

Now, that's crazy, spurious, and most probably thrown in just to stir up the pot.

But -- (tin foil hat firmly in place) -- I can point to several reasons, mostly to be found in DC's Solicitations for July, why that might not be such a crazy idea at all.

The Case For Nightwing RIP:

1) Everybody thinks Batman is going to die, so a switcheroo like that would come out of left field and catch people off-guard.

2) The persistent (though apparently squashed time and time again) "Nightwing will die rumors."

3) Pete Tomasi, writer of Nightwing, is also writing "Final Crisis: Requiem" -- the issue where this "DC Universe staple" is set to die. Who better to keep such a big secret like Nightwing's demise? And a former DC editor yet?

4) The solicitation copy for that month's Nightwing boasts an unexpected and tragic ending.

5) The solicitation copy for that month's Titans boasts that one Titan will make the ultimate sacrifice.

6) The solicitation copy for Batman/Robin indicates that Tim is taking over (at least temporarily) for Batman. Why not Nightwing? With Batman fallen, wouldn't Dick Grayson be first in line to take the reins? And why not more talk of Grayson's reaction to Batman's fall? Wouldn't he be the first in line to avenge him?

7) It would be DC's chance to finally stop those "Dick" jokes.

So that is my case for Nightwing unexpectedly getting killed off in Final Crisis. Indeed, it would be a death that would have great emotional resonance. But it would be a really ballsy thing to do, and at least be as controversial as that Mary Jane thing.

Can you really kill off a character as well-known as Dick Grayson?

Getting a kick out of this speculation:

Occasional Links: The Capdickery Edition

Capdickery:



Rags Morales: "I'm More Than Just Identity Crisis!"


New Nightwing artist Rags Morales laments to Newsarama about being pigeonholed as "that Identity Crisis guy":

"But I try to do better with every new project, so maybe you're seeing it like I feel everyone sees me -- as Identity Crisis. Please don't get me wrong, it's been a Godsend, and I loved what it's done for me. In some ways though, I feel like I may have failed the story a bit. That's something that kind of bug's me a little. I think most people don't think beyond that series when it comes to my work. I have a body of work, and there were some chances I took with Identity Crisis that I wouldn't want to do again, like the whole "casting" thing. From now on, I'm gonna think "character" instead of "who can play this character."

In Defense Of Tigra

Calvin Pitt writes:

"Bendis, please, stop writing about Tigra. I know Yu said she was gonna get a moment in the sun to make up for all the crap lately, but I have no faith in you to do right by the character. No faith whatsoever. If it was your pets, Luke Cage and Jessica Drew, then I might believe you were doing this with the purpose of showing what true heroes they are, and how they persevere. But since it's a character you've professed to hate, a character you have Edwin Jarvis, of all characters, calling an obscenity, I can't give you that benefit of the doubt (and we're gonna talk about that Jarvis thing tomorrow). Because you've given no indication you deserve it. The funny thing is, once upon a time (in Mexico) I wasn't prepared to buy that you did hate Tigra, thinking you just said that as a joke. I believe it now."

So what obscenity did Jarvis call Tigra, anyway? No cussing, please -- you can answer with the first letter and a dash and the word "word."



Tina Fey As "Tinkerbell"


From a Diesel Advertisement

She's a quirky, self-effacing fairy. Sexy because of her non-sexiness. Funny but like in this way that you don't really think she's funny, like you forgot she was funny.

Giving Tinabell a run for her money:



Meet "Duke" From "G.I. Joe"


Actor Channing Tatum has joined the 'G.I. Joe' team -- signing up to play Duke in the upcoming movie.

In other news, here is my pick to play "Zarana" --




Video: Super-FRIENDS

Nightwing: Now With Less "Dick"

A poster on Scans Daily commented on how new Nightwing writer Peter Tomasi has removed some of the "Dick" from Mr. Grayson, having characters refer to him as "Richard."

Obviously, Mr. Grayson's first name has been the source of many a cheap shot at the Bat-clan, though it must be remembered that at the time the character was created, "Dick" was a popular name for young men. (actually, I have no idea if that's true or not, but it sure sounds good dunnit?)

However, it should be noted that Nightwing #140 indeed contains several "Dicks." So I see Tomasi as not removing the "Dicks" from Nightwing completely, but merely providing some variety as to the nomenclature of the character.

I hope that clears things up.

-- Occasional Superheroine, who saw the cheap shot inherent in this topic and went for it.

Occasional Reviews: Hulk #1, Nightwing #140, Teen Titans Lost Annual

Hulk #1
Writer: Jeph Loeb
Artists: Ed McGuinness & Dexter Vines
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Rating: A
On My Pull List? Yes

Hulk #1 skillfully carries on the momentum that World War Hulk started. Though no actual real-time Hulk action is depicted in this issue (making it interestingly similar in that regard to the Spider-Man-less Amazing Spiderman #546 & the Captain America-less current Cap run), his massive footprints (and, apparently, fingerprints) are everywhere in evidence.

Spoilers: Classic villain Abomination is apparently killed by the Hulk. With a gun. Meanwhile, a half-naked Rick Jones, who, despite the end of "WWH," is quite alive, roams the Russian countryside in a daze. Is he this mysterious "Red Hulk?" And the Winter Guard make an appearance, much to my boyfriend's delight (he loves those "global" teams).


I admit that I was very turned off by Jeph Loeb's recent writing for DC, but his work in Hulk #1 is both fast-paced and engaging. Ed McGuinness & Dexter Vines's art is appropriately massive, and Loeb provides the sort of wide, open storytelling that plays that art to its biggest advantage. There are spreads so massive in this book you'll feel as if you're reading one of those old treasury editions.

A great start; I hope they keep it up.



Nightwing #140
Writer: Pete Tomasi
Artists: Rags Morales & Michael Bair
Publisher: DC Comics

Rating: B
On My Pull List? I will give it one more issue before deciding.

Nightwing enters a whole new phase with issue #140 and the new creative team of Tomasi, Morales, and Bair. With a story that takes place mostly in New York City instead of the familiar haunts of Gotham or Bludhaven and a far more realistic art style than I'm used to for this character, it certainly does feel like Dick Grayson's own "Brand New Day."

Tomasi's writing does not lack feeling for the characters or a penchant for manly action scenes (indeed, Dick's skydive at the beginning of the issue seemed more at home with a James Bond novel). However, the copious use of dialogue and narrative captions denotes more of a prose approach to a graphic medium. For example, the scene with Robin & Nightwing at the end of the issue -- there are a tremendous amount of words on those two pages.


It is really the art of Morales & Bair that are the showstoppers here. If ever there was a comic most likely to appeal to females based on the sexiness of the male superhero alone, it is Nightwing. If there ever was a male character in the DC roster in danger of being exploited for his good looks alone, it is Dick Grayson. The sheer number of gratuitous shower scenes featuring Mr. Grayson through the years testifies to that.

Simply put, the Dick Grayson (and Tim Drake, assuming he's of legal age) of Nightwing #140 is incredibly good-looking. It makes me wish Devin Grayson was still writing the book.




Teen Titans Lost Annual
Writer: Bob Haney
Artists: Jay Stephens & Mike Allred
Publisher: DC Comics

Rating: B+

I watched this book grow from its inception while I was an assistant to its original editor, Dan Raspler; so it might be more valuable to my blog readers to give you some background to it in in addition to just a review.

If my memory serves me correctly, Bob Haney, a classic writer of Silver Age DC material, wrote the script for Teen Titans Lost Annual on a manual type writer, all in caps. Almost every other line ended with a double hyphen & double exclamation point. We stood around the office just looking in awe at the thing. And yet, it was the perfect vehicle for Jay Stephens & Mike Allred to express their love of that time period.

Titans Lost Annual was shelved before publication because it was considered "weird." A new Teen Titans title was launching, and it was believed the one-shot would confuse branding.

The thing is -- the book is weird. It features hippie cavemen going up against mod aliens in Beatles haircuts. And John F. Kennedy.

But, like last year's The Last Fantastic Four Story by Stan Lee, the book is a love-letter to a kinder, gentler period in comic book history. It was written by someone who wasn't trying to be ironic, but just wanted to tell an action-packed, fun story. On those merits, the book can be enjoyed.


But, the biggest draw is the art by Jay Stephens & Mike Allred. It is spot-on perfect. Plus, you get a cover & "sketchbook" by original Titans cover artist Nick Cardy. I would almost recommend that you get this for a child and let them enjoy the wonder of the early Titans stuff, if it wasn't for the inherent bizarreness & occasional deaths in the book.

But, would today's kids enjoy the 60s version of the Teen Titans, or the current "in continuity" comic, or Titans Year One, or even the upcoming Tiny Titans?

These are some damn sophisticated kids. I think it's Teen Titans Go! all the way.

Oh Crap! It's Another Vidcast!

One day I'm really meaning to make this vidcast thing a very professional, awesome production. In the meantime, we have this.

Comics covered:
Amazing Spider-Man #546
Hulk #1
Nightwing #140
The Goon #20
Teen Titans Lost Annual

Nightwing Preview Page and "Warm" Vs. "Cold" Art

Via Rags Morales's message board is a page of the new Nightwing with him on pencils & Mike Bair on inks. I think it's pretty sweet.

But it does bring up to me the old question: can this sort of bravura classic art style still attract hoards of fans the way more abstract "flavor-of-the-month" works do?

There is some comic art that is currently hot that seem to lack all facial expression and subtlety. They belong to that classification of comics art I call "cold" -- very stylish and maybe even beautiful, but no personality.

Whereas art like Morales/Bair's seems to be built around the emotional imperative of the character or scene in question. They almost seem to be asking: "where is the character's motivation?" and take it from that point.


I call that sort of art, for lack of a better term and in the interest of contrast, "warm."

I honestly don't know what readers get from "cold" art -- other than perhaps that "wicked cool!" factor. Okay, say the overly-stylized drawing in question is "wicked cool" -- just like a car or video game character. If there is no emotional impact -- how does it serve the story? What do you get out of it?

And if you're a comic writer and a "cold" artist illustrates your book -- do you get frustrated that something is lost?

It's like you can either get Cate Blanchett or Jessica Simpson to star in your movie.

What do you think?

Super-Girl Meets Bat-Boy

(click for larger image)