#Rick Veitchs The One

[transistoradio]

The One #1 to 6 (of 6) by Rick Veitch.

[longwuzhere]

Here are some cool Easter eggs that I found the newest My Adventures with Superman episode, “Let’s Go to Ivo Tower, You Say”. Links to the easter eggs post:

Episode 1 is here

Episode 2 is here

Episode 3 is here

Episode 5 is here

Episode 6 is here

Episode 7 is here and here

Episode 8 is here

Episode 9 is here

Episode 10 is here SPOILERS if you have not seen the episode of course:

Perry assigns our intern trio to go get interviews about Anthony Ivo. I previously mentioned Ivo's deal in the comics in this post, but we'll talk more about this version of Ivo later.

Shout out to Lois' hanbok! As a kid in the 90s my first exposure to the DC was through the DC Animated Universe. Because of the way some of the characters like Lois, Clark, Bruce, Dick, Tim, and Terry, were designed, as a kid, I thought they were Asian. Very cool to see this version of Lois be Korean.

Before Lois shows up for their black tie event at Ivo Tower, Jimmy knocks down a stack of papers and magazine and Clark goes to pick it up and stumbles upon the Metropolis Star with a cover that shows him as a kid flying 15 years ago.

The Metropolis star is a rival newspaper to the Daily Planet in the comics. The publisher makes its first appearance in Superman #9 (1987) (W&P: John Byrne, I: Karl Kesel, C: Tony Ziuko, L: John Costanza).

When our intern trio makes it to Ivo Tower, Lois spots some very interesting powerful and political figures of Metropolis, the CEO of Galaxy Communications and Mayor Fleming.

Galaxy Communications makes its first appearance in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #133 (1970) where it was headed by Morgan Edge, the then leader of Intergang. In the comics Clark and Lois does work for Galaxy communications thanks to it buying out the Daily Planet forcing Clark to be the evening news anchor. The Galaxy Communications panels here are from Swamp Thing #68 (1988) (W&P: Rick Veitch, I: Alfredo Alcala, C: Tajana Wood, L: John Costanza).

Mayor Fleming makes her first appearance in Action Comics #894 (2010) (W: Nick Spencer, P: R.B. Silva, I: Denis Freitas, C: Dave McCaig, L: Rob Leigh) where she appoints Jimmy Olsen and Sebastien Mallory as a welcoming committee for Dalwythians aliens. Like her MAwS counterpart she is obviously the Mayor of Metropolis.

Later, Lois goes and questions Senator Sackett at the party/event.

In the comics Sackett was a councilman not a senator who makes his first appearance in Superman #130 (1997) (W: Dan Jurgens, P: Norm Breyfogle, I: Joe Rubenstein, C: Glenn Whitmore and Digital Chameleon, L: John Costanza) depicted here in the issue's panel wearing a Superman costume. Sackett in the comics is in Luthor's pocket.

I am like 99.99% sure this is Lex Luthor like who else in Metropolis is named Alex, has red hair (if this is Lex Luthor and he shows up again, I'll talk about him and what I mean by this in another post.), and works in the science and tech field.

We finally meet Ivo and he is as I was hoping he'd be a major techbro tool. The way he acts in his introduction and his meeting with Clark is very much like Lex and Clark's meeting in Batman v Superman. Both Ivo and Lex upon meeting Clark know how strong he is. In MAwS Ivo punches his chest and it hurts him and in BvS you heard an audible thud when Lex knocks on Clark's chest. Very similar vibes between both scenes.

Clark confronts Ivo about one of his deals and name drops one of Metropolis' mob families.

Bobby Gazzo, head of the Gazzo crime family in Metropolis, makes his first appearance in Batman: Dark Victory #1 (W: Jeph Loeb, P&I: Tim Sale, C: Gregory Wright and Heroic Age, L: Richard Starkings). Fantastic sequel to Long Halloween, highly recommend reading both books.

After Clark gets thrown out and Lois offers to repair his jacket, we see Lois mentioning her dad, Sam Lane a military general and if the person at the end of the second part of the first episode is Sam Lane...

...and he shows up again in the show I'll talk more about it in another post. For now this is all just speculation.

Might be reading into this but maybe a subtle nod to how the words "Superman" and "pal" are often used together. Both have been used as a comic book title, "Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen" as I've mentioned in these posts a few times.

The show here did a very clever thing with Ivo. Normally any other media pertaining to Ivo would give the audience his power and weakness stealing robot Amazo, but here the MAwS team was able to combine both Ivo and another villain in Superman's rogues gallery, Parasite.

The first Parasite, Raymond Jensen, makes his first appearance in Action Comics #340 (1966) (Cover Art by Curt Swan, George Klein, and Ira Schnapp). All iterations of Parasite have the ability to temporarily steal away anyone's energy, strength, and their knowledge. As I've said there have been other Parasites that Superman fought, the second and most recurring Parasite is Rudy Jones, the Parasite I'm more familiar with, who makes his first appearance in Firestorm #58 (1987).

Cover Art by Joe Brozowski, Bruce Peterson, and Tom Ziuko Alex and Alexandra Allston the third and fourth Parasite (green Parasite and purple Parasite respectively) first appeared in the Adventures of Superman #633 (2004).

Cover art by Gene Ha and Art Lyon

The latest Parasite, Joshua Allen, makes his first appearance in Superman #23.4 (2013).

Cover art by Aaron Kuder and Dan Brown So yeah there are similarities between the Amazo robot and Parasite and it was smart of the MAwS team to just combine Ivo with Parasite to avoid redundancies. Besides the Amazo robot is more of a Justice League villain anyways.

Near the end of the episode, after the Parasite suit wrecks Ivo's body, he begins to look more like his recent iterations in the comics now. The panel here is from Justice League of America #4 (2013) (W: Geoff Johns, P: Brett Booth, I: Norm Rapmund, C: Andrew Dalhouse, L: Rob Leigh). Hope you all had a wonderful time checking this post out. Like I said at the beginning my other MAwS easter egg posts are:

Episode 1 is here

Episode 2 is here

Episode 3 is here

Episode 5 is here

Episode 6 is here

Episode 7 is here and here

Episode 8 is here

Episode 9 is here

Episode 10 is here

[neil-gaiman]

Right so i just finished reading Can’t Get No by Rick Veitch and that was a gosh darn trip. I got it from a thrift store last week next to a book about dieting and bought it because it had a quote from you on the front. I very much liked the book but i think it’s the weirdest one i’ve read so far.

Yup.

[yells-of-the-not-so-danged]

The Question (2005)

Wowie! it's so cool to read about The Question helping Superman-

whh-

WHH????

BRO SUPERMAN TOLD YOU NOT TO KILL ANYONE OR HE'LL KICK YOUR ASS TO THE CURB!!!

don't you do it.

JESUS FUCKING CHRIST.

JESUS FUCKING CHRIST!!!!

you need some serious help, brother...

oh- and you had/have a crush on Lois Lane because you went to the same college... are you the same guy who got kicked out of collage for getting into fights, or did something else happen to you?

i do legitimately think the way the city talks to Vic is cool, there's a neat difference between the choppy muddled voice of the city and the crisp and clear voice of the forest from Question Quarterly #1. I'd imagine the writer, Rick Veitch, took inspiration from that.

--WELL. THAT WAS A THING THAT HAPPENED. This Vic is definitely a... different take on the character, and not a bad one, just not what I was expecting. It really bugs me that he didn't respect Superman's wishes and *at the very least* didn't kill everyone, and while I didn't expect him to A) have had a school boy's crush on Lois and B) still be harboring it, I would honestly still buy this Question's comics if they were being sold.

[fancyfade]

Sorry ran out of options so no "I haven't read this comic" sweeps, just will have to wait one week to see results :P

[mooncalfe-art]

i think u had mentioned before that mirage is your favorite tmnt, do u have any mirage run/volume that its your specific favourite ?

Yes! I love Mirage TMNT, it's by far my favorite! Most of my favorite stories are the standard volume 1 classics that everyone likes: the first 11 issues, Return to New York, City at War, but I also love The River by Rick Veitch, and I love the short story collections like Shell Shock and Turtle Soup, those have some really great stories. The Twilight of the Ring by Rick McCollum is really cool, too. I also love volume 4 by Peter and Jim Lawson which I think many readers didn't like, but it's one of my favorites next to those volume 1 issues I listed.

[upagainstthesunset]

Tell me about the wackiest New Gods story you've read

SOUUUUP!!!!!

[Image: Cover art from Swamp Thing #62, cover date Jul 87 by Rick Veitch and Alfredo Alcala. A giant green Promethean is shackled to an asteroid floating through space. Swamp Thing sits on his shoulder. /End]

Okay ive talked about it before, but i love it for its weirdness, and it's Swamp Thing vol 2 #62 when he for some reason decides to be a stand-in for Metron's chair. I don't know what possessed the writer to create this story. Like, I literally have no idea. But it's so weird and the art is psychedelic and Metron's characterization is great. It makes me wish that there were more stories like this for the rest of the New Genesis crew (any maybe there are, I just haven't found them yet)!

Summary and pics after the cut. Uhh.. it got a little long.

Metron visits some Prometheans that were in love, which seems weird for him, but imo is a cool choice because it's unexpected and sets one of the themes of this little story.

[Image: Metron mostly out of frame looks on at the Promethean from the cover. Another smaller giant floats nearby. Background colors are blotches of pink and beige with black dots. He narrates, "They were lovers, sire... lovers in the place of giants. I visited them often in their bridal suite, and was witness to the spectacle of their frozen passion." /End]

---

Then he shrinks down a giant Mother Box out of curiosity.

[Image: Close up on Metron as he contemplates the shrunken Mother Box in his hand. He says, "You're not one of the sleek new units that I see so many young gods relying on these days... You're an older model, one of Himon's early designs I remember from my own youth." /End]

---

And then his chair craps out because it's out of X-Element energy.

[Image: Metron lays on the ground, having been thrown from his chair, which is steaming in the background. He looks disheveled and says, "This is absurd! My chair has never failed me... never. What's wrong with my chair?" /End]

---

Then Metron gets all salty at the Mother Box, but she somehow pulls in Swamp Thing basically from the ether. Metron isn't impressed.

[Image: Two comic panels. In the first Swamp Thing crouches to pick up the Mother Box and says, "This... was the comforting voice... that called to me... in the void? It is strange... that you would address... a machine... as her. And yet... I feel it too. That somehow... she is alive."

In the second panel Swamp Thing holds the Mother Box and Metron looks displeased in the foreground. Swamp Thing says, "Alive... and trying... to tell me something... everything." The Mother Box pings many times, and Metron says, "Oh, she'll nag your ear off if you let her." /End]

---

So the Mobius Chair is totally inoperable, and Swamp Thing is like no sweat, I got this. And Metron just... goes with it? Like this is a normal and good solution??

[Image: Swamp Thing takes the form of a chair and holds the Mother Box. Metron regards him saying, "Ha! An elegant solution for such a lower life form. Perhaps I will consent to accompany you, as your pilot of course." Swamp Thing replies, "Of course..." /End]

---

Things almost immediately go sideways. Literally.

[Image: Metron and Swamp Thing are upside down with dizzying blue and white circles in the background. Metron grimaces and yells with slurred speech, "Thad damned Mother Boggs! She's turning uz all indo Promethiann giands. I knew id!" /End]

---

This is a very cropped version of what might be my absolute favorite panel in comics history. I love everything about it. It's perfect.

[Image: Metron sits on Swamp Thing, who is shaped like a chair. They both cry out in anguish. The background is hot pink. /End]

---

This story is so freaking silly and weird, BUT THEN it suddenly comes at you with glimpses of life and nature and horror and beauty and corruption and creation. I'm not going to include it, but there are literally 50 tiny panels of slices of time and space that Metron experiences. This sequence walked to Everything Everywhere All At Once could run lol.

[Image: Metron's head next to narration text that reads, "As I come now to the ineffable climax of my story, my despair as a narrator begins. To describe the Source... How does one convey the act of seeing all of infinity within one gigantic instant? To drink in billions of actions, the totality of everything, observed from every point in the universe, all in less time than it takes to draw a single breath. Even my great intellect was overwhelmed by it, sire. What my eyes saw was simultaneous and occupying the same point, so I can only account for wonders I was able to focus on and remember in that tidal wave of information..." /End]

---

Swamp Thing's consciousness goes back to the ether, and Metron makes his way to Darkseid, which is who he's been narrating this entire story to. Darkseid's like you're an idiot, that wasn't the Source, it was an illusion. But the information is still useful so Darkseid wants to see what Mother Box recorded before Swamp Thing's mind broke and went away. The whole thing about Mother Box being afraid of Darkseid, and Metron bypassing her emotions is just UGH heart wrenching.

[Image: Darkseid sitting on the Swamp Thing chair with Metron resetting the Mother Box. Darkseid says, "Then I would review this record." And Metron replies, "Of course, sire! It-it's just that Mother Box fears you so-- she doesn't want to tell you anything. P-perhaps if I bypass her emotional circuits..." /End]

---

Metron receives more X-Element and leaves happily. But the Mother Box, who tbh kind of had a lot of personality, is left in Darkseid's clutches. And After he perceives the last of Swamp Thing's memories (another 30+ panels about Alec's feelings for Abby), Darkseid CRUSHES the Mother Box. 😭 The first time I saw this I gasped.

[Image: Two panels of Darkseid holding the Mother Box. In the first he says, "You have exposed one of the most painful roots of madness... and thus added an essential element to the Anti-Life Equation." He begins to squeeze the Mother Box, which is desperately pinging.

In the second, Metron leaves in his chair, unaware that Darkseid has completely crush Mother Box. Darkseid smiles softly and says, "An element that had escaped me until now... One which Darkseid was not capable of anticipating." The Mother Box gives a last, strangled squawk. /End]

---

So that's it! It's definitely worth reading because there's a lot more to it than what I shared here, and the art is really fun. I love how much of a non sequitur it is. These one-off type of comics seem to be my favorite. And the way it had this quiet undercurrent of tragedy from the beginning to the very end, is just UGH it actually made me feel things okay??

And yep, when I think of wacky New Gods stories, even though it doesn't really feature the main crew, it's the one that comes to mind. I love it.

[elitheaceofalltrades]

My Last Books for 2023

There are officiall just 30 days left of 2023 (and isn't that a fucking WILD thought), and I have to finish 10 more books to finish my 2023 Goodreads Reading Challenge. Full disclosure, I shamelessly count both manga and comics towards my reading challenge because as far as I'm concerned, if it has an ISBN and I read it then it counts. If you feel different, that's your opinion but I'm not changing mine.

Anyways, here are the 10 books I hope to finish this month to complete my reading challenge! The first five I'm already in possession of and numbers 4 and 10 are the only ones I own; all the others are accessed via Libby.

The Soul of a Woman by Isabel Allende

Notes on Grief by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The Picture House Murders by Fiona Veitch Smith

Together Alone by Syrah Kai

Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

The Demigod Files by Rick Riordan

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Shuri Vol. 1 by Nnedi Okorafor

Sun of Blood and Ruin by Mariely Lares

Books 5-7 is me trying to binge Percy Jackson and the Olympians before the show comes out this month. We'll see how far I get!

Special Mention!

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak! This has been my favourite book since 2015 and one of the few books I've ever re-read. I'm hoping to re-read it when I go home this winter, fingers crossed!

~Eli

Ace of All Trades, Pro at None😆

[pluckyredhead]

Please Care About Aquaman With Me: New Millennium, New Magic Water Hand

Welcome back to Atlantis! Last time, things were going pretty okay for Arthur and company! Don’t get used to it.

CW: Ableism, specifically regarding autism.

The previous Aquaman run, the 1994 volume, ended in 2001. It’s two years later, and the status quo has changed drastically, mostly thanks to a Justice League plotline called The Obsidian Age. The first time I read the 2003 series, I thought that the initial writer (Rick Veitch) didn’t do a good job of summing up The Obsidian Age for context. Now that I’ve read The Obsidian Age, I understand that that’s impossible, because it’s incomprehensible.

But here’s the short, relevant version: during a massive interplanetary war, Arthur decided to keep Atlantis safe by having Garth use magic to transport the entire city and all its inhabitants centuries into the past, to a golden age in Atlantean history known as the Obsidian Age. (You know how I keep saying Garth is ridiculously OP? Yeah.) This turned out to be a bad call, since this so-called golden age was actually ruled by a tyrannical queen, who enslaved the modern Atlanteans (and turned Arthur into sentient water and kept him in a swimming pool, lol), and Garth and the JLA had to go back in time and rescue them, and most of them died in the process (they got better).

ANYWAY. The Atlanteans are back in their home time now, but they are pissed, because Atlantis was above the surface during the Obsidian Age, and now it’s underwater again, and apparently by resubmerging Atlantis, Arthur basically did a blasphemy, even though it saved them all from slavery centuries in the past. Sure.

Et tu, Vulko??? I mean, I guess this is par for the course for you these days.

Arthur is left to die. He manages to break free, but Atlantis has been taken over by the Evil Wizard Political Party, who have turned the fish against Arthur (lolll again), so he can’t go back into the ocean. He staggers inland, to a lake, where he meets the Lady of the Lake. Yes, that one:

She calls him a hero and replaces his harpoon hand with a hand made of magic water:

Arthur falls in with some fisherpeople, including a lady who he’s very flirty with, and decides to just stay in Ireland indefinitely I guess? (Oh yeah...he’s in Ireland.) But what’s going on down in Atlantis?

Well, it’s not great:

The scaly dude is Hagen, leader of the sorcerers and the new prime minister. That’s Mera under all that coral (?); Hagen and his cronies are keeping her magically drugged and then using her authority to do whatever they want.

Mostly "whatever they want” involves...making giant monsters with sex magic?

Yeah, these two fuck in the water over an open volcano and giant mutated sea creatures come out of it. That’s a thing. That happens.

Anyway. Rodunn, the former captain of Arthur’s guard, is told by Hagen that he has to kill Arthur properly if he wants to be the captain of Mera’s guard. He goes to Ireland to murder Arthur, but the giant mutated sea creature he’s riding attacks him, and Arthur saves him and then heals him with his magic water hand:

Rodunn goes pretty much completely around the bend at this point, but at least it’s in Arthur’s favor. He basically returns to Atlantis and starts running around babbling about Arthur like he’s Jesus.

Meanwhile, Garth shows up to tell Arthur that the situation in Atlantis is bad: he’s not allowed to see Mera, he and Dolphin and Cerdian are under house arrest (he escaped), and also there’s the weird volcano-fucking-to-make-monsters situation. Arthur’s like “But Atlantis hurt my feeeeeeeelings.” Garth has no patience for his whining:

He projects their souls into the bodies of fish so that they can enter Atlantis and Arthur can see how bad things are. They see Mera being forcibly drugged and Arthur is furious, but when they get back to land he’s like “Idk...maybe I won’t save Atlantis...” until Garth’s like “Uh, Mera, though?” and he’s like “Oh shit u right.” The WORST husband, I swear to god.

Unfortunately, Arthur’s magic water hand isn’t supposed to be used for violence, and he totally punched Rodunn with it before. This awoke an ancient evil called the Thirst that is now going to...drink the Lady of the Lake and her sisters, unless Arthur stops it.

GLUK GLUP GOLP

Also, Black Manta shows up pretty much completely at random, at which point it’s revealed that he’s autistic, and that’s why he’s been a baby-killing supervillain all this time. YEAH. THAT HAPPENS. FUCK THIS COMIC.

Arthur uses his magic water hand to “cure” Manta:

HOO BOY.

Manta’s like “Omg I’m so sorry my autism made me evil, can I team up with you and defeat the Thirst?” Garth’s like “This seems like a really bad idea, and also, what about Atlantis???” Arthur tells him that he’s pretty sure him defeating the Thirst will free Atlantis, SOMEHOW, but that Garth should go back home and find Vulko or Rodunn to help him...overthrow the government or something. So helpful, Arthur!

Garth returns to Atlantis and teams up with Vulko, who has been quietly working against Hagen by teaming up with an escaped experimental, uh...jellyfish man named Man O’ War, who has killed that extremely uncomfortable volcano fucking couple from before so that they can’t make more monsters.

Man O’ War’s the guy with the tentacles. He will never show up again.

Meanwhile, Arthur and Black Manta pursue the Thirst, and Arthur actually defeats him - only to be shot in the back at a critical moment by Black Manta:

I mean...I guess at least Manta’s like “just kidding, my autism didn’t make me evil, I was autistic and also evil for unrelated reasons of it’s fun”? But what the actual fuck.

Arthur gets so mad he hits Manta with his magic water hand, which causes him to merge with the Thirst into a giant water monster, OBVIOUSLY:

“A relapse.” Of being autistic. Jesus Christ.

Arthur/the Thirst (Arthirst?) travel to the side of the dying Lady of the Lake, fighting each other all the while, and Arthur kisses her, thus restoring her with love instead of violence and permanently vanquishing the Thirst. This has the added and completely inexplicable bonus of stripping away the magical powers of Hagen and his allies down in Atlantis, meaning that...Vulko and Garth are in charge now, I guess??? This makes zero sense but whatever.

With Hagen vanquished, Arthur is safe to return to the sea, and so he must bid farewell to the woman he has been flirting with for twelve issues now. She assumes they can’t be together because he’s too busy shacking up with people like Wonder Woman, and instead of explaining that it’s because HE HAS BEEN MARRIED THIS WHOLE TIME, he drops this absolute mindfuck of a line:

THEN WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU???

Next up: Sub Diego!

[nerds-yearbook]

The first issue of the mini-series The One premiered with a cover date of July, 1985. The cold war super hero tale introduced The One, Egypt, Jay-Hole Jacobs, President McKenzie, Premier Mikhail Kubalov, Larry, Itchy Itch, Guda, Doc, Charles, Amelia, Verotchka Pavolva, Von Sticky, Thripey Skake, Meemo, and Glubby created by Rick Veitch and Rick Grimes. ("The Big Sleep", "Puzz Fundles", The One 1#, Marvel/Epic Comic Event)

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

"HERE'S WHERE THE FUN REALLY BEGINS!!!"

PIC INFO: Spotlight on the opening splash page to "Mystery Incorporated" Vol. 1 #1 (April, 1993) and the "1963" comic-book mini-series as a whole -- but who can this ripping, hulking, walking, monolith of a living being be?! Published by Image Comics.

"Hang on to your seats, devoted ones! It's action all the way in the sizzlin' '63 style! -- Say no more!"

-- MYSTERY INC. Vol. 1 #1 (April, 1993) dear reader introduction

Sensational script: "Affable" Al Moore

Promethean pencils: "Roarin'" Rick Veitch

Immaculate inks: "Dashin'" Dave Gibbons

Lyrical letters: "Dandy" Don Simpson

Charismatic chromas: "Merry" Marvin Kilroy

Source: www.flickr.com/photos/mickythepixel/40054843184.

[alewar]

The Top 10 Works of Alan Moore That Changed the Comic Book Industry

Alan Moore is a British writer who has made a significant impact on the comic book industry. His unique writing style and character development skills have earned him worldwide recognition. Here are ten of his most noteworthy works that have contributed to the evolution of the comic book medium.

Watchmen (1986-1987): This groundbreaking graphic novel tells the story of a group of superheroes in a dystopian world. Moore's meticulous writing and Dave Gibbons' stunning artwork combine to create a masterpiece that redefined the comic book genre.

V for Vendetta (1982-1985): Set in a totalitarian future where the government reigns supreme, V for Vendetta is a political thriller that explores themes of freedom and rebellion. Moore's captivating storytelling and David Lloyd's striking visuals make this a must-read for anyone interested in political philosophy.

Swamp Thing (1984-1987): Moore's run on Swamp Thing transformed the character from a B-list monster into a sophisticated, philosophical work of art. His writing and Stephen Bissette's haunting artwork created a gothic masterpiece that set new standards for horror comics.

From Hell (1989-1996): From Hell is a graphic novel that delves deep into the psyche of one of history's most infamous killers: Jack the Ripper. Moore's extensive research and Eddie Campbell's evocative illustrations make this a chilling and unforgettable read.

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (1999-2019): This series features famous characters from classic literature, such as Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, and Captain Nemo. Moore's ingenuity and Kevin O'Neill's detailed illustrations create a unique, entertaining, and thought-provoking work.

Miracleman (1982-1989): Moore's groundbreaking run on Miracleman deconstructed the superhero genre and redefined it for a new era. His writing, alongside artists such as Alan Davis and John Totleben, created a modern masterpiece that explored complex themes like mortality, power, and the human condition.

Promethea (1999-2005): Promethea is a fantastical journey that explores the intersection of magic, imagination, and creativity. Moore's philosophical insights and J.H. Williams III's stunning artwork create a unique, innovative work that is a feast for the eyes and mind.

Supreme (1992-1996): Alan Moore's run on Supreme revitalized the character and paid homage to the golden age of superhero comics. His writing, alongside artists like Rick Veitch and Joe Bennett, created a clever, self-aware work that celebrated the medium's history while pushing it forward.

Tom Strong (1999-2006): Tom Strong is a love letter to pulp fiction and classic science fiction, with a twist. Moore's writing, alongside artists like Chris Sprouse and Alan Weiss, creates a charming and delightful world that evokes the spirit of old-fashioned adventure stories.

Top 10 (1999-2001): Top 10 is a police procedural set in a city where almost everyone has superpowers. Moore's writing, alongside artist Gene Ha, creates a world filled with vivid characters and a rich history. The series explores complex themes such as power dynamics, social inequality, and morality, all while maintaining a sense of humor and fun. It's a unique and entertaining read that stands out in the superhero genre.

 Alan Moore's works have had a lasting impact on the comic book medium, and his contributions will be remembered for years to come. His ability to tell complex stories that explore deep themes while creating compelling characters and innovative worlds has earned him a place among the greatest comic book writers of all time. His works are a must-read for anyone interested in the possibilities of the comic book medium.

[happymeishappylife]

Comics I’ve Read in 2022 - Part 1

1. I Want to Be a Wall Volume 1 by Honami Shirono

I’m really fascinated by Japan’s exploration and media representation of asexual characters so I when I found out about this manga, I had to get it. It’s cute too because the premise is that Yuriko and Gakurouta are married to each other due to societal pressures and the fact that they can’t have what they really want. Gaukrouta is gay and in love with his childhood best friend who is oblivious and Yuriko is ace and on the aro spectrum because she doesn’t want anything if it involves her, but loves Boys Love manga. Since this was the only first couple chapters it was really just an introduction, but I want to see where this goes and continue exploring Japan’s media representation of ace characters.

2.  Lore Olympus Volume 1 by Rachel Smythe

I keep up on this on Webtoons, but when I found this cheap are Heroes Con I had to have it and of course than I sat down and binged this whole volume when I got home. I just love the art and the story is so well done for a modern audience to not only tell the tales of Greek Mythology but introduce concepts of concept, body autonomy, sexual violence, and mental health. Can’t wait to own more physical copies and I hope other webtoons do this too.

3. The Sandman: The Doll’s House by Neil Gaiman

Continuing on with the series, as it was something I always wanted to read, I was grateful to get through volume 2 before the show came out. What I love to is the comic was great on its own and the art is fantastic to tell the story, but seeing it come to life through the show made it feel more magical. I really enjoyed it and now I can’t wait to continue with the series as the show continues on in production.

4. Primal Warrior Draco Azul Issues 1-3 by Andre Perez

I met Andre early Sunday morning at Heroes Con as I was going through the artist alleys to see if I missed any gems and all because he said hello and good morning to me as I walked by I discovered this cool comic. Taking a love of the Japanese monster films and mecha warriors, Andre has put his own personal twist on them and introduced his Mexican Heritage to the characters and the setting. Its really fun and I can’t wait to see more of the story as more comics keep coming out.

5. Tuskegee Heirs Volume 1 and issue 5 by Marcus Williams and Greg Burnham

Another cool find at Heroes Con this year, I got to talk with Greg Burnham about how they came up with the idea to take the historical stories of the Tuskegee Airmen and reinvent in a way to still honor Black History while also giving them a sci-fi twist. Set in the far future these brilliant kids are the best fighter pilots of their age, saving the world from alien creatures and learning more about the organization that made them heroes. A really fun and adventurous story.

6. Maus by Art Spiegelman

Given all the hubbub about banning this book I wanted to read it because I’m of the belief that if people are trying to ban something it must be something they are trying to hide. And really the reasons for banning this book are incredibly frustrating because it ignores the history and the reason behind this comic which is to tell the tale of a son learning his father’s history of Jewish internment in Nazi internment and how that also affected some of his relationships and mannerisms after the war. Its not an easy read but an important one.

7. Neil Gaiman’s Teknophage Volume 1 by Rick Veitch

Picked this up on my annual second hand book shop splurge for my birthday and mostly because I had never heard of it even though Neil was accredited for it. And while he didn’t write this comic, it was interesting how other authors adopted his work to create a villain in a sci-fi universe with absolutely no moral background and still make him interesting. And that’s not just because he reminds me of my own sci-fi lizard villains.

8. The Legend of Wonder Woman Origins by Renae De Liz and Ray Billon

I really enjoyed this retelling of how Wonder Woman came to be and how she interacts with the Amazons and also meets people like Steve Trevor. And while this one shares some of the same aspects of wonder woman and the timeline of the first DC Universe movie that made me fall in love with her to begin with, I really appreciated the twists and the fact that while Steve Trevor was there, they weren’t the stars. Instead, Etta Candy is her best friend and helps her develop Wonder Woman in a very friends forward story.

9. Ms Marvel Volume 1: No Normal by  G Willow Wilson

Even though I fell out of the MCU a long time ago, the ideas behind the new heroes has always been an interest for me so when I got the chance to pick up Ms Marvel I was excited. I love the story too of Kamala gets her powers but is such a geek about super heroes that half the time instead of fighting she just geeks out about stuff. I especially enjoyed her teaming up with Wolverine and giving him a piggy back ride.

10.  Doctor Who Classics Volume 4 by Dave Gibbons

Doctor Who is one of the best comics mainly because you can literally jump in whatever and while there might have been some backstory, you can easily hop to later volumes and figure out what’s going on pretty quick. In this one we see the 4th and 5th Doctor tackle Cybermen, The council of timelords and masters of the universe to of course save the day. Pretty fun and I can’t wait to collect the rest.

[nightheartcomics]

I 🖤 Swampy Saturday! Here’s a page from one of my favourite issues! Swamp Thing #56 (Jan 1987) Story: Alan Moore Art: Rick Veitch and Alfredo Alcala #swampthing #alanmoore #rickveitch #alfredoalcala #comics #comicbooks #graphicnovels #readmorecomics https://www.instagram.com/p/Cdjhqg6vmXu/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[knyyghts]

Fyrthœr bookes fyr the færestę mayden tew consydre (@lapokinanaz)

1. Troilus & Cressida (Shakespeare; tho’ there’s also a rendition by Chaucer)

2. Hereward the Wake (Anglo-saxon hero legend)

3. Cúailnge (Celtic hero legend)

The above two however may be included in a volume of British/Celtic legends, so be wary in your query.

4. Y Gododdin

5. Bulfinch’s Mythology

6. The Howard Collector

7. A volume of Lewis Carrol (including Jabberwock)

8. The Metamorphosis and other stories (Kafka)

9. The One (Rick Veitch, comic)

A surprising Christian allegory

10. A Dictionary of Angels (Gustav Davidson)

11. a volume of ancient English poetry 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[walkingatombomb]

Comics I Read Today

February 5

1963 Book Six: The Tomorrow Syndicate (1993)

Alan Moore and Rick Veitch have created a fun retro series in the vein of the early Marvel Comics. This is the last issue of this series but it returned in later years.

Over The Edge #2 (1995)

Marvel tried to do a low priced line of comics, this one only 99 cents. Each issue was self contained. This one was a complete Doctor Strange tale about a villain named Dagger out to kill magic users. It’s pretty good but the art was made to look scratchy like the then current trend of Image art. The series only lasted 10 issues. Video game ad for Genesis and SNES.