Superman-Batman Heft 8 (April 1976)
4 months ago
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Just Read: The Savage Hawkman #5
Got my box from DCBS last night, and that means I got to read The Savage Hawkman #5! The quick version: I liked it. A lot. This may be the best issue of the series so far. The art looks great, the dialogue sounds better, and the new storyline is compelling. I'm going to try to get a full review up real soon!
Monday, January 30, 2012
The Savage Hawkman v.1 Announced (Again)
From The Source, DC has updated the listing for all of the first round of the New 52 collected editions. Hitting the shelves in October 2012 is the first collection of The Savage Hawkman. Here's what we have so far:
THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN VOLUME 1: DARKNESS RISING TP
Writer: Tony S. Daniel and James Bonny
Artist: Philip Tan
Collects: THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #1-8
$14.99 US, 192 pg
I don't remember what this was originally solicited as, 6 issues or 8. Looking at the future of this title as we know it, 8 issues is the correct length for collection. The first four issues obviously are the Morphicius storyline, then no.5-7 deal with the Gentleman Ghost. Issue #8 evidently will have the return of Aksana and introduce more alien characters, and then Rob Liefeld comes in at #9. Beyond the simple fact that #9 is the creative team change (meaning that the entire Daniel/Bonny/Tan run will be collected in one volume), since I expect the series to take something of a right turn (or left turn if you prefer, I'm not picky) when Liefeld takes over the writing chores, it makes sense to stop there.
13 of the 52 (25% for the mathematically challenged) are collecting 8 issues; of course, the 6 cancelled titles are part of that number. And additional 19 titles collect the first 7 issues, meaning that less than half of the New 52 are being collected as the "traditional" (ha!) 6 issue trade paperback. Is this the start of a trend for DC with how they handle their collected editions? While I understand the concept of getting one story arc in a trade, I have to admit that I do like trades where you get two full stories, or perhaps two stories and a done-in-one or something. To me that adds "re-read value" to a trade. A lot of the collections for Hawkman volume 4 are like this and make for an enjoyable reading experience -- to this fanboy, anyway.
Also, 8 issues for $15 is a pretty darn good value I think. Of course the cynic in me wonders if DC expects low sales for this volume and is putting it out there as a low cost purchase to spur some impulse buys. Either way, I'm not buying it because I don't double-buy comics; I don't have the budget nor the inclination for that.
THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN VOLUME 1: DARKNESS RISING TP
Writer: Tony S. Daniel and James Bonny
Artist: Philip Tan
Collects: THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #1-8
$14.99 US, 192 pg
I don't remember what this was originally solicited as, 6 issues or 8. Looking at the future of this title as we know it, 8 issues is the correct length for collection. The first four issues obviously are the Morphicius storyline, then no.5-7 deal with the Gentleman Ghost. Issue #8 evidently will have the return of Aksana and introduce more alien characters, and then Rob Liefeld comes in at #9. Beyond the simple fact that #9 is the creative team change (meaning that the entire Daniel/Bonny/Tan run will be collected in one volume), since I expect the series to take something of a right turn (or left turn if you prefer, I'm not picky) when Liefeld takes over the writing chores, it makes sense to stop there.
13 of the 52 (25% for the mathematically challenged) are collecting 8 issues; of course, the 6 cancelled titles are part of that number. And additional 19 titles collect the first 7 issues, meaning that less than half of the New 52 are being collected as the "traditional" (ha!) 6 issue trade paperback. Is this the start of a trend for DC with how they handle their collected editions? While I understand the concept of getting one story arc in a trade, I have to admit that I do like trades where you get two full stories, or perhaps two stories and a done-in-one or something. To me that adds "re-read value" to a trade. A lot of the collections for Hawkman volume 4 are like this and make for an enjoyable reading experience -- to this fanboy, anyway.
Also, 8 issues for $15 is a pretty darn good value I think. Of course the cynic in me wonders if DC expects low sales for this volume and is putting it out there as a low cost purchase to spur some impulse buys. Either way, I'm not buying it because I don't double-buy comics; I don't have the budget nor the inclination for that.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Waiting In The Wings -- 1/25/2012
The Savage Hawkman #5 -- It's Hawkman versus the Gentleman Ghost and an army of the undead! Sounds like a "can't miss" to me! You can check out the preview right here.
Hawkman by Geoff Johns Omnibus v.1 -- This tome collects Hawkman v.4:no.1-25, plus JSA #56-58 and Hawkman Secret Files. I have all of these issues in trade already, but if I can find a good price on this I will pick it up just to 1) have everything in one book and 2) support the idea of Hawkman Omnibuses (Omnibi?). In any event I very much enjoyed most of these issues so I heartily recommend this collection to someone wanting to get a big chunk of modern Hawkman stories to read (along with JSA v.3, "The Return of Hawkman").
Hawkman by Geoff Johns Omnibus v.1 -- This tome collects Hawkman v.4:no.1-25, plus JSA #56-58 and Hawkman Secret Files. I have all of these issues in trade already, but if I can find a good price on this I will pick it up just to 1) have everything in one book and 2) support the idea of Hawkman Omnibuses (Omnibi?). In any event I very much enjoyed most of these issues so I heartily recommend this collection to someone wanting to get a big chunk of modern Hawkman stories to read (along with JSA v.3, "The Return of Hawkman").
Monday, January 23, 2012
Savage Hawkman #5 Preview!
Over at Pop Matters, we have an interesting opinion piece comparing Tony Daniel's work on The Savage Hawkman with the old Gold Key science fiction books, as well an exclusive preview of issue #5!
The author, shathly Q (an alias, I assume!), raises some interesting points regarding how Hawkman compares to some classic science fiction archetypes. I don't think I would have compared Savage Hawkman to either Flash Gordon or Turok, Son Of Stone, but it's an interesting conceit. So check it out, and the preview, though I typically avoid previews of books I am definitely buying!
Thanks to Matt Orr (@Hawkmanfans on Twitter!) for the find!
The author, shathly Q (an alias, I assume!), raises some interesting points regarding how Hawkman compares to some classic science fiction archetypes. I don't think I would have compared Savage Hawkman to either Flash Gordon or Turok, Son Of Stone, but it's an interesting conceit. So check it out, and the preview, though I typically avoid previews of books I am definitely buying!
Thanks to Matt Orr (@Hawkmanfans on Twitter!) for the find!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
CBR Interview With Rob Liefeld
Another day, another hype piece from incoming Savage Hawkman scribe Rob Liefeld, this one from CBR.
For Carter Hall, it's all about discovery. He's just beginning to get the hang of this Hawkman gig when he is throttled from all sides by multiple challengers looking to control the Nth metal. His comfort level is radically disrupted. How he responds to these challenges will reveal more about his character.
Not a whole lot about Hawkman but worth reading. It seems that the promotion of Bob Haras may have a good deal to do with Liefeld's new assignments, which makes sense at least.
Right now I am waiting for the issues of Hawk and Dove which Rob is writing to really develop a solid opinion on his writing. Because, being honest here, I am not sure I have ever read anything the man has written, only heard bad things about it. I wouldn't want to be judged by work I did 20 years ago, either, so a fair shake is the least I can do.
For Carter Hall, it's all about discovery. He's just beginning to get the hang of this Hawkman gig when he is throttled from all sides by multiple challengers looking to control the Nth metal. His comfort level is radically disrupted. How he responds to these challenges will reveal more about his character.
Not a whole lot about Hawkman but worth reading. It seems that the promotion of Bob Haras may have a good deal to do with Liefeld's new assignments, which makes sense at least.
Right now I am waiting for the issues of Hawk and Dove which Rob is writing to really develop a solid opinion on his writing. Because, being honest here, I am not sure I have ever read anything the man has written, only heard bad things about it. I wouldn't want to be judged by work I did 20 years ago, either, so a fair shake is the least I can do.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Rob Liefeld Interviewed, Talks The Savage Hawkman
Newsarama has an interview up with Rob Liefeld regarding his upcoming stints on Deathstroke, Grifter, and The Savage Hawkman. Some insights are provided, including the confirmation of my suspicion that he will have a co-writer on Hawkman, which is something of a relief for me. Except that co-writer will apparently not be Tony Daniel; it's TBD.
He's an open book as far as direction is concerned. The Nth metal armor, which Carter possesses, is in huge demand. It's power, and the secrets it possesses are desired by dangerous players, from our world as well as other worlds and dimensions. He is surrounded by danger and opponents who appear to have him outnumbered, and yet he fights back with a vengeance and takes matters into his own hands.
The other big news out of this article is the exit of Philip Tan on art, replaced with Joe Bennett from Deathstroke. I'm not sure if I have ever read a title with him on the pencils, but a quick Google search indicates that he will be a big change from Tan. Of course pretty much anyone would a big departure from Philip Tan.
I am still not really thrilled with this turn of events, but I have to call it as I see it: the hints which Liefeld drops are a mix of typical hype and what sounds like a reasonable connection to what this series has been established as in the first arc. The Nth metal armor evidently plays a big role, and makes Hawkman a target; this seems to be in line with the Daniel stuff. And Liefeld's desire to have Hawkman soar higher (to steal a phrase from commentor Joseph, whom I still need to respond to... sorry, about that Joseph...) certainly sounds good, but every comic creator says this when they come on a book.
I don't care for Liefeld's rendering of Hawkman in this article. Something about the helmet and belt doesn't look right to me.
Of course, we must still play the "waiting game" on this new direction for the Winged Wonder.
He's an open book as far as direction is concerned. The Nth metal armor, which Carter possesses, is in huge demand. It's power, and the secrets it possesses are desired by dangerous players, from our world as well as other worlds and dimensions. He is surrounded by danger and opponents who appear to have him outnumbered, and yet he fights back with a vengeance and takes matters into his own hands.
The other big news out of this article is the exit of Philip Tan on art, replaced with Joe Bennett from Deathstroke. I'm not sure if I have ever read a title with him on the pencils, but a quick Google search indicates that he will be a big change from Tan. Of course pretty much anyone would a big departure from Philip Tan.
I am still not really thrilled with this turn of events, but I have to call it as I see it: the hints which Liefeld drops are a mix of typical hype and what sounds like a reasonable connection to what this series has been established as in the first arc. The Nth metal armor evidently plays a big role, and makes Hawkman a target; this seems to be in line with the Daniel stuff. And Liefeld's desire to have Hawkman soar higher (to steal a phrase from commentor Joseph, whom I still need to respond to... sorry, about that Joseph...) certainly sounds good, but every comic creator says this when they come on a book.
I don't care for Liefeld's rendering of Hawkman in this article. Something about the helmet and belt doesn't look right to me.
Of course, we must still play the "waiting game" on this new direction for the Winged Wonder.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
The Savage Hawkman #8 Solicitation
THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #8
Written by TONY S. DANIEL and JAMES BONNY
Art and cover by PHILIP TAN
On sale APRIL 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Hawkman has a violent encounter with a past adversary: the beautiful alien shapeshifter Askana, who once tried to kill him! But his time she needs his help, claiming that agents from her homeworld have tracked her to Earth to terminate her. How can Hawkman trust her – or help her?
Sounds like a fun story, to be completely honest. The Savage Hawkman as a title is pushing the science fiction/aliens among us angle and this story sounds like it will fit right in with that motif.
Image: The Savage Hawkman #8, 2012, Philip Tan.
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