The deal was that the rights to Watchmen would revert to Moore and Gibbons once the trade went out of print for a year. It became a huge success, so guess what? It never went out of print. Moore has been scathingly critical of DC ever since, though Gibbons’ attitude toward the 2009 movie and the prequels is much more charitable. Neither is participating in Before Watchmen, which will be written and illustrated by some high-profile creators — some that we adore.

Still, that smiley face with the bleeding bullet hole seems a perfect symbol of the shiny happy spin on an ugly story. Moore isn’t the most sympathetic character given his tendency to say that the comics industry has gone to shit since his heyday. But that isn’t the issue. If he and Gibbons were essentially cheated, regardless of whether they should have negotiated a better contract, is any project connected to Watchmen defensible without their combined blessing? Some say Moore is beating a dead horse, but he’s not the one who keeps bringing it back to life.

Other pertinent questions:

• Does a reader who buys this book, and any artist who signs on, cosign DC’s actions? Most of us buy stuff from (and have probably worked for) companies that do sketchy things.
• Does the fact that many creators have gotten a raw deal from the comics industry make this case less noteworthy?
• As long as we get the comics we want, do fans care about the way creators are treated?
• What is to be gained, besides money, by revisiting a work that most people agree is brilliant and perfectly self-contained?

The new comics might so amazing that they shut up all the skeptics, though the bar for critical success seems almost impossibly high. So now we ask you a question, dear reader. Does Before Watchmen deserve a chance? After voting, please feel free to elaborate in the comments section.

Batman by Andrei Bressan

“Another Batman book?” — an annoyed Facebook friend

I love Batman. He’s a fascinating hero who is ripe for psychoanalysis and, thanks to many talented creative teams and the loving care of his corporate keepers, has had some of the best stories in comics history. I’m also a Grant Morrison fan, so I’ve already added the relaunched Batman, Inc., which returns to the lineup in May, to my pull list.

But seriously, how much Batman does the world need? He’s already the star of several ongoing comics, and this year we’ll see Geoff Johns and Gary Frank’s Batman: Earth One graphic novel. Don’t forget the Batman: Noel hardcover that dropped before the holidays, and we’re not even counting his appearances in other Bat-related titles or his role in Justice League. DC/Warner Bros. released the animated version of Batman: Year One late last year, and the main event is this summer’s The Dark Knight Rises, the final chapter in Christopher Nolan’s trilogy.

That’s … a lot.

I get it. A handsome billionaire crime-fighter who a) is a genius, b) makes bad guys wet themselves and c) sleeps with beautiful, dangerous women is the stuff fan fantasies are made of. I’m also aware that, with the film coming out, it makes sense for DC to put out even more Bat-product. It’s not like Superman and Green Lantern have exactly been relegated to the dustbin, though I really wish DC would devote half as much attention to other worthy characters. Perhaps Marvel fans feel the same way about, say, Wolverine and Spider-Man.

This isn’t a complaint so much as a question: Is it time to pull back from the Batcave?

Last night I was bagging and boarding my comics. I often put on a movie I’ve seen before just to have some background buzz, and I chose the Wonder Woman animated film. The offspring joined me, not to bag and board, but for the movie. Inevitably, she has questions. She is a curious spirit and I have henceforth dubbed her “The Questionator” (it is her super power). As she is watching the movie, she is curious why Diana isn’t sustaining any broken bones while fighting Ares. I explained Wonder Woman’s super powers, and how she’s pretty much impervious. Then she suggests that a fight between her and Batman would be a good one. I laughed. Clearly, she overrates Batman (just like everyone else); thus, I countered her versus suggestion with Black Canary. She thought about it and concurred. So there we have it, folks. Dinah versus Bruce. Set aside your boyhood bias and remember they both have been trained by Lady Shiva. They are both stellar hand-to-hand combatants. One is a genius and the other is a Meta. AND … just to keep it extra funky-fresh … Gail’s Canary circa Sensei & Student, Morrison’s Bat from, say, Batman & Son. Go.

Rrrrrrrromantic!

She’s a bloodthirsty hunter with a crazy streak and some of the sharpest claws in comics. He lived among lions and eventually went so far off the deep end that he bit off an enemy’s face. Even the bravest hero doesn’t want to get caught slipping with Cheetah and Catman on the prowl. (There have been several Cheetahs, but for purposes of this poll, let’s go with Barbara Minerva.) Minerva has a truckload of advantages including superhuman speed, agility and strength, and she demonstrated her gifts with gusto in Secret Six #3. But as many opponents have learned the hard way, you underestimate Thomas Blake at your peril. He has exceptional hand-to-hand combat and tracking skills, and as a Sixer, he is more than ready for an insane and seemingly fatal challenge. How do you intimidate a guy who’s taken a tour of Hell? So, once the fur settled, who would emerge victorious?

The DC re-launch has dominated the comics conversation since its announcement, and readers are in varying stages of acceptance. But not everyone’s grieving. I’ve heard a handful of people say that this (mostly) clean slate approach is not only necessary, but also smart. The medium is struggling, and most fans would agree that something needs to be done. But is this it?

I’ve got my opinions, but as a consumer with no business experience — and comics are a business — I don’t exactly have a strategic plan for the industry. There are aspects of the re-launch that I find upsetting (feathers on Tim!), and I’m definitely sad to see some of my favorite titles and characters go missing. However, as a Nerd Lunch essay pointed out, it’s not really About Me, and the decision’s been made. So as a reader, I’ve got two choices: Give the new titles a try and make judgments accordingly, or break up with DC. We’ve been together since I was 7 or 8, so I’m not yet ready to call the moving van. Some of the books will be good to great, and others will be mediocre to sucky. That’s pretty much the way it is now.

While I am skeptical, I want this radical plan to succeed because I love comics. When they’re done right, reading them can be a magical experience, or at least a greatly entertaining one. I think more people would agree if they’d just pick one up, but getting comics into the hands of non-readers these days is a mighty big challenge. DC is taking a big gamble in the hopes that old fans will stick around and new ones will be attracted to less intimidating #1 issues.

What’s your take on the re-launch strategy? Are you ready to give it a try or packing your proverbial suitcases?

What about you? With the embarrassment of riches headed our way, what superhero flick are you most excited about?

However, Greg Horn’s BatCat illustration recently set off a debate about when art goes from provocative to offensive. I’m the first to admit that there’s a fine line, and that tastes are very personal. (Our shirtless Batman/Catman poll illustration drew some criticism, for example.) Plus, few kids are reading comics anymore, so the chances of Junior seeing this are slim. In general, I’d rather an artist go over the top than play it safe. Horn has done some lovely work. However, the crouched, ass-in-the-air shot in front of Batman (complete with licking!) disgusted both of us. Catwoman doesn’t have to go there to set off fire alarms. Can you imagine the roles being reversed? I can’t.

What do you think? Is this a silly tempest in a teapot or another disturbing example of blatant sexism in comics? (If nothing else, the image prompted a very funny response from artist Phil Noto.)

Of course, Jim Lee is hardly the first artist to re-imagine Wonder Woman’s togs, and quite a few illustrators have done masterful costume redesigns. For those days when Wondy’s classic battle bathing suit is at the dry cleaner, which of the following alternate designs would you pick for our favorite Amazon? Take a look and cast your vote at the end of the post!

Fierce!

We think we’ve made it pretty clear who we want Wonder Woman to boo up with. However, a comment from a reader (Hi, Celeste!) about the above Stephane Roux illustration of Diana with Artemis got me thinking:

“They would actually make a really hot couple. Just sayin.’”

I’d made an offhand comment about this in an earlier post, but I hadn’t considered it seriously until Celeste made the observation. And you know, it makes a lot of sense. Wonder Woman is from an island inhabited entirely by women, so it’s hardly a stretch to think of her as a lesbian. My personal theory is that Wonder Woman just loves, period, and that it’s six of one, half a dozen of the other for her. Why pick a side? (On the other hand, upon arrival in man’s world, she might have become fascinated by the male gender’s unique … accessory.)

Anyhoo, Artemis is as determined a warrior as her Amazon sister, and they clearly respect each other. Artemis even was Wonder Woman for a stretch. She’s walked a mile in those red boots, which gives the two of them quite a bond. She also reminds me  of Knockout, whose romance with Scandal Savage was cut short by that Death of the New Gods mess, but that’s a rant for another day.

So what do you think? Would you be down for an ArtWondy romantic team-up?

The very handsome Brit Henry Cavill is the new cinema Superman, and for the life of me, I can’t tell whether anyone cares. Too soon? It seems like we were just being introduced to Brandon Routh, who did a good job in a flawed movie, Superman Returns. I’m not all that excited about a reboot, but I’m a little bummed that Routh didn’t get a chance to show what he could do in a (potentially) better movie. In any case, Cavill will look great with a spit-curl and a cape. And for the love of Rao, please cast a believable Lois Lane this time around.

Does the unveiling of the new Man of Steel have you pumped for the movie?

They’re both skilled combatants, exceptionally agile and quick, and they look stunning in black — as Spider-Man and Batman would confirm. But when it comes down to an all-out catfight (sorry; couldn’t resist) between Marvel’s Black Cat and DC’s Catwoman, who would prevail: Felicia Hardy or Selina Kyle?

Sin bonds with Big Barda.

Damian rides shotgun with Dick.

She was being trained to replace Lady Shiva. He was trained by the League of Assassins. Aside from the years of therapy they have ahead of them, Sin and Damian are some mighty impressive minors. While we do not condone hand-to-hand combat among children, you have to admit that a spat between these two would be interesting — and tough to call. Sin is younger, but after seeing her bring down a bunch of hired killers who invaded her school in the Black Canary miniseries, I wouldn’t underestimate her. On the other hand, Damian is … well, Damian. Meet me at the arcade — it’s goin’ down!

So the first footage from the upcoming Green Lantern film is out and there’s a whole lot of quipping and green blasty stuff happening. Ryan Reynolds is his usual charming self, and he looks like he’s having a great time. Of course, geeks appear to be divided over whether the clip looks amazing or cheesy. Since this is all we have to go on for the moment, what do you think?

Me: “Whoa. Girl. I like that idea! If the guys can have Starfire, we can have this … in boxer briefs.”

E: “It’d be like watching mud-wrestling, and it would be fantastic.”

Me: “Shirtless mud-wrestling.”

I’m thinking fictional characters and celebrities are fair game to lust after, and we are especially fond of actors dressed like super heroes. Recently topics covered include the yum sauce poured all over Chris Evans as Captain America, festive objectification of Ryan Reynolds and Nick Jones as Green Lanterns, and Dick Grayson as Nightwing is generally a revolving fantasy.

SO! In the spirit of cheesecake, HAWTNESS, and my fiery … um … inclinations! I give you Batman v. Catman … shirtless.

It is well known that one of the great joys of cons is the cosplay. I have decided that for MegaCon, I will be donning a costume. Black Canary has long been a favorite of mine. I’ve always said if I ever dress up, it would be as Gail Simone and Ed Benes’ Black Canary. But recently, I’ve sort of fallen in love with the design of Aphrodite IV that appeared in Artifacts #1. So now I am torn, and I need a little help deciding.

Black Alice is wildly powerful with magic. She can gank the powers of any magical being that she’s laid eyes on including the likes of the Spectre and Wonder Woman. She has also proven to be naive and immature, often succumbing to emotionally-driven bad decisions.

X-23 is an expert martial artist who will kill you. I think she could own Lady Shiva. X-23′s heightened senses, healing factor, and pure skill might just give Black Alice one hell of a fight.

What say you?

Enter Crisis on Infinite Earths. I am on page 102, and I’m bored. I don’t give a damn what happens next, and I am certain I could find a WAY more amusing summation on somebody’s blog. But the Geek Posse has spoken. They say that I should plow through my apathy and finish the friggin’ book. Some think it’s a great story, but I don’t share their affinity for retro-fitted fan whoring.

Perhaps I just have general Crisis Fatigue, or maybe the story is so convoluted and shallow that my brain is insulted. The obsessive part of me wants to read it because I feel I should. As a fangirl who primarily reads DC comics and now writes about them, it’s like my duty or something. Maybe it would help me make sense of Grant Morrison’s reference rodeos. Frankly, that’s my only motivation to finish.

So here’s the question: Do I spend precious moments of my life on the next 250 pages of this classic book, or do I move on to one of the many other trades waiting for me?

Aside from being one of the most consistently good mainstream comics around, the current incarnation of Secret Six is a carnival ride of moral ambiguity; wildly amusing yet sickening. While darkness seems to plague this colorful cast wherever they go (Junior, Devil’s Island, *shudder*), there’s also plenty of humor and the perfect Hollywood cliché of stuff just … blowing up. That’s a filmmaker and casting director’s dream (or at least the dream of the alternate universe versions of V and I that make movies).

Let’s face it; a smaller, off-kilter movie about a group of rogues stands a better chance of being good — or at least interesting — than any live-action Justice League movie a studio would whip up. (I’m not saying I don’t want to see a live-action JL movie, but I just don’t see how it could possibly be done well.)

We’ve got our own ideas about casting Secret Six: The Movie, but first we want to hear yours.  Who’s your big-screen dream team to portray Bane, Jeanette, Catman, Deadshot, Ragdoll and Scandal Savage — or Knockout or Black Alice?