This Just Happened: A Classic Villain Gets His DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 Introduction

SPOILER ALERT: If you have not read ACTION COMICS ANNUAL #1 yet and do not wish to know what happens, stop reading this post now (major spoiler alerts ahead!)

 

Earlier this week, we shed a spotlight on ACTION COMICS ANNUAL #1 and editor Wil Moss hinted at what the issue had in store for readers. Then, we teased the issue a little further by telling you that in “Anchiale,” the issue’s gorgeous and silent 8-page back-up story, a classic Superman villain would be introduced to DC COMICS-THE NEW 52.

 

Today, take a look at writer Max Landis (the hit film, Chronicle) and artist Ryan Sook’s (WEDNESDAY COMICS; JONAH HEX; BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER) interpretation of The Atomic Skull. Taken from the back-up story, the below image explores the new origins of this elusive character. But who is he? And what does his introduction mean for the future of Superman and the DC Universe?  

 

“As you’ll see in the story, the Atomic Skull isn’t so much a villain as a situation,” Landis told IFANBOY of the character’s new origin story. “The guy’s already a time bomb emotionally, so I turned that outward into his physical abilities – harping on the compulsive nature of the human self.” Click here to read the full coverage and check out some other interviews that Landis conducted with COMIC BOOK RESOURCES, NEWSARAMA and COMIC VINE for more insight into The Atomic Skull.

 

What do you think of the new Atomic Skull? And what do you think is in store for him in 2013? Sound off in the comments section below and don’t forget to pick up your copy of ACTION COMICS ANNUAL #1, in stores now.

 

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action comics annual, Max Landis, ryan sook, The Atomic Skull

Max Landis Introduces a Classic Villain into DC COMICS-THE NEW 52

Earlier today, we teased tomorrow’s release of ACTION COMICS ANNUAL #1. There are lots of reasons to be excited for this super-sized issue, but one of the biggest ones that’ll have us running to comic book stores as soon as they open is its back-up story, “Anchiale.”

 

Written by Chronicle screenwriter Max Landis and featuring breathtaking art by Ryan Sook (WEDNESDAY COMICS; JONAH HEX; BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER), this silent 8-page story introduces a classic Superman villain into DC COMICS-THE NEW 52.

 

But who is this villain? According to Landis, he “is a character that's always been a nefarious villain, but he's never reached the heights of the A-list villain. His, in a broad sense, anonymity was definitely something that really intrigued me,” the writer revealed in a recent interview with COMIC BOOK RESOURCES. “If you saw Chronicle, you know nothing appeals to me more than to spend a lot of time with one character. I love to explore why they are the way they are. I've only got eight pages here, but I tried to do that.”

 

To hear more from Landis about this back-up story and to find out which villain will be joining the ever-expanding DC Universe, check out some more interviews the writer conducted with NEWSARAMA, IFANBOY, and COMIC VINE.

 

Below, take a sneak peek at a page of Ryan Sook’s “Anchiale” art, and don’t forget to pick up your copy of ACTON COMICS ANNUAL #1 tomorrow. 

 

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action comics annual, Max Landis, ryan sook

Annuals Spotlight: ACTION COMICS ANNUAL #1

Tomorrow, DC Comics will release its next batch of Annuals. These special oversized issues will not only build off of the events in their respective series, but will also greatly impact the expanding DC Universe. Leading up to their releases, we’ve been putting individual spotlights on each of these Annual issues by giving you special sneak peeks at what’s to come! You’ve already seen us tease JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK ANNUAL #1, BATGIRL ANNUAL #1 and SWAMP THING ANNUAL #1. Last up? ACTION COMICS ANNUAL #1.

 

In ACTION COMICS ANNUAL #1, explore more of the secrets of the “missing five years” between when Clark Kent came to Metropolis and the present day. Plus, Superman will have to battle his first Earth-born villain: the Kryptonite Man! We asked Associate Editor Wil Moss to tease a little bit about what fans can expect from the duo’s face-off. Take it away, Wil!

 

“Grant Morrison first introduced the DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 version of the Kryptonite Men in ACTION COMICS #5. But one of those three Kryptonite Men actually has ties to Superman that go back even further,” he teased. “Learn his origin, witness Superman's first exposure to Kryptonite, and get ready for an utterly epic brawl courtesy of writer Sholly Fisch & artist Cully Hamner! The Annual also sees the return of Steel, who, by the end, has a surprising new mission and agenda going forward...”

Sounds cool! But hey, Wil, what about this back-up story by Chronicle screenwriter Max Landis and fan-favorite artist Ryan Sook that we’re hearing so much about?

 

“We're really excited about the back-up because it's the comics-writing debut of Max Landis! Max wrote the screenplay for the amazing film Chronicle (and he's done a couple of funny short-film parodies of some of our stories -- YouTube 'em!), and now he turns his unique vision on the DC Universe, providing a brand new take on a classic Superman villain. Featuring sublime Ryan Sook art, this story is one you won't soon forget, trust us! And it's only the beginning...”

 

Intrigued? Us too. Below, take a sneak peek at ACTION COMICS ANNUAL #1 by checking out a piece of interior art by Hamner, and don’t forget to pick up the issue when it lands in stores tomorrow!

 

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action comics, action comics annual, sholly fisch, cully hamner, Max Landis, ryan sook, wil moss
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