The reimagining of Superman's early days concludes as he faces his toughest foe yet – his childhood friend Lex Luthor. The victor will be Metropolis's hero. If you think you know how this plays out, then you underestimate how much Luthor wants that title…
SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN #6 hits 8/25.
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We can never get too much great art, and more specifically, we can never get too much Gary Frank art. His run on SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN has been, well, superb. His knack for detail and widescreen storytelling has brought a new level of modernity to the tale of the boy from Krypton, while not sacrificing an inch of the story’s legacy.
We’ll have a more formal preview of the final issue of SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN tomorrow, but here’s a look at some of Frank’s initial Metallo designs plus a three-page sequence from the series, featuring pencils-to-inks-to-colors. Enjoy!
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Want to see Ivan Reis draw a Superman/Flash race? Mike Allred take on the Teen Titans? Two Wonder Woman covers? Well, you’re in luck, as we have all that and more. Specifically, we’ve got a first look at Ivan Reis’ amazing ACTION COMICS #892 DC 75th variant, Mike Allred’s TEEN TITANS #86, Gary Frank on SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN #6, Frazer Irving’s BATMAN AND ROBIN #14 variant and Don Kramer and Alex Garner’s cover and variant to WONDER WOMAN #602. Enjoy!
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The Eisner Awards, considered by many to be "The Oscars" of comic book industry awards, unveiled their nominees for the 2010 ceremony today, honoring a number of key DCU titles and creators. The winners will be named at the San Diego Comic-Con International, the largest and oldest comic convention in the United States.
Let's check out the DCU nominees, shall we?
SINGLE ISSUE:
"Blackhawk and the Flash: Firing Line," by J. Michael Straczynski and artist Jesus Saiz presents the reader with a tale both classic and modern, reminding us of the best, off-the-wall superhero team-ups of the past with a modern twist.
LIMITED SERIES OR STORY ARC:
BLACKEST NIGHT, by Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis and Oclair Albert. The epic, universe-spanning mini-series gets a much-deserved nod from the Eisner judges, capping off an epic year of compelling storytelling and jaw-droppingly beautiful art that dominated the comic book landscape.
WRITER:
Geoff Johns, ADVENTURE COMICS, BLACKEST NIGHT, THE FLASH: REBIRTH, SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN, GREEN LANTERN. What more can be said about Mr. Johns? He's had a stellar year, hasn't he? Whether he was bringing back the dead and spreading mutli-colored rings in the pages of BLACKEST NIGHT or reinventing one of modern folklore's greatest legends in the pages of SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN, Johns has blazed a trail through the DC Universe by making the supremely difficult look almost too easy: strong stories focused on strong characters with no frills.
WRITER:
James Robinson, JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE. One thing that can be said about James Robinson as a writer? He takes risks. Whether it's launching a Justice League series starring Congorilla, a blue-skinned Starman and Supergirl or having one of comic's most-beloved heroes shoot an arrow through Prometheus' skull, let it never said that Robinson plays it safe. And it's that daring and innate knowledge of these characters he so clearly loves that earned him the nod.
PENCILLER/INKER and COVER ARTIST:
J.H. Williams III, DETECTIVE COMICS. You read that correctly. That's TWO nominations for superstar artist J.H. Williams III, who clearly poured everything he had into his work on the Batwoman story in DETECTIVE COMICS. It was Williams' vivid and constantly evolving linework and almost innate ability to construct a page -- and do so in new, daring ways -- that helped literally paint a picture for the reader, and really made Kate Kane a real, breathing character for an entire generation of fans to embrace. Bravo!
PAINTER/MULTIMEDIA ARTIST:
Mauro Cascioli, JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE. Mauro Cascioli made tragedy real. With his realistic, painterly style, Cascioli brought a gritty, three-dimensional sensibility to a book that collected some of the most daring and imaginative characters in the DC Universe. Whether it was a battle of super-powered beings among the clouds or an archer's aching sense of loss, Cascioli has it covered, and he showed as much in the pages of CRY FOR JUSTICE.
COLORING:
Alex Sinclair, BLACKEST NIGHT. Seems like a no-brainer, huh? But not just anyone could bring to life the vivid spectrum of powers and emotions that form the crux of BLACKEST NIGHT -- from the raging reds of Atrocitus to the serene blues of Saint Walker and everything in between, Sinclair made the reader feel like they were on the sidelines watching a fantastical light battle that was as awe-inspiring as it was dangerous. Not an easy feat, folks.
GRAPHIC ALBUM (REPRINT) and PUBLICATION DESIGN
ABSOLUTE JUSTICE. Alex Ross, Jim Krueger and Doug Braithwaite's all-star story of of heroes and villains got the spruced up Absolute treatment in 2009, and we finally got to see the book's amazing artwork presented as it should have been -- in an expanded and high-end format.
Congrats to all the nominees. 2009 was a major year for the DC Universe, and it's great to see the talent recognized by such an esteemed organization. Fingers crossed!
Writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank put Superman against Metallo – for the first time! Witness the origin of one of Superman's most-feared foes, as an attack by Lex Luthor goes awry and gives birth to the evil of Metallo. Can an inexperienced Man of Steel handle a foe with a heart of Kryptonite? Meanwhile, Lois Lane and Perry White are close to revealing Luthor as the monster that he is – but are they willing to pay for that truth with their lives? Questions are answered, new ones are raised and the modern re-telling of Superman’s origin continues to rumble to its epic conclusion.
SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN #5 hits 4/7.
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Sounds like a plan to me, folks. Here it is, masterfully presented by Mr. Frank, who continues to amaze fans with his rendition of the Man of Steel in SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN.
SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN #5 hits 3/31.
It's Superman facing off with the Parasite for the first time, while Lex Luthor starts to take notice of the Man of Steel.
SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN #4 hits 1/27.
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So long, Smallville; hello, Metropolis. Join Geoff Johns and Gary Frank as they explore a very different Metropolis from the one we currently know – one that has yet to experience life with Superman as its protector. Witness the transformative power one person can have on a city as young Clark Kent joins The Daily Planet, and Superman takes to the skies and gives everyone a reason to look up. Nice way to kick off the week, eh
But that's not all, gang. TIME's new pop culture and entertainment blog, TECHLAND, has a few more pages from this issue, featuring Clark's first encounter with a certain Ms. Lane. So, swing on over and check them out, won't you?
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It's been a long week, Source gang, so we'll try to keep this simple. The DCU titles make a regular habit of having some cool and different variant covers, so why not show off a few here from time to time. Makes sense, no? Here goes.
DETECTIVE COMICS #859 variant by JOCK.
And a lovely variant by SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN artist Gary Frank, for the third issue of the series.
Want more? Sure, we all do. How about the variant cover to WORLD'S FINEST #2? That's doable. All you need to do is sign up for DC MOBILE NATION by texting 'DC NATION' to 62407. And, voila, pictures.
Writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank's exploration of the origin of the greatest Super Hero of all time continues, as readers witness young Clark Kent's initial journey into the late 30th century as Superboy, and also see how meeting the Legion of Super-Heroes shapes the Man of Steel he will one day become. Plus, a dash of young Lex.
SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN #2 hits 10/28. Enjoy some pages below.
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