The Ray | DC Comics

Exclusive Preview of THE RAY #4

Readers of THE RAY were left stunned with the conclusion of last month’s issue, which found Lucien Gates struggling for his life after a brutal attack by The Director. This Wednesday, witness the miniseries’ climactic conclusion in THE RAY #4 as Lucien and The Director head to combat in their final battle.

“Working on THE RAY was not only fun, but we got to create what we feel is a character in the DC Universe that could be used in so many ways outside our miniseries,” series co-writer Jimmy Palmiotti told THE SOURCE. “We would love nothing more than to have the opportunity to revisit this cast once again. For any final issue, there are a lot of things happening and I think the conclusion will make everyone glad they hung in there with us for the past four months. This series is a classic example of what comics are all about: excitement, fun and character development.”

“You knew Jamal's art was going to be fantastic, but I'm pretty sure no one expected an unconventional, fun, and quirky re-imagining of The Ray,” continued series co-writer Justin Gray. “We broke a number of superhero rules and the funny thing is a lot of you found it refreshing. More than a few of you have been asking for more adventures featuring the newest and possibly brightest hero in the DC Universe. That makes us feel good about the work we've done and we thank all of you for reading. Hopefully the conclusion of Lucien's struggle against The Director and the fate of his world will both surprise and satisfy those who have stuck with us from the beginning. We hope you had fun. We sure did.”

“THE RAY has been the most fun I've had drawing a comic book in quite some time,” said series artist Jamal Igle. “The humor, the action, the dialogue were exciting to read in script form and I only hope that I helped push things along. A lot of that was really attributed to the work Jimmy and Justin did with the story and giving me enough freedom to play with things in my own, lets say, unorthodox manner. I'm an incredibly methodical penciler, and I think that by the time we got to this issue there was a definite feeling of trust between us all. They knew that I was going to give 100 percent because they gave me the same. They allowed me to flesh things out and fill the pages with as much detail as I could cram in. I guarantee that no one will figure out how this story ends or the implications it has down the road in the DC Universe.”

See the exclusive preview here.

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The Ray, jimmy palmiotti, justin gray, jamal igle

Tomorrow’s DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 Releases

Earlier today, we linked to all of the exclusive previews of the last batch of sixth issues from DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, on sale tomorrow. Below, take a look at all the previews that ran (sorted alphabetically and separated by cover), compiled here in one easy location for your convenience. [gallery link="file" order="DESC" columns="4"]

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All-Star Western, Aquaman, batman: the dark knight, Blackhawks, DC Comics-The New 52, Green Lantern: New Guardians, I Vampire, Justice League Dark, Superman, teen titans, The Flash, The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men, The Ray, The Savage Hawkman, Voodoo

Exclusive Preview of THE RAY #3

Lucien Gates is learning the hard way that being a superhero is not all it’s cracked up to be. In the penultimate issue of THE RAY, Lucien must save the life of his girlfriend, Chianti. But just when he thinks he’s saved the day, Lucien meets an enigmatic stranger who wants to cast him as the lead in his new superhero movie. The twist? This man has powers of his own. Powers so intense that they allow him to turn anything he imagines into reality. And he’s not afraid to use them against The Ray and his loved ones if Lucien refuses to take him up on his offer. Written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray and featuring art by Jamal Igle and Rich Perrota, THE RAY #3 arrives in stores on Wednesday. [gallery link="file" order="DESC" columns="2"]

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jamal igle, jimmy palmiotti, justin gray, Rich Perrota, The Ray

Exclusive Preview of THE RAY #2

Lucien Gates has no idea why he was chosen to be given the superhero powers that make him known as The Ray. But when San Diego falls under attack by an army of giant man-eating monsters, his purpose becomes clear when he must save both his hometown and the woman he loves before it’s too late.

THE RAY #2 comes to you from the creative team of Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray, Jamal Igle and Rich Perrotta and hits stores today.

[gallery link="file" order="DESC" columns="2"]

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jamal igle, jimmy palmiotti, justin gray, rich perrotta, The Ray

SHINING A LIGHT ON THE RAY

(The cover for THE RAY #3)

With the first of its four issues out this week, THE RAY has been shining light on a classic DC Comics character – with an all-new identity. Lucien Gates is the newest hero to take on the identity of THE RAY, brought to life by co-writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray.

YAHOO! VOICES featured a two-part interview with Palmiotti and Gray, where the two discussed the tone of the miniseries, and why it’s important to have a character that enjoys the lighter side of superheroism. “If you're interested in superhero comics and looking for something different from the themes that are taking place across the board then this is for you,” said Gray. “It's lighter but it's not silly. It's got a joy to it. There's a certain pleasure in it. It carries that old school feeling of, 'It's fun to be a superhero!’” Click here for Part One and Part Two.

In an interview with IGN, Palmiotti emphasized the point, stressing the fun of the series as well as the character’s approach to being a superhero. “What we tried to inject into the book is a sense of joy; a sense that he has this power and look at all the cool stuff he can do with it and how it affects his life,” said Palmiotti. “We're trying to handle the character in a way that's sort of classic but also contemporary in a positive way. He's a character that always looks at the lighter side of things. He's actually a loving character and has some fun with his powers. I mean, this stuff obviously gets him into trouble, but his outlook is pretty positive. We wanted to do a book that actually showed the joy of having powers.”

And given that Lucien Gates is the latest incarnation in a long series of Rays, NEWSARAMA looked at the hero’s aesthetic through the years, concluding that “This outfit is sleek and simple but not so simple that it’s a big body stocking. Lucien is his own light source, but still has elements of break up that light and provide some contrast. It’s a very modern suit but its simplicity and line design makes it seem like some classic superheroes such as Spider-Man (which is a good thing).”

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IGN, jimmy palmiotti, justin gray, Newsarama, The Ray, Yahoo! Voices

Co-writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray on THE RAY

A four-issue miniseries that debuted on Wednesday, THE RAY is an all-new identity for a classic DC Comics character – and a whole new life for Lucien Gates, the happy-go-lucky lifeguard transformed into a human ray of light by a military “sun gun.” As a hero, Lucien’s fine when faced with giant jellyfish – but he really starts to sweat when confronted by his disgruntled girlfriend. There’s action, there’s comedy – and co-writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray shine a light on just why THE RAY is the book to watch.

For readers who may not be familiar with THE RAY, what do we have to know before picking up the first issue?

JP: Not much really, since we approached the book from the point of view that a new reader would be picking it up. We tried to make the character and the situation, supporting cast and overall story as accessible as humanly possible. What you may want to know is that it is a limited series.

JG: Exactly, this is a ground floor entry to a new incarnation of the Ray so you don’t need any previous knowledge of the character to read it.

This sounds (and looks) quite a bit different from your work on JONAH HEX and ALL-STAR WESTERN. How do those books compare to THE RAY?

JP: Well, this is a straightforward superhero book that is a bit more fantastic in its premise. We also have only 4 issues to tell a story here, so it gets right to business. Honestly, if you enjoy our work, this should be a no brainer…but if you are new to our superhero work, why not try this first.

JG: One of the differences is the genre with The Ray being more of a wish fulfillment superhero comic in the classical sense with a modern twist. All-Star Western is a gritty period piece, but The Ray is built to be fun and exciting in a completely different way. These characters will seem familiar on some level, maybe even likable in a way that surprises readers.

What can you tell us about Lucien Gates?

JP: He is a good healthy young male with a supportive family and friends and is just getting started in life. He is smart, funny and makes some really big mistakes, like all of us.

JG: He’s a fun loving lifeguard who happens to have a very diverse and funny supporting cast. There’s a very grounded sense of normalcy to him that stands in contrast to his life as a superhero. He’s the kind of guy you’d like to hang out with and root for. And like JP said he makes mistakes, he’s very human and very much of his age group in terms of lacking a sophisticated or jaded outlook. That’s one of the aspects of the series that we hope people find refreshing.

How is he different from your garden-variety superhero?

JP: Lucien is embracing his superpowers and his new role where a lot of others are devastated by it, or choose to become more darker and brooding characters.

JG: He’s so easy going that he takes a lot of it in stride. Waking up one morning and finding out that you can fly at the speed of light would be awesome and that’s how he looks at it. Of course being naked all the time takes some getting used to.

What kinds of powers can we expect from a human ray of light?

JP: Just about anything we can come up with that is based on the idea of light, speed and the enigmatic form of energy that it is. Visible light is unlike any other fundamental element: it interacts with our senses and we explore all these things.

What do you love about writing the character?

JP: He is a positive person trying to do his best and I respect and like this idea and character. I can relate to him, which makes him easier to write.

JG: Looking at the world through Lucien’s eyes and writing about it is a chance to think outside our own experiences.

OK, the “light” puns are inevitable. What were some of your favorites and did anything end up on the cutting room floor?

JG: We did try to keep the puns to a minimum so that reviewers and the media could have fun with them.

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jimmy palmiotti, justin gray, The Ray

Everyone’s Talkin’ About DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, Tuesday Afternoon (ET) Edition

In BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #3 (out tomorrow), Batman must battle both the physical and mental threats that the White Rabbit brings. MAXIM has your exclusive first look at the issue.

Tomorrow also marks the release of AQUAMAN #3. “In this week's issue, you'll actually see a character that was first mentioned in the back matter of JUSTICE LEAGUE #3 that plays a pretty important role,” series writer Geoff Johns revealed to IGN. “It's a new character but it's a character that has to do with Aquaman's past and ties into a bigger story that we're building. So all the clues are there for what we're doing next and the first big tease starts this week.”

Earlier this morning, writer Scott Lobdell told you three things you need to know about Bunker, the newest member of the Teen Titans. COMIC BOOK RESOURCES chatted with Lobdell about the openly gay character. “I'd say that definitely the point of Bunker's embracing things is that he enjoys everything about life,” Lobdell said of the character. “He enjoys being alive, he enjoys his sexuality, and he enjoys that he's been gifted with these super powers. To some degree, I don't think we see a lot of characters enjoying their super powers the same way that you and I would. I think it's great to see the drama of characters burdened by that which separates them from society, but there's also the idea that many people solely enjoy and celebrate every day that which makes them different instead of being fearful or angsty or regretful.”

And while you’re at COMIC BOOK RESOURCES, be sure to also check out their interview with Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti about THE RAY, which we previewed here on THE SOURCE yesterday. “We started thinking about Lucien as represented by light, and with that came the need to do something optimistic and bright, the kind of superhero who is modern and yet still retains some of the old school action hero comics,” Gray disclosed about series protagonist, Lucien Gates. “Much of the series is grounded in Lucien's life outside the costume and how it often serves as an escape. It’s like bungee jumping; people do that for the rush and the excitement. Sometimes, they do it to escape their personal lives.”

To be continued …

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aquaman, batman: the dark knight, comic book resources, DC Comics-The New 52, Geoff Johns, IGN, jimmy palmiotti, justin gray, Maxim, Scott Lobdell, teen titans, The Ray

A First Look at THE RAY

Well-known for their run on the critically-acclaimed ALL-STAR WESTERN for DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, co-writers Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti are now shining a light on another classic DC Comics character – THE RAY.

In a four-issue miniseries coming in December, Lucien Gates is transformed into a human ray of light by a mysterious beam of energy, and he takes on the identity of The Ray – much to the chagrin of his girlfriend.

Check out a preview in this week’s DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 issues – and right here on THE SOURCE.

[gallery link="file" order="DESC" columns="2"]

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jimmy palmiotti, justin gray, The Ray

(Everybody’s Talkin’ About) DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, Tuesday Afternoon (ET) Edition

(Greg Capullo’s variant cover for JUSTICE LEAGUE #3)

New York Comic Con has been over for two days, but, well, everyone's still talkin' about it. Here are some recommended reads:

UGO caught up with Geoff Johns about AQUAMAN. “They are a glimpse of the horrific world at the bottom of the ocean and beyond that Aquaman has never faced, that we have never really encountered,” Johns said of The Trench, the villains in the series’ first arc. “They are still learning and meeting new species every day, so I wanted to go as horrific and bizarre as I could. And you haven't even really seen how bizarre these creatures can get. They are pretty nasty.”

Following the announcement of THE CURSE OF SHAZAM, NEWSARAMA chatted with artist Gary Frank. "Both Geoff and I were keen that our costume should look different to the rest of the Justice League's costumes since it comes from a different place," Frank revealed of how fans can expect Shazam to look. “We're still ironing it out but, whereas the other costumes feel very modern and cool, ours needs to feel timeless and, hopefully, cool. We are dealing with magic rather than tailoring, so this has to be in there somehow.”

COMIC BOOK RESOURCES spoke with Scott Snyder, writer of BATMAN, SWAMP THING and AMERICAN VAMPIRE, about all of his respective series. “To me, he takes on a Robin because he needs a human connection,” Snyder said of Batman. “He needs to be a father because of what happened with his parents. He needs an ally because he is lonely – even though he won’t admit it. So he takes on a Robin but then at the same time, as much as he cares for that character, he has tremendous issues about getting too close to anyone and having it be his mission.”

And speaking of Gotham City, AIN’T IT COOL NEWS chatted with Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti about ALL-STAR WESTERN and their upcoming series, THE RAY. “All great cities have their own history and Gotham is no different,” said Palmiotti about the setting of ALL-STAR WESTERN. “Some of the main landmarks in the city will be and are featured in some of the new 52 books coming out and we are working closely with the crew to make sure we create an environment that reflects both ways the time period and the life of the city.”

(The cover of BATMAN: DEATH BY DESIGN)

COMIC BOOK RESOURCES has the first exclusive interview with Chip Kidd about his upcoming original graphic novel, BATMAN: DEATH BY DESIGN. “What I've always liked very much is that there are certain things Batman can do that Bruce Wayne cannot. But there's very much a flipside to that because there are things Bruce Wayne can do that Batman cannot,” Kidd said. “You need both of those things -- or at least I do -- to make things interesting. A good part of the story and the plot goes into the building and design trade of Gotham City -- how that works or doesn't work and how it's corrupted. There is a good bit of history with Bruce Wayne's father. It's not any kind of twisted, huge revelation. It's about the design legacy of the Wayne's in Gotham City.”

To be continued …

(Ivan Reis and Joe Prado’s variant cover for BATMAN #3)