Posts Tagged ‘ Adam Hughes ’

Real Power Part 3: Power Girl

August 6, 2008
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Continuing a series of blogs that was inspired by the Adam Hughes poster The Real Power of the DC Universe.

Today we move to Power Girl aka Kara Zor-L aka Karen Starr. Power Girl is the cousin of Earth-2 Superman. She made her debut in All Star Comics #58 (1976) and is essentially that Earths Supergirl. She has been a mainstay in several incarnations of the Justice League including Justice League International and Justice League Europe. She has even teamed up with Infinity Inc. and Birds of Prey, but primarily she is with the JSA.

First look at Power Girl one tends to notice her gigantic breasts, which seem to be a running gag with artists and writers at DC Comics. However, she is much more then pretty to the eyes; she is one of the most powerful and respected of all the female heroines – in any universe. Now, let’s take a look at some of her collected editions:

  • Power Girl TPB Discover the origins of one of the Power Girl featuring Showcase #97-99, Secret Origins #11 and JSA Classified #1-4.
  • Justice Society Vol. 1 and 2 Collects her first appearances from All Star Comics #58-74, DC Special #29, Adventure Comics #461-466.
  • Infinite Crisis HC Power Girl plays a pivotal role in one of the most important stories of the DCU ever.

Currently Power Girl can bee seen in Justice Society of America, but will soon be headlining in her own series due out late 2008/early 2009.

Real Power Part 2: Catwoman

August 5, 2008
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Continuing a series of blogs that was inspired by the Adam Hughes poster The Real Power of the DC Universe.

Today we move to Catwoman, one of the oldest super villains in the DCU. Debuting as “The Cat” Batman #1 (1940), Selina Kyle quickly gained favor as a worthy foe to The Dark Knight even fueling a bit of a love triangle to Bruce Wayne and Julie Madison. Appearing over the years in several different costumes, Catwoman has become a mainstay in the DCU, sometimes as friend, sometimes as foe, and but mostly just plain selfish.

Interestingly enough, Catwoman wasn’t even supposed to be a part of Hughes’ poster. As Mark Chiarello explains in DC Nation: #118 (June 18, 2008), Dan Didio sent the request to Adam with 10 females, not 11. Catwoman was left purposely off the list. Hughes added her in anyway – in black. Didio liked it and he was persuaded. Now, let’s take a look at some of her collected editions:

  • Catwoman: Nine Lives Of A Feline Fatale Nine tales, nine different costumes, and nine pinups and one cool cover. It’s Catwoman at her best, including her first appearance.
  • Catwoman: When In Rome You’ve read Long Halloween and Dark Victory. But now you can get the whole story. A must for Loeb/Sale fans.
  • Batman: Year One Frank Miller not only rewrote Batman’s origin, but Catwoman’s too.
  • Catwoman: Her Sister’s Keeper In 1989, Mindy Newell expanded Miller’s work and explores Selina’s early career as Catwoman.
  • Catwoman: Selina’s Big Score Written and illustrated by Darwyn Cooke this critically acclaimed tale bridges the gap from the backups in Detective Comics #759-#762 (Trail of the Catwoman) and Catwoman #1 (2002).

Currently Will Pfeifer just wrapped up Catwoman with issues #81 (with covers by Hughes), but DC Comics assures us that she’ll be around the DCU causing trouble for everyone. I hope that she’ll be involved in Gail Simone’s Secret Six.

Real Power Part 1: Wonder Woman

August 4, 2008
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Today I start a series of blogs that was inspired by the Adam Hughes poster The Real Power of the DC Universe. As you can see, it features 11 heroines, from left to right, Catwoman, Oracle, Zatanna, Black Canary, Power Girl, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Batwoman, Vixen, Poison Ivy, and Harley Quinn. For the next several weekdays I’ll be featuring one of these characters and a few Collected Editions that are worth owning. Also, I’ll be adding 12th character, someone whom DC really should have not left out.

We start off with Wonder Woman, possibly the most famous fictitious heroine of all time. She first graced the pages of All-Star Comics #8 in 1941 and was quickly launched in to two books of her own Sensation Comics and Wonder Woman, making her a headline character in three books. She was created and written by William Moulton Marston (who also created the lie detector, hence the golden lasso) and much of her art work was done by HG Peter, who stayed with Wonder Woman until his death in 1958.

Wonder Woman aka Diana Prince an Amazon Princess from Themyscira (Paradise Island) has been a staple in the comics as well and television for decades and is even part of the DC Comics “Trinity”, which includes Superman and Batman. Let’s take a look at some of her collected editions:

  • The Wonder Woman Archives Volumes 1-5 The hardbound Golden Age stories of Wonder Woman. Collects her very first adventures up to Sensation Comics #40 and Wonder Woman #12.
  • Showcase Presents: Wonder Woman Volumes1-2 Wonder Woman’s first collection of her Silver Age appearances in black and white. Volume 1 collects Wonder Woman #98-117 and Volume 2 (due out October 29, 2008 will collect Wonder Woman #118-137.
  • Diana Prince: Wonder Woman Volumes 1-3 Moving on up to Diana’s transformation to a super, sexy 1970’s heroine without her red, gold and blue “warrior uniform”. Volumes 1-2 collect Wonder Woman #178-189 and Superman’s Girl Friend Lois Lane #93, and The Brave and The Bold #87. Volume 3 due out October 29, 2008 will collect Wonder Woman #190-198 and World’s Finest Comics #204!
  • Wonder Woman: God and Mortals The beginning of a five year stint on the character by George Pérez Collecting Wonder Woman #1-7 (Vol. 2; 1987), featuring the young Amazon’s origin and her introduction to “Man’s World.”
  • Wonder Woman: Down To Earth The beginning of another seminal run, this time by Greg Rucka. This book collets Wonder Woman #195-200. Although Rucka would go on through issue #226 and would also pen the graphic novel Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia (1992).

Currently Wonder Woman can be found in her own title, Justice League of America and Trinity. Her own direct to video animated DVD movie is due out February 2009. Keri Russell will be doing her voice.