Collected Comics Library Podcast #265
25,293Kb; 26m 52s

Before I ever read a comic book, I watched TV. Like most kids in Detroit, Channel 20 was a favorite showing reruns of Johnny Socko’s Flying Robot or Ultra Man. Channel 50, on the other hand, had reruns of the 1960′s Batman. I clearly remember watching every episode and priding myself on knowing each and every character. I even tried to piece my own continuity, which looking back on it now, was a complete waste of time. But even as a kid all that really mattered was Julie Newmar and Yvonne Craig. I loved the old TV shows: Batman, Hulk, Greatest American Hero, and heck I was even turned back on to Smallville when the JSA arrived.

TwoMorrow’s has now published a complete retrospective of all the superhero television shows called The Age of TV Heroes. It’s extensively researched and written by Jason Hofius and George Khoury. The book is full of interviews and rare photographs from years gone by. Every single live-action show ever having to do with a superhero is represented, which if you think about it is quiet a feat in of itself. I showcase that book today, but if you want to get the authors perspective you can listen to the TwoMorrow’s Tune-In Podcast with Jason and George from last summer when the book was in its final stages.

I also go over some of the 2010 Eisner Nominees and C2E2.

All this and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

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Collected Comics Library Podcast #240
36,853Kb; 28m 34s

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As I stated yesterday on the CCL Blog, I was going to review the DC Comics Classics Library Justice League of America by George Perez Volume 1 (of 2). It’s a fine book; in of itself, but the more I looked at it, the more I thought that both Volumes should be collected into a book similar to that of the Neal Adams Library (Batman 1-3, DC Universe 1). Not only that but the whole program looks to be all over the spectrum: Golden Age, Silver Age, half done series, complete series, reprints of reprints, and two that should be a part of the DC Archive Editions not their own Volume One. Today I try to figure out just what DC has created and what it intends to do with this format how it compares to the Marvel counterpart and what I would do differently.

Also on the show I talk about DC books announced at the Diamond Retailer Summit including the Wednesday Comics Hardcover, Absolute Planetary Volumes 1 and 2, and other books such as DC Greatest Imaginary Stories Volume 2: Batman & Robin, Showcase Presents Suicide Squad Volume 1 and even the Blackest Night Hardcover.

All this and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

Links of Note:
Make Money In Comics Fast #1 by Rich Johnston: A Heavy Bookshelf Of Gold from Bleeding Cool by Rich Johnston
Collected Editions Blog: Blackest Night trade collection, Showcase Presents Suicide Squad solicited

Please visit my site sponsors: In-Stock Trades, Forbidden Planet International (UK), and Library Binding Company.

Collected Comics Library Podcast #239
19,679Kb; 20m 55s

http://www.collectedcomicslibrary.com/

As promised last week, we get back to one of the classic podcast features: When Trades Collide! Today, we look at two books from Darwyn Cooke and see how they are related story wise – Richard Stark’s Parker: The Hunter HC (IDW) and Batman: Ego and Other Tails HC (DC Comics). If you liked The Hunter then you’ll want to pick up the Batman book because Cooke did a pseudo-prototype of the Parker, named Stark, in the Selina’s Big Score GN and in the short story Déjà Vu from Solo #5. I also take a look at the most recent movie version of The Hunter, Payback – Straight Up – The Director’s Cut DVD.

I also talk about the LitGraphic exhibition and Brian Fies presentation at the Toledo Museum of Art that I attended last Friday, the Titanium Rain HC by Josh Finney and Kat Rocha with Damian Smith (Archia) and thoughts on the DC Classics Library – Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil cancellation. Lastly, be sure to check out the TwoMorrows Publishing sale on all their Companion books.

All this and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

Please visit my site sponsors: In-Stock Trades, Forbidden Planet International (UK), and Library Binding Company.

This month on the show, host Chris Marshall sits down with Jason Hofius and George Khoury to talk about their upcoming book Age of TV Heroes which examines the history of the live-action television adventures of everyone’s favorite comic book heroes!
Chris also goes over all of the June 2009 releases.

Direct Podcast Feed or Subscribe with iTunes

e-mail Chris with questions and/or comments. He may even read it on the next Tune-In!

Collected Comics Library Podcast #200
30,715Kb; 32m 30s

http://www.collectedcomicslibrary.com/

Well here we are – 200 podcasts! I never thought it would be possible. My sincere thanks go out to everyone who has ever downloaded or even visited this blog going back to 1999.

This episode is special in so many ways, not only is it #200, but I get to focus my attention on one of the great runs in comic book history and a run that got me started in comics in the first place – Frank Miller’s Daredevil. Back in 2007 Marvel published two Omnibuses showcasing Miller’s work and today we celebrate those books by looking at all of the bonus features at accompany it.

As for the rest of the show, there isn’t a whole lot of news, as expected this time of year, but IDW has some very big plans for 2009, including enlarging the dimensions of there Dick Tracy Daily reprints from the size that you see in stores now to matching the oversized Terry and the Pirates books starting with Volume 7. IDW will also be publishing Alex Raymond’s Rip Kirby in a 5 volume set and Neal Adams’ Ben Casey in a 2 Volume set.

Chris

Please visit my site sponsors: In-Stock Trades, Forbidden Planet International (UK), and Library Binding Company.

Collected Comics Library Podcast #199
28,645Kb; 30m 17s

http://www.collectedcomicslibrary.com/

Regular readers of the blog of listeners of the podcast, know that I’m a big fanboy of The Batman, yes “The” Batman. meaning the older and slightly more campy Batman of the Golden Age and early Silver Age. That said, DC Comics will be releasing The Batman Annuals HC (expected April 22, 2009) as part of their newly formed Classic Library editions. This is an interesting book because the Batman Annuals, published between 1961 and 1964, contained nearly no new material, they were simply 80+ page comic books reprinting material from Batman and Detective Comics from the 1950′s. Today, on the podcast, I take a look at why DC would reprint these stories not just now in 2008 but rather in 1961. What makes these stories so special? How rare are these stories and if they have ever been collected in other hardcovers or trade paperbacks.

Also, as I stated in a previous blog post, the 5th Annual NCAA Football Bowl Contest is upon us and with it some of the best prizes to be won – ever; including the highly sought after UK edition of From Hell (Knockabout). There’s also Product and Shipping news on Showcase Presents: Strange Adventures and the Secret Invasion trade paperback and news about The Spirit Archives Volume 27 from Dark Horse. Al this and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

Please visit my site sponsors: In-Stock Trades, Forbidden Planet International (UK), and Library Binding Company.

In case you haven’t heard by now, All-Star Batman and Robin The Boy Wonder #10 has been recalled due to strong language that seemed to slip by the editors, interns, secretaries and janitors at DC Comics and actually make it to print last Wednesday. DC quickly put out a demand to all retailers to destroy all copies. Many retailers did not catch the mistake in time and sold the book. Over 300 have found their way on to eBay and some are going for as much as $100. Also, many retailers have not complied with the demand and you have to wonder if owners of the stores have been selling copies on eBay or other avenues under different names to make a quick buck.

Yes, shame on them for doing so. DC’s mistake should not be their gain, but shame on DC for letting the mistake slip through the cracks in the first place. They should have known better. To DC’s, limited, credit the book was sent off with ink blotted over the “four letter words”, as it was intended to be, but the printer did a horrible job and you could see right through it. DC should have never of allowed these words to be put in the book to begin with. It was a creative move by creator Frank Miller, but it was also very dumb and now everyone is paying the price.

But shame on Miller, too. As a professional he should known that this could of happened. When asked about the oversight not even he could drum up a worthy excuse, “This is the first I’ve heard of it. I have no idea how this awful thing happened. It’s just one of those terrible and glorious things that happen time to time in publishing.” But that’s not all. Now comes word that the art on a page of the book has been edited, too. Originally in one large panel Batgirl is shown apprehending two criminals by the family jewels. It now it looks like she is punching them in the stomach.

But to play devils advocate, I have to wonder what the big deal is anyway. First of all, this book is geared for an adult audience. Miller is known for his violence and use of strong language in other books. Why should this be any different? All DC really has to due is tag the book for Mature Readers, like Marvel’s Punisher MAX line and everything would be OK. Another strike against DC for this debacle.

But now the cat is out of the bag (and on eBay) and DC is looking the worse for wear. DC could have done things a lot differently, such as: Issue no recall and keep the book on the stands but tell retailers to sell only to the over 18 crowd. Sure the book may look like crap with gray-tone lines running word balloons, but in hindsight the whole company looks like crap. This would have insured that no black market for the book would exist, or if there was any, the damage would have been lessened.

DC should have also released an addendum of the “Search and Destroy” letter to say when a new printing of the book would take place; so far it has yet to do so.

And on a Collected Edition note, when Volume 2 of Batman and Robin The Boy Wonder is released, it should contain the full unedited version of #10 along with and explanation and apology by DC Comics Executive Editor Dan DiDio, who has been conspicuously absent from this whole affair.

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

Today we move to Harley Quinn. Certifiable. Not much else describes her. Let’s face it, anyone who falls in love with The Joker can’t be described in any other way.

Interestingly, Dr. Harleen Quinzel didn’t originate from the comics, she was created for Batman: The Animated Series; “Joker’s Favor” (episode #22, airdate: September 11, 1992). She proved to be so popular that DC added her into the DCU comics in 1999. These days she’s not some much involved with Joker as she is with Poison Ivy and former Catwoman, Holly Robinson. Now let’s take a look at some of her collected editions:

• Batman: Harley Quinn OGN by Paul Dini. The book that brought Harley into the pages of the DC Universe.
• Batman Adventures: Mad Love Timed to coincide with Harley Quinn’s DC Universe debut, this award-winning special showcases the irrepressible Harley in the “adventures” animated style.
• Harley Quinn: Preludes and Knock-Knock Jokes Collects the first seven issues (of 38) of her own ongoing series.
• Batman: Harley and Ivy TPB Collects Batman: Harley and Ivy, Harley and Ivy: Love On The Lam OGN and a colored story from Batman Black and White Vol. 2

Harley Quinn was last seen in Countdown.

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

Today we move to Poison Ivy. Every man’s fantasy but deadly to the touch, Poison Ivy is one of the most diabolical female villains in the DCU. Debuting in Batman #181 (1966), Dr. Pamela Isley established that no man, especially Batman, should take her lightly. She has no real regard for humanity; she has a strong will for ecological balance in a man made world and will usually stop at nothing to achieve her warped goals.

However, she has been seen as an ally at times, and has even made a best friend (and onetime lover) with Harley Quinn. Ivy is usually depicted as having green skin and has the charm and will to ensure that men do her bidding. Always a force to reckon with whether friend or foe, Ivy is a great female character and will be around for years to come. Now, let’s take a look at some Poison Ivy’s collected editions:

• Showcase Presents: Batman Volume 2 The first appearance of Poison Ivy! Collects Detective Comics #343-358 and Batman #175-188.
• Batman: Poison Ivy (1997) This OGN was created for the release of the Batman and Robin movie. Not surprisingly this book is far better then her depiction by Uma Thurman. See the film at your own risk.
• Contagion Batman gathers a team of unlikely allies Azrael, Huntress, Catwoman and Poison Ivy.
• Batman/Poison Ivy: Cast Shadows Written by Ann Nocenti. Ivy goes a step to far – murder!

Currently Poison Ivy can be seen in her, just released, one-shot as part of the limited series The Joker’s Asylum.

On a side note, there is another pic of The Real Power of the DCU that has Ivy in her green skin. That pic can be found on the DC Comics website. For this blog series, I grabbed the image from the offical Adam Hughes website which has his original.

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

Today we move to Batwoman. Kathy Kane has been a part of the DC mythos since Detective Comics #233 (1956). A great ally to Batman, she essentially was the prototype for Barbara Gordon’s Batgirl to come some years later. But she continued to play a large part until she met her demise, like so many other heroes, in Crisis On Infinite Earths in 1985.

It wasn’t until 2006 that DC decided to bring her back, and did they ever! Donning a costume that is eerily similar to the Terry McGinnis/Batman look from the animated series Batman Beyond, this new Kathy Kane had only a name in common with the original. She even came out of the closet (or really bolted out of the closet) and she brought Renee Montoya with her. The latest Batwoman is so new that she really hasn’t had time to be featured and therefore collected, but here is where you can find all of her work (sans pin-ups and minor cameos):

• Batman In The Fifties Classic Kathy Kane. Collects many memorable Batman and Robin tales and includes Bat-Mite and Ace The Bathound.
• 52 Volumes 1-4 Batwoman makes her debut in Week Seven and has a recurring role throughout the series.
• Countdown To Final Crisis Vol. 2 Batwoman’s only appearance in Countdown happens in #38.
• The Question: Five Lessons of Blood HC written by Greg Rucka. Teaming up with the new Question aka Renee Montoya.
• She also appears in the DCU Infinite Holiday Special #1 (2007), but that particular Batwoman/Nightwing story has yet to be collected.

Currently Batwoman can be seen in well, in nothing. She is suppose to have her own series and she hasn’t shown up in any of the Batman family of books. You can always check out the completely unrelated, but decent tale, Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman Direct to DVD.

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

Today we move to Black Canary. A true classic – that’s what Black Canary is. First appearing as a villain opposite Johnny Thunder in a backup story in Flash Comics #86; she was too pretty and headstrong to be used only as a foil. In fact, the next issue she was a full fledged hero and then she joined up with the Justice Society of America!

Always smart, in charge and working both as a team member and solo, she is now married to Green Arrow. Black Canary is easily recognizable by her fishnet stockings and her bright blonde hair and she is not one to mess with. Besides making your ears bleed with he sonic scream, Dinah Lance can kick you butt in five seconds flat. Leather, lace and a chick who can ride a Harley – every man’s fantasy. Now, let’s take a look at some Black Canary’s collected editions:

• Black Canary Archives Volume 1 Every solo adventure (spanning from 1947 to 1972) is collected in this beautiful hardbound color edition. Collects Flash Comics #86-104, Comics Cavalcade #25, DC Special Edition #3, The Brave & the Bold #61-62, and Adventure Comics #399, #418-419
• Birds Of Prey Of Like Minds TPB Black Canary is held hostage and Oracle reluctantly enlists the aid of the Huntress. Collects Birds Of Prey #56-61 written by Gail Simone.
• Green Arrow/Black Canary: For Better Or Worse Be a witness to one of the most screwed up and loving relationships in the DC Universe. Collects Justice League Of America #75, Action Comics #428, #434, The Joker #4, Green Lantern/Green Arrow #94-95, Detective Comics #549-550, Green Arrow: Longbow Hunters# 1, Green Arrow (Vol.1) #75, #101, Green Arrow(Vol.2) # 4-5, #12, #21 and Birds Of Prey #88
• Green Arrow/Black Canary: Road To The Altar Collects Birds Of Prey #109, Black Canary #1-4, and The Black Canary Wedding Planner
• Green Arrow/Black Canary: The Wedding Album HC Collects Green Arrow/Black Canary Wedding Special and Green Arrow/Black Canary #1-5

Currently Black Canary is in Green Arrow/Black Canary and the Justice League of America. She can also be seen as a recurring guest on Smallville played by Alaina Huffman.

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

Today we move to Oracle. I grew up with watching Barbara Gordon as Batgirl on reruns of the 1960’s Batman TV show; little did I know that in 1988 Alan Moore would destroy everything that I (and probably you) would love about Babs in 1988′s  The Killing Joke. In hindsight, it was a brilliant move – no matter how sick and twisted the depiction was.

Barbara came out relatively fine, but bound to a wheelchair the rest of her days. She has since turned her crime fighting expertise to that of the DCU’s greatest computer hacker/programmer and information architect in Birds of Prey. Batman and the JLA are lucky that she’s on the good side. Now, let’s take a look at some of her collected editions as both Oracle and Batgirl:

• Showcase Presents: Batgirl The debut of Barbara Gordon! Collecting several 1960’s stories from Detective Comics, Batman, Adventure Comics and World’s Finest Comics
• Batgirl: Year One TPB by Scott Beatty and Chuck Dixon, this volume collects the 9-issue miniseries that uncovered Gordon’s transformation from average citizen into costumed super-heroine.
• Birds of Prey 1 and Birds of Prey 2 Old Friends, New Enemies The very first BoP one-shots, min-series and first six issues of the ongoing series are collected over two trade paperbacks.
• Birds of Prey: Catwoman/Batgirl & Catwoman/Oracle One woman fought crime valiantly as Batgirl before finding a new role as the all-seeing Oracle. The other stalked the dark streets of Gotham as Catwoman, earning a living by stealing from the rich. Now they must forge an uneasy alliance.
• Thrillkiller TPB (Elseworlds) Collects the 3-issue mini and Thrillkiller ’62 by Howard Chaykin. Batgirl and Robin/Babs and Dick – together again.

Currently Oracle can be found in Bird of Prey and occasionally in the various Batman books especially Nightwing and even the Justice League of America. For a live action Oracle, the Birds of Prey TV show was recently released on DVD.

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.

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.

No fluff, just reviews.

• Review: Brian Cronin, CBR on his Top Five Ultimate Trade Paperbacks
• Review: J. Caleb Mozzocco, Every Day Is Like Wednesday, on Marvel Zombies Vs. Army of Darkness (Marvel/Dynamite)
• Review: Michael Patrick Sullivan, CBR, on Captain Stoneheart and The Truth Fairy (Active Images and Image Comics)
• Review: Charles LePage, ComicList.com on Star Trek The Key Collection Volume 1 (Checker Book Publishing Group)
• Review: Brad Curran, CBR, on All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder Volume 1 (DC Comics) and a few Image Trades, too
• Review: Tim Janson, Newsarama, on Strange and Stranger: The World of Steve Ditko (Fantagraphics)
• Review: Collected Edition Blob on Countdown to Final Crisis Volume One TPB (DC Comics) and Catwoman: Catwoman Dies TPB (DC Comics)

Collected Comics Library Podcast #179

30,827Kb; 32m 36s

http://www.collectedcomicslibrary.com/

Well, well, well the week is finally here. The week that The Dark Knight is out in theaters. The week were we finally get to see the greatest sequel to the greatest super-hero movie ever. The greatest performance of the Joker ever on screen and the theatrical origin of Harvey Dent into Two-Face. Today on the show we celebrate all of it with the collected editions of the two main villains of the film.

Also on the show I go over me new website redesign, me in the Detroit Free Press and a tease as to next weeks topic on Marvel Illustrated and my special guest Roy Thomas.

Please visit my site sponsors: In-Stock Trades, Forbidden Planet International (UK), and Library Binding Company.

Chris
Links of note:
THE Comic Addiction
Discuss this topic on the CCL forum

My thanks go out to Julie Hinds of the Detroit Free Press. Julie called me up a few weeks ago and asked my opinions on How to ensure every comic book hero gets a memorable villain. The article appears in today’s paper and you can read it online.

Also, this Wednesday on the Podcast I’ll be going over the collected editions of The Joker and Two-Face just in time for The Dark Knight.