Posts Tagged ‘ trade paperback ’

Real Power Part 4: Oracle

August 7, 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 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.

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.