Mark Hamil Impersonator Voices DOTF

Or at least the tie in in RHATO #17 where leaves Jason a message before giving him a parting gift.

Artist Designer Greg Capullo Line: Nightwing

I thought I might as well open this one since I have all of the Outlaws together. Things...things didn't turn out quite like I thought they would.

Secret Origins #5

I don't plan to make it a thing to get this series too often but with no other new comics this week I'm not going to complain.

ORIGIN RELATED SPOILERS AHEAD

Funny thing about the Lazarus Pit

Granted there have been a lot of odd rules but the funniest I found was the explanation for nudity Rucka wrote. Apparently people have had their clothes removed prior to taking a dip because the pit will burn them off regardless. I call this the rule of cake (cheesecake/beefcake.) Although this naked clause doesn't always go with the artwork I can't help but smile when it happens or wince at the awkwardness.

Superman and the Man of Gold

Last week I saw the Booster Gold digest and I bought it assuming it was a comic...it's not. This is set in the Justice League Unlimited verse in The Man Of Steel series. Which is basically a book with ten illustrations. I haven't read it yet but here are some highlights from skimming.

The Discussion questions at the end, Rip Hunters' cameo (he gets a picture too) & Jurgens' ice cream. As for the favorite picture question, that's a hard one. There's Skeets in a police hat. Rip talking to Superman while Booster is being praised. Booster trying to keep himself from being crushed by his own image in the literal sense. There are others that I like but the winner has to be Booster carrying Lois down to a crowd of cheering fans while holding a ice cream cone in his other hand. All of the pictures with him give him so much personality.

What to expect from the Future Ends Tie Ins?

Or as I saw it called filler month, has stated that these are only "possible" futures for their characters but that doesn't mean that seeds Future Ends aren't mixed in. Do these tales have anything to do with the current plots? Will there being any stand out books? Just some musings/predictions for my pull list next month. No real spoilers just things I've seen in the solicits, current stories and interviews. Here's what I'm getting:

Grayson: I have no idea since I dropped after the first issue if this will hint future plots or not. I'm getting this out of curiosity for where they see Dick being in 5 years. I still can't see the spy thing lasting that long for the character since the media knows him better as Robin then Nightwing. Still it's only a possible future. This will apparently take place in Russia and have him taking on the Red Star costume? Maybe that's just the cover. I can't see this affecting much outside of hints of things to come in its own title. Maybe a nod to something that's going on in the background in FE at most.

Batwoman: The current storyline apparently has the vampire angle being teased at. Will Kate become a vampire in present time? I can't see them doing it but it would definitely make her different than the other bats. I'm also interested in seeing Nocturna who they finally made a vampire despite her not previously being one. I have a soft spot for her being pre-crisis Jason Todds' adopted mom for a time.

Red Hood and the Outlaws: This will be dark, likely the darkest thing in this series so far. I have no idea what will happen to Kori as she hasn't been mentioned but apparently the guys aren't on friendly terms. They all go their separate ways which explains a little of Roy's sudden turn into his pre-Flashpoint self (minus the aghast and kid?)

Booster Gold: this is said to be the book that shows the biggest hint of what the future of DC will be in FE. It's also the only tie in that's not an ongoing title. This will be the first time Boosters' been written by Jurgens since the last issue of JLI which is another perk. I'm looking forward to this the most because even if the future is dark there's always hope as long as Booster is around. I have no idea what to expect although I believe this has multiple artists which is rarely good especially for a one shot.

Will any of these characters die in the tie ins? Likely, I'll be surprised if RHATO doesn't kill two of the leads. Roy being semi safe since he's in the main series. If these are all really depressing I might rank them in order from most angsty to least. I'm guessing Booster will be the lightest in tone. Should be interesting to see how off I am.

Dan Jurgens talks Superman and Booster Gold

Or rather Death of Superman and why Booster Gold works. Nothing really new added in the interview (unless there's something in the video which I haven't watched) I just like seeing Booster brought up.

Fan Comic on why Tims' Tall

I thought this was cute. Really it's the only way the appearance in the last Batman and Robin makes sense.

Getting Next Week!

Okay I'm finally caught up with my pull list, which isn't much but it's nice to be back on track.

• Secret Origins 5: I don't plan on getting this often but for certain characters I will. This month has Jason Todd who's new 52 origin is a bit unclear at present. I'm hoping for more detail on his time as Robin, his old car theft origin to be restored and maybe some bonding with Alfred and the other guy, Bruce. No idea what we'll get with ten or so pages though.
• DCC Arsenal and Red Hood. It's a Red Hood month with his cameos in other books, series and these action figures. Starfire came out last week but I'm holding off on a review until I have all of them together. 

After that it's September for a double dose of New Warriors and DCs' bleak future month. Red Robins' new figure too.

Red Hood and the Outlaws #34

Technically this is the last issue I'll get before the five years later one shots. Well I'll be getting one more comic this month but it won't be affected by the time jump.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Trip to the LCS

This was the first time I've been to the store since they remodeled that I could actually look around. It's usually too busy to do so without getting in someone's way. I came later than usual and for the first time in ages saw a couple of women shopping too. That was nice, I don't think it's so much that women don't read comics (a large percent do) just that some don't feel comfortable in comic stores. I've been lucky not to have encountered the horror stores I've heard about online. Anyway first thing I noticed was a digest trade of the JLU comic with Superman and Booster Gold. I didn't see a price though. Since I didn't know if I had enough on me I put it back. Hopefully it's still there when I return.

I also saw the small My Little Pony section. Yes I know it's a thing but the hybrid pony/doll was really freaky. The DCC collection was nice although I noticed the paint apps on the Earth 2 figures weren't great especially with WW. Wonder Girl came out good and the effect of the shiny red star field costume was nice. Oh to have more time and money to get some trades.

Barbaras' Anger Issues

I found this post showing some examples of Barbara lashing out at others in the new 52. Gail Simone weighs in on this as well.

Thoughts below.

Serenity: Leaves on the Wind #4-6

Now that I have all the issues together again it's time to finish my Serenity reviews.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Happy Birthday Lian Harper and Lois Lane?

I knew it was supposed to be Lians' birthday but apparently it's also Lois'? Well here's to one of my favorite superhero kids and to one of if not the best female characters.

November Solicits

Just a few comics that stood out including one in particular that bugged me.

Batman and Robin #34 Preview

This is why I quit getting this series. I'm curious enough with the cameos to take a peek but this problem never gets properly addressed. It's so infuriating that this behavior keeps getting ignored. Needless to say these are my unhappy thoughts on the preview.

SPOILERS AHEAD

I doubt this will come up--

--but something was bugging me lately. Whenever I heard Gotham Academy I kept thinking that I heard that before in the new 52. I finally figured out where. In RHATO #0 it's said that Jason Todds' mother Catherine went there. I mean not much is known about the new series but it still made me smile to see it.

Happy Birthday Jason Todd!

Here's some odd facts about him:

• He's the only current Robin to have been asked to take on the role. New 52 has Alfred asking along with Bruce.
• Counting pre-Crisis he's the sidekick that's had the most parents. Try guessing how many if you don't already know.
• I don't think they ever said how tall future Damian was/is or the Heretic (although he had his genetics messed with) but Jason is taller than Dick and Tim. Two inches shorter than Bruce.
• Although his current rebirth is still sketchy pre-52 Jason dug his way out of his coffin with nothing but a belt buckle.  

What Artists Deserve Designer Action Figures?

Word is that Jae Lee is joining Greg Capullo in getting a designer action figure line. While not under the DC Collectibles banner (which was DC Direct then) Michael Turner has received his own line and Jim Lee has figures under both company names. This begs the question of what other artists deserve to have their style captured in plastic form.

Red Hood and the Outlaws #33

This issue has Kori once again taking center stage as her past is explored.

NOT SO NEW SPOILERS AHEAD

Who is Rip Hunter in the new 52?

We don't know if he's related to Booster anymore or if they in fact have a working relationship. The only clue we get is this mention in the JLI Annual.

 

Now the annual confused the hell out of me for multiple reasons, chief among them the fact that very little of the story gelled with Jurgens JLI. I wasn't sure why Booster (both of them) disappeared since present day Booster does so after Clark and Diana kiss. Since I was distracted by all the retcons and everyone remembering him despite the fact he was erased I forgot this detail. According to future Booster Rip was following him to erase the conversation. Booster still exists though and showed up in the past with some memory loss.

 

Which means one of two things: 1.) new 52 Rip is a bad guy or 2.) Booster is trying to fix something that can't be fixed/shouldn't be messed with.

 

The second choice makes more sense based on who Rip was but we'll see how this plays out. Notice future Booster is also wearing the same outfit he does in his Futures' End cover.

The Bane of having Favorite Characters

POSSIBLE SPOILERS FOR THIS WEEKS COMICS


Have you ever had one of those days where you look for news about one of your favorite characters and get annoyed with what you find?

Me: Well no variant cover again. Might not be in Lego Batman 3 (although I'm pleased Booster is.) Let's see what's happening in comics.

(Skims online and finds scans of most recent appearance.)

Me: Oh goodie, their talking up character B that hasn't been nearly as good as my fave claims. Not in the relaunch anyway, and it's the same character that's done nothing but treat them like crap for most of their appearances together. Now their letting character B beat them up, saying how great they are while still mentioning something crappy B did to them.

(See a interview for a book one of my faves will be appearing in. I'm a little leery since the last thing I read from the writer ticked me off and that had to do with another of my favorites being written bad. Still curious though since it has to do with the book's' lead. They seemed to get along with each other alright.)

Me: ...Wait are they implying...? No, they wouldn't. They said it was going to be a surprise so it wouldn't be the same person. But later on in the interview they word it like there's an attraction or possible obsession my fave has for the lead...It sounds like a bad thing based on how it's phrased. Please tell me their not going to make this creepy. They had a cute interaction before!

Red Hood and the Outlaws #32

Lobdell returns to the book but will he fall into the same pitfalls as the last two writers?

NOT SO NEW SPOILERS AHEAD

Red Hood and the Outlaws #31

I'm not feeling Pfeifers' arc this far. Let's see if that can change for his last issue.

NOT SO OLD SPOILERS AHEAD

DC Collectibles: Huntress and Power Girl

Catwoman was from a gift pack but these two female characters get their own set. Are they the standard for future female figures?

Red Hood and the Outlaws #30

I still can't find one of my Senenity Leaves on the Wind issues but I have found these. I figured it was time to ease my way back into the series after I misplaced this.

NOT SO NEW SPOILERS AHEAD

Booster Gold "hinted" to be Important One Shot

 Didio himself says this in a roundabout way. Go to 0.50-1:17 for the question and answer.