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Review: Action Comics #1000 Captures Superman’s Inspirational Power

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In Action Comics #1000, an all-star team of writers, artists, and colorists try and for the most part succeed at getting to the heart of Superman. Some stories touch on different eras of history from his time in the 1930s as a non-flying, slumlord buster and the Mort Weisinger Silver Age sci-fi kookiness to classic comics like Kingdom Come. Others look at his relationships with his parents, wife/co-worker Lois Lane, and his arch-nemesis Lex Luthor. One story even looks far in the future of the DC Universe while another acts as a semi-controversial prologue to Brian Michael Bendis’ upcoming Man of Steel miniseries and his runs on Action Comics and Superman.

To give each story the attention it needs, I will do a short review of each one and score it at the end of the paragraph. A final aggregated score  will conclude this (hopefully not that long) “80 page giant” review.

Action Comics #1000 opens with one hell of a curtain call from writer/penciler Dan Jurgens, inker Norm Rapmund, and colorist Hi-Fi that acts as a victory lap for Jurgens’ DC Rebirth run on Action Comics and his tireless work turning Superman from the edgy, armor wearing New 52 version to his classic role as a heroic hope bringer and a family man too. The story is simple. Metropolis is holding a Superman celebration day, but Superman doesn’t want their praise and adulation and wants to keep saving the day. However, through a little trickery from Lois and the Justice League, he ends up getting his moment in the sun. Jurgens’ writing cuts to the core of Superman and his positivity with a small-time Metropolis criminal named Benning talking about how he got him a job after prison so he wouldn’t keep relapsing and running with different supervillains. His art is a little old school, but that’s not a bad thing, and Rapmund’s inking helps make the crowd shots sharp in a story that shows Superman’s bond with the citizens of Metropolis and the superhero community while not neglecting the family elements that have been a big part of the Rebirth era of Superman. There really wouldn’t be a superhero genre without him.

Story: 9.5 Art: 8 Overall: 8.8

The next story “Neverending Battle” from the Superman creative team of Peter Tomasi, Patrick Gleason, and Alejandro Sanchez is a tiny bit philosophical, somewhat historical, and definitely epic as a story only done in full page spreads. It’s about Vandal Savage weaponizing Hypertime to trap Superman in his own history so he can’t get back to Jon and Lois to celebrate his birthday. Tomasi’s writing is a little corny at times with adages like “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” and “History repeats itself”, but Gleason and Sanchez’s glorious visuals and the through-line of Superman consistently overcoming great odds wins out just like Superman over Vandal Savage. The first spreads are the most iconic with Golden Age Era Superman punching out gangsters, stopping locomotives, and throwing tanks around with Tomasi commentating on the simplistic, good vs. evil nature of these early stories. But he and Gleason aren’t afraid to get vulnerable with a poignant homage to the scene in The Dark Knight Returns where Superman is weakened after stopping a nuclear explosion that blocks out the sun or a page where he’s trapped in the Phantom Zone. However, despite cunning and powerful enemies and occasionally death itself, nothing will stop Superman from being a hero or spending time with his loved ones on his birthday. Gleason has a strong handle on the moral clarity and goodness behind Superman’s strength and I look forward to his upcoming work as the main Action Comics artist.

Story: 8.5 Art: 10 Overall: 9.3

The third story “An Enemy Within” with a script from Marv Wolfman, Butch Guice and Kurt Schaffenberger inking over recently discovered Curt Swan, and colors by Hi-Fi straddles a thin line between optimism and naivete and definitely falls on the naive side. Superman is too busy fighting Brainiac in Japan so he relies on Maggie Sawyer and the Metropolis PD to take out a mind controlled teacher, who is holding his students hostage. There is an opportunity to address social issues, like school shooting, gun control, police violence, and even homelessness in a scene towards the end, but Wolfman, Swan, and Guice gloss over these issues with a simplistic “humanity is good and will save themselves” mantra and use the mind control plot device to cover their asses. Honestly, your enjoyment of this story will depend on how much you believe in the idea of original sin or your tolerance level for after school specials. Guice’s inks bring an interesting grit to Swan’s usually clean, bright pencils, and honestly, the best part of the story is a solemn Superman pinup at the end inked by the late Schaffenberger.

Story: 4.5 Art: 6.5 Overall: 5.5

Geoff Johns, Richard Donner, Olivier Coipel, and Alejandro Sanchez turn in a stoic, 1930s era Superman story about a small time crook named Butch who gets his car beat up when trying to fight Superman. It’s probably the car from the cover of Action Comics #1. Johns and Donner’s take on Superman is a little rougher and little more stern, but he has a solid moral compass and cares for humanity as shown by his empathy towards Butch, who lost his dad in combat during World War I. Coipel’s art is wonderfully rough hewn and is like Norman Rockwell’s work without the sentimentality, and he even plays the “It’s a bird, it’s a plane…” line for sardonic, silent comedy. His Superman commands the page and is someone who you would listen to and definitely take seriously. He doesn’t smile either. But the ending of “The Car” has an earned happiness and is a little spark of light in a cynical world. Johns and Donner really get that heroism is about the little things and not flying the world backwards or time travel shenanigans.

Story: 9.5 Art: 10 Overall: 9.8

Scott Snyder, Rafael Albuquerque, and Dave McCaig tell a quiet, yet time spanning story about the relationship between Superman and Lex Luthor, and how Superman chooses to see the good even in his worst enemy. The story starts intense with shadow wreathed art and dark colors from Albuquerque and McCaig as Luthor has assembled some powerful MacGuffins to take out Superman. But he’s actually just star gazing at the Smallville Planetarium? Albuquerque’s art is sharper and sadder after that with a nostalgic orange palette from McCaig as Lex tells Superman that the planetarium was an escape from bad weather and his abusive parents. They seamlessly blend past and present as it’s revealed that a young Clark Kent gave Lex’s space laser a little boost and saved his life. Snyder uses this anecdote/flashback sequence to hold out hope for a time when “maybe” the cycle of hero and villain will be broken between Superman and Lex Luthor as the story fades to black.

Story: 9.6 Art: 9.8 Overall: 9.7

Tom King makes a case for winning back to back Eisners for Best Short Story in his, Clay Mann, and Jordie Bellaire’s contribution to Action #1000, “Of Tomorrow”. It’s a tone poem about Superman’s last day on Earth as he says goodbye to Ma and Pa Kent one last time as the Earth is engulfed in the sun with flames and winds that are reminiscent of the last days of Krypton. King writes Superman as an old man wrestling with his past and legacy, wishing he could save more people, and being supremely proud of his wife and son. And it gets deep at the end when he reflects on his father’s blend of science and faith. Mann captures each tiny, beautiful moment in his artwork as he makes art with his strength, tears, and freeze breath: a frozen statuette of Jonathan and Martha Kent like the one of Jor-El and Lara-El in the Fortress of Solitude. Bellaire goes for Earth tones in her colors as Superman immerses himself in his adopted planet before flying off forever. He loves his parents, he loves Earth, but he realizes that all planets die and all story ends. (Except for his comic book for now.)

Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10

Two veteran comics creators Louise Simonson and Jerry Ordway show they still have a lot in the tank in their “Five Minutes” story with colorist Dave McCaig that expertly intertwines Superman’s life as a superhero and Clark Kent’s life as a journalist in five minutes. Simonson’s narration shows that both Clark and Superman’s “powers” come in handy in different situation as Superman is able to dart from a train accident to a hold up and finally to save the city from an asteroid just like Clark is able to write a story and get it in under deadline. It’s a quick, zippy read with a lot of heart and a kind of cheesy “twist” ending, but Simonson and Ordway show how much passion Superman/Clark Kent has for both saving people and reporting. He is precise, efficient, and knows when to fly to next crisis just like a writer juggling different projects. Plus there’s a Bibbo Bibbowski cameo, which will be a treat for Superman fans of the 80s and 90s.

Story: 8.0 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.3

Paul Dini, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Kevin Nowlan, and Trish Mulvihill turn in a cheeky homage to Superman’s history, Garcia-Lopez’s ability to skillfully render almost every DC Comics hero and villain, and most of all, Mr. Mxyzptlk. Mxyzptlk has the ability to wipe out Superman from the existence in the blink of an eye, but he’s more of a prankster than a coldblooded villain and enjoys toying with him instead. Dini, Garcia-Lopez, and Nowlan also provide a little meta-commentary on how stories involving superheroes in comics never seem to end even after they’re killed off or have passed their mantle to sidekicks or legacy heroes. Probably, because they’re too much fun. This story’s kryptonite is Dini indulging his sleazy side towards the end, but the energy and humanity of Garcia-Lopez’s figures and Mulvihill’s heroic colors more than make up for it.

Story: 7.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 8.0

In a much darker story than the previous one, “Faster than a Speeding Bullet” happens in a very short span of time as Superman tries to stop a domestic abuser from shooting his girlfriend, Lila, in the head. Artist John Cassaday tells the story in a series of freeze frames as you can see the strain of Superman flying to stop the bullet, and the red, yellow, and blue of Laura Martin’s colors as his chances increase. Brad Meltzer starts incredibly dark in his script with Superman running calculations in his head that he won’t be able to save Lila and ends with Superman admitting that he is inspired by humanity as much as they are inspired by him. “Faster than a Speeding Bullet” is a taut, mini-thriller that also captures Superman’s essence and the strength of his and the people he inspire’s resolves.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

The final story in Action Comics #1000 is Brian Michael Bendis’ DC debut with Jim Lee, Scott Williams, and Alex Sinclair doing the art. Lee and Williams definitely put the “action” in Action Comics, and most of the story is a third act of Man of Steel fight sequence with collateral damage galore as new giant sword wielding alien conqueror villain Rogol Zaar crashes all over Metropolis and tries to kill the last two Kryptonians on Earth. Yes, Supergirl has a cameo in this comic and is there to get her ass kicked as much as Superman. Bendis’ writing is quippy as ever and doesn’t really pair well with the disaster movie feel of Lee and Williams’ art. He seems to be going for an “Avengers Disassembled” type of throughline in his approach to Superman by physically breaking him down and also taking shots at his past. Yes, the final page of Action Comics #1000 is a huge retcon for Superman’s character, and hopefully, Bendis has the reasoning and great story to back it up, or Rogol Zaar might just be a Mongul knock-off with a cooler sword.

Story: 6.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 7.0

 

Story: Dan Jurgens, Peter Tomasi, Marv Wolfman, Geoff Johns, Richard Donner, Scott Snyder, Tom King, Louise Simonson, Paul Dini, Brad Meltzer, Brian Michael Bendis  Art: Dan Jurgens with Norm Rapmund, Patrick Gleason, Curt Swan with Butch Guice and Kurt Schaffenberger, Olivier Coipel, Rafael Albuquerque, Clay Mann, Jerry Ordway, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez with Kevin Nowlan, John Cassaday, Jim Lee with Scott Williams  Colors:  Hi-Fi, Alejandro Sanchez, Dave McCaig, Jordie Bellaire, Trish Mulvihill, Laura Martin, Alex Sinclair
Story: 8.2 Art: 8.8 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

The Top 25 Fictional Presidents

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Happy Presidents’ Day!

With everyone else running their lists of the top Presidents and the worst and because our current occupant of the Oval Office is, ahhem, how do I put it?

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Quite right. So, we thought we’d bring you the list of the top fictional Presidents to help us set our sights higher.

Let’s start with a couple of honorable mentions. While they didn’t make the top list, it’s worth noting that Roy Schieder, James Cromwell, and Bruce Greenwood have all played presidents multiple times. Because when someone says, “We need a President—who’s an actor who exudes gravitas?” the obvious answer is the guy who blew up Jaws, Farmer Hoggett, and. . .well, Bruce Greenwood. Robert Rodriguez also seems to like to cast random people as presidents in his movies, including George Clooney in Spy Kids and Charlie Sheen as the most hilariously named fictional president ever, “President Rathcock,” in Machete Kills.

And with that, I present to you, the Top 25 Fictional Presidents of all time

25. Stephen Colbert / President Hathaway — Marvel Comics/Monsters vs. Aliens played by Stephen Colbert.

Because the Executive Producer of Our Cartoon President has also been. . . a cartoon president. Specifically, a president who decides that the best way to attack aliens is with monsters. This film was genius and I never quite understood why it didn’t take off more.

Colbert ASM variant cover

Also, we should always remember that time in Marvel comics when Colbert (his persona as a loudmouth host of The Colbert Report, not his nicer, more mainstream self as host of The Late Show) ran as an independent, won the popular vote, and lost the Electoral College to Obama.

Losing the popular vote but being elected anyway? “Preposterous! Only in comic books!” you say? Sounds right.

Ok, so not exactly a president. But he’s right in that hall of almost presidents with Hillary Clinton, Al Gore and Samuel Tilden. And none of them got to team up with Spider-Man. (Yet.)

24. James Dale — Mars Attacks! played by Jack Nicholson.

Stealing a vibe from Dr. Strangelove and other b-movie alien invasion films, Nicholson is able to channel quite well the hapless president overwhelmed by alien invasion. My favorite is how he keeps believing the worst possible advice. For style, not for substance, you made the list.

23. Tom Beck — Deep Impact played by Morgan Freeman. Ok, I know he belongs on this list, but I get seriously confused about which asteroid movie this was? Oh, this was the one where the asteroid actually hits. Ok. Not with Ben Affleck and Bruce Willis. And was Morgan Freeman also the President in “Olympus Has Fallen”? Oh, no, that was Aaron Eckhart. Almost.

Anyway — Morgan Freeman. That is all.

doctorow wheaton22. Cory Doctorow / Wil Wheaton, Ready Player One. 

Are you ready for Ready Player One?

With the movie coming in just a few weeks, hype is in full gear. Worth noting, in Ernest Cline’s book that the film is based off of, it mentioned the very real people Cory Doctorow and Wil Wheaton had been elected president and vice-president of the Oasis, the giant online system everyone uses for games, education, second life. At this point, who controlled the Oasis was far more important than who was actually president, as the real world really sucked.

Real people, fake product, fake presidents– but we could use more people like them in politics and fewer like, well, most of the people in charge these days.

21. Preston Rickard / Beth Ross, Prez from DC Comics

Kids elected president? We could do much worse. In this satire where future presidents are elected by Twitter because turnout is so low and kids are allowed to vote, somehow a social media star gets elected president. In the 2015 reboot, they even bring back the original Prez from the 1970’s. It’s great satire because our politics have literally gotten just that bad. You can read a more full review we ran here and also here, and here, and an interview with the writer here. A series that was cancelled too soon, maybe it will get rebooted again in another 40 years.

20. Thomas Whitmore, Independence Day played by Bill Pullman.

Ok, just watch that clip above. That’s the only reason why. Yeah, he flew a fighter jet to save the earth, but so what? Big summer movie speech– the biggest summeriest speechiest movie speech ever. And please try to forget that Independence Day 2 ever happened.

19. Vanellope Von Schweetz – Wreck-It Ralph played by Sarah Silverman. Upon being restored to her rightful place as Princess of Sugar Rush land, Vanellope decides to transition her government into a constitutional democracy and become President. Hey, it’s better than ordering the execution of Taffeta Muttonfudge and the others who were mean to her. For being a president who is able to give up supreme executive power in favor of giving it to the people, you made the list, Vanellope. Also, looking forward to your sequel and you possibly becoming. . . a Disney Princess?

18. Merkin Mufflin – Dr. Strangelove played by Peter Sellers. 

On this list if only for the classic line “Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here! This is the war room!” And because Peter Sellers.

17. Zaphod Beeblebrox — The Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Finally, a president whose narcissism rivals that of our own! Two heads, three arms, and the biggest idiot, he was elected president of the galaxy — a position which has no power and is only there to distract people from who’s really in charge. There are a lot of satirical presidents on this list, but this is one of the best. If he had Twitter, no doubt he’d be tweeting about being “a very stable genius” “despite all the negative press covfefe.” Also, the only president with his own music video (from the 2005 film starring Sam Rockwell as our president) — and he’s better looking, too.

16. President Skroob — Spaceballs played by Mel Brooks.

It’s good to be the king, er, president. Floozies. Unlisted walls. Nobody telling you your ass is so big. Your own canned air supply.

Too bad you run a civilization so dumb that it is running out of oxygen. (I’m betting Scott Pruitt runs Spaceballs’ EPA) But still, hail Skroob!

15. James Marshall — Air Force One played by Harrison Ford. “Get off of my plane!” That’s all you need to make the list. Also, James Marshall seems like a pretty good guy. He’s resourceful enough to contact his people and sabotage his own hijacked plane, he can speak Russian in remarks to the Russian government.

I always thought this was the “President Jack Ryan” movie that we never got (because, let’s face it, Debt of Honor and Executive Orders will never be made into movies) as a follow up to Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger. Plus, it’s Harrison Ford.

14. Richard Nixon’s head — Futurama played by Billy West. “NIXON’S BACK!!!” Disproving the adage that there are no second acts in politics, Nixon served as President of Earth for most of the run of Futurama, providing some awesome times along the way– brought to you by Shenkman’s Rubbing Compound and the great taste of Charleston Chew.

Corrupt, easy to anger, and also pretty stupid, it makes us almost forget how bad the actual Richard Nixon was. And it also seems pretty spot-on these days.

13. Jackson Evans – The Contender played by Jeff Bridges.

One of my personal and pet favorites, President Jackson Evans spends most of the film trying to outmaneuver a slimy and hypocritical Gary Oldman (the second time he’s been the villain on the list! Whaddya know?!?) to get a woman confirmed as his Vice President. Oh, and also trying to order the most ridiculous things from the White House kitchen staff to show them they’re unprepared. Jeff Bridges is also part of a family of presidential stars, including his father Lloyd Bridges president in Hot Shots Part Deux, and brother Beau Bridges as president three times in 10.5, its sequel 10.5 Apocalypse and an episode of Stargate SG-1.

12. Kang – The Simpsons played by Harry Shearer. When Kang and his sister Kodos take over as Bill Clinton and Bob Dole in the 1996 elections, it was only a matter of time before one of them became president. They were sure fire winners, especially with classy campaign rhetoric like: “Abortions for some, tiny American flags for others.” “My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball; but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward; upward, not forward; and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!” When it was pointed out that they were aliens, Kodos pointed out it was a two party system. When some idiot said he would vote for a third party candidate, Kang sealed his place in history by saying “Go ahead– throw your vote away.” And that’s what make him so high on this list. Don’t like it? “Don’t blame me, I voted for Kodos.”

11. President Business – The Lego Movie played by Will Farrell. 

Both greed and conformity personified, President Business is perhaps the most subversive choice on this entire list. Most kids will never get the dystopian overtones, but if Gordon Gecko and Big Brother made a child out of Legos, this would be it.

Also, that awesome hat and those legs.

Those legs. 

Genius.

Also genius– you notice those are coffee mugs on his hat, right?

If only we’d heeded the warning of electing a “businessman” to be president. If Trump invited everyone to a Taco Tuesday, we know something evil is about to happen.

10. Lex Luthor – Superman.

Compared to the other villains on this list (and the current POTUS) who knew that Lex Luthor would be one of the least evil and least overt of the great villain presidents?

The best thing about Luthor as president (and always with Luthor) is he doesn’t think he’s the villain. He even gets the majority of America to agree with him. True genius. 

9. Leslie Knope – Parks and Recreation played by Amy Poehler. Ok, so she was never explicitly president on the show. But the show’s finale sure seemed to hint at it. And let’s be honest? She is exactly what we need right now.

Because unlike most of the rest of these dopes in the top 10, Leslie Knope embodies gumption and honesty and has yet to be corrupted by political power. And we hope she never does. We love you, Leslie Knope.

Knope/Swanson 2020.

8. Lisa Simpson – The Simpsons played by Yeardley Smith. 

Speaking of competent, smart, earnest women who could take over the presidency in a heartbeat. . . .

This is the clip everyone knows where The Simpsons predicted President Trump and a huge debt crisis because of his policies. But what we can hope for is the next occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue will have the intelligence and empathy of Lisa Simpson. I’m not so sure about Secretary of the Treasury Milhouse Van Houten, though. I guess if (Producer of Suicide Squad) Steve Mnuchin can do it. . .

7. Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Comacho — Idiocracy played by Terry Crews. 

The smartest president in the not-too-distant-future (and Cassandra-like warning of our current administration), President Comacho was wise enough to let his Secretary of the Interior, Not Sure, put water from the toilet on the crops, even though we all know plants crave the electrolyes in Brawndo, the thirst mutilator. Also, he’s a champion wrestler, and who doesn’t want that in the White House?

Dave Kevin Kline Sigourney Weaver

6. Dave Kovic impersonating President Bill Mitchell — Dave played by Kevin Kline. 

In the second-greatest Ivan Reitman film of all time, we get to see what would happen if we actually let a regular guy be president. And the answer is a not half-bad job. Dave’s jobs program makes sense to me, and his approach to trimming the budget to keep a homeless shelter open? Would that we could actually do that. While not the most accurate portrayal of Washington, it’s a version I wish we lived in and less like the real world Washington, which is more petty and full of incompetents — like Veep.

5. President Lindberg — The Fifth Element played by Tiny Lister.

As one of the many presidents on this list who have faced destruction of the planet, he handled it the best.

Because what every president should do when facing disaster in the 90’s? Throw Bruce Willis (in this case Corbin Dallas) at it. And perhaps the best part is where he gets yelled at by Corbin Dallas’s overbearing mother.

Wait. . . Gary Oldman’s the bad guy in this one, too! Definitely a pattern. . . and maybe a metaphor for this year’s Best Actor Oscar race, too.

4. David Palmer — 24 played by Dennis Haysbert.

Possibly the most badass of our top 5 presidents, David Palmer stood up to assassination attempts, terror attacks, and Kim getting menaced by a cougar (ok, so not that last one).  He was also the only guy who seemed to be able to control Jack Bauer, which probably qualifies you to be on this list anyway. Also, a crazy murdery wife. And a competent brother who made a good president in his own right. But he was no David Palmer. Few people are.

2. [tie] Josiah “Jed” Bartlett/Andy Shepard — The West Wing/The American President played by Martin Sheen/Michael Douglas.

This is a tie because you can’t truly separate these two characters, as they both personify Aaron Sorkin’s idealized White House full of competent, well-meaning people. Yes, it’s a fantasy in itself. But it’s one we wish we had.

Still one of my favorite tv shows of all time and one of my favorite movies of all time. Also, I think it’s time to reboot The West Wing. Sorkin said he’d reboot it with Sterling K. Brown as president, but I think we could do even better. Pitch: It’s the first two years of President Seaborn’s first term. Except President Seaborn is actually Sam’s wife, and she’s played by, oh, I dunno. . . Gina Torres, Eva Mendes, Eva Longoria, or Rosario Dawson.  Who’s with me?

Honorable mention here to President Santos, our first Latino fictional president.

1. Laura Roslin — Battlestar Galactica played by Mary McDonnell.

A lot of fictional presidents have faced down apocalyptic threats to Earth. Few of them have had to live on after the apocalypse.

Laura Roslin did that and more. Despite being completely unintentionally thrown into the presidency (she was a schoolteacher and Sec of Education before) she filled the role like few others could. And she held her own against Adama, against Tom Zarek, against those fraking cylons, and finally against cancer. She made mistakes along the way, but she rose to what she needed to do. And that is why she is the best. So say we all.

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So, who did we miss? There’s a couple intentionally left off here for very real, non fictional reasons, but if we missed your favorite, or think we rated someone too high or too low, let us know in the comments!

DC Announces Metropolis, a New Live Action TV Series to Debut on DC’s Digital Service

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Batman before Batman = Gotham. Superman before Superman = Kryprton… and Metropolis!? DC Entertainment has announced a weekly live action series that explores the City of Tomorrow, Metropolis. The series will be set before the arrival of a certain Man of Steel and will follow Lois Lane and Lex Luthor as they “investigate the world of fringe science and expose the city’s dark and bizarre secrets.”

The series will air exclusively on DC’s upcoming digital service which will also be the home of the live action Titans series.

The series will explore the City of Tomorrow, before the emergence of Superman and establish the world leading up to his arrival. The concept sounds familiar, because it’s the same concept as Gotham and executive producers of that show, John Stephens and Danny Cannon, will oversee this. Cannon will direct the first episode from a teleplay by Stephens, and story by Cannon and Stephens.

With the series setting, the tone of the show should be much different than its similar in concept sister show with a science fiction tone.

In addition to Metropolis and Titans, the new DC digital service will also have two animated series, Young Justice: Outsiders and Harley Quinn.

Metropolis, which will debut in 2019, has received a direct-to-series order for a first season of 13 episodes and will go into production later this year.

Knight Models Adds Superman, Lexcorp, and Doomsday to their DC and Batman Miniature Games

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Knight Models has revealed new miniatures for their DC Universe Miniature Game and Batman Miniature Game.

Superman joins the DC Universe Miniature Game with a version that allows you to make the traditional character as well as Kingdom Come and Red Son. Also, for those that pre-order Superman before May 30th, they’ll receive a free World’s Finest Card that teams Superman up with Batman.

The DC Universe Miniature Game also gets some villains in the form of General Zod, Faora, and Nam-Ek, as well as Doomsday. The game also gets some markers to go along with your Red Son Superman.

The World’s Finest team up is also the company’s first Battle Pack! Battle Packs are bite-sized expansions for the Batman Miniature Game, containing new crews, rules, traits, and options. Battle Pack add even more depth to your favorite tabletop game, allowing you to explore alternative timelines, character variants and stories from the archives of Batman, his allies, and his enemies.

The rules presented in this Battle Pack are completely official. Remember, however, that models of the Legend rank may not be allowed in organized play games, such as a Batmatch, unless specified otherwise.

In this Battle Pack you will find new rules representing the characters and events from the iconic World’s Finest mini-series. Here you will find new character cards, representing two powerful teams for the Batman Miniature Game, as well as all the special rules you need to use them.

The Batman Miniature Game gets a new gang with the LexCorp Industries pack as well as the LexCorp Heavy Trooper. The gang also gets some markers to help you keep track of things.

You can order all of them now.

President Luthor and President Trump are More Similar Than You Think

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lex-luthor-for-president“The most controversial election of all time!” That was a marketing line for the storyline run by DC Comics that saw Lex Luthor elected President of the United States in the DC Universe. Collected in the “President Lex” trade paperback, the story ran through the various series of the time from an impressive collection of creators. Having recently reread the collection, it’s a frighteningly prescient story far ahead of its time, primarily because it could have easily been talking about the recent election of Donald Trump.

Opening up with “The Why” by writer Greg Rucka and artist Matthew Clark, we get the motivations of Lex Luthor’s run as he makes an announcement about his decision to run. Surrounded by the Superman logo, we’re presented with a Lex Luthor whose ego has clearly been hurt and driven by a need to be in the spotlight. In a mostly wordless six pages we get a sense that Luthor is driven for his competition with the Man of Steel and needing to be in the spotlight and in charge. That sound familiar?

In 2012 it was reported that Trump’s decision to run was made partially due to his humiliation at a White House Correspondent’s dinner. According to Republican trickster Roger Stone, Trump’s motivation was partially an “I’ll show him” attitude to President Obama and the shade thrown Trump’s way at the event. It’s ego to him, and we’ve seen from his outbursts and Twitter tirades, the man is all ego. But that simple coincidence isn’t all when it comes to the Presidential run, and win, for the two celebrity businessmen turned politicians.

One of the biggest decisions a Presidential nominee can make is their Vice Presidential choice. In Trump’s case, it was Indiana Governor Mike Pence. In Luthor’s it is former Kansas Senator Pete Ross. In a weird coincidence, a real life Pete Ross ran for Shadow Senator for Washinton, DC. So, in both cases we have a “big city” businessman choosing a mid-west politician as their running mate.

As part of the story Luthor is accused of harming Atlantis with some technology and after “going to trial” he talks his way out of it with a settlement and offers to pay reparations for the damage done. Trump has at least 75 lawsuits against him and his businesses and infamously settled the Trump University case during his Presidential run.

While lots of empty talk continues, action hasn’t been taken to help the people of Flint, Michigan and the water crisis occurring there. Due to neglect and outright criminal action, the water is poisoned for the people and damage done to those who have already ingested so much of it. The people of Suicide Slum in Metropolis too have been hurt with water poisoned from Luthor’s upgrading of the city with alien technology. While some areas benefit, Suicide Slum is left behind by those in charge, the people left to rot.

Luthor’s business is much like Trump’s as well. Lex Luthor has Lex Tower, Trump has Trump Tower, both ruling out of it. Luthor turns over his company to Talia Head (actually Talia Al Ghul), but he doesn’t really give up control instead dealing with Talia directly.

The election itself has many parallels. The outcome isn’t a blowout, resulting in a close election going on well into the night, a reality of the Trump/Clinton race. Luthor, like Trump, plays the media to not just make over his persona but deliver his message to the people with free air time. Perry White on the other hand, ponders if there was more they could have done as the fourth estate during the election itself, a similar introspection that existed within the media after Trump’s election.

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That hand-wringing extends to Superman and Batman. Both at a point debate if they should intervene to dig up dirt on Luthor. Superman is the the one who doesn’t want to, believing in the process and letting it play out, an attitude reflected by many who say we need to “stand with the President” and “give him a chance.”

aquaman-head-of-statePost election there are similarities. Luthor’s election is met with protests and he threatens to out Batman and his allies’ identities by using the NSA, FBI, CIA, and more. While we haven’t seen Trump directly do that, there’s some oddness concerning the current issues between the Trump administration and the intelligence community.

But, there’s a foreign policy move that’s odd. In one issue as part of the collection, Aquaman tells Superman that Luthor is the first world leader to reach out to Atlantis and take it seriously as a nation. The extended hand is something reminiscent of current talks with Russia and Trump’s willingness to praise the country so many see as an adversary. It’s a break in the previous foreign policy and one might argue, the right policy. Today, it would be easy to see the parallels, but this was originally published in 2000 and 2001.

What does the story tell us about President Trump’s future? President Luthor was impeached due to his going insane and trying to kill Superman. This was after a fairly competent run though. We haven’t seen that same competence out of President Trump, but talks of impeachment swirl about a month into his Presidency.

Entertainment Earth Spotlight: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Lex Luthor Pin Mate

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Don’t let his small size fool you! Measuring 2-inches tall, this miniature Lex Luthor wooden Pin Mate figure is ready to create big problems for Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. Designed in a retro style featuring 360-degree artwork, the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Lex Luthor Pin Mate is number 16 in the series. Order yours today!

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This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site.

Knight Models Adds Batman & Robin, Lex Luthor, Black Adam, and more

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Knight Models has revealed their December releases for the DC Universe Miniature Game and the Batman Miniature Game.

The DC Universe Miniature Game is a recent release and “reskin” of the Marvel Universe Miniature Game which they’ve dubbed the “Super Hero Universe.” It’s first released featured Batman v Superman versions of DC’s trinity of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. The three get some new villains to battle in the forms of Lex Luthor in his Warsuit and Black Adam.

dc-universe-miniature-game-black-adam dc-universe-miniature-game-lex-luthorNot to be out done the Batman Miniature Game gets some love too with quite a few new releases. New for the game are Reaper, Aaron Cash & Quick Response Team, Mr. Freeze’s Thug Set I, a new Batman and Robin, and some templates.

bmg-aaron-cash-quick-response-team bmg-batman-robin bmg-mr-freezes-thugs bmg-reaper bmg-template-set-ii

New Diamond Select Toys: Alien, Batman, Marvel, Predator and TMNT!

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The new issue of Previews is in comic shops now, and pre-orders are open at your local store for the newest batch of items from Diamond Select Toys! Check out the first Dragon Age Select action figure, new Minimates from Alien, Predator and TMNT; a new bank from Alien; new statues and busts from the Marvel and DC Animated universes; a new Back to the Future mini-vehicle; and a new Marvel Retro Cloth action figure set! Plus, the return of a sold-out Marvel Select figure!

Alien Big Chap Vinyl Bust Bank

A Diamond Select Toys release! It’s very cold in space, so what better place to keep your cold hard cash than in this Alien bank? Based on the “Big Chap” xenomorph from the 1979 Alien movie, this approximately 8” long vinyl bust features detailed sculpting and paint, as well as a coin slot and access door that turn it into a fully functioning coin bank! Keep financial predators at bay! Packaged in a clear polybag. Sculpted by Eli Livingston! (Item #FEB162463, SRP: $22.99)

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Aliens Minimates Mini-Figures Series 3 Asst.

A Diamond Select Toys release! Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the Nostromo, DST has returned to the doomed space ship for a full assortment of Minimates based on the original Alien movie! This assortment of two-packs features Narcissus Ripley with Narcissus Space Suit, Space Suit Dallas with Space Suit Lambert, Ash with Frozen Alien and a rare, one-per-case variant set of Battle-Damaged Ash with Frozen Alien! Each 2” Minimates mini-figure features 14 points of articulation, and features fully interchangeable parts. Each two-pack is packaged on a full-color blister card. (Item #FEB162464, SRP: $9.99/ea.

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Batman The Animated Series Gallery Batman 9” PVC Figure

A Diamond Select Toys release! He is vengeance! He is the night! He is Batman, the first Batman: The Animated Series Gallery figure from DST! Based on his appearance in Batman: The Animated Series, this 9-inch scale static PVC figure of Batman depicts him alighting on a rooftop, with a Batarang at the ready. Batman is in scale to previously released Femme Fatales PVC figures, including Batgirl and Catwoman, and is sculpted with a high level of detail with exacting paint applications. Packaged in a full-color window box. Sculpted by Varner Studios! (Item #FEB162458, SRP: $45.00

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Back to the Future 30th Ann. Minimates Hover Time Machine Mini-Vehicle

A Diamond Select Toys release! Where you’re going, you don’t need roads! Why? Because this mini-vehicle of the Time Machine from Back to the Future Part II is in hover mode, that’s why! With its tires locked in hover position, this 4-inch Time Machine glides across the floor on a second set of hidden wheels, and its gull-wing doors open to seat two Minimates mini-figures. It even comes with a new mini-figure of Future Doc Brown in his wraparound sunglasses, plus a brand-new, non-poseable micro-figure of his dog, Einstein! Doc features 14 points of articulation and has fully interchangeable parts. Packaged in a full-color blister card. (Item #FEB162472, SRP: 19.99)

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Batman The Animated Series Premier Collection Poison Ivy Statue

A Diamond Select Toys release! Every villain has that time they “almost got” Batman, and Poison Ivy is no different. Based on her appearance in the classic Batman: The Animated Series episode “Almost Got ‘Im,” this approximately 12” resin statue depicts the plant-loving Pamela Isley wearing a black outfit and holding one of her poisonous pumpkins, while standing in Gotham City’s pumpkin patch. Limited to only 3,000 pieces, this resin statue comes packaged in a full-color box with a certificate of authenticity. Sculpted by Clayburn Moore! (Item #FEB162457, SRP: $150.00)

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Dragon Age Inquisition Select Morrigan Action Figure

A Diamond Select Toys release! From out of the world of Thedas comes the first-ever Select action figure based on the hit video game series Dragon Age! This 7-inch scale figure of Morrigan, a Witch of the Wilds, features approximately 16 points of articulation, as well as an accessory of her trademark staff and a diorama base. It comes packaged in the display-ready Select packaging, with side panel art for shelf reference. Sculpted by Gentle Giant Studios! (Item #FEB162473, SRP: $24.99)

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Marvel Gallery Lady Deadpool 9” PVC Figure

A Diamond Select Toys release! She’s beautiful! She’s deadly! She’s Lady Deadpool, and she’s the newest Marvel Gallery PVC figure based on the heroes and heroines of the Marvel Universe! The most lethal of the Marvel ladies so far, Lady Deadpool stands approximately 9” tall and wields twin katana swords and a pretty killer ponytail atop a small diorama base. She is in scale to Captain Marvel, Lady Thor, and all other Marvel Gallery PVC figures. Packaged in a full-color window box. Sculpted by Alejandro Pereira! (Item #FEB162462. SRP: $45.00)

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Marvel Retro Cloth Daredevil Action Figure Gift Set

A Diamond Select Toys release! Finally, the devil has come to the Marvel Retro line! Never released in the classic Mego toy line of yester-year, streetwise superhero Daredevil is the latest Marvel character to get the Retro action figure treatment from DST! This gift set features one classically-styled red-costume Daredevil figure, in a vintage-style box, plus two additional heads and outfits: his original yellow costume and his alter ego, blind lawyer Matt Murdock! With interchangeable heads, hands, costumes and accessories, you can display your Daredevil however you want! Packaged in a full-color gift tray with a booklet about Daredevil, retro-style figures, and the creation process! Designed and sculpted by EMCE Toys! (Item #FEB162460, SRP: $80.00)

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Predator Minimates Series 2 Two-Pack Asst.

A Diamond Select Toys release! Time to head back to the jungle, for another assortment of Predator Minimates! This all-new assortment of 2-inch Minimates mini-figures features characters from all three Predator films! Royce from Predators comes with that film’s Berserker Predator, Predator’s Blain comes with Predator 2’s Shaman Predator, and Predator’s First Appearance Dutch faces off with the Cloaked Jungle Predator. Plus, be on the lookout for the rare, one-per-case variant set of Final Battle Dutch and Cloaked Jungle Predator! Each Minimate features 14 points of articulation and fully interchangeable parts, and each two-pack comes on a full-color blister card. (Item #FEB162471, SRP: $9.99/ea.)

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Superman The Animated Series Lex Luthor Resin Bust

A Diamond Select Toys release! Everyone has their heroes, and to some, that hero is Lex Luthor! Determined to expose the alien Superman for the false god he really is, the focus of Metropolis businessman Lex Luthor is captured in this approximately 6-inch resin bust, which places him on a pedestal inspired by the architecture of his city in Superman: The Animated Series. Limited to 3,000 pieces, this numbered bust comes packaged in a full-color box with a certificate of authenticity. Sculpted by Varner Studios! (Item #FEB162459, SRP: $59.99)

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Minimates Foil Bag Series 4 Counter Display

A Diamond Select Toys release! The newest series of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Minimates is out of this world! Based on the newest season of the hit Nickelodeon animated series, this counter display of 18 foil-bagged mini-figures includes nine different characters: Space Leonardo, Space Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo, Fugitoid, Triceraton, Exo-Armor Kraang, and rare, exclusive figures of Baxter Stockman and Oroku Saki! There’s a full set in each display, and multiple army-building Kraangs and Triceratons! Each Minimates mini-figure features up to 14 points of articulation, as well as fully interchangeable parts. (Item #FEB162474, SRP: $5.99/ea.)

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Offered Again:

Marvel Select Venom Action Figure

A Diamond Select Toys release! Back by popular demand, it’s what many have called the greatest Venom action figure ever made! This 7-inch scale action figure of symbiotic Spider-man foe Venom features 16 points of articulation and almost a dozen interchangeable parts, including hands, heads, a removable tongue, and a back attachment, so you can re-create his classic, modern and “Madness” appearances! Packaged in the display-ready Select packaging, with side panel artwork for easy shelf reference. Don’t miss out on this sought-after figure! Sculpted by Jean St. Jean! (Item #AUG121762, SRP: $24.99)

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Sideshow Launches Lex Luthor ­‐ Power Suit Premium Format Figure

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Metropolis and Superman’s greatest arch-nemesis! Sideshow has released the Lex Luthor – Power Suit Premium Format Figure!

Luthor is suited up in his massive metallic green and purple battle armor that features light up effects in the chest. The figure stands at a colossal 26″ atop a LexCorp tower themed base.

An exclusive version features an additional right hand holding Kryptonite.

You can own this premium figure now for $529.99 or with a payment plan for as little as $59.62/month.

 

 

 

 

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site.

Review: Grayson #10

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GRAY_Cv10_ds_55ad2c6ecbadc8_02661129“Bird without a net”

We open up where last issue left off, at the museum during the aftermath of the daring heist on the Duchess.  Our hero Dick Grayson Super Secret Agent Spy (or Agent 37 to you cool kids) is currently making his exit stage left with a smile and witty quips in tow.

While making his escape he is talking to his Director (the lovely former Huntress: Helena Bertanelli) as she informs him that someone is killing fellow agents and making it look like he’s the one doing it. Naturally Dick knows this isn’t true so he sets off to clear his good name.

Meanwhile back at the scene of the crime, Agent 1 is clearing the cobwebs having just been knocked for a loop by his fellow cohort and is not happy. Before he can collect his thoughts he has a brawl with museum security (seriously?) and dispatches them very swiftly. He thinks to himself that Dick has had it easy under the tutillage of “some billionaire”. (We all know who that is, and it ain’t Donald Trump) Short story even shorter, he vows vengeance. He contacts Director Bertanelli and asks for permission to eliminate Dick, with extreme prejudice. She does not comply with his wish, and he accuses her being too “involved” with this agent. (Quick way to get your butt stuck on latrine duty, fella.) She tells Agent 1 that she will be handling Dick personally.

Grayson10_2(You’ve got to love that splash page, this team really gets Dick Grayson!)

We then switch gears to a remote bistro, where Dick is enjoying a nice latte and he receives the company of the most unexpected guest: The man who “murdered” him (back in Forever Evil #6) Lex Luthor.

Lex rocks Mr. Grayson’s world by telling him that not only did he know he was still alive, but it’s his company’s technology that SPYRAL has been using on all his missions. He then tells Dick to hand over the Kryptonite that was procured from the neck of the Duchess. Dick laughs and refuses, saying he will not hand over such a dangerous substance to a Super Villain. Lex enlightens him that the world at large no longer considers him as such. He is now a card-carrying member of the Justice League of America! He also informs Dick that he knows Bruce’s secret and that Batman is gone.

Dick still refuses and after a few “Mr. Clean” jokes tries to leave when Luthor drops another bombshell. The hypnosis training that Dick received becoming Agent 37, is his to control. He makes a rather crude demonstration by making Dick attempt to grab the derriere of the barista walking by. Knowing that sexual lawsuits are bad mojo for Super Secret Agents he does the only sensible thing, and splashes hot coffee in Luthor’s face and jumps off the cliff!

lexLex then states he killed him once, he can do it again. Dick hops in his ultra cool spy plane and has a quick duel with Lex’s attack drones and escapes. He realizes at this point that even though he hates it, there is some truth to what Lex said. At this point he attempts to reach out to Bruce one more time and fails. He sets course for Rome for answers.

Overall: The remainder of the issue is a conversation between Helena and Agent 1 and we leave off again on a cliffhanger that makes you want to come back next month. I am really digging this series and it feels like I’m watching a TV show in its sophomore season. I love the art, the story is strong and having the long-awaited confrontation between Dick and Lex was fantastic. As I read that scene I envisioned Michael Rosenbaum’s performance as Lex from Smallville TV show. (The best live action version of the character, until you prove me wrong Jesse) This issue was another great “episode” for me, but it went by far too quickly. I can’t wait to see where it all goes.

So while I prefer my beverages neither shaken nor stirred, I prefer my spy stories Grayson style straight up with a twist. Till next month folks, stay safe and don’t blow your cover.

Agent H… out.

Story: Tom King and Tim Seeley Art: Mikel Janin
Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

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