Tag Archives: superman smashes the klan

Around the Tubes

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Absolute Carnage #4

The weekend is almost here and we’re heading to Baltimore Comic Con! What geeky things will you all be doing this weekend. Sound off in the comments below. While you wait for the weekday to end and weekend to begin, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web.

CBR – Deadpool 3: Disney Has Signed Off on R-Rated Sequels, Writers Say – When a film does that well in return on investment, this is a no shit.

Reviews

Newsarama – Absolute Carnage #4
Newsarama – Spider-Man #2
Comics Bulletin – Superman Smashes the Klan #1
Newsarama – Superman Smashes the Klan #1
Comics Bulletin – X-Men #1

Review: Superman Smashes the Klan #1

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Superman Smashes the Klan #1

Writer Gene Luen Yang is an ambassador of comic storytelling (literally). Superman Smashes the Klan #1 is a prime example why. Inspired by the 1940s Superman radio serial, the comic is a retro story in a way. Superman fights a KKK like organization who wants a new Chinese family to leave the neighborhood.

Yang is an amazing writer who infuses his own personal history, and history in general, with compelling stories. They can be enjoyed on a surface level or in a deeper way. They also often make you think.

Superman Smashes the Klan #1 is an example of his talent with an almost innocent style about it. It’s clear who the bad guys are and who the hero is. There’s no ambiguity about that. There’s a childlike clarity to it. With two children, Tommy and Roberta Lee, as the main characters, it’s fitting the story has this tone and sense of right and wrong.

Characters are depicted of the time with racist and now cringeworthy words coming out of their mouths. It captures the pervasive racism of the time and thought that anyone not white (which itself was defined differently then) was other. That’s on display here.

The story too gets Superman back to his roots. When he debuted in 1939 he fought crooked landlords and politicians not supervillains and here his battling hooded racists is on that level. There’s clearly more to come infusing a sci-fi aspect to it as the comic opens with him battling a Nazi powered by Kryptonite.

The art has a hint of Fleischer’s iconic Superman cartoons and Darwyn Cooke’s Justice League: New Frontier. Gurihiru’s art is amazing with an animated quality about it. There’s an innocence and such pure style about it that it makes the more uncomfortable scenes that much more so. Roberta Lee is adorable in so many ways, not just Yang’s writing, but Gurihiru’s detail in her body language. It’s just beyond perfect in so many ways.

This is an amazing release that exceeds expectations in every way and near perfection, if not achieving it. Beyond the story, Yang delivers a history of the KKK in the United States including some of his personal experiences with racism. In a world with right-wing fascism, hatred on the rise, and it all front and center, to have Nazi/racist punching so clear is a breath of fresh air. Superman is a symbol for fighting for what’s right and this comic embodies that clearly in every way.

Story: Gene Luen Yang Art: Gurihiru Letters: Janice Chiang
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

Preview: Superman Smashes the Klan #1 (of 3)

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Superman Smashes the Klan #1 (of 3)

(W) Gene Luen Yang (A/CA) Gurihiru
In Shops: Oct 16, 2019
SRP: $7.99

The year is 1946, and the Lee family has moved from Metropolis’ Chinatown to the center of the bustling city. While Dr. Lee is greeted warmly in his new position at the Metropolis Health Department, his two kids, Roberta and Tommy, are more excited about being closer to their famous hero, Superman!

While Tommy adjusts to the fast pace of the city, Roberta feels out of place, as she tries and fails to fit in with the neighborhood kids. As the Lees try to adjust to their new lives, an evil is stirring in Metropolis: the Ku Klux Klan. When the Lee family awakens one night to find a burning cross on their lawn, they consider leaving town. But the Daily Planet offers a reward for information on the KKK, and their top two reporters, Lois Lane and Clark Kent, dig into the story.

When Tommy is kidnapped by the KKK, Superman leaps into action-with help from Roberta! But Superman is still new to his powers-he hasn’t even worked out how to fly yet, so he has to run across town. Will Superman and Roberta reach Tommy in time?

Inspired by the 1940s Superman radio serial “Clan of the Fiery Cross,” Gene Luen Yang (American Born Chinese, Boxers and Saints, The Terrifics, New Super-Man) presents his personal retelling of the adventures of the Lee family as they team up with Superman to smash the Klan.

Superman Smashes the Klan #1 (of 3)

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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X-Men #1

Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!

Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.

Absolute Carnage #4 (Marvel) – The event has been going strong and we really want to see where it all goes as it gets bigger and bigger as far as characters involved.

Crazy #1 (Marvel) – Celebrating 80 years of Marvel with this bit of a throwback comic.

Killswitch #1 (Action Lab: Danger Zone) – The concept kind of sounds like Minority Report but the idea of clairvoyants looking to escape captivity still sounds interesting enough to check out.

Marked #1 (Image Comics) – A double-sized premiere about a secret order that protects the world by using their tattooed powers.

The Mask: I Pledge Allegiance to the Mask #1 (Dark Horse) – The Mask is back with what sounds like a timely political spin to it.

Metal Men #1 (DC Comics) – The classic characters get a twelve issue miniseries and picks up on Nth Metal and the Dark Multiverse. We’re intrigued.

Once & Future #3 (BOOM! Studios) – Kieron Gillen and Dan Mora have been killing it with this modern fantasy series. Great action and great characters with an interesting twist.

Robotech Remix #1 (Titan Comics) – The next step in the Robotech franchise. We’re excited to see what Brenden Fletcher does with it!

Something is Killing the Children #2 (BOOM! Studios) – Children dying in towns seems to be a big “genre” now but this series stands out with it’s delivery on the topic. Just a solid mix of mystery and horror.

Superman Smashes the Klan #1 (DC Comics) – We’ve wanted to read this since it was announced. The series is inspired by the famous 1940s radio serial.

Superman: Year One #3 (DC Comics) – Frank Miller and John Romita Jr.’s take on Superman wraps up and after a gonzo and cringey second issue…

Tales From the Dark Multiverse: Batman Knightfall #1 (DC Comics) – DC launches a new line of comics that takes major DC events and shows us the Dark Multiverse take on them. We’re excited for all of this.

Trees: Three Fates #2 (Image Comics) – The first issue returned us to the world of “Trees” but that aspect seems to not matter as much. Three Fates is more murder mystery than sci-fi weirdness but with a unique setting and solid pacing, it’s a must for those that enjoy that type of story.

X-Men #1 (Marvel) – Dawn of X launches!

ALA 2019: DC Reveals a Massive Slate of Graphic Novels Geared Towards Young Adults and Middle Grade Readers Releasing Through 2021

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The 2019 convention for the American Library Association (ALA) kicked off with huge news that DC was consolidating its line under three “brands.” That left many to wonder about the future of the DC Zoom and DC Ink graphic novel lines. Launched last year, the new graphic novel imprints were focused on the young adult and middle grade readers and have been hits so far. DC followed up those concerns with an announcement of a slate of graphic novel releases aimed at those young adult and middle grade readers.

These graphic novels continue the focus on stories not part of DC’s ongoing continuity making them accessible to new fans. The releases also focus on the original mandate of YA titles being about “everyday aspirations, struggles, and triumphs,” while the middle grade releases being focused on stories about “friends, family, and growing up.”

Spring 2020 Lineup

Young Adult Titles

  • Gotham High – Written by Melissa de la Cruz and illustrated by Thomas Pitilli (February 2020)
  • The Oracle Code – Written by Marieke Nijkamp and illustrated by Manuel Preitano (March 2020)

Middle Grade Titles

  • Green Lantern: Legacy – Written by Minh Lê and illustrated by Andie Tong (January 2020)                       
Batman Tales: Once Upon a Crime
Zatanna & the House of Secrets
  • Batman: Overdrive – Written by Shea Fontana and illustrated by Marcelo DiChiara (March 2020)
Batman: Overdrive
DC Super Hero Girls: Powerless
  • Anti/Hero – Written by Kate Karyus Quinn and Demitria Lunetta and illustrated by Maca Gil (April 2020)
  • ArkhaManiacs – Written by Art Baltazar and Franco and illustrated by Art Baltazar (April 2020)
ArkhaManiacs
My Video Game Ate My Homework

Upcoming Titles Debuting in 2020 and 2021

  • Upcoming Young Adult Titles (Not all titles are final)
    • Catwoman: Soulstealer – Adapted by Louise Simonson from Sarah J. Maas’ DC Icon prose novel and illustrated by Samantha Dodge
    • Galaxy: The Prettiest Star – Written by Jadzia Axelrod and illustrated by Cait Zellers
    • House of El Book 1 – Written by Claudia Gray and illustrated by Eric Zawadzki
    • I Am Not Starfire—Written by Mariko Tamaki
    • Mister Miracle – Written by Varian Johnson
    • Nubia – Written by L.L. McKinney and illustrated by Robyn Smith
    • Swamp Thing – Written by Maggie Stiefvater and illustrated by Morgan Beem           
    • Teen Titans: Beast Boy – Written by Kami Garcia and illustrated by Gabriel Picolo
    • Victor & Nora: A Mr. Freeze Story – Written by Lauren Myracle and illustrated by Isaac Goodhart
    • Whistle – Written by E. Lockhart and illustrated by Manuel Preitano
    • Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed – Written by Laurie Halse Anderson and illustrated by Leila del Duca
    • You Brought Me the Ocean – Written by Alex Sanchez and illustrated by Julie Maroh
    • Zatanna: The Jewel of Gravesend – Written by Alys Arden and illustrated by Jacquelin De Leon
  • Upcoming Middle Grade Titles (Not all titles are final)                         
    • Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld – Written by Shannon and Dean Hale
    • Batman and Robin…and Howard – Written and illustrated by Jeffrey Brown
    • DC Super Hero Girls – Written by Amy Wolfram
    • Dear Super-Villains – Written by Michael Northrop and illustrated by Gustavo Duarte
    • Green Arrow: Stranded – Written by Brendan Deneen and illustrated by Caleb Hosalla
    • Indestructibles Book 1—Written by Ridley Pearson
    • Lois Lane – Written by Grace Ellis and illustrated by Brittney Williams
    • Metropolis Grove – Written and illustrated by Drew Brockington
    • Primer – Written by Thomas Krajewski and Jennifer Muro and illustrated by Gretel Lusky
    • Superman Smashes the Klan – Written by Gene Luen Yang and illustrated by Gurihiru
    • Super Sons Book 3: Escape to Landis – Written by Ridley Pearson and illustrated by Ile Gonzalez          
    • Teen Titans Go! to Camp – Written by Sholly Fisch
    • Teen Titans Go! Roll with It – Written by Heather Nuhfer and P.C. Morrissey 
    • The Mystery of the Meanest Teacher: A Johnny Constantine Graphic Novel – Written by Ryan North and illustrated by Derek Charm

More Details on DC Ink and DC Zoom, Two New Graphic Novel Lines from DC Entertainment

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Last night we brought the news that DC Entertainment would be launching two new graphic novel imprints, DC Ink and DC Zoom.

The new graphic novels line will be focused on young adult readers, DC Ink, and middle grade readers, DC Zoom.

We’ll see the first titles released in Fall 2018 and now have an even fuller list of what we’ll be seeing.

  • Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass by Mariko Tamaki and Steve Pugh
  • Mera by Danielle Paige
  • DC Super Hero Girls: Search For Atlantis by Shea Fontana and Yancey Labat

Set to follow in 2019:

DC Ink

  • Batman: Gotham High by Melissa de la Cruz
  • Batman: Nightwalker – The Graphic Novel by Marie Lu
  • Teen Titans by Kami Garcia
  • Under the Moon: A Catwoman Tale by Lauren Myracle
  • Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed by Laurie Halse Anderson

 

 

 

DC Zoom

  • Batman Tales: Once Upon A Crime by Derek Fridolfs and Dustin Nguyen
  • Batman: Overdrive by Shea Fontana
  • Black Canary Ignite by Meg Cabot
  • Dear Justice League by Michael Northrop
  • Green Lantern: Legacy by Minh Lê
  • Super Sons by Ridley Pearson
  • Superman of Smallville by Art Baltazar and Franco
  • Superman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yang which will be released as periodicals first, then collected.

DC Entertainment Announces Two New Graphic Novel Imprints Aimed at Young Readers

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DC Zoom and DC Ink are the two new graphic novel imprints announced by DC Entertainment this weekend. DC Zoom will feature stories for middle school readers while DC Ink will be focused on young adults.

The new imprints will also team up with young adult writers including Laurie Halse Anderson, Melissa de la Cruz, Michael Northrop, and Ridley Pearsen.

DC Ink will kick off with two graphic novels, one featuring Harley Quinn being written by Mariko Tamaki and art by Steve Pugh. The other will feature Mera and will be written by Danielle Paige with an artist yet to be announced. DC Zoom will debut with DC Super Hero Girls: Search for Atlantis by Shea Fontana and Yancey Labat.

Also announced was Gene Luen Yang‘s book, Superman Smashes the Klan. The title sounds like a throwback to the classic Superman radio show which took on the Klan. Ridley Pearson will write a Super Sons graphic novel featuring Jonathan Kent and Damian Wayne. Pearson’s story will tackle climate change and introduce a new character named Candice, who discovers she belongs to an African dynasty.

The announced lineup reflects the female readers of middle grade and Y.A. novels. They’ll be free from complicated continuity.

The focus isn’t superhero stories but character studies. The middle grader focused adventures will be “characters who are figuring out the world around them, including dealing with parents and teachers” while the young adult graphic novels will focus on “questions of personal identity, with budding heroes deciding what paths they will take.”

The softcover Zoom graphic novels will cost $9.99 for 128 pages with the Ink books retailing for $16.99 for 192 pages.

(via The New York Times)

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