Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Atomic acCount for July, 2010

Sorry I skipped another "Silver Age Sunday," but production on all my blogs is slowing to a crawl this week. May will be a better month for the newly renamed but not yet revamped "Power of the Atom blog, I promise...



First off, some modifications to this column. I'll try to offer up random links along with solicitations, as well as extended commentary on each product. For instance, we no longer have to worry about the future of Ray Palmer. He's getting a one-shot special in July, followed by become the co-feature in Adventure Comics. Meanwhile, Ryan Choi fans should start sweating bullets. The Atom's new writer speaks out in the CBR interview Lemire Embiggens Ray Palmer. The gist of it is no more bellyaching about Jean or anything else, and just getting down to Silver Age revivalist adventuring. Jeff Lemire seems very fond of the early stories, and is backing away from the right-wing hardliner of recent years.

The creators of "Brightest Day" also had things to say. Several fans asked after the status of the "new" Firestorm and Atom now that Ronnie Raymond and Ray Palmer had come back. The panel played coy on the issue of the Atoms and how many there would be, though Johns noted that in terms of "Brightest Day," "Jason and Ronnie don't like each other."


BRIGHTEST DAY: THE ATOM SPECIAL #1
On sale JULY 7
32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art by MAHMUD ASRAR & WALDEN WONG
Cover by GARY FRANK
Discover all-new allies, enemies and adventure as The Atom leaps from the pages of BRIGHTEST DAY into this one-shot special! Rising stars Jeff Lemire (SWEET TOOTH) and Mahmud Asrar (Avengers: The Initiative) update the Atom’s origin and kick off the tiny titan’s next major story, which continues this month in ADVENTURE COMICS #516 (see page 87). If you thought you knew Ray Palmer, then think again! The smallest hero in the DCU is about to become one of its biggest, and the excitement starts right here!

Intriguing writer, a really swell artist who has done good by "Dynamo 5," and the launching pad for Ray Palmer's future. Why wouldn't you buy this?

ADVENTURE COMICS #516
On sale JULY 14
40 pg, FC, $3.99 US
Written by PAUL LEVITZ
Co-Feature written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art by KEVIN SHARPE & WAYNE FAUCHER
Co-Feature art by MAHMUD ASRAR
Cover by SCOTT CLARK & DAVID BEATY
ADVENTURE COMICS returns to its historical numbering with this issue just in time for Paul Levitz to retell the Legion’s origins! Everything begins on a somber note reflecting on the past with “The Last Will and Testament of R.J. Brande”!
Also, this issue begins an all-new co-feature starring The Atom, which continues the story begun in this month’s BRIGHTEST DAY: THE ATOM SPECIAL #1 as Jeff Lemire (SWEET TOOTH) launches Ray Palmer into an exciting new adventure smack-dab in the middle of the DCU.
According to Lemire, this will be the first of ten 10-page chapters. I dug Levitz's Legion from back in the day, but after Shooter was given the bum's rush following an under appreciated run, I was going to give this a pass. With the Atom, I've changed my mind, though you may prefer to wait for the inevitable 122 page trade in 2011. By the way, Kevin Sharpe is a solid artist in the 80s mode.

BRIGHTEST DAY #5-6
On sale JULY 7
On sale JULY 21
32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by GEOFF JOHNS & PETER J. TOMASI
Art by IVAN REIS, PATRICK GLEASON, ARDIAN SYAF, SCOTT CLARK & JOE PRADO
Cover by DAVID FINCH & SCOTT WILLIAMS
1:25 variant cover by IVAN REIS
Deadman discovers the truth behind the formation of the White Lantern and what it means to the twelve returnees and the rest of the DC Universe. Plus, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, Hawkman, Hawkgirl and Firestorm discover the price for their resurrections...and why they may be doing more harm than good to the world.
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
I'm still listing this, but be warned, Lemire says the Atom won't actually be getting much play in this series.

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #41
OOn sale JULY 21
32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art by MARK BAGLEY & NORM RAPMUND
Cover by MARK BAGLEY & JESUS MERINO
1:25 “DC 75th Anniversary” Variant cover by GEORGE PÉREZ
In part 2 of the JLA/JSA crossover, the Starheart has staked its claim on Alan Scott and his kids Jade and Obsidian! Can the combined might of the Justice Society and the Justice League break up the newly reunited family before they unwittingly unleash serious damage on the DC Universe?
Also features the second piece of the 5-part interconnecting cover by Mark Bagley and Jesus Merino!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
As far as I know, Ray Palmer is still in the Justice League at this point, though Robinson says he'll have had some characters taken against his will from his line-up by this point.

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #47
On sale JULY 28
40 pg, FC, $3.99 US
Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art by MARK BAGLEY, ROB HUNTER & NORM RAPMUND
Cover by MARK BAGLEY & JESUS MERINO
The BRIGHTEST DAY continues with Part 3 of the JLA/JSA crossover! Jade is back! But is her return a blessing or a curse? The powerful Starheart empowering Green Lantern Alan Scott is out of control and unleashing its chaotic energy across Earth. What has lured the Starheart here and what familiar threat must the World’s Greatest Heroes and the Justice Society of America team up to stop?
Also features the third piece of the 5-part interconnecting cover by Mark Bagley and Jesus Merino!

Ditto, and really, perhaps it would be for the best?

DC UNIVERSE LEGACIES #3
On sale JULY 21
3 of 10
40 pg, FC, $3.99 US
Written by LEN WEIN
Art by JOSE LUIS GARCIA-LOPEZ & DAVE GIBBONS with SCOTT KOLINS
Cover by JOSE LUIS GARCIA-LOPEZ & DAVE GIBBONS
1:25 Variant cover by DAVE GIBBONS
The evolution of the DC Universe continues as the Silver Age of Super Heroes dawns with the appearance of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and dozens more in the wake of the disappearance of the Golden Age heroes from active duty. Simultaneously, heroic humans without powers hold up their end of Earth’s defense as the Challengers of the Unknown and the Sea Devils emerge to lend a hand!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.

Al Pratt had his turn, and Ray's likely ascendant here.

BLACKEST NIGHT SERIES 8 ACTION FIGURES
The hugely successful BLACKEST NIGHT action figure line continues!
Included in this eighth installment of the series are: Black Lantern Black Flash, Professor Zoom’s reanimated corpse, holds curious sway over The Flash’s other undead rogues; Orange Lantern Lex Luthor, the new Orange Power Ring seeks out Lex Luthor for his avarice and lust for power; Indigo Tribe The Atom, with compassion and sense of duty stronger than ever, Ray Palmer serves as the binding force uniting the spectrum of power; Sinestro Corps Member Scarecrow, delights in instilling fear in others and is rewarded with the Yellow Ring of Power.
All four figures feature multiple points of articulation and include a display base. Character-appropriate accessories are also included.
Orange Lantern Lex Luthor - 6.75” h
Sinestro Corps Member Scarecrow - 6.5” h
Black Lantern Black Flash - 6.75” h
Indigo Tribe The Atom - 6.75” h
4-color clamshell blister card packaging.
On sale December 8, 2010
Action Figures
PI
I'm unwilling to shell out good money for the action figure representation of a variation on the Atom that lasted for a handful of comics, but I wouldn't hold your breath for a "Sword of" toy. This might be your best bet along those lines, and well executed besides.

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA: TEAM HISTORY HC
On sale September 8
192 pg, FC, $19.99 US
Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art and cover by MARK BAGLEY & ROB HUNTER
In this first volume collecting stories by James Robinson and Mark Bagley from issues #38-43, the JLA is reborn with a new roster of heroes: Batman, Green Lantern, The Atom, Green Arrow, Donna Troy, The Guardian, Cyborg, Mon-El, Starfire and Congorilla. Also in this volume, the BLACKEST NIGHT darkens the skies over the Justice League. Can the team get it together in time to survive the return of the undead, villainous Dr. Light?
Whether or not the Atom is still a member, he definitely appears here in reprint form!

Calenders
DC Comics 75 2011 16 Month Wall Calendar
Availibility:
Expected to ship in Aug-2010
Our Price: $11.99.

DC Comics 75 2011 Pop-Up Calendar
Availibility:
Expected to ship in Aug-2010
Our Price: $16.99

The Tiny Titan is on the preview art of the pop-up book, and hopefully will turn up in both, though likely really small.

3 comments:

The Irredeemable Shag said...

Frank - LOVE THE REDESIGN! It looks super-cool! You've kept the spirit of Damian's site but have made it your own. I really like it.

I didn't realize Ray was popping up in so many places! He's gonna keep you busy!

The Irredeemable Shag
http://onceuponageek.com
http://firestormfan.com

Diabolu Frank said...

Thanks Shag! "Power" is still in "beta" mode, as the logo and sidebar needs some work, the colors may not be final, and most importantly, I need to geberate more content. Still, it's feeling more like my own thing, and that added comfort should help get me rolling on this deal proper come May.

Count Drunkula said...

Great to see some updates, Frank. I can't wait to check this site as regularly as I do the Idol-Head, Aquaman Shrine, Firestorm and Hawkman blogs I always do now.

And that Lemire interview from CBR is great. I can't wait to read the one-shot and co-features in Adventure this year.