Saturday, October 30, 2010

Justice #8 (December, 2006)



The Atom had been studying the artificial worms found by his present friends Hawkman and Hawkgirl at the Fortress of Solitude. When Superman reported the involvement of Brainiac, it cinched the deduction the little buggers were alien in design. Millions of the critters had been inside the Man of Steel, controlled in tandem by a single extant intelligence. "That mind would need to be amplified well beyond even the specifications on Brainiac in the League's files. These machines seem to have limited capabilities for independent operation as well. They really are genius in their simplicity.

Green Lantern Hal Jordan finally made his way to the Fortress of Solitude, as a relieved Atom standing on Captain Marvel's shoulder offered, "I can't believe it. We all survived."

Red Tornado was in a sort of monitor womb, and announced that everybody's supporting cast had been kidnapped, including Jean Loring and Reddy's gals Kathy and Traya...

Continue the story through these character-specific posts:
"Chapter Eight" was plotted and painted by Alex Ross. The script was provided by Jim Krueger, and the penciled layouts by Doug Braithwaite.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

2010 "DCUniverse Vol.7: The Injustice Gang" Doctor Light by alexmax

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Deviant Artist alexmax has done a series of themed DC Universe group shots that I quite like, and even created an all-encompassing wallpaper that pays homage to the underrated Marvel Universe Series III card set. Of "DCUniverse Vol.7: The Injustice Gang" he said:

More Villains. This time, it's the Injustice Gang. I wanted to make a lineup with, what I feel are, the most iconic arch-enemies for each of these guys. Inspired in large part by what Grant Morrison did during the Rock of Ages storyline...

Alessandro included Dr. Light as a substitute parallel for Green Lantern Kyle Rayner, which I felt was a stretch. A case could be made for pitting him against Martian Manhunter as well. However, Ray Palmer was to my knowledge the first hero to fight the Justice League of America villain solo, and pitting two micro-specialized scientists against one another feels natural.

For more spotlights from this mural, see the following:

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Justice #7 (October, 2006)



Doc Magnus, having rebuilt Red Tornado, contacted Wonder Woman in her invisible jet with the android's report. Batman had betrayed the League, causing Tornado's dismantling and the destruction of the Justice League satellite.

As Hawkman ruthlessly smashed Brainiac bodies, Hawkgirl agreed with the Martian Manhunter that a conspiracy was afoot. Katar dropped a bomb down a Brainiac's throat, then hauled his wife through an exit before it exploded. "Next time, tell me. It's not a plan I can be a part of if I don't know what you're doing." Dismissing his partner, Hawkman caught one of the many worms raining down with the debris.

Red Tornado was joined by the Metal Men at the rendezvous point outside Superman's fortress of solitude. Batman greeted him with an extended hand and an apology. "I understand. We are all slaves to our programming." The Atom was presumably present or en route...

Continue the story through these character-specific posts:
"Chapter Seven" was plotted and painted by Alex Ross. The script was provided by Jim Krueger, and the penciled layouts by Doug Braithwaite.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

The Top 5 Major Force Covers



Major Clifford Zmeck is basically the evil version of the Post-Crisis Captain Atom. Having been rightfully incarcerated for violent crimes (especially against women) and liberated to take part in the same military program that gave Nathanial Adam his quantum-based powers, Major Force is one of the most dangerous sociopaths on the U.S. government's leash. He later became well known for killing newly minted Green Lantern Kyle Rayner's girlfriend Alexandra DeWitt, the original (and literal) woman in a refrigerator. Major Force also murdered the once and future Green Lantern Arisia, and was himself executed by Guy Gardner, but neither demise stuck.

More of Today's Cover Countdowns!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Atomic acCount for January, 2011



Jean Loring: Still Crazy After All These Years


TITANS #31
Written by ERIC WALLACE
Art and cover by FABRIZIO FIORENTINO
The Atom and the Justice League guest-star as Ray Palmer comes to some dark conclusions regarding Ryan Choi’s murder. Meanwhile, the Tattooed Man must finally decide what kind of man he is when Deathstroke hands him his son’s killer, while Osiris has already chosen his path in bringing back his sister Isis – but what will Osiris do when he runs into Shazam?
On sale JANUARY 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Woo- Ray's finally on to Deathstroke! Fight!

JLA/THE 99 #4
Written by STUART MOORE & FABIAN NICIEZA
Art by TOM DERENICK & DREW GERACI
Cover by FELIPE MASSAFERA
The monumental meeting between DC Comics’ JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA and Teshkeel Comics’ the 99 continues…
The alien invasion is putting a strain on the efforts made by the JLA and the 99! Firestorm has to contend with three startling additions to his matrix, while Hawkman disagrees with the 99’s approach to stopping the Noor Stone’s latest candidate. Rughal’s nefarious team-up with the space-born villain has successfully put the JLA and the 99 at odds unless Batman can find the one item that will end this assault on the two venerable super hero teams – and the Earth itself!
On sale JANUARY 26 • 4 of 6 • 32 pg, FC $2.99 US
Cover spot!

DC COMICS PRESENTS: THE ATOM #1
Written by STEVEN GRANT, TODD DEZAGO and RICH FABER
Art by GIL KANE, DREW JOHNSON, KLAUS JANSON and RAY SNYDER
Cover by TONY HARRIS
A villain who once battled Green Lantern Abin Sur returns to face The Atom and Hal Jordan in a tale from LEGENDS OF THE DC UNIVERSE #28-29! Plus, in a story from LOTDCU #40-41, The Atom battles Chronos, who’s trying to commandeer the Time Pool, forcing our hero to use both his super-powers and his professorial ability to inspire his students.
On sale JANUARY 19 • 96 pg, FC, $7.99 US
I'm debating buying this, but I remember Klaus Janson's inks butchering some of Gil Kane's last work, plus I could just buy the back issues for about a buck each.

Captain Atom
JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST #17-18
Written by JUDD WINICK
Issue #17 art by AARON LOPRESTI
Issue #18 art by JOE BENNETT
Covers by AARON LOPRESTI
1:10 Variant covers by KEVIN MAGUIRE
Max Lord’s plan is coming together in issue #17. The United Nations revokes Checkmate’s charter, Captain Atom is wanted for murder, and the JLI is still viewed as a colossal joke. Now the team will have to gather their wits to face a new enemy – Power Girl!
In issue #18, the JLI takes on former teammate Power Girl, but will they pull their punches? Meanwhile, Max Lord continues his interrogation and torture of Blue Beetle, and Batman’s investigation leads him to a discovery he would never have predicted!
Retailers please note: These issues will ship with two covers each. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
Issue #17 on sale JANUARY 12
Issue #18 on sale JANUARY 26
32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Justice #6 (August, 2006)



"Get back in bed, Mr. Palmer. You've been shot. You have to rest." Ray argued with Jean, explaining that no member of the Justice League had answered his signal, and that he was likely not the only target of a potentially lethal attack. Jean rebutted that both the League and herself need him at his best.

A statuesque red-headed nurse agreed with Ray's wife from the door of his hospital room. Loring left the hospital to get some sleep, explaining that she would swing by in the morning before work, because she's an icy bitch. This allowed the nurse the opportunity to give Ray another pillow, held tightly over his face. The nurse was pissed Ray wasn't dead by her bullet earlier, and really blew up when he reached for his size-altering belt. Literally, her body began to warp and expand like something out of Akira, smashing the hospital room in hopes of hitting the Atom.

The Mighty Mite didn't recognize Giganta as he dive-bombed her eye, sending the Wonder Woman villainess through a wall and down the side of the building. Giganta almost hit Jean along with her car as she landed hard on the street below, proving God's benevolence only extends so far. The Tiny Titan then hopped on his wife's shoulder. "I'm okay, honey. But I think I'm bleeding again."

Presumably, Jean muttered obscenities while calling her claims agent, as the Atom wondered if he was the last living Leaguer. Ray worried for the missing Green Lantern, Aquaman and the rest, considering this threat to friends and family "the high cost of doing the right thing." Ray managed to reach Wonder Woman in her invisible jet, who confirmed the Atom's suspicions, and directed him to meet at the team's secret rendezvous site...



Meanwhile, Carter and Shiera Hall changed into their Thanagarian gear to fly with the Martian Manhunter to Metropolis, where the Sleuth from Outer Space had tracked Toyman. Hawkman thanked J'Onn for his help, noting this would be his first visit to the city. Hawkgirl said the same.
"It better be."
"Ha. Don't worry Carter. Everyone knows you're my Superman."

The Manhunter from Mars left for other business, while the Hawks forced their way into a darkened warehouse. "Carter? ...Just in case. I love you." The pair was suddenly surrounded by a store's worth of demented killer toys. "Oh, yeah. I love you, too." Medieval weapons smashed modern distractions, until the Hawks uncovered a factory building Brainiacs by the dozen...

The Justice League Satellite exploded in space, leaving Captain Marvel and Superman unsure of Red Tornado's fate. As it turned out, Zatanna had previously used her magic to send the android to Doc Magnus for repairs, as the Metal Men looked on. Magnus managed to reactivate Red Tornado, who repeated "I found Aquaman."

Continue the story through these character-specific posts:
"Chapter Six" was plotted and painted by Alex Ross. The script was provided by Jim Krueger, and the penciled layouts by Doug Braithwaite.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

1991-92 Impel DC Cosmic Cards #69- Peacemaker



How do I define injustice?

The Atom was created in the Golden Age, reinvented in the Silver Age, was a featured player on two major super teams, all besides starring in two multi-year solo series and a string of mini-series. There was no Al Pratt trading card in this set, and Ray Palmer didn't get a new card of his own-- only a a reprint of the cover of his first appearance.

Peacemaker, star of a four issue direct market mini-series and featured player in several failed books, received a card by one of the few "hot" DC artists of the time. Sure Bart Sears' perspective was jacked up and his musculature typically obscene, but it still looked contemporary and spiff.

Then again, has Peacemaker ever appeared on any kind of trading or gaming card since? Hell, merchandising of any kind? You realize Jemm, Son of Saturn has an action figure? Karma is a harsh mistress, you magnificent bastard.

There's a lesson to be learned here. The first is that the Atom was probably still thought dead at this time, which is still no excuse to exclude him. The second is that characters who debut in titles that accept colloquial contractions don't get a second chance to make a first impression.



More Impel DC Cosmic Cards

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

2009 "C is for Captain Atom" by Dave Reynolds

Click To Enlarge


It only took half a freakin' year to do the next one. Hopefully it won't take another seven months to do "D".

*sigh*

Sunday, October 10, 2010

1991-92 Impel DC Cosmic Cards #87- Chronos



Ah, the first ever DC Universe spanning trading card set, meant to ape the far more popular Marvel Comics set, right down to the hideously drab gray borders. I believe they were originally going to be metallic ink, but somebody went cheap, to the horror of all. Chronos here was given the gift of Kane, but Gil didn't seem to grasp the concept of trading card art. Instead of supplying a spotlight figure, you can see he went all out with the giant clock and the street scene with fleeing bystanders and Chronos riding a dinosaur that could receive UHF signals (loved Land of the Lost, hated Minilla.) Clearly Kane's art was cropped all to hell, and the image reduction surely lost some detail. Is it just me, or did Kane "sign" his work by putting himself on that billboard?



More Impel DC Cosmic Cards Posted Today

Thursday, October 7, 2010

2010 Indigo Lantern Ray Palmer art by Gary Gretsky

Click To Enlarge


Back in 2008 on Damian's Tiny Titan blog was published two pieces of art by Gary "Gaz" Gretsky depicting Ant-Man putting the bite on the Atom (a.k.a. "Incorrect") and The Mighty Mite Triumphant over Giant Man (a.k.a. damn skippy.) Ray Palmer was a barbarian warrior who hacked in his weight class, while Hank Pym couldn't even beat his wife plausibly, so I don't see the matter as a subject for debate so much as a litmus test for the opposition's miserable lack of rightness.

Speaking of the sword & sorcery days, here's the second coming of Gaz and the loincloth look, published in the San Diego Comic-Con International 2010 program book. That is one fine looking piece made all the better with digital coloring, so I recommend you give that link a click. Thanks to Gaz for giving me the go-ahead to forward this to ya'll, and check out his blog!

Monday, October 4, 2010

Justice #5 (June, 2006)



Comatose, Ray Palmer survived his wound and was transported to the hospital. While he lay unmoving in his bed, breathing through a respirator, Jean Loring watched over her him. "Come back to me, Ray. Please. I don't know what I'll do if you're not in my life. I love you so much. I know I said I didn't want you to be the Atom anymore. But if that's the only way I can have you, it's okay. I just want you back. Please." Tears streamed down her face as Jean held Ray's arm. She had uncovered his waist, revealing a size-altering belt underneath...

Midway City Museum burned, its faux-Egyptian pillars crumbled. From within a sheltering sarcophagus, Carter and Shiera Hall finally emerged. They could both hear J'Onn J'Onzz contacting them telepathically. "It was Toyman, J'Onn. Toyman did this. But why?"

"It wasn't just him, Hawkgirl. It was all of them."

Continue the story through these character-specific posts:
"Chapter Five" was plotted and painted by Alex Ross. The script was provided by Jim Krueger, and the penciled layouts by Doug Braithwaite.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

The Palmer Posterior #6201001



Look at the Tiny Titan jumping on that seed! Try not to read too much into it.