DC Comics Publisher Jim Lee shares his rejections on Twitter

#SHAREYOURREJECTION is a trend on Twitter and Jim Lee shares his.

Credit DC Comics Icons Jim Lee

Iconic artist and present day co-publisher at DC Comics Jim Lee took to Twitter earlier this morning to share a few of his past rejections. In recent days the hashtag "shareyourrejection" has been something of a trend on twitter, and the comic book legend posted four of his from 1986. He eventually got hired at Marvel in 1987 and the rest is comic book history. 

Credit @JimLee Tweet from 8/18/2018

Jim Lee has since become a force is the comics industry. Many consider his Batman and Superman to be the definitive look for the iconic characters. Lee also was part of a group of creators who shook up the comics world in the early 90s, breaking away from the Big 2 and forming Image Comics. In doing so paving the way for indie creators and giving them an outlet for their books while retaining the rights to their characters.

There certainly is a lesson to all up and coming creators in the industry. Even the Legends started out as unknowns, but a perserverance and dedication to your craft might lead you to the very top.

Ruby Rose gets emotional over Batwoman Casting.

Ruby Rose explains emotions over Batwoman casting

Appearing on The Late Show with Jimmy Fallon, Ruby Rose, who was announced as the new Batwoman slated to appear in the Arrowverse crossover on the CW this December, got emotional as she explained what this casting meant to her. In her first interview since the announcement of her upcoming role, Rose explained how this role is a game-changer for her and her career. tt
Though her role will be limited to the Arrowverse crossover, there are talks of making a Batwoman series starring Rose. Should that series be picked up by the CW that would in deed be a game changer for her career. 

Ruby quoted Oscar Wilde in saying her motto has always been " Be yourself, because everyone else is already taken" and she feels that that has guided her in her career and led her to this role. Rose who is openly gay, will be playing the first openly gay superhero character on television. Batwoman originally came out in 1956 in DC Comics then remained largely out of the picture till 2006 when the character was revamped. The new Batwoman was brought back as an open lesbian, a role practicaly tailor made for Rose.

In her interview she speaks about growing up and not seeing anyone she could identify with on television, much less a superhero.  She went on to share her excitment on the possibility to incorporate her character into her charitable works. She currently visits sick children in hospitals and looks forward to doing the same only now dressed in full Batwoman get up. 

The jury is still out on whether or not this was a good casting choice, we won't really know till they actually film. On the surface it seems a perfect marriage as she meets the asthetic of the character. We only need to see now if she can act the part. Personally, I'm pulling for her.

Greg Capullo unveils new art for Batman: Court of Owls Essential Edition

New art for Batman: Court of Owls Saga by Greg Capullo

Credit DC Comics

Earlier today Artist Greg Capullo unveiled a new cover for the upcoming Batman: Court of Owls Saga Essential Edition. The trade paperback collects the popular run by Writer Scott Snyder with art from Capullo. 

credit @GregCapullo Twitter 8/8/2018

Considered one of the greatest stories in the Dark Knight's historic lore, the Essential Edition collects issues #1-11 of Batman along with bonus material to include sketches, scripts design concepts and variant covers.

credit Greg Capullo

Batman: Court of Owls Saga Essential Edition is due for release September 12th.

Ruby Rose to play Batwoman on CW.

Ruby Rose to play Batwoman on CW.

Credit The CW. Ruby Rose as Batwoman.

Exerpt from Variety.com

Ruby Rose will be suiting up as the DC hero Batwoman for The CW, Variety has learned.

As previously announced, the character will make her debut in the CW crossover event between four of the network’s DC shows: “The Flash,” “Arrow,” “Legends of Tomorrow,” and “Supergirl.”

The CW is also currently developing a series around the character, whose real name is Kate Kane. Armed with a passion for social justice and a flair for speaking her mind, she soars onto the streets of Gotham as Batwoman, an out lesbian and highly trained street fighter primed to snuff out the failing city’s criminal resurgence. But don’t call her a hero yet. In a city desperate for a savior, Kate must overcome her own demons before embracing the call to be Gotham’s symbol of hope. Should the show get picked up, it would bow during the 2019-2020 season.

Caroline Dries will serve as the writer and executive producer on that project. Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter will also executive produce via Berlanti Productions. Geoff Johns, who recently stepped down as head of DC Entertainment, will also executive produce through his Mad Ghost Productions banner. Berlanti Productions will produce in association with Warner Bros. Television.

A native of Australia, Rose first drew the attention of American TV viewers with her breakout role as Stella in “Orange Is the New Black.” She went on to appear in films like “Resident Evil: The Final Chapter,” “xXx: Return of Xander Cage,” “John Wick: Chapter 2,” and “Pitch Perfect 3.” She will also star in the upcoming action-horror film “The Meg.”

She is repped by UTA, Art2Perform, and attorney Howard Fishman.

Bendis shows off upcoming Superman double page spread.

Superman double page spread by Ivan Reis

    July 17, 2018

     In a Twitter post earlier this afternoon super star comics writer Brian Michael Bendis, who is working on his first run with the flagship DC Comics  title Superman, commented on his luck. 

@BRIANMBENDIS 7/17/2018

     Bendis who is working with all star Artist Ivan Reis on  Superman included a sneek peek at an upcoming double page spread. From the page it seems this will be featured in issue number 3.

art by Ivan Reis for Superman #3 by Brian M. Bendis.

      In my opinion the art is spectacular and I for one am looking forward to seeing this in its full color glory.

Comics Legend Steve Ditko passes away at age of 90

Spider-Man co-creator Steve Ditko dies at 90.

Self portrait by Steve Ditko

     The comic book world is stunned at the news of the passing of one of the greats. Comic book Legend Steve Ditko passed last week. According to the Hollywood Reporter, New York City Police were conducting a wellness check on Ditko on June 29, 2018 when his body was discovered. It  appears as though he may have been dead as many as two days prior. 

SDCC on the passing of Steve Ditko

     Ditko is most widely known as the co-creator of Spider-Man along with Stan Lee in 1961 while working at Marvel Comics. He later helped create Dr. Strange in 1963 as well as various of the Spider-Man villians. His time at Marvel was seminal in the early days and helped propel that company and inspire many future comic book artist and writers to come.

     In later years Ditko also worked for DC Comics and a few smaller presses as well. He eventually made his way back to Marvel and one of his last creations was Squirrel Girl. He retired from comics in the '90s after four decades in the comics industry. He was inducted into the Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1990 and into the Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame in 1994.

the Amazing Spider-Man #33 by Steve Ditko

     As word of his passing goes out, he his remembered by many in the industry. Many of his fellow comic book creators have shared stories and their sadness at his loss.

      Many creators have felt the passing of one of the true Legends of the Comic Book Industry. Though his work and his Influence will long stay with us.

DC Comics and Walmart Team Up

DC Comics launches exclusive 100 pg Giants     Walmart inks exclusive deal to sell 100 page Giants by DC Comics

     Beginning in July DC Comics and Wal-Mart has inked an exclusive deal to sell four 100 page DC Comics anthology titles each month, featuring both reprints and new content that was previously unavailible.
     The four titles - Superman Giant, Justice League of America Giant, Batman Giant and Teen Titans Giant. The new material will include a 12-part story by Tom King and a 12-part story by Brian Bendis.

Credit DC Comics 

     Batman Giant #1 will feature a new story By Jimmy Palimiotti and Patrick Zircher, One more chance.

@jpalmiotti tweet

        Batman Giant #1 also includes Batman #608 (2002) By Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee, Nightwing #1 (2011) By Kyle Higgins and Eddy Barrows, Harley Quinn #1 By Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner.

Credit DC Comics

        Superman Giant #1 will again feature the talents of Jimmy Palmiotti this time working with Tom Derenick to bring you chapter one of a two part story Endurance. Also included in this issue will be The Terrifics #1 (2018) By Jeff Lemire, Ivan Reis and Joe Prado. Green Lantern #1 (2005) by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver as well as Superman/Batman #1 (2003) byJeph Loeb, Ed McGuinness and Tim Sale. 

Credit DC Comics

     Teen Titans Giant #1 will feature an original 6-part story by Dan Jurgens with art from Scot Eaton, Wayne Faucher and Jim Charalampidis.

@thedanjurgens

     The book will include reprints of Super Sons #1 (2017) by Peter J. Tomasi and Jorge Jimenez, Sideways #1 (2018) by Dan Di Didio, Justin Jordan and Kenneth Rocafort and Teen Titans #1 (2003) by Geoff Johns and Mike McKone.

Credit DC Comics

     Justice League of America Giant #1 will feature an all new story starring Wonder Woman, The Conversion, written by Tim Seely with art from Rick Leonardi and Steve Buccellato.

@HackinTimSeely

   This issue will also feature Justice League #1 (2011) by Geoff Johns, Jim Lee and Scott Williams, Flash #1 (2011) by Brian Buccellato and Francis Manapul and Aquaman #1 (2011) by Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis and Joe Prado.

     With books hitting shelves in over 3000 Wal-Mart stores nationwide, we can hope that this deal will bring comics to many casual readers who otherwise would not step into a comics shop.   

Ethan Van Sciver leaving DC Comics, pursues creator owned project.

Ethan Van Sciver leaving DC,  going the creator owned route.

Cyberfrog By Ethan Van Sciver

      It was annouced a few days ago that long time exclusive DC Comics artist Ethan Van Scriver would be leaving DC Comics at the expiration of his contract. EVS has worked on many of DC's premier titles including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and several others. 

Cyberfrog By Ethan Van Sciver

     EVS now turns to his creator owned project Cberfrog: Bloodhoney. This 48 page graphic novel will be the first of four in the series centered around his 1993 creation Cyberfrog. His fans seem to be in his corner for this project as well. 

     On his twitter @ComicArtistPro Secrets he announced that his Indiegogo Crowdfunding campaign had surpassed the $200,000 range. At last check he had pledges of $210,383 with over 3,600 backers. With no plans to return to any of the big publishers and a willing audiance we can expect Cyberfrog to be around for a few more years at the least. 

     

      Though the book has been described as a one-shot it is also listed as a first of 4 in a series; in this book Cyberfrog comes out of hybernation to discover that Hornets have taken over the Earth and have enslaved man, using human skin to form their nest and even taking human blood to make their honey! It is up to Cyberfrog to save humanity. 

     With full funding coming in the first 20 minutes of his Indiegogo campaign, we can be sure to see Cyberfrog on store shelves in the near future.

First look at Heroes in Crisis interior art.

DC Comics Heroes in Crisis: a first look.

Credit: DC Comics.

     In a press release issued on Wednesday June 13th, 2018 DC Comics released details about its upcoming Heroes in Crisis. Written by Tom King and Clay Mann, this seven-issue miniseries will center on a Sanctuary built by Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman. It's a place where the Heroes of this world can go and take a reprieve from the violence and villany they face in their daily lives. 

Cover to Heroes in Crisis.
Credit: DC Comics

     The story will feature various DC heroes including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, Booster Gold and the rest of the World's Greatest Super Heroes.

@TomKingTK

 Tom King is a former counterterrorism operations officer with the C.I.A. and wanted to bring that world view to his comics. 

     In the release Tom King was quoted as saying, " I feel I'm part of a rolling generation of people who spent their twenties overseas fighting terrorism. Millions of people cycle through that machine and came home to America. And I think that sort of experience of violence is shaping who we are as a culture, and as a country. And I want to talk about that, want to talk about that experience, the experience of what violence can do to a person, to a community, to a nation, to a world."

@TomKingTK

    In another Tweet Tom King gives us our first look and the interior art by Clay Mann gifting us this peek at the first page of Heroes in Crisis.    

Art by Clay Mann
Credit: DC Comics

     The first issue written by Tom King with art by Clay Mann and Tomeu Morey, lettered by Clayton Cowels, and edited by Jamie S. Rich and Brittany Holzherr,  will hit comic book stores and be availble digitally September 26, 2018.