With or without costume Barbara Gordon is just an amazing character and hero. Gail Simone proves it in Batgirl #0. Simone is on fire in a thrilling scenario showing Barbara’s birth as a crime fighter and foreshadowing the villains in her future. It’s been hinted that James Gordon Jr is alive and chilling seeds are sown in this origin story. The final panel is a knockout and leaves you excited and scared for Batgirl’s potential reunion with the Joker in the upcoming crossover Death of the Family.
Simone and Ed Benes create a compelling stand-alone story demonstrating why I love Barbara and why Batgirl is a symbol of motivation and inspiration.
DC Comics One Year Anniversary of The New 52 continues with more zero issues. The Source shared an early look at covers for next week’s releases.
Birds of Prey #0 courtesy DC Comics
My most anticipated issues are Batwoman, Birds of Prey, Nightwing and Wonder Woman.
Nightwing #0 courtesy DC Comics
The stand-alone stories reveals how Kate Kane became the Batwoman, the first meeting of Batgirl and Black Canary, the origin of Dick Grayson and Wonder Woman’s connection to Ares will be explored.
Three critical stories of the past in the Batman family of books out this week.
Batman #0 by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo takes us back to Bruce Wayne returning from this global quest and ready to declare war on crime. See how the uniform, car and gadgets were born.
Batgirl #0 How did Barbara Gordon first become Batgirl? Gail Simone and Ed Benes tell the origin of Batgirl and how she fought her way back into the cape and cowl after a terrifying attack.
Batman and Robin #0 The current Robin was raised to be a lethal assassin by his mother. Witness Damian’s early life under the grip of Talia Al Ghul in this tale by Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason.
These zero issues are part of DC Comics marking the one year anniversary of launching The New 52. All the September DC titles will #0 and be stand-alone stories.
“Some issues will tell the origins of a character or a team, or in some case where an origin has already been told, they will fill in the blanks in terms of questions readers may have about the New 52 DC Universe,” said Bob Harras, DC Entertainment Editor-in-Chief. “Each of these issues promises to reveal something surprising.”
More zero issues this week include Deathstroke, Demon Knights, Frankenstein Agent of SHADE, Green Lantern Corps, Grifter, Legion Lost, Superboy, Team 7 and The Ravagers.
One of the big topics at GeekGirlCon in Seattle this past weekend was the lack of female comic book writers and lead characters. Somebody is listening. This week two creative announcements should geek girls and (any fan of great writing and characters) celebrating.
Marvel Comics revealed Kelly Sue DeConnick will be the new writer on Avengers Assemble. This a newer comic book designed to appeal to fans of the blockbuster movie.
“These are the AC/DC Avengers. When I saw the movie, I managed to keep in together until Iron Man came onscreen and Back in Black blared. I bounced up and down in my chair. That’s the moment I’m writing for,” declares DeConnick.
DeConnick will be the first female writer on an Avengers title.
“I’m very interested in making sure women knowing that wanting to work in this industry is not peculiar. There is not anything in heroism or sci-fi that is exclusively masculine. The hero ideal is as important to my daughter as it is to my son. But I don’t want to represent all women in comics…particularly because I blow things sometimes!” says DeConnick.
For longtime Executive Editor it’s about having the right writer on Marvel’s biggest franchise.
“It’s a nice factoid, but I didn’t hire a woman to write Avengers, I hired Kelly Sue to write Avengers for the same reasons I’ve hired and will continue to hire writers,” said Brevoort
DeConnick will add Spider-Woman and Captain Marvel to the team. Last month Ms. Marvel was promoted to Captain in a brand new book written by DeConnick too. Captain Marvel #1 was a sold out smash.
Journey Into Mystery #646 courtesy Marvel
Marvel made another announcement this week. Kathyrn Immonen will take over writing Journey Into Mysterywith issue #646. Lady Sif will be the new lead character of this book set in the Thor universe. Kid Loki was the previous lead character. Lady Sif is an Asgardian warrior and Thor’s great love.
“We talked at length as far as what her story could be, and it came down to a single question: What does she want? For Sif, what she wants above all is to be a better warrior. How far would she go for that? She makes some terrible decisions and puts a lot of people in peril,” Immonen spoke of her protagonist.
At GeekGirlCon 2012 there were a few geek gals in Thor costumes. Maybe next year we’ll see a Lady Sif or the new Captain Marvel?
Two of the biggest success stories celebrated at the con were Batwoman and Wonder Woman. Along with Batgirl these three DC Comics books starring female leads are solid sellers which could lead to more female driven books. These two iconic heroines are joining forces. Wonder Woman guest stars in this week’s Batwoman #12.
Batwoman #12 courtesy DC Comics
After attending GeekGirlCon I thought this week’s announcements were ironic and inspiring. The big publishers appear to be listening to the fans.
The Joker returns in October’s Batman #13. DC Comics released the Batman family book solicits for November with new images of the Joker and his plans for Batman in the Death of the Family crossover. Batman #14 shows a chilling image of the Joker in his own makeshift Batcave-like control center watching his targets.
Batman and Robin #14 courtesy DC Comics
Batman and Robin #14,Catwoman #14 and Batgirl #14 will tie-in to Death of the Family as the Joker plots against Selena Kyle, Damian Wayne and Barbara Gordon.
Catwoman #14 courtesy DC Comics
The most haunting image is for Batgirl #14. As discussed this past weekend at GeekGirlCon, Gail Simone has made Batgirl a story of overcoming trauma. Barbara has come so far – it will be gripping to see her face the criminal that left her paralyzed in their last encounter and threatens her real family now.
Batgirl #14 courtesy DC Comics
The November issues set the stage for Death of the Family affecting Nightwing and Red Hood and the Outlaws in December. By Editor
The GEEK will be celebrated and SHE has earned it! GeekGirlCon will honor contributions of women to geek culture. The first event was a sold out smash and organizers have listened to fan input in planning this year’s event in Seattle this weekend.
Here are there top panels I’m most excited about:
Moffat’s Women: Companions, Travelers, Gender Roles and TARDISES in Doctor Who– River Song, Amy Pond, Donna Noble, Rose Tyler and Martha Jones (my personal favorite) are the women who make Doctor Who’s journeys so compelling. This panel discusses the female characters Executive Producer Steven Moffat created, both now and under Russell T. Davies. The panelist will take on: transgender issues implied by a Time Lord’s regenerative ability, the representation of LGBT characters (omnisexual Captain Jack Harkness!) and lifestyles and The Doctor’s Wife (aka the TARDIS.)
Batgirl #12 courtesy DC Comics
Gail Simone and the Batgirl of San Diego: Batgirls, One Year Later –Gail Simone blazed a trail with dynamic writing and powerful characters in Birds of Prey and Secret Six plus she wrote Deadpool and The Simpsons. Last year Simone took Barbara Gordon out of her wheelchair and put her back on the streets of Gotham City in a reboot of Batgirl. At least year’s SDCC Simone donned a cape and cowl while asking pointed questions about the lack of female representation in comics. Gail Simone and “The Batgirl of San Diego” discuss the state of comics today and the future. Spotlight on Gail Simone is on Sunday in a discussion of her career, her views on social issues and women in comics.
Jane Espenson and Husbands—A Comedy for the Marriage Equality Age Espenson has written for Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Battlestar Galactica and Warehouse 13. Husbands is her web show in the tradition of classic comedies. Producers and cast will discuss making the show and its future.
From Jedi Princess to Sith Witch: An Exploration of Female Characters in Star Wars – From Leia to Padme and all the witches, bounty hunters, smugglers and women who light up both sides of The Force in the sci-fi universe.
Archer & Armstrong #1The Valiant comeback continues as Obadiah Archer begins a quest to wipe out the ultimate evil. His target: the immortal Armstrong. The new origin of this unlikely heroic duo and their journey to uncover the dark history of the relaunched Valiant universe.
Batgirl #12 courtesy DC Comics
Batgirl #12Batgirl vs Batwoman!
Batman #12 The aftermath of the Court of Owls epic. Guest artist Becky Cloonan joins Scott Snyder for a stand-alone story of the girl who saved the Batman.
Before Watchmen: Ozymandias #2Inside the secret life of the world’s smartest man. Comic legend Len Wein returns to the epic he edited with Jae Lee at the top of his artistic game.
Daredevil Annual #1The Man Without Fear, Doctor Strange and Marvel’s strangest cosmic clan. Legendary Alan Davis brings back the ClanDestine to cross paths with Matt Murdock
Gambit #1The fan favorite X-Man is back to his criminal ways! Marvel’s ultimate thief and smooth talker is after a big score but it may end up biting him.
Kevin Keller #4Romantic hopes and hijinks at the London Olympics. Kevin reconnects with an old friend but will Veronica’s “help” hurt his chances?
The Massive #3 How can peace-loving pacifists hold on to their beliefs in dark new world where pirates rule the oceans and the civilized world is in ruins? The crew is on the run
The Mighty Thor #18 courtesy Marvel
The Mighty Thor #18 Can the God of Thunder and Kid Loki save the Nine Realms from a dark war? Everything Burns is Matt Fraction’s final Thor story with the legendary Alan Davis on art and crossing over into Journey Into Mystery.
New Avengers #29 The Illuminati are back! Some of the most powerful players in the Marvel Universe gathered in secret for years on covert missions – sometimes with dire results. In this Avengers vs X-Men tie-in the group gathers once again to see if they can defeat the Phoenix.
