Tag: Scott Snyder

Inside TALON #1 with the Creative Team

Talon #1 courtesy DC Comics

A new series spinning out of the Night of Owls crossover in the Batman family of books. In last month’s Talon #0 we learn how Calvin Rose was the only Talon (brainwashed assassin) to escape the grip of the Court of Owls. In this month’s Talon #1 Rose returns to Gotham City.

On The Source co-writers James Tynion IV and Scott Snyder and artist Guillem March will reveal their creative process and share what to expect from this brand new hero.

“We felt that with #0, we could give you a real sense of Calvin’s history and who he was before the inciting event of “Night of the Owls.” That battle with Batman really hurt the Court, and that’s what #1 is about – Calvin, for the first time in years, thinking it might be safe to stop running because of what he sees on the news about this battle in Gotham between the Batman and the Owls. So #0 gave us an opportunity to show you how harrowing it’s been for Calvin these past years, on the run, hunted because he did the right thing. Issue #1 is where it all comes to a head. So excited for what James Tynion IV has planned for you!” Snyder said.

“Launching with a zero was a really interesting proposition from the start, because we knew that the first two issues had to be places you could jump onboard the series, without doubling down on any of the same material. So the way I started thinking about it is that issue #0 introduces our leading man, Calvin Rose, and issue #1 introduces the story in the present day that will drive our series issue-to-issue. So when the next issue comes out, people who have read the zero issue will have a special understanding of Calvin and his history that helps frame the premise of the actual monthly series. It helps to read both, but if you missed the zero issue, you should be able to jump on board with issue #1 and be fine,” Tynion added.

“I love drawing dark and solitary characters, more than groups of colorful superheroes, so I love working in the Bat family. I’m also really excited by the fact this is a new character, so I’m somehow establishing his world, instead of sticking to what a previous artist has done with him. That’s a responsibility I enjoy a lot, March revealed.

Talon #1 courtesy Marvel

Talon is the first book in The New 52 to star a brand new character. The Batman writer and co-writer talk about the challenge of adding a new hero to the DC Universe.

“There’s always pressure. Writing Batman is like a ton of pressure on you all the time. The only way to do it is block it out and just dive into the story – pretend you’re writing it for yourself and no one else is going to read it. Just assume if you love it, and have really invested in it, emotionally, intellectually, they’ll love it too,” said Snyder.

“Absolutely! Rather than reinterpreting and recreating a figure known and loved for decades, we have to hook the readers from the start and show them why Calvin Rose deserves a place in the pantheon of DC heroes. I remember a conversation that Scott and I would have over and over when we were in the early stages of the book, about looking forward with the character. It wasn’t about building him up so we can reach issue #12, because we have a big story that will take us right up through the first year. It was about building a character that could last well beyond what we have planned, and about building a series that still has big stories to tell when it gets to issue #26 and even issue #58. If we were going to create this new character, it had to be someone with the potential and the personality to stick around the DC Universe for years, otherwise it wouldn’t be worth creating him in the first place. If the readers dig the series and support it, I honestly believe that there are years and years of great stories for Calvin, and a real chance that he will be sticking around for quite some time, Tynion adds.

Talon #1 arrives October 24

I love the Court of Owls epic and the concept of the Talons. I highly recommend Talon #0 and can’t wait to learn more of the Calvin Rose story.

By Editor

When Bruce Became Batman and More

Batgirl #0 courtesy DC Comics

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.

By Editor

A Big October for Batman Family

  The Joker returns. A new creative team on Detective Comics. October is a big month for the Batman family of books. DC Comics revealed previews today for the Bat-titles.

Talon #1 courtesy DC Comics

  Talon #1 is a new series in the aftermath of the Court of Owls epic. Calvin Rose returns to Gotham City to investigate the fallout. Are his evil masters finally defeated and is he truly free? Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV write the new series with Guillem March on art.

  October also features the first New 52 meeting of Catwoman and Barbara Gordon in Batgirl #13 by Gail Simone. The Catwoman/Batgirl crossover continues in Batgirl Annual #1.

 

Batgirl Annual #1 courtesy DC Comics

  Wonder Woman guest stars in Batwoman #13, Ann Nocenti takes over Gotham’s most fearsome feline in Catwoman #13, and Lady Shiva makes her New 52 debut in Nightwing #13!

 

Batman Incorporated #5 courtesy DC Comics

  Batman Incorporated #13 takes us back into the future world Grant Morrison created in Batman #666 in which Damian is the Batman and Bruce is the warden of Arkham Asylum?

By Editor

The Joker Returns in “Death of the Family”

 

courtesy DC Comics

  The Joker, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo. You could call it a dream team. Call it Batman’s nightmare. The most infamous villain in comic book history is back.

  DC Comics revealed the Joker is back this October. When The New 52 launched last September the Joker met a horrific fate at the end of Tony Daniel’s Detective Comics #1. The Joker’s face was carved off and he hasn’t been seen since.

  October’s Batman #13 by Snyder and Capullo kicks off the “Death of the Family” storyline. DC teases the classic villain will be used in “dark, horrifying, unnerving” way and the return will affect Batman, the Bat-family and Gotham City.

  “Joker is my favorite villain of all time,” Snyder revealed today on The Source. “Not just in comics. In everything – film, books, TV. He’s the greatest, hands down. So this story is something extremely important and personal to me – something I’ve been building in my head ever since I started working in Gotham.”

  “When Scott told me that he’d written a Joker story for our next arc, I couldn’t contain my excitement,” added Capullo. “Talk about a dream come true! For me, the Joker is the ultimate rogue and the villain I most wanted to draw. I gotta tell you, after hearing what the story is about, this isn’t a dream come true. It’s a nightmare! A macabre and bloody, flesh crawling nightmare. We hope you’ll have the nerve to face what’s coming. Warning: It ain’t for the faint of heart!”

  Given the cliffhanger of Detective Comics #1 could the classic villain be sporting a new face?

  “Wait ’til you see him,” Snyder said. “Greg’s sketches literally gave me chills. Point blank: This is Joker like you’ve never seen him before. He has a mission. He has a secret. And he has a serious axe to grind with Batman. It isn’t going to be pretty, but it’s going to be a wild ride.”

  This will be the first major story with the Joker in the relaunched DC continuity. The story title makes you think of  the classic “Death in the Family” story in which the Joker killed Jason Todd. There’s no official word on if the Joker’s return will mean a crossover with other Bat-family titles like Night of the Owls. With a title like “Death of the Family” could the Joker’s new plot be to destroy Batman’s alliances with the other heroes of Gotham City? Could the Joker have been masquerading as another character this past year in the New 52?

By Editor

Batman Writer on Night of the Owls

Batman #8 courtesy DC Comics

  Night of the Owls begins this week with Batman #8 and Nightwing #8. The Court of Owls and their army of enforcers, the Talons, launch a full-scale assault on Gotham City and the Batman family.

  Batman writer Scott Snyder previews the battle for Gotham’s soul and massive crossover. 

“Night of the Owls is here, and it’s about time.”

“I think that’s what a lot us on team Batman have been feeling these last few days. Because for us, this is the moment – the moment we’ve been excitedly working on and building towards for months. This is it, and now it’s really here! This is the night when the Court of Owls makes its move, sending close to 60 Talons out into the skies of Gotham, each with a deadly mission designed to help bring the city to its knees. Of course, the missions will also bring the Talons crashing into conflict with almost every member of the Bat-family, and even though this whole story takes place on one single night, for many of Gotham’s heroes, these clashes will have terrifying consequences that linger long after Gotham’s fate is decided.

Batman #5 courtesy DC Comics

“Night of the Owls is here, and it’s about time.”

“There’s another reason that phrase sticks with me, though. And that’s because the story itself is about time, about history. For one thing, with every Talon having come from a different era of Gotham’s past, they’ll be plenty of glimpses literally and figuratively into Gotham’s history, with a lot of shocking secrets from the past being revealed. Basically, the story is about Gotham’s dark past being brought to bear against the heroes of the present – about the evil from decades, even centuries of corruption emerging from the shadows to crush the spirit of the city – and the Bat-family – once and for all, in one single night, now.”

  For the entire interview here’s the DC Comics link.

  This Geek’s Opinion: The Court of Owls story is one of the most gripping stories I’ve read. As much as I enjoy Batman’s Rogues Gallery, it’s a credit to Snyder and artist Greg Capullo that they’ve taken an enemy (in this case, it’s an organization, an idea of evil) and made them so impactful. Greg Capullo deserves huge accolades for his incredible, haunting art. The Owl masked Council members and the Talon are so simple yet terrifying. And Batman #5 alone is a stunning achievement in storytelling. Capullo has designed an intricate army of Talons from various eras.

  Most fans suffer from event-fatigue but we still buy the crossover anyway. I’m anticipating and eagerly excited for every chapter of Night of the Owls.

By Editor

Batman Court of Owls Conclusion Teased

  The Night of the Owls is set to begin this month as the Court of Owls unleash an army of Talons on Batman, his allies and Gotham City. DC Comics is already teasing the final chapter with the July solicits for the the Batman family of titles.

 

Batman #11 courtesy DC Comics

  This is cover of Batman #11 which DC calls the “stunning conclusion to the Court of Owls epic.”

  Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo have created a modern classic. It’s unlike any Batman story I’ve ever experienced. Issue #5 alone was a breakthrough in comic book storytelling. I can’t wait for this crossover.

  Meeting Capullo at Emerald City Comicon recently was one of my top highlights. I got to ask him about the process of creating looks for so many Talons from different eras. Every Capullo cover is a haunting pop art masterpiece and this latest cover is a perfect addition to his gallery.

by Editor

The Owls Devour Batman!

Batman #7 courtesy DC Comics

  Batman #7 reaches a powerhouse conclusion to the Court of Owls story arc and sets the dramatic stage for the next phase of the war between Bat and Owl. Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo really have made this title Batman beyond. This book so much more than a superhero book. It feels like a psychedelic offering from Vertigo.

 After barely escaping with his sanity and life, Bruce unlocks the shadowy society’s most secret weapon and it shatters the foundation of everything he knows and we love about his greatest ally.

  Greg Capullo and Jonathan Glapion deliver impact with every panel. From the horrific imagery of predator devouring prey to represent the real battle to the ragged Batman struggling to get to safety to the simple but effectively creepy owl masks, these artists making you sense every chill and shock Bruce encounters.

  Batman has been to a literal hell and back. The Court of Owls is just getting started. One of Bruce’s strongest bonds has been shattered and now the Talons are coming to rip apart something else Bruce holds sacred.

Batman Vs Zombie Owls

Batman #8 variant courtesy DC Comics

  Batman must survive the Night of the Owls, an upcoming crossover clawing into all the Batman family of books. Batman #8 includes the first of a series of back-up stories exploring history of the Court of Owls, the mysterious secret society manipulating Gotham City. DC Comics revealed a first look at the issue’s variant cover by fan-favorite artist Jason Fabok.

 “The description for this cover was that Batman was being tackled, or smothered by the Court of Owls,” Fabok told THE SOURCE. “The idea of the court reaching down to Batman in a zombie like manner immediately sprang to mind.  Artistically I really wanted to play with the shadows on both Batman and the owl-masked men so I added a strong source light on one side to light the shot. I used my camera on my Macbook to get some rough shadow reference and went from there. I penciled the piece traditionally but inked it digitally on my cintiq. Peter did a great job as usual on colors. I’m very humbled to have had the opportunity to do a Batman cover, especially in connection with such an excellent Batman run.”

   Batman #8 is by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo. The back-up story is co-written by Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV and illustrated by Snyder’s American Vampire artistic partner Rafael Albuquerque. The issue flies into stores on April 18th.