Comics

The Creator of Captain America Passes

Only a week after the creator of the Joker, Jerry Robinson, passed away, on December 14th, Joe Simon, co-creator of Captain America and several other characters from the Golden Age of comics, passed away at the age of 98.

Joe Simon was a writer, artist and editor of comic books, particularly Marvel Comics.  His was the first editor of Timely Comics, which later became known as Marvel Comics.  Simon’s resume of comics did not just consist of superhero-inspired ones; when the popularity of superheroes was down, Simon worked with his partner Jack Kirby on romance comics, western comics and horror comics, including the likes of Young Romance, Boys’ Ranch and Black Magic (one from each respective genre and all well-received in their day).

Swamp Thing #4 – Review

It’s not just the nostalgia talking when I say I am disappointed in Scott Snyder’s run on Swamp Thing. His story has been good, and the new characters he has introduced into the Swamp Thing saga are fantastic and possibly even worthy of their predecessors. But the treatment of the old characters fans know and love, their transformation into hollow shells of their former selves, and the artwork, which is clearly trying too hard, are impossible to overlook.

Alec continues to refute the Parliament of Trees who insist he take on the role of the Swamp Thing and become their warrior. Nonetheless, he continues traveling with the Swamp Thing’s once-lover, Abigail Holland, who is part of the rot and may turn out to be an even bigger foe for Holland than her seemingly all-powerful little brother.

The Creator of The Joker Passes

The creator of the Clown Prince of Crime – as well as comic book historian and creator’s rights advocate – Jerry Robinson, passed away at the age of 89 on December 7th, 2011.  He began working on Batman with creator Bob Kane and not only created Batman’s most famous enemy, but also co-created Robin and influenced the creation of both Harvey “Two-Face” Dent and Alfred Pennyworth, Batman’s most trusted ally and butler.

Born in Trenton, New Jersey, Robinson began working in comics when he was discovered at the age of 17 by Bob Kane, who noticed Robinson working at an ice-cream parlor in a jacket covered in Robinson’s own artwork.

The Top Comic Book Characters to Out-Santa Santa

Greetings and happy holidays, PlAff faithful! It’s around this time every year I find myself thinking fondly of that big red guy who brings so much annual joy to people everywhere. No, I’m not talking about Red-Hulk. No… not Atrocitus, either. To whom then do I refer, I pretend to hear you ask? Santa Claus, of course!

Santa Claus is the holiest, jolliest, and Christmas cheeriest guy around. He’s the best he is at what he does. Or is he? Sure, Santa is great, but there are so many characters in comics that there have to be some who can do what even Santa can’t. This is my list of the top comic book characters to out-Santa Santa.

First Look: Whispers #1

Another supernatural mini-series from Image Comics will be hitting the stands in January, 2012.  It will be written by Joshua Luna (Girls), an acclaimed creator who usually collaborates on projects with his brother Jonathan Luna, but Joshua will be working alone as both the artist and writer of Whispers.

Sam Webber ‘s life is starting to spiral out of control thanks to his Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.  His life takes another, even wilder spiral, when he finds out he can walk around in a ghost form.

Justice League International #4 – Review

As the JLI heads towards the final chapter of “The Signal Men,” the story is starting to get an epic feel and the dialogue is sometimes witty, but multiple clichés, and a boring storyline make this issue the weakest yet in the Justice League International series.

The JLI have been captured and finally come face-to-face with the leader of the Signal Men: Peraxxus, who has big plans for the Earth – and none of them involve a happy ending for our heroes.

Entering a New Era: New Writer for The Darkness

In the beginning of March 2012, The Darkness will be having a new writer: David Hine, who has written for such titles as The Bulletproof Coffin, Detective Comics and The Spirit.  He will be joined by artist Jeremy Haun, who is the Detective Comics creative partner and has worked on the Top Cow cross-over event of the decade: Artifacts, as well as the DC Comics title Red Hood: The Lost Days.

Hine and Haun will work for the first time on The Darkness beginning with issue 101.  Hine will be taking over for previous Darkness writer Phil Hester (Wonder Woman), who wrote the Darkness for four years since 2007, when The Darkness re-launched.  But Hine is not new to writing the Darkness’s main protagonist Jackie Estpanoza.  He wrote the mini-series The Darkness: Four Horsemen. 

We’ll get to see how well Haun and Hine work together in The Darkness #101, which will go on sale in March 2012, for $3.99.