Comic Books

⇒ The Daily Batman (link from Mar 27, 2008)

Because Batman always makes everything better, unless you're a criminal (via the Twitter).

⇒ Late artists crackdown at DC? (link from Feb 19, 2008)

This is the rumor I've been waiting for. God, I hope it's true. According to the rumor, DC is now requiring all artists (except those with prior arrangements) to turn in 22 pages of art every four weeks. Not every month, but every four weeks.

Also, it basically says that artists who are unable to meet this commitment will be pulled from their books, and won't get as much work in the future.

I say hooray! DC's scheduling is already so much better than Marvel's, and this shows that they are listening to fans' main gripes with the state of the industry. I mean, they already signed Mark Bagley to an exclusive contract, what more evidence do you need that they're committed to getting books out on time?

And finally, can you imagine if Marvel made the same policy? Except for the fact that only 25% of their artists would still have a job, it would be awesome for everyone!

Thanks for the heads up, Nick!

⇒ Who is Donna Troy? (link from Sep 19, 2007)

Donna Troy has one of the most convoluted origins in all of comic-book-dom. Peter Rios from the Comic Geek Speak podcast spends two hours mapping out her history and background in this podcast. Despite the fact that they're the competition, you can't knock quality, and this is a quality episode.

⇒ Do we like the new Mattel Nightwing? (link from Aug 12, 2007)

This new Mattel Nightwing figure reminds me of emo Peter from Heroes. Why can't I find a Nightwing figure that has the look of Ed McGuinness' Nightwing figure, but normal proportions?

⇒ DC Direct Green Lantern Series 3 images (link from Aug 12, 2007)

From Wizard World '07 - check out the Sinestro figure in his Sinestro Corps uniform, and the Bat-Lantern. Incredible. I may be ordering this whole set.

⇒ DC Direct's next Superman-Batman line (link from Jun 19, 2007)

Yet more Ed McGuinness styled action figures; unfortunately for me, this lineup includes a Supergirl, which I'm more or less obligated to buy, and a Power Girl that doesn't look half bad. At least the figures made from McGuinness' art are thick enough to stand up.

⇒ dreamonix' DC Universe set on Flickr (link from Jun 16, 2007)

DC Universe action figures with backdrops and ever so slight photoshopping. Extremely cinematic renderings of your favorite DC characters! This shot of the Atom is my favorite.

⇒ Batman's new suit (link from Jun 15, 2007)

It looks like Batman will finally be able to turn his head. Awesome.

⇒ Dave's Long Box (link from Jun 11, 2007)

David Campbell writes the best comic blog on the internet. There are a number of close seconds, but Dave's Long Box is the best. Dave's blog is so good, he was invited to write the series recap for the recent Invincible #42.

Dave (if only we were on first-name familiarity!) also used to write my favorite blog in the entire world, The Velvet Marauder, a (supposedly) fictional account of the superhero life of the Velvet Marauder, who is almost certainly not gay. Be careful when you read it, you have to start at the bottom of the page and read up to get the entries chronologically.