Earth Two: the Sideways Earth

Huntress #1 (2011)

DC Comics' mini-series Flashpoint has apparently undone Crisis on Infinite Earths.  Along with a lot of other 1980s revivals in the New 52, DC has announced that they're bringing back Earth Two, along with a new Justice Society of America monthly series set on this alternate Earth.  They've also hinted that there's a connection between this new JSA series, the new Huntress mini-series, the Mister Terrific ongoing series, and the latest Birds of Prey series.  Does this mean that the all of these series are currently taking place on Earth Two and we just don't know it?  It's quite possible.  Have there been any crossovers with these series and other series in the New 52?  Not that I've seen. 

Infinity Inc. #1 (1984)

While some (or most) may scoff at this idea, I'm kind of digging it.  Why?  With Earth Two, it opens the door for  reviving Infinity Inc. and the Young All-Stars (two of my favorite 1980s series).  It would also allow DC to compete with Marvel's successful "Ultimate" universe and its myriad of titles.  

The downside to an Earth Two Huntress?  I guess that would mean that the romance between Huntress and Catman would never happen.  But she would (hopefully) be the daughter of Batman and Catwoman again, and that would be pretty cool.   

Young All-Stars #1 (1987)

But the biggest mystery for me is...what's the connection with Birds of Prey?  Does that mean that the current Birds of Prey series doesn't take place on Earth One or New Earth or whatever it's called now? 

As for the new Huntress #1, it was just okay.  I've always liked Huntress as a character, but have never felt that anyone's ever done anything spectacular story-wise with her.  She's always felt like more of a supporting/team player than a headliner.  So maybe there's a place for her (again) in a new Infinity, Inc.

Kori vs. Kory

Princess Koriand'r

So, besides being portrayed as sluttier in the New 52, it seems that DC Comics has also decided to update the nickname of Princess Koriand'r (aka Starfire) to "Kori" from the afore-used "Kory."  I guess because that's the trend nowadays?  Cindy to Cindi?  Tammy to Tammi?  Phone to iPhone?

Catman Scratches His Way Into Target

When I visit Target, I usually wander down the toy aisles, checking out the new superhero action figures.  I don't purchase any of them (anymore), but I like to look at them and keep abreast (wink wink nod nod -- that's for all you straight comic book geeks) of what figures are being produced and how good they look.  My heart skipped a beat this past week when I stumbled upon a Catman action figure.  As you know, he's this blog's namesake.

I never liked Catman much as a kid.  He was always portrayed in the Batman comics as a big doofus.  Then in 2005, Gail Simone used him in the Villains United mini-series, which eventually paved the path for the Secret Six series.  She took a lame and relatively unknown Batman villain and turned him into a sexy villain with a heart.  I liked him so much that I used him as the basis for this blog.  Although he has yet to appear in DC's New 52, Catman's name still graces the top of this webpage. 

So...back to Target.  I picked up the Catman action figure off the shelf and began to examine it.  It was beautiful.  Unfortunately, I couldn't justify spending $15 for something that would probably just sit in a box at home.  If I made money off this blog and/or had an office for my creative work, I would pull out all the stops and have Catman paraphernalia proudly displayed.  However, this isn't a perfect world, and that isn't the case.  I can just hope that someone gives that Catman action figure a good home. 

Hawkman gets an Adjective.

Fred Savage

When I hear the word "savage," I think of the song "Savages" from Disney's Pocahontas movie...and that little tyke from The Wonder Years, Fred Savage.  Now I can add DC Comics' new Savage Hawkman comic series to the mix.  

Curiously, Hawkman's series is the only one in the "New 52" in which DC has decided to include an adjective preceding the character's name.  How strange is that?  Marvel does it with a multitude of their comics:  Uncanny X-Men, Astonishing X-Men, Mighty Thor, Incredible Hulk, Invincible Iron Man, Amazing Spider-Man, Savage She-Hulk, Sensational She-Hulk (okay, that one is just dating myself now), etc.  But DC just has...one.  Only one superhero earned an adjective in the "New 52." 

I must admit that I'm kind of fond of the use of adjectives.  It gives the title a little flair and could also potentially distinguish it from other previous volumes (see aforementioned She-Hulk titles). 

Hawkman by Alex Ross

I've never been a particular big fan of reading Hawkman's adventures.  I really like him as a character (probably for his revealing costume -- hello, bulky hairy chest!), but I never read his adventures and thought, "Wow!  Hawkman's awesome!"  or "I wanna be Hawkman for Halloween!"  But the latter is probably because of the revealing costume, too.  And the lack -- on my part -- of a massive chest.

I read the first issue of The Savage Hawkman and thought it was just okay.  I'll continue reading it to see if it leads somewhere good, but it has yet to really sink its claws into me. (Get it -- claws?  A hawk has claws?  Never mind.)

Savage Hawkman #1

Since Carter Hall (Hawkman's alternate identity) is an archaeologist (even in the new DCU), let's hope we get some sort of Indiana Jones-type adventure in the series.  I'd love to see his personal, professional, and costumed lives expand to make him a more well-rounded character.  And so DC doesn't cancel the series due to low sales.  Let's face it: Hawkman doesn't have a very good track record for longevity in his own series, even when paired up with The Atom.  And how random was that?

iVampire

Even though I think the entertainment world is oversaturated with vampires right now, I decided to pick up DC Comics' new I, Vampire series, despite its grammatically awkward title.  Or maybe because of it.  I never read the original in the 1980s, but I remember hearing about it/seeing it in comic book stores. 

Due to vampires' popularity right now, I'm sure that was why DC decided to revisit this old title.  I was intrigued by how DC would incorporate vampires into the DCU, and I hoped it would be more successful than Marvel's attempt last year with their "Curse of the Mutants" storyline.  

After reading the first issue of I, Vampire, I can clearly say that I have no fucking clue what happened.  Maybe it sounds "racist," but I have no idea who is who in the vampire world; they all look alike to me.  I won't give up on the title just yet, though.  I'll read the series for a couple more issues to see if I get into more.