DC Reboot Update: Full look at "NEW" Superman in Action Comics #1

If there's anything to feel awkward about the forthcoming DC Reboot, this new reveal presented by DC Comics and the New York Post of the cover to Action Comics #1 probably takes the cake:

Ok, let's take a moment to ponder and analyze this entire cover pic.

It's the new look of Superman.

He's wearing a classic blue "S" symbol T-Shirt.

He has a short cape.

He's wearing a regular pair of jeans and shoes.

How the heck this got approved to usher in the DC Reboot is beyond me and most of the DC fanbase. While the focus in this book is being justified as a "Year One" concept for Supes, I'm not too sold on the "half-assed"Supes outfit. It looks too much like one of those T-Shirts you can buy off the department store, and all you need is a red towel and you're good to go... in an awkward sort of way.

Granted, the good news is that the book will be written by Grant Morrison and illustrated by Rags Morales, but this "new look" of Superman does the opposite of making me excited about reading this book based on DC's iconic superhero. I know this version of Clark Kent is actually his "past self", when he was still learning to control his powers and didn't have the ability to fly yet, but why couldn't they take a different approach at tailoring his costume, let alone NOT give him a costume at all? I know they're taking a page out of Tom Welling and his portrayal of a younger Supes from Smallville, but this is just a downright silly look for the Man of Steel. Heck, it reminds me so much of a Super Friends episode where Superman regressed to a child again (due to Red Kryptonite) and Firestorm used his powers to make his costume fit his age at the time. When he finally turned back, you can just imagine how tight fitting and small his costume was, and that's the feeling I get from this new costume.  Well, one can only hope there's a good reason why Kal-El looks like this and why his marriage to Lois Lane had to go down south like Spider-Man's did a few years ago, but that's the repercussions of the DC Reboot for you. For more on the story, visit the source posts at the New York Post and Newsarama.

*Originally posted by Timzster in The Crusader's Realm

Crusader Comic Book Review: Batman: The Return #1

It's a great week for Bat fans, and I say this without any exaggeration in mind. A new beginning has dawned over the saga of The Dark Knight, and it involves escalating his war against crime by taking it to a new level. As witnessed at the end of Batman and Robin #16, Batman will take his fight worldwide, and he's going to expand his reach by recruiting some of the best and brightest to become Batmen of their respective countries.

If that concept doesn't sound enticing enough, then blame writer Grant Morrison for it. He's the brains behind the Caped Crusader's adventures ever since he introduced his biological son, Damian Wayne, into mainstream DC continuity, and so far that idea has been embraced and accepted by fans worldwide. As I've said many times before, if there's one thing to be said about the Scotsman, it's his tenacity to make the unexpected WORK and inevitably PAYOFF by the end, and he's pretty much accomplished what he set forth to do when he wrangled Bruce Wayne through time and brought him back to the present day. Now that the original Dark Knight is back, the focus can now shift to his spotlight, which now has room for more than his lone shadow apparently.


Batman : The Return #1
Written By: Grant Morrison
Illustrated By: David Finch
Cover By: David Finch

Crusader Comic Book Review: Batman and Robin #16

I'll come into this review with a simple reaction to the issue itself -WOAH!

By all accounts, Grant Morrison has fashioned quite the reputation for himself as writer and plot master behind all things Batman these past few years. He's put Bruce Wayne's alter ego through the ringer, stacked him with insurmountable odds to face, and orchestrated a journey through time that brings him full circle with his origins and being. If that sounds like a bunch of confusing hokey-pokey, then I don't blame you, it's a long story to follow. However, the payoff has been sweet, and there have been drastic changes to the Bat universe that most fans have embraced and accepted over time. The book I'm reviewing here, Batman and Robin, is the primary title of said change "Batman: Reborn", which showcases the adventures of a new Dynamic Duo protecting Gotham, namely the pairing of Wayne's first ward Dick Grayson and his biological son Damian. The series has run for 16 issues so far, and with the final one written by Morrison in place this week, Grant has once again brought something unexpected to the table, through what many people have summed up as a "game changer". I promise not to mention any reveals or spoilers... that's what the internet is for if you're impatient, haha.

Batman and Robin #16

Written By: Grant MorrisonIllustrated By: Cameron Stewart and Frazer Irving

Cover By: Frank Quitely